Lochie

Thanks guys - 2 votes for Vaude, that's really useful to know. Thanks Bumpy am away for a few days at mo but when I am back I may get in touch for a test run! Useful as well you sent a link not from a baby website but outdoors website - didn't think of trying to find one that way...

Baby nearly 12 months and loves sitting on daddy's shoulders (with me precariously watching him to check he doesn't fall off!). Would love to get back carrier but just had a look online and prices range hugely from ?50 to ?180 (Littlelife Voyager) - do you really get what you pay for? Any recommendations appreciated :-)

I can recommend John Nightingale on Linden Grove in Nunhead tel 020 7639 3004. I had some horrible work done when I was younger (many extractions and train tracks!) but he was absolutely lovely and as a child he always put me at ease. The last time I saw him though was about 15 years ago and he was in his forties so not sure if he is nearing retirement age, but might be worth a call - he was NHS as well...

Hi J-Mo, I did NCT ante-natal (was not living in London at time so it wasn't around here), and I think I had one of the 'new age' teachers you describe, it really put me off NCT purely because of that experience. The teacher spent each session sharing horror stories about why you shouldn't have a hospital birth/epidural/c-section/episiotomy etc, she clearly had her own agenda, and it left me with little confidence about going into labour in a hospital! When I came back to live here friends who had NCT in the East/West Dulwich and Herne Hill areas had nothing but praise and were very shocked by my experience. So...what I'm trying to say is from what I've heard, the NCT classes around here are very good and unbiased and supportive. For the last 9 months I've gone to a local mother and baby group run by NCT teachers in North Dulwich, they are excellent, and if I ever have another baby I might even consider doing a refresher course with the NCT, as by all accounts the teachers in this area are very good. I guess my only gripe is the price, my pregnant sister in law was recently quoted nearly ?290 for the weekly sessions and instead went for the intensive weekend class as it was cheaper. I also did the intensive weekend class and that may have accounted for my poor experience as I also felt it was harder to form new mummy friends, I think that comes more naturally if you see mums and dads-to-be week in week out for several weeks as you get to know each other better. Hope that helps and good luck

Yes same here though its more me that wakes than him (used not to be the case but he must have got used to them).....wonder how the poor Mums cope in West London outside Heathrow, must be a nightmare!

Thanks womanofdulwich and saffron - I think cos he has always been such a sociable chappy I hadn't thought of getting him used to me not being around because he didn't have a problem with it, but he has just switched so recently. And am going back to work in 3 weeks too, so no doubt if he isn't used to it on Sunday he will have to get used to it very soon! I would happily have him on my knee whilst saying my vows but for whatever reason I am not sure if you are allowed (as much as I hate to think that would be the case) cos the registrars seem to get quite serious about vows being a legal declaration without distraction - but I will no doubt find out on the day! x

I should add I realise there might not be a solution and its just part of being a mum, but my friend's mum suggested there are ways of helping him overcome it...!

Just wanted to pick the brains of you experienced Mums! I went to see a friend on Saturday and her mum (who is great with kids) took my little 11 month old boy off my hands for 10 minutes for a nosey around and a play. During this 10 mins I could hear his murmering cries getting more and more hysterical - a raging cry which is rare for him. I finally went to get him as I couldn't bear to hear it anymore, and he was beside himself and literally scrambling at me to not be put down EVER again, sobbing so much he couldn't catch his breath etc. He did calm down after a few minutes. This also happened again earlier on in week when he was in my arms, a visitor at the house said hello, and he screamed as if in fear of his life! I know this is probably the start of separation anxiety, but what is the best way to deal with it? (probably not a simple answer I know!) I'm getting married on Sunday and am a bit worried this might happen as I am walking down the aisle and I'll have to scoop him my arms and say my vows with him clinging on for dear life!!! Just to clarify, as of last week he was very confident and sociable around new people. There have been no home changes in the last week at all either.

beababies - I would be interested in that class. You might be in competition with the Rhyme Time which is free at local libraries though, but I haven't been to enough Rhyme Times to know if that defo is the case. Thanks for all other comments. I am going to keep going to Bumps and Babes til end of Sept and will nab Alice when I see her and ask about next step up options, she had mentioned a class every Monday run by Mums at the same venue for toddlers. Once I know I'll post info up in case anyone else is interested. x

Hi everyone, I go to Bumps and Babes in north Dulwich every Friday, however my LO is fast approaching 12 months, so I was wondering if there is a 'next step up' in the area, and if so where it is? (from Sept). I love BAB at Red Post Hill (simplicity of it and warm atmosphere and the lovely Alice) but am well aware my boistrous little baby will soon be a toddler...he was pinching toys off the younger babies last month so I think its time to move on to babies more his size! Also any recommendations for cheapo classes for 12 months+ in the ED/Herne Hill area would be much appreciated x

There is a brazilian festival for babies today at the Southbank x http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/dance-performance/tickets/baby-loves-samba-54289

The most annoying thing I've ever heard out of a celeb's mouth is SJP when she claimed she loved the smell of dirty nappies in Elle magazine: ?I love the smell of diapers; I even like when they?re wet and you smell them all warm liked a baked good." Hmmmm.....bucket please!

grrrr saw this in Metro yesterday and thought 'what a knob!!' Hasn't she had a nose job though?!!! She's not exactly mother earth!!!

