The Nappy Lady

Xxxxxx Thinking of you.

I used a hand blender and it always worked fine. The type you get for liquidising soups etc. Something like the Kenwood Wizard. Mine has 4 speeds and also has a whisk and a chopping bowl attachment. Do you want a load of little plastic bowls with lids (good for freezing larger potions as baby gets bigger), spoons and the like? I have a bag of weaning bits I'm trying to give away. Molly

Well it is a silly name for a TV channel. Can you imagine going for your 12 week scan and being told you're having QUADS??!!! They were 11 weeks prem but all seemed fine at the point they went home 9 weeks later. M

Very true Ann, my daughter had a boy from school round for a playdate and I could not believe how easy he was to feed - no sooner had I put the plate in front of him than it was gone. I think once the novelty of feeding wears off it can be a really hard time with toddlers but then improves again from about 3 to 4 (for us anyway). With our first I got way too stressed and mealtimes were a battle. With no2 if she doesn't eat it I just whip it away. Must say though that I think she eats better because most mealtimes are with her sister. Social meals seem to help a lot. M

Anyone else watching? Amazing.

....and they all seem to regress - C now refuses stuff she was eating fine eg broccoli, but it dies go full circle. He will not starve and it will get better. Fs advice very good. Also set a time limit and then take it all away and nothing else until next mealtime. Very good advice I was given that helped a lot as they start to respect mealtime a bit more. Could you give less, then if eaten top up so less for him to chuck around etc? Big hugs M xx

Be careful with nappy soaks, they have some chemicals in that can be pretty fierce and especially if tumble dried the residual chemicals when heated to TD temps can actually attack some fibres and elastics. It's why we don't advocate soaking nappies anymore. Molly

Think most supermarkets and some chemists do the scoop bibs too. You can tie a normal bib underneath for extra protection & Houdinis!!

Thanks Belle - shows how rarely I get to read/listen to celeb gossip these days! Helena - glad you came and posted on this thread :-) Yes, maybe we are all over analysing her article, but I still think when writing about stuff like this we should all bear in mind how what we say can affect others - certainly I'm more aware of that just from this forum. I can totally relate to what Salma did, assuming that the baby was hungry and she had plenty of milk. I think it would be hard not to feed in those circumstances. But guess it wouldn't feel right for everyone though. I've found this a really interesting thread. Molly

Hi, If you do a search for 'sillywoman' and send her a private message she should be able to help - she is our local NCT antenatal tutor. There was also a thread on here recently about antenatal classes, I'm sure if you search (top right hand white box) for the word antenatal you will find it and I think it had some handy info in it. Welcome to the area! Molly

I think before Vanish existed people used lemon juice! And yes, out on the line in strong sunshine usually zaps any remaining stains. I'm a big fan of the bibs with the scoop as they catch a lot of the stuff that gets dropped so you don't end up with food all over their laps. Molly

Yes - there are not that many celebs who have made a thing of the fact they breastfed.....Angelina Jolie and Kate Winslett I think???? It must be pretty hard to juggle that type of career with breastfeeding though so maybe most of them just don't.... I was thinking last night that the article could have been written by Katie Price - in Jordan mode (in as much as that is how I started to envisage her!!). I actually feel most upset for the Mum's out there who are bottle feeding for very good reasons, and who may now feel somehow associated to this woman. GinaG3's post made me sad too, I don't think I really appreciated the viewpoint a lot of the younger parents have. :'( Molly

I always find it really sad that many of the most cash strapped families are bottle feeding and using disposable nappies. There is a heck of a lot to be saved by cutting out those two things, and a zillion other things the money could be spent on that would benefit the entire family. Culturally, some groups see it as a status symbol to be 'able to afford disposables' I wonder if it is the same with bottle feeding? M

