*Due in June 2005*

[PinkArjuna]

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?

Oh Kat I feel better now. I thought I was a bit of a milk machine. Right I will buy some washable ones this time. How many do you think I will need? I will still use the Maws ones for the wedding I am supposed to be going to when dd is three weeks old though. I can't even think of what to wear for that as it brings me out in a cold sweat. . We will only be able to go if dbumps passport is sorted on time though.

Afternoon ladies,

Too much to catch up on, so just a general hello from me.

Second timers, are you buying a new mattress for your cot? Not sure whether we are supposed to or not.

Dummies - some babies seem to be 'suckier' than others. Even though I was adamant DS wasn't going to have one, I gave in after a couple of weeks because I was spending far too much time with my finger stuck in his mouth and it was giving me arm ache (not to mention a crinkly finger). He still has his for bed-time and when we're in the car, but we will be giving to Father Christmas this year I think.

Bath-time - Cooperoo, DH also does bath-time in our house (when he's here). We didn't bother with a baby bath, struggled to fit DS in the sink without banging him on the taps, so in the end DH just got in the bath with him and that worked fine.

Have got my referral through for the phyiso about my sore pelvis, but not sure whether I should waste their time as it seems loads better now.

Right, off for lunch, have already had two breakfasts but am still hungry.

i think i had 18 pads, 3 sets of 6 but i'm going to get more this time, i've lost some and i think they have improved!! glad to meet someone else who had tonnes of milk! i could get through a number of bras and tops in a day, i think the funniest thing was if DD detached mid feed i could squirt milk several feet!!

re wedding garb - DON'T wear a crossover top, i made this mistake having been told they were great for breast feeding, they are but you expose everything!!!! not good sat at the front of a registry office!!!!

MrsW - we bought a fancy mattress last time round that the top bit zips off of, so will just be washing it.

HI Pink - Yeah I know that cot is expensive, but I've chosen a Global because they are designed be used as an extension to the bed for co-sleeping. I may not get the cot bed version, just the cost version though which is quite a bit cheaper. It also means I won't have to buy a moses basket and the stuff that goes with one of those.

Lippy - how on earth can your speech therapist friend tell if a child has sucked a dummy? Can she tell one from a child who's sucked a thumb? My goodness - how interesting! I'd love to know. I was never given dummies and I think I sucked my thumb until about 13

Ah Lynny - your dh sounds soo excited about his new baby Can't help with your gardening question sorry, but I wish I had a greenhouse

Coop - the Jane Matrix car seat is big, heavy and more difficult to manoeuver than loads of others, but it's won loads of safety awards and came out top in a Which survey. I think people get them mixed up with the lie-flat carrycot type ones which aren't safe at all, some of which have now been taken off the market. I'm probably going overboard, but I've got this thing about wanting my baby to lie flat as much as possible when he's really tiny. I think it's because I suffer from a bad back my mum has osteoporosis, and my gran has arthritis in hers, so I want to do absolutely everything I can for his spine while he's in my care. After a few months the Matrix goes rear facing anyway.
I do the knee chest thingy for a few mins on a morning and I'll try that crawling business to get Pod head down. I really don't fancy having that ECV thingy if I can help it. I found it uncomfortable enough having the mw feeling around there the other day. So you'd recommend the swivel wheel Mountain Buggy then? I've just got to hunt some down in the shops now to have a go....HI Pink - Yeah I know that cot is expensive, but I've chosen a Global because they are designed be used as an extension to the bed for co-sleeping. I may not get the cot bed version, just the cost version though which is quite a bit cheaper. It also means I won't have to buy a moses basket and the stuff that goes with one of those.

