August 2021 - Scans and booking in!

[BertieBotts]

Continuation of August 2021 thread :)

If anyone is in the North West, I can thoroughly recommend Winstanleys Pram World as an independent.
www.pramworld.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpLXw9cfs7gIVgutCh19IgjuEAAYAiAAEgKHJvDBwE

@HopefulB terrain buggies are great for certain things, I don't get people having them just to go the park. I have one as we live on a working farm. The huge wheels make it really good for pushing up hills or over uneven surfaces. Post C-Section it was fab as I could push him easier than carry him. I remember my friends trying to push a Venicci and a silver cross over a semi-cobbled road and it was a struggle for both. This was walking a route I routinely took DS to get him to nap.
You would maybe be better with something like a littlelife carrier. We have one of those too and they're great for hill walking, especially where kissing gates, stiles etc are frequent.

It's all a minefield!! x

Thanks for the advice @BertieBotts that's super helpful. I think I'm going to have to get a double as there will be 25 months between my two. I'm tempted to wait until the baby is 6 months oldish and able to go into a pushchair before I get a double so I don't need to get one with the carry cot, unless I can find a really good second hand deal. Until then I think I'll get by with a sling and the stroller and my old pram. My little girl is 19 months but loves to walk. Guess it depends what lockdown is looking like too, right now we are only going out very locally but maybe by August we will be back to days out etc! Leaving it as late as poss to make a decision anyway!

@BertieBotts that's amazing, thank you so much for taking the time to write all that out! And such a good shout about a local independent, I was planning on a John Lewis trip but had a little research and there's a local store much closer that has excellent reviews so I think that'll be the first stop when lockdown eases!

@PurplePansy05 we've been having sex throughout at about our normal rate I'd say. Sometimes in the first trimester I felt too nauseous (but that was usually only at night so often morning sex was better). I've been so fortunate though, and haven't had experiences like you have before - I can totally understand there being worry. Has the doctor or midwife said anything about it to you? Xx

Wow @BertieBotts lots to take in there, really helpful!

I think I’m set on the Cosatto Giggle 3 as I need something to fold into my Fiesta and that’s lightweight to help my arthritis. Just waiting patiently for it to go on sale at some point..

@Smurf123 I’ve had my eye on a Joie spin, although pricey they look like such a back/arm saver 😂 when can babies start going in them?

@PurplePansy05 We’ve only had sex 3 times since finding out. At first it was because I was nervous but now it’s more because I don’t want to set off the nausea 😂

@PurplePansy05 its about a once a week thing at the moment if that 🙈🤣 x

Thanks girls. @biscuitcat they just said it's not recommended for recurrent MC patients but never advised me if this applies throughout the entire pregnancy. I might chat to my MW and consultant next week. Thing is if it does end up with spotting, I'll be panicking and will want to be scanned just in case, which I'm pretty sure I'd have to do privately, my EPU is on a dismissive side. Oh well. I guess I will have to sacrifice this one.

When you ladies say some seats are better if you have arthritis/back pain, what do you mean by that? Sorry to be dim 😳

I didn't realise till today they have to be rear facing 🤦🏼‍♀️ Shows how little I still know. I'm guessing this means a mirror is required to be able to see the baby? xx

Have another pram question, do you need to buy a mattress or extra padding for the carrycot/pram if used for sleeping/napping? Or is padding built in if the carry cot is suitable for overnight use?

Oh and BabyLady does loads of comparison vids on her channel as well between different models which looks really useful. www.youtube.com/c/BabyLadyUK1991

Car seats are my thing really, more so than pushchairs. I can talk for hours about them ask me anything!

They do need to be rear facing when they're really little yes. All first stage car seats are rear facing and even with the combination ones, they have to be at least 9kg or 15 months (depending on the seat) to use it forward facing. But it's safest to rear face for as long as possible. Young children are very vulnerable to spinal injuries caused by the head snapping forwards in a crash (think how adults can get whiplash) when they are forward facing, whereas a rear facing seat keeps their spine, neck and head all in alignment even if you're in a really severe crash. It's possible to buy seats today which will keep them rear facing until 18kg (3-4 years) or 25kg (around 6 years!) but if nothing else I would recommend maxing out the infant carrier if you're going to move to a forward facing seat next.

