The Nappy Lady

Back in London and trying to think of a post lunch plan for my two. Thinking maybe the horniman, any other suggestions? Molly

Hiya, Can't remember where I have seen it, but there is a guide that says x degrees = 2 sheets and 1 blanket etc, try the Grobag website as they are very helpful. Having a room thermometer helps to reassure you, and in winter I had the main radiator in baby's room off as central heating so extreme but had an oil filled rad on a therostat which would click on and off thru the night to keep the room at a regular temperature. I used drawstring nightgowns for my second and they are fab - no poppers to do in the middle of the night with eyes half open. Got mine on eBay, but you can get then new in John Lewis. Babies lose heat through their head and chest, core body temperature is what is key, as said before don't worry about hands feeling chilly. That said my first was a July baby and it was so hot she had to sleep in just a nappy for ages, all hopes of swaddling out the window thanks to a heatwave :-( Molly

Big Mothercare? Purley Way, Croydon or Oxford Street? John Lewis?

I remember with my first I didn't really explode with her until she was about 2.5, after that I don't think she ever pushed me quite so far again....part of all this is them testing the limits, so as others have said they want, and need the boundaries. M

Up to Matlock to see Mum and sister, will be lovely once we flipping get there. Kids sleeping tho....shhhhh (phew)!

Ha, Kristy I am a Moo too thanks to my sister. My two are The Egg and Bobbin (always makes us laugh when we sing "wind the bobbin up"! Molly (sitting in M1 traffic jam with v cross / fed up hubby driving!)

Would add, praise good behaviour A LOT, that and distraction are your two best 'weapons' then as others say, pick the battles that must be fought. We ask them to do something then if no action say 1, 2, 3 and step in firmly. They soon learn not to let you get to 3. Oh and always talk to them like little adults, they totally get it. M

Supper Club is a once a month thing at Suzanne James Barry Road, 3 course meal, byo wine ?25. April date not released yet tho. Not sure if hubby around so nights out will have to be on a last minute basis from now til election but will post if coming. Xxx

Quids, My friend with 4 says that the jump from 1 to 2 is the biggest shock, but after that you don't really notice the change with 3 or 4 etc. Must say although more confident with no. 2 I found it harder in terms of the relentlessness of it, and both parents having their hands full most of the time, plus trying to fit baby in around school runs, oh and doing bedtime with two of them etc. was terrified about how we'd do that, but actually it was fine in the end. As with all things, you adapt of course! Molly

Yes, I'm with jac428, don't like buggy's with little wheels, but it depends what you are going to be doing....things to consider; - Do you need to fit buggy in the boot - if so things like Bugaboos don't fold down much so still take up a lot of space, so you may need a 2nd buggy for the car - Do you need to carry it up and down stairs? If so weight is a big issue, and 1 handed folding can be too if baby is in other arm - Do you need to get on and off buses etc - Will you be doing a lot of 'shopping' - think manoeverability(sp?), width, and size of basket underneath - Will you do a lot of walking on rough ground - we do lots so big wheels essential for us - Is space an issue in the house - things like the Bugaboo take up quite a bit of space, and don't fold in a way that helps, where as with my Mountain Buggy I can fold it and pop it under the stairs, which is good when we have visitors etc. and want to feel 'tidy'. Personally I wouldn't buy a buggy new, unless it is such a recent model you can't get it on ebay. As you've noticed many people end up trying a few until the find the 'right' one for them, and new prices are crazy. Take time to 'watch' a few Ebay auctions and you'll get a feel for the going rate on there, and may well get a bargain. I had a Bugaboo Frog for baby no.2 and loved the newborn carrycot option, but when out in the car tended to take the base unit and clip the car seat on, otherwise with carrycot too the entire (estate car) boot was full! Happy hunting! Molly

Ruth, I just want to give you a big hug. It must be so hard being on your own that much with the baby. Hard for your partners time to be so unbalanced - it will be lovely in the summer if he is free to spend lots of sunny days with you in the park, but overall probably much easier to have your partner there each day for a guaranteed amount of time. I am always so appreciative when my other half is there to help with bedtime, but he's about to be away 5/6 days a week full time from after Easter until the election (BBC Political Journalist, so they will be sending him all over the country to 'chat' to the voting public). Sigh. Molly

Nature is so clever hey...that's my problem too citizenED, I just loooovvvveeee tiny newborn babies. Keep telling myself they don't stay like that for 5 minutes, and focussing on my mostly cross/frustrated 18 month old....but still......sigh......

