monniemae

I wanted a waterbirth two years ago at Kings (before the Midwife Led unit was open), I got the last available labour room and the room with a pool was already in use, but they also have a blow up pool which they said I could use. Annoyingly they couldn't find a crucial part (I actually never felt sure I believed them because they also announced out of the blue I wouldn't be able to use the pool becuase I had once, as a teenager, had fainting episodes, something which no midwife or consultant had blinked an eye at before...but I guess I'm sceptical about whether the pool really was out of order or they didn't want me in it). However, there was a bath and I was happy enough spending hours in the bath. So it was fine. Good luck!

MSE is good for info - we opened a savings account with a tiny amount for our daughter a couple of years ago, in her name, with Skipton. Think I'm named as account executor or something. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/child-savings-tax-free http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/junior-isa

Is there not a GP focused on children's care at your surgery? At our surgery there is a GP who specialises in infants and a few more who are excellent re children's care

Are you on the Mummy's Gin Fund group on facebook? 1000s of south east london mums who'd love to hear about this, I'm sure

Telegraph hill playclub

A wrap sling is a great idea - eg Kari Me or Moby wraps or Hana Baby, which is made of bamboo so very breathable and good for regulating body temp. Also, NCT do the Close Caboo sling which is very good with small babies. As Newtoedf says, the important thing in any sling, and even more so with very small babies, is positioning - follow TICKS guidance. There are great videos and advice on youtube and online. And the Greenwich Sling library is also great x http://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/Images/TICKS.pdf https://www.facebook.com/greenwichlewishamslings/

I think half the stress is not knowing what you will need - if you know when and how many / which days then definite;y it's worth putting your child down on lists now. When are you due? I'd say many nurseries have a good 12months waiting lists - I looked when I was 7-8 months pregnant. My daughter goes to a nursery in telegraph hill. I put her down when I was 8months pregnant and got offered a 3day place starting when she was 11months. I didn't choose the days, and I only got offered the place three months before it started. Doubtless many people will say wait and see how you feel - for me, I found one nursery I loved (and others I didn't) so put her down for the one I loved while thinking I may still go with a childminder nearer the time if I found one I loved more.

I've heard great things about LIttle Jungle from a range of people with children and babies there, and my daughter's fantastic nursery key worker left to join Little Jungle. Amott Rd. My daughter is at Stepping Stones Montessori on Kitto Road near Nunhead station, we love it but they typically have a long waiting list. I've also heard Banana Moon in nursery is good but haven't visited. hth

Hi Ellie78 - I think it was only 2nd year of admissions for the free school - I'd expect the catchment to shrink v quickly as has happened with other new/free schools in south east london. Siblings, yes, but also people becoming more confident about taking a chance on a newish school. Though there are quite a lot of good schools in that area so might never be as tiny as some

Your husband is being a sexist moron. It blows my mind that there are still people who persist in "boys can't be within touching distance of pink" bullshit. See also "searching for xxx can't be pink because I have a boy / must be pink because I have a girl" posts. It's reductive and embarrassing. What exactly is he afraid of? That your son will become a girl? That he will become gay? That people might think his dad is too girly or a bit gay? Ugh.

Hi, do you mean just the free school, or both? We live on the same street as the non-free school, going to look round this week. The kids look really happy though I've no direct experience. A couple of friends have kids who started last term at the free school and are so far extremely happy with the school

The Bear is showing at the Albany theatre in deptford and loads of friends have recommended it.

Hobbycraft in Charlton?

Hello, might be a bit late now but Tiny Gym at Camberwell Leisure centre is brilliant - a huge room of soft play / gym stuff for ?4. I think they have 10am and 11am sessions. Also check out www.edtots.co.uk for other ideas by day

I love the connecta - and I would say that even normal connectas are good as they are lightweight and not as sweaty as other slings might be- but you could use any sling and put a mulsin between you and baby to stop you getting sticky. Or, Beco Soleil are supposed to be good in hot weather too. If you end up buying a sling you'll be able to sell it for 90% of what you paid!

Some friends have plywood units in their kitchen which look lovely, and ply fitted shelving in their living room alcoves which also looks good; friends of friends have also recently done their kitchen cabinets in ply and I'm stalking on instagram but theirs doesn't look as good, darker rougher finish.

I can't help but if you don't get any joy here, try the Telegraph Hill Forum on Facebook

Hello, I had SPD in my first pregnancy and was referred to Kings, just to warn you - it's a group session, and you get told to do exercises. I found doing exercises, incl pelvic floor, and following advice on the Pelvic Girdle Partnership really helped, and I also saw an Osteopath and physio privately - Russell on Crystal Palace Road (dulwich physio) who helped. I'm currently 16weeks pregnant again and it's back already - my midwife recommended I book in with the pregnancy clinic at the school of osteopathy in Borough. Worth a try? http://www.bso.ac.uk/information-for-patients/how-to-make-an-appointment-at-the-bso-clinic/ http://www.bso.ac.uk/assets/docs/expectant-mothers-clinic-leaflet.pdf

I have a 2 yr old and am pregnant, and for the first few nauseous months I've been letting the toddler watch far too much. We used to have a "half hour before bedtime" rule but it definitely creeps up - mornings watching stuff on my phone as I struggle to get out of bed, maybe lunchtime as she now refuses naps and that's a nice quiet time, etc. Just work out when/why you're happy with them watching... so here I resist all pleas to watch it in the morning, and try to distract with drawing or cooking or puzzles in the late afternoon until after dinner. It's hard but I definitely noticed her behaviour (and demands for more peppa) getting worse after I let the boundaries slide... Don't beat yourself up though. Nothing is forever! You can't be perfect and engaged parent all the time.

Polarn o Pyret has lovely baby stuff http://www.polarnopyret.co.uk/ Boys & Girls is really soft and great quality http://www.boysandgirlsshop.com/ Gently Elephant, Love it Love it Love it, Cissy Wears etc all have a range of great brands Smafolk for instance has really cute bright patterned baby stuff. All the scandinavian brands are great in fact And baby zara is lovely... http://www.zara.com/uk/en/kids/mini-%7C-0-12-months/outfits---romper-suits-c760004.html

Happy to see this thread! Expecting my second baby in May when my first will be just gone 2.5

Congratulations on your daughter. Can you join the summer babies club? They probably have an active facebook group too (I joined the corresponding group when I had my daughter, now 2) http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/list.php?29

Which hospital are you registered with? Did the midwife not give you a book for your notes? I'm with St thomas and my scan was 12 wks, next is 20.only two. At King's it was 12, 22, 32 with my first.at St thomas I think after 16 weeks I see the midwife at 28wks though she might see me sooner she said...

Agree Russell on Crystal Palace Road is good. I also heard great things about Quentin Shaw. I went to Kings physio which was run as a group session, was frustratingly pointless - they didn't do anything or tell us anything that wasn't available on the Pelvic Girdle Partnership website. Having said that, their point that you need to follow the advice given and do the exercises daily was good - and it really does make a difference. Glad to hear St thomas is better for physio as I'm with them this time

I did look into it for a friend and it seemed her husband wasn't required to pay for childcare. In the event he's paid nothing apart from a one off payment in 18months and even if he had, the childcare for three kids was prohibitive so she couldn't work. Depressing and unhelpful I'm afraid.. Good luck though. It's great progress even to be getting to mediation. x