What are you thinking of buying/bought for this pregnancy? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Emmecat]

We have most stuff but in typical Murphy's Law fashion I sold our cots (cos we never used them lol) so we will buy one of those. And we bought a lovely bassinette to keep by the bed. We co-sleep with our two daughters (musical beds most nights), but I'm an older Mum now so will be doing things slightly differently this time around. No doubt co-sleeping and EBF will still be involved 

We still have most of our cloth nappies. The only other thing we'll need are clothes if it's a boy....but we have lots of unisex stuff for the first few months anyway 

[jjh5351]

My question is how to NOT spend money! In true TTC fashion, this pregnancy occurred when we decided we were going to take a break on trying and we signed a lease on an apartment that is a liiiittle out of our budget. That combined with our insurance going up when the baby is born is freaking me out! If anyone has any suggestions on how to find a breast pump for a decent price, I would be ever grateful!

[maggiemay81]

Originally Posted by jjh5351 

My question is how to NOT spend money! In true TTC fashion, this pregnancy occurred when we decided we were going to take a break on trying and we signed a lease on an apartment that is a liiiittle out of our budget. That combined with our insurance going up when the baby is born is freaking me out! If anyone has any suggestions on how to find a breast pump for a decent price, I would be ever grateful!

My breast pump came from my sister in law. We just replaced all the membranes and shields with new ones. You can find them on kijiji. We used the Medela Swing, small and easy to travel with. And pretty powerful for a small pump. Some people might feel strongly about a second hand pump, but as none of the fluids transfer and we replaced all the "gear" other than the motor, I felt pretty secure about it. 

[jjh5351]

Ohh so you can go secondhand? I wonder if either of my cousins ever bought one... I appreciate the feedback! I also wondered if there are any on the Walgreens website because I can actually use my employee discount on there and it could make it a good deal!

[Starfish11]

Originally Posted by maggiemay81 

My breast pump came from my sister in law. We just replaced all the membranes and shields with new ones. You can find them on kijiji. We used the Medela Swing, small and easy to travel with. And pretty powerful for a small pump. Some people might feel strongly about a second hand pump, but as none of the fluids transfer and we replaced all the "gear" other than the motor, I felt pretty secure about it. 

My breast pump has made the rounds with my stepsister and a friend. I will be using it this time, too.

And most stuff can be bought used for sure! Clothes, books, bathtubs, etc. and really there is so little that you actually need for a baby but the hype around it all makes it so much fun and encourages the shopping. Do you have consignment sales around you? Those can be super helpful if you are on a budget. Most of them even allow you volunteer hours in exchange for the opportunity to shop for discounts.

Btw, I read what Jessica Simpson said--so crude and hilarious!

[jjh5351]

Consignment is a great idea it's not like we're going to be living on pennies when we have the baby but I just hate running my savings account dry! And don't get me started about the thought of daycare! I don't even know what to do about that one lol

[SparkleMaman]

Jjh You can also rent a breastpump before making the investment in your own. Many birth hospitals and Lactation Consultants offer this service. You can very definitely use one second hand, as was described above, there is no fluid transfer and you replace all pieces that actually touch you (for a really small price). I've seen them used at consignment shops and on Ebay (in fact, I sold my own Medela Pump in Style for almost what I paid for it new on Ebay). I also love garage sales. The prices there are often the best. I stalk nicer neighborhoods in more affluent suburbs and larger neighborhood sales for really gently used baby clothing and gear. I even found never used cloth diapers. I found tons for DD (as an infant and still to this day!). Around here, garage sale don't usually start until the weather breaks, mid-May. But you have lots of options. As for cramps, I had really uncomfortable cramping from 7-14 DPO this time around. It made me nervous too (and also was better with increased fluids) but seems to have been implantation settling in. I know some mamas experience this for several weeks. It's really common and very normal.

[jjh5351]

Originally Posted by SparkleMaman 

Jjh You can also rent a breastpump before making the investment in your own. Many birth hospitals and Lactation Consultants offer this service. You can very definitely use one second hand, as was described above, there is no fluid transfer and you replace all pieces that actually touch you (for a really small price). I've seen them used at consignment shops and on Ebay (in fact, I sold my own Medela Pump in Style for almost what I paid for it new on Ebay). I also love garage sales. The prices there are often the best. I stalk nicer neighborhoods in more affluent suburbs and larger neighborhood sales for really gently used baby clothing and gear. I even found never used cloth diapers. I found tons for DD (as an infant and still to this day!). Around here, garage sale don't usually start until the weather breaks, mid-May. But you have lots of options. As for cramps, I had really uncomfortable cramping from 7-14 DPO this time around. It made me nervous too (and also was better with increased fluids) but seems to have been implantation settling in. I know some mamas experience this for several weeks. It's really common and very normal.

That makes me feel MUCH better!