If you want to see the baby while they are rear facing you can either put them in the front, with your airbag turned off, or use a mirror in the back or if you're the passenger sit in the back with them. But you don't really need to see them while you're driving and some people find it distracting.

You can use the Joie 360 Spin from birth :) I am actually considering it for the first few weeks with DC3 because I really didn't like the fit of our infant carrier (Cybex Aton 5) for a newborn - will need to either get DS2's new seat early or borrow one for that period if I do this, though.

Not all car seats are the same, although in the infant carrier stage they are all pretty much as safe as each other, it's features where they differ. Once you move on to the next stage after the first seat, it's really worth doing research as there's a lot of difference between a seat that barely scrapes by the legal standard, and one which passes it with flying colours. Which? do some car seat reviews but they purchase their test results from a German company called ADAC who publish them for free on the internet, just in German! So you don't need to pay for a Which subscription. But TBH if you're ever in doubt just buy Britax. They are pretty much good at everything that they do!

For infant seats I'd say the safety related things to be aware of are any extra side impact protection, especially if you drive in towns or on country roads with blind T junctions, and any positioning inserts or recline features on the seat. Newborns can struggle with their breathing in a seat which is too upright but these days a lot of seats have good inserts to bring them up to a near flat position and some even recline which helps as well. But this is more of an issue if you think you'll use the car seat a lot or for longer journeys. If it's covid times and you'll stay in a lot then it's not really necessary, just comfort!

@LyraShaeLilly

Have another pram question, do you need to buy a mattress or extra padding for the carrycot/pram if used for sleeping/napping? Or is padding built in if the carry cot is suitable for overnight use?

They usually come with a mattress, especially if it says it's OK for overnight use.

I wouldn't be adding extra padding as you want the mattress to be snug to the sides of the cot so the baby can't get arms/legs trapped there.

@PurplePansy05 I think we’ve had sex twice😂 Again, I’m just nervous for anything that may cause spotting. Hopefully get my mojo back soon! Xx

We have been having sex all the way through

@Carefree1 I have my mojo back big time but it's the annoying 'what if' 😂😂😂 but then babies are apparently happy when we have sex, as they say, happy mum, happy baby 😳😂

I actually remember you telling me last time you had sex, we've talked so often in the last few months 🙈 xx

@PurplePansy05 maybe choose a position that's less likely to cause trauma for want of a better term. Missionary rather than doggy style maybe? Start safe and build your confidence x

I like your thinking @Alittlexmasmagic 😉 xx

@BertieBotts - so on the car seat front, would you say that it’s best to get a car seat/carrier that can attach to a pram in early stages? The Joie 360 probably less useful at the new born stage? Sorry, complete novice!

😂 I know @PurplePansy05, know so much! You’re right, it’s meant to be good for you. It’s just getting over that ‘what if’. See what midwife says, I’m sure she’ll say go for it! Xx

@PurplePansy05 @Alittlexmasmagic I definitely agree. Doggy is not the one at the moment but if I remember rightly it was more comfortable in 3rd trimester. Missionary is probably the most comfortable at the moment x

On the car seat front I had the silver cross baby one which came with the travel system and DS was in that until he was 1 🤷🏼‍♀️🙈

Interesting that you didn’t like the Aton @BertieBotts. I was looking at the sirona s, mostly cos I thought the Eezy S twist plus might tick the current boxes for a stroller probably with cot s, although it does go flat. I am utterly clueless though!

The Joie 360 can be used from birth and tbh I'm really tempted to just use it and get ds a new seat as I love it. It's also really helpful atm as I can turn it round and ds can mostly climb in himself. We kept ds rear facing to nearly 2 but he was uncomfortable at this stage and I couldn't see us keeping him rear facing much longer.

Smurf Yes the Joie 360 doesn't have a lot of leg room in rear facing, DS doesn't like it much either. He tolerates it if we take his shoes off, which is easier if he's wearing wellies. It's OK as I wasn't totally committed to RF the whole 4 years or anything, but if you were buying it with that intention it might be disappointing. I know people do use it this long!

