linzkg

Got some friends staying over and they've got a 4 year old that has energy to burn .. any suggestions for a Friday coffee and a child zone with other kids for entertainment?!

Anyone know of a nursery up for sale in the local areas? Ta,

definitely join a NCT class - we recently did the evening classes and thoroughly enjoyed it and found it worth every penny - we met 5 other couples and made friends for life. I also joined yoga classes at Dulwich Therapy Rooms with Francine and found those great both for exercise and meeting other moms. A few of us got together after advertising on the forum, the group got bigger and bigger, and we still meet up now - our babies range between a month old and 5 months or so!!

goodness HeidiHi .. you have had such a similar pregnancy to me .. the wait drags doesn't it .. have you done acupuncture or reflexology yet? reflexology worked for me - we did it late friday night (after i burst into tears at the thought of a medical induction that had been booked for the monday coming) - i went into labour a few hours late and he was born at home in water! just make sure the bub is engaged before bring on on the labour .. mind you breaking of the water is supposed to "flush" them out .. didn't work for me and i had push him down myself .. hard work! BUT if you do end up going with the medical induction just remember the end result - it's totally worth every minute - jut keep positive and strong!

I've got the Tara Lee DVD and one other that I'm looking to sell on if you're keen .. I swam a lot but I also went to yoga classes at Dulwich Health Matters which was fab - made friends, was well prepared when i found myself having to squat for 3 full hours during labour!!! went straight back to my normal weight within weeks .. and it completely relaxed me ;-) all the best!

I have a 2 month old baby. If anyone has 5 minutes to spare I'd appreciate your opinions on the local childcare - nurseries in particular - while I appreciate child minders and nannies can work out cheaper. Any good ones you'd recommend? Any you wouldn't? What do you look for in a nursery - criteria / big no no's ..

i recently had a water birth - it was great. i wouldn't say it does much for the contractions as such BUT it certainly soothes you afterwards. i don't think there's any magic trick when dealing with contractions but a lot is to be said for "drifting off" immediately after .. in fact twice i fell asleep in the water in between contractions! i also used gas and air and then a tens machine when i wasn't in the pool. Kings is a "first come first serve basis - as you said, you can't plan when you go into labour. i've got a friend who managed to get the pool and she had a great time at kings. all the best!

no, thank you very much for your honest opinions! you hear so much going backward and forward .. but you've both put your argument very well .. much appreciated! its sad when your main support are parents, and mothers in particular, yet the views tend to be so different - as parents keep saying to me "how times have changed". i will continue to try and settle him on his back - thanks again

My litle one is 8 weeks now and I've found that he's a better sleeper on his tummy .. in fact if I put him down at 10pm/11pm he doesn't wake until about 7am the following morning .. this morning I actually woke him myself! Am I a bad mother? hehe ;-) A) sleeping on tummies is frowned apon B) He's only just 8 weeks - surely he should be feeding through the night .. but instead I'm getting a full night sleep! Do I continue putting him on his tummy and just count my blessings that he's a good night sleeper? And ps, it works for me so maybe there are other mothers out there that may want to try their little ones on their tummies for a better sleep too!! A friend through NCT has also given up on her little one sleeping on her back as she doesn't settle so we're both finding this works for us.

actually i don't want a further public posting to a wider audience. my baby's heart rate seemed to be ok throughout the labour right the way down the birthing canal as the midwives were monitoring him regularly (who knows what was happening in between, and just how much oxygen deprivation was occurring and for how long it had gone on for - baring in mind i was having a home birth) - the cord was around his neck and also around his chest together with his arms across his chest so suffocating him - he was 10lb 7oz so a big boy and i'm a size 10 so possibly my hips didn't stretch open enough?? i don't know .. - so yes, he was D-E-A-D .. thanks for making that clear for me, and look i can even spell the word!! bla bla bla .. the midwives cut the cord immediately and started bagging him .. - he was born 17.45 - midwives called paramedics 17.47 - first ambulance arrived 17.49 (an absolute miracle!!!) so he got 100% oxygen within minutes .. life support and ICU for a week - and when he left hospital he was only 100g short of his birth weight! a complete miracle and hard to believe but through sheer determination and positive thinking we did it (it helped that i was put in hospital as i had complications with excessive bleeding so i was able to go to ICU to see him when ever .. yes he's supposed to be deaf dumb and blind but we've had an inital MRI at 5 days old and again a miracle that initial findings look positive and he's absolutely fine .. but we have a follow up MRI in a few months and in the mean time we wait to see if anything else has been compromised, ie. slow learner etc. i feel like now offering an open day for people to gawk at the kid! ;-) ps, anyone else know anyone or had a similar issue, ie with kings and them NOT detecting a big baby and offering or advising on "safer options" like a hospital delivery or even a c-section i'd be keen to hear about as obviously we have our own battle with the hospital now as to how and why this happened - if anything - to stop it from EVER happening to anyone else EVER. maybe a private message is better so we can get back to Heidi ..

