The Nappy Lady

Yes, have a friend who uses diprobase on her daughter and it helps a lot. I think she uses it after her bath each day. Oh, another thought...not sure what you use for clothes washing, but interestingly about 4 years ago Bristol University did a study into bio vs non bio detergents....basically kicked off because the rest of Europe doesn't have non-bio and there is no higher incidence of childhood eczema or skin sensitivity. What they found is that most of the non-bios have bleaching agents in them to make up for the lack of chemical enzymes which are in the bios....SORRY EDITED TO ADD...and these bleaching agents are as aggressive on the skin as the chemical enzymes so it seems..... The conslusion was that it isn't what TYPE of detergent you use, but HOW MUCH that is the big factor with detergents and sensitivity...generally speaking it is a good idea to use half the recommended dose of detergent for washing purposes. You could also try the Eco Balls, or Soap Nuts...I find they work OK on clothes that basically need to be freshened up more than anything else, but for really dirty clothing - post gardening, playing in the park etc. or nappies you do need to use a proper detergent of some form. The whole non-bio for babies thing is a massive advertising led con as far as I can tell, based on the Bristol University findings. Molly

Keef, Check out purepotions.co.uk - every child is different, but I know a few children for whom this stuff has been a bit of a miracle cure, and it is all natural, no nasty chemicals in it. The bath emolliant and after bath cream are very good. Many grow out of it (as I did) so don't despair, homeopathic sulphur tablets also seemed to help me - strange but true. I couldn't use Lanolin based creams as the Lanolin made me itch terribly...something to watch out for. Also bear in mind diet - dairy products as I am sure you know can be a huge issue - either if Mum is eating them and breastfeeding, or if little one is eating milk, cheese etc. Cows milk if often a big issue, switching to goats milk can help a lot (my parents ended up keeping nanny goats when I was little and the switch made a big difference to my eczema, plus pretty cool to be able to pop down the garden and milk a goat...not suggesting you do that in ED though! Really hope she improves. Molly x

money

As my 5 year old said this morning when hubby came back from the dog walk and told us about it; "some people are just naughty and mean" Molly.

Fab, so Iaineasy is going to be the entertainment....all we need now is the venue ;-) Molly

The forward facing thing isn't just about weight, there is much more to it, and ideally we would keep them rear facing until they are 3 years old as they do in other countries, there has been a thread on here before about it. A big factor is the weight of the head as a % of the total body weight - in children under 3 it is about 25% of their total body weight I believe, and this has big implications if they are forward facing and you are in a collision. SB I really wouldn't turn him FF, even if he is crying for 3 hours, and even if he cries 'til he is sick, he is safer rear facing, especially if you are going on the motorway (which I assume you will be on a 3 hour journey). If in doubt check out rearfacing.co.uk if you haven't before. I DO know it is hard, but you are doing the safest thing for him keeping him rear facing. Molly x

I got the top of the range Mothercare one about 5.5 years ago - can't remember the name now, but it is the one with the special air flow system and the zip off washable cover. Now on baby number 2 and as good as new (and was used for sleepovers in between babies too) - firm, no sagging or anything.....neither of my girls were sick babies and didn't have leaks from nappies at night either, so don't know whether this helped but it really is still perfect. Odd that the one you got with the cot bed is in such a bad way.....not heard of problems with their mattresses before - might be worth feeding back to them you never know! Molly

With Pickle & Snowboarder, (not read the entire thread), When I had my second, who was 75th Centile and grew so fast the Midwife weighed her twice at a week old because she couldn't believe the weight gain, the HV then on arrival a week or two later proceeded to give me a load of advice on breastfeeding, which clearly was not needed, and spent an hour telling me stuff I already knew. When I pointed out this was my 2nd baby she said "Oh, I thought it was your first, so brought all this info...." but carried on anyway! A total waste of an hour of my life. They did ring me the other day to invite me to her 8 month check...I pointed out she is 13 months old and that I have no concerns, so not much point doing it now and they said "yes, we are a bit behind"...sigh.... What terrifies me about all this is that there must be people falling through the gaps that DO need help and support....or more.... Molly

