_>•~*X*~July 2015 Mummies-to-be!!!~*X*~•<_

[BonzE]

V-Day! Hadn't realised the importance until I got here!

Thanks girls, having a tape fitted fri and ultra sound next week, they think I will have it through pregnancy! Luckily I had my dad here to help with work and it's making me take it a bit more easy! Can't complain!

Happy Monday to you all xx

 

[KWarbee]

Happy V-day Bonze! Take it easy, glad to hear you're being looked after.

What's everyone's plans for feeding baby? I'd like to try breast feeding but I know it's not always easy so I won't be putting too much pressure on myself. I'm a bit confused as to what we should be buying feeding wise for baby though? It's difficult to know/plan what's going to happen in advance! Should we buy bottles and the sterilising equipment, etc? Is anyone else buying an express pump thing (not sure what they're technical name is!)?

xx

 

[KWarbee]

Sorry to double post ladies, but would you say something like this would be worth buying:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2265056.htm

It's only £15 at the moment so price wise seems pretty decent?

xx

 

[catherine1987]

I got the avent one for my first baby and will be getting it again for second plus a steriliser and a few more bottles and a couple more dummys. I think it's a good starting pack

 

[KWarbee]

Thanks. Argos does an Avent and Tommee Tippee starter pack which seems pretty good. Also read some really good reviews about the MAM bottles? xx

 

[Angela2612]

Them bottles you can get on the baby event 6 for £10 of the bigger size at asda or asda living and they usually sell the tommee tippee bottle brushes that's where I got mine It's totally up to you but I went for the bigger bottles.
I had this steriliser with DD and have bought it again as you can also use it with cold water to sterilise

http://www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/1437335/searchTerm/Tommee+tippee+steriliser.htm

But you do need a large microwave lol

As far as feeding if I can't breast feed I will be using aptimal I had no problems with DD with it

 

[Angela2612]

Can't get it to show as a link

 

[Boosh]

KWarbee - I have bought the Tommee Tippee Starter set and my SIL is giving me a steriliser - I was advised not to buy a breast pump but to hire one as the electric ones are expensive and not very good and the hand pumps apparently you'll be there forever.
I'm the same as you will try breastfeeding but won't put pressure on myself if it doesn't work for whatever reason, I will try and express if I can as well so OH can go feeds.

 

[Boosh]

http://www.mothercare.com/services-ms-medela/services-ms-medela,default,pg.html

Breast pump hire page - I just googled it and loads of pages came up

 

[Toni_Win]

From experience I would say you are totally right to try BF at first, but not to put too much pressure on yourself if things don't work out.

I BF DS at first, and thought things were going ok for first week or so. Then I got cracked nipples which made feeding really painful, this then allowed me to get a severe infection of mastitis in both breasts. I ended up in hospital for 5 days on a drip when lo was just 2 weeks old. I tried to keep feeding him in hospital, but my milk wasn't very good and I started getting blood in the milk. So lo had to switch to formula. Towards the end of the stay in hospital the midwives gave me a pump to see if I could get my milk going again, but I was producing hardly any by then. I was told I would need to pump every couple of hours to get it going again. By that point I couldn't cope with the thought. I decided to stop BF and switch to formula. I had put so much pressure on myself to BF that this was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. I spent about 24 hours crying about it and feeling like a failure. Even as I am typing this I am welling up at the memory of those feelings.

But I do know it was the right decision. I could either force myself to produce milk and probably have a nervous breakdown about it through pressure and lack of sleep, or I could choose to give my baby formula and be there for him at the same time. It also meant that DH could feed DS while I got some more much needed rest.

This time round DH wants us to formula feed all the way. However I am going to try BF again - I want at least make sure he is BF for first few days to pass on antibodies and immunity from me. If things work out, then great - we can buy a breast pump and then start combination feeding. If not, that's OK too we've got all the equipment from DS, so just need some new teats for the bottles.

