The Nappy Lady

Ivydale School was closed today (Thursday), but it is not mentioned on the Southwark Council Website, so don't believe all you read! No idea whether it will be open tomorrow. Nunhead Side of Peckham Rye is fine, but the minute you turn off onto the side roads (Stuart Road, Borland Road etc.) it is like an ice rink. Molly

One fleece mitten, red I think, with snowflake on it (very cute), found on the bend where Colyton Rd meets Homestall Road - put it on top of the bin next to the lamp post. Molly

Eugh, you poor things, must be so worrying being 'due' with all the snow etc. to contend with - thought of getting to hospital, plus icy pavements when you feel so off balance anyway. Hope your bump's stay put for now until the roads are passable and water is back on etc. I loved my water birth, but worried so much about getting the pool set up in time, it did work out in the end, more by luck than judgement, given that I had a 1.5 hour labour, no idea quite how my fab hubby got it ready in time but he did, wonderful chap. Keep us all posted. Molly x

Ryedalema, Only just saw your post - HUGE congratulations, hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your new baby. Molly x

Doesn't bother me massively, but is more rattly when the baby isn't sitting in it. The Humax is easy to take off and on the bracket though, so worst case scenario you could take the seat off and leave at childminders? I think you can use the Hamax on the back with panniers - just for info - my hubby has both on his bike. Molly

Yes, I've got a basket on mine as well. They say that you can use it up to 3 years for sure, that they have known children up to 6 ride in them - guess it depends on the size of the child. Can't imagine my 5 year old fitting in it I have to say (she can sit in the Hamax on the back of my hubby's bike, but the harness is no longer long enough to strap her in!). Must say I've only ridden the bike with baby etc. twice so far. The 2nd time she did get a bit grisly towards the end, but I think this was a combo of it being very cold (New Years Day) - the cold wind in her face (one down side of them being in front of you on the bike), plus being ready for a nap and not having yet figured out that she can lean on the rest thing bless her, she crashed out in 2 minutes when we got home. I found the seat somehow felt less in the way when riding the bike with her in the seat, plus it is not so rattly etc. I got used to having my knees out slightly to accommodate it really quickly. Molly

Good thinking Pebbles. My first home birth was supported by Kings Community Midwives and was fine, even though I had never met the attending midwives before. With a homebirth you can ALWAYS change your mind and transfer to hospital, but until then get 1-1 midwifery care at home - what could be better? I know at least one truly brilliant midwife on the East team. Molly

Hi Polly, I have been lent a Weeride to try and really like it. I do have to cycle with my knees out slightly but don't find it an issue and really like having baby in front of me. Never ridden with child at back though so can't compare to that. I think balace is much easier with baby in front, I don't notice her at all (she's 15 months, average build). I was thinking Balfes bikes should do a child seat hire/try service so you can try both options before you buy - maybe with a deposit that gets knocked off price of new seat when you buy from them. How useful would that be? Hope this helps, Molly

That's a good suggestion bea-f - having someone else to help/hold them makes a big difference. I find it harder once they are rolling / mobile as nowhere to put them that is dry whilst you change yourself, unless you've got a buggy to strap them into (whilst you are shivering and wet) brrrr. We sometimes go swimming at a pool down in Kent when visiting my in-laws and that's fine as it has nice changing rooms with a dry floor, lots of space and even a play pen - luxury! Brrr, can't even think about swimming when it is this cold - I'm a wimp I know! Molly

Thank you EDMummy, and those who have sent me a PM, all very helpful. I have considered whether it may be a dairy or wheat allergy, I guess I've just been nervous to start trying exclusion diets because of my sisters experiences. Think I will go to see the nutrionist at the Doctors Surgery and take it from there. Molly

OK guys, sorry this is a bit of a nasty topic so don't read if you are eating etc. but I'd like to see if anyone else can help with this. My 5 year old has always had very loose bowel movements, basically where other children start to do solid stuff once eating food like adults she has never really got to that stage. She goes regularly, usually once a day, but if you didn't know her you'd think she had an upset tummy. Now she's 5 she has started to comment on it and I don't want it to become an issue for her - I keep telling her not to worry and it is just how her body works. I've spoken to a doctor at the surgery who told me that if she is growing normally, healthy generally and full of energy not to worry, but I still wonder if there is an underlying issue. Do you think I should pursue, maybe push to get a sample tested, or to see the nutritionist at the surgery etc? I found some info on the internet where someone else had a similar problem and said it was due to the child not having all the right bacteria in their gut and that giving Isotonix Might-a-Mins powder which you mix with water solved it. I am a little nervous because my sister was diagnosed with IBS a few years ago, but one of the things they did with her was to put her on an exclusion diet to identify what foods 'set her off'. When she then re-introduced foods 1 at a time some things she'd been OK eating before suddenly caused her problems, so there is a bit of me that feels nervous to start down this route...but... I don't want to make a big deal out of it because my daughter is a bit of a drama queen as it is (no idea where she gets that from!!), but equally I worry that I may not be acting on something that does need to be resolved. Arrggghh, parenthood, always something to worry about. Any thoughts? Molly Edited to add - I've started to post this, then taken it off several times over the past few months as it is such a sensitive issue, hope nobody minds me asking, but it really is playing on my mind.