We've found this place does really good stuff: http://www.gltc.co.uk/fcp/categorydeptsub/dept/storage_tables_chairs

Have you thought about swimming? Maybe hard to do with a little one as well, but if you can get ANY time on your own I would really recommend it. I really sympathise on the heart burn, it used to make me cry! Being in a pool was the only time I ever really felt all the physical difficulties of being heavily pregnant would disappear. Also nice to have cool water splashing on face and feel totally weightless etc...You have probably been swimming already but if not its defo worth a shot (obviously helps if its during a quieter period during the day so you can go for peace and quiet as well!)

thanks everyone, I tried the syringe but the calpol just came dribbling back out of his mouth. Knowing my little boy the petit filous idea sounds like the one he will go for the most! He is better now though but will bear that in mind next time. Thanks for all the tips x

Ok syringe defo worth a go then I haven't tried that since he was much younger but worth a go now. thanks for tips x

Ok thanks TT as well, if you have tried it in milk then i'll give it a go tonight

Hmmm yes thanks I know Nurofen do similar thing in orange flavour kids syrup. I might give that another go and see doc if doesn't improve by tomorrow. It seems more to be a case of when you take a dog to the vets (if you ever have!) and the dog knows where its going before he even gets to the vet and starts dragging his heels - baby seems to know calpol is heading for his mouth before I've even unscrewed the bottle...and then all hell breaks loose! :-S

I have a poorly little boy (streaming cold, vomiting, sore throat) who won't take calpol via spoon or syringe (he is 10 months). He just clamps his mouth firmly shut. When I covertly get the spoon in his mouth mid cry, it all dribbles out again...yaaargh! I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried putting calpol in with some milk and if so does the milk still flow out the teat easily, and is calpol flavoursome enough for it to be detected in milk? I guess I have to try it out for myself, its just I also have the same bug and would like some sleep tonight and am thinking about trying to put a spoonful of calpol in the post bath bottle before bedtime! If anyone has tried this technique or other sucessful ways of feeding calpol I'd love some tips

Yes I am with Elmlodge too and that is where my excellent HV is, and I hear the other HV there is also great, can't commend them enough. Shame its not like that across the board...

I would be interested in a private HV service were I to have another child. Does this service exist already? I have an outstanding HV (in Herne Hill) who I feel is worth her weight in gold, however I also had a poor HV assigned to me when I was living outside of London immediately after my son was born. A good HV is invaluable but I do think a bad HV can be quite damaging - I remember I just didn't like my first HV, she was cold and actually bossed me around like some kind of school ma'am! It's not just that they have issues with time constraints and huge amounts of pressure, some HVs just aren't good with people (in the same way that some doctors can be clinically excellent but have no people skills). I am not HV bashing here as like I said, I have a superb HV....but surely people skills should be top of the list for such an influential time in a woman's life. I also think a good HV works in tandem with the GPs at the practice where they are based. Lightlady - you mention continuity, one to one advice and support. I think all women should have access to this and its a shame that from the posts above alot of women don't...so I would imagine that yes there is a market for private health visiting services, but its a shame that NHS HV services are such a lottery for new mums...

Yorkie - I think seeing your GP is a good idea. A good GP will listen to you properly and tell you the best way forward. I don't think you sound like you have PND- what you say would stress me out big time! Like you I am a perfectionist and put real demands on myself and would consider myself pretty highly strung too. The other day my boyfriend was looking after our little boy and he asked me to hold him whilst he had a shower and declined given that I shower daily AND manage to put the baby somewhere safely whilst I do it!! I think snapping at your other half is very normal and just a symptom of the stress you feel from your conflicting demands....alot of the time I just feel like I could do things (parenting and housework) better myself and it really annoys me if a family member can't do it as well as I think I could (I just read that back and sound like a total pain in the arse!) I was diagnosed with PND when my baby was 6 weeks old and I don't think it sounds like you have PND, although I do understand your feeling blue...however a chat with your doctor is always a good thing. I would describe PND as feeling like you are drowning and that none of the things that could usually cheer you up (glass of wine, fave telly programme, a hot bath) work anymore. I took anti depressants and had cognitive behavioural therapy which is amazing and to be honest has left me a much more chilled out person than ever before! I was on the anti depressants for 5 months and they were very easy to come off (I am off them now) if you do it slowly. However like I said your GP or HV will guide you on what you should do....I don't think anti depressants are as effective without therapy - so if you feel like you need it then really push for it with your GP. Never let it go unsaid what an amazing job you sound like you are doing - dedicated enough to still be feeding in the night and working all day, perhaps there is an element of you just wanting your hubbie to give you a big hug and tell you how brill you are x

Thanks Kirstymac - the Rye Lane shop is where I got my first shoe fitted so it seems right I should probably go there for sizing! I didn't know it still did fitting (looked like a seconds shop) but if it does I will defo head down there x

Sedative comment noted - valium in bag! What is 'cruising' by the way? Is it just when they hold on to the side of things for support? I can't believe they are more expensive than women's shoes maybe shopping isn't looking so appealing after all!