Due Feb 2010 part 2: the second trimester

[CaractacusPotty]

Not sure I am any more qualified, frankly, but hey ho!!

sunnybump DD had dry skin (arrived 15 days over) and a friend gave us some Burts Bees buttermilk lotion - sorted it out within a day or two (far better than the stuff the hosp gave us, which i've forgotten the name of, but i think was just called oily cream?!?!) and we've carried on using that fairly regularly - on any dry patches, and face if she's been out in the wind or sun etc. it smells lovely (i think!) and is hypoallergenic i think.... not cheap but a little goes a long way. I've got another friend with a LO who has v bad skin but she uses Burts Bees stuff and swears by it for keeping his skin in good shape (better than using steroid cream etc for him at least)

DD has incredibly curly hair that is a complete mare if it's not been conditioned and as we've never wanted to use stuff with parabens etc we've always stuck with using Green People or Earth Friendly Baby stuff (best place we've found to buy from online is www.ethicalsuperstore.com) it's fairly pricey, but like Mawbroon says, you really don't need a lot so it lasts for ages.

'Good' birth stories are great to share - despite what happened with DD, i still think in comparison to other people i hear about, i had a 'good' experience! The hosp i was booked to had a very 'active birth' philosophy and i'm sure everything that could have been done to support me having a successful 'active birth' was... having said that, there are still days when i beat myself up but i guess that's just how it goes!

Every woman is different, every baby is different, every birth is different, everyones expectations are different... i think the only 'advice' i would ever dream of giving anyone is be prepared for the unexpected! (well, i WAS a girlguide!)

actually, there is something else i've shared with other people too - a few days after we got home from hosp with DD, my FIL (4 kids himself) arrived to coo over her, and as he was leaving he gave me a big hug and said 'you can be mentally prepared and physically prepared, but emotionally, you're not even close until it actually happens!' i found that really comforting.

Glad you are OK stresshead SunnyBump no lotions necessary, just water and cotton, and Sudocream (lots of if) to prevent and cure nappy rash. Wipes can be useful when travelling and for starting cleaning a big poo and for walls, leather sofas... not for baby skin though.
If your baby have dry skin you will need something else but you need to try different brands of cream before finding the one to suit him/her.
For craddle cap olive oil and Klorane or Mustella baby shampoos, at the beginning just water too.
But then again DD have v. sensitive skin, so most of the baby pampering gifts ended up in the bin, at freinds or in charity shops.
As for nappies you should also probably wait to see what "shape" is you baby before stocking. DD had (have) a v. round bottom and pampers always leak, I know some people swear by them but not for us! Huggies gave her a rash.... Cheaper brand were often better. As for reusables some freinds of mine needed a few try to find the right one for them as well.
Hoping you have a nice week-end, here the weather turned to spring again after a cold and rainy bonfire night!

Stresshead - glad everything turned out Ok.

Sunnybump - I've got a drawer full of unused baby products that people bought us when we had DS. Talcuum powder, bath stuff, baby oil, we've never used any of it. The midwives tell you just to use water and cotton wool and olive oil if they have dry skin. I started using shampoo when he was a couple of months old and one bottle lasted a year. Nappy rash cream is good, I like sudocream as well.

Better go, everyone wants lunch!

Wow fab advice! And less stuff to buy which is even better . Cotton Wool and Water sounds nice and straightforward. I know what you mean about the chemicals Stoofadoof, I'm tempted to say the Weleda camomile baby products cause I know I'd use them myself if they're not needed for the wee one I think MIL is getting just a tad excited, I'm excited about our house being finished so I can nest! Fingers crossed for the 4 week estimated move in!

I'm feeling huge too Mawbroon, bending over is now a real chore, and I get totally puffed out coming up the stairs with a basket of washing. My goal for today is to wax my legs one last time while I can mostly reach past the bump so I won't be hairy for Aquanatal. I may be some time

Sunnybump x

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed your weekends and (if you braved the wet and cold) bonfire parties weren't too sopping!

I've had a difficult weekend with my sister as she's annoyed at my choice of changing bag. It's quite expensive, but as I'll not be using my lovely radley that DH bought me for christmas last year once the baby's here I thought I'd treat myself. She's also pregnant (only 12 weeks) and they have no pennies so tried to make me feel bad for it .

I used to work on a neonatal unit and we only used cotton wool and water on the babies, however getting that meconium off with just a few cotton wool balls and a bit of warm water is a real PITA!

sunnybump - one cream recommendation is that if you are planning to breastfeed, you must get yourself some Lansinoh. It's expensive, but well worth it.

DS had a great laugh watching my bump wriggling about at bedtime tonight. I think he is lying across the way most of the time just now (I can feel the head at the side) and he seems to be rolling round like a croc.

