Due May 2020 (thread 5)

[sao81]

Carrying on from thread 4!

@facevalue OK. Sorry if I've caused offence although I don't see how? I certainly wasn't "showing off" lovely, just debating whether waterproof mattress covers are safe? As I said previously, it's been many years since I last had a baby.

check the NHS website:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/what-you-need-for-baby/

Baby bedding

For the first few months, you'll need a crib, carrycot or Moses basket (a light, portable bassinet). Your baby needs to sleep somewhere that's safe, warm and not too far from you.

Baby nests are not suitable for your baby to sleep in when you're not there because of the danger of suffocation.

If you're borrowing a crib or a cot, or using one that's been used by another of your children, you should ideally buy a new mattress.

If you can't do this, use the cot mattress you have, as long as it's firm (not soft), flat, fits the cot with no gaps, is clean, and waterproof.

You'll need:

a firm mattress that fits the cot snugly without leaving spaces round the edges so your baby can't trap their head and suffocate
sheets to cover the mattress – you need at least 4 because they need to be changed often; fitted sheets make life easier but can be quite expensive, so you could use pieces of old sheet
light blankets for warmth
Pillows and duvets

Don't use pillows and duvets – they're not safe for babies less than a year old because of the risk of suffocation. Duvets can also make your baby too hot.

Sheets and layers of blankets tucked in firmly below your baby's shoulder level or a baby sleeping bag are safe for your baby to sleep in.

Cot safety

Your baby will spend many hours in a cot, so make sure it's safe. If you're buying a new cot, look for the British Standard mark BS EN 716-1.

The mattress must fit snugly, with no space for the baby's head to get stuck.
The bars must be smooth, securely fixed, and the distance between each bar should not be less than 25mm (1 inch) and not more than 60mm (2.5 inches), so your baby's head can't get trapped.
The cot should be sturdy.
The moving parts should work smoothly and not allow fingers or clothing to get trapped.
Cot bumpers are not recommended as babies can overheat or get tangled in the fastenings.
Never leave anything with ties, such as bibs or clothes, in the cot as they might get caught around your baby's neck.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their back in a cot in the same room as you for the first 6 months.
For more information on safe sleeping, see Reducing the risk of SIDS.

You can also visit the Lullaby Trust website, which has lots of information on safe sleeping.

Perhaps this group isn't the right place for me? There's been a very long gap in between pregnancies so I guess I'm out of touch really! God knows I feel excluded a lot of the time as it is being an older mother!

Wishing you all the very best with your babies

@rainminusbow not sure what u insinuating with the "older mother" comment. we are all ages here. i'm sure you are a lovely person in real life. just be mindful when you put words that you might be hurting others ( some mums here can't breastfeed had breast-caner etc) and no need to drop " my kid was special because i breastfed" innuendo. sorry if i upset you i just don't like these type of comments on here.. some mums to be are battling depression and other crisis so best keep the positivity going x

@facevalue At no point did I say "My kid was special because I breastfed". I first of all simply asked if waterproof mattress protectors were safe to which you replied, I felt, rather sarcastically.

I've been battling with severe anxiety myself since I left an abusive relationship when I was late 20's. I lost my kids half of the time from when they were just 3 and 6 because I was stupid enough to leave. I also lost my house and everything I owned. My boys are now 10 and 12 and still I feel like the world's biggest failure as a mum (well I'm not really a mum am I?) and so many times I have felt they would be better off without me as a part-time parent who continues to be abused by a controlling ex.

I hope I'm not as rubbish a parent to this little one as I feel I am to my other two but who knows?

I'm sorry I asked the questions I did, please accept my apologies.

@rainminusbow it's clearly a two way misunderstanding. ofcourse you are a good mum. well done for leaving an abusive partner. life is tough and unfair at times. your baby will be loved and looked after by you .. forget about the mattress protector...

i fell asleep and woke up choking .. anyone else getting reflux which is getting worst as the weeks pass?

@facevalue @rainminusbow we have a mattress protector for our little girls bed but I too didn't know whether they were ok to use for on a cot, so thank you because I now know that I can use one! I personally didn't take offence to the breastfed comments and I couldn't for health reasons, I just saw it as a passing comment - but I can see both sides. Luckily we had no poo explosions that wrecked the mattreess and that was with a bottle fed baby, so I think its luck of the draw whether they soak through or not! I'm not sure we will get so lucky twice. Can you get protectors that would fit a bedside crib?

