Lochie

I was half watching C4's Kirstie's Homemade Home last night and I am sure there was a bit on this - i.e. clothes are passed on via a modern day rag and bone company, I was a bit distracted though so not 100% positive of details. Know clothes went to good causes though. Might be worth watching on demand if you have a chance....

I wonder if maybe they don't want to tread on toes? I used to not have such a good relationship with my mother in law - we are both very territorial. Now that my MIL knows the boundaries (she used to be very overbearing) she asks if its ok to change nappies, make up bottles etc....which I welcome whole heartedly now that we get on ok these days. In general though both sets of parents are very helpful particularly my own mother who is very hands on. I think it does depend on how often you see the grand parents as well? If I were you I would drop some very unsubtle hints and if for example they come to stay for a weekend I would ask if they'd mind babysitting for part of that time and not wait for a response!

thanks everyone, really useful. went to gambado in the end in the morning (chucking it down) and then nice stroll through dulwich village autumn leaves this afternoon. cheap n cheerful. those links look really good for future esp 2 4 1....will bear in mind for next family sunday ;-)

Thanks for that link I've had a look and we might do Gambado in Beckenham... Yes you are right nunheadmum about going too far, nap time is 12.30-3 so doesn't leave much time for travelling...just selfishly want to make the most of this lovely autumnn sunshine before it goes!

This might be worth a look for anyone thinking of having it done - its just a donation to Shelter for an architect to come and visit http://www.architectinthehouse.org.uk/

Its our first day as a family (all 3 of us together at once) tomorrow in what seems like ages...has anyone got any suggestions for what to do with a one year old who is nearly walking but not quite i.e. wants to get out pram all the time but can't quite toddle on his own yet? Thought London Aquarium might be nice but its nearly ?35 for the 3 of us!! Has anyone been, is it worth it? Seem to have exhausted all the local playgrounds recently. Any other suggestions appreciated as really looking forward to some quality family time OUT of the house!

Didn't work for me, I was told that they only are effective if you are very close to being in labour anyway....i.e. if your cervix is ripe and soft or whatever the termonoogy is (probably got that completely wrong!)

I was just thinking about looking online for recipes that is really useful for us! Bought Mother and Baby magazine today for first time as it has free Annabel Karmel baby and toddler cookbook on it, mag is only ?2.75...

we LIVE with my parents!!! We feel like a mini gypsy family - me hubby and one year old, but we came to 'stay' with my parents a year ago and haven't left! My folks still have the house I grew up in in Herne Hill, and we came to visit after the birth of my son for some extra support when I really needed it. We had 5 years previously been living in Brighton without any close family nearby and to be honest at that time in our life, I in particular liked the having family at arms length but still close enough to see regularly. Having had our son though, my relationship has changed with my parents. They are a massive support (my mum takes care of him 2 days a week so I can work) and it fills me with so much joy to see my 73 year old dad in particular play with my son - they are like best friends. It is not ideal (would love our own space plus sometimes my mum really annoys me with her parenting tips!), but whilst we save up for our own flat nearby, it serves its purpose well (plus we pay them rent which as pensioners probably helps them out too). Sometimes when my own 87 year old Nana comes down to stay from Liverpool there are 4 generations of the one family under the one roof and I find that very touching. The most common response I get from friends the same age as us though is 'God I could NEVER live with my parents again'! I think I would have thought that before we moved in, but having a child changes everything I guess, and I don't have the same awkward dynamic I did with them as a teen (thank god!). It is by no means your bog standard typical family set up but we (yes hubby too who amazingly loves living with his in laws) know it won't be this way forever and so make the most of it. I know a few people, not just me, who have grown up in south London and live with their parents (ok they don't have their own kids too!). I think it will become more common as London property prices remain so ridiculously high.... Interestingly found this article about author Kate Mosse living with her mother and in-laws AND grown up daughter recently: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1233001/Kate-Mosse-benefits-living-extended-family.html

There is a private room at Kings - I didn't give birth at Kings but my friend did and I think she paid for a room for 2 nights following her section (it was something like ?800 per night). She also had a private post natal midwife - and in all she had a very good experience. Her private midwife said the room was actually better at Kings than you'd get at some of the rooms at the Portland. I visited her and it was a nice room but no natural day light. However when she tried to liaise with the NHS midwives at Kings over various issues with her surgeon prior to giving birth, a good few of the midwives didn't even know the room existed!! Not sure how you get your hands on the room but I know that it is never 100% certain you will get it on the day, as precidence goes to woman with urgent needs who require privacy (e.g. if having delivered a very poorly baby) Kes - your blog post is spot on. I had awful post natal care at a hospital in Sussex so I do think the problem does not effect just inner city areas but perhaps the whole of the UK, which is such a shame. It is a massive problem. One other place to look at is St Marys, a friend of mine had amazing care there, and from her photos her room looked like a hotel room (I think its a brand new birthing unit)...

