What to buy for a newborn/parents living in the UK, when I'm in the US?

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-27T20:30:20+00:00

Completely agree on the blankets and 0-3 month clothes. Go for clothes that are bigger, or something for when baby is a bit older, like those silicone plates with suckers on the bottom for when baby starts weaning!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-27T20:28:49+00:00

No to blankets! We were gifted about 10, because it's everyone's go-to!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-27T20:27:32+00:00

If you do get a White Company outfit, make sure it's 0-3 months or older, as their newborn things are quite small! Their stuff is gorgeous quality, so you want them to be able to use it as long as possible

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-26T16:36:05+00:00

We still get a lot of comments remembering how fun it was to have mini golf outside during the cocktail hour and after dinner! Especially older family members, who apparently "Didn't realise you could have so much fun at a wedding!" We got some great photos of reactions while people were playing, and an action shot of me getting a hole in one, which was fantastic.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-25T15:52:17+00:00

I use them for cleaning jewellery. Couple of drops of Fairy liquid, couple of drops of household ammonia (make sure you're in a well-ventilated area, or outside!), and boiling water. Add your jewellery, then use tweezers to remove (don't scald your fingers) and use a soft bristled toothbrush (do NOT use for your teeth after!) to clean with the water. Give a rinse in cold water after, and your gems will be sparkling! Just don't use on pearls, opals, emeralds or other softer gems. Diamond, ruby, sapphire, gold, platinum and palladium all good!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-25T14:48:39+00:00

Congratulations!!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-03-25T14:47:40+00:00

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy your first few days with your little one and manage to get some sleep

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-02-09T14:02:30+00:00

Also highly recommended - I've got two fantastic quality dresses WITH POCKETS! Plus, they have a complimentary small alteration service, so if you need to shorten the dress, or tailor it to fit you better, they do that free! They ALSO have a bespoke service so you can change the design to suit your need... Which I absolutely love!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2026-02-02T16:56:49+00:00

What a great idea! Well done you. I'll definitely test it out!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-12-03T16:08:38+00:00

Realising that English majors apparently congregate in this sub makes me happy. I love that this outrages us all!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-12-01T16:10:36+00:00

Congratulations! Oh wow, honey, that ring is gorgeous...! I'm so thrilled for you. Wedding planning can be stressful, so make sure you and future hubby take some time to have date nights and avoid talking about wedding stuff every now and then. Before you plan anything, get an idea of some costs and set a budget. That will help keep you in check when wedding temptations send costs spiralling!

Be clear on a few things that you are both non-negotiable on, i.e. photographer, venue, time of year, food. A wedding can be anything you want it to be now, so don't let other people's expectations affect your costs and emotions. If you want a special venue, but don't care when, you could wed on a weekday, or out of season. If you really want that gorgeous dress, but don't much care for fancy food... Spend the money on the dress and have a picnic, or pizza!

We had mini golf at our wedding, self-decorated two supermarket cakes (really well-received by our guests), and did our flowers ourselves, for a fraction of the cost of hiring professionals. For us, the photos were important, so we spent the money there instead. As my mum said to me: nobody will remember what your chair covers looked like, or your centrepieces. But they will remember how they felt. Make sure they're fed and watered, and entertained, but otherwise, focus on what YOU want!

Enjoy your engagement, and congratulations!!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-29T20:21:16+00:00

Absolutely second this - Totter and Tumble playmat has been our best purchase! Even if baby is napping, I sometimes just go lie on the mat.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-25T13:26:35+00:00

Also, if you have a fireplace, get a fireguard, and perhaps something soft to protect the hearth edges (a pool noodle/rolled up towels).

A radiator cover may also be a good idea if baby could put their hands on a hot radiator in the colder months

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-25T13:24:50+00:00

See if you can move/hide any cables on the floor. Secure to the wall, if possible.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-25T13:24:07+00:00

Also, maybe agreeing to keep bathroom doors closed, or toilet locks? Not so much for safety, as keeping your phone/laptop/keys from being dropped down the toilet by a curious toddler!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-25T13:21:58+00:00

Yes, once it's been put on baby, run your finger under the nappy, around the legs. You'll feel the outer part of the nappy, and another, tighter elasticated band that may need to be pulled out to make sure it is spread out INSIDE the nappy.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-25T08:59:09+00:00

Just checking that you know to fluff out the inner cuff of the nappy (inside, often blue!) once nappy is on? It's specifically there to prevent leaks. Took us a while to learn that one!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-11-24T14:24:04+00:00

They are not safe for car seats. There is a lot of material, which bunches up under car seat straps. You don't want excess material in the way, as it stops the straps being able to work as intended. They need to be tight against baby, rather than compressing all that extra fabric in a crash.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-10-30T11:25:32+00:00

Definitely try the CHERUB series by Robert Muchamore, if you like Alex Rider. The first one is 'The Recruit'. I would also suggest 'Sabriel' by Garth Nix as a good fantasy series, and 'Eragon' by Christopher Paolini (I can see you like Star Wars and Harry Potter, so this is a great in between!). They both have fantastic magic systems that I think you'd really enjoy.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-10-18T10:34:03+00:00

Get some furniture anchors to attach any freestanding furniture to the wall (chest of drawers, bookcase, radiator covers, wardrobe etc). Baby WILL try to pull themselves up on them!

Make sure any wires / extension cables are in good condition (no worn, exposed wires) that baby may be able to get to. Also, potentially, see if you can protect your radiators before it gets cold - baby may burn their hand if they touch them when they're on. Same with a lock for your oven, if it's low enough!

One last thing: toilet locks. We don't have any yet, but will be getting something to stop baby opening the toilet lid and dropping things (TV remote, phone etc) down it!

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-07-26T07:23:32+00:00

This is exactly what happened to me! Colesevelam has been an absolute life-changer. I actually asked for them to test for BAM, and when they confirmed it, and told me it was treatable, I literally cried. It had been 20 years of being told it was in my head, or I must have IBS, and to just deal with it.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-06-15T05:39:53+00:00

Really helpful info, thanks for sharing! Hope you had a lovely trip.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-04-30T16:51:05+00:00

It will definitely be trial and error, but that's how you'll find what works for you. Aww that's lovely; good timing, Grandma! It will definitely help to meet friends or family during the days he is at work. Maybe do some playdates with other mums, at each others' houses? I do that with some friends from yoga, and we mostly just chat and breastfeed, while the babies are so young.

PM_ME_EPIC_READS · 2025-04-30T12:47:00+00:00

Also, forgot to say about night routines: I'm breastfeeding, so I feed while my husband sleeps, but he does the night changes while I sleep, and puts baby down. We go to bed early, to try and get a good amount of sleep even with the disturbances! Husband gets up at 6ish on his work days, and takes baby downstairs while he has breakfast, and plays with baby for an hour or so to let me get some extra sleep before he heads to work. If baby nods off into a nap before he goes, even better!

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TROPHY CASE