MSE Pregnancy Club 25

sexymouse

AMC I was originally not planning on buying a changing table (was going to use our changing mat on the floor or on the double bed in the baby's room), but we needed furniture for the baby's room anyway to match the white cot, so we were going to get some chests of drawers. Then I saw you could get changing units with drawers, and thought that this would be a good idea as it can still be used as a dresser after the baby is out of nappies, and it seems to be fairly solidly constructed. When my Mum had me, she just had the changing mat on top of a chest of drawers that she had already or used the floor. We had looked at getting just chests of drawers, but the ones we wanted would take too long to be delivered (ie after the baby was here). We are going to use the money we were given as wedding presents last year as we've still not spent it and had intended to use it for furniture anyway.

RE kicking, try not to worry if your baby is less active at one time of the day or other - they do sleep for 14 hours per day apparently. You should only worry if it's movement decrease from what is normal for your baby. Bean is definitely a lot more active in the evening and through the night than in the mornings.

sexymouse

LMM it could be a virus - they tend to affect you worse in the afternoons and evenings as your immune system decreases throughout the day. I know that when I get a temperature, it affects me worse at night. Try to keep your fluids up and listen to your body if you're tired. If you're going to have a nap, try to just limit yourself to an hour so you can still sleep at night. Also, take a couple of paracetamol to bring down your temperature as it's not good for the baby when you overheat. It may be worth contacting your midwife if you are still worried.

savageHK

Changing tables/etc - surely it's more difficult to change baby if you have drawers than if you have open shelves? Admittedly, this is from me who's never changed a nappy in her life, but I'm imagining wanting the baby on top (bum towards me); and the nappies / wipes / replacement clothes / other changing goodies all within easy reach while (possibly) still having to have one hand on baby to keep him/her secure (I have just been reading lots of people saying 'never leave the baby unattended on top of the changing table for even an instant').

savageHK

LMM - not sure, not happened to me, but perhaps you're just gradually overheating during the day? Getting enough water?

Sa-ra-ra-ra

Some advice I had about changing units from people who have kids, is NOT to go for the ones which are completely open underneath. They are easier to begin with, but when your baby is mobile but too young to reason with, their favourite game will be to SPRINT to the changing unit and throw everything off it whilst giggling gleefully while you try and catch them.

For this reason we'll be using a chest of drawers with a changing mat on top of it

KatyLiz

rjh - My midwife told me last week I only need to watch for 10 separate movements a day (ie not 10 quick kicks in a row, but separate times). I wouldn't panic, just keep an eye on things and get checked out if you get really worried.

sexymouse

I agree with having the wipes etc to hand savage, but we're not intending on using the drawers underneath purely for baby changing things - we're going to order some more chests of drawers from ikea too, and will probably put the main essentials on top of them before changing Bean, and have these next to the changing table. The hanworth table has a drawer section that doesn't have a drawer in it on the left-hand-side that may be big enough to put the wipes and bags etc - will have to see when we get it. The little cupboard with the hanging rail can hold his little vests etc on hangers too and when he's out of nappies, we can remove the hanging rail so it can be a toy cupboard.

KatyLiz

Re - changing tables. Personally I have found them an expensive waste of time. They can look nice though! It is so much easier just to throw a mat on the floor, then you can have your nappies/wipes etc on the floor next to you, and no worries about dropping things or making sure baby doesn't fall. I remember really wanting one as a first time mum, but I only ever used it twice before using the floor instead and selling it on ebay.

LMM - hope you feel better soon. Perhaps it is a virus, but if you keep feeling rough it might be worth phoning the midwife or doctor. I get like that when I haven't had enough sugary foods, but if you know you have eaten I guess it can't be that.

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Thanks SM and savage it's just strange as it's these couple of hours each day then I'm ok the rest of the day. I drink loads of squash like 6-8 pints a day so it's not that. Will take some paracetamol, I think. Took some around 1pm so was a bit soon to take it when I did the temp earlier. I'm rarely feeling cold these days and people keep telling me my house is cold.
Will keep an eye on it, thank you ladies xx

silly_moo

re changing tables - we only bought the type you put on top of the cot. Not sure if I'd like to change the baby on the floor or bed as heard this may make your back ache. I don't think the ones with shelves only are very practical as you need to use baskets or keep them super tidy which would never work for me plus they take up a lot of space. The ones with drawers are better IMO but we already had an old chest of drawers that we put in the nursery so had no need for another.

re movements - my MW also says I should feel the baby active at least 10 times a day