Missjojo

Hi all. I'm up for a meet up at 2.30 on Friday at Peckham Rye. Will be nice to see you guys again and to meet your little people! Jo (& Max).

Hi. I'm looking for ideas for what our new baby can bring for our 3 year old when s/he arrives. He's just had his birthday so has way way more than he could possibly want by way of toys, but I still think it's a good idea that baby arrives with something for him - I just can't think what. Ideas appreciated.

Our second child's birth isn't too far away and we need a plan for childcare for our toddler as we don't have family nearby. We have some plan B's if we need them but none are ideal (friends who have kids and babies of their own, or work full time, etc). If it happens during the day we could put him in nursery while the grandparents make the 5 hour drive, but we can't count on that. I saw on here that people recommended Dulwich Childcare in this situation, but I've had no response to my voicemail or email, so I'm thinking it might not be an option. Amy suggestions?

I bought a bugaboo second hand and it served us well first time round. I'd like to get it serviced before using it again, just tightened up and cleaned. Does anyone have any suggestions? Buggy Pitsop gets really inconsistent reviews and its miles away and I've read something about a place in Tooting but can find any reviews for it. Is there anywhere else I'm missing?

Hi Ladies Is there still a plan to meet on Monday? I might have the day off, so I might be able to join you. Jo

Oh I've just realised Squirrel that you're talking March and the other group is on 18 Feb. Baby brain! In that case lets stick with 16 March for this group and 18 Feb for the bigger group. But let's go to the Actress on 16 March.... I'm also keen to meet sooner. Would anyone be interested in a Saturday or Sunday meeting in a park with the toddlers? Jo

Hi all I've joined up with the facebook group. Thanks for setting that up. Good ideas H, aka blue squirrel for a 2nd timers night out. Can I suggest we move it to the following week, as we've got the bigger group on the 18th and it'd still be nice to meet them. How does Tues 24th of March sound? Maybe at the Actress to mix things up? God to see Spring Babies is once again filling my social life - ahhh I love ED! I just can't wait till we can move from the lime & sodas to the wine & bubbles! Jo (& Max)

Hi all I'm a second timer due end of April when my little boy will have just turned 3. I work Mon-Thur so can't make the first date, but I'm keen to get another one in soon. Jo (& Max)

Hi all. Yes thanks Ginny for getting us organised for last night. Lovely to meet, or at least see, so many of you. Another night soon sounds great Sally. I vote for the 18th. Jo

Sounds great. Count me in too. Jo x

Hi everyone I'm expecting my second late April and I can't wait. My son will be 3 by then and can't wait for his 'baby sister' to arrive (we don't know what we're having, but he's adamant!) It'll be lovely to meet up, I think January is a great idea. I was in the Spring Babies group for my first and it was fab - for keeping me sane and entertained on mat leave, and we made some great friends. Jo

We're looking for a holiday resort or hotel in the Greek Islands - something nice and toddler friendly, but not to cheesy on the family fun side.... any suggestions?

I'm also really disappointed that the Friday session is shutting down and I hope there is a way to keep it going. I know things are difficult with community programmes and decisions like this have to be made, but if there is any chance to keep it.....

So I've bravely (or foolishly) decided to fly back to NZ early next year with my little boy, who will be 2 in April. It'll just be the 2 of us I've done the flight before, when he was 9 months, which was surprisingly okay. But it's a different story now he's loud, busy and has a lot of energy to burn. I'd appreciate any tips - eg I'm thinking to leave on a night flight, rather than a day flight - flying direct, without an overnight stop over - any views? Any recommendations on airlines to consider or avoid? Any advice on when to fly in Feb or March? Thx Thx

My book club has evolved into a 'lets do something interesting club' and its my turn to host. I need a good idea! Criteria is.... Not too expensive, easy location (either at my home or somewhere central)and something that doesn't require booking ages in advance (lots of last minute changes) and good fun! I was thing about hosting a poker lesson at home, but in case that doesn't work out, what else could we do?

We ended up going here and it was fabulous. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g1837754-d3453811-The_Saltings_at_Mocketts_Farm-Isle_of_Sheppey_Kent_England.html It has 6 ensuite double bedrooms and a great big living area. The outdoor space was lovely and there was a communal bbq and gamesroom too. It was very family friendly with cots, highchairs and stairgates provided. And to top it off, we had delicious evening meals delivered from the local pub for a bargain price. And all for a really really good price. We'd totally recommend it.

I returned from Ikea with a big bag of oh so useful stuff only to find that my 'helpful' little one threw something I actually want out of the trolley. They're just some art cards, postcard sized, just a few quid. There's no way I'm going back just for them, but I would love to get them. If you're going out there soon, could you pick some up for me? I can come around and pick them up from you. Thx

After a year of maternity leave my return to work discussions have turned into redundancy consultation, so I'm keen to get some advice to make sure I'm in the best legal position possible. Can you recommend anyone? Thx

We've been back a week. Last night was slightly better thank god! Fingers crossed, we're on the up!

Our NCT group, including dads and babies are looking to go away for a weekend to celebrate the bubs first birthday (and indulge in copious vinos before anyone sprogs up with number two!). But we're struggling to find anywhere to accommodate us all on the weekend we're all free. Do you have any suggestions? Ideally within 2 hours drive of ED, 6 big bedrooms (with space for travel cots), lots of ensuites/bathrooms, good space to spread out, and if we're lucky a pool or some other sort of entertainment space... It could be one big place or a couple of places side by side....

Thanks for your replies! We're still struggling - argh! I'm trying to keep him busy and get him back into his routine. But hes waking at 4 or 5 with no chance of going back to sleep and he seems to have lost all his good sleeping habits - he's not able to go to sleep in his cot during the day, he cant self settle and I cant settle him with any of the normal tricks. Any other tips? I'm guessing its just perseverance...

Having just returned from NZ we're really struggling with Baby's (10 months) jetlag. Arriving in NZ he recovered pretty quickly, but here it's been tough and feels like its getting worse not better (though that maybe because I'm also suffering, by being wide awake when he's asleep)... He's waking up at 3 or 4 wide awake ready to play, not napping well during the day - either really short or really long (usually in the afternoon when his body thinks its night time). Not sure if I should be waking him from long naps - if so when? Or how to respond when he wakes up in the night - little snack, full bottle? Today he had 45 mins sleep between 4am and 2pm and I had to drive around for him to go to sleep this afternoon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the tips and advice. We went to the Children's Osteo clinic in Wandsworth and they were great, I wish I'd been sooner. That along with using some of the other suggestions, means feeding and winding is no longer a battle. Thank goodness! Completely recommend the Childrens Osteo clinic for others in a similar situation. http://occ.uk.com/

You should call SELDOC if its not an emergency but you need out of hours medical advice. 0208 693 9066 http://www.seldoc.co.uk/. They take details and have a GP call you back within an hour. I've found them to be useful for me, but haven't had experience using them for little ones. Hope he recovers quickly.

My baby is 4 months old and has really bad wind. He's always suffered with it, but we got by okay until recently. It's got worse over the last couple of weeks - he's hungry and stressed, but often in too much pain to feed and my tricks don't seem to be working any more. Any old wives tales you know of, or bizarre discoveries from your own experience that you can suggest?