Due December 2023 Part 5

[Nclktnntt]

Starting Due December 2023 Part 5

Oh wow, hopefully they stay in there for a little longer for you.

@99SR formula wise I’ve gone with Kendamil. It’s the only British made formula on the market apparently and you can order it on a subscription type thing via their website. It’s also about £2.50 cheaper than aptamil at the minute

I've also heard good things about the Aldi formula so will probably give that a go if baby doesn’t get on with the Kendamil

@99SR forgot to say - from what I've read a blanket shouldn't be used until they're older. When new born it's the sleeping bags but where they can't slide down into it and no hats for bed either.

Just looking at the sleeping bags as this is something that completely slipped my mind!
Are people starting off with swaddle bags?

I want swaddle bags first. The sleeping bag we've been brought I'll use when they start to roll so their arms are out by then or when walking in the pram maybe.

@FirstMondayInMay have you gone for organic or the normal/classic first infant milk?

My midwife told me we need to take our own instant milks in now as the hospital no longer give them to you.

@Nclktnntt I've just gone for the normal stage one. Be careful when buying the ready made ones, they had the starter kits which come with the teats and the ones which don’t right next to each other on the shelf in my local Boots, I was on my way to the tills when I noticed I had the wrong ones!

For some reason they don’t let you use the ones without the teats at my hospital, not sure if it’s because they’re bigger or because they don’t have the sterile teats with them

@FirstMondayInMay ohhhh ill have to check what our hospitals say because I just thought you took your own sterilised bottles to pour the non teeted ones into. Thank you for that as I really wouldn't have thought much more of it.

I'm pretty sure it's the other way round and the baby has to be a certain weight to use sleeping bags so blankets or swaddled first unless you have a big baby. Neither of my dds took to being swaddled unfortunately

Just checked lullaby trust says 8lb 8oz or 4kg before you use a sleeping bag

From what I've read, because babies move so much blankets are a risk factor - www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep/how-to-dress-baby-for-sleep

The nhs says sleeping bags or blankets though 🤷‍♀️. I'm going to ask during our prenatal classes if it's not something they go over.

I thought this too. Our sleeping bag is about 8 pounds so if she’s smaller we’ll use a blanket.

Our antenatal class said you can swaddle, but it’s not recommend due to risk of overheating.

Such a minefield!

You can get pre-done swaddles specifically for newborns that are like sleeping bags so we've gone for them as a starting point (ie purflo and ergopouch). There's the option to have their arms in or out as well. Our NCT class has said you can use blankets as long as they are completely tucked in under the mattress and can't move, and babies legs are right at the bottom of the moses basket/side along crib/cot so they can't wriggle down and get their head underneath them. I feel like I'd worry I'd not done it right though! Hopefully not that much risk of overheating since they're winter babies. It is annoying there doesn't seem like a good option for newborns.

Had my meeting with my Dr, and they've advised they want me to deliver at 38 weeks due to the gestational diabetes and being on insulin. Didn't want an induction with that being very early, since my mum had both of us at 42 weeks I just feel like my body won't be ready, so gone for a planned c section. So got that booked for 23rd November! Think there's a few of us having one in this thread. Hopefully it's the right choice for me! Bit nervous now it's real.

@stardust25609 it must feel very real now! I also have gestational diabetes and I think I would make the same choice as you - no early induction and straight to c section.

I’ve heard lots of good things about elective c sections so hopefully the right choice :)

Im still diet controlled but my fasting numbers are shooting up so I think I’ll be making the same decision as you in a couple of weeks.

The blankets/swaddle bags/ sleeping bags decision is a minefield!
I think I'll bring it up at our NCT classes as I have no idea. I don't think I like the idea of a blanket as it's a bit risky.
I can't believe it's November tomorrow and we'll be having our babies this/ next month!!

I'm feeling very excited about it now, it's going to be a long 5 weeks for me!... hopefully only 5!

