The Nappy Lady

We put the tree in the bay window and use the middle security screw lock thing on the centre bay window to tie the tree to for added security. Though last year I did go for the easy option and buy a smaller tree which stood on top of our built in cupboard on one side of the fireplace, out of reach of C - then 14 months. This year though, the 7ft+ monster has to return (I have this stupid thing about Christmas Trees having to touch the ceiling, which is insane when you live in a Victorian House - not least because of the width most trees of that size are around the bottom*)! *Imagine us all edging around a huge tree which takes up 7/10's of the room, and you'll be about right :-$

If your let down is very fast he may be getting too much, too fast. How soon after the feed is he vomiting? My Mum (an extreme case) used to have to lean over the sink and let milk go down the plughole prior to feeding all her babies for this very reason. She only wishes they had a milk bank back them she could have donated to. I'm sure others on here will be able to offer more help, but my immediate thought was that he's filling up too fast and maybe getting a big bubble of air trapped to boot? It is horrible when they throw an entire feed up isn't it, O did it to me a couple of times in the early days, and I remember sitting there, covered in slightly curdled milk and fighting back tears at the waste, having just fed her for nearly an hour. Hope things improve soon. xx

It is horrible, but can be really difficult at times (on both sides) - I'm in the 'demon toddler' phase at the moment - at our regular playgroup, which is home from home to C she can be a real monster because she is so comfortable there - I have to watch her like a hawk at the moment because she's suddenly started being really bossy, and will shove children away from a toy she is playing with, or even lash out. It is a new development, but one most toddlers go through at some point (just so glad she isn't biting, kicking etc.....yet. Thankfully she is OK with babies, really gentle with them. I follow her around, and try hard to ensure she behaves, but if another Mum asks me a question at the wrong moment etc. I guess the worst could happen. Most of the adults at playgroup work as a team watching all the children which helps - we tend to know the ones who are in the 'pushing/shoving' phase and I'm very happy for another Mum to step in if need be. I too get annoyed if a difficult child is not being watched or disciplined at all, and I did once say to a lady 'please can you keep an eye on your little one as he keeps pushing my daughter' (she was on the phone and not watching him at all). She was fine about it and did watch him from that point on. Sorry, this is a very long post to say please don't be afraid to ask a parent to watch their child, but (depending on the circumstances) don't assume they always let their child run riot, they may just have been briefly distracted, or the child may only just have developed this bad habit. I'd just try to approach them in a friendly way, even if inside you are seething, and fingers crossed they will apologise in 100 different ways and make sure it doesn't happen again.

I think I read somewhere that it is better to put it to the side of the room, rather than in the middle, but am I making that up? I know they midwives need good access so can't be too tucked away of course. Good luck - had my 2nd in a birth pool at home and it was lovely. xxx

Hey Moos, CONGRATULATIONS! Sorry you've got to cope with the tongue tie, though sounds like you are dealing with it really well. Hope it gets sorted soon. Can't believe baby is here already, where has the time gone? xx

Good advice from Curmudgeon, BUT despite already having these tests, when we went to ARGC they still ran them all again (and charged for them) - results much the same as those we brought with us! It is hard to refuse when you are there for help, if that makes sense. I know ARGC has had some negative press, but it is worth noting that there are two clinics, and the one that was carrying out some contraversial therapies is not the one on Wimpole Street (and in any case, the charges against Taranassi's other clinic were dropped completely). Re research - my friends did a LOT of very thorough research before deciding where to go for help, and ultimately decided ARGC was the best option for them, and it worked first time, whether because they really are the best clinic (as their research suggested), or because they simply got lucky, who knows? They have nothing but praise for the entire process they went through. We trusted them enough to follow the same route, but in the end didn't feel the treatments available were likely enough to bring about a good result (given our specific issues), and given that we already had 1 child (so much luckier than most in the waiting room that day), and the amount of money we'd have to commit we decided to walk away. For me it was the moment I finally accepted there would be no 2nd child....and interestingly, 10 months later along came our beautiful 2nd baby girl. For me this rather backs up the age old theory that stress has a huge impact on pregnancy, and despite not feeling stressed about what we'd gone though there was clearly a lot of underlying angst. Once I mentally walked away from it all we had a successful pregnancy, for which I will always be so thankful, and amazed. From my brief expereince; I would say is that there are a lot of hidden costs - consulation is only the start, cost of various tests, cost of drugs etc. so ask lots of questions before you get sucked in so to speak. An initial consultation was, IIRC about ?200 (?50 to register, the rest on the day), and that is just to have a 20 minute conversation. Plus the cost of the tests we had, another ?50-?100 I think. Discussion about me having some sort of dye test to check my remaining fallopian tube was open - ?500 plus (hard to recall)? At that point (in tears), I realised it was all going to be too much - on many levels. This was what I 'needed' before even getting started on any actual fertility treatment. Also, sitting in the waiting room, I've never experienced an atmosphere like it. This sounds melodramatic, and I don't mean it to be, but the despair really was almost tangible in the room. It was painful just being there, and of course being aware that others around you were going through some really difficult stuff. There was also good stuff - photos of all the children that have been born thank's to the work of the clinic, lovely, kind and very gentle staff....but the thing that has remained with me is the atmosphere of the waiting room. I share this because I hadn't really thought about it in advance, and knowing might have helped. It is such a difficult and emotional subject, and no price can be put on having a baby. It is definitely worth exploring all the options. I do agree with other posts that it is vital to get the right treatment for your specific problem, but you also have to temper that with the fact that around 80% of infertility is undiagnosed I believe (medics on here please correct me if this % is incorrect, I am having to trawl my memory banks from 3+ years ago, and it is a subject I have rather tried to forget/move on from to a certain extent). So, as in my case, if you can't find what is 'broken' it is very difficult to fix it.....

