Due December 2023 Part 5

[Nclktnntt]

Starting Due December 2023 Part 5

@Nclktnntt Fingers crossed for you that it's not as bad as you are thinking in advance.

@Nclktnntt Aah I’m sorry you feel like that, you absolutely don’t need that pressure and it’s 100% nobody else’s business how you feed your baby!

When they say fed is best, it’s true. Throw a tongue tied baby in to the mix (depending on the severity) And they’d be bloody failure to thrive if you exclusively breast fed. No one can predict at this stage what will happen.

I’m formula feeding - because I want to. The end! Ok, she’ll go on the breast the first few days and i’ll try and harvest colostrum but we’re switching to formula pretty sharpish because as I say, I want to, and I have 2 other kids and I’m doing what I feel is easiest.

I do understand your apprehension but I’m absolutely certain you’ll have no qualms finding your voice when baby is here, although you sound like you’re strong minded anyway and won’t have a problem saying it how it is.

In terms of courses, some are really pricey so not worth doing unless you want to actively earn from it (I made that mistake!) But Babyem have some good ones on the cheaper side - However they’re quite anti sleep training and more focused on normalising infant sleep.

There’s 2 books I’d recommend. One is written by the sleep consultant “Just chill baby sleep” On Instagram and the other is by “Calm and Bright sleep support” Again, on Instagram.

Thank you @VillageFete I'll take a look into those suggestions.

@SMG1992 fingers & toes crossed 😂 I'm sure it'll be fine - I'll just hide in the room or go for a walk if I need a way for 5 and leave my husband to tell them off. He did say to his mom 'there's too much pressure put on women in these situations and what we've decided is up to us' and that seemed to stop the conversation/questioning with her, so hopefully it will with his nan too.

I breastfed my first and my supply wasn't great so I was breastfeeding and formula feeding at the same time. I mentally found breastfeeding so stressful so this time around I will be using formula. Just trying to figure out which one is best.

I think I’m going to try breast feeding but I’ve bought bottles just incase! I have gestational diabetes and every professional I speak to have said “have you thought about breastfeeding? It’s recommended with GD” feels like quite a lot of pressure tbh! My consultant said today they would probably look to induce me prior to my due date due to GD too but like others have said, not sure I’m keen on that.

Is anyone having intense pressure down there?? I’m 33+3 and have PGP but seriously feels so heavy down below!

My plan for feeding is to mostly breastfeed but have a bottle in the evening to hopefully aid with a sleep routine. I’m going to try mam bottles. We had tommee tippee last time and they were leaking a lot, ended up switching to Tesco’s own ones which we found better.
Last time I got really stressed out with feeding as I kept changing routine and tried to do a bit of everything and use breast pump to create extra but there was no time to rest. So definitely not going to try that again.

On sleeping arrangements, the hospital I was at used cellular blankets for the babies. So his first night was using one of those. We bought sleeping bags and swaddles but my son didn’t like them and so just dressed him warm enough to sleep.

Why is there so much pressure now? My mum had a lot of issues feeding me, she tried breastfeeding with me but was told I wasn’t getting enough so it might be worth switching to formula. She never looked back, although I had colic I was getting more food, sleeping better etc. It was such a game changer she decided to go straight to formula for my sibling, he was bigger than I was and a very hungry baby so they even told her to give formula that was more filling for him. Neither of us have had any problems so I don’t understand the stigma.

My partner and I have talked about it and I’m willing to try to pass on immunity etc but we will definitely be combi feeding at least as it’s a good way for him to bond and for us to work as a team and allow each other to get some sleep whilst making sure they are well fed. We’ve got the Tommee Tippee day and night prep machine as well as the UV steriliser and the anti colic bottles. I’ve told both sets of parents we will try both but I think it’s quite likely we will move to formula fully quite soon as I slept through the night at less than 6 weeks old and so did my brother when we were on formula and I’ve heard other people say the same so for the sake of our well-being and knowing our baby is getting the food they need as well as two parents who are more with it, it seems worth a try.