Yer definitely feels real. My Dec baby is now a Nov baby, don't kick me out the thread haha! My friend had a planned c section and highly recommends it. Shame Drs seem quite against it, although mine didn't give much push back and was generally supportive, but she's put in the notes that I was adamant I would not accept an induction which I guess she had to as I don't think I had to be that adamant. She just asked me why c section vs induction. I know it's major surgery and has risks, but induction also has risks as does going into labour without intervention.

Regarding swaddling/sleeping bags/blankets - I couldn’t have been without these for my son https://lovetodream.com/gb-en/all-products-uk/swaddle-up-quilted-cotton?v=12506

They’re suitable from newborn and there’s different options. Luckily I bought neutral colours and kept them all. They are pricey, unfortunately, but i’m sure Boots etc do similar ones for a little cheaper. They may be Tommee Tippee brand in Boots? They really do help baby feel secure. For me, they were money well spent.

Formula - Well, in lockdown I qualified as an “Infant Reflux Consultant” I had lived through hell with my son and when we came out the other end I wanted to learn more and help others (Although i’ve done nothing with it)
Hipp Organic is the most gentle formula and most babies get on well with it. It doesn’t contain some of the bulking agents that others do so is more easily digestible (for most babies, not all)

Kendamil looks great, in fact it is great, but apparently very thick and creamy and some babes will struggle to digest it. If this is the case after trying it then I’d recommend looking at Hipp.

For babies with tongue tie/latch issues then Lanisoh teats are recommended. They can fit on to most bottles too which is great.

I’ve lived through colic/reflux/tongue tie hell with my son. It made me very unwell but I researched extensively and we got there, which is why I then went on to study and qualify in the reflux stuff and also as an infant sleep consultant - although as I say, not done anything with it, which is a shame as it was long slog and really hard work.

I’d say to any new mum to consider cranial osteopathy, particularly for C section babies. Some are better than others. The guy we ended up using (Miracle worker) Has a 6 week waiting list, so i’ve booked baby in already for end December and early January.

Biogaia Probiotics are also excellent for building up good bacteria and relieving colic symptoms but you start VERY slowly and work up to full dose. Optibac are also good. Both suitable from newborn.

My baby will also go for a feeding/oral assessment to check for tongue tie. PLEASE don’t listen to the Midwife when she tells you baby has no tie - They are absolutely not qualified to perform a full feeding and oral assessment and give you a definitive answer. Nor are Dr’s or HV’s. The only people qualified are IBCLC’s and Tongue tie practitioners, unless the other medical professionals have gone on to do the tongue tie training off their own back.

I was dismissed by 7 different health professionals re - tongue tie. It was 8 weeks of sheer hell. Once my son had a proper feeding assessment, tongue tie snip, some osteopathy, oral exercises and probiotics we had a different baby. Every other health professional blamed a milk allergy - my gut knew this absolutely wasn’t the case.

Sorry to go on! Just some points to note if God forbid you go through reflux hell. There’s always a reason for it. Usually birth tension, or tongue tie, or antibiotics at birth disturbing the microbiome. All easily dealt with though if you put some work in.

I also second @VillageFete with the Love to Dream swaddles, as they can be used from 5lb upwards. My first DD settled so much better in those than a traditional blanket swaddle, as she could still chew on her hands. They are definitely pricey, but worth it IMO!

Amazing read @VillageFete thank you so much for sharing your experience and findings.

Absolutely do something with your new skills, you could do an online course, membership or anything along those lines! You've helped us tremendously with a 10 second read - thank you 🙏🏻

I've been looking at the tommee tippee version of these and they're roughly the same price for a single one but they do bundle packages that work out cost effective and they have £10 off them just now so I'm thinking of buying some. I want the 3 pack but you can't choose your colours and 2 are neutral but one is peach/pinkish and we don't know our babies gender so not sure if it's a good idea to buy the 3 deal or not 😂

I think everything baby is a minefield! I was looking at learning to be a sleep consultant but to know about how, why and the best solutions. Not necessarily to do anything with other than for personal gain, although going through this I think there is a lot of value in sharing to help other expectant parents because I'm all over the socials of those who share these things and find it fascinating and overwhelming at the same time lol.