Thanks SW - we are sorted now - she had her last feed the day before her 2nd birthday - dropped pm feeds, then finally morning feeds about 3 or 4 weeks later. It was sad...but was the right time, as you said. Now drinks up to 3 beakers worth (8oz a pop) of cows milk in the morning instead (what an addict)!

Most company pages on Facebook are set up so you can only see posts made by the company, not by others. Only way would be to comment on something they put up, which might work...but then how many will actually see it (and Pampers can just delete it off again anyway).

These people come highly recommended via a friend; http://www.argc.co.uk/ We went for a meeting with them after our recurrent miscarriages, but didn't pursue it for various reasons. It is incredibly expensive, but they have fantastic success rates. Our friends used it for IUI, which is less stressful, invasive, or expensive than IVF and may well be worth looking at. It worked for them, and they went on to have 2 more children unaided...so to speak, despite all the problems having their first. IUI is not well known, and rarely offered on the NHS I think, had never heard of it until they went through the process. Good luck to your friend. If they want to speak to me about the experience they are very welcome, and I'm sure my friend who had the IUI would also be more than happy to do the same. Just PM me. xx

Pampers, like most big companies don't actually care about much beyond profit. Unless they think this is going to have a BIG impact on their sales (i.e. lots of negative publicity), they are unlikely to do much. Sorry, but I have a very low opinion of disposable manufacturers in general. They make all sorts of unfounded claims to get you to buy their products, the adverts just make me laugh out loud, make out they are 'good guys' by giving a miniscule amount of their huge profits to things like the baby vaccination programme (when they could do so much more), get you hooked on a brand, then as the size goes up put less nappies in each pack, for more money (clever eh), produce a product that never degrades in landfill, yet make all sorts of eco claims abut it.....they are generally evil personified.... Sadly, I doubt you will get far with them ladies. I am really sorry for the problems you are having with little ones bottoms, it must be so upsetting. I would recommend cleaning with a lovely, gentle soothing mix of cold chamomile tea (about 1 pint of water to 1 tea bag), when cool throw tea bag out, and add 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil and a tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well with your finger, and then keep in a tupperware and use with cotton wool, or cut up an old towel/flannel to make little wipes, about the size of your palm. This mix is natural, chemical free, moisturising, very soothing and incredibly gentle. If using towel/flannel/fleece wipes just wash in machine at 40 degrees with other stuff, or at 60 degrees if they are soiled with poo. If baby is over 1 year old then you can add some honey (Manuka type is best) to the mix, and this is also a natural product that promotes healing. Don't use on younger babies tough due to very tiny risk of Botulism that can be carried in honey (highly unlikely as has to be ingested, and you don't eat through your bottom, but better safe than sorry!). Really, really hope this ends up getting real media coverage, would personally love to see Pampers get a kicking!

Hi all, Cannot find my bag of XL Motherease Wraps despite searching high and low. I am wondering whether I might have lend them to someone? Don't recall doing so, but with post baby brain anything is possible. Best wishes, Molly

Good luck with it. If you do end up rehoming them, maybe you could do it via the forum, so they stay local and you could visit them sometimes? Just a thought.... Molly

Gussy - just saw that my iphone changed your forum name to 'Fussy' on my last reply - so sorry (how rude, though entirely accidental :-$ ) Another thing that may be of interest if your windows are letting a lot of cold air around them is some stuff I've just used with great success to stop draughts around a couple of windows - Fingertip Rope Caulk - it is good value as it doesn't dry out, so in Spring you just roll it back into a ball and then use again the following winter - here you go; http://www.scottsofstow.co.uk/Reusable-Fingertip-Rope-Caulk-Draught-Excluder/Product1_22051_-1_39895_10551 It isn't very pretty, but to be honest mostly it is hidden behind curtains, and I don't even notice it now. The rooms I've used it in is noticeably warmer, which is more important than looks right now anyway! Molly

Echo - I feel for you re pressure to stop - certain members of my family were doing the same to me and it was horrible. My daughter is 25 months now & had her last feed the day before she turned 2. I was really nervous about stopping - there is a thread on here actually where I asked how best to stop. In the end I dropped down to morning & night feeds only in September, then morning only 2 weeks later, then dropped that 4 weeks after that. I just told her "you're a big girl now, mmmys milk is all gone & she seemed to accept it easily. She does drink up to 3 beakers full of milk some mornings though! She's a milk fiend - "hot milky please Mummy"! I felt it was the right time to stop for us, but hated feeling others were putting pressure on me.

