EmilyE

I don't know where I got this from, but I seem to remember hearing that even having drunk a bottle of wine (yes, a bottle) it was still better to breastfeed than not. Please don't get cross with me, I'm not saying I advocate that, but personally I would cheerfully drink a couple of units very regularly (most evenings).

This all sounds very familiar. It really doesn't sound as though you've totally mucked things up if you've been revelling in her gorgeousness. but I do understand the need for a bit more sleep. I have a 5 and a bit month old and we've been going through very similar things. I've been trying to extend his gaps between feeds during the day (going to at least 3 hours) and that does seem to mean that he sleeps a bit better/longer, but still only 45minutes or so. I seem to remember reading a thread on here about little babies not really sleeping for very long at a time, so I don't think that's too bad. I've also started putting him down on his tummy (I know, I know) which really seems to help, and also he really seems to need to cry for a bit before dropping off. I'm not a fan of controlled crying, but when I have left him (because we really have to get to school/similar and the other children really aren't co-operating) he has often dropped off - so I do now leave him a few minutes. Many people I speak to have had problems getting their babes sleeping at this kind of age - I'm just telling myself that it'll all sort itself out by 6 months or so... Good luck.

Not much advice really, just to say they are great. My son has an old wooden one, which still works fine, though I imagine the metal ones would too. The only other thing to consider is that Balfe's bikes (and no doubt others) will take the pedals off their normal bikes and then put them back on when you're ready for pedals.

And mine 05/05/05! We've nearly got the set...

We too have loved this book. My favourite game for a while was to get unsuspecting friends/relatives to read it and see what they did when it got to 'ways mummies and daddies fit together'...! Though more generally I really believe in honest answers but only to the questions they ask. That way they are leading the discussion and don't get more info than they want/can deal with. My not-quite 3 year old was very happy with 'and then mummy will get into the pool and the baby will come out' though that did lead to a bit of confusion when I got into the paddling pool with them, and the baby didn't come out.

I'm with legalbeagle. Though also, on a much more prosaic level, do any practical things you've been meaning to do (getting curtains, sorting out cupboards, doing your tax-return...) whatever it is that you've been not getting round to. Then you can spend time after the baby enjoying it and not feeling bad/frustrated/anxious about all the other things you're not doing.

ENB at the Coliseum, St Martins Lane do family performances of the Nutcracker where you can take children for free. 2 children with each paying adult. There are only 1 or 2 and they do sell out very quickly. Think you have to call the box office for details.

Thanks. Sorry hadn't read other post.

Can't seem to use the search function at the moment. How am I going to get my windows cleaned? Any ideas. About the search, rather than the windows. Thanks.

Most places seem to require you to do more than a couple of sessions. Oaktree Nursery (Tell Grove/Melbourne Grove) is an exception to that, so may be worth a look for Mrs P and also v close to East Dulwich Grove.

I would really recommend the Lanes (not having done the alternative). Especially if you're at all tempted by a homebirth... If you want to PM me with questions would happily chat.

I've been wondering something similar. No conclusions, but my feeling is that starting low must be the key. It's easy to up it, after all, but not to negotiate down...

What ages are we talking? We might have an adult bike...

Also, remember it's not necessarily just a downward curve, so you might feel rubbish for a few days/weeks, but then have a bit more energy. Even the thought that you might not feel so bad soon might make you feel a bit better:).Hope so.

Sorry - last post really meant to bishberro, not Charlotte. And to supergolden, as you can probably tell, not a strict routine. I try to engineer a window post lunch where 2 will at least be quiet, but I find that the constraints (routine) of a school run are enough for me without worrying about specific nap times/feed times as well. It would stress me out more than benefit me, but I'm sure that's very personal.

Charlotte - I second Pickle with the sling, also, if the baby likes the bath that can be good - get one of those bath supports so that you can have your hands free to wash the toddler if you're right next to the baby, then you can bath both together, get baby dressed and leave (to scream) while you get toddler dressed, and then feed/cuddle while you read stories/settle the toddler. Or do supper/bath and so on much earlier, before the baby really kicks off and when the toddler is that much less tired and then the toddler can have stories/dvd/go to bed very early when the baby really needs cuddling. At the moment - with no 3 - I'm doing things in whatever order works with the baby - so if he's asleep at 5/5.30 then the big ones have supper then, or if he's very distressed they all have a bath, as luckily that calms him down, and if he needs a feed then they watch a bit of tv or have some stories. Whatever you do though, having a screaming baby for hours at a time is not much fun. Good luck. oh yes and my other tactic is to invite ourselves round to other people's houses for tea and then they can cook and help deal with the children while i'm trying to deal with the baby. Sorry for slight diversion from OP - hope you don't mind.

I was with the Lanes ( the midwives at DMC) and you don't get seen until 12(+) weeks. Their administration really doesn't seem to be very good, which is extremely frustrating. Just to give you hope, I found it all went very smoothly from 12 weeks when I was allocated a midwife, and so had her mobile number, and completely bypassed the admin part from then on in - I just dealt directly with my midwife (who was great). I think they do aim to call at about 10 weeks to arrange a meeting, so it may be worth hassling them a bit!

Can't come tomorrow - but would love to join in at some point. i'm just about managing to leave the house now - number 3 finally made his appearance 2 weeks ago. Am mostly about, though before school pick-up is probably easier for me.

Monkey monkey monkey is one we were given recently that I hadn't come across before and is lovely. More for a 3 yr old, but my 5 yr old likes it too. We all like the Berlie Doherty/Jane Ray books - How to Catch a Mermaid, Jinnie Ghost, Moonbird and Bob Robber and Dancing Jane, tho they are quite different - perhaps not to everyone's taste though I think the most beautiful children's books we have.

Also Fiona Foster. Mon and Wednesday on Gowlett Road, 4pm for 3-4 yr olds. And I think other places other days. She's great and you pay by the class, which may be good if there's any doubt about how she'll get on.

Park good for me too and my 3 yr old can run around. Looks like I've missed your birthday Dee - but Happy Birthday!

I'm waiting - due on Sunday, which is strictly speaking May, I know - but am interested. And there's every chance it's late - the other two were... So not too sure about anything on 9th June, but after that :))

I have similarly random working patterns and found a couple of different student-types to do hours for me as and when. Through the forum actually. One absolutely fantastic one, but has since moved away. Between them and friends and family we get through. I investigated childminders and couldn't find anything suitable, though I do have 2 children. Maybe it's easier with one.

Yes term after 3 (exact dates can be given by nurseries) and 5 sessions of 2 1/2 hours. You don't have to put your name down to get the funding - I think the nursery does this, but you would obviously need to find a nursery. I think they all accept it and do the admin for you. The only catch/thing to know, is that usually nurseries do sessions of at least 3 hours, so you do pay for the remaining half hour - you can't just group your hours as you wish. And the funding only applies to school term time, whereas many nurseries go through the holidays, so you are then expected to pay full price for the holidays. Worth knowing, so you don't get caught out. Obviously the increase in fees is dramatic.

My daughter cried virtually every morning at school for the first term (and as a result, so did I...), but was clearly happy when I'd gone. When she went through a phase like that at nursery, I went in with her for a while - not easy if you've got to get to work, but often it was only a few minutes before she was happy for me to go. Now incidentally, 2nd term of school and she runs in very happily.