alieh

I would always recommend going south or east rather than west - the jet lag going to Mexico or the Caribbean can be brutal for very young ones! Might just be because mine aren't great sleepers, but I always find that the first week is pretty horrible with them waking up at 3 am for the day, which isn't really what you want on a holiday!

Steve sorted out a long standing problem with our washing machine within a few hours of my calling him. He even had a pump on hand to replace straight away. So grateful as I have a mountain of washing to do before we go on holiday!

I have 3 but also have a nanny we kept on throughout so don't have as many war stories this time (except for the weekends or when my husband was away....shudder). But in general, the only way I survived was having newborn permanently in a sling. My older ones get up early so we had lots of time in the mornings. I would make sure they were ready by 8:00 or so, dressed and fed and then let them watch TV while I forcefed baby before school run and then sling. Also not averse to feeding pretty much anywhere! Also just had to ignore crying sometimes, but it was much less of a problem if she was in the sling. My #3 was a fairly settled baby (though didn't sleep), which makes a huge difference. #2 was a crier and it was hell. The sleep is too shocking for words. My youngest is nearly 18 months and I'm only just sort of starting to recover! Good luck! The really tough phase passes quickly! It was the fussy evenings that were a killer. I'd gotten so used to mentally checking out and drinking wine by 7:30 pm on the dot!

I have been struggling to find a football class that is after school rather than weekends so am now talking to Football Magic about setting up a new class. Football Magic run well known classes in Dulwich Village and elsewhere, I believe. We need at least 20 people to make a go of it. If you might be interested, send me a PM and if there's enough interest I'll get a quote for weekly costs. Ages: 4-7 Days: Thursday (or potentially Friday), term time only Time: 3:45-4:45 (straight after school) Location: Peckham Rye (TBC)

There seem to be some good events at the Discover Story Centre in Stratford on Monday.

We used to live on St Aidans Road and I remember this cat well. She is awesome! I never thought she was neglected, just very friendly and....chatty!

I can add a great recommendation for Fernando. He showed up early, so polite, worked in our very cold, wet and muddy garden and didn't complain! Very happy to recommend him.

Chloe at The Galleon on Forest Hill Road!

Here's their website: http://www.foresthillgym.co.uk/index-2.html The contact details should show on there, as well as class times, etc.

Chloe at the Galleon on Forest Hill Road is amazing I think! I haven't had highlights but she does my semi-permanent colour really well, and takes such care with it.

I've just had pure white Quartz installed and so far so good! We aren't careful at all and it seems fine. There is maybe one very light shadow of a coffee ring if you look closely in direct light but they said that anything like that will come out with Bar Keepers Friend.

I was a bit shocked too! We've also hired a church hall, so the costs really mount up. I've now ditched the idea of entertainment and am faced with the prospect of entertaining 30 six year olds myself!

Just wanted to add a link to these brilliant classes (in case people missed it in the What's On section), especially if you have a 3-4 year old not in nursery every day. My son loves it! http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?6,1407289

I have one a bit like this from the snowboarding brand Holden. I have worn it for six winters and it is so perfect! Waterproof, warm but not too hot....love it! http://www.peterglenn.com/product/holden-field-insulated-snowboard-jacket-mens

There are new classes at Fairlawn School. I think the website is www.foresthillgym.co.uk.

I have just listed a Coorie Fleece pouch sling that I found good for hip carries. You still have to support them a bit at the back when you're bending over, etc. but I think that is the case for any of the ones like the hip seat, etc. It is also handy because it is flat and folds up really small so you can keep in your bag, under the buggy, etc. It is here: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,1395643

We tried to go and there was no one there! We must have had the location wrong. I thought it was the sports fields sort of across from the pub in the village? Can you clarify time and location for this weekend? Thank you!

I would draw it out and ideally you'd have at least 1 m clear around all sides of the island, with potentially more like 1.2 m between the island and the other row of units if you want to have 2 cooks working at the same time (i.e. someone at the island and someone at the other row of units). Not sure if that makes sense! It can be so useful to mark out the space with chalk or tape, even outside on the grass, as it will give you an idea of what you'll end up with.

We love Blossoms but I think most people with children there either don't work out of the home, have very flexible hours, or have full time nannies/au pairs as well. In our case we have a nanny for our younger child as well, so she is able to cover the hours at the end of the day.

It really depends on the shape of your room, I think. You want to make sure there is lots of clearance around it - you can read guidelines online for how much space you should retain for circulation around an island. Our room is more long and narrow than square so we've gone for more of a "peninsula" like the photo above, but still with double depth worktops. Can't tell you if I like it or not yet because the bl%^dy project is still underway (4 months over and counting.....grrrrrr).

It does sound like there could be some underlying issue (reflux, allergy, tongue tie), and all of the posts above should help you work through the potential options. Just to say that some of these behaviours - though yours sounds extreme! - can be signs of overtiredness/overstimulation. Which I'm sure you know and are trying 1001 ways to get him to sleep! Do you try to physically put him down once he falls asleep (i.e. in moses basket)? If so, you might have better luck keeping him asleep if you hold him the whole time. Two of mine were definitely velcro babies at this age. If I ever tried to put them down they would wake straight away, if I continued to hold them they would often sleep 2-3 hours until the next feed, day and night. In the day I would wear them in a sling constantly and at night I basically slept with them on my chest, with my elbows propped up. Please note you need to do your own research about safe co-sleeping and make your own judgement about what feels safe for you! A dummy might also help. My approach at this age is to try to get them to have a decent feed - keep them awake, tickle, undress, etc. until they've been actively drinking for a good while, 30 mins or so. Then instantly swaddle, rock, sling, dummy, etc. and try to keep asleep any way any how until 3 hours after the last feed started. Then wake if still asleep and feed again. Day and night. Two of my three were great on this programme and one was not playing ball quite as much and behaved more like you describe above. But we got into a rhythm even with him at around 5 weeks where he was more settled/sleeping between feeds. All bets were off between 5 pm and 11 pm for all of them though until about 10 weeks old. I also had good success cutting dairy out of my diet while breastfeeding. Good luck. You couldn't pay me any money to go back to the newborn stage, especially with our first when we had no idea what the heck was going on!

It sounds like you know what you want. If no one would ever find out what kind of birth you had would it make you feel even more strongly in favour of an ELCS? If so, then you should make the choice only for you. I've had 2 great VBAC experiences but that was very much what I wanted and the choice that made me feel least anxious in the run up to the birth. You can only go with your gut instinct. Sorry you've had such a rough time and I hope this time brings you much calmness and newborn cuddles!

My 8 month old has been a disaster for a couple of weeks! Sleep has gone downhill since 6 months but some really bad nights over the last couple of weeks. No advice but I hope it is just a tough stage that will pass!

Thanks! It looks like there is only the Friday Bellenden class at Creation Station next week, which is a bit tricky to get to for us. But thanks anyway!

Looking to book some activities for next week for my 5.5 year old son and/or 3.5 year old son too. So far they don't seem keen on the multi-sports offerings available! Does anyone know of any art or music focused activities or holiday camps running next week?