Yak

Bellenden Belle, I started using mine at about 37 weeks but didn't use it every day til I gave birth (at 41+5 weeks). In total I reckon I used it about 10 times. So by my thinking even if you went into labour at 38 weeks it would be worth it. (It might be worth speaking to female relatives to see if you have a history of early labour though). I'm not sure about starting earlier - you can use it just for pelvic exercises etc but I'd consult your midwife if thinking about using it before 37 weeks. In fact, now I come to think about it, on the website they ask for your due date and then send it out by post so it arrives around the 37 week mark.

I could write reams on my NCT and post partum experiences. I think there is just such variation in quality of both. Back to the OP, what interests me most is the different stats for home births for first and second time mothers. Why is there such a difference? Is it because the mother is more aware of what is going on a second time round, and therefore more able to escalate concerns? That's one area I'd really like to see more research in.

Yes,please buy the track and stop x factor getting the Christmas No 1 spot!

I am just finishing a sewing course but then would love to join in for a couple of weeks before Christmas. You sound really really great! If you are still thinking of new tracks, Wherever you are (the new single just about to be released by the military wives choir) is just beautiful....a real tear jerker! I'm afraid on my rubbish phone I can't see who was looking for an evening choir earlier in this thread but Camberwell community choir is a new, free, choir open to all. Details at www.musicatstgiles.co.uk (we just rehearse in the church, it's not faith based in case you were wondering).

No direct experience but a foodie friend of mine - the type who likes to pop round with jam made from his allotment, blah blah blah - existed solely on dairylea triangles for a year when he was 2. This too shall pass....

I love Angus, Hamish, Fergus, Fraser (latent scottishness will out!). Rupert is great too. Good luck in making your decision!

Yes, would definitely recommend! And I am rather stingy with money....Will send a pm.

Thanks everyone! Sadly even baby gap ones have been removed. That's what so annoying as I thought they were the gold standard! Sounds like booties as unstructured as poss is the way to go.

My 7 month old still has an aversion to socks and somehow, even with those "sock on" things over the top, they come off. This mostly happens when he's out & about in the sling, which results in retracing our steps all the time. But it also happens at playgroups, visiting friends etc. Agh! I thought they were absolutely foolproof? Anyone else had this? Now I have no problem at all in popping him in tights but from time to time it would be nice to put trousers and socks on. So far I've tried baby gap, next, sainsburys but still no luck. Any bright ideas? In a moment of madness I have even thought of sewing elastic to them (like mittens through a coat)!

There's Camberwell choir school on Saturday mornings, one pound a session. And there are loads of resources on the sing up website (including backing tracks, notes and words etc) if he wants to do some practice at home. It's linked to national curriculum key stages, I think. I don't believe anyone (or maybe only a very very few people) are completely tone deaf. I think a lot is to do with confidence.... keeping it fun by incorporating music into daily routines - like singing together in the car, etc - might be worth a go?

Oh, I agree,F. And it is fascinating to hear what different challenges and joys come from different age gaps! I was just trying to say that sometimes we don't know how lucky we are! I know when I was trying to get pg and would occasionally look in on the family room discussion conversations like this would upset me so there may well be people reading this in a similar situation. Anyway....way off point of what the OP was asking. The current thinking in my circle of friends is that it's best to go back to work already pregnant with the second!

I was thinking much the same, kristymac1! We'd love another but took us a good couple of years the first time round. So if and when a second one happens we'll just have to manage the age gap whatever it is. I'm just grateful we had one at all!

Try asos? Mine have lasted well. You can get them in quite a few colours I think.

For us, the morning nap ends at 10am but the time at which is starts is flexible depending on what time the yaklet wakes up. That way I stick to a pretty fixed routine from 10am onwards, with lunchtime nap at 12.30. So for instance if yaklet wakes up at 7, he needs a full hour from 9am, but if he doesn't wake up til 7.30 then he goes down at 9.20(ish!). Another quick thought - how long are you leaving between lunch and nap? I found we really needed a good half hour between lunch ending and nap starting, to make the food settle in the tum - otherwise a bit of wind or unsettled tum could wake him up early. He also does the mid nap wake briefly, make a few random noises then (generally) go for another sleep cycle - but not if his lunch has not settled... Good luck!

HH, that is inspired! *squirrels idea away for when yaklet stops stuffing everything in his gob*

Brixton Wholefoods sells the bambino mio ones

Yep I've fed in a closer sling (a bit like a Moby?) and also in the Beco Gemini. At the risk of oversharing, I think it rather depends on the shape, height and size of your boobs how easy it is! Happy to lend a hand but it's been a while since I used a stretchy wrap so someone else might be better placed to help you...

Yep, I could do November (before 25th) or equally happy to go for something in January. I reckon we should go for a night other than Thursday to allow those who can't come out to play on Thursdays to join in. Any offers?

There are some really pretty changing bags out there if you want to splash out, but I didn't bother with a styled changing bag. I just got a nice printed bag from a high street retailer which had compartments and enough space for all my clutter. A stay at home Dad I know just uses a backpack. But whatever you go for, I would recommend something waterproof for when you are caught in the inevitable yet unpredicted rain shower...

We're having similar issues - I've put a lot of fussiness and clear preferences for easy food such as apple, yoghurt etc as down to teething. Agree frustrating when before they've been hoovering porridge, mince pie, pasta, couscous and all the rest! I give the yaklet a few bits of rice cakes and breadsticks, brocolli, pear etc throughout the day to gum on, though this is probably more to stop me worrying too much about how much he's taking at each "meal" than for actual sustenance. I reckon it all comes out in the wash at the end - they won't starve themselves. Babies are clever like that! Also I don't sit with him while he's doing his finger food stuff - I potter round the kitchen doing other glamorous chores. It seems to take the pressure off him (though I caught him feeding the cat the other day...). Worth a try?

I swear I won't look at the thread again, then go back for another dirty, guilty peek. It's like crap daytime telly meeting the comments page of the daily mail. *passes G n Ts round family room*

I'm looking for one that does rubber stamps, wooden stamping blocks, that sort of thing. Cheapo Christmas here we come! Thank you wise crafty ones

You can get Becos sometimes cheaper than the advertised RRP - try the slumberoo website as they sometimes have ex-hire ones going cheap. You can also hire for a couple of weeks and then you get 10% discount if you buy anything from them. From what I can tell, the Beco is very similar to the Ergo but you can also wear the baby facing outwards in the front position. I'm not sure how good that is in terms of boy babies and their bits, but it's not stopped us (until the yaklet's legs got in the way too much). We used from about 4 weeks old I think. There is a sling meet up tomorrow I think - http://southlondonslings.com/

We used side positioners (from babyreflux.co.uk) with our little one - admittedly more wind / colic than reflux, but sure did really help a lot. I would lend you ours but it's out on loan elsewhere! We never bothered with a monitor, to be honest. Also a friend who had a really really sicky baby put her to bed in a maclaren pushchair for a while.....not sure how great that is for spinal development but at least it got her some sleep.

All good advice above - just to add don't expect masses the first time you express, it takes a while for your body to get used to it. Relax your shoulders and take a few deep breaths and give your boobs a bit of a massage before you start. Also what setting - right hand dial - do you have it on? Might be easiest to start off with the dial half way round (or at least I found I did).