Fussy, get an oil filled rad - Argos do them not expensive. Get one witha thermostat and set it so it comes on when temp in room drops too low. Mine is on a timer plug so only on at night & when cold enough to need it. No heating on in rest of house after about 10pm. Works brilliantly for us.

Would avoid using Tea Tree based products on a baby under six months (& Personally even after that Id be wary) as it is one of the stronger oils and some babies develop sensitivity to it which is then hard to shift. Aloe Vera based stuff is brilliant though. > > When you give your LO nappy-free time, have you > tried a little tea tree or aloe gel (the kind for > sunburns)? I had a mild chemical burn on my arms > a few months ago, and this was very soothing. > > Poor little bubby. I hope things resolve soon. x

Yes, the vests I bought, and mentioned earlier on this thread were mostly all I used, under my normal tops. With an October baby I was very glad of the layers, and warmth around my middle anyway!

Hi Damzel, If I were you I would speak to the man at Babycare in Petts Wood: Babycare (Petts Wood) LtdBabycare (Petts Wood) Ltd 25 Station Square Petts Wood, ORPINGTON, Kent BR5 1LZ 01689 896 665 He really knows his stuff, and is genuinely interested in safety over anything else. He has been on training courses with the various manufacturers and stuff, and I think he might be best placed to offer advice. Having said that...I believe the guidance goes by height and weight more than age, and it sounds like she has certainly grown out of the current seat - no good if pressing down on her shoulders (maybe this is encouraging her to try to escape it, as cannot be very comfortable?). The key thing with seats is that they offer the head protection - i.e. wings either side of the head, so look for that in any seat you move up to. Ours doesn't recline, I too wish they did sometimes when poor DD1 is lolling in her seat on a longer journey. Not sure about the escaping thing, but maybe the Petts Wood man will know of a larger seat with a 5 point harness. If not - bullying and bribery combined??? I simply sat my daughter down and told her the facts about a child I know who ended up in a wheelchair because he slipped out of his shoulder strap, and then was in a crash which broke his back. She was about 4 when I told her though, and may seem cruel, but it did the trick, and she always wears her seatbelt now, and no it didn't give her nightmares. Hope you manage to get sorted.

Mumum, I do a cloth nappy drop in session on the third Wednesday of every month at Ivydale Surestart / Childrens Centre, entrance just off Ivydale Road on Bellwood Road in Nunhead if you want to pop along. 10am to about 11/11.30am just advice I don't sell anything there and then. Next one is a week tomorrow, 17th November, you can call me on 07977 130318 or send a PM if you want more details. There are pros and cons to cloth nappy services - you might want to read this page, which gives a good overview of both; http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/public/articledetails.aspx?id=53 Things change all the time in the cloth nappy market, so don't be put off by your experiences from last time. There are some amazing nappies around, and improved versions coming out all the time.

Hi Kathryn, I think you may need to read through the thread and Private Message each of the people who offered to share details, you should end up with a few builders to approach and get quotes from, which always seems like a good plan! klikker22 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi Amy > We are about to move to the area and looking for a > builder to do our side return. > Could you share your builder's details? > Thanks > Kathryn

How funny! Yes, still in the same house. I think I remember you now, were you in the flat near the little roundabout/church? I would love to see what you have done - can you PM me with some contact details? Best wishes, Molly

I got some tops from these people at one of the Baby Shows; http://www.bras4mums.co.uk/ Mine were summer style vest tops, but with a built in bra, gave brilliant support, allowed me to strip off down to little top during those new Mummy hot flushes(!!), and lasted really well, despite 2 years worth of regular wear. Also seemed to fit fine even as initial wonderful HUGE boobs slowly reduced to little bumps again! Happy shopping. xx

Jacqueline (Green and Teggin), Is it possible to extend the far end of the kitchen out into the side return, but leave an open courtyard higher up - i.e. between the french doors from the lounge, past the bay window in our dining room area? I have often thought this would be a nice option, as would leave the option to have fresh air from sitting room french doors, and that bit of our side return is very green, with tree ferns, ivy etc. but still gaining the extra width at the far end of the room. My concern is how this works with drainage, as it would effectively be a closed courtyard - wall between us and neighbours on one side, and then house on other 3 sides...have visions of it turning into a swimming pool if we ever had a major downpour! Would be interested to hear your views. I guess if it were possible the good thing about it would be that there would be less steel work etc. Molly

Layla's Mum - just sent you a PM as notice someone in the 'Wanted' section is looking for a cat... Molly

Ah, sorry.....I agree though it is a joint problem, and shouldn't be your problem simply because he doesn't share your concerns. Fingers crossed....