Pickle

Both of my breastfed babies were waking once during the night by 4 months, usually around 3 - 3.30am or so (with a dreamfeed at 10ish after going to bed at 7pm). During the day they were both in quite a strong routine with regards to feeding, I always made sure they got full feeds etc. and it seemed to help with nighttime sleep patterns. They started sleeping through once they were well and truly on solids, around 8 months from memory.

I get Sanctuary day passes every year for my birthday, a lovely relaxing day away from home without being too far from home.

Congratulations on the new arrival xx

Q. is it possible for babies to miss out rolling over?? Bugglet has rolled from front to back a few times but not in weeks and never from back to front, however, she is sitting on the whole unsupported/minimal support (with the occasional forward/backwards/sideways dive!). She loves sitting but still isn't keen on tummy time - should I do more tummy time?! A. my son rolled from back to front once at 4 months, then never again. He always hated tummy time, so basically worked out that if the only point of rolling was to get you on your tummy he wasn't going to do it :) He sat unaided quite early, everyone told me he would then be quick to start moving... which he didn't do at all until 14 months when he started bottom shuffling. They're all different, if your baby is happy having tummy time go for it, but I didn't force it when it was obvious my little boy didn't like it. My daughter was the opposite, rolled early and loved being on her tummy. She's a tummy sleeper (2.5 now, but has been sleeping on her tummy since she could roll), son is a back sleeper.

My son is 4 years 1 month and still in pullups at night - in the mornings he is very wet. We have tried leaving a potty in his room, nightlight in the hall so he can use the toilet etc. but it doesn't seem to help - it seems most of it is done while he's asleep which makes me realise he's just not ready. Only problem is that his sister (2.5) is dry at night, and he's old enough to realise it, which I think is putting pressure on him (even though we're not at all). Girls are much easier than boys!

An excellent idea, and one which I would support. My son is at Goodrich nursery and says "ni hao" at every opportunity after the China studies they did a few weeks ago - a good start!

Count me in for 5 too Taryn - let me know details Hope your training is going well, I ran a marathon 5 years ago, by far the toughest thing I've ever done but the best day of my life (wedding and birth of children aside, obviously ;-) )

If I had to queue somewhere (and knew in advance so was organised) I would use a mixture of snacks, drinks and maybe a book/toy. Same things in cafes - I would always go prepared with a little snack box (a mixture of lots of little things is good, lasts longer and keeps them occupied). I found that the phase where they were too old to sit happily but too young to understand that they had to be patient passed quite quickly with my two kids and now at 2.5 and 4 they are brilliant in those situations. In terms of tantrums due to not being allowed something at home I used pretty much the same approach as you. From an early age I used the "you can have this, or this" method (for example, child wants chocolate but you have said no - then offer two alternatives that you are happy with, like apple or raisins). I still use it now when the kids are stropping over something and it seems to work. A lot of it at the age you're at is pure frustration over not being able to communicate properly, and will improve! P x

Tut tut tut, Citizen ED. Parenting 101 1. always make sure you have wine in the house

Everything about them. The smell, the peeling process, the juice, that weird shiny residue you get on your fingers...

I had to search to find this thread, must mean there's not so much rage going on at the moment? Anyway, the purpose of my search was to add: oranges

A couple of my friends swear by clary sage - you add some of the oil to a bath apparently. I'm a bit sceptical, however that said they both went into labour naturally the day after a clary sage bath - worth a try! I think you can get it at Healthmatters. Good luck! xx

I'm with you. Mine are older now, but there's nothing like sitting down with a glass of wine and a selection of good TV ready and waiting on Sky + while they sleep. And it's the weekend, hurrah!

Depends how old they are, but my kids and I have just filled in 1.5 hours by making and decorating gingerbread men. I have a 4 year old boy and 2.5 year old girl and they loved it. Might not be so suitable for older kids I guess (although you'd probably get much more edible looking results...)

My son had a day off school a couple of weeks ago (had vomitted the day before, so fair enough) and spent the day watching TV on the sofa. That evening he said "I like being sick Mummy, I think I'll be sick again tomorrow so that I can watch more TV". He's 4 - and so it begins...

