July 2019 (thread 8): pram choices, 20-week scans, and the morning gag

[RooKangaroo]

New thread!

Sorry, don't know if someone else was planning to do this. Just noticed how close we were to being cut off on the last thread.

Think we are going with the snhuggle bath with the stand,

We have a baby girl name picked out and have done since before I was pregnant which is Ivy and it’s stuck ever since so baby Ivy it is. We hadn’t a boys name picked and couldn’t decide on one.

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend ❤️

Morning ladies

Quick question of advice or opinion! We’re going to TGI’s for lunch today, would you eat the crispy chicken that has Jack Daniels in it? I’ve been avoiding alcohol completely including in food but I don’t know if I’m being extreme by avoiding it in food???

I'm not sure what the dish is exactly, but I would. Alcohol content there would be minimal and it will also be reduced (if not completely eliminated) by cooking. But then I'm fairly relaxed about that sort of thing and had meat cooked a tiny bit pink for lunch yesterday. Whatever you decide, enjoy!!!

@blueeyedviking I use La Roche Posay as well, I have used it for years because I’ve always had acne (since I was about 12 😩) so my skin is no worse than usual. Also, I agree about the Baby Box, I was lucky that my local hospital was a pick up point but when I saw the price of delivery I was pretty shocked!

Hello ffiffi8! I hate rude GP receptionists!

Loving all the baby name talk, it’s nice to hear other people’s ideas 😊

Also, @Giraffe888, any alcohol in food is reduced down so it burns off any actual alcohol content leaving only the flavour. You don’t need to avoid alcohol in food 😊

Okay, I've stumbled down a bit of an internet rabbit hole searching for... breast pumps. What the heck?! Which one do I buy?!! Any tips would be gratefully received...

I've been looking at the Medela Swing Maxi elextric breast pumps, but I have no idea if I'm looking in the right direction... Also, single or double?

@Giraffe888 I definitely would go for it - as others have said there's probably minimal alcohol in it, and what there is has been cooked down. Plus the odd bit of alcohol in pregnancy is fine. I've had the occasional tiramisu because I love them so much. As long as you're not drinking bottles of wine then baby should be fine!

Bought a few bits online today including the perfect prep for £69!

Still haven't really discussed names, but would like to have a few to decide on once the baby is born (depending on what name 'suits' him!). I veer between really traditional names and more out there names so god knows what we'll end up with.

@FuzzyPixel I've heard the Medela swing is the best electric best pump but the price on them! My friend has offered me to borrow hers, but not really sure on the hygiene around this?

@Capybaras and @FuzzyPixel I gave myself a headache looking at breast pumps on Friday night 😂 I’ve heard that about the Medela ones but I just can’t afford the cost of them! I think I’m going to get a cheaper one then just invest in a more expensive one if I think I need it. I found a couple of Amazon with good reviews for around £40. I found a fab one on Amazon called Bella Baby, it had great reviews, but it has disappeared and I can’t find it anyway. That one was only £50 and looked really good.

@Capybaras and @BeckyButterfly I have heard good things about Medela so started looking at those without really browsing too many others. I'm a bit lucky in that, if I can't find it cheaper anywhere else, I get a tiny amount (7%) of discount at Mothercare - which in the grand scheme of spending money really adds up.

I guess in terms of hygiene, a lot of the key parts will be able to be sterilised? (Only guessing here)

Thanks for the heads up about the other brand BeckyButterfly, I'll check them out.

@FuzzyPixel I get 7% discount at Mothercare too and it really does make a difference when buying quite a bit of kit. I’m saving £50 on the pram!

@Capybaras where did you get the perfect prep from? I know it was at Asda's for £60 but I didn't get there quick enough before the price went up

I have a Nuby natural touch electric pump which I really rate . I'm sure I got it half price at £50 but that was when I had my last baby . Was really good !

@ForTheLoveOfDoughnuts John Lewis! It's not the day and night one but I'm more than happy with the standard one!

Is there anything else that people feel is a must-buy? Be great to see what people are prioritising (and see what I've missed!)

My must haves are :
Perfect prep machine
next 2 me crib
swaddle blankets with the Velcro bits
muslins (lots of!)
mam bottles this time (you don't need a separate steriliser and apparently great for combi feeding or if you switch!)
Stretchy wrap (didn't use much last time but think I will with a toddler running around!)
Some sort of white noise like Ewan the dream sheep but haven't decided what yet!

@Kentishgal there was talk in my booking in about still seeing a consultant as although I didn't hit the trigger points for regular scans i had a big baby previously. When I moved to 1:2:1 midwives we discussed it but because I don't hit the trigger points then not at the moment. They have already tested me once for gd ( I got it last few weeks of first pregnancy) and I get tested again at 28 weeks.
If I get gestational diabetes again I will start getting the regular scans.

I'm made up I don't have gd and that my bmi was lower this pregnancy but miss the monthly scans!

( oh and I had a c section due to back issues luckily - last scan had put baby approx as a heavy nine pounder, just slightly out!)

Another thing for everyone though in case helpful - in my first pregnancy out of 8 women in my Nct class I think 5 ( not including me) had a measurement with midwife and then had to go for scan as measurement shower baby might be too small - all had scans and were ok. So if you get something like this happen to you try not to get too stressed until you have your scan.

