crystal7

Thanks everyone! I knew the family room would deliver! I should have mentioned that I am absolutely not worried about baby boy wasting away, as several of the previous posters can confirm he is gloriously chubby! I suppose my concern was mainly how rapidly he'd dropped feeds given that everyone seems to ay it's all about the milk until they're 1. He does eat plenty of yoghurt and has milk on cereal though. It's good to hear that other babies are similarly obsessed with food and less bothered by milk. The boob preference is weird. Saffron you're probably right when you say it's a let down issue. Even pre weaning my right boob seemed to get less full. I'll keep trying both sides but not much I can really do if he only wants the left. Thanks again!

Morning wise family roomers! Baby boy has always been a big eater. Pre weaning he'd feed around 9/10 times in 24 hours. He Adores food, eats pretty much everything I give him, happy to be spoon fed or self feed (daughter has always been fussy so I'm aware this may not last but enjoying it while it does!). I'm a bit concerned with how much milk he seems to be drinking now. He currently has a feed first thing, mid afternoon, last thing and 1 sneaky night feed (I know, I know). I'm going back to work in September so plan to phase out the day time feed by then as he's never taken a bottle/had formula and there's no way I could express at work. Suppose I'm worried he isn't drinking very much at each breastfeed. The HV said he needs 30oz per day, obviously I don't know how much he's having but I'd be very surprised if it was 8oz per feed or whatever. He often doesn't take much before bed (too tired or full from tea??). I get a bit worried when I hear people saying "food is fun until they're 1" (though was very reassuring with my non eating daughter). Last night he didn't want a feed when he woke either. Will my supply suffer? I'm keen to carry on feeding him past a year, probably until he self weans... Another issue is his recent refusal to feed from my right boob. He won't latch on and just bites me when I persist (thanks son). Right boob is feeling quite empty. O know it's fine to feed from 1 side but would rather do both, anyone got any experience of getting baby onto rejected boob. Right boob is also feeling lumpy (sorry tmi) though no symptoms of mastitis...suppose I should dig out pump. Anyway well done if you've got this far! I'm trying to ask if my baby is getting enough milk? Will my supply suffer with no night feed? How to get baby onto poor right boob?? Many thanks!

This is something much discussed chez c7 at the moment! We are finally beginning to accept that we are being priced out of ED *sob*. Our current place has 2 bedrooms and we have an energetic 3 year old and an 8 month old who isn't a great sleeper and is into everything. Our needs are modest: 3 bedrooms, a garden, close to a good primary school...Those of you who have mentioned Sydenham- how did you decide where to buy? ANy particularly nice bits? And what about schools?? OH wants to leave London but I'm determined to find somewhere (sort of) affordable not too far away from all the lovely friends we've made in ED...

We went yesterday- was fab! Think it's open every day. You need to walk up the hill towards the cafe, pass the cafe then turn left down the hill and its on the left. That's assuming you're going through the main gates in Herne Hill...

We have a P&T and I have used it exactly as you plan to. Went for the Explorer model which has been fine. I put baby in the top and toddler underneath so she can hop in and out fairly easily, it has never felt unbalanced but have a chunky baby and tiny toddler! The bottom seat doesn't recline and the top only does when bottom isn't in use. Baby has always slept well in the top seat though with the P&T foot muff to make it cosy. I sometimes recline it when toddler gets out though the empty bottom seat is great for shopping! It's a big buggy though, very wide. I take it on buses during the day and it's fine but very heavy to bump down steps, normally take Maclaren (plus sling if necessary) into town etc. It's easy enough to fold but takes up a lot of boot space. I'm not sure about the other models- think the bottom seat reclines on the Verve? Good luck, I've found it invaluable to have a seat for toddler when she's tired/fed up/it's raining etc...

Our daughter didn't like the pram part of the Cameleon much, I'd end up carrying her in the ling and pushing an empty pram! We moved her into the buggy part at anout 4 months even though she was a small baby. Kept it seat unit semi reclined and forward facing. We put a sheepskin buggy liner in which made it cosy.

Yes please! Week nights are best...

We went to visit my brother who's at York Uni a few months ago. It's a fab city and we had a great time with our 3yr old and 6 month old. We were only there for 2 nights so stayed in the Novotel. 10 min walk from city centre and very accomodating staff, there were lots of other families there. We stayed in 1 room which was er fun especially as baby is not a great sleeper. The room wasn't huge double bed, single plus travel cot. We did as you describe bath stories bed them after they'd been asleep a while lamp and tv on (volume down!). I kept accusing oh of reading his mag too noisily but we saw the funny side and got no less sleep than we do at home (at least I didnt!). We ate early in Pizza Express 1 night and in the hotel bar another. They also have a swimming pool which was great. I believe they have larger rooms with an annex for the kids but these were sold out when we booked. Having just got back from a very wet week in Wales I see where you're coming from. We had a small cottage so needed to get out but there are so few indoor activities suitable for small children. We came back early in the end.

