midivydale

Hi Bluedark, Sometimes you dont have to have the referal letter (BUPA never ask for it and very few practices demand it in my experience). I spoke to BUPA about this when we were going to have it done in 2012 and was told it would be covered. For various reasons, we never went through with it in the end as the decision was taken to stop bf (a v long story). In my experience with both BUPA and referals - just tell them what you need rather than ask. Ie "I am phoning for an authorisation number for x procedure" or "Please could you provide me with a generic refereal letter for my medical insurance". Please PM me for more info or if you want a chat in general on how to get through the system. Hang in there, you are a great mum doing your best for your baby. Breast feeding issues and reflux issues are both heart breaking - combined they are enough to send anyone over the edge. There are many of us on here who have been exactly where you are and we feel for you so much. PM me if you want my number and we can have a chat

We love the peak district, will pm you link x

As a non brit I often fail to realise the emotional stir the class system causes. I have apologised,sincerely, and hoped that we could move on. It was a joke, but realise that my ignorance regarding the above must have caused offense and again- it was not my attention. Not wishing to side track this thread any further just really want to say that no offense was meant. Please see the comment as it was intended - a foreginer making what she thought was an interesting observation during a viewing in catford. The statement I naively wrote was simply that. My father always says. "One sincere apology will always suffice, no need to grovel" Hell - I even own a barbour coat.

It wasnt at all meant as inverted snobbery, it was as otta says an observation in all sincerety. Apologies if that was how it came across.

I have heard that there is a gastropub, bi weekly organic farmers market as well as a bach to baby or something rather in Forest Gate these days... Just saying... We were viewing a "house" in catford last night. One of these open house events. It was full of "white middle class" viewers which really surprised me and my other half (we would prob not be seen as either). I dont know what we had expected but it wasnt range rovers, labradors and barbour coats.

Have no idea or experience but - What an ace nanny the family would get;)

Yes strawbsy get it! If you have another mini refluxer (fingers crossed not) then they are ace. I promise

I have looked into various options in around london bridge. Will send you a PM x

Bluedark I remember this behaviour very well and have also had this same conversation with a friend and forumite astrid83 whose baby really struggled with feeding. He was really distressed as soon as he saw the bottle. I am sure she will along with advice in a minute as it is still very fresh in her mind but frm memory once the dose of meds is right feeding & fussiness improves. For us - things did not improve until we had the right combination of meds & totally dairy free. Hang in there, when was he last dosed for meds? As Shaunag says maybe they need adjusting? Is the baby fes as upright as possible? We had to try and mirror the feeds of nights eveb at daytime with dark room, no distractions etc. Maybe worth a try?

What would EDF be without tangents;) X

Sorry, I feel like I am asking things every week now. It is just that I did not plan to do potty training for a while yet so havent got a clue what I am doing. Out of nowhere my son who will be two in March has started to insist to "wee wee toilet". I was pretty shocked by this but took him to the toilet and we were both proud beyond belief when he did his thing. A couple of hours later same little voice goes "mummy toilet now". Same thing happend he did his thing to lots of praise from us. So where do I go from here? Should I build on his current fascination and just go for it? Or follow my plan and wait? He is starting nursery soon, have just stoped his dummy etc and I didnt want him to have too many major changes for him at once. There truly is no rush at all for me to get him potty trained. But sine he is clearly really enjoying this, feel really proud and pleased with himself would it be wrong to delay it. Does anyone have any potty training advice? I am clueless

Hi Avasmum, Joining the forum is a great start to make mum friends (or any friends for that matter). It is daunting to have a new baby and I think so many of us can relate to how you are feeling. I was lucky that I made friends through the spring babies group before my little one came along as I too was very emotional post birth and found it hard to meet people then. I think it is a very common to feel like you do. I live in Nunhead too and am back at work now but if you would like to meet for a coffee at the dish and spoon on a weekend I would be happy to meet. Another Nunhead forumite (astrid83) is a friend of mine who has a baby the same age as yours. She lives in Nunhead too and is always up for meeting new faces and drink coffee. If you send her a PM I am sure she would love to meet you too. Have you tried the baby group at Ivydale Children centre on a Wednesday? It is run by a lovely girl called Natalie and I am sure that she would look out for you if you turned up and told you how you felt. She did with me:) It takes time to find baby groups that you like and I comfortable with but perhaps you can make it your mission to try one new group per week or so until you find one or two that you feel you would like to make regular. Natalie at the children centre may be able to advise you if there are other groups where you can find support such a single parents support group or whatever it may be. They also run baby massage classes free of charge and I found that was a nice activity. Ivydale was the surestart centre that I went to the most as it was closest to me but there are other really good ones in the area. Bessemer Grange is often talked of highly on here. Another thing that could be useful perhaps is to join activities where they do something ie massage, music, sing and sign rather than the "sit down and chat groups". That way you will be able to get out and about and do nice things but you dont need to feel the pressure to talk to people or fear that you are the only one outside the clique. I will PM you my number x

How lovely, I would encourage her to go and try it out. Ballet and Gymnastics can be brilliant confidence boosters for shy children (I am a qualified ballet and gymnastics teacher and was very active when I lived in Sweden). Inreased body awareness and team building excerises can do wonders for children of that age. Speak to the teacher before class if you get a chance and say that your little girl is abit shy and I am sure that the teacher will keep an eye out for her to ensure that she feels included. You can also prepare your little girl by talking about how exciting that it will be, you understand if she feel shy and nervous, that is normal but that she might really enjoy it when she tries it out. I had many little girls (and boys!!) that were really shy but by the end of term they had truly blossomed and enjoyed themselves. Good luck!!