Re essentials ... I bought next to me crib, I downloaded an app I could share photos of baby with just close family ( I used Lifecake but others available) get the nipple cream if breastfeeding oh my god that's a must!!! If bottle then prefect prep good. I bought a second hand one, bought new filter and cleaned it down. Most baby gros have attached gloves that come over baby hand which are great as my baby wouldn't keep those little separate ones on. Car seat ( obviously) I bought angel seat for bath but it doesn't go to sitting though to be honest for first few months washed baby in sink as higher up so easier for me.
Oh on babygros - my mum kept buying me fancy ones with only three buttons on the back or ones where they are at the side. When you are tired you will be very annoyed trying to put them on - make sure you have straightforward do up at the front ones!

I bought euan the sheep as so many people swore by him- my son didn't like it and it never soothes him but others say it worked. I didn't buy one but my friend bought a music projected which has stars move on ceiling that her baby loves

Oh thank you for the essentials - ordered the perfect prep and bought a next2me crib, just need to get a replacement mattress now as it was secondhand. Planning on breastfeeding but know it's not always possible hence the perfect prep (but hopefully will be useful post bf) and we bought the Tommee tippee bottle/steriliser set - are mam bottles a lot better? I've heard a few people mention Ewan so will have a look into that too!
Hadn't even thought about the way babygros do up so that's useful to know/think about.
I've also ordered the starter set of cheeky wipes as I've heard good things about them and would like a more sustainable than wipes (although of course will use wipes when out and about etc).
Feel like I'm starting to get slightly organised now!

I don't have any experience with TT but I heard a lot of reviews that breastfed babies just refused the TT teats ! I made a post about it before and a lot of the comments put me off TT. Also a lot of people who said their baby took to the mam teats that's why I've gone for those this time !

Saying that , it's probably just luck! My last baby I breastfed for about 7/8 weeks then switched to formula and it was NUK bottles I used and she took them no problem. I've only bought one pack of 3 bottles for now to see how we get on, don't want to buy any more and the baby doesn't take them !

I agree with the baby grows buttoning up the front ! The ones that go over their heads used to annoy me too , I always end up leaving those ones as a last resort .

I feel like I've bought loads of already ! We've bought our travel system with car seat , next 2 me, we've got a Moses basket in the loft I'll need to check what condition that's in . Already have perfect prep, steriliser, bottles, dummies, bibs, some clothes, a few blankets and swaddle blankets , sheets. On a roll !

Is anyone not sorting out a nursery before baby arrives ? I don't know what we are doing yet . I agreed not to rush into doing one since baby will be in our room for a while anyway but the more stuff that's piling up is making me think oh crap where are we going to keep it all ?! 🙈

I’ve bought nothing yet apart from a TT bottle set then gets delivered Tuesday and a mamaroo bouncer.

This is the first time I’m going to say this to anyone other then my partner but I have no desire to breast feed 🙈 I always said I didn’t want to breastfeed before I was pregnant but was open to changing my mind once I was pregnant however I just haven’t. I know people can be judgmental as breast is best ect but I just don’t feel like I want to breast feed apart from give the very very first feed as it’s “ liquid gold” apparently. Does that make me a bad person? I obviously want what’s best for my baby but I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of breast feeding and would make me happier bottle feeding and in turn less stressed which is surely better for baby 😌

Useful essentials posts! Thanks!

I wish DH would wait before doing the nursery @ReginaPhalange89. I feel like we've got so much decorating to do before little one gets here - it's driving me mad, because I know it's not really essential. DH wants everything done though so he can spend more time with baby when he or she arrives. He's really busy at work, but then spends his weekends decorating; he is going to be shattered... Taking him away this weekend though, so hopefully he'll relax a little, then we'll have a spa break in April time.

Really useful tips on must-haves, thank you!

Just back from the Baby Show, feeling a lot better informed and clearer on what's right for us. Didn't buy a huge amount but now know what we want. Wasn't persuaded by the TT bottles, liked Mam. The buggy track was also helpful and confirmed our choice of pram, Silvercross, which DH has now ordered. Some good creams and things on offer too. About to go through all the goodie bags!

@AIDE2424 no of course it doesn't make you a bad person ! Fed is best.. weather that's breast or bottle it really doesn't matter ! Honestly with my first I said I'd try but I was absolutely dreading it and just knew I wouldn't. I did one or two in the hospital then asked if I could give formula and the midwives were absolutely fine giving it to me ! I think it was mostly a self conscious thing, I didn't like the idea of doing it in front of anyone !
With my second baby I did manage 8 weeks but I still had that self conscious thing. It was only bad for the first week or so because we constantly had visitors but I dreaded her needing fed if we were out etc . I switched to bottles at 8 weeks mostly because I'd really hurt my nipples with the pump and it was so painful I couldn't push through it !
I don't know what I'm going to do this time. I have that same feeling I had with my first that I'll end up not doing it, but i think I'll wait and see how i feel. I'm more worried this time about being glued to the sofa with 2 other kids running around needing me ! 🙈

@ReginaPhalange89 I think that’s the same with me it’s a self conscious thing. My partners very supportive either way. My friend breast fed her first for a year and keeps telling me to do it but it doesn’t help with how I feel towards breast feeding. Only time will tell.

Think I’m going to order things after my scan on the 15th.

Also I keep waking up on my belly 🙈 I have no bump still and I’m worried I’m gonna hurt baby!

@AIDE2424 I agree with everything ReginaPhalange89 said. Fed is best, no matter what form that takes! People are far too quick to judge other’s choices, you do you and let everyone else mind their own business 😊 your baby will be loved and cared for beyond belief, that’s what matters.