The Nappy Lady

Hi Budur, just wondering how you are getting on 6 months down the line? Molly

I read somewhere (may be on the back of the Milk Teeth box), that whilst they do the 'Big Teeth' version with 1400ppm fluoride in it, if your child had 'strong' teeth, no cavities etc. then you can stick with the 1000ppm version called 'Milk Teeth'. On this basis both my girls 15 months and 5.5 years use the Milk Teeth brand with 1000ppm flouride in. So far my 5 year old has perfect teeth, which we generally manage to remember to brush twice a day (mornings can be tricky as it is an after breakfast just before school run thing). Interesting thread, I've never heard the thing about using adult toothpaste on children, but don't think my two would be impressed with our Euthomol (like Marmite you either love it or you hate it!!). Molly

This thread may help, though I'm still dithering, think I am going to get my 15 month old done, but not my 5 year old :)) http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,404796

Hi Sanne Panne, I flew to Spain and back for a 3 week holiday, returning at 36 weeks pregant, with hubby and 5 year old both ways I admit, but it was fine. If I were you I would fly. Two things I would recommend you do; 1) See your doctor or midwife a day or two before the outbound flight and get a letter confirming how many weeks pregnant you are and what your due date is 2) Check your travel insurance, I found my normal insurers would only cover me up to 20 weeks pregnant, so had to take out cover with a different company (IHI) who were very good, I know more than one lady who has used them for travel insurance during pregnancy and have only heard good things about them. If you google you should find them if you need them. Also, I'd see if you can get cheap enough flights (Easyjet?), in order to buy a seat for your 21 month old for the bit where you will be on your own travelling, as I don't think you'd fit her on your lap as you say! Would be well worth it. Remember you don't need Speedy Boarding, as when travelling with a child you get priority boarding the plane anyway. I think if you got a pull along bag for your hand luggage, with toddler you might be OK, if she's a fairly good walker? Or maybe one of those pull along suitcases that toddlers can sit on would be a good option? My Doctor said to me that as it was a short flight he didn't see any real issue with me going on holiday, and babies are born in Spain too.....which I thought was very sensible advice. In the event DD2 was 8 days late, which I fully expected as I went a week over with my first too. Good luck with it! Molly

Hi NunheadMum, Not done it yet, but have a similar situation in our house and will probably move our youngest into the double bed at some point. I don't see any huge problem with it - as long as the bed isn't too far off the ground, and maybe you can put one side against the wall, and have a bed rail along the other side so she can't roll out. In fact the double bed our little one will go into used to be her Dad's bed when he was little, so it is a bit of a family heirloom. Our 5 year old is very keen that she and her sister sleep in it together eventually, with her bedroom then becoming the playroom, and if this works out we will put a sofa bed in there for them to sleep on when we need to move them out to make room for visitors. I think in theory it may work, but given the 4 year ago gap I am half expecting her to have changed her mind by the time the little one is ready to go into the big bed, and sleeping well enough for them to share. We shall see! Molly

James, Not sure if you can help. About 3 years ago I met with someone from Southwark Council about the congestion on Homestall Road / Harris Girls School. This tends to be particularly bad when there is an event on at the school, and even more so if combined with a big football weekend in the park (Sunday lunch time was horrendous). I think at the moment it is even worse because a lot of people are using Homestall Road and Colyton Road to avoid the horrendous traffic problems at the big crossroads at the corner of Peckham Rye. As a result I have seen some major traffic jams, dangerous driving and near misses along this stretch of road during recent weeks. 3 years ago the man from Southwark discussed with me how having some double yellow lines to create passing points would alleviate the problem somewhat but nothing ever came of it. I wonder whether you might be able to pass this on to the relevant people, in the hopes that we might be able to keep traffic flowing a little better? Many thanks.

Aha, OK.....just as well I asked! Gosh, I am so out of touch :-$

...oh and where is the Lodge?

Hi guys, I may be able to make the 13th, subject to getting a babysitter (a few people owe me so should be OK). Those who haven't been before - don't be scared, we are a very friendly bunch :)) Molly

Not helpful in this specific case but back when I worked in the city they were really good about making sure you used up any holiday you would stand to accrue whilst off at the start of you maternity leave if you were going to be off across 2 'years' (hope that makes sense). If you are pregnant it is worth bearing this in mind, use holiday first basically. Molly

I've heard Leapers is changing soon and attendees can only go if referred by their HV. This is because they are not meeting their remit of helping low income etc families .... Too many White middle class mums there, and with limited places others can't get in. Not sure when it is changing, may be after half term. I do understand as when I went I found the child education part of it very patronising but now realise why. Molly

Hi Amy, I have a place left for 10th Feb 1-3pm in Nunhead if that would work for you? Best wishes. Molly

northlondoner, re being found sitting at the kitchen table for breakfast, I would be inclined to think that a 3 year old would pretty much take it in their stride, as long as you and Mum just acted 'normal'. Of course this will need to be when Mum feels she is ready, and in the longer term questions may be asked, but you can always say you had a 'sleepover' and leave it at that until more questions are asked (does the settee look comfy??!!)! Hope the cooking is going well, there are also people who will come in and cook a meal for you in your own home - so you could get the restaurant feel without having to go out - might be fun. Also I think anything that would fall under the 'pampering' remit would probably go down well, whether it be offering to take the 3 year old to the park one morning so Mum can have time to herself (or while she gets a surprise massage/pedicure/manicure or whatever that you have arranged), or surprising her with a big soaky bath to enjoy! Oh, this is all making me feel the need to be romanced again, better have a word with my hubby LOL!!! ;-) Molly

