Any other expectant Dads?
Discussion
richatnort said:
I have the joie 360 I-spin as it had the button on the side instead of the front so you don’t rag your knuckles on the interior.
Thanks for the heads up on the latch positioning its something I wouldn't of noticed until its too late!Even just now I've quickly looked and it gets so complicated, like you see normal spin for argument sake of £180 think fantastic! then like you say latches so look for I-spin and at around £270 but Smyths doing a deal for the I-Spin for £230 but its an E and doesn't cover newborns.
I've since settled on the Joie Baby I-spin grow? the deal I found made it only fractionally more than an I-spin and hopefully the extra money will pay off as it can go upto 7 years old :-S might get messy by then....
Now time to investigate prams and strollers.
We have the Joie i-Spin 360 and it is really good.
I was skeptical when the Mrs wanted it. But it makes it easier to load the child into her car.
In my car we use the Babystyle Oyster "capsule" car seat that came in a bundle with the pram and it's s
te. The padding is not comfortable, the removable inserts are not well designed, and so as the lad is growing he gets between sizes and you can see he's wedged in there in a wierd position.
At 4 month's we are out of the travel cot thing and into the proper stroller seat, so I have used that car seat on the pram chassis only once I think!! And that time he screamed his head off round the supermarket because he wasn't comfortable.
Contrast to the i-Spin, there are about 3 levels of insert, the fabric is "softer" and the inserts are less bulky more ergonomically designed. He just looks very comfortable.
We really like it.
I was skeptical when the Mrs wanted it. But it makes it easier to load the child into her car.
In my car we use the Babystyle Oyster "capsule" car seat that came in a bundle with the pram and it's s
te. The padding is not comfortable, the removable inserts are not well designed, and so as the lad is growing he gets between sizes and you can see he's wedged in there in a wierd position.At 4 month's we are out of the travel cot thing and into the proper stroller seat, so I have used that car seat on the pram chassis only once I think!! And that time he screamed his head off round the supermarket because he wasn't comfortable.
Contrast to the i-Spin, there are about 3 levels of insert, the fabric is "softer" and the inserts are less bulky more ergonomically designed. He just looks very comfortable.
We really like it.
JimmyConwayNW said:
My youngest is just over a year old. Tbh I didn't particularly like the kid until 6 months. I actually said to my dad and sister following a few days away last week that I've just started to like her.
They reckon her crying fits of 3/4 hours long traumatised me. Its funny looking back but the 2/4 month old period with her really came close to breaking me at the time.
I don't mean any of this in a horrible way but I think we are told to love our kids, it will almost be like a scene from the movies and all magical and lovely and the reality of it is you have a baby that just wants its mum, you are a bit of a spare part, your partner is worn out and snappy with you, you are absolutely worn out and knackered and the whole thing is just quite tiring. It starts to get rewarding once they can give a little bit back, now when I get in from working and the youngest is saying 'dada' and crawls rapidly across the floor its a great feeling.
Also the youngest 2 in my house are completely different personalities. The crying newest one is now just happy, smily and very content and goes with the flow. She can say a lot of words and is crawling around.the 14 month older sister still doesn't talk much the odd 2 words together but mainly just one word. Understands everything but doesn't speak much, but in contrast was walking at 9 months and running around at a year old quite steadily. Funny how they can be so different.
A refreshingly honest post - thanks for sharing it. It’s important to be honest about how hard it is I think - not just the “wouldn’t change it for the world” nonsense that most of us trot out when asked!! Our first two months with twins was grim. I think we are in a sweet spot now though where they sleep a lot, interact with us plenty, are usually in good form and are still immobile.They reckon her crying fits of 3/4 hours long traumatised me. Its funny looking back but the 2/4 month old period with her really came close to breaking me at the time.
I don't mean any of this in a horrible way but I think we are told to love our kids, it will almost be like a scene from the movies and all magical and lovely and the reality of it is you have a baby that just wants its mum, you are a bit of a spare part, your partner is worn out and snappy with you, you are absolutely worn out and knackered and the whole thing is just quite tiring. It starts to get rewarding once they can give a little bit back, now when I get in from working and the youngest is saying 'dada' and crawls rapidly across the floor its a great feeling.
