Due June 2005, Thread 3

[Uwila]

Time for new thread. I'll add a link on the old one.

I have bought one outfit from mothercare in the sale - but I still have loads of stuff from before (well....I think I do - I have loaned it to friends and SIL and I am pretty sure a lot of it is now knackered and covered in puke stains!) - I made the mistake last time of buying loads of white and neutral stuff cos I didn't know the sex - and then got given loads of gorgeous pink stuff when the baby arrived which I used loads more than the neutral wear - so will only buy the basics cos I am not going to find out what we are having!
I don't know what to do about the pram situation. I bought a reconditioned M&P pram with carrycot. Again it has been loaned out and kept in a shed. I am pretty sure I wont like what I see when I get it back - I remember seeing it when my SIL had it, and it had really got in quite a state - some of the mechanisms weren't working properly. I think I am going to have to get something new - but I am not in to squandering money - which this kinda feels like. Ho hum!

thats really handy to know,lipstick.
there seems so many travel systems out there,its like a mine field.ive only got one friend with children and she said the travel systems are marvellous because you dont have to wake them up to put the baby in the car as the carrying bit(dont know the name)just clicks straight into the car and away you go
how lovely tribpot that you've got lots of babies in the family and hopefully it wont be too expensive for you.i've no nieces or nephews yet so apart from the offer of the moses basket we've got to get everything.mum and dad said they would buy the travel system and ive seen a lovely changing unit which my brother said he'll treat us to so that'll be a big help and seeing this baby will be my mum and dads first grandchild im sure he or she won't go without
we also had a browse around mothercare world yesterday and saw some strange baby sleeping bags.has anyone used these before? and do you use them instead of sheets on the bed? sorry if i sound a bit dim but ive never seen or heard of them before
also saw one of those seats that swing back and forth which look like a good idea.any views on them would be nice,please.
sorry to waffle(this will be the last)but what about those baby monitors?
there seems so many different ones and some are really pricey.are they really neccessary and do they pick up every little sound?
thanks again and i'll leave you all in peace now.
i bet your glad im normally at work and dont have access to my pc till the evening

Oh they're not babies! Well, some are. The oldest is 17, the youngest is 9 months, and my brother is in the process of adopting the little bro of his adopted daughter, so my baby is likely to be 10th in line to the throne by the time it comes along! Unfortunately the family is quite widely scattered in the UK so it's a question of picking which sister/sister-in-law to go and live near for babysitting duties .

Thanks for the tips on travel systems Lipstick. I think we are going to venture into Mothercare to see what they have, but definitely not to buy at this stage!

As to baby monitors, I'm not an expert but my feeling is unless you have a large house you probably don't need one at home? Could be wrong of course, although part of the reason we are moving is that not only will we be guaranteed to hear the baby crying (we live in a flat) but so will the rest of the building.

My general view is that there is a lot of stuff new parents end up buying that they don't need or really use, just because they have no idea what they're doing and don't want precious baby to go without. Plus maybe an element of competitiveness with other new parents?

Lipstickmum, thanks for the advice. Can I ask one more question, then I promise I'll leave all you second timers alone...Are there any advantages of a proper pram attachment for the chassis over the normal "baby carrier attachments", where they dont seem to be lying flat (sorry, dont know the correct name) for new borns? I am guessing you can only use those new carriers for a short time, but then bits seem to clip off them and they turn into a normal buggy thing.

Maybe us first timers should set up our own website for the confused and hormonal!!!

Bubaloo, I do know something about those sleeping bag things. Both my SIL and friend used them and swore blind they were fantastic. It means the baby doesn't throw their sheets off while asleep, as they are basically wearing their sheets. The baby doesn't need any covering over them on top of it, the sleeping bag is enough. I think you still need a sheet under the baby though.

Would also recommend the sleeping bags - my DS is still in a grobag (bigger size than the newborn ones, obviously ). He was (and still is) a very restless sleeper so they have been fantastic for us. I had problems with the Moses basket we used, as DS kept flinging his arms around and waking himself up all the time, so after 6 long exhausting weeks we put him in his cot and it made things lots better. I'd definitely recommend borrowing one of these rather than buying one as the babies grow out of them so quickly and not all children like them. You never know, baby might also end up in your bed (DS certainly did in the early days).