Speaking of sick... my son has developed the most horrendous cough during the night.. literally every night and I don't know what to do about it! It was so bad tonight I ran into his room as heard a suspicious cough and there was sick there!!!! I have him an ice lolly and we read his bulldozer book and he was very happy and now asleep but I am freeeaaaaakkkkiiiinnngggg out!!!!!! I have the biggest sick phobia ever! I feel like detox-ing my whole body. I even woke my mum up so I could tell her out freaked out I was 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
I have had a matteress protector in his cot bed in the past but I took it off as I put it in the dryer and it shrunk! I didn't even consider that it may be an issue!!!

It's a good job my life is so pathetic that I fell asleep at 8:30 as I'm too worked up to sleep now!!
And for those who may feel sorry for my mum, she woke me up twice as she lost her charger so don't 😂😂😂

@november90 snap with the sick kid! I've had about 3 hours sleep with her coughing non stop. She was in hospital with a chest infection over Christmas so I just can't settle when she is sick. She had a good slee though 😂 I'd take him to get checked just to be on the safe side, although coughs always sound worse of a night

We assembled our Mamas & Papas dresser with a changing table top, and it smells so bad! Any tips for getting rid of new furniture smell? FWIW it looks sturdy and great, it's the Mia dresser if anyone is looking to buy one.

About to put in an order for the Snuzpod and its accessories. So exciting! We are also getting a nappy bin and a few other bits and bobs. 😇

@woollycat how exciting .. i'm no expert but Dr google says:

www.hunker.com/12598743/how-to-remove-the-smell-from-new-wood-furniture

some helpful tips

@sao81 oh bless her, I hope she's ok!
Well I wasn't sure whether to go to the doctors or not as other then the cough he's absolutely fine but it is SO bad during the nice! He woke up again coughing his head off. I ran in and stopped him from being sick again but if I hadn't he would've! I've never known coughing like it but no other symptoms linked to it so not sure what to do!

@november90 if it continues - they usually check for asthma. i have asthma and always worry if my DD coughs at night that she will get it too😑

kids cough - so many possible reasons tbf dust, reflux, virus, sore throat etc so not always something serious

@RainMinusBow @facevalue @sao81, I also had to look up the waterproof mattress protector as I wasn’t sure either! Haven’t had a baby before so quite happy to admit I don’t know much. Anyway I bought a snuzpod and I also bought a bundle to go with it, just checked and that does include the protector and fitted sheets so I would say yes this is fine and recommended 😊

We have been putting up the nursery furniture this weekend with the in-laws! It’s so exciting! But my legs absolutely kill today from all the moving up and down and lifting bits! I feel like I’ve done a workout 😂

@november90 If its an ongoing issue there is no harm in hin getting checked over, and I know this sounds mad, but record it if you can so the doctor can listen. It will help them of he is sounding fine through the day. Theres nothing worse than when they are throwing up, I'd rather change 10 shitty nappies than clean up sick 🙈 and she will be fine thanks! She has a UTI (just like me 🙈) so shes on antibiotics so hoping the cough will clear up soon too

Hahaha yes I'm so with you there in the shitty nappies! They don't bother me in the slightest... whereas sick sends me into meltdown!!!
I think I'll ring the doctors tomorrow! I hope it's not asthma or anything to worry about 😬

So exciting that everyone is setting up nursery furniture and nesting!
I'm still looking at cost etc. From what I read the snuzpod is the most popular?
Is anyone getting a basic wooden crib instead?

@123Pandy We are using our graco travel cot with basinette for our little one. We used it with our son and will look at a new mattress inlay for it.

We are having to use my newly decorated art room as a nursery so this won't be set up until we get the garage converted later this year.

Baby will be in with us as we don't have a spare room :( Not really sure how to set it up so she has all she needs? Any advice much appreciated 😊

We got the Aldi bedside crib which is pretty much identical to the next to me but at a better price 😊

@123Pandy we had a wooden swing crib with our first and didn't really like it. He often got his limbs stuck in the panels as he got older and I never felt it looked that cozy! I'm going to get this one the shnuggle air crib as it does drop down for when they get older as living back with parents now so he'll be in my room for long then expected.
I loved the snuzpod and had my heart set on it but it's probably the smallest crib I've seen (other then Moses baskets) so o was just worried, given my circumstances, that he wouldn't last that long in it!

@123Pandy - We have just gone for a full-size wooden cot bed to use from Birth. Ikea cot, decent local organic mattress. It fits in our bedroom, and hoping it will last birth to 4+ years so a decent investment. We have a pram carrycot that is certified for overnight sleeping if needed the first few weeks/months.

Thanks for your replies!
We are also going to be living out of one room so will need something small-ish and practical so we can all fit! It also means I can't buy a lot of things as wont have space to store it all