Annie456

Hi folks, Just looking for some recommendation for nurseries. I'm a full time mum but at 18 months I'm starting to think that my son would benefit from a couple of half days at nursery so he can have a bit of independent playtime, socialise with other toddlers without me always watching him and generally for him to have fun! We go to lots of groups etc but it just feels like it would be a good thing for him. I'm struggling to find places that will do half-days so thought I'd ask for recommendations. I'm looking in the honor oak park end of east dulwich / forest hill ideally but not sure if that's being a bit too picky! Cheers A

Thanks! That's the one my husband suggested but the website really wasn't doing it for me! Will give it another look :o)

Hello EDF friends, We're currently contemplating a week in Portugal with an 18 month old in April...has anyone else done this and can recommend anywhere that's good for little ones? Playground is at the top of my list with pools more of a bonus (at that time of year!) self catering accom preferred. Would love any recommendations! Cheers A

We had the bee+ and after 9 months the front wheels jammed when my husband was walking across a busy road, we took it straight back to John Lewis and got a full refund. I was sad as I had loved it until then (REALLY loved it) but we lost all confidence in it. Baby was old enough for me to just buy a normal mclaren stroller...I wouldn't recommend going from bee to mclaren but it's fine for now!)

Excellent, thanks! I'll try tomorrow x

Thanks folks, I'll check all those options-agree re: not spending a fortune on something that's worn for 30 mins per week! Thanks again.

Good afternoon, hoping someone can help... DS 13 months has grown out of his swimsuits and I need to get him one of the Lycra all in one jobbies for his lesson (we've tried plain old shorts and he gets too cold) Last time I got one fairly cheaply from sainsburys but now the only places seem to be online for about ?30...anyone seen any cheaper anywhere? Daft that places only stock swimwear in the summer! Thanks....A

Mine had 3 x 30 mins per day and at around 10 months he dropped the late afternoon one. It wasn't until he started walking that he really went for long and regular naps though and you'll only be a few months away from that sl possibly wait and see what happens then..and nursery will definitely sort things out. 12 hours a night...ahhh we've just had our first 12 hour night after 13 months..long may it continue! X

I've tried various, T&M, crocus, telegraph garden centre etc and never had the best results. Avoid homebase, B&Q etc. I recently spent a small fortune in Shannon's garden centre in forest hill and it's all looking lovely-I was really impressed. I know you're wanting online suggestions but perhaps give Shannon's a try if you've not already?

I didn't take my baby to a cranial osteopath to cure his tongue tie or because he cried but because he had a lot of tension in his jaw as a result of a tongue tie and it was affecting my ability to breastfeed. Feeding became more effective and less painful.

I can't help on the 'what actually is it' as I'm still slightly baffled but it might reassure you to know that there is almost no pressure applied to the baby at all, think of it more like reiki healing than massage - I know that will be doing it no justice at all but I had thought it would involve some sort of realignment of the skull (!) but actually they use very soft touch on different points of the body to set off a chain of movements within other parts of the body. Maybe searching YouTube would put your mind at rest if you are worried?

I thank Lizzie lomax at dulwich therapy rooms for giving me the most chilled out baby! Of course it could be coincidence but I'll be paying her a visit if I have another one. A few friends have seen her too. She was recommended to me by Clare Kedvers at Kings as DS was a bit tense after being a big baby in a tiny bump!

Can't comment on second child as I only have one but he was over 9lbs. I was induced with a bishops score of 7 and he was born 16hrs later with an episiotomy. I wasn't warned that he would be a big boy as i'd been measuring 37 weeks despite going 2 weeks over due. Not sure you can pay too much attention to the sizing...

One of my fav things was a delivery from "kooky cookies". The biscuits were huge and delicious and I loved the novelty factor :o) also loved the Jo Malone goodies from my girlfriends which always make me feel a little less slummy-mummy in the morning! Baby-wise, someone bought DS a gorgeous pair of PJs from the little white company and DH loved them so much he wants to buy a new pair each time DS grows out of them as a little treat! Would have loved a lambskin too and it's one if those things I can't really justify buying myself......hmmmm

I had fluconazole but not a high enough dose, I then had a higher dose plus some antibiotics - was using the novogel pads too. If it is resisting like mine then you just need to hit it hard. Anti-biotics made me feel awful but helped beat secondary infection. I took pro biotic capsules that I got from health matters on LL. X

Energy drinks and a straw - which is especially useful if you use a birthing pool. Also, and this only really applies for inductions, there was a lot of waiting around for blood results etc before I was induced so it was really useful to have the laptop so we could watch a few episodes of 24 to pass the time ;o) Also take things to keep the hair off your face.

