Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Jingle Bells, Mysterious Smells, Fab Feb 2009 babies will soon be on their way - Oh what fun it is to waddle around like an overstuffed turkey all day.

969 replies

dinkystinky · 04/12/2008 14:26

Hello lovely ladies, the new thread is open for business

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
dinkystinkyclaus · 16/12/2008 09:05

Morning ladies. Had lovely time at firm's carol service last night and DS was very good and only toddler burbled through half of the readings - he then spent the whole reception time afterwards playing with my best friend from work's little boy (who has just turned 3). Was so sweet seeing 2 little boys running around together in the church, causing chaos, and made me feel all ready for DS2 arriving..

LittleSez - Swampster (old hand at the cloth nappies) and MrsY seem to be our resident cloth nappy addicts so doubtless they'll chip in with their pearls of wisdom at some point.

Chilled - hope your bump pains eased off and you managed to get some sleep. I find I get killer braxton hicks if I overdo it or am dehydrated. Bet you cant wait for your christmas leave to start! I'm expecting to be delivering in March rather than Feb as DS was so late too - maybe you and I will get to keep each other company?

MrsY - sorry you're still getting the pains - as DAU havent got in touch must just be "one of those things" that they cant quite explain but if you're really worried give them or the midwife another call. Great you're all prepared for christmas though. I have the last of the presents to wrap tonight - and xmas biscuits to make with DS next Tuesday afternoon - and then this turkey is done

LMN - most jealous of your mat leave starting so soon as I have over a month to go till mine starts - and then wont be getting any R&R as our nanny is on 2 weeks holiday so will be entertaining manic toddler on my own for 2 weeks if baby doesnt decide to appear then(though in an effort to be prepared in case Squiglet makes an arrival before my mat leave is meant to start we have put the cot together, got a new mattress and washed at least some of DS's old 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes so newbie will have something to wear if he turns up early).

Pink - maybe it'll be a case of third time lucky with the gurgly smiley night time baby

KT - best of luck for your scan today. You may be able to pick up a maternity swimwear suit in sale on Blooming Marvellous (with 10% MN discount too) - worth checking out.

dinkystinkyclaus · 16/12/2008 09:06

P.s. TBM - hope you're ok and Fifi has decided if she's coming or going now. You're in my thoughts.

KT1983 · 16/12/2008 09:09

Thanks Dinky, Il have a look on the website - Work is so quiet today, il be surfing the net alot! Everybody is on Strike from the gym I think - Until January & the mad rush starts....When I wont be here

CalicoisCrackers · 16/12/2008 09:13

Morning

Rosie - sorry to hear about your sicky weekend - rest up well

TBM - awaiting good news.....hope you're bearing up (or down, depending on the situation!).

Just posted a couple of pics on Facebook group of DS as an angel for his nursery Xmas party. Aww - it made me feel all wobbly and teary. Mind you he's been like a hell's angel since - serious tantrums and refusing to eat - ho hum.

Just took delivery of first bit of baby kit for DC2 - Baby Bjorn sitter / bouncer thing. I wanted one for DS last time but DH had already got one with music and lights and all that malarky that I hated and got rid of as soon as I could....

Littlesez - I bought Tots Bots fluffles for DS which are v cute but I'm sad to say that I converted to disposables pretty quickly. I seemed to be changing soggy cloth every 5 mins and gave up (hangs head in shame) after about 2 weeks. I also didn't factor in the drying space needed as I don't have a tumble drier and ended up with drying nappies all over the place. I'm sure Swampy and MrsY can advise though!

