Beagle

bluesuperted, that's what puzzled me, I don't want to get vaccinated because my surgery or midwife is particularly pro flu jab that's why I am interested in anecdotal experience before deciding. I was incidentally lucky enough to be with one of those practices you mention last time round, we've since moved, which is why I wondered if it was a borough recommendation rather than a necessity. I'm not anti vaccine by any means, I was just curious to know what the current thinking is before making my decision.

Hi Saffron, Thank you for your informative post. It is in fact the swine flu element I have concerns about as it is recent and the information surrounding it has been misleading at times. I want to make an informed decision what's surprised me is how hard is has been to find impartial information. There was no discussion with the midwife it was a you must have it conversation whereas what I wanted to know was why the recommendation had altered. The whoooping cough vax is later in pregnancy, so I would have a window between both. I have less concerns about that because it has a direct bearing on my baby's immunity. I have found the reports I've seen much clearer. Thanks again. B

Hello, When I was pregnant in winter 2010 my midwife said not to bother with the flu jab. This time round I am with another practice and a bit under pressure to have a flu jab (and a whooping cough one). I'm pretty healthy and have never had a flu jab and feel a bit pressured to have this to be honest. I have looked at the NHS guidelines and obviously they are totally in favour of it. Am I just kidding myself that I don't need to consider this. Any advise appreciated.

Is she cold by any chance. Coldest time of the night. Try another layer and see if that helps.

To second BeccaL, discipline is a must. You must be comfortable with how they deal with issues. Food, who supplies, you or them, if them is it what you would be happy with. Where will your child sleep during the day. How often is the TV on. Cut off time for returning your child after an illness, particularly a tummy bug.

I picked up a leaflet about this last week in my local surgery. I am really quite incensed about this and will be joining the Link hands march on the 24th. It is such a vital service in the area and channelling people into Woolwich will be a disaster. I also believe Beckenham Beacon which takes the pressure off Lewisham A&E at times, is also under threat. More senseless decision making to offset the costs of years of senseless decision making.

At 11.5 months baby bypassed me and reached out for a bottle. Was only doing morning and night feeds, think supply was down as i was back at work and a bottle easier for her. To be honest I was relieved, was dreading trying to wean a reluctant baby so great to have the issue resolved by her, and was definitely not pregnant!

I'm with a surgery in Sydenham since we moved and it strikes me forcibly every time we go there the contrast between them and DMC. The tone is set from the helpful and competent receptionists throughout the practice and what is sad is that after 8 years with DMC I had such low expectations of the NHS and general practioning, which is surely the antithesis of how it should be. The only good thing about the DMC was that I ended up being looked after by the Lanes midwives, which I didn't even know was a service available. PALS did take up an issue I had with DMC and were really good at following it up. DMC spent months telling PALS they had replied and PALS would ask me was this the case. No it wasn't. And without PALS involvement I wouldn't have even have had the courtesy of a reply. If you had to pay for DMCs services, frankly would you?

yes someone at work just suggested Winnie the Pooh and the blustery day I think it was. Must root out King and I though as I'll enjoy that too and she will love the dresses. thanks everyone.

Share your pain our thread here. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,836758 It is improving now she drinks less milk but she was sick as we were parking in the Glades shopping centre one day just from the turns in the car park! We have a sing along DVD that really seems to help a lot with distraction.

Hello All, My little un loves Disney Princess and singy animated thingies but the Disney films are full of "mild peril" which she finds scary being but 2. Anyone got any tips on some nice happy singy dvds that won't upset. thank you

hello, Thread from last year here although maybe not inclusive of the longevity of what you are searching for. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,803288,803465#msg-803465 We had one, but had to turn round as daughter terribly car sick and was possibly contributing.

Yes, it is frustrating, especially when you think they don't eat enough, drink enough. We go up and down with meals but I think it was Fuschia on here who said look at what they eat over a week, not just at one meal. That has kept me sane. Are you at the Why? Why? Why? stage yet ?!

We had a similar thing at maybe 18/19 months. It was frustrating as every meal time everything was hot and also the bath was hot (even when it wasn't) but in retrospect I think it was a concept thing, she was learning that some things were hot and it probably came from me "don't touch that. It's hot" for my coffee etc. She would see the steam and say "hot" or never go near the oven (even when turned off) as it was "hot". Now at 23 months it has largely gone, I wasn't even aware of the phase passing it just isn't prevalent everyday, but has been replaced by "scary". At the moment everything is "scary", thomas the tank engine on tv, dogs in the park. I can only assume with awareness comes emotions and little heads have to make the best sense they can of everything. For a while spiders were fascinating and funny, this week they are "scary" but that seems to be as much derived from the reactions she sees in other people to spiders/bees/wasps etc etc. Although flies are ok as she finds it amusing to see me swat at them with a tea towel and say " go away dirty fly" It will pass (and be replaced!)