Also the youngest 2 in my house are completely different personalities. The crying newest one is now just happy, smily and very content and goes with the flow. She can say a lot of words and is crawling around.the 14 month older sister still doesn't talk much the odd 2 words together but mainly just one word. Understands everything but doesn't speak much, but in contrast was walking at 9 months and running around at a year old quite steadily. Funny how they can be so different.
Edited by JimmyConwayNW on Monday 8th August 13:06
I remember headlines earlier in the year that some researchers had discovered that men might suffer from post natal depression too - how that has taken so long to discover I have no idea
Hi all, after some advice please 
We have booked a short break in Spain for early October, and at that point our boy will be almost 7 months.
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
We have travelled around the UK 3 times with him already and it was no issue washing bottles in the hotel sink each night and so on, but being in the car it was easy to just throw anything we wanted in there and travel with a box of formula powder and also a heap of ready to drink formula bottles.
It might not be practical to fill a suitcase with formula!
Any tips or advice on this or anything else in general when travelling with them at that age?
We have already bought a very lightweight buggy which folds to nothing and allows him to lay flat or sit up a bit more.
Thanks
We have booked a short break in Spain for early October, and at that point our boy will be almost 7 months.
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
We have travelled around the UK 3 times with him already and it was no issue washing bottles in the hotel sink each night and so on, but being in the car it was easy to just throw anything we wanted in there and travel with a box of formula powder and also a heap of ready to drink formula bottles.
It might not be practical to fill a suitcase with formula!
Any tips or advice on this or anything else in general when travelling with them at that age?
We have already bought a very lightweight buggy which folds to nothing and allows him to lay flat or sit up a bit more.
Thanks
Lord Marylebone said:
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
Formula in Spain Lord Marylebone said:
Hi all, after some advice please
We have booked a short break in Spain for early October, and at that point our boy will be almost 7 months.
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
We have travelled around the UK 3 times with him already and it was no issue washing bottles in the hotel sink each night and so on, but being in the car it was easy to just throw anything we wanted in there and travel with a box of formula powder and also a heap of ready to drink formula bottles.
It might not be practical to fill a suitcase with formula!
Any tips or advice on this or anything else in general when travelling with them at that age?
We have already bought a very lightweight buggy which folds to nothing and allows him to lay flat or sit up a bit more.
Thanks
We did exactly this when the twins were 7 months but we were there for 2 weeks so had to find some while we were there. IIRC we took a tin of powder from the UK to tide us over, then used the amusingly named Hero Baby which was available from the local supermarket. Our boys were fine on this (they were on G&G and/or Mamia in the UK for reference).We have booked a short break in Spain for early October, and at that point our boy will be almost 7 months.
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
We have travelled around the UK 3 times with him already and it was no issue washing bottles in the hotel sink each night and so on, but being in the car it was easy to just throw anything we wanted in there and travel with a box of formula powder and also a heap of ready to drink formula bottles.
It might not be practical to fill a suitcase with formula!
Any tips or advice on this or anything else in general when travelling with them at that age?
We have already bought a very lightweight buggy which folds to nothing and allows him to lay flat or sit up a bit more.
Thanks
The only thing we struggled to find were premade travel bottles - anything in liquid form tended to be 'follow-on' formula which was ok in a bind but not really ideal for long-term consumption, and even then only available from larger supermarkets. I'd suggest you bring enough ready-made bottles to see you through the airports in both directions.
Other advice from memory - make sure you dress for warm weather on the plane, and take spare clothes for you as well as the little-one. Having a warm baby on your lap for 2-3 hours will make you very warm! Take a few toys etc for them to play with, but be prepared for them to want to fiddle with the flight card the whole time
seiben said:
We did exactly this when the twins were 7 months but we were there for 2 weeks so had to find some while we were there. IIRC we took a tin of powder from the UK to tide us over, then used the amusingly named Hero Baby which was available from the local supermarket. Our boys were fine on this (they were on G&G and/or Mamia in the UK for reference).
