Due April 2008 - the food porn thread for expanding waistlines!

[SantasGotABigFatEllieG]

Hello

oh and buy smaller knickers i do, they fit nicely under bump, are like a piece of string!!!

Santagitta - I'm afraid I don't have any top tips on getting a toddler to sleep somewhere other than a cot. We tried Millie in one of those blow up beds that have a sleeping bag built in because we were going on holiday and didn't want to take the travel cot. Unfortunately she just got up and ended up in random spots around the house - so we gave in and took the travel cot with us.

You could put a gate on the door of the room they're in then at least they're kind of contained?

We're about to buy a bed for DD in an attempt to get her out of the cot before LO comes along. At the moment we're thinking a gate on her bedroom door will be the only way to do it.

Hello lovely ladies! I'm just checking in and as usual I had to catch up on all the messages. I can only say that I am very hungry after reading them all .

I saw that there you lot were posting lists of things to buy for the baby. I have a layette list from a friend who had a maternity nurse. I'll post it in a min....

northfeastmummy - that sounds Yum. Am going to try that next time we have sausages as will make a change from bangers and mash or casserole

Christmas name!

Layette list

Fitted bottom sheets minimum of 4 for your Pram / crib or Moses basket, cotton or cotton Jersey but not flannelette.
Flat top sheets (cotton,) x 4 (for swaddling etc) cotton not flannelette for your Pram/crib or Moses basket
Cotton cellular blankets minimum of 2 for your Pram/crib or Moses basket.
Small hand towel x 2 for top of changing mat, or a specially designed removable cover, you could use muslins or purchase disposable ones.
White Baby gro?s x 6 (white is more suitable if you intend having more than one child!) These should be cotton, don?t buy velour ones make babies too hot! If a summer baby just buy 3.
Cotton vests x 3 if a summer baby and 6 if a winter baby, with popper fastenings (under bottom) envelope necks and short cap sleeve. (White)
Cardigans x 2 Cotton or wool. (Depending on summer or winter baby.)
Minimum of 12 bibs, with Velcro fastener (without strings) small.
Hat and mittens if winter baby, sun hat if summer.
Summer babies will also require parasol and possibly a cat/mosquito net for pram.
Baby brush and comb.
Baby bath towels x 2, you don?t have to buy special ones any small towels will suffice!
Laundry basket
Nappy bin, (bin with a lid will suffice)
Baby thermometer. The digital ones that take a reading from the baby?s ear are best. (Not the strip type)
Electric sterilising unit. Avent make the best (buy the cheaper of the two, it is the non-digital one) it?s the best.
Bottle brush. This must be a real bottlebrush with a large brush at one end and a small brush on the other. You will usually get one free with your Avent steriliser (if that?s what you bought, but it is not the correct shape for cleaning a breast pump.
Changing mat
Baby bath, buy the biggest possible. ?Bebe Jou? is a really good one.
Bath insert (towelling cradle type is best, can be bought at Mothercare for around £8) make sure the base of the bath is large as babies grow very quickly! Check the size of the insert that it fits your bath!
Baby nail clippers or scissors.
You don?t need to purchase a special changing bag to take your entire baby?s paraphernalia when you decide it is time to take an outing. If you do wish to buy one try to purchase one that have pockets that are insulated so that you can store cold baby?s bottles, (ready to re-heat.)
Small bottle of olive oil.
Jar of Sudocrem (for nappy rash)
Hair shampoo suitable for babies.
A minimum of two large packs of cotton wool balls
Two packs of nappies for newborns Pampers Newborn (number 1) are best, In the early stages (especially if your baby is small or premature), a cheaper version will suffice the best of these are Tesco?s.
Baby lotion
Nappy bags to dispose of individual dirty nappies.
Infacol x 2
Baby flannels. Mothercare do a pack of 10 washcloths.
One large pack of baby wipes (for sensitive skins) you will not need to use these until your baby is around 2 months unless you take him/her out.
Sterilising or deodorising wipes or spray for kitchen area.
Dummies x 6 (if you are going to use them), buy dummies that are slanted in shape (Nuk) are they are better for baby?s mouth. Helps prevent teeth going out of shape.
Bottle-fed babies
At least 2 packs of baby formula, Aptimil, SMA Gold, etc; or Boots own brand (they contain LCP?s) I also suggest you purchase small boxes of ready made formula just in case.
4 small baby milk bottles (4 oz) Avent are best.
Eight baby milk bottles (large 9 oz) Avent. If using an Avent steriliser purchase Avent bottles.
Buy teats by MAM, rather than Avent, x 8, Newborn, slow flow, they will fit Avent bottles but are a better shape and softer for your babies mouth. These can be purchased from ?Daisy and Tom, Kings Road, Chelsea, London, you can sometimes find them at Mothercare or independent chemists.
Breast-fed babies
If you intend to breast- feed your baby, you will need to hire or purchase a breast pump in order that you can express at least one feed a day. The hospital grade breast pump is the best as it is the most efficient. You will also require a steriliser to sterilise your pump equipment. Breast pumps cannot be used in a microwave steriliser so make sure it is an electric model. If this is your first baby and you intend to have more babies in the future then it may be cheaper to purchase. Ameda and Medela are very good electric ones. Don?t buy a hand pump it is very very hard work! It is advisable to purchase a machine that can pump both breasts at the same time but not essential. Also purchase a few small packets of ready made formula, some babies need a top up feed, most of the milks are about the same but Aptimil came out on top in a ?Which? report.
Breast Pumps.
Hire of hospital grade electric breast pumps:
These can be hired by the month.