[andi-mama]

I haven't even begun to think about baby shopping yet! I am still wrapping my head around the fact that I'm pregnant to begin with.

I think our biggest "baby prep" expense will be carseats... we have four kids already, all of them still in 5 point carseats, so this baby and it's carseat is going to create (even more) chaos in our poor minivan. We are going to have to get two new Radians in order to fit three across in the back row, and possibly buy a new infant seat... anyone else see dollar signs flying out of my eyeballs?? *sigh*

Other than that I don't think we need much, other than some new diapers and probably cute things that we come across that we cant' pass up. This is for sure our last baby so we are trying to compile a list of the products we never had but really wanted with the last ones. But so far, we are just sticking with baby knitting :)

[Kamiro]

Originally Posted by jjh5351 


That makes me feel MUCH better!

WIC will often give you a breastpump if you are breastfeeding and need to work or go to school. I don't know if you qualify or not, but with your financial situation it may be worth a try. :)

[jjh5351]

Originally Posted by Onemoreontheway 



WIC will often give you a breastpump if you are breastfeeding and need to work or go to school. I don't know if you qualify or not, but with your financial situation it may be worth a try.

We're definitely not in any dire financial situation, I am just cheap I'm not even sure that in college I would have qualified for wic because I worked a lot. Thanks though that's definitely a good tip

[Starfish11]

Originally Posted by andi-mama 

I haven't even begun to think about baby shopping yet! I am still wrapping my head around the fact that I'm pregnant to begin with.

I think our biggest "baby prep" expense will be carseats... we have four kids already, all of them still in 5 point carseats, so this baby and it's carseat is going to create (even more) chaos in our poor minivan. We are going to have to get two new Radians in order to fit three across in the back row, and possibly buy a new infant seat... anyone else see dollar signs flying out of my eyeballs?? *sigh*

Other than that I don't think we need much, other than some new diapers and probably cute things that we come across that we cant' pass up. This is for sure our last baby so we are trying to compile a list of the products we never had but really wanted with the last ones. But so far, we are just sticking with baby knitting

Yah we totally need a carseat solution for our CrV. Our minivan can handle the Britax seats that we have but the CRV can't. Our four-year old is a teeny thing so I hope we can keep her in a five point harness. So how can I fit two of those and then the baby carrier? Hmmmm....

[mamaecho]

Originally Posted by Sleepymama 

Mamaecho, I have IGT too--what do you supplement with?  With DS I had to use formula (he was a NICU baby anyway), but I had a friend donate milk for DD and I'm going to try that route this time too if my friend is willing to pump for me.  I didn't know about the IGT until after I had so much trouble the 2nd time too.  This time I'm hoping it will be easier knowing from the beginning so I can start with the SNS immediately after birth and we won't have the 1lb in two days weight loss and then FTT like last time.  Do you also do any meds/supplements?  The only thing that works for me is dom, but it works really well.  I get almost twice as much with dom.  Still not enough, but close.  BFing is so stressful and takes so much work for me, I almost wish I didn't care and could just use formula like so many other moms (who could easily breastfeed but don't).

Hey love!

IGT is so not fun, I'm sorry to hear you have it too :( With my first two I was just told I didn't try enough, because I was induced breastfeeding didn't start right, I fell for all the booby traps, etc so by my third I did everything "right" and still had a baby losing weight, etc. I finally brought it up to an LC and she confirmed that I have breast hypoplasia. This la st time I supplemented with as much breast milk as I could, then formula for what I couldn't. BUT I've also decided this time around I'm just not going to pump, and stress over how much I'm getting. I'll use the SNS with donor milk and whatever he gets from me is gravy. My goal this time is 6 months. I made it to five with Max, but I also had medical issues (kidney stones) and high amounts of pain meds so I had to stop for weeks at a time. It was a mess lol. Hopefully this time goes more smoothly :)

I took Goat's Rue, fenugreek, more milk plus, plus all the normal oatmeal, milk tea, etc. This time I may not bother. Again, with four kids I just don't know if I can spend SO much time obsessed with how much or little I make, ya know? I've also heard GREAT things about Dairy Maid, so I might try that. I've considered Dom, but we just never took the leap. 

[mamaecho]

WIC is actually a pretty 'high' income kind of thing.. I mean, it's limitations are reasonable.. you don't have to be completely broke to qualify :) 

[Sleepymama]

Originally Posted by mamaecho 

Hey love!