The only thing we struggled to find were premade travel bottles - anything in liquid form tended to be 'follow-on' formula which was ok in a bind but not really ideal for long-term consumption, and even then only available from larger supermarkets. I'd suggest you bring enough ready-made bottles to see you through the airports in both directions.
Other advice from memory - make sure you dress for warm weather on the plane, and take spare clothes for you as well as the little-one. Having a warm baby on your lap for 2-3 hours will make you very warm! Take a few toys etc for them to play with, but be prepared for them to want to fiddle with the flight card the whole time
Thanks, that is really helpful!The only thing we struggled to find were premade travel bottles - anything in liquid form tended to be 'follow-on' formula which was ok in a bind but not really ideal for long-term consumption, and even then only available from larger supermarkets. I'd suggest you bring enough ready-made bottles to see you through the airports in both directions.
Other advice from memory - make sure you dress for warm weather on the plane, and take spare clothes for you as well as the little-one. Having a warm baby on your lap for 2-3 hours will make you very warm! Take a few toys etc for them to play with, but be prepared for them to want to fiddle with the flight card the whole time
I think we will do what you advise, which is take enough 200ml ready made bottles for the day of travel there and the day back, and one box of formula in the luggage will be more than enough for the 6 days we are there.
When mixing up the formula did you use boiled mineral water? I have been told not to use boiled tap water in Spain as it still won’t be ‘clean’ enough.
When we have stayed in hotels here, we usually boiled a kettle of water in the morning, and poured it into a flask or a Sigg bottle, which had enough capacity for the day and used that for mixing up formula, so I guess we will do the same in Spain.
I know what you mean about being too hot… I tend to overheat quite quickly under normal circumstances, but when I have the little one on my lap it’s like hugging a radiator!
Lord Marylebone said:
Thanks, that is really helpful!
I think we will do what you advise, which is take enough 200ml ready made bottles for the day of travel there and the day back, and one box of formula in the luggage will be more than enough for the 6 days we are there.
When mixing up the formula did you use boiled mineral water? I have been told not to use boiled tap water in Spain as it still won’t be ‘clean’ enough.
When we have stayed in hotels here, we usually boiled a kettle of water in the morning, and poured it into a flask or a Sigg bottle, which had enough capacity for the day and used that for mixing up formula, so I guess we will do the same in Spain.
I know what you mean about being too hot… I tend to overheat quite quickly under normal circumstances, but when I have the little one on my lap it’s like hugging a radiator!
Ah I'd forgotten that.... where we were staying was off mains water, so we were all drinking out of those massive 20l mineral water bottles from the supermercado - again, widely available I think we will do what you advise, which is take enough 200ml ready made bottles for the day of travel there and the day back, and one box of formula in the luggage will be more than enough for the 6 days we are there.
When mixing up the formula did you use boiled mineral water? I have been told not to use boiled tap water in Spain as it still won’t be ‘clean’ enough.
When we have stayed in hotels here, we usually boiled a kettle of water in the morning, and poured it into a flask or a Sigg bottle, which had enough capacity for the day and used that for mixing up formula, so I guess we will do the same in Spain.
I know what you mean about being too hot… I tend to overheat quite quickly under normal circumstances, but when I have the little one on my lap it’s like hugging a radiator!
Day-to-day we'd use microwave steriliser bags for the baby bottles, then make them up using a shot of boiled mineral water + powder in the bottle and then top up with mineral water (basically replicating what the Tommee Tippee rapid prep machine does, if you're familiar). YMMV, obviously, but we had no tummy issues out there for adults or babies.
Jars of Spanish baby food went down a treat with the little ones, too!
Nearly 7 months in with our girl now. It's actually been really, really good. I think I enjoy it more than I did with my first daughter. A lot more relaxed, we know what to expect, what's changing and how to handle things better. No worries about all the things you worry about first time round!
Good luck to everyone else!
Good luck to everyone else!
