Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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due in jan on the home stretch now!! on the 1st day of christmas my true love gave to me a baby up in a tree,2 babygros,3 teddy bears,4 waddling mummies and five smelly nappies

968 replies

tinkisallreadytositonthetree · 19/11/2008 08:27

hi ladies thought i would be organised and start a new thread

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
moosemama · 02/12/2008 19:36

Hi,

DH home and taken over, so have had time to calm down and recover a bit.

Just thought of something else for my bag/basket, lipsalve. Can't stand having dry lips and with all the puffing and panting that goes on in labour I'm usually in dire need of lipsalve.

Also, obviously the hospital bag will have a washbag full of mini toiletries, shampoo, bodywash, deodorant, toothbrush & paste, flannel, sponge, hairbrush etc, along with a few pairs of cheap knickers and a spare feeding bra. A roll of nice soft toilet tissue is a nice luxury to have (hospital stuff not good at all just after giving birth).

Would probably take in my own pillow/s if I have to go in this time as well. Last time they gave me one limp example on a bed that had a metal ladder back, absolutely useless for breastfeeding.

Always useful to pack a a few pound coins and some loose change as well (don't like having my purse around in hospital) and if staying in, a couple of little cartons of fruit juice and some cereal bars and bananas.

Its also a good idea to make sure your mobile is fully charged and has plenty of credit (hospital phones are a complete rip off.)

Finally, for hospital would need snowsuit and blankets to bring bubs home and a comfortable maternity outfit for me to go home in. (Although I packed these separately and got DH to bring them in last time as they took up too much room.)

Really need to get these ideas/lists sorted into hospital bag and home basket now and work out how to pack so that I don't need to buy double of anything.

That's all I can think of for now.

Right, where are those mince pies!

qumps · 02/12/2008 19:44

rrayray bf top of my list of things i am worrying about as was rubbish last time. did 8 weeks in the end and cried for another 8 weeks when i stopped as felt so guilty. really determined to make it work this time. hopefully a less stressful birth and no scbu involvement so therefore no formula early doors will help. have some lovely breastfeeding cafes (drop in centres) near me and recommend those if you need help. did do nct but never used bf councillor (sp). how do i go about finding a local list and do you have to pay for them? do they really answer the phone at 3am???!! thinking of going to do a class at hospital to refresh my memory. also the sad teacher in me wants to write a crib sheet with nose to nipple and baby to breast and all those other little helpful things on it!
moosemama poor little moose. 4 days is such a long time in little land. really hope he turns the corner soon. i am worried for you that all the stress is going to send you into labour. crying a good way to let it out. sorry that your mum is not being much help either. can see its all getting to you as you only normally say nice things about your dh!!!
had an emergency last night and ran out of chocolate. was dying to rip open the advent calendar but dh scolded me and luckily found a sachet of hc in back of cupboard.
my sleep issue is i keep rolling onto my back and then waking up not being able to breathe. couldn't feel my legs last night and then had mega bh. nearly woke dh up as thought something was happening but must have fallen back to sleep was always convinced that labour started in the middle of the night but was during the day for me last time.
this time 4 weeks i will have a baby!!!

moosemama · 02/12/2008 20:20

Thanks qumps. DH is lovely really, we are just both overtired and sensitive and rubbing each other up the wrong way today.

You made me laugh with the chocolate emergency - its panic stations in our house when that happens, especially if its after 9.30 pm and therefore to late to order DH to the local shop.