I am away to google about the Health in pregnancy grant. I'm sure it's about now that I am able to apply for it.

Hello ladies!

Enjoying all the stuff about lotions and potions - my mother is buying a bottle of Johnsons something-or-other every time she does a supermarket shop (purely for the sake of buying something for the baby, which isn't expensive enough for me to tell her off about!), sounds like it's all going to be cluttering the place and gathering dust!!

Angela I'm absolutely with you on the bag thing! Why not have a treat now while you can?! I am a total handbag/shoe fiend and really want a nice changing bag (if only to compensate a bit for having to sideline all of my lovely heels!). I guess if your sister is feeling the pinch, she perhaps sees it as a bit frivolous, but surely something that is going to travel everywhere with you and carry all of your essentials for many months is worth investing a few quid in? I can justify ANY bag-related expenditure... just ask my DH!

Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekends and are looking forward to the week ahead xx

on the washing/wiping lotions and potions thing - last time we stuck with water and cotton wool for the longest time - certainly for a couple of months... we also got some really cheap face cloths from ikea and used those for anything more 'stubborn'!! still use these now for bath time... the only other thing i'd say is we bought a couple of new towels cos ours were a bit rough for new baby skin (course, that might just be us cos we don't usually use softener and have 15 year old towels!!) plan on doing the same for this one when he arrives!

i'd definately agree with mawbroon on the lansinoh cream too - in fact i've already got a new tube as i appear to have sprung leaks (well, more like slow punctures!!)

hope you're already for your new week - just back from monday playgroup down here!

on the washing/wiping lotions and potions thing - last time we stuck with water and cotton wool for the longest time - certainly for a couple of months... we also got some really cheap face cloths from ikea and used those for anything more 'stubborn'!! still use these now for bath time... the only other thing i'd say is we bought a couple of new towels cos ours were a bit rough for new baby skin (course, that might just be us cos we don't usually use softener and have 15 year old towels!!) plan on doing the same for this one when he arrives!

i'd definately agree with mawbroon on the lansinoh cream too - in fact i've already got a new tube as i appear to have sprung leaks (well, more like slow punctures!!)

hope you're already for your new week - just back from monday playgroup down here!

all ready, of course! durr!

Mawbroon - my MW filled in the forms for my Health in Pregnancy grant at about 25 weeks, it got paid into my account last week

Stoofadoof - fabric conditioner is no good for towels anyhow. My MIL gave me some baby towels, apparently they HAD to be white, no idea why!

I agree on the Lansinoh, I've still got some left somewhere.

Shiregirl - blood tests don't sound like much fun, hope it goes OK.

I can't stop eating biscuits this morning, not a good start to the day!

Hi,

So glad to hear you were well looked after Stresshead, I am the world's biggest panicker and will go to my labour ward at the slightest concern, they are always very good about taking them seriously. Hope you are managing to take it easy.

On the baby stuff I agree with all of you on the cotton wool and water though it is difficult with getting the hard meconium off so I did use wipes for sensitive skin sometimes. For dry skin I found Boots do a lovely baby oil, in their botanics range, only about £3-£4 and lasts ages, very good and a lot cheaper than other stuff. Also very keen on Sudocrem, it's amazing stuff and works really quickly on nappy rash. Towels with a little hood are nice and snuggly, I only discovered these when my DD was about 1!

Feeling ok again, ailments see to be giving me a break thank god, long may it last. My kicks seem to be staying the same not getting stronger, is this normal I can't remember?

I guys I've missed a chunk and I'm in a massive rush getting ready for work. I'm 25 weeks now and have woken in the night flapping about all the things I haven't got.

So i need a list if any/everyone could be so kind. I need to know what I need for mine/baby's hospital bag and also what general items I need. I have a few bits from DS but just seem totally clueless this time. I have:

Moses basket
Swing
Cot
,..... oh my God is that it?? Surely I have more than that?

Also, DS will be 22 months with LO is born and I need to know whether it's worth buying a double buggy or some kind of alternative? Not exactly rolling in pennies at the moment.

TIA for any answers! I'll pop back after stinking work.

xXx

Angela your Bag sounds ace! I'm not hugely into bags and shoes but was drooling over the Cath Kidston changing ones the other day, but I'm too mizerly to spend £60 on a bag when we have carpets,curtains and the like to buy! Don't feel bad about treating yourself though, sounds like your sister is a little but everyone has to learn to live within their means. (Oooo my Grandma would be so proud of me thinking like that)

Totally have you tried ebay for a double buggy, there seem to be loads of hardly used ones when I've looked. Not sure what that says about how useful they are though

Hospital bag, hmmm. Well as I'm not planning to go I hope I don't need one but I suppose I'd better get a backup just in case so I'll be watching too!

