The Nappy Lady

I think we should all strap our childrens arms down to their bodies and leave them in their cots all day, it would make life SO much easier don't you think?

Alec, could you put a sign up on a lamp post on that road on the off chance they see that, as maybe they don't use the EDF?

Thanks Victoria.

Really useful thread, unfortunately taken way off topic by Huguenot, who I hope will now stay out of it. I live in Nunhead (and have done for over 13 years and work in East Dulwich 3 days a week, my childminder is on Colyton Road, so I use this junction at least 6 times a week, often around school run time. Sometimes I drive, sometimes I'm on a bike, and I also often walk from the park over to the shops. In general I found the junction fine as it was pre traffic lights whether driving or walking. It sometimes took a while to get out of Colyton Road at busy periods, but it was never too bad. Since the lights have gone in it is easier to turn right out of Colyton Road I admit, BUT when coming home from work I'm afraid I always end up having to use the back roads because the tailback from the lights goes right down past the new Harris Boys School, and I have to get back to Nunhead to collect my own daughter from school. This is my main issue with the lights. Personally I think the tail backs on Forest Hill Road are not acceptable, and are having a direct impact on the level of traffic on the residential roads around it. Pedestrian wise I found the old Zebra crossing worked really well, and I find waiting for the green man much more frustrating. In some earlier posts people also mentioned the traffic around Harris Girls - this is really AWFUL. I actually raised this with the council about 5 years ago, and someone came to see me we visited the road together so I could show them the problem. I was told that no parking 'passing points' would be put in to help with the flow of traffic but this never happened. I then put in a 'Cleaner, Greener, Safer' bid for a pedestrian crossing from the school to the park about 2 years ago, and although it was unsuccessful I'm really pleased to see they are now in the process of putting a crossing in (if a counsellor reads this, please can you chase them up on getting it finished, I think it is only waiting on the flashing lights and it is needed as a matter of urgency). Because of the bend in the top of Homestall Road by Harris Girls and the parking there, plus the downhill slope towards the bend, traffic heading towards East Dulwich pulls out around the parked cars without always seeing traffic coming from the other direction, and already part way along what is often effectively a single lane due to parked cars on both sides. Sooner or later there is going to be a nasty accident. At the very least they need to extend the no parking zone outside the school on the school side of the road to stop cars parking on the bend. And finally.....despite staff and police being outside Harris Girls there often seem to be girls just 'wandering' across the road, in no hurry, and actually crossing when they can see a car coming right at them. They are either oblivious to the traffic, or at times I think simply assumption that the car will give way to them - which of course we all do.....but it is done in such a brazen way, does this wind anyone else up? If they are running for the bus I sort of understand it, it isn't that so much, it's when it is done almost as a 'challenge' to the car driver. I really worry that sooner or later a child is going to get knocked down at that junction. I keep meaning to telephone the school office to raise my concerns, but would be interested to know whether others share my concerns?

I'd just let her get on with it, and take to the park so she can watch others with hers to hand, you won't believe how quickly she will master it!

There was a thread about this a while ago Lochie, you might find it if you do a search. I had both mine done under the age of 1 and neither seemed bothered by it at all afterwards, other than a quick cry immediately after having the jab. I think having it done when older is much worse, sore arm, more likely to knock it etc. It isn't essential, but personally I'd go for it. Good luck.

Would letting baby lie on back in bed, then you lean over her and drop nipple into her mouth help? I did this with mine when I had a lump in a specific area/query blocked duct so I could get the chin pointing towards the lump (as that is where most milk will be drawn from). Not sure if it would be better or worse actually as maybe you wouldn't be able to hold breast away enough to let baby feed, but anything worth a try. Really hope you get through today OK and find life easier after the new funnel thing comes tomorrow. Molly

An offer to go shopping with her for a day, whenever she feels like she needs to go - with you there to hold baby, fetch stuff from floor to dressing room if sizes are wrong etc. Seriously, I find it REALLY hard to attempt to go shopping with a child under about 4 years old, and combine this with feeling like none of your clothes fit / seasons changing etc. and it is so depressing. A few new clothes, that you love, even if in a bigger size than you'd ideally like can make a world of difference...and actually having time to try them on...even if you were close by, but in a cafe with baby sleeping etc.....would be wonderful IMO...but again, depends on the sort of person she is. Molly

Excellent site Fuschia, thanks for that. Now to explain to C that she needs to eat more bread and drink more water :-(

Fmay, it's above Soup Dragon I think. Molly

Or do a deal with a fellow Mummy friend & have her baby for 2 hours on another day? Maybe too much with such young babies though....

