Princess

I had a suspected displaced/embedded IUD which was confirmed via an ultrasound just before Christmas (23rd I think). I went into meltdown just wanting 'the thing' out of me ASAP but having to wait until I could see my GP as soon as normal business resumed in January. As soon as I saw my GP my notes and pictures from the scan had caught up with me. Apparently the extra week wouldn't have made any difference to it's position etc it was just an extra week of pain and bleeding for me. I would say if it's embedded do consider some pain relief when having it removed. My GP did it for me there and then. I've given birth twice without even a paracetemol but this was a whole new experience for me and in retrospect would have preferred a quick trip to the hospital to get it out. I hope I haven't terrified you. In my case the time it took to get it sorted wasn't too relevant but was inconvenient! If you're really concerned I'd go to A&E and see if you can get a quick scan to address your concerns.

I had a similar invite to both a whole hen weekend in Cornwall and the subsequent child free wedding when my second son was just 4.5months and 5 months old. I declined the hen and the wedding but sent my husband to the stag and big day. He had a good time and relished a whole nights sleep in a swanky hotel room!

It's worth looking at your home insurance too which probably allows you some free legal advice. I was in a similar situation to you and was ultimately made redundant. The free advice I received via our insurers made sure I walked away with a decent package because some of the things they'd done and how they'd dine them weren't quite right. Good luck.

We are having the same thoughts with our 26 month old. Our Au Pair is returning to France next month but having encouraged her to speak French to him he is picking bits up and seems to understand it. I speak French but not fantastically well however, I have always had a selection of concept books etc in French scattered around for him to look at from time to time. I know Jolie Ronde http://www.lajolieronde.co.uk/ is fantastic for the 3+ age group but I'm not aware of anything for the under 3's but would def be interested if there is something out there or someone is interested in starting something! we crossed in the ether Nylonmeals but interesting to know. Thanks

I'm not sure if this link will work (I stole it from my friends FB page who works at the gallery in Brisbane). She took it whilst the gallery was closed to the public. Awesome. I can't wait to go. https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/cfs-ak-snc6/353002/240/10150415520692032_10428.mp4?oh=86c57913c2754522f22259f563f7998b&oe=4F3BB600&__gda__=1329313280_cfd82439ea6f3e2435080685022764d0

It's a really tricky one. Our kids are just shy of 19 months apart so I thought we would get loads of use from our P&T's Vibe. However, in reality for the first few weeks of no.2's life, he was carried in a sling pretty much everywhere and now, nearly 7 months on no.1 insists on scooting or buggy boarding absolutely everywhere! The double buggy is really only used when we go out for a whole day and we need both to nap at lunchtime. I don't think you will ever find a perfect solution but second hand is always a thought as in my experience it's life was fairly limited.

We found her via this website http://www.aupair-world.net/ We then followed up with lots of emails, several phone calls and a Skype conversation with her family. Due to the age of my kids she isn't allowed sole charge of them so I have always been with her but it really couldn't have worked out better and we will stay in touch after she goes home.

We've had our lovely Au Pair for 5 months. She'll sadly leave us in March. We pay her ?80 a week pocket money and obviousy we provide all board and lodgings. She works approx 2.5hrs in the morning and 4hrs in the afternoon. When she does babysit we agree this as a separate arrangement and pay her the going rate circa ?7 an hour. We have a 25 month old and a 6 month old. She really has been an amazing addition to our family (we don't have any relatives close by) over the past few months!

Yep, they no longer have a display model in any of their branches but you can still buy through them. I really just want to try it out before I do that! Thanks though.

Does anyone know of anywhere that has these in stock to have a look at tomorrow? My ring 'round today has drawn a blank. Thanks Px

All food for thought. Thanks. After a trip to the docs, it would seem there's nothing obviously medical wrong. So, I guess we have to ride through it and keep a close eye on it.

Thanks for your responses. Lochie I do wonder if it's 'delaying' tactics but he is complaining about noise at random times during the day too. For example the tractor cutting the grass in the park when we're together etc. He's not putting his hands over his ears though. In terms of leaving him with something to drown out any external noise. We did attempt this for a couple of nights but he was so hysterical I don't think he could hear anything! Fuchsia, he has always been a very 'spirited' child. There's nothing else that springs to mind that upsets him but he has always been quite feisty! Do you think there could possibly be a link here?!?

My little boy will turn two next week. Recently he become very sensitive to noise. He has started screaming and getting quite hysterical when I put him down for his lunchtime nap or at bedtime. I am from the Gina school of thought (no comments on that please) so have left him to cry for a while before going in. When I do go in, he calms instantly and tells me it's because "the moon is noisy" and asks if I can lie next to him. I try and avoid this at all costs but with a 4.5 month old in the house sometimes I give in because I just need everyone to sleep at the same time. He has gone a couple of days without a nap and this has resulted in him being over tired by bedtime and waking in the middle of the night and again finding it difficult to settle and complaining about noise again. It's heartbraking to see him so upset and sensitive about noise - don't even talk to me about fireworks, lawn mowers, motorbikes etc and i'm at a bit of a loss as to how to make it easier for him. I am wondering if this is common around this age or whether there is something more upsetting him.?He has had a lot to deal with recently with two new houses, the arrival of his little brother and starting at nursery. If anyone has any suggestions or similar experiences I'd be keen to know how you got through this stage.

