September 2021 Thread 5 (half way there!)

[Bubbles1st]

Welcome to the 5th thread ladies! As we start to hit the half Way point here is the list so far. By thread 6 we should have all known sexes for those finding out. Happy to update as we go along so feel free to message me once you know or if you want adding.

@Noodles4Me - 26th Aug 💙
@Scotti84 - 27th Aug 💖

@Sceptre86 - 1st 💛 tbc
@KHR1 - 1st 💙
@CherylLW - 3rd 💙
@deedeebythesea - 3rd 💙
@Squibble84 - 6th 💛
@leftitlate37 - 7th 💙
@bewitchingnight - 8th 💛 tbc
@AdventuresAwait - 9th 💖
@mumof23188 - 9th 💙
@Bubbles1st - 10th 💙
@FTEngineerM - 12th 💙
@Maybebaby29 - 14th 💙
@Taybz - 14th 💙
@Kirky658 - 15th 💛 tbc
@Hopefulmummie - 16th 💖
@Mamabearwhere - 17th 💙
@aurora2021 - 18th 💖
@unicornpower - 20th 💛 tbc
@Sophieandtiger - 20th 💛
@bluemagicalsky - 21st 💛 tbc
@Jay3004 - 22nd 💙
@SP2Bx - 22nd 💛
@Rach921 - 23rd 💛 tbc
@SproutingSprout2021 - 24th 💛
@RadDarwazeh - 25th 💛
@crobo87 - 25th 💙
@d0nut - 25th 💛tbc

@Kirky658 I breastfed and expressed for a year for my first.
I’ll be totally honest as no one really told me and it was a complete shock. Breastfeeding is painful in the early weeks! I dreamt of going to the shops and buying formula... it was only the fear of not having a clue of what to do with it and my mother in law telling me what a pain it was at night that kept me feeding!
I would absolutely encourage getting yourself to breastfeeding clinics to get help with latch and check for tongue ties - made a huge difference for me.
I started to express and offer a bottle a day at 6 weeks. It made a huge difference to my well-being as I felt less tied to not having to be with my daughter 24/7! (Sounds awful, but you do feel a real lose of independence in those early days!) so just being able to go out not worrying that if baby gets desperately hungry, they’ll suffer without you was huge for me.
I had a medela swing - it was about £120. But I used it daily for a year, so it more than paid for itself. And I pumped in the office when I went back to work. But don’t worry about buying anything before you have baby as they don’t encourage pumping in the early days as it can give you an oversupply. If you need to pump in the hospital for medical reasons, they generally have pumps available.
The Kellymom website is an amazing resource on all things feeding, for when the time comes.

Glad everything is ok @Kirky658 and loving the baby clothes.
I wanted to check of any of you have thought about baby changing bags yet? I used a nova harley one with my dd (an Australian brand I think) and then used it for both dd and ds as there was a small age gap between them. It was great in that it was big, had lots of compartments and just looked like a big handbag. I have had a look and it is still in great condition so will use again for this baby but probably only when going to see family as I don't need something so bulky for day to day. I don't drive yet so will be on public transport a lot and was thinking of going for a backpack type changing bag this time? Any suggestions? I am looking for something with a few compartments, looks nice and hard-wearing and easy to clean.
If any of you have already bought a bag or have your eye on one , would be nice to see what you are going for.

@Kirky658 I breastfed DD (still am actually at 19 months! 🥴) and always struggled to express - nothing seemed to get milk out of my boobs other than my baby and yet other mums in my Nct group would get gallons of the stuff! I’d say maybe don’t invest too much in expensive pumps before the baby is here and find out from your midwife is she knows anywhere you can hire pumps from. My maternity unit hired them out so I tried a couple first before I eventually just bought a cheap manual pump as my boobs just wouldn’t cooperate! The midwife said at the time that some women’s milk supply will only respond well to the baby’s mouth latching on so I’m glad I didn’t spend loads just to get a dribble! If I wanted to go out for a few hours, it would take me a few days of pumping sessions just to get enough for one bottle, I really had to plan in advance!

@Sceptre86, I have bought a changing bag. In the end I went for a Cath Kidston bag. I've attached a picture but it's one I took quickly a while ago when it arrived! It's not a backpack style but they do have them on the website so could be worth a look. I find them practical, roomy and easy to clean.
I don't drive either and hadn't thought of a backpack style... might end up getting another!

Thanks @AdventuresAwait I do like the look of the Cath Kidston ones, the designs are always so pretty and easy cleaning is a must. Will definitely have a look.

