bli

I bought a little version of an etch a sketch in ELC in Mothercare Peckham. Bought it esp for a flight to NZ and it's still a big hit with my 18 month old, even though he won't use the larger version his sister has! Was earlier this year but ELC still do them so possibly in stock.

Again, this is a really useful route. I would use it far more than I currently do, but as someone who has to take a buggy I find it unreliable as I often can not get on as the buggy space is full. Suspect this is because, as others have said, there are so few 37s.

I flew to and from NZ at 29 and 33 weeks and it was fine - on nearly all the flights the cabin crew were lovely, gave me extra huge bottles of water at take off and moved me so I had spare seats (yes 4 of them - I must have looked huge!). I had to fax in a 'fit to fly' letter a few days before flying, and had it with me, but noone asked to see it again. I also checked my insurance covered maternity etc and took my midwife notes with me. Oh and I wore delightful support stockings (recommended for long haul when pregnant - not sure about short flights?) I was a bit uncomfortable, and tired but just saw it as part and parcel of pregnancy or long haul travel anyway. Briliant idea to get away for a bit before baby comes... Enjoy.

Elaine Gregory at Dulwich Therapy rooms (above Health Matters) on Lordship Lane. I used to go to her myself, but have also heard from friends that she is great for children, and she trained with the children's osteopathy centre where I used to take my baby.

Hi We're hoping to come along this afternoon, but as I'm taking baby bli to the new baby cinema screeing at Peckham during his usual nap time it may all go completely haywire after that! But if we don't make it, would love to do it next time.

Our postie turned up in Dog Kennel Hill on Sunday - said they'd been stopped from delivering in the snow but were now working longer hours to clear the backlog, especially given the anticipated Christmas mail.

Countjic As I mentioned on the other thread, I've had three children, all with tongue tie. I was very worried about it when planning number two, but as a result I researched it, got a diagnosis within five minutes of his birth and was better prepared to deal with the difficulties while waiting for the snip. His tongue was sorted at 3 weeks, though this did involve a lot of jumping up and down and crying in order to get a quick referral. Baby three was similar, and again required a massive amount of effort from myself and midwives to get through the restrictive appointment system... but it happened and was far less traumatic and sooner than with my first baby. I have to say if I was doing it again (which I'm not!) I would have the number of a private lactation consultant who will snip at home - have heard of them but don't have a name. Even just as a backup if can't get in within good time to Mr Patel's clinic - it really did seem to make a huge difference to feeding the earlier the tongue tie was sorted. But yes, I would say I was a sort of success story with tongue-tie in subsequent children even though yes they've all had it...? On a less positive note though, it wasn't the tongue tie that did me in last time, it was having breast thrush at the same time. It finally cleared up after about 10 weeks of fluconozale for both me and baby, daktarin regime etc plus the strict and depressing anti-candida diet for 9 weeks. Unfortunately there's no way I'd go through that again for so long - so would be easier on myself in terms of insisting on breastfeeding no matter what. And I'd dose up on acidophilus pre-birth! Knomester - am sure this thread will be very useful to others, well done getting it all down and for dealing so well with it all.

Wow, this all sounds so familiar. Well done all for persevering and coming out the other side and good luck (and congratulations) Moos. My three children have all been tongue tied, and all been snipped at between 2 and 8 weeks. It's all been said so I won't ramble on, except to say tongue tie pretty much ruined my first months as a new mum. But hey, we made it and successfully breastfed til she was one. One thing wanted to add though - my last baby was snipped by Mr Patel at Kings but the tongue tie grew back within a week. Only after that was I told by Mr Patel that I should have been massaging it (never told that with previous two children though). It was snipped again, and yes I massaged it but it grew back again - was told this was because the tissue was in healing mode having healed once before so little chance of success. Having decided not to do it again under a general, we have continued to feed with some difficulty. So I'd suggest anyone having it done should ask about how to massage it to prevent it healing/reforming over. I was also told that midwives at Kings are supposed to check all babies for tongue tie now - part of their latest standards of care - though in reality I diagnosed it and had to fight to get it sorted, so not sure that has been taken on board. Also, two paediatricians at Kings agreed my babies were tongue tied but refused to refer to anyone as they didn't believe tongue tie causes feeding problems. Hmm, maybe they should read this thread....

Do you know what age range it's for - I have a just 4 year old who really misses the Camberwell gym, but who might trample on too tiny ones!

Hi. Just to say don't worry too much. The Villa are very good at the settling in process - it's very child-led, i.e. as little or as much as the child needs and massive amounts of individual attention in those early days from the key worker. I've been through it twice (my son is now upstairs in the older class so though happy to meet up this may not be much use for you)- first time took 1 hour! next time 2 weeks.... Happy to answer any queries, but am sure it will all work out, and it's a lovely place.

