Due August '07 - Part 4

[tokentotty]

Welcome all !!!!

Thanks for the link, that nightie's quite nice. But the model is blatantly not pregnant, of course!

I saw some beautiful PJs (I think they were in the latest issue of P&B magazine) which I might splash out on, will try and find a link tonight. I'm sure I'll look and feel dreadful after the birth but I might as well have nice nightwear!

katybird I totally covet those PJs as well - the ones with the kind of kimono top?

That's right! Completely out of my price range if I remember correctly but if I start saving now...

BTW, the yoga teacher is leaving after this week, she's moving to Cambridge, but we're getting a new woman called Lola who is apparently lovely.

I had bottles already bought for DS but no formula in the house not intentionally though you are talking to the woman who still didn't have a hospital bag packed when 10 days overdue

With regards to mixed bottle and breast feeding the advice is not to introduce a bottle before 6 weeks this gives you time to establish bf sort out your supply and apparently not cause nipple / teat confusion

I gave ds a bottle at 6 weeks of expressed milk which he took fine I then never gave him another one for quite a while and it then became an entirely different story he refused point blank for quite some time to take a bottle and this caused me quite a bit of panic when returning to work. We got there in the end but it took alot of patience. I am planning to express regularly this time and mix bottle and bf as long as the bf goes well again this time.I found alot of support last time from people who had no problem doing this many 2nd time mums who'd had the same problem as me moving to the bottle or mixing first time round.

I used to use a hand pump for expressing and this worked really well for me. I also bought an electic one but it was no quicker and didn't get anymore out for me although I know they do for some women.

Well they're going to have some of the prams in the Tchibo shops so I'll have a look when back from holiday and let you know about quality etc if I do see one.
I invested in a 3 piece pyjama set from Blooming Marvellous the other day and LOVE it !! Aqua with chocolate brown edging - bottoms, nursing vest and cardigan which is perfect.
Awwww Band of Mothers - just think how jealous a lot of us were last year of you !

Just seen that link of yours Mrs B about the Tchibo. I'm not bothered at all about being 'last season' but not keen on poor quality so will deffo hang back. Thanks for that.

Morning all!
For those of you interested in eco-friendly nappies, have a look at Beaming Baby

I'm not quite sure if I'm going for reusables but apparently the Bambo Eco nappies are very good and very comfortable for baby too. They're filled with corn starch so they're bio-degradable. Apparently if you buy in bulk, they work out the same price (or maybe cheaper) than Pampers/Huggies etc - and they're better for the environment.

I might give reusable nappies a shot but not decided yet... there is a nappy laundry service in our area but haven't checked out the prices

Thanks for the breastfeeding info, Stretchmarks and Gill. I'm planning to back to work after six months and am already worrying how I'll feel having to forgo the breastfeeding unless I express and provide bottles to the nursery. It's made me realise how important it is to have on-site nurserys at work where possible.

I got a speedy reply by Jemma from the Nappy Lady last night - v useful with suggestions of brands and the ability to buy trial packs. And they look so cute! Have emailed my useless council to see why they don't have a reusuable nappy incentive.

Yeah, pyjamas are tricksy, aren't they? I bought some from JoJo but they flapped about like a tent and were so unflattering I sent 'em back. I want something with built-in bust support, pretty and that I can wear now and afterwards and have ordered this one from Seraphine as it looks as though it's quite supportive...

Anyone started thinking about what they'll wear when labouring? I know everyone saws you won't care, but I def don't want to be starkers in front of someone I've never met before, but am hoping for a water birth.. Reckon feeling confident in what I'm wearing will help me feel more in control and less like a thrashing moaning whale .

Oooh Annie that nightie is quite lush - I might have to put it on my list. Love Seraphine.

On labouring outfit, I had in mind a boyfriend size Tshirt that is discardable and am taking my tankini top for the water birth should I be so lucky as to score the ONE pool at my hospital. Bubs and I will have to collude in the timing of the birth so that it is a quiet Sun evening I think.

Like you I don't fancy being naked in front of strangers. I wish I could convince my other half to go for a home birth.

ooh, that Seraphine one is nice.