Don't have a bee, but UV sunshades in general are very good and a godsend if you are in mega sunshine, especially with a youngish baby you can cover in suncream. Most of them are made so it is quite hard to see in, but when inside it is fine to see out if that makes sense. Much nicer than having sun glaring in your eyes. Parasols generally a waste of time - look pretty but unless parked up they don't block the sun unless you stock every few paces to adjust them, and if windy often get blown all over/broken. Molly

Yes Sillywoman, I'm assuming limitless money would mean plenty of help affordable too, in which case, maybe I'd go with what I said in my 20's and have 6 like my Mum did! Though maybe I'd have stuck at 4 (imagining plenty of time to 'pop to the gym' etc. to reclaim figure whilst nanny entertains the Walton style family!!). But like Smiler, for me the other big issue is fertility, I just don't want to ever have another miscarriage....and also....having a baby at 40 is very different to having one at 35....I feel tired down to my bones most of the time, and I seriously am not sure I'd be able to do it all again, should have got on with it sooner I guess.....sigh. So.....two will be it for us..... Molly

Yes, I got the 2009 model from mumstore.co.uk they were really helpful and efficient, so if they have any left and you want one would recommend them. For me the folding (or lack of) of the Bugaboos rules them out now - I need something that 'flat packs' down, which the Swift does....the only thing I can possibly find against it is that it is still quite long when folded, my old 3 wheeler folded more in the middle where as the MB folds at the front, then the handle folds in. Not the end of the world, and probably makes it a stronger buggy overall I suspect. Oh and hands up to being very naughty and sometimes not using the over the shoulder straps because my little one wants to sit up more (but waist staps are very snug so she is firmly anchored in - one bit of very clever design with the waist straps is that you can thread them under a bit of fabric each side and then out again to make them come from an anchor point about 1" narrower on each side for smaller children, which I think is very clever. Similar thing with shoulder straps and 3 different settings. Couldn't find it in any shops Katgod, but you are also welcome to come look at mine if you want!! I reckon all buggys should be available for test drive before purchase! M

No worries, but do call ahead as I found not many shops had them in. Hope you find something he approves of - keep us posted!! Can always let you know when we are going to the park and you can randomly steer him past and point it out....tee hee!!! Molly

Moos, the new Mountain Swift is a single, narrower, lighter and easy folding MB answer to the Mclaren. It weighs 9kg I believe. 10" wheels so a smooth ride without making it impossible for the bus etc. Urban would be ok too but wider and heavier. Molly

Ug, end of term treat I guess. Poor you Ratty, best laid plans eh......

I'd say the new Mountain buggy swift would meet all criteria, handles don't extend but hinge up and down to varied height. I have one if he wants to come and see if it fits the bill, first buggy Ive found that does everything I want it to (been a long search!!). Molly

Hi Hetty, yes I did it and post here to promote it at intervals. If you search for the thread 'breast milk donor' you will find it and some comments from others that should help. Feel free to ask me any questions though. Molly

Don't think it applies to little babies and certainly not breastfed ones Keef, but older children and adults yes. Doctor also told me banana questionable. Mashed potatoes ok, and no dairy or caffene important it seems. Was worried mine hung around so long - never got sick, but never 100% either but doctor said this is not that unusual. Molly

My girls had it for 24 hours each, then I had it on and off for Three, yes THREE weeks, lucky me. Still, I have lost a stone and almost learnt to live without dairy. Sob. Molly

Re earplugs, get the wax ones that mould to your ear not the foam ones which tend to fall out. Imagine an iPod with soothing music would be good to do a similar job during waking hours. Very good advice as always from the brilliant ladies on here, and would always go for cheap 'big cotton pants' post birth to be chucked afterwards rather than those horrible disposable paper pants you can get - yuk!!

Oh yuk, poor you. I was in with C from 5 but managed to eventually get her back to sleep til now...8am which is unheard of, but of course it is normal 7am really. Might put the clocks forward every weekend just to make it feel like i've had a lie in!! How are baby sb's naps now, any better? Xx

Card shop on Lordship Lane does them....same side as Somerfield, not sure what it's called though. Happy Birthday to baby SB & well done mummy SB for surviving a tough first year! Xxx