? Ask for hospital grade AMEDA ELITE PUMP.
Available from;-

1. Ameda Egnell. Tel; 01823 336362. Sent direct from manufacturer. Next day delivery available. This is the best pump you can hire, the company only require 24 hour notice (if you ring on a Friday they will not deliver until the following Monday) unless you pay an extra charge for weekend delivery. When you order you will need to quote your debit or credit card details.

2. NCT. (National Childbirth Trust) Tel; 0208 9928637. Ask for the number to call to hire an electric breast pump in your area.

Purchase of electric pumps.
Double breast pumps may be purchased from most large baby stores such as Mothercare and can also usually be found in stores such as Peter Jones and John Lewis. The best of these are ?Medela? Avent and ?Ameda?.

Cream for sore nipples (just in case)! Buy Lansinoh it?s the best. Available at most good Chemists or by mail order from Styrox (01252 316626).

There is the list. It's long Cots, prams etc obviously depend on lifestyle. I haven't bought a think from the list yet so if any of you experienced ladies have any comments on them, I'd love to hear them!

Steriliser - someone already asked this. I will be BFing, hopefully, but also expressing. Do I need to sterilise everything - I did last time, but was that just a PFB thing? Can I use dishwasher?

It is long. I am scared.

Whew Molly, that's some list. Thanks for posting it. I've heard that Dr Brown bottles are good.

I wasn't planning on sterilising because this is the advice they give in the US, according to my friends who had babies there.

It's a bit long and scary alright!!! and doesn't even include cots etc but I figure some of you might like to use it as a list to work off when you go baby shopping. It's probably mostly useful for first timers like me who haven't got a clue!

This is so wierd, I've just read Mollyfloss's list (thanks, btw!!), and I kind of skim read it and thought "that's interesting, so much stuff to buy for a new baby" but it took a little while for me to realise that this actually applies to me, I will be having a baby in April, I won't be staying pregnant for the rest of my life and I really ought to start thinking about it and planning for it.

The thing is, in what will be the nursery, donated stuff is starting to pile up - cot, Bumbo, playmat etc - but the connection really doesn't seem to have been made

That's a huge list! but very useful, gives me an idea of where to start - thanks Mollyfloss.

FYI if you join boots parenting club, they will send you a voucher for a free changing bag (worth £29.99) when you buy your first pack of nappies - i bought some for about £3.50 so kind of worth it, I think the offer runs out end of Jan though.

That list is HUGE!!!

No way will I be buying anywhere near that much!!!

FWIW I don't understand this bit 'If you intend to breast- feed your baby, you will need to hire or purchase a breast pump in order that you can express at least one feed a day.

I breastfed DS, and I didn't need a breastpump until I decided to go out for the night. You aren't meant to express for the first 6ish weeks until you get the breastfeeding established so not sure why it would give that advice tbh.

Don't know if I'll be abck on tonight but I'll write a full list of what is defnitely needed if you ladies like so you can compare between mine and molly's and decide which extras you'll want.

Sorry I just saw the avent/pampers stuff too, where is this list from molly???

IME pampers nappies are crap! Both my two had really sensitive bums and got nappy rash loads, the sainsburys own were the only ones that didn't A)fall apart over night and B)give my babies sore bums.

I know this is someone's opinions and I'm not picking on you molly!! sorry, but I want to help!

Hmmm - Ive just had home cooked chicken pie and veg, if a do say so myself I make great pastry, shame its no good for you.

