Babies due April 2023 thread 3

[ncbn1]

Following on from thread 2..

@Sunnyxo same! I had my best friends wedding on Saturday which lasted all day and I was on my feet for a lot of it, including some dancing so thought I had over done it 😅 especially when I saw the spotting this morning, I freaked out that I had caused something bad…but calmed down since lol

@Wouldloveanother definitely window shopping, I’ve decided what pram id like if we’re lucky enough and everything goes okay. I also ‘treat’ myself to a little browse of the baby clothes in the supermarket although won’t be buying anything for a long time, it’s nice to look 😂

Those who aren’t first time mums, what are your recommended must haves? I don’t even know where to start really, there’s so much out there.

@Chocolat it's honestly so easy to worry all the normal things we would do usually are suddenly going to cause a big issue! And spotting just adds so much anxiety. Glad it all cleared up for you though and you got to have some fun at the wedding 💃🏻

Those who aren’t first time mums, what are your recommended must haves? I don’t even know where to start really, there’s so much out there.

@AliceinSlumberland A sling is an absolute game changer! It lets you get so much done while allowing baby to still feel secure and attached. We had it from 4 months with our first, with this one we definitely want it from newborn.

Also a baby swing. It gives baby somewhere to be where they can watch you and feel the soothing motion. (Not for sleeping though - it’s not safe to let them sleep in a swing as it curves their airways so they can easily suffocate.)

I’m hoping to combi feed but who knows if that will work, some babies will not take a bottle will they so I definitely need to consider that.

@AliceinSlumberland All newborns take a bottle - it’s only older babies who struggle as they are used to the breast.

But if you use a bottle and breast from newborn you could find baby refusing breast as they have to work to get the milk out, whereas with a bottle it just comes. They’re lazy!

For what it’s worth I’m still breastfeeding my first at 20 months and absolutely love it. It’s been the most amazing journey, we’ve never used bottles, and quite honestly I can’t wait to tandem feed.

@AliceinSlumberland I loved pram shopping! What have you settled on? If anyone wants a recommendation, I loved my ICandy peach! I used it combination with the Cybex Cloud Z seat and I couldn't recommend that more either! It's expensive (we'll, they both are) but worth the money! The car seat has lie flat capabilities and is compatible with the pram as a travel system. For anyone that isn't aware, babies shouldn't be sat upright in car seats for long, so the fact that I could lie baby down without having to carry the extra bassinet for shopping trips/days out was a relief!!

I also recommended the shnuggle (I think I've remembered the name rightly) baby bath. Baby is fully supported so you have both hands for washing them!

And if you plan to BF, the Elvie pumps! Again, they're expensive, but the fact that they were hands free made it worth it for me! Now I have a toddler to chase around after too, I think the fact that you aren't confined to areas with a plug socket will be even more beneficial.

Nothing else springs to mind, but if I think of anything, I'll be sure to update. 😊

@AliceinSlumberland a selection of dummies, lots of sheets for their cot/moses basket, pram footmuff so they don't always need loads of layers. Also Tena pants for post birth 🥲

Ah okay thank you @PuddingBear , that’s helpful to know. See I’m a bit clueless really about this all 😂

Brill will definitely get a sling as I’ve got two dogs who’ll need walking and I’ve heard this is much easier with a sling. Also lovely to have the baby so close too!

@Sunnyxo I'm 7w4d today so you're one day in front! Will see how the scan goes tomorrow!

@BecksLouise yeah I think it's because I'm snacking more too. I find that when I'm hungry I feel more sick. Or I get slight period pain when I need the loo and that can make me feel a bit nauseous but this isn't very often these days.

@Chocolat I'm glad we're all experiencing the same, it makes me feel a bit more assured that it might be ok!

@B1993 that is very reassuring! Thank you 😊

Right guys I’m genuinely starting a list 😂 I’ve seen that breast pump I think but didn’t know the name so that’s brill, thank you.

Pram at the minute I’ve been recommended the out n about nipper, which fits our lifestyle as it’s all terrain and we’re not exactly city dwellers haha. Definitely open to suggestions!

My friend recommended a fixed car seat, but then I can see the benefits for being able to life the car seat out maybe?

@B1993 I have an icandy peach too! Great for walking off road, but I had to get another one for going into the city as I can't carry it up stairs. I also had a bugaboo bee for a while which I wasn't a fan of at all. I just use a Cybex libelle travel pram now in town but mainly the icandy.
I have the cloud z car seat too and it weighs a ton!! Handy for being able to clip straight onto the frame though. I think it's given me muscles lugging that seat around 😂

@AliceinSlumberland you may be able to! A few things to consider and just be open with her that it may not be until after the baby is born that you’ll know for sure whether you’ll make it but it’s defo a possibility!

