crystal7

We did lots of talking about the potty, reading books about it and encouraged E to use it 1st and last thing. Then we decided to just go for it 1 weekend when she was 2 and a bit. Agree with others just get her in pants and be prepared for extra washing for a few days. I actually found it easier going out as E loved going in public loos the fold up potette thing- you can get them in jo jo maman too. We put an old towel in the buggy and car seat at first. Also be prepared to dangle weeing child over gutter at those times they really can't wait. We always dread the 'I need a wee wee' cry when we're stuck in traffic on the South Circular or something! We have Potty Book for Little Girls if you'd like it.

Ah thanks everyone! Lovely to read all the replies. Not lovely that others are suffering but you know what I mean. In the early hours it can seem like everyone else's baby is sleeping more than yrs. Very true nylonmeals; a bad idea to compare 1st and 2nd babies but so hard not to see 1st as a benchmark! Think latch is fine but I do have a very fast (overactive??) let down and he often gulps and splutters at the beginning of a feed. Poo is mustard colour and I try not to switch boobs too often. I maybe need to feed from the same side for a few of the night feeds before swapping though. I hadn't thought wind was a major issue. He does need a big burp after each feed though but that almost always happens with a few minutes of being upright/back rubbing etc. Am wondering if in the night I am feeding him when he's not that hungry so is bobbing on and off- coud cause wind? The thought of cutting out dairy and caffeine fills me with dread! But may look into it. Have been drinking chamomile tea in the evenings in the hope that it will induce sleep but no luck yet (prob wishful thinking!) Wishing everyone a better night tonight, I remember the horrors of teething well- all that to come!

Smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and bucks fizz on xmas morning after all the choc coins in stocking of course! Left overs on boxing day.

Right. 2nd baby is 8wks old now and while a mostly chilled out and happy little man by day the nights are pretty hideous! He's up every 2 hrs (sometimes more!) and feeding winding and resettling can take 40 min. I know this is not that unusual for breastfed babies and it's still early days but the nights combined with him being up all evening mostly (cluster??) feeding and having to deal with toddler in the day (though should mention I'm lucky enough to have some childcare) means that the tiredness is hitting me like a ton of bricks! We are co sleeping which helps a bit. My daughter was(is!) not a great sleeper but always did 3 hrs and dropped off straight after a feed. Having to wind baby boy has been a revelation! He has got a cold a the moment bless him which isn't helping. I wonder if I should try and limit his day time sleep or is that crazy at this stage? He has a couple of big naps usually. Realise probably the only thing to do is think of it as a phase and wait for it to pass. Planning on introducing bedtime etc in the New Year. Have tried a few times before but he's been very resistant. Any wise words? Or sympathy?!

Another vote for the Quest- very easy to recline. We put a sheepskin in there when E was little (we got it when she was 11 months) and she always slept as well in it as she did in the Bugaboo.

I had some pelvic pain in my last pregnancy, nothing like as painful as you describe but at the front and on 1 side more than the other. A couple of sessions with Russell at DMC sorted it out, he's fantastic. I would just make an appointment and pay. I never heard back from the physios at Kings (although I didn't chase them as I was ok once I'd seen Russell).

oops duplicate post

Never heard of that 1 but my nearly 3yr old loves the Sarah Garland bks- Doing the Garden, Going Shopping, Having a Picnic. Lovely illustrations and lots to talk about on each page. Some are out of print though. Will have a look for Stan and his Gran. Thanks Molly!

My 6 wk old hardly squeaked! Fed him afterwards. No ill effects. Think it's the least painful of the jabs done in the 1st yr?

Ah thanks for that Fuschia and Pickle. Will give it a try soon! Another vote for toddler world- perfect for crawlers/cruisers. Not great for older toddlers as not contained.

I've just started that new Naomi Stadlen book- excellent so far. Makes me feel much better about finding it impossible to get things done with toddler and newborn!

I think Peckham's quite nice. There's a bit for younger chn then the upstairs for older. My daughter at nearly 3 just goes off on her own while I watch now. Cheap too (?2?) for 1 or 1.5 hours. I find that's more than enough time. Cafe not great though. You can always walk home via petit tou or Vic Inn. Have been to Gambado a few times and E loves it but I have to follow her around as she's a bit too small to manage some of the equipment. There's a carousel and bumper cars too. Cafe awful and overpriced I found. It probably comes into it's own when you've got older children, costs ?8 I think. Am keen to try Bellingham but a bit tricky following toddler around with baby in tow? Or can toddler go off? Sorry for post hijack!

