EmmaDoran

My friend used Sofie Jacobs as a private doula and thought she was excellent. I'm happy to get her to speak to you if you like - PM me if you want further info.

Another vote for DMC on Crystal Palace Road (nice doctors and great midwives as well, if that may be a consideration). I'd also agree to give Melbourne Grove a big miss - they are truly dire and have the rudest reception staff I've ever come across in any profession!

Hi - we tried a cranial osteopath on the advice of our breastfeeding counsellor as our son was arching his back and was also being sick a lot (turned out to be gastro reflux). We went a couple of times and it involved ...well, not much (just from watching it). It was quite expensive and we didn't see any changes in our son (although we only went 3 times so maybe that was down to us not giving it enough of a chance). I know some people swear by it though and have heard stories of children changing dramatically - just didn't work for us :-S

Another vote for Joanna's - for a special occasion you can see if you can get their private booth. Montpelier on Choumert Road (so another non-ED recommendation, sorry) does some nice food. (Edited for bad spelling!)

Hi sillywoman Yes - they still do get the red book (I checked through the 'screening and routine reviews' section prior to posting). My book goes from '6-8 week review' straight to '1 year review'. The only mention of the 8 month review (in my son's red book) is a brief comment saying that there is an assessment at 8 months (but I missed this when I first flicked through as I went straight to the reviews section) and there's no info on what it entails or looks at.

Hi All Thank you so much for your responses! I've had a look on the BookStart website and it looks like the scheme is still running...will remind the HV that we need our books! Hope my son isn't asked to say anything - he spent an entire day saying 'dadadadada' and hasn't bothered since. When I say it to him he smiles witheringly as if to say 'I am so over that mum'...:)

I am going through this too. When I'd just had my son I thought I looked Ok but now, 8 months on I feel like a blob! I have just re-joined WeightWatchers but am doing it online as I just don't have the time or energy for meetings at the moment (I did it this way a while ago and lost 20lbs so I know it does work for me). Have also been doing post-natal pilates to try and tone up a bit and am starting to see a bit of a difference. Good luck with your weightloss - at least it seems like there's quite a few of us going through the same thing :-S

I've got son's 8 month check in a few weeks - only found out he had to have one by chance as HV/GP have never mentioned it. I was probably told about it in hospital but wasn't really taking things in after 36 hours of labour :)) I've been trying to find out what the check is actually looking for and what it entails...the HV was v. vague when I asked, and having done a bit of research on the net it seems to range from quite in-depth to not much more than his monthly weigh-in. Has anyone had any experience of the check and could enlighten me on what to expect?

We've been doing BLW for a month now and I bought both the book and the cookbook. Wouldn't really bother with either - just read the website, it tells you everything that you need to know plus there are recipes if you want them. http://www.baby-led.com/ http://www.babyledweaning.com/

I'd definitely be up for this.

Hi Strawbs Yes - you can definitely put your baby down before they are born. When we realised how long the waiting lists can be in this area, we visited five or six and put our son's name down at our favourite ones when I was only 4 months pregnant. He is now 7 months old and we have (luckily) been offered a few places, including our top pick where he will be starting in August. Good luck with the search - my best advice would be to go with your gut instinct and make sure you get onto a few lists and stay in touch with them.

Going to a wedding in July with husband and 8 month old son. Any recommendations for places to stay gratefully received...

Thanks sagat - will do. Think I'll give the regular milk feed and then offer some food a little bit later so that he's interested but not hungry.

Thanks Fuscia - all very helpful. I think I will alternate milk and food (rather than combine as one big meal) as you suggest. He doesn't associate milk with naps so don't really have to work around that. It's all very new and confusing at the moment but (hopefully) we'll get into the swing of things..:) He seems happy enough so I probably just need to relax a bit.

Bottle.

Currently doing baby led weaning with my 6 month old but am a bit confused as to when to offer food - is it before usual milk feeds, after, or at other times to when he has his usual milk feed? He happily has his milk feed followed by porridge and banana for breakfast, but when I offer veg or fruit for lunch after his milk he doesn't seem too interested...I'm keen to know what others are doing and what has worked!

YSL Touche Eclat, or MAC do a really good concealer which lasts for ages.

I would really recommend an NCT 'Early Days' course. I didn't know any other mums in the area when I had my son 6 months ago, but I went on one of these courses and met a really nice group of other mums who I am still in touch with. It's also been handy as when one of us has tried an activity or class we've told the others so I've probably found out about, and tried things, I wouldn't have done otherwise. I'm not connected to the NCT btw - didn't do any of their ante-natal courses etc! Music for Little People is a nice session (the younger babies all seem quite mesmerised by the singing and the noise of the instruments!), possibly for when your little one is a few months older though. My son also liked baby yoga classes and seems to find watching my mums pilates group quite interesting!

Yep - that is a very nifty little shortcut! Was quite a nice walk too - felt like being in the country :)

Thanks to you both - tried out both routes today and now reassured can get to nursery in 10 mins from station, so can go back to work feeling a little bit happier!

Does anyone know what the shortest route to Mother Goose Nursery, Green Dale is from East Dulwich station? We've been trying to work out the quickest route but Google maps seems to think it's located on Camberwell Grove for some reason...

Another vote for Jelly Belly - I'm doing a 10 week course with them at the moment and it's fab.

Thanks everyone! All very helpful! xxx

Hi - Just about to start weaning my son and am wondering what I need to buy. I've bought a blender/mixer thing but apart from that there seem to be about 20 different bottles and cups which claim to 'aid the transition' plus myriad plates, bowls, spoons, 'magic mats'(?), floor protectors, ice-cube tray things for tiny portions of food etc. And then there is the issue of which highchair... Any advice/tips welcome. Thanks!

Another Erin O'Connor siting: last week in Cafe Nero. I didn't realise it was her until I was sitting next to her and was picking double chocolate fudge cake off my top as she delicately sipped her cappuccino.