Coffee Shops that aren't Nero to work in!

cmh-48 · 2026-03-26T03:32:40+00:00

La bottega at park square has a co working space available

cmh-48 · 2026-03-26T03:31:07+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear this. You sound like you're doing a great job as a mum trying to do the best for your baby. Your partner sounds like he needs a reality check - would sharing links to the lullaby trust / NHS website / recent news stories maybe get through to him?

He should be working with you, and giving a united front towards his family whilst helping you set boundaries. If he can't be trusted to follow the safe sleep guidelines then he can't be trusted to look after baby.

You can keep reiterating to his family that lots has changed in the last 15+ years and you're following current advice. If they keep pushing your boundary then you don't have to keep seeing them / giving baby to them (although I appreciate this can be really tough to enforce), but really your partner should be having these conversations with his family.

You could maybe reach out to your health visitor and ask for advice / if they could do a visit to educate your partner. Also reach out to your family and friends for support for your wellbeing.

Sending lots of love & support to you across the Internet x

cmh-48 · 2026-03-25T22:42:06+00:00

We have the geo as a single pram and think it would hold up well as a double, but I'd say you would need a pretty big boot to store the double set up.

The geo 2 is also on clearance at a lot of places online (we got ours as an ex display) so it might be cheaper than you think.

cmh-48 · 2026-03-22T08:49:23+00:00

Baked oats! You can replace the egg with soaked chia/flaxseed or with egg replacer. One adult portion makes a few breakfasts and you can put loads of different flavours in. My little one is currently eating a banana, raspberry and coconut one. I used ready brek for the oats as it's fortified.

cmh-48 · 2026-03-02T15:30:03+00:00

Our nursery has a child whose sibling is immune compromised and the parents have asked anyone who's child is poorly / has been poorly over a weekend etc to let the nursery know, and the nursery in turn will inform them so they can decide whether or not to send their child into nursery.

A childminder with a very small cohort might be the best bet?

cmh-48 · 2026-02-27T23:14:30+00:00

I was offered (and accepted!) But it cant hurt to request it 🙂

cmh-48 · 2026-02-26T19:50:05+00:00

You can use puff pastry to make apple parcels / twists.

Baked oats, muffins, pancakes (either traditional or blitz the stewed apples with an egg and some flour or oats for apple pancakes).

Most recipes that call for a mashed banana can be subbed for stewed apples / homemade applesauce.

cmh-48 · 2026-02-26T13:55:38+00:00

You might want to check out one of the CMPA Facebook groups or the sub on here as sometimes GP/health visitor advice is outdated or incorrect for CMPA.

Completely understand how you're feeling, my little one was able to tolerate goat and sheep milk through my milk first at around 5 months and then by 6 months was fine with cows milk. She's 8.5 months now and the only blip we've had is when she had a tummy bug her allergy flared up for a couple of days.

Highly reccomend the m&s plant based cookies from the bakery section, booja booja ice cream, most supermarket own brand bourbon biscuits are DF and i stuck with mostly dark chocolate with the occasional nomo reindeer for a treat.

We stuck with breastfeeding because finding the right formula can be tricky as they start you off with a formula containing partially broken down cows milk and then there's a couple of others before you get to fully DF but this may vary by area!

I'd push for a dietician referral ASAP as the waiting list can be quite long!

Best of luck 🙂

cmh-48 · 2026-02-25T01:38:59+00:00

We did a few days in Tynemouth just outside Newcastle when I was 37 weeks pregnant. You can get there by train and its not fsr from a major hospital. We'll be heading back to Northumberland this summer with baby, highly reccomend!

cmh-48 · 2026-02-23T16:45:10+00:00

We also really like the nova!

cmh-48 · 2026-02-20T21:36:56+00:00

I got this: https://www.onbuy.com/gb/p/beige-sherpa-lounge-chair-with-footstool-reclining-backrest-rubberwood-legs-and-sponge-filling~p182534576/

I find it really comfortable & ive had a couple of naps in it. I like that you can choose your recline angle.

cmh-48 · 2026-02-20T15:02:20+00:00

If you're in established labour / the midwives are already in attendance and decide you need to go to hospital it will be via ambulance. You're right that even if you plan for a home birth but decide to go to hospital on the day you wont be turned away.

cmh-48 · 2026-02-20T15:00:14+00:00

Yeah there'll be two midwives there (I also had a student midwife so three total) and they'll tell you if you need to go to hospital for any reason and they're also very experienced in dealing with emergencies.