MrsChristmasY · 16/12/2008 09:17

Oi Swampy - you leave my Fluffles alone!

littlesez, Madam is my first, but I went for a pack of Fluffles (very similar to the Little Lamb microterry) as I've used them at the nursery and had a recomendation from lots of people that they work well at night and with heavy wetters, plus we like the big bum look (like the Fairy advert baby!) and they seemed the softest in John's ultra-technical product comparison tests! They were £120 for the full pack - 15 nappies, 5 wraps and some liners. I think people often advise against buying a big pack all in one, as they might not work for your needs; might not fit baby's body shape; might not be absorbant enough etc., however, I thought it was better and cheaper to buy one pack all in one go, as the resale value is good, especially for unused second hand (selling on ebay for about as much as brand new at the moment). Swampy has 100 million nappies, so she will also stick her oar in give some advice. Alternativley, places like The Nappy Lady offer a free advice service, and you get a discount if you then order with them...

laidbackinamangernocribforabed · 16/12/2008 09:43

Littlesez - I've used baby beehinds bamboo for the DS3 and have always been happy with them, although driying time is a little slow.

MrsY - hope your pains stop soon and Rosie, hope you are feeling better too.

KT your pain does sound a bit braxton hicksy - although everyone does seem to experience them slightly differently.

I am at work today ...my penultimate day before Maternity leave starts on Thursday. Can't wait !

Off to see midwife tomorrow. They are not supporting home births at the moment in my area due to staff sickness. So off to stand my ground and tell them that they will be sending someone when I go into labour as I am not prepared to give birth on the way to hospital on account of my last super speedy delivery. ! I am hoping my midwife will be supportive as last time he said he 'was sure someone would come', but I feel like I need something a bit more concrete IYSWIM ?? Any other home birthers had this problem previously ?

chilledmincepiemama · 16/12/2008 10:26

littlesez- go to the nappy lady

Their advice page is brilliant and an advisor will get back to you really quickly. Their advice page will ask questions like 'place these options in order of preference' and how many children do you plan to have, do you have a tumble dryer, do you plan to use a tumble dryer etc etc.
I love the nappies that we use (Bumbles) but without knowing your personal circumstances I couldn't say they would be best for you.
There are so many cloth nappies out there...do you have any friends that could loan you a couple of different ones to try out???

chilledmincepiemama · 16/12/2008 10:40

another good website is babykind
they have a huge range of everything nappy wise but can be a little pricey although their bottles of TeaTree oil (I use instead of NappySan) are the cheapest I've seen around.

CalicoisCrackers · 16/12/2008 11:16

Yes, definitely try some different types out if you can. I think my mistake was to go for the ones I thought were the cutest and they weren't necessarily the best ones for DS. Also I did find them very bulky for a newborn - could hardly button up his babygro over the top, but again I expect the experienced cloth nappy mums will have the solution to this! My sister managed two babies in folding terry type nappies and thinks I chickened out too soon.

dinkystinkyclaus · 16/12/2008 11:54

I know that some local authorities have a grant of around £50 they give you for using nappy cleaning services - which may be worth looking into for the early days if you're using cloth nappies. Though along with LBB, I'm a disposables girl (though tried to go along the more ecologically friendly disposable route).

MarkTheHeraldAngelsStretch · 16/12/2008 12:05

I am trying to work from home.

It is not happening.

Instead I have done some Xmas shopping, taken delivery of parcels, MN'ing, eaten some fudge, washed up, tidied up, and waged a parking war with my neighbour.

I am contemplating doing the ironing.

CalicoisCrackers · 16/12/2008 12:17

Me too Markstretch, I am also 'working' from home and so far have been on Ebay / MN / Facebook and have eaten two mince pies, had three cuppas and a slab of chocolate....not achieving much and deadlines are looming - arghhhh

Oh it seems to be lunchtime - excellent, time for a break....

MarkTheHeraldAngelsStretch · 16/12/2008 12:21

All I have to do is type up hundreds and hundreds of letters and email them in to my office for printing.

But I want to make more fudge.

Oooh what's for lunch?

CalicoisCrackers · 16/12/2008 12:37

Lunch today is what DS refused to eat yesterday.....so reheated bolognaise......followed by another mince pie.

MarkTheHeraldAngelsStretch · 16/12/2008 12:41

We have nice soft bread so I think a sandwich.

And then a cup of tea and a mince pie

KazzaL · 16/12/2008 13:05

littlesez - try cotton baby - I've been invetsigating new nappies for DS whose now 20mths, was very disappointed with the service from the Nappy Lady although the adviser was very helpful. After ordering various single nappies to try (mainly on swampster's advice) I;ve now ordered a trial pack from cotton baby with lots of different ones in to try over the Xmas/new year break....

