Bishberro

We have a Baa Baa blind which we stick to the window underneath a black out roman blind. Think they're a worthwhile investment as we take it whenever we go away.

My lo is a few weeks off 2 and has so far shown no inclination to climb over the cot bed rails so going to leave the sides on for as long as possible. But for those like Moos who left them in a cot until 3ish, what did you do when you went away? My son is starting to look a bit cramped in his travel cot plus we're expecting number 2 in the summer so wondered whether I'd need to buy another travel cot. I didn't want to risk a sleepless holiday by suddenly putting him in a bed if he's not used to it at home but wasn't sure what age travel cots last up until.

I agree, Oakwood are brilliant. The only thing that it might be worth you being aware of, is that they're having major staffing issues at the minute and instead of 6 midwives only have 4. This is putting a lot of pressure on the remaining staff and from what I've heard from my midwife, it doesn't look like it's going to be resolved for another couple of months at least. It might not effect you if you're not due until a lot later in the year but at the mo they're struggling to attend all the births. Just something to think about.

I second the Brixton digging spot. My son is obsessed as well and on a good day, there's at least 3 or 4 outside the Ritzy. There's also a few outside Brockwell Park in Herne Hill at the minute - the entrance near the railway bridge opposite the shops. Also there are always some outside Nunhead Cemetery. I can't believe I know this - what's happened to me!

Hi - bit of an unusual request. I'm a local resident and a regular on the forum who also happens to be a journalist at a weekly women's mag. For the past few weeks we've been desperately trying to trace the poor bloke who was jogging in Dulwich park on xmas eve and ended up getting locked in a portaloo. We've not had any success so far. So, as a last resort, I wondered if he was reading this, he might get in touch as there would be money up for grabs for his story. Alternatively, you might know him so could pass on my message. Thank you!

If you're looking for something really easy then we went to Majorca when our son was 5 months old. May/June or September weather isn't too hot, short flight and he was young enough that he slept in his pram every night in restaurants while we had dinner. Would recommend Hotel Soller in Port de Soller or Hotel Melia in Cala D'or. To be honest at that age, you can get away with going anywhere you fancy as they're so portable and will just sit or sleep during the flight. Enjoy it while you can!

Hi - I'm trying to organise a Saturday night away in a hotel before me and my friends have our second babies. We're looking for somewhere between London and Leeds (maybe Midlands?) that we can all get the train to within a couple of hours, that has a spa and a nice restaurant that we can have dinner in on the Saturday night. We're not looking for a hardcore spa type place, just somewhere not too pricey where we can catch up and chill out. There are so many on the net and wondered if anyone had any recommendations. Thanks

My 21-month-old son won't stay in his Grobag any more so I was thinking of getting him a duvet and a pillow. He's still in his cot so I was going to get a cotbed duvet. Someone told me you shouldn't go above 4 togs if it's for a cotbed in case of over-heating and other websites say not to give them any duvet or pillow until they're 2 because of the same reason. Is it ok to get him a 4 tog one at this age? Don't want to be worrying that he's going to boil alive!

I'm with Oakwood for my second pregnancy and like you, was fed up of leaving messages on the dreaded answermachine. However once you do get an appointment (mine was at 16 weeks) you will get the pager number of your named midwife and it's much easier to get in touch with them and they're very good at responding. From what I can gather, one or two of the midwives are leaving at the mo so maybe that's why there's the confusion. I haven't had the letter yet though which is a shame as with a toddler, one of the attractions of Oakwood is seeing a midwife in your own home. I had Oakwood with my first baby and they were brilliant - both at the birth and the aftercare. Even if you don't get your named three midwives, all six of them seemed great and just the fact that you get someone to come and examine you in your own home who can prevent all the to-ing and fro-ing to hospital is invaluable and is the kind of service a lot of people pay thousands for with a private midwife. Oakwood always have a long waiting list so if I were you I would keep your place.

My son loves mackerel pate. I thought it would be too strong for him but he really likes it. I just whizz up a mackerel fillet with a spoonful of cottage cheese and creme freche so it's nice and creamy and a squeeze of lemon juice. It's good in a sarnie or with toasted pitta bread. Hummous with a bit of grated carrot is also a favourite.

Hi - I'm in Honor Oak and there's loads of things on for babies in the area. If you type 'baby and toddler activities in SE23' into google then it will bring up a link to a discussion on the se23 forum. Our local NCT lady, Jane, has compiled a full list of what's on and I'm sure she would be happy to send it to you even if you're not a member. Her discussion comes up on google as do some links to the lewisham council website with details about the Ackroyd Centre etc. There's a nice friendly playgroup on a Tuesday from 10am until midday at St Saviour's church in Brockley Rise and various Monkey Music/Hoppin' bunnies classes around. The Kilmorire Centre in Forest hill is also worth a look. Sorry, I'm useless at doing links otherwise I would try and put one on here.

