candj

I've never employed a babysitter to look after my children during the daytime as I've always employed a nanny - full time and her salary was more than ?10/hr when you calculate tax and NI. A baby sitter I would have thought only worked ad hoc in the evenings when parents were out and a babysitter could be anyone looking after children even a teenager, friend, neighbour or whoever whereas a nanny has a qualifications/degrees in childcare/first aid/CRB, etc and is an actual employee where tax and NI must be paid by the employer (ie, the family). Incidentally, I pay my housekeeper 10/hr as well and her job is just as important in our household but perhaps without the responsibility of small children.

But you would pay ?10 for a nanny. Perhaps babysitters don't charge as much because during their job the children are sleeping most of the time. Not sure how childminders work so can't comment on that. Just to add, you would pay ?10 plus for a nanny including tax and NI.

BB100 wrote Some recent> research on children's views on their childhoods reported that children do not like adults swearing. children also don't like when adults make them eat their veggies... I'm just saying is all. I'd like to think that the occasional expletive isn't harmful especially as children eventually learn them at the school playground. I think all the parents posting on this thread are doing just that rather than subjecting their little ones to a dailey tirade of swear words. Your point is well taken though.

I'm thanking the shoe Gods and Manolo himself that mine didn't get bigger but I just don't wear high heels anymore, sadly. On the occasions that I go out and do convince myself into wearing heels (we're talking high heels, not low kitten heels) I usually end up regretting it even if I'm not running after little people in them. And certainly don't throw your lovely shoes away - think of your girls!

Found out for first, second and third because I'm just like that and as sad as it may be I like to be uber organised. Having said that, I was no less surprised at 20 weeks than I would have been at 40 weeks. (does that make sense?)

Hi Belle, I've pm'd you, as well.

I met my husband when he was 29 and told him if he wanted a life with me he had to quit smoking by his 30th birthday. My reasons were purely selfish as I saw my poor grandfather suffer the last 10 years of his life with dreadful emphysema caused by my grandmother's smoking (she died 15 years earlier of a heart attack). On his birthday my husband smoked about three packs and went cold turkey the next day. That was 12 years ago. I think weaning must prolong the problem but then i wouldnt know. But I do know he doesn't go a day without thinking about smoking so I know it's very difficult. Very best if luck to you I hope it works out.

Moos Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That would suggest that Mr. candj, like Mr. Moos, > tends to lapse most often when driving. And therein lies the problem! My children have learned to shout at cars, cyclists and pedestrians as well as tell me to slow down because I'm driving too fast. Edited for typo-bloody iPhone!

That really made me smile as well!

Where does very late end and very early begin? Around 2.30? 3.00am? I can't tell anymore.

My children only swear when they're in their carseats.

Cool!

Just make sure it's tied down securely, flush to the side of the cot and can't ride up or become loose. I've always used one from about 4-6 months when baby was moved to cot bed. I've also read stories saying they are dangerous I suppose because baby can smother his face with it if he manages to wiggle towards it (but after the fact). Living in a Victorian period house we get plenty of air circulation!

Also I've found for mine helpful when burping to lay them across your forearm with your hand supporting their chin/head and your other hand patting/ rubbing their backs. I think the gentle pressure on their abdomen is comfortable. My husband does this a lot because he's able to as I can't any more because baby is too big.

To be honest he doesn't need water because he's being breastfed. And I agree with fuschia, what you're describing doesn't sound like constipation. Babies make grunting noises and have explosive poos. Constipation in babies is described as dried, hard poos. Are his poos watery in consistency and sort of a mustard yellow with or without rice like bits in it (the odd bit of formula might make the consistency a bit thicker)? That's sort of what baby poo at this stage looks like although there can be huge colour variations which is completely normal depending on what you ate. If it's really green and frothy try keeping him on one side of the breast longer so he can get more hind milk.

