marscapone

We were advised by our nursery that wrist ones were better as it was a less sudden stop if you pulled the reins. The first time we used them, my toddler started running, realised the reins were there, stopped, undid the velcro arounf his wrist, and kept running. A real design flaw (and from mothercare!), and needless to say we never used them again. Couldn't comment on other varieties...

I always put both my boys in the buggy to get them to sleep for first few months so didn't matter which way they faced. I had MacLaren Techno XT throughout - would have liked parent facing at times, but for us it wasn't worthwhile as I wanted to just have one pram that lasted and had small space to park it in. And it's still going strong...

The accupressure wrist bands worked wonders for my friend's daughter - can't remember how old she was, perhaps about 2

Mine stopped at 2 and a half. 8pm bedtime. Like Jamma said, we used telly after lunch - sometimes he dropped off, sometimes not - depended if he needed it

My 4 year old has always picked up lots of colds and barely seems to get over one before the next one hits - especially his coughing. He's otherwise pretty healthy and FULL of energy. The Doctor told us that he has an asthmatic cough and that's why it lingers so long. There's not much we can do - he has an asthma inhaler which helps relieve it, but he still picks up lots of colds, probably because his body is so worn out from coughing all the time. It's still difficult seeing him so sick every winter, but we feel so much better knowing a bit about why this is the case. Maybe something to ask the doctor if you go?

I was unaware of any problems about continuing a bottle after one. My first had his bottle til about 2 and a half I think (although maybe he dropped daytime milk about 2) and had absolutely no speech problems - in fact he started speaking very early and still hasn't stopped! My second will drink water out of a beaker but won't have milk from beaker or bottle. I guess I don't really have any advice, just to say that they are all different and you need to do what feels right for your little one

Yes it is, really grateful if you could dig it out - thanks

My work has recently switched childcare vouchers and are now using Edenred. I don't have the nursery's Edenred account number in order to make payment for January and they are closed for Christmas so I can't check. Does anyone know what it is? Please PM me Thanks

It is tricky. We still pay full fees every month even though our nursery closes for 2 weeks at Christmas and 2 weeks in summer - but I understand that it's for staff holiday pay, and if we didn't pay for that they would just up our fees for the weeks it was open But the snow is different. I couldn't get into work and had to take it as a days annual leave - I still got paid but now have one day less leave for the year. Likewise the nursery staff still need to get paid for snowy weather Although I hdo ave to say that our nursery stayed open (and I know that last winter they had to stay open til 10pm as some parents were stuck and unable to pick up their children before that - not sure if / how much extra they charged for that!) Sorry that is a bit of a ramble that doesn't really say anything...

Thanks for all replies. My son is (mainly) veggie, as we all are - we eat fish and he also has the occaisional sausage or meat when he is out. HAlso some tofu, lots of cheese, pulses etc Thanks for confirming what I suspected - seems like he eats much like any other 4 year old boy, but very reassuring to hear this from so many of you. I was (mostly) joking about giving him more cakes, but I certainly won't worry about giving him a bit more. And might try and squeeze in a few more higher fat things such as more yoghurt for snacks etc. Lots of good suggestions here

My 4 year old son is quite tall for his age and FULL of energy. He is also really quite skinny. I'm sure it's mostly genetic as his husband is also tall and thin. But I'm wondering what, and how much, other 4 year old boys eat. Ours is quite a good eater - happy to try new foods, good with vegetables etc. But I can't help wondering if he's not eating enough or is eating too healthily. Should I give him more cakes???! His appetite varies daily. Some days he will eat 2 bowls of cereal and some toast for breakfast, other days he will eat one bowl of cereal only. Lunch is typically sandwich and fruit/raisins. Dinner might be pizza, curry, pasta and salad etc. He eats quite a lot of fruit but not really many cakes or biscuits. He has a yoghurt every day, has full fat milk on his cereal, cheese sandwiches. Snacks are usually fruit. Is this 'normal'? I know all kids are different, but it would be helpful to get some idea of what other 4/5 year old boys eat in a day

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,551519,551621#msg-551621

I am breastfeeding my 16 month old morning and night. I went back to work bout 2 months ago and he's refused any other milk during the day (tried cows milk, goats milk, diff types of formula, tried cups and bottles). I'm not too worried about it as he's still having breastmilk morning and night. My question is about my milk supply. It seems fine for twice daily feeds. But my son sometimes asks for milk during the day - at the weekend, or even on weekday on the day(s) I finish a bit earlier and see him before he has dinner. I have been refusing as I'm worried I won't have enough for the evening feed. I've been offering him food and water instead. But I'm wondering what would happen to my milk supply if I did feed him sometimes in the day when he asked for it? I know that in the early months it's all supply and demand, but is it the same now? I feel a bit bad refusing as he's always been fed on demand and after spending so long teaching him sign language for milk I now ignore him when he asks Thanks for any advice

