Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Birth clubs

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

*Due in June 2005*

519 replies

PinkArjuna · 26/03/2005 22:58

The thread was getting far too long and taking ages to load.

London meet is a week away. I don't have to get the train until 10.30 this time Could someone tell me which tube line to get from Paddington?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
berolina · 28/03/2005 21:31

As an ignorant first-timer, can I ask everyone's advice on my list of essentials?

We have been given/promised (second-hand from friends/colleagues):
cot
pram
portable 'snuggle nest'
tons and tons of clothes

We have bought:
changing table/chest of drawers unit
baby bath + thermometer

Which leaves:
cot mattress, sheets, blankets etc.
nappies
breast pump/bottles/steriliser
Baby Björn
muslin cloths
car seat
dummy??? (is that necessary?)
mobiles, toys, whatever

There are probably really obvious things I've forgotten...

LipstickMum · 28/03/2005 22:21

I had a look at all the other slings and wasn't really sure about them tbh. Although baby lies flat, they do look awfully 'curved' and crunched up. But I guss that's better than sitting up, I don't know. I think it will be my main mode of transport for #2 which is why I'm giving it more consideration than last time.

charleypops · 28/03/2005 23:25

Lippy - I'm the same regarding baby slings - I like the traditional cloth wrap around ones so baby is laying down, but I also think they look too curved and scrunched. I'll have a look at the hugabub. I've not looked at slings yet....

Can't help you Berolina with your list - looks pretty good to me! you are lucky that you're being given so much stuff. I'm very jealous

charleypops · 28/03/2005 23:26

Is anyone else's baby lying breech at the moment?

PinkArjuna · 28/03/2005 23:55

I've basically finished with the baby buying. Only the cot to get really. I am waiting for the landlord to get on with the painting. It needs painting so badly and they have got to get on with it asap because I don't want them deciding when I have a new born that they'll finally get on with it. I won't have them in here while I am trying to deal with a new born baby.

I've even got the film for my Camera and the spare batteries. I am still waiting for my arnica tablets to arrive though. Oh saying that I need muslin squares.

Oh On the Doula front I had some luck She is ringing on April 4th to work out a meeting sometime that week and we'll arrange from there I must mail pupuce to thank her.

Oh I managed to get councelling from the post natal illness network here in Bristol which starts next week. I will go to the group before hand too. I am so glad to have the opportunity to work out a few kinks in my emotional armour before Bubba arrives. Also my mum and dad might be home from holiday by then - I am well prepared with the caller Id. The deluge of abuse is surely about to begin from every quarter known to man.

Oh I am going to go into the college and make a real fuss. They say the day time class is limited to the full time students.

Charleypops - childcare after 6pm in your dreams hunny I have been onto it for a week. There seems to be one woman in surrounding area's who'll do childminding after 7pm and of course she is booked solid. it just doesn't exist - which is why it is a government drive just now. It is hard enough getting childcare to work in the day time. Also under a year old there are special rules as to how many children they can have. They need to be trained in some sort of different module or something to have children under a year old. If what I am seeing is correct. most won't take from birth without prior agreement and they have to be registered as able to do so.

Hope everyone is well. My antenatal starts on wednesday evening I am glad I got on the NCT I won't be able to go to the NHS ones because they are the same time as I am in College on monday. I am a bit anxious about what I'll find. I hope the people in my group are nice.

I'll go and buy a white chocolate egg tomorrow - reduced

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PinkArjuna · 29/03/2005 00:02

I've got a hug a bub - I have to get it out of the packaging though. I've got it because of my bad back. They come with a cd to show you how to wrap them. I'll have to get it out. It looks a bit like oragami though - a bit trendy for someone like me who wants it to work now Though the critics swear by them for bad backs. I went for it as the bjorn is a bit like construction and some babies don't like it. My friends kid didn't like his bjorn a few months ago but he has taken to it now. I am determind to strap the bubba on and go. Not sure if you can breast feed through the hug a bub though. I'll have to watch the video.

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PinkArjuna · 29/03/2005 00:10

where do people stand on dummies? They are like seen as evil but I must confess I have bought some I went for those orthodentists ones as a kinda compromise. I am considering when I am simply bored of the baby crying they may save my nerves.

Sorry catching up on the thread and then reply to little bits at a time

I also got nipple shields as someone on the thread said they had a disaster with the baby latching on wrong and their nipple was all messed up. Can't remember why it was now but I thought I'd take some shields incase I get it wrong (I am likely to) so I can keep trying.

