June 07 - you really would think we would have better things to do than chat on here all day...

[RiallyEeRiaee]

New thread.

this is the only link I could find Holly.

I have just ordered some from the NHS website. I shall give a handful to each and every health professional that I meet!

Good for you Holly!

DH should be in his interview about now. He's not sure he wants it as it'd be a long commute, so what's the betting the interview goes really well and they offer him the job? Mind, even if he turns it down, what a confidence boost that would be!

The fuckers holly, that's exactly how they work and get their brands into people's consciousness.

DH just called, he blew the literacy and numeracy tests for this job as he took too long on one of the questions. He is really upset. I don't even mind, it's one of those things, these tests aren't even designed for him, he has a degree and was probably over thinking it. But he is really upset and being really down on himself which very waring, it's hard to know how to deal with it. He is saying if he can't even pass these tests he might as well go and get a job in tescos. I'm just worried that this is going to spoil our weekend but even worse, going to make him completely demotivated about applying for other jobs

And I have weigh watchersistis! I'm so hungry and cranky!

Ironic cross post jammy

Morning.

TBH I don't think it's that bad for HVs to get free stuff from formula companies. IMO of course. They do need to know whats out there. And I don't imagine their choices are made over who sends them the most free pens or whatever, there must be more to it than that.

DH got a bad back this morning. I have no sympathy because I got none when mine was worse.

Have a good time in IOW foxy, and everyone else who is going away (I had the chance to go to the Dales again, but couldn't be bothered)

Poor DH, Bumper. It is just one of these things though. You and I know it doesn't mean he won't do splendidly another time, but I know these things can really knock a person back. I got a load of books on CVs, interviews, presentation skills etc out of the library yesterday. I think myh DH is perfectly able to do the jobs he is applying for but that he may not have the confidence or the skills perfected to convince others that he could do the job well. Hopefully he'll be able to pick up a fwe tips from the books though.

It's all bollocks isn't it? IMO your ability to "pass" an interview has very little relation to your ability to do a job. You might be a fantastic interviewee, but a lazy, workshy bum, who's to know! Hope your dhs find something soon.

Ria, it's not so much that the HCPs get free stuff, it's the fact that they then use these products in front of vulnerable and struggling mothers. If a new mum is having difficulty bfing and she seems an HV with an SMA pen then she could very well think that the HV is promoting that product and that it is ok to give up and use formula. It is also getting that product into the psyche of new parents and the HCPs. HVs are never actually given any real information on "the best" formulas, they are just given the same shit from the manufacturers as the rest of us. Aptimil contains "Immunofortis" you know...WTF is immunofortis?! What is needed is an independent body to test the various pros and cons of the different formulas and to relay this information to mums who chose not to bf. Aptimil giving HVs post-its with "immunofortis" written on them is not going to help in the slightest!

Hi mammajullah
Nice when lurkers emerge, I sometimes wonder how many we have [waves at lurkers]
I lurked myself on the Babycentre group for when my DD was born, but then I found MN.

Well Baby Sputnik managed 1 1/2 hours at the nursery without crying today, hooray. Which meant I could have a really good rummage on the second hand stall on the market and came up with 2 skirts and a top for DD and a lovely wool hoody for DS, all for 7 euros. Plus a bnwt cord skirt for me for 5 euros. It is rapidly becoming the highlight of my week!

Holly, your post pretty much mirrors what I'd tried to post only jamlet somehow deleted it all just before I hit "post" and I couldn't be bothered to repeat it all. But I agree, I don't think the HVs should be using the stuff with the Mums, especially writing little notes on the post-it pads for the mums to take home!

Speaking of HVs, I just summoned up the courage to go to our clinic. They have reassured me that jamlet's lack of walking is not a problem and that her appetite and weight are fine. I have been a little concerned about her chubbiness, but was scared to go because I was afraid they would see fat mum, fat baby and be really patronising. But she wasn't (different HV, much nicer!)

Sputnik, your 2nd hand stall sounds like a great place to shop!

I have booked my 40th birthday trip away. A weekend deal at Center Parcs in the Lakes . Oh the joys of having a young family . We were going to go away for the full half term week but DH's new job and how the holidays work has put paid to that. so this is a kind of middle ground from my original plan of a weekend for DH and I in Barcelona. We are going on the weekend of my birthday when it's a bit cheaper and we got a 20% code from hotDeals as well, and I'll book into the on-site spa for a few treatments as my birthday treat. Would have been nice if DH and I could have done the spa thing together but someone has to look after all the children (all the children ....sounds scary)

Ria, it's a sad fact that HVs, although they aren't supposed to promote one type of formula over another, are just as swayed by the freebies as the next person. And it doesn't just stop at pens and post it notes unfortunately .

bumper, did you get my email? I have a confession in that I can't remember your RL surname (although I will kick myself when you tell me as I know that I know it) so haven't posted the points calculator yet! could you ping me a line and I'll get it in the post tomorrow, I promise.

