COme help a befuddled pregnant woman and please tell me what newborns wear in summer and other stupid questions

[TheArmadillo]

Ds was born in october and I have pregnancy brain and meds htat make me befuddled so can someone explain (slowly and with small words) what I need to dress this small one in due 1st August fo going out in.

I have vests and babygros. Do I need cardies as well? Ds had a snowsuit but I think that's going a bit overboard for August And am I going to need a sun hat as well?

Secondly I am bottle feeding from birth (on certain meds which are not compatible amongst other reasons). Do I need to take bottles and formula into hospital. May be staying a couple of days as baby needs to be checked for problems cos of meds (highly unlikely but still possible).

They are writing to my consultant to inform what meds I am taking and it should be in my notes. Is it worth making sure when I go in to give birth that I tell them as well to make sure they know?

Ds was bf from birth so not sure what to do wrt bottle feeding.

Ask the hospital about bottles etc. They'll probably have formula available and there might not be facilities for cleaning and sterilising bottles. On the other hand, they might not have whatever brand you would like to use and might expect you to look after yourself!

You definitely need a sunhat. I would have a cardi or something with you in case it's a cooler day - this is England after all!

I would make sure you tell them about your meds - and that you have plenty for however long you stay in hospital.

Thank you that is very helpful.

Good point about taking enough meds in - I hadn't thought of that.

thanky

Definitely sunhat. I would get some romper suits/ playsuits - people call them different things but they're the all in one vest/top and shorts type things. Nice and cool, you can do without a vest underneath if it's really warm. DS spent most of his first summer in just a vest so that's a distinct possibility.
I would also take a cardigan with you just in case it cools down.

I would also ask the hospital re formula/bottles. It probably differs everywhere.

Yes a couple of cardigans, light cotton-knit ones. Vest, those stretchy legging things, and all-in ones with short sleeves and legs.

Do you know the sex? If it's a girl (as I have now discovered) a simple shortish dress and shorts is ideal summer gear - I didn't see the point before and thought dresses for babies were daft, but in fact they are great for keeping cool, easy access to nappy, and you just add leggings and cardie when it's not so warm.

Thanks - I will look out for some of those romper suits.

I have a midwife appt on tues so I can ask her about bottles and what number to contact at the hospital (I have the go into labour number but not sure if that's the one I should be calling if not in labour).

Gap do nice ones, though will obv be more expensive, but I've also seen them in Tesco and Asda.

I love romper suits! They are great for the summer and pumpkin patch have long legged ones too so you can just add socks if its cold, as DS outgrew the feet on sleepsuits before everything else! He was born in April 2007 and it wasn't a particularly warm summer so he didn't wear shorts very often as I was worried about him getting cold but I always felt one layer was enough at that time of year.

Personally I hate cardies/jumpers with hoods for babies as they are always too big and cover half their faces so I had some knitted by MIL without hoods . He also wore bodysuits with jogging bottoms or shorts over depending on weather, T-Shirts always end up rolled under armpits!

I breastfed DS but saw a lot of ladies with glass bottles with a teat over the top that were sterile and disposable provided by the hospital, they had several brands but may be worth asking before you go.

Romper suits are fab. Next had some nice ones last year. I usually put a thin vest on too.
Sun hat is a must - lots on the supermarkets.
We had a really useful little thin cotton cardigan from Tesco
Also had 1 tog sleeping bags
DD was born last May and we didn't use a snow suit until last November.

I think if you know you're planning to bottle feed you take your own stuff in but they will have formula available if you need it. Those 'starter packs' that the main brands do look useful, if pricey to begin with.

I'm way more clueless about this stuff at 38 weeks - can I jump in too?

I've asked friends what to get, and they all said just to get baby-gros, vests, hats & socks. They also said not to buy too much as everyone buys you clothes. We got married a year ago though, and I think that most people who were going to buy us presents have more than done their duty! I know parents & siblings will probably buy some stuff of course, but I'd imagine that's it. My mum asked if she could get any baby clothes so I asked her to get a cardigan.

Is this just for the first few weeks? Are the other bits and pieces for when the baby is bigger or is it something I should be getting now? I'm very embarrassed at my ignorance, but the last baby I was around a lot was my little sister 25 years ago

I am going to wait for romper suits until born - we have a next voucher and an online visa voucher so can order some stuff when born. I've had a look though and they look good.

Trillian until you know what size the baby is going to be it's worth just getting the basics. Vests, babygros (if they have feet in then no need for socks) a hat and cardigan. I'd go for 6 of each of the vests and babygros and a couple of cardigans. I always go for 0-3 month size instead of newborn (which is a bit smaller) and yellow/green/neutral colours.

Keep receipts so can return if wrong size. Most places will exchange.

A lot of people do like to buy a little outfit for baby once born or give vouchers. Then once born when you know sex and size you can use these to buy more stuff as you need it.

this page I know its netmums but good page on what you'll need for baby in hospital to give you an idea.

Thanks too for the posts girls, as i am in the same situation as the OP and also have no clue about clothing for summer!

Thanks TheArmadillo! I was starting to get a little anxious about it all - I had visions of the midwife in the hospital thinking I was a disinterested (if not quite unfit) mother because I don't have little outfits yet.

The sun hat looks like a good idea though. Is the sleeping bag the same as a grobag? I was just going to use blankets - is it worth getting one?

PS Why are 0-3 month outfits almost all in pale pastels? I'd much prefer bright colours!

sleepign bags are grobags as grobags is a brand name and many supermarkets etc do their own brand much cheaper (Asda's start at about £10)

I didn't know about them with ds so didn't use them. So far I've just brought blankets (cellular and fleece) for this one as I like blankets - I know where I am with them and I like to be able to layer them. Just personal preference though I think.

Baby clothes are always very limited colours - you can get different things but they tend to be from th eposher end of the market. Like the french online brands.

At the Royal Surrey County Hospital I gave birth to my second child in, they had a fantastic room where you could breast or bottle feed in, a fridge for ebm, sterilising facilities, a kettle, milton and a sink etc. Maybe you'll be lucky too. Give them a call. They preferred you to bring own bottles and formula (I think from memory, it was 16 months ago now).

My DD1 who was born end of July and spent a lot of time in vests and baby grows as she still felt the cold a little in early days and got rather chilly!

Have you thought of one of these to protect from sunlight in early days if out and about a lot? I spent my life smothering her in sun cream constantly when I could've bought one of these if I'd known they existed as it blocks 99% of UV rays...

As in give your hospital a call. I mean...

Sorry typos... Right let's go bath my two cheeky monkeys, I'll come back if I have more thoughts

We've got some lovely bright-coloured baby stuff from mothercare, also mini mode which is at Boots. (neither are v expensive)