August 2021 - Heading into the second trimester

[BertieBotts]

Old thread was about to fill up again

I will try to get to the car seat/pram Qs in a bit...

@wimbler - EDD 29 July, having a surprise! 💛
@Champson - EDD 22 August (but really June/July), TBC 💛💛💛
@Jessicapebbles - EDD 5 August (but having C-section at 39 weeks, so really July) 💛
@smurf123 - EDD 5 August (but likely to be July) 💛
@WhatEvenIsSleep EDD 2 August, TBC 💛
@Smushty14 - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Rattyclife - EDD 6 August, TBC 💛
@Biscuitcat - EDD 10 August, having a surprise! 💛
@runnergirl123 - EDD 11 August, TBC 💛
@PurplePansy05 - EDD 12 August, Boy 💙
@BananaHammock23 - EDD 13 August, surprise 💛
@MrsB2019x - EDD 13 August, TBC 💛
@Magik01 - EDD 13 August, TBC 💛
@Carefree1 - EDD 15 August, can't wait to find out 💛
@DressyGerbera - EDD 15 August, surprise 💛
@lucyrp - EDD 16 August, undecided 💛
@BertieBotts - EDD 16 August, want to know! 💛
@Whatshouldbemyusername - EDD 16 August, TBC 💛
@WolfMother326 - EDD 17 August, surprise 💛
@Smallbean27 - EDD 19 August, surprise 💛
@WatermelonKisses - EDD 20 August, surprise 💛
@alittlexmasmagic - EDD 22 August, surprise 💛
@Millymay13 - EDD 22 August, TBC 💛
@Notinthestarsigns - EDD 23 August, TBC 💛
@northernsquirrel- EDD 31 August, surprise 💛

With regards to baby baths, that's a prime example of something you might ask for as a gift from work, or a baby shower if you're having one.
My work wanted to get me something useful and bought a schnuggle bath filled with Infacare, Calpol, Teething granules, Lansinoh etc. Really useful stuff.x

@BertieBotts sorry, when I meant we had no price on safety I meant that we weren't looking at used hand me downs or travel systems x

This was my list from last time, with amended notes. Feel free to save/print/copy and paste into your phone!

Changing & Washing
Essentials:
Changing bag - any bag is fine! I got a cheap backpack from Decathlon. If you do bottles, you'll want an insulated pouch, but you can buy them separately.
Changing mat - you could just use an old towel, but a mat is more comfy.
Nappies x2 pack - size 1 (not too many - they go into size 2 v fast)
Wash soap - I looooove Weleda Calendula, but any gentle soap is fine. You can also wash them with water.
Wipes x2 - get MORE! Amazon do a big box of 18 on subscribe and save, which is about 3 months' supply, or take advantage of supermarket baby events. Or get washable ones :)
Day outfits/sleepsuits x6 - I actually needed more, because they need full-body clothing for the first 2-3 days and then it went into autumn temperatures within a week of him being born.
Vests/short rompers x10 - it was summer, so I envisaged him wearing just a vest most days/nights.
Cardigans x2
Sunhat - TBH can't remember if this got used, I think not until the second summer really.
Cotton hat for newborn (hospital)

Useful:
Nappy bags - for poos - didn't need straight away, newborn poo doesn't smell plus they are a suffocation hazard.
Changing table (DH wanted)
Baby bath (DH wanted)
Flannels/wash mitts

I want this:
Travel change mat

Nice to have:
Storage boxes for change table
Towels - I really liked having the special baby towel, and you'll probably need a couple extra just due to having an extra person. So would probably move this up in priority. But you can def use your ordinary towels.

Entertainment
(No essentials in this category - and everything is non urgent and can be postponed)

Useful:
Play mat - somewhere safe, clean, comfy to put them on the floor (a blanket works as well)

I want this:
Ring seat - I meant the Galt Playnest. It's great because you partially deflate it for a younger baby and then when they can sit it helps them sit up and play with toys. But better for their posture than a Bumbo.
Bouncy chair/swing/rocker (non urgent)

Nice to have (some things fulfilled more than one purpose!):
Some kind of cloth book
Any toy with mirrors
Rattle
Hanging toy, for car seat (like a snake that winds round the handle)
Archway for the playmat (ours had one built in)
Grabable toy
Wrist rattles - these were a total flop!
Soft toy
Scrunchy toy
Something high contrast

Feeding
(I planned to breastfeed exclusively)
Essentials:
Nursing sleep bra x2
Breast pads
Tops stretchy enough to feed in or front-opening
Trustworthy source of BF info

Useful:
Bottles (non urgent)
Muslin cloths

I want this:
Breastmilk bags (non urgent/if I got a pump later)

