HollieES

I think you have to do 5 mornings a week at Amott Road (I enquired for my son), although this might be changing as they have relatively new management. My son goes to Magic Moments on the Lordship Lane Estate which I'm so happy with - such a gentle, caring environment and the women who work there are lovely. They can go there 1 to 4 mornings a week (9.45-12.15) - it's closed on Wednesdays, ?10 a session. Good luck x

I've had Crystal Clear microdermabrasion and thoroughly recommend it. I didn't do a regular course, but about 6 sessions over 2.5 years to improve scarring from spots as a teenager. After each treatment my skin was noticibly smoother - it is the only thing that has ever made a difference and now my scarring is barely visible. Didn't hurt at all - actually very relaxing and feels like your skin is being hoovered. Think it was about ?80 a pop though?

PLease PM me if you are available or can recommend anyone. Thanks Hollie

I have two spaces left on the London Hypnobirthing group course in July which runs over four Saturday mornings (6th, 13th, 20th, 27th July) from 10.15am-12.45pm in East Dulwich. I offer a 10% discount on course bookings when two couples book together, giving you a joint saving of over ?85. This would be a perfect opportunity for two sets of parents from your Autumn babies club to attend a hypnobirthing course together. Hypnobirthing is a logical and effective antenatal course that equips you with the knowledge and tools for a calm and comfortable birth. Please have a look at my website http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk if you'd like to know more or to read testimonials from parents who have already attended one of my courses. Wishing you all the best for lovely births, Hollie x

Can anyone recommend a local reiki therapist? Thanks Hollie

Some really great ideas there, thank you so much everyone - and to those who have sent PMs. I will definitely try and listen to my future husband too ;)

We're getting married in September and with not much time to actually do a lot of planning, I'm looking for some tips/advice from others. Things I'm looking for at the moment in a nice London hotel and transport. The hotel will be for myself, my son, my mum and 2 bridesmaids to stay the night before the wedding, and for my husband and I to stay at after the wedding, so I'd like it to be really lovely but not ridiculously expensive. Somewhere along the lines of The Grazing Goat (http://www.thegrazinggoat.co.uk). We are getting married in Balham so hotel needs to be relatively nearby (Soho is fine, or somewhere SW/SE London, nothing too far north). Transport wise I'm looking for a routemaster bus to take our guests from the Church in Balham to our reception which is here above the EDT. There seem to be so many companies doing this so I'm just looking for recommendations of companies that anyone's used and been happy with. Would also like to get a taxi to take bridal party from the hotel to the church, as I'll be going in a separate car with my dad. Again, any recommendations gratefully received. Lastly (for now), does anyone have any unusual/quirky ideas for wedding favours? Our entire wedding budget is aroun ?7k so want something thoughtful but thrifty! Thanks in advance to anyone who can help x

I use the Gardens surgery and have always been very pleased with them. As surgery receptions go, they are relatively friendly, and I can normally get to see my requested doctor, Dr Cliffe, who I think is excellent. Dr Addo also very good, if a little abrupt and insensitive at times. I can usually get an appointment within 48 hours, and whenever I have called for an appointment for my son (2.5), I have always got a same-day appointment, even if I haven't called the second the phones open. They have also helped me out with repeat prescriptions and on the whole I feel that they are accomodating and friendly. Waiting area is clean and comfortable, and the nurses are great there too. Hope that helps.

Savoury muffins are a good one - you can make them with whichever vegetables you like. Spinach and feta ones were a hit for my little one. http://www.lapetitelulu.com/2013/02/toddler-approved-savoury-muffins.html Also, wholemeal pittas (cut up) with a little bit of filling - cheese, ham? Breadsticks handy for on the go. Carrot/pepper/celery sticks?

Thanks so much for your suggestions and for your PMs, lots of good things to think about there and I appreciate you sharing your experiences. x

Lovely forumites, I'm looking for some reassurance and words of wisdom. My son is almost 2 and a half. I'm a stay at home mum and work 2 days a week - my mum has him one of these days and my mother in law the other (both at our house). He's a happy and social little boy but is definitley very accustomed to one-on-one attention as this is what he's been used to really. We've always gone to lots of groups, playdates, one o'clock clubs etc. but in terms of being looked after, it's never been in a group setting. At 18 months I took him to the Magic Moments creche for one morning a week and he was so, so upset. In hindsight, I can see that he was going through a stage of real separation anxiety and it was bad timing. I feel like the fear and upset really stuck with him for a while after that and whenever we went to groups he became very clingy and anxious which he hadn't been before - basically it seemed as though he thought I was going to abandon him. He's now a bit older and I've definitely noticed a change in how independent he is and in his desire to explore things on his own. He plays really well with other children and I think he'd really benefit now from a couple of mornings in a preschool/nursery environment. Plus, I'd really like a couple of hours to myself twice a week! I've decided to take him back to Magic Moments as I love the ladies there and get a great feeling from them. However, I'm naturally anxious after our last experience and very aware of not wanting to pass this anxiety on to my little one. Does anyone have any advice or words of wisdom on how I can pose this to him as something exciting and safe - especially the idea of mummy leaving for a little while and then coming back to get him? I plan to do some settling in sessions with him, but how do you say you're going and what do you do if they get really upset when you leave? Thanks in advance, and apologies if I sound really precious about this, I know loads of kids go to nursery everyday and are really happy. x

We're looking to go away for a weekend at the end of April. Somewhere within about 2 hours of London, so we'll drive there on Saturday morning and back Sunday evening. We don't want to spend too much - ideally staying in a pub that does nice food, or something like that. There also needs to be something to keep our 2.5 year old son entertained - i.e. a nearby daytrip. Currently thinking of something like LegoLand or the Mid-Hants railway. Any tips or thoughts greatly appreciated.

