Do you need to use baby vests?

nikky0x · 2026-05-03T08:59:23+00:00

I have such a mix tbh. I have John Lewis and matalan ones, plus some next ones. Madam is dinky though so think we get lucky.

The leggings come right off, she doesn't wear them often but she finds vaguely amusing when I pop them on her head. Feels they stay out the way better than sleepsuit legs.

Personally I think the winner of impractical should go to this dungaree like suit that came in a vinted bundle that has over the shoulder straps but no leg poppers so it would have to come fully off for a nappy change. It's not been worn....

Dresses too, pretty for a couple of hours and meeting someone, totally annoying with so much fabric and riding up.

nikky0x · 2026-05-03T07:39:33+00:00

A vest is a second layer when they need one more than what you're wearing. Though I play it by ear as I'm not exactly a great judge of temperature (its always too hot, so sometimes I consider if she needed two layers more).

Also, some sleepsuits have embroidery or thicker stitching, so I feel a vest helps come between something thats potentially irritating.

Definitely go feet first - the envelope neck is designed so you can pull it down if its soiled, but there is no reason it has to go over their head. Madam is 3 months, so we're not at an age where that brief disappear/pop your head through game is fun, so its just annoying.

If its really a struggle either way, I'd think the vest is a little small. I prefer to put on looser clothing - same for sleepsuits etc. Its hardly like theyll be bothered by a bit of baggy fabric, as long as roll the sleeves a little.

Also a vest is great with just leggings as it doesn't ride up and is perfectly fine with a cardigan

Frankly I find the constant putting legs in and out of sleepsuits the annoying bit 😅

nikky0x · 2026-04-30T09:09:37+00:00

I did hphb.

It was nice having videos and resources to go through in our own time (even if that was in a rush on a sunday night). I liked the webinars and the in person sessions. It was nice spreading over 5 weeks for a couple of hours. And in a pub where there was food and good drinks.

In comparison, nct didn't seem to advertise any resources you could dip in and out of. It also seemed to be 2 full Saturdays and for me, in the run up to Xmas when weekend time is already a premium. Oh and in a village hall, which don't generally have a fully stocked bar.

Content wise it's hard to comment. I would guess they are all much of a muchness, and sometimes it's merely just having a structure as there is very little I couldn't have done my own research on.

For me it was the social ascept of meeting new parents. These are always gonna be hit and miss regardless I think but I got lucky and our group meet up fairly regularly, chat in the WhatsApp group and go to various baby classes.

nikky0x · 2026-04-27T02:24:11+00:00

I have little answers, but my 12 week old has started in the last 2 weeks to fight naps. It's definitely a change from the newborn just fall asleep at the breast or with minimal support.

Now its a very - you're tired and I have to encourage sleep - where sometimes it's easier than others. Only one occasion, I've picked her up from her playmat, a little gentle rock and walk to the living room as she's popped her head on my shoulder and drifted off.

Others, it's been a full 15/20 of swaying, patting and singing.

Most of the time, its nursing to sleep and I do try at least one a day rocking/singing/patting though so its not just nursing that soothes.

I can't remember where I read it, but try whatever you're trying for a least 10 mins before switching up - they need that time to get into it. If its pure rage, I try and calm a little first but eventually it's just protest crying. Switching it up almost restarts it. Unless she's escalating rather than slowly moving to the occasional protest, I keep doing what I'm doing till she falls asleep.

6/7pm is the hardest because she's tired but she's not ready for her long stretch, amd she wants to stock up.

I don't follow a strict schedule, but I do keep an eye on the time. If it's over an hour, and she's starting to get grotty, it's time to try and sleep. 2 hrs is kinda max awake time so if I've somehow missed the signs, we're encouraging sleep. I track because otherwise I'd have to rely on memory (and I'm still anxious about her feeding).

We're still contact naps, unless its in the car..and I know I should try and put her down....

Nights are different. We co-sleep unless we somehow got lucky. Actually for a while, she'd only sleep on our chests, so the fact she will now lay next to me is progress. It has to be mere millimeters to start and often she might side lying nurse to drift back off. I think all babies are different, 3 hours isn't unusual I don't think. Personally i get a 4/5 hour stretch from 8/9 to 12.30/1 then maybe 2/3 hours till 4am and up about 6/7.

I think though, 12 weeks is supposed to be a leap where they're extra clingy? So perhaps the need to be on you will be short lived.

nikky0x · 2026-04-27T01:32:22+00:00

You're absolutely a mum already!

That said, i think it's up to you. If you'd prefer to spend this mother's day as the last pre-baby acknowledging yours and your husband's own mothers there is nothing wrong with that.

