MSE Pregnancy Club 28

ThinkPink

I will have to see if anyone can recommend a bf group, most people I know who have had babies recently have either bottle fed or those who has breastfed aren't in my city. I would be a bit reluctant to go to one that hasn't been recommended because unfortunately some of the group's do have people who pressure you to continue when it isn't always the best thing and that's the last thing I need, I would need to find a group that are supportive but not pushy!!

I think in my mind I'm leaning towards bottle feeding but will try breast feeding when he is here and will see how I feel about it and how we get on, if it works, all is good, if it doesn't then I won't feel so bad because at least I tried and trying was just a bonus!! Crazycatlady- I'm the same, I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public, so if it does out I will be ordering a pump to express. I have a feeling that oh is going to be either rushing out or doing an express order online when baby is here as i'll know then whether we need a breast pump or formula and a perfect prep machine!!!

It's so difficult, especially as a first time mum to know exactly what is best, you think you should follow what the midwife suggests but sometimes that isn't always what is best, but if you do your own research it's hard to know what is true, what has been exaggerated, whether things are really as common as suggested etc. it's just a bit of a minefield out there!!

flutterbyuk25

ThinkPink wrote: »

I will have to see if anyone can recommend a bf group, most people I know who have had babies recently have either bottle fed or those who has breastfed aren't in my city. I would be a bit reluctant to go to one that hasn't been recommended because unfortunately some of the group's do have people who pressure you to continue when it isn't always the best thing and that's the last thing I need, I would need to find a group that are supportive but not pushy!!

Same position here really, all of my friends who've had kids have bottle fed. My SIL did BF my nephew and I've asked her a few things but she lives far away so not easy to get help from. A helpful work colleague who did BF recently told me to try and go to the BF groups BEFORE you have the baby, so you can suss them out and feel comfortable before you go when feeling vulnerable with a newborn. This was my intention, but I've not been able to make my local one yet due to not having my car last 2 wks, hoping I can go this week on Tues but that's my due date so we'll see :rotfl:. I'm aiming to go to one which is run by midwives and student midwives as I've been told it's informal and friendly.

Knackered already today, been to shops and then it was OH's daughter's birthday party at a local trampoline venue. She enjoyed, all kids were knackered at the end. The staff actually asked if I would be bouncing... :rotfl: (may have prompted baby to come though!).

ThinkPink

That's actually a good suggestion flutter, thank you for that. That would allow me to see what they are like before I feel like a tired, hormonal vulnerable mess!! Haha. I'll have to find out what groups there are locally.

Had to buy some new sandals today , because whilst mine still fit they have two ankles straps so aren't very easy to do up but it was really difficult to find some that were wide enough!! In the end I went for a standard for pair from Clark's, but they have adjustable strapsso should be ok. I was losing the will to live by the end though as there was hardly anything in a wide fit that didn't look like something my Nan would wear.

Nursery is getting there now, will be so glad when it's all done and the rest of the house can get back to normal (well as they normal as they will be with a baby!!!) Think we may go Ikea on Monday to get the wardrobe for the nursery.

flutterbyuk25

I've pretty much given up on shoes now at 39+4! Bare feet in house and have one pair of flip flops I'll wear if I go out. I do have dolly shoes or slip on trainers but it's too much effort to bend down and fit my feet in them now! Luckily I haven't suffered from swollen feet, it's just hard to bend over these days.

ThinkPink

Mine are swollen plus bump gets in the way. They are worse on days when it's really hot and I have to do any walking. I have another two weeks at work so need shoes to fit for at least another two weeks that will continue to fit if it remains this hot.

crazy-cat-lady_2

Sketchers tend to be pretty good. Go walk are slip on, comfy and I can walk for ages in them.
Toms are pretty good too. A little tighter, so no good if you do have swollen feet, but good and comfy besides.
They're both what I lived in til I finished work and if I nip out anywhere now. But around the house I tend to wear slippers or go barefoot.

flutterbyuk25

I had a good night's sleep and woke up full of energy today. Me and OH had a nice lazy morning then I met friends for brunch whilst he played on ps4 in the man cave. When I got home I finished off the cushion for the nursing chair and we put it up in the nursery. For anyone who wants a peek the link is here:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll47/flutterbyuk25/Mobile%20Uploads/PhotoGrid_1469370074834.jpg

I used the same material as the ottoman that I recovered. Cushions are removable in case of accidents! It's such a comfy chair. It retails at £160 but I got it second hand for £30, barely used, and spent £25 on material and bits needed to make the cushions.

ThinkPink

Oh it looks fab flutter.

I've had a fairly lazy day, did the food shop but that's about it. I find that even just doing the food shop takes it out of me now.

I took my wedding ring and engagement ring off weeks ago but was then wearing an old ring I have, but it was getting too tight and I realised yesterday I couldn't get it off!! Managed to get it off using elastic and following a you tube clip!!

moneypenny21

Just a bit late to the breastfeeding discussion but I BF first child with "no problems" other than the usual extreme pain barriers to get through in the first couple of weeks. Never really got the hang of expressing last time.

Expected the same this time but little one had a tongue tie which took 3 weeks to get sorted. By day 4 when my milk was coming in, I was engorged and in absolute agony from cracked nipples. Was ready to give up and go to formula (which I do not think is the devil by the way! I mixed fed from 8 weeks last time and will do again this time) but remembered I was extra hormonal from the milk, in lots and lots of pain and knew it got easier last time after the first few days so decided to express to save some pain and feed at night (rather than faff with bottles in the night, I'm just lazy) - nipple shields allowed me to carry on feeding. I'm an absolute pro at expressing now, have the medela swing double which saves time rather than a single and though it does take time to sit and express, lots of sterilising faff etc it has allowed me to continue giving breastmilk in some form. There are literally hundreds of products out there that I didn't even know existed, things like breast shells which allow you to collect milk that you leak out rather than soaking pads, collect it and bottle it! Products to pull nipples out if you have inverted nipples! Amazing! I think going to a BF group before giving birth is a great idea, wish I had done that this time round!

Any questions about expressing, please do let me know I wish I had done more of it last time. I think if you can get through the day the milk comes in, it generally gets better from there on.

Good luck everyone waiting on babies, hope you aren't suffering too much in the heat! X

ThinkPink

Oh thank you for sharing your experiences. I remember one of my friends had problems after a few days and started to use shields, I think they said they shouldn't be used all the time but she found it much easier and it allowed her to continue to breast feed.

I got a few bits for my hospital bag. I must find a list of what I need to pack, but will also ask my midwife on Friday as I know different hospitals have different rules about what you can and can't have (or from what I've read there are anyway!!)