Fun things that have happened to add to our joyous state of mind today are:

  1. Turned over in bed this morning to check the time and all but fell out managing to drop the brand new mobile central heating thermostat (which fell apart) at the same time. Was left clinging to the side of the bed with bump squashed against the wooden edge. Cue lots of angry wriggling and kicking from bubs accompanied by awful hip and pelvic pain. The bang and yell then woke up ds2 who really needed to sleep for a lot longer and instantly started screaming because his joints had locked up.
  1. I tripped and very nearly fell down the stairs rescuing my bump from a stone window ledge edge with one hand whilst simultaneously doing the sideways splits to stop me falling any further than four steps. Needless to say SPD has been unbearable all day but had to ignore it so I could look after ds2 properly.
  1. Decided ds1 could eat his pizza in the lounge as a treat (mainly as I couldn't face sitting on a hard dining chair with him while he ate his tea due to previously mentioned injuries). Just as I said "now you can eat this in here but be very careful not to drop any on the carpet" ..... I flipped the entire plate over and managed to get tomato and spinach stains over a surprisingly wide range.

But hey, tomorrow's a new day and I have just eaten 2 MINCE PIES ...... WITH CREAM! I'm sure we'll look back at this month and laugh sometime in the future.

missjackson · 02/12/2008 20:44

So I'm finally making my big baby list of everything we need -- 2 sides of A4 so far! And thought I would pick your brains about something that has been bothering me:

We are planning for the baby to sleep in a cot next to our bed (with the side down so it's like he's practically in bed with us), and I like the thought of the babygro sleeping bags. BUT which tog to use is worrying me... the advice that comes with the bags say that 2.5 tog is right for a room that's up to 19C, and 1 tog is better for warmer rooms - but what if we put him to bed in the evening when the heating is still on, but then when we come to bed, the room gets colder when the heating goes off... do I need to change the sleeping bags according to the temp? It's probably really obvious.

Also, the advice nowadays seems to be that you should use a pacifier/ dummy as it's linked to reducing SIDS but is that right from the beginning?

I'm sure I'll never be able to sleep as I'll just be checking the temp all the time!

Has anyone done any perineal massage yet?

And anyone ever used one of those electric pelvic floor re-educators before? My MIL is scaring me with her stories of incontinence.

Sorry for all the questions!

missjackson · 02/12/2008 20:45

PS MM so glad you got your mince pies at long last!
and rray wish you would come and do my tax return too!

LenniEd · 02/12/2008 20:46

Mmmm, I think I might go and get a mince pie Glad you've still got your sense of humour MM, hang on in there. You are doing a fab job.

National Breastfeeding advice:

NCT breastfeeding helpline - tel 0300 330 0771
Open 8am - 10pm 7 days a week. National helpline

Your local NCT branch will also usually have a bf counsellor and yep their services are free including the groups they run eg. bumps and babies although contributions are usually made

LaLeche League website: www.laleche.org.uk
Helpline answered by volunteers (number on website) open all hours but only at 3am in an emergency

They also run groups and have bf counsellors who will help you before and after the birth

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0844 2090920

run partly by the breastfeeding network www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk who also have centres in some areas where you can get help

Should also be some NHS provision in your area - HV/Midwife can help with times of groups and names of counsellors

Also we have a voluntary organisation in this area which works out of the main hospital and their volunteers will come to your home and help you out.

There should be loads out there in your area, is just a case of finding it.

LenniEd · 02/12/2008 20:56

MissJackson - yes on the pelvis floor things - I'm not alone there, sure someone else had used one. Not for first few weeks though for obvious reasons

From what I remember of reading recent threads on dummies they are not advised until bf established if you are planning on bottle feeding they can be introduced earlier. Do reduce SIDS risk though as do sleeping bags. DD had a dummy from about 3 weeks as had reflux and it was only way we could wind her without her bringing up her whole feed - sucking on the dummy brought up the wind. Friends' babies have rejected them though so not for everyone. DD gave hers up of her own choice about a month ago (at 22mo) so be prepared for it to potentially be a long term thing if you give one. That said some babies I know gave theirs up much earlier although with varying degrees of complaint. Some are still having them.

Sleeping bags fab - best ones we found were bambino merino ones, expensive but don't need to replace every 6 months (last until 2 yo) and can be used summer and winter. Think generally people use 2.5tog in winter and 1tog in summer with the grobags. Wouldn't obsess too much over temp dropping in night. Babies are always better cold than warm and you can always throw a cellular blanket over a 1tog sleeping bag if the temp drops really low.