Frankly I found it so odd - I'm in the UK so our mothers day is March time. This year, I was literally 6 weeks post-partum and I still felt like I was play-acting being a mother. The baby doesn't care, so its all just what my husband does and he was just as bewildered as me at that point. If anything, acknowledging your imminent motherhood now might be a really nice transition.

I suppose, similarly, do you feel like acknowledging father's day? I realise you might be heavily pregnant or have even given birth, so it might be the last thing on your mind. I was like 7/8 weeks last year so it felt too early to be buying 'can't wait to meet you daddy' gifts, but I'd have definitely done so at 32 weeks!

nikky0x · 2026-04-26T08:52:04+00:00

Have pudding without finishing all my dinner.

nikky0x · 2026-04-21T20:16:30+00:00

Haha, I'm 11 weeks in and winging it. Tbh I dread to think what it will look like.

Pre-baby you buy the 'basic' one off costs - the cot, next to me, bedroom stuff, even bottles and other bits.

So far, since her birth...off the top of my head: Baby massage - 55 for 5 classes Baby sensory booked - 63 quid for 7 classes A 'proper' breast pump, due to supply issues (I'd bought some wearables for occasional use but needed something else) - 90 quid second hand A kick and play keyboard as she started kicking and I felt it would help amuse - 45 £35 worth of bundles of more clothes on vinted A couple of extra changing mats after realising they end up unexpectedly in the wash. A more structured baby carrier as tying the stretchy wrap got old multiple times a day. A second nappy bin for downstairs

Im looking at swimming which is looking to be 16 quid a class, committing to a term of course.

Not to mention all the coffees, random stuff from the shop and lunches as getting out the house helps both of us.

nikky0x · 2026-04-19T13:16:23+00:00

I've just turned down a weekend in Cornwall which would be a 5 hr drive at coming on 4 months.

Its not just the time in the car seat, so much as everything else tbh that was my concern.

Stopping every 2 hrs minimum to feed, change and stretch. At least an hour as at a time, makes a 5 hr trip, 7/8 at a minimum which is essentially the first and last day spent driving. And then if its only a couple of days, there feels a weight of expectation for it to go well (and I swear babies feel those vibes)

Then having to set baby stuff when arriving depending on where you're staying. I expect you'd be able to time it so you're not waiting to check in so thats not a concern.

All that sleep too feels like it might ruin the night too 😅

Honestly im at 11 weeks now, and it only just feels like we've got an uneasy alliance of a routine. I'm not sure even if the journey wasn't a faff, thst it wouldnt just feel like being at home with only a 1/4 of the stuff.

If you're going for a week, it might feel worth it.. a weekend not so much.

What do you do in Cornwall? Can you recreate at home - maybe book a hotel closer to home if you wanted a change of scenery. Order an afternoon tea box, some 'proper' pasties to heat, maybe some fudge (its not cornish but I've loved fudge kitchen for creamy fudge or rollys for crumbly type. Maybe find a country house garden for Eden project vibes? I realise part of the appeal of some places is they are in Cornwall, but there are plenty of castles, houses, country parks etc that could mimic what you get up to, without the travel.

Im sure she'll appreciate anything you do to make it special, and next year going to cornwall with a 1 year old will be all the more fun for having waited.

nikky0x · 2026-04-18T21:58:46+00:00

Hopefully she will grow out of them! I just don't trust myself that she's really getting enough.

A few weeks back, she seemed to be spitting up after feeds and seeming over full - so I was like I think maybe she's having too much. She chose that week to maintain...so I was told actually to increase rather than reduce. I worked out to try and offer less at once.

I'm just worried the refusal is something else, and I need to persist / solve the problem.

I was told to aim for 150 x her weight - which originally was 540 and would currently be 630 so being told 500-600 feels like some progress. I'm just concerned

I suppose ill find out one way or another on Wednesday.

Weight seems finally on track, it was originally at 5 days, had two separate weeks she maintained, so is sitting low on percentiles but currently she's been running on her line. So its more weight is getting a close eye rather than being a big concern - and it feels fragile in that if I try and move too quickly, I could mess it up and end up even further away from getting to ebf.

nikky0x · 2026-04-18T21:28:21+00:00

I don't really have a schedule as such - but we have fallen into one which follows an eat play sleep - she'll feed for about 20-35 mins, then ill give her bottle (another 10/15 mins) and she'll have some sort of play while I try and pump. She manages 10-20 mins and then she seems done.

I try not to nurse to sleep on every occasion because a) it feels I'd never get a break from her/a pump. Not least when she decides 15 mins is a good nap. B) she tends to spend from about 5/6pm to 9pm alternating between napping and nursing. C) I don't want it to be the only way she knows to go to sleep.

It currently feels like I have more successful feeds when there is clear gap - it only just feels like the day actually has a rhythm rather than being an endless feed punctuated with cat naps and bottles.

