September 2020 3

[ChipsAreLife]

Just starting a new one so we don't get lost again 😅

@DaffyTaffy24 amazing, I’ll look it up - sounds perfect and a bargain!!

I got the same bag as @daffytaffy24 about two weeks ago, love it. I always have a backpack, not a shoulder bag person and it seems great quality, and also nice and neutral for my partner to carry around. I'm so bad, done quite a bit of shopping already

Ooh nice bag @DaffyTaffy24 😍

Has anyone looked at the storksaks? There's a hold-all version that looks perfect for hospital, especially if I have to carry it myself, but it's £££ so I'm not sure if it would be worth it?

This is it...

www.storksak.com/collections/hospital-weekend-changing-bags/products/cabin-carry-on-grey?variant=32011474632809

@DaffyTaffy24 love the bag!

I've bought the chicco next2me dream crib today, it was on offer on online4baby and i also got a code with Emma's diary.

For those looking for gender neutral bits, I got some vests today on the asda website. They're very plain though but I guess they'll do for the first few days.

@LatteLover12 I love the look of that storksak! I'm planning on just buying a cheap holdall type bag from amazon as my hospital bag. Last time I used a Leather weekend bag I already had and it drove me insane as the opening is so small I couldnt find anything without rummaging. I've also seen lots of people recommend packing baby clothes etc into separate ziplock or laundry mesh bags so I'm definitely going to do that this time!

@Smilymami welome and congrats! I'm
In your camp too. Not finding out the gender either as we want a surprise after all the hard work!!

@Lazydaisydaydream that bath looks fab! Can be used up until 12 months too!! We moved in our new house just before lockdown and the bathroom needs replaced! So I need a baby bath I can use for at least 6 months until get the main bathroom done. Anyone else used a baby bath in living room or bedroom for first few months?! It's all wooden floors so 🤞

@DaffyTaffy24 that bag is gorgeous! Lots of pockets. I'm also looking a back pack one too.

@Lilice great deal!! I'm going for the snuz pod but not ordering until get the 24 week scan at the end of May.

@LatteLover12 that is gorgeous! I plan to use a small suitcase I have on wheels and will put babies things in separate bag. To be honest I think we'll be in and out with the virus ☹️

I would really love to be able to breastfeed. I'm worried that with the rush to get us out of the hospital, the support mightn't be there. Anyone manager to learn themselves? Is it the nightmare that everyone makes out? Xx

I'm going to start my excel spreadsheet list Tonight. I would be so grateful if any experienced mums could check it over and advise xx

Thanks ladies, it's very tempting!

I breastfed both my boys @ShiningStarz and it was pretty straightforward once my milk came in on about day 4.

The best advice I can give you is to be tummy to tummy with you and baby and try to line baby's nose up with your nipple so they can open their mouth really wide and take more boob than you think they need!

Oh! And Lansinoh cream in case you get sore in the first few days.

I had this little book before DS1 & it has some nice little hints and tips in.

Awww thank you so much @LatteLover12 really appreciate that. I'm really going it comes naturally. I was waiting for the 20 weeks scan and planned to get few books off amazon, I'll add this one to the list x

I really struggled with breastfeeding. Managed only 3 months with my first, and didnt really try with my second. I really want it to work this time and was planning on taking breastfeeding classes. I'll see if I can do it online instead. I will be needing loads of tips! Thanks for book suggestion @LatteLover12 it's a very good price too!

I had two bags for the hospital. The baby's changing bag and a massive fabric bag with a big zip for me.

You're very welcome ladies 😊

I'm one of the lucky ones who managed to breastfeed with relative ease (DS2 took a few days to get the hang of it though!)

I had both babies on me for skin to skin straight away, even though the were both c-sections, and I took my time.

I think there's a point, a couple of days after birth and just before your milk comes in, where you're a bit sore, you feel like you're not 'producing' enough and your hormones are all over the place and that's where it's so easy to decide it's not working. If you can push past that and get to the end of the first week you feel a rush of success.

Each week that passes you grow in confidence and it gets easier.

Even with DS2 I was back to sore nipples for the first week and having to hold him with two hands/support myself with a million cushions but it doesn't take long before you're wandering around the house, feeding one handed without so much as a second thought.

This is my first attempt at making a list!
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated xx

@emma278 enjoy your scan tomorrow. I hope all goes well💜

@ShiningStarz do you know many people IRL who have breastfed? I ask because I didn't, and so I found it really helpful to watch videos online of what breastfeeding actually looked like, and followed a few breastfeeding people on instagram so that I could get a realistic view of it. Some I would recommend are the milkmeg and milkmakingmama. I also read a lot of the Kellymom website so that I knew what normal breastfeeding behaviour was (especially cluster feeding... As I think that makes most mums doubt themselves but it's totally normal!). We unfortunately had a few problems getting started, but once we got the hang of it we didn't look back. I think you hear more about the people who struggle though because they reach out for help etc. Whereas actually so many people just breastfeed with no issues from day one

@ShiningStarz sorry to double post haha. Had a look at your list and I would add a snot sucker (the nosefrida one is amazing and NHS recommended I think) and maybe some flannels for in the bath. Babies get cold really quickly so we used to wet a few flannels and then put one of top of his head and one across his chest to keep him warm while he was in the water.
And for a breastpump, maybe look at something like the haakaa to start with? I didn't need a proper electric pump for months but the haakaa was useful for collecting the letdown off the side I wasnt feeding on or just taking the pressure off if he slept longer than expected

Thanks @Lazydaisydaydream great tips and I'v added them to my list! Never knew what the nasal aspirator was!!! Re the pump, does that mean I'll need bottles and sterilising for when you use any milk the pump catches? Sorry prob a total stupid question!!!

Thanks @ShiningStarz feel very anxious, barely slept. Ive had a headache for 12 hours now 😩 xx

Hugs @emma278 💜

@ShiningStarz we used mam bottles, I was given some free through the Emma's diary packs I think. You can sterilise them in the microwave so don't need any extra equipment. We had three and those are all the bottles we ever needed for my son. I also just bought a pack of breast milk storage bags from boots to freeze any leftover milk, although you can just put it in any clean container to freeze.

Enjoy your scan @emma278!

Ladies, what do these popping sensations feel like (dim question I know). I feel like I've had more in the last two days but I don't know if it's just my digestion? 19+6

@Chanel05 mines like when you get a twitch in your eye but in your tummy xx

@Chanel05 mine are the same as @emma278 it's like an eye twitch jut down low in your tummy.
@shiningstarz your list looks good. I used a moses basket too and had some special fitted sheets but sometimes I would use my pillow cover as the fitted sheet because it had my smell on it and would comfort them, and its it's cheaper too. You'll find that you have to change the fitted several times a day sometimes. Also a white noise machine can be used, or you can just use an app on your phone.

Enjoy you scan @Emmy2020

Sorry I meant @emma278

@Lilice really changing sheets several times a day? A white noise machine!! Omg! It's crazy what you can buy these days.
Flip when do you use the white noise? At night or during day too when napping??

The snuz pod comes with its own sheets but they are stupidly expensive as you
Mention and also apparently don't fit properly when I looked at reviews. Think the pillow case idea is lovely

Thanks xx