Fran's support thread for the coming month's

[ScoobyDoo]

Someone suggested starting a thread for help/support/friendship & chat for Fran, this is what this thread is for & we hope Fran will come along to chat with us all

Well done PBF!

Ok someone mentioned a party?????

I get the distinct impression it's just you and me, bossybritches! I've got bottle, 2 glasses, but no corkscrew ...

tsk ladies, inappropriate use of the apostrophe

d'think it would be appropriate for the baby to have a full-on health check before fran leaves hospital? 12 lead ECG, umbilical swabs. Hope I don't have to point out why

Sorry Highlander you do have to spell it out for me!

The paed or MW will check her over I would assume before she leaves. Don't know the system in Frans new country, but hopefully they'll be thorough.

PBF! Sorry I didn't see you with the bottle last night! Could have done with one too....maybe tonight as it's Friday??!

(ALWAYS have my emergency corkscrew with me )

Hi Fran just wanted to say hello i've been following your story but haven't posted on the other threads. I'm due to have my third child (a boy) on January 6th so am at the same stage as you.

Beenleigh's petition has reached 1001 by the way

YAyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

I'll email her later not sure if she's back online yet but it might get through!

I was wondering what was so unusual about frannyandzooey's pregnancy for a bit there

Keep up dear!!

I posted on the other thread (in news) but it did feel a bit out of place and this is a much better idea!

Definitely agree with stocking up on easy-to-heat or even just easy-to-grab meals/snacks beforehand that can be dealt with/eaten one handed (memories of crying baby in one arm and chocolate bar in the other come flooding back!)

I also found that I needed a lot more muslin cloths that I thought I would, so maybe have someone ready to go out and buy some (and other things!) if you suddenly find that you need more?

And salt water drops from the chemist were also an absolute godsend as dd's nose was always stuffed full of bogies when she was a newborn.

Can't think of any more now - seem to have forgotten an awful lot of what it was like having a newborn, despite dd only being a year and a half (will find out again when #2 arrives next year )

ps, that's good news on the petition!

Gawd yes MULSINS!! Choccy - a life saver.

Now they come in all sorts of nice pale colours too instead of just white-that-becomes-grey as they are used & washed!!

I had one permanently over my shoulder(SO attractive!) & they were used for all sorts of emergencies.

Exploding nappies (shove one under while you scream/reach for a nappy)

Mopping up spills- reaching one -handed for that cuppa whilst feeding.

Even used a few clean new ones as t-towels one day when I was SO behind on the washing & a visitor kindly offered to wash & dry up the mountain of cups/plates in the sink.

See multi-purpose!!

MULSINS????

MUSlins.....of course

One thing you don't get back is your brain

My "baby" is nearly 11, don't think I can get away with using the post-natal amnesia thing anymore.

Any more advice ladies!?

enjoy your baby while they sleep all day dont Want your attention all day

having had 2, I would say cuddle them as much as poss, never stop telling them that you love them........

DS1 has turned 3 and told me the other day, 'mum, I'm just too busy for cuddles'. Cheeky blighter.

Oh hello everyone

Hope Fran is ok & having a read of all the great advice on here -

I don't have much of a memory since having children so am trying very hard to sit & think of good advice here

Sleep when your baby sleeps so you have enough energy for the night time wakes (this is possible with 1st baby only)

Don't stress about the housework (like me) & don't do to much in the 1st couple of weeks, you will burn yourself out.

Get some baby mitts for when baby decides she wants to start scratching her face

Make a list of all essential things you will need & make sure you have them in the house ready, so no need to go out if you don't feel up to it.

Take all the help you can get, you may need it, don't be afraid to ask, newborns are hard work.

Try to get out in the fresh air, even if just for 10 mins it will make you feel alot better.

If someone wants to help & does not know what to do, ask them to cook some meals you can store in the freezer, cooking was my bug bear with a newborn.

All i can say is rest,rest,rest & prepare,prepare,prepare.

Hope your ok Fran? we would love you to come back

All do your food shopping online, less stress

Agree with Scooby about buying all essential stuff in advance, BUT don't take it out of the packaging until you are ready to use it and keep all the receipts, so you can exchange as much of possible of the stuff you don't use.
Shops are usually pretty good about exchanges because they know you can't predict what you'll get given.

Good one Kathy!

Just to let you all know that I have made Fran aware of this thread; so just because she isn't posting doesn't for a minute mean she isn't reading and benefitting from your tips and kind words

Good to know CSS!!

waves to Fran through the ether

have a stash of clean clothes for baby and clean top for yourself downstairs saves trailing baby sick up stairs
baby will be comfortable for first few weeks in vest and sleepsuits as theses are easy to wash and change quickly (as changing clothes gets done loads and they easier than fidling with buttons/dresses overheads etc)
savlon is fab when you have sore/grazed/stitched fanjo they used to give it out at hospitals 20yrs ago!
dont buy loads nappies/clothes in same size as baby's grow!
oh and my sling saved my life when dd went through clingy stage at 4.5mo
i second cuddles/kisses dd now 18mo and they are rare as she only lets you give her cuddles/kisses when she wants them

Hi everyone

Fran's asked me to thank you all for all your helpful hints; she is writing them down to take with her as she buys the bits and bobs she and Molly need for their new life