The Nappy Lady

Cuppa tea, I'm so glad...anything that makes our lives easier is good. As I said I'm only passing the knowledge on, I can't take the credit for inventing it, but I agree it is genius! Xx

Snowboarder - it does depend on the child - Yes most get angry at first when they realise their new game has been thwarted but man quickly adapt & accept nappy changes without a battle any more. I have a friend with 3 wilful boys - taught her this trick with her first, cured him & the other two never really developed the bad habit because she new to look out for it starting & nipped it in the bud. Some children are just more wilful, determined etc etc - I think given your past sleep battles etc we already know that young SB is pretty tenacious. However, better an angry baby for 2 minutes than a stressed out Mum & baby for 30 minutes plus, poo everywhere etc etc. or resorting to pull up disposables which tend to be more expensive, smaller packs etc etc. The longer I've been a Mum the more I have realised how fast our babies start testing our boundaries & working out how to press our buttons, they are soooo much cleverer than most of us realise when we dream of parenthood! LOL

Hi No lie her at right angles - so you have tO lift a leg up, her bum between your legs, feet towards thigh, other thigh over her chest & so her head is outside your legs to either your left or right.....OK? I thought earlier my namby pamby comment probably made me sound like a right old harridon! I'm really not - just a 42 year old with a 7 & 3 year old & knowledge passed on by other nappy ladies! In my experience this escaping trick has nothing to do with sore bottoms (though that happens too). This is about learning they can have free will & how exciting it is - the world is much too exciting to lie still for a nappy change! In a while she will be toddling up to you with her mat & wipes & taking her own nappy off to help - hang in there & be firm!! Xx

Hurrah that so many of you have used the technique & are passing on the 'knowledge' Ok - here's the thing - 45 minutes to change a nappy is awful & stressful for you & your child. You need to deal with this by changing them fast & in a way that quickly teaches them resistance is futile. ;-). Once you do this they quickly stop the whole trying to escape thing & usually become compliant so you no longer have to actually pin them down. Sit on floor with your legs open to make a V. Depending if you are left or right handed, put baby on floor so their bum will be between your legs, head outside your leg on either side & your thigh (yes your thigh) gently across their chest. This leaves you with 2 hands free to quickly remove, clean & put fresh nappy on in under 3 minutes!! Forget all the nanby pamby stuff, trust me this will change your life & you will both be much happier! You can actually make it fun - sing, pretend you are going to tickle them etc I honestly found my two stopped getting cross very quickly using this method though I know some babies are more tenacious than others. With no2 I worked out I could use the same technique with a change mat on a bed if getting down to floor level is very uncomfortable for you. Xxx

Richard...remember the immortal lines from Romeo and Juliet. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" I think you are right to stick with the name that you chose, it's your idea and your choir. You can't possibly please everyone. Molly

@reporterboy is my hubby & a local BBC political Reporter. He has lots of followers, though I'm not much of a twitterer I gather this is usually a good sign!

Hi B I can highly recommend Dayon on 07956 512362 his company does deep cleaning, even mattresses etc and they are very good & reliable. Good luck with the move!

Peckham Rose - re the Hairpin left turn to go up towards Nunhead (Stuart Road) - the corner used to be nice and wide, like it is again at the moment, then they built a big curb out into the junction, with the cycle lane, I think to make traffic turn left more slowly, but now cars coming out of Stuart Road turning right are often so far over that you can't actually turn left until they move! Another bit of inspired traffic calming. Anyway, they only changed that junction so the buses could turn up there whilst there was diversion due to Cheltenham Road being resurfaced, they will be putting the raised curb/island type thing back in again soon (I know because I asked the workmen in the hopes they were doing away with it for good), which is why they haven't taken away the yellow lines that are now strangely in the middle of the road. Hope this helps explain things.

I know & I feel extra guilty as I was given her for safe keeping & it's my pocket she fell out of. Nightmare. :-(((

Thanks Strawbs I had a good look this morning but I think it is as I feared & she has been adopted by another little girl - understandable as she is a 'highly desirable' item LOL! I met a man who had seen her & he showed me which bench he put her on. Ah well.

On Friday my 3 year old lost 'Fawn' who is about 6" tall, dressed on orange with dark hair in a plait & distinctive clear plastic wings!! Possibly in the playground or path around the arboretum at Peckham Rye. It's a long shot, but she's only had her a week so if you find her please let me know. Thanks.

I know it was just an iPhone typo, but I love the idea of being fairy intolerant!! LOL

O V E R T I R E D. 3. Y E A R. O L D!!! Ok, feel better now, am going back in, wish me luck ..... Xx

Snowboarder - you are 'The Buggy Lady' LOL No doubt about it. I see a future career! Xx

Hiya I believe you cannot apply for schools until youve got an address I'm afraid. This is based on friends who moved to Cambridge - they couldn't put the forms in until they exchanged on the house which ended up being in the Easter holidays - 1 child missed out on a place as a result & both missed the first 2 weeks of the new term. So ridiculous but I guess they have to control applications somehow.

Leave it a couple of weeks & start over I'd say. He's clearly keen to do it but upset by his own failure I'd say. Hopefully next time it will go better, but maybe explain if you haven't already that accidents are all part of learning & everyone has them. Xx

There is (or was) one on Northcote Rd in Clapham with a Play area at the back - also sold single nappies & baby food just trying to remember the name of it. CRUMPET is the name!!! I'm told the cafe next door is even nicer but less child friendly I think!

Hi Nikki Yes they work, though not essential they help the process to be a bit less messy if your little one has accidents. I think if you are potty training in the winter they are more valuable than in the summer when you are outside more of the time. Lots of information here; http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/productGallery.asp?topCategoryID=7

Check out Jonathan Blake Www://bishopjonathanblake.com Lovely man!!

Jenny - I've got another will post details shortly - need to dig them out!

Hi Pickle I used it & Jasmine which is very expensive. Ran a bath then put 3-4 drops of each in the bath when water is still so it floats on the top - was told this is the way but as you say there seem to be various approaches. Was also advised to mix with a base / carrier oil and then massage on lower back. Would be nervous to use neat or directly on bump though if you know others who have this is reassuring. Good luck - I have an unopened bottle of Castor Oil if you want it!! Molly Xxxxx

Nunheadmum, I know a family with 2 girls at Harris Girls. One is in her final year of GCSEs the other is younger. They are very happy with the school - the eldest took several GCSEs a year early at the end of last year in subjects like Maths & Science. Also another family close by - their daughter has just left with really excellent exam results in plenty of 'proper' subjects. I have some reservations but it is certainly on my list of possible schools & I don't think anyone should be discounting it (not suggesting you are). I'd like to see a greater mix of girls from local families there, but I guess that is going to take time to happen, I believe historically girls from Nunhead & East Dulwich have tended to be sent further afield.

Yes I listened to the Radio 4 show too, it was good wasn't it. Interesting about unsupervised play - I recalled it today as my 7 year old & her school mate worked out some issues together and held back from interfering!

Bio Oil - stretch mark cream is excellent.

I was going to post what millie42 said. My eldest went from a micro to a maxi & her little sister inherited the micro but she's equally happy on the Maxi with the handle lowered. It's a stronger scooter (I can use it too - fun on way back from the school run!) & overall better value for money as it will last then even into double figures where as micro is outgrown by 6/7 easily.