londonhypnobirthing

Not sure if this thread exists elsewhere, but I need to pick some brains. We've just moved to West Dulwich and are hoping to get our son into Rosendale School as we are well within the "catchment" according to previous year intakes. However, I know with sibling policies this is never a given, so I wondered what 5 other schools people apply for if they're over this way? We are near the Turney Road/Croxted Road junction, so I guess next closest school would be DVIS, but no idea what other 4 to put down? Thanks in advance x

Michael Rosen's, The Sad Book is incredible.

Hi Emily, just seen this. Don't have any specific advice but I'd really recommend dropping Nicola a line - you can read more about the support and help she offers on my website. Her email address is nicola@londonhypnobirthing.co.uk All the best, Hollie x

Hi Valeenitt, I'm sorry you had such a difficult experience last time around. I'd really recommend staying at Kings and trying to get on with one of the community midwife teams - i.e. The Lanes, Brierley or Oakwood - you can self refer and if they have space they will do their best to accomodate you. Try Brierley as a first port of call on 0203 299 6163. If you want to talk further please don't hesitate to PM me x

The pregnancy yoga classes at Brockwell Lido are meant to be very good.

New for 2014 are my one hour 'relaxation for birth' sessions. Whether or not you've attended one of my hypnobirthing courses, my relaxation for birth sessions are a great way to get a boost of calm ahead of your birth. Perhaps you attended one of my courses earlier on in your pregnancy and would like a top-up of relaxation when you're nearing full term, or maybe you've done NCT or NHS courses but are feeling anxious as your due time approaches. Relaxation is so beneficial for both mother and baby, and in this session you will enjoy a deep state of relaxation so that you leave with a renewed sense of calm. These sessions are for mums only, and I can accomodate up to six people per session. This makes it perfect for an NCT group who are due around the same time and would like to come together. The session runs from my home in East Dulwich and the cost is either ?15 per person, or ?75 if booking as a group of 6 (a reduced price of ?12.50 each). For more information on dates and availability, please email me at hollie@londonhypnobirthing.co.uk

Hi there I've got a space left on my August intensive course in East Dulwich, it's over two Sundays 10am-3pm, 24th & 31st August. Let me know asap if you'd like the place. Warmest, Hollie http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk

Has anyone been glamping as a family along the Dorset coast? Looking for some recommendations. Thanks

Sand/water play area at Brockwell Park is good, and adults can only go in when accompanied by children. Big enough for them to roam safely, small enough for you to keep an eye on where they are. The playground and paddling pool at Ruskin Park is a good one too.

On the off chance that anyone thought they'd left it too late to do a hypnobirthing course, one spot has become available on my Wednesday evening group course which kicks off next Wednesday and runs for 4 weeks, from 8.00-10.30pm in East Dulwich. ?285 per couple, and you'll get all the tools you need for a truly calm, comfortable and enjoyable birth. More information available at http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk x

My son is at Buds Preschool at the Goose Green Centre which does half days. He's really enjoying it. http://budsnursery.co.uk/dulwich/

It's never too late sb. I'f you haven't already got the Mongan book I'd suggest picking up a copy of The Hypnobirthing Book by Katharine Graves instead - having used both I'd say it's better geared towards birth in the UK. If I can be of any help please do drop me a line. My advice would be to expose yourself to as many positive birth stories/videos as possible. There are lots of hypnobirths on YouTube and you can read lots of birth stories written by mums on my website http://londonhypnobirthing.co.uk/birthstories.html If you follow me on Twitter @lovelybirths or on Facebook at London Hypnobirthing then you can get a daily positive affirmation for pregnancy and birth. You can save these on your phone/stick them in your diary etc. so that your subconscious mind is being filled with positive visions of birth. Wishing you all the best for a wonderful second birth x

Quite a few of the mums I've taught have had their babies there. If you PM me your email address I can put them in touch x

Is it the midwife-led suite you're referring to? If so it's two rooms they have which are designed to create a home-from-home environment. There are two rooms, the Beach Room and the Woodland Room, and both rooms feature a birthing pool and a double bed, calming wall murals, as well as a support sling that enables women to maintain an upright position when giving birth. Run entirely by midwives, the suite is designed to be a more relaxed place for women with low risk pregnancies to give birth. If you're having a healthy pregnancy and they're free when you go into labour, you'll be able to use them - speak to your midwife and express a preference in using them and she should be able to tell you more.

