I can't be the first surely?? Wow!

Nowt wrong with dummies - my kids are all in their 20s and gave up using them years ago. One regrettably smokes but dont think that is cos he had a dummy as a kid.

Dishclothes - soak in a little bleach ;-)

Bleach 'em or bin 'em Chris. The dishcloths. Not the dummy. That would be wrong on many levels and not for here. Or anywhere.

Personally, I bin 'em when they begin to get whiffy. Just over a quid for a pack of 4 - one can afford to be decadent and bin bin bin.

Did you get me Q for U2? Good one!! I await your Production Team's phone call!

As for the dummy debate ..... when my niece was a baybeeee she had a "sucky" - a piece of tablecloth, I think. Anyhoooo, long story short ..... she won't give it up for anything. And she's now 12. Very worrying indeed.

Will miss the start of the show tonight - bus home with iPod for company. Bit of Ramones called for, I think!

TTFN

Deev xxx

It seems I am.
Then let me say on the dummy front, that I think they are fine. My son had one and although as a toddler there was the nightly dummy-hunt ready for settling down for a story, he loved it. When he was able to understand, We had a chat about how he was a big boy now and needed to put it in the bin as only babies had dummies.

Far easier to do that than stop a child sucking their thumb. Can't throw that away can you? and I hate to see a teenager or heaven forbid an adult still stuffing their thumb in their mouth!

On the dishcloth front, chuck 'em!
They are cheap enough - if they are the flimsy kind, or use what I do which is face flannels - then they can go in the washing machine when I do my hot towel wash.

Then of course theirs always paper towels - recycled variety - but not much good for cleaning the top of the cooker!

Crumpy xx

Really have no idea about dummies but put your dishcloths in one of those net bag things and when you put your washing machine on wash them with your clothes.
Tash day on a Friday sounds good.

Dishcloths can go in the washing machine Chris.

That keeps them nice and clean!

Also, make sure you rinse and wring them out well after you use them as its the stale water that makes them smell.

Oh, and if you can store them on some kind of a rack or peg so that they aren't sitting on the drainer thats good too.

All the best,

Mary
x

I watched an old episode recently of 'How Clean is Your House' and the tip they gave to keep your dishcloths clean was to put them in the sink last thing at night, then just cover them in hot water and add a capful of bleach and a squirt of washing-up liquid. Leave them overnight and by morning your cloths will be disinfected by the bleach, cleaned by the w-u liquid, and your sink will be sparkling clean into the bargain.

On the subject of dummies, my sister-in-law's four children each had dummies for the first 3-4 months only, after which they were gradually - and successfully - withdrawn from service.

Tash Day every Friday - great idea!!

jillygoat xx

Our first one refused a dummy, the second can't live without it. They maybe small Christoph but they can sure make up their own minds :-)

Missing the show since my car stereo died. Thank the Lord for blogs to my mobile!!!!

I think you need to bleach your dishclothes with boiling water. It should bring them up a treat.

I personally don't like dummies as it is distressing for the child when the time comes to part with them. Also, when they are a bit older and start to laugh and smile, you can't see their mouth properly! I can see the "for" argument though.

Looking forward to ARF - not wanting to wish my life away but it has been a tough week.

xxx

Afternoon all.

The great dummy debate. For the first few weeks of her life my daughter fed almost constantly. she would only settle when feeding and I was exhausted!! I was so anti-dummy - I thought it was a 'lazy' way to comfort a child. Then my mum (sometimes mum does know best!!) said - she gets comfort from sucking, not feeding - just try a dummy and see.

It changed my life! The dummy was the best thing ever as far as I'm concerned and I would highly recommend them.

The dirty dishcloth debate. Chuck 'em and use new ones on a regular basis. Too many horrid germs lurking on dishcloths.

Phew - all this opinionating has left me exhausted!!!

T xxx

Hi Chris

I think it very much depends on your baby. If they are the sort of child who feeds and sleeps, then you don't need one. If, however, they are the sort of baby that just can't settle and can't come to terms with what he is supposed to do, but gets fractious through the night etc... then I would use one.
The rule we had was that the dummy did not leave the baby's bedroom.
It was more difficult but it worked for us.


I would say, put the dishcloth in the washing machine regularly or as my old granny did, bleach it overnight.

Hells x

P.S. It's calendar photo time shortly, any ideas of who we should ask?

Re: dummies - my health visitor pointed out that kids without dummies can always suck their thumbs instead. You can take dummies off a child later, but you can't remove thumbs......

Both my kids had dummies, both lost the habit by 3 years, they don't have speech impediments, funny teeth, malformed mouths, and I am still sane thanks to getting a little more rest between feed.

