May 2017 #6........ 'Half way there and trips to Mothercare'

[Adventuregame]

And the chat/moans/advice/excitement continues.............any newbies welcome !

Bright smoke - thank you for the tip re the tens machine. Will deffo invest. Hot water bottle had been helping for a while but some nights it's just not even making an iota of difference! X

Hi all,

Just posted on the pregnancy board but have been directed here by raspberry in a melon - thanks!!

I'm 23 weeks pregnant with our first and new to mumsnet!

I've been pretty chilled about it all so far but yesterday I had a massive FREAK OUT about everything we need to do in the next few months - including moving house - so I've decided I need to start making some decisions so I feel a bit more in control!

One thing I'm really struggling with is how we're going to get around once junior arrives. I'd love some advice please!

We live in London and so a lot of travel will be on public transport. My local tube station doesn't have a lift or an escalator. I don't drive and I have friends all over London so it's critical that I can get out and about. I also have slight agoraphobic tendencies when I'm not feeling 100% so I need to make sure I don't have any excuse to stay indoors all day everyday!

We'll be inheriting my sister's car once she gets a new one but we don't know when we'll get this. We'll probably only use it to drive to my mum's or for weekend outings, so we'll need a car seat but won't want to spend a fortune as it might only be used once or twice a month.

I've looked at slings and carriers so I don't have to face the terrifying prospect of getting a buggy up and down stairs on my own but is this practical? I've also looked at a million buggies but end up going round in circles and just get fed up!

I'm hoping someone out there has been in a similar situation and can recommend a solution that has worked for them?

In terms of budget we're willing to spend whatever we need to be practical and safe - but we're not the types to buy the snazziest most expensive stuff just because it looks good!!

Thanks in advance!
Fizz x

Welcome Fizz - I don't live in London so can't advise on what will work best, but from the sounds of it you have it all in hand having already looked at slings and carriers. As for the pram /pushchair options being overwhelming - I think we've all been there! The question is what will you be using it for as it sounds like it will be the sling/carrier you use most.

My priorities for prams were that it had to be easy to steer with one hand (as I'll be walking the dog too), easy to fold, folds up small for travelling and is light (I've a history of having a bad back). I also wanted one that could be used with the car seat. I found it best to go and try some so I could see how heavy they were and how easy they were to fold etc and we chose that way.

I know that as soon as I've sorted one thing, e.g. The pram, I find something else to panic about eg feeding. I think it's a first time mum thing - it feels like there's so much to learn, but all the ladies on here are so helpful so don't be afraid to ask.

Fizz just to put your mind at ease about the tube stairs- i've travelled on the tube lots with a buggy and people are always willing to help.

I'd recommend getting a sling and a buggy. Get a narrow buggy so it's easy to get on public transport. I have an uppababy Cruz which is narrow, lightish but has a huge basket for shopping.

We have a car (also in London) but very rarely use it. I've taken DD all over using public transport and it's always been fine. We got a pebble car seat but only because it came free with the pram.

Finally, would suggest finding some friends locally who will be on maternity leave at the same time as you. Much easier in the early days not to have to travel too far.

Well I survived, not sure I was that much use as I hit a wall at about 9 pm and went to bed

Funniest thing was as soon as I was in my sleeping bag and warming up baby woke up and started dancing, so s/he was either happy to be in bed or was trying to kick me out of bed to help more

Got some sleep but despite having planned and extra comfy sleeping situation I MISSED MY PILLOW!!

Happy to be home in a warm house with less aching muscles - think I might have had an easier time had I not been pregnant and been riding instead. However at least at 3am I stopped being jealous of all the people riding their bikes!!

Now I have a good bit of catching up to do with your chat

So we went to look at pushchairs today and think we have decided on either the Silver Cross Wayfayer or Pioneer. Also found a Silver Cross Simplicity Car Seat in the colour we wanted for £60 instead of £130 as it was ex display so we purchased it.

Also got a playmat and bouncer from Asda as well as a sleep buddy.

redblu I was going to get the baby gym and bouncer from Asda yesterday (such a bargain!) but my husband said we have to leave some things for people to buy us as gifts 🙄

To be honest we have probably purchased too much but we have found lots of stuff in the sales. I fear we may not have left many options for people to buy for us!