I wish people weren’t so judgemental, it’s crazy how new parents are made to feel especially when they are sleep deprived, the mother is hormonal and recovering. If only these people could channel their energy into being supportive and understanding. On a positive note it’s really nice to have this community to share, vent and get support.

@ThomasinaLivesHere our NCT leader said blankets needed to be cellular as they have breathing holes so risk of suffocation is significantly less. We were told for bedtime they should have a vest, sleep suit and then if it was cold you could use a cellular blanket and tuck it under the mattress to stop it coming up. They said a maximum of 4 layers for a newborn for if you fold the blanket that counts as two layers. Crazy how much there is to remember.

You're spot on @Vsah22 the pressure thankfully my family, friends and midwives haven't put any pressure on me. Most agree with me or believe it's your choice and as long as baby is fed, it doesn't matter how. You do what's right for you. My husbands family are not that way and I'm anticipating a lot of pressure from his nan which is not welcome... but someone has to break the mould so that'll be me 😂

It's even the expectation that because your the mom you know everything. My husband was talking to his nan saying we need to do some investigation into everything we need to make sure we have as much ready as possible - his nans reply 'oh (my name) will know what she needs in time for baby' - how, how will I magically know? I've never had a baby before but somehow, we'll just know apparently! What annoys me most is many of these pressures and stigmas come from women who have had babies and gone through it all themselves. Many are of the older generations though and I see in our generation a huge shift in the male female gender roles when it comes to caring for babies but the older generations don't seem to get it or agree with it sadly.

Happy 1st of November! Can you all believe we’re having a baby next month😳😳

Excited and petrified lol

Yay! Happy month before baby month!
I'm sure we'll see some November babies being born too!

I'm feeling super excited to meet him...
Except I keep looking at birthing videos (vaginal and c-section) and I think I'm freaking myself out about the birth now! I have a hypnobirthing online class next weekend so hopefully that should help me calm down.

@Vsah22 Spot on!!!

Overdid it last night. Hosted a Halloween party for the kids and then 2 hour’s of trick or treating. To say I paid for it last night is an understatement, and i’m still paying for it today.

I can barely stand and the pressure down below!! I think I may have had Braxton Hicks last night? Stomach felt so tight and uncomfortable?

Omg is that what braxton hicks is?

I get this all the time but just assumed i ate a little too much and I was too full!!

Awww @VillageFete I hope you're feeling more comfortable soon! I find them so uncomfortable and feel so heavy when they come on.

@andpeggy1 if your stomach - specifically your uterus area goes rock solid, it's a braxton hicks, can be half of the uterus or all of it. I very often get them now around where baby is located, and I can feel the complete uterine wall, it's crazy. I've been having them from around 14 weeks - mentioned to the midwife and she said it's normal as long as they're not in a pattern or like contractions, if they are you phone triage.

Happy November ladies! I have almost 2 months left really still as right at the end of December but it's getting so close now and so real with all you guys who are even closer. Can't wait to hear the babies start arriving in the group 😊 not long now!

28 days left for me till due date. I had my 36 week growth scan today and baby boy is finally head down which is good as he was transverse last check and breech before that. Plus I feel like I'm walking with a bowling bLl between my legs, he's definitely dropped. Approximate weight is now 6lb 2oz which feels a good weight, dds were born at 6lb 7oz and 6lb 9oz.

Lots of braxton hicks here and I think early labour pains, though that may be wishful thinking as hoping this one comes at around 38 weeks like his sisters did. I really need to back my hospital bags now, got all the stuff it's just putting it together. Other than nursing bras as my local m&s don't sell them in store so think I'm going to have to waddle around the nearest city next week when the girls are back at school.

@17caterpillars1mouse Oh wow 28 days left for me as well and i am not prepared! are you also due on the 4th Dec? Or my maths is not mathing today. Braxon Hicks are also increasing and i'm worried baby will come earlier, getting paranoid.

Ladies I am stressed, I am trying to get hospital bag and baby bag packed. I have 4 weeks left and seemed liked longer!

