Ruth_Baldock

Apenn; because of where we live, I do a lot of collapsing the p&t/ lugging it up and down stairs. No mean feat a month after a c/s, usually with toddler screaming and baby wailing. It's just very big and unweildy, really.Still Best of a bad bunch- have heard great things about the new mountain buggy though. Also, newborn cocoon is tiny- lex is about to outgrow hers and she's a month old :/ sB: I find babywearing a challenge if seb launches himself out of his maclaren (did this the other day and legged it down east dulwich grove!!!) but if toddler is happily contained/distracted, it works well for us- little lex in the ergo, though, not so much if she's in the kari me/moby.

Horses for courses, I started one about poo about a month ago...classy!

Belle, if you want any recommendations for a PN doula, let me know, I have a whole arsenal of info on them. The lady I'll be working with has helped out loads of second time mums, particuarly those with PND- I suffered with PND last time and it looks as though it's rearing it's ugly head again this time too but I've nipped it in the bud, I hope.

I firmly believe that the secret to having two little 'uns is: a sling. This is coming from someone with four prams currently, including a blasted p&t. Now, granted, it serves a very important purpose but it's no maclaren quest and is mahoosive. Comes in most useful when we need to contain toddler, actually, because he's a very good walker.

Thanks all! And NYMom, we will probably end up taking our p&t with than in mind! No idea how we'll do it with the infant cocoon, except lex is fast growing out of that anyway. Hope it doesn't get mangled and damaged on the flight :/

Totally agree with Yak; at 4wks, lex is alert and awake a lot in th day- she's not one of these sleep, wake, quick feed and poo, sleep again babas. This horrified the HV. All babies are totally different, as are parents and expectations. I have a friend who considers STTN nothing less than 11hrs straight. We get a 5 1/2 hr block from Lex and seeing as how that's what i've been surviving on for the past 20mo or so, I consider that to be STTN. Same friend would consider that a major sleep problem. Shrug. Saying that, I'm about to take on a post natal doula; not for sleep woes, but for other reasons (namely someone to tend to Lex so I can spend 1:1 time with Seb, lex's arrival has seriously affected him and drastic action needs to be taken to make him feel less pushed out, poor bugger)

Otta, my thoughts exactly. I feel the same about pregnancy. Beautiful and magical my arse- literally!!!! Mr B wants four. Four babies. That's another two pregnancies and two c/s. Twice more I'd have to go through the newborn phase schtick. Err... I think I could possibly go for a 3rd in 5+ years when Lex and Seb are in school and I don't have to worry about two sets of baby equipment, double pram etc. Maybe even 10 years. If we waited 10 years, Baby The Third would be born when I was 35/36. That's allright, I reckon.

Whoop whoop! After a whirlwind 3 years (2 awful pregnancies, and 2 major surgeries- one awful, one fab) me and mr b have decided to throw caution to the wind (and American express...) and are off to NY with The Babies in October for a week. Lex will be 3 mo old, Seb 22 mo. We will obviously need at least one buggy, and we are taking our ergo/beco (when it arrives). I am loathe to take the phil&teds. Options are: 1) get another umbrella pram that reclines fully for Lex, and take Quest for Seb- I.e. We each have a buggy. 2) borrow a double maclaren. Anyone got one to offer? Any recommendations for babyfriendly places to go/eat etc? Central Parl obviously, for Seb's "park" fix. Were staying in times sq if that makes a difference. I am also assuming this means I am more than entitled to drop serious ??? in White Stuff on holiday wardrobe, right? Right!

I'm not Anti CIO/CC, whatever works for you, I say, but isn't it actually quite damaging to let very little ones cry for prolonged periods? My 4wk old would probably explode if I did that...

Blind leading the blind: haven't a clue. At some point, The Cheeky Baldock Babies will be sharing a room. Since it took an hour to feed Lex down to sleep and Seb was up till TEN shouting in his cot and playing, I dunno how I'll retain my sanity.

On our second. Husband wants the third within 18mo. I want a pair of bricks to chuck at his bits. Homemade vasectomy!

We will be leaving soonish, I'm assuming you'll all be easy to spot? If not, look out for me looking lost- I've got a black phil&teds with my cheeky toddler in front. I should be easy to spot- I've got a lot of tattoos on both arms which generally sets me apart from most mum&baby crowds...

Morning all, we'll pop in around 2:30- will have cheeky toddlerboy with me so it may end up being a flying visit, but the promise of biscuits and his favourite book may subdue him somewhat ;) looking forward to meeting you all! Rx

Susy- you have absolutely done the right thing. My mum stayed with my s-dad even after years of alcohol abuse and violence. She said she always thought she'd have the strength to go if he ever laid a finger on us, the children. He beat the living daylight out of me reguarly and then was incredibly emotionally and verbally abuse, first me, then my sister. I left home asap, and my sister (aged 14 at the time) came with me. Mum is still with him and it's ruined our relationship and any relationship she will have with my children. It's also ruined mine and my sister's confidence and esteem. In short, you have absolutely done the right thing, hands down. The courage you have shown is amazing and you absolutely do NOT deserve any of this. Take care, rx

I was thinking Horniman too! It's just the 176 up there, hopefully we could both get our massive double buggies on! have also heard excellent things re: sally army playgroup but wasn't sure if it was on during the hols? If it is, excellent, seb, lex and I will give it a go tomorrow too...

Seconding Otta; always better to be safe than sorry.

My BFF (ha, awful phrase) is coming to sunny SE London next week with her kids, 1x3 y/o girl and 1x6mo old boy. I've got a 20mo old and 1mo old. What can we do locally? Cp one o'clock club is slightly out, massively far on the bus (we are both carless...) was thinking PR 1 o'clock club but have read less than great things about the new set up, especially as we will need our toddlers contained, due to having to shove the baby on a boob frequently etc. Any ideas, forum?

I'm free everyday except Friday :)

I was worried about spending too much time away from my toddler too but I left him at 6am Monday morningand was back at home with him by 1:30pm Tuesday pm (was in kings for 26hrs!) I pushed for an early dishcharge but even o I hadn't would only have been in for two nights anyway.

I haven't had a vaginal delivery or tearing but I have had 2x c/s, one emergency and one planned so if you're interested in my experience I'd be happy to talk to you about it. Planned c/s was great, recovery okay but I get exhausted if I do too much (am almost 4wks pp) and am still bleeding heavily due to not being able to "just rest" as have a mad toddler. OP, I think I know who you are in "real life" and we spoke briefly about a planned c/s but definitely happy to go over it in detail, am not squeamish/ have no shame. I will say that my mum had a 3c tear with my now 18y/o sister and had another 3rd degree tear 19mo later with my brother. Hm.

I've considered it for myself and babies; never had CP and it would be bloody awful if I got it at the same time as them! I believe Saffron has posted about this before, think there is a place in Victoria that does it...

And me! I thought a c/s scar and stitches was bad enough! Really feeling for lots of the ladies posting on here!

I am yet to have The Pox; I wish someone had bought an infectious child round to see me when I was little... Good for you,OP, some people can be so rude!!!!!

If the weather is good and people fancy meeting outdoors again, perhaps in that enclosed bt in PR Pk then we would like to meet up- my toddler is impossible when in cafes etc and the only day I don't have him is Friday. Anyone around next week? I think the second half of the week looks good weatherwise...

SW: good for you! Best friend is currently training to be a MW after working in publishing for the past few years.