bluesuperted

LadyRuskin: You can hire quite a selection from Slumber Roo - Beco, Manduca, Moby, Babyhawk, Boba... there are other sites but I don't have personal experience of them. Slumber Roo has been excellent in my experience. I don't know its name but there is one site that donates money to SIDS charity in return for sling hire, might be worth googling that one too. Moi23, I'm surprised you've found the Ergo tricky to put on. For the front carry I do the following: clip on the waist band, adjusted to the correct tightness, pick up baby and straddle his legs froggy style around my waist (he's now 7 months, so he grips really well now, but have been doing this since circa 4 months). Then I hold baby in place with one arm and use the other arm to pull strap over each shoulder. Once they are in the right place I use one hand to clip the strap at the nape of my neck. You can then pull on the side straps (just under boobs) to tighten it further and pull baby nice and close to you. The back carry is something I haven't quite mastered on my own - but that's why I just bought a Beco Butterfly II as it has an internal harness which will hopefully make life easier when I start doing regular back carries on my own. Karter, here are 2 good links re: babywearing safety: http://babywearinginternational.org/articles.php?article=2 and http://babywearinginternational.org/pages/InfantSlingSafety.php. You may have heard about 'bag slings' in the press, these are not safe and shouldn't be confused with reputable sling designs. I actually feel safer carrying my LO in his carrier than in my arms now as I know he's comfortable, in a good position and nice and secure. For a newborn, many advise the stretchy wraps as the safest way of carrying baby, the Baby Bjorn style carriers put stress on the infants spine and are not recommended or comfy for carrier/carried long-term (I used one til 1 month old but won't bother with it next time and will start with a stretchy wrap such as a Moby and then progress to soft structured carrier when baby is old enough).

This is something I think about everyday... I love living in ED but financially, to really enjoy family life here it's kind of out of our reach. The recent threads on secondary school (and of course primary school!) have cemented this thought in my head. As two public sector workers who can in theory work anywhere in the country, I think we would be a little crazy to stay here for the long-term future... We plan to move out of London, properly out, in the next 3 or so years. We are considering Bristol, to be closer to family (but crap secondary schools in the City and not sure I can face moving back to my toytown home town just yet!), Bath/Somerset/Clevedon, Devon/Dorset, Yorkshire (Harrogate/Saltaire/Leeds environs) or very unlikely Brighton (too far from family to be a great move for us long-term). I'm starting to think it's like when I worked in advertising too - even the people who I was sure were in it for the long haul were actually toying with jacking it in; recently several of our London through and through friends have 'admitted' (haha) they don't plan on being here in 5 years time and harbour secret dreams of buying a barn conversion in the country...

I would firstly like to echo the support for jennyh - my first baby is nearly 7 months old and I can remember vividly the scary world of the first few weeks, filled with awe and terror in equal measure. But it does get better. And easier, and you actually manage to keep loving them MORE even when it doesn't seem possible! Carry on doing a great job and listen to yourself and your instincts above all others. ? ? ? Secondly though I think this is not the thread for a) bashing breastfeeding b) bashing ALL aspects of the NCT. Like Buggie my experiences of the NCT were all positive, and I had a c section (as did 4/6 of my class!) and a very supportive teacher thereafter. Re: breastfeeding, this is also not the thread to list its benefits but it is also unfair on all those women (many who struggle, some who get as far as they can but not as far as they'd like, and many lucky ones like me who don't have major problems but still work hard at it) to claim that a baby will be 'happier and sleep better on formula' - that is not tolerant of the choices of women who bf and also is anecdotal evidence at best, completely unsubstantiated at worst. My own 'evidence' is one deliciously happy and totally random sleeper (some nights good, some not so amazing) who I'm lucky to still be?breastfeeding and plan to continue for many months to come. ? ?? Also I totally feel for anyone who has to deal with the horror of cancer with a young family, very glad to hear it turned out ok in the end for you susyp, it must have been terrifying - but think your post could end up scaring quite a lot of bfing new mums out there at a very vulnerable time. I knew about the links between breastfeeding and breast cancer prevention that Anna_r mentioned but haven't heard of the increased risk immediately following pregnancy and will do some research myself on this asap. In the meantime I hope this thread doesn't make any mums give us breastfeeding before they are ready out of fear.?

