lorraineliyanage

We use the Ergo for hiking and day trips, takes a few goes to get used to putting the baby on your back without help but after a while becomes very easy. Best done looking in a mirror to check their positioning is OK. Great lower back support for long walks.

The Business of Being Born is a fantastic documentary about midwife-led care and homebirths in the US (which are very uncommon). I noticed another thread about it being shown to raise money for the Albany. snowboarder, you can view it here: http://lifebegins.channel4.com/?cntsrc=one-born-every-minute

The jokester dad was incredibly annoying but his wife obviously understands his stupidity and isn't put off by it. Respect to him for having his vasectomy reversed so they could try for a 4th child. Waiting for the baby to cry after the C section is frightening!

My friend Asa does fairy parties for children, not sure of her prices, but here's her web site: http://www.magicfairyparty.com/

Our primary school used to make Valentine's day cards to take home for our parents. Not sure if schools still do that now?

Helena has a good point. I am sure most people get involved with Easter and Christmas but not all that do are believers in Jesus but not many people would question that.

It's a bit of a "bah humbug" comment!

Just a note that BA will try and reserve the bulkhead seats for you but cannot guarantee this, nor can they guarantee a basinette if there are lots of babies flying, it's first come, first served. We learned this the hard way when flying to America with a 10 month old last Summer. On the way out, they had changed the plane so that the seating numbers were all messed up so we couldn't get the bulkhead. On the way back, they had run out of basinettes/cots so I didn't get one either. I did kick up a bit of a fuss, but on the way out, the steward told me "If I didn't like it, I could get off the plane". Hmmm.....

ceramic stuff with the girls' handprints perhaps? from all fired up. or a hand/foot cast although i think these are quite pricey.

We have limited space and didn't want a bulky pram so went for the option of using a sling for the first 3 months then moving the baby straight into a stroller (not a lie-flat buggy as is recommended for newborns). We bought a Micralite which is fantastic, very light, easy to maneouvre around and it's possible to fold with one hand. I can't usually manage that but my other half can! They sell them in Soupdragon on Lordship Lane - might be a good place to go to have a look at buggies. http://www.mothercare.com/Micralite-Fastfold-Stroller-Black/dp/B000Y16YQY/sr=1-1/qid=1265387841/ref=sr_1_1/276-4174521-0237313?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=68112031&mcb=core

I only have experience of the Dulwich Medical Centre on Crystal Palace Road, they seem pretty good although I rarely ever go other than when pregnant. I loved their midwifery service, 'The Lanes'.

Home births are very popular although you'll need to register quick with a midwifery team. I think this is usually done through your GP or approach the teams direct - Brierly, Oakwood and The Lanes. I am sure someone can pass on the numbers to them or you can google it. Hospital options are Kings or St Thomas', there have been quite a few discussions on which one is best if you do a search on here to have a look through everyone's feedback. I think it will always be mixed reviews for both. I registered with The Lanes who were fantastic, tried for a homebirth but ended up at King's. It was OK, nothing special!

Admin always removes my signature referring to my piano teaching business, but several signatures exist for other users - photographers, baby-focussed businesses, catering companies etc. There seems to be no consistency from what I can tell other than my signature is consistently removed if I ever put it back on.

You can get some great infant probiotics from Healthmatters which help to sort the little one's tummies out. Speak to Monica in the shop, she'll point you in the right direction

Not sure if child-friendly but have been to this one just opposite Dulwich Library and they were really nice. Dulwich Chiropody & Podiatry Practice 6 Woodwarde Road London SE22 8UJ 020 86936000

Graco travelcots are cheap although a little bit heavy but very easy to assemble

I seem to recall spending those first few months with my boobs out all the time, couldn't be bothered to keep unclipping the nursing bra, just seemed easier to let it all hang out!

have you tried www.kiddicare.com ?

Of course she lets Daddy brush her teeth without any fussing so I usually delegate the job to him whenever possible! She's such a daddy's girl!

We've got lots of molars so I think it was flu, she was pretty ill for a week but is much better now. Forgot to say we had a reasonably successful tooth brushing session this morning thanks to your tip, although she wouldn't let me go anywhere near her molars. It's progress, nonetheless!

This is always an emotive subject on the forum! I do think there are great benefits to mixed-feeding although I'm not advocating that people do it as early as I did. I'm just glad that I'm still feeding my 16 month old as she was ill last week and refused all food, water and bottle, the only thing she wanted was the breast. I'm so grateful I was still breastfeeding otherwise I would have been beside myself with worry had she not eaten or drunk anything for 5 days.

hi molly, i'll give that a go in the morning and let you know how it works out. i've tried something similar in the bath with her as we often bathe together and she usually freaks out when i touch her head and starts thrashing around. i'll try it out of the bath as i suspect it might be as she's not keen on getting her head or face wet.

Any tips on how to get my toddler to brush her teeth instead of just sucking the toothpaste off the brush? She absolutely refuses to let me brush her teeth, just happily sucks all the toothpaste off, then flings her toothbrush into a corner.

Glad that the breastfeeding counsellor worked out, it's so hard in the beginning. I had no idea what I was doing at all and was in lots of pain, but I did find the support group at Peckham library really useful. Also we introduced one bottle of formula as day from 2 weeks (I know, I know, but in my defence I did have to go back to work then) and it was a lifesaver, if only to give my sore nipples a rest. 16 months later, my little one is still happily munching away on the boob so it worked out well for us, plus gave us some much needed rest in the early days!

We stuck to bottled water Had a fantastic holiday in Turkey last May with our 6 month old. She also loved the food which was great as we didn't have to try and find separate food for her. The biggest bonus of a holiday in Turkey is that they LOVE children there and nothing is too much trouble when it comes to making childcare arrangement or provisions. I can't wait to go back! I booked through Anatolian Sky http://www.anatoliansky.co.uk/