I too recommend Dulwich Ballet School on Red Post Hill. My girls have been going for a while now and love it (youngest was 2 1/2 when she started). I'm not sure if they have waiting lists, but agree with Taper that they've been doing a show recently so could be why they never returned a phone call. You could always email them as well (email on their website). Love the big room upstairs, but sometimes it's really chaos in there!

Agree with every one above that it's completely normal. My exclusively breast fed 10 week old currently only poos about once every 4-7 days and the record for us was also 10 days. He went from pooing at every nappy change to this pattern overnight at around 5 weeks which did slightly concern me. Just make sure your little one's tummy is soft, they have plenty of wet nappies and are not in any discomfort. My gp also told me that if you eat a load of fruit that it does affect your breast milk and this has worked for us. Certainly makes for easier nappy changing!

Can also recommend the Florence on Brockwell Park. Good food and nice atmosphere. Lombok too is good for Se Asian as is Mimosa a nice deli type shop with seating inside and out in the back. Apparently the pizza at the pub on Half Moon Lane is great though I havent yet tried it. Good luck on your travels!

Not to sound contrary SW but I don't think you can have an epidural at home because your heart rate and bp needs to be constantly monitored.

Congratulations to you and your partner! I have a pile of pregnancy and baby books that I've been meaning to get rid of that you're welcome to. I used to lend them to my friends having babies - sometimes I'd get less back and sometimes I'd get new books I had never seen back! As a yank, I found the system here in the UK very different than back at home unless you go private then you do get a consultant OBGYN the entire way (which is more like the states). Good luck with it all and pm me and i'll be happy to drop the books off.

We used to lay our kids on the floor and sing to them whilst brushing their teeth for distraction. Sometimes it would be a struggle sometimes not. Eventually they would get used to it and it was a bedtime habit/ritual before the bath. We still brush their teeth now (6&4) as my sister in law who is a hygenist and her orthodontist husband say to brush childrens teeth until they are 7 b/c children cannot do it properly themselves until this age (reaching the back teeth, etc) I've seen the finger tooth brushes at sainsburys. Definitely used to have them at macy's before they were a lloyds on ncr!

I have to agree with DaveR. Learning French or Spanish must certainly be more useful when living in Europe than learning Mandarin. The only reason there is such a big push is that currently not many Mainland Chinese speak English, but this will very soon change and I dare say the Chinese are probably learning English faster than the world is learning Mandarin. I am being hypocritical of course as my children take weekly mandarin lessons but they're part Chinese, we used to live in china, I myself speak mandarin fluently and we're moving back to Asia, but aside from personal reasons or reasons because you want to learn another language don't see why schools here should make it mandatory. And if it's already offered in yr 5/6 at Goodrich then that's great.

The safety aspect in my experience (3 pregnancies and loads of flying up until 37 weeks preg) is fine. I made sure I drank plenty of water and walked around the cabin a lot which is easily done when you need the loo. And also you may be tired more and things like jetlag would be exaserbated. The reason airlines don't like women in their 3rd trimester is as ????s says (and my consultant) because having a baby on the plane is messy business. Also the 2nd trimester is the safest statistically as you are least likely to have something happen (touching wood as i type nothing is going to happen). What freaked me out once was when I was pregnant with my second in Rome going through the metal detector at the Vatican and the guard allowed me to go around it pointing to my bump. Needless to say i rang my consultant immediately to be reassured! Can you imagine??? Hope that helps a bit.

Just get a note from your doctor anyway no matter how pregnant as some airlines will ask for it. I flew long haul 35 weeks preg in two pregnancies and no one batted an eyelash and to the continent and ireland as late as 37 weeks with no one asking questions. Then when only 28 weeks leaving morocco last oct easyjet were giving me a hard time about flying even with consultants note saying my pregnancy was fine. Every airline is different just cover your bases and as long as all is well with your wifes pregnancy it shouldn't be a problem. Have fun!

Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons? My husband and I went last august without children before we had our third and it was absolutely lovely. You have to book for two nights. Enjoy !!