Mellors

My little 'un used to go straight to sleep on the back with the hood up to cradle her head and block out the sun. Its such a lovely snuggly feeling :)

I prefer the Ergo (I did 12 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with 10 month old baby in it last summer), but husband prefers the Bushbaby one (lots of Lake District and Norweigian mountains with up to 2 year old boy in it). I think it depends on your frame size/shape?

The width of the Maclaren would defo be an issue round here if its wider than the Vibe (which is already too wide for lots of shop doorways, hallways, and not much fun on buses). It would put me off. The Bee Plus sounds ideal.

Sounds like you have convinced yourself ;) I shall inspect the new snazzy buggy when you get it :)

Just seen your comment re sling - not even the Ergo type (which I found comfy even with bad back?)

?590?! He will seriously not want to be parent facing very soon Heidi - can't you just make do with what you have for now (or the sling) then put him in your existing Maclaren? I think parent facing is great when they are teeny, but its something they grow out of so quickly I wouldn't get hung up on it.

I think it maybe depends on the whole process from conception to birth. My first birth was medicalised, in St Thomas' at its busiest time with a stream of midwives and other people I didn't know oming in and out cin a bright room, and no water birth etc. No way were they getting their hands on me (in fact I found their constant wittering immensely irritating!). 3 days later I had a c-section. Second time I knew my fabulous midwives, and loved them like friends. I was in deep,warm water in a quiet, softly lit room in a special birthing centre, felt 100% comfortable, held their hands, had a marvellous neck and shoulder massage and popped out a huge baby naturally in 6 hours with no pain relief. I trusted them 100% and it was marvellous. I am certain that the method of these two deliveries wholy depended on the type of care/holistic experience from start to finish. I just couldn't relax properly first time, and I am sure thats why I failed to progress and things went from bad to worse. I am with Sillywoman on this one. I just don't think busy hospitals can provide the intense, personalised care (be that hands on or hands off) that we would all love.

You can't leave them at Peckham Pulse, you have to stay in the building.

I was in tears watching this. It was so fascinasting to have a fly on the wall view of both a natural and c-section birth. Having had one of each, I was particularly interested in the c-section as I was so out of it I don't remember much of mine. I agree that the midwives were technically great, but it wasn't the "holistic" experience a great birth can be, maybe thats just busy hospitals for you? I'm looking forward to seeing the water birth. I can now remember every minute of how bad it is when the babies head crowns - OUCH! Of course I still got straight onto my husband about having another one though lol. Time really must erase the worst of the memories....

Sorry, just noticed this is what you are selling, so clearly not what you are after.

How about the XT (the one that lies flat)? Small, light and dead handy for buses. I know its not parent facing, but he will soon be up and running and want to jump out anyway? Plus they are cheap!

I had a nosy at one of those Bugaboo Bees today. How cute are they! They look really lovely and light, although not very big. I couldn't imagine hefting my enormous 3 year old round in one (probably sell it and have a little Maclaren then). I wish they had had them back in my day. Sooooo expensive though, although there are some second hand ones on here: http://www.nappyvalley.co.uk/index.php?filter%5Bkeywords%5D=bugaboo&filter%5Bpost_code%5D=&section=2&filter%5Bref_advert_category%5D%5Bcategory_id%5D= and here: http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.listadverts/sec-Home+and+Family/cat-Children/ca73e337.html

One child or two? If one, plans for any more? Do you use public transport? Car boot? Fold up to store, or can you keep it out? More info pelase :)

It would be lovely to have one where the children could join in to "Make their own pizzas" etc. Also generally how to make food fun - there are lots of ideas for things like finger foods in the Annabel Karmel books, but it would be good to see them in practice. There are always people asking questions on here about baby led weaning as well (as opposed to purees etc), so that could be a topic. Maybe how to do "family meals" that are easy recipes suitable for small ones, but acceptable for adults too. With printed recipes to take away. I cook all our family meals from scratch and am always looking for inspiration, its easy to get stuck in a rut!

That is a bloody OUTRAGE, I agree!!! Unbelievable.

I was just about to say ring your Mum lol (unless you have my Mum in which case she is the last person you would want round). Get her to take Baby SB out in the buggy for long walks (fresh air being good for them and all that) whilst whilst you lie on the sofa with chocolate/tea/daytime telly and feel sorry for yourself :) Get better soon both x

Mine moved at that age no problem as well. You can buy polar fleece sleepsuits which fit up to Age 3 for a couple of quid in Primark in Peckham.

Yes, mine is in the back garden as well - and too wide to fit through a standard door without jigging it sideways so need to set it up and get it attached to the bike outside on the street (which is ok in summer, but not with hats/coats/gloves etc in freezing winter). Hadn't thought about that until I bought it!

Yes - a friend had her 3 year old child hospitalized with it just last Friday (Peckham). Have had my own little one nearly go the same way with it last year I have had the bigger one injected. I;ve never had such a poorly baby :(

I've got a double trailer for my bike (Bumper Duo) for my two who would have been c. 8 months and 2.5 when I started using it. I would say you can't have a newborn in it - not till they can sit up really, really well, as its pretty bumpy and wobbly. My older one always sticks his elbow in the younger ones face as well, and generally irritates her. I've used it as a buggy in desperation (i.e. when stopping for lunch on a bike ride and needing to get round the village), but I can't recommend it. Its yukky to steer (lopsided because of weight difference), hard to get over kerbs, way too wide, and not comfy for the kids. I would definitely not use it as a normal buggy. The Burley might be different, but I still can't see how you can get over the newborn thing? Once littlest is older its fine for the bike, but still not as a buggy. I've never found a better solution than the P&T for a double, although now my oldest is 3 I just make him walk and stick the smallest in the double Maclaren. How about a sling for the new one and a single? The Ergo/Patapum ones are v good.

I can confirm Leapers is changing to sessions you will have to sign up for. Probably after the Feb half term. Much to the disgust of Jean who runs it. It currently runs 9am - 11.30am and 1pm - 3.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday (you can only go to one morning session out of the two though). You need to be there on time to get it. We love it :)

I agree with Molly. Because I can't carry leave over at all in my firm both times I have been off for a year I have had to use the current year's leave at the beginning (thus pushing back the date I officially started Maternity Leave), and use any accrued during the second annual leave year at the end (or as normal holidays during that year).

Yes! I have had two punctures on my bike tyres outside your house in as many weeks (its Mel) - I wondered if its the building works alongside? Very, very annoying.

?15 an hour is outrageous for sole charge! No more than ?10 + tax etc round these parts, and more often ?8 or ?9.

Snowboarder! They are sooooo fabulous :D