born&brED

Definitely take someone with you if you can - your base is likely to be the corridoor and no doubt you won't be able to take baby into the courtroom, tho maybe you are hoping your husband can hold baby while you are witnessing? May be worth checking that first x

Small DIY shop on corner of Dunstans and Forest Hill Road (near Herne pub, opposite gated entrance to Peckham Rye) usually sells sledges etc. Sledging - def Horniman Gardens (so many childhood memories there!). Also the Horniman sandpit park, Sydenham Wells Park and Hilly Fields (SE4)

The post-Christmas diet has begun and I had a good wobble in front of Davina's superbody dvd tonight! Just wondered if anyone could offer some advice - have heard raving reviews about Acai berries from South America, which are supposed to detox and aid slimming. Was just wondering if anyone on here has had any success (or otherwise!) with them? If so, where did you get them (if locally) and how did they work? Also wondering if they are suitable during breastfeeding - I presume so since they are not too disimilar to blueberries? Thanks!

It may be easier to get into the FH group practice as an 'outsider' - we're outside and managed to get in. Then you're in with the OW midwives too (who ARE GREAT!)

Will add my recommendation on the end - have been using them for 2 weeks now and think they're brill. No leaks with either my 23 month old or 4 month old. Brilliant value with free next day delivery if you order 2 or more boxes - well worth it!

For my mum's 60th last year I got some hand/foot print cermaics made at All Fired Up from the kids. Was also thinking just now that you could organise a pottery-painting or craft-workshop party there for her and close friends / family? Following on from what 'dutchestatefamily' suggested, check out 'notonthehighstreet.co.uk' for personalised house / special place pictures, word art, special personalised jewellry, carved wooden items etc. It's a fab site for finding that something different but special.

The Quinny Zapp is great - folds up smaller than a Maclaren, into a bag with a handle! I had an old style one which didn't recline but was as light as a feather and so easy yo push. The new styke ones fully recline, I believe. Petit Star do a similar thing for less money. Also have a Quest, kept at Grandma's, which reclines partially but very lightweight and a good price. Hope you find what you need!x

Def don't spend lots - blood and gore everywhere! :-/ Think I changed a zillion times in both labours (show that went on and on, bleeding, waters breaking, too hot, etc!) but for some reason wanted to wear joggers and pj bottoms - ran out in the end! Ditto the cheap Primark nightie. Gave birth with no 1 in attractive hosp gown, and was completely starkers for 2nd - found both labours really hot and sweaty - one due to hosp room and other due to summer heat! Hope birth goes well for you!x

We have a babydan too and it's great! Used it with a padded insert til nearly a year - a lot cheaper than tripptrapp.

I'd recommend baby Sing and Sign (various venues around Dulwich) when your LO is 6 months. I also enjoyed Jelly Babies swim session in the hydro (warm!) pool at Peckham Pulse when baby was 3 months+. And would second Rhyme Time / Library Sessions. Enjoy!

Great ideas! Today my 20 month old and I have been using the cardboard tube (very thick and sturdy) from a roll of carpet to send dried pasta, rice, lentils etc whizzing down into a box at the other end. Also scoops (like ones you get in washing powder), funnels (half a squash bottle), cups, tubes and toy diggers in the dried-up water tray with the pasta etc. While the weather's still nice, make the most of messy play out doors - shaving foam, jelly, cooked and coloured spaghetti, bubbles and corn flour 'gloop' are all great in trays (try a flat 'builders tray' - ones they use for cement). Add plastic bugs, brushes, sticks, scoops, jars, wheels etc and you may even get to put your feet up fpr a while - if you resist joining in yourself, of course! Sanne Panne - I don't know if this is the blog you had in mind, but there is a local mum who has this blog - it's absolutely excellent for play ideas from birth to 5+. All the ideas are easy to carry out, cheap and usually using things already in the home. Most posts are usefully categorised under headings. I'll also really recommend this to nannies, childminders and nursery workers as each post links to areas of the EYFS. Enjoy!

