The Nappy Lady

Hi Belle, that is a lot of dirty nappies, the average is 1-2 dirty nappies a day at that age I would say. But being different doesn't mean there is a problem as you say. I think I would be tempted to try to speak to another Doctor about it, if only to fond out why he goes more than most - I.e is there a recognised physical reason in some? I think not going is a bigger concern as a rule, and if he is healthy, energetic and average weight for age then generally one would think all is well. Molly x

I noticed that too candj. I guess it may be as simple as them having signed up to support their nursery, off the back of the negative posts. Then again, maybe not.

How hilarious was that discussion about not having sex after the waters have broken?!!! What a lovely man though, big respect for him (so far anyway).....

It varies from one Doula to the next Belle, some would help with both those things, others would be more focussed on helping with baby related stuff - emotional support to the parents, feeding advice, sleeping advice etc. I think most will do 'some' household chores - i.e. for instance provide a certain number of meals, or do some light housework, but this is not the main focus of thier role. Molly

Sounds positive Ruth, if he is drinking and passing urine then you know stuff is going through. Great news. Hope you are feeling better in a more general sense too. Molly x

Are you training to be both Birth and Post Natal or just Post Natal? If I do it I think I will do the latter first, then maybe train fully later. Molly

Another interesting thing about home births......It is very rare for anyone who has either had a home birth, or tried for but ended up in hospital, to not want to have their next baby at home too. I'm sure there are some people out there where this is not the case, but I suspect they are few and far between. To me this speaks volumes about the home birth experience, especially as you get plenty who have their first in hospital, but opt for a home birth second time around! Also, wanted to add, this is a FANTASTIC home birth support group with masses of information on it, should anyone be interested; http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homebirthUK/?yguid=371386140 So sorry I can't join you all on Thursday, but hope to see you next time. Molly x

Not that we should rely on this, but it may be useful to know; To check for dehydration at hospital it seems they press finger and toe nails and watch to see if they go pink again straightaway to initially check for dehydration. The longer they stay white the worse they are apparently. Molly

Hi Ruth, If he isn't taking any fluids I would be inclined to seek medical advice as I think little ones can dehydrate quite quickly. I have always been told to keep giving them breast milk or sips of water if older, even if it all seems to come back up very quickly as a little bit will always remain in their system.....but if he isn't taking anything at all then it is worth getting him checked, especially if it has gone on for several hours. Really hope you are both better soon, there is SO much of this around at the moment and it is a really nasty bug (s?)...can't decide if it is the same on, or several different strains. Molly

bee74, I think Doulas are becoming ever more popular in London. It is something I have thought about doing more than once, as an alternative to training as a midwife, but I don't feel the time is right for me to do either right now with my own young family. I know of 2 Doulas both of whom seem to be very busy (to the point of having to refer potential clients to others), but I think that 'connecting' with your client is so important that it is a good thing to have several in an area so that hopefully people can meet them all and see which one they feel most comfortable with. I wish you all the best. I think initially it can be hard to get established, but once you become known in an area your reputation will proceed you. I assume you have already found the Doula UK website? Molly

Love it Woof, look forward to these catching on and seeing them being modelled on Lordship Lane!! Molly

Thanks so much both will be in touch. M xx

Ha...with you there! On the shampoo front (because it may help others) we've always just chucked water over our girls heads and got on with it and both are fine about hair washing. Always comb through with conditioner so no nasty tangles to hurt etc. and so far so good. We say 1,2,3....go....and tip the water (got from a DVD about teaching babies to swim) and it does seem to work. They very quickly learn to close their eyes when you say go. Molly

Hi all, I am staying with my sister over the Easter Holidays and the house is over 4 floors with no hope of me hearing the children when in bed if I am down in the basement. We no longer have a monitor as ours broke some time ago and we've been fine without as baby C sleeps right next door to us so we always hear her (good and bad!!). If anyone could lend me a monitor I would really appreciate it, and would be happy to provide a bottle of plonk by way of a thank you. Molly

Hi Nicnocs, I know of two people who had to have a 'stitch' put in their cervix to avoid premature labour, with good results. I don't know if the thing Kings are suggesting for you is the same (it sounds different) and I haven't ever heard of it before. I really hope you get some helpful advice on here and that all goes well. Best wishes, Molly

'rusty pipe syndrome' sounds hilarious....as long as it isn't anything to worry about of course....but my first thought was 'really, what a thing to call it'. It is along the lines of the doctor who told my friend's hubby who was there to discuss having the snip that the odd very unlucky person can get 'Chronic Ball Ache' which is then something you have for the rest of your life. I mean.....really...I guess it does what it says on the tin, but I am amazed any man goes for it after being told that. Hope all is OK and that the doctor is able to reassure you (and that the plumbing all starts working properly again soon). Molly xxx

Naughty Girl Sillywoman. Tut Tut.

Sillywoman, I know a 'very green' couple and the husband brags that he hasn't 'washed his hair' in years!! It looks fine, but personally I can't imagine getting past the 'itchy head' stage, which seems to start after about 6 days of not having a good old shampoo. I gather that eventually your body self balances but I would seriously have to be stranded on a desert island to actually prove this theory! I agree little ones don't need a lot of soap etc. mine often just have a 'water' wash, but I must admit I do love the scent some of the baby products provide. Molly

LocalYokel, How do you feel about the White Gothic House being demolished? Just curious, as whilst I think it would serve Reg Laxman right, it would be awful for the existing owners that have had such a dreadful time sorting out leasehold etc. Legally, is is likely that the Lawful Development Certificate will be denied? I hate the fact that the flats have been built so close to the Concrete House, it is of course wrong, wrong, wrong but at the same time my heart goes out to those living there. Just wasn't sure which angle (if any?) your post was coming from? Molly

Vangough, I'm sure all your questions will be answered on Thursday, but if not feel free to message me and I will try to help regarding water births. Molly x

Ha ha, Rydale Dalai Lama (!!!). p.s. can I come and smell your baby please :-$

I've always stuck with water for the first month or two, then moved on to really gentle stuff "Weleda" etc. which I think 'enhances' that lovely new baby smell. I think by now you'll be fine as long as you go with the gentle stuff. My thing was that I couldn't remember about when you could give them water straight from the tap, oh and when can they have runny egg? I guess we all forget stuff, given that our brains are coping with a zillion things at once!! Molly xx

Hmmm, didn't see it Belle so don't know, but he has written a lot of children's books, so probably was him. He did one called "You can't eat a Princess too" which I think is quite recent. Molly

Number2 - Guess how much I love you, ALWAYS makes me get emotional...and now my 5 year old reads it to her baby sister that sets me off even more...nightmare. Thank goodness it isn't just me! Has anyone else come across "Dirty Birty", a very funny good. "Pants" by Giles Andrea is fab too. "Stan and his Gran", which I have read so many times I don't have to look any more. "When Mummy turned into a Monster" is hilarious, and good for helping them to understand how their actions can affect us grown ups. "Captain Flynn and the Pirate Dinosaurs", and further books in the series are popular too - Pirates and Dinosaurs in one book, what more could any child ask for? I have just started reading the "Magic Faraway Tree" books by Enid Blyton to my nearly 6 year old and she is loving them, we do 2 chapters a night but she is always begging for more. It is great to have moved on to 'chapter' books I have to say as it opens up a whole new world. Molly

I think babySB sleeping through has made Mother's Day for all of us somehow.....RESULT!!! Hugs to all you wonderful, hard working ED Mummys. Molly x