Antenatal and shopping

I am 34 weeks and had a couple of antenatal classes now. There are only 3, breast feeding, pain and labour, hospital tour- that’s it! So if you need to ask questions then this is the time to do it! I was disappointed with the way it was set up because everyone says you can meet lots of different women and make good friends in these classes but everyone was with their partners and it was more formal- midwife talks, you listen and ask questions at the end. Despite this, they were actually very good.

 I learnt a lot about breast feeding and felt more prepared afterwards.  I stayed behind to ask questions too. I didn’t know the baby’s stomach was so small and formula food can be harder for baby to digest, making it more uncomfortable. They promoted ‘’breast’ to no end and almost made you feel bad if you had no intentions on breast feeding. Breast feeding reduces the risk of cancer, helps you lose weight, cheaper, more convenient, the baby is stronger, healthier and you both bond well together. I also didn’t know that it is recommended that you breast feed for up to 2 years! I think this means mixing breast milk and solid feeds together.

 I do think it is amazing that for as long as you breast feed the milk keeps on producing. It is hard to get the baby to ‘latch’ but we were given some great tips and what I did like hearing was ‘every woman can do it’ unless there is a medical reason. I take it as a challenge to breast feed. I was most shocked to hear that I can get milk out of my breasts now! Of course that night I went and tried it, low and behold after some squeezing and massaging the clear liquid of ‘colostrum’ seeped out in very small droplets! This is a miracle liquid that provides the new born with every bit of nutrition it needs. It is what comes out at first before milk.

Nick and I went shopping for lots of ‘necessities’ in January. Over the last 4 months we spent at least £1500! That much, despite being given lots of things like clothes, a cot and moses basket! Things like breast pumps are £70+ if you want an electric one which is recommended by friends. Blankets, muslins, bottles, nappies, chest of drawers, rug, pram, pram bag, bouncer, toys etc all cost so much money I have learnt to avoid baby shops now and go to cheaper shops like Asda and Wilkinsons for cheap but good items like baby towels and cosmetics.  The baby room is done and looks great, the cats have had a good nose around and will have a shock when there is actually someone in there. We plan to have the moses basket in our room for about 6 months, we have bought a cat net to stop them getting near the baby when it sleeps. It is so weird to think there will be a baby in there soon!