My experience of all the childminders I met with was quite individual in terms of paying for holidays. Some were 50% when they are on holiday + 50% when you are on holiday. Some 100% if we go on holiday and for bankholidays and nothing when she is away. Likewise some cover food, some don't. Some ask extra for days out, others don't. Reading some of the other threads on this subject there seems to be some variance in what is offered.

I think it comes down to a personal choice, pros and cons on both sides. We chose a childminder as our baby was barely 10 months old when I went back to work and we wanted continuity of care, in a home environment. It really works for us, but when the childminder goes on holiday so do we. With a nursery that element is removed. For me, the only way to make the decision is to visit the nurseries and/or childminders and see how you feel about the place/the person. We found our childminder through childcare.co.uk, but the local council should have a list of childminders with vacancies too or recommendations from other people are great.

Little update. Thank you for your advice back in February. I would love to say we no longer have a car sick toddler but it's just hit and miss. On holiday in a forward facing, petrol car she was never sick once. In london in a rear facing, diesel car with horrfic suspension we are lucky to get to Herne Hill without a sick up. Rear facing seat is now forward facing which helps a bit. The diesel car and suspension can't change so we have to suck that one up. Definitely playing her nursery rhyme CDs and keeping the car cool helps, and having dropped daytime milk and being able to tell us she feels sicky is a bonus. I am trying the homeopathic and/or Phenergan (not together!) routes next. That will be our summer holiday treat.

Have a look at this, quite interesting http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/2012/jun/08/sali-hughes-hero-products-under-10 Also use Avene as have a bit of redness these days, I think it is included in the Boots 3 for 2 at present although need to go to the bigger branches for proper selection, Wimbledon/Croydon. A lot of the more price competitive French products are worth checking out, Roche Posey, ROC, Avene as they are all manufactured by Pharmaceutical companies, so a lot of R&D and science behind them. Am using Boots No 7 melting wash cleanser at present too, but not quite sure about it yet, cheaper alternative to Clarins Melting wash really, still those ?5 off Boots vouchers come in handy. Am intrigued by the ?3 Aldi serum in above article though. I confess I did succumb to the Kate Mosse Rimmel lipstick mentioned, and it is super! My days of the ?40 moisturiser are but a distant memory but I actually enjoy finding a bargain that works. Edit: ye gads I put wrong link, but have corrected now.

Weaning was the worst phase in my baby experience, our child had no interest. Now at 21 months she astounds us in her willingness. I really think before 10 months we had very little success and I recall being in tears at the baby clinic about this, convinced my child would waste away. They would take one look at my roundy baby and reassure me I had no worries. I think you have a lot on your plate as stopping BF, returning to work are all big steps. If your baby is not losing weight she is doing fine. Milk is their main requirement at this age. I won't say don't stress because I certainly did, but some kiddies just take a little longer to get interested. Banana porridge and breadsticks and philadelphia were our mainstay for a long time.

Also went to Babycare Petts Wood. V good.

was reading your original post and turned round to find my daugter colouring the carpet with a blue crayon! I have to say I have found myself short of temper recently - I really think the bleak weather is doing my head in ! - I find it is cumulative, if I get annoyed and speak sharply to my daughter early in the day it just seems to deteriorate (my mood,, and hers from me) from there on in. I decided I would have a day where I would not raise my voice or get annoyed, and we had a great day, so I did it the next day too and once I wasn't getting as wound up things flowed a bit better. When i get niggled we both end up upset so within reason now I am just relaxing a bit more.

I am glad you named the cafe as I do know it and had been tempted to go but I have an issue with this. If you and your 3 friends were having coffee and cake you must have spent close on ?15, the fact that they are willing to lose this money for the sake of a rice cake seems short sighted in the extreme. To me this would mean they really don't want mothers with kids in tow. Put me in mind of this story from a few years back, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13411614

Was thinking about this on the way home and on a more practical level I have found the medical centres ( a major bug bear for me in Dulwich) a lot better round here and our car insurance came down a decent amount (!) Mothergoose, I have my eye on Trinity preschool for my daughter in a years time so may have to pick your brains as am completely lost when it comes to procedures for applying !

Likewise we are now on Penge / Beckenham borders after being priced out of Dulwich, and love it! AS other posters have said Balgown / Langley catchment areas are the roads that seem desirable in Beckenham area and West Wickham is lovely. Great connections into London too. Am sorry I was resistant to the move for so long.

I think I read this on the forum but was such a useful bit of advice. After hoovering, if you have moths about, empty the dustbag/filter straight away as if not they will happily sit in a perfect dusty place plotting their nefarious attacks.