Not been on for a few weeks, so I hope everyone is ok and all the babies are still safely tucked up inside, DH has been ill, DS has been ill, I've had to solider on, been on a frist aid course as well for work and now panicing about how & when I'm going to get everything done before next week aided by a useless DH and severe pelvic pain

Somehting to make you all laugh (I hope) I had a dream the other night that I applied to be a playboy model and Hugh Heffner was showing me round his mansion including the nursery where he gave me lots of really good tips - I think this must stem from feeling extremely unattractive at the moment

rosieposeyxmaspuddingandpie · 16/12/2008 13:27

Afternoon.

Cannot believe how rough i feel woke up at 4.30 with the worst sore throat ever, still feel really achy and fluey after the nasty sickness virus that stuck me in hospital over the weekend so i couldnt get back to sleep as mouth was bone dry and i cant swallow. I think its because i only had three bags of hartmanns on that drip whilst i was in and didnt really drink anything by mouth much that im so dehydrated as have only been sipping since ive been home yesterday. Im worried they are going to hoick me back in tomorrow as have DAU appt and tbh im not really eating still (which means i cant take my insulin) as ive still got the runs and throat is an abomination - awww shite i really thought id got away with it after i came home yesterday but feel really ropey today, never mind maybe will feel better after today just need to eat otherwise will be in trouble. Just woke up at 12 as i got the girls off to school and went back to bed, am seriously contemplating getting up and having some leek and potato soup but you know what its like when you feel rough and cant be arsed to make it yourself
Any news from TBM yet? Hope its all going ok for her. Mrsy and KT hope your pains settle down soon - not too long to go now though KT ive got a growth scan tomorrow but for different reasons to you ... am hoping lo hasnt morphed into the biggest baby in the world in there as still got 7 weeks this Friday till section - fingers crossed he is still on or around the 95th percentile.
Im hungry and i want patas bravas and meatballs a la tapas style i know its not practical and god knows where i would get some and even less chance of stomaching it as dont really want to eat but am soooo hungry and i keep promising myself all of these lovely things when i feel better (thats WHEN ) fudge and patatas bravas it is then!

MamaStuffedGoose · 16/12/2008 13:39

Blimey, alot has happened to you lot over the last few days!

I almost keeled over at the w/end after organising a 3rd birthday party for DS2. We wanted to make a big fuss now that he was a 'little boy' and not a boring baby. Our pirate themed playroom went down a storm with the 17 children but it was all a bit much for me by the end!

Can't believe I've basically got 6wks to go. But I am so full of baby. I get legs, feet, all sorts actually sticking out through my skin. It's kind of freaky! Have had to officially give up the gym and switch to swimming now. Hats off to you KT1983 for keeping up the classes - blimey!

TBM - hope you're doing ok, wherever you now are!!

MrsY - hope things are ok for you.

RosiePosie - I'll send some tapas over. I live in Spain so order anything you like off the menu!

x

SwampsterQuakesAtTheSight · 16/12/2008 13:46

OK, here is my oar! Littlesez, this and this is where the hardcore clothies hang out.

For easy comparison, a great range and fantastic service I have always loved Kittykins. Also quite like Twinkle Twinkle and loads of other sites. Didn't really like the advice I got from the Nappy Lady five years ago.

I agree with laidback on the Baby Beehinds - they are fabby - best night time nappies I've ever used but, as they are bamboo (or hemp - not tried those), they do take forever to dry.

Pluses, they are lovely, natural fibre, they are super absorbent, they are birth-to-potty (though I imagine they come up quite big on a newbie and I've heard people complain that once you hit about two years they are too small, but DS2 is chunky enough at 2.5 and is still in them, not even on the last popper setting).

Minuses, drying time and they have stopped doing the gorgeous coloured ones and just do cream ones. And most places appear to be sold out of them at the moment, including their own UK website.