ok guys .. i now totally regret even posting here .. for clarification i will start a new post, and not ruin poor heidihi thread, and put it straight just to avoid any further discussion about me and my child right in front of me .. goodness molly .. it gets worse hey!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm sure no harm was intended but a little more sensitivity would be appreciated ;-)

heidi - all the unanswered questions you have going on in your mind are exactly what i had! you will know when the time is right what you will do - even if its a last minute drastic change and you worry that you're going to go mad as its just not a straight forward yes or no - especially when its such important decisions - you would think it would be black and white hey! i just had a feeling that i had to try the ECV - even though i didn't want to stress my little one out - it was very painful for me and my little one lashed out at the doc as they tried to turn him - but immediately afterwards his heart rate returned to normal and i just took it easy the next few days whispering sweet nothings at my belly!!! i'm so glad i did it as it was a success .. i also often think how strong my little boy has been with everything he's been through .. and i look back and, to make myself feel better i guess that even that "procedure" prepared him for some tough going .. with regards to skin on skin etc .. i strongly wanted that .. and to have them wait to cut the cord etc .. but of coz everything i wanted i couldn't have .. i only met my son 4 and a bit hours later .. through an incubator .. i couldn't hold him or feed for a few days until he was in better condition .. so when he bobbed his little head in the direction of my b00b and latched all by himself i can't begin to tell you ..!! so you see .. even days later they just know!! i was also worried i'd ruin that "first moment" .. but it happened!! you must just relax and be confident in yourself - even though you're not yet an official mom you definitely will know what's right for yourself and your bub .. and he will love you regardless!! your little one will "feel the vibe" so go with the flow and let it happen one step at a time .. all the best .. you'll do just fine .. you've been totally devoted from the word go - i remember your initial posts still!

Just to add - Sillywoman - my midwife was definitely in support of a natural breech birth. The point i was trying to make is that i was all for a natural home water birth and would have done pretty much anything to ensure that - including going for a breech. In my case the size was undetected by a long way off, that and the fact that the cord was wrapped tightly, I ended up at home delivering a still born!! (and no there was no problems with his shoulders at all and yes we were both constantly monitored and all seemed ok.) I totally appreciate i got unlucky and probably a once off and do not want to scare anyone off as child birth is obviously the most amazing thing ever, and to have it confidently in the comfort of your own home is even more special - BUT - i'd hate anyone to have to go through what i went through .. so I just wanted to say to heidi to make sure she was confident the size was reasonable (mind you that would go for any birth hey!) I had my doubts but at my 41 plus 4 days scan the doctor fobbed me off and told me to go home - I just wish I'd followed my gut more and persisted as I should have been in hospital at least, even better probably a planned c-section .. and instead here I sit in constant worry while I wait to see what, if any, long term damage there is to my boy. (obviously I think he's perfect and no way is there any damage ;-)

Read my recent thread .. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,268504,page=1 .. the forum members were very supportive to say the least!! I had an ECV at 38 weeks and it was successful - the consultant at kings that did it was amazing - she was very confident and made me feel at ease - I said I'd NEVER put myself or the baby through it - but became nervous about a natural breech delivery due to all the conflicting opinions - its uncomfortable but the baby and I both returned to "normal" and we were unaffected. I had a troublesome pregnancy with loosing 10kgs in first 3 months with illness I had a low lying placenta and blood lakes - the placenta lifted jsut clear of 5cms at 34 weeks I tried moxibustion but it didn't work - but I'd still highly recommend it - go and see Dan at Dulwich Health Rooms (you've got nothing to loose!) I was with Brierley and had a very experienced midwife, Ruth, who has delivered natural breech on many occasions so would support you I do suggest you try what you can to turn the baby (but yes hurry as you're running out of time - call the hospital and demand an appointment asap if that's the route you decide to go) I really don't want to get in the way and cause unrest (but this is very close to my heart so I'm going to say what I have to say) .. I ended up having a natural birth at home BUT he was 10lb 8oz and my first .. the size had been undetected(!!!) .. thankfully he wasn't still breech as I was confident that I would have tried the natural delivery even if it remained breech .. my situation was unique I'm sure but we ran into major complications and its a miracle we have him today, seriously but this was DUE TO THE SIZE and the cord was wrapped around his neck and body so thankfully we weren't going for a natural breech delivery as we would have probably lost him .. [a story for another day on the forum as I'd appreciate some feedback and opinions] .. but just tick off ALL the boxes and do WHATEVER you can to ensure the baby is a "average" size BEFORE you go ahead with a natural breech delivery - please, I'm begging you!

