The Nappy Lady

Cross posted with Renata. 3 houses on the site sounds ideal, especially if built to match the Victorian Terrace already there. Shame they intend to put a bungalow on their too. :-(

Hi all, When I walked past on Sunday it seemed that the asbestos roofing was stacked to the right of the gate in one of the garages there - or what was left of it. Historically I believe the main issue with this development was that the builders wanted to pack too many houses into the space to make the necessary profit. They also wanted to purchase the bungalow on the end/corner, but were not willing to pay the price the owners required to obtain it. So a stalemate was reached and the garages have sat there rotting ever since. Annoying for those of us who enjoyed having access to a lock up on our doorsteps, as we were 'evicted' only to see nothing then done with the site - but such is life. I would love to see the site developed as long as the job is done right, and with a suitable number of houses or flats. I guess only time will tell, but very much hope the council don't allow anything sub standard to get through planning.

Hi has anyone else had the email re the Virgin Internet & TV price increase? Ours is going up by over ?4 a month from February - seems a bit hefty. So I am looking to change provider - any suggestions? Cheers.

4.24 year gap between mine & no 2 was easier, though neither birth was 'hard' in all honesty. Second was much faster & I didn't ache so much afterwards other then the after pains Pickle mentioned, which were sorted with normal pain killers.

Pebbles, you are amazing to have done so much. At that time of night a lot of people would simply have turned over in bed, grumbled about being woken up and gone back to sleep. Good on you, and I hope you've had a private message to put your mind at rest now. x

Hi Cactus, So sorry you had to go through that. I can't offer direct help, but can tell you that Rashid, my dentist who is based on The Gardens is so lovely. We were there yesterday (me plus 3 children, 8, 7 and 4 years). My girls seem to arrive like a mini whirlwind and proceed to all ride up and down on the dentists chair at once, inspect his instruments, want to help by pressing buttons and filling the cup with the pink rinse stuff etc. He is entirely patient, and refuses to accept my apologies for their over zealous behaviour. He is very kind and gentle and I would recommend him 100% to anyone. He explains everything and I can imagine he'd be very good with a child who was nervous. The number for my dentist is 8693 4001, they are at 44b The Gardens, (just up that no entry road beside the Gardens Cafe). I wonder whether you could maybe pop along and explain the problem and ask whether you could visit a couple of times with your son to try to cure his phobia, and with a view to staying with them as your new dentist of course? Good luck. Poor little chap. I think if you can cure it sooner rather than later it can only be a good thing.

Here is the Jamie Oliver Roasted Vegetable Megamix recipe I was talking about; http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/roast-vegetable-megamix There was also (somewhere) all his Christmas shows from a few years ago which you could watch on demand, and one of them included him doing these veggies. I can't find it right now, but it's dead simple so the recipe should suffice you could have a trial run for a Sunday Lunch between now and Christmas. The Beetroots are AMAZING done like this. In fact it's all good. Though I always forget to pour the honey over the Parsnips in the last few minutes!

Love our stay at home Christmases now, refuse to go anywhere! Nothing nicer than waking up in your own house on Christmas morning, kids running in to see you etc. We always have a turkey crown, don't bother with the whole bird. Get some belly pork & cook over the top at the end - it flavours the turkey AND you get crackling - hurrah! Do Jamie Oliver's Christmas veggies (will find you tube video & put link here when I get a chance - from his Jamie does Christmas 2 or 3 years ago) - so easy you par boil then mix each veggie with olive oil, an acid (varies according to veggie, balsamic, white wine vinegar, etc) add a herb & lay in a baking tray in strips. Can do the day before & cling film in fridge over night. They then go on oven for 30-40 mins on the day - couldn't be easier. Turkey comes out to rest, roasties & veggies go in. Make gravy while you wait! If friends are coming ask them to provide the starter or pudding as that removes some stress. Let people help in kitchen! It seems daunting the first time but isn't as difficult as it sounds. Finally....ALWAYS par boil & shake your potatoes before roasting - it's essential!!!! Xxx

We've been in Nunhead for over 15 years & have had a few discussions about whether to stay or go. In the end we've decided we are way too happy to move - great neighbours, great school (& happy with the choice of secondaries around), lovely green spaces, easy access to central London. So, rather than spend money on moving we are going to do the typical loft conversion, house makeover etc with a view to making the house work for us as a family for the next 15 years & beyond. Over recent years so many E. Dulwichers have moved this way to get more house for their money, but I think now the prices have increased to a point where you don't benefit so much as you do by going to Sydenham or HOP. Happy house hunting!!

Nappy rash is caused by baby being left in a poo soiled nappy. If they are changing nappies on a strict routine (ie every 2 hours), if she's pooing just after a change then being left until her next change is due I'd say that is the problem. OR....could they be using a different type of wet wipe (or nappy), which may have something in it that she is reacting to. Some babies are much more sensitive than others. It certainly sounds like something about their routine is causing the problem so do talk to them. Hopefully they will be keen to resolve it. Try to leave her with nappy off at home as much as you can & fingers crossed it will clear up quickly.

Ooh thanks Melbourne Groover. Do you happen to recall the name of the style you went for? That is good news.

Hmmm can feel group orders coming on if they are not in the shops!!

So, last time we did up our bathroom (pre kids) we had a Back to the wall system. The flush has never been that Great on it (lack of water??) & now my 4 year old struggles To actually crank the lever too. We are having a new downstairs loo & I really want to get 1 With a good, powerful flush & a system for actually flushing That works even for a 4 year old. Someone told me bathstore loos don't flush well is this true? Budget wise we can't go mad, & function matters more then looks In my view. Any advice, experience or recommendations much appreciated! Toilet Lady anyone?? LOL.