I went for one of these instead of a baby bath so I can just use the normal bath. I thought they looked quite good. I'm waiting for it to arrive.

OP posts:
PinkArjuna · 29/03/2005 00:13

I meant 'who'. How many people suffered from cracked nipples last time by the way. I am in fear anyway off to bed now. I have to study tomorrow and I am just procrastinating

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PinkArjuna · 29/03/2005 00:23

Bloody hell charley!!! you don't even get the mattress in for that price Which buggy did you decide on in the end? The bugaboo? I seem to have missed that the buggy final choice. This is the Filip tutti bambini have loads of other types and you can get them delivered with a mattress for less than that one you were looking at. I'd search more I'd have to say I don't think that ones worth it but if you really want it its nice but Mama's and papa's do the same thing for like £120 or there abouts.

Ok I really am going now

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tribpot · 29/03/2005 09:45

Pink, hope you can convince the college to let you join the day class, seems like you should have a good case for them making an exception.

I'm also not planning on getting a baby bath - I guess I might get a thermometer although I imagine you get used to what temperature it should be quite quickly? I was going to buy something like Pink's bath thingy, maybe the little deckchair thing from John Lewis.

Breast pump and associated paraphernalia - I hadn't really thought about getting this immediately as I won't be try to express for 6 weeks or so. But is the breast pump useful for engorgement at the beginning?

Changing table - what is this? I was just going to use a regular table with a changing mat type thing on?

I'm not buying a dummy, I don't think any of my nephews and nieces had one. So that will be on a 'need' basis only, if bubs can't be pacified through other means.

LipstickMum · 29/03/2005 09:52

Morning everyone Welcome back after the bank holiday!

Berolina, your list seemss pretty comprehensive. My mind has gone blank as to anything else you might need. I presume you have transport sorted out, buggies etc?

I remember it being very much 'trial and error' with all the equipment. Everyone is different and what some people can't live without, some people never use. Get the basics and then take it as it comes.

Pink, I think you are the most organised of all of us! Perhaps with good reason as you've explained already. Glad you've got on with the doula, I wonder what it's like having a professional at your side instead of a dp/dh ???!!!
You asked about dummies. I didn't bother with them. My reasoning being, how difficult is it going to be to get rid of them at the other end?? Having said that, my sister's daughter gave them up without a whimper, she was about 20 months. My dd started to suck her thumb pretty quickly, so now do I have a 'bigger' problem, since I can't take away her thumb!!! I sucked my thumb 'til I was 11 though and just stopped. My friend, a speech therapist, swears that dummies are evil and she can tell a child who has sucked a dummy when they were younger. ??? there ya go.

I'm not sure what nipple shields do/are??? I did breastfeed but didn't use them, obviously! Dp reckons it was quite a difficult time, but I don't, compared to what some women experience. My nipples did get incredibly sore when dd initially latched one, once she was on, it was bliss. That went on for about a week to 10 days. I think they cracked and possibly bled a bit too, can't remember. I used lansinoh cream, which is very thick, glooky stuff and you can't really wear a bra when it's on, coz it's so sticky. Cabbage leaves are meant to be good, cool and soothing. If you put anything on your nipples, make sure it's natural, no petrochemicals and stuff.

Pink, I don't know how many muslins you want but I have some I don't have use for. See, that was one of the things everyone told me I would need and I barely used them. I have 12 and would happily give you half, that have probably not been used. They're unbleached cotton, about 80x80cm. Let me know and I'll bring them on Saturday. Hehe, I'll probably have the sickiest baby in the world now and have to go out and buy more!!

Charley, I have a mw appt next week, so I guess I'll find out then how baby is lying. I'm not sure when it's time to worry that the baby wont turn. Some women swear by accupuncture, you'll probably need a course of 3 or something. Might be worth looking into, if you're into that kind of thing.

It was the hug a bub website that I was looking at where I saw the baby was still quite curved. I suppose the only way a baby will be flat is if there is something rigid-ish there. Hmmm. Will keep looking around.

Am going shopping today

katzguk · 29/03/2005 09:56

morning all

well had a busy bank holiday weekend but the nursery walls are now all painted and looking great, carpet mans coming today and now just have to wait fort he furniture to arrive!