@Wouldloveanother im constantly baby clothes window shopping online I can’t help it! Not bought anything but can’t help getting ahead of myself and looking lol

Yes, we missed out on the newborn snuggles as I didn’t see the point of them at first so can’t wait for it this time around!

One thing I really wish someone had told me about breastfeeding is that it isn’t just about milk. There’s lots of “oh she can’t be hungry again she just fed!” They need it for comfort, for security, warmth, just to know you’re there as much as anything else.

I would also have a read on the 4th trimester as finding that out was a game changer too.

@AliceinSlumberland I'm going to get one of those prams too!

For breast pump I liked the pipetta one, it's like elvie but cheaper and doesn't link up to your phone. I think it's about £60.

@AliceinSlumberland I personally prefer a travel system but each to their own. You'll be amazed at how often the baby will sleep in the car (like every single time! 😂) so if means you don't have to wake them up - and have a cranky baby - for a quick trip into the shops etc.

Hi 👋

I've had 2 (very faint) positive tests over the past couple of days. Worked out due date to be April 2023.

I had an ectopic pregnancy just under 2 years ago so I've booked in bloods for this week and next.

Fingers crossed 🤞🤞🤞

Right guys I’m genuinely starting a list 😂 I’ve seen that breast pump I think but didn’t know the name so that’s brill, thank you.

@AliceinSlumberland Pumps are great (love the Pipetta), but it’s not recommended to use a pump until 6 weeks postpartum to allow your supply to properly establish. Doing it before then risks mastitis and oversupply issues.

So sorry @KilledAnotherPlant

@Wouldloveanother this afternoon I got this sudden random craving for banana flavoured nesquik milkshake 🤣 which I genuinely don't think I've drunk since I was a child haha

@AliceinSlumberland get some bamboo breast pads for the wedding (and just in general) they're sooo comfy and so much better at absorbing leaks than disposable ones - got loads of Amazon. Give baby to DH for the ceremony then whack on a sling for the rest of the wedding! I barely used our pram as got obsessed with baby wearing and different slings and carriers

Wow okay I’m learning so much!! Didn’t know that about pumping.

@B1993 see this was my initial thought, I think you can get an add on clip thing so that a few car seats are compatible so I think I’ll look at that.

@Longbin yay pram twins!! It’s not the prettiest in tbe world is it but I’ve heard really good things and think it’ll be perfect for us.

Welcome to the thread @HattieRosa and congratulations :) how pregnant do you think you are haha?

I’m just going to weigh in with my experience, I had a small and early term baby who struggled to have the energy to feed. I pumped from day 1 and it saved breastfeeding for us - I honestly don’t know how I would’ve kept my supply up otherwise, she didn’t have the energy to feed for more than a few seconds until she was 2 weeks old. Eventually she gained the strength (through copious amounts of EBM lol) and fed normally and my supply simply evened out to match the demand. So for me it was a huge positive!

5 ish weeks? Lmp was 13th July. Not sure how to work it out 😅

You know what I think I’m going to be a big sling fan, does anyone have any recommendations about which ones are good? Are slings better than like tbe baby carriers you can get?

@Tropicana1 the other day I drove to four shops, FOUR, looking for those ‘Millions’ sweets I had as a kid, like little chewy ones, omg I wanted them so much, couldn’t find them though!

Right bamboo pads added to the list thank you!

@Sunnyxo yep it really is I think anxiety is just a part of pregnancy! And thanks, just exhausted now and don’t want to leave the house for the next few months 😅. Keep us updated if you do get anymore symptoms x

@AliceinSlumberland you can go to sling libraries to try them all out as everyone prefers different ones. I had a baby bjorn mini and fabric sling, I ended up getting an ergobaby omni 360 as everyone raved about them and I've only used it once! I found the baby bjorn most handy because you can just slide the baby in and go

@HattieRosa Try the NHS due date calculator.

@AliceinSlumberland Yes, definitely look into the seat/pram connectors and see what looks good.

Re breast pads - I bought loads and rarely leaked - the only time it happened was at night if I'd slept pressing on one of my breasts haha! I wouldn't go overboard as you don't know if you'll need them.

I'd also be interested in sling recommendations- j didn't use them with DS but definitely want to this time around.

And has anyone got a beside crib that they like? I had a Moses basket with DS but it was a pain having to get fully up every time baby needed me.