Hopeful the Sirona S is one that stays in the car and isn't compatible with a pram, I also don't rate it for newborns as it doesn't recline very much and the newborn insert is not great. Lovely seat from about 6 months or so though! But if you want the Cybex pram that's compatible with any (infant) seat from Maxi Cosi, Cybex, Nuna, Joie, and a few other brands.

Lucy the silver cross one is a nice seat :) They do commonly fit in the carry type seats until about 1. Sometimes longer if they are small for their age or they don't mind lying down.

Carefree it's just a case of personal preference and maybe lifestyle as well. There are pros and cons to both types so I wouldn't say one is better than the other.

OK, I'll have a chat with DH about sex 😁 I think I needed a gentle nudge from you all, thanks! Noted re positions too! 😉 xx

Coming back to car seat, I've now educated myself that the swivel ones are easier if you have bad back, makes sense. I like this idea.

But I read they can't be moved between cars. What is everyone doing with 2 cars? Do you have 1 seat per each car? Another minefield! xx

So you have a choice at this stage between one that stays in the car - they can be moved, but you wouldn't want to be doing it every day really (they're heavy) it's OK for example if you occasionally send the baby to grandma and want to transfer it - these usually last until about age 4, there are a couple which will last to age 6 (rear facing) from birth. Some even claim to last all the way until they no longer need a car seat/age 12 but I don't rate these in general. There are some hidden downsides with them. A lot of the seats up to 4 have a swivel function which allows you to turn the seat towards the car door.

Or you get a carry around seat which you can move from car to car, these either strap in with the seatbelt or you can get a base for them which you install in the car and then the seat just clicks in and out of it with one button which is easier. The carry ones can normally go onto a pushchair, and into a shopping trolley. They can be really heavy, especially past 3 months or so, so not great if you have a bad back - I think a fixed one, probably with a swivel, is more practical in that case - but if no back issues or you can push the pushchair right up to the car then it's fine and useful if you want to get them ready and leave them in the seat while you sort yourself, toddler etc. Or if you need to put the seat down while you deal with luggage, other children, etc. More practical before they can walk. Or if they fall asleep you can just bring the whole seat inside instead of waking them. These are easier to swap between cars. You use a carry type until about a year or so and then most people swap to another type of seat because they get too unwieldy or the baby is just too big.

Bear in mind the stated ages are just average so if you have a baby who is bigger than average they might outgrow 25-30% sooner (age 3 for an up to 4 seat, age 4 for an up to 6 seat, etc) and if you have one who is smaller than average you might be able to keep using your seat for longer than the stated age range - they are only really a guide. You can't really predict what size child you'll produce though unfortunately!

Should say relevant to @Champson as car seats and pushchairs are expensive, look into joining TAMBA as it will get you a discount at a lot of baby stores, but also, just ask - when you're buying three of any expensive item a store will be falling over themselves to get your custom so asking for a discount is NOT cheeky and they will usually do it! Also - you can fit 3 car seats in most estate cars by choosing carefully, so if you're wondering, it's worth trying your current car first unless you have something like a Corsa! If you're looking to change car I highly recommend joining one of the car seat FB groups such as Car Seat Advice UK and asking for advice on there before you take the plunge as a lot of "family" cars can be a bit of a nightmare for car seats. There is usually a solution, though.

I would definitely recommend getting one of the spin seats from someone who didn't go for this and regrets it 😂 we have the Joie but the non spin version and it's really tricky now DD is getting bigger and we are still rear facing. I'll get the spin for the next baby definitely. I did like having an infant seat before the bigger seat (even though you can use them from birth) as it's really handy for if baby's asleep and you want to transport them into the house or if you're visiting etc. Also if somebody else is babysitting, you can easily move the car seat between cars. Now both grandparents have their own car seats as moving the big ones is a hassle! My daughter is quite small so was in her infant seat until one ish too.

DS went straight from his silver cross baby one at 1 to a joie forward facing one which he is still in now at nearly 6 which is great. My mum has one in her car too so no swapping etc. And me and OH have separate cars and he only uses his for work and we use mine for everything else so no swapping needed there x