As a second timer these are the things we've got:
Cot
Mattress
Bedding
Cot-top changer
New changing mat
New Bouncy chair
New baby gym
Borrowed swinging crib
New Wilkinet carrier
Washable nappies
Breast Pump
Borrowed sterliser
Car Seat (need to check it will fit car!!)
Muslins
Clothes (need to retrive from friend!)

What i'm not bothering with:

Moses basket
Baby bath

Still to get:
Nursing bras
Bath seat
more washable nappies
washable wipes

katzguk · 29/03/2005 09:58

have also got my pram all sorted too!! DD's old one just need to work out how to get the covers off to wash them and make it all new!!

redheadmum · 29/03/2005 10:14

mornin' all

back to work from the lovely long weekend - hope you all had a good Easter?

despite nesting fanatically, I haven't thought properly about what I'll need for no 2. I'm being a bit lazy cos we do have the basics except for a crib! Am totally unsure what to do about prams too.

K - what are washable wipes? I haven't heard of these...what are you getting for cloth nappies? have been thinking should do cloth this time around but it's all a mystery to me.

breast pumps, nipple shields, dummies etc - dont' think you necessarily need to get them pre- baby as until they're born you don't know what they'll be like or how you'll go with breastfeeding. I had no problems with nipple cracking (just a minor sore but no pain)...I had real difficulties expressing so breast pump and sterilising stuff pretty much useless for me. bath thermometer I found totally useless and just relied on my elbow after a very short time! Good for confidence though esp for first baby, I think I got mine free with some pregnancy mag or bath set.

katzguk · 29/03/2005 10:43

washable wipes are generally fleece/flannel material and then bung them in with your nappies at wash time!
link here:

wipes

Nappy wise i've got some tots bots size 1 which i had for DD and loved but i want to get some AIO nappies too, to help DH out with the nappy changes.

Lua · 29/03/2005 10:44

Morning all!

Just dropped Dh for his third epidural. Hopefully he is the only one in the family that would ever have one!

I also dropped DD at the daycare and found out that I have won not one, but two ester prizes. Luck is quite sarcatsic.... Anyone want a beautiful easter cake covered with marzipan???

Pink , I am really glad you sorted out a doula! and do make a scene on college!

On the dummy front.... I was adamant against, but gave in pretty fast after a week or so and my life got so much better. I think different babies have different sucking needs, and some need it really badly. That, or mums have different thresholds of patience....
Anyhoo, I am glad I did since when she started daycare I always found her with one, even though I always gave express orders not to give her one! Also, in the end she only used to sleep and gave up easily around 9 months old. Me on the other hand, was like lippy. Never took a dummy but sucked my thum until 7 years old!!! 3 years of braces to fix that!

Didn't use breast shields either. In the beggining they were sore, but lansinoh and cool gels did the trick.

On the bath front, I have to say that a bath tub is certainly not needed, but if you have a bad back canbe a life saver. I can barely give DD a good bath in the big tub, I don't think I will feel confortable bending over the bath and holding baby at the same time... Will get a holder or a small plastic tub that can go in the kitchen counter. I saw one on IKEa for 4 quid....

lynny70 · 29/03/2005 11:19

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lynny70 · 29/03/2005 11:25

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redheadmum · 29/03/2005 11:51

what's the london meet up btw? couldn't see it on the meet up thread...

katzguk · 29/03/2005 11:52

theres nothing better than the washable breast pads for leaky boobs, far far better than the disposable ones, buy lots then i just bunged then in with the normal white load in the little mesh sacks that came with them. The avent ones were better 2 years ago but my friend says they all pretty good now!

