beec

I started giving my son the foam letters in the bath - I did about 5 or 6 at a time and when he secured those, I gave him a few more. Initially I would just tell him what the letters were and then after a while, I would test him on it and then give it to him when he got it right (or correct him and then give it to him). I know it sounds really Tiger Mum like, but it worked. At the age of 22 months he recognised about 15 upper case letters and now he is 32 months, he recognises 22 upper case letters and about 10 lower case letters. I only ""play" this game once a week or so but he seems to really get pleasure out of getting them right and "pleasing mummy"! I also point to the letters whilst singing the Alphabet Song. I think I will start doing it phonetically soon, although I hope I have not confused him by doing it this way!

Richard, couldn't tell if the new recording was recorded over the previous one? Some suggestions for songs.... I'm afraid my taste is somewhat old fashioned! Isn't she lovely - Stevie Wonder Thank you for the Music - ABBA When you say nothing at all - Ronan Keating

I'd also like to hear peoples views as a mother of a toddler who is interested in what the options are available in the area. Happy to receive views in forum or by pm. Thanks.

Any suggestions for an 8 month old girl? Did you receive something useful or memorable? Thanks!

Does anyone know what time they open on a Saturday??! Thanks!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Think she would appreciate some cash because she told me she was saving up for her summer holidays (which I am forcing her to take in July despite her protests that it was too expensive to travel!!). But agree that a small gift to show I had made the effort would be nice too. Little one is too young to make a card and I'm not brave enough to have him splash around in paint just yet - not when I have to clear up the mess myself :p

Any advice on what is the done thing here? Big pressie, small pressie or cold hard cash??! Many thanks!

Not recommending anywhere in particular, but a website - www.toptable.co.uk - you can see ratings on there from customers which are usually pretty accurate and some restaurants have fantastic offers too. Happy eating!!!

Tie on hats - excellent idea! We'll see how resourceful the little monkey is.... Thanks.

My little boy had terrible ezcema all over his head and face from 6 weeks old (but strangely did not affect his body much). He used to be a really irritable baby and used to scratch his head and rub his face on my clothes at every opportunity. I had to buy special ezcema pyjamas at 32 pounds a pop with built in mittens to stop him from scratching himself at night. We were given a couple of different types of emollient creams by the doctor plus hydrocortisone which we used EVERY DAY for 2 months to no avail.. Eventually, when he was 6 months old, we were referred to a skin specialist at the surgery (Elm Lodge Surgery on Burbage Road - Herne Hill end) who prescribed Diprobase for around his eyes and Doublebase for the bath and cream for his face and body. This cleared it up after 3 days and he became a totally different baby almost overnight (I can't believe we suffered for nearly 5 months with this). Of course different things works for different babies, but have you tried this??? The other cream they gave me a prescription for was Cetraben but we never ended up needing it because the Doublebase worked for us. They also told us that if the creams did not work, they would recommend the skin allergy test, but thats also because we have allergies that run through the family on both sides. If it were me, I would want to know for sure what the cause was, rather than trying to second guess all the time which would drive me insane with worry. Hope that helps abit...

Thanks for all the advice. Am off to do some shopping now!!

Any advice for keeping baby safe in the sun? My little one is 9 months old and has a tendency to get ezcema which is exacerbated by the hot weather. Since he was born last summer, I kept him mostly indoors for the initial few months of his life. After the warm days we have been getting lately, I have wondered whats the best way to keep little ones safe. Obviously a wide brimmed hat will help (if the monkey agrees to keep it on!) but is it safe to use children's sunscreen on babies too? Any advice gratefully received!

Thanks for your advice! The one about booking a row of 4 seats with the middle one free is particularly cunning!

Has anyone ever tried taking a carseat onto the airplane to seat an infant during the flight? We have a long haul flight coming up in the summer and have bought an extra seat for the baby (with the infant in car seat option). However, we need to buy a new car seat anyway, so would like to make sure that whatever carseat we buy can be used on the flight. We checked with our airline, but they just said as long as its forward facing, no more than a certain weight and fits into the passenger seat then its okay. In terms of brands, we spoke to a Britax specialist and the only one they have is one that relies on the ordinary seatbelt being threaded through some holes in the back of the carseat (so not sure how safe it really is) and does not recline very well so baby might be quite uncomfortable when he falls asleep. Any other ideas / tips out there??? Many thanks, Bee

Does anyone have any recommendations for bathtoys? Also, does anyone know where I can buy plastic rattles? I have a 7.5 month old. Thanks!