UK vs US

[LittleBean19]

Hi! so there's about a million things I've been noticing we all say differently and there's some things I wanted to ask about that I always see but never understand! haha

First of all what is a health visitor? Is it a doctor that comes to your house? Does everyone get one?

Some things I think I have figured out like
dummy= pacifier
nappy=diaper
cot=crib?
are a pram and a buggy the same thing?

oh man I know there are others but now i can't think of them!
Any UK moms have anything they don't understand?

I guess this is a silly thread but I've always wondered some of these things!

 

[lomelly]

Being from Canada I had no idea about most things... Definitely learned some new lingo on here

 

[F0xybabe]

Haha I've even started using some of the lingo from here! I called it a dummy the other day and my mom said "Who are you calling a dummy?" I said its another word for pacifier mom! Why do they call it a dummy anyway?

 

[special_kala]

A HV is someone who's job it is is to help support mums and babies up until the age of 5. They would have previously been nurses or midwives and gone on to do further training.

The first few weeks they come over and weigh baby etc and they do the health checks at 3 months, 12 months...

They also have a very important role in safe guarding so looking out for vulnerable mums and babies.

 

[discoclare]

HVs also have drop in clinics that you can go to if you are worried about development or just want them to weigh your baby. They are also supposed to give advice if you want weaning, sleeping etc (not always wanted!). Yes every person is assigned one after they have a baby. You also of course have a GP (family doctor) but a HV is who you are discharged to after you finish midwife care when your baby is 1-2 weeks old.

 

[LittleBean19]

haha! I called it a dummy too and OH looked at me like I was crazy!

 

[HPmum2B]

Its called a dummy because its a fake / model / replica (ie a fake boob/nipple, not the real thing).

And what UK call a buggy, US call a stroller.

Also so confuse matters further...
UK crib = US cradle
UK cot = US crib

 

[Seity]

I always thought they called it a dummy because people seem to use them to keep their baby quiet... aka make them dumb (ie deaf, dumb, and blind)
I prefer the term pacifier.

Pants in US is jeans, etc (outerwear). Pants in UK is underwear.
There are a lot of food terms that are different in the UK too. Chips -> fries, biscuits -> cookies

You get used to the different terms pretty quick on here.

 

[kat2504]

What we call a moses basket in the UK is called a bassinet in the US
What is a onesie? Is it a popper vest or is it a babygrow?

A health visitor is someone who has a background in healthcare (not necessary pediatrics) but has trained in health of babies and preschoolers and offers support. You don't see them if your child is sick, you go to the doctors. They can give you advice about feeding, weaning, sleeping, anything about babycare really. Often you didn't ask for their advice and you don't agree with it though! In the UK you don't take your baby to the doctors for any routine check ups, you only see a doctor if they are sick. The HV does the routine stuff and they also do immunisations.

 

[mellyboo]

We've had a thread like this before .. There are so many cool lingo on here I'm from Canada so I have to google a lot!

 

[LittleBean19]

a onesie is a short or long sleeved shirt that buttons between the legs at the diaper area. Is that the same as a vest? I always wondered what that was!

 

[LeeLouClare]

Yeah we call a onesie a vest then a baby grow is what a baby would wear on top of that.

 

[discoclare]

a onesie is a short or long sleeved shirt that buttons between the legs at the diaper area. Is that the same as a vest? I always wondered what that was!

yes it's the same as a vest.

 

[discoclare]

there's been a few of these threads before:
"my waters broke" (UK)
"my water broke" (US)

 

[devon_91x]

In the US it seems as tho you all have a pediatrician straight away? Like do you get to see one as requested? Over here we only get sent to a pediatrician if there is a problem with LO, for example I only got to see one because my LO had GERD. For anything else we have to see our doctor.

Also, may be stupid but what's an obygn? Is that the same as a midwife?

 

[HPmum2B]

I think obgyn is the equivalent of the UK Obstetrician & gynecologist combined. In the UK we would often just refer to them as a consultant anyway.

 

[wamommy]

obgyn is an Obstetric Gynecologist, or a Dr who deals with all things exclusively female, including pregnancy and childbirth. They can do c-section surgeries.

We also see a pediatrician for everything having to do with baby. Every check-up, vaccination, etc.

I have one... what is tea? Is it dinner? Lunch? A snack?

 

[LeeLouClare]

obgyn is an Obstetric Gynecologist, or a Dr who deals with all things exclusively female, including pregnancy and childbirth. They can do c-section surgeries.

We also see a pediatrician for everything having to do with baby. Every check-up, vaccination, etc.

I have one... what is tea? Is it dinner? Lunch? A snack?

Tea either refers to the drink or the last meal in the evening (if your from the north) or afternoon tea which is taken at 4pm which traditionally is tea or coffee with an assortment of sandwiches and/or cakes

 

[Bex1408]

This is great, there are so many differences aren't there!

If I'm right in the us do you have a doctor throughout your pregnancy then the same doctor delivers the baby? Here in thr uk we have our midwife and gp appointments when pregnant but they aren't the people that deliver our babies!

Where I'm from (midlands) tea is last meal of the day!
Xxx

 

[discoclare]

Ah, I'm southern and tea is something you drink for me. Dinner is your last meal of the day. OH is from Yorkshire (north) and tea for him is evening meal (dinner to me!).