Re: dishcloths - I agree with the bleach brigade - it kills the germs and makes the cloths brightey white.

xx

Afternoon,

My friends little girl had a dummy for a while, then the dummy fairy came to take it away and neither of them have looked back. I used to suck my fingers and I have perectly straight teeth and no bad habits (well not that I can share on here anyway!)

As for dishcloths. I buy a big pack of the blue or pink flimsy ones, cut them in half cause they are massive and then chuck them away at the end of each week. I hang them on the washing up bowl at night to dry out. Bit OCD when it comes to hygeine in the kitchen, must admit.

AliB
x

Oh and if it's Tash day every Friday, does that mean Noah will help present the show every Friday *grins*

Hi Chris,
My 1st ever post on a blog but, listen to your show always... You keep me sane!
A dummy is a real comfort and gives mum a chance to rest/heal. Ohhh! It hurts when baby just nibbles and grazes for comfort.
I have four children 2 had dummies, 2 didn't. I could take the dummies away BUT, the others sucked thumbs & fingers and still do!(one is 18yrs and he still does it when asleep) LOL!
I boil dishcloths in a saucepan with a bit of washing powder. They are super clean and kills all germs too.
xxx

I was very anti-dummies before I had kids, then both of my sons had them when they were newborns as they were v v 'sucky'! I was told that anything a baby learns in the first 3 months is not habit forming and lo and behold it got to 3 months and I started using them less and they also started wanting them less.
Anything at all that gets you through the early months can't be a bad thing!

Hmm.......to dummy or not to dummy. My wee boy had a dummy.

When he was small crying was never his forte, screaming was! I took him to the Doctor who after telling me that my boy was perfectly healthy suggested - whilst hollering over my son's screaming - that we plug the hole with a dummy. Plug or Pluggy then became a valued member of our family.

My boy has beautiful teeth, didn't suck his thumb, doesn't smoke - he is only 11 so I guess there could still be time for that - and getting him to give up Pluggy was surprising easily.

One of my most endearing memories of him as a wee man though was, when Pluggy was banished to under the pillow during the day, him running up stairs to give Pluggy a wee chew cos he was lonely!

Go with your heart and your gut feelings Chris - listen to advice, digest it then do your own thing. It's the best way!!

To thumb or to dummy? That really is the question Christoff. Our son 12 months and 1 week has definitely thumbed (like medalled!!!) and it is the BEST thing ever!!!! He fed like a dream and never dropped it. Thumb and blankie are a dynamic duo - which especially at the moment when he is teething and the slightest thing upsets him, are just magic. he never loses it in the night causing him to wake up either!!

I dont want to think of how we wean him off - cant throw thumb in the canal!!! But hopefully he will 'just grow out of it - dont see many 10 year old boys sucking their thumbs!!!

Dishcloths - evil things - kettle of boiling water and bleach each night sorts them out a treat and into the weekly wash.

I guess I am just a bit anti-dummy as the MiL keeps going on about them!! I'm determined to resist as long as I can.... But to be honest the jumpybean prefers his fingers and thumbs, or our knuckles, or me :) Or the antennae on his caterpillar toy. For now I'm happy to let him feed when he wants, the first couple of months ARE going to make Tash feel like a feeding machine, but then that's what babies do. They don't stay like that forever :) and personally I quite like the fact that it's only me that gets to be this close to my little one so often :)

Hi Chris

My son had a dummy & it was a god send!! We were worried when it was time to say goodbye to it, but the 'dummy fairy' came one night, and swapped it for some really cool Hotwheels cars!

Definately either bleach or wash the dishcloths in the washing machine - it will leave them smelling really fresh!!

Love to you all.

xx

Hi Chris,

I didn't get to read yesterday's blog at all, so I am slotting in today and may get it all wrong!

However, I have to say I don't think it does any harm for a baby to have a dummy. My daughter didn't want one, absolutely refused it, no matter what tricks we tried! But I know loads of people who gave their babies dummies. These same babies are now adults and unless they have some really weird secrets, I don't see any of them with dummies now!

When we tried to get MsS off her bottle (which she adored) I told her that "another little baby" needed her bottle. She was exactly two years old, we said bye bye to the bottle in the afternoon and she never asked for it again - she was just ready to give it up.

Chris, you and Tash do what's right for the both of you, and don't give a fig what anyone else thinks. If Noah gets comfort, that's all that matters!

And .... you will never get kitchen cloths cleaned properly unless they go in the washing machine - in with the towels, job done!!