Jane Ruby's music classes are still on over half term, details from an email I received: I will be continuing the classes throughout the holidays. Older siblings are most welcome! The weekly programme is as follows Mondays@ Herne Hill United Church Corner of Red Post Hill and Herne Hill SE24 (free parking) Tuesdays @ Trinity Congregational Church, halfway along St Matthews Road Brixton SW2 Thursdays @ Streatham Friends Meeting House, Redlands Way, Roupell Park Estate, Brixton Hill SW2. (some free parking in Holmewood gardens and surrounding streets) Sessions commence at 10.30am and finish at 11.20am. Cost is ?5 per family or ?3 unwaged families.

I live close to the roundabout, and have come to expect that people won't observe the normal roundabout rules - especially when I'm driving up Underhill Rd and turning right into Upland... I don't think I've ever had a car coming down Underhill give way as they should. It's fine when you're used to it, but I agree it's dangerous for anyone who doesn't use it regularly. Especially bad round school run times when pedestrians are thrown into the mix.

In my experience the baby set is enough. I started off using the cushions but they ended up getting so dirty I took them off and never put them back again! When your baby first uses it you may need to stuff some towels or something around him/her but once they are confidently sitting they are fine without cushions.

I think it's the big colourful flagpole/sculpture thing on the grass beside the cafe in Dulwich Park

When we went business class the woman beside us kicked up a real fuss after takeoff asking to be moved as "she hasn't paid all this money to be kept awake by a baby". Fair enough, she got moved. I took much pleasure from the fact that my son slept the whole way, while she sat looking very annoyed towards the back of business class being kept awake by the man beside her that was snoring very loudly :))

Hi Willjack, We paid for a seat for our daughter when she was about the same age - makes life a lot easier in my experience. Otherwise you've got the problem that they're too big for a bassinet and have nowhere to sit other than your lap, which is a nightmare with a nearly 2 year old. You'd probably end up with more space for less cost if you buy an extra economy seat than if you go business class. We travelled business class when we had just one baby and there was room to have him lying beside me in the seat, but he was only small (3 months) and it wasn't very comfortable. With an older child I think it would be tricky, and you have the added pressure of feeling like you have to keep them quiet ;-) Depending on the timing of your flights, it may be worthwhile trying to get a window seat - you can make a much quieter cosy little space for a child that way. Day flights we go for aisle as they're more active and likely to be up out of their seats a lot. Some airlines will give you a whole row if the flight isn't full, which is ideal (or we've also found people ask to move if there are spare seats and they find themselves sitting beside kids!!). Good luck

There have been threads on this before, try doing a search (I usually post on them!). We've been to NZ and back 7 times now since having our son 4 years ago, and 4 times with 2 children. Hit the ground running - as soon as you land in the time zone you're going to, switch to their time. It helps a lot if your baby is in a routine, as you just go ahead and do the usual routine. We always find that for the first few days the kids fall into a really deep sleep after lunch and it can be hard (and feel a bit mean) to wake them up, but don't let them sleep too long. Lots of fresh air and sunshine and you should be pretty much adjusted well within a week. The flight should be easy with a 5 month old. If the baby is on solids make sure you take some with you for the flight - they do supply food but chances are it won't be stuff your baby will eat. Feed on takeoff and landing, although it's not essential as the air pressure is pretty regulated in large planes these days. Take a few little toys, but you will probably find that your baby sleeps for a lot of the flight, and when awake there's so much to look at you won't need too much to keep him/her occupied. Take more nappies than you think you'll need - little tummies seem to get affected pretty easily and you may end up with more dirty nappies than usual. Have a fab time, and feel free to ask if you have more specific questions. P x

We'll be there on the Monday morning :)

Yes please, I'm determined we're going to get out of the house otherwise I'll go mad! Have never been to Bellingham, but keen to try it, could do either Monday or Wednesday. Let me know what time (and where it is). Could also be up for Friday at CP if the weather's decent. P x

We went to Centre Parcs Elvedon Sept 09, kids were 15 months and 2.5ish - loved it. We didn't do any of the activities you have to pay for as the kids were too young to appreciate it, but had a lovely time cycling round the grounds, going to the outdoor playgrounds and swimming every day. I took food with us for dinners, but we did end up eating out more than we thought we would. Food not fantastic (but not bad), the benefit is that dining with kids is made as simple as possible and it was very stress free. We went for a week offpeak, was brilliant as quite quiet and not overrun with older kids as it was termtime - I'm not sure it would be as nice in school holiday time.