Belle

I was told (but haven't put it to the test) that if there is a history of this kind of thing in the family that might help your case for getting tests on the NHS. me and husband both v atopic so shd get son tested for allergies at some point - have also experienced him getting weal like hives or similar but they always disappear so fast, without any other associated problem, that I haven't yet done anything about it. Couldn't pinpoint a particular food either - if you're thinking shellfish, that cd help your case too - always found with the GP that if I went in saying 'I think he has X' it seemed to help focus the appt.

HH - my nephew is an only child, and so is my cousin's son, and both are v happy and sociable kids, in fact they're noticeably good at sharing etc (compared to their peers) and they have a lot of friends/good relationships with their cousins. I know a few people who are stopping at one. As saffron says, siblings aren't automatically companions/friends - it's great if it works out that way but you can't predict it.

sad that mums might look for help?

Now that I could handle Moos! sounds v practical. It's like I always like the sound of the old fashioned way when my mum/mil had babies in hospital, and the babies were brought for feeds but looked after for stretches in between at night so mum could get some sleep.

Yes - we weren't given any handknitted cardies last time, just had bought ones from mothercare etc which weren't so nice - so have already pre ordered some from Pickle for when next baby is born.

when i was really struggling with a newborn and had terrible PND, a few people suggested getting a maternity nurse, but I resisted it (this despite the fact I would say I hadn't bonded with my son brilliantly at this point - def didn't feel bereft when I nipped out to the shop without him etc). As others have said, nothing wrong with them if you feel you have the need (and means!) - and in retrospect maybe it would have helped us - but my instinct was that it would undermine me and make me feel even less confident than I did around my baby. We did do quite a strict feeding schedule as a legacy from having been in Kings for a week with a low birth weight baby, and I think in retrospect we were a bit rigid. And maybe that was a factor, or maybe it wasn't, but we were v lucky that he slept well from relatively early on (don't hate us - we paid for it later with terrible sleep after 1yr thanks to ear problems!) - but then I think we maybe needed that respite given what I was dealing with. And because of the circumstances in which we considered taking a maternity nurse on, I must say I'd never judge someone who did. I'm def interested in a post natal doula for number 2, because I'm keen to do as much as possible to avoid PND/mitigate against the effects of a recurrence.

Hi Strawbs - fellow Autumn mummy here! I also love the look of that wallaboo wrap, have noticed they do a lighter one too. As someone above mentioned, sheepskin liners are v useful. My first was an end of Jan baby, though we didn't venture out much till it was a little warmer as he was teeny. I def used to find layering the best - actually only used pramsuit about once, preferred using various cardies/jackets/blankets so I cd v quickly layer up/down. Lots of nice thin blankets are useful (either cellular type as NM mentions or I was lucky to have a home knitted one from my Mother in law, that was thin with holes in if you know what i mean, so v safe). I found that for e.g. doctors surgery was always boiling, and various shops/cafes etc the same. Also remember if you do carry the baby in a sling at all they'll get extra warmth from you, so might need to dress them accordingly. We did sheets/blankets at night till my son was about 8/9 weeks, then moved into first grobag size (think they have to be a minimum size/weight as otherwise can slip down into it). still in sleeping bags 2.5 years on!

have friends who went recently with daughter who'd have been about 21 mths at the time - will ask them re restaurants etc. wd think the museums and galleries might be good? can imagine a toddler enjoying the steps in the guggenheim..

We've always said 2 (which went down to 1 in first year of my son's life ;-) Now 35 weeks pregnant with number 2. In the earlier part of the pregnancy I did have a brief flirtation with 'oh is this really the last time we do this - maybe 3 etc' - though I was still v much aware of practical implications e.g. finances, impact on my career (didn't go back to work after first child - if continued like this, even including some freelance, wd be a v long career break - plus might want to retrain etc). However the last month or so of this pregnancy have been such hard work, not for any serious reason, just the mundane logisitics of juggling late pregnancy with a very active and highly strung 2 yr old, that I really cannot imagine ever doing it again. I didn't mind pregnancy first time round, despite getting quite ill right at the end. This time it's completely uncomplicated from a medical perspective but am hating it!

That's a very helpful post reren (also cuppa tea) - interesting perspectives.

As you say yourself, the fact your little girl was so worried for you during this scene is particularly heartbreaking, and no child should have to go through that fear, nor parent have to deal with explaining it/shielding the child from it. you sound like you've had an incredibly tough time and it's amazing how well you've managed things so far, but agree with others that what's happened now can only be the right thing for all 3 of you. Your daughter will still have a father, but hopefully one who gets help. She'll also have a mother who is not being mistreated or victimised. That can only be a good thing. There are quite a few support organisations out there for victims of domestic violence, I wonder if even your GP could help? Or there may be people on here who work in that area who can advise.

Could you do a combination? so 1-2 days at nursery school, the rest of the time with childminder? or mornings only at nursery school and childminder could do the pickup?

