Jo'sEnglish

I was (semi) joking about the feminist values! I just feel more like I know the things I would have liked to have said to me as a girl growing up and how I would have liked to have been treated. I'm not too worried about it really, his dad is a very good role model for how I would like my boy to grow up ;) I think it is the energy levels, etc I worry about, and about communicating and letting him be open with emotions, etc. And growing up with my brother makes me worry more as he was always a bit of an enigma to us all (lots of hand-wringing and my parents questioning where they had gone wrong when he was a child, which I would like to avoid!)

No, I have never got on too well with my brother but I guess on balance I was glad to have a sibling, and I think it was the right thing for my parents. But, absolutely, some families are best with 1 child, and there is no reason why an only child can not be just as happy as one with brothers and sisters (or in some cases happier!) I guess you never know if your children are going to get along until it is too late so, like many things in parenting, you just have to do what feels right for you.

zeban Wrote: Find it an odd 'debate' to have at a > dinner party. I think I find it odder that mid-debate at a dinner party they decide to post on the forum! ;) I think it is very personal and you can't say 2 is better or 3 is better or 5 is better because every family is different, and what is better for them is different. I don't think having 'nice' things is very important at all, as long as you can afford food on the table and the bills surely that every child feels loves and wanted is the most important? I can't imagine saying to my child 'you don't have any siblings because we wouldn't have been able to afford to buy them an ipad and a wardrobe of fancy clothes'! Surely the first child is the most expensive anyway as you have to buy all their stuff and then you reuse a lot for subsequent ones? Or so I hope... edited for typo!

I've got some Asda ones with baby/maternity clothes in and I'm always opening and closing them to add stuff and they seem fine thus far.

Thanks for the suggestions so far - keep the coming! I think I might have a look and see what they have in the library before buying anything. hpsaucey - I couldn't find any info about this course? Although I don't really have time for a course at the moment. cuppa tea - appreciate what you are saying - and if they are anything like 'parenting' books they will probably annoy me but I read everything so will read them anyway and disregard all the bits I don't like! Just want to get my head around what having a boy means, I feel like I would be much more confidnet with installing my feminist values in a girl!!!

I am Mum to a beautiful nine-month old baby boy. When I was pregnant (and didn't know if I was having a boy or a girl) I remember thinking I wouldn't know what to do with a boy! Of course, now only having known having a baby boy it feels completely normal but I think at this age there isn't much distinction between the genders. I am conscious of being prepared when it does become more relevant though. The other factor it doesn't appear that he is going to be like my husband and I as children very much! So much so that people regularly ask (jokingly of course!) if we are sure he is ours! Whereas we were both shy, quiet, sensitive, self-conscious children who liked to read books and play with lego, he is loud, very active and always seeking to be the centre of attention! I feel like he is going to be a very 'boyish' boy, if you know what I mean. I saw my parents struggle a lot with my brother growing up and would like to get off to the best possible start with my little fella I think! Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any reading matter for me to be chewing over. I've heard 'Raising Cain' recommended before, is this the best book to get do you think? Or are their others anyone could suggest? Or should I just not worry about this yet?!? In which case, at what age do I need to start thinking about it? Thanks, Jo

My baby boy started being teethy around 4 months on and off, but didn't actually get any teeth until 6.5 months. Definitely not too early (after all some babies are born with teeth!). I like the teething powders you get, I give these at nights when my baby's teeth seem to be bothering him. Also, I think just having something hard to chew on is the best and giving their gums a rub with a clean finger. Hope she doesn't suffer too much :(

Hello, I (after my very normal preganancy!) was booked in there to have my baby last September and spent about half of my very long labour there and it is indeed very lovely and all the thibgs it promises to be. You really don't feel like you are in hospital at all and all the midwifes I met were lovely and just an amazing support to me at the time. Just be aware if things don't go to plan you end up at Lewisham hospital (obviously), so make sure you are happy with that too. I have been assured that great improvements have been happening there. You can book in for a tour of the birth centre and hospital, well worth doing! PM me if you have any more questions!

Hello - it sounds great! What age would the classes be suitable from? I'd like to bring my 8 month old but is he a bit little? Should I wait a bit?

I went to Jelly Belly pilates classes at Dulwich Therapy rooms. It is great because you can take your baby along too so don't have to worry about leaving them! Pilates is excellent for toning up your stomach too and because it is a pot natal class the exercises are designed for women who have just given birth so you don't have to worry about doing anything you shouldn't. Breastfeeding also excellent for weight loss! But, it is early days so don't worry too much yet, it does take quite a while for your body to recover.

Hello, I hope it is ok to post about this here (as not in East Dulwich, close though!). I know there are quite a lot of Nunhead Mums and Dads that look on the forum though and was hoping to get some support from you. We are going before the council tonight to apply for funding under Southwark's Cleaner Greener Safer scheme to convert the disused car park next to the playground in Daniel's Road into a community garden. We would love some last minute support from anyone in the area who think this would be a good idea, and even more if anyone fancies getting their hands dirty to get involved with the garden! We have set up a facebook page so it would be great if you could visit there, like the page, leave a message of support or vote in our poll! https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631 Thank you family room!

