Knomester

Hello Jenny We weaned Baby Knomester at around 5 1/2 months. He was (and sti is) a dry energetic baby who ne'er sits still. He had shown a real interest in food from around 4 months but for me that was too early, especially as he was slow to sit up. After grabbing my food for the umpteenth time one day we decided to try him on baby rice with expressed breast milk. He loved it. So I took it from there - small amounts of rice for a few days in addition to all of his BFs, then I introduced fruits and vegetable purees one by one starting with the least allergenic, pear. I took my time about dropping the BFs but increased quantities, variety and textures quite swiftly because he was ready for it. He's 10 months now, has regained the 3 centiles he dropped as a BF baby and as energetic as ever! He eats anything I give him but is currently particularly fond of blueberries! Best of luck with whatever you decide and please feel free to PM me if there is anything at all you'd like to ask.

I truly believe that a baby will come when it's good and ready! I had 4 sweeps (including one fairly drastic one at King's) and had cramping and spotting after each one but Baby Knomester was not for coming despite me having been 1-2cm since the first sweep. I'd probably still have had the sweeps though, even knowing what I know now. He eventually made his appearance by c-section at 42+6...

I think there's also one near the Windmill Pub. Plus there's the bandstand in the middle where there's also a cafe. If you google it you'll find a map of the common.

Does anyone know at what age babies tend to start dropping their morning naps? We're struggling with daytime naps at the moment which is unusual for Baby Knomester - I thought it was separation anxiety (screaming when we put him in his cot for the past week...) but I guess it could also be something to do with no longer needing as much sleep as he's 10 months and has been waking 45 mins to an hour earlier than he used to. I usually put these things down to 'phases' (!) but this seems more consistent and prolonged.

You probably don't need to worry, but then that's what we do don't we, worry...! You can incorporate some plant based foods into purees and finger foods if you're concerned and aren't offering red meat or other meat sources of iron yet. Some dried fruits (raisins, apricots, etc) have good levels of iron as do some dried pulses, like lentils, chickpeas, etc which can be incorporated into soups, casseroles, finger foods... Quinoa is also quite high - I add to stews and mini fritters which Baby Knomester has been munching on since about 7 months. A nice one is saut?ed grated carrot mixed with cooked quinoa, wilted spinach, ground cumin, an egg, 2 tbsp flour and a dash of milk. Combine with vitamin c to increase iron absorption.

Bless you both, that's so sweet! I love food and cooking so currently channelling all my energies into my most willing eater!

We have a hungry (nearly) 9 month old who loves eating. I make various mini fritters which I then freeze and reheat in the microwave for healthy ready made snacks - e.g. sweetcorn, carrot with quinoa and spinach, beetroot and feta, courgette with peas or chickpeas or feta, etc. Really simple to make - basic batter mixture is 2 tbsp flour, 1 egg and a splash of milk to which I add the other ingredients and any herbs or spices. As Fuschia suggested, most babies seem to like houmous which they can have with breadstick, pitta or rice cake dippers (or carrot if they're good at munching!). For main meals Baby Knomester has things like chicken casserole, ratatouille with pasta and cheese, vegetable & lentil curry with rice, creamy chicken an mushrooms with veg, mini fish pies with peas, cauliflower with green lentils, quinoa and lots if ginger and garlic, veggie chilli (with bulgar wheat and pulses), pasta with cheese sauce and veg, etc. Then at teatime I tend to give him easy to eat food because he's often tired, so soups (sweetcorn chowder, carrot & lentil, creamy leek & potato), risotto, houmous, eggy bread, mini cheese sandwiches, avocado, savoury muffins, homemade rice pudding (with no sugar), yogurt and fruit, etc. Hope this gives you some new ideas! Just let me know if you'd like any recipes and I'll try to write them down.

Thank you all. I've managed to pick up most things, but the pharmacist said piriton is on available for 12 months us over the counter and that we need a prescription for under 12 months. Have other people asked for a prescription before holidays in case it is needed or not used until 12 months?

We are heading off to sunny climes with Baby Knomester in a couple of weeks and so I'm starting to plan what we need to take with us. We've had lots of helpful advice about suncream and mosquito repellant here: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,620129,620136 but now I'm wondering what 'first aid' things we should pack (calpol, teething powders, thermometer, etc...). Baby Knomester is just over 8 months old. Does anyone have a good list or care to let me know what we shouldn't be travelling without? Thank you!

accidental duplicate post

We have been using coconut milk in mild curries, soups, dal, etc. Lots of good fats like someone else said! We also use quite a lot of quinoa. One of Baby Knomester's favourite snacks is carrot, spinach and quinoa fritters - great finger food. And Baby Knomester also loves risotto. We just introduced new foods one at a time in case there was any reaction.

We're booked to fly with BA in a couple of weeks. We have been told that we have a full baggage allowance (hand and checked in) for Baby Knomester who is 8 months. We can also take his carseat and buggy at no extra cost and can take the buggy up to the gate with us. Hope this helps!

No rules! I just want to make sure the buggy doesn't get damaged in transit and I've noticed that others on the forum have talked about having a bag to protect their buggies.

We had baby passport photos done at Shot by the Sheriff and were really pleased with service, quality and how easythey were to deal with. Just waiting for the passport to arrive now!

We need to buy a buggy bag for our Maclaren XT for when we fly to Spain in a few weeks. I just wondered if anyone has any pearls of wisdom? Should we splurge on the Maclaren one or will the cheaper models do the same job? Do we need one with wheels or not? Thanks in advance..!