Big congrats Buggie - and all you other Autumn mummies - best time of year to have a baby in my opinion - spend winter tucked up breastfeeding & cuddling with good films & books and by spring & summer you'll be hanging out in the park with wonderful, chubby sitting and crawling babies. Enjoy your babymoons, mmmm that lovely baby smell :)) Molly x

Sounds fine to me too. If you are concerned about diet (as I know they can go through fussy phases) you can always speak to a chemist about supplimenting with a good children's multivitamin, which is what I did for my daughter for a while. Molly

Do you mean plain tops like T-shirts rather than sweatshirts? Last year I got some really good tops for my daughter at Decathalon - they were really a base layer for skiing, long sleeved with a polar neck, in either black or white, cotton, but thermal, so maybe too hot just now? My chilly little girl really found them good during the winter months though under T-shirts, school uniform etc. I got her a pair of the leggings too to put on under jeans when going to the park. Otherwise - found these on line; http://www.buytshirtsonline.co.uk/fruit-of-the-loom-childrens-long-sleeve-tshirt-p-406.html?wizid=cs4cenaghq8jjt1m84920cdsd2 Come in a few colours, about ?2 each if buying less than 20.

Hiya, Yes, would love to meet up. 12 midday would be good for me, may also manage 2, but can't promise as C generally sleeps 1.30pm til 3pm and then it's the school run. But whatever you do I will do my best to at least show my face briefly......keep me posted... Also re the temperature and ibruprofen thing we were chatting about, I have found out why, and I think I can relay the info fairly accurately as follows; there are two schools of thought - the big concern with babies and young children and temperatures is the risk of febrile convulsions, and it is now thought that it isn't the temperature itself, but a rapid rise OR drop of temperature can is most likely to cause them. Therefore some consider it better not to give meds to bring temp down quickly unless baby is showing signs of being in extreme discomfort BUT another school of thought is that it is better to make them comfortable, get them drinking, moving etc. and more likely to do that if given ibruprofen. This tends to be a discrepancy between the UK/other parts of Europe and Australia, which is why your Spanish Doctor reacted as he did by the sounds of it. Interesting stuff eh!

If you have an iPhone or portable DVD how about in the night garden or similar playing on it? Singing (how embarrassing I know!!). If sat on knee do first to spot a dog/cat/baby in a buggy etc etc When a bit older one I invented in the car; I'm an animal, what animal am I - I have long eats, a swushy tail etc (very funny when your child does the describing as you can imagine) Pad of paper with Niro that does four colours - not normally allowed so generally goes down a storm! Play peep with a blanket - baby hiding - also fairly embarrassing! Will add more let me' consult my book of things to do on journeys!!!

Www.Qtag.com look like they do the type of thing you're after. Any good? M

Yes, here you go; http://www.dadsandlittluns.co.uk/ Not sure if they meet in a different place now but hope you can track them down.

I think there's a Friday morning playgroup called Dulwich Dads - will try to find some info.

This from a former Nappy Lady advisor who has a lot of children - 8 or 9 now I think?? http://www.largerfamilylife.blogspot.com/

I reckon it's worth getting one just to hear them say "where's my 'cooter' Mummy?" sooooo cute :))

I think that's fine supergolden - I always put hand-me-downs through a wash without any detergent simply to get rid of any existing built up in them that my girls might react to (as different from what we use), but new stuff I have to say I didn't bother with 2nd time around. In all honestly I think most of us worry too much, to a greater or lesser extent, mostly down to marketing by companies that want to sell their products (non bio detergents, 'actifit' nappies (snort), oh - the latest one that had me laughing a handwash that comes in an automatic dispenser so you don't have to touch the - potentially bacteria covered - pump...but er...if you were to touch the pump you're about to wash your hands right...so the problem is.....?????? I was sitting there thinking 'what a clever idea' and then realised how daft it was (assuming you are thorough when washing your hands of course). Snowboarder, I haven't heard anything dreadful about fabric conditioners or sheets, so I'd say that if you are using them without problems you are probably OK. You could try doing a Google, but it may strike fear into you, be careful what you Google is my rule of thumb these days!!!

A few years ago Bristol University carried out a study into washing detergents, based on the fact that we are the only country in Europe to have non Bios yet the ratio of childhood eczema & skin sensitivity is no lower here than elsewhere. What they discovered is that the bleaching agents they put in the non bios to get stuff clean are just as aggressive on the skin as the chemical enzymes in the bios. The crucial point seems to be HOW MUCH you use rather than what you use. We all tend to put way too much detergent in our washes, which leads to a build up of detergents in the fabric which your baby is then likely to develop a sensitivity to. Oh some liquid non bios don't have bleaching agents in, but you need to be a chemist to decipher the list of ingredients! So, check your packets and use HALF what they recommend. For me' Vanish has never caused a problem, but if course different skins react to different things. I find a tiny amount of bio gets our clothes clean most effectively, with a spray of vanish if needed on any bad stains. I used to have a link to the Bristol Uni report online but I'm not sure it's still there, will have a look. So, wash new stuff too if you want, but just a short cycle with water alone, or a tiny amount if detergent should do. X

Def get her one now - my six year old upgraded to a Maxi Scooter for her birthday in July & her then 21 month old sister finally got the mini micro to herself which cured 90% of the squabbles in our house. By 22 months she was scootering to school alongside the big girls (only 5 mins from home) and loves her scooter with a passion! As one Mummy friend said it's almost as if she went fro Walking to scootering in a month!

BC Bikes at Goose Green will take pedals & chain off then put back later - seems like a sensible way to do things. They stock kids bikes too & so you could actually buy one there. I highly recommend them, lovely guys & great customer service.