Today is the day we go before council to put our ideas forward. Any last minute support for our project would be appreciated! We are particularly keen to hear from any local people who would be interested in getting involved helping with the garden. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631

It's great to hear your community garden is going well! We are currently putting forward a proposal for one in Nunhead under the Cleaner Greener Safer scheme, any tips from seasoned experts would be very welcome! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631

It looks great! A lovely idea. I just posted about our similar proposal, under the same scheme, for Nunhead https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631#!/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631

Hello, I'm hoping it is ok to put this here as I know lots of people from Nunhead use this forum. We are applying to Southwark under the Cleaner Greener Safer scheme for funding for a community garden/park/green in Daniel's Road, converting the unused car park there next to the playground. We have to present to council next Tuesday and so are trying to gather some community support, ideas and feedback by then. If you live in Nunhead, or just like green spaces as opposed to concrete car parks, please visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631#!/pages/Daniels-Green-Nunhead/357467484283631 and like the page, add a comment or vote in our poll. Thanks very much!

Sorry... just a note - the Friday morning isn't for older children, it's for babies (Baby rhyme time). There aren't many kids there over the age of about 2. In fact, I thought the Monday one was for older children (that's why I've never been...)? I have to support the fact that I don't think the times of either should be changed and the opening hours should be altered instead if necessary. I couldn't see the petition in the library today, only a letter about the new times?

I was going to say the Plough in Eynsford too! Really lovely pub, you feel like you are in the countryside and there is a ruined Norman castle in the village the kids could explore after lunch. And it is great being able to get the train and not have to worry about driving out of London.

The first month is definitely the hardest in times of number of feeds/length of feeds - so well done getting this far! I'd say with that in mind (that you are probably over the hardest part) I'd keep going just breastfed if you can. Are you worried about feeding in public? If so, maybe invest in a cover or some good nursing tops. Once you've done it the first couple of times you will wonder why you ever worried! Bear in mind that mixed feeding can affect your supply too. Can't really help with pump, I have oversupply and do fine with a hand pump! But, it is a good idea to keep offering a bottle I think so they are used to it (my 6 month old has no idea what to do with one!) Good luck and congratulations on your new baby!

Yes, there is a language exchange thing at the Mag (I think there is info in the What's on section?) If she would like any tutoring I offer one-to-one lessons and I'm available evenings/weekends. I'm CELTA qualified and have lots of experience with different levels, ages, purposes, etc. Send me a PM if you would like any more info. Thanks!

My husband and I would love to attend on the 4th (not fussy about time). Neither of us are native speakers but we have rusty intermediate Spanish which we need to practise and would like our 5 month old son to grow up with some exposure to the language. We also came across this the other day: http://www.thehill.org.uk/eventdetails.asp?eventid=773&back=-2 My little one would be too young for it at the moment but perhaps would be good for those of you with toddlers?

I'd be very interested in anything like this (although not sure about the singing bit...) I'd love an opportunity to meet up and practise Spanish though, more for me than for my 5 month old! My Spanish is increasingly rusty the less I use it.

I have the same thing! Although my little boy is only 5 months. I've spent the last few weeks trying to get him to sleep in his cot in the day and he is just wide awake in there. If I put him in asleep he either wakes up immediately or just sleeps for about 20 minutes and then wakes up. Anyway, it was stressing me out because we were both tired and grumpy and on Friday I had a 'I'm doing this all wrong, I'm a terrible mother' day and then on Saturday I woke up and thought, why does it matter? He sleeps well in his buggy, I can go out and about with him, I don't need to worry about if the cat has got in the cot with him, he obviously likes being downstairs in the day with me - what's the problem? And I remembered the wise words someone once said which was it is only a problem if it is a problem for YOU. Which it isn't. Anyway, in short, the conclusion I reached was if he is happy in his buggy and you don't mind it don't worry about feeling like he 'should' sleep in his cot! And I'm sure at nursery everything will be different anyway.... And if he does refuse to sleep in the buggy when he is bigger then tackle that problem if/when it comes!

Just to say, I had a letter saying there was a problem with my urine sample once (actually I think they lost the sample!). I did another one and it was fine. Sometimes they do get contaminated as well. Try not to worry until you have done another one - easier said than done I know but might be nothing.

I think the thing is that even if you know what you want it might not be the best for your baby. I really wanted to use little lambs but ended up having quite a big baby and as these supposedly come up short I decided they might not last him as long as I'd have liked and chose something else. Also, you might find you want different nappies for different uses (ie. I have night nappies, day nappies, changing bag nappies). Having said that the system you suggest sounds sensible! I used mostly bamboo terry flats and muslins for the first six weeks or so and then bought some others once I'd worked out what I wanted/what would be best on my baby. Seconding the recommendation for www.thenappylady.co.uk - she has been very helpful to me and has a questionnaire you can fill in to guide you in the right direction.

Aren't the charts in the red books for breast fed babies now? I read somewhere that they were changed a couple of years back to breast-fed babies but can't find where I saw that now...? And I agree with the others that if he seems fine, happy, feeding ok and having wet nappies then I'm sure he is fine. It's easy to say not to worry I know, but try not to!