MrsMc

Managed to pick up a lovely second hand one through the Forum this morning. As predicted, she LOVES it and I don't think I've heard her giggle so much - thank you Pincushionqueen!

Thanks Fuchsia, though we've got a door bouncer that looks as though it does a similar job (albeit it makes me nervous that she'll swing into the door :-/)

Hang on, hubby has capitulated. Jumperoo it is (unless there is actually something out there that fits the bill!)

I need to get something for my daughter to sit/stand in as she's starting to look decidedly unimpressed by her bouncer. We had a hand me down for my son, which we disposed of as soon as we could due to its general ugliness. My husband point blank refuses to buy a jumperoo, which I kind of understand but meantime I'm stuck on what to buy.

I know this is shallow and possibly unrealistic, but is there anything out there which is equally stimulating and fun but not quite so in your face plastic? And if you have it and want to sell it, can I buy it?

Another thumbs up for Alan Naish at 123. Very personable and no mess at all. Would highly recommend!

Thanks all. Clarec - would love to try dress if you have time(!) also liking the lush mummy site, some of the best tops I've seen. Where are you based?

Taking my daughter to a wedding in May. Any great ideas about outfit choice and general wisdom for the day? Been looking for breastfeeding dresses today on the web and totally uninspired. Thinking separates could be the way forward?

Honestly - your original plans sounds the most appealing. Liking the sweets in balloons trick :-)

Thanks again all for the recommendations/support. Saw a really lovely doctor (Himmons - DMC)on Friday who has prescribed a whole raft of creams and lotions to use. She thinks it maybe a food intolerance and has also referred us to the allergy clinic. As recommended here, she also suggested a food diary to see whether we can isolate what has caused the flare up. Skin already responding well and feel better equipped to deal with the problem. Too soon to tell whethe it's working, but fingers crossed.

Thanks Rosana and to the people who have pm'd me too. Appt this afternoon, so hopefully will get some more guidance then and a referral for allergy testing.

Hi all

Planning a trip to the docs tomorrow, but wondered whether anyone had any ideas about what might be causing my son's recent skin flare up, worst on his face and scalp but also v itchy on his torso and shoulders. Picked him up from nursery tonight and he was really blotchy around his eyes and mouth (he's taken to blowing bubbles in a dribbly sort of way recently, which probably explains the mouth). He looks so sore and uncared for which really breaks my heart and (probably selfishly, is wearing me down a bit).

Only difference diet wise I can think of is that he is suddenly desperate for milk all the time (he has a 6 week old baby sister and our theory is that he wants to be treated as a baby too?!). He's gone right off water and not so fond of food.

He's had sensitive skin for as long as I can remember but has been pretty clear for quite a while, though we have steroid creams suitable for face and body in the house to treat the occasional flare up, which I hate to use but do sparingly if needed. Other things I've used over the last two years which seem to work, but only temporarily - aveeno, double base, diprobase and currently epaderm - using twice a day on his body but skin still dry pretty much all over.

Any miracle creams out there that anyone has found that work - know it could be a lot worse but it's so disheartening when I see no improvement.

Thanks, Mrs Mc

Point taken Administrator, but I think the bullying started a lot earlier on in this thread.

I am a close neighbour of the pub and know the people involved personally, including Jamie and the person being gleefully vilified on this forum (no, I'm not her). If I were, I would be devastated to see the woeful misrepresentation of events/and her character on this forum.

Poor you! Sounds as though you will need to take fluconazole (tablets) as well as apply cream to your breasts and gel to your baby's mouth. Cream and gel alone will not deal with the problem if it's got into your breasts, which from the sound of it, it has unfortunately.

I had thrush with my first born and spent weeks going back and forth to the doctors until I took advice from Caroline at the breastfeeding cafe at Peckham Pulse, who recommended fluconazole. The doctor took some convincing at the time, but I've had the same thing with my second baby recently and the doctor I saw this time seemed much more clued up and prescribed fluconazole straight away.

Good luck, and hope you have it sorted v soon. It is so painful I know, but better to keep going with the feeding to avoid mastitis which is a new world of pain(!) and take heart that the treatment works very swiftly once prescribed.

Borderlands - just seen your post (had a baby in the interim(!)). Odd that Thames Water told me a different story, but

maybe they were unaware of the issue at the time?? Makes sense to me

that the smell came from the water supply, but it hasn't returned since the day of

my original post so pointless reporting now?

Loved it - especially since I went to school with two of the midwives featured! Just had no. 2 by caesarian so missed out on the business end of the labour ward - what an amazing job eh?

No experience of buying from Peppermint, but they do seem to charge top whack! Perhaps worth googling to see whether there's a better deal out there?

Just got a P&T from Baby Nest in Croydon, good price and customer service - though no sign of the Promenade on their website, worth a call? Also got a Cameleon from a place called A3 Baby Barn - out Kingston way. A bit of a trek but I expect they deliver. Again, v good deal and customer service.

Nothing against Peppermint, just thought they were pricey when I was on the hunt!

Congratulations! I know you will be a brilliant midwife - just sorry we won't get to benefit from your experience. No.2 (and final, methinks) due any day now!

Good luck with your studies, Donna x

Cheers Clare - was going to text you but then realised the time :))

Thanks Helen - maybe just a case of them not updating the photos on the website then.

Ordered a new Vibe 2 which arrived today. However, the buggy doesn't match the photos on the website (it says phil & teds on the frame (rather than vibe) and the red seat pad looks different too (black trim rather than red)). Also, strangely, the instructions that came with the buggy do not match the buggy?!?! Could only follow the instructions on the website.

Before I call the shop tomorrow to clear this up, can anyone give me a sure fire way of telling the difference? I've just followed friends' recommendations this time around rather than doing my own research and so am less clued up than I probably should be!

Many thanks, Donna

The smell was similar to white spirit or strong glue, I'd say. It seemed to be coming either from our kitchen or the cellar, which is on the same level as our kitchen but I couldn't pinpoint the source. Luckily for us, the smell has gone now but next call is definitely to Environmental Health if it returns.

Smell seems to be subsiding here. Thanks all for your thoughts ands suggestions, as Sue says its definitely an inside smell rather than something coming in from the outside and chemical rather than sewage. My suspicion is that someone has poured something dodgy down the drains nearby, but that doesn't explain the problems in Ulverscroft/Landcroft. Hopefully whatever it is is passing of its own accord.

Very strange - called Thames Water and they can't suggest any likely causes either. The mystery continues!

Gas man has been round and confirmed that there is no leak in either my or my neighbour's house, so we can rule that out! Still a very strong smell though :-(

Hi there,

Live on Malfort Road, adjoining streets are Bromar, Ivanhoe and Grove Hill Roads. I and my neighbour opposite have noticed a really strong solvent smell coming from our respective kitchens this morn. On the phone to the National Grid as I type, but not necessarily a smell I'd associate with gas. Have checked cupboards to see whether there are any overturned cleaning products, but there's nothing I can find.

Any suggestions or anyone else experiencing the same problem this morning and got to the bottom of it. Also thinking of trying Thames Water?!?

Smell is so strong it's giving me a cracking headache!

Best wishes, Donna