I have an old-style (i.e pre-2010) double Mountain Buggy (73cm wide - is the duet the new slimmer one?) for my 20 month old and 4 week old. I knew with this age gap I'd NEED a double and I've been really happy with it so far - and haven't got stuck in a single doorway yet! I use a single carrycot on it for my newborn at the mo which is a fab option as can unclip it when arrive home without disturbing baby, and found it fab on holiday last week on beach, etc. Would def recommend! Like snowboarder, I find it really light and easy to steer, tho haven't attempted public transport yet. Hope that helps!

Really liked Dr Main too, tho think she may be on mat leave at mo

I second/third Boing from Benefit - pretty sure it's labelled 'industrial strength' - haha!

Thanks so much FatherJack and Molly! Really glad to hear I should be able to support local businesses when getting them, instead of the usual online retailers. Will go for the standard ones as I don't think I'll be doing anything more than a bit of off-road!

Godstone Farm near M25 (Surrey) then a walk on nearby North Downs - beautiful views and a lovely farm to visit. Should only take 45 mins from ED in car on a good day.

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone out there with a Mountain Buggy could recommend a shop or site to get new tyres from? I have a pre-2010 urban double and am just wondering if I really need to fork out for the ones on the MB website, but am nervous about which other sellers to go for! Also, what type of tyre would you recommend - are the chunky, off-road ones impractical for the city or is it best to get them for the times when they are needed? Thanks!

I'm in FLOODS every time a baby pops out - my husband stares at me in disbelief. I loved Monday's episode - fab births for 3 first-timers - bet they'll all be having more! I'd love to be a birth partner - no sisters tho and everyone else just have husbands/partners with them. :'(

Yes it is and she's lovely. SHe does pereneal clinic sessions sometimes.

Hi all, I'm expecting my second on the 13th July so I guess I fit in here! I did NCT classes before my first and didn't find them tooooo natural-birth 'heavy'. Our course teacher shed an honest light all all the options, which I found useful. Didn't even think about doing any antenatal this time round but having read the above am thinking I might try out the nhs ones - I'll see if I can fit them in! Also really interested in any pregnancy aerobics / pilates / other fitness going on in area. Let me know if you hear of any! x

I really liked the medela mini electric - about ?50 I think. Was def quicker than what you quoted - having said that, I seem to remember things going slowly at the beginning and speeding up after a few days. Worth persevering with it!

A pannetone is a great idea, Nappy Lady - I love the beautifully wrapped ones in Panino D'oro at ED Deli. As a primary teacher, the best presents I received were 2 x cinema tickets, a cath kidston make-up bag, a body shop gift set and a big cosmos for my garden - needless to say I have loved all the name mugs, 'best teacher' tat and chocs too! Remember a hand drawn (or hand-written at least) card - they get kept!

I did a USA trip with my then 6-month old and found it a really good age to travel. We booked evening flights (GMT time going, NY time coming back) and he slept nearly the whole way. He wasn't crawling and bearly sitting up so wasn't restless. I really wouldn't be keen travelling with him at the mo - 11 months. So go for it! Be equipped with a dummy and bottles of water (esp if breastfeeding as really difficult to on plane and not allowed to on take-off anyway, plus they get very dehydrated). As Sophie said above, you do get to jump the boarding queue too! I'd also def recommend a ligthweight umbrella fold for your trip - one that reclines at least part way for that age group. They can be picked up cheaply from this forum! Congatulations on your pregnancy - enjoy!

Just to mention there is now a midwife-led birthing centre at Lewisham Hospital (i.e. free!) if you did want to try that 'home-birth-style but not at home' experience. From what I've heard it's kitted out really well, and just one floor away from the labour ward should any further medical attention be needed. However, they are fairly strict about previous birth records and problems experienced in pregnancy, and I have no idea if the labour ward there is anything compared to Kings.

Definitely depends on your baby's shape! I think Pampers, Huggies and Nature Baby are all fine, but Tesco Essentials and Asda Angels both just as good, just half the price!