Santagitta - recommendations to sterilise bottles, breast pumps etc for 12 months, dont need to do all weaning bowls, spoons though. Plenty of my friends didnt do for that long and their kids are ab fine.

MMM - how long is that list? A brush would go wasted in this house as we produce bald babies, DS first hair cut today - 15 months, DD was 2 B4 she had any hair.
Towel on the change mat is great idea - seems to reduce unwanted pees provoked by cold.
If on a budget dont bother with the small bottles - only use for a few weeks
I used to bite nails - useless with clippers
Laundry basket - dont most people have one anyway
Steriliser - I had electric one that went bang, replaced it with microwave one, much better as u can hide it when not using it.
Cotton wool - def wipes can give LO's rashes, also good for top/tailing.

No of sheets etc you get depend on your finances, you could manage with 2 of each but more means you dont have to get the washing done so quickly.

DH starting to loose temper with DD better go intervene otherwise bedtime will be massively delayed, catch up with you all tom/thur.

and pampers smell funny!! that list is huge, i dont think you need half that stuff.

and my friends baby got nipple confusion for a bit, so dont express before 6 weeks if you can help it, i think! oh and i HATE avent bottles!!

Here's my version of the layette list, please feel free to add/change it anyone!!

Cotton sheets minimum of 2* (one in wash, one on) for your Pram / crib or Moses basket, cotton or cotton Jersey but not flannelette.
*Cotton cellular blankets minimum of 2 for your Pram/crib or Moses basket.
*Small hand towel x 2 for top of changing mat, or a specially designed removable cover, you could use muslins or purchase disposable ones.(old towels of your own would do fine, this is just to get peed and pooped on!! just wash them with some nice fabric conditioner)
*White Baby gro?s x 6 cotton or velour, in april it will still be quite chilly at nights
*Cotton vests x 3 if a summer baby and 6 if a winter baby, with popper fastenings (under bottom) envelope necks and short cap sleeve.
*Cardigans x 2 Cotton or wool. (Depending on summer or winter baby.)
*12 bibs, with velcro or ties, ties are fine if they are to be used during the day, babies shouldn't go to sleep with bibs on anyway and velcro can irritate the babies neck.
*Hats, all babies need hats when newborn, whether summer or winter, scratch mits help stop baby from scratching their eyes.
*Baby bath towels x 2, you don?t have to buy special ones any small towels will suffice!
*Baby thermometer. The digital ones that take a reading from the baby?s ear are best. (Not the strip type)
*Changing mat
*baby bath if you want but a washing up bowl/kitchen sink does just as well, it is also easier to bath baby with you, they 're wriggly little bleeders that scare you to death when tryin to hold any other way, they will however happily lay on your legs in the bath with you.)
*Baby nail clippers or scissors/or bite them, I did too!!
*a bag big enough for nappies, cotton wool, a clean set of clothes and a bottle.(i'll be using my quiksilver shoulderbag)
*Small bottle of olive oil.(great for baby massage)
*Jar of zinc and castor oil, just as good as sudocrem, if not better and a quarter of the price (for nappy rash)
*Hair shampoo suitable for babies or baby wash that can do both.
A minimum of two large packs of cotton wool balls
At least two packs of nappies, suggest trying each brand, huggies are the btter of the well known brands but sainsburys own are very good.
*Baby flannels/baby sponge, the special sponges (from boots/superdrugs and the like) do not dry out and are amazing, good for skin too.
*Dummies x 2!!!!not 6 (if you are going to use them), do not go and buy tons of dummies in newborn shape, many babies spit them out and will only take a dummy of the cherry variety.
*Breastpads
*trampolines/maternity sanitary towels.
*pram/pushchair
*cot/moses basket/crib-IME either get a moses basket or crib, if at all, they are out of them by the time they can sit up.
*Sling if you intend to use one, or material if you're going make your own!
*Some form of coat, probably not a snowsuit, will just overheat the baby by April

????Baby lotion-not needed if you're going to use baby massage, the oil will be enough.
*Nappy bags to dispose of individual dirty nappies/with the whole outside refuse bins, it's better for the environment not to use nappy sacks, plus you wont smell them anyway.
*Infacol x 2-infacol is not a standard for babies, it is for babies with colic, not needed with all babies, and not necessary. Better not buying any, or just the one bottle, if your baby ahs problems with it's feeds causing pain, it's better to speak to your HV or doctor before using infacol, it may be reflux.

