The Nappy Lady

Thanks BARA, that's interesting to note, though I still think some of the open parks etc. could be used with marquees, portaloos, and all the facilities you mention. Hey ho, I know it doesn't happen very often, and given lack of other posts I suspect it is just me being a sour puss! Molly

Does this annoy anyone else or am I just being a bit Victor Meldrew? Surely there are enough church halls, vacant shops and parks with room for marquees etc for us to avoid making children miss a day at school and parents a day at work? What does it cost the economy I wonder? Interested to hear others views. Molly

Oh gosh don't go by me - am no where near my children right now so couldn't check when I posted....now you say it I think left arm more likely....anyway, it has go be in the arm, and the same side for everyone because they check for the scar if you are ill overseas etc. so I was told. As a mother I should surely know exactly where every mark is on my children, but now realise I am totally rubbish LOL, sorry, my brain left the building with the final pregnancy I think! M

Yes, mine both have small scars from the jab (at 5 years old and 18 months old), but neither showed any signs of discomfort in the arm following the jabs, even when the blister came up (which is expected and totally normal). I remember when they did them at secondary school the 'game' was for people to punch you in the arm where you'd had your BCG which was awful and not good when it was scabby or blistered, so very glad they now do it when they are little and not exposed to the cruelty of teenagers! Molly Edited to add - I remember being sad about my 'perfect' baby having to end up with a scar at the time....but they really are not bad at all. Did ask if they could inject it into the leg instead but was told it is a 'world wide standard' to put into the right(?) arm - can't check as I never needed it, but think it is the right arm - so no choice in the matter. Looking back now, having gone through assorted toddler and pre-school dramas, scabby knees, falls from trees and the like I can see the funny side of worrying about a tiny injection scar on the arm if that helps at all (probably not I know).

Had both mine done at around 9 months old, it is done in this area because of greater risk of infection due to high ethic mix/immigrants I understand. To be honest, of all the vaccinations they had this one had the least affect upon either of them, really doesn't seem to cause any reaction at all, and as ryedalema says I think leaves less of a scar if done at this age, doesn't get knocked etc. It is a very personal thing, but if you are generally pro innoculation I'd go for it. Molly

Moi23 I think the link to the insert Fuschia posted would work in a lot of slings and is a lot less expensive, my only worry would be the heat issue if it was a summer baby, would be lovely and snuggly in winter though. I just don't think you'd get a newborn onto your back to be honest, they are too floppy and I don't think it would be secure, even in cultures where they back carry a lot I think this is only done once the child has neck control etc. I've always had a dodgy back, couldn't use the Baby Bjorn though my hubby loves it, but I found the Ergo type slings fine, and with a newborn you don't really even notice the weight. Hope this helps, so difficult isn't it, because you can't try them when preggers. Molly

....but there is always something satisfying about not going with the whole 'brand name' thing, don't you think? Topped up with meds at Sainsburys today - thanks all, think (whispering here) that we have turned the corner this afternoon as she finally started to actually smile and giggle a bit, please, please let tomorrow be easier, cannot cope with a 4th day of wailing :-( Molly

That looks good F, I just supported her head with one hand but didnt have a buggy to push as well..... M

Yes, you can get a newborn insert now, but the one I had didn't have it as it is an older version (actually a Beko pre newborn insert style)....to be honest I just gave it a try, not realising at that point that the insert thing even existed, and with her snuggled in tummy to tummy it worked for us. Maybe not recommended, but she was 100% happy in it and it felt very comfortable. Really just like carrying her but without having to use my hands (though I often put one around her as it felt 'natural' if that makes sense.

Sadly in these present times it tends to be the one closest to you and that's about it....... Not sure if catchment areas as such exist any more as the school allocation process works based on a number of criteria, distance from school being only one of them, but expect someone else on here will be able to confirm... Molly

Hi Moi23, The Ergo slings are good (and there are cheaper but very similar slings out there), which allow you to carry your baby on your front when tiny, then you can move them onto your back from around 6 months old or so (depends how brave you are about getting them aroud there!). Not all newborns like them though (mine was fine), took her to The Baby Show at Earls Court in it when she was a week old! They can only be carried facing you on your front, then on your back basically like a piggy back, but leaving your arms free. I find both options very comfortable (baby now 18 months old), and can carry her for some time, where as in something like a Baby Bjorn, well massive back ache from pretty much the minute I put it on. Molly

Just found this; General Guideline for Sound Production 3-4 years: p, b, m, w, h and all vowels 5-6 years: d, t, n, g, k, f, y, ng 7-8 years: r, l, s, ch, sh, z, j, v, th, sh from this website: http://www.earlyinterventionsupport.com/development/speech/articulation.aspx Molly