Nope - not done perineal massage, don't think I could reach and certainly not asking DH - not since I've rather embarrassingly developed piles this week. Eeek!

fourlittlefeet · 02/12/2008 20:56

ahhh - thread has gone nuts again, getting tired just scrolling through the posts... roll on maternity leave.

Anyone else getting a rather tender fanjo from all the pushing down . Don't remember THAT from last time. Really nasty.

Also for all marmite lovers... take a look at this. Has to be done and a perfect stocking filler/xmas tree present. Oh yes, does anyone else's family do tree presents . MIL does it for game winners .

LenniEd · 02/12/2008 21:00

That should have been "better cold than too warm" - you'll be surprised how cold 18degrees is when you start obsessing over having rooms at that temp think 20 is more like what our rooms are in the evenings when heating on and we used to be wrapped up all the time when DD first born and we wouldn't let the room go a smidge over 18 without having a panic funny when I look back on it, but sure I'll be the same when this one arrives.

moosemama · 02/12/2008 22:15

Hi MissJ.

Have used grobags for both boys, although not straight away as preferred to swaddle. Room temperature wasn't so much an issue though as both were born during mild Aprils. Think this time we will just set the heating to come on at a fairly low temp in the night if its ridiculously cold. It's handy having the new portable thermostat though as it means we can reset the temperature without even leaving the duvet. (That is if I manage to do it without falling out of bed and smashing the darn thing! )

If your baby is sleeping alongside the bed you will soon get used to whether they feel too cold, hot or just right. Just have to remember not to use hand or foot temp as a guide, as babies often have cold extremities. Mw used to tell me to check tummy or neck instead.

Both mine had dummies as well, can't remember when from, but definitely once colic kicked in so perhaps 2-3 weeks? Both were breastfed with no problems and both lost interest in dummies of their own accord at around 12 months.

Sorry, not tried a pelvic trainer as never had any problems in that department. (Have been told to thank all the horse riding I did as a youngster for my strong pelvic floor muscles.) I do try to do my exercises though and would definitely consider using one this time if it turns out that a third delivery is one too many for me. Have heard nothing but good things about them.

Sorry, never could get my head around doing perineal massage, and as Lenni said, don't think I could reach if I wanted to. Have read reports both of women who tried it and had no tears or stitches and others who tried and tore anyway. I think there are some threads about it on here if you do a search.

flf, what are tree presents? We hang a mini christmas felt bag with bells on on the main tree for each of the boys with a tiny present inside. They have to find the bag before they get the present and always get really excited and want to do it first before they open their 'big' presents.

DH lurves marmite. He definitely won't be getting any in his stocking though as I can't stand the smell! [mean wife emoticon]

Ds1 felt the baby move in my tum for the first time this afternoon and was awestruck. He's not shown an interest before, but saw the bump move and wanted to know what was happening so I showed him where he could feel her foot and as he put his hand there she kicked him - sign of things to come maybe?

btw ds2 has been asleep since 7.30. Have dug out the baby's monitor so I can keep a closer check on him, but still keep creeping in to check his temp. Am hoping the sleep will help speed his recovery. DH has been to the supermarket to buy a few bits to try and tempt him into eating tomorrow. All he managed today was a quarter of a piece of toast and a quarter of an alpro yoghurt. He's lost a stack of weight and is very weak and wobbly.

Anyhoo, off to bed now to try and sleep while he does. What's the betting a certain baby has other ideas though!

