The Nappy Lady

Best not to soak full stop cuppa tea. If using terry squares, or cotton Nippa fastening nappies it's not quite so bad, but generally speaking it's not good for the fabric, and bamboo nappies really suffer if soakes. Quite honestly, in this day and age with fab washing machines and excellent detergents you don't need to soak, just dry pail and do a 60 degree wash. Makes it all so easy, especially if using a nappy mesh in the bucket. E&K very sorry if you ended up feeling confused, these babies do change our lives, however much we try and fight it, but only in a good way. Carrying on 'as much as normal as you can' is a very good approach to take. xx

Thanks Kim, Really didn't mean to be negative, just brain storming. Amy indoor space where they can run around & let off steam is good!

My youngest is 3 in October & I find she's fine at 'normal' soft play now. I wonder if your session would have enough for her now (bouncy castle good but always make me nervous)! I think for under 3s it would be fabulous, agree with others that older ones ideally need to be separate. I longed for a decent, local baby soft play when C was little.

JessM, you're not alone, we are all prone to it, especially with first babies. The danger is that over time all these detergents/chemicals etc build up in the fibres of the clothes/Nappies & then babies develop skin sensitivity. Overuse of detergent is one of the most common reasons. Generally speaking we should use HALF the recommended dose when washing Nappies (& I adhere to it for clothes too). So loose powder or liquid & take time to read the instructions. For nappy washing advice thenappylady.co.uk is very good. I am not affiliated to it in any way now, though I was an advisor for years. Wendy always has the latest washing advice on there. Xx

We have rubber on the bathroom floor, I love it, but it has got a few stains & dents now...that said it's been down 10 years! It's pale yellow with circles on - Dalsouple?? We got tiles as it's quite a small area but would def. Go for one sheet next time as the joins annoy me!! Smallest sheet was twice the size we needed, which was why we didn't do it that way.

JessM, Urine is sterile, a 30 degree wash is enough to sanitise. A 60 degree wash will kill bacteria in poo if need be but will obviously be harsh on some fabrics...but Nappisan is too - I know we are not talking Nappies here but interesting to note that nearly all nappy manufacturers now state soaking is bad news & if you use Nappisan or similar in washing it invalidates the warranty. Dry pailing in bucket & a 60 degree wash idle recommended, or 30 degrees if only wet Nappies to wash rather than soiled ones.

Nappisan very aggressive on elastic, Velcro & pretty much destroys bamboo fibres! Use with great care. Personally I'd stick to Vanish liquid or stick & sunshine to get rid of stains (use cloth Nappies & you don't get the leaks in the first place. ;-). ) Xx

We've had one for C since she was 2, she turns 3 in October & is now really good on it, I'm confident she will move straight on to a pedal bike without stabilisers at some point. We have a Likabike(sp?) but BC Bikes have since told me you can buy a regular bike from them & they can take the pedals off completely then put them on later when you want them. This seems a very sensible option to me!

Sanne Panne - sounds good - like the alarm. Also be very sure (make threats if need be) that your 3 year old doesn't ever slip the shoulder strap off so seat belt is effectively a lap belt. I know of a family of 3 where 2 of the children ended up in wheelchairs because they did this & had an accident. It's awful I know, but I'm sharing because I think it really drives home the message. My 7 year old has had to be told in the past in no uncertain terms, and the message has got through to her. Glad you are sorted. Xx

I can recommend an excellent hairdresser if you need one - shes done my hair at home through bump & beyond! There is someone on here who does home pedicures too! Good on you checkmeout, hope you make lots of fab new mummy pals.

Quick reminder - this Wednesday....last session I will be doing. Please let me know if you plan to attend. Molly Xx

My Mum voluteers in a charity shop - stuff too worn to sell goes in a rag bag & gets sold off by weight so the charity still benefits. I think it then gets sorted & some goes overseas - Africa etc, some cut up for arts & crafts, some as rags for garages etc. I'd say either to charity or give away as a job lot by age via the forum. Personally I think some less than perfect clothes are perfect for days when we are painting/doing art & crafts/off to the allotment etc.!!