Lippy - how on earth can your speech therapist friend tell if a child has sucked a dummy? Can she tell one from a child who's sucked a thumb? My goodness - how interesting! I'd love to know. I was never given dummies and I think I sucked my thumb until about 13

Ah Lynny - your dh sounds soo excited about his new baby Can't help with your gardening question sorry, but I wish I had a greenhouse

Coop - the Jane Matrix car seat is big, heavy and more difficult to manoeuver than loads of others, but it's won loads of safety awards and came out top in a Which survey. I think people get them mixed up with the lie-flat carrycot type ones which aren't safe at all, some of which have now been taken off the market. I'm probably going overboard, but I've got this thing about wanting my baby to lie flat as much as possible when he's really tiny. I think it's because I suffer from a bad back my mum has osteoporosis, and my gran has arthritis in hers, so I want to do absolutely everything I can for his spine while he's in my care. After a few months the Matrix goes rear facing anyway.
I do the knee chest thingy for a few mins on a morning and I'll try that crawling business to get Pod head down. I really don't fancy having that ECV thingy if I can help it. I found it uncomfortable enough having the mw feeling around there the other day. So you'd recommend the swivel wheel Mountain Buggy then? I've just got to hunt some down in the shops now to have a go....

hi all!

back again with lunch and munching....

charley - I want to get some kind of lying down car seat thing for when the baby is v young. we had to do long trips with Dd and the car seat was useless for long journeys. I saw a convertible belt for our carry cot - are these useless?

Mrs W - I was wondering about mattress for the cot too, esp as Dd now jumps on it full velocity..

Moses basket etc - can anyone remember what they did with newborn for daytime naps? I was in a flat last time, so just put her in the carry cot I think...but wondering do I really need to get a moses basket? was thinking of putting baby in pram outside as this is meant to be good for them

breast milk - am envious of you producers. I never needed breast pads etc and could never express more than a measley ounce. I assume that I'll be the same this time too....

I had a Graco Pack N Play that had a bassinet section on the top that was great for daytime as I could put it where I was going to be. Ds liked it too, & he could be outside if it was nice.

Mrs W - thanks for the meet up link you going?

might crash on Sat (if OK??), depending on whether me and Dh can go away or not. We're planning to go to a hotel (with a spa - bliss!). I'm trying not to get too excited as MIL been ill and we're not sure if she's up to it or not yet.......

Not going to the meet-up, no. Have to say, I was very tempted but have got the in-laws coming over to baby-sit DS so me and DH can go away for a night. Now we just need to find a nice hotel (not too far from Leeds) to stay in - any suggestions ladies?

I think last time round DS slept in his moses basket or or a changing mat on the floor but I'm not sure either of those will be an option with DS rampaging round the house. I might try and put the baby in the cot for daytime sleeps. Oh god, thinking about stuff like this makes me feel really nervous...I don't think I'm ready for another baby.

Mrs W -yes I know what you mean..I think I've got my head in the clouds (again) have days when I unrealistically think I'll be fine, etc etc, then I found my old diary where I'd recorded some of the timings of her feeds - and PANICKED! I'm also worried about sleep. My Dd didn't sleep well (still shakey even now) so that elusive through the night was a long time coming. Am trying to read a book to see if I could do it differently but worry I'll have another non-sleeper....

My DS was the same - I was back at work before he started sleeping through the night. It's our turn to have good sleepers I reckon.

Lippy, when are the workmen going to finish your attic?

Red - as far as I know, ALL the expert advice is that NO carrycot is safe used in a car. If only they were, life would be much simpler (amd cheaper!) The only lie-flat option I have found is the Matrix.
I'm not bothering after all with a moses basket now. I think the carrycot that comes with the pram wil be fine - or I'll just pop him in the cot.

oh no...I was going buy the bebecar converter kit, which says it's all safe etc. We have a bebecar pram and carry cot, so just thought I'd get the kit so we can use it in the car. Will have a look into this further!

looked up the Matrix - looks very good but expensive for us...

Mrs W - yes I keep patting the bump and telling baby that they'll be a good sleeper! Here's fingers x

My neighbour is Danish and traditionally the babies are always put outside to sleep. My Dd always slept better outside so am considering doing this properly, esp as I'm not planning to return to work formally as now...

