crystal7

I can't stand long bus journeys with my toddler (though didn't mind when she was younger) and always try and take train, people usually offer to help with buggy or I just ask.

Completely agree Cuppa Tea- pick your battles! I'd rather serve vegetables in a separate dish and have (some of) them eaten than put all the food together on a plate and risk a tantrum and nothing being eaten ditto changing into pink monkey PJs as soon as we get home, step MIL does not agree...

Myatt's Fields in Camberwell is definitely worth a visit. Amazing playground equipment and nice little park. Think there's parking though we got the bus and walked from kings. There's also a really nice playground near St Thomas's a bit further afield but if you fancy a trip to the river it's good to know about. Have fun!

My 2 year old daughter has this too. We had no problems at all with feeding but I remember she did have a sucking blister and her lips never seemed to be in the 'recommended' position when breastfeeding (but she was perfectly satisfied). However she is a really fussy eater (never considered that this could be the reason) and hates to have her top front teeth brushed. Hard to tell if it has an effect on her speech at the moment...Really useful thread will definitely ask my dentist about when we next go.

Radnrach I really feel for you, I was exactly the same for the last few months of my maternity leave. Felt sick at the thought of leaving LO, lost sleep etc. Like you I'd never left her for more than an hour or so, was still breastfeeding 4 times a day too. 1. If you have gone back to work, how did you feel? Did you actually enjoy going back to being 'you', rather than mainly a mother? It took a while but I do actually enjoy my work days now. Initially I was sobbing all the way to work after dropping daughter off but that did wear off and I found that I was so busy during the day that I didn't think about LO too much. I'm a teacher so while a lot of my friends say that they see their days at work as a break from their toddler -I don't! My working day would be vastly improved if i didn't have drop off and pick up to do but that's for another thread... 2. If you went back to work, did you work some days from home? Did you work flexitime, say - going in at 8, leaving at 4? And did this help? I was lucky enough to go back 3 days per week as I'm not the main wage earner and it works quite well, I'm strict about not working at home on my days off too. 4. I have entertained the idea of changing jobs to something with different hours. It would take a couple of years, but since we're planning on having more children, perhaps in the longrun this would be better. It would involve a huge life-change, but maybe even training as a teacher and working as a nursery teacher. Has anybody else done this, or have any thoughts on this? I am also slightly devastated about the idea of changing my life so completely. And I wonder if I would be able to go back to what I'm doing now once my kids are in school full time. Something to note about teaching is that yes the holidays are great but the hours are often not much different from other jobs. I drop off my daughter at 7.50 and pick her up at 5. There are meetings and endless preparation that make if difficult to leave before 5 (although I manage 4.30 most days) also once she starts school if I work full time I'll never be able to take her or drop her off as I'll be in class myself...food for thought 5. Should I just get over it, go back to work and get on with life? It's so hard and I've got so much sympathy...good luck!

We've been lucky enough to have 2 fantastic childminders. I went back to work when my little one was 11 months and I wanted her to be in a small, home from home environment with 1 adult to attached herself to. Both the childminders we've had have provided fun, stimulating days involving water play, baking, crafts, messy play at home and groups at verious children's centres on a daily basis. In my experience most childminders have at least 2 children at home all day and more after school so there are lots of children to interact with. The only downside is when CM is ill (which in fairness hasn't happened with either of ours touch wood) or goes on holiday or has another commitment. I found my childminder a few months before I needed her through the EDF. Good luck1

When my daughter was this age she would wake every 3 hours like clockwork. She was also a very quick feeder 5-10 minutes on 1 boob (didn't take bottle) for her 5 minutes was a full feed. I decided it had to improve when I went back to work so from about 9 months I sent OH up when she woke at 10 and then fed at 1 and 4 and then just cuddled at 1 and she'd wake at 3 or so. Kept to 3am feed up until she self weaned at aroiund 15 months :-$. Prob not the answer you're looking for!I'm sure we could have got her to sleep through or at least feed less at night from an earlier age though but I'm not very good at sleep training etc. Not sure what I'd do with a 2nd!

We live in a 1st floor flat and have a Cameleon. Really great pram, so nice to push and parent facing option in buggy mode which was important for me as I walk a lot. If I were to do it again I'd get a Bee though I think more compact but still parent facing though I don't suppose the suspension is as good...