Ladies, does anyone have Ginny's (Ginster) mobile number? Need to get in touch with her ASAP. Many thanks Hollie

Hiya Don't want to intrude on your thread at all but have noticed that some of you have expressed an interest in HypnoBirthing. I run group classes from my home in East Dulwich and due to a last minute cancellation have one place left on my April course which starts on Wednesday. I'm also offering 10% off any course booked before Tuesday. My April course is perfect for anyone due in June or July and is a great way to meet local like minded couples whilst learning techniques for a calm and comfortable birth. For those due later in the summer, there is also a place left on my May course. If you'd like any more information, please have a look at http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk or drop me a line on here or at [email protected] Wishing you all a happy Easter and all the best for a lovely birth. Hollie x

Baby jogger city mini all the way! I bought a bugaboo bee from newborn and have just switched to the baby jogger (my son is 2) and I definitely wish I'd had it from the beginning.

We had a Bee+ for our son from birth and loved it. Cocoon super cosy and it's very easy to push and manoeuvre. The width is also great for getting through doorways and on buses etc. and it's nice and lightweight. However, our son is now 2 and it feels like he's outgrown it - the straps don't seem long enough to go round him with a coat on and the supposed extendable backrest has no locking mechanism so it just slips down when you're walking, meaning your toddler's head gets a bit squashed by the hood. I have recently returned it to John Lewis and swapped it for a Baby Jogger City Mini GT, which is fantastic. It's only forward-facing but you can by an attachable carrycot for your newborn, and if I was starting out again this is definitely what I'd buy from the outset. It's wonderfully roomy for a growing child, has a large hood/canopy which is great at keeping it dark for naps etc, lays flat and offers a really smooth ride. And the best bit about it is the one-handed folding mechanism - so simple. I'd recommend going to John Lewis and trying them both out. I think the Bee is a great pushchair but the Baby Jogger wins on longevity and ease for me.

My son was admitted to Kings last year (at around 7 months of age) because he was suddenly struggling to breathe so we took him to A&E where they put him on oxygen and then admitted us. We left a few days later with a diagnosis of viral induced wheezing and the inhalers. As far as I'm aware, even if your little one is not diagnosed with asthma but shows distress from wheezing, you will have follow up aftercare with the asthma clinic at Kings. In my son's case, I have taken him to the GPs when he has wheezing that I'm not able to control with his inhalers, or that occurs when he shows no other signs of a virus/illness, and he has recently been diagnosed as asthmatic (he's 2). The diagnosis was made on the basis that his father is asthmatic, he has mild eczema on/off, and primarily that he can become very wheezy even when he is in very good health. My doctor has been great and she is confident that it's something he'll grow out of - as am I. All I'd say is to keep a note of your little one's wheezing patterns - I.e. time of day it's worse, whether it happens when they have a cold or cough etc. Keep communicating with your GP and never hesitate to take them in and have their chest listened to if you're at all worried. Good luck and I hope your little one makes a speedy recovery x

Sorry to hear that, how crap. I'm sure you already have, but definitely worth reporting to the police. Ours got stolen earlier in the year and the police found it on an estate in Elephant & Castle (although they charge you to actually recover it!). Good luck.

Hi all I'm running the London marathon for the first time next year. I'm doing the 24 week beginners running programme from the Virgin website which involves training 6 out of 7 days a week (5 shortish week runs and a longer Sunday run). At the moment I'm only running about 2 or 3 miles a day. I normally go in the evening when my other half gets home, but sometimes do daytime runs with my son in the buggy when I know I won't be able to get out in the evening. I just wondered if any other mums are doing anything similar and fancied joining forces? Please PM me if you'd be interested in this - it would be nice to have company now that it's so dark in the evenings, and for motivation of course! Whilst I'm writing, I will also be shameless and plug my sponsorship page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HollieStroud I'm raising money for Kids Company (they work therapeutically with vulnerable inner-city children and young people, and are founded by the wonderful Camila Batmanghelidjh). Any donations will be very greatly appreciated. Thanks Hollie

Hi all...I got a marathon place too (eek) and am currently following the 24 week beginners programme from the Virgin website. I'm on week 3 so am running between 20-30 minutes (between 2-3 miles) every evening at the moment. Would you fancy joining forces and running together some evenings, or maybe even just doing the long weekend run together in the future? PM me if you're interested in doing this. Hollie x

Has anyone had any joy in finding a way to stop the seat back slipping back down once you've extended it? Or do I need to make another trip back to John Lewis...?

who knows, probably an old wives tale but I reckon I'd give it a shot!

Sounds odd I know, but sitting on a newspaper is meant to help car sickness...

There's a John Lewis at Bluewater with a big baby dept.

I don't have any experience with the old Bee model, but I know the seat unit isn't as wide as it is on the plus, and I must say that the plus is nice and roomy width wise. Re the back gradually slipping down - I know what you mean, although I've found that if you fully extend the bottom of the seat too, this happens a lot less. Hope that helps.