Completely agree with Belle about getting out of the house. Even in this weather it saves us. All bad toddler behaviour happens in the house! I've found breastfeeding whilst keeping an eye on toddler challenging. She uses feeding times as an opportunity to empty nappy cream over the carpet, climb onto work surfaces, throw stuff etc. It is hard , I underestimated how little 1to1 time I would have with toddler post baby. It-not much cue cries of mummy put the baby down! He's not hungry! I need a cuddle etc. And when baby is asleep or with daddy and I try to spend time with her she wont hear of it! Grr. It is mostly fine though- helped by 3 days per wk at childminder! Good luck!

Love Felix and Cassius. We also liked Sasha and Rowan- Ro for short. I think it's hard to think of nice boys names that are different without being too out there. Wouldn't worry about teasing at sch. I'm a teacher and haven't ever noticed chn being picked on because of a name. Maybe it sarts in secondary school though.

I'm going to be facing the same problem very soon. Baby boy is big- around 12lb at 6 wks. He's already looking a bit squashed especially in all his winter gear. Just wondering if it would work to use the buggy in newborn/toddler mode without the cocoon in the winter? Would baby warm enough? And do you use the straps? Otherwise can't see what's stopping baby flying out! Anyone used p&t like this successfully? Also wondering (it's been a long sleepless night!) is there any reason not to have baby in the main top seat, toddler in the bottom? Then toddler can get out and walk when baby wants to sleep. Should mention that although my eldest is nearly 3 she doesn't weigh much more than 10.5kg. Or (last question!) do babies sleep ok in the bottom seat? Many thanks expert p&t owners!

Ah thanks everyone- love this forum! Found some in the Chemist in Dulwich Village in the end. Nowhere on Lship Lane had them, neither did Sainsbury's. Thanks for the tip Pickle. They're not very eco or purse friendly but I've tried loads of different brands including reuseable and none of them work well. Have never tried Boots own though so will grab some the next time I'm there. Sylviamaria and Sanity Girl I've pmed you.

Sainsbury-own aren't cutting it! Thanks family roomers!

ooh love Pip- Great Expectations! Also like Fergus, William, Robin. Good point sb re shortened versions - poss a problem with Elijah?

Some I liked but OH didn't: Casper, Noah, Rafferty, Elijah, Rufus, Ralph, Wilf, Rollo, Otto...

Hello My daughter has a place at Gumboots starting in January. She is nearly 3 and will be joining the pre school room. She has been with a childminder 3 days per week since she was 11 months old but being in a nursery setting will be quite a change. I wondered if there are any other 3yr olds starting Gumboots in January, if so it would be great to meet up for a playdate at some point before Christmas. She will initially be attending on Mondays and Fridays. I'm sure she'll be fine but this will set my mind at rest if nothing else! Look forward to hearing from you!

Think it depends on the size of the child. My daughter is very small and could climb out with the baby set on (we didn't buy the harness). Luckily the novelty of escaping wore off and we finally removed the front bar a few weeks ago aged nearly 3!

Snowboarder those boots are fab! I used the Robeez leather booties over socks and E never got them off despite having skinny little ankles. Gap socks are best IME

I have a copy of The 2nd Baby Survival Guide you can borrow Bee. I'll bring it on Sunday (you're welcome to it after that Lochie!). I didn't really rate it to be honest but a few useful tips.

Buggie you have my sympathy. Had this with my daughter from around 11-15 months. Bugglet's diet sounds very familiar. E survived on bread sticks, soft cheese, Ella's pouches and yoghurt mostly. Her weight dropped from 25th centile to 0.4th. HV's solution was fortnightly weigh ins which didn't achieve much other than show she wasn't gaining weight! Looking back it was probably affected by teething, my going back to work and colds. I too got v stressed at meal times and worried all the time. I tried offering food away from the table which worked sometimes, especially in front of the tv or in the buggy. I tried to make sure what she did eat was calorific- peanut butter sandwiches were successful. Saw GP who said she was fine and clearly getting what she needed. In the end she just started eating more. Could have been related to learning to walk, me stopping breast feeding break from teething who knows!? She still doesn't eat much and is tiny at nearly 3 but generally healthy. Rubbish advice i know but I spent so much time worrying about E's weight gain when really she was fine and wouldn't have starved herself...Try to stay calm, offer high cal foods as if it's all normal. Good luck!

I've done this a few times before and it's fine with a light buggy (much easier on escalator) outside busy times- worst bit will probably be waiting for 37! Brixton is much more buggy friendly than Elephant and Castle. My favourite route into town with buggy is to get the train from Efrom Efrom ED to London Bridge then change to go to Charing Cross and walk from there. Step free and fairly quick.