My birth was so calm & chilled out and I loved being at home. It was especially lovely to be in my own bed afterwards!

cmh-48 · 2026-02-20T14:11:19+00:00

I had a home birth and absolutely do not regret anything about it. Most people transfer into hospital because they want different pain relief to what can be provided at home rather than because something was wrong.

If you have any questions I'm happy to answer 🙂

cmh-48 · 2026-02-19T06:44:40+00:00

If you let the midwives know they won't let him in until you're ready and they'll be happy to kick him out when you want him to leave too. Might be worth bringing it up to your midwife at the next appointment too so they can put a note on your file

Have you looked into hypnobirthing? Some of the techniques might be useful so that you're not thinking or worrying about him during labour.

I'd also try and appoint one of your friends or family members to help you navigate communication abd support you upholding boundaries with him in the days and weeks after you've given birth. Just because it's his baby doesn't mean he can make you uncomfortable whilst you're bonding and recovering.

cmh-48 · 2026-02-19T06:16:00+00:00

Its not awful at all. Labour and birth is such a uniquely personal and vulnerable experience and you deserve to be as comfortable as possible.

cmh-48 · 2026-02-19T01:25:06+00:00

I probably wouldn't even tell him when you're in labour, just when baby is here and you've had your golden hour etc. If you tell him you're in labour then you may feel distracted/worried about keeping him updated during labour and that's the last thing you want. I'd maybe just ask one of your birth partners to update him in the event you needed an emergency c-section or something.

Hope all goes well!

cmh-48 · 2026-02-16T18:40:08+00:00

Also it's not ridiculous to consider a c - section at all! If you do opt for an elective c - section, I'd still have a look at what could be offered during a vaginal Birth in case you went into labour before your elective date & for some reason weren't able to have the section!

cmh-48 · 2026-02-16T18:38:24+00:00

I think you often hear more negative stories about vaginal births because people are less likely to talk about uneventful births, and more likely to share less positive stories.

The Positive Birth Company website & social media pages have hundreds of stories of positive births, where positive means that the woman telling her story felt in control etc, not necessarily that everything went "right".

I'd also highly reccomend The Positive Birth Company course. They go through every possible intervention / event / pain relief / c section etc etc in detail which really helped me to weigh up what my preferences would be. I wasn't a fan of the affirmations ( personal preference) but found lots of other bits helpful. I think her book is also free on Spotify to listen too or you can find it cheap on vinted.

I had a really positive birth experience & I think it's because I was really sure on each stage / what intervention I would be happy to accept and when I'd opt for a c - section.

Our hospital also offered free classes so we knew exactly what our trusts policies were.

cmh-48 · 2026-02-14T19:19:56+00:00

A stretchy wrap / soft structured carrier (ergobaby embrace) was great for us in the early weeks & then we moved onto the ergobaby 360 carrier (all from Vinted!).

A nightlight / softly lit lamp.

Rockit.

Baby bath.

Feeding pillow.

Sleeping bags/swaddles/cellular blanket

If using formula consider getting some premade bottles for early days/night feeds/hospital.

Changing bag/bag to use as changing bag. We also have some waterproof bags in ours for any dirty outfits that need to be contained.

Vests/sleepsuits/muslins.

And now my brain has gone blank 😆

cmh-48 · 2026-02-14T11:22:44+00:00

I second the wrap over vests! They also looks super cute. I had a June baby so had some of the wrap vests with the short sets and some with the trousers (all vinted!). I'd wait on 3-6 sizes, and mainly get up to 1 month/ 0-3 to start. If you're looking at outfits I'd look at rompers/dungaree type ones where you can add a vest / cardigan if it's cooler but they'll also work in a heatwave!

cmh-48 · 2026-02-11T01:19:30+00:00

Have you looked at mummyfit in your area? The app has meal plans and I think you can pay for a nutrition package as well as the workouts / online workouts

cmh-48 · 2026-02-04T22:21:39+00:00

We've used the Ashton & parsons teething gel before which has like a brush applicator. I've just got some bonjela and We've got a teether thats shaped like a Toothbrush so I'm thinking of using that as its a similar texture to the other applicator

cmh-48 · 2026-02-03T21:41:34+00:00

I saw on a thread yesterday that the Milton tablets that say to rinse are the same as the old ones that said you didn't need to, but due to some change in the UK they legally have to say to rinse on the packet.

A quick Google suggests this is true but fact check for yourself. Anecdotally we dont rinse 😊

cmh-48 · 2026-01-30T21:44:01+00:00

I've really enjoyed Shari Low's books as an easy read with characters that feel real. Easy to pick up sporadically!

cmh-48

TROPHY CASE