Belle

Ha - aka the date posh has picked for her's, sillywoman? Just saw that earlier.

oh yes muffins are great - we do a bacon muffin brunch as a kind of second breakfast for him sometimes at weekends and seems to go down well.

Shreddies? Egg-based breakfast a big hit here - if can be bothered e.g. at weekends I try to do french toast/eggy bread, or boiled egg and soldiers. Occasionally I give honey on toast as a treat.

I don't think it would be unreasonable on your par to suggest something less amibitious than an overnight stay as a 'starting point' e.g. for her to have him an odd hour here/there while you pop out (that way you can't be recalled to help!). That might be a way of enabling her to realise what his needs are etc without it being stressful for you? If it's more that you don't want her to have him full stop at the moment, I'd perhaps avoid direct confrontation on the matter for now: you have enough on your plate. Easy enough to make excuses given distance, stuff she'd need for him etc. Not saying you shouldn't address it - just that you need to prioritise yourself, hubbie, two babies first.

I don't share the mr bloom thing, but do find the theme tune annoyingly catchy, to the point where me and husband were singing it down the M6 yesterday, kept the little one bemused/amused. is buzz really ?50??? argh! that's too much plus not keen on anything that causes any (more) fights over toys, getting hoarse shouting 'share' as it is. I had thought about it being a present for our son from the new baby in sept but maybe not. pIckle if your son is into Toy Story (mine currently obsessed), there's a good magazine that comes with semi decent freebies - this week's had a space sabre which my son is currently clasping in his cot whilst he naps. Also picked up a t-shirt and bath sponge thing v cheaply in Asda.

If that was the case why did they not explain themselves as such StraferJack? Otta - I know what you mean, I agree it's sad that there is so much paranoia relating to often innocent situations. However there is something about this scenario that doesn't feel right, and when I put myself in the position of it being my own little boy, I know I'd feel very uncomfortable about it. Whether they are father/son is irrelevant really. Hopefully it was just a bit of insensitive behaviour, but I symapthise with the mum and aunt concerned. Agree helpful to have clarification of what's legal.

Second that - Lorenzo was fab with our son, who was just under 2 at the time, really took time to put him at his ease and we were really pleased with the results - excellent value.

Just mentioned this to my mum who suggested if anyone sees these two or similar, might be an idea to take a picture of them - useful to show police etc if there is cause for concern? They wouldn't be in much position to object! Does sound odd as you say, something about the way they reacted doesn't seem right.

My son was 5 lbs 4 at birth and we used I think it was huggies to start off with, size 1 - actually went into 2s suprisingly quickly given his size -w e just fastened them pretty tight. Didn't try pampers till later which we now use, but perhaps huggies at that size were better for smaller babies? he was a skinny little thing and I can remember we barely had any leaks - usually was down to one of us putting the nappy on wrong in those bleary eyed early days!

Are the ingredients somehow bad for you? If not I don't really mind - hair and beauty stuff so subjective, everyone has their favourites. Works for me so I'm happy with that...

Love Moroccan oil too - also sold to me by GMs! But seems to make my hair softer/glossier when I use it. Lasts forever too.

YSL touche eclat is good but it is a highlighter. For real shadows (which I have had all my life, magnified by arrival of child!), I conceded last year that highlighter is not enough, and went along to Dr Boo on Northcross Rd. There the Becca lady who happened to be visiting (but the staff equally good) matched me to a concealer which is quite similar to the Laura Mercier one mentioned above. It's much thicker than touche eclat, but still easy to apply to under eyes, it softens when it's on your fingers. There's one half for delicate areas and one half is thicker, e.g. for spots. Can't remember its price - quite a bit I suspect as Becca stuff isn't cheap - but I've had it over a year, using at least once a day and it's not quite run out yet. You can use Touche Eclat a bit on top but I don't bother any more.

hmm. could you go and see your GP if you know them and talk it through with them? wonder if they could refer somewhere else? does seem a rubbish state of affairs.

Molly - could you change doctors, to a surgery where they fit them?

Fi - just checking out this website, which is one of the online retailers for Tripp Trapps, and I noticed some of the ex display models have quite good discounts, if you don't mind a few scuffs: http://www.backinaction.co.uk/?action=clearance&pc=TT

Yes, hats off to HH. I've known a couple of women who've been unfortunate enough to have similarly difficult/non existent relationships with their mothers and I just admire them and HH so much for being able to persevere, come through the other side and not only that but raise a child in a loving and nurturing way despite this.

Minder - the formula companies are bound by European (I think) law to say things like that, same with the disclaimer on the website Jennyh mentioned. They're also restricted to advertising follow-on milk only i.e. post 6 months. Must say I've never felt their advertising was effective - think we just chose what we could find in a carton when we first went onto formula. Especially hate the Aptmamil babies laughing - somehow turns what is a lovely sound into a very irritating one!

(tu)

gwod Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > One of the most interesting things about the BBC > segment, and indeed any research into infant > feeding, is the polarising effect it has on > discussion, when actually as I see it, we are all > pretty much in agreement. Absolutely agree.

I read the RCM comment as 'not breastfeeding does not equal failure' - but see what you mean maybe not helpful to even use the word failure. I just felt it's nice to see at least a nod in that direction instead of the 'this is what's best, let's not refer to any other scenario' position.

liked that blog post ONR

Sorry, not NCT - Royal College of Midwives: The Royal College of Midwives welcomed the findings and said they added to the evidence that breastfeeding was better for babies. Janet Fyle from the RCM said it was vital women had enough help and support from midwives to help them keep breastfeeding. But she said it was important not to over-emphasise the study's results. "We must not send a negative message to mothers that they have failed, or make then feel guilty because they bottle-fed their babies," she said. - Just thought this was nice and balanced.

like with a lot of these studies, it's quite hard for them to show how much is down to the actual breast milk, how much down to the act of bfing and how much down to the circumstances/inclination of the parents ie incidental. So I take with a pinch of salt. I did like the NCT response - nice to see.

I've never wanted to spend much on a buggy, and was pleased when we got our first one half price in the sale. But I do think those who choose more expensive ones aren't simply trying to look 'cool', and I know from pushing some of the pricier ones friends have that they do feel v different to my clunky mamas and papas or even my rattly maclaren. Of all the baby stuff, maybe aside from the cot, the buggy does get used the most so guess it's worth making sure you get something you're happy with, esp if it's going to be costly. Agree donkey looks hideous and is crazy money. I hate how some manufacturers charge for all the extras too, even stuff like raincover which should just be included.

I wonder if there's an element of 'I had to get through it, so now you must too without making a fuss' - you know, kind of been there done that? Sometimes irrationally people aren't sympathetic when they see others going through tribulations they've been through themselves, they can be more 'what are you complaining about, in my day the dads didn't help at all and I didn't have a cleaner' (/car/some other perceived 'luxury' to make you feel guilty). I'm very fortunate not to have this with my mum. Both my mum and mother in law have said frankly that they found their first child v v difficult, which I've found so helpful. But I do see the lack of sympathy in others of their generation. I don't know whether it's brought us closer in that I was close to my mum anyway. I do TOTALLY do the teenage thing, and that's as someone who gets on with my mum, sometimes it's quite embarrassing, e.g. if someone on the street here's me snapping at her.