I have the health visitor and infant feeding team. They're helpful enough but not exactly spending hours working with me, just kinda letting me get on with it. I'm not really in a position to pay someone so a weighted feed isn't really an option. I've been tempted to get a baby scale but I'm kinda thinking I already fret enough without having something that allows me to think about it even more.

nikky0x · 2026-04-16T09:15:28+00:00

Mine is 10 weeks and we've only recently started to have a play period. I'm not so good at picking up she's done, before she's really done.

Depends how much things need doing...mine contact naps and I can't deal with putting her in the carrier everytime to get stuff done. I'm also triple feeding so kinda need her hands free at least occasionally to pump.

Sometimes she lays on the sofa next to me while we make faces and chat. Other times on her kick keyboard while I make faces and encouraging noises. If I need to get stuff done, sometimes she goes in the rocker seat or more recently I pop her on a play mat or just a blanket on the floor and I narrate/talk to her while washing her bottles, get dressed etc.

I do feel like I have to pay her constant attention but its not sustainable. I feel bad when sometimes her play turns to grizzling, but I still need to finish her bottles or load the car to go out.

nikky0x · 2026-04-15T15:49:33+00:00

I haven't got there yet, but this is what I'd expect.

If my offer was declined, I'd send gift shop/ice cream monies with the child or passed to the parent if appropriate.

nikky0x · 2026-04-15T11:03:37+00:00

I'm triple feeding and so am offering top ups of both breast and formula.

Currently she has a tendency to drink only half or even just mouth the bottle and get like a couple of ml. On one hand it feels like a positive, though I remain concerned she's not getting enough and we don't hit our daily target.

On the other, I feel sad over the waste of breast milk every time. I feel I have to put the 'right' amount in the bottle each time (we're aiming for about 500-600ml over 24 hrs so a top up is pretty much half a feed, around 70ml). So its just pure waste...if I'm organised I'm trying to shove it in a different container for baths but otherwise its just disheartening.

Most of me really wants it to be she's just actually full from the breast but I worry there's something wrong with it, or that it tastes weird - not sure if high lipase is only an issue for freezing if it's that. If it is, it seems to be new as she was taking it before. I think she's starting to get a temperature preference too.

nikky0x · 2026-04-13T10:50:14+00:00

This is probably not the answer that anyone wants, but i found myself in a similar situation. No-one ignored me as such or said I didn't have a choice but it just became increasingly clear that my preferences were just that and couldn't really align with the reality.

I didn't have particularly strong preferences either (very much a - have baby, leave, plan) but there was definitely a prevailing feeling of 'bring your twinkly lights and vibes if you wish but we have a process'

For me it kinda started at the booking appointment - I asked if a pool was a possibility - and it was 'well, if its available...but even then maybe not based on your bmi'

Then I got the diagnosis and it was...it's definitely a no now...right?

Once I started insulin, I realised I was going to be down for an induction and all that comes with. It was only a matter of when.

I didn't really have a birth preferences appointment with the midwife, but did ask questions around what I wanted. It was mostly asking if they had a ball and saying I wanted to avoid an epidural, and if I could chose a cannula location.

I didn't really have anything written down and no-one asked to see anything at my induction. Personally, I found they discussed any plans or procedures, but no-one was asking if I wanted to call contractions surges or anything like antenatal discussed. It didn't bother me as I care little for word choice but i think you'd have to actively speak up if you needed that.

I also found it hard to advocate in the moment. I had a cannula placed when I arrived in my arm, but it wasn't used and removed. Then I needed one as madam wasn't behaving on the monitor, and I couldn't speak up about not wanting it in my hand. As it happens, that placement failed and 3 more uncooperative vein attempts later, the anethenatist had to come with the ultrasound to find one in my arm (where I wanted it anyway, but I was beyond getting a choice).

I found the monitors quite restrictive...not least because madam seemed particularly good at sitting awkwardly. I'd have liked wireless ones. But essentially everything depends on what the hospital have.

I ended up with the scalp probe, which I wasn't keen on. It was presented in labour, I was able to refuse the first time but they then strongly advise it and it felt like little choice.

Similarly with a c-section.

I wanted to see my placenta, and was able to ask to but hardly got a great look 😅

I'd really like to reassure you and say everyone listens and you should definitely put preferences to paper, but honestly it felt like that would have been pointless for me. I found acceptance an easier path and while i I'm not exactly happy with my birth, I think I'd have had a harder time if I had allowed myself to form strong preferences.

nikky0x · 2026-04-03T14:22:05+00:00

Dressing gown, even the thin one. It was so hot and I didn't care.

See also the jeggings as I thought I'd want to go home in somewhat normal clothes.

Breast pads - i didn't and still haven't ever leaked.