If you are going to try BF my advice would be not to buy loads of equipment to start with - maybe just one or two bottles with a new born teat (you can usually get at least 1 bottle as a freebie from some places) and then buy a few cartons of ready made formula - which you can take with you to the hospital. Note - most hospitals do not have formula and will not make it up for you, you have to take your own. So it's always a good idea to have some ready made cartons as a back-up just in case. Then, if BF works out, great off you go, and you haven't bought loads of stuff you don't need, if not, then you'll have to go out and get things. So maybe do your research now, decide what bottles, steriliser etc. you want to buy - put them all on an amazon wish list, then if you need to, you can buy them on next day delivery when you know how things have worked out. You can also research things like breast pumps, but again you won't need one of those straight away - they recommend waiting a couple of weeks to make sure baby latches OK before trying to express milk - or as others have pointed out you can hire one.

 

[catherine1987]

Never used the MAM bottles.
I won't be breastfeeding I didn't breastfeed my first. The only comments I got from the midwife when I said I wasn't going to was that the first breastfeed is the most important. Has it happened I couldn't give him his first feed cause I was put to sleep for c section so was a sleep for three hours after he was born.
I know people are against not breastfeeding and say breast is best etc and better for the baby etc. But my little man is three nearly and he is healthy clever and has never been ill apart from a couple of months ago when he had the cold symptoms.
Do what you feel is best and don't put pressure on yourself because if you do baby will sense this and it will make them stressed etc.
I will have to have a look at asda etc x

 

[Crawkay]

Is it a massive no no to mix both breast and formula?!
I've heard it's not recommended as it can confuse baby but surely that's the same if you express?
Did any of you do both with any previous babies?

I definitely want to give breastfeeding a go but totally not against formula either.x

 

[roxyroo]

I did bottle and Breast . I fed her exclusively from breast for about 6 weeks then did breast and bottle for about 4 weeks before totally switching to bottle and she was fine. Depends on the baby and the mother I think x

 

[Boosh]

It's like Christmas in our house tonight!! Our pram has been delivered we still have more parts to be delivered next week but the cot & chassis has come!
Will try upload a pic in a bit! X

 

[Boosh]

The pram

 

[Crawkay]

Oooh my OH would be so jealous of that pic. He loved the Joolz prams. I wouldn't let him spend that much, think he still holds a grudge.
Looks lovely!x

 

[claire2602]

Boosh LOVE the pram
Sorry ive been quiet ladies - have had a not so great week and weekend
consisting of exams - OH going out on the piss and not coming home (thought he was doing me a favour by not waking me but instead panicked me and i find it unacceptable anyway!) feeling completely unwanted, unloved and helpless - already like i am a failure as a mother. Then as i was falling apart and balling my eyes out i got a huge kick from baby as if to say 'its okay mummy, it will all be aright' have had a few days without falling apart now - weekend has just been hectic!!
Feeding - i plan on BF exclusively for like 2weeks and if all goes to plan expressing so OH can feed if needed.
My friend baught the electric tommee tippee breast pump when she was pg and feeding didnt work out for her so it was only used once or twice so shes said i can brrow tha. i hvae a steriliser and about 6bottles as even if BF went well and i only did that id need bottles for Boiled water etc so i think im ready for either outcome

ID rather BF as formula is so expensive but obviously if thats what baby needs thats what baby will get

we are off to the outlet village in bicister tomorrow as theres loads of baby stuff i want - hoping to get it cheaper from the outlet shops

V-day for me is sunday so a few more days left to go!

ive got MW appt tomorrow - an extra one put in from her to check how im doing as she referred me to a counceller as she thinks i have depression and wants to try and smooth it all out before birth as apparently id be at higher risk of post natal - im not sure counceling will help as everyone is allowed bad days arnt they? granted i have alot but osent mean i dont love my baby or dont want it any less.
rant rant rant - sorry

Hope your all doing okay
xxxxxxx

 

[LaceyKeo]

What a lovely pram such a nice colour too

Claire, you'll be just down the road from me
Hope you find lots of goodies, and I hope you're feeling better again now.

DS had his hearing test. He has glue ear in both ears, so he's definitely not hearing properly. Essentially, it's fluid in behind the ear drum. Very common. He'll be re-tested in about three months, if it's still there he'll be referred to a specialist, and ultimately may end up with grommets (tiny little tubes put in to help the fluid drain). If so, it's like a 15 minute operation. I'm not really worried about it, just relieved to know I was right, and now we can look at getting it sorted.
Basically, at the moment, although he can hear, it sounds like he's under water, so, stuff just isn't really clear for him.

