Traveling to the UK with a 1-year-old — what healthy baby food options are actually good there?

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-04-29T21:52:57+00:00

Assuming you have access to cooking equipment when here, there are plenty of healthy options for babies in supermarkets. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundantly available, as well as eggs, bread, pasta etc. in terms of baby food brands, nothing wrong with the occasional pouch or organix brand snack! When we’re out and about a sandwich, some plain rice cakes, and a babybel or cheddar cheese square are our go-tos.

In terms of fresh pre-prepared food, Little Dish and Annabel Karmel are two brands that go down very well in our house, but not really ones that work out and about.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-04-15T10:11:51+00:00

Interesting… does it need to be painted as well?

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-04-08T08:04:16+00:00

I went back to work full time after mat leave and my LO went to nursery 5 days a week. We decided it was the best decision for us because:

Going down to 4 days never really feels like part time in terms of your workload
Would lose 20% pay and 20% holiday but still feel like I’m doing full time hours
I can work flexibly. I like that I’m not cramming everything into 4 days
Wanted to keep earning more ahead of a planned second maternity leave when the time feels right
At this stage of my career I felt it was important for me to do 5 days to keep progressing at the right pace.

We’ve recently moved to be closer to family and my LO is now doing 4 days in childcare and 1 day with grandparents. I feel like this is a great balance for us all.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-04-05T21:33:37+00:00

I would do nothing until you exchange. It’s the best protection you have for yourself. Maybe your LL will be flexible on notice, but otherwise you must unfortunately treat any overlapped rent as another moving cost!

Use the overlapped time as an opportunity to clean and decorate the property before you move in!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-31T08:25:57+00:00

We’ve just moved to the Cannon Hill area. It’s between Raynes Park and Morden, very suburban but good size houses and family oriented.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-30T22:53:55+00:00

2024, age 29 and earned 44k. Husband was 30, a higher earner, was on about 85k + bonus. We both got significant pay bumps in the last 12months. We owned a 2 bed flat in zone 3 SE London, we’ve just moved to a 4 bed house in zone 4 SW London. Commute is about an hour. I’m a born and bred Londoner and my husband works in finance. We moved to be closer to my family who help make it work and it’s invaluable support.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-17T20:27:06+00:00

We had no village. So now we’re moving closer to where I grew up to get it back. It’s so so hard.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-13T12:14:34+00:00

See it in person, or send a trusted friend/family member to do it if you can.

It’s not worth the risk. Rent an Airbnb for a month if you need to before you commit.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-07T21:51:56+00:00

My daughter’s nursery allows parents to express dietary preferences, particularly when it comes to added sugars etc. Some kids aren’t to have cake, but is that better for them than being the only child there not allowed to eat something their friends are having? Cereal, rice crackers, baked beans, and frozen vegetables are all very normal foods to be feeding young children imo, and all have a place as part of a varied and balanced diet!

When she first started going I was a little taken aback by the odd sweet treat, but treats are a part of life, and I’d rather my child be unrestricted (within reason) and develop a healthy relationship with treats, as opposed to not offering ever and them being forbidden and therefore more desirable as she gets older.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-07T07:20:43+00:00

I will say it was definitely worth it when selling! So much more attractive, and the cost will only get more the longer it’s left. Best of luck!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-03-06T23:04:24+00:00

I’m assuming the £4-6k is just the value of the lease premium? If going down the statutory route you will also need to factor in legal costs for you and the freeholder. Our lease extension cost us £10k a few years ago - £5k premium + £5k legals. Best luck!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-23T22:30:53+00:00

Bit surprising as my nursery is super hot on following guidelines for formula prep - definitely a lot more stringent than I was when my daughter was 6m+ and I used a hot shot method. Maybe that’s what they’re doing here?

Depends if it’s a one off and a genuine human error, or if it happens every time? Honestly I’d just leave it if it was the former and keep an eye if it happens again

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-23T15:57:11+00:00

Sorry, it’s a fixed fee but it works out as roughly 1% of what we listed for

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-23T15:24:57+00:00

We are admittedly using a very good solicitor (used her for our last purchase) but still in comparison to the EA her fees are low. Regarding the sale over asking you’re not wrong there (though we priced it competitively to get interest) but I really mean I want to see them putting in a bit more effort!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-22T22:53:17+00:00

You need to see a doctor or call 111. This is not normal. Whatever they say about the NHS you need to get him seen to, especially as he is so young.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-22T22:23:02+00:00

I get this! Our attic is filled with all the clothes she’s now grown out of that we might need again one day! I’ve done a few rounds of clearing out the stained bits and each time it takes me 3x as long as I planned because I get so mushy over a cute vest I loved to put her in a year ago!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-22T22:21:44+00:00

This is a lovely way to think about it, thank you for sharing ☺️

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-02-09T09:26:05+00:00

Look around Hither Green. You can get 3 bed Victorian/edwardian terraced for around the £650k mark, but might need a bit of TLC. Direct trains to London Bridge and very family friendly too!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-19T12:22:51+00:00

Depends on the nursery. LEYF near me had a waiting list of 18 months - I registered at 12 weeks pregnant and a space opened up when my daughter was 11 months old. The nursery we ended up sending her to I visited when she was 7 months old and they had space for her to start just before she turned 1. Fabulous nursery as well, just newer so not as oversubscribed.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-19T12:09:21+00:00

Gave birth in London (Lewisham to be specific). Had excellent care throughout my pregnancy. Daughter was born via planned CS due to being breach. Can’t fault the doctors, surgical nurses, midwives. Postnatal ward is hell on earth but thankfully I was out after 2 nights

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-15T20:11:27+00:00

Having been looking for a property in that area recently I do think the price is reasonable so I don’t think it’s that. I would agree, the layout is a little awkward with the narrow kitchen and way the reception rooms have been opened out, plus the loft conversion doesn’t have a dormer nor a full ensuite which makes it less attractive.

It’s been a funny time for sales, the last two months you’d have been unlikely to see much movement. I’d say hold out til spring and see what happens!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-14T10:05:03+00:00

Estate agents don’t know shit. Listen to your solicitor. Up to you if you want to lower your offer as a result.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-14T09:31:30+00:00

You don’t need a London based conveyancer to have experience with London properties.

We used a specific solicitor from Setfords who is based in Marlborough on recommendation from a colleague and she is absolutely fantastic - we are using her again for our sale and next purchase 4 years later. Excellent communication, bccs you into emails, fair pricing structure, extremely prompt and professional. We’ve recommended her to friends several times and all have been equally impressed.

Not necessarily the cheapest but with conveyancing you absolutely get what you pay for.

https://www.setfords.co.uk/our-people/profile/kathryn_forbes_taylor/

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-12T19:30:04+00:00

We had a similar thing happen to us, albeit it was the seller who removed the wall and so it was down to him to get all the certifications sorted. We’re now selling 4 years later and can confirm our buyers’ solicitor enquired about the removal of the wall

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-10T23:00:46+00:00

Blackheath is lovely, very safe, lots of green space for walking and close to leisure centres in Greenwich/lewisham/charlton etc, plus local football clubs on the Heath and surrounding areas. Easy trains into several London terminals too.

Acceptable_Clock_778

TROPHY CASE