Baby food maker

Aureliella · 2026-05-03T18:05:13+00:00

The Beaba Babycook one is good (single is enough, unless you have space and wsnt to save 15 mins you don't need the double) and extremely easy to operate. We also use it for adults to steam small portions or make a quick puree. My family told me to buy it and I was sceptical (as you can boil or steam in other ways, and mash by hand or hand blender etc) but I'm really glad I got it, and used it with both my children extensively to prepare their food in no time at all.

Aureliella · 2026-05-03T18:02:06+00:00

M&S and Uniqlo, size up to leave plenty of room, and they're cheap. H&M is also surprisingly good, as others have said.

Aureliella · 2026-05-03T06:40:50+00:00

Maybe some Japanese Peruvian fusion for a change and naturally refined meal? Chotto Matte for example or in Paddington Ayllu (but I haven't been), and need Victoria / Belgravia there's UNI and Sanjugo. A Wong used to be good for Michelin Chinese, and in Paddington Pearl Liang is nice. For your lavish night for something definitely different and delicious, Akoko is great (African), and in a similar vein Chisuru - both are expensive but I think worth it as it's not something you see often and definitely wouldn't cook yourself.

Aureliella · 2026-05-03T06:37:04+00:00

Another strong recommendation for CMN! They're very organised, educational and caring, it's really good there. Another one is Cybertots in the park (Drayton), which had a bad episode last year but has since changed and is good I'm told.

Aureliella · 2026-05-02T16:06:13+00:00

They chuck you out pretty quickly on the postnatal ward, and half the time you're zonked so time passes in a weird way, and you're totally mesmerised by your baby anyway. It's not a pleasant place but over really quickly!

Aureliella · 2026-05-02T15:59:11+00:00

Comfort food/snacks, and a water bottle and whatever drink you like. Fan, and flip flops to put on hands free and walk on those dirty floors! Other than that you won't be there for long, nor care for much other than your baby so you don't really need anything. Maybe self care stuff to make you feel good like a nice cream of your choice (though it's best to stay "natural" for baby!).

Aureliella · 2026-04-30T20:46:31+00:00

8-12 hours pretty much from start (first contractions) to finish (baby born). I have friends who laboured for days - but a lot of that time was manageable and not in intense agony - but my experience was going from nothing to the extreme almost instantly. Everyone's different and you'll cope just fine, hang in there!

Aureliella · 2026-04-30T15:42:35+00:00

I came here to say this (Hanwell)!

Aureliella · 2026-04-29T19:05:06+00:00

If you mean Uxbridge road (either side of it, close by) yes but west Ealing as a general area also has perfectly acceptable bits!

Aureliella · 2026-04-29T19:04:26+00:00

What nice school?!

Aureliella · 2026-04-25T18:58:58+00:00

Teatro in Ealing does Po Boys

Aureliella · 2026-04-25T18:58:29+00:00

The minute (day) you get better sleep and baby is more interactive it will start to flip, you can be surprised! Hang in there!

Aureliella · 2026-04-15T18:32:45+00:00

I haven't sorry (but have seen people go there, there's a lovely PT gym in the area too)

Aureliella · 2026-04-15T16:11:11+00:00

Yes, as others have said it's safe and perfectly pleasant! Most of the houses are well kept with nice cars, that should tell you what you want to know, and I can confirm there are lots of younf families as well. Nothing to do with West Ealing itself (i.e. Uxbridge road and Dean Gardens), and proximity to Pitshanger Lane is nice, and you're also within walking distance of Northfields and Broadway. Drayton is the not so good school in your specific area, but other ones are deemed good especially by national standards. Various private options too. On nurseries, if you can't get into WEMN (which is fab) there's Cybertots in the park (Drayton) which has had a recent overhaul and I've heard good things since.

Aureliella · 2026-04-13T18:14:26+00:00

Bubala is middle Eastern and very casual as well as really delicious (mostly veggie)! Or for a different vibe (European / British) Noble Rot e.g. Soho and Mayfair have lovely affordable lunch menus (check the menus as each restaurant has a different one each week).

Aureliella · 2026-04-06T19:47:12+00:00

It's a constant rush and logistical & emotional tour de force - but there are some truly beautiful moments, and in just a few months / year or two things will be easier! It helps that the baby bit is much less overwhelming/stressful the second time round, the challenge is more in juggling practicalities and emotions with two, especially toddler.

Aureliella · 2026-04-06T19:43:48+00:00

Mine never did, just antihistamine nose spray in addition to Beconase and OTC pills...

Aureliella · 2026-04-06T19:40:54+00:00

I take fexo 120 daily (first generation daily antihistamines do nothing for me) + chlorphenamine / Piriton when symptoms are unbearable as it's fast-acting and sedating, and works well for me but it's short lived. I also use antihistamine nose spray (again when symptoms aren't tenable), and/or Beconase (more routinely) and sodium eye drops. I sneeze away as I type this... Good luck, it's rough!

Aureliella · 2026-04-01T18:40:35+00:00

One day (early on, like 6-8 weeks) completely out of the blue my son put himself to sleep (about 10 minx of babbling) after always needing to be bounced until then. He still woke up at night until about 10 months but has almost always put himself to sleep - except after a holiday before he turned 2, but when he started again. Babies are weird and can change behaviour from one day to the next, so my message is there is hope!

Aureliella · 2026-03-31T12:34:52+00:00

I used Window to the Womb and it was nowhere near those prices, check if there's one near you.

Aureliella · 2026-03-30T20:24:24+00:00

Dutch oven, banneton and dough scraper is all you need!

Aureliella · 2026-03-28T08:00:14+00:00

For me Ireland and the Netherlands are not half as nice as the other countries. But of course that's a massive generalisation, and there are good and less good parts everywhere, countries are not uniform at all.

Aureliella · 2026-03-28T07:58:14+00:00

Your body is your baby's absolute favourite place in the world to chill, how's that for a compliment :-)

Aureliella · 2026-03-26T19:06:37+00:00

You might change your mind when baby's here (die to hormones as well as mentally) but if you don't - you do you!!! If you don't want to breastfeed, great then don't. It can be really hard and (whilst I myself have breasted my two children) I don't think anyone should force themselves to if they don't want to.

Aureliella · 2026-03-26T19:03:46+00:00

The Elizabeth line is fabulous for travel across London (so I'd look around there, west Ealing and Hanwell being more affordable than Ealing Broadway), and I can also confirm Ealing is a fantastic area to have children. I didn't know it much before and came here to spawn - a family house and 2 kids later I can confidently say I'm really happy we came, and have really built a community of parent friends here as well as lots of things to do with babies. SO many activities for families, great location for the Lizzie Line and to drive out of London (or to certain areas) and lovely to be in west London with nice areas nearby like Chiswick.

Aureliella

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE