January 2017 mummies! **2nd Trimester.**

[Laura1992]

Be a bit careful with bamboo. My mum used to do some freelance editing and she once had to edit a book on bamboo (apparently the most boring thing she's ever read) but she was alarmed at the amount of chemicals that are used to treat it, and said she's never buying bamboo cooking utensils again.

 

[KateK]

One of the reasons I didn't go back to work full time.. I was so, so lucky as my Mum had her for 2 days then I only needed a childminder for one who was lovely and so reasonable.. If I hadn't had my Mum I wouldn't have bothered going back at all. I now work from home which is perfect for childcare but so hard from other perspectives.. Not easy for us Mums is it..

Yes Lisa they are second on my list! As you say though they are much more expensive and boy are we going to get through them..

 

[Laura1992]

I've just seen there is a good nursery around the corner from my parent's house, so I am tempted to put them in there for half days from age 1 and then I think my mum will be willing to look after them the other half of the day. So that makes it a lot more affordable if my mum is up for it! At least it might give me the option of going back full time if I need/want to.

Maybe I'm trying to be too organised though.. I haven't even bought the pushchair yet and I'm already thinking about nursery

 

[FBTTN8079]

Oh Laura it's so expensive isn't it!
I'm lucky as I work part time agency so the flexibility is there & I'll be able to do early or late shifts what works & my mum & MIL have both said they will have them a day each in the week but my friend has had nursery for both hers & I just can't believe how much some of them were trying to charge ! X

 

[Holdingthumbs]

Ladies, reading all your conversations today has made me feel a bit sad that I'm lagging behind - boobs the same, no bump (my tummy's actually getting smaller if anything), I haven't bought a single thing and my exhaustion seems to be getting worse not better. So I've spent the last hour making a list of everything we'll need to think about getting for baby in my notebook - and its five pages long. Eeek!

For everyone on their second babies, are there any things you had that were definite must haves? And likewise, anything you bought and really didn't need? I think DH is going to be a bit alarmed by my list!!

 

[KateK]

You can never be too organised - much better than sticking your head in the sand because these things will creep up on us!

Oh no holding thumbs! You're just one of the blessed ones

Things I wish I hadn't bought were an electric breast pump (got on better with a manual and it was so expensive, but of course this is going to be a very personal thing..), one of those big plastic baby baths (she hated it and was much happier just in a shallow big bath) and so many outfits. This time the baby is living in baby grows for the first few months. In general i've learned not to buy the biggest and best of everything.. It's hard not to want to buy everything. Something I swear by when they're tiny is swaddling and you can buy wraps with velcro to make it easier to do in the middle of the night!

 

[KateK]

Oh and changing table! Just used one of the foam mats in the living room most of the time..

 

[Laura1992]

Ladies, reading all your conversations today has made me feel a bit sad that I'm lagging behind - boobs the same, no bump (my tummy's actually getting smaller if anything), I haven't bought a single thing and my exhaustion seems to be getting worse not better. So I've spent the last hour making a list of everything we'll need to think about getting for baby in my notebook - and its five pages long. Eeek!

For everyone on their second babies, are there any things you had that were definite must haves? And likewise, anything you bought and really didn't need? I think DH is going to be a bit alarmed by my list!!

Don't feel bad, I haven't bought anything yet either and I don't intend to for some weeks! Lots of twin pregnancies on here too, so that will be contributing to a lot of bumps and boobs emerging early as well.

I'm on first baby(ies), but I've looked after quite a few babies, so I have a rough idea of what I personally think is worth getting. I will just be buying what I think is absolutely necessary - cots, pushchair, sleep suits and sleeping bags, baby bathtub as we don't have a bath, some bottles for expressing and a pump (hoping to BF), nappies/change mat and sanitary items, aaand a few second-hand bouncers around the house where I can plonk them down in different rooms if I'm doing something. As they get older I'll get high chairs and other clothes and whatever else.

I expect I'll end up getting carried away and buying a few more bits, but I'm trying to be tight so we can afford a house next year as well!

Personally not keen on changing tables or mini-nursery furniture (might as well buy full size for long term). I prefer floor changing with just a mat, as once they reach a certain age they roll around and it's worrying having them on a table. Mats can also be placed under sofas or furniture in a few rooms, so you don't have to take them to wherever you keep a table every time.

Sorry for the essay!

 

[Blueflower]

That's really helpful!

 

[BlondeP]

I think we are lucky as my mum is a housewife so has said she will have baby for us when I work (I only work part time) so I haven't thought about nursery tbh! I do know that the ones around us are hella pricey though

Don't fret Thumbs. Everyone grows etc at different rates l, there is no right or wrong! Feel blessed you can still fit into your favourite jeans without having to add an elastic band ��

I'm super organised as you will all probably have realised, but realised I've got to start getting some bigger clothes as I only really have newborn stuff currently. I'm quite scared of getting to near my due date and feeling unprepared

xxxxxx

 

[Holdingthumbs]

Thanks so much all, and don't apologise Laura! That's really helpful to know! I'm hoping to take whatever I can second hand from my SIL, so maybe I'll go through her things first then work out what else I really need. Just good to be thinking about saving up for some bits and pieces.

Sorry for being a grump. I think I'm just finding this in-betweeny stage a bit difficult.

 

[Holdingthumbs]

Will try and be more patient!

 

[Sprout]

Personally I find the only things babies need are a wrap/carrier, clothes, blankets, nappies, wipes and car seat. A good thermometer is handy too. Ooh and a white noise app was completely invaluable first time round! Bear in mind that you can always buy things once baby is here

Can I ask what everyone else's movement is like? I feel like this baby is so lazy compared to my first! I keep worrying he's not moving enough, but then I think I'm probably just remembering later pregnancy and expecting too much movement this early... He gives me a couple of kicks 2-3 times a day.

 

[BlondeP]

I get a few flutter things a day... That's about it but I'm a bit earlier than you sprout xxx

 

[FBTTN8079]

My friend said this evening what I'm feeling is the same as what she had. Mine feel like when you've exercised & your thigh twitches, I get them randomly between belly button & pelvic bone and low left side but not regular yet & just now and again

 

[FBTTN8079]

My friend was telling me last night there's this thing called mum2mum market (they have a website & are on Facebook) and its second hand/nearly new stalls all over at different dates & if your looking for some cheaper bits, clothes, toys, buggies etc apparently they are really good! X

 

[Laura1992]

Thanks for the tip!

Holy craperoli, I've just bought this pear and ginger jam because I thought it sounded unusual, and it's like the best thing EVER. Gestational diabetes here I come...

 

[Holdingthumbs]

Thanks FBTTN, that's really helpful!

 

[KateK]

I've read in multiple places not to worry about tracking movements until 24 weeks Sprout as baby still has quite a bit of room so we can't feel every movement, which makes sense I suppose.. I am still not convinced i've felt baby, I do think i've had flutters but I want to feel something and be sure! I heard heartbeat on Tuesday so that's tided me over for a bit anxiety-wise.. Xx

 

[Blueflower]

My flutters have been really faint and I just thought they were tickles that I've felt elsewhere! But people have convinced me that it must be the babies! The sonographer was surprised I didn't feel definite movements as they were so active. I expect they will get stronger in the next few weeks.