Redmeghan

Yoga Point in Herne Hill is great - I don't know how busy the weekday classes are. Ana and Emma are my two fave teachers but I'm sure they're all great!

My second was 5 months old when she had hers because there was a shortage so it seems odd that you've been denied - not that that's of any help to you but might be worth mentioning... Or skip the health visitor and go straight to your GP?

My daughter started two days a week last January and I was really anxious too - there were days that were really hard and days that were great but it took a good six weeks for her to settle completely. It's bound to be an upheaval for both of you but it has to happen - I think you should spoil yourself after you drop her off! Go shopping, do yoga - anything to take your mind off it. The fact that you're worried and have gone to such lengths to prepare her mean that you're an amazing mum and she will therefore be fine! Enjoy the freedom!

Hi, I have a 2.5 year old and a 10 month old - totally up for French playdates! We're in Herne Hill but happy to travel! Meghan

Hello, I am ready to stop breastfeeding my ten month old but she won't take a bottle/cup/spoon/syringe of formula come hell or high-water - does anyone have a breast pump - ideally Medela (I have their bottles) they could lend me for a few weeks? I'm hoping she'll start accepting breast milk in a bottle and then I can slowly incorporate formula and then you never know I might even get more than two hours sleep at a time! I will of course thank you with wine or food or a voucher of your choice - just don't see the point in buying one! Thanks! Meghan

Hello! My two year old is three days in and I doubt she'll be completely scabbed over this week so it's going to be a looooong 5 days. If your child also has chickenpox and you fancy a play date get in touch! We're in Herne Hill and i also have a 6 month old... Meghan

I've sent you a pm but to anyone interested in another option... http://www.vija-design.co.uk They hold baby like a wrap sling but they're right in your clothing.

A subscription to an age appropriate magazine - Storybox in our case. My daughter loves bringing me the mail when it arrives so getting something for her will be a huge treat! Bing bunny bath toys - lays nice to have new bath hits and he's her favourite CBeebies character. It's not an object but what about a term of music class?

I've now got three travel cots in my collection - 1 at the grandparents and two at home. I've bought them all second hand, given them a scrub and they're great. I think all the models are quite thin - we always fold up a duvet or towels under the sheet. One thing to consider is the size - if you buy the classic travel cot size you have to buy the right size sheets but there are 120x60cm travel cots which also work with your cot sheet so you don't have to buy new ones and you never arrive at your destination with the wrong size sheet... I definitely don't think it's something you buy new - they get used so little and you can clean them thoroughly!

Hi Adelle, Two options! The Osteopathic Centre for Children in Wandsworth - all trained osteo's doing a specialist course in mums and babies with consultants watching over. It's a charity and therefore much more affordable. They treated me throughout both pregnancies and now treat my girls. Option two is Dr Stephen Sandler at The Chingford Osteopathy Practice. He teaches obstetric osteopathy all over the world so most osteo's who work with pregnant women used his textbook! It's a schlep to get there but I do it with two under two and still find it worth while! Good luck!

Hello all, Just wanted to share the details for the amazing osteopath I was recommended by the Osteopathic Centre for Children (which I also highly recommend). I had a second degree perineal tear with my first child and it took a good 7 months to heal properly and once pregnant again it became tight and tender again. I had three visits with Dr. Sandler (he also fixed a sprained ankle when I was 35 weeks pregnant) and the second labour resulted in only a minor tear which has already healed beautifully (8 weeks on). Being an obstetric osteo means he can do internal vaginal work - it may scare you off but I know form talking to friends that many of us suffer with our tears for a long time so just wanted to share in case it can improve any one else's life like it did mine. He's is Chingford but I shlep there with two kids and it's still well worth it! He also practices at Portland St. Hospital if you have the cash!

Hiya, Have a look at the doula website where you can look at profiles - you might find yourself drawn to someone. That's what happened for me and I had a brilliant birth with Laura Jones with our first and although she wasn't available for our second I could hear her wise words all the same and the birth was fab! http://idoula.co.uk

Hello, My first reaction to your post was that you're being much too hard on yourself - 7 weeks is awfully early for a routine so don't out too much pressure on yourself. I have a 21 month old and a 7 week old - I keep asking my husband if it was this hard the first time round and he insists I've being repeating myself verbatim! "I feel like a dairy cow" "I haven't had two consecutive hours sleep yet since she was born" "I never have a minute to myself" I swear I had completely forgotten - that may not be of much use now but in a years time you'll have forgotten about how hard this is. My first daughter didn't get into much of a routing until she was a good three months old - I used the sling a lot until then - it was the only place in which she could find deep sleep. I use a Kari-Me but they're all more or less the same. A lot of child psychologists and behavioural scientists have theorised that babies could really do with a fourth trimester - keeping them close helps their development - it also means they're born so wildly immature so don't push or pull them out of their own natural sleep patterns. I have days when my 7 week old has 12 ten minute naps - it's utterly infuriating - especially with a toddler needing me too - but I just have to go with it and trust that it will get better. Because it will! The pre-frontal cortex which is responsible for emotional intelligence (as in self soothing) doesn't even begin to grow until babies are 6 months old. Yes, make sure the baby is fed, dry, burped etc - but beyond that just give in to it and keep being patient. It is the hardest thing to do in my view but in a few months not only will you have forgotten about it but it will all seem worth it! I hope you're doing well!

Hi! I've done the Internet search, I've even had a few round to give quotes - but I'd much rather use someone based on actual recommendations! If you had a great experience (or as good as an experience requiring an electrician can be) please let me know! Thanks!

Our daughter was tricky too - I breast fed her to sleep for far too long and wish I'd stopped sooner. We waited until I could consistently get her to sleep without boob (but by staying in the room for a good 45 min) and then my husband joined me and we did it together and then he did it alone. I found it easiest to leave the house on his guts though - we've never let her cry it out either and I just can't bear hearing her wail. Also if you keep stepping in then your child will learn that that's what happens... Try going out for a movie. Your child is in the safest of hands and won't feel abandoned as long as he stays in the room - they need to figure this out together... But I'd definitely recommend waiting until you've got a hang of it first. And maybe your baby just isn't ready? Our girl had a breakthrough at one year - sun deny sleeping through the night and falling asleep fairly happily without much fuss. She's now 19 months and can spend twenty minutes chatting herself to sleep alone in her room. I think the main thing is to make them feel safe and cared for... And Daddy can do that too! Good luck! Stay strong and have faith that when your baby is ready it will get much easier! M