@Nclktnntt Oh baby sleep is a minefield! This is my soon to be 3rd child but every baby is different and you simply can’t have all of the answers. They aren’t robots!

I’ve done 3 different sleep courses, some more traditional and some more holistic. All very science based. The one thing i’d say is that mum should NEVER be pushed to do anything she’s uncomfortable with and should always trust her gut as each baby is unique. Some of those traditional, old school regimented schedules would push a mum over the edge. There’s got to be flexibility!

Personally i’m a fan of sleep shaping and sleep training. It worked wonders for both of mine. Some sleep consultants are brutal/old school and I definitely adapted their methods to be more responsive- although it’s not something i’ll do until baby is about 6 months. We’ll focus on sleep environment/wake windows before then.

No matter how many courses i’ve done though, i’ll be knackered like everyone else!! But I do hope to optimise sleep once baby is a little older.

Definitely take a look at courses and do some reading, it’s so interesting!

Is anyone else on second or later child getting lots of braxton hicks contractions? Mine seem to be quite frequent and strong (but not progressing, and not at regular intervals). I'm 33+2 so worried about having seven weeks of these getting stronger.

@VillageFete the sleep training/shaping was what I've been intrigued by and the whole wake windows and such. Do you have any courses or people you recommend looking into regarding this side of things at all?

Your sentence of of 'mum should never be pushed to do anything she doesn't want to do' actually brought a tear to my eye, I'm not a cryer and haven't been emotional during pregnancy, but that struck a cord, for a different reason, because I'm getting more and more anxious about going to my husbands nans this weekend as she's going to find out we've chosen to formula feed and im strong in the reasons behind why but she is incredibly traditional and culturally I don't think anyone in their whole of their family have formula fed, and no one in my family questions why, some of us have formula fed and some breast fed, some tried and couldn't and some combi fed. So whatever you choose is accepted as your choice and no one even mutters what they think personally, whereas his family are not like that and will very much be shocked and appalled that we're not breastfeeding and it's setting off my anxiety already. They know once we've made our minds up, there's no changing it, but still won't stop the questions and forceful you should because of xyz comments and disapproval etc.

So thank you for that comment too, I needed to hear it, because I'm of the mindset, everyone is entitled to their opinion but you respect what the parents or what the mother has decided and leave it at that. I know in their community it'll be 'and she not even going to try breastfeeding' type judgements and I'm not used to that.

I'm on my first @Thamantha and have been getting them at least 3-10 times a day for weeks, just uncomfortable and heavy just now when they happen and no pattern or anything like yourself and also semi concerned as we get to the later weeks as I've heard they because painful and not just uncomfortable.

Aw try not to get anxious about it @Nclktnntt

you could just not mention it or lie? It’s no one else’s business so they don’t need to know your feeding plans.
I appreciate you might not want to be dishonest with family, I’m lucky that I couldn’t care less what family members think of my decisions 😂

There's no lying, I don't lie anyway, when I've made my mind up, that's it. Plus they'll know as they'll come visit and I'd rather they got over it before standing infront of me asking questions and sharing unwanted opinions when I'm sleep deprived and most likely to lose my sh*t at them 😂 because when I do I don't mince my words and would upset them.

I don't care about what they think and the mini discussions they'll have between themselves, it's the forcefulness and the questions that they'll just keep coming back with that winds me up, and its all irrelevant because my/our minds are made up. We're both strong minded so it's a fruitless task them even trying but it won't stop them and that's where the anxiety is coming in. I only get it when we go up his nans because she's very forceful around food and tries to feed you way too much and is just relentless, so I think its the anxiety is just building and I'd rather be ahead of it and face it head on so they can get over it and accept it as it is lol