Nice to have:
Glider chair (non urgent) - never got one

Did not buy:
Feeding pillow (but ended up using an old pillow)
Breast pump (was a wait and see)

First Aid
Essential:
Infant calpol (non urgent but before first jabs)
Thermometer

Useful:
Nappy rash cream - again I like Weleda Calendula Nappy Change cream. It gets used at some point, but you do get a tiny pot of Sudocrem in the bounty pack, so probably non urgent!
Nipple cream - Lansinoh or other pure lanolin ointment. Expensive, so may be worth waiting to see if your midwife gives you a sample/if you need it.
Baby nail clippers - much easier than scissors or big ones

Did not get:
Nose snot sucker thing - I find them gross and weird. Never missed it.

Sleeping
Essential:
Cot
Cot mattress
Cot sheets x2

Useful:
Baby monitor (non-urgent)
Blankets /baby sleeping bags x2
Mattress protector (cot size) x2
Mattress protector (our bed) x2 - recommend before birth in case waters go in bed.

I want this:
Stuff/furniture/paint to decorate nursery (non-urgent)

Nice to have:
Nightlight

Transport
Essentials:
Pushchair with lie-flat function or carrycot
Car seat suitable from birth
Raincover (non urgent)

Useful:
UV-screening window covers for car (our car has tinted windows, so didn't need)

I want this:
Car seat mirror (non urgent)
Soft stretchy sling (non urgent)
Car seat adaptor for pushchair (non urgent)
Car seat base for car
UV summer tent - didn't get/was never in a situation I would have used! But it did become autumn very fast - if you have an earlier due date and a garden, you might want one.

Did not buy:
Parasol for buggy - they are a pain in the arse and don't work anyway. UV sunshades on the other hand are brilliant, but might not be necessary for a UK summer! Beware, putting a blanket over the buggy for shade can trap heat inside like a greenhouse - hazardous for little ones.

@Alittlexmasmagic oh yes, that makes sense! Defo best not to buy a used car seat, although it's OK to accept one from a friend/family member. Travel system ones can be OK or can be very basic and flimsy - worth looking at Which? or ADAC. Which are pretty good on infant seats and booster seats. If you're looking at the ratings for toddler seats they can be a bit more hit and miss, but that gets a bit more complicated anyway!

@BertieBotts this is brill! Thank you for sharing this. I feel like you should have a YouTube channel with everything baby related from prams and car seats to essential buys! I’d subscribe in a second!x

This is very helpful

Just had my MW appointment, heard my son's heartbeat, I'm so happy 💙💙💙

It wasn't my usual MW, but what a lovely lady. Also had a student MW with her, both brilliant. She advised Lactulose and Anusol might help with constipation but to use them if necessary not regularly, and to focus on fibre intake, water and moving regularly.

And breathe 😊 xx

Talking about essentials, I'm not sure if anybody else lives in Scotland but if you do then remember you will get your Baby Box around the 30 week mark. There is so much in it so worth either checking the list or waiting till you receive it before purchasing some of the smaller things. I was so surprised by the quality and quantity of stuff in it. Has really handy stuff like a bath thermometer, ear thermometer etc.

Full list is here:

www.parentclub.scot/baby-box

Haha, I'm sure I'd be useless at Youtube! Writing is more my style :o

Great point about the Scottish baby box! So envious - my cousin got one and it looked absolutely lovely.

That’s amazing @PurplePansy05, glad it went well and you got to hear your baby boys heartbeat 🥰

How useful is that @WatermelonKisses! I don’t think we get anything like that in England.

I can’t wait to get to a point of writing lists and ticking things off 🤞. April fools day feels like a long time away xx

It's really fabulous, we are so lucky to get it. The box itself doubles as a bed too, we didn't use it last time but could be handy to put at a grandparents or something. Just noticed there is some new stuff on it that wasn't on last time so I'm excited to get it again, will donate the stuff I already have.

@PurplePansy05 Glad your appointment went well! How lovely you got to hear the heartbeat 🥰 I hope they do that for mine next week!

@WatermelonKisses The baby boxes are such a good idea, hope they introduce them in England at some point!

@WatermelonKisses I had a look at what's in the baby box - I never knew there was so much, what an incredible resource! Would love something like that in England

@PurplePansy05 so lovely for you 🥰 I don't know what the policy about heartbeat at the 16 week appointment is here, I'd love to hear it at my appointment too

@BertieBotts you're an angel! It's so helpful having it broken down, it makes it feel much more manageable

Just so you know, I had to ask my MW to listen to it and she was reluctant saying they don't tend to offer it anymore and told me even if she can't find it it doesn't mean anything is wrong etc. But eventually she agreed and she found it immediately. It's very fast so I can't see how it could ever be confused with an adult hb. Worth asking if they don't automatically offer it!