My friend has given me her backpack changing bag from her first. I’ve got a babymel one from the first time round - it’s great for hanging on the buggy, but realistically, a backpack type is so much more convenient for most of the time.
And I’ve learnt, the bigger the bag, the more stuff you’ll find to put in it! 🤣🤣

Thanks for all the comments ladies, really helpful. Lots to think about!
We are thinking of a backpack style changing bag, I'd have loved a Radley one but they don't do them 😅

My friend has a Babymel backpack and after a close inspection I will be getting one too. Love the size - doesn’t look huge but in fact is really quite roomy inside. Includes a changing mat. Clever compartment for wet wipes on the side so you don’t have to open the bag to find them. Check it out, I was really quite impressed. I always thought nappy bags could not be more boring if they tried. Another great thing about it is the range of styles & fabrics it comes in. DH will happily wear the one I have my eye on as it is neutral in colour and unisex in style

@Sceptre86 I’m with you on the back pack changing bag! I think it will be so handy having both arms free! I’ve found a few on Tiba + Marl, they are lovely! They are also pricey but I figure I’ll be using it so much and it’s a bag that can be used for other uses too!! It’s going to be my ‘To me, from Me’ item 😂

I’m due 8th Sept with 💖

@Sceptre86 I'm going for a packapod, I'll see if I can attach a link, it can be worn as a shoulder bag or backpack, has a coolbag section for snacks and it opens out into a changing mat! My friend has one and I loved it!

I also bought some little babygros after our scan which came yesterday 😍 they are sooooo cute

www.pacapod.com/collections/shop/products/saunton-tan-travel-baby-changing-bag?variant=39358850236501

This is the link, it attaches to your pram too xxx

I love those @unicornpower where are they from? So cute!

I think I'm going to go for a backpack changing bag too, I might start out using my old work backpack which is just a fjallraven one so my husband won't mind using it either. And maybe just buy a travel changing mat for now. I like the look of the babymel ones someone mentioned earlier, hadn't heard of them before and not as ££ as tiba and marl!

We've got a backpack changing bag and I love it, it wadnt anything fancy, just off amazon with a few compartments, bottle holders and a changing mat. It came with clips to fasten on to the pram too.
Those of you with more than one DC, what will you/have you done for changing bags? My DD will be 2 when baby is born but probably won't be ready for potty training at the time so don't know whether I need a bag each or to try and squeeze it all into one and find a way to stop it all mixing up?

Morning ladies, pram shopping for us today, equally excited and nervous for the first big purchase!!!

Enjoy @Kirky658 I really enjoyed it but also found it very overwhelming 😂

I now can’t stop looking at changing bags 😂 I love the Tiba + Marl but so pricy!! I’ve never heard of the Babymel or the Pacapod and they are lovely also! Again another baby item where there is so much choice!

@unicornpower @Sceptre86 I also went for a pacapod! I got the the hartland camel which is on sale and they do Nhs discount on top if that helps anyone. They are a bit dear but I really love the look and organisation of it and thought well why not!

We also bought our pram and car seat yesterday, yikes!!!

Just catching up after a busy few days celebrating husband's birthday. So glad all went well on Friday @Kirky658 good luck with your pram shopping.

Loving all these changing bag reccomendations, we have kept so many big things from our daughter but will definitely be buying a new changing bag and a Next to Me Crib as I really struggled with the Moses Basket post c-section last time. Plus she was so long she was only in it for about 3 months! We are in a 2 bed and have no plans of moving any time soon (our neighbours are just amazing and love our street) so need to swap rooms with our daughter (ours is huge). Trying to hold off until after the 20 week scan before the upheaval! Will anyone else have little ones sharing a room after the 6 first six months? Our eldest will be 5 when baby is born.

@deedeebythesea Love the look of those Babymels! I've been browsing changing bags but hadn't been sure but that looks a real contender!

I started a 5 week hypnobirthing course this morning, it's an online group one just for the mamas (there were 5 of us) and it's focussed on "Relax & Breathe". It included 2 guided relaxations which is the part of hypnobirthing I didn't think I'd get on board with, but they were lovely! As relaxed and calm as I was though, baby thought it was a good time for a party!!! But even that was quite nice :) The idea then is after this course and nearer D-day, we do a couple of 1:1 add on sessions with my dp to cover off the main hypnobirthing bits for him.

All getting very real now!!!

@MrsTD88 our little ones will probably be sharing a room afte the first 6 months. We have 3 rooms but are still trying to work out the best way to have them as the box room is a funny shape so sharing might work out better

Thanks for the recommendations for the changing bags everyone. I was initially thinking to go for a babymel one this time but when I was in boots I actually quite liked the look of a bababing bag. @deedeebythesea I love the colours the babymel bag comes in and you're right it is more spacious than it looks.
@unicornpower and @Allicit I haven't seen the pacapod before. It is gorgeous, reviews have said it is easy to clean and it has loads of compartments.
@CherylLW I feel the exact same. Its a from me to me present . The Tiba nd Marl bags are gorgeous too.

I think I need to start checking more reviews to narrow it down.

@Kirky658 hope the pram shopping goes well, it is so exciting!
@MrsTD88 this lo is a girl so will eventually share with our dd (she could have her own room but it is fun to share) so we can have the box room as a play room but my dh think lo should be in the box room till she sleeps through (which probably won't be till she is 2 judging by dd and ds). Our dd is 5 also and will be starting school before baby arrives. We do intend to move in the next 4 or 5 years because I would like to have a spare room or two. I don't see an issue with them sharing though. I have 3 siblings and we all had our own rooms growing up but would quite often bunk in with each other.

@KHR1 @Sceptre86 glad you're both thinking of having your little ones share too. DD is very excited at the prospect of sharing with her baby sister, not sure how keen she'll be when baby is up through the night! I loved sharing with my sister when I was little. We'll probably move in around 5 years too as I would like a spare room and by then DD will likely want her own space.