Thank you everyone, Maclaren it is!

And me and me!

Hi Bluedark, Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Please just shout via the forum or PM's if you need us. Reflux is horrible to live with and there are many of us that have been just where you are. If you want to meet or chat on the phone etc PM me and I will send you my number. Even though things are improving it might be worth to keep an eye out for any allergies to cows milk protein. The reaction in the baby can mirror that of reflux (crying, tensing up in pain, fussy eaters etc). There is reserach to suggest (our consultant at Kings was quick to point this out) that alot of reflux babies also struggle with CMP allergies or intolerances. Hang in there - and shout if you need support/a rant/shoulder to cry on/coffee/wine/whatever. x

Hi all, My son who is 2 in March still needs a stroller from time to time. He is a rather large 2 year old and is starting to look rather uncomfortable in his baby jogger city mini (which we love by the way). Are there any other options? He is a tall and rather stocky guy so is more like a 3.5 year old height and weight wise. Would be really grateful for any advice. He loves walking (well running, jumping) but there are times when I just need to be able to push him around. Grateful for any ideas.

Just a thougts MrsS, have you spoken to your health visitor about this? Perhaps they would know of any support groups? XXX

Thank you both so much, really appreciate your help!

calling experienced parents of CMPI toddlers. I am after a birthday cake for my sons 2nd birthday. He is allergic to cows milk protein and soya intolerant so I am after any alternatives. Any recommendations for a bakery or recepies for home making (gulp) would be very gratefully received. Many Thanks in advance.

Hi Bluedark, I am sorry to hear how you and your baby is suffering but great news she is on omeprazole. As she is so very young the surgery should give you the liquid without fuss. You are quite right that the mups dont resolve completely and get stuck in the syringe. I used to mix it with a couple of drops of water to get a paste like consistency and then mix this with fruit puree. I started this very early at about 12 weeks as ds never liked the taste of the liquid. However, as your baby is so young you may be a couple of months off yet. So in the meantime try and find a syringe with larger opening I think I discovered that the one that comes with the neurofin is the biggest. Another forumite - strawbs- told me that she made a paste and placed it in the side of the baby mouth in the cheek and then gave the bottle straight after (the milk frm the bottle would make muls disolve further): Again baby strawbs was probably abit older at that stage. GP's may be reluctant to prescribe liquid as it is dear, I think I vented my frustration on this further up the thread. However, stand your ground they should not refuse you. Finally, sending a cyberhug - it is so damn hard - But you have done brilliantly getting omeprazole so early. It will work. X

I did not have a great birth and have posted about this elsewhere on the forum. However, I feel that hypnobirthing definately made my birth better than it would have otherwise been. I went to a course by kristin haywood and would recommend her wholeheartedly. If I ever had a second baby I would see her again. I think it is important (vital in fact) to remember that not all births are straightforward. I feel very strongly that women should be prepared and have some knowledge about all aspects of childbirth - even what may happen if things go wrong. I am 100% certain that the trauma I suffered would have been less had I just known about some of the things that can happen. Most importantly I so wished that someone had said that it is fine to feel terrible and disapointed about the birth you have had. It is not the most empowering, best day of my life experience for everyone. And that is ok- it really is. Sorry for rambling- I guess what i try to say is that even if you have complications hypnobirthing will help with your mindset. I remember saying to the midwife "its fine - We can do this" over and over again. I was calm as a cucumber through every contraction,which for worrier like me is rather impressive. Right up until everything got rather rushed and scary. Had I had a straight forward birth I would have credited hypnobirthing with that because right until the very end I felt hugely empowered. Go for it - at the very least the breathing will give you something to focus on during contractions.

Yes, more softplay, more cafes with playareas - to quote mini ivydale "more more more"

Toddlercalm workshop? Yes please! Will have a look at this - Thanks devsdev. Pickle - I am sorry but I just couldnt help laughing out loud at the "lid on" outburst. Sounds just like my house x

Sorry to hear this Ally, yup it is terrible. Mine are 5 (!) too and I think it has been like this for a rather long time (am in the process of trying to establish how long and have reported my experience with PALS). It is a shame as it seems that it could have been easily sorted out with the help of supplements a long time ago. Anyway, upwards and onwards -New Year and all that. Hoping that we both feel better with the supplements. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.