Yak

Oh, and any top tips for coping? Gin will obviously be on standby.

How is everyone getting on? Yaklet has gone from sleeping for 13 hrs at night with a dream feed to demanding milk every other hour. He's 16 wks (18 in wonder week terms). Lots going on developmentally for him - learning to roll over, giggling, babbling etc. Not massively interested in food during the day - I suspect because he is too distracted by what's going on. I'm trying to make day feeds free from distrubance. But for how long does this phase last? (and please tell me it's just a phase.)

Sorry, don't think we will make it. Mr Yak saw 4 lootings / muggings on way home so think we'll be staying home. Keep safe, everyone.

So, is it cafe or arboretum then? Will join you after jabs, assuming we don't have total melt-down! Mrs f - I have no shame.......:))

There's a lady who posts in the family classifieds sometimes asking for donations to a women's refugee group. I'll see if I can dig out the details. If it wouldn't confuse your little one, how about filling a couple with rice, dried chick peas, colourful pasta shapes etc and turning them into sensory toys? You could also fill them with scraps of foil scrunched up into little balls etc. Could the lids can be used for pouring in the bath, sorting, stacking etc? Cutting the bottles in half will give your husband excellent mini-cloches for protecting his seedlings from slugs!

if it doesn't bother her, it sounds like you're doing fine. I think it's only if the wind / pooing is causing problems that it's worth thinking about dairy. I gave up for 12 weeks and it was a hard introduction to the demands of unconditional love - all that cheese, chocolate, ice cream and cake!

We have jabs first thing but we could join you later in morning.blackkat, you'd be very welcome!

Pre baby, I used them pretty much exclusively. I think they are good for used but not dirty-stained clothes, if you see what I mean. I still have my set if you want to give them a spin.

Hi Jenny, My little one was propped up for the first 6 weeks - a combination of towels under one end of his moses basket mattress and raising one end up with a couple of books. When he transferred to his flat cot I was worried he'd never sleep other than on an incline but he was absolutely fine. We just put the wedge under his mattress now when he's got a cold and he doesn't seem to mind when it's removed. (He may just be relieved he can sleep peacefully without a cold, of course!). You're welcome to borrow ours if you want - just PM me. You could also try putting a pillow under her mattress, though that might not give as much spinal support as a wedge or a leg extender. Good luck and hope she is on the mend soon!

Have you tried propping one end of her cot up? We use a reflux wedge when yaklet has a cold - might be worth getting one if it's a regular occurrence. I was a snuffly, wheezy, coldy child & I think my bed was more or less permanently propped up! Oh yes, and eucalyptus oil was smeared all over my chest....

Is this possible? The family gown makes the yaklet look like a butch girl, so I was hoping to find something online that is modern and quite funky. But all I've found so far are really fussy outfits with waistcoats, huge bloomers etc at silly prices. There seems so much more for girls! Ideally I'd just like a romper suit. It has to be predominantly white or ivory though. Any ideas?

Sounds good to me. Frequently its difficult to commit to a course so drop in would work well.

This made me snort and honk with laughter in a very undignified way. cake

A word to the wise.....slumberoo are selling off some of their ex-demo slings and very reasonable prices. I got an ex-hire Beco Gemini from them and will not be parted from it. You can find pictures and details on their facebook page, or if you phone them up I'm sure they would be able to talk you through what they have in stock. The main thing with the Beco in the front position (whether facing inwards or out) is that if they are long their legs can get in the way a bit - think baby sb is quite tall, no? But I still use it with the very long yaklet in that position while chasing my nephew hither and thither at playgroup / in the park etc. You're welcome to try mine out!

So far I've used nipple cream for a sore runny nose, and washable wipes to exfoliate my face. Oh, and muslin cloths to strain chicken stock or to sieve soup. Anyone else have any secret uses of baby stuff to share?

Congratulations and what a lovely name! I have been wondering how you've been getting on as I trot past Baldock towers!

Strawbs, if you have a really sore nose from blowing it all the time, try putting some Lasinoh nipple cream on it. Sounds totally mental but its just pure lanolin and is really soothing. Not sure how pg you are but Lasinoh cream is practically a must for all new mothers so it won't be money wasted! I've only just discovered this tip and I wish I'd known about it earlier on!

Ha Moos, I thought so too! I vividly remember finding a third under-chin complete with cheesy offering. Just thinking about it makes me feel a bit sick.

Gosh. I don't use anything - just ecover! Was told not to use napisan on real nappies and as everything goes in the same wash barring the odd vest or two I've never had a problem.

I remember one particular door-opening of shame involving a babe on one breast, the other boob flapping freely around, the home phone crooked under my neck while I tried to make sense of some complicated message from virgin media, the midwives calling me on my mobile phone (which was in my pocket) and my helpless mother flapping in the background because all I'd asked her to do was to open the door and she had somehow managed to deadlock us in. All for the sake of getting my P60. I love the image of all these mothers swaying with various items (or none!) in their arms reciting names of dogs / cats / random family members!

Being so sleep deprived in the first couple of days that I tried to breastfeed a soft toy....

Do your partners mind if the kids are in bed before they get home? Mr Yak gets home around 7 / 7.15 so we have bedtime at 7.45 so he can at least see a bit of his pride and joy before bedtime. But frequently the Yaklet is either really tired or is being tanked up with milk at that time, so I'm thinking of moving it earlier. On the plus side he sleeps til 8 / 8.30 in the morning which feels almost indecently civilised and I don't really want to wreck that. And I wonder if Mr Yak's enthusiasm will wane after a couple more months anyway....

I think it depends on the baby. I got a second hand one and I get a good 30 / 40 mins of the yaklet sitting in it watching me make dinner while singing and dancing like a loon every night. It keeps me sane and him entertained. I think they are particularly good for babies who like to sit and watch the world go by while keeping you in sight, if you see what I mean.

Hello forumites I am fast becoming a sling addict (I have a 3 month old and so far I have got through a close sling, a baby bjorn and now am using the fab beco gemini) and am looking for a bit of advice. The Yaklet is 98th centile for height and loves being in the sling but his feet bash constantly against my thighs - particularly if I'm walking up or down hills or stairs. Is this just something that he and I will have to live with? The beco gemini has the "wide" seat option but I don't think he's quite ready for that. As well as his loooong legs, he's also long in the torso, so much so that quite a lot of his back is unsupported when facing inwards in the beco. He braces himself against me, frequently with his arms in front of his body, while arching his back to get a good look round. (I hope that makes sense!) I'm not a worrying type but occasionally I do catch myself wondering if he could launch himself out when he's bracing like that. In my rational moments I'm sure not, but any reassurance, hints or tips would be great. I don't want to put the hood up all the time because he's so nosey! Thank you oh wise sling experts

On the buggy /changing bag front, I got a pair of hamster bags http://www.hamsterbags.co.uk/ which fits all the Yaklet's stuff in one bag and all my stuff plus shopping in the other. For me, it saved the whole conundrum about rubbish storage on the Maclaren and the problem of the buggy tipping over if you hang too much off the handles. It does make the buggy a bit wider but so far OK on buses and most narrow pavements. Definitely one of my top buys. ....but on a quick check I don't think they fit P & Ts (which is what I think you have, snowboarder?). Agh!! However I thought I'd still mention it just in case it helps others.