Lol anna_r, some might say sling bore! Couldn't resist though.... Took my Gemini out for a spin today and so pretty (oh and comfy/functional... But SO pretty!). Forgot to say to OP, these are all versions of soft structured carriers by the way. There is also the woven wrap route (good for heavier babies) but I haven't researched those as much and IMO (although not really qualified as don't have ons yet!) the structured carriers would be easier to get a wriggly 1.5 yr old in...

I only have experience of my now almost 7 month old. However he is a strapping 22lb already and I sling A LOT so I've been researching this question recently as not finished babywearing just yet. I use the Ergo and have just added the Beco Butterfly and Beco Gemini to my collection - overkill for someone a bit more sane but like Inkmaiden I hardly use my buggy at all these days and to me they serve slightly different needs. I recommend you look online at a few reviews of these plus the ones mentioned above (have read good things about Sleepy Nico and Patapum too). I've also looked at the Boba which is supposed to be great for toddlers as it has foot stirrups. Really good idea is hiring before you buy - Slumber Roo is a great site (fab customer service and advice) where you can hire most of the above and then you get a 10% discount if you do end up buying one. Hope this helps! I love babywearing in case you can't tell...

Yes I can imagine co-napping really comes into its own in toddlerdom-mixed-with-pregnancy! Hope you're doing ok and not too frazzled!

Second that it's lovely to hear all the positive stories as like hpsaucey I often meet with confused looks when I explain our set up. I agree it will pass in the blink of an eye and while it's not for everyone, if it's working for you go with it. Ruth - like you did I co-nap and co-sleep with my LO and while I rarely sleep in the day myself, I do get the chance to relax, read, stare at him (!), and it's keeping my energy levels up and my baby very contented. Not a lot of housework getting done but luckily husband rather tidy (read VERY tidy!). Next time we are lucky enough to have a newborn I'll be budgeting for a super king sized bed to replace our current king size and just going with it!

Haha we cross posted, me with yet another book recommendation, you shelving all your books for a bit! Sometimes it's just quicker to read the Amazon reviews anyway I find ;) And I agree re padded room, would be a very good idea!

Also worth reading Three In A Bed, Deborah Jackson - part history, part celebration of the benefits of cosleeping. Really fascinating, well written and affirming of parenting styles that differ from the expected norm. And I don't have the stat to hand but have read that many many more people cosleep EVEN in the cot-liking West than one would think... Good luck and hope you manage some nice unbroken stretches soon! X

We used this technique with our baby when he was 3 weeks old and it worked like a dream - we had three days of colic symptoms, read up on Karp's techniques online and in his book (Baby Bliss over here) and hey presto, calm baby. Particularly nice as it worked best when administered by daddy! Astonished my own dad but he became a massive convert! Have since lent my book to several new mums/ mums to be - it's a simple, slightly repetitive read, but I found the explanation of the third trimester invaluable to caring for my baby and he has responded brilliantly to an attachment style approach ever since. The bit that stuck out was about carrying your baby - even holding them for 12 hours a day is 50% less than they are used to in the womb so no wonder they crave being in arms. There's another good link on YouTube where the doctor is on Richard and Judy. Funnily enough American friends of mine were shown this clip in antenatal classes so think it's a lot more well known over there.

Peckham Plex mother/father/baby is off next week... Sadly for teacher daddies! Baby Sensory (paid classes) still on. Old Nun's Head pub starting a baby group next Monday 21st (11 or 1130 I forget!) so that's on too.

If you need a carpet cleaner then I recommend Tony (who I found out about on EDF). He's fantastic and good value. His no is 07846?314543.

Aha knackered cow you just recommended a sister hotel (I think) to the Lamb. Haven't been but heard good things and Bibury gorgeous.

The Old Granary Mill in Woodbridge, Suffolk and the Lamb in Burford near Oxford (we spent first night of our honeymoon there) are two of our favourite for characterful and quietly luxurious weekends away. One day we will return! http://www.theoldgranarycottage.co.uk/about.htm http://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/property/the_lamb_inn?/lamb

I've been experiencing a heightened sense of emotion recently, slightly different from what you describe though (looking at my sleeping babe and crying happy tears, shaking my head at how unbelievably cute he is...) - haven't started weaning in earnest but have begun dabbling in baby led weaning (so very slow potentially). Had been putting it down to the whole six month thing - that it's a milestone, a half year of his life, a step closer to them not being babies any more. Very interesting about the hormones Fuschia but don't think that's the case for me just yet as still feeding LOADS! Better warn my DH that it could get worse!! Some NCT friends at the same stage are experiencing similar emotions - I said it's kind of the mother's own version of 6 month separation anxiety. I also think it's to do with the fact you know what you're doing with breastfeeding by this point and you trust it, and the thought of (or the actual deed of) weaning is a little scary and unknown again. I plan on continuing to breastfeed for a good while yet though so just have to keep reminding myself of that. Hope your PMS style feelings go very soon though!! x

It's at least 7 too few when you're married to a teacher! Love getting my husband back!