C xx

Yo, Christoph,

Every night, before you go to bed, put the kettle on and, when it boils, fill the sink with veh hot water, put in a squirt of fairy liquid and a squirt of bleach, and leave dishcloths overnight. In the morning, wring them out (no need to rinse) and they'll be superclean. Remember:

- You must do this every night
- You still need to replace them fairly regularly (say monthly).

Congratulations to you and Mrs E on your lovely little baby, btw, on behalf of all those who wish you well but just don't get round to sending you a personal email.

Let Noah decide whether he wants a dummy or not -- my little boy didn't, and many don't. I think the best advice I've heard is that they're fine to be used, but not to be abused!

Lotsa love
Geko xxx

Hi all

This is my first post because I usually only get to lurk at lunchtime - I just have time for a quick read and then have to get my nose back to the grindstone. I don't know what's gone right today but I've been waiting for a chance to join in and this seems to be it!

Whatever decision you make about dummies there will always be someone to suggest you do the opposite, so you need to do whatever you,Tash and Noah feel most comfortable with.

Dishcloths go into the top basket of the dishwasher every time I turn it on - simple but effective.

Back to the grindstone

X

Chris

When you ask for child rearing advice you will always get different points of view - there are fewer things more judgemental than a parent who thinks you are doing it 'wrong'.

I was very anti dummy until I had my second and out of desperation gave her one - which she gave up at about 2. Genuinely forgot to take it on holiday and that was that! Must admit I kept for sleep time only. I become judgemental when I see older children plugged with a dummy when they are not even crying! Surely it only affects speech if its always in their mouth?

Basically do what you think is right for Noah - he may hate a dummy- question answered!

Am also OCD with kitchens and bathrooms - change my discloth everyday and wash them.

Diddy

HI CLP!

Dummy or no dummy... no idea as I have no kids but I can tell you that whatever you and Tash decide for ickle-pickle someone will tell you why youre wrong!

Dishcloths have to be
a- disposable
b- soaked in bleach and hot water

Luv
Lyndyloo
-x-x-

Can I just add that if you do use a dummy, please, please, please don't get novelty ones i.e. that look like teeth. They are hideous beyond belief - yuck.

AliB
x

All suggestions re cleaning the cloths are the ones I was going to mention so I will only add - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't just throw away. We need to always think about reusing everything as much as possible so that Noah and all his new born chums have a world to still live in when they get to be our age.

Completely agree with the pro dummy arguements. Seriously how many kids do you actually see still sucking thumbs and/or dummies. A few maybe but it's not really going to be an issue. You say you'll be talking properly to Noah from day one, so just have a proper chat with him about it when the time is right.

Tashday, Friday, Grand day...

jx

oh flip!! there i was doing a lovely post, thinking hard about what i was trying to say and hit the wrong key and lost the lot!! aargh!

anyway - dummy or not dummy? i have tried to analyse why i am anti and give a measured view!!

1. thumb/fingers/soft toy - they are all things that the child chooses to suck or have as a comforter. however, the dummy is presented to the child and usually there is no choice. Child cries - dummy in. Mostly, it seems to me.

2. feeding - doesn't always stay like this!! initially you do feel like you are feeding constantly, but after a while, when you start going out and about, and the child does more (even at a few weeks old!) the feeds start spacing out and before you know it you have gone 4 hours without a feed - how did that happen?! i wouldn't think there is any rush yet - he is only very tiny still - plenty of time for routines and all that stuff to develop in their own time! Natasha - just think of it as a perfect opportunity to sit down for a bit - read, do the xword, watch tv whatever!!

3. For the last 9 months Noah has been fed constantly till he was born, so his tummy needs to adjust to only being fed sometimes. as he gets bigger he can take more at each feed which will space out the feeds too. that is also going to take time. Certainly no-one that i know who breast fed their kids was constantly sitting there feeding by the time their child was a month or so old.

4. for me the worst of all is seeing toddlers going round with a dummy in their mouth. the guys who have posted on here about keeping it in the bedroom etc or taking it away after a very short time may have the answer! nothing worse than a 3 yr old trying to talk around a dummy!! (except maybe a 3 yr old with a bottle!)

(goodness, nothing worse than an opinionated parent is there?!)

If you are getting an expert on the show Chris, why not get one who knows about breastfeeding as that seems to be part of the reason for possibly using the dummy? maybe they can reassure you both that it won't always be like this!!

but despite my prejudices against them, i think the best advice has to be that you do what works for you all as a family. just don't rush it and let Noah be the guide!!

right off now - more work to do!

cornishgirlie
x

Dummies....

you should hear the midwives' staff room on this hot pertater!!!

