nylonmeals

They only opened in Jan of this year and I think that there were teething problems at the start. I know quite a few mums who ended up moving their babies out of the nursery but that might have been a bit of a wake up call and it sounds like they have more than sorted out issues.

with buggies like Quests is it still easy for the little one to have a long nap in it? Guess babies really can sleep anywhere and in anything, but I just wondered with the cheap folding buggies if they're good for transporting babies around but maybe not so good for napping in?

Ohhh, a lot of my NCT gang swore by the Boot Camp sessions running in Dulwich Park. They brought babies in buggies along http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?6,466338,480191 Though you're right about a toddler, that adds a whole new dimension! Good luck, but really don't push it. You could wait till next year for the ski training?

That Mountain Buggy one looks fab - wonder how ??? it will be? Like the totally flat attachment for the newborn

There is a creche at Dulwich Leisure Centre which is meant to be quite good. You mentioned DVDs, I tried a ton after my first one and the one that was by far and away the best was a Davina one - Super Body Work Out http://www.amazon.co.uk/Davina-Super-Body-Workout-DVD/dp/B001F3QJIS/ref=sr_1_5?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1308993400&sr=1-5 It's not post natal specific but it sounds like you were pretty fit and active pre-babies. It's really good. Good luck and don't stress (I say knowing that when my second arrives in November I will probably be feeling exactly the same way as you! :))

Zina at Myla and Davies in Herne Hill is the most amazing colourist - she colours Florence (from Florence and teh Machine)'s hair and is honestly a colour genius! She only works a few days a week though. http://www.mylaanddavis.co.uk/Myla_and_Davis/Zina.html Its a great salon. They also have Baby Mondays when they have toys and people to play with kids while you get your hair cut!

I guess each baby is different. I felt dreadful about waking up our baby for a DF (I think Gina or one of the "experts" say that they have to be awake properly) What worked for us was getting him out of his cot and BFing while he was still half asleep. Very cosy and snuggly and he still seemed to do a proper feed. I just didn't have the heart to wake him up.

I need to watch this in iPlayer when I get home this evening. I meant to watch it and now reading this I think that it sounds like essential viewing. I thought that the idea of a better network of clothes/toys/books etc sounds very sensible. (although aware all these issues for kids surrounding second hand stuff generally) I wonder if its something that needs an email to the Mayor's office to see whether anything like this already exists in London. Happy to do that if others think it might be interesting.

Might be worth phoning the admission folks at the school if you want to know more about where the kids come from in terms of areas. I imagagine that as its a bit of a longer journey than Rosemead, Oakfield etc most parents think about it when kids are a bit older.

There are a ton of nuseries in the area (use the search functionality on this site to see the many threads about them all) ED has some great options, but you are right they get full up very quickly and I think worth contacting ones that you are interested in and asking them but I guess it can't hurt to be on a waiting list. In terms of gov funding, from 3 I believe that everyone is entitled to 15 hours a week a free nursery care however as most of the ED nurseries are private they are not obliged to take governement nursery vouchers (somenoe step in if i am wrong) Places that you might not expect like the private nursery, pre prep and prep school Oakfields do for example. In terms of a central web resource that has nursery info, I would try Southwark council and phone them and talk to someone. Usually they can send you a list of nurseries and childminders. Hope that at least helps you start your nursery journey! Good luck

The Lido Cafe does great homemade cakes and fresh smoothies - and on a sunny day like this just perfect by the water

Eynsford in Kent is great - castle, roman villa, hope farm and riverside forest. Easy from Peckham Rye

Another vote for porridge but with tons of mashed up fruit like bananas and chopped up dried fruit like dates, figs or apricots. Goes down a treat wit our 14 month old.

Great news - best thai in South London no doubt. A great hire by the Old Nun's Head. Was so sad when she left The Rye.

Davina- Super Body Workout is FABULOUS! Huge recommendation.

Bee perfect if you are planning on using public transport a lot - fits in smaller places I think (like buses!)

Bea's music above the Soup Dragon on Lordship Lane is lovely. The songs are great and the atmosphere fun for the little ones.

I so remember the first night that we moved our little one into his own room. I don't think that I slept a wink all night, I had visions of burglers climbing in through his window (which was obviously shut and locked :)) and stealing him away. Totally paranoid but I had to keep checking that he was still there and still fine. Of course he was. Fast asleep beautifully, snoring softly. After that first night of MY sleeplessness it was actually lovely to get our bedroom back to ourselves again and as others have said be able to chat loudly, read and just generally live life normally again. Sounds like all going ok though Jennyh - Good luck!

With a youngster and another one on the way, we have been thinking about bigger houses, outdoor space etc etc. My husband went off to view a house last week that he seems to have totally fallen in love with - only issue is that it is in West Norwood (quite how he ended up there with the estate agent seems to be a whole other story!) My question to the you all is, do you know people (young families) who moved there?? Is it a nice area? Getting nicer?? He tells me that there is a Blackbird Bakery there which is a sign of gentrification. Hmmmm. Having said all that wandering around ED in the spring sunshine this morning it feels mad to be even contemplating a move out of the area - just a perfect morning! But seriously any West Norwood (!) thoughts gladly received.

ditto to kellie

Given that the weather looks set to be lovely this weekend (saying that I know that it will now rain heavily) I wanted to do a family day out and have a bit of a country walk. We've just got a baby back pack and want to use it! Do any of you have any tips for walks or villages/areas that we can drive to quite easily from ED? We did a great walk last year around Eynsford in Kent which had roman villas, castles, old churches and farms. I think it was a Forum tip actually http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/eynsford.asp But would love any other tips about nice places! Thanks

Oriane is an absolute pregnancy exercise goddess! I hugely recommend her classes and personal training sessions - really good and a proper work out not just a stretch.

Out of interest, why German as opposed to any other language?

Wondered if anyone had a holiday tip - we're looking to book a holiday with our 1 year old and have increasingly started to realise that it would be a proper holiday for us if we could find a hotel that had a creche where we could leave the little one for an hour or so each day in order that we could have a little bit of baby-free time to ourselves. Ideally somewhere in Europe so that the flight times and jet lag aren't too horrendous. Does anyone have any places that they have been too that they could recommend? I have looked on Baby Friendly Bolt Holes but would love find somewhere that comes personally recommended. Thanks!

really great idea!