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Originally posted by ferijen:
Re: receiving baby clothes before the birth - is that the 'done' thing? My Mum always brought me up believing that baby clothes (of the older age ranges) were great presents, but only after Mum & baby were safe after birth. But I think I realised at work today that this isn't necessarily a normal attitude to have (though it has, unfortunately, served me well in a couple of cases )

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Thanks be to God! I am pleased to announce the birth of Robert Lawrence at 9:20 today. Parents and child are doing very well.

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Hooray congrats on the new squeaker

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Jesus - nice bloke, bit religious

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Originally posted by Jane R:
If you buy clothes for the baby, you might want to consider getting a larger size; most people buy the newborn size or 0-3 months, failing to realise that the baby will continue to exist and require clothes after this period.

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Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
In other words, if you really want to play it safe, pick something that can be worn whatever the weather. Like socks....

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Originally posted by ferijen:
I love buying baby clothes anyway!

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Originally posted by babybear:
... make sure that the baby's feet had plenty of wiggle room. Some people cut the feet off the baby grows so their baby could not have sqwished feet.

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I had to read this again to make sure I wasn't reading what I thought I was reading... but no-one's cutting their baby's feet off, so that's OK.

I have a number of friends who are expecting in the next few months, and I was just beginning to think about what to get for them - excellent timing!

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I'm the fool I never, fool I never thought I was.

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Now 12 years later the studies are still inconclusive. Some research suggesting a slight increase and others no increase in childhood cancer. I also think it is important as the disease they are trying to prevent is very dangerous making a child bleed to death. NOT here trying to give or get medical advice just want other peoples thoughts. Bronwyn

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Bottle-fed babies don't get the Vitamin K injection in the UK; formula milk is fortified with it, so the injection is not considered necessary Jane R

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Actually, that’s not true at all! Artificially-fed babies do get Vit K, because it might be an incentive not to breast-feed! It’s standard practice in the UK for all neonates to have Vit K. Anyone having had an instrumental delivery or pre-term definitely needs it. However, it is very questionable whether all babies need it. How can the Paeds know which babies are at risk though?

For a different slant on the matter (interesting article on physiology and nature, and maybe there’s a reason that babies have low Vit K stores.. read Sarah Wickham. here for an alternative perspective

Orakay is the oral vit K in the UK, and is unlicensed. The problem with it, is that it has to be given several times, over several weeks, and there’s the issue with absorption should it be vomited out! Some women are worried about the thought of giving their new baby an injection. Well, you can always breastfeed them at the time, which will give immediate comfort. And obviously, they’ll be having the first vaccs at 2 months’ anyway.

On matresses

Um, well. Glad you got a bargain, excellent value for the cot. You might just like to check this out though (obviously, I can't see the mattress and am just offering you the information.)
Reusing mattress (Scottish study)

here's the BMJ links..

hope this helps a bit

with love to all m x

[ 08. March 2006, 18:17: Message edited by: Michèle ]

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Originally posted by Michèle:
Um, well. Glad you got a bargain, excellent value for the cot. You might just like to check this out though (obviously, I can't see the mattress and am just offering you the information.)

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Actually, that’s not true at all! Artificially-fed babies do get Vit K, because it might be an incentive not to breast-feed! It’s standard practice in the UK for all neonates to have Vit K. Anyone having had an instrumental delivery or pre-term definitely needs it. However, it is very questionable whether all babies need it. How can the Paeds know which babies are at risk though?

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Originally posted by Flausa:

Again, as I've alluded to several times on the thread, I really don't appreciate unsolicited advice that treats me as if I don't understand the choices that I'm making.

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Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
The most useful thing anyone got me was a huge stack of plain, thick washcloths. We used them for spit rags, we used them for spills, we used them for bibs, we used them (surprise) for washcloths.

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Originally posted by Bronwyn:
(would I really need 50?

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Originally posted by Jane R:
Michele said:

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Actually, that’s not true at all! Artificially-fed babies do get Vit K, because it might be an incentive not to breast-feed! It’s standard practice in the UK for all neonates to have Vit K. Anyone having had an instrumental delivery or pre-term definitely needs it. However, it is very questionable whether all babies need it. How can the Paeds know which babies are at risk though?

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Well, I must have been imagining it when the health visitor said 'your baby doesn't need the vitamin K booster because she's getting half formula milk', then.

Jane R

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Originally posted by Bronwyn:

Also intend to buy a different set for bottom wipes to wash with the nappies. Just thought we have a few old towels...might cut them up into a suitable size and use them...blanket stich around the othside...or just buy some material...

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Originally posted by Annie P:
We accumilated some terry toweling nappies, which are used for wiping up sick, putting Matthew on when changing him on changing mat and when we're out and about.

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I wanted to use the shaped nappies for my children, but my Mam bought two packs of terry nappy squares.

I tried really hard to use them, and found them too difficult to use. I knew I had to wash them before use, but no one thought to mention that if I washed them about 10 times it would be so much easier to get nappy pins through the fabric. I also couldn't get the nappy to have a close enough fit for it to catch what it was meant to catch.

