akc74

Wow Molly thanks for the tips - and sorry you ended up doing the googling for me, but there are some good options there, so thank you very much! A

Can someone just spell out to me what makes a grobag a travel grobag?! I have a grobag that I inherited that has a velcro slit at the bag, but that looks like it's for nappy checking so I assume there's another with various holes in for seatbelts?! Does anyone know of other makes than the grobag ones? For some reason I really struggle getting my big baby in and out of the grobag, with its central zip, whereas my Jojo ones with zip down the side, and poppers at the shoulder, are much easier. Also he is only 12 weeks but almost touching the end of his 0-6months Jojo one when he stretches out - I assume there's no issue with getting a 6-18month one, as long as I am sure he can't slip down into it? Thanks

I didn't get one because I hate the look of them - bought a second hand armchair instead. I have a big baby, now nearly 12 weeks and my back is not great, so I can't help thinking I made a bit of a mistake there!

Well I thought we'd cracked it but this is with the seat facing away from me and I'm sure I've seen them the other way round - but it didn't look like I could just swap the adaptors around. It will do for today! I agree on the releaing - my back is not great right now and I find using all this stuff pretty uncomfortable!

Thank you so much, that's extremely kind and I may take you up on it - I was hoping to use it tomorrow but we haven't sussed it out so may have to revert to the pram for now, and I'll learn at a later date - I'll get back in touch if I don't work it out.

I am not sure if it'll work well trying to explain this without a visual demo, but any tips welcome! We've got a second hand cameleon and have only ever used it in pram mode. We now want to fit our maxi cosi carseat on it, and I have two attachments with a pic of a carseat on them, but can't quite work out how it all slots together. We didn't get an instruction book and I currently can't work the DVD we got. I am being really slow so I thought I'd see if someone can point me in the right direction before I break it! I know it'll be hard to explain so thank you in advance to anyone willing to give it a go! Thanks.

Thank you all for the tips and feedback. Bamboozles get a couple of votes there - I think I have a couple of Bambinex already to try, not sure if they are similar. Also bought some bimbles (?) but these are already too small I think, as he's a big (long) baby. I did use the Nappy Lady - went to a helpful session with Molly, then bought a few online using my voucher. Interested to know if for the ones you are recommending, you use liners that are flushable so most of the poo gets flushed away?! Perhaps they don't all work like that. I await the slow down in poo frequency. Thanks for the offer bumpy, I think I'll hold fire for a little longer and then I'll start trying things out...

I bought some reusable nappies while I was pregnant - a couple of different kinds to try out with a view to stocking up once I'd sussed out what was best. I was always adamant that we would use them - although I knew I probably wouldn't start straight away. Our baby is now 7 weeks old and I cannot really get my head around it and haven't even tried out my purchases. Frankly, he is breast fed and he poos SO much I just think it's totally impractical. As soon as we take off a nappy he usually starts pooing more - nothing like a bit of fresh air to bring on the urge it seems. So sometimes a new nappy is dirty before he's even had it on properly! Is this normal at 7/8 weeks? Will he start to poo less soon? We are using biodegradable disposables but it's still scary watching the bin fill up with them. Interested to hear other people's experiences in the hope that the desire to use the cloth ones will return!

I think notonthehighstreet.com has some nice present ideas - they do quite an extensive range of things that can be personalised.

I lived in Barcelona (about, ahem, 15 years ago) as a student. So my knowledge is pretty out of date, but I will always adore the city after such an amazing year there. I agree with pk that Barceloneta/El Born are very nice central areas with a big park nearby. However they are still very central, and near the barrio gotico where I lived, which was great as a student, but quite rough around the edges! I would have thought there are pockets of the Eixample, the sprawling grid area that is just the other side of the Plaza Cataluna (from the old quarter/Ramblas) that are nice to live. All flats though, probably not a lot of green space. I also like the area of Gracia which is (used to be?) quite arty, with good cinemas etc, and it's near the famous Parc Guell - so you have some quality outside space on your doorstep. Quite steep round there with a buggy though! Sitges definitely a good option if you'd rather be a step away from the city - I think it only takes 20mins on the train to Plaza Cataluna. Good luck!

