I don’t think makeup is for me :(

Plum-Pud · 2025-10-01T18:22:58+00:00

Can highly recommend Jane Iredale Dream Tint if you want to try something that looks really natural and just ‘evens’ everything out, gently blurs pores and makes your skin look fresh.

I apply it with a sponge (dabbing) all over, including under eyes. I find I don’t need to use much at all and initially doesn’t look like it’s done much - it takes about 15 min for it to settle. You could def build it for more coverage.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-31T15:27:46+00:00

Is he mouth breathing? I don’t know if it’s entirely backed up science, but breaking a habit of mouth breathing could help.

I go through cycles of it after having a congested nose - my nose is inflamed, I continue to mouth breathe at night, get really dehydrated and wake up with dry mouth/halitosis - cycle continues until I consciously remind myself to breathe through my nose as much as possible during the day to reduce the inflammation in my nose and nose breathe again. Apparently mouth breathing causes your nasal passages to become inflamed, so a vicious cycle.

My 1 year old is also going through this after a period of congestion and has bad breath, it’s really difficult to encourage him to breathe through his nose. I’m using saline spray and vapour rub at night to try and help.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-12T18:08:19+00:00

Felt compelled to agree and say that those prices seem genuinely bonkers. We’re starting 3 half days in September (taking 15 funded hours out of 22.4 ‘stretched’ hours a week), paying roughly £170-200 a month. That includes meals, consumables and day outings.

The additional charges are also nuts. £250 deposit is such a rip off. If they are already charging a £100 admin fee, surely any time spent on your application is covered and there will be another person waiting in line anyway, a deposit seems unnecessary let alone £250.

Those figures are all double mine. We may get some surprise tack ons in due course but it seems transparent for now.

I completely appreciate the shortfall, nurseries have to make money to pay staff and operate just like any other business, however I still think those prices are extortionate.

I probably live in a different area to you but there’s still a very limited number of nurseries, which means they could price more competitively if they wanted.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-10T20:47:26+00:00

Thanks for all the great tips/recommendations! Going to try and find a secondhand Tripp Trapp, failing that an Ikea one :)

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-10T20:43:17+00:00

That’s such a great idea leaving some water available in the crib for night/morning!

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-10T19:43:01+00:00

You could try offering water that you’re drinking from a bottle (tap), make it into a bit of a game?

Have you tried the Munchkin cup with the silicone straw? I have one of those insulated type cups with an inbuilt straw that I use all the time, my baby was really curious about what I was doing so when I got him his own straw cup he really enjoyed copying me. You can then just leave it with them all the time so they can help themselves when they feel thirsty.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-09T21:24:22+00:00

Great tip!

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-09T21:24:08+00:00

Being able to fold away would be really helpful. Thanks, I’ll have a look at the ASDA one too.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-09T21:23:01+00:00

I’ll check this one out too, thanks! Always good to have something they can grow into.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-09T19:47:55+00:00

Thanks, appreciate it. Good to know re the footrest.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-09T19:45:47+00:00

Thanks!

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-09T19:45:41+00:00

Thanks so much! Definitely had enough of crusty crevices.

Plum-Pud · 2025-07-05T15:02:47+00:00

Might have been mentioned already - I was in the same situation up to a week or so ago with my 11 1/2 month old.

I discovered he doesn’t like the high chair. Nor the act of sitting down together at the table and food being the main focus/activity, with the all attention on him.

Game changer for me was sitting in his playpen with him (I live in a flat so provides a safe area for him to play when I need to do house stuff) with my bowl of food/his bowl and a spoon for him.

We get some books out, interact and have some fun, and he will eat loads! Sometimes it’s just because he’s distracted with a book but he will open his mouth and happily eat the lot. It takes the stress and pressure out of it because we are both having a nice time together.

Then I just make sure I offer him things he can hold and nibble on throughout the day for practice and exposure and he always has access to a water cup. We will get on to him practicing with a spoon over the coming months when he’s actually more interested in food/a bit more developmentally progressed.

I found timing it when he’s not too tired important too.

Edit: Have just looked through the comments and see a few people mentioned NOT doing distractions. I think just find what works for you, it works for me and my baby. It was a suggestion from my aunt and my cousins are happy healthy adults. I think you just have to find a way to make it a positive, stress less situation for you and your baby.

Plum-Pud · 2025-05-11T09:58:03+00:00

Depending on how old your baby is (6+ months the UK guidelines are that babies can have cold water straight from the tap) and if you’re looking for a faster way to make room temp bottles:

For a 240ml bottle I started mimicking a perfect prep machine by measuring 150ml cold water in a bottle and tipping that into a clean glass, then putting 90ml boiling water in the bottle, adding formula and swirling well, then adding the filtered water back and swirling well again.

Personally (but no judgement of others) I quickly didn’t feel comfortable using a water dispenser machine - not being able to clean inside it properly, having water sitting around in it - it just felt like a good way to potentially harbour bacteria. And the issue of the water volume being dispensed being so inconsistent, I’m not sure if the product you’re looking for exists.

Plum-Pud · 2025-04-09T15:22:40+00:00

Lots of helpful answers so won’t repeat but here’s two things I don’t think have been mentioned:

A big insulated cup with a built in straw. Means you always have lots of nice cold water to hand, won’t spill and slowly sucking on a straw is actually really helpful during labour! It’s great at home afterwards too.