Have found Boots own brand to be pretty good on the odd occasion have used them. Have always used Pampers but am really narked at them at mo...about 10% of them are unusable as the sticky tabs come off when I pull them tight to hold the nappy in place! Agree with others who have said different brands suit different babies so maybe stock up on a variety and try them all out!! And yes the Sainsburys third off that periodically comes up is a brill opportunity to stock up...

Just had BCG done, it was fine, little whimper but no big tears. Had it done at Townley Road which was virtually empty and we were seen straight away, so no waiting. Saffron - yes you are right re: MMR, they said he can't have it for the next 4 weeks and when he does have it he'll have to have it in leg not arm. Thanks for all the advice, am glad its done. Not sure i'll be saying that when his arm is oozing pus!!! ;-) But for now he is happily sleeping in his cot with his teddy so no major trauma thank goodness x

thanks gwod i'll have a look through during my lunch break, its quite lengthy so obviously a talking point!

ok thanks Ko. I want to just go for it and get it out of the way its just he has his MMR the week after and feel I am really barraging him with jabs. Just curious as well as I had to ask my HV to request the BCG, its not like they actively get you to have it like the MMR, so made me wonder if it was really necessary. I'll take a warm bottle of milk with me and some blueberries (current fave treat) x

I have my LO booked in for BCG tomorrow morning, he will turn 1 on Monday. I'm just wondering what people's thoughts and experiences are on the BCG in babies? It seems so young to have it done, is TB really a threat? I know not all boroughs offer it, therefore am wondering how important it is? (Am aware though its offered in inner London boroughs due to demographics and high density population etc) I remember having mine done at 12 years old and it REALLY hurt and I had an awful time with the scab. Just am having cold feet about inflicting that upon him when I can't explain what it is!

interesting....I always thought the stats sounded unlikely I'm glad its been banned i hated that ad anyway!

Thanks - just to update I went to doc and she told me to stop (after a few days of spitting it out and not really swallowing much). Normally she said it was best to finish the course but in weighing up all arguments she said forcing him to such an extent could actually long term anguish when it comes to taking meds so it would be best to stop. So that is an interesting take on it.... Dreading the next time he gets ill! Anyway he is fine now ;-)

Back on topic- I had a friend at work who's sister had a baby in hospital. The next day her husband was told off by the midwife for trying to get into the hospital bed with her for some 'special' time!!! So that beats the 4 day shocker! Each to their own I guess but honestly I couldn't fathom it for many months and luckily my OH is very understanding

Thanks that's great, finally can start to phase out the faff of making up boiled water and powder hurrah! Lets hope his highness likes the taste x

Little boy about to turn 1....just wondering when I can start to replace powder for cows milk. Even if it is safe to do so, are there benefits to formula that aren't found in cows milk? Really prefer the idea of giving him lovely fresh cows milk a few times a day to powder and water, but a bit confused as there are still forumlas for 1+, suggesting it should still be a part of their diet??? Eeeek! Advice appreciated...

Thanks Ruth i'll google that

Family want to buy my little boy a trike for his 1st birthday. He is very active, not yet walking but nearly there. Any recommendations?

ok thanks everyone this is useful and has convinced me to see it through! Annoyingly as I wasn't at the docs I am not sure of the details of the ear infection but my mum said she wasn't told the length of the course, just to finish the bottle. My boss has just told me to do it with syringe and provide immediate distraction in form of toy/telly/chocolate - so that's the way its going to happen! oh JOY!

good lord, ok thanks fuschia

Would really appreciate advice. Started antibiotics for first time ever for my 1 year old on Tuesday. Doctor gave them for a nasty double ear infection. He was noticably poorly with fever, spent Tuesday night in bed with me drifting in and out of sleep crying. Cue Wednesday morning and he gets up like nothing has happened and certainly this morning is back to his old mischievous self. The problem is we have started antibiotics, but its like pinning down a rabid animal to get him to take it. Have posted on here before about covert tricks to get him to take calpol, with lots of great tips, but none of them work (tried syringe, in food, in bottle - he knows it all). He gets so distressed by it all (the only method that partly works is syringe) that he makes himself sick. My mum is looking after him this week as its my first week back at work, and says he actually has swallowed such a small amount that we should stop giving it to him as he is better now. Does anyone know if it really is bad to stop a course of antibiotics part of the way in? When I was growing up I was told it was really bad to stop once you started as it would make the illness come back 'with a vengence'! Maybe that was just my mum's way of making sure I took it all!!