I also just want to put a good word in for SE15 - perhaps not all of it, but certainly the Bellenden bit. We were looking in SE22 at first but ended up moving to SE15 (nr Bellenden Rd) at the end of last year and are about to have our first baby. I am so happy with our decision - I have loved every minute of living here, and am still enjoying getting to know it -I am really happy to be starting a family here. We lived in SW London before (Tooting Bec/Balham) and I find it so much more friendly and villagey here. Last night we sat in the newly refurbed Victoria Inn on Bellenden Road and just felt so lucky to be in such a fab area. I think primary schools and space may become an issue for us in a few years time, but for now it's perfect. There are so many nice parks, cafes, restaurants and shops all within walking distance. Good luck.

I stopped last week at 36 weeks (using up 2 weeks holiday, so mat leave officially starts at 38 weeks). So far I'm delighted to have this time off. Obviously I don't know when he/she is going join the party, but for now, I feel like I have lots to sort out. All the jobs on my list are balanced out by lunch dates with friends, so it's not all hard work! If I am totally sorted by 38 weeks, then I'll try to relax and read etc as I'm not really relaxing much just yet - too busy buying stuff online and sorting out the nursery still! Good luck - enjoy it, whatever you decide to do. A

I am browsing nursery mattresses on John Lewis - and my husband is suggesting we go for an organic mattress for the cot bed - as it only costs slightly more than the next one down, which is pocket sprung. However, much as I appreciate it's made from lots of natural fibres (coconut fibre, natural latex, wool, apparently) I can't help thinking that a good old metal spring or two, is going to give more support, which should be the over-riding factor, given it's going to be slept on for a few years - and eventually jumped up and down on - by a toddler. Not that I'm trying to lead the witness. Views?!

Yes quite right - my pregnancy brain is making me sound a little dippy and confused. I am thinking moses basket in with us for however many weeks it turns out to be - then cotbed in the nursery. And we'll cross the next bridge if and when no. 2 arrives. So now I just have to decide which cotbed to go with. Most of the John Lewis ones don't seem to have drop sides, which I imagine to be quite useful - so may go for one that does both (e.g. the Elizabeth). They seem to either have fixed sides and 3 base positions - or 2 positions and a drop side. So many decisions....!

I had been planning on going for a John Lewis cot - I wsa thinking that if I get a cotbed and then am lucky enough to have number 2 soonish afterwards - I'd end up needing another cot anyway as no.1 would still be in the cotbed? Does that make sense? But it does sound like cotbeds are getting the vote here - so I may need to rethink. Like Pickle, maybe I will just need 2 cotbeds. I think the issue might be fitting a cotbed beside our bed if we end up wanting to keep the baby next to us for a few weeks but I'll get measuring!

Thank you all so much for all the info. I am really glad a couple of you have warned us of the negative elements of the tour - hopefully knowing that in advance, but that you can still have a positive experience in the end (thanks Bumpkin!), will really help. I think I'd still like to go in that I think I'll be calmer in labour if I know a little bit about where I am going and what to expect (famous last words!)

Thanks - I have GP midwife care so can't easily ring her in between appointments and am not due to see her again for a few weeks, so would still appreciate any other info if anyone else has recently done one!

Does anyone know when they are? There doens't seem to be much info on this on their website? I am hoping there is an evening one... Thanks.

Thank you Ann, I have found it all has gone well so far, so I am happy to stick with it. As you say, I think there will be no shortage of support - the area seems to be teeming with expectant Mums! - and my NCT classes start reasonably soon, so it will be nice to meet some people who are at exactly the same stage as me.

Is there truth in the rumour that there is so much demand in the area for nursery places, that I should be putting our name down now (26 weeks preg with first) if I think I am likely to go back to work when my baby is 9 or 12 months old? I know there are other options to consider too of the nanny/childminder variety. Any tips, and nursery recommendations very welcome. (We are Bellenden way)

I am 26 weeks pregnant now and moved to the area just before Christmas. I registered at the Gardens (on the recommendation of the people we bought the house from). I had my booking appointment at Kings, then I saw Stella once, but the last 2 appointments have been covered by someeone else (very pleasant!) who I think has just been covering Stella. I then heard from a friend of how amazing she had found the midwife care from the community ones based at DMC (not sure which group they are called). So even though I have had no complaints so far, I suddenly thought that I might wish I had the care of one of these much-talked about teams. Esp once the birth gets nearer and postnatally, especially if there are any dramas. So I called the DMC to enquire, only to be told that there is a waiting list of 15 people who are also due in June like me. So I've decided to stick with the current arrangement. I don't think I mind too much that I don't quite know who I'm going to see, and certainly won't know the ones there on the big day at Kings - but as long as the care is good, and someone comes to check up on me afterwards, I think I am OK with that...