I'm in serious nesting mode, and nesting for me involves sping cleaning (ie chucking stuff out) and creating (ie making stuff). Since chucking staff out is pretty boring, unless you shop at the op-shop I donate to, I thought I write about my latest craft project.
I keep hearing about how wonderful baby hammocks are. They rock and support babies beautifully and are said to transform even the most colicy or refluxy baby. Plus they are really beautiful.
My kitchen has a cathedral style ceiling with big beams running across which makes it perfect for hanging a baby hammock from. We plan on co-cleeping but I love the idea of having the baby near me where ever I am in the house
One thing that really appeals to my au naturale baby tastes is the idea that women around the world would have just tied a piece of cloth from a tree and let there baby's hang out in there whilst they work in the fields. It just doesn't seem right to spend hundreds of dollars on something so simple.
I typed "make your own baby hammock" into google and it pumps out this blog post. God I love google! I've got a day off work this week dedicated to making stuff, so I'll let you know how I go.
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November 29, 2009
November 11, 2009
22 weeks - Maternity clothes-belly bands review
After a slow start I've caught up with dates and now there is no pretending I can squeeze into my old clothes anymore. Every other day I try something on and relegate it to the drawer I've allocated for clothes I won't be wearing for a long while. First it was high waisted skirts, now it's some jeans and trousers that I'm saying goodbye to too.
But I've been learning some handy tips.
First is just to cut the elastic out of old tracky pants. Not exactly work wear but certainly comfy for round the house. You can do this properly by stitching the elastic to the waistband in two places and snipping it in between. This means there is still some stretch to them.
Next I've been extending some of my buttons by looping an elastic band around the button, through the botton hole and around the button again. This just gives a few more centimetres, but you'll need to wear a long top to cover up the open fly.
But the best maternity tip of all has to be belly bands, a thick stretchy strip of fabric to wear over jeans or skirts. I bought two kinds of belly bands, both on e-bay and was happy was both, they each have advatages and disadvantages. You can buy them at maternity shops or department stores but they cost a lot more, and I'd rather support small business.
4MUMSTUMS are only single layer thick. Single layer may be better for summer to avoid too many layers in the heat. It also means that it's not too bulky, which is good if your tummy's not that big yet or if you are wearing it with a light cotton shirt.
Davine-babies belly bands are double thickness. This means they are better for holding up heavy things like jeans. They also feel more supportive. The colours of mine leaked in the wash though so maybe soak them in salt and wash seperately first time.
They are both handmade, both cotton, and both cost about the same. You might like to have a look at the range of colours to see what you prefer. I bought two belly bands from each and use them for slightly different things. I love the colourful ones to add a splash of colour to otherwise boring black or white outfits.
A couple of friends have just had babies so I'm hoping to inherit some maternity clothes. I'd really like to avoid buying clothes to wear just for a few months. Work is really the only hard occasion to dress for, so if need be I'll buy a pair of maternity trousers and one maternity skirt to go with all the big flowing blouses I already own.
But I've been learning some handy tips.
First is just to cut the elastic out of old tracky pants. Not exactly work wear but certainly comfy for round the house. You can do this properly by stitching the elastic to the waistband in two places and snipping it in between. This means there is still some stretch to them.
Next I've been extending some of my buttons by looping an elastic band around the button, through the botton hole and around the button again. This just gives a few more centimetres, but you'll need to wear a long top to cover up the open fly.
But the best maternity tip of all has to be belly bands, a thick stretchy strip of fabric to wear over jeans or skirts. I bought two kinds of belly bands, both on e-bay and was happy was both, they each have advatages and disadvantages. You can buy them at maternity shops or department stores but they cost a lot more, and I'd rather support small business.
4MUMSTUMS are only single layer thick. Single layer may be better for summer to avoid too many layers in the heat. It also means that it's not too bulky, which is good if your tummy's not that big yet or if you are wearing it with a light cotton shirt.
Davine-babies belly bands are double thickness. This means they are better for holding up heavy things like jeans. They also feel more supportive. The colours of mine leaked in the wash though so maybe soak them in salt and wash seperately first time.
They are both handmade, both cotton, and both cost about the same. You might like to have a look at the range of colours to see what you prefer. I bought two belly bands from each and use them for slightly different things. I love the colourful ones to add a splash of colour to otherwise boring black or white outfits.
A couple of friends have just had babies so I'm hoping to inherit some maternity clothes. I'd really like to avoid buying clothes to wear just for a few months. Work is really the only hard occasion to dress for, so if need be I'll buy a pair of maternity trousers and one maternity skirt to go with all the big flowing blouses I already own.
November 04, 2009
21 weeks - sleepless nights
Lying on my back is certainly the thing I missed the most. I don't sleep well on my side, with my rapidly expanding stomach all propped up on pillows. Rolling over pulls on my stretched tummy ligaments and I have the craziest dreams. I wake up to pee and then the baby starts kicking so I can't go back to sleep. It usually doesn't hurt me, it's more that is so exciting that I want to lie awake feeling my little baby rolling around for ages.
But seriously, this is easily the most enjoyable part of my pregnancy so far. The living-on-a-boat feeling of the first few months has passed, the baby's making itself known and I'm still not too huge to enjoy most things. And I just got the full tick of health from Dr George, my trusted Ayurvedic Doctor.
And another milsetone, my baby is now regarded as a human under Australian law!
I'm just getting to work on my home birth plan, post-natal plan and what to pack in case of a hospital transfer list. I'll publish them all here eventually.
But seriously, this is easily the most enjoyable part of my pregnancy so far. The living-on-a-boat feeling of the first few months has passed, the baby's making itself known and I'm still not too huge to enjoy most things. And I just got the full tick of health from Dr George, my trusted Ayurvedic Doctor.
And another milsetone, my baby is now regarded as a human under Australian law!
I'm just getting to work on my home birth plan, post-natal plan and what to pack in case of a hospital transfer list. I'll publish them all here eventually.
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