Nope, the dj kicked in .. Played some interesting .. Noise!

shame on you molly little c just loves waking to spend time with mom .. whatever the time of day or night ;-) good for you - glad to hear it :-) mmm .. i've got a long way to go yet so i won't even comment!

we (and everyone else in the neighbourhood who were not invited) called on the noise disruption team and they've been over to have a word .. they apparently will shut down at 11pm .. we shall see .. to be fair its good to see people having fun (here i sit on a saturday night on the forum ..) but it would have just been good to have the option to go away for the evening and leave them to it .. oh well :-)

Great, another sleepless night is store .. these guys set up bands outside in their back garden and when the band is having a break the DJ kicks in .. they have a reputation for not letting up until literally 4am/6am! Their last party was only about 2 months ago! Apparently tonight its their annual party - fair enough, no probs with that but think they bothered to stick even a scrap piece of paper through post boxes to let the locals know .. that way neighbours could make plans to go away (especially when you have a newborn!) to avoid sitting frustrated on my Saturday night ..

I'd definitely recommend it - I had it during pregnancy as I had some pelvis problems .. and then after my still born baby came through his traumatic start we went back and she's helping with his lungs and brain as they're tight so she's trying to release the pressure etc .. Elaine at Dulwich Therapy Rooms is great - and she's great with the bub - he's totally content in her presence. Totally agree with you regarding Taper .. we're just trying to give our kids the best start and willing to try absolutely anything to make things better for them .. and cranial osteo doesn't involve cracking of bones or deep tissue massage so it can't harm really can it!

remember that big old glass warehouse type shop down on the left - i think it's now where oliver bonas and white stuff is (?)

when we recently moved into our new house in a new street our neighbors were the "busybodies" and approached us and we were very grateful for that as we were so busy with ourselves and getting things sorted that we'd probably have never got around to knocking on their doors and also we're a little shy .. i think you should certainly go for it .. what's the worst that can happen hey .. we've got a great road spirit and i'm glad to be apart of it ..

antmcg123 - I've unfortunately had a really bad experience with them as well even though I've bought so much from them in the last few years but I was in the clothing shop. I bought a dress from the "sale" rack and it was only when I got it home that I noticed it was damaged so went straight back to the shop to tell them .. their response was "well yes, that's why it was reduced in the first place!!" and that I was not able to return it or have my money back as it was a damaged sale item. I went on to argue that it was a "sale" rack and not a "damaged goods" rack and that they should write "damaged" on the item .. a silly argument but they were so rude and wouldn't stand down .. I haven't been back since - shocking customer service if you ask me! Good luck with your issue though!

the stick in the mouth, behind the teeth, works!! http://www.riospitbull.com/breaking_stick.htm - can't really be bothered to go any further into this subject only to have someone contradict what i've just said .. but this is a starting point to prove the theory.

well said Jeremy!! "traditionally bred for fighting" - really??? lets not confuse breeds of dogs here surely but also generalise .. I sense the pitbull card being used here .. there are so many theories as to why dogs "turn" - there's also some truth in dog breeds being crossed and this isn't healthy either apparently. I honestly think it's down to the way a dog is brought up BUT also it's surroundings and what's it used to - if a dog is spooked it jumps and reacts and unfortunately with their teeth - regardless if it's a snake or a child it lashes out at. The same can be said for animals like sharks - they don't just attack because they are "traditionally bred to hunt" - they attack if they're hungry or are in a position where they feel threatened / spooked.

Separating dogs during a dog fight: 1. find a stick (a glove would be useful too, just in case) 2. the stick needs to be inserted into the dogs mouth, behind it's teeth so to speak, horizontally from left to right/right to left (if i can explain it that way) simple! this makes the dog release it's grip immediately - there are nerves that affect the "lock jaw" effect that these types of dogs have - I don't know of any other way to actually get them to "unlock" their jaws .. obviously the bum theory may and could work too ;-) and i am speaking from experience .. unfortunately. my family used to breed staffies and bull terriers .. not in this country however, where i come from they are sort after breeds and certainly do not have the reputation as they do here .. which is very sad .. i have photos of me getting horse back rides on my bullie when i was 3 years old and running around playing with the staffies etc .. i grew up with them around and it's so sad as these breeds have a beautiful soft and subdued natue .. but i am totally embarrassed to admit to loving these breeds here as people do frown at you .. again, sad. anyhoo, good luck with the stick separating theory - here's hoping no one ever has to use it!!!