new mother

Fuschia, that is exactly the point. I ask about children's preferences. I expect adults to be well.... Adults. Gwod, obviously I wldnt give them something I knew they didn't like. Uptime, religious reasons are fine. It is personal preferences that i will not stand and the selfishness of the guest thinking he or she is so important - one of 12 or whatever - that he or she should be catered for specially or even dictate a menu for other more reasonable people!

Woops - v tired after work.... I was just saying that I go to a lot of trouble and that I don't think it polite for a guest to ask more. It is presuming too much and making the guest more important. If the host chooses to do so, fine but that is the host's prerogative. Civilservant, we are talking about formal dinner parties which may or may not be catered by outside providers as opposed to more relaxed kitchen suppers. I don't think it unreasonable for a previous poster to be unpleasantly surprised on receipt of two texts afterdinner. It is straightforward lazy and ill- mannered of the guest. Ok - another one. Someone told me of this - I admit I haven't actually experienced it: Host: can I get you a glass of wine - red or white? Guest: a glass of champagne would be nice. Unbelievable cheek.

Awilliams, I fear you are right! Sophie, just to set your mind at rest, I will go to a great deal of trouble and effort for the event, I don't

Hmmm, becca. Nappylady, interesting point. I always ask if there is anything they cannot eat. I don't think it emcumbent on the host to cater for Sukie preferring chicken and Freddie liking a particular wine, no. I don't expect to hear back anything other than their medical requirements. I was brought up to eat everything I was given at other people's houses, to thank them enthusiastically at the time and to write to them the next day. Some people think it acceptable to send an email nowadays, so depressing. Anyone agree or are my views those of an endangered species?

Dear forumites, happy 2012 first of all. Secondly, my query: is it reasonable for guests, without being asked to volunteer to hosts their eating preferences? Excepting medical requirements, I don't see why adults cannot simply leave what they don't like. I don't run an a la carte menu for people to choose from. What are your views?

Haha, yes exactly. Facing the floor. The alternative would be guaranteed to increase the crying.... I also swore by holding them up fairly straight (head supported obviously) on the basis everything would work its way down more easily. High scientific as youcan see.

Strawb, I have just read your other post re colic. Dr browns special bottles do help with this and I think you should stick to them over other types despite the leaking issue. It did really annoy me till I realised I was causing it and could fix it. Anything better than a crying baby. The other thing that gives colicky babies relief is to hold them upside down along your arm, one leg on each side, and swing them (gently!). It seems to force air out of their little tummies and they love it.

Undo and empty the funnel thing. Do not heat it up when the top is screwed on tight. It takes a while to get the exact knack but is well worth it. Zero colic or crying or wind from my ch. Who were exclusively bottle fed.

Often the name "Ralph" is pronounced "Rafe"....

Tom, Hugh, Oliver, William, Robert, Charles, Edward, Rupert, Henry? Any decision yet?!

Boots vouchers? Most nursery staff are girls who might like that?

Well, DG, readers of this thread can draw their own conclusions. All I can report is personal experience and what I have observed with friends. For us, and perhaps many others who I have never met, the downside risks of major problems for the baby, in pregnancies that looked textbook all along (critical point!), are more concerning than any marginal benefits that may or may not exist from a pv delivery.

Ruth, loving your sense of humour and hating that you need it! For what it is worth, I saw some significant medical problems happening to a friend once, by chance as I was visiting her in hospital. I raised the alarm and she was "shocked back" - and all is well now. It took me around a year to bs able to mention it anyone and I imagine longer for her. Now we both can although it brings a sombre note to the conversation. You will process it in time darling but in the meantime have a gorgeous happy boy. :-)

Dg, women who have had "bad outcomes" yearn for the marginal problems that may or may not come from an elective section. I find it surprising you can raise minor issues which really are the icing on the cake, if they are true at all-as they aren't my experience or that of ClareC- in a context where the downside risk is bran damage or death to the baby.

Completely agree with ClareC on all points (save re Sillywoman, but that is only because I haven't met her!). Funnily enough ClareC mentioned her children had had fewer bugs etc than those of her friends delivered pv. This is entirely my experience and I raised it in an earlier thread as I formula fed as well and was confused by the apparent and unexpectedly robust nature of my ch. Can you pinpoint why your Ch are robust, ClareC? My only suggestion for ours is that I was quite paranoid about infection etc and probably washing their hands more often than most people. Could this have made the difference?