u/Big_Sundae_7563

I’m 37+2 days pregnant and FTM.

My MIL has just arrived from India to the UK and has already started giving me lots of advice about what I should and shouldn’t do after delivery.

I know she means well and is trying to show care but I’m getting increasingly irritated because almost everything comes with a warning like, “If you do this, it will affect the baby” or “You need to take care of this part of your body otherwise the baby will suffer.”

I understand that a lot of this comes from traditional beliefs and genuine concern, but I’m finding it frustrating that every decision about my postpartum body is immediately connected to the baby, as though it’s all about baby and I won’t exist anymore!

I’m mostly reacting internally and haven’t really said anything to her, but I’m wondering — am I overthinking this or is it reasonable to feel annoyed by it?

How did you deal with similar situations, especially when family members had very different cultural beliefs about postpartum recovery?

I’m a FTM, vegetarian and Hindu, and there are quite a few traditional diet restrictions in my culture after childbirth.

I had also read on the NHS website that traces of what you eat/drink can pass into breast milk, and that caffeine from tea, coffee and soft drinks can sometimes make babies unsettled or uncomfortable. So I’m wondering how much attention people actually paid to their diet while breastfeeding.

What did you personally follow after delivery — especially restrictions around certain vegetables, fruits, dairy, spices, etc.? Which restrictions did you feel were genuinely helpful or had a logical/evidence-based reason, and which ones did you feel were mainly cultural?

Also, were there any foods you were specifically encouraged to eat for recovery, breastfeeding, constipation, energy, etc.?

Would love to hear what worked for you, especially from other vegetarian mums. ❤️

Hi everyone,
I’m currently 35 weeks + 5 days pregnant and over the last day or two I’ve started feeling quite a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen, especially when I’m standing or walking. Not sure if this is the feeling of baby pushing down.
I’ve also been getting breathless quite often now, even with simple activities.
I’m also finding it really difficult to do the 9th month exercises, had knee pain when did squats etc, that are often recommended to prepare for a vaginal birth because I just feel so heavy and uncomfortable.

Has anyone else experienced this around this stage? Is it normal, and what should I expect over the next few weeks? If you couldn’t do the exercises either, what did you do instead?

I have my midwife appointment in 4 days, but I’d love to hear others’ experiences in the meantime. Thanks!

I’m looking for recommendations for the ** **French toast or pancakes around LS2, Kirkstall or Burley.

Budget is around £10–12 per person, and I’m vegetarian (I eat eggs and dairy but no meat).

Bonus points if there’s easy parking and it’s worth the drive! 😊

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m looking for recommendations for a maternity photographer in or around Leeds with a budget of around **£100–£150**. I’m after a simple but beautiful outdoor or studio shoot with edited photos included.

If you’ve had a great experience or know someone you’d recommend, please share their name, Instagram/Facebook page, or website.

Thanks so much! 💕

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m looking for recommendations for a maternity photographer in or around Leeds with a budget of around £100–£150. I’m after a simple but beautiful outdoor or studio shoot with edited photos included.

If you’ve had a great experience or know someone you’d recommend, please share their name, Instagram/Facebook page, or website.

Thanks so much! 💕

FTM here and trying to decide between Lil-Lets Maxi Maternity Pads with Wings and Frida Mom Postpartum Catch-All Pads for the first few days after birth.

My main priority is maximum absorbency for heavy postpartum bleeding and also value for money.

Which would you recommend from experience , and why?

FTM here and trying to decide between Lil-Lets Maxi Maternity Pads with Wings and Frida Mom Postpartum Catch-All Pads for the first few days after birth.

My main priority is maximum absorbency for heavy postpartum bleeding and also value for money.

Which would you recommend from experience , and why?

I’m 34 weeks with my first baby and feeling completely clueless about what happens next!

Everyone tells me something different—some say babies come at 37 weeks, others after 40. Some say their waters broke first, others were already in labour before anything happened.

My midwife said baby is measuring on the bigger side, and if that’s still the case at my 36-week appointment, I’ll have a growth scan and discuss birth plans. I don’t have gestational diabetes, so I’m not sure what that might mean.

I’d love to hear your experiences. What happened from 34 weeks onwards? What were your first signs of labour, and what should I expect over the next few weeks?

Hi everyone! I’m a FTM and can’t decide between these three options:

- Joie Chrome DLX (brand new)
- Ickle Bubba Stomp Urban (brand new)
- Bugaboo Fox (5 years old, second-hand, comes with a Style Set and accessories)

The Bugaboo is around the same price as the new travel systems, but I’d need to buy a new car seat separately.

Which would you choose and why? I’m looking for something durable, easy to push and fold, practical for everyday use, and good value for money. I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences with any of these.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m a first-time mum and can’t decide between these three options:

**- Joie Chrome DLX** (brand new)
**- Ickle Bubba Stomp Urban** (brand new)
**- Bugaboo Fox** (5 years old, second-hand, comes with a Style Set and accessories)

The Bugaboo is around the same price as the new travel systems, but I’d need to buy a new car seat separately.