Will catch up with you all soon, off out now. Happy New Year to everyone!

The first book I got was the mums on babies book which is why I came to mums net. In there loads of people write what you do really need and discard the rest.

I have been told no baby bath as its pointless. Apprently you are better getting one of those plastic mixing bowls from the kithen filling it with water and off you go. The baby bath is apprently something people buy and never use.

Everyone says a sleeping bag is invaluable.
Muslin squares
sterilizer
bottles
breast pump
Nipple cream
Maternity towels - don't forget them the hospital only like gives you 1 or 2
Breast pads
Support pillow - for comfort and feeding
Changing mats
Baby wipes and stuff for washing
Moses basket - borrow one
Sheets
Sleep suits
Baby sling
blanket
baby monitor - for peace of mind
Cotbed - depending on preference but people say you buy it once and it'll do for alot longer (specially if you are cheap like me)
Travel system - most people agree if you don't get a good travel item you end up buying more.

Flip flops - for the hospital because the floors aren't clean (essential if having hospital birth) tip I got from mumsnet book

I think basically that is all you have to manage with kinda off the top of my head. Anything over and above can kinda be got at another time. Add to the list people who have had kids cos us first time mums don't really know.

Oh after my vigorous conversation in mothercare - they are really good at taking things back if you keep the reciete. Obviously there are occasions when this happens The assitant seemed quite harrassed (poor thing) there is no way I woulda parted with my money without knowing I could get it back if the worst happened.

Some travel systems are better than others. The one I have admittedly is top of the range but it changes in 3 types of buggy for whatever stage of development your child is in. However I did get it greatly discounted for the type of system it is. I decided on it ages ago anyway cos the better systems last to 2-3 years of age. Looked into it on ebay price compared etc... Obviously car seat may have to be evaluated but it has the new born bit and then you adjust it later on. So it ends up cheaper I think. As one of my friends who is a mum borrowed one then ended up paying so much because the seat wouldn't go on the frame. The the kid grew out of it and now she curses herself for not getting a travel system even though they are more expensive.

Um Ebay for bumper packs of clothes they have loads on there and it really costs nothing. Keep checking alot - you can get really good bargins for top quality stuff. Obviously be careful though. I'll be getting a cot delivered from Italy from ebay as my money will go further. Not getting it yet though it is too early. Um also if you can get ex catalog shops. They have baby clothes for nothing because they are last season. There are really good ways of having trendy cheap babies if you look around.

Oh I am quite obsessive - but when you have to make the quids stretch.

I'm fine today, a bit tired. I hope you all have a good new year and people who have tests or scans - good luck. Hope the basic list helps people who are first timers like me

Oh I knew I forgot something. My tummy seems to have plumped out the last few days and is getting quite unruly. Mrs Wenesday I've started getting braxton hicks. also I've had raspberry squelshing sensations, which is the baby though I must confess I wasn't deeply moved as The whole region was feeling a bit tight and uncomfortable. Though I am told the kicks later on are cool well the odd ones not the Fa cup final extra time, golden goal versions that go on for ages and keep you awake...

we need a new thread!! new year new thread?

Stuff for baby, like others this is numberf two for me so the only things i'm going to be buying/have bought are:

1. Wilkinet sling carrier - bought off mumsnet!! - the one i had for DD was awful but i still used it everyday for the first 8 months
2. Bouncy chair, the sort where you set the angle and they are very padded - the one i had for DD had died (it was third hand when we got it).

Things i'm going to get rid of:

1. baby bath - used it once - DD got in the big bath with us
2. Moses Basket - DD hated it and we are going to borrow a swinging crib from friends instead
3. Tomy sling mentioned above!
4. Avent bottle/food warmer
5. Baby walker - DD cruised v young so this was useless

(if anyone wants any of these things let me know)

Things i couldn't have lived without:

1. Mamas and papas 2 in 1 pram/pushchair - still use it now with DD (2¼), it lies flat which was great when DD was little, then you can set the seat angle, the seat/pram bit comes off and the car seat can click on.
2. A sling
3. Breast pump
4. Breast shells (fr catching milk leaching from the oposite side she was feeding on)
5. Washable breast pads (far more absorbant than disposalable ones)