Pickle, where do you get the detergent from? Is it easy to source?

Hopefully nothing! Pickle highly recommends it - and she's a girl who likes to clean!! ;-) Lets compare notes in about 3 weeks...will be fab to wave goodbye to cleaning floors on my hands & knees with a bucket & a cloth.

I nearly bought one a few weeks back ...glad I didn't now. Just for once inefficiency paid off!

50% off - just ordered mine! http://m.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/Discount-Emporium/13444136?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_328&a=1664

Check out Portable North Pole too - you can set up so your children get a video call from Santa and it's hilarious to watch them watching it and answering his questions. You can upload a photo, so he opens a book and all their details are in it!! http://www.portablenorthpole.com/home

Hi all - from the post office website - you have until 14th December!! Hello there! Want to write to Santa do you? Smashing idea! We do hope you've been a good boy or a good girl though. What's that? You have? Hooray! We're in business then and Christmas is a MOST serious business for Santa! Santa is ever-so busy in the run-up to Christmas, which (I am sure you won't be surprised) starts for Santa every year in early January! You can imagine how excited he is right now as Christmas approaches, just weeks away. All Santa's Reindeer are excited too, looking forward to stretching their legs once more on the flight from home to home, not to mention the mince pies and (hopefully) carrots all the children will be leaving out for them. You will try and leave just a little something for them won't you? Don't worry if you forget, they eat too much on Christmas Eve anyway! Whatever you do though, don't forget to write to Santa in plenty of time. He has to manage his time really carefully at this time of year, especially as time management has never been one of Santa's strong points, but he's been on a course and hopes to respond to as many letters as possible this year. Make sure you write to Santa by 14 December at the latest, attach a first or second class stamp and send your letter to: Santa Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1 (You may address him as Father Christmas if you prefer, he doesn't mind what you call him, as long as you don't call him too early in the morning!) Rudolph is usually around and keen to give Santa a helping hoof, but make sure you remember these three important things: write your name and address clearly on your letter to Santa attach either a 1st or 2nd class stamp to the envelope Santa really wants to receive your letter in plenty of time, so please please please let him get what he wants and send it before 14 December! Happy Holidays!

Hiya, Bright Bots as mentioned above are good. Also (a bit more absorbent) are Motherease Trainer Pants - they will contain a wee. For night time you can use the attractively named Motherease Bedwetter Pants - I still have some of these left from my girls which I'm happy to let go at a good price if you are interested. They are an all in one pull up, washable nappy. Despite my forum name, I no longer actually do cloth nappy demos, or have a connection with The Nappy Lady, but this page from the website is helpful in terms of different makes and the pros and cons - photos etc. there too! http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/trainer_pants.asp Good luck with it - I don't think the age is that surprising, as children in cloth often make the necessary connections (associating the feeling of a full bladder and releasing the wee with the resulting wet feeling) sooner that children in disposables. Hurrah!

Horrible bug. Try emergencyChildcare.co.uk if you get desperate. Think it's expensive though. :-( Get well soon.

Hi there I can totally empathise with your dilemma. I was going to say the same as LondonMix re commute & working hours - you may get more time with your daughter at each end of the day. Also if you plan to have another baby at some point (!) then assuming that's in say 18 months-2 years you would then have your maternity leave time with both of Them & could maybe negotiate going back part time?? Bringing up children in London is great, we are commited to stating but were lucky to buy a house 15 years ago. As they get older you ideally do need more space - at least that's how we feel eg we are going to convert our loft. We love having all London has to offer in our doorstep - and I think you appreciate the museums etc more & more as they get older. Also don't assume schools out of London will be better - they can be, but equally demand vs available spaces can still be an issue & distances can be much worse to secondaries etc. There are so many pros & cons its a really tough decision. Def. write a list of each, look at it & then see what your heart is telling you! Good luck,

1. Def try to ditch any hormonal birth controls. I'm amazed how much more aware of my er...changing 'moods' through the month now. 2. Try to go away for a weekend without the kids - beg, bribe whatever but find a way! 3. Try to establish a sleepover deal with other parents - 9 months is too soon but my 2 from 3 up Loved having sleepovers with friends. So one Friday you have their 2 overnight, next time they have Your 2. This is FAB as you get to have a night off / out & a lie in the next day. Also from my Experience when I have the extra children its pretty easy as they all entertain each other & if all else fails do a big film Fri evening & park on Saturday morning. Especially since starting school I have a few friends open to this Type or arrangement & have even done it on a school night on the Odd desperate occasion. Just getting ready to go out, in your own home Without any small people trying to climb into your bath, try to help You put your make up on, or totter round in your high heels is a joy. 4. Clearly a few negative comments about 50 Shades above - quite fair enough But there is some good erotic fiction out there & it can help to get you into The er...right frame of mind. Try it. Nothing ventured nothing gained! If you have a kindle just search for erotic fiction. Otherwise I'd suggest Amazon rather than Waterstones!! You really do have to make a concerted effort for a while but eventually you get there. :-)

Yes - re secondaries I went to 3 this year to look - glad I started early (eldest in year 4 so 2 more years til she moves on) as just getting to those after work & with children in tow at times was hard enough. Def worth getting ahead on viewings if you can, plus you can then revisit your short list in the application year & compare to your previous visit.

Hi - you will need to fill in lots of forms & get a police CRB check to help in school so would suggest going in ASAP to get that sorted, with whichever school you decide on.