Due October 2019 - 14 weeks to go 💙💖

[HJWT]

If anyone knows of a thread already up and being used please link it below 😁

Wanted to start a thread for all the October mums to be if not as no one to talk to in the real world 🤞🏻

I am due 19th with a little boy and already have a DD(3)

Cant believe its only 12 weeks until October 😬

A good pillow helps when it comes to BF! I get a V shape one £12 from Dunelm x

Also recommend the m and s nursing bras. Used them with my first baby and have just started wearing them again now and got some new ones as my other bras were just starting to get uncomfortable. Also recommend the vest under normal top method for turning anything into a breast feeding top though I definitely spent the first two weeks with my whole boob out whilst we got to grips with latch etc. Second PPs comment about persevering with it. Its not easy but read as much as you can from reputable resources and have numbers to hand if you need more help. And ask on here! Get nipple cream and put it on after each feed to help with the soreness as your nipples get used to being used this way! Loved breast feeding once we got into the swing of it. Clothing for baby...I have only really got up to 1month stuff as I am expecting him to be big and long! Also full of cold here and the paracetamol does not cut it! Hope you feel better soon @newbabyyy2019

Cross posted a bit with @HJWT2 and also agree with getting a pillow too!

I also had a pretty shit nights sleep. I’m
So thirsty at the moment. And that means constant pee wake ups. Ds is overtired from his first week of full time school and kept waking up talking about random things. Going to try to get him in bed super early tonight.

I am also exhausted of the constant bump size comments @KatnissK. There is one woman at work, who is usually lovely, that comments on my bump, or my waddle every time I move. It’s hard to ignore.
I bought a nursing hoody on e-bay not long after ds was born. It was a very cheap one & the holes were too small for even a nipple 🙊 I may look into a proper replacement t this time - not an e-bay cheapy! I love a hoody.

@newbabyyy2019 another vote for m&s bras from me. My sister passed me a load and they have lasted really well.

Congratulations on starting your maternity leave @SRK16!
We’ve ended up with loads of newborn / first size stuff. I told a few mates that I’d not kept those sizes from ds & they all gave us bagfulls! At least I won’t need to wash all that often. I think you’ll Be ok with that. And it’s really easy to get stuff quickly from supermarkets etc now.

Try not to worry about bf’ing @secretlyhermione. Yes, some people find it hard. But not everyone. I was really lucky. Ds latched on in a corridor on the way from recovery after my emcs. He fed like a dream for 2.5 years. Would still be doing it if I hadn’t weaned! I had some pain on let down for the first few weeks, but nothing major. Once the initial phase of cluster feeding passed, i really found it to be the easiest and most convenient thing.
I think lots of people struggle with worrying their baby isn’t getting enough because of cluster feeding. But that’s very normal & it’s just your baby’s way of increasing your supply as they grow.
I always tell people to look at the kelly mom & milk meg websites for good advice. And find a local bf group with peer supporters.
More than anything, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. One of the most important things in the world to your baby is that you are ok - both emotionally and physically. Your well-being is paramount. There is nothing wrong with whatever feeding choice that ends up being the right one for your family.

What kinds of clothes do you sell @Em39ma? I do love kids clothes and probably spend way too much!

@secretlyhermione I loved bf. Its was awesome. I too used nipple cream right from the start.
I don't think we got the hang of it at the start and that led to dd losing too much weight and suffering with jaundice so had to go to hospital for a night, but I persevered and eventually we got there (although she did feed every 90-120 mins or so for a long long time)
Midwives were really supportive and were quite surprised that I'd continued bf with what we had gone through, but I could afford formula as a choice, it would have needed to be a necessity.
I found the worst bit of all when the milk came in. Your boobs turn into massive rocks of pain until baby gets feeding in some form of routine and your body starts to produce a bit better.

My last day at work tomorrow and I can't wait. I think I've handed most of my things over, but I just can't be arsed now so am probably not working at the sort of speed I should be. Need to stay motivated some how so I don't come across as a total slacker.
Not sure I'll be going back after leave as the job isn't what it was billed as at all but it'll depend on what else is out there at the time.

@cattaxi - I got a good bf hoody on Asos last time but going to shop around and see what's out there since last time I had a summer baby so just got a cheap one for chillier days!