Bottle-fed babies
At least 2 packs of baby formula, Aptimil, SMA Gold, etc; or Boots own brand (they contain LCP?s) I also suggest you purchase small boxes of ready made formula just in case.
Six baby milk bottles (large 9 oz) I think boots still do a cold water steriliser which includes bottles.
Milton sterilising fluid/tablets if you're using a cold water steriliser.
Newborn slow flow teats.
Steriliser(either cold water) or the microwave ones.
Bottle brush

Breast-fed babiesNipple cream (wait for hunker to find the 'ethical' one, apparently lansinoh is bad)
*Extra breastpads, your boobs will leak longer than bottle feeders obviously!
*Nursing bras
*Scarf or blanket or muslins for covering up when feeding if you're shy about it.

I would really, really recommend getting one of the electronic stick-in-the-ear thermometers that give you an instant reading - it's probably the one thing I didn't buy I wish I had, they're pricy but it'll last for years and if your little one is screaming with a temperature the last thing you want to be doing is faffing about trying to get an accurate temp reading.

Mollyfloss - good idea for getting thoughts shared here.

Muslins - one thing I could never have done without,so useful for mopping, protecting, and in my ds' case - using as security blanket!!!!! Muslins I love them with newborns for while winding and waiting for the inevitable possit! Saved a few outfits for sure.

Also be prepared to have loads of things given to you. No point in spending a fortune when people want to buy things for you. Use the money to pamper yourself instead.

Also I agree about the dummy thing, my two kiddies would not take the "orthodontic" ones at all, would only take the cherry type.

I never used infacol! But I was lucky enough not to need it, just used gripe-water a few times only.

Could never get my children to wear the scratch mittens either, have several pairs that have never been used as it was more frustrating to keep trying to keep them on than to keep nails cut short.

Same with baby lotion - got huge bottles left as never used it!!!!

Also on the breastfeeding bit - I don't understand where the expressing once a day comes from, I would never had had the time, and it is not necessary for most people I would have thought, but then breastfeeding can be a contentious issue for many.

Also as a different option from steam or microwave sterilizing, I have found for me the easiest and cheapest way was to cold water sterilise, with steriling fluid or tablets (the way my mum always used to do it!).

This is just my thoughts from my experience, everyone finds different ways easier.

I found cold water and tablets best too, just do them once a night and its all good.

I did express at some point, but any new breastfeeders (or old, just they are more likely to know what they are doing!!) should not express at the beginning.

If you are not breastfeeding you could express your colostrum which is like the first litle bit of milk you get, you cn do it by hand and give in a bottle, and it can help your child that wee bit extra, but that's something people need to work out for themselves.

Hello everyone! Find it very hard to keep up with these threads! Now I am thinking of travelling to Scotland just for one of those butteries! Can't believe Gillian McKeith tried to get them banned! Better to ban the feckin' goji berries, I say!
Have an antenatal visit on Thursday. The doctors' secretary scolded my for leaving it till now but seemed to have forgotten I have already had two scans.
Beanie is kicking me in the bladder a lot! I am v. worried it may lead to "accidents" Also am a bit paranoid that my bump looks a very weird shape, almost square! My work colleague says it looks fine to her but she hasn't seen me unclothed!
Also very weepy over nothing, especially Christmas Songs, even that Shakin Stevens one!
Oh and to cap everything, we have no running water in our entire county, some mains pipe has burst and we may not get it back till Friday!!! Can't do laundry, use dishwasher or have a shower!

Poor chipmonkey, that's rubbish. Have a nice cup of virtual tea and a biscuit.

Thanks to you all, I think I have honed and refined my list to exactly what I want/need for baby. Am still scared, but not as much so. Thank goodness for MN! No one tells you lots of the stuff you hear on here e.g. shouln't express before 6 weeks and what things actually work in practice, rather than in health visitor perfection-land.

Had a terrible dream last night that I went for a walk with the baby, and tucked her in my coat because it had come so early I didn't have time to buy any of the things on the list and she looked cold. Then by the time I got whereever I was going I realised the baby was gone and that I had dropped it somewhere on the way! And I was crying and crying and worrying. Horrid. Had to wake myself up to make it all go away.

Morning all. Ellie - when I was expecting DS1 I had a recurring dream that he was born with a mouth full of pointed teeth! Not sure what that was all about Wow, those lists are long - never had that much stuff with DS1. Must start making a list, but think I´ll get Christmas out of the way first

It´s DH's first dental appointment today & we think this is the one where they´re taking the teeth out. He´s absolutely bricking it but being very brave & not mentioning it - ahh bless! Unfortunately the first loan repayment has just come out - not what we needed just now