Saila

Convex, what practice are you at cos we said all of this? My partner pleaded saying that I was deteriorating by the hour with a 6 wk old. But they just told him there was nothing they could do. They eventually called back with an appointment time of 710pm approx 12 hours after I first contacted them. By which time I was v sick.

This is what amazes me. Surely the mistake is that these untrained staff are ultimately making medical decisions. Had I just accepted what they had told me, I would have ended up in a&e that's for sure. Instead it took stressful conversations to the point of arguing with the front desk staff who were combative at best. My partner also went in in person with a similar response but still the attitude was all wrong. Being stressed out like that with a high temperature isn't fun. I ended up breaking down in the doctors office when she was shocked at how sick I was. There seems to be a missing service at the Melbourne grove, and perhaps dmc, and that's for emergency cases that do not warrant going to a&e for. Without this, it is driving patients to become emergencies which makes zero sense.

Been seen Doctor was really nice and sorted me out with some antibiotics, but temp now 38.8 and its on both sides I complained bout reception stasff and she just said 'they are not medically trained' Unhelpful, as dose has to be high cos its so established, thrush likely and prob cessation of bf Gutted All completely avoidable

No, my partner is off today - thank god But I'm on my own tm which is why I so desperately wanted treatment this morning

:( thanks for your comments You can't help feeling really depressed by it all - bf is so hard And the thought of getting up and going to doc makes me feel sick Frustrating as I knoe if the doctor knew, he'd sort it out straight away but the front recpetion staff refuse to pass on ms Its now in my second breast and fever 38.3 and I've only had it <24 hrs

I woke up this morning w dreaded mastitis I have a 6 wk old and a 3yr old toddler to look after It's the second time I've had mastitis in 4 wks and last time I contained it using low dose antabuse. I called at 8.15am for an appointment with Melbourne Grove but they said there were none available today. As anyone knows, mastiitis left untreated can get really out of hand and I'm on my own with 2 kids to look after with chills/breast pain/weak etc etc I said all I needed was a repeat prescription from last time, and my partner could pick it up from reception. This means I could nip it in the bud ahead of tm. They said I could try emailing, but the response can take up to 48 hrs. I emailed, twice but heard nothing back. My partner went in and they refused to talk to my doctor or pass on a messgae/email to him. I really rate him as a doctor and trust him to help me as he totally sorted me out last time How easy should it be to just get a repeat prescription for something? Or just get a message to a doctor? I am feeding constantly and doing all the rec things, to keep it at bay. Hot baths/massaging etc but its just getting worse. I have inverted nipples which makes me prone apparently. I'm really emotional and hormonal as it was mastitis that stopped me bf with my first child... but the reception staff are hugely unsympathetic and just huff and puff at you like I'm making a fuss. Thankfully, they just called syaying I could come in for another appointment but w a different* doctor at 710. I managed to get it down to 610. All this feels like such a waste of time for everyone involved. I just get more and more disillusioned w that place... Any suggestions for another gp nearby?

hi yes - unless something has changed (again) it appears that it is allowed under PD mine was approved - no problem

I did a gina-lite approach for no. 1. It worked really well for us and my son was a happy baby/toddler No.2 is a month old and I've realised the basic routine won't work cos of school drop, but just taking the basic principles and doing a gine-mega-lite approach is working nicely. I agree w pickle, establishing bedtime routine is godsend early on. So we're basically just doing that. Oh and always starting the day with a feed at 7am. Just these things for now and he's only feeding at 1130 and 3am I expect the growth spurts will screw things up a bit! BW sounds like a similar approach to gina-lite Good luck!

Snow lands with a loud *thud* on London...

Doing school pick up by bus, my car's breaks don't work in the current snowy side streets. Main roads still looking fine Driving is out imo

I think its tm night, not tonight

Saying that, perhaps experiences in london hospitals are very different to outside london?

I agree w OP. And aecdotally, I get impression my experience is the norm -i had to fight to get the intervention I wanted and (as it turned out) needed.

Anyone know when the next open day is?

Have you tried wilkinet? I use that from newborn to 1yr I had a bugaboo and only used it 3x cos the sling was so good

Really helpful website! Thanks

We had the same experience with cc as gooders. Ie left for max of five mins and by then he'd almost always fallen asleep If not, it was because there was something wrong eg hungry, got into a twist with his blanket etc It never seemed wrong or stressful, he was just settling himself Looking and hearing about other ways of settling, it doesn't sound like the babies cry any less ? In a way a consistent approach may be fairer and then they know to just go to sleep and not scream for rocking or whatever

This is possibly one of those topics you should probably discuss with a doctor, rather than other mums on edf Uptake of whooping cough has been very good due to current outbreak

I returned back to the same job, no change at all except that I was part time (4 day wk) for first 6 mnths back. Didn't take much time off for maternity leave (4mnths) and have a v flexible, kind work environment (financial firm with female boss) meaning I can work from home and do drop and pick up most days. Made much easier cos I failed to breastfeed past 5 wks.

Such a sad case But surely if the mother accepted the father's choice and the doctor's serious warning/advice, then she wouldn't have been separated from her son. She's clearly desperately unhappy and possibly not thinking straight. Poor her. But if the doctor and father agree on treatment course, then I can see why they've done it.

I had a pretty religious upbringing - i attended sunday school and pre school religious events, then went to a missionary boarding school for 11 years, which was pretty full on. I've never once felt drawn to it. Both my parents are atheists. They only made us go to these things cos they were fun kids things to do in the area. I listened to my parents and their beliefs, or at least their approach and attitude to major issues such as religion and it's never interested me. I have a lovely MIL and feel very luck after reading this. Poor you.

I agree, although it's difficult for drivers to get any real speed up. I wouldn't worry too much. Perhaps go for a walk down there at rush hour time and see what you think?

i think someone mentioned this before - but having the dad do the 'dream feed' ie at 11pm with expressed milk/formula is a real godsend for many mums. That way they can hit the sack early and catch up on sleep Also a great way to introduce the baby to the dad and maybe others, freeing up the mum to go out if she wanted to at a later date. for me it's about freedom and also gently introducing the baby to the dad and other people, so they are not wholly dependent on you. Esp if you plan to go back to work etc. that may not appeal to many mums... but it did me!

No way - Bellenden is absolutely 100% in Peckham as is Adys/Oglander etc East Dulwich is SE22 - as LondonMix says

Great thread! We split jobs: So someone brings the bread sauce, someone brings the bird round (to save on fridge space for host) Someone else does stuffings Then final person brings salmon round for starter P.s. Not a 'dinner-tip' but we abolished xmas presents a few years ago. Now we can buy 'presents' but they must be consumable or usable on the day. So food, games and fun xmas silly stuff. Means you can enjoy xmas shopping and buy on a whim. Rather than have to think too hard about stuff. Also, they are general presents for everyone. Can involve a lovely cheese, or fine wine/whisky etc it's great fun! We don't look back... Father xmas still comes for the kids tho!