RenF

Hi, We too have had a cough and cold filled winter (and my daughter gets a cough whenever she is teething too...) One thing which I have found really works is the calpol plug in which you can buy from boots. The thing itself is quite cheap, refills are where they get you with the price (think ?6 or so for five, and each one lasts one night only). But- it works amazingly well! My daughter stopped coughing the first night we put it in, and we all got some decent sleep. Absolutely swear by this now. Had looked into getting a vaporiser but lots of mixed reviews (and concern about rooms ending up soaking wet etc), this is a much cheaper option, and in my opinion works brilliantly. Hope you're all feeling better soon.

Found this earlier today. I note on many of the physical things my daughter is well 'behind' by these measurements, but could be considered well ahead by some of the other development measures (eg for 18 months it refers to looking at a board book alone and she has been doing this for a while, as well as jabbering her own 'story'!). http://www.babycentre.co.uk/e6474/milestone-chart-13-to-18-months just goes to show the vast range of skills to develop and the variations for each child I guess.

Interesting, my daughter is the last to walk (and was last to sit up, crawl etc) of our group of baby friends but seemed to develop earlier pincer grip and general dexterity (eg she ate with a spoon quite early) than those concentrating on getting mobile. I guess if you're not moving around you've got to do something with your time! She also spends a lot longer looking at and examining things than the similar aged children we know we have got on the move quickly.

Thanks all- reassuring comments! I can see why the nursery may have concerns, but they moved her into the room as a non walker... I think they expected that given all the other children are walking she may have been encouraged to get going too! I do think there's an element of it being easier for them, as they have to give more supervision when they're playing outside etc. She does seem to be quite cautious and already has firm likes and dislikes and can be very stubborn (no idea where she gets that from!), and as Damzel said, I think she likes to feel really confident and then acts as if she's been doing something forever! I'm going to ask the nursery staff if they do have any particular concerns, and if not just say that we're happy to let her get going at her own pace.

Just interested in opinions really. She was slow to start crawling (12mths), and once she did she took a while to really crawl everywhere (now of course she zooms about everywhere). Has been cruising confidently around furniture for a couple of months and happily gets around the house this way (even holding onto walls etc to walk along). However not at all keen on taking steps unaided ( she can stand without holding onto anything). I'm fine with this and figure she will get there in her own time, but nursery seem a bit obsessed with getting her walking, and constantly query how much we encourage her, and feed back to us on what they have done to get her walking unaided (should add she is the only non walker in her room). Should I be concerned? Is 15mths quite late not to be walking alone? Or should I just be grateful?!

Thanks both- we live a few streets away from the Ackroyd centre, so will give that a try on Friday. The messy play thing looks great too. Will check out Edtots to see if they have more info...

Only thing with cold turkey is there not a risk of engorgement and associated problems? Do you have a pump or can you hand express a little to relieve this if it gets really bad? Paracetamol also helpful I guess for any pain...

Wondering if any parents in Honor Oak or Forest Hill can recommend Any activities/groups running for me and my daughter? Specifically Fridays? We've just moved for the third time since my daughter (now 15 months) was born. Hopefully we will be staying for a while in our new place! Have moved further away from my NCT group (Kennington) and groups we had got to know in ED/Nunhead so would love to find out what there is available in our new area and hopefully get to know some other parents with children the same age? Also up for play dates if anyone fancies! Thanks

The area around Evelina Road is having a real resurgence. New shops opening to go with the already lovely deli, fishmongers, baker etc. You'd need to have a wander about (and I would definitely recommend doing so at night, as we were quite surprised, given the sweet villagey feel during the day, that it has a slightly edgier element too!).

Not sure anyone has been suggesting a debrief/critique after story time... I guess what I was getting at was the idea of teaching my daughter not just to accept everything at face value. Sometimes, yes we can just have a story as a nice story. Other times we could look at it from ther angles. I think most parents who read with their children would have discussions like this anyway.