We started using the nappies for moping up sick etc. Then when the children were older I needed some hand towels for the kitchen. I dyed one pack navy, and the other bottle green, and those squares of terry have been hand towels since then. So far no one has guess what their former live was meant to be.

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Did your baby have oral Vit K at birth? If so, 3 doses are usually given (birth, then boosters at one week and six weeks) if the baby is exclusively breastfed.

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Originally posted by Jane R:
Jack the Lass said:

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Did your baby have oral Vit K at birth? If so, 3 doses are usually given (birth, then boosters at one week and six weeks) if the baby is exclusively breastfed.

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No, she was being breastfed exclusively then. She had the injection. By 6 weeks she was on half-and-half combination feeding and the health visitor said she didn't need the booster.

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Interesting - my understanding was that if she'd had the injection she wouldn't need a booster full-stop, nothing to do with the feeding method, as the initial dose was all that was required - I'm surprised that feeding was mentioned as a reason. It's really interesting to see that even within the UK there are so many different variations in practice with Vit K - I'd never heard of the one-a-week-for-six-weeks either, I guess it's down to each individual hospital/community trust which they recommend.

I'm trying really hard to not jump in on this thread - sometimes professional knowledge is a hindrance rather than a help, and I don't want to come across as patronising or knowing-it-all (note to all: I am not the fount of all knowledge. You heard it here first ). I found it quite a hard line to tread, but basically tried to see part of my job as a health visitor as helping families steer a course between the various, often conflicting, advice that they would receive from all quarters. You'll already have found that everybody and his wife has an opinion on pregnancy, birth and child-rearing, but at the end of the day you have to make the decision you feel is best for you and your child.

Re: different coloured wipes for each end - I still do that for me, and I'm 36

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"My body is a temple - it's big and doesn't move." (Jo Brand)
wiblog blipfoto blog

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Originally posted by Bronwyn:
Now looking for non plastic outside coverings at a reasonable price(wool or fleece or other not sure which, haven't seen them in the shop much or at all.

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I saw these earlier today in a UK on-line store, and was trying to find some in Australia when I came across a rather 'interesting' product,
Belly casting kit. "A pregnancy belly cast is a plaster cast made of an expecting mom's beautiful pregnant form."

Baby BeeHinds has a range of wraps and nappy covers. I know someone who has a pattern for a knitted nappy cover. If you are interested let me know.

{Edited to fix codes.}

[ 10. March 2006, 11:40: Message edited by: Grits ]

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Originally posted by Bronwyn:
I want to use the squares and have 10 terry toweling ones currently. <snip>
Now looking for non plastic outside coverings at a reasonable price(wool or fleece or other not sure which, haven't seen them in the shop much or at all. <snip>

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I used folded cloth (terry and flanalette) squares (back in the dark ages they didn't make all the cute alternatives that are around today ). As outer coverings I did have some proper flannel pilchers, but actually found that after the first couple of months I wanted something a bit 'snugger'. I discovered that some of the pants sold as training pants for toddlers, made of furry acrylic stuff or terry towelling, worked very well. They did one tour of duty as over-nappy pants, then came back for another tour of duty a couple of years later as training pants. Cheap, and effective.

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Eschew obfuscation!

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Originally posted by Grits:
Fabulous, Flausa. I just love a good deal, and I have fond memories of taking that secondhand crib and making it mine.

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I grabbed a stecoscpe from work and heard baby the other day when I was worried (not a heartbeat but movement). Guess I can do that when ever I want.

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Bronwyn, since you posted this, I've had this mental picture of you at work. All the doctors, nurses, and patients are running around in panic and frenzy, but you are the epitome of serenity as you stroll down the halls smiling contentedly listening to your little one through your stethoscope.

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Originally posted by Rat:
I've to go back next week so the midwife can have another check and see if it has turned itself right way up. If not, I'll have to go for a scan and then they'll try to turn it.

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Originally posted by babybear:

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Originally posted by Rat:
I've to go back next week so the midwife can have another check and see if it has turned itself right way up. If not, I'll have to go for a scan and then they'll try to turn it.

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Anyone know when this sort of procedure is done these days?

When I was last pregnant (9 years ago) they didn't do turning until a week or two before the due date. Their reasoning was that most babies turned quite naturally by week 37.

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It doesn't sound like they've changed. Next week will be week 37. If the midwife decides a scan, etc, is necessary it'll need a hospital appointment, so I assume that'll take a few days to arrange - so we'll be into week 38 before they try the turning, quite likely.

So the timescales sound much the same.

At the moment I've been advised to spend lots of time on my hands and knees, or kneeling with my bottom higher than my head! Apparently this encourages the baby to orient itself properly and also discourages it from engaging its bottom where its head should be. If the bottom has already engaged it won't be possible to turn it.

All very dignified

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It's a matter of food and available blood. If motherhood is sacred, put your money where your mouth is. Only then can you expect the coming down to the wrecked & shimmering earth of that miracle you sing about. [Margaret Atwood]