We haven't as yet purchased anything full price!

Welcome Fizz. We have also been totally overwhelmed by the amount of stuff... trying to do it one bit of a time!

Am feeling a little confused today. Have been told by the midwife that if I was ever concerned about babys movement should call to get checked. Baby usually is very active over night and first thing in the morning, with strong kicks. Last night was very quiet and any movement was very gentle and almost missable. Called assessment unit this morning and felt like I was totally wasting their time... They said 26 weeks was too early to worry about any pattern or what it was usually like and call the community team if I was still concerned.

Baby woke up an hour ago and is now wriggling away so seems I was worrying about nothing but I now don't understand when I should worry and when I shouldn't. Am naturally very anxious anyway so I am worried I won't know the difference between needing to worry and when I just need to stop stressing. Don't see midwife for another 2 1/2 weeks which seems like forever away!

Yellow, I find it confusing too - I saw a midwife last week who gave me a leaflet on baby movements I thought might be helpful. The key thing it recommended was if you're unsure on movement to lie on your left side and focus on movements for 2 hours (ok if you have the time for this I guess, it's a long time). You should feel ten or move separate movements in this time, otherwise seek help. Also the advice varies depending on stage of pregnancy, I took a snap of that page of the leaflet, hope it doesn't come out too small.

Thanks peach that's really helpful

I'm glad other people are feeling achy (not glad as in haha glad as in I thought I was the only one)
I feel awful moaning about it but genuinely hurt all other today and I spent most of the day sat down - glad I've got midwife on Wednesday so I can get a referral to see someone as dear it could be more serious than just achy, poss that hip thing.
I'm also struggling with words! Like allll the time, I manage a showroom and talking to customers I fear I fill them with no confidence as they keep having to insert words!

I hope my sparkling personality wins them over xx

Lots of productive weekends?

I've spent this afternoon attempting to actually take stock of all of the clothes we've been given and can't quite believe how much we have!

I still have no idea if it's enough, but I'm sure it'll be fine to get us started as there are a good range of sizes of things

fizz we don't live in London, but did without a buggy entirely for our first - we were given one, but used it about twice (ever). It's so much easier with a sling/carrier. We only got a pushchair when DS was 2.5yo (!) and it's a very lightweight folding one. For a newborn I highly recommend a stretchy wrap but it's very very useful if you can get to a sling meet before baby arrives so they can show you how to tie it. It's not complicated but it looks like it so trying it out before you need to use it is very handy. And we used it from day 1 last time (i.e. walked out of the hospital using it!). If you feel more comfortable with something a bit more structured a Close Caboo works well for newborns, and you can get (eg) an Ergo with a newborn insert which will last a bit longer as you can use it for older babies without the insert. Personally though I am pretty petite so the more structured carriers (such as the Ergo) didn't fit me very well - I found it better to use the stretchy at first and then try the carriers in person with the (older) baby to see which fitted best. Don't get a Baby Bjorn or similar- they're not good for your back or for the baby, it's not an ideal position to be in. Most shops still sell those primarily so a sling meet is highly recommended to get some decent advice. John Lewis does sell Ergos and the Close Caboo.

We don't own a car but you're right that a car seat will be needed when you do drive (or borrow a car or travel as a passenger). We were lucky that we were given one by a friend first time round, but this time round will need to buy. I'll probably be buying this britax (www.britax.co.uk/car-seats/baby-safe-plus-shr-ii/). If budget is important, look at the seats that go from infant all the way through to age 4, such as the Joie Stages or the Joie Every Stage - otherwise you need a new one in about a year anyway.

I've had better weeks. Developed PGP all very suddenly so missed my first day of work since this pregnancy, I was doing so well. Then really struggled to remain inactive at work because it seems that's impossible! Went to midwife in antenatal (one of very small perks of working in a hospital is I was seen straightaway) and she gave me one of those support belts. I find you need to wear them really low though and it's a faff with multiple toilet trips to take it on and off.

Then to top it off, as that's improving, yesterday morning in bed I had a calf cramp and now it feels like I've pulled a muscle at the gym (without the results of any exercise). Still managed to drag myself out to John Lewis where I subjected myself to pram overload and now I'm all frazzled. I hope next week is kinder to me!