Is anyone using a particular brand to wash newborn clothes? My daughter was born abroad so it was a totally different brand and not sure what to use. Any suggestions?

@RG84 Also massively panicking. C section is 6th December and i’m miles behind. So much still to do. Fuming with myself.

I only use non fragranced stuff on our clothes. M&S do their own reasonably priced brand. Surcare also do non fragranced, as do Method, but Method is more pricey.

C-section currently booked for the 23rd Nov for me, and in no way prepared. Everything still in the loft and we want to buy a new car before baby arrives! Family visiting on Sat so hoping they will help with the last bits of DDs new room so we can then focus on getting the nursery ready and will have space for stuff to come down from the loft.

My gestational diabetes is being a pain though, still having issues with fasting readings, despite being pretty swiftly put on metformin and it then being increased on top of all the dietary stuff. Got an urgent face to face appt with them tomorrow and fully expecting to be put on insulin. I'm also on daily blood thinning injections so feel like a pincushion already! Hoping it doesn't mess with the c section date, as def not mentally ready for 3 weeks let alone less. Will be asking tomorrow!

Got a stinking cold and had barely any sleep so feeling v fed up. We're all nearly there though 😄

Wow so exciting that some of you will be having your baby at the end of this month!
I had my 32 week appointment today and baby's head is down - which I did think as I've been feeling hiccups really low down! Baby is still measuring in the middle which I'm glad about. For those of you who already have babies, did your baby's birth weight differ much from their predicted weight?
Also started packing my hospital bag and baby's bag. Still have a few little bits to get. And need to wash some of their clothes and pack those in! Going to use some Shein ziplock bags that I've gathered to put the outfits in. I have Christmas sleepsuits in two different sizes in a separate bag - wishful thinking they'll be here by then 😆

@VillageFete super close in dates then. The panic is real! Me and partner had been buying 0-3 months baby grows and then occurred to my partner they'll be too big so today order 6 baby grows and some vests in 1 month size. Literally ordered the bits we needed for the 1st month as we are soooo behind. Don't even know why as this my 2nd!
Thanks for the advice on detergent. Once I get the new babygrows, we'll do one big wash so I can pack the hospital bag.

@Undercoverunicorn how is your diet going? My fasting wasn't great at one point so I had to really buckle up on my diet. They put me on 2 tablets of metformin since June in the evenings and then last week when I had my growth scan and consultant appointment, I also had to see the diabetes doctor and she said the sugar will increase more as the pregnancy progresses so then she put me on an extra tablet in the morning so now taking 1500mg per day. It's definitely helping as my fasting have been good.
I also thought I had to go on insulin which I would of been fine with but they added another tablet instead. Also hope my section isn't earlier than the 4th as I'm not prepared!
Hope you feel better soon with the cold.

Has anyone having an elective c section been booked in for any earlier than 39 weeks? My DD is 29th December so thinking I’ll be booked in on the 22nd but just a bit nervous with it being around Christmas and wondering if anyone has had theirs brought forward at all!

I also have a horrible cold. Ribs really hurt when coughing. I don’t plan to have another child but if I did I’d aim for spring or summer babies. It’s uncomfortable to be hot but getting cold after cold is wearing me out.

It is mad it’s November and so not long to go, especially for those late November or early December. In a few weeks I’ll find out c-section date.

For washing I use non-bio detergent which isn’t scented but don’t use specific brand.

@gurlwhaat I have same due date but don’t yet know section date. In my case though the consultant said it would likely be 27-28th I’ll be booked for, so I have opposite worry that it will be delayed.

@gurlwhaat my section had been booked for exactly 38 weeks. I guess it differs from trust to trust but also depending on your circumstances. Hopefully you'll find out soon.

@Charlielechat my first one was measuring over 10lbs at 38 weeks according to fundal height measurements- and was born at 41+2 weighing 7lbs 15oz.

My current fundal height measurements are off the chart again this time, and i just had a growth scan which showed baby is under 50th percentile for estimated weight by scan.