Martin_Hx said:
Our little lad is coming up to 2.5 years now, hes getting a right character and loves his tractors/trains/planes, its brilliant..... we are all big kids at heart aren't we gents
He was born just before Covid and it was furloughed for 8 months, so was in a very privileged position.
We are still on the fence about having another, he sleeps well and is pretty good if im honest... we don't want to spoil it
We are both only children but could see where a sibling would be a great thing
Mine is 2 years and 2 months and he is a real character too, also has a fascination with anything that moves ! He was born just before Covid and it was furloughed for 8 months, so was in a very privileged position.
We are still on the fence about having another, he sleeps well and is pretty good if im honest... we don't want to spoil it
We are both only children but could see where a sibling would be a great thingThe terrible twos have reared their head on the odd occasion but overall he has been good.
I dont think i could handle a second if they are like him,a lunatic with way too much energy. Family and friends keep telling me the 2nd one is easier.. i dont buy it.
Jcwjosh said:
Family and friends keep telling me the 2nd one is easier.. i dont buy it.
They all vary.Plus there is a risk of twins.
They are easier as in, you know what to possibly expect for feeding, nappies, immunisations, lack of sleep, etc. But not necessarily easier in terms of workload.
Lord Marylebone said:
Hi all, after some advice please
We have booked a short break in Spain for early October, and at that point our boy will be almost 7 months.
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
If Malaga and mainland Spain etc. the tap water is safe but the mineral content can give you a bad belly. I think we were boiling bottled water in the kettle in the end. We have booked a short break in Spain for early October, and at that point our boy will be almost 7 months.
He has always been bottle fed with formula, and I was hoping someone could give some tips and advice on what to travel with to facilitate this. I have had a couple of people tell me that formula is only available from pharmacies in Spain, but I don’t know how true that is?
If it is Tenerife/Gran Canaria just boil cold tap water in a kettle.
If Malaga/Tenerife/Gran Canaria, I never had a problem locating formula in the hyperdino supermarkets. Have a look to see what supermarkets you have around the place you are staying. I don't recall ever needing a pharmacy to buy baby formula.
We take one big box of aptamil powder through U.K security and buy additional boxes for longer stays.
So uhh…. Back in the thread. Our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage in February. Found out at the start of the month my wife was pregnant again - booked an 8 week and a 10 week scan as we lost the first baby at 9 weeks - today was what we thought was 8 weeks. So we have a healthy heartbeat and lengths showing about 6w6d or so.. just weren’t quite expecting this…
Next scan in 2 weeks.. hoping to see plenty progress! Still in shock.
Next scan in 2 weeks.. hoping to see plenty progress! Still in shock.
Comacchio said:
So uhh…. Back in the thread. Our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage in February. Found out at the start of the month my wife was pregnant again - booked an 8 week and a 10 week scan as we lost the first baby at 9 weeks - today was what we thought was 8 weeks. So we have a healthy heartbeat and lengths showing about 6w6d or so.. just weren’t quite expecting this…
Next scan in 2 weeks.. hoping to see plenty progress! Still in shock.
Congrats! A few of us here with recent twins if you need any advice.Next scan in 2 weeks.. hoping to see plenty progress! Still in shock.
Congrats Comacchio!
6 Month old twin boys here.
Currently trying to prepare for our first holiday to Majorca.
Is it literally a case of taking everything for ease? We are in a villa but the wife wants to take everything including the prep machine for ease alongwith all our formula supply etc etc. Local supermarket is LIDL which is a bit hit and miss on milk (but fine for nappies etc)...
Has anyone got a packing/shopping list for first time holidays at 6-7 months?
6 Month old twin boys here.
Currently trying to prepare for our first holiday to Majorca.
Is it literally a case of taking everything for ease? We are in a villa but the wife wants to take everything including the prep machine for ease alongwith all our formula supply etc etc. Local supermarket is LIDL which is a bit hit and miss on milk (but fine for nappies etc)...
Has anyone got a packing/shopping list for first time holidays at 6-7 months?
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