Brilliant, thank you. Kristal pharmacy is the nearest for me, was going to call and see if they were open, never sure with Bank Holidays. Fuschia...Calpol alone isn't doing much so Seldoc advised Calpol plus Cuprofen when temperature is going up and she is clearly distressed...didn't know you could give both together, but he said Calpol is actually pretty rubbish for addressing severe teething pain, where as Cuprofen being an anti inflammatory helps a lot. Anyway - one way and another I've gone through what I had left faster than I expected in past couple of days. She really is much better today - actually off me and playing.....have sore nipples from almost constant b'feeding over past 2 days - didn't expect that again in my life! Hoping not to have to dose her so much today but want to make sure I've got supplies in for bedtime!!

I am seriously impressed, but maybe being out in fresh air with small children is less painful with bad head than being cooped up in the house with CBeebies or similar teee hee......

Brilliant, thanks both fro such speedy responses - is Sainsbury's open 'normal' Monday hours do you think? Nothing too awful, just a very heavy cold combined with teething giving little C some big grief - day 3 now and a bit happier as long as I keep her dosed up, but Seldoc very reassuring yesterday when I was getting a bit stressed out and worried by her lethargy. Molly x

Yes, we'd got back to 'normal' sleep again before the second baby came along, but now feel as if we may never sleep again - awful nights again at the moment thanks to teething and a horrible cold that keeps giving her temperatures etc. Poor little mite. My hubby swears by Nitol, and also my doctor checked and assured me it was safe to take Night Nurse even when breastfeeding (not if co sleeping), when I had my awful chest infection last year - that knocks you out (makes you very groggy when you do finally wake up), but of course is really only for when you are sick. I suspect with you it is a case of needing to break the 'habit' after a very stressful year with baby SB's sleep, and it might be worth speaking to the doctor about it. Not sure medication is the answer because of course the question is will you sleep OK once you come off it, but maybe acupuncture, or a meditation course or something??? Hugs, M xxx

The thought of coping with kids the 'day after' is the best antidote to the temptation of alcohol I have yet to come across! Molly

Need to urgent get more Cuprofen/Calpol etc. Thanks, Molly

Ivydale Speech & Language drop in is last Wed of every month from 9.45-11am - times from memory, but certainly mornings and playgroup is on then so can combine the visit with that. Molly x

My 5, nearly 6 year old had (has?) a lisp with the 'S' which has certainly decreased over the past few years (hence the has? in brackets as I'd have to listen now to see if it is still there at all). It used to be very noticeable, and I did speak to a speech therapist about it once who didn't seem concerned. The Ivydale Surestart Centre has a Speech Therapist there sometimes, so you could easily pop to playgroup and see them at some point if you wanted reassurance. I will try to remember to check the notice board as to when they are there as I think it is only once a month, but if I forget, just phone Ivydale School 020 7639 2702, and ask to speak to Andreas in the Children's Centre and he will be able to tell you. If you are in ED it is quite a nice walk over Peckham Rye Park to the Centre, takes about 15 mins. Molly x

Was going to suggest the same thing as snss75, I found once mine was at nursery school she also made a lot more local friends of the same age, so never short of children to ask around for a playdate either, which helps a lot with the other half of the day! I must also admit it was nice to be alone with the new baby in the mornings, sort of like being a first time Mum all over again, snuggled up on the settee breastfeeding for hours! Molly

Hiya, never heard of adaptors to make this possible, other than so you can put a stage 0 (newborn) car seat on the chassis. Pretty sure it simply isn't possible. Molly

Mothercare do them, but you may get a good deal on eBay. You can get kits but I found they included stuff you may not need. We had: socket covers (but not everywhere), kitchen cupboard locks and staigates, plus Babydan around fire/pond (winter/summer). I think it depends on the nature of your house and your child. Mine were not really into exploring cupboards etc (was lucky) and I did stuff like moving cleaning products to high cupboards and leaving Tupperware down low for them to get into. If you have the right kind of handles you can pop an elastic band around them to keep them out of a cupboard! Oh, door safety things worth looking at too, to save trapped fingers. Pretend you've had a flood and move anything precious to above 3ft!!! Molly xx

Yorkie, Im so pleased for you, I know it was all playing on your mind. Boobs really are AMAZING things don't you think!!! Molly

Shhh OK well keep me posted, we tend to get out and enjoy family time while we can. May head up there for 11 and little one can nap in the buggy if need be xx