Fidgetsmum

Thanks. I had it when I was 9yrs old and remember it being horrendous so assumed it'd be the same for Fidget. Shall stock up and get ready for the onslaught!

I've got a 6 wk old boy, and a three yr old whose nursery seems to have a number of chicken pox cases. I'm therefore expecting my daughter to get it fairly soon. So because I have no brain having given birth so recently (!), please can I have advice on what to have ready/medecines etc to get in the house/be prepared for for when my daughter does come down with it? I'm struggling to coordinate getting myself dressed in the morning, let alone feeding a hungry baby every 2-3 hrs and then potentially caring for a poorly little girl. Any advice to get prepared greatly appreciated (although horror stories of no sleep for 7 nights in a row etc might not be helpful!!)

There. Sillywoman has explained it perfectly! My daughter naturally had been systematic in her learning style from very young and also, I was pretty structured with her at home (i.e. don't run around like a banshee all the time - sometimes there are rules) so she slotted right into nursery as it was almost a natural extension of what she has at home. Don't get me wrong - I'm in no way a strict mum, but have just offered structure for her. There's loads of resource on the internet about Montessori and I think the half moon website gives you a good jist of how they approach it. p.s. I've also really liked all the parents I've met so far which I take as a very good sign too!

My daughter LOVES Half Moon, as do I. They work to Montessori methodology but not to a militant style. I would still say that you need to be sure that your child will thrive in that encouraging Montessori environment - there's a boy in my daughter's class who really struggles with it and in my (very non-expert) opinion, shouldn't be in the Montessori system. The staff are amazing - my daughter settled immediately into Red class, and has just moved up to Blue class - and all the staff involved in both classes have taken time to get to know her so that she benefits most from the system. I've just had another baby (boy, this time) and if he shows signs of being a Montessori type learner, I wouldn't hesitate to send him there.

You may have tried all this, but just in case: - be close to your baby when pumping, or have a recording of his/her cry or gurgling - spend 5 minutes massaging your breast first - form your hand into a pointed fist, and roll (don't drag) the fist across your breast from outside to towards the nipple all round the breast (think of a clock face) - then hand express a little - your hand is more efficient than a pump - as this will get things going - Drink LOTS and LOTS of water to help with supply - Try increasing frequency of breastfeeds for a few days too to help with supply Finally, when I had to express early on with my first baby due to thrush, I found that I got pretty wound up about the fact not much was coming out and that I was failing my baby if I couldn't feed her. A midwife came round and completely relaxed me and said that ultimately, my baby wouldn't starve as although I hated the idea, there was always formula. And you know what? As soon as I relaxed, the flow was much better and I never had to get to the formula situation. Hope that helps in some way and good luck.

My sister had emergency C-section for first child (face presentation and failure to progress) but her second and third children were both born at home, in a pool, with short labours (she worked hard to relax and prepare her mind and body for labour using hypnobirthing) and the support of an amazing midwife. According to all the research she did (and she did a lot) the risk of rupture is amazingly small, considering the fuss that medical professionals make about it all. However, as my sister said, you have to be happy that if you, by chance, are in that tiny minority and things do go a bit awry, will you still feel sure you made the best choice to go for VBAC at the time with the information you had to hand? If the answer is yes, then there's your answer - go for it. If you think you may look back with lots of regrets that you hadn't made the right decision, then perhaps you need to consider a CS after all. Not CS related, but medical opinion related... I recently had my second baby - my first birth was awful with long labour, ventouse, forceps, third degree tear and large loss of blood (and 1yr of recovery) Not surprisingly Kings were VERY keen I should be in hospital again (particularly because of the severe tearing and bleeding history) and made it plain to me on a number of occasions (making me feel like I was a bad mum for even considering anything other than a hospitalised experience). But I did a lot of my own research and got the support of excellent midwives (the Brierley) and had my baby at home, in my bedroom with a short labour, no tear and delivery of a large 9lb 14oz boy (I'm only 5'2"!) So just because the medical establishment wear white coats (I know.. they don't nowadays, but you get my gist!) and bombard you with their own statistics, it doesn't mean they're necessarily right for you. Check out homebirth.org - they've a great section on VBACs. Whatever decision you make, just be sure YOU are happy with your choices. And good luck.