I was recently induced with my first baby at 42 weeks having had 3 failed sweeps in the week before. I just had the pessary which kicked labour off after 2 hours. It was an intense start but completely managable with just gas and air and my tens machine and I was able to stay mobile throughout including a few hours in the pool. I was at Tommys in their midwife-led unit as opposed to their full on 'hospital birth centre' - they are both on the same floor (same corridor even) but it meant I would need to transfer if I wanted an epidural or needed the hormone drip. As it turned out, my contractions started to really die down to barely any for the last 2 hours and the midwife felt I could have done with the drip to kick things off again, but there were no beds in the hospital birth centre so I just had to make do. My point is, give yourself all the options. I know all labours are unpredictable but I was kicking myself for wanting a water-birth so badly that I denied myself the chance for more pain relief and the hormone drip later on.

Hi ladies-sorry for not checking in on this sooner! I'm not free in the morning this week but you guys should go ahead and perhaps I can join you next Thursday? Annie x

is anyone free / fancy meeting up this Thursday?

Thank you wonderful people of East Dulwich!!! I left many a desperate voicemail for all these people you recommended and Claire Kedvers at Kings called and told me to come in today. She confirmed that the Tongue tie was the cause for such painful feeding and has written me a referral to have it snipped as soon as my nips have recovered enough to do the 3 hourly feeds afterwards. The NHS can't do it for another couple of weeks but I called Katie Fisher and she will do it privately and I'll continue to see Claire at kings for follow ups. I'm so relieved but also pretty annoyed that it's taken so long for someone to recognise that the TT was the issue, especially as it was spotted at birth. Claire also spotted a thrush infection so I imagine by the end of this week I'll be feeling a whole lot better about it all! Anyway, thanks so much for all your help and I apologise in advance for all my future rants on the EDF about tongue tie...!! A x

Good afternoon, My little fella is just over 2 weeks and we're having some trouble breastfeeding. I've been to a breastfeeding cafe and asked variOus midwives who all feel that the latch is fine...but it can't be because I'm now down to only being able to feed one one side and pump on the other while it heals...it's a little earlier than I hoped to be expressing but it should just be for a few days. His weight is up on the 91st centile so not worried from his point of view...more the pain issue for me. I have contacted a lactation consultant who was recommended to me but she has so far not responded to my emails or calls so I wondered if anyone had used anyone they would recommend. I feel like I've exhausted the NHS resources and am at crisis point but don't want to give up so any recommendations for private specialists would be massively appreciated! Thanks! X

Good afternoon, My little fella is just over 2 weeks and we're having some trouble breastfeeding. I've been to a breastfeeding cafe and asked variOus midwives who all feel that the latch is fine...but it can't be because I'm now down to only being able to feed one one side and pump on the other while it heals...it's a little earlier than I hoped to be expressing but it should just be for a few days. His weight is up on the 91st centime so not worried from his point of view...more the pain issue for me. I have contacted a lactation consultant who was recommended to me but she has so far not responded to my emails or calls so I wondered if anyone had used anyone they would recommend. I feel like I've exhausted the NHS resources and am at crisis point but don't want to give up so any recommendations for private specialists would be massively appreciated! Thanks! X

I can't make next thurs either but realised I forgot to come back to say that baby Benjamin was finally born 13 days overdue on 10th September. Technically not a 'summer baby' but still hoping we can stay on the thread! DH goes back to work at the start of Oct so I'll be looking to get out and about as much as possible then!! Oh and I will update my Tommys thread soon but just wanted to say how brilliant all the midwives were-it wasn't the most straight forward labour but we were really looked after so well and I couldn't fault them. Hope to catch up with you soonxxx

Cant wait til I can join you, now 11 days overdue so not officially a summer baby anymore (and this weather confirms it). Eviction notice has been served and induction looms so should have my little one here before the weekend is out! Xx

Thanks again for more reassuring messages! Its great to know that the care is so different when in labour...I just really hope I can go all the way through without having to sit in that day assessment unit waiting room again...and definitely hoping to have to go in during the night when I won't have to fight for a place in one of those lifts! Hopefully just a few days to go for me and I will make sure I post back at some point in the next few weeks to let you know how I found it all. Annie x (by the way, I agree that the lady on the helpline is absolutely lovely - i've spoken to her a few times and she always answers my questions without making me feel like a nuisance)