bluesuperted

Hi again, it is young for actual therapy but it there is genuinely no babble (which should be varied in terms of different consonant by 6-9 months, eg mamama, dadada, bababa and mixtures like madaba etc), then I don't think it's too early to get a referral for communication-related development concerns. The GP would probably advise audiology as a first port of call but I think an SLT assessment (which would have to be very age appropriate) would be advisable and this would look at lots of elements like his play, non-verbal communication skills, his understanding, eye contact, intent to communicate (eg pointing, starting up 'conversations' by drawing attention to objects, people etc). It is a young age and not one I saw in clinic myself very often but I do think that no sounds at all mixed with no pointing is quite significant at 19 months. I remember seeing my tutor (very experienced SLT) when my little one was about 6 months and he was babbling away and her reminding me about how crucial babble is to later speech development and the main sign that all is well at such a young age: by 19 months there should be 5-20 words within the babble, possibly two word set phrases like 'all gone' and the babble itself should be very speech-like in terms of intonation, length of 'sentence', inaccurate attempts at other words with variety of sounds being used. I'm sorry it's such a tricky situation to bring it up with your SIL and don't want to encourage your overall worries but do think they are merited here.

I agree with the hearing check as a good 'in' - he may have something like glue ear affecting his hearing of speech sounds specially (even if his hearing of other sounds seem in tact). The not pointing thing is important too, does he show other intent to communicate or is he primarily interested in his own things, toys etc? Pointing is really key and I think if that's missing at 18m it's worth a check with GP to see if they can get you an SLT referral or at least audiology first to rule that out. Agree that accurate diagnosis is hard at this age - as some children are just late talkers and it has no bearing on anything else, but it sounds like there could be quite a few developmental delays of varying severity here and as hard as it is to bring it up I think it's definitely a good idea - maybe using friends as examples or say you read something on a parenting forum that reminded you of her little boy? Never easy, wish you luck in broaching it.

The weird thing is, neither jab has been mentioned to me in either pregnancy (current one and one in 2009/2010) by my local midwives (Brierley and now the Lanes). I'm going to get the whopping cough vaccine as I did my own research on it and have a toddler plus a teacher husband so want baby to be protected but I find it really odd that no one at all has mentioned the flu jab and a friend of mine (also did her own research) was unable to even access to flu jab in time from DMC.

Yes hoping for vbac! I think labour starting spontaneously is going to be key, if not I'll go for a postdates ELCS at something like 42+3 (which is when I think I'll actually be 42 weeks but Kings disagree) I would like more than two children though so feel I must give it a really good go again this time. We shall see, labour is nothing if not unpredictable! :) x

Hello just crashing from spring babies ;) but here is the study (only small and merits a randomised control trial to back it up) re: eating dates and how it can help start labour, dilate you faster and avoid intervention. My son was 17 days late and despite all the tricks in the book (natural and not so natural) he was forcibly removed via the sun roof in the end :S! So this time, dates are definitely on the menu from 36 weeks, may as well give it a whirl although I agree they do tend to come (or not) when they are ready... But anything to reduce the amount of trips to the post-dates clinic is worth a go in my book, plus I rather like dates! http://cornwallmidwife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/eating-dates-helps-you-birth-easier.html?m=1

Loans/trials are definitely the way forward! I can't remember if Boba is from birth but I do remember it being lovely and soft and organic. Also it's a bit cheaper than Beco/Manduca, although I reckon all will be reduced in the new year especially if you follow retailers on FB. When I tried it my son's legs didn't quite suit the stirrups - not sure if it was length/age/developmental as think it comes into its own for older toddlers and I probably tried it at around 11 months. Hope we are not bamboozling you too much OP!

I liked the Boba 3G when I trialled it, and it has plenty of body space for growing toddlers, but the straps don't have the option of crossing over at the back (they do with Beco Gemini and Manduca) which for me was important as it gave me extra support to continue front carrying rather than back carrying.

Did you carry little Saff forward facing til 2? That sounds painful! I don't think I would start forward facing your little boy at his age and size midivydale as it would put a lot of strain on your back and also at his age he should be able to see everything by turning his head slightly as he'd be high enough up. It's also not great for particularly little boys' groin area and genitals plus there are issues about sleeping in that position and overstimulation as hard to 'turn off' from things. I never forward faced my son (so he never knew any different!) but he was certainly involved in the world around him from his position (front carry, facing in) - ahhh feeling nostalgic for so many conversations with the old ladies of SE London!!