Poor you. If you can time the travel for when he is likely to sleep that may help - give him a busy morning if you can so he's really bushed when you put him in the car....maybe drive over lunch time (I know he's not a big daytime napper but you never know). Agree about music as others have said - if mine is crying and I put the nursery rhyme tape on she almost always stops and may even go off to sleep. If he doesn't, then put on music YOU like, loud enough to help drown out his crying, try to relax and just get on with the drive...nothing else you can do, and remember if he's crying he is exercising his lungs and sooner or later he'll get tired out and go to sleep! It is horrible, and very stressful, but sooner or later he will stop doing this, and journeys will get easier (I know I'm always saying this to you over so many things, but it is true). Have you asked Doctor if there is anything they can suggest? Doubt there is, given his age, but you never know. Wonder if you can get anything from Health Matters that may help - maybe homeopathic stuff? Worth a try? Some pages I've just found with suggestions; http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/babies/a/carseatcry.htm http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/travel/travelsickexpert/ Oh and if all else fails....ear plugs for you? I know I sound brave, but I'm another one that tends to plan long journeys around nap times - drives my hubby mad, but I hate driving with a crying baby in the car too. Worst is going up to Derbyshire, usually end up leaving London at about 7.30pm and if traffic is bad arrive up there at 11pm or later, then girls wake up all excited and it can take an hour or two to settle them down again just when I'm ready to crash from the long drive. Eugh. Good luck, hope it ends up being easier than you are expecting, can imagine you are dreading it. Molly x

I'm sure others have already come across this, but if you buy the Frube type things (Fromage Frais in a tube) and pop them in the freezer then they are lovely and cold on sore gums and the baby seems to really adore them. So much so that she initially got very upset when I took it off her to push the 'lolly' up higher...now she's worked out what it is all about she holds it out to me and 'shouts' to let me know help is needed! Having read the packet it seems most of the supermarket own brands have exactly the same as the 'brand named versions' in them and are cheaper, so that's what I've been getting. Hope this brings a little relief to those of you who have suffering babies. Molly

If she was out because she wanted to be then fair play to her, I just hope she wasn't out because she felt under pressure to be. I can't begin to imagine what pressure some of these celebs must feel, on top of coping with Motherhood in general, to know people are also waiting to get a photo of you the minute you step out the door, get images of post baby flab / yawning etc. etc. Personally, having had 35 years to go out and party (well actually not quite, but let's say the the 20 years from 15 to 35 years old) I was more than happy to embrace Motherhood and spend my evenings at home with a good book or the TV and my other half for company once the girls are tucked up in bed. We also do quite a lot of socialising at home....neighbours over for meals and card games (can't beat a good bitchy hand of Uno!!). With no. 1 I first went out to the theatre on Boxing Night when she would have been 5 months old, then again to a Christmas party the following week, then later with the other Mummy pals when she was about 8 or 9 months old I think (can't really remember). She was a really good sleeper though reliably 7am to 7pm from 3 months old. With no. 2 I still haven't gone out at night and she is now 13 months....it isn't that I can't, or haven't had the opportunity, I just don't feel the need, plus she's been a much lighter sleeper - always knew we couldn't get that lucky twice!! so the prospect of being up with her at 5am having rolled in at 1am etc. just does not appeal to me. I have however had a day at The Sanctuary in Covent Garden (bliss), for me that was much better value. I think the EDM's night out will be very good for me, I know I need to go out again and remind myself about why it is fun, though on days like today I'm very happy to be curled up at home with the fire.... Molly

Wondering about upstairs at le Chandelier...is it free to hire? If no one knows I will find out this weekend. Otherwise....Rye Hotel? Palmerston? Black Cherry? EDT? Molly

Quick update for those who have been asking.... Put the boots on today and baby C pottered off quite happily in them (stomp, stomp, stomp)! Will see how it goes, but going to see if she will tolerate them for 3 or 4 hours if possible...progres - hurrah!!! Molly

Has anyone else with a Frog come across this problem? I am finding with the Cosy Toes in place I am struggling to get the shoulder straps to reach properly and they either end up somewhere down near my daughters elbows or she actually wriggles out of them. I can understand as it can't be comfortable having them pulling on the shoulder. I have seen posts on here about this problem with other buggys - has anyone had it with the Frog, and if so did you manage to get hold of strap extenders or anything? Molly