Good for baby sputnik at nursery and sounds like fantastic bargains at the market. I love getting a bargain.

Jammy don't worry about your DD's lack of walking, my DD was a july baby and started walking just before xmas. She was very chubby too. I think being heavy means they hurt more if they take a tumble, so are less confident. That said Baby Sputnik is chubby too, but seemingly impervious to pain!

Anyway, does she have a little trolley or somthing to push along? My DD got about with one of those for months before walking properly (pushing it, not in it!)

How's the throat today?

Daisy, if it's any consolation I didn't do anything for my 40th. I was pregnant with DS and knackered. We drove to a really nice restaurant where we did our wedding reception only to find it had changed hands and offered a meaty menu that was no good for us.

That's because he is a boy sputnik

jammy, she will walk in her own time. I know a few babies who didn't walk till they were well past 18 months.....and as someone has said before on here it won't make any difference in a year or twos time; no-one will be able to tell which ones were early and which ones were late. And you never know, she might be like the character in Little Britain (Andy?) and runs around like mad when your back is turned

Sorry DH had a bad interview bumper, and arse to the company if they can't see beyond some numbers on a page to the candidate who will actually be the right person for the job. Hopefully he will be philosophical about it and it doesn't spoil your weekend.

And I hope your DH is having a good interview jammy, even if it's not wuite what he wants. The practice at interviewing is all to the good.

Oh, I know I shouldn't worry, but it's just so damned hard not to! Especially when people say "ooh, is she not walking yet? Oh not to worry, XXX was really late, didn't walk until 15 months. How old is she? 16 months? Oh..." We did get her a little push along thing, but she fell and bumped her head on the handle and is now scared if it. She goes rigid almost every time you put her against anything with wheels on it now (walkers, toy push chairs etc)

OK, DH just home....

what about a wheelybug or something like that jammy, or something that has a cuddly element to it, like a horse on wheels or something? if she gets to "know" the animal she might be less frightened?

if anyone asks, say she can but just prefers to conserve her energy

people can be so insensitive about these things really and i hate the way that somehow it's implied that it's the fault of the parent if the baby isn't "performing"

Worth a thought Daisy. I am viewing it as a positive sign that this morning she managed to walk through most of the house holding just one of my hands, as long as she could hold onto something (sofa, wall, chair, whatever) with the other. This felt like a big improvement, if only for my back!

DH said the interview went fairly well, and he thought the place was pretty cool (apparently they have a Dalek!) If he does get offered it would have to think hard about he commute though (~50min drive each way)

like this fellow?

at "conserve her energy" Daisy!

Is that a bit gratuitous (is that the word I mean?) you promoting a site called Daisy Daisy?

DH is finally washing the kitchen floor.......after agreeing to do it more than a month ago!

if only it were my site

sorry to me it would be just a bit of paper and a pen with weird words on that meant nothing to me, nothing more. But then I do live in a bizarre parallel universe where I thought it was a really good idea to still have all my school books ... until today. I think most advertising is a con so they would have to come up with a pretty impressive gift to sway me

No offence meant to anyone.

we used to have loads of stuff round the house when I was little with oil names/fertiliser and stuff on and it didn't mean a thing (I can be sure of this because I have just thrown away some said items)

Where does Tallulah live?

Jammy, I don't really know what to say about dd not walking. My dd was seriously chubby, too chubby to crawl, so she walked early. She couldn't hold her weight on her arms ! I know a couple of babies that are around the same age as ours that are only just walking, so it is not that uncommon. If she is supporting her weight on her legs, then I'm sure she is fine. I guess she'll get going when she feels ready. She is obviously a chilled out little soul!

I am the same ria. I have to be seriously convinced by something to believe it's not a con. I am very cynical! A lot of people are easily swayed by advertising and recommendations though, which is why the formula advertising is so naughty! No offense taken, it is just one of the subjects I like to rant about!

Funnily enough I have to do a debate at my next BFC training session. Formula advertising vs no formula advertising. I am n=on the pro formula side! That ought to be interesting !!