mrs f

njc97 I'd say 4 will be needed

You can actually put wooden floors in with the adequate sound proofing underlay, it's just often people simply sand down the old victorian floorboards and use them, which leaves only the soundproofing (if any) between the floorboards and the ceiling below. We had wooden floors in a previous flat (with permission from freeholder and downstairs) and they were just as quiet if not quieter than the carpeted rooms... The cheapest solution is soundproofing underlay but really the best solution is to take up the floors and soundproof in-between floorboards and ceiling below, replace floorboards then soundproofing underlay and then carpet or whatever flooring on top of all that... If all that fails then downstairs can lower their ceiling and put in further soundproofing there....

Better sound insulation? can you discuss sharing the cost? A lot of the victorian conversion properties don't have adequate sound insulation due to the period in which they were converted... Depends what you have down at the min, and what is between the floorboards and the ceiling below but could be worth investigating seeing as the noise disturbance works both ways? There are certainly fairly cheap things you can do, but would involve lifting the floorboards and carpets I'd avoid getting into too many discussions about the noise your daughter makes (if possible) as bluesuperted says 2 year olds are supposed to make noise!

We have done it on our understairs cupboards. We think it looks good & if we get bored we can always paint over it. It does take some painting tho, about 4 coats & you need to leave it at least 12 hours between coats then a day or two after to allow it to harden properly

Sorry Bluemum, didn't mean to be negative, good luck with it, lots of long walks too and swimming to get the baby DOWN!

I had several acupuncture sessions, lots of sweeps, daily baths with clary sage oil, gallons of that tea & all the rest but was still 13 days late.... So I'm sure it works for some but it might just be that you baby comes when it's ready...

I'm with Salia, if you get the opportunity to have a place with the lanes you would be mad to turn it down. I'm with them now and had them for my 1st about 2 years ago. Erika, Vanessa and Mary are all still there (who incidentally all attended my birth) and there are three 'new' midwives since I had my son, all of whom I've met and are really lovely, I think you actually have to be lovely to work with the lanes! What is your friend's issues with them? In all seriousness when I talk to other people about the service I receive / Have received from the Lanes they are astounded at how good it is, we are truly very lucky to have such a service and I know plenty of people don't get on their list as they are so oversubscribed (for very good reason) but is a real shame to them for missing out

There is one at jags on thurs at 7 that's very relaxing

Some good & healthy cereals to try are puffed wheat (sainsbros own, no crap) puffed rice (in the health food section of sainsburys) & some type of hoop thing also in health food section, they are all sugar & salt free or very low Also oatibix are good, the big ones as the smaller ones are covered in sugar to keep them together Toast goes down well in our house as does yoghurt & fruit I buy sainsburys basics frozen forest fruits & cook it down sometimes with apple to make a sugar free compote which I add to plain yog. I also eat this myself which is why the toddler likes it so much no doubt! I have granola on mine & chopped banana so he often just digs into my bowl & helps himself after his 1st bowl of cereal Weekends he will devour any cooked breakfast Or crumpets or muffins etc

I'm in, yak, can you keep me updated on the date pls as I'm so flaky on the forum these days????? Thanks!!

I had the lanes last time & have them this time, it's an exceptional service especially the after care. I would bear in mind though that they are hugely over subscribed & if you move now to dmc you are unlikely to get on their books even if you call the day you miss your period as they prioritise previous patients etc. I'm not sure if oakwood or brierley teams are as bad but worth looking into? Good luck, it's a service worth fighting for

We went to Portugal last summer & it was beautiful & glorious weather but yes Snowboarder you are right that the sea was a bit too cold :-( really put mr f off, which is a shame as it was one of our best holidays ever! Love that you have to go to Wales for two weeks for a couple of hot days Fuchsia! Sadly all holiday budget is off for us this year so will be making the most of my mums Cornish cottage & freezing Atlantic!

the party shop on wallworth road, if you get 'normal' type balloons though they only last 24hours.... we made this mistake at my son's birthday last year getting the balloons too soon!

Eeek, nothing before March? I'm due on 14th so have no intentions of battling round an NCT style sale that big!

Hi, Who knows when the next NCT or other organisation 2nd hand baby sale is?? I want to get my sons summer wardrobe sorted before baby 2 arrives in March... Thanks

What time does one need to get to the horniman to q for busy bees in the morning? Thanks

We have just brought a p&t dot for our expected 2nd arrival, our age gap will be 23m. We have yet to test it with 2 but as it is the smallest p&t model it's very light & easy to push etc

Hi, my mum is due to come up from Cornwall for Xmas tomorrow but due to flooding she has to come today which means she is going to miss her appointment to have her ears seringed, she currently can't hear out of one... Is there anywhere local ish she could get her ears done in the next week? Thanks

There will also be a concert 2:30-3 on Sunday at the horniman

Cornelia, my son now thinks everyone has babies in their tummies, including himself... It's gonna be slow progress getting there but we talk about it a every day, I even got him to kiss the bump the other day but since then all requests for affection have been met with bye baby! The doll can't harm, your son may like it even more when your baby comes along, ask someone to get him one for Xmas? Ours came from his grandmas house as she has a stash of toys.

Hey just to say I have a 20m old boy who has a doll, he likes feeding it etc, isn't the most exciting toy for him but he does like it & I'm pregnant so we talk about mummy's baby a fair bit too. In terms if which one it is, it's a smaller than life size one but he refuses to put its clothes on so it just has its cloth body. Just get a cheap one & see if he likes it?

I think snowboarder has a point here, perhaps CS aren't always the instant answer, I was lucky enough to have community midwives with my 1st & I'm with them for my 2nd and I can't actually imagine not having that consistency of care. The impact on having one midwife or one small team of midwives through a pregnancy & birth experience is huge and not to be underestimated. Not that I'm saying we can all have wonderful natural births with community midwives but that perhaps if we have more consistent care it can help everyone. It's more likely people's fears will be addressed before we get to the labour stage and its very reassuring having someone you know with you during labour, surely that consistency of care will help any postpartum issues too? Random point perhaps but perhaps it's not just the csection policy that needs to be addressed to give women better birthing experiences?

Hi all, probably a post for the what's on but seeing as I've been lucky enough to meet so many of you lovely family room people in the last couple of years I thought I would post this here too as a more personal hi! The Alma in Crystal Palace are having a winter market every sat from this weekend until Xmas and I'm going to be launching my brand of baby PJ's there this weekend! come and check us out, say hi and grab a glass of mulled wine from the pub! 11-4 www.thebrightcompanyonline.com

Hi all, I need to borrow a baby about 10/11 months ish or one that fits in 6-12 month size perfectly. I need to try on some pjs.... I can't offer you anything just yet in return but will be able to offer a big discount on my company next month. We sell sleepwear for 0-3, or will when our stock comes in! Find us on twitter @thebrightcomp if you want to see what we are about Please get in touch if you can offer your little one for a very quick fitting over the next couple of days Thanks! Ali 07796854862

The Amelda lactaline was amazing, I had it & it's super quick & strong, I lent it to a couple of friends who then went out & brought one. I mostly used it in single mode to be honest as was often with the baby too & couldn't be totally hands free. I pumped so much I ended up donating to the milk bank as well as for my little fattie!