September Babies Thread #5 - we're a chatty bunch

[Stroan]

Yet another thread for our September babies!

The Google Doc with stats is here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VUDuTLeibUnnaCWCjb-pqUe4Wnq-fTau4HJgmE1XE3c/edit?usp=sharing

This post was edited at OP's request

Ohhh @Megan2018 I LOVE alliterative names! They always sound a bit glamorous and live a superhero!

Megan same here - theoretically I’m totally anti taking husband’s name. In reality, my maiden name was a mouthful whereas DH’s surname is an easy one-syllable. Plus we have first names starting with the same letter and it’s sometimes convenient to both be F. Science .

Thanks to everyone for the info re ante-natal classes, there is still space on my local NCT so I think I’m going to have to book it. Would totally freak if I went into labour at 34 weeks having done no classes because I have zero experience with babies. Unfortunately no other local options other than NHS or NCT, I was hoping there’d be something in the middle but it doesn’t seem to exist.

@Megan2018 it's okay to have the same letter if it's a different sound, my OH surname begins with an F too and his sisters name also starts with an F...plus we like the name Fletcher for a boy and I like Farren too 😂😂

@DustyDoorframes
That's what DH says. He used to work in TV and Radio and I think he wants her to have a good radio name in case she wants to take after him .

@fortheloveofscience I did NCT and there was only a little bit on actually looking after the baby. Mostly about clothes and baths I think! You'll pick it all up! Although I vividly remember getting home with DD and wondering what on earth the hospital were thinking letting two incompetant idiots take a baby home!

I love the name Niamh stroan!

@Fortheloveofscience the NCT instructor should tailor to the group though- we all asked for lots of info about babies so we got it! It's was a 6 session course, so maybe that helped?

Ugh, I ant to bed at the outrageous hour of 11:30 pm last night and struggling to cope this morning... I've friends coming over and the kids have trashed the house ( and I haven't done the dishes...) so feeling like we live in a shithole. I know my friends won't care at all but I just ant to weep! Lesson learned- 9:30 is late enough for beef for me!!!

Can't type either, clearly...

dusty i am currently locked in an ongoing battle with my house. It has never been this bad!

I do too @ivegotthedecaf but have this stupid feeling that we've already used the best name for DD and Niamh would be a second best choice! Totally irrational!

Yes @Stroan I've a DS and a DD, and naming them nearly killed us. So definitely feel like that this time. I'm going to have to call them something like Zordak out of despair...
@IVEgottheDECAF the houses are going to win, we are going to have to accept it! Our sofa is literally falling apart, but I really don't want a brand new one in the toddler years to feel bad about getting trashed...

Visiting my mum today and it's the first time I've seen the iCandy pram she got for me as she's storing it at hers. I'm so happy with it!! It's in perfect condition and so easy to push. Definitely makes things seem more real now!

Thanks for that TwittleBee, I might have a hunt for that article. A complicating factor is that last time we were over his DDad told him on the QT that he'd only gone DB'ed because DH's mum had PND and he didn't want to upset her, and he's regretted it ever since. And here was me thinking he was just really progressive for a man in his forties in the mid-80's!

I wouldn't worry about alliterative names Megan2018- I know of a little girl called Florence Fisher-Farmer (I have changed it slightly!) and she seems to get on alright. Memorable anyway!

I've just spent my lunchbreak (saddo that I am) trying to put a spreadsheet together of all the things the baby needs based on the various messages I have had from friends about their "essentials".
Bloody terrifying!

Now have got myself all tied up in knots about how many sheets, blankets, grosnugs etc I need. And I am already traumatised by the idea of the nose frida......

I want to go back to blissful ignorance for a bit. Too scary. I repeat, too scary

Megan you baby doesn't NEED all of that stuff!

You need a couple of sheets for your moses / crib / whatever you are using, and a couple of blankets. Anything else bedding wise is an extra. Your baby might not like being swaddled, you can swaddle with a blanket to start with. People will buy you blankets most likely, its something i have bought new parents a few times.