Finding this very interesting, and whilst I agree with applying some caution with regards to role models etc for our children, I agree with Pickle that there is a danger of over thinking this. I recall watching a documentary some years ago about a mother who had made a conscious decision that her sons were not going to have a stereotypical male upbringing. One key thing she did was not to allow her sons to have toy guns, soldiers, other 'fighty' type toys. The result? The camera panned in on her watching despairingly from the kitchen window as her sons picked up sticks in the garden and shouted "bang bang"! So, this isn't quite the same thing obviously, but I think there's some truth in the idea that what you deny your child most they will crave most. Perhaps ignore the princessy phase, continue focusing on other more positive games, stories and ideas and they'll hopefully choose these things for themselves eventually? Something which I have picked up on here and would hope to apply with my daughter when she's older (only 15 months at the mo) is to question the stories we're presented with, have a discussion about what Cinderella (or other 'heroine') could/should have done. The best we can hope for surely is for our girls to be questioning?

Um, no. That is all.

Hi, Childminders I have met have charged betweem ?45 and ?60 per day, usually inclusive of food. With both nursery and childminder you normally have to supply your own nappies and wipes, and formula (if your child has that). Nurseries normally supply cows milk for those over 1year old, not sure about childminders on that one. Round here, I would start looking for your childcare as early as possible- I've found both nurseries and childminders are busy, nurseries with long waiting lists, and childminders full up, although both are subject to change I guess. With home collections, I didn't come across any childminders who did that (I guess given they're often looking after a few children, maybe with school drop offs too, it might be difficult, but you can always ask/negotiate!). Maybe try to look for someone/where on your way to the station/in the general direction of work, as you can go on your way to work rather than out of your way. Yep, time is tight in the mornings, and I found the logistical side of getting everyone ready and out the door one of the hardest things about going back to work, but you will find your own rhythm. I now know why all those women do their make up on the train in the morning! Good luck with your search. RenF

Did the staff have a uniform or top with a logo on? I know staff at our nursery all wear a particular colour top, so would be interested to know if you noticed this? Thanks!

I have been looking for some clips for ages that have soft material covering the metal clip- the metal ones are so hard on the head! So, for me something that stays in but isn't too hard.

That definitely sounds enough- as supergolden88 said maybe withdrawal from something else like sugar? Do you get them every fast day? I have also pretty much stopped getting them (on week 6 now)...

Hi womanofdulwich, I've had a few. Usually down to not drinking enough water ( I now drink loads on a fast day) or in my case also not having any caffeine! I now make sure there's enough calories for tea and coffee throughout the day.

I posted a while back about struggling to brush my daughter's teeth and this week found something which might be helpful here. Not exactly revolutionary but... After her bath we wrapped my daughter in a big bath towel (rather than one of her little hooded ones) with her arms safely tucked inside. I held her firmly wrapped up and brushed her teeth that way. She didn't exactly love it but was much calmer when her arms weren't able to flail around and make grabs for things. Recognise 2 is a bigger child than 14 mths but might this work for nail cutting?

This happened with my little one- not sure there's much you can do as such, eventually my daughter just stopped. Maybe it's to do with a change in diet, increased solids etc?

Ha! No, not yet. But I have been surprised by not being ravenous the next morning, as some others have said.

We just filled in an online form on the southwark website... Wasn't that time consuming tbh.

Yes, had exactly your situation (failed to put registration on), contested and won. We said it was an oversight rather than deliberate attempt to mislead and made clear it was a one off, and that by using a permit we were attempting to park lawfully. If its the first time for you I reckon you can overturn it.

Second week and third day of fasting today. The second day was definitely easier than the first. Lost 3lb last week, just fasting and not really exercising (other than usual walking and a swim on Sunday morning). Quite pleased.

Hi Lochie, Sorry to hear you're having a similar issue- horrible isn't it. I did actually have a conversation with the nursery. I'd got myself a bit worked up about it, but went in one morning with my other half to ensure that I didn't start shouting the odds unnecessarily. Her key worker felt it was to do with teething and having runnier nappies, which I could see the logic of, but I made a point of saying could they please keep a close eye and make sure to change her nappies as soon as they were aware she had done a poo, as I didn't want the rash getting worse. I didn't accuse them of leaving her for ages without changing her but felt I'd been able to make my point! Since then, she's suffered a little but nothing like as bad as it was. If you're concerned I'd definitely have a word- its your prerogative after all! RenF

I found my tens machine alternately good and then really annoying! I hired from natures gate too, and thought the cost wasn't prohibitive so maybe worthwhile having, but not the end of the world if it wasn't used.