Open 10-7pm Tues to Thurs and 10-6pm Friday and Sat It's a gorgeous shop with a fab range of colours. Also, having just painted my stairs with the paint, it is lovely to use, washes up easily and no fumes - almost made painting a pleasure! And of course (the main reason I used it) felt a lot safer to use around my newish baby. I'm not connected to the shop at all - just satisfied and hope it does well and therefore sticks around.

Hmmm, not sure my balance is up to that! We'll only be using dedicated cycle paths, so there shouldn't be cars to worry about. So I'm ok with baby in a trailer behind, if he will be allowed at that age - but am now guessing that the seats won't support him enough and his head will probably wobble all over - especially if the paths are bumpy. Sigh, might be time for a rethink.

Hi Can anyone advise? We are currently booking our summer holiday in France with the idea that we will hire bikes for ourselves and children, including then 5 month old. Not being huge cyclists we are a bit naive - and suddenly wondered whether the baby can actually go the baby chariot/trailer we assumed would work - or do babes need to be able to sit up/be older etc. Have googled it, and found references to babies being in carseats in a trailer behind bikes, but then there may not be room for the 3 year old, and also as we're going by train it would be difficult to take a car seat. Anyone hired bikes in France with babies? Is this an impossible dream?

Thanks everyone, there are some lovely ideas there. I do think food is a fab present at this time, but as she doesn't live in London it seems a bit tricky. But love the idea of the mittens (thanks Molly) and babyrug so will see what can come up with. More ideas still welcome though - I've just had another baby myself and hearing about all these new products is making me want to go shopping!

Advice please... Would like to send a friend a present as she's just had her fourth (yes fourth) baby. She has always given me great baby presents e.g. a basket of muffins and cake (brilliant in those first days for me and visitors), casting kit etc - so would really like to find something useful or a bit unusual, and as she already has all the baby gear I'm a bit stuck - any ideas? What were you given that you really liked or enjoyed? Thanks

Oh that's rubbish luck. Apparently its not uncommon to get thrush with tongue tied babies - supposedly the damage done to the nipples makes you susceptible tho I guess it must have to be in your system in first place. We've been fighting it (and tongue tie) for the last 7 weeks so have a fair amount of info - have PM'd you.

Hi Wondered if anyone knew of or could recommend a local yoga class that I can take my 9 week old to (though the yoga's for me obviously) on a Tuesday or Wednesday? I've found some locally on the other days, but that's when I have a rather energetic 3 year old I'd rather avoid taking - any ideas? Thanks

So pleased you've found out the reason and will get it sorted. Can I offer some extra advice as the mum of three tongue-tied children - definitely feed frequently after the procedure as they will advise you at the clinic, but also massage under the tongue a few times a day from two days after it's done (not immediately though). My latest baby has had the procedure done twice but each time it has healed back! From what we can tell, though he fed frequently, he still didn't move his tongue enough to stop it healing (as Picle said it can take soem time for them relearn). The only option open to us now is under a general anaesthetic which is obviously something we'd all like to avoid. Cranial ospteopathy is really helping us though - so great you're doing that as well. Good luck, fingers crossed you get into the next clinic and it's all sorted soon

I have a bouncy chair you can have if you want another - is a little tatty but still works/safe (otherwise is being colected by council tomorrow so let me know). Am just up hill from Dog Kennel Hill Sainsbury's so wondered if it could be collected at same time as Mascarpone's? Might be able to dig out a few toys too.

Hi Success!? I know Rachel, Darcy's mum (Darcy would be about 5 or 6 months old?)- PM me with your details and I'll be happy to pass them on to her

Just to echo others - if your pain doesn't get better soon please do see a breastfeeding counsellor. I was told constantly that my baby's latch was perfect, yet suffered simlar nipple pain (Lansinoh worked better for me than expressed breast milk which just seemed to dry them out more). Found out after six weeks of struggling that my baby was tongue tied - the cause of the problems. This was despite lots of input from midwives and counsellors, so worth seeing someone who specialises in feeding if the problem persists... Good luck, it will get easier

Not too difficult by tube, having just done it with two children... train to Victoria (from Denmark Hill), district line to Hammersmith where change platforms to the one right beside (i.e. no steps or walking) then Pic line all the way to Heathrow. Think took about 1.5 hours door to door, but at least you know you won't get stuck in traffic... Good luck.

Like Bromar Road, those using Grove Hill Road and Malfort Rd as an alternative to Dog Kennel Hill are sliding all over the place or giving up and abandoning their cars...

I've been really keen to have the swine flu vaccination being pregnant and asthmatic - I had my seasonal flu vaccination several weeks ago (I have always had it when pregnant without problem- I think the advice is not to have it within first three months). I've been chasing my surgery weekly for updates on when the swine flu vaccination is available and had been firmly told they would contact me and not to phone- having read this thread I have just phoned again to be told they've had it in for over a week and not sure why I wasn't contacted. Am off there now! So thanks all for the info ..

Just wondered if anyone could recommend somewhere to stay in Paris for a weekend, with partner and two small children...? Prices seem to have rocketed since last there so really looking for a budget option...help?