I was with Oakwood for a second time this year. We sold our house and our onward one (in SW London) fell through. We decided we were going to rent in the interim. We could have rented in the new area so I could build a network before baby, or stayed in ED purely to be with Oakwood. We chose to stay! To make sure I was definitely in the catchment area for the two months we rented, I asked my teams several times where would be the 'cut off' area. They always told me the official zone but were so understanding of our predicament they did advise me they might be able to make an exception. We ended up in a flat in the heart of ED in the end so there wasn't a problem with Oakwood and we finally moved when baby was 3 weeks old and we'd been discharged. It's definitely worth talking to your team if the new house really is that close.

I was there in July and had to 'top up' my son with formula. The teats and bottles weren't locked away but the formula was. Despite being there 5 days and having numerous midwives looking after me, it was never a problem to get someone to unlock the cupboard for me when I needed formula.

Poor you Nikki73. I had thrush with both of my boys as a result of IV antibiotics during and after labour. The first time I'm sorry to say it lasted 6 weeks as we kept passing it between us. It ws agony and really tainted my feelings towards bf'ding. In the end I was prescribed Fluconazole which finally cleared it up. The novogel circles were a God send too as they soothed my boobs between feeds. With my second son, I caught it on day 1 and after a visit to Seldoc (it was a weekend) it cleared itself up within a week. Well done for persevering and you can get rid of it! If you need alternative advice from the GP Katy Fisher (lactation consultant) is fantastic and will offer advice and support.

I indulged in the mum to be package at Therapy on Melbourne Grove. Was very nice indeed.

Ruth, We're in very similar situations as you know and have put our eldest in nursery for one morning a week. He started well but is getting more and more distressed each time we leave him. My resolve is breaking and like Otta I am on the verge of pulling him out. But, in my less emotionally charged moments I am aware in nearly a years time he'll be off to nursery for his 15 hours. We've started doing the school open day rounds and I've found somewhere I love but can't imagine him coping going in with no experience of being in a larger group, away from me etc. Like you, I'm not doing it for a break (although it is nice to spend 4 hours with my 10 week old doing 'baby stuff'). I'm very much doing it for him to meet friends (we moved 7 weeks ago and know no one here. He had a large group he saw regularly in ED) and to improve his social and language skills. For what it's worth, I think it's worth a shot and if you take it slowly Seb will probably love it, although maybe not at first!! Px

Another vote for Dan here. Both my boys arrived the evening after I had my first sessions. One was eight days late and one seven days early and about to be induced. I firmly believe both came when they did because of Dan's help.

Supergolden, I don't really have any answers since I was made redundant and am now freelance and will need to find some form of regular employment at some point too! But I just wanted to say, when we met some months ago to talk about work, you came across as a professional, your website looked good and you certainly didn't look frumpy. I know time out from the workplace can knock your confidence but I think how you see yourself isn't always how you come across to others. Good luck with the interviews, there are jobs out there at the moment certainly in the book world.

I can only agree with all the above. We had plans for every night except one. I did look into employing a night nanny 'just in case', but it was expensive and stupidly I believed all the 'your body won't let it happen until everything's in place' conversations. Of course it did happen that night and very quickly too! As my husband packed me off in an ambulance I thought there was a very real chance I'd have my baby alone. Luckily he managed to wake a friend of ours who doesn't have kids and has only met my son a few times. He came over and got my son up, gave him breakfast etc. Both out friend and 19 month old son coped really well until my mum and dad arrived from Wales and mum swung into action! In hindsight, I really wish I'd put my hand in my pocket and paid for the night nanny!

Hi Nicole, Wow thanks for all this information. I hadn't anticipated I'd get a response from someone who'd actually written a book about HD! I had already joined the FB page and found many of the postings really interesting and informative. I will definitely be getting hold of a copy of your book. Thanks again Px

I just wondered if anyone has any first hand experience of Hirschsprung's Disease? We've read a lot of the the Google articles but I am interested to hear from anyone who has actually had the pull through procedure carried out on their baby and just how successful the outcome was. Thanks Px

My 3 week old is weighing in at a whopping 5 kilos. He's not particularly chunky but is long and looks like he's going to be tall like his brother (but strangely not like his father or myself)! My problem is that our newborn is already looking pretty squashed in our P&T's cocoon. I can't actually see him fitting in it at all in a matter of weeks. Of course, he wont be ready for sitting upright in the doubles kit for some time and can't recline in the top seat as there won't be any head room for my 19 month old who still very much needs the buggy. I'm sure we're not the only ones that have had this problem. Can anyone explain how they got through the interim bit before safely moving to the doubles set up with a huge newborn please. Thanks in advance? Px

I too am new to sweeps but after spending the morning at Kings today where the consultant was keen to give me one there and then (I chickened out as I don't have childcare provision until the weekend), I was told I needed to pop down to MAU on Saturday morning and request one. It's my understanding you can self refer if your desperate. I have booked the lovely Dan at the Therapy Rooms first in the hopes that does the trick with no need for sweeps!