Hi - I had exactly the same problem this time last year when my son was 9 months old. We went on hol and before and during the hol, he didn't eat a single thing for three weeks - literally nothing. I was really worried but as long as he's taking fluids and drinking milk/water he'll be fine. It turned out my son had a nasty cold/ear infection which resulted in an emergency trip to the GPs on our first day in the US and also really bad teething. He just started eating normally a few days after we came home. I was obviously worried sick but I just made sure I gave him loads of breastfeeds and plenty of water.

As I know nothing about electrical goods, just wondered if anyone could recommend a good portable dvd player that we could use in the car on long journeys with our son. Do all portables just come with a device that enables you to strap them to the seat in front as there's no way he'd sit and hold it on his lap? I don't want to spend a fortune as it won't be used that often but just wondered if anyone knew a good basic model that would work in the car. Thanks

I love my chair and even though it was expensive and 18 months on I'm no longer breastfeeding, I still sit in on a night to read my son his bedtime story and give him his milk. Plus if he ever wakes up in the night or is poorly, a rock on the chair soon soothes him and gets him back to sleep. It's worth every penny in my opinion plus they seem to retain their value pretty well when it comes to selling them on. I bid on a few on ebay but they almost went as high as how much they are in the shops.

Thankfully my son didn't have any reaction. I'm sure I remember the nurse telling me that it wasn't a live virus so, unlike the previous jabs they have, there shouldn't be a temperature etc. But, saying that, a friend of mine says her son seemed under the weather/ a bit cranky a week after the jab. Does anyone know if you're supposed to have two doses of MMR? My son had his 3 months ago but the nurse didn't mention a second dose although a friend said her son had had two doses. I looked in his red book but it said the second dose was given around the time they start school. I phoned my doctors but they couldn't seem to find out the answer for me - not very helpful - and I don't go to the baby clinic any more.

I see them on a Sunday morning while I'm tucking into a fry up at the cafe at Peckham Rye. It looks like a good workout - lots of squats, lunges, crunches etc. There's always loads of people there too. If I wasn't so lazy, I'd try them myself.

Hi - we hired the room above the Magnolia pub on Lordship Lane with our NCT group. It was around 50 quid and they got out some mats and toys that they use for their baby club in the week. The kids played while all the adults had a nice lunch and some wine. I think at one they probably wouldn't sit still long enough for any entertainment. They're just happy if there are toys and loads of boxes and wrapping paper to play with.

Just had a look at the reviews on Amazon and it sounds interesting. But if I read it, is it going to make me feel really guilty for leaving my child while I go to work and tell me that because of this, he's going to turn to crime in later life?

We're off to Bude in Cornwall and wanted to set off on a Sunday night and try and do part of the journey while our son is asleep. We're hoping to get past Bristol so when we set off on the Monday, we avoid any rush hour traffic. Just wondered if anyone knew any good places to stay for the Sunday night that are not too far from the motorway. Doesn't need to be anywhere particularly posh as we'll be getting there late and leaving the next morning. Thanks

We used a fabric one in our normal bath and he seemed really safe and secure on that until he was 5 months. It meant we didn't have to use the baby bath at all. The fabric one did need washing but it was a lot softer for him to lie on when he was really little. I never tried a plastic one but thought it might be a bit hard for him. The fabric one is also easy to take with you if you go away.

Hi -there was a thread on this a while ago so might be worth doing a search. My son got 5 moneyboxes for his christening and I have nowhere to put them. His godmother took loads of photos on the day and had them made into a christening book which is a lovely keepsake.There are some unusual gifts (personalised cushions/pictures etc) on the 'not on the high street' website so that might be worth a look.

Fantastic, that will keep my son busy tomorrow morning. Thanks Fuschia.

Great news (I'm assuming you mean the one in Peckham Rye?). What time does it open?

Hi Skip - I donated cord blood after a birth at Kings but I think the lady who started the scheme did home births as well. That was over a year ago so depends how many people she's trained up since as it was just her trying to attend all the births. She's called Terry and it was the Kings Cord Scheme.

My son is 15 months and for the past few weeks has just been having the one nap. He can last the morning although still gets really tired so I give him lunch around 12 and then he goes down for two and a half hours. It's a pain dropping that morning nap though as I used to love having a shower and getting dressed in peace.