Some babies are simply 'sucky' babies. They NEED to suck on something almost all the time and it's not because they are actually hungry. Freud called them 'orally fixated' and it seems like their world focuses on their mouths. Others are less so. If your baby is suck-obsessed (I can see it now... "I'm Noah and I'm suck-obsessed.... ") then a CLEAN INTACT dummy is probably a good idea. Use one with a small, shaped 'teat' and not the old lightbulb style. Use it only when needed and put it away at other times.

If the issue is nightwaking and crying, would you prefer to scrabble around on the floor in the dark at 3 a.m. searching for a dropped pacifier or teach your child to help themselves to get back to sleep?

Dishcloths..... I throw mine in the washing machine and every now and again give them a good bleach. Nasty germs need a wet atmosphere to multiply in so leave the cloth open in an airy place to dry between uses. Don't use a cloth for raw stuff; use kitchen paper.

I think all of us who have had babies would say that if your major concern is how to keep your dishcloths virgin white.... you're doing a fantastic job with the little man!!

Can you remember LBN? Life Before Noah? Seems like he's been there since....oh...forever...yes?

aA

"President and Founder Member of the Tash Blog Friday campaign"

Beckbo66- re Pluggy - that's so cute!!

That's what my daughter used to do when she was upset or had been told off - go into her bedroom and sneak a suck of dummy!! I'd forgotten that!!!!

T xxx

Hi Chris,I think a dummy is better then a chid sucking his thumb, you go throw a dummy away!!!!if it makes Noah more settled then give him a dummy.
As for the dish cloths just throw them away and get new ones when they get smelly.
love to all. x

The big dummy debate. I did dummy my son when he was born and whilst he did rely on it for a while, taking it off him wasnt that bad either. It is a personal decision whether you want to do it or not, but I never really gave it that much thought. I might add that his teeth are straight and he does not smoke. So each child is different.

On the subject of dishclothes, you have two options, good old fashioned bleach will bring them back to life or even steralising tablets. Alternatively throw them away and buy new ones. Lifes too short!

Good luck with your decision.

I put dishcloths in the dishwasher - water much hotter than washing by hand

As they say up North 'they come out lovely!'

Hi again Chris,
Meant to say earlier be great to hear from Tash on a friday.Loved her first blogg.
x

Morning/Afternoon everyone from sunny upstate NY......

I agree with the earlier comments, do what's right for your family. There will always be folks that agree/disagree....

Hello! I'm home! Work was fine thanks guys, felt good to get stuck in. Will mention it at my probationary interview tomorrow.

Dummies. Now LM didn't have one, simply because he didn't need one not because I am 'anti' them.

Being a parent is hard enough without people making you feel guilty about things so if it works, and junior is happy..why not. The do grow out of it with help or simply in their own time.

I couldn't breastfeed. Had terrible trouble, he simply did not want to know. I remember those first few days in hospital feeling like a total failure because it wasn't happening. I know that 'breast is best' and totally support that but at the time, there was so much pressure from people it made me feel awful.

He is now a lump of a child, not too severly damaged by formula milk either.

I think go with your instincts and trust them. They don't come with a manual and you have to do what you feel is best. Afterall nobody loves him like you and Tash.

Debbie x

I still can't get over being on air on Friday!!

My Dad was so chuffed to hear me on the radio that I thought he was going to explode or something!!!

We managed to get Wi-Fi in one of the pubs so that my friends could listen to it on the fab iPlayer!

Dummies: I didn't have a dummie. Neither did my brother. Apparently thumbs, fingers or dolls hands work just as well.

Hi Chris

If the dishcloths are the white cotton variety, then put them in washing machine or put them in a bowl of soapy hot water with some bleach. All will keep them fresh and hygienic! Otherwise, why not buy J Cloths and throw them away once they start looking a bit tired?

Glad Natasha and Noah doing well.

Exactly what I do jannieb. Get the disposable ones, far easier. And I think more hygienic too.

Hiya Bond

I agree (I think)? ;-)

Debs, glad your day went well - every time you do something new you'll grow in confidence!!

T xx

Greetings Ter The CLP And......... Family, Greetings Ter ALL Computer Writers And Their...... Families.........

Bingo Star ere,

CLP - A used ter ave a dummy and never touched a cigar or ciggy in me life!!!!!!
Also loved candy ciggies..... and the above still applies in full!!!!!
So all a can say iz ignore these expert numpties who say the above will result in the bit below the above!!!!!
Noah ain't gonna smoke.... only visit The BIG Smoke aka 'ome of dad's place of work.... occasionaly - know what am sayin'!!!!!!!

