Sonja

You need to complain about the Explorer sunhood - either to P&T or the place you bought it from or both. It's a design flaw that P&T are aware of - they're redesigning the hood and if you contact them they'll send you a new one when they're ready. Although I've been waiting a while now. It is very annoying. You can get a Sport doubles seat, it fits on the Explorer too, which does recline - (although they don't recline that much in any case). You can get them pretty cheaply on ebay. Otherwise what I did with my (very big) second baby was just put her in the bottom lie flat bit with a blanket in it, instead of the cocoon, which extends it's life by a month or two. Especially in the summer. Or put your car seat on the front and have them in that? (if you have a maxi cosi and get the adapters?). I am a bit of a P&T addict - sold mine and then a couple of months later my older one decided she didn't want to walk at all, so bought a new explorer. Have never found anything better. Had high hopes for the Mountain Buggy inline two -seater, but having investigated it, have decided it looks rubbish.

Another vote for Rosie Bray who took some of our two and a few with us all together that we were just so thrilled with. Very natural. Lovely. She actually has a new website, as well as her blog, which has more examples of her work on it, here: Rosie Bray's website

At most airports if you're travelling alone with a child or children they just let you push the buggy through the security thing, rather than folding it up and putting it on the belt scanner - IF it will fit (which a single fold up Maclaren type buggy will, but the Vibe or a side by side double probably won't). Take your time, take as little as possible that you have to take off / hold / and ask for help as Helen said, and don't be intimidated by the fact that there are people waiting behind you - they can wait. Perhaps they had young children once...? And don't fly easyjet, unless there's no option.

My first took the bottle fine, and then we had a two week break for one reason or another, and just when I had to go back to work like yours she refused. I'm afraid, i found with her that she would go through one feed without taking it, but never two! And after a couple of days of that pattern without me there and with our nanny feeding her she just went along with it. Sounds a bit mean, but she didn't starve!

I got a lovely one from ikea too which folds up flat and goes in a cupboard. I think it's this one: Ikea highchair. My daughter still fits in it at 2.

I don't have a POV I'm afraid, but if you do get one and want to sell your Ergo, I'd love to buy it!

Something Alieh said but I want to reinforce - open his window when he starts and give him a blast of air. My friends mother told me this, and for us it worked every time. Again don't know if it's a distraction, the fresh air, or actually that car seats make them really hot and sweaty (down their backs, if not down the front, but for some reason it was always like turning a switch off on the crying.

I was totally against giving Calpol and stuff, for lots of good reasons, and completely understand anyone being the same. But now she can tell me how much it hurts, I wish I hadn't been so principled and given the poor little thing more relief. I do think nelson's helped, though - although I do wonder whether may just have been the 'grittiness' that was soothing.

'Hot & sweaty', that brings back memories - no-one had told me I might get night sweats, so that was a complete surprise. Lasted for quite some time with me, and was totally unpleasant, I used to wake up with my nightie wringing wet, yuk. My only solution was to have a change of clothes ready, and to fold a sheet and sleep on that for the first part of the night, so I could whip it off, change clothes and be a bit more comfortable for the second part of the night. And the temperature didn't seem to make a difference - naked and with the window open in november? Still dripping. Lovely. And Moos post has reminded me about another good post-birth stand by - Bach Rescue Remedy. My friend used it when she had those horrible panic attacks you describe. I used it for the couple of weeks post birth when the slightest thing, be it someone saying how lovely your baby was, to hearing a Take That song on the radio, could have me dissolving immediately into floods of tears. I'm not sure whether it was the unique blend of flower essences, or actually the fact that they're carried in brandy that helped, but a few drops on the tongue always seemed to sort me out. I still use it when the toddler is just getting right on my nerves. Sorry if someone has already mentioned it....

For stitches, as an alternative to weeing in the bath (which I will try next time) - get a small jug and fill it with warm (not hot) water, then start pouring it between your legs and over your bits just before you start to wee - waters everything down and makes it much less stingy. And the ideal jug? The funny little plastic one that comes with your iron. And in the first couple of days - those disposable change mats are useful for putting on the floor when you get changed or out of the bath. And if you're still pregnant - tell all those people who want to tell you IN DETAIL about their / their wives / their sisters gory 48 hour labour story to F**K off. Why do they think it's helpful? It isn't. I don't think there can be many people who expect it to be a walk in the park, but equally it isn't always that long or that hideous. My labour was quick (not fun, but quick). So were lots of my friends, but you never hear about those. Oh, and don't buy too much stuff. All you really need for a newborn if you're planning to breastfeed is a few vests and babygros, a blanket of some kind, some cotton wool balls, and some kind of nappies. (and OK, somewhere to sleep, but didn't our parents generation all tell us that we slept in drawers?) Everything else is extra. Don't be fooled by shopping lists and helpful people in baby departments into thinking that you need to buy everything that they'll require before their second birthday. You will still be able to go out to the shops once you have a baby, and probably sooner than you think. And you'll know what you need when you need it. And it's probably sold somewhere in East Dulwich anyway.

As someone about to get rid of a modern two-seater convertible in favour of a baby mobile, I feel quite teary when reading some of these posts. I completely sympathise with the 'quite uncomfortable' look that some people have, but it completely depends on the type of car, not the convertible-ness of it. When I used to have a Nissan Figaro, which was a semi open-top, I never feared the kebab issue, and could never see 'twat' in people's expressions when I drop by, just a gentle smile. In the BMW we've just had, however, I do feel slightly shame faced, but only in London. Here's my favourite convertible moments (they make it worth it for me): Driving down to the south coast in the summer, away from a grey day in London, and getting stuck behind a tractor on a single-lane road just as we hit the new forest. At which point the sun broke through from behind the clouds, we put the roof down, you could smell the trees, feel the early summer sun on your face, and suddenly all was right with the world.... Being a passenger when driving around London (preferably on a Sunday morning, preferably a nice day) - putting your head back and look up rather than ahead of you as you drive around with the roof down. Crossing Tower Bridge is a particular favourite, but there's loads of bits of London that take on a whole new light at that angle. I'd recommend you try it just once.