Also, spoke to the doctor earlier. I've now been signed off work until I start mat leave, so, that's me done with work for like... The rest of this year, I guess...
Weird...

Regarding feeding... I'll be trying to breast feed this one. I tried with DS, failed miserably, found expressing easier but wasn't producing enough, so combi-fed breast milk from a bottle with a formula top-up for six weeks or so until I went full on formula.
Every baby's different though, so I'll give it another go.
I've already bought a dual electric pump. Even if I successfully breast feed, I'd still like to express so I've got a reserve.
One thing I would say, is don't bother with hand pumps.
If you think you want to express, get an electric. Buy off ebay, amazon, a friend, rent from hospital... Just avoid those manual ones or you'll be there for EVER.

There is talk that bottle feeding whilst breast feeding can confuse baby. Bottle feeding is a lot easier, they can just suck and get milk. With breast feeding they actually have to manipulate the nipple to get the milk to flow.

Many people find that their baby switches between the two quite happily. It's the risk you take if you wish to introduce a bottle from early on.

If you do find baby refused the breast, you can still express and bottle-feed breast milk if you're wishing to avoid formula, or just give formula feeds if your milk is low supply, or, if OH wants to feed, or whatever.

This is something only you can decide, and probably not until baby's here.

The important thing to remember is that if you try to breast feed and can't, that's okay.

I really beat myself up for "failing to feed my baby".
Not the case.
As long as baby is fed, that's what counts, whether it's out the boob, out the fridge, or out of a tin. Xx

 

[Laura29]

Hi ladies
Hope your all ok

Boosh love the pram its beautiful love the colour

Glad to hear your ok Claire not long till v day yay

Lacey sorry to hear your still suffering but good that your signed off now till after baby is here might be able to get some good rest in between now and babies arrival
Is your oh going to be back again soon?
Sorry for your lo I nearly had to have grommets as a child always suffered with my ears
Hopefully It will clear before next test x

I am still poorly my hearing is not good at all with this ear infection it's like I'm under water and the pain when I bend over to get anything is excruciating, it's like my ear drum is going to explode
See how these drops keep go and if no improvement by Thursday I'll be back to doctors again

Can't believe I'm 25 weeks tomorrow
I still haven't brought anything
Want to but don't want to go crazy too lol

I am hoping to breast feed this one
I did with DS he took to it very well and I fed him for 10 months
But if it doesn't work this time I am with lacey as long as baby gets fed that's all that matters
If you try good for you it's not easy at all but none of having a baby is lol

Got to pop to boots tomorrow and get myself some breast pads it would appear I have started leaking only a tiny bit but it's started so best protect my clothing
Dying to get some new underwear and bras too

Anyway I'm rambling now lol
Hope your all having a good evening x

 

[Lola1]

Hey everyone! Sorry not been on for a while, had such a busy few days! Thanks for all your replies about maternity leave. It's made me feel a lot better as I've been thinking about trying to make it until 38 weeks so glad quite a few of you are aiming for around that time too and I'm not just crazy! I'm hoping to have 9 months so with annual leave will be about 10 months. I can't wait!

Congrats to those who have had V Day

Hope you're feeling better now Laura and BonzE xxx

Glad you got some answers from the hearing test for your little boy Lacey. Just shows you were totally right to trust your instincts! How are you feeling about being signed off? Lots more time to sew! Looking forward to updates on your ragdoll

I'm going to try to breastfeed so will just see what happens. I bought a medela swing from my friend who didn't end up using it much. Have heard a lot of good things about them so thought I'd grab a bargain whilst I could as like Boosh said they're expensive new. That's really good advice about taking ready made formula to the hospital and researching stuff in advance in case it doesn't work out, thanks Toni.

Love that pram Boosh! Gorgeous colour

I was 20 weeks on Sunday so now we're all officially over half way! Got our 20 week scan on Wed. Went to stay with my cousin over the weekend and she lent us lots of baby stuff which is great Loads of maternity clothes so feel like I have a whole new wardrobe all of a sudden. Feel very lucky as has saved me a fortune. And got our first sling so was trying it out with my nieces doll, haha xxx