I'd HIGHLY recommend a Specialized Hotrock bike. We bought one for my son's 3rd birthday in December and he'd learnt to ride it on his own, with pedals (no stabilizers) after about a month of using it as a balance bike (we got a bike shop to take the pedals off to start with, then had them put pack on when he felt ready to attempt riding it properly!). My husband is a bit of a bike geek (read: bmx-er in mourning) so he spend about two months researching the best balance bikes before finally settling on the Specialized Hotrock. They're about ?150 new, but we managed to get a second hand one from Gumtree for ?60 so it's worth looking around. This article on Two Wheeling Tots explains it well: "Most cheaper balance bikes (including the wooden variety) have taller handlebars, which increases the center of gravity for the rider, thereby making the bike more difficult to balance. So now, not only are the bike hard to pedal, they are also more difficult to balance. Higher-end 12″ bikes however, designed by biking companies rather than toy companies, understand the importance of the geometry of a bike frame and have, in recent years, begun to address the issues. While other brands are superior to cheap bikes, Specialized 12″ Hotrock, is by far the best 12″ bike on the market. In fact, it is the only 12″ bike I recommend to younger kids ready for pedals. By simply moving the bottom bracket (where the crank arms attach to the frame of the bike) slightly forward, they increase the leverage children have on the pedals thereby making their bike much easier to ride. The geometry of other high-end brands, such as Haro, are significantly better than lower-end bikes, but not a good as Specialized Hotrock." If you want to read the rest, it's here: http://www.twowheelingtots.com/specialized-hotrock-12-review/ Sorry for banging on...in essence my understanding is that you're much better off buying a bike from a bike company rather than a toy company! Also, it seems much better value to buy a bike that you can use with or without pedals in terms of longevity.

Thanks Lai Lai I will call them tomorrow. Simone my son is currently at Buds preschool at the Goose Green Centre which offer the 15 free hours. You could try them for September as I know they have some space at the moment? There's also Amott Road Preschool.

Does anyone know when all the school nursery places release their offers? We've had an offer from Goose Green nursery, but also applied to Dog Kennel Hill and haven't heard from them - is there a deadline by which they all need to let parents know by? Thanks Hollie

Another vote for the Baby Jogger City Mini. No looking back for us and wish we'd gone straight for this and bypassed the Bee altogether.

Hi Jen Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope you're feeling well. I am a local mum-to-one and run Hypnobirthing classes from my home in ED. My courses run over either 4 weekday evenings or 2 full Sundays. There are 3 couples on each course so not only is it a great way to learn some tools for a calm and comfortable birth, but a nice way to meet some other local expectant parents too. If you search for Hypnobirthing on this forum you'll be able to find lots of feedback from couples who've attended my course, or feel free to PM me if you'd like to know more. I'd also really recommend NCT classes, I did a course with Tessa in ED when I was expecting my son and learnt lots from her, as well as meeting some LOVELY mums who I've grown so close to. Our children have known each other since birth and have formed lovely bonds. Definitely invaluable for me, especially as we'd just moved to the area prior to our son being born. Hope that helps, Hollie x

UK single length in 6'3", Continental single length is 6'6". Pretty sure width is the same (3').

We have this Stompa one for my son (3) http://www.johnlewis.com/stompa-uno-plus-midsleeper-and-tent/p356670?colour=Blue Very sturdy - either my husband or I lay in it to read him a story before bed every night. Not to high (he happily climbs in and out without help, even in the dark) and it's definiely made bedtime more appealing for him (hallelujah). If you order from John Lewis they will come and install it for you for no extra charge - definitely worth it. Just be aware that the mattress that fits it is continental size (i.e. same as Ikea) so if you use fitted sheets then you might need to order online.

More about it here: http://gasandairblog.com/ It's a really great blog to follow, run by a local community midwife.

After a recent study into the effect of hypnobirthing on labour and birth, I thought I'd share some interesting findings with you. This study used 144 first time mums that have been on the London Hypnobirthing 10 hour course between 2011-2013. 67% had their babies on or before their estimated due date (EDD), compared to the national average of 15% 20% had their babies ON their EDD, compared to the national average of less than 5% 73% of these mums went on to have unassisted vaginal births, compared to the national average of 45% I am processing and analysing more of the data so will hopefully have some more statistics with you soon, but I thought this was interesting to share. There is so much to be said for being emotionally ready for your labour to begin, something that happens when your mind and body are in tune and working harmoniously. Hypnobirthing works.

Happy new year to all. I'm Hollie, a local mum and Hypnobirthing teacher and have been running classes in SE22 for the last couple of years. Hypnobirthing teaches you and your birth companion the tools for a calm and comfortable birth, and my classes, running over 4 weekly 2.5hr sessions, are relaxed and friendly. I have ONE space left on my Saturday course (starting this Saturday, 4th - 10.15-12.45pm) and ONE on my Wednesday course (starting 8th, 8.00-10.15pm). As the start date for these is imminent I am offering the place for ?175 (instead of ?285). The place will go on a strictly first come basis, so please PM me ASAP if you would like it, or email me at hollie@londonhypnobirthing.co.uk Wishing you all the best for a wonderful birth x

Vicks on the feet really helps, as does a spoon of manuka honey before bed. Wishing you a cough free Christmas x