jollybaby

Itchy feet - all I'd say is look after yourself. I had a horrible job before going on mat leave. I was doing 12 hoe days and travelling out to hammersmirh. I planned to go on leave at 35 wreeksbut wbentuaaly cracked at 33 weeks z. I felt really guilty and as If I had failed. It cast such a shadow on my leave that I am determined that next time Will not be like that

I may be a cynic but am not entirely sure how massaging a baby's skull can help with reflux - which is caused by a weakness of the sphincter between the oesophagus and the stomach. May be better saving your pennies and seeing your gp.

No to disposable panties . . . I think the cheap ones at primark cost about the same and make you feel a little more human! On the food subject mr jb brought me in croissants and pain au chocolat everyday from the blackbird bakery (I was induced and had a c section) well recommended. Much better than the horrid trolley brekkie.

Goodness I feel a bad mum for not really thinking about the safety aspect . . Was more concerned about a peaceful and stress free trip! Will probably keep her in her maxicosi for the time being and then do some proper research into seats later.

We are braving a drive to the south of France this weekend with our 9 month old. This will involve some overnight driving (don't ask!) and we are hoping that miss jb will sleep for a good portion of the journey. She is of the size when she would fit into both a stage 0 or 1 carseat. My question is - would it be best to upgrade before the trip? I'm thinking that the front facing toddler carseat may be better for the day (ie she can see us and be entertained) but I'm concerned that she won't sleep in a toddler seat quite so well. She has short legs so she is still quite comfy in the maxicosi. What do you think - does your baby sleep as well in the front facing seat?

This thread has made me smile . . . I too used to play the violin. I kept it up for about 7 years - heavens knows why I was useless and I'm not sure I even enjoyed it. I used to be really embarrassed about carrying my violin case home on the bus.... . So I 'd keep 'forgetting' to bring it home and then never do any practice! SG am sure your daughter won't be like me . . . But be prepared for sone screechy twinkle twinkles.

Second the yoghurt recommendation!

Peckham rye not that great either!

The easiest way is to ask your gp to write a private referral letter. They may be able to recommend a paediatric allergy specialist or otherwise you could find one yourself. You can self refer but some private specialists won't see people without a gp referral- I suppose it acts as a form of screening. Do you know where you've been referred to? Although your gp has said a month you may find that the appointment comes sooner than that particularly if you make yourself known to the appointment clerk.

There are a couple of private lactation consultants that have been well recommended on here too . . . I know in the early days a trip up to kings or even a breast feeding cafe would have been the last thing I could face. I can't find the thread at the moment but hopefully one of the ladies who used them will post their contact details. Cross posted!

Mr Brightside Billie jean oops up

'Daddy' has gone mountain biking leaving me to cook/host Sunday lunch for my father and stepmother, my sister and husband and 3 children and not forgetting of course baby jb! Fortunately she's playing ball by having a long morning nap . . . Lunch prep nearly done . . . When can I open the wine?

It helps to remember batteries for the tens in the first place! Mr jb had to do an emergency dash to camberwell (they were awkward shaped ones). Don't take too many breast pads - if all goes well you'll be home well before your milk comes in - I think I took about 24 when what I really needed was maternity pads!

it could be reflux even without much vomiting, so worth going to see your gp too.

Jennyh I think my shade would probablyvwork in parent facing mode but not 100% sure. You'd be welcome to come and have a try

Have a look at the protect a bub sunshades. I'm currently using my sister's and it's great. If you want to block out the light completely you can do by pulling down the front and tying the shade further back on the buggy. You can then raise the canopy so when awake the baby can see and still be shaded. Haven't explained it very well but you'd be welcome to come and have a go with mine.

I can assure you that I didn't miss the point of the WHO systematic review. I know the studies included were looking at duration of exclusive breast feeding rather than simply breast feeding versus formula. I was just surprised that in this review the benefits of a longer period of exclusive breast feeding weren't greater (in my opinion) and for me this may ease the pressure of getting to the magic six months without a drop of anything other than breast milk passing my baby's lips. Quite interesting to note that in a couple of the studies the babies could have a small volume of formula and still be classed as exclusively breast fed! In most studies the mixed feeding period (ie post exclusive breast feeding) could include the addition of formula as a complementary liquid and so I don't think the results are completely irrelevant in the breast versus formula debate. This is my final post on this as I have spent far to long ignoring baby JB over the past

Sorry Saila - will calm down now. From a personal viewpoint this debate had been quite healthy for me as it has encouraged me to actually read some of the papers on breastfeeding and whilst I still accept that 'breast is best - the magnitude of some of the benefits are perhaps smaller than I had presumed. I can only hope that this will relieve some of the pressure as if and when number 2 arrives.

Yes am not sure I would class that article as 'evidence'. I work in the field of oncology and I read with interest the line that said that breast feeding reduces the risk of lymphoma by x 5-8 . If anyone can find the supporting evidence for that please let me know - all of the papers I came across including a recent large review said the link was unsubstantiated.

Jennyh if you would like to read some reputable scientific reports- a good place to start is the WHO website - you'll be able to find all of their large systematic reviews and associated references there. I must say I was a little surprised when I read the review that led to 6 months becoming the recommended period for exclusive breast feeding. The evidence wasn't as compelling as I thought it would be with the only observed benefit for the child being a lower rate of gastrointestinal infections.

Thanks all - will stop fretting about losing my morning tv session for the time being. Mockers - I once worked with an eminent hospital consultant who in the middle of clinic would stop and say I need a nap. He'd sit with his head on his desk for 5 mins and then open his eyes and pick up the case notes for the next patient as if nothing had happened.

Am not sure what kept me going back . . . I'd like to say that it was the well recognised health benefits but have a sneaky suspicion that guilt did play a big part - almost wanting to do things 'properly' to make up for those horrible early days and what I perceived as my failings. Goodness i didn't mean to get so deep! And to answer your second question- yes I am pleased I went back to breast feeding - I enjoy it and love the convenience but perhaps unsuprisingly am not sure it has done much for the guilt side of things!

Maybe I am after the impossible - finding a way of promoting breast feeding without making those who formula feed feel like a substandard mother . This is just a very emotive subject for me - having suffered PND and switched from breast to formula to breast to formula and then back to breast again. Yes the guilt is my problem - I very rarely bottle fed in public as I didn't want people to see me doing it - but it certainly didn't help. Motherhood is fun hey . . . The going back to work guilt/stress is the next hurdle.

I'm not denying the facts. I am pro breast feeding. I just felt uncomfortable with your choice of language. It reminds me of when formula was described as damaging at the breast feeding workshop (with very little supporting information of the benefits of breast milk and potential downsides of formula feeding). I wouldn't come on here and say that working mothers are damaging their children. And as for the WHO list it could continue 1. Breast milk 2. Someone else's breast milk 3. Formula 4. Dehydration 5. Depressed mother and then maybe formula wouldn't be such a poor alternative.

Fuschia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > But that doesn't mean we have to pretend that > breastfeefing isn't an infinitely superior form ov > nutrition for our babies, or to be more precise, > formula is a very poof alternative from a > nutritional and immunological point of view Unfortuntely it's that sort of comment that adds to the guilt for women who have difficulty and decide to stop breast feeding. Whilst I accept that 'breast is best' I wouldn't necessarily describe formula as a 'very poor alternative'- But I suppose everyone interprets risks and benefits differently. Miss Jb is still being breast fed at 9 months but probably only because I had a relatively easy breast feeding 'journey'. I am sure that if I had had multiple episodes of thrush, mastitis etc I would have stopped by now