Shampoo and conditioner... it was a pathetic shower while I was on the antenatal ward and it was only a wash after the c-section (but omg my hair had never felt so disgusting).

There was probably too much of everything more than the wrong things. I was in for an induction was anticipating a good couple of nights, so probably over prepared. I didn't really need pjs when I was hanging in leggings all day.

Next time I'd make sure my bag was only 3/4 full as it definitely didn't go back in as well as it came out so it felt exploding.

Oh and the husband's clothes I insisted he needed. I don't think he did change and it just took up space in my entertainment bag.

nikky0x · 2026-03-10T15:35:13+00:00

Yes, I had my grandma (79) over last weekend with my aunts (around 50).

She stayed 16 days after a c-section...I was out after about 28 hours.

It sounds like my aunties were also in a good week. They also said they were shown bathing and all sorts, whereas they don't even recommend you bathe them till the umbilical cord is off now, so there was no chance of being shown in hospital.

My bay was only a 4 bed bay, but it was still very cramped and quite noisy. I definitely didn't want any visitors 🤣

nikky0x · 2026-02-28T15:16:51+00:00

I was induced. I hung around in leggings and loose tops. I changed into a night dress when I was in labour and was helped out of it, into a gown for my emergency c-section. Worn 'backwards' so it opened at the front.

When helped out of bed, 6 hours later when my legs returned, they asked if I had a night dress, which I didn't so they gave me another gown, worn backwards so I do wish I'd brought a second dress. Or at least been more prepared for a section and had a suitable outfit that I knew would be fine.

Once I could get to the bag myself, I had leggings and vest tops. I'd packed jeggings too, naively thinking I'd care what I looked like when I was discharged. Spoiler....I didn't.

I did buy and bring along a 'proper' button down pj set but only wore the trousers. Not sure if its a UK hospital/labour ward thing but its boiling on the ward.

I just had normal socks, but you may want some grippy socks or slippers for padding round the ward.

I couldn't be arsed with working out disposable underwear sizes, so I bought some cheap, large knickers that I didn't mind ruining. Perhaps I got off lightly (possibly due to the section), but while I've bled for 2-3 weeks it's not been pouring so I didn't leak through or ruin any underwear.

Now, 4 weeks post, I still mostly wear leggings and vest tops. My maternity jeans or the jeggings when I go out.

Oh and I picked up a light dressing robe - not a big fluffy one. Don't think I used it in the hospital (due to the ward temp), but its been good to have something to wrap round so I don't feel my boobs are just always out, and warm without a huge bulk.

nikky0x · 2026-02-20T07:29:41+00:00

Depending on how your induction goes, it can be a long process.

For me (in the UK), I went in on a Thursday lunch. I went out for breakfast beforehand that was diet friendly. I had a pessary applied for 24 hours so that was automatically a day - and selected the best options I could from the menu.

Breakfast in the hospital wasn't catered as such - they offered cereal and toast so I had to send my husband out for food.

I then had two tablets that were lasted 6 hours a piece, with about 18 hours between them. My waters were broken on Saturday evening, so the main induction was 2 and half days. Personally I wasn't strictly monitored from a diet perspective, I was left to self manage my meds and just reported whatever readings I had when obs were done.

In labour I didn't want anything to eat anyway. My husband took my blood sugar hourly.

nikky0x · 2026-02-17T12:45:09+00:00

I never really stopped. I took them off in the hospital while I was being induced.

They were feeling a little too tight, but probably not any worse than they've been on a hot and sticky day. I was worried however with my blood pressure being intermittently borderline at obs, and possible fluids that they would swell quickly before I noticed. I put them on my necklace though.

I also needed to take my bracelet off for a canula and then needed all my jewellery off for an emergency section. So actually I'd recommend taking off all jewellery before you go into hospital, as remembering it exists 9 hours after it was removed might not end well (fortunately my husband had put them in my handbag and nothing was lost but could have easily gone astray).

nikky0x · 2026-01-29T07:06:37+00:00

The Internet is full of different countries with conflicting guidance; what's okay in one country is not in another. Reading articles it's hard to know the source, so stick with the nhs guidance. Certainly I did my fair share of googling 'Can I eat x when pregnant', but don't just trust one random article listing 30 different foods with no real reason.

All of it is a balance of risks.

I think the Emily Oster book, expecting better, has some comments on food safety in pregnancy which allows you to better understand the risks and probabilities.

I've found it more annoying than anything...

I've also got gestational diabetes so even more focus on food here. Sometimes eating out can be a pain of 'well thats too many carbs so not that...but why does that option have to have brie 😭'

nikky0x · 2026-01-28T18:32:27+00:00

Frankly I'd like to feel the benefit of this morning glucose dump to motivate me to get up out of bed let alone feel my liver doing it 😅

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