The chemist (Fourways pharmacy) in Herne Hill are excellent. Helpful and cheap.

She of the 9 lb 14oz porker here. Even up to the day before I went into labour I was talking to my midwife saying that I might still want to go to hospital (there was a high chance of me completely freaking out after my first birth experience so although I wanted home, they were accepting that at the first contraction, I might change my mind and go to hospital). She explained that they always stay with their labouring woman in hospital. The only time they can't is when a homebirth is simultaneously happening elsewhere that they must attend. The chances of this happening is pretty slim though. I felt very happy that if I ended up in hospital, and she really had to leave, I would cope as their antenatal care had been so fantastic, and I'd drawn so much strength from their kindness and expertise. Half way through my pregnancy, Kings had advised me that it would be 'wise to strongly consider a hospital birth' after the dreadful first birth and I started a thread asking for positive Kings stories. As always the forum came up trumps and I got some amazing positive experiences back. So, you can feel very comfortable with the Brierley and then if you have to transfer, and your Brierley midwife has to leave you at Kings, there are plenty of very positive stories to help keep you in a positive frame of mind. I have no doubt whatsoever that their attendance to me before during and after the birth led to my completely brilliant empowering experience which has laid to rest an awful lot of demons. They are AMAZING.

That sounds great too. Might try that next week.

Little boy fidget was such a good boy that we nipped to Giraffe and managed to get a booth so would have been private. But in fact, he didn't wake at all whilst there so we wandered out and headed for the RFH as closest. Found very comfy sofa on the main ground floor and had a successful feed. Have discovered that it's better to be in a really busy buzzy area than somewhere quiet. Little boy is not the quietest of feeders, and on the floors above, it was quiet but enough people for it to be a distraction to them. So anyway. Big thanks for all recommendations and help. I'm knackered but feel SO much better for engaging with the real world. We'll be heading for the BFI next time for some variety.

That's fantastic everyone - thanks very much. We're on our way to the RFH or BFI right now!

I'm not very confident feeding in public and hate to feel like I'm watched so want somewhere that feels 'safe'. And my boy's only little so I will definitely have to feed out and about. Argh! Maybe being too brave, but have huge cabin fever and have promised my 3yr old daughter a trip 'into London town'. We'll be walking anywhere between London Bridge and the London Eye/Aquarium. Thanks

Yep - Katie Yiannouzis rings a big bell. Thanks!

Just my personal opinion and from my own experience, but if you put her back in nappies now, she'll never think you're serious about it (seeing as you put her back in nappies last time too). I'm not judging your past decisions at all - I remember days when I wanted to just walk out of the house, or just not bother cleaning up any more wee ever! When I started to potty train my daughter, we made a big fuss in advance and had a countdown on the calendar to D-Day and then the last nappy came off and that was it - she was only going to wear nappies at night and she knew (and I committed to the fact ) there was absolutely no going back whatsoever. I completely ignored all of her accidents (no matter how deliberate they seemed) and always said the same thing in the same tone of voice so she couldn't think she was getting a 'reaction' out of me. Some days were good with only one or two wees on the floor (carpets! hence now having wooden floors for next baby's turn) but some days were horrendous with many many many wees or even poos on the floor, in pants, just as we were leaving the house, just as visitors were arriving etc etc etc. Some days I spent more time on my knees soaking carpets and pants than I spent upright. But I ALWAYS responded with the same phrase of 'oh well, never mind, just keep trying to use the potty for next time sweetie', the same calm tone of voice and suddenly, one day, she got it. As for the sitting on the loo at nursery but not at home, it's not the same but similar: my daughter will still occasionally get on the loo but refuse to have a wee saying she doesn't need one. So again, I use the a particular phrase and tone of voice every time and say 'ok. well you sit there until you do. I'm just popping into the study. Shout when you're done' and I don't wait for her reaction as I've already left the bathroom and don't engage in any further conversation. This works EVERY time. It might take 10 seconds to hear a wee, and sometimes it takes a long 5 minutes, but it comes and then she shouts that she's done and I walk in pretending nothing happened and don't mention it, wipe her and move on to the next activity/chore etc. One thing that might be good is to get some consistency with the nursery - explain what you're doing to the teachers and come to an agreement as to how you'll both do it, so that your child realises there's no negotiation, regardless of where she is. Ultimately, be strong, acknowledge the accidents with kindness but no 'reaction' or real attention, praise any good behaviour (even if it's only a small step towards the ultimate goal) and remember, she won't be walking up the aisle in nappies, so she will get it eventually. The stronger willed you are on the inside, and calmer you are on the outside and the more she realises there's no choice, it's just the way the world will now be, the chance is, she'll find something else to have a power struggle with you with and get the potty training done! Good luck - and have a glass of wine in the evenings - I found that helped A LOT!