Had a quick glance at the posts, not much time to post dd a bit tired and needs cuddles

Coop, I know, I can't believe I wasn't chained to a muslin for the first 6 months, but it's true. Dd was sick, maybe 3 times, at home so I didn't need it to mop up. I did use them, but could get away with far less than the dozen that came in the pack.

Charley, I suppose if you're trained in linguistics and speech there are very subtle differences that speech therapists pick up on that tell them whether a baby sucked a dummy. I'm not sure if she was talking about children who began to talk with a dummy in, which is different. I hav eno doubt, we mere mortals couldn't tell the difference!

Mrs Wed, I am so fed up with those b*stards taking so long, I can't even begin to tell you.

MrsW, if you think you're nervous about having a baby think how we first-timers are feeling (I believe the expression is 'ignorance is bliss'). I hope my Mum isn't planning to go anywhere much as I will need to call her about 17 times a day with questions like "the baby blinked. Is that normal? How often is normal? What if he doesn't blink?" etc. In fact I might insist she has her mobile phone on (she never uses it) for full-time contact.

redhead - surely they don't put babies out to sleep in the winter (Mind you, wouldn't surprise me if the Swedes did that, I must ask! All that bracing cold water dipping and stuff)

KVG - Mothercare seem to do these breast shells, all very interesting, I had never heard of them til today.

I don't think we will get a baby monitor, after all the soundproofing is so rubbish here I figure we could go off to the pub and just ask one of the neighbours to give us a call if the baby starts crying (I won't actually do that, I should stress).

I am a bit worried about the milk thing. My boobs have gotten so big already and they sorta have that ick stuff coming through already you know it is sorta stickish and dries sorta leaving a crusty mess Besides My boobs have inflated 3 sizes so I have an inkling its going to be all go in that department I think it was Katz saying about the shells - I've bought some as I am afraid I'll have these unruly boobs that cause me a whole lot of humiliation. I got some bravado and avent breast pads on ebay I have 12 pairs which cost me a tenner. I went for the washable ones simply because someone on the thread said they were more absorbant and more comfortable.

I had a call from a local childminding association today - they are sending me more information and said they might be able in the evening So I am going to get onto college but it doesn't look so bleak. Honestly I am persistant and tenacious of life, I can see how being a single parent can be so limiting if you aren't determind every minute of the day trying to work out what your plans are. I am uncompromising at best but you get backed up against alot of walls.

Lippy - yeah you can pass the muslins this way if you want but be sure if you do you'll probably have a really sicky baby!! I got some last night on ebay so I have 12 on the way anyway. The sheilds are for if you get really sore cracked nipples and they make it easier to feed because it is less painful. I only got them because my nipples already hurt just because they have decided to start doing funny things. I guess I just got them because I would have to go to a special mother and baby shop afterwards and packing the baby into the car etc... when your on your own will be a mission and a half so I thought it best to have things at hand just incase. Dp's are very useful for sending out for items you didn't think you needed so I am just guarding against needing to send out a bloke who won't be around But only my dishes are in the sink - blissful

I am becoming a really unruly grumpy old woman. I found last week I was empathising with Germaine and crew on the programme. Hissing in agreement that thongs are only for the likes of atomic apple. Only to find myself prowling about the stairs for my post in the mornings I fell asleep though after a stint of guard duty this morning and only one item arrived. I am convinced after the last episode that the vagrants next door are on a secret coup to drive me into early insanity. I am only 25 I shouldn't have become so irritable so early, I find myself turning my nose up in disgust when the neighbours spoke in my vacinity (despite the fact I had been a hardened smoker for 12 years before bubba decided he wanted to come into the world) they smoke in the stairwell - that pisses me off the most as the air doesn't get through and I find I am breathing second hand smoke on my way down. polluting my unborn child Even when I smoked I would never smoke around people because I hated other peoples smoke. I hope they move out....

trib - er...yes, they DO put the babies out in the winter, though with snow suits on I hasten to add. All very bracing and healthy. I think this used to be an English tradition about a generation or two ago too. My mother used to put me and my brother out under a tree to sleep when we were babies. Have to say I'm undecided. Fine in the summer but a bit nervous about the winter!