Cooo! Just previewed this message - it's huge and it doesn't even contain any moaning.

elkiedee · 02/12/2008 22:22

moosemama, that's very touching re ds1 feeling his little sister move and being kicked by her. Hope ds2 feels better soon.

tinkisahugexmaspudding · 03/12/2008 08:36

morning

wow for snow lennied dont mind it as long as you dont have to venture out in car etc then it is a right pain

mm - lol @ nearly falling out of bedhope kids better

miss j -

sleeping bags r great i didnt use straight away uised from about 6 months old.

off to nursery now and then tesco cant wait to get slippers

booksgalore · 03/12/2008 08:46

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booksgalore · 03/12/2008 08:50

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givethedogachristmaspudd · 03/12/2008 09:20

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moosemama · 03/12/2008 09:50

Morning,

Well so much for the sleep helping. Temp back to over 39 degrees despite calpol and calprofen. Constant crying and distress, DH is coming home in an hour and we are taking him straight to the Childrens Hospital.

Unfortunately, we now have ds1 off as well as he has completely lost his voice and has a bad headache. Can't really take him into hospital with us so will have to call on Mum and see if she is 'well enough' to have him at her house.

Am totally whacked and feel all shaky, no sleep again! That'll teach me for not going to bed at 7.30 when he fell asleep.

gtdab, glad dd is better, sorry to hear ds now has the horrible bug, especially on his birthday. Poor little thing, hope he recovers quickly.

rrrayray · 03/12/2008 10:15

Morning ladies.

Thanks for all the tips RE: Breast Feeding

GTDAB- Yes knew about not introducing the bottle too early. Wasnt intending to start expressing for OH until breastfeeding well & truly established. I was more wondering about getting in emergency formula just incase i COULDN'T breastfeed. you hear that some people simply Can't.. nothing to do with breast or nipple size, it just doesn't work out for them. I think i'll speak to my midwife at next appointment & see if she thinks i need to get some emergency back up stuff... i mean i'd rather buy it & never use it than have a very hungry baby whaling while OH scours for Formula milk.... God knows what he'd bring back anyway, probarly a pint of Semi Skimmed!

We have a light sprinkling of Snow this morning - lovely winter wonderland scene.

Was woken up in the middle of the night by some VERY riggorous baby kicks... was slightly concenered something was wrong they were THAT strong... i think she was trying to BREAK out!!

Moosemama- hope everything goes OK at Childrens hospitial.... At least you'll be in the best place!

Hope everyone elses sniffles and DCs feel much better soon! xxx

rrrayray · 03/12/2008 10:16

Oh.. and i forgot to say, its my Breast feeding NCT class tonight, so perfect chance for me to ask the Question i was asking you all..... surely THEY will have the answer!!

I'm hoping for OH's Sake that its diagrams and such and not too many other womens Boobies out on display....

Periwink · 03/12/2008 10:51

Lenni - thanks for the breastfeeding support details!

Ms Jackson - not started my perineal massage, really dreading it - but my midwife gives me a pamplet with the instructions on every week when I visit her and she has explaine dthe importance of starting now (i am 35 weeks and 4 days). I am also confused with the grobag togs - so thanks for the advice ladies.

Have started my Raspberry leaf tea - I let it cool down and really not as bad as I thought.

I am going to try and buy the rest of the goodies for my hospital bag today.

qumps · 03/12/2008 12:46

lennied thank you so much for bf numbers. will write on post its now.
moosemama any news on littel moose? thinking of you and hope all ok.
gtdab poor little one. not nice to be ill on your bday and sad you have to miss play.
knackered here. dh at a dinner last night and came home at 130. needless to say he woke me up and i took an age to get back to sleep. he was also really cuddly which on one hand was lovely and on the other v annoying! then ds decided to start the day at 4am. tried milk and cuddles but to no avail and as dh has a v important meeting today i gave in and got up at 5. ds kept saying upsy daisy. my sis bought him a pop up book and he ripped her head off so i think it has caused some distress. better get the sellotape out today.....
got carpet fitters, blind fitters, 3 little friends to play and a friend over for dinner from nz so no rest for me. also been to playgroup this morning where 2 friends told me how hard it is with their 6 week olds and their toddlers. brill!
roll on nursery day tomorrow

