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.

I introduced solids, very slowly at 18 weeks....LO loved it all and is lovely 1 year old with a healthy appetite and IS FINE!! Go with your instincts, and just do it slowly and watch carefully for reactions.

I've found another one that is a serious hit...Glamorgan Sausages. Basically mashed potato, cheese and leeks in the shape of a sausage. Team up with other veg or a meatball or two. DS is currently devouring!

Cheap, selfish people who have never extended generosity to a living creature, and never will...they bug me.

Till now, I've always kept portion sizes of homemade bolognese sauce or cheese sauce (in which I hide loads of veg) and just boil up some pasta shapes when needed. The only true 'ready-made' things he's been eating are fish fingers and chips (same as you Saffron, the oven type). I also keep a bag of frozen broccoli and cauliflower to steam or boil short notice...still I need more short notice meals! Found a lot of the items you've all mentioned at the supermarket. The organic meatballs were a big hit so far...I also got some fresh tortellini, found the risotto balls, a few other things. I will try them all one by one and see what goes down well and what doesn't. Really hope he starts eating beans soon...they're such a fantastic source of nutrients.

Yes! This is what I'm talking about! Food that takes no time at all to prepare but still does not fall into the 'junk' category. Thank you all! Off to the supermarket.

Gnocchi! Excellent idea. Already do omellettes, he'll eat egg mayo and tuna mayo sandwiches...I'm basically trying to reduce the amount of my 'free time' that I spend preparing, cooking, and cleaning up after meals - whether for the baby or for ourselves. He'll eat a lot of what we eat ourselves, but he's still a little way off from eating a red curry...

Ah! Thanks everyone for the suggestions....mini quiches sound like a very good idea. Also curious where you get frozen mini arancini Beany? Little one not into beans...or peas....such a disappointment!! sbain....franklins fishcakes, you mean from the shop on lordship lane? Forgive me if this is obvious, but you could be talking about a famous brand I have never heard of! I think I'm gonna make a trip to the supermarket and see what I can find...straight after lunch, which I have no idea what it will be...

I have to date been very good with making meals and storing them, but as time goes on and DS becomes more and more of a handful (just over a year old at the moment), I am finding myself looking for quick relatively healthy alternatives. DS feeds himself quite well (not with a spoon) and can eat quite mushy food with his fingers surprisingly well. What I'm looking for are finger foods that I can keep in the freezer and heat in microwave/grill/oven. Basically, the convenience of chicken nuggets, without the chicken nuggets... Any suggestions?

nikki, try My Favourite Nursery on Upland Road. They might have openings. Coming from Peckham Rye station, the No. 12 bus will drop you off on it's doorstep. Alternatively, if you were able to get a place at gumboots and were planning on walking, this would b even closer. Near the junciton of Barry Road and Upland Road. I don't have number handy, but if you google it, should come up.

I think afternoon sessions are a great idea! I was the 'one' who turned up on Thursday, and can't blame people for probably going to the park instead, it was a beautiful day. Hopefully you will be able to carry on with them. I only just discoved your group!