OK...found this; London Ambulance Service come to your home for free if you get 6 people together. It is only a short basic introduction though, about an hour in length. We did it last weekend and found it good, covered resusitation and chocking, with lots of baby mankins to practice on (which my boy thought were great fun!). I don't have the number, but it should be on their website. ...and this thread has some other options too; http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,299781,299835#msg-299835 Molly x

I'm sure there has been a thread on here before about this. I think if you contact St John's Ambulance they will do a course either free or for a very reasonable rate provided you get a group of people together. I may have this completely wrong...but will go off and see if I can find the thread. Molly

I've always given them marmite, all things in moderation I say! Reckon we get far too obsessed with it all given what children in some countries are having to survive on IYKWIM. Molly

Oh - Telegraph Hill Park is lovely too, and has a playgroup that is open on Saturday mornings - same venue as the 1 o'clock club is in during the week. Often quite full of Daddy's on a Saturday morning, clearly giving Mum a lie in. Very nice and friendly. You can get the bus there from Peckham 343 I think it is, could do the 484 from Goose Green, then switch to the 343 at the Church at the top of Ivydale Road in Nunhead as a bit far to walk from ED. Can drive too of course, but be aware of strange road systems around there. If driving I always park at the top corner of Telegraph Hill by the Church and then walk down through the park to avoid all the 1 way bits etc. Molly

Michelle, you don't need paperwork for work at this stage, so I would just tell them. You get a form to hand in for maternity leave but not until later in the pregnancy. Some people take weeks off in early pregnancy due to sickness, so a day for an appointment is reallynotsomething they can complain about. You sound very conscientious so I am sure it would be fine. Could you take some work home with you that say if need be? Molly x

I think this is such a hard thing...first time you are pregnant it feels like such a huge adventure, and you can't wait to start to see the midwives as it makes it more 'real', all totally natural. But in those early weeks as others have already said there is really very little they can do, other than advise on Folic Acid and diet etc. which I guess these days is communicated in other ways (sometimes more effectively than others I know). My experience was that I'd go to the Doctors to say I was pregnant, they never checked, just took my word for it, and would then complete the necessary papers to get me the 12 week scan at Kings. This all happened very efficiently. I do remember first time around the midwife tried to find the heartbeat and couldn't as it was so early, and I remember being really disappointed about that, and that must have been before my 12 week scan, but maybe around 10 weeks? Second time around I was with the Brierly and didn't see them until beyond 12 weeks. Because of my 3 miscarriages and ectopic I've also spent a lot of time at Kings EPU (Early Pregnancy Unit) between first and second pregnancy, and if ever you are worried about things in those early weeks do go along. Be warned though the wait can be dreadful as already mentioned, so try to get there at 8.30am and take a good book with you. Oh and also, in early pregnancy you have to have an 'internal' scan - with a probe as scanning on your tummy will not work that early on..... It is well worth the wait though if you are feeling worried about things. In general though, do try to relax and enjoy your early weeks of pregnancy, 2nd time around it is so different, and a lot more hectic (!!!), so make sure you get plenty of sofa time now while you can!! Hope that in time the home visits get re-instated when staff levels return to normal as that is a big bonus, though with Brierley you only get home visits for your booking appointment, and then right at the end of the pregnancy (from 36 weeks I think), and I didn't find it a problem going to them for the appointments inbetween. In a strange way I really envy you the adventure you are just beginning :)) Molly

Sydenham Wells Park Fuschia - but worth phoning first (you can Google it to get the number), to check the pumps are running - during hottest part of last year they were out of order! Molly

Bit of a trek but the Princess Diana Memorial Playground next to Kensington Palace is wonderful and worth the effort. There's a cafe there too but we often take a picnic if weather is good. Molly

...or look out for sleeveless dresses that you could just slip over her head, with T-shirt and tights to do away with the problem? I tend to avoid skirts, but discovered woolworths.co.uk the other day and in the 'latest offers' section they had some nice ones reduced to about ?1 so worth taking a look - sizes and colour options can be limited though. M x

Yep, my little one loves smoked mackerel (in any form) and also smoked salmon (cooked or as it comes.)! Molly

We have a memory foam mattress, can't recall exactly when we got it, but it was def on the bed whilst I was pregnant with my youngest and made a massive difference to my hip and back pain. We co-slept a lot at the start too and she is a 15 month old picture of health and mischief now. Molly

LOL...the only thing is (others may think differently of course)...I got some velour and fleece wipes to try on Charlotte and found they didn't get the poo off quite so well, so they now sit at the bottom of the wipe pile and only get used as a last resort.... Good point about now showing the stains. Mellors - have you tried washing them with Bio a couple of times? If you don't usually use Bio I reckon it would work very well. Have to admit, I don't think I could be bothered to peg the wipes out on the line either - my Mum did once bless her and it drove me mad enough just getting them all in again! Molly