Cooperoo · 29/03/2005 12:11

Hello all. Wow. Have loved catching up and have an opinion on everything ha ha. Here goes:
Lynny - Breast pads. I used Tescos own but they aren't great. Going against all my washable nappy principles I tried Maws breast pads which seem to have a gel in them like a disposable nappy. They are great and I will be using these again for special occasions and if I am out all day etc. I got through SO many breast pads when I was feeding. I think second hand stuff is great. The baby won't know any different and most of it is hardly used esp by tiny babies. All dd's clothes were either bought for her or are from the thrift shop here.
Trib - I used the breast pump at about two weeks. I wasn't really any good with it and you do need to practice. I wouldn't use it for engorgement in early days as the milk works on supply and demand and so you will just end up with more milk and engorgment! I will use breast shells to begin with this time to collect the milk I leak and freeze it. When feeding dd I could easily get a full shell from the other boob with no effort. (TMI? )
DH was in charge of bath time and was very paranoid and used the babies under the arm thermometer to measure the water. The bath thermometers were CRAP. We bought a Braun in the ear one for dd after dh used up all the batteries.
Pink - I am getting one of those floats this time as we are not bothering with a baby bath. We used our one about twice last time. DH just got in the bath with dd after that. This time the float will be nice so that dd and baby can bath together with DH supervising. I have a bath seat and hated it. Awful thing and impossible to get dd in and out of. Anyone want it? I will see how much it is to post. Great news about your doula too. Did you get your half price egg? I got a huge Roses one for £3.50. Yummy.
DD didn't have a dummy. I certainly think they have their uses though. She refused one when she was tiny. If it gives you a break and soothes them then why not. I don't like seeing them in older kids when they are out and about but you don't know the history do you and as others said it stops the thumbsucking. I sucked my thumb at night until I was 12 and only stopped then because my brace (three years worth) meant it wouldn't fit in my mouth.
Jonah - The wedding sounds wonderful. Glad you had a good time.
Bubb - Last time I packed my bag at 38 weeks I think. I did have everything on the spare bed from 35 weeks though I think.
Berolina - Maternity leave? Depends how you feel yourself. Last time I gave up at 35 weeks and was bored and decided 36 weeks would have been better. I didn't buy any stuff until maternity leave though so perhaps I did need the time (head in sand). This time I would want to give up sooner as I am more tired, but I'm not working ha ha. I think time after is more important but only if you are not over tired etc. If you are then you need the rest. Prob doesn't help. Is your doc over cautious? If not best take his advice. I think the shingles thing will be fine. Good luck.
Trib - Good luck with job and poss move eek!
Charley - How much travelling will you be doing? Only ask cos of your car seat choice. We travelled loads and stopped every two hours as dd needed a feed then any way. This way she got to stretch her back out etc and seems absolutely fine. It took longer to get every where but we were happier that her car seat was so safe and someone mentioned somewhere that the Jane ones aren't as safe as the rear facing. This makes sense to me but haven't seen any research myself. If you fly on a VC-10 military aircraft everyone sits backwards as it is safer apparently.
I think there is time for your baby to turn. I can understand your concern though as even though I know they move around alot at the mo I was reassured to know dbump was head down...Praps look at reflexology or acupuncture if baby has not moved by 32 weeks or so...I am sure it will be fine. Spend time on all fours too and crawl around with moving the leg and arm on the same side at the same time IYSWIM. Oh and swivel wheel swivel wheel swivel wheel swivel wheel swivel wheel....................
I promise it will be better than what I have and mine is perfect for every terrain we have thrown at it esp if your dh is not going to run with it now. That cot looks lovely too.
Lippy - did you really not use muslins. Wow. They were my absolute essential. Funny isn't it. DD possetted all the time though after every feed when we burped her and we put them in the cot too to avoid changing the sheet every day. Ahh I am reminiscing now.
Red - I use Ikea flannels for washable wipes. I just throw them in with the nappies. I soak them in camomile tea with olive oil and change the mix every other day. Some of the lovely ones you can buy I didn't think were big enough and I found the fleece ones were hopeless. I needed towelling to deal with dd's number twos.
Lua - Poor you, how ironic about the Easter raffle.
Phew I think that is everything. Hope no-one got to bored .

Cooperoo · 29/03/2005 12:14

Kat - Did you not find the washable ones leaked through? I bought washable ones but found them so bulky under my clothes and that they didn't last very long or stay in place? Perhaps I should have persevered. I think I leaked alot though as I still had to wear pads day and night when dd was 12 month old..... I was keen to use washables too. Perhaps I should try again this time.

katzguk · 29/03/2005 12:23

oh yes everything leaked!! disposable ones, washbale ones. i had far too much milk!! i could fill a breasst shell at least three times over whilst DD was feeding and she rarely fed for more than 15mins!!!! i had tonnes of milk!

i just found that two washable pads adsorbed more than two disposable ones, plus i was going through them at a rate of knots so figured it was a hell of a lot cheap!!!

when i was home i would use a muslin square stuffed in my bra! and at night i could only guaruntee not getting a soaking by putting either a flannel or a folded muslin in each side!!!

katzguk · 29/03/2005 12:24

oh yes the joys of breast feeding!! but i will do it all again!!

MrsWednesday · 29/03/2005 12:29

Redheadmum, here's a link to the meet-up thread.

London meet up