awilliams123

Hi, I didn't have a problem with a hernia, but I did use a maternity belt in the last weeks of pregnancy and found it a great help. It does help support the weight of the huge tummy, so I imagine that it would at least relieve you somewhat. Would be worth a try in my opinion. Congratulations by the way!

Slightly off topic, but we have done the experiment of heating always on vs heating on at certain times and we found that having the radiators on very low round the clock kept yhe house warm (19-20C) and did not increase our bills. Tis also was handy as LO was at crawling stage so there was no risk of him burning his little fingers. Te temp woukd dip down a bit at night anyway, but never too low.

Um...have moved to Toronto, Canada. Mainly because I'm from here and having family close-ish by is really important to me. I am REALLY missin ED though. Although all the reasons for moving back still stand (family, affordability, schools, lifestyle), our years in ED will remain a 'golden era' in my memory.

Re parking spaces, this also makes me livid. Countless attempts to park in one of those spots so that i could open the door far enougt to be able to get the baby out without bashing the car next to me or bashing my or my baby's head. I honestly think that supermarkets should move the parent and child spots a bit further away from the very front. This could keep inconsiderate ******** from taking up these spots. And as long as there was a trolley park reasonably close, i really wouldn't mind walking the extra few bloody metres.

Both look great....but just checked the weather forecast and it more rain today :(

Does anyone know of anyplace that is fairly close by that has animals for kids to look at/feed/touch and possibly pony rides etc?

People tailgating me because I'm driving at the speed limit, who then give me a dirty look whilst taking over, only to have to stop at a red light 200 metres later. I'm sorry, but I have yet to encounter stretches of road in South London where driving like a maniac will get you to your destination any faster than 10 seconds than if you were to driven patiently.

Razors Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Women applying make up on public transport. Get up > earlier, lazy cow. You don't see men shaving on > the bus/train do you?! Ditto...in my opinion, if you can leave your front door without having put make-up on, then what is the point of applying it on the train? They only want to look 'presentable' for the people they know.

Same here, lots of gagging in the early days. Soon it will stop and you will be worrying out food being shoved into ears and up nose (waiting for this to end now...)

I don't think bringing milk will be a problem. I'm doing this myself in 2 weeks (yikes), moving abroad, and have a 7 hour flight to get through with a 14 month old. I'm, however, going to bring his first bottle of milk onboard filled, and any others he has will be formula. DS has been off formula for over a month, but I figure 1 bottle isn't going to make any difference. I've done this before when I've been out all day, instead of looking for milk or worrying about milk that might be starting to go foul that I've brought, I just give him a carton of growing up milk. Seems not to phase him in the slightest. Something to consider if you're worried about milk on a flight. In any case, it will be WAY easier (milkwise) with an older child. I went away long haul when DS was 3 months old and had all kinds of kit with me on the flight. Some of it was unecessary, but you live and learn. I doubt he'll sleep through the flight this time though !!

Hi all, thanks for your replies. He had the jabs yesterday and cried so much, it was awful. It was an entirely new cry, but he calmed down quite quickly afterwards. I did give him calpol about an hour before the appointment, dunno how much or if it helped. He's pretty whiny today, but nothing more so fingers crossed he stays okay. The rash thing sounds horrid. Fingers crossed for that doesn't happen either!

Just wondering if anyone's kids have had any reactions to the MMR? DS is having his today and am a teeny tiny bit anxious. I've read a few articles stating that they're best given after 15 months, but nothing official. Anyway, just hoping someone can put my mind at ease.

Looking for someplace to go Brixton, Tulse Hill, Herne Hill this Sunday. Already tried to book with The Florence and they are fully booked! Anyone have any suggestions of places that have good food as well?

This is exactly the problem. During pregnancy, you're allowed plenty of time to attend to your antenatal needs, including classes that are good for both the body and soul. During maternity leave, the state and your employer support you by means of mat pay as well as the guarantee of having a job after a year. What is the point if it is actually (in some circumstances) impossible to go back to work? The hardest bit about the whole having kids things is not pregnacy, it's afterwards when all the really hard work begins. Having time to spend with and look after your child/children, and of course to look after your household is not a luxury that women want to make their employers 'pay' for. It's a necessity. And in an age where it's becoming more and more difficult to make do with one salary in a home, there needs to be stronger legislation to work with women coming off maternity leave.

This happened with me, and I had to resign. Talking to people about it, many say I should have consulted a legal about it because although they gave me a 2 page letter full of reasons why I needed to be in the office 5 days a week, there were many other women in the office who were on a reduced work week because they had children. In my case, I had originally asked for 3 days a week, to which they said no and offered me 2 half days and 3 full days or 5 days from 9:30 to 4:30. Neither of these options worked for me 1) because the cost of childcare for half day is not far off the cost of a full day, 2) it still meant I would be doing nursery drop/commute/nursery pickup every day of the week but on the half days I would get an extra 3 hours with my child? Pointless. 3)Can't afford full-time nursery 4) don't want child going to nursery 5 days a week, just feels like he's being dumped all week. I went back and said I would agree to a 4 day week (reluctantly, but like you, wanted to keep career going) and they refused, reverting back to the 2 original options they gave me. For a little perspective, I worked in architectural practice, my postion there was not one of terrible importance ie I was not managing a team or anything. To this day I think they had no intention of accomodating me, but because they have to give me a job coming off maternity leave, I was offered something a couldn't/wouldn't take. I think the law is only good paper on this matter, maybe not even that.