Just wanted to echo what others have said, no problem at all if it works for you it wont be forever. E now 2 didn't sleep through until she was 15 months so always started the night in her cot then came into our bed at some point in the night and we all slept well. We still bring her in when she wakes up now, what with having to get up at 6 and leave the house at 7.30 (with E) 3 days per week I don't have the energy for shushing or the heart to do CC! Happens rarely but was something I worried about a lot in the early days. Luckily though we all fit in our king size bed!

I sympathise grufflings! E still (at 2!) goes through phases of waking at 5-5.30 and it's painful. We're going through one now although this morning she squeaked at 5 then went back to sleep until 6.30 (latest in ages)but of course I didn't...There never seems to be a pattern such as different naps, eating habits etc she just starts doing it again. I haven't tried just leaving her until 6 because I'm a bit rubish at 'tough love':-$. Bedtime is 7 here (in cot by 7.15 usually) but she takes ages to get to sleep some night not until 8 so is only getting 9.5-10 hours at night then about 1.5 hours in the day- not enough accrding to the books. Sorry no advice although dropping the morning nap helped for a while (but yr little one is a bit young maybe).

We bought the cushions to go with the baby set. Nor sure if they're strictly necessary but they make it look much more comfortable and provide extra padding for younger/smaller babies. We still use the bottom cushion now at 2 yrs. They do get pretty dirty though...

Polly D Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It probably IS pms! Have you had a period yet? Good point Polly D, I got my first period post baby when E was about 5 months and was exclusively breastfeeding every 3 hours day and night- an annoying surprise!

The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green is great and easy to get to from Forest Hill overground. The Tate galleries always have stuff on for kids at half terms. I've heard the Army Museum (?) near Sloane Square (again very easy walk from Victoria) has an amazing kids bit but haven't been myself. Have fun

Toddler world is fine on public transport-the 363 then 10 min or less walk. The only difficult thing was keeping E awake on the way home! I've been a few times and have found that it's been set up differently depending on who's running it i suppose. Last week there wasn't much for active toddlers tbh though E loves to watch the divers and swimmers so it worked out ok.

I'd like to try Bellingham too but will also be relying on public transport. Let me know which day you decide.

My daughter used to like rice cakes with philedephia at this age and breadsticks. Sainburys do some very thin ones that are low in salt. Hipp Organic have some melba toast which are also a hit.

Another vote for Shirley Hughes Julia Donaldson and Janet and Alan Alberg. E also loves Judith Kerr's Mog books. I recently discovered Polly Dunbar, beautiful illustrations and slightly odd but v engaging stories. Another lovely book is Naughty Bus (author's name escapes me but google it) a fab book especially for chn iving in London.

urgh don't mention thumb sucking- E's fingers rarely leave her mouth! I sucked mine well into ny teens though and never had any probs so hopefully she'll be the same...sorry off topic not sure about sugar free squash

My dentist says the same SW and F- I thought juice/smoothies with meals wasn't so bad though or am I just kidding mysef?! I used to be very strict about it but last summer worried about dehydration and started giving innocent smoothies or orange juice once a day. Hadn't heard of the cystitus link with orange juice Fuschia! Will watch out for that.

E was 18 months and then I had to do it gradually. Like Little SB she always wakes early (often before 6) so getting to midday or so is hard work!

I have a nearly 2 year old who exists on shreddies, fruit and pasta with cheese sauce. Wont eat meat, potatoes, chips, any tomato based sauce- I could go on! Veggies are not popular although we have had some recent success with mixed frozen veg- cooked and frozen weirdly! I just assume it's a phase and she'll grow out of it. In the meantime I just make sure she's offered lots of different foods.

Hee hee I read The Rise and Fall of a Slummy Mummy at a rental cottage once Belle (was preg at the time so probably didn't get it as much as I would now) must be the kind of book people read and leave!

Anyone want to swap a cuddly newborn with a mad nearly 2 year old?! Thought not!!

my daughter was very similar, dropped from 25th centile to below 0.4th. She was always active and rarely got ill but health visitors weren't happy at all. She's now nearly 2 and and still very fussy and small but probably above 0.4th centile. Try not to worry- easier said than done I know especially when others can't help but comment!

We love love love our Tripp Trapp. Great for smaller kitchens as you push it under the table and it's height adjustable so from 6 months your little one can eat with you and see everyone. We found at 6 monhs our daughter looked a bit lost in the ones with the big trays. Like the look of the fun pod though...