Rasperry at least you've got them in organised piles! Mine are still in the bags my mum piled them in to, I'm not letting myself buy anything more until I've looked through.

Fizz I've never needed a pushchair with DS who is nearly 3. Totally different situation to you as we live rurally with no public transport but just so you know they are not necessarily essential for everybody.

Wow ladies, you have been talking a lot! So much to catch up on. Interesting to see so many recommendations for the Serola belt. Contemplating getting one before our holiday in a couple of weeks time. A couple of weeks of taking it really easy (partly enforced by this cold) has definitely helped, and I got back to the pool today. I did look a bit silly doing breast stroke arms and front crawl legs!

I'm also struggling with a slightly odd pain - a sharp pain in my ribs on my left that sometimes I can feel in my back too. Wonder if I've pulled a muscle.

Redblu we have the silver cross pioneer. Just picked it up from inlaws today where it was delivered after Black Friday! Have attached pic with carrycot on so you can see size.

We also put the cot together for the nursery which was really simple. Still need to decide if we've room for some sort of chair in there. Anyone know if there's a mini comfy chair out there? Space measures about 70 x 70 cm!!

Welcome Fizz and congratulations on finding us! Raspberry did a good job with her directions.
It's been a busy day today, with going into John Lewis to compile a gift list and I thought their service was really great!
What I particularly liked about it is, that people can buy a voucher if they want to contribute to a larger and more expensive present, instead of having to buy the whole thing!
We also feel more confident about some of the car seats, and we kind of know what we would like.
I have to let it all sink in and look at the list as soon as the lady has put the items on that we said we wanted,
The pram that my friend was going to give us looks ok but it has been in storage for 14 years and just looks old fashioned but doesn't look vintage enough. For now we put the uppababy vista on the list for that reason, but quite happy if that will be replaced by something else. It looked the handiest for folding and putting back together.
The advantage of the list is that there is no obligation to buy the goods if they're not gifted but it also means that things can be out of stock by the time the family and friends want to buy goods off it. I can kind of live with that...
Visit to the in Car Safety Centre tomorrow!
Hoping that next week is going ok what with the kicks getting much stronger

Evening ladies

Everyone seems so organised with their baby purchases. I've only bought two outfits for baby boy so far and was tempted to buy a couple of things today but dh talked me out of it, as he thinks baby is going to be a big boy so should hold off buying stuff. Made me feel kinda deflated but trying to snap out of it. Just think dh feels that it's too soon to buy anything, in case we end up tempting fate or something.

My cold is easing up but my pelvic pain and nausea has decided to ramp it up again. It seems like I'm not going to experience a symptom-free week of pregnancy this time round!

Don't worry Jenny. We've got ages yet. I've barely sorted anything and the baby's room is still full of boxes from when we moved.

Made the mistake of reading the thread about life with a 1 and 3 year old. Bit scared about what I've let myself in for. I'm hoping there are lots of people out there with docile toddlers that get on well that don't want to sound smug and post on mumsnet about it!

jenny sorry to hear you're feeling deflated :( if it helps I haven't bought one thing yet, I don't think it tempts fate I guess I'm still just a bit nervous and feel we have plenty of time still. Hope your symptoms ease up soon!

Welcome fizz!!

yellow it's a shame you were made to feel like that, surely better safe than sorry?! I was thinking of calling someone too as not worried about movements. Glad you've felt lots of wriggling since :) Thanks for the leaflet peach.

Well done 1004!! Hope you have a nice warm comfy sleep tonight!!

Jenny we really haven't done anything either. So far we have no clothes at all, and lots of plans, but not much else. We do have some time still.

Our first only just turned one, and the only thing I've brought for the new baby is a yellow trimmed bath towel. (We're not finding out the sex)
I know we have a fair amount so we won't need too much.... we didn't find out the sex last time either so have some neutrals.
Unless this one pops out a boy... im sure it won't mind a couple of pink bits.
I didn't really start buying until about 7months last time as didn't have a bump until then!

Jenny with clothes it's best to hold off, as so many friends and family will buy you bits and pieces that you'll more than likely be in a position where you're baby will be out growing their wardrobe. Get a couple of newborn and a few 0-3 months pieces. Sorry your feeling deflated, can you not convince him to buy bits and pieces now in the January sales will be financially savvy?