Mawbroon Lansinoh has joined the Sudocreme on the shopping list, ta very much

Stoofadoof I was a bit shocked at how much came out when I leaked last week, was quite a shock to me but hasn't happened again since. Do you use the Lansinoh as a preventative or only if you get sore nipples?

It's great to be able to ask all there questions, I love Mumsnet.

I have had some crazy ideas in the last week or so that I might try and make a change bag, I really need a bigger one. Theory is then I can make it just how I want it for a fraction of the price. Problem is I am probably overestimating my sewing skills It will probably stay as one of those projects I think about a lot but never get round to while I continue to struggle on with a too small bag!

Totally - I am carrying on in the belief that I already have most stuff left over from DS. My friend is lending me her double buggy, and hopefully her car seat, and I can't think of anything else. I will probably do some panic buying at the last minute.

I had a freebie Huggies changing bag for ds, which is still in the loft somewhere I think. It quickly got abandoned for a rucksack once I started carrying ds in the sling. I plan to do the same this time round, so I will fish out that same rucksack! Oh, I'm just too stylish, eh?

I won a couple of wrap slings on MN ages ago, but I never got the hang using them with ds, as he was pretty big by that stage, so I will give them a go this time. Failing that, I will try my Ergo with a baby insert (my sister has already offered me her inserts) and see how that goes. Then once this baby is big enough for a back carry, it will be Ergo all the way until he's too heavy. I only gave up carrying ds once I got pg in May, so I am hoping I have carrying sussed for the whole time with this baby.

Hello everyone - glad to find you all out there - I'm supposed to pop on 1st Feb so have added myself to the list...

Re making change bags for the sewingly challenged you could make a really simple outer and buy a big handbag organiser on ebay for all the compartments?

27th Jan Devotion DD1 6yrs & DD2 3yrs
1st Feb Moth2, 1st but also stepdaughter 3 yrs
2nd Feb Raindroprhyme DS1 8y, DS2 4y
2nd Feb Ktpie DS 13m
3rd Feb sunangel88 1st
4th Feb mothrof2boys
5th Feb chinook Dd 3.6yo
7th Feb grin DS 1 yr 6 m
8th Feb fiziwizzle, 1st
8th Feb gingerkirsty, 1st
8th Feb PinguCarrier, 1st
10th Feb Lovelymonster, 1st
10th Feb T4tastic 1st
11th Feb Woowa 1st
12th Feb Fluffycoo 1st
12th Feb Yummylilmummy 1st
13th Feb mignightsun DS 3y
14th Feb tryingtobemarypoppins DS 21months currently!
14th Feb Clappedout DD 21m
14th Feb Pops78, 1st
14th Feb Glynnispig 1st
14th Feb Threeplusone- DD 12.11yrs DS1 5.2yrs DS2 2.1yrs
14th Feb Stoofadoof, DD 2.11
15 Feb AngelaCarleen 1st
15 Feb flyingcloud 1st
16th Feb GuernseyFrench 1st
16 Feb Watercress DD1 2y 10m
16 Feb esselle - DD 5.1y, DS 20m
16 Feb hannahsaunt - ds1 (8.11), ds2 (6.5), ds3 (23mo)
17 Feb Bethylou - DS currently 16 months
17 Feb Becks130 - DS 3.5 yrs
18 Feb Sunnybump - First
20 Feb Gert ds 22m
20 Feb Cluny 1st
21 Feb Pyjamababe - First
22 Feb Skibelle
22 Feb Scoobydoo
23 Feb 2Happy ds1 4y ds2 2y
23 Feb (twins!!) Insanitybecomesme DS1 9yrs, DS2 7yrs. DD3y 3m, DS3 21m
23 Feb TheOldestCat DD 2.9y
23 Feb Phee96 DD 9m
24 Feb Elebereth
24 Feb TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied DS 15m
24 Feb MidgetGems
27 Feb Westlondongirl
28 Feb Mawbroon Due DS 3.10yo

Stressheaderic - thanks for the update, hope you're managing to take it easy x

Tip of the day: vaseline. Put it on baby's bum when they're born so that the first meconium poo is easier to clean off. That way, you can stick with just cotton wool and water - which I am totally in agreement with. Have only just started using shampoo on the boys now, and still only ever wash them with emulsifying ointment (a soap substitute/moisturiser not disimilar to vaseline). I feel mean - they've never even had bubble bath, but I have eczema and they both have sensitive skin and on the occasions dh without my knowledge or consent has we've used Johnson's products, their skin has become immediately irritated.

moth2 -welcome

totally - 21m between ds1 and 2. We never used a double buggy - I tended to use either sling/backpack for ds2 and buggy for ds1 or buggy for ds2 and ds1 walking. To be fair, though, we live int he middle of nowhere, so have to drive most places. The only times I would have needed a double is if we were in city and that happens so rarely there was no point. So it depends where you live I think.

shiregirl.. think thats right sorry if its not..
I have had one set of GGT tests at 22weeks which were fine.. but the hospital has insisted that I have another set done so having them done tommorrow..

