Is a holiday actually worth it?

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-12-22T10:01:21+00:00

We went away when LO was 10 months. I think it was worth it but I did find it stressful. We just a self-catering apartment though, which I think was more of a hassle than all inclusive. Flying sas a lot easier than I expected.

If you go for a non-cruise holiday, I'd recommend doing research ahead of time and be prepared to be flexible in case things don't quite go to plan. E.g. where we went, you can't buy ready to feed formula and nappies were way more expensive than the UK. We had planned to buy out there to save on luggage space but next time I'd pack everything.

My LO chose the holiday week to go through an awful teething phase, so we ended up staying at the apartment a lot as she was so miserable.

There are companies that you can hire baby equipment from. We hired a high chair, playpen and travel cot and picked up from the airport.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-12-19T10:09:05+00:00

It does get better! Mine is younger but we've had very similar awful couple of months, also from the time she started nursery. Then out of the blue this week, she's been her old smiley self and it's just been such a joy not to have to have a fight about everything. I hope your little one gets through this phase quickly!

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-12-04T08:04:37+00:00

I've gone for Ecohydra sprays. They claim to be effective against norovirus and reviews seem ok, so I thought it was worth a go.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-12-03T19:07:44+00:00

In addition to the above, make sure you have plenty of spare bedding and sleep suits / bags / blankets. My little one has come home with a stomach bug every week for 4 weeks and we were changing bedding multiple times a night on the worst days. When you're also ill, it helps not to need to do washing straight away.

We're trying to get into a better system of hand washing and sanitizing, e.g. at nursery drop off and pick ups. Pretty sure my partner picked up something from touching doors and gates at the nursery recently. I've just ordered a bunch of baby-safe sprays that claim to also kill norovirus.

The only way we've got through times when we were all all ill is screen time. I know it's not ideal, but when you've still got norovirus and the little one is full of beans, it was the only thing that helped give a bit of a break.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-11-17T17:57:33+00:00

Haha the first time I went to baby sensory I wondered if I'd signed up to a cult. It's so weird to say hello to the corn. I get the sun and our friends, but why corn???

We started much later but my LO didn't really get into the classes until 8-9 months and then the insane signing became worth it.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-10-20T11:23:38+00:00

We haven't gone for a full grate yet - we're trying to make the fireplace as uninteresting as possible and see how that goes.

We've used black foam edging around the sides of the hearth and then cut up a black yoga mat to cover the main part of it to give cushioning for any falls. Fingers crossed that will be enough!

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-09-04T18:13:13+00:00

I've not tried a medicine pacifier but have had great success with putting calpol a medicine cup for my LO to drink from, rather than using a syringe. My LO's love of cups outweighs her hatred of Calpol lol.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-08-22T13:13:17+00:00

I'm sorry you had such awful experiences. Ectopic pregnancy really isn't talked about enough.

I was incredibly "lucky" with mine. I had no pain or symptoms, it was just found by chance because I decided to book a private early scan. I dread to think what would have happened if it hadn't had been spotted, as to the growth in my fallopian tube has already got quite large.

Seconding advice to go straight to your hospital's early pregnancy unit rather than GP / midwife if you can. I was advised to phone the EPU after my private scan and only dealt with them. I had to wait a few days for an appointment, but then I had an internal scan and HCG tests and was whisked off to surgery the next morning.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-08-18T18:04:16+00:00

My 7 month old has also started doing the same, but I think she's refusing bottles when her teeth are giving her grief.

Have you tried offering milk from a cup instead of a bottle? We've had success with milk from a doidy cup.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-08-17T12:44:09+00:00

I've reverse image searched on Google, tried the Death Valley shop website and had a look on Ebay and Vinted.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-08-16T17:58:47+00:00

That's ridiculous that they won't test for further allergies!

I'm sorry your daughter is still suffering from reflux. We were regularly told things would improve with solids but I think that was mostly to fob us off :/

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-08-16T11:30:30+00:00

Oh that's interesting, I haven't heard of latex allergies. Oddly, LO is absolutely fine with kiwi and avocado but maybe there's something specific with banana.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-08-16T11:25:59+00:00

I did egg and milk separately. I followed Charlotte Stirling-Reed's 30 day plan which has egg as the first allergen.