As for dishclothes that are inoperatative through smell and INDEED colour.... buy new ones!!!!!!!!
Don't Selfridges sell em... aye????? A?
I don't know, I don't know but whatta do know iz yer can't go on with inoperatative dishclothes!!!!!!!!!
Cleanse yer cloths..... thus cleansing yer Thai Chee..... thus cleansing you mind and INDEED kitchen too - know what am sayin'!!!!!
Sorry mean't Feng Schway noot Thai Chee!!!!!!

Now all this baby talk iz all very well.... all very well..... but can't we get onter more important things ere..... aka cars........

Take a loook at this baby.... this iz a real baby.... if a could afford an F430 like CLP (well could last year until a blew 100k+ on the stockmarket - don't ask too much for me mind)..... This iz one baby of an F430..... take a look with full bodykit and awesome sports exhausts........ A can almost 'ear the growl.... the noise of this baby....... Take a look all >>>>


https://www.icoches.com/ferrari-f430


A RAW PIECE OF POWER.... Soz Tash And Noah gotta take a back seat ere.... well actually can't..... no rear seats in an F430..... well noot this one anyway!!!!!!!!!

GOURANGA Ter Each!!!!!!

PS Penny-Forem - Forgotten whatta waz gonna say now.... Ello for starters.... back in mo........

Hi sparkle, how's things?

Penny-Forem - Just remebered... EGGS!!!!!!
Maybe yer eggs are still white at 3 minutes 11 seconds az yer coooker ain't goot az much kick az mine or yer on a leckie coooker!!!!!!
All a can say iz keep increasing yer seconds by abit til perfection 'appens!!!!!!

B's Mum - Ello.... errr yeah am 90% sure a can come te rthe London.... sure a will be there though!!!!!!!
Maybe we should ave made it the 1st April noot the 4th???? 1st being CLP's birthdee!!!!
Lookin' forward ter meeting yer too B's!!!!!

Chow!

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,



...Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

Christophe

Discloths. Try Mabu from Waitrose - they are made of wood fibre and are very hygienic. Don't stink at all and last ages.

007..

LOL......not sure I agree tho, my mutt is very good at complaining, and still looks put out at not being number one anymore!!

I'm having to cope with de-caf tea at work, and it's just not the same...roll on hometime!

dishcloths
bleaching them may be a little more 'green' - however, I have ruined loads of good clothing getting splashed with the stuff!
So if you are going to use it every night to soak your cloths - do it after you are undresssed for bed! Otherwise - bin and buy new!!

Dummies - I thought long and hard about giving my daughter one to have a break from her sucking at the breast - however when I finaly decided to give in - she spat it out!
She never had a dummy - but adopted a piece of cloth I had put next to my skin, which she took to bed with her to settle for years.

LOL, my puppy is the same..... She has that, "it all about me" attitude.....

de-caf...... that's not really tea then eb....LOL

Hi I'm back again!

Not often I post twice in one day, but, as you will see from previous blog, the dummy subject is one I feel strongly about! I really believe, if Noah will take a dummy, then let him. Don't listen to what anyone says, there is no one person who can tell you whether it is a good or bad thing. You have to trust your judgement (and Tash's), and there will always someone who will tell you you are making the wrong decision. Mum and Dad know best, end of story.

Welcome to the guilt-ridden world of parenting!

Dishcloths - I don't use them, I think they get full of germs.

Off to school now,

Em xx

LOL Bond - my doggy is pretty much like that except for the food bit. She gets bored, and as she's a greyhound I feel I have to keep tempting her with diff foods cos she's such a skinny minnie!!

Obviously she'd prefer human food. A daily roastie would do nicely.

What kind of puppy have you got?

Re de-caf tea - I always drink it at home and have no trouble staying awake - but at work I've started having caf again, otherwise I'm ready for a nap at 2.30ish!!

T xxx

Sparkle, I have a 4 month old yorkshire terrier......

I know what you mean about the 2:30PM slump...... I drink lots of water, when the need arises, it's regular tea or coffee

Hi all,

I DID IT!!
Made it to interview and back without getting lost, or losing car in Eeeenormouse car park, So I Win!

Interview semed to go really well, now it's that horrid waiting to hear time.

Dishcloths: Bleach or the bin
Dummies: My knowlege of them could be written on the head of a pin, so I can't say either way.

Bondy, loved your dog tale (tail)

Well, the police seem to have caught the bad guys and gone home, so I'm going to venture out, seem to have run out of vino.

Will try to pop back later, just behave yourselves, don't touch anything, and take that nasty rubber thing out of your gob!
Yes you!

Nicki

I prob need to drink more water but I find it soooooooo boooooooooorrrrrrrrrriiiiiiing

T x

YAY Nicki, well done!!!! Fingers crossed now that you get the job!