Yup, we got 27 blankets as gifts!

There's very, very little that they 'need' and it's also very easy to get your hands on things quickly if you need to. For example, we got one swaddle thingy and then stocked up only once we knew that she liked it. But equally, a blanket or big muslin was also fine for swaddling.

Also, the list of stuff that comes in the Scottish baby box is probably quite a sensible list of things that you might need.

www.parentclub.scot/baby-box

And every baby is different. I have friends who couldn't understand why you would need muslins, but I had a reflux baby who soaked through 15-20 a day! I wouldn't recommend buying 100 muslins until you know you need them...

I watched loads of those "newborn essentials" YouTube videos and so many of the Americans said about that nose frida thing. I understand the point of it if baby has a cold, but some of them were using it daily before finding out it can actually be harmful!

I'm not buying anything else until after my 20w scan but am planning to get things like change bags, change mats, muslins, bibs etc in dribs and drabs so it's not horrific buying it all at once. I looked after my four week old nephew at the weekend and he was very cosy in his grosnug. He looked like a little bald burrito! They often do events on their website if you follow them on Facebook or instagram.

I have an amazon wish list that I can share but it's more for my own reference- I'm not planning on having a shower and I can't think of a non-grabby way to share it with people!

I have 4 dc and never had a nose thing ....

It literally is a list of what my closest friends couldn't live without - it isn't excessive honest! But it is very comprehensive right down to best type of dummy, mattress protector for crib, preferred muslins, baby towels, steriliser etc.

I'm also doing washable nappies and wipes so that makes the list longer as there is kit needed for that set up (although it is cheaper in the long run). We'll use disposables in hospital only.

Everyone I know has found the grosnugs better than sheets and they don't have to be swaddled in them - it is just a sleeping bag suitable for newborns with the option to swaddle if you want. They look great! And they are so cute. But then its the decision about Cosy or Light and how many in case I have a puker. So much choice.

We aren't expecting much in the way of gifts as we have a tiny circle - only a few close friends and my family is small. DH is almost NC with all of his family so there won't be 27 blankets coming our way that's for sure!

Obviously don't need everything straight away but I am planning for a section and we live very rurally. Even buying online takes bloody ages as no-one can ever find our house so even Amazon Prime can take 2-3 days and no local shops unless you want a freezer lamb.

I also bloody love lists! I have most of my life on a list. I'll start working out what we can get used and then can tick things off as I find bargains. You have no idea what sort of joy that brings :)

But the nose frida is still minging.

3 people have put the nose frida in their top 10 must haves.
2 of them claim it is fun! Sickos.

I'm ignoring the online guides to "must haves". These suggestions are from people we know who have had a baby in the last 12 months. I asked them all for their top 10. They are remarkably similar.

I also asked for their "don't waste your money" lists too. Very interesting and not much disagreement! Travel System is no 1 universally.

Things like best type of dummy though will depend on your individual baby. One of mine would only accept the huge cherry teat ones!

My three things i am set on buying most are

Perfect prep machine
Avent bottles
A pretty pram

I had the mam self sterilising bottles last time and they were a ball ache

@Stroan 27 blankets sounds like a film.

Ha ha, @Megan2018 enjoy your list, I'm currently going for an impulsive buying of random items, but hoping we'll have a nursery set up sometime in the next 6 weeks so will start to organise then... may cut down on the random purchases until then... probs

WTF is a nose frida? Like a nose bag? Or a stout German lady to help with noses?

Yes what is a nose frida?! I'm so congested maybe I could use one!! on that note, does anyone know if it's ok to use Vicks/olbas oil?? I've been happily snorting it for my sinuses without thinking but suddenly had a freak out that it might not be ok for baby!

Btw @Megan2018 we are going for reusable nappies/wipes too. I struck gold with a couple of bundles being sold on eBay/local FB sites. Might be worth looking into if you don't mind second hand. I think a lot of people buy the whole set up new and hardly use them so end up being sold quite cheaply in good condition. All I ended up buying new were the wipes and a couple of new wraps.