I too am nervous about baby 2 - this is because a little knowledge is dangerous!

Hi all. Been unable to talk so far today - slept all morning, then working on a review I'm writing (which is already late ), then doc's for varicella blood test. I get the results on Fri - keep your fingers crossed for us everyone!

Thank you all for your comments on my list! Good to know we're pretty sorted, at least in theory , as there is so much to think of. I suppose I could get the breast pump later - I will have to express (if possible!) at some point though, as when I go back to work, even though I'm going to try and fit teaching round feeds/baby time, it's not always going to be practicable. As I'll be back teaching when he's 4 1/2 months and I really wasn't thinking of stopping bfing so early, I hope it works.

Add me to the ranks of the terrified first-timers! Starting 'birth preparation classes' (as they're called here) on Thurs and am nervous enough about those

BTW, is it normal that my boobs (32A usually, I think - I seldom bother wearing a bra ) have hardly got bigger at all yet (typical...)?

Pink - i had to post again cos you made me laugh! Of COURSE you are grumpy...you're pregnant! All these misty pics make you think you should be in some hormonal blissful state. The key word here is hormonal - think PMT but much longer......I know I'm a moody old cow at the moment...dearest Dh mentioned this only last night

Is anyone else more tired than they have ever been now? I am literally comatose alot of the day. Also has anyone noticed they get aches and things in there tummy because the baby is growing so damn fast and walking sort of gives you a stich? I haven't been on a walk for days because I feel I am carrying a 16 bowling ball in my stomach and even my belly bra doesn't seem to be holding him up. I have become quite huge lately - I was lamenting about my small bump a while ago. Its fat as a cow now

Hello all.
Charley - Sorry for getting all my facts wrong about the Jane Matrix. Sounds great now you have explained it and you are def right that babies should be able to stretch and be flat as much as poss I think. I should have known better with your research skils . (Please ignore me on the swivel wheel as well especially as I am now going to be using the biggest and most impractical, unmanouvreable (sp?) pram ever made!)
Trib - I didn't buy a monitor last time with dd but it was the one thing I went to buy within three days. I needed to hear her breathe when I was out of the room! We stopped using it when she was about 9 months old. It was great for visiting family too and being able to sit out in the garden without worrying about her. We got a rechargable Tomy one with a vibrate on it so we could be discreet and not everyone had to listen to her whinging.
I think I got Boots breast shells as they were cheaper than the Avent ones.
Kat - lol about your milk. That comment took me back. I had forgotten about spraying the room with milk and having to squash my nipple back into my boob to stop dd choking! Thanks for advice about pads too. I think I need to start a list and stop assuming we have everything already!
Pink - I hope your neighbours move too. Nightmare people.
Red - My mum has a thing about babies sleeping outside (under a tree?) too. Loves the idea of the fresh air and always had dd sleeping out in the pram when we stayed there. I liked it too, as long as I could hear her. It is a nice idea that they get fresh air.
We are borrowing a moses basket this time round and used a crib last time that dh slept in as a baby. Got fed up bringing the crib downstairs though after about a week so dd spent a lot of time sleeping in her rocking baby chair thing (that lay flat) or just on her kick mat on the floor. That sounds terrible now. I am hoping she will sleep in the pram this time. I don't think you need a carrycot and a moses basket at all. DD's crib was good and long so lasted quite well although it was a mission to get a mattress for it. Would love to have a cot next to the bed like Charley though. Best of all worlds.

I mean both a carry cot and a moses basket. That sounded odd when I read it back. I have got a travel cot that I used as a playpen for dd and that will be coming out to put the baby in to protect her from dd!!