@secretlyhermione I breastfed my first til 18 months. I found it quite easy - never had any pain, no trouble at all, he gained weight almost TOO well (born on 75th centile, 91st by 6 week check and just under 98th at 3 months where hv told me I could stop going to baby clinic as clearly everything was fine!) and I never had thrush or mastitis or anything like that.

My advice is: throw away the clock. It doesn't matter if your baby feeds for 10 minutes or an hour, if they wait 3 hours between feeds or 15 minutes (obviously unless you are told otherwise due to medical issues)...just be led by baby and remember breastfeeding isn't just about food - it offers comfort and even pain relief to baby so naturally they like to be on the boob a lot! The worst thing is lack of sleep as no one can take over if you have a bottle refuser like I did so just take it easy and nap/rest when you can in the day.

If you have a fussy feeder this is perfectly normal and does not mean your milk is no good or there's not enough or you're doing it wrong. The ONLY two indications of milk supply are nappy output and weight gain. If these are fine, your milk is fine and baby is fine! I found a firm swaddle and rugby hold the best way to calm a fussy baby at the breast. You can also find a lot of nonsense online about what a bf-ing mother should and should not eat. Essentially, you can eat and drink what you like - breastmilk is comprised of blood and fat so it's unlikely that anything you eat will have much impact on your milk unless your baby has an allergy/intolerance. Do, however, be careful with medication (including over the counter stuff like lemsip) - the Breastfeeding Network has a fairly comprehensive list of what is and what is not safe for nursing mothers so check it out if unsure.

@cattaxi I design and make girls traditional dresses. I used to do boys shirt, but found people won’t pay for boys clothes. I don’t understand it, but thought the shirts should less than half the price of my dresses.
They actually take me a lot longer to make.
My website is www.auntieemsboutique.co.uk
Have had this year off, as sleeping in a tent didn’t sound attractive when pregnant. I do all the county shows, and events like carfest.
There a lot of fun, but are very hard work. And having had the miscarriage last year, we decided it was better I didn’t do any this year.

Thanks @Sw2102

@HJWT I haven't tried honey and lemon, maybe that will be my next go to if I'm not feeling better by tomorrow. Been lounging on the sofa all day! Glad I'm ill now whilst on mat leave though so I don't have to worry about working when I'm feeling rough.

I'll definitely have to do a bra shop this weekend it's the only thing left to go in my hospital bag!

Starting to feel like the baby's head is really low, it's felt quite uncomfortable today. Every time I move I wonder if my waters are going to break 😂 I'm beginning to get very excited to meet this baby and have secretly always wanted that spontaneous, dramatic waters breaking like you see on tele 🙈

@KatnissK I’ve had a few nice things from ASOS this pregnancy. So will definitely have a look for hoodies. They had some nice jumpers with side splits for feeding the last time I looked.
Totally agree with your advice to @secretlyhermione about throwing away the clock when bf’ing.

Good luck with your last day at work @Frizzy1986. Mine is next Thursday. I’ve still got heaps to do before then and am only in tues, wed & thurs next week.

The dresses are beautiful @em39ma. I’m surprised people don’t buy boys stuff. I’ve just bought ds a gorgeous handmade dinosaur print shirt for a wedding we’ve got in a few weeks. I’ve spent a fortune on clothes for him over the years. Knowing it will all get used again for this boy makes me feel a lot better about it!

@cattaxi I know. Said if I was having a boy I would bring it back.
I do still do them to order, but just few who had them when we were still taking them out with us.
Hoping once this one is here I can start to see again. No way I can reach the machine if my back would let me do it.

I bet @em39ma! I could barely sit at my desk today. Writing all my last minute reports & summaries next week is not going to be fun!
Your baby will be so well dressed, girl or boy!

@cattaxi, I’m so glad I’m not working. There’s no way I could of continued nannying, even if they hadn’t sacked me because of the miscarriage.
You don’t have long left now, hope you get a chance to rest before the baby gets here.
I know my age doesn’t help me either, being older they keep telling makes it harder. I don’t have any comparison, so I assume me feeling like this is normally pregnancy. But I will be glad when she is here, I can tell now when my fluid around her goes up. It makes moving around rather hard work.

How old are you @em39ma? I’m 39 and I have to say I feel much older this time. I was 35 when I had ds. I’m just struggling more with tiredness & discomfort. I suppose having ds adds to that. And we are now guardians to a teenager. looking after the both of them definitely takes more energy! My bump is right at the top of the chart and I’m only 5ft, so I hear you on the moving around being difficult!

