KatsuQueen

"...harpies...in jeans and baby puked sweaters...." eeekkkk! Jodyhatter, ouch, the truth hurts!

Hi snowboarder, as soon as MiniKatsu could turn over onto his front (about 4 months, I think) he would never sleep on his back again. We would put him on his back and when we checked him later, he would be on his front with his face planted in the mattress. We would turn his head to the side without waking him up. It was scary at the time, and we spent a couple of days trying to turn him over but soon gave up. He never, ever sleeps on his back now (9 months).Please don't worry too much, I think the danger period is 2-4 months as Fuschia has said. Enjoy your rest!

Hi snowboarder, as soon as MiniKatsu could turn over onto his front (about 4 months, I think) he would never sleep on his back again. We would put him on his back and when we checked him later, he would be on his front with his face planted in the mattress. We would turn his head to the side without waking him up. It was scary at the time, and we spent a couple of days trying to turn him over but soon gave up. He never, ever sleeps on his back now (9 months).Please don't worry too much, I think the danger period is 2-4 months as Fuschia has said. Enjoy your rest!

Thanks guys, I think we'll be really happy there. I've probably jinxed it all now *crossing fingers and toes*

After months of stress, it looks like the Katsu Family will be moving soon, hooray! We hoping to move to Bellenden Road, it seems like such a nice street and we can't wait..but suddenly I am having a wobble. After living in SE22 for years, are we making a mistake moving to SE15, albeit "practically" in East Dulwich? And what about primary schools? Will I bitterly regret moving here in 3 years time when MiniKatsu starts primary school? Am I dooming him to underachievement forever because I haven't moved into the catchment area for St Anthony's\Heber\Goodrich? Aaarrgghhh.I'm trying not to be an anxious parent, but some of the threads on here about schools make me really nervous... Please reassure me!! (Or send me a PM if it;s not good)

MrKatsu is gutted that he is away for this meet, but he'd love to make the next one.He really enjoyed the last one.

KateM, "going back to work makes you lose weight"... that's really cheered me up. I'm back at work in a week and that's another plus, hahaha. So reassuring to hear that everyone else feels the same about their bodies. I was never svelte and always had a bit of a belly, but now post-baby it's all gone weird and saggy. I had a caesarian and the scar acts a bit like a drawstring...all floppy and horrible over the top. Aaarrrggghhh! (Hope it's not just me, by the way)

Hi, we found a Manhattan Toy soft cube balanced on our front wall, near the corner of Lordship Lane and Melbourne Grove. It is a colourful soft cube with a mirror on one face and other thing-ma-jigs on the other faces. Rubbish description, I know and really needs a photo but if it is your baby's you will know what I mean. We left it out in case someone came back for it, but it's now indoors to save it from rain, cats etc. We will get rid of it in a few days.

Hi, we live in a top floor flat in a Victorian conversion too and it's fine! Minikatsu was born in late January and during the first month, I hardly ventured out. Just made the flat nice and cosy, and spent my days and nights breastfeeding, watching lots of TV and just generally veg-ging out in a baby-haze. We have a Bugaboo Bee because it was the lightest buggy that faces both ways. (There may be lighter ones on the market now.) There is no room in the downstairs hallway for the buggy folded up, so every time I go out with the buggy I have to haul it downstairs leaving the baby in a safe place, open it up and then go back upstairs for him. Then everything in reverse, when I get home. I did worry about the buggy being nicked, but it's only out there for two minutes and touch wood, it's been OK so far. Until very recently I used to take him out in a baby carrier (Baby Bjorn) most of the time. That was OK for visiting friends and up and down the Lane, but not so good when you are out for a coffee because there's no where to put him. He is too heavy for the carrier now, so it's buggy all the time. It's not ideal but definitely do-able. It is a pain when it's raining. And I do look enviously at friends who can just wheel their buggies in the front door, they have all their toys blankets etc in the boot while I have to carry stuff up and down the stairs. I think the hardest thing is feeling that I can;t invite other mums round for coffees because I can't expect them to haul their big buggies up and down the very tight stairs. We have a shared garden but to be honest, I'm not much of a garden person. I preferred to go the parks, then I could have a nice ice cream too. Good luck and if you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a PM.