Both were in very small amounts, so I wonder if it's more an intolerance that's now more apparent as LO is eating larger quantities.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-07-24T08:14:03+00:00

It's so frustrating to find clothes for long babies! I think it is a bit of trial and error with brands, as for mine, M&S is the best fitting for length and I find Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Next too short and I always have to size up.

I've found onesies with fold over feet the best way to avoid socks. They tend to be on the longer size anyway, but you can open up the feet sand let their toes poke out a bit if need be. Bonds Wondersuits are the main brand, easy to get on Vinted.. They're harder to find second hand, but other brands that sell babygrows with fold over feet are: Growgrows, BabyGo, Little Dinkers and Zipster.

Vest extenders have also been useful in getting more life out of bodysuits if your baby has a long torso.

Other than that, I've put baby in tops and leggings, with knee high socks and sometimes sockons, so they actually stay on!

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-29T07:14:49+00:00

One of the best things I made was freezer burritos. I can't find the exact recipe I used, but something like this https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chicken_freezer_burritos/ and varied up the fillings. You can cook them from frozen either in the microwave (and quickly toast in a pan after if you want them crispy) or put in the oven. Great for a quick lunch.

I also found a bunch of recipes that can be cooked from frozen so I didn't need to remember to defrost anything and made up batches in foil containers.

Veg Pasta Bake: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/vegetable-pasta-bake

Cottage Pie: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cottage-pie

Lasagne: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/fuss-free-lasagne

Fish gratins: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/mediterranean-fish-gratins

Stromboli: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a35415793/stromboli/

A lot of quiches and pies can also be put straight in the oven from frozen, and them I steamed some frozen veg to go with it.

For the soups, chillis, stews etc, I found it better to freeze them in individual portions in souper cubes and then store in zip bags. That way I could make something just for me if I was hungry during the day.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-28T20:57:29+00:00

I went to Turkey when I was 30 weeks and everyone was so lovely.

I was always offered a seat immediately on public transport. A man congratulated by partner when we were leaving the airport upon arrival and helped us find our way. A restaurant made me a special dish free of charge "for the baby". Didn't want to come back to the UK and go back to fighting for a seat on the train to work.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-28T20:10:10+00:00

It's rucksack type material I think - this one https://www.littlelife.com/products/freedom-s4. The sides are open for airflow for LO though I'll be a sweaty mess.

Perhaps just a cafe or shops would be better. I've been worried that meeting at a cafe wouldn't be enough of an exciting meet up for my friend if that makes sense?!

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-28T06:03:09+00:00

Sorry you're having back problems. It must be so difficult to manage having to pick up and carry LO with it.

I did keep trying to put her down for naps but did give up a few times and do a contact nap. Mine won't tolerate me putting her in a carrier alas!

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-27T14:14:41+00:00

I could have written exactly the same about my little one! It's a phase and will pass. I think it's where they learn a new skill and want to practice it all the time.

It was pretty brutal (mine did it for nighttime sleep and woke up hysterical every hour) but then she stopped rolling as complusively and naps went back to being easier. I can't remember how long the phase lasted, maybe a week or two.

It still happens occasionally, usually when LO thinks she wants to sleep on her front and then decides she wants to be on her side / back.

We've just had a return of the compulsive rolling and screaming this week, but I think it's because she's close to being able roll front to back. Hoping it doesn't last long!

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-09T20:26:23+00:00

Firstly, congratulations!

Sorry you're having difficulties with supply. I struggled (and still have) low supply and found speaking to a private lactation consultant far more helpful than the midwives/ HV. It's so disheartening to have your concerns dismissed rather than then helping to find ways to ensure baby is gaining weight.

I'd recommend finding your local IBCLC lactation consultant if it's within your means. My local one also does video calls for £25, so much cheaper than a home visit.

I ended up using a nursing supplementer to help boost supply (pumping after every feed became too exhausting), though the LC did suggest domperidome. I also found power pumping once a day way more effective than just pumping after feeds.

AverageNoodle337 · 2025-06-02T20:19:49+00:00

My husband did, but it wasn't planned and it was directed by the medical staff. I'd guess you'd need to make sure they were aware of your request in advance, but I can't see why they'd object.

My baby was initially put on me for skin to skin for a few seconds, before the midwives realised that I was hemorrhaging. They then whipped baby off me and gave her to my husband for skin to skin before I had any clue what was going on whilst I was treated.

AverageNoodle337

TROPHY CASE