MSE Pregnancy Club 25

ikkle87

We aren't bothering with the birth announcement cards, family etc will get a phone call. We are however sending christmas cards with bubs photo on to OH's family down south. x

KatyLiz

We won't be doing the birth announcement cards either. As soon as my mum knows about it everyone will know about it!

LittleMoog

Moneypuddle, one of my cousins used these cards, and popped a photo of their little one in with it too - may work out cheaper as can just order x number of prints of the photo you choose from snapfish or similar, which are normally only pennies each. I wasn't expecting to get anything from them, as we're on FB etc but not that close, but it was a lovely thing to get.

snowbean

Yeah, I like the idea of sending something, it just hadn't crossed my mind at all until my mum mentioned it. I like those that you linked to Moneypuddle. You could also try vistaprint, they often have some good deals. We've used them a couple of times and have been pleased with the results.

KatyLiz

Probably a really strange question, but are you all washing soft toys before giving them to baby? I was thinking they must have the same chance of germs as clothes do and we all wash the clothes, so logically I probably should. But I really can't remember bothering to for my kids.

ikkle87

I've washed quite a few cos they came from my mums etc but the brand new ones I haven't but they came in sealed bags anyway. Plus things like Ewan the sheep you can't wash cos they have the electronics in them x

snowbean

I would wash stuffed toys if they were second hand, but if new then I wouldn't bother. With clothes I thought the washing was more because of chemicals than germs anyway (with new stuff), although obviously second hand stuff I'd give a wash for cleanliness reasons.

KatyLiz

Thanks ladies, I just wasn't sure. I haven't got any second hand soft toys, and I was going to wash the little comforters, but I couldn't make my mind up on bigger toys. I won't be being too awful then if I don't bother, which is good as it equals less washing for me

martafdz

After some research... I have decided to buy Milton tablets for sterilizing. Not only they are cheap, but I was thinking that I could put not only the bottles but also plastic toys, dummies, etc. I have a big jar with lid that I do not use, and I could use it for that.

The solution lasts for 24h and it takes only 15min to sterilize anything. It is safe and there is no need to rinse after use, just put everything in, and take out as needed within the 24h period, even put back after use if solution is still ok. I have seen Tesco has packs of 28 at £1.25, and now they are also on offer 3 x 2. Therefore, I could get almost three months supply for £2.50. Boots has its own brand at £1.45 for 64 tablets. I think it is also easy to take with me if I go on holiday or to visit someone. It is just a pack of tablets that you can chuck into any container with water, although I think I might need 5l of water per tablet. I am reading the instructions, and it says: 1) wash items with soapy water, 2) rinse, 3) put into solution, 4) after 15min you can use anything that was inside, or just leave it there for up to 24h until next use.

Has anyone used this? What do you think? I am mainly thinking that once I do not have a need for bottles, I can still use it for all the baby cutlery and little dishes, and any 5l container that I might use can be stored away or thrown away. The "official" Milton container is about £15, but anything could be used, I guess. The tablets are about £10-£15 a year without offers. Idk... has anyone got experience with this? It seems to me that the fact it can be left 24h in the solution could be good, plus I can put many other things in the container. Any experiences with sterilizers, and specially cold water sterilizers?

bikelesschick

MMM - I hope all is ok/went ok today for you
As for washing toys, I did! I thought the same as you KatyLiz, that if we're washing clothes, then comforters etc should be washed as well so I chucked them with the clothes in the washing machine.
Marta - I haven't used milton before but I'm planning to use half a tablet in a washing up bowl to sterilise things as I'll be bf mainly.

I haven't been feeling great today, had some mild food poisoning last night which resulted in me waking up in the middle of the night a few times. I've been knackered today and still had to do quite a few things so now I have a backache as well oh, and I'm now officially part of the heartburn club (thank you to whoever mentioned previously that we could get a prescription for gaviscon!). Sorry I'm not very upbeat today/positive today...