qumps · 03/12/2008 12:46

lennied thank you so much for bf numbers. will write on post its now.
moosemama any news on littel moose? thinking of you and hope all ok.
gtdab poor little one. not nice to be ill on your bday and sad you have to miss play.
knackered here. dh at a dinner last night and came home at 130. needless to say he woke me up and i took an age to get back to sleep. he was also really cuddly which on one hand was lovely and on the other v annoying! then ds decided to start the day at 4am. tried milk and cuddles but to no avail and as dh has a v important meeting today i gave in and got up at 5. ds kept saying upsy daisy. my sis bought him a pop up book and he ripped her head off so i think it has caused some distress. better get the sellotape out today.....
got carpet fitters, blind fitters, 3 little friends to play and a friend over for dinner from nz so no rest for me. also been to playgroup this morning where 2 friends told me how hard it is with their 6 week olds and their toddlers. brill!
roll on nursery day tomorrow

moosemama · 03/12/2008 13:29

Called my GPs to find out where exactly we needed to take ds and they told us to bring him there first to see their paediatric specialist.

She gave him a thorough check again and said she felt there was no bacterial infection present in his lungs, despite the racking cough.

She agreed that he is a very poorly little boy and her feeling is that it is full blown flu of the nastiest variety. Apparently he is likely to be ill for 7-10 day minimum and we need to keep a close eye on him for signs he may be developing pneumonia.

She felt he would be better off at home than hospital as we are doing all the right things and there isn't much more the hospital could do for flu except put him on a drip if he gets dehydrated. She did say however, that if his temp stays up continuously and the calpol etc stops being effective or he gets any more lethargic and low we should take him straight to a&e at the hospital.

So we are no further on really. Basically, nothing anyone can do except watch and wait.

Ds1 has improved since having calpol and an ice pop for his throat, although still looks quite green around the gills. Doc said to keep an eye on him as it could be that he is going down with the same thing!

DH has scuttled back to the relative safety of his office clutching a bottle of beechams all in one as he has now gone down with the cold I had last week.

Think I'd better let the mw know we are a germ ridden house, as don't think with her job it would be a good idea for her to come round here for the home birth meeting unless things have seriously improved in the meantime.

tinkisahugexmaspudding · 03/12/2008 13:43

hi

went to tesco have finally got some slippers lost my others ages ago

have nice toasty feet
also bought britney cd
2 pairs of slipper socks for hospital bag - pink pair with penguins and black pair with scotty dogs, pack of 2 nighties for after birth

bks galore u sound busy

gtdacp - poor ds hope is bday is good still

mm poor ds hope he ridesit out soon

rray - enjoy nct class tonight

oopsadaisyangel · 03/12/2008 13:51

Hello everyone!!

I'm planning on forumla feeding this baby - last two times my milk hasn't came in for two to three weeks after baby was born!

rrrayray - I don't mind you asking about the induction at all. I had a stillborn baby at 35 weeks last December and because of this and my history of going into labour early my consultant has decided that I should be induced around 37 weeks or earlier depending on how panicky I'm getting.

Can't wait to meet new baby and DS1 is beginning to get very excited about it - the puppy even seems to be getting excited - she keeps going into the nursery and looking into the cot to see if there is anything there

Feeling very sore and sickly today - really feel that I could just curl up on the couch and do nothing from now till baby arrives - if only!!!

moosemama · 03/12/2008 14:05

Just gone to check my email and found the mumsnet christmas customs email.

I am on it twice! Once in the Christmas Eve section and once under Christmas Day. Just read it and got all nostalgic for Christmas, doesn't feel very christmassy around here at the moment.

Just had ds2 in tears. He was convinced he would be poorly on Christmas Day because the doctor said he is going to be ill for at least 7-10 days. Took a lot of effort to convince him he will be better by then.

oopsadaisy, what sort of puppy do you have? Big dog fans in this house, we have three. Sorry to hear you are feeling rough - you should definitely put your feet up if you can.