And yes, no matter how dangerous the great outdoors is, one must always venture out for wine!!

T xxx

Weldone Nicki! Yep waiting is the horrible bit, remember it well. Can't believe that I've been in this job for 3 months now.

Don't know whether to mention any of my anxiety issues in probationary interview tomorrow maybe best not what do you think? Actually no, I shouldn't.

Debbie x

Water is boring Tinsel, so I normally drink sparkling water throughout the day.

Who mentioned wine? What a good idea...bit too early for me though :-)

x x x

My Mum never gave my sister or I dummies. Our eating patterns are fine...

And I always use boiling water from the kettle on the scouring pad or dishcloths if I suspect my icky flatmates have failed to do so. They generally look cleaner afterwards... just make sure you don't scaled your fingers!

tinsel....

feeling really stresed today - not sure if the lack of caffine or the big meeting coming up next week....but know what you mean about the 2.30 slump, I find a flapjack helps.....

007....

puppy sounds cute......ours is a grumpy retiever cross (she's 9 and puts up the boy very well - he likes pushing her over at the moment) who speaks volumes with her eyes and height of her ears.....who says they don't communicate with us?!!

Whoo Hoo......20 mins to hometime and cuddle from my boy

ebx

Well done Nicki......specially for not losing car in car park, fingers crossed till you hear

ebx

Thanks Tinsel,
I actually love drinking water long as it's really cold, I get through gallons of it, not posh stuff just from the tap, I think maybe I like it as much as the red medicine.........Aw who am I kidding!

Debbie-C, I guess it depends on what the anxiety issues are, dont want to jepordise your job, so maybe best to keep shtum for the time being.

And Tins, its never too early IMHO! hic

Dishcloths - throw out regularly or boil in the washing machine.
Dummies - oldest didn't have one (used me as a dummy), youngest did (wasn't going down that road again!), oldest bites her nails youngest doesn't! If you give dummies it's easier to break the habit (usually about the age of 5) if you don't it's harder to break the thumb sucking etc and it wrecks the nails.

Afternoon all

Dummy or no dummy, that is the question. But it's a question that doesn't really have an answer, it's a personal thing and having experienced both dummy and non dummy it doesn't make a jolt of difference in how babies develop and I wouldn't bother even asking a 'very clever person'!! But the one thing my children and grandchildren loved was their 'blankie' especially if it had a label on!!

Dishcloths - definitely disposable the only way to go.

Bingo - I'm cooking with gas man!!!

Penny

x

ps oops a bit opinionated there, lol

Yo gang - just a quickie

I havea note from the Absent But Lovely Ms Hazel Love.

The move went well but she is quite literally up to her preiddy liddle neck in it at the place of workage.

Sends her lovely Love love and says howdie!

Deev x x x x

Hi Chris, my little cherub had a dummy for a while for much the same reasons - she was just sucking on me for fun?!

However, at 4 months old when her teeth started to come through she went off it completely preferring to have hard items in her mouth.

As for the dishcloths, a little bleach goes a long way and if that doesn't work, bin them and start afresh.

Good luck on both fronts !

Gill ~ The Wigan Lass
(hey I joined facebook ! - finally)

Plug, Yeah, Defo, the Plug.

It disappears when they hit their second birthday didn't ya know.

Pre-fix this removal with much reading of Peter Pan.

On the eve of their Second Birthday, Tinkerbell comes thru the night and removes the Plug to go and comfort one of the littler lost boys, who don't have mummys or daddys, or plugs of their own.

Plug Gone. Never Asked for again. And tinkerbell never even asked for anything in return.

plud, blanket, duice.... all staple basics for babes!


dwnb

Oh and another thing !!

We used an orthodontic shaped dummy which is less likely to hinder the development of teeth in the gums.

Just so you know, there the "weird" looking ones.

Gill ~ The Wigan Lass

True Nicki. Work is one of the few places where I can be 'normal' so why spoil it eh? If I have a full blown meltdown one day they'll find out then won't they.

Hello Wigan Lass, have you joined CLP Bloggers?

x x x

Nicki, well done and good luck!!!!

eb, lucky you, going home in 20 mins.......

CtD,

Thanks for the update of HL, glad the move went well.

Am I the only one on the blog without a pet and a child?!?!?

AliB
x

well my puppy thinks she's both......

Well done Nikki. All possible appendages crossed.