@WatermelonKisses I love the idea of a box. Unfortunately not rolled out in Wales yet, but there's a pilot in Swansea, maybe we'll be lucky to have it in few years' time ready for DC2 🤞 xx

@biscuitcat @MrsB2019x they are available in England. They have minimal contents and postage might be payable.
Check out baby box university. I'd post the link but it's not playing ball just now x

@PurplePansy05

Have you ever done long days? I currently do full time hours in 4 days so 8 - 6 and its really hard work, only changed to these hours a year ago and I don’t have kids yet. I would be asking to change my hours back if I wasn’t pregnant, there is no way I could work them long days then come home to look after a baby, just something to think about.

I just googled nursery fees in my area and it’s £50 per day all inclusive of meals and nappies etc, which I think is reasonable for what it is, but it adds up, just one day per week will be £200 - £250 a month!!!

I didn't get to hear the heartbeat at my 16w appointment. The policy where I am is that they don't. Midwife said it can be hard to hear on some larger women and it obviously causes distress when that happens so they don't like to discriminate based on that. I was expecting to hear it as I did with my first so was a bit disappointed.

@LyraShaeLilly To be fair I work longer hours than this anyway, nature of the job. I'm senior now and there's no excuse for me really, I'm not in a 9-5 and off kind of job. Of course I'll have to cut it and be more sensible with the baby and I am planning to consolidate working to 4 days subject to my employer's agreement. They are actually very sensible. DH will have more flexibility and he earns less than me, so that's another option we'll be looking into, especially if it turns out I will be starting a new job after maternity leave which is a possibility. If this happens, I'll be returning full time and he should be able to cut his hours. Lots of unknowns at this stage xx

In my area nursery fees are now around £60 per day, oh the joys xx

@LyraShaeLilly @PurplePansy05 remember to factor in the governments childcare scheme in your calculations x

www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs

So many useful posts on here recently 😊

With our DD, we bought a baby bath that sits inside our bath...I would find it quite easy to put my arm around the back of her head and hold on to her arm so she was secure and she loved to kick with her legs and float around! Very true what Bertie Bots says about saving back etc though as this could be quite tiring - the beauty is, as newborns they really aren’t in the tub for very long! I’ve attached a photo below 💖

Childcare - We use the Government voucher scheme which I believe everyone is entitled to...they pay 20% of your fees and this helps so much! A lot of my friends had no idea about it. I did change jobs last year after the first lockdown so that I could be at home more with my daughter. I went from 40hrs to 20hrs and we come out with more monthly spends due to not spending it on childcare!

Personally we’re quite a thrifty family and we do borrows and 2nd hands with friends etc which helped loads. We’re lucky with having a 2nd girl I don’t think I’m going to need to buy one single thing as it’s all in my loft 😅 We are however going to buy an “Out n about” double with carrycot and toddler seat as we live in the middle of Sherwood Forest and they’re great for suspension and durable tyres!

I have my 16 week appointment today too @PurplePansy05 - glad you got to hear the heartbeat! I’m not expecting to after seeing the other experiences but I heard it on Saturday at our private scan so I’m happy that she’s doing well in there!

Lots of kicks going on now which is so reassuring, I never really felt any with my DD as she was absolutely tiny!

Oh what a lovely picture!

It probably depends on the shape of your bathroom as well to be fair. In order to kneel down by our bath you're uncomfortably close to the toilet because it's tiny and all crammed in together!

@PurplePansy05 childcare is around £36-40 a day here so quite cheap compared but my mum had DS for me so hoping she'll do the same with this one and we pay her £200 a month for her troubles. Pay her £100 at the moment for school pick ups etc for DC1. If she can't then it'll be 2 days in nursery a week for them and I'll have to work every weekend so OH has baby those days. Can't afford full time childcare I may aswell stay at home! And yes definitely ask for heartbeat ladies as they don't tend to do it anymore!

And yes definitely look at the tax free childcare !

I know about tax free childcare but it's only up to £2k per year, drop in the ocean really. I can't get over how much more expensive things have become locally in the last couple of years. It's hard with no family support available xx

@PurplePansy05 I think it works out roughly at a couple of hundred a month so I guess not helpful to most. To me that would be most of my childcare fees back so would be helpful although haven't looked into it properly xx

It might not be a lot but I take it gladly. Nursery are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. The difference it has made to DS was apparent after the first lockdown when he went back, especially with regards to language & development. With isolations over Xmas he really suffered from being stuck at home.

If nursery is too expensive then a childminder might be a more affordable option. More flexible too if needed x