Very impressed with all this weight loss! I need some advice... Right. Have lost most of baby weight. I've got about 3/4lbs to go but hopefully that will come off when I make more of an effort to stop being a pig! My issue is how awful my body looks. Spare tyre, wobbly thighs, bingo wings- urgh! I know excercise is the way foward here but it's never been something I've enjoyed. Pre children I used to run 3x per week but that was when I had loads of spare time. What are you lot doing that fits in with children and gives a good fat burning workout? The only time I have to exercise is after 7.30 or weekends...And what to do about the tummy?? I'm sure it didn't look so nad after child 1?? I walk everywjere often pushing double buggy but I'm aware more is needed! I have also developed some bad habits mainly eating children's left overs-anyone else do that? I should mention that baby is 7.5 months so the weight bit isn't impressive at all!

Also have had issues trying to get through on the phone to the point where I've been unable to cancel apppointments. However I have never had a problem gettong an appointment to see a Dr for my 2 children I just call at 8 on the day. Much harder to get one for myself though. I also really rate several of the Drs there.

We had to switch to pjs when my daughter was around a year, she was such a wriggler she'd end up with both legs in 1 leg hole! We have found Gap pjs to be fab. They fit very snuggly so don't ride up legs and can be worn under sleeping bags. We try and stock up in the sale though- not cheap!

Both childminders we have used have taken 4 weeks of paid holiday per year but given us plenty of notice to organise time off/alternative care.

I looked around Oaktree and Amott Rd pre schools. Thought they were lovely if am/pm sessions are what you're looking for. Also you can use the government vouchers whereas I don't think you can at Magic Moments??

We have an Ergo and framed back pack carrier (a Vaude one). We used the backpack from when my daughter was about a year up until 2.5ish when she preferred daddy's shoulders. She really enjoyed being up high and we used it whenever we went somewhere buggy unfriendly including in town. My other half did all the carrying though, I found it really uncomfortable and heavy (and daughter is small for her age). Also she didn't sleep in it very well, there's nowhere for their head to go which made all day outings a problem. We got an Ergo when she was around 2.5 and she wasn't keen to go in it, it doesn't have the view I suppose. I've been using the Ergo since birth with my son and find it really comfortable and easy to use. He's now 6.months and sleeps really well in it with the little hood up. Not tried him on my back yet but will do when he's older. My other half uses the Ergo too and finds it comfortable. Great that it can be shoved under the buggy or on rucksack too.

I use a Bowron one too in my Maclaren and Phil and Ted's. Maclaren is harder to fold down with it on but still possible. I got it from John Lewis for about ?40. Definitely a good buy, buggy seems much comfier.

I have nothing but good things to say about paeds a&e. When my daughter swallowed a battery in January the drs and nurses we saw were fabulous. I remember Ella especially not sure if we saw Jenny. Daughter still asks to go every time we go past on the bus...

I've experienced this in all nurseries I've looked around, 1 in this area asked for 75! Suppose it's like Polly D says to stop parents putting child's name on waiting lists of all nurseries in the area. Feel they should refund the deposit though if you don't get a place when you need it.

New museum cafe is really nice, can sit outside if good weather (ha!). There's also a French place with loads of space opposite entrance to market. Pottery cafe is ok for sandwiches too.

Agree with Crokes, cash back sites are great if you do lots of online shopping. We use Quidco.

I take my P&T on the bus sometimes. It's fine. There are a few awkward bus routes that have an annoyingly placed pole that makes it impossible to get through to the buggy bit. Sorry not explaining very well, sleep deprived! Anyway on those you need to get on the back, from memory it's the 63. Never had any problems though.

Hmm yes I was with Oakwood for both of my births and whilst I have only positive things to say about them my experience of their birth story sharing session was that only women with positive birth experiences were invited. I had 2 homebirths, one so fast it was almost missed by the mws and one that ended in me tearing badly and being transferred to hospital for stitches after the birth. I wasn't asked to share either story at their 'Meet the Midwives' session. Perhaps it's not the right place to share more traumatic experiences? Would be good if there was something similar but without all the expectant mums but obviously Midwives are very busy...

My daughter has been taking Sainsburys chewable multivitamins and omega3. She loves them! We started them when she was around 2.5 years although they say from 3. She is a very fussy eater so I feel they can only do her good. It's very difficult to get her to take medicine so the abcd ones were out even hidden she could tell- they do stink! I also have a 6 month old and I keep diverting to give his healthy start drops. I'm still breastfeeding him though and I take supplements myself.

We pay 50 per day including meals, anything from 45-70 seems normal...

We have a Vaude one. Daughter was very comfortable in it, has enough storage for nappy, wipes, drink and snack. You're welcome to come and have a look/ borrow for a few days.

My 6 month old is also not keen on being spoon fed. I have been giving him a loaded spoon and sort of guiding it into his mouth with some success plus spreading purees on lightly toasted bread. I haven't tried yoghurt yet but I'm hoping he'll let me feed him that, was just about the only food my daughter would take from a spoon. The Baby Led Weaning Cookbook is great, some lovely family friendy recipes. Urgh weaning...was hoping this one would open his mouth like a little bird but with his sister as a role model that was probably never going to happen!