AliB - nope, I don't have a pet or a child either, so you're not alone here !!

jillygoat x

I don't think there is anything wrong in dummies to help get little ones to sleep. My kids all had a dummy but only when in their cot and never to just keep them quiet. Just keeping it as part of their bedtime routine didn't seem to make it so traumatic when it was time to give the dummy up. I remember with my daughter we put it on the barbeque to burn and told her something stupid like it was going to the fairies. So we had this big ceremony of the burning of the dummy. Anyway it worked and she was never traumatised by it - actually that is debatable!

That's good to know gillygoat, otherwise I was off to the pet shop tonight to buy a goldfish. Live in a flat so I can't have any other pets!

Actually I might seriously consider getting a couple of goldfish, at least it would be someone to talk to when I get home and not myself, and with their short attention span they wouldn't know what I'd said to them :)

AliB
x

Hi Chris,

First time on the blog - Congratulations to you and Natasha and of course to baby Noah!

The dummy debate....our baby daughter is now 3 months old (and is absolutely fab!) and we had the same debate about the whole dummy thing. Like all the bloggers have said, you can take a dummy away later on, (apparently best to try this at 6 months, before they start crawling around in order that you don't have the whole problem with dummy on floor being picked up by baby and put back in mouth..) which is infinitely better than having a dependency on thumbs etc. Also, we have found that it really helps with wind etc in the evenings. This was definitely a solution for us.

The other thing that is really helpful at night is a light thing that plays images on the ceiling with music....we have one and it's brilliant - works really well at helping to settle the little one down!

Noah will find his own pattern to life, but it does take a while...it will suddenly all slot into place one day (in the very near future)!

Re Dishcloths - bin and buy the thin blue ones. Suggest purchase of sterlising solution for kitchen worktops...or antibac spray....

Best of luck with it all,

Jane

#62 even a 'jot' of difference. That'll teach me to read back before posting lol

x

I remember when I was 1 and I still had a dummy.. threw it in the bin (when I say remember I was told I did...) never did me any harm. I mean I'm 19 and listening to radio 2! I'm years ahead of my time...

Hi Chris

On the subject of dummies, as a mother to 5 month old now I definitely advise to continue with dummy. My daughter loves her dummy and especially since she has recently started teething. She gets great enjoyment pulling her dummy out of her mouth and then putting it back in. Why make things harder for us as parents and if it gives Noah a bit of comfort then what the heck ( don't think this is the right spelling for heck, but you know what I mean).

On the subject of dish clothes, I put mine in the washing machine or dish washer and they come out spotless. At night I soak them also with a bit of bleach just to take the stains out of them.

What a great idea for tash to blog us on a friday - it would be great to get a different outlook on things from tash's end.


Was watching gary barlow on this morning yesterday and he said that he was invited to chris martin's party after the brits. Apparently he got up on stage and did 2 tracks with bono, brandon flowers and chris martin. Think he said it was a cold play song and killers song. Is there any way we can get a hold of it.

What about playing free falling on request friday by tom petty.

Olwen

Hi Chris,

On dummies:
As previous bloggers have said do what you both think is best for Noah. If he is feeling secure and comfortable I'm sure you will feel comfortable with your decision and able to handle it later on (it being removing the dummy or finding solution to thumb sucking).

On goldfish:
This may sound way off, but had a goldfish for very long time and he (aka Toby) would come up to the edge of the bowl to mouth bubbles at me when I came in!


Nicki - fingers crossed during the waiting period.

TTFN

Bye for now,

Margot - how sweet, re the Goldfish. You've convinced me even more to get one or two.

A
x

A - kept Toby on his lonesome because he was a certain species of fish (cant remember the name now) and when I put him in with another goldfish he headbutted it and it turned over and floated to the surface - a gonna!!!!
Can be dangerous this goldfish lark!

CLP - forgot to mention earlier that Tash Friday is a great idea.

Mx

Margot, fantastic story. Fish with attitude. Wasn't one of those siamese fighting fish was he?

I wouldn't mind a fish tank but the thought of cleaning it out puts me off a bit.

Debbie x

I had to look after a neighbour's tropical fish once when they were away for the week. They were is pride and joy. Of course one of them died while he was away......

Bond - that is the worst scenario! Did they ever trust you with the responsibility again?

Debbie-C - it might easily have been one of those fighting fish. Really can't remember. Like you am not into heavy maintenance and just had a simple standard cold water goldfish bowl that only needed cleaning out now and again.
Even the cat kept its distance from Toby!

Can a just take this opportunity ter comeinter the blog again.......

IN.....

Penny- For them, wow... sorry Forem.... errrr a think the root of the problem ere might be yer using the wrong type of gas - know what am sayin'!!!!!!!!!