Agree that the 12th looks best for everyone this time around, and hopefully plenty of tired children in bed easily after the NCT party the same day, so we can make easy and fast escapes! I don't mind where we go - happy to glam up, or town down (in dirty jeans and baby sick covered jumper!!) according to what suits people. I know some of the Lordship Lane places will reserve space for a group free of charge, which might be a good idea on a Saturday in December. Have to admit to not having gone out recently, so not really in a position to suggest where - anyone else? Molly

I know one lady who swore by them... I was always fine with bog standard washable breast pads (the ones that have lace on one side, can't recall the make). Think if you are very leaky the Lilypadz are very good from what I can gather. Molly

Hi Pebbles, Dayon for mattress, carpet and general house cleaning; 07956 512362 My friend had both her son's matresses cleaned after they had measels back in the summer and was very pleased with him. Molly

Phew, don't know about you, but I really need a drink NOW after the last few days on here!!!! Mops brow......

Wasn't it unbelievable Karen....I still shudder every time I think about it. Not the same, but when I used to commute there was an incident where a woman was getting a buggy with a baby in, and a toddler off the train at Denmark Hill and the train driver closed the doors and moved off when she had the buggy off but hadn't yet gone back for the toddler. The woman was (understanderbly) hysterical, and they had to put her in a taxi with baby and get her to Peckham Rye, where the toddler had been taken off the train by Railway Staff. Absolutely terrifying thing to happen. Molly

NaughtyMummy, thank you for clarification. I would also like to apologise for any part I played in causing you any distress. It truly was not my intention to do that, I was (as I admitted at the time) probably being a bit negative and grumpy, but also simply trying to get some clarification on the event, which you have now provided. I too felt surprised and a little 'thrown' by some of the posts. Your own posts have been nothing but professional and polite, which I'm sure will result in great success for your business. Molly

Re pedestrians, I think the main issue is that they just wouldn't expect to need to look for 'traffic' from the other direction so can imagine some potentially awful human/bike collisions. Would take a long time for everyone to adjust to it and remember to look both ways. Hubby and I both get off and walk that bit when cycling. Molly

Ha - FRM, further to EDMummy's post on another thread.....can you get in here with some cakes, biscuits and cups of tea please ...think everyone is a bit overtired and hormonal at the moment........maybe we jinxed the room by saying about how friendly it is etc. etc. Oh dear, Edited to say.....stop the madness................ Molly

Hi Liz, I think people may buy them, for instance, if you can't afford a brand new mattress better to get a very clean, good quality 2nd hand one. I did some investigating when I was having my 2nd baby, and whilst there was general advice to have a new mattress for each baby, this was followed up with some good common sense information to say that actually a lot of it is about how a mattress has been used and stored....the main issue with old mattresses is that if a baby has been sick (or had leaky nappies) on them, then over time if it has been stored in damp conditions then spores can grow, and those spores can be dangerous to a newborn. In my case, I had a very good quality mattress with a zip off top that could be washed, and a waterproof layer between that and the mattress itself...so little danger of problems. It had been stored in a sealed bag in a dry environment. We therefore used it again for baby number 2, despite the 4 year gap. I think lots of people use the same mattress for more than one baby in the same family at least. If in doubt it is possible to have a mattress cleaned, and then, in summer at least it could be well aired before use. I know someone that does mattress cleaning if anyone needs details if that would help.... So, I would say, advertise them and see if they go...even if it is for free to a family who are less well off. Unless of course you decide to keep one of them pushed under the new bunk beds as a handy spare bed for sleepovers?! Best wishes, Molly

A problem shared... Lorraine, your suggestion of night time correction got me thinking, and I have found a possible alternative stright last open toed boot that I can buy for baby C to wear over night that may solve the problem. Need to speak to the Podiatrist at the hospital first, but fingers crossed it may be the solution. Thank you for helping to make me think laterally about the problem. Helena, thank you for your suggestion too - will hold this as 1st reserve, depending how things go. Molly x

Annette, as you may already know it is simply that there have been several instances of companies setting up more than one identity on the forum in order to post fake endorsements...I think because both you and the other lady who posted strongly in favour of the event appeared to have set up your accounts and posted for the first time on that same day it looked a little dubious. Of course anyone is free to post their views, that is the whole point of the forum. I certainly remember seeing posts from special chocolates in the past, remember thinking what a good name it was. Anyway, personally I hope we can all move on now - I only posted again on the subject to clarify that I didn't find NM at all aggressive. Molly :))