Tee Hee Sillywoman, Ignorance is bliss eh?!! I never thought poo would be quite such a big part of my life. Sigh. Or nappies, how on earth did all this happen? An alien has inhabited my body and re-written my hard drive. :))

Sususudio, I don't think you should feel any guilt, no matter what conversations, or thoughts you've had in the past few days or weeks. It is totally natural that you should play out every possible circumstance in your mind, and is the only way for you to cope with what must have been a very stressful situation. I'm so happy to hear that you had a positive meeting with Prof Nicolaides and that all is well with your baby. Take care now, and try to relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy...better for you and baby than all this worrying. Molly x

R&A I am appalled by your story. It really upsets me to think that in this day and age, in this country that women are being (not) cared for in this way during one of the most important, life changing moments in thier life. OK, I know from others that time heals and memories fade, but why should women have to go through stuff like this when there is no need. This is what I mean about you needing someone there with you (if at all possible) from start to finish who can negotiate/shout/beg on your behalf. I don't know if it would work every time, and I appreciate for you R&A that your partner got sent home, but I think if you can have an independent midwife or a birth Doula with you it may well make a difference, though I know not everyone could afford this option. I too know Verona Hall (I actually did a nappy demo for her when she was pregnant with her first baby!). She is a lovely lady who exudes calm and would agree with what others have said - more than worth calling her for a chat if nothing else. Molly

Vangough, this is awful and must be even more frustrating given how close you are to some excellent midwifery teams. I am guessing a private midwife, or even a birth Doula as a less expensive option are beyond your budget? It's the only thing I can suggest as a possible solution. I do hope things work out for you. Molly

Jamma Wrote: A woman's lot is not to be tied to the cot/washing machine/bedpost. ....unless it is of your own free will of course, but that's a whole different thread ;-)

I didn't bother with baby swimming with 2nd baby, but we went to Spain when she was 10 months old and she couldn't get enough of the swimming pool. I used a washable swim nappy and a neoprene, velcro fastening swim suit over the top as the water is really cold (we go every year so I knew in advance that we'd need it). With the neoprene suit on she was happy in the water for ages, and actually took to crawling at max speed for the pool whenever she could (scary, but thank goodness for many hands around the pool making light work of it)! Hope you have lots of fun, I find the whole getting them changed thing at Peckham such a faff, with nowhere to really put them down while you change etc. so afraid I tend to wimp out mostly! Molly

A good plan Emma....hang in there, can't be long now. xxx :))

I think a lot of it comes down to personality - some you click with and some you don't. In the States women have mostly male Gynacologists (I think) and it is all seen as normal (though I too find it odd and prefer the idea of a woman I have to say). In my first labour I had never met either midwife before but connected with the main one pretty well, her 2nd though was a frosty creature who hardly said a word, very strange. Second time I had the wonderful Brierley and knew my midwives very well by the time I gave birth. I was lucky enough for my key midwife to be there at the birth, fate was kind and she was free to stay with me beyond the end of her shift which was wonderful, and both she and her '2nd' have stayed in touch, and even came to baby C's first birthday party! I always imagined I'd prefer to have a midwife who had given birth herself, but neither of the midwives at my 2nd birth had done so yet, both were relatively young too, but they were totally in tune with me and understanding. Just brilliant in every way. I guess it is just the luck of the draw with these things, but much nicer to have someone there you 'connect' with. My sister says in her labour (23 years ago) she was holding on the hospital bed headboard during a contraction as it felt helpful and the midwife told her to stop being such a drama queen....can you imagine?! I think I might have sworn at her if it had been me! Molly

Well done for finding this ClareC, will add my post to that thread and ask the FRM to delete this one. Molly

Bathtime - if your baby screams whenever you bath him or her...try getting in the bath with them and giving them a breastfeed (or a cuddle I guess if you are bottle feeding). I found with my youngest that she immediately calmed down, and after that loved bath time, where as prior to this she screamed blue murder every time. With my first I got in the bath with her immediately after the birth to clean us both up and she always loved the bath, my second was born in water, in a lovely relaxed atmosphere, but for some reason totally took against being put in water after that, until I had my 'brain wave'. It made such a difference as bath time was really stressful with her screaming. Hope it is useful for some of you. Molly

There used to be on on Casualty I think, back in the days when I watched it ....or was it Holby City? I think men are able to train (surely otherwise it would be sex discrimination), but I suspect not many do. Molly

Well, you are into the final countdown Iain....by Friday you will be either a Husband, a Father or both.....blimey! Hope you and the cat are bearing up OK!! Molly

Thanks pounds, that's really reassuring as I must admit at times it feels as if everyone outside this room is anti-kids. I couldn't make the drinks this time anyway, but would be up for a meet in February, and flexible on dates. Molly

Remember this great thread? I can't find it...can anyone else? I've got one to add to it.... Bathtime - if your baby screams whenever you bath him or her...try getting in the bath with them and giving them a breastfeed (or a cuddle I guess if you are bottle feeding). I found with my youngest that she immediately calmed down, and after that loved bath time, where as prior to this she screamed blue murder every time. With my first I got in the bath with her immediately after the birth to clean us both up and she always loved the bath, my second was born in water, in a lovely relaxed atmosphere, but for some reason totally took against being put in water after that, until I had my 'brain wave'. It made such a difference as bath time was really stressful with her screaming. Hope it is useful for some of you. Molly