I implusively bought last night the purple Next 3pc pyjama set and nightie as they were the only ones I could find not in grey or pastel (all of which are guaranteed to make me look paler and more worn-out than I'll no doubt be...)

Still not sure what to labour in - used to have two great lightweight striped cotton nightshirts (like big mens' shirts) but can I find them? Can I buggery...

I'm hoping to use the birthing pool if possible but have been worried about what to wear in there. Like the idea of a tankini kite might get mine out of the draw and see if any would possibly do. For DS1 I bought a cheap nightshirt which I could throw away but I still use it now might even use it agin this time. It's DS1's birthday today can't beleive this time 4 years ago I was about to have a baby.

That Seraphine website is lurverly... wish I'd known about it before now

I also really like the 3-pc jammies and nightdress from Next... I quite like them in grey though! Might have to sit in the sun all of July so as not to look washed out after labour

I haven't even thought about what to wear during labour... other than one of DH's old T-shirts... I don't really think I'll care by that point about anyone seeing me in the buff!!

Haven't even thought about whether to have a water birth yet or not... oh I'm so unprepared

Annie - I felt exactly the same way as you before my first labour and I was determined that I wouldn't be naked in front of strangers. However, I was so hot and uncomfortable that I took everything off except my bra. I guarantee you that when you are in the late stages of labour you just won't care (unless you are one of those lucky women that say it doesn't hurt that much or you have a good epidural and can't feel much pain). Even after the birth I was sitting up on the bed with my boobs out feeding dd. I'm sure by then I had a sheet over the lower half of my body but I really wasn't bothered. I was just so glad I wasn't in pain any more.

I felt sorry for my friend who had to be transferred to an operating theatre with her legs wide apart in stirrups. It wasn't until they were just about to go into the corridor that someone decided it was a good idea to cover her up!

GillL, thanks for that. I had forgotten how hot we will all be in labour, especially at the end of August.

I am starting to have people congratulate me at work (yes, katybird and hersetta, I did finally grow a bump) and I am finding myself uncomfortable with it. Does anyone have any strategies or will it just get easier with time?

Hi Kiteflying. I felt a bit awkward at first but it passed quickly. Once everyone has found out and made a comment you'll probably just get questions like 'have you thought of any names yet?'. That's the favourite where I work at the moment.

This is the pyjama set I went for here can't help but wear them now as love them soooo much and they're so comfy.

Hi Kite - yes! every single day. I've just been down to the kitchen and had "ooh, where did that bump come from!!" and "look at you, anyone would think you were pregnant or something. Ha ha".

TBH it really depends what mood I'm in! Some days the comments really annoy me as I feel like I've been singled out as the freakshow... and other days I just let it all brush over me

Oh and yes the "Oh my God you're enormous" comments can definitely grate...

Annie75 that nursing wrap nightie is pretty as well as practical, good find!

I was planning on taking an old black strappy nightie. I thought it'd be ok for the birth as it will pull down low enough for skin on skin without having to have my boobs flapping about throughout, plus with it being black I won't be embarassed about sending dp home to wash it.

Could do with getting a couple of cheap long nighties with button up fronts, should I need to stay in, and a lightweight dressing gown. But the only suitable ones I've seen in my size that aren't made of chiffon or satin or leopard print are on a website called fiftyplus.

Let the frumpiness begin!!

Incidentally, I wish someone would notice I was pregnant and not just think I'm extra fat!

I do wish people would notice I'm pregnant when it really matters... like on the bus in the mornings...

Or on the tube - haven't got a seat now in two weeks. Seriously considering having to resort to a baby on board badge from tfl.

Hersetta - like the baby on board badge idea!! I'd been thinking about a "pregnant woman on board" badge for my car, to keep annoying tailgaters off my tail whenever I'm driving

Oh dear, I've got to get the tube tomorrow (always drive to Canary Wharf), and not looking forward to it. Got a team dinner at Rules in Covent garden in the evening too so just realised it means tubes at the absolute worst times of day. Bllx. Getting a feckin' car home that's for sure...

Just got this from one of my friends....how kind of her huh ???
and no, before you ask I'm not exceptionally hairy or anything