Which would you choose and why? I’m looking for something durable, easy to push and fold, practical for everyday use, and good value for money. I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences with any of these.

Thanks!

Hi, I’m 34weeks FTM and I’m packing my hospital bag and keep seeing recommendations for perineal foam, cooling pads, witch hazel pads, ice packs, etc. The only thing stopping me is that I have no idea whether I’ll end up having a vaginal birth or a C-section.

These products aren’t exactly cheap, ( every recommendation is for frida mom) and I’m worried I’ll buy them and never use them if I have a C-section.

Did anyone buy them in advance? Was it worth it, or did you wait until after delivery if you needed them?
Would love to hear what others did, what all you packed and whether you regretted buying (or not buying) them.

Hi everyone! I’m a first-time mum and can’t decide between these three options:

- Joie Chrome DLX (brand new)
- Ickle Bubba Stomp Urban (brand new)
- Bugaboo Fox (5 years old, second-hand, comes with a Style Set and accessories)

The Bugaboo is around the same price as the new travel systems, but I’d need to buy a new car seat separately.

Which would you choose and why? I’m looking for something durable, easy to push and fold, practical for everyday use, and good value for money. I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences with any of these.

Thanks!

Hi, I’m a FTM and thinking to buy this stroller. Any reviews who has used it?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I’m a FTM and thinking to buy this stroller. Any reviews who has used it?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! 👋
I’m expecting my first baby in the first week of September and I’m starting to wonder whether I actually have everything I need.

I’ve already collected quite a few bits from the Emma’s Diary packs, Boots Baby Club freebies, and other welcome/gift packs, so I do have some essentials already.

I’d really appreciate some advice from experienced parents!
\- How many newborn/0–1 month onesies or bodysuits did you actually use?
\- How many sleepsuits, hats, mittens, socks, etc. would you recommend buying before baby arrives?
\- What size and brand of bottles would you suggest for a newborn? How many bottles did you start with?
\- Did you buy formula before birth just in case, or wait until after the baby was born?
\- Roughly how many newborn nappies should I have stocked up before delivery?
\- Are there any baby essentials that people often forget but end up using loads?

I’d also love to know about essentials for **me**—things that were genuinely useful for your hospital bag, postpartum recovery, or those first few weeks at home. Any practical buys that made life easier?

I’m wondering if I should be panicking and doing a big shopping trip, or if it’s normal to just buy more once the baby arrives if needed!
Any tips, recommendations, or “I wish I’d known this before” advice would be hugely appreciated. Thank you! ❤️

Hi! I’m a first-time mum due in the first week of September and was wondering if there are any fellow Indian mums-to-be due in August or September living in Leeds or Wakefield. It would be lovely to connect, share the journey, and maybe even meet up if anyone’s interested! 😊

Hi everyone! 👋
I’m expecting my first baby in the first week of September and I’m starting to wonder whether I actually have everything I need.

I’ve already collected quite a few bits from the Emma’s Diary packs, Boots Baby Club freebies, and other welcome/gift packs, so I do have some essentials already.

I’d really appreciate some advice from experienced parents!
- How many newborn/0–1 month onesies or bodysuits did you actually use?
- How many sleepsuits, hats, mittens, socks, etc. would you recommend buying before baby arrives?
- What size and brand of bottles would you suggest for a newborn? How many bottles did you start with?
- Did you buy formula before birth just in case, or wait until after the baby was born?
- Roughly how many newborn nappies should I have stocked up before delivery?
- Are there any baby essentials that people often forget but end up using loads?

I’d also love to know about essentials for me—things that were genuinely useful for your hospital bag, postpartum recovery, or those first few weeks at home. Any practical buys that made life easier?

I’m wondering if I should be panicking and doing a big shopping trip, or if it’s normal to just buy more once the baby arrives if needed!
Any tips, recommendations, or “I wish I’d known this before” advice would be hugely appreciated. Thank you! ❤️

Hello, I’m halfway through my 7th month and have started looking for good maternity bras. I was a 36C before pregnancy (though I have no idea what size I am now, as I’m using extension hooks to make my old bras fit!).

I’m looking for comfortable, non-wired maternity bras that aren’t too expensive.

I’ve heard H&M is good, but I’d love some other recommendations too, either online or in-store.

Thanks in advance! xx

Hi everyone,
I’m considering buying a baby stroller and carrycot second-hand from Facebook Marketplace to save some money. My main concern is making sure everything is properly cleaned and disinfected before using it for a newborn.

For those of you who have bought baby gear used, how did you clean and sanitize it? What products did you use, and are there any baby-safe disinfectants you would recommend?

Are there any parts that shouldn’t be disinfected with certain cleaners? And is there anything you’d avoid buying used altogether?
I’d appreciate any tips, cleaning routines, or lessons learned from your experience. Thanks!