There have been a few threads on this, here is a recent ish one: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,877979,878531#msg-878531 I'm personally evangelical about the Manduca; I only stopped carrying (except in emergencies and in cabs!) my hefty 2.4 year old because of my massive pregnancy bump - few weeks ago and at over 6 months gone! But hubby carried him in it this weekend (front carry) and often back carries him on walks in the woods. It's very expensive but totally worth it, suitable from birth to 3 so I am looking forward to using it with my newborn next year. It has fab resale value too - I actually looked at them on eBay this week and even second hand ones sell for upwards of ?65/70.

Hi Pengui, I read this bulletin from AhaParenting about dealing with this horrific event with children and found it really thoughtful, my son is still too little to really get what's going on but it did make me think twice about having the radio on in the car (we are away) and also discussing it endlessly with my husband (which is always the way I process these terrible things - trying to talk about it when he's not about now). Thought it might be a helpful read: http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/How_To_Talk_with_Kids_about_Tragedies_Like_School_Shooting/

I'm not sure if this is somewhat off-topic but thought you might find this interesting for your dissertation, a very thoughtful blog post that my tutor wrote about issues that affect some women when considering returning to work: http://bottingblogster.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/what-puts-women-off-returning-to-work.html?m=1

I trained as a speech therapist (which was itself a career change from marketing and partly influenced by a planned future with children) up until I gave birth to my son, then did a very part-time MSc conversion whilst he was very little (taking him to tutorials, typing while he slept on me, you get the picture!). I finished this in October, then (very slowly!) starting up a funded PhD which I will put on hold from end Feb when I go on mat leave with number two. I'm incredibly lucky as I see myself really as a stay at home mum (which is what I wanted) who squeezes in some interesting academic work in a fascinating field in between naps and bedtimes, it's been perfect for me as I longed to stay home with my son and I fell into the funded PhD by being fortunate enough to have a uniquely family-friendly supervisor. She suggested I applied for the studentship even though she knew all about my desire to be there fulltime for my son (even down to understanding that I didn't want to use childcare other than family members, occasionally good friends or my husband). It helps that she did the same for her post-doc years ago (with three under three!) so she is both understanding and inspiring, it makes all the difference, as Saffron says. I don't know quite what the future will hold trying to keep my fledgling PhD going with two little ones, but I think it should be doable one way or another. My son will go to preschool before my PhD starts up again and then I guess baby number two will take his place in the sling for jaunts into town for tutorials etc! I'm also lucky as I manage to do freelance marketing jobs here and there (again from home, in the evenings) which I found a godsend financially in the first year of my son's life. Means I don't get a great deal of sleep but I'm grateful for my unconventional and flexible set up! Pregnancy is meaning though that sleep gets prioritised over work at the moment but I'll catch up someday!

I would have thought not as it's likely to have decongestant properties and they can have an adverse effect on your milk supply. I'm not 100% sure and a quick google didn't say for definite thst it had decongestant in it but I know that things like lemsip are out for that reason (probably others too but the decongestant thing sticks in my mind re pregnancy and BF).

I had a horrendous dentist, like a Roald Dahl baddie, all through childhood, everyone in my town went to him and was terrified of him. I seriously hated going, I wasn't phobic/squeamish but I dreaded it and always left feeling awful. Luckily he retired and a fantastic new dentist replaced him - he changed my dental life!! He got me into Bristol Dental Hospital for *free* (and extensive, and undertaken by competent students, eek!) orthodontics in my twenties and I am eternally grateful to him for that - all because he listened to me when I said I hated my teeth. Anyway, he is brilliant and I travel back to Bristol to see him despite the inconvenience. So my point is, a lovely dentist makes a massive difference and I really hope you can get into see Rashid, he sounds lovely and it's so important! Excuse my ramble but I just wanted to give you hope, your son may have sensitivities surrounding dentistry in general or it may be the particular dentist he's seen - definitely worth exploring a new option if you can! Good luck! X

Saw this and thought of this thread... We have a Haba doll (Nelle) for our son, got it for his second Christmas (16 months) from BabaMe online. She is lovely often played with and usually naked! He also has a pushchair (ironic given he was hardly ever in one!) and as much gender neutral stuff as I can find in both clothing, toys and books. Books with strong heroines are also very important to me and it is a bugbear of mine that due to my inability to drive he totally associates driving with men! I will definitely explain I'm an exception to the rule on that score when the time comes!

