Knomester

It's all so subjective isn't it?!! For me, the best items we bought (other than the usual) were: 1. A good stretchy swaddle cloth (although I think I'd get one of those cocoon ones next time). Baby K was a wriggler and had a really strong moro reflex so would wake up with every movement. We swaddled for naps until he was 9 weeks and at night until he was 4-5 months and I really think it helped with getting him to settle and sleep well as he felt secure. 2. Feeding cushion. Someone else has mentioned the Thrupenny Bits cushions - mine was a godsend when I bought it when Baby K was 5 weeks old and we were struggling to feed because of various problems nit allowed me to have both hands free to concentrate on latching him on. 3. A sling (which suits you and baby). It's not easy choosing a sling - everyone has their favourite! Baby K hated the soft slings a friend lent me and took a long time to get used to being carried. We ended up with a Babybjorn Synergie which was invaluable in the early days for naps when he wouldn't settle in the pram. He also is the sort of baby who likes to see the world so doesn't like facing inwards when awake and the Babybjorn is great for him to face outwards comfortably. 4. Good sized pram. The only thing I was sure about wanting before Baby K came along was a pram with a carrycot (as opposed to the lie flat buggies) and I never regretted buying ours even if it is a little bulkier than the more streamline pushchairs. Baby K loved his carrycot! He napped in it in the day and would happily lie in it for walks, etc. He wasn't impressed when he outgrew it...! As for things which I didn't use, probably just the top and tail bowl and the bouncy chair (a Babybjorn in our case). He goes in it sometimes but has never really been a big fan - he's much happier stretched out flat on his playmat on the floor! Good luck! -

Baby K is in the same boat as anna_r's baby. When we were seeing midwives and BF counsellors about his feeding problems they used to tell me to turn his top lip out to get a better latch but it was impossible, the reason being that his top lip is attached in the same way. He hasn't got any teeth yet but I'm wondering whether it's something we ought to have looked at now for an opinion or wait until we know whether it causes him any problems...

Hi Ruth. I thinkyours might be the active or synergie which is the one I've already got. I need a sling that Baby K can face outwards in an ideally one that I can also wear on my back as he gets bigger. I've tried the new Beco Gemini which was great for me but the shape doesn't suit Baby K - he's small so his arms and legs can't move freely. I'll have a look at the ones you mention online. The Babybjorn Comfort is more like the ergo / Beco slings in that the weight is distributed better via a wide band that sits on the hips so I figured it would be more comfortable than my current one...

Hello I've been trying lots of different slings as I need to upgrade Baby K's sling to something more comfortable for me to carry which he's also happy in. I saw a lady with the Babybjorn Comfort the other day who kindly told me the model, etc but given the pricetag I would ideally like to try it out before I buy. Does anyone by any chance have one that I could pop round to try on one day this week? If not, does anyone know somewhere nearby that stocks them where I could try it? Thanks

I think there is also some advice not to introduce cow's milk too early because of an increased risk of allergies. A small amount of cooked cow's milk seems to be commonly accepted as being OK, although some seem to say even this shouldn't be given until a little later. I've decided to use organic formula in Baby K's baby rice / cereal for the first month at least (he is also exclusively breastfed - until starting the weaning that is!).

Hi Reren I think it's important to remember that what works for one baby's eczema might not work for another. I wouldn't rush to discount treatments because they didn't work for someone else. The Oilatum products didn't do anything for Baby Knomester but Epaderm keeps his (not severe) eczema mostly under control if we apply regularly. If you are concerned definitely ask for a referral to a dermatologist as they will be much better placed to advise and treat Baby Reren than a GP.

Oh Ruth I remember the back ache well... I was already doing pilates at the Sunflower Centre in Brockley (using the machines) before I found out I was pregnant because of spine problems so I carried on until 40 weeks and swear that it was that that kept me moving. I also started pregnancy yoga at King's on a Saturday morning which was great for learning what movements and positions helped alleviate the pain and restlessness. I did have an array of pillows, cushions, etc but really nighttimes were the worst for me so not sure if the pillows helped or not. Moaning to husband definitely helps. In fact it's the law that you must moan.

I also meant to say that quinoa is a great complete veggie source of protein. Perhaps not the most appetising for little ones, but you can put the flakes into porridge or into homemade flapjacks.

If, as others hae said, it mught help to increase the protein in your twin's diet and you want keep all eating the same meal together (rather than you having to cook two separate meals!) from what i understand, you can provide plenty protein without having to add meat to meals every day. You just need to remember to combine foods to complete the protein so that you have pulses with grains - houmous with wholemeal pitta, lentil dahl with chapati or brown rice, baked beans on toast, sweetcorn fritters (with flour in the batter), add pulses to pasta sauces (eg flageolet beans with pesto, canellini beans with tomato sauce like homemade baked beans, veggie casseroles with butter beans and dumplings, chickpea curry with rice, etc, etc. Wholemeal carbs (pasta, rice, bread, etc) also help you feel fuller for longer than white carbs which might also help. I'm sure you already know this being veggie yourself Fuschia so apologies if I'm stating the obvious!