IGT is so not fun, I'm sorry to hear you have it too :( With my first two I was just told I didn't try enough, because I was induced breastfeeding didn't start right, I fell for all the booby traps, etc so by my third I did everything "right" and still had a baby losing weight, etc. I finally brought it up to an LC and she confirmed that I have breast hypoplasia. This la st time I supplemented with as much breast milk as I could, then formula for what I couldn't. BUT I've also decided this time around I'm just not going to pump, and stress over how much I'm getting. I'll use the SNS with donor milk and whatever he gets from me is gravy. My goal this time is 6 months. I made it to five with Max, but I also had medical issues (kidney stones) and high amounts of pain meds so I had to stop for weeks at a time. It was a mess lol. Hopefully this time goes more smoothly :)

I took Goat's Rue, fenugreek, more milk plus, plus all the normal oatmeal, milk tea, etc. This time I may not bother. Again, with four kids I just don't know if I can spend SO much time obsessed with how much or little I make, ya know? I've also heard GREAT things about Dairy Maid, so I might try that. I've considered Dom, but we just never took the leap. 

Yep, with #1 we had so many issues due to his hospitalizations/surgeries/heart/feeding issues that I thought it would be no problem with #2.  She was born at home, perfectly healthy, no meds, no separation, and I still did not have milk for 7 days and then an ounce at a time after that.  My MW was stumped.  My breasts don't look hypo because there's a lot of uh, padding, just not a lot of glands under there.  Esp. the right one.  We think there is something hormonal going on as well.  Both my kids "nursed" until they were 3-4, but dry after 1 year.  With both of them it was a sensory thing--DS has autism in addition to the heart defect and BFing was his "reset" button, the only thing that calmed him down for a long time, and DD is just a clingy mama's girl.  She was almost 4 when I cut her off at night.   I am way too old and tired to do that again, so whenever the milk is gone, this baby is done.  I do feel less obsessive and depressed about it this time--maybe the 8 years off will make me feel less like a failed mammal.  It is what it is.  

Starfish, I have an old CRV too!  I have a 7 year old in a booster and a 10 year old in the regular seat, and I'm wondering if he'll be old enough to go into the front seat.  There is no way he will be able to handle cramming in next to an infant seat in the middle (due to his autism-related sensory/car issues).  Please tell me 11 is not too young for the front?  He's big for his age.  We just sold our minivan a couple years ago because we needed 4 wheel drive when we moved to Vermont.  And I am not buying another one!  I also don't want a giant SUV either, which is the only 4 wheel drive option w/ 2 rows in the back I think.  Cannot afford that or gas for that for sure.

[Starfish11]

Originally Posted by mamaecho 

Hey love!

IGT is so not fun, I'm sorry to hear you have it too With my first two I was just told I didn't try enough, because I was induced breastfeeding didn't start right, I fell for all the booby traps, etc so by my third I did everything "right" and still had a baby losing weight, etc. I finally brought it up to an LC and she confirmed that I have breast hypoplasia. This la st time I supplemented with as much breast milk as I could, then formula for what I couldn't. BUT I've also decided this time around I'm just not going to pump, and stress over how much I'm getting. I'll use the SNS with donor milk and whatever he gets from me is gravy. My goal this time is 6 months. I made it to five with Max, but I also had medical issues (kidney stones) and high amounts of pain meds so I had to stop for weeks at a time. It was a mess lol. Hopefully this time goes more smoothly

I took Goat's Rue, fenugreek, more milk plus, plus all the normal oatmeal, milk tea, etc. This time I may not bother. Again, with four kids I just don't know if I can spend SO much time obsessed with how much or little I make, ya know? I've also heard GREAT things about Dairy Maid, so I might try that. I've considered Dom, but we just never took the leap. 

What does IGT mean? Low supply? Because you two are describing my bf experience with my little ones. So frustrating! I did acupuncture and lots of herbal stuff and still had depressingly low supply. Pumping for 20 min often yielded little more than an ounce.

Definitely had to supplement at 6 months. I felt so lousy. Did you ever try medicine? I'm considering it. It's lousy to have to forgive yourself for this

[Sleepymama]

Insufficient Glandular Tissue.  It's one cause of low milk supply--the breasts do not have enough glands to support milk production.  Also called hypoplastic breasts.  If you google you'll probably get a lot of info.  It's really underdiagnosed in my opinion!

As mamaecho said there are a lot of herbal/natural supplements.  I took domperidone, which is a reflux medication not FDA approved but is OTC in the rest of the world, and I ordered from a pharmacy in New Zealand.  Dr. Jack Newman has a protocol for using it.  A lot of moms aren't comfortable using it, which I totally understand, but it doubled my milk production  (from 1oz to 2 per pumping session, still not enough).  You have to take a ridiculous quantity of it though, and it's not cheap.  Cheaper than formula, but still an added cost.

[Starfish11]

Thanks!

[jjh5351]

Originally Posted by mamaecho 

WIC is actually a pretty 'high' income kind of thing.. I mean, it's limitations are reasonable.. you don't have to be completely broke to qualify  

I researched it for a class not too long ago and were pretty far from the limits. Thanks though

[ultrafighter]

Originally Posted by andi-mama 

I haven't even begun to think about baby shopping yet! I am still wrapping my head around the fact that I'm pregnant to begin with.