Molars are evil. I found Anbesol Liquid the best thing - it is a topical pain killer - ie you rub it directly on the gum where it's sore - it is non-systemic so you can still give ibuprofen too. You have to ask for Anbesol over the counter, I have heard of tye odd chemist refusing to sell it for babies but if you read the leaflet inside it gives clear instructions for how to use on teething babies, and I was recommended it by a doctor & used it fine on both girls. My eldest at 2 used to come running when she saw me get the bottle out poor lamb - it really does give instant relief as long as you know where on the gum to rub it - easy with molars. I was told they can take a while to break through as they as clearly much bigger & flatter compared to the other teeth which have a fine, relatively sharp edge. Poor baby, keep up the meds & hang in there. Pleased to say the 2nd teeth seem to arrive a whole lot more easily, going by my Gappy 7 year old! Xx

Only an hour or so unless extra special party etc - she's made it til midnight a couple of times but only when we've enforced a lunch time nap. It's not regular for us to let her stay up late though, usually were desperate for them to be in bed by 7.30/8!! Xx

John Lewis to view, then order on line for delivery? Think there's a big new Mothercare at elephant & castle isn't there?

Same as F - usually 7.30, but can be 8pm for both (almost 3 & just 7). Older girl gets to stay up longer at weekends sometimes.

Said handicapped children on the sign F. I've been to film sessions with the autism group before at Harris Girls.

I guess so, but it also reinforces a 'them & us' mentality. Maybe it would be good to offer some mixed sessions, with limited numbers if need be. I do see your point, and was not posting because I minded the play area being closed to the general public today, I just think in general it is good for children to mix (& surely people would stare less in time if it became more normal to all be playing together?). Just a thought, and I admit to having very little experience with handicapped children so this is posted with intent to understand tye reasoning more than anything.

It was closed for a disabled children only session today, and not a child in there given the weather. Seems odd to hold a separate session I thought, surely better to encourage all children to play together?

I've heard bad reports from others re service so haven't bothered to go myself. So sad as I really hoped it would be a great alternative to the park cafe which I'm not a great fan of. I guess dwindling numbers of customers speak for themselves. I will print this off & drop it round for the owner to see, must remember not everyone uses the EDF! One would think they will want to listen to feedback - no point just posting it here, we need to make sure they know & then judge them on how they respond.

St Faiths on Red Post Hill??

F, I think your reaction was gut instinct, and most of us are programmed to ferociously protect our babies after all. I am often amazed by the way parents seem to ignore their own child's behaviour in public spaces. A month or two ago I was in the Chinese garden at Peckham Rye, with dog on lead as signs request, plus 2 & 6 year old. Saw a man let his dog jump into the area, run around whilst he did little to call it back...I admit to glaring a bit! Then I had to retrieve my 2 year old & came back to the path to find my 6 year old upset as she had been 'told off' by the man for holding on to the branch of a tree as she might break it! I so wanted to give chase & give him a mouthful about dog control, but what I actually did was reassure her, but point out that she knows better than to hang off trees like that. I have no issue with him telling her off, but find his double standards regarding respect of the park interesting.

Burgess Park - new toddler playground with sandpit, plus water jets outside & cafe is very good.

Me too, me too (hand up jumping up & down). I will be around on Wednesdays & Fridays. Shall we have some EDF outings/picnics??

Tommy we have an old Volvo & it has been fantastic. 2 car seats in the back at all times & a very handy extra is that the arm rest folds down, then has a bit that flips up to turn it into a booster seat in the middle of the back seat (with 3 point harness as standard). This is a godsend when we have friends to play. Don't know if it's standard in the newer volvos but look out for it. Car giant seem good for second hand estates from all I've heard - no personal experience.