My son came home from nursery one day, having made a mess of his clothes, waering navy blue tights and long khaki shorts. I thought he looked great! One day he did come home with hair clips - I think a message to me to cut his hair... He has also worn pink t-shirts etc

Agree with others that you should get your licence while you have the momentum, if you feel up to it But not that neccessary in ED - even with 2 children I don't really miss having a car. One in buggy, one on scooter is fine. We don't go to Bluewater/Beckenham very often, if at all. But do catch local buses and trains to town, Crystal Palace and to see friends in Hackney which are all just as easy on public transport. While I sometimes think it would be nice to get in car and go somewhere in the weekend, I probably don't wish this more often since having children than I did before

Thanks. Just got back from holiday so catching up with this thread. Will try it this week. Does that mean dishwash liquid and bleach mixed in together?

I agree Dulwichmum - would rather not have to do lots of different hot wash/rinse cycles, use bleach etc. Which is why I think vinegar will be the first thing I try. btw these haven't always smelled bad, and hopefully some of these suggestions are to do once a month rather than every time

Thanks for suggestions. Seems to be a lot of differing advice - that it is detergent build-up - I don't think so as I always use less than suggested and do extra rinse as well - bumgenius website suggests bleach once a month. it says to avoid vinegar - many other discussion boards say vinegar is good for the inserts but not the outers (although my outers smell a bit too) - some say dishwashliquid - some advice to do cold wash first to avoid baking in smell, and then hot (60) wash. Then another rinse. But that would amount to hours of washing with our slow machine... Not sure I'm any the wiser but will try some of these suggestions. Vinegar sounds like best option for me

We use Bumgenius nappies and happy with them except that they seem to permanently small of wee. I have tried different washing powders, and always do an extra rinse afterwards anyway (as baby has eczema). They are almost always dried outside in the sun, for at least part of the time. How can I get rid of the smell? None of the other clothes smell, I suppose it is because the nappies aren't a natural material like cotton (the inserts are fleece, can't remember what the outers are). We always wash at 60 degrees. I was told not to use lavendar because of baby's eczema. Any other ideas? Thanks

I put away some of older childs toys as he grew out of them. I am planning on wrapping them up for no.2 - oldest thinks this is a great idea and no.2 won't notice. Of course the older one then rediscovers them and wants to play with them all over again but then it means the sharing goes both ways I do the same with clothes... I do buy the odd new present for no.2 as well - I'm not sooo mean

I had a very similar experience - I bought some cloth nappies for my first child but didn't get on with them so gave up. Second time around I was determined to give it another go and got a different style nappy (a pocket nappy - bumgenius). For me the main problem the first time was that I found the two layers a bit fiddly with a very active baby, and they were also too bulky for many of the slimfit clothes I had been given. The nappies I now use suit me much better. I would say give it another go with a different brand/style of nappy. And don't be too hard on yourself - I only use cloth nappies about half the time, but figure that is better than nothing! I wash them at 60 degrees and usually fill up the load with other baby/toddler clothes that get dirty from spilled food and husband's smelly cycling clothes.

My 4 year old came home from school having drawn a picture of 'mummy's wine' He also said very loudly something about 'going to the pub'

This is helpful. Does anyone have anything similar for older children? My 4 year old son is tall and thin for his age so finding trousers is quite tricky - I have found the Primark ones quite good. Any other ideas?

My 4 year old son absolutely loves wearing the same clothes as his dad - although it is usually as simple as same coloured t-shirt and both wearing jeans. needless to say, his dad is less keen ...

We also have problems with our 15 month old son. We eat together as a family at 6.30 and it really is a bit too late but can't really be much earlier. I find that sometimes he eats well and sometimes not. Less to do with whether he is actually hungry or not, and more to do with whether he likes the food or is tired, I think. Like Alieh, he gets yoghurt/banana after every dinner. Sometimes when he's refusing his dinner the banana works to take the edge off his hunger/tiredness/grumpiness and he will go back to the main meal once he's finished the banana For what it's worth, I'm sure we did lots of no-no's with older son - pandering to his fussiness a certain amount, pouring fruit puree over his main meal etc. Now aged 4 he is a great eater, loves vegetables, has a very varied diet and wants to try anything new. I think your son sounds like a typical toddler and I'm sure things will improve in time whatever approach you take