OK, no doubt I'll live to regret this..... I totally agree EVERY woman has the right to choose, and I think magazines etc. should be supportive / offer help and advice on both breast and bottle feeding. I breast fed because I could, and it was, other than a few painful days at the very start, very easy - actually I find it a total pain once they get to 6 months old and I have to actually cook for them! However, I do find her article quite strange, and the choice of the word creepy (even in the context of her own personal feelings quite ....hmmm not offensive, that is too strong, but just wrong as a word to be used alongside something nature designed us to do.....). Maybe it is because I grew up on a small holding seeing horses, goats, sheep etc. all feeding from their mothers, it seems totally normal and natural to me. Yes it is her opinion BUT..... If a breast feeding Mum started writing about how she finds the sight of a baby with a bottle of formula creepy (just her opinion) can you imagine the upset that would cause. That is why I have a big issue with this particular statement in the article. She mentions someone in a park being rude to her about giving her baby a bottle - this is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing (and equally as a breast feeding Mum I've never been given any abuse by anyone). I know stuff like this does happen (MIND shop etc), but does it truly happen so much that mothers who choose to bottle feed are left with this huge guilt complex? Or is it simply that in trying to give new Mum's all the help and support they can to breast feed in the early days when it IS hard that HVs etc can come over as a bit over zealous? I suspect there is a lot of unnecessary guilt that is mostly in a mothers head - there is a thread on here at the moment about people feeling guilty about what babies are being put to bed wearing in the heat......are we not, as parents (Mum's more than Dad's maybe) programmed to feel guilty about most of the choices we make? The whole bottle feeding guilt is just part of that, and maybe some then become over protective about their decision - which is to be honest how her article comes across to me. I would not dream of asking a mother why she is giving a baby a bottle because it might sound like I was criticising, or because there may be good reasons, and it could be very upsetting to the Mum. I know plenty of Mothers who had to bottle feed, for various reasons, and I know it is not always an easy decision. I am thankful that science means even those babies can be raised to be healthy by their own parents. Her body, her right to choose yes, but if her MAIN reason is that she doesn't want to end up with saggy boobs I find that rather selfish and self/image obsessed. Frankly I'm amazed she even dared to get pregnant on that basis. Yes I am sad my body isn't what it once was, but in my opinion it was a sacrifice well worth making in order to have my children (as was not drinking more than a couple of glasses of wine at a time for a couple of years with each of them. If you dont breast feed because of religious beliefs, because you tried and failed, because you are too shy to get your breasts out in public or returning to work, or a zillion other reasons then fair enough, but in order to keep your figure and be able to get drunk?? Does no one else find this a bit shallow? I find that quite a sad statement of the world we are living in, where so much emphasis is put upon looks (and this coming from a girl who works hard to try to look good despite 2 children and the ravages of hitting 40!!). Still her choice, but can't say I am feeling much affinity with this woman. I firmly believe breast is best, much of it based on what I was told by the SCBU at Kings when I was a breast milk donor for the premature babies. If there is a clear difference in the way the babies who are given human milk do then surely this is hard evidence of the benefits of human milk? Because of this in an ideal world I'd love to think all babies are breast feed at least for the first few weeks, but hey, life isn't always that simple, and there are many worse things in life than giving a baby a bottle of formula if that is what you end up doing. As said before, let's be glad we (in this country) have another option. Incidentally, what a load of tosh about hiding the sterliser before the HV visits, then saying the bottle is so she can express and let hubby feed the baby.....errr hello.....you still need to sterlise expressing and bottle feeding gear in those circumstances. OK, a minor point, but in her position on a baby magazine does she not know this? Maybe she wrote the article to cause a big stir as others have said, if not then I think it could have been worded better. Of course she can do what she likes, and an article about what it is like to make the informed decision to bottle feed from day 1 could be an interesting read if (in my opinion) it had been written in a very different way* * Before posting this I sat and considered, and I guess the issue here is that she has given her reasons for choosing to bottle feed (relevant to the article) and has been (I imagine) honest about them....which I guess I have to respect. My issue with the article is that her reasons don't sit well with me, on either the 'creepy' front or the 'body image & drinking' front. So, I think what I feel is that it is a shame that this article couldn't at least have been published alongside some other articles - some by mothers who have bottle fed for other reasons, and maybe even a couple from breast feeding Mums giving their reasons for choosing that route. Then it would be a balanced and fair view. In many ways I think her article does way more harm than good, alienating breast feeding Mums, upsetting bottle feeding Mum's who have had to go down that route for many other reasons (but now feel like people will assume they are doing it for the same reasons as her and judging them badly for that). Ah, she just needs to get on with doing it, but if I was her I don't think I would be shouting my reasons from the roof tops. So Keef - for me no issue with anyone's right to choose, but I do have some issues with that individual's reasons, and I know that is on a very personal level. However, I feel given her position a more balanced article could have been published, and one that would have been far more positive and helpful to ALL parents. Molly Molly

