fapl

A check for tongue tie is not just a visual check, it is a rubber glove on and a feel under the tongue, so I have missed something somewhere along the line, I assumed making a tongue tie check at birth would mean actually checking. Having a bit of a look would be the most pointless check as so many cases would be missed. Saffron, if you want to read up on frenulums I can highly recommend the work of the late Dr Brian Palmer (he sadly committed suicide about 2 years ago). He was the first to admit his own personal research was not scientific in that it was compiled through his own work experience and research, not looking at big enough population groups etc. He was a dentist with no children of his own so no vested interests that I can see which to me makes him all the more amazing for producing his research.

Also, feeding issues can hit the mental health of new mothers quite hard.

Best to know there is tongue tie though immediately after birth, if it doesn't cause problems and does not require treatment, great. Knowing can save weeks of heartache when nobody can explain to you why your baby can't feed/you can't breast feed. It will also save tens of thousands of women giving up breastfeeding in the early weeks when that is not what they want to do. Saffron, if all babies are checked at birth and all midwives are trained to identify posterior ties (volunteers in the community are successfully trained to identify this problem so it shouldn't be specialist, it shold be standard training) as well as more standard and obvious ties, hopefully a lot less babies will be reach the point where they are referred to specialists for 'failure to thrive' and other feeding issues. I am sure a 10 second check by midwives will cost the NHS a lot less money in the long run than appointments for all these babies being otherwise being referred to specialists. The article, 3% of babies affected! Where did they get that stat from?! It is loads more than that.

Center Parcs is as cheap as Center Parcs gets during January, it is ?229 for a 2 bed woodland lodge at Elveden for 4 nights from Jan 13th. You really don't need to spend any extra money while you are there as the kitchen is really well stocked with pots and pans. There is a big Sainsbury's about 5-10 minutes drive away towards Thetford and you can stock up on Pizza's and other easy meals. Animals come right up to your window every day, ducks, squirrels and deer if you are lucky. There is a fire place to make it lovely and cozy. If your budget can stretch the spa is a lovely treat, but if not the swimming pool is great with a lazy river, wave pool, slides and great toddler area. I will never go again now though, my son is in reception and the same 4 day break costs about a grand in school holidays!

You said he doesn't like the noise and doesn't like the splash, could it be a sensory issue? I know the pooing is the biggest issue for you all at the moment, but when you think about it does he have other sensory issues eg. get upset by hand dryers or other loud noises, water temperature, textures of food or fabrics etc.

5 schools in Lewisham were late emergency bulges. http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10578463.Lewisham_Council_accused_of_keeping_primary_school_place_shortage__under_wraps_/

If you can get to any woodland, it is nice and cool under the canopy of the trees.

I just mash a banana, mix with a bit of yogurt (or a dash of milk if I have run out) then put in a calippo style silicone ice lolly mould and freeze. Approximately half a banana fills one mould, so half a banana for the kids desert:-) like these on ebay... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2053587.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.Xsilicone+ice+lolly.TRS0&_nkw=silicone+ice+lolly&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Any one into product design that wants to go on dragon's den with me? A bar attachment that goes across Mclaren handles so you can steer and push with one hand. I have had this idea for a while, just don't know how to execute it.

Just a reminder this is on in the morning :-)

I think people lose their temper really quickly on crowded buses. I had a woman tell me the other week my son crying on the bus was not normal. He just didn't want to be there but there no point getting as we had to get home and if we had got off and got the next bus it would have been just as bad. I turned around and told her she wasn't being very helpful. I can't remember anything like that happening not on a bus in a long time. If you are anywhere else you can just pop outside or something, but a bus nobody can get off between stops. You need a thick skin traveling on buses with a baby :) There are lovely people on buses too, the number of times my kids have been offered sweets, and once an old man gave me ?10 to treat them (and I don't think I look poor!).

City farms are free, I like Mudchute which you can get to on the DLR, and there is one in Surrey Quays on the East London Line, one in Vauxhall but I have not been and don't know where it is. If you go to Greenwich there is so much to do that is free, my kids like walking in the foot tunnel under the river Thames, the entrance is via a Domed lift right near the Cutty Sark. On there other side there is a small park, basically a patch of grass, there is a little kiosk type cafe so you could grab an ice lolly. The view back to Greenwich is lovely you get to see all the stunning buildings. Also th view from the top of Greenwich Park near the Observatory is stunning, out to Canary Wharf and the City. If you drive the Beastly Hall Exhibtion is still on at Hall Place in Bexley, adults ?7.50 from memory but I think kids of 4 and 6 might be free. (the ticket is valid 12 months). Fun gardens to run around in there and to make a day of it you could stop in Danson Park which has a great playground, and a small splash park bit if it is a hot day. Open top bus tours are ridiculously expensive, maybe just go on the top deck of a but that goes past a number of sights, surely somebody here could suggest a route :-) I have not been, but maybe changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

The sale is this Saturday, there will be 50 sellers, so thousands of items all sorted into different age groups and categories so it is east to find what you are after.

If it is a water saving strategy, it is not a London wide one. Was at Danson Park in Bexley a few weeks ago when it wasn't even that warm and their splash play area was working.

drIf any of you need a clear out of baby and young children's items here is your chance. You do not need to be an NCT member to sell or buy at any of our sales. Full details can be found here: http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=be40f74b08699fc87ac4d37dc&id=2645b0cadb This is for the Lewisham branch of the NCT, the sale is held in Catford just off off the south circular so easy to reach from East Dulwich with parking on site.