Hi I wouldn't worry about it. We live in a flat too (albeit on the top floor) on a main road and MiniKatsu has never had any problems sleeping through the sirens, people shouting outside etc. At least you don't have to feel guilty if your baby decides that night-time sleep is for losers. My baby seems to be on the random ear-piercing screams stage...

Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions. Mellors, blimey, making breakfast muffins! I'm usually still wandering around unwashed in my nightie till mid morning. I go back to work in a few weeks time. Goodness knows how I'll get myself and MiniKatsu washed and fed and out the door by 7:30.

Hello, not a very exciting thread but just wondering what you give/have given your children for breakfast when they are little? MiniKatsu is quite keen on his solids but no teeth yet, and his food has to be smooth not lumpy. So far I have been giving him baby rice+fruit puree but I am going back to work soon and could do without the faff of pureeing fruit. I have tried various baby cereals but he isn;t really keen on them (Hipp organic banana porridge...bleugh) or they seem to have sugar added eg the Heinz ones. Some are also "add milk" ones which I could do without as don't want to be fiddling about with formula. (Yes, lazy I know...but also he will be going to a childminder and she has said that I need to provide milk in cartons so could be an expensive exercise) My sister suggested Mini weetabix mashed up with warm cow's milk. But MiniKatsu has had terrible eczema so I am trying to avoid cows milk for a little while longer. Any advice?

MrKatsu is really up for meeting up with other ED Dads. But is it with kids or without? He has no preference for weekend or weekday evening but it might be a good idea to alternate? He can spend as much time in the pub as he likes as long as he takes MiniKatsu (7 months)! (I'll let him off if it is an evening thing)

Congratulations!! I am so sorry that you had a bad experience too but your little boy looks lovely! Thanks for posting and it has really spurred me on to chase it up with PALS and get some response on my experience. Will let you know if I get anywhere.

Hello everyone, is there a baby club anywhere on a Thursday morning/lunchtime? They seem to run on Mondays and Fridays mainly. I have a feeling the Mag had a baby club on Thursday at lunchtime, is that still going?

Hi I have sent you a PM.

Yes, it's scary. I say things like.. "It's cheaper in XXXX" (when MrKatsu wants to buy stuff) "Let's go early and come home early"

Oh how wonderful (and lovely name too)..brought a tear to my eye. Congratulations, happy days!

Wow, that's interesting about The Gardens - such a nice part of ED. Thanks everyone.

Hi, I know there are a few threads about schools on here but thought that this is slightly different. The Katsu family are thinking of moving this year (hooray), still within ED and we are looking around at the moment. Recently, we met another family with slightly older children, and they mentioned that one of the things worth considering for the move is school catchment area. Aaarrggghh, MiniKatsu is not even 6 months yet...I am struggling to sort out his childcare for now! I didn't think about schools, I don't even know when children start at primary school. So what to do but turn to the experienced EDF parents. What do you parents with kids in primary school think? Surely there are no "dead zones" in ED...everywhere is in one school's catchment area, right?

This is a really interesting thread! I'm been reading avidly because I'll be back at work in October and just trying to sort out my childcare now. To be honest, there has never been any question in my mind about whether or not I go back to work - I have always been sure that I would go back to work for personal reasons (but more about that later). The plan is that I work 4 days and MrKatsu works 4 days, so we need to find childcare for 3 days. Although I had prepared myself for the costs, it is depressing to think that we are working to pay for the childcare. There really is very little left over. :( But I think it's the right thing to do because I do enjoy my work, I find it challenging and fulfilling - so I am sure that I would have regrets in the future if I gave it up now. From a personal point of view, it also seems a waste for me to give up my job and "throw away" all the years of hard work and money my parents spent on my education. I don't mean that SAHM are in any way "wasting" their lives, but just my personal POV. I'm not English so my parents basically spent their life savings on educating me and my siblings at University. This was real blood, sweat and tears money. I can remember at 18, when my Dad was writing a cheque for my Uni fees, he said - why don't you just get married instead? I think he was only half-joking!! Although it is a juggling act, I do feel lucky that I have a choice! There are millions of women (just like me) who can only see their children once a year for a week because they HAVE to work.

I'm just round the corner from Colwell Road! I want to come and play too. What do I have to do?