It's all so subjective isn't it?!! For me, the best items we bought (other than the usual) were: 1. A good stretchy swaddle cloth (although I think I'd get one of those cocoon ones next time). Baby K was a wriggler and had a really strong moro reflex so would wake up with every movement. We swaddled for naps until he was 9 weeks and at night until he was 4-5 months and I really think it helped with getting him to settle and sleep well as he felt secure. 2. Feeding cushion. Someone else has mentioned the Thrupenny Bits cushions - mine was a godsend when I bought it when Baby K was 5 weeks old and we were struggling to feed because of various problems nit allowed me to have both hands free to concentrate on latching him on. 3. A sling (which suits you and baby). It's not easy choosing a sling - everyone has their favourite! Baby K hated the soft slings a friend lent me and took a long time to get used to being carried. We ended up with a Babybjorn Synergie which was invaluable in the early days for naps when he wouldn't settle in the pram. He also is the sort of baby who likes to see the world so doesn't like facing inwards when awake and the Babybjorn is great for him to face outwards comfortably. 4. Good sized pram. The only thing I was sure about wanting before Baby K came along was a pram with a carrycot (as opposed to the lie flat buggies) and I never regretted buying ours even if it is a little bulkier than the more streamline pushchairs. Baby K loved his carrycot! He napped in it in the day and would happily lie in it for walks, etc. He wasn't impressed when he outgrew it...! As for things which I didn't use, probably just the top and tail bowl and the bouncy chair (a Babybjorn in our case). He goes in it sometimes but has never really been a big fan - he's much happier stretched out flat on his playmat on the floor! Good luck! -

Baby K is in the same boat as anna_r's baby. When we were seeing midwives and BF counsellors about his feeding problems they used to tell me to turn his top lip out to get a better latch but it was impossible, the reason being that his top lip is attached in the same way. He hasn't got any teeth yet but I'm wondering whether it's something we ought to have looked at now for an opinion or wait until we know whether it causes him any problems...

Hi Ruth. I thinkyours might be the active or synergie which is the one I've already got. I need a sling that Baby K can face outwards in an ideally one that I can also wear on my back as he gets bigger. I've tried the new Beco Gemini which was great for me but the shape doesn't suit Baby K - he's small so his arms and legs can't move freely. I'll have a look at the ones you mention online. The Babybjorn Comfort is more like the ergo / Beco slings in that the weight is distributed better via a wide band that sits on the hips so I figured it would be more comfortable than my current one...

Hello I've been trying lots of different slings as I need to upgrade Baby K's sling to something more comfortable for me to carry which he's also happy in. I saw a lady with the Babybjorn Comfort the other day who kindly told me the model, etc but given the pricetag I would ideally like to try it out before I buy. Does anyone by any chance have one that I could pop round to try on one day this week? If not, does anyone know somewhere nearby that stocks them where I could try it? Thanks

I think there is also some advice not to introduce cow's milk too early because of an increased risk of allergies. A small amount of cooked cow's milk seems to be commonly accepted as being OK, although some seem to say even this shouldn't be given until a little later. I've decided to use organic formula in Baby K's baby rice / cereal for the first month at least (he is also exclusively breastfed - until starting the weaning that is!).

Hi Reren I think it's important to remember that what works for one baby's eczema might not work for another. I wouldn't rush to discount treatments because they didn't work for someone else. The Oilatum products didn't do anything for Baby Knomester but Epaderm keeps his (not severe) eczema mostly under control if we apply regularly. If you are concerned definitely ask for a referral to a dermatologist as they will be much better placed to advise and treat Baby Reren than a GP.

Oh Ruth I remember the back ache well... I was already doing pilates at the Sunflower Centre in Brockley (using the machines) before I found out I was pregnant because of spine problems so I carried on until 40 weeks and swear that it was that that kept me moving. I also started pregnancy yoga at King's on a Saturday morning which was great for learning what movements and positions helped alleviate the pain and restlessness. I did have an array of pillows, cushions, etc but really nighttimes were the worst for me so not sure if the pillows helped or not. Moaning to husband definitely helps. In fact it's the law that you must moan.

I also meant to say that quinoa is a great complete veggie source of protein. Perhaps not the most appetising for little ones, but you can put the flakes into porridge or into homemade flapjacks.

If, as others hae said, it mught help to increase the protein in your twin's diet and you want keep all eating the same meal together (rather than you having to cook two separate meals!) from what i understand, you can provide plenty protein without having to add meat to meals every day. You just need to remember to combine foods to complete the protein so that you have pulses with grains - houmous with wholemeal pitta, lentil dahl with chapati or brown rice, baked beans on toast, sweetcorn fritters (with flour in the batter), add pulses to pasta sauces (eg flageolet beans with pesto, canellini beans with tomato sauce like homemade baked beans, veggie casseroles with butter beans and dumplings, chickpea curry with rice, etc, etc. Wholemeal carbs (pasta, rice, bread, etc) also help you feel fuller for longer than white carbs which might also help. I'm sure you already know this being veggie yourself Fuschia so apologies if I'm stating the obvious!

I completely agree new mother! Ultimately that is all that matters and I am very lucky to have a gorgeous little boy. I guess before watching that clip I just didn't realise a c-section could be any different and it just reminded me of things like how I had to fight for skin on skin and even then not whilst I was in theatre.