Love TDLP too, sadly we are at a very awkwardly timed wedding ooop north!

Oh how funny! I remember finding out this time and then going about my toddler day in a total daze! Lovely news anyway! I'm much much better now, still exhausted but pretty good compared to first 4 months, hardly have chance to reflect on pregnancy this time and sometimes find it quite surprising when I get a particularly forceful kick!! Look forward to meeting up with you and others on the thread, toddler friendly and day times are good for me predictably!

Congrats Simonethebeaver! You must have been early days when we bumped into each other in Dulwich Park in the summer? Hope you're feeling well, this pregnancy has been so much worse in terms if nausea/feeling generally rubbish!

For the youngest four I'd go for a pack of books (Julia Donaldson, Lynley Dodd, a themed set about bears etc), and divide up, say two per child. Books are always welcome especially those ages. Amazon, Book Depository, Play.com which all have loads. For the oldest I'm sure books would be great too - and there'll be others who can recommend good ones as I only have a 2.3 year old. I'm getting him You Choose which looks brilliant and think it's definitely a bit older than he is now - others may know if it'd suit a 5 yo. Another great site is netpricedirect.com which has lots of lovely and very reasonable wooden toys, you could buy a pack of 6 wooden cars or cupcakes for example and divide up. If you have more to spend per person the WOW (plastic but battery-less) toys are great for the youngest 4 and super hardwearing. Have fun shopping!

Haha Pickle, I was engaged at 25, didn't think that was particularly child-bride-esque although amongst the first of my friends (married at 27 and a bit)! We did get together at 18 though...

You make an interesting point but 2 and 3 year olds should be encouraged to explore and be curious, yes it is annoying for 7 and 9 year olds but they may have learnt a few very helpful social skills like waiting, patience and empathy for those less able than themselves; to me that's a better lesson for life than just getting on with the experiments. And with the v short attention spans of little ones the incursion into their own explorations is likely to be short-lived. I don't think toddlers/preschoolers or children should only be kept in areas focused on their age group either - despite showing what you consider to be no understanding, little ones learn so much from seeing what the next stage is and what older children/adults are up to. Carbonara Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Can I make a plea? There are loads of really good > educational inter-active sections in museums, and > every time we have gone, the 7 and 9 year olds > have been trying to get into the exhibits and do > the experiments, only to have a parent encourage a > 2 or 3 year old to push in and monopolise the > exhibit, have fun pulling the levers etc but with > no understanding. Find a genuinely > toddler-friendly section. Museum of Docklands has > a great section in the basement.

Another big fan of rear-facing, we have the Britax Two Way Elite in our Golf, goes behind the passenger seat and fits fine but we are a small family. Son loves it and actually hated being forward facing on holiday this year. We bought ours from the excellent In Car Safety Centre in Milton Keynes. A dad friend asked me why we keep E rear-facing at the weekend - I gave him a few reasons whilst not being preachy but his comment 'don't you think it's unfair to him' made me giggle as it reminded me of this hilarious (and informative) blog post: http://1000reasonsimabadmom.com/reason-137-i-bore-my-toddler-to-death/ Our son is definitely not suffering psychologically from facing backwards!! Wish there was more information out there about this issue, we are so behind other countries.

Another older brother here! My son will be 2 years 7 months when number two turns up at the end of March or thereabouts. Hello everyone :)

I agree, powerful writing, really sad message that he got off so lightly. However, while there are tw@ts in Bristol like anywhere else please don't think Bristol is any more a magnet for bigots than anywhere else; it's an amazing city with a great mix of people, loads of culture, diversity, local pride and beautiful architecture and countryside. It's a lot like a funky, much smaller version of parts of South East London, a bit like Brighton in terms of alternative lifestyles and probably one of the nicest cities to live in or near to in the UK. Off topic, but I had to respond! Can you tell where I'm from (and will return to one day)?

Was going to say sling library or else Slumber Roo do hires with money off of you go on to buy from them. Locally, Tommy's on Rye Lane used to have a Manduca in the window but think they sold it though (I was surprised to see it there!).