I completely agree new mother! Ultimately that is all that matters and I am very lucky to have a gorgeous little boy. I guess before watching that clip I just didn't realise a c-section could be any different and it just reminded me of things like how I had to fight for skin on skin and even then not whilst I was in theatre.

We found that Baby Knomester responded well to swaddling and (during the day mostly) shushing. We cotinued to swaddle tightly at night until around 18 weeks and I'm sure it contributed to him learning to sleep well at night. When holding him we found turning him in to face whoever was holding him rather than facing out worked better because he was (and still is) a very alert and inquisitive baby so needed dark and no distractions to help him relax / sleep. It's a great method to try when nothing else seems to work in those early days!

My emergency c-section at King's couldn't possibly be anymore different to this... The team were lovely before and during, but Baby Knomester was taken away for what seemed like forever (but I'm reliably informed was more like 7 or 8 mins) with no explanation despite me shouting questions across the room. I wasn't even told that he was a boy straight away. Watching this lovely delivery makes me quite sad and reminds me of what I felt I missed (and was in some cases refused)...

Saffron - That sounds similar to what I was told at King's at the tongue tie clinic last year when we were also diagnosed with thrush. We were advised to use detinox to clear it up at the same time as other treatment for the thrush.

In the end we found that detinox was the only thing that got rid of baby Knomester's cradle cap and it took a couple of weeks of 2 lathers every day at bath time. It's just coming back a bit now after a few months so I'm trying the detinox again.

I've bought the harness but don't need it yet as Baby Knomester isn't mobile yet. My friend uses a set of toddler reigns to strap her little one in.

We bought a lovely red Tripp Trapp for Baby Knomester in the end and I'm really pleased so far. We did buy the cushions for the baby attachment and still need to wedge him in with things, but that probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's a thin baby and not really interested in sitting up yet! I can see that they'll probably end up spending more time in the wash than on the chair once he gets cracking on feeding himself!

I saw the post too and meant at the time to post to say that I was given a similar opportunity when I was 9 or 10 and went on to play the double bass for years. I loved it and had so many great experiences playing in orchestras with other young people. It's a wonderful and unusual instrument to play and I only wish I was still playing!

As someone else has said you can book 6 days in advance over the phone (didn't realise you could also book online) if you have an Axess card. You can also book over the phone without membership but there is a minimum card payment charge of ?5. Not great if you're booking for 1 adult as it's ?4.40 but you could book and pay for you and a friend? I booked today for Tuesday afternoon for me (Axess family membership) and 2 friends who are non-members. In terms of just turning up, it has been fully booked in advance the last few Sundays and was pretty full before the queue formed last Tuesday afternoon.

Now that we have our summer hols booked I'm starting to get planning for what we need to take with us. Baby Knomester will be about 9 months old when we go away and, although we're not staying in a mosquito hotspot, I alwaysget bitten badly and am worried Baby Knomester may attract them in the same way. I just wondered if anyone has any advice for me on what the best products / devices are to keep the mossies away? I've seen little things like this love bug mosquito reppeller and these patches but no idea if they're any good? What about sprays, nets, etc? I'd also be grateful for any advice on which high factor suncream to go for - Baby Knomester is pale skinned like me so a good factor 50+ is in order! Thanks ever so much

Je serai au cafe vers 14h45 demain avec Baby Knomester qui a 5 mois (j'ai les cheveux roux...)

Bumpkin that is incredibly kind, thank you. I'll send you a PM.

Thanks Princess. I ended up walking up to Sainsburys. All set for tomorrow's swimming trip now!

Does anyone know where I can buy disposable swimming nappies on Lordship Lane or nearby without having to trek up to Sainsburys? Thanks!

Moi aussi je suis libre jeudi prochain - 15h30 me convient ou plutot!

Hi Moos. We swaddled Baby Knomester too as he had a really strong moro reflex and woke himself up constantly. We swaddled night and day, but he shunned the daytime swaddle himself at around 9 weeks after we'd gone through the process of one arm out then both arms out (how a baby so small can 'tell' us things is beyond me, but he made it pretty clear he didn't want his daytime swaddle anymore!). For the nightime we kept it much longer than recommended because he still seemed to need the swaddle to help him sleep, but started leaving one arm out from around 15 weeks. We finaly took the plunge the 2nd night in his big cot because we couldn't keep him in place in the swaddle so had to rescue him several times from random parts of his cot that first night! So we had to go cold turkey - grobag with rolled up towel on each side and thin sheet tucked firmly in to keep him in place - and have never looked back. I think it's because we waited until his moro reflex had subsided that it worked - he was about 17-18 weeks. I guess it helps that he loves sucking his fingers so he likes having his hands free. If you're really struggling could it perhaps be a touch too soon? If Twosling's moro reflex is anything like Baby Knomester's you might want to wait a little longer? We tried the miracle swaddle but it was too small (it doesn't account for longer babies in it's 14 week estimate) and next time I'd definitely try one of the cocoon swaddles quickdrownfox mentions, for ease of swaddle if nothing else because Baby Knomester was a nightmare to keep still long enough to swaddle!