I really am shocked in how quickly this pg is going.. just looking forward to DH coming home in 2weeks so that I dont have to do everything myself.. it is really tiring me out.

On the getting things ready I have
pram
moses basket
car seat
2 snowsuits another on order
15baby grows
15 vests
hat, mittens
some little outfits
cardigans are being kknited for me

getting given
bedding from a friend
teddybear baby gym

on order
breast pump
steriliser
bottles
nappies

I do think I am nearly ready to go.. will be getting the cot from the army so will put a request in as I know quite a few women on the patch are due beginning of next year.

I am also ready for xmas with the other 3.. just need to wrap a few of my DD pressies.. but need to get her out of the house first..
I am quite shocked at how organised I am TBH..

Hope everyone is ok Take care ..xx

Hi Moth2!

According to some authorities I'm now in the third trimester at 27w Cue insatiable appetite today; I have not been able to stop eating. Never mind 200 cals extra, I must have already wolfed 2,000 extra Biscuits galore.

I had my first colostrum leak. Into DP's mouth Sorry if TMI. It surprised us both [understatement of the week emoticon]

Welcome along moth2!

Gosh you guys are so organised! I have loads of stuff for LO, but it's all round at my Mum's - DH is still decorating like mad so it seemed daft to store all the nice baby things in the dust bowl we call home. only trouble with that is, I can't keep track of what i've got and keep randomly buying sleepsuits every time I go shopping! Will be drowning in them at this rate! Can't wait until we finally have a radiator and carpet in the baby's room so I can start to "babyfy" it good and proper and move all the stuff in!

Finally caved and went to see the quack today about my aches and pains - turns out not to be sciatica, but more likely a problem with a sacro-iliac joint (at the back of the pelvis apparently!) so i've been referred for physio - hopefully i'll get an appointment before LO's 1st birthday... Guess i'll just have to put up with having a pain in the arse for a while!!

TotallyandUtterly - i'm off to Kiddicare tomorrow, BF wants to evaluate double buggy type arrangements for her two munchkins so if i find out any useful info or spot any sale bargains I'll let you know!

Hello all and welcome Moth2.

Well, it's all going rather quickly isn't it?
Echoing previous question (sorry, can't remember who asked it) would you use Lansinoh regardless as a preventative, or just if they get sore?

Also now 27 weeks and consuming the same amount of food as a small country, face starting to look like a little ball. Waking up in the night again so hungry am in danger of chewing my own arm off . And what's with the thirst? Drink, pee, drink, pee, drink, pee - it's neverending!

No changing bag yet, do I need one or will just a big bag do? Street cred and all that

Good news on baby stuff, definitely think less is more.

BTW - if one more person says "good luck" to me with a knowing expression like my life is about to be completely over, I will not be responsible for my actions. Is it really not possible to have an active and fulfilling life WITH kids?(rants and stomps feet emoticon)

Some people....hummmph.
Now, where are the biscuits?

Ha, it is possible pingucarrier, but just not for ages!!

Lansinoh good before latching baby on as lubricates a bit to take the edge off if you are having pain. I don't know if it makes much difference using it before the baby arrives tbh. The current wisdom is there's no need to do anything beforehand to prepare nipples for breastfeeding.

My colostrum is in too. DS was getting frustrated at there being no milk (there really was none, I couldn't squeeze a single drop out!!) and the colostrum is kind of a consolation prize until the real milk arrives with the baby. He's still going for it though, despite moaning about the lack of volume!!

I haven't even begun to think about things for the baby. It's all in the loft. Bags of clothes, even some left over size 1 nappies, and ds2 will sleep in my bed for the first goodness knows how long, so I'm not even bothering getting the cot out, and I will be carrying him, so won't bother getting the pram out either. So, a wee rummage a couple of weeks before my due date should be enough.....

Hi Ladies,
Have been trying to keep up with reading the posts. Had my midwife appointment and asked about a scan before I fly at xmas because of the placenta previa. She said there was no point as it won't have moved by then so I think i'll just go ahead with my plans for xmas assuming there are no other problems. Checked with my doctor and a fit to fly note costs £38! I had no idea it would be that much.

Just saw this on the BBC news site - Maclaren are recalling 1 million strollers due to safety problems. Apparently if you have one you should stop using it and contact them for a repair kit: The models involved include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8351424.stm