Tomorrow is my first non working day where they will both be at school - i’m Going to have all the naps!

My poor brain is now truly fried after trying to estimate my 2019/20 income for my child tax credits. We hardly get anything but will be entitled to more obviously while on mat leave, but working it out as each month decreases and then taking off the other things you can take off like gift aid and union subscriptions just makes it so hard!! I’ve played safe and probably over estimated earnings. Better safe than sorry and should sort itself out when p60 comes! Been meaning to do it for ages so job done!!

@cattaxi I’m 40.
I think 24 years of looking after everyone else’s children made me wait until I was ready and I didn’t meet DH until last year.
Raising a teenager is different, especially if you haven’t done it before.
I’m sure she is glad you have taken over her guardianship.
Definitely enjoy the naps, I had one at 10 this morning and from 3 until about 5 this afternoon. Everyone finds it funny that I’m napping so much, as my family have always called me the energiser bunny.
Before I got ill from the miscarriage, was walking around 20000 steps a day minimum. Now rarely walk 2000. I hoping I can slowly get back to me once she is here. Love my sport, but will start if walking and work up to the rest.

@HJWT @cattaxi @Frizzy1986 @HJWT2 thanks for all the advice, good to hear positive stories as well! I'm thinking of investing in the lansinoh oil, is that the cream you're referring to? With regards to going to the class, it's just one of many helf by the neonatal team, and was more based on theory and they had a woman in breastfeeding so we could see the latch. As a first time mum I'm just interested in soaking up as much information as possible :)
How did you ladies sleep? I'm being plagued by cramps in my legs which is not fun! Starting to get very ready for baby to get here, on countdown mode for maternity leave now!!

It is 9.15 and work already feels impossible 😫

Don't feel like I slept last night. Only 10 days until I finish until August

Woke up with proper sausage fingers and I can’t get my wedding ring off 😭 it’s so uncomfortable. Hope they go down over the day so I can get it off!

Good morning! Friday is my non working day. I was feeling a bit sad last night that ds is now full time at school and I wouldn’t get to spend the afternoon with him. But - taking him to school for 8:30 and then getting back in bed by 8:37 was pretty amazing if I’m honest! Had a lovely nap. Meeting a friend for lunch in a bit 🙂

@Em39ma very sorry to hear about your miscarriage 💐
Raising a teenager is definitely a bit different, especially when you get thrown in at the deep end like we did! But she is a wonderful young woman, and although the circumstances are utterly shit, we feel very blessed to have her in our family.

I’m having leg cramps too @secretlyhermione. Horrible!

Are you feeling ok otherwise @srk16? Keep an eye on things as swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia I think.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Not having a good day here. DH took puppy for her walk this morning and now has a lovely habit of rolling in fox poop 💩 💩💩💩
He did think and rung me before I cleaned the bathroom, I always clean it straight after my shower.
Bathed her, which as you can all understand is not easy with such a large bump, DH did most of it.
She still stinks 😷, making me gag, it’s that bad.
So now been out and had to buy her special Fox poo eliminating shampoo.
So now has has second bath of the day. Does seemed to have worked on the smell. Though I still have the stink up my nose.

@Em39ma try either fairy washing up liquid

Thanks @YorkshireIndie that’s my next port of call.
Backs killing me now, so she will have to stay in the kitchen. Hopefully it has actually gone and it’s just my heightened sense of smell.

@Em39ma oh that sounds lovely ! Kids are worse I think 😂😂😂

I am SO exhausted today was DD's birthday, walking round the shopping centre brought on Braxton hicks and I couldn't walk 🤭 not to mention he has been moving ALL day, even my sister could see it sat on the other sofa!! Bed time I think 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I’m not sure @HJWT, there’s nothing quite like the smell of fox poo. On par with a skunk as far as I’m concerned. My cousin when she was a baby had a habit of taking her nanny off and wiping her on poop all over the cot, walls and herself. So they are pretty much on par. It’s the fact my aunt never worked out to put her nappy on backwards, little monkeys can’t get off then. 😂😂

@Em39ma haha!! I must say iv been very lucky with DD when it comes to the poo & pee department maybe very different with a boy 😬 although I did go in once and she had taken her pull up of at bedtime and put baby chest rub down there thinking it was cream trying to copy what mummy does ! 🤦🏻‍♀️ poor thing I bet it burned for days 🤣 xx