If we were to have either, my vote would be Waitrose over the overpriced processed foods that M&S sell. Having said that, I'd rather have Waitrose instead of the Coop rather than in addition to. Lordship Lane is fabulous because of its independent shops - we need no additional supermarket, but I have shopped at Sainsbury's, Coop and Waitrose over the years and have always found the foods I buy from Waitrose are sold further from their use by date and tend to have been cared for better in transit so I'd rather my money go to them.

Anyone know her name? I've looked on KCH's website to no avail.. I think it's Katie or Katy something? Thanks!

Asquiths take babies from three months I think.

Another vote for the Tripp Trapp. Daughter has been in it constantly since 6 months (she's now 3yrs). Brilliantly adjustable, not unattractive, will fit her until she's had enough - quite often I find myself sitting on it, it's so comfortable. Her baby brother was born on Christmas Eve and she's already stated he'll have to have his own chair when the time comes! We also have a travel highchair which we love Fisher Price portable highchair Cheap, easy to clean, fits all chairs. I tried a few of the material/canvas ones that attach to tables etc, but just never felt they were as safe - just my personal opinion though as I know lots of parents love them, they just weren't for me.

As always, am in awe of the wisdom of EDForum. Thanks very much everyone. I think we're going to try the Florence as we've not been there before and will definitely head for the Victoria Inn (as it's around the corner). And I also like the sound of having somewhere baby friendly in town. And so pleased to hear about the change in the law - so I should think too.

It could be change of temperature... or lighting level. Or it could just be the noises are different (creaks of floorboards, sounds of your voice through wall etc). Or, indeed, her waking could have nothing to do with the move at all and just bad timing with coming down with something. Hope you work it out - but I would persevere and don't change too many variables at once.

Had second baby on Christmas Eve and keen to get out of the house with hubby and baby before hubby has to return to work. It's been three years since I was feeding my daughter so wondered if anyone could give me an update on which places in ED are breastfeeding friendly (and which are definitely not) - will happily travel a little way if there's somewhere brilliant in Herne Hill, West/Dulwich, etc etc. Thanks!

I went to the Kings breastfeeding workshop the other week and the woman there was saying that Tongue-tie is Clare Kedves' new project and she's implementing all sorts of things to get tongue-ties dealt with tmuch faster than it used to be. If you haven't seen Clare yet, I absolutely would get an appointment with her as an emergency. She may well push you through the chain as you have a number of other children to look after too!

Anyone? Sorry to bump thread.

We've been trying to catch him for the last fortnight and his shop has been closed every time we walked past (different times, different days). Is he on holiday? Does anyone know how long he'll be away for? Or, if he's just being elusive, how we can contact him? Thanks

Horrid experience. Hope you get some of your things back.