Think i saw one for sale in family classifieds...

I think that hypnobirthing is a registered trademark maybe - it's the Marie Mongan method anyway - I'm not sure of the differences between the approaches/methods though. I haven't had my baby yet, so can't speak for how it helps with the birth, but I must say much of it made sense to me, and as someone said above, I have found it is useful for relaxing. I've had terrible travel sickness late in the pregnancy and have actually used some of the breathing techniques to calm myself down when feeling awful in the car, and it's helped a lot. Have also used the breathing when have had particularly bad growing pains/braxton hicks/whatever the hell those random pregnancy pains are, and that's been useful too.I didn't do the CDs or even the full hypnobirthing course, I did 3 sessions of hypnotherapy with Christine Neillands, who was fantastic - she also runs the hypnobirthing classes. The marie mongan book is well worth a read - I don't agree with everything she says (I'm not quite on the 'birth should be painless/all intervention is bad' end of the spectrum) - but lots of interesting thoughts and case studies, including her own birth stories. And what I really liked about Christine is that she is realistic, but helped me to deal with my fears and look at birth in a different way.

loads of people on here - not me but havev heard v good things - can't remember which forumites, sorry, but sure you'll get some replies. Apparently v good for reflux but yes, expensive and only last up to a certain age, but sometimes can be bought second hand on forum/ebay etc.

have (still am) considered SLT, and have had some excellent advice from BST above on what/how to do that when the time is appropriate! But will be a while off as number 2 due in 6/7 weeks or so. Must say I find the time needed for retraining in anything quite daunting, but guess if it's the right choice it won't seem so daunting?! Good for your husband though - it takes real courage to actually go for it.

Another vote for the ikea antilop. That and the trip trap (opposite ends of the price spectrum!) seem to consistently get mentioned as the two best. What I love about the antilop is that it's soooo easy to clean, and you can whip the tray off and stick it in the dishwasher. it is portable but we have a booster seat we tend to take if going away, and we use that if we're all eating at the table (plastic mothercare one). My son is fairly average height 2.5 yrold and still comfortable in the antilop.

I'm also pregnant with my second, after a difficult first birth (tho not c section). I posted on here about my concerns a while back and had some fantastic advice, will try to find the thread. Also got some supportive PMs. One thing I took on board and have found helpful was to get some personalised hypontherapy for birthing, from the fabulous Christine Neillands. She has helped many people on the forum, and really has helped me to put to rest many of my anxieties and taught me some techniques to use during the birth. As a result, I feel positive and ready to try for a natural birth this time (i had considered an elective c-section because of my fears from last time). Might be worth a chat with Christine? http://www.advanced-hypnosis-works.co.uk/ Worth saying I was def sceptical beforehand, but found it to be much more practical and common sense than the stereotype I had in my head! Was amazingly relaxing which in itself is helpful. BUT that's not to say that I have a view either way on what you or anyone else shd do viz natural/c section - it's a completely personal decision, there's no 'right' one, just one which is informed and you feel supported in.

Funnily enough, both the rookery and st johns are ones I've been wondering about, though thnink the latter a bit too trendy/modern - think rookery cd be good as handy for lots of good restaurants.

I'm trying to organise a night away (but staying in London) for my husband's birthday at the end of the month. We're due number 2 in 7 weeks so I'll be 36 weeks by then, so don't want to go further than London (last baby was born just before 37 weeks so not taking any chances!). Plus leaving 2 yr old at home with my mum so looking to minimise travel time and maximise time away from toddler! Have been looking and can't decide, so thought I'd seek personal recommendations...I like idea of somewhere quite luxurious but equally being that pregnant I won't want to be stressing about looking glamorous! Have plenty ideas for where we can eat so sorted on that side. We've done the soho hotel so am avoiding the others in that chain (charlotte st etc) as looking for somewhere new to us... Did think about the church st hotel in camberwell but thought perhaps TOO close to home! Food is lovely though... any ideas??

Jojo def have plenty swim stuff, but think Sainsburys will have a few things too as someone else says.

For those looking to get a cab back - just got one back from islington, had to try several and the one I got took some convincing! Given it looks like transport not too badly affected, train/bus might be a better bet for now.

coastline - we went with them last year - not cheap but worth it. They operate an ocado style shopping service so you can order groceries even ahead of arriving (great w hen arriving somewhere with kids to know there's food waiting and can get all yr nappies etc instead of packing them), plus they do a welcome hamper and bring breakfast and a paper every day to your door. think all the properties have a pool, and there are extras you can pay for 'a la carte' eg nanny service, chef, beautician. we didn't actually try any of these as didn't feel the need but if we use them again post baby number 2 then we def would!

think this was it: http://www.johnlewis.com/231326871/Product.aspx

someone on here mentioned a good one which I think was rated top by Which, and goes from this kind of age (though poss a minimum weight of 9k?)to quite old, trying to remember name - kiddie pro?