This may only be of interest to sling geeks like me but I found this product comparison between an ergo and a manduca from a Canadian retailer very interesting. http://extraordinarybabyshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/08/product-comparison-ergo-vs-manduca.html Other soft structured carriers (SSCs, ergo is one of these) that review favourably are the Beco Gemini and Butterfly, totally gorgeous too. For woven wrap (for babies who are too heavy for stretchy wraps) the big names are didymos and storchenwiege but I am just a bit impatient for wraps although I love them once on.

Another ergo fan (ergo maniac some may say...) and worth looking around/trialling if not sure. I'm currently renting a manduca (fab, similar to ergo but has some nifty features such as ability to cross straps for even more support something I'm considering as I'd like to babywear to one year plus) and also has a clever in built infant insert which might interest you. Renting via Slumber Roo who I recommend, fantastic customer service and advice from Debi and much cheaper to check out by hiring than buying the wrong one. I use my ergo all day everyday! Use the pram once a week... And my LO is 6 months and 21 lb and I'm 5'3. My husband loves it too and it's the piece of baby equipment I'd save in a flood!!

Was going to say you need to speak to sophiechristophy! :)

Very sad indeed. We just moved to Nunhead from round the corner by Sainsburys and I always felt so safe. So sorry for this boy's family.

Great thread that I've bookmarked for future reference as starting babyled weaning with my little boy in a few weeks. As we speak Dazeykat's lentil chicken (almost!) is cooking in the oven, smells yummy, thanks!! :)

My boy is on the 98th centile, I'm 5ft 3 and I've managed to predominantly use a sling for the past 5.5 months both at home and outside. No plans to stop either as it's so easy and great for bonding/his sleep/my exercise levels: yesterday I made a wrong turning in Forest Hill and went up a very steep street - like some kind of military fitness regime with a 20lb baby attached! Back feels fine today as weight all carried on the hips in the Ergo. My husband loves the sling too and takes over the carrying at weekends - pushchair doesn't get much of a look in! I read some research that showed carried babies cry less (to do with womblike sensations of being in the sling) and that has certainly been true with my son, who is very carried and very cheery!

I'm a speech and language therapist and have read all the research about patent-facing buggies and also feel quite strongly about it, both from the perspective of parent and child. The National Literacy Trust has lots of information (Talk to Your Baby campaign) and a nice video which explains the benefits of parent facing for babies. I don't have stair issues where I live but I do like to go into the city and out and about on buses and tubes which is not super easy with my Bugaboo Cameleon. My son is nearly 6 months and MASSIVE but I use a very good sling loads and love it (Ergo, best thing I ever bought) and it comes into its own for trips into town (lots of planned breaks/sit downs!) and the parent facing Bugaboo when I walk locally for half an hour plus. However I do agree with others that I'm sure if you're chatty with your baby at other points it probably won't cause any major language delay/problems. From a personal standpoint though I just love being able to see my little boy, whether that's under the sleep hood of his sling or facing me in the pram, so I'm not just doing it for his benefit :) oh and your MIL sounds like she's going to be fun!! I agree she should buy your buggy (nice lightweight parent facing ?500 Bugaboo Bee please??!).

It was this one: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,593029,593313#msg-593313 And the forumite was Alicinha... Thanks, I really enjoyed the mental challenge of picturing the other threads from memory and then remembering what the subject matter was (yup, geek). I'll check out her blog too :)

Oh and Anna, pretty sure your little one meets all the recommended signs for baby led weaning already apart from the age and like Sophie says, she'd be getting involved but not ingesting masses so possible a nice compromise, you can look at my cookbook before your book arrives if you like - it summarises the main points of the theory at the beginning. Oh and I don't know what it means when your baby was super overdue like ours?!