Or if big walkers, and on rough and smooth ground the Mountain Buggys are brill. Mcclaren wheels too small/bumpy rides for what we do (but ace if you use buses a lot/live up steps etc). Also if possible always buy second hand on Ebay etc as it saves a fortune. I really think buggys are a bit like shoes and handbags - no one is perfect, they are all good for different reasons. So they need to work out their specific needs and go from there. Hope this helps, Molly

I have a theory that the entire bug is allergy related - like pollen overload almost. My head is pounding, not great with small screaming/wailing infants around (hate being ill as a Mummy). Hope you feel better soon Snowboarder. M

I think (but do check this out), that the sooner you get pregnant after a C-Section the more wary they will be regarding a home birth because the scar has had less time to heal. If I am right then maybe Ruth you should hold off getting pregnant right now if a home birth next time is important to you? Forgive / ignore this advice of course if you feel I'm talking balony!! I remember being VERY broody when both mine were still little, then it did wear off a bit, and now I am very glad of the age gap we have (though there is no perfect age gap of course, and ours was not a 'chosen' one in the end, just how it worked out). My friend has now had to have 3 x C-sections. She tried for a natural birth in hospital 2nd time around and came within minutes of a full on scar rupture, which midwives had missed completely (despite constant pain, not just during contractions) and her telling them something didn't feel right. It so happened that her consultant - who was off duty - happened to be passing through, heard she was in labour and popped in to see her, took one look at the scar, touched it (she screamed in agony) and he rushed her straight into theatre....probably saving both her..or at least her womb, and her baby's life. Now....I HATE scare stories, truly, but please, please look into this long and hard, try to read all the evidence, and see whether you can find latest research - her consultant is doing some study into the thickness of the scar giving indication of how likely you are to rupture I gather. I can try to get his name if you like? I equally know many who have had a HBAC, like Mellors above, and think it is brilliant....but you do need to know all the facts so you go into this with your eyes wide open. I'm sure you all know I am pro-home birth, but not against all odds if that makes sense and I felt I had to share my limited knowledge with you. Molly

If you go to Yahoo Groups there is a brilliant Home Birth group there (homebirthUK), and I'm sure some of them will be HBAC. It is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homebirthUK/?yguid=371386140 I know loads of people who have been helped massively via this group. Molly x

Last week my nearly 2 year old was very off colour - sudden temperature rises, miserable, throat looked sore, runny nose etc. hard to be sure when they are that age exactly what is wrong of course. Just a very hard week with her not herself. Then, yesterday my 6 year old spent pretty much the entire day in bed, and slept all night too, and she's off school today with a sore throat and generally floppy, and I started last night with aches in my neck and back, sore throat, headache etc.... Someone at work says their son had it last week too, so I guess it is a bug that is doing the rounds... Waaaah, feeling very sorry for myself and wondering if anyone else out there has had it too, and how long it lasts in an adult versus a 20 month old.... Molly :'(

Still keen for you to call Brierley as I know they would give you the care you need. xx

Hi Moos, By the car park, First Place Nursery and Chumleigh Gardens (you can find Chumleigh Gardens in the A-Z). Molly

Hi all, We went yesterday. It has a lovely little under 5's playground with a slide down into a sandpit, two tiny swings (that toddlers can get on and swing themselves and love) and a big 'dish' type swing that takes about 4 children at once - which my 5 year old loved. Also some beams to balance across etc. It isn't big so good for people like Fuschia with two to watch at once I'd say. Outside that a run of 20 little water spouts that mostly bubble away at about 5" but shoot up taller at intervals - both girls loved these. The loos and cafe are right next to it and the cafe has a lovely shady garden, it felt like we were abroad on holiday! Car park right next to it too, though it can get busy. If not sure where to go look up Chumleigh Gardens on the map. Also an older childrens playground coming in the next stage of the development. Molly

Hi, I'm sure she would love to hear from people nationwide, and F I think your experience would be of interest too if you were up for speaking to her. Thanks again all. Molly (amanda)

Agree F, my DH couldn't always be with me during scans / recurrent miscarriages etc. He would have been if he could, but it isn't always that simple. Really don't think it was a relevant or appropriate question. Molly

Brilliant, perfect way to start the weekend. :-) Molly