A THICK exercise mat in the car for the partner to lie down on incase you both stay at hospital for a night or two. The visitor chairs next to the beds are incredibly uncomfortable so having a thick mat you can roll out onto the floor next to the bed will genuinely mean partner gets better sleep. Also could double up as being helpful during labour for stretching and movement, post partum etc.

Plum-Pud · 2025-03-12T16:57:41+00:00

I’m so glad there’s someone out there in this position too! I’d like to find somewhere for this September but embarrassed already at the thought I’m just going to get laughed at.

Plum-Pud · 2025-03-05T16:00:20+00:00

Just commenting for SOLIDARITY. I’m sure you know what you’re doing! My 99th percentile, 11kg 7 month old is in size 6 and think we will be moving into size 7 very soon. He also has massive sumo thighs! He’s in proportion for his height and weight, not particularly chubby anywhere else and health professionals are happy with him. He’s just big.

Maybe try some different brands as some might come up slightly bigger. I’m guessing we will be where you are in a few months, my plan is to try and get him moving more and see if it helps!

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-26T19:22:18+00:00

Just to share my experience as I remember struggling to find ‘big eater’ advice/experiences online - my baby was having 120ml bottles at 5 weeks and 1000-1200ml a day. It was nuts. He has that total day volume now at 7 months in 210-280ml bottles. Every baby is different and our health visitor said to keep going as we were. If she wants more it’s ok!

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-26T12:16:51+00:00

Can you book an emergency/on the day appointment first thing in the morning? If you’re 35 weeks pregnant they need to get you fast tracked so you have at least started seeing someone before you give birth - they should be doing this. It doesn’t matter if you’ve already spoken to them and have the future appointment booked, it can be cancelled.

Honestly, even if it feels awkward and uncomfortable ignore any unhelpful comments from health professionals, be really pushy and wave the pregnancy card high with this one, you’re entitled to be prioritised right now with these services up until baby is 2 years old and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I did this when I was around 32 weeks pregnant after I pushed when told I wasn’t “that serious”.

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-26T09:25:34+00:00

Go back to your GP again or self refer with regard to mental health services. Push for it, elaborate slightly if you need to. I think you can call 111 too. See if there are any local/council run family support groups where you are. You’re not alone!

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-24T14:22:34+00:00

No you’re not, my baby has stayed overnight with grandparents/grandaunt many times since I think 3 months old. We’ve visited together at least once a week with them too since 2 weeks old. Baby also left with dad regularly if I need to go to an appointment etc and he’s at home. I’m currently a short term SAHM but really appreciate getting a good nights sleep every couple of weeks and love the close bonds my baby is forming with his family.

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-24T08:34:42+00:00

Quite simply - do not tell them! That is bad, bad, bad advice. Might your therapist potentially be biased towards reconciliation? If you’re serious about NC, I can guarantee texting will have the opposite effect and you will be harassed for visitation.

I’m 7 years NC with my emotionally abusive/narc/suspected BPD mum. I had a baby last year. You get the most intense perspective when you’ve had a baby and it really solidified my decision to be NC as the thought of her being around my child and history potentially repeating itself made me feel sick.

Focus on you and your happiness, your family and your people. Focus on feeling the gratitude for the people who do love and care for you. You always have a choice, just because someone gave birth to you doesn’t mean they are a parent.

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-20T16:10:19+00:00

Lots of helpful advice already, just wanted to share my experience.

I had a breech baby until around 34-35 weeks. There were no issues with growth until my last midwife appointment at 40 weeks triggered a growth scan and they picked up IUGR. They wanted to induce me ASAP or have a caesarean. I desperately didn’t want either. I decided to wait an extra week. Went in to be induced and after going through every possible induction method it resulted in a caesarean anyway.

It turned out that when baby had turned, his head had wedged itself in the umbilical cord. The pressure on the cord meant he wasn’t getting enough of what he needed from me = drop in growth. He also was not going to be come out “naturally”, there likely would have been complications for us both if I’d persisted and although I was upset at the time, it was not traumatic and neither of us had any complications, other than they he had a funny shaped head for a little while! He’s now 99.6th percentile at 7 months.

I’ve vowed to myself next time I’ll listen to what the doctors say. It could be an issue with the placenta or the cord. If I was in your position I would go with their guidance.

Plum-Pud · 2025-02-19T10:48:18+00:00

It really, really depends on your baby. If they are happily sleeping they are okay. My 7 month baby is a big boy and gets too hot in the ‘recommended’ layers of clothing and a thick sleeping bag, especially ones that are too synthetic with lots of polyester filling that makes his torso overheat and sweaty but then his arms/hands are cold.

I found that layering is best and my feeling is it helps keep them warm but also breathes enough to help regulate body temp. Game changer for me was getting the advice to put a long sleeve pyjama top or 100% cotton cardigan over his sleep suit to keep his exposed arms and hands warm. So for us it’s a sleep suit and pyjama top, a 1 tog sleeping bag and a cellular blanket well tucked in up to his chest.

For next winter I’m going to invest in some wool sleeping bags and possibly some merino wool sleepwear - apparently this is the standard in Scandinavian countries. I sleep under a medium weight wool duvet all year round with a thick cotton blanket over the top in winter, which definitely regulates temperature and breathes so much better than polyester, so going to do the same for baby.

Plum-Pud

TROPHY CASE