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I also love our Trip Trapp. I believe Babydan also does a similar less expensive version. It's definitely messier to have them sit at the table with you, but I like to have a family meal. The Handisitts are good, but a few words of caution. If you have fabric chairs they will get dirty. I would recommend using only on plastic, wood or other easy to clean chairs. Additionally, I didn't think it was great for when my son first started weaning. He was quite stable and good at sitting up, but he could lean dangerously far forward in the Handisitt. -A

In my experience it takes you longer to recover (and you need to keep yourself super-hydrated), but on the upside you won't have to deal with a sick baby! -A

The midwives told me that newborns can sleep up to 6 hrs at a stretch. If they're sleeping more than 6 hrs that's when it's time to consult your midwife or HV. Mine often did 4-6. How I miss that . . . -A

Parasols are definitely annoying, but my tot won't put up with a muslin covering his face anymore - he wants to see what's going on! Have found that I can get the parasol to cover up the top half quite well, then I can just tuck a muslin on over his legs. Didn't realise that he could get sunburned through the muslin though marscapone - so thanks for that. On really hot and sunny days I've been putting suncream on him as well, so hopefully between the cream and the muslin it's OK. -A

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the trains are PACKED in the morning. We're talking sardine cans. -A

My 11 month old leaves bruises on my arms. He generally does it when he is overtired or frustrated. I've been told that this is sometimes babies express themselves because they can't speak. It's getting very tired, as is the hair pulling.

I just use a black permanent marker and put his initials on the clothing tag.

Aha! Oops. Sorry.

Crystal Palace has a lot of classes: https://www.sportscourses.org/Home/Default.aspx Peckham also does Jelly Babies, but last time I checked no weekend classes. They have open sessions on the weekends though.

Goodness. Have just read this thread. I've never read any parenting books other than that 0-5 NHS book you receive from your health visitor. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all of the theories out there so have decided to ignore them all! I really will F*** him up, won't I? -A

I'm currently on holiday and have been using disposable wipes for the first time - my son is 10 months old and I have always used washable wipes. I'm quite surprised to find that the disposable wipes so much messier and less effective! I miss my washables. They are smaller than the disposables, but I never had a problem getting my hands messy before, and never had to keep rubbing his skin over and over again to get him clean. Maybe it's because the washables are more absorbant - I'm not really sure! Anyway, they are really cheap (bought mine from The Nappy Lady) and might be worth a try. -A

Perhaps you could contat the resort, and ask them if they could sort out a taxi for your that will brink a car seat? -A

The NHS A-Z of health is a really useful source of info on all kinds of conditions. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Haemorrhoids/Pages/What-is-it-page.aspx

Hi Fuschia, So glad you were able to have a scan and that everything is OK. Unsurprisingly, sounds like there have been some admin errors in getting your appts etc. In my experience, that's always the problem with the NHS. Admin is terrible, but once you get your appts the care received is always great. If you have time, do register a complaint so they can investigate why your appts have fallen through the cracks and it can be rectified. Also in my experience, they are pretty good about investigating complaints. -A

Seems like I am in a significant minority then with a 10 month old still in my room!

I'm currently facing the same dilemma with my 10 month old. Will moving into their own room mean more sleep for me, or less? I'm thinking of trying it to see what happens, and we can always move the cot back into our room if it doesn't work out right now.

Of course I aim to keep my 10 month old out of the sun as much as possible, but am also using some sunscreen I bought at Health Matters. They carry two brands that are suitable for babies. -A

Theatre Monkey has a great synopsis of the seating plans in theatres. http://www.theatremonkey.co.uk/

The baby led weaning book is really good for describing the developmental theory and biology behind using finger foods straight from the start. My son is 10 months and entirely self-fed and has never choked. It is important to note the difference between gagging and choking - gagging is NOT choking! And your baby will gag on food. It's fine and normal and part of the process of them learning how to handle foods of different textures and shapes. My son gagged a lot in the beginning, but as he became more experienced I noticed that he really only gagged on new foods. He gagged on his own hands all the time before I even started weaning! The book isn't too hot though when it comes to practical tips and advise on what to actually feed. In the beginning, just use foods and shapes that your baby can actually handle easily. Toast and pittas are definitely good ones and fruit that isn't slimey. I found that banana and avocado were too slippery in the beginning, but you can mash them and put them on toast. As far as vegetables, you can give raw ones to suck and teeth, but they will have better luck with well cooked vegetables. I found broccoli florets, finger shaped pieces of carrot and courgette good to start off with. Raw tomatoes - cut into large chunks or cherry tomatoes cut in half are great because they can suck out all of the gooey middle and then spit out the skin. Cucumbers cut into rings or half moon shapes are also good for their soft middle. As far as watching them eat, I eat with mine so although I am watching the whole time, it's not the only thing I am doing. It also teaches them how to eat as they watch you. I felt exactly the same way as you describe when I started, but you'll build confidence as you go along. Just trust your instincts and don't be afraid to have fun and experiment. If it's not appropriate it will be rejected or spat out! Of course, there are foods that do pose choking hazards like nuts etc. Hope this is helpful/reassuring! -A

Have no suggestions to add to the above, but just to say that when we've traveled to NY he's usually fine the first day, a little cranky on day 2, very cranky hard to put down on day 3, and then he gets settled into a routine. About to find out what he'll be like traveling at 10 months . . .

Definitely check your exiting policy - you may be covered. I found that a lot of policies cover up to 28 weeks. Ironically, most airlines let you fly up to 36, so it was a bit of a paradox. I nearly had to cancel a trip to the States until I found a policy with Egg. They cover you as long as the airline is happy to let you fly regardless of how many weeks you are. -A

Even better than spraying or inhaling saline - try a neti-pot. I've been using one for years and I think it's fabulous: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=neti-pot&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=4773135469&ref=pd_sl_21vkjdthpl_e (If this link doesn't work just google neti pot) Sounds weird but it's easy once you get the hang of it. The neti pot is shaped like a gravy boat. You pour water in one nostril and it comes out of the other one. The advantage of this kind of nasal rinsing is that it creates a kind of suction in your sinus cavity and actually helps to drain your sinuses rather than just clean out what's trapped in your nose. You won't believe what comes out! (Sorry if this is a bit too graphic!) -A

I've raised this in some of my nanny interviews but it seems that there aren't really any nannies out there willing to talk about gross pay. Any nannies reading this thread have anything to say about that?

Then isn't the real question, would you go without your wife and without seeing her for a year!? -A

What is racism of the "good" kind?