I also like Ella's House Bumhuggers for nights - they have lovely fleecey inside - good for keeping small bums dry and for poo to drop off easily. Better selection of colours on their own website but cheaper elsewhere.

Tots Bots aplix fastening Bamboozles are nice, don't like the popper ones. Fluffles are pretty good at night but mine stink by morning, it is hard to shift the smells, and the microfibre REALLY grates on me - a bit like chalk squeaking on a blackboard.

Motherease Sandy's are nice too - the xs is a really lovely newborn nappy and you can often pick up good deals on them second-hand - they don't tend to get much wear as babies are in them all of five minutes.

Boosters are essential, especially at night as they get bigger and eliminate their own weight in pee each night. A top tip from someone on here is to boost outside the nappy, between the nappy and the wrap.

And for wraps, Motherease Airflows all the way - Rikkis are nice too. I prefer fleece wraps for night time and this time out I will try out wool longies but waiting for DS3 to arrive before I buy them.

I have to confess I have become WELL LAZY in my old age and I do love the new generation of all-in-one nappy. When DS1 was little I tried a couple of stuffable nappies and all-in-ones and they were horrible and leaky. But they have come on a lot since then and first thing in the morning when I can't be arsed to get a nappy AND a wrap on DS2 and during the day when we are out and about I much prefer them to two-parters. I wouldn't use them at night though.

BumGenius are great. I'm using one-size ones at the moment, they are pocket nappies really. They are also really quick drying. The sized ones are all-in-ones and VERY tempting indeed.

Close Parent pop-ins get good reviews but I haven't tried them... Yet .

And of course, the cutest nappy in the world has to be the Itti Bitti D'Lish - gorgeous colours, soft and fluffy and trim as anything. They are surprisingly absorbent and effective too. If you get the snap-in ones, with extra bits to snap in they can be fairly economical too as the outer dries in seconds and the snappy-in bits take forever, and if the outer isn't yucky you can just snap new inners in.

CalicoisCrackers · 16/12/2008 14:22

oooh those Itti Bitti D'Lish ones are so cute! I might even be persuaded to ditch my disposables for them.....do you have to put an outer wrap over the top too though?

rosieposeyxmaspuddingandpie · 16/12/2008 14:29

Ohhh tapas - thank you how about, patatas bravas, meatballs, chorzio, and stuffed vine leaves ... if im better by the weekend im going tapas hunting ( think there are a few good tapas restaurants in Bristol) Just had some leek and potato soup and DH is coming home from work early bless him

I said this time i might try and use reusable nappies although probably not for a few weeks till after the birth - swampster thats a very comprehensive guide

dinkystinkyclaus · 16/12/2008 14:44

Oh Rosie - poor you; hope you're definitely fully better by the weekend and able to indulge in those tapas fantasies.

Just got lift up to my floor (we're in a shared building with a few other companies) and there was another pregnant lady in the lift bemoaning how huge she was (she wasnt and was only around 20 weeks) when she realised I was in there and faltered to an embarrassed halt... I gave her a smile and said its all relative isnt it? Can not believe still have another 9 weeks or so to go until due date - this bump looks full term already...

SwampsterQuakesAtTheSight · 16/12/2008 14:47

That's it for the Itti Bittis, Calico! Gorgeous posing nappies for summer, I think.

Rosie, a few washables are fantastic for when you run out of disposables, too.

Could I have the calamares, please, and some patatas bravas? Oh, and some gambas and some croquetas too...

CalicoisCrackers · 16/12/2008 14:56

Well - I might have to give the Itti Bittis a go....though will wait to see what flavour DC is before I order the fuschia ones!

I did get in a bit of a tizz with having to wrap the whole nappy with the last cloth ones I tried. I probably didn't have the knack with it as I always seemed to have a gap somewhere which leaked. DS had the skinniest legs (still has) so that didn't help for a nice tight fit. Perhaps I'll give them a go - see you've gone and you've converted me!

onwardandmerrilyupward · 16/12/2008 15:02

Hey, KazzaL, I think I can out-dream you. In my dream last night, I was John Travolta but I was still pregnant. How weird is that?