Jan 2020 - Thread 5!!

[Victoriaaaaaaaa]

Wow how are we on thread 5 already?!

@daisymay25 We are going for the Cosatto Giggle mix - I just love all the bright patterns. Its £500 with car seat and isofix and should last until they are 3 xx

I think I'll try for 37 weeks again however it all depends what they say at my consultant appointment as I might need a C-section. I'm due 01/01 so no idea when they'd even schedule a C-section for?! And if course it all depends if I get pre-eclampsia again.

I think Christmas complicates things a bit as it's such a busy time of year for everyone anyway.

For anyone who's made or is making a list of everything you need for once the baby arrives, can you please tell me how you got started?

This will be my first and I'm not sure where to begin? Are there resources online that list everything out or did you just work it out by talking to people and asking?

My EDD is 26/01, I was planning to finish work on Fri 20th december and take 3 weeks annual leave (slightly less than 3 wks total due to all the public holidays) and then start mat leave at 38 wks from 13/01. I hope to take a full year, fingers crossed.

@Botanica it's my first baby too and we were planning on just getting absolute essentials and topping up as/when we need to. Amazon prime is a lifesaver for that! I've just been using my Amazon baby list to add things as I think of them.

Main things are baby cot, pram/seat/travel system, baby bath, changing mat and a net to protect from my cat!! Plan to add as I go

It's my first too, I'm not really sure either. I assumed pram then somewhere to sleep, then the rest is pretty non essential for now?

We are not finding out so just some plain baby grows for hospital and a snow suit 🙂

Hi @imason17 and welcome. We are due date buddies. Hope all goes well at your scan on friday!! X

My BIL got us a book about how to look after a baby, it's really good and has loads of info - I'll look and see what the title is when I get home. It's got a list of things you need and the essentials part of it is really very small - somewhere for the baby to sleep, something to transport it in, nappies, things to clean it's bum with, clothes. Can't think of anything else, maybe that's it.

My due date is 1 January and I'll probably start maternity leave in mid December. We only get three months in Malaysia 😰 but I'll apply for a longer "career break", probably a year. Timing isn't great for me as we're moving in September and I'm starting in a new office so I'll be there for three months and then gone. Tbh I'm already expecting to hate this new office so I wouldn't be surprised if I decide not to go back there after mat leave.

My due date is 20 Jan and I think I'll start mat leave at the start of the new year on the 1st.
I'm also really really keen on the idea of a home birth, but as it's my 1st I'm not sure if that's the best idea. The birthing centre option looks good too, but I'm not sure if this is on a first come first served basis or if you can book a birthing centre room.

Has anyone thought about buying a pregnancy pillow yet? And does anyone have recommendations on food ones? x

*good ones

@Chips84 I'm picking one up today as I saw it reduced in Aldi x

I'm on my 5th baby, don't get suckered into buying loads of expensive gadgets, my friend spent £200 on a chair that swings etc....baby hates it!

Chips84 I bought one online which looks like the queen rose one on Amazon (though it doesn't have the same branding). I love it so much! Really helps me sleep more comfortably and it stops me aggravating my back pain by sleeping on my back.

@Botanica I used this www.emmasdiary.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/preparing-for-baby/newborn-baby-shopping-checklist

But I added a few things, hope that helps!

With my DD I bought loads of stuff that I never used, made me feel more prepared though! This time we already have most of it, need a pram and a car seat though. Don't buy a nappy bin!

@mrscatmad31 really? Everyone I know has one and uses them but I think it's one way or the other

Thanks for all the help on starting a baby list. Definitely want to begin with the essentials and add as we go.

Re pregnancy pillow I got the dream genii from John Lewis. It was admittedly expensive but has been an absolute game changer in terms of better sleep. Also good for training me on to my left side in advance as I'm naturally a back sleeper.

That and my maternity bras have been my two best buys. Can't believe I didn't buy them earlier but it was almost as though I was holding back on what I needed until I really believed this was happening!

I feel you on the holding back Botanica, I couldn't do up my jeans from 8 weeks but didn't buy any maternity jeans or new clothes until after the 12 week scan because I was so paranoid about tempting fate.

I did buy the pregnancy pillow early though, I always wanted one tbh! They always looked so comfy!

My favourite baby gadgets from DS1 were:

Angelcare bath seat. I never bothered with a baby bath, just bathed DS in the proper bath with this. So much easier than trying to hold onto a slippy baby.

Star car seat wrap - there are lots of different brands available. Loved this especially for a winter baby as you can’t use coats/snowsuits in the car seat.

Perfect Prep machine - DS was formula fed from about 3 weeks old and this was a lifesaver for not messing around with cooling bottles down etc. But I wouldn’t buy this in advance, we had it delivered same day Amazon Now when I decided to give up breast feeding.

Oh and someone mentioned about lower back pain - massive tmi but are you constipated? I've had back pain and find going to the loo regularly really helps. It was so bad today after being a lot better since I started focussing on posture. Went to the loo for the first time in a while and the pain is now back to normal levels.

Buy a plastic bucket and a tub of vanish powder. Put some water and vanish in the bottom. As soon as baby soils a baby grow/vest or whatever, Chuck it in the bucket and leave it there until you do your washing. Prevents staining. We ruined so many outfits before someone mentioned this tip to us.

And totally agree with the perfect prep machine. Game changer when formula feeding

Don't buy a nappy bin!
Craziness lolm. I LVOED our nappy bin and shall be doing it out for this one. I'm fact there was an offer with the refills so I ended up with two. Not having to trek outside late at night with pooey nappies, no smell, what's not to love

We have everything, well one of everything, from DS. The nursery was decorated and everything brought by 24 weeks.

I'm holding out this time, at least due to space

@DaisyMay25 do what's best for you. If its high risk then I'd def go off earlier, and presumably Theresa higher risk you'll have baby earlier too? If I worked(eldest has complex needs so I can't atm) I'd def be going off earlier with this pregnancy. Was meant to be 38 with DS as I was grounded for the last few months Inn the office. He came at 35!

We didn't use a specific nappy bin either, we just have a bog standard bin with a tight lid that the nappies go in.

I'd say the only "essentials" are -

a good supply of basic clothes (supermarkets do great multipacks of vests and sleepsuits etc).

Somewhere for the baby to sleep - whether that's a cot or co-sleeper etc. They grow out of moses baskets fairly quickly, we never had one but DID have a really expensive sleepyhead!

A changing mat (we never had a changing table, just did it on the floor, but it depends how your back is!).

Muslins for puke/spit/pee incidents.

Nappies/wipes/bum cream.

A carrier or buggy - we didn't use the buggy at first, he just went in the wrap and I carried him because he was a clingy baby.

A car seat if you drive.

Obviously you end up buying loads more, and lots of things make your life easier, but those are the "essentials".

A car seat if you drive
A car seat regardless. Lots of hospitals insist baby goes home in one, nd its unlikely you'll feel up catching the bus home so you'll need it for a taxi or car. We had one as part of a travel system and once he ws a few months old it was great, he could see out, I could see him and he had more support than in a buggy