CLP/ ALL @ R2 - keep forgetting things a wanter wreet, music talk....
A tell yer there's some brilliant tunes in the charts at present.....
Really like the brand new Lamar tune... Weight Of The World... very good 'armony!!!!
Also Alesha Dixon's new tune 'Breathe Slow'.... AWESOME... MEGA.... TUNE..... JUST BRILL!!!!!!!
Also Kings Of Leon... 'Love Somebody' all the above applies.... MEGA TUNE!!!!!
Also Taylor Swift and 'Love Story' another totally BRILLIANT TUNE.... just perfectly put tergether!!!!!
Love the words, the guitar work... and the way the song starts from minor builds then totally stops before building, slowing then a finale of a large outgoing major.... could be me fav tune of 2009 except for an even better tune.......

The best of the lot..... iz Pink and 'er AWESOME WROCK TUNE... 'Sober'... absolutely RAW WROCK.... love the guitar, 'er strong vocals..... just MEGA and Pink 'erself 'as said this iz one of 'er fav songs if noot 'er fav!!!!!!!
Yet outta all the above why iz this the only one R2 are noot playing this MEGA, MEGA, MEGA TUNE???@?@@?@@@@??????

It's all too much!!!!!!!

CLP - Talk ter the controller..... talllllkkkkkk ter 'im...... R2 needs this Pink tune even though it's now drifting lower in the charts.... maybe the very reason for this az the UK's #1 station aka R2 ain't playing this!!!!!!!

'ope this 'epls the playlist!!!!!!!

Chow!

Margot, no but after fretting about it until they returned home he then informs me that the fish had been sick anyway and didn't expect it to survive...... he could have told be that!!!!!

The thing that we all laughed about was I left them a note that said, "One of your fish died.... I have the body"...... it sounded like a note from the godfather or something..... still laugh about it.....

Also Gabrielle - Don't 'ear much of 'er music lately.... 'er tunes are brill and always make me feel a little 'motional.... they get me deep.... Sunshine and Rise both awesome!!!!!!

Also remember 'er duet with East 17.... another good band!!!
Some will disagree but dig deep inter their tunes.... some really brill tunes there!!!!!

CLP - We need more Gabrielle/ East 17!!!!!

The Gambo dude would play them!!!!!!

'ope this 'elps too!!!!!!!

Chow again!!

Hi Chris,

I was firmly against a dummy before i had my son, but thank god for all night supermarkets, after a paticularly bad evening we gave in at 1.40am drove to the shop, son screaming and my husband bought the dummy.
Heaven, as long as you dont over use them i think they are marvelous, we decided at 2 that dummy time was over and as with all things as long as you let them know what is happening it wasnt too bad, just a couple of days of asking for it.

As for dishclothes i change them after using them and just have a stack in the drawer

Tracy Mostynhousemummy

Also The Darkness..... and Pet Shop Boys 80's stuff.... all MEGA!!!!!!!

REM too!!!!!!

AliB - I used to have two goldfish - Nelson and Winnie - and I have to say, they were very easy to look after. I lived on my own at the time and althoguh it probably sounds daft, when I got home from work each day I knew that at least Nelson & Winnie would be pleased to see me!

jillygoat x

Jillygoat

I had two fish when I first moved into the flat 8 years ago. I called them Cage and Fish from Ally McBeal.

Between you and Margot you've persuaded me. I just need to find a friendly neighbour to look after them when I'm on holiday.

AliB
x

Bond - love the godfather note - that has cracked me up. Its only after an experience like that, that you know the sort of questions to ask before taking on fish duty responsibilities!
When Toby finally left the marine world (after one last bubble to me) we had a burial in the garden, near the very small pond so he was close to the other fish. All of this for the benefit of the kids who were upset. Am still sure the cat probably had the last laugh and discovered the burial site!

Nelson and Winnie, great names by the way.

A
x

Bond- I was reading that post thinking.... sounds like Boo to me.... well whaddaya know! xx

Oh bless Margot. I don't get how people can flush them down the loo...it's just wrong!

Also forgot ter say too.......

nyet, actually i'll leave it ter next week..... some VERY excting news ter share with all!!!!!!

JLFB007 - #83 - Yer could ave gone ter yer local supermarket and bought a Birds Eye Fillet and banged that in their pond... maybe then they wouldn't notice???

As for gold fish .... never had any of those... had dogs, chickens, ducks, a goose, a goat, a mynah bird, a rabbit but no goldfish... did I have a deprived childhood? xx

Margot.......that's really nice to do for the kids...but you're probably right about the cat...oh well

Lyndy, LOL...... the one thing I would add to the list would be: If you think the house revolves around you.......

Thanks AliB. Go for it and if you live in Kent, I'll gladly feed the fish when you're on your hols ....... !

jillygoat