buggie

They said in the programme that they probably used Carter on the birth certificates as it was unlikely they would plow through all the birth records looking for deserter fathers. Also was under the impression the only evidence of the name change to Mercer was anecdotal rather than documented.

Didn't look at BW for feeding advice (got that from Joanne @ Kings & the Peckham br/feeding cafe). But found it did help me find a way to muddle through - course we're not EASY anymore but in the first 6 mths it helped me relax & enjoy Bugglet.

Apart from an early sanity check with the baby whisperer book (and a drop of Annabel Karmel on the weaning front) I've bumbled through as well (thus OJ knowledge tv rather than book based).

Am sure I've seen those in-store at the Mothercare on the Old Kent Rd, IIRC to the right of the carseats.

I saw Oliver James on something a few months ago (think it was The Wright Stuff) claiming that Surestart should have it's funding cut as "it's just providing the middle classes with cheap daycare" While being open that he'd never visited any Surestart projects so actually had no idea what they offered/support they provided but that "babies under 18mths don't need social interaction with other children" & the final classic which really made me laugh "stay-at-home Mum's want to stay at home so why do they need groups to go outside of the home"... hubbie changed the channel at that point (Less than 5mins in) concerned by the steam emitted from my ears! Needless to say I really don't rate him very highly.

Had few wakings like this from the Bugglet at a similar age. Wouldn't worry so much about *how* upset they get, the more important thing is if they settle... an earache/teething pain/serious problem would mean they either wouldn't settle at all or would wake again within 1/2hr to an hour (within a sleep cycle - lighter sleep disturbed by the ongoing problem). 9/10 times a quiet hug settles her or if very awake, a quiet story. If there did appear to be pain/ongoing disturbance (nappy/too hot/too cold/hunger all considered too!) my next line of attack is a dose of calpol/ibuprofen/even teething powder. At this point the Bugglet has normally settled but if this didn't work then I'd start to think about seeking further help. Course if any obvious problem (very hot trunk/rash/breathing problems when calm or anything else triggering the mummy-senses) I'd be thinking of seeking help ASAP.

...where's the Vale's play area?? Went in there a few months back to meet up with NCT friends and there was nowhere for our crawling 10 month olds (at the time) to play apart from cruising laps of the table. The advertised "play area" appeared to be a bookcase with a few books/boardgames for older children.

Saffron - could it be Mini-Saff gets travel sick rather than trapped wind?? I remember my brother use to suffer and mum tried various medicines and once he was a bit older sea bands would work (he grew out of it by 12/13yrs).

The ?5.99 tickets were for last nights "preview" show - the rest of the run are at regular prices.

Mon-Thurs, 10-12, there's Toddlerworld @ Crystal Palace Sports Centre... Nice sized space with soft play/rockers/musical instruments for babies/toddlers. There's a cafe in the sports centre (untested by myself) but doubt drinks/food would be allowed into the play area.

Can't take complete credit for the Tena lady pants tip... t'was my MW who first said about it (in a mildly scary "you'll regret it if you don't" tone!). Glad they helped Mrs Otta (hope the sling's useful too!).

The swap shop sounds like a very good idea. Would suggest having soft play area weekly (could be useful to distract older babies if you've got a speaker). The Plough is such a good size it's ideal for this sort of thing.

Was hubbie's choice but we've got a sonos which can play wi-fi radio and spotify playlists/random searches and even radio programmes after they've aired (a bit like iplayer - I use it for just a minute/ISIHAC while cooking!) and control it all from our iPhones). Only got one at the mo but hoping to get a second one for the kitchen at somepoint. Doesn't have the retro look but isn't too ugly!

Would say that the history Mocklet's got of reaction/rash would be strong enough to get referral for allergy testing even if there isn't a family history. The allergy team at Kings are fantastic and hugely knowledgeable. Hope all goes ok.

As well as having a regular pramsuit, we had this: Cosy Wrap which was really useful when using the car/even if using the car seat on the buggy wheels (if out and about would add a folded blanket over the top. Was good as the wrap bit acts like a swaddle so meant Bugglet would sleep well in the car.

There's always exceptions to prove the rule, but, diabetes in such a young baby is practically unheard of & if it was there would be other worrying symptoms (endless thirst/weight loss/strange smelling breath/noticable dehydration) so don't think it's worrying/neglectful that the GP didn't seem to consider this. Fingers crossed you find a solution to the nappy leakage soon - could be yaklet's taking more milk over the afternoon/evening (especially if cluster feeding) and so this is causing them to be wetter, often found the Bugglet's leakages were related to nappies needing to up a size or me thinking I was clever and going up a size too early (if only you could get packs of 5 nappies or so to check the sizing/brand works before going all out on a big pack!).

FAO Schwarz is a fab toy store to look round - really nice baby/toddler dept in the basement. Went as an early pregnancy baby-moon with Mr Buggie and had utterly awful weather so went to lots of the museums - the natural history museum was brill (but to be avoided on rainy saturdays!). Maybe see if you can get hold of a copy of NY Time Out as they have a similar style childrens section to the London edition and remember flicking through and thinking that there'd be loads to do with kids.

I didn't find distracted br/feeds led to disturbed nights but definitely affected Bugglet's daytime naps. I switched to formula for the afternoon feed (where she was most distracted) and found her daytime naps were easier & I had a happy rested baby when awake as opposed to the grumbly whingey baby I'd become use to. Know this isn't a solution for everyone, but might be worth making sure baby snowborder gets his milk in in daytime hours to allow you all the rest you need. Hope weaning goes well & helps too x

I've always been sold on having 2 as has hubbie, although he thinks he'll need to bribe me with a dog to stop me wanting a 3rd! Problem I might have is difference in opinion as to the age gap - I'd like (in a perfect pencil the date in your dairy kind of world of conception) to have 2.5/3yrs between them, but he'd be happy with 2yrs... just means a few months of me taking a bucket of cold water to bed!!

Your strength for posting this is amazing and fills me with hope that you will find the support needed x

Looks worth investigating!

I would second baby sensory - think 7wks is too young to get as much out of sing & sign (but it'll be time to sign up for classes in the new year soon enough!). Rhyme Time at the library is good (Wednesday at Dulwich library & Tues at Grove Vale). Is also worth making the most now of being able to do things primarily for you rather than baby - once their on the move/more alert meeting up for lunch/coffee with friends gets more difficult & gives way to playdates!

Ooo didn't realise the ivy house had re-opened/did Sunday lunch - live v nearby so will have to check it out soon.

It's stopped over the hols & is back in September - register though & they'll email you the week or do before it's back.

Ooo that would be good BST - think the mega thread about sainsburys parking has been too distracting (it's so much nicer in the family room :D ). Kings do a post-grad nursing course too if Mr B has a degree already he could do it in 2yrs.