Eliot

First let me say I am very conscious of the benefits of breastfeeding and there is no actual question about whether I will do so however...

I am now 8 weeks away from the arrival of baby 2. I breastfed my son until he was 15 months old and I can still say that I am seeing the benefits of doing so. However it was not easy, my son was in special care for his first two weeks and whether due to this or some other reason, and despite seeking on more than one occasion the assistance of breastfeeding councillors, I don't feel that it ever really fell in to place. Even when he was older it was hit and miss as to whether he would get a good latch and his first three months pretty hard going. I also suffer from Reynard’s syndrome so have pretty sensitive nipples in the first place.

I have just started looking at getting some breastfeeding clothes and have noticed that I am starting to have waves of anxiety when I think about starting breastfeeding again. I have noticed that I am generally more territorial with this pregnancy and have found myself less receptive to touch generally. I am also aware that every baby is different and just because I had a difficult time last time doesn't mean the same thing will happen this time, and yet my stomach still lurches when I see a picture of a woman breastfeeding.

Did anyone else feel this way with baby number 2? Do you think I am focussing all of my general anxieties about the new arrival into this one area?

My son is the 26 months and we are attempting to potty train him because he showed a number of signs or readiness. We had no success at home (during a week off nursery) and when we asked him if he wanted to go he would say no or I don't want to. I thought that this was simply a sign that he was not ready and not wanting to make this a big issue just didn't worry about it and thought I would try again in a couple of months. Then on his first day back at nursery they loose track of him for a minute (yes I did have words but that is another issue) only to find him sitting on the toddler toilet having done a wee.

Next day they encouraged him to have a try and he did a poo!! and yet he is still reluctant to go at home. Do you think this is because we have a potty and an adult toilet at home whereas they have toddler toilets at nursery? Any ideas on ways to encourage him to the next phase and get him to go at home?

While travelling in Burgundy last year we encountered a patisserie speciality called a fig (?). It was a creme patissiere filled choux bun wrapped in marzipan. It tasted as though the creme was flavoured with Kir. I know it sounds odd but the taste was divine, a particularly indulgent treat. I even had to fight my marzipan hating husband for the last one.

We didn't encounter this treat elsewhere in France and I haven't seen it since. I have been nominated to bake at a work contest and I would love to make these. I could wing it but would love to at least look at a recipe.

Does anyone know this pastry and where I could find a recipe?

My son has started at a day nursery that is perfect in all but one area; they simply can't or won't get him to go down for naps. Every morning we remind them that at his age (10.5 months) he needs two naps and approximately 2.5 to 3 hours sleep during the day. Every evening we find out that he has had only one nap and on some days no more than 15 minutes sleep and only every one nap!! They say that he just won't go down but we have discovered that most of the children in the 'babies' room are 12 months + and only go down for one nap after lunch. When they put our son down the pull his cot out from the sleep area into the play area so they can watch him. They are then surprised that he doesn't sleep. They seem to be incapable of establishing a routine that includes a morning nap and an afternoon nap. They are very nice, they smile and nod and say 'we will try'. But I can feel that they are resistant to what I am asking. My position is that sleep is a fundamental to proper care for my child. I have spoken to his key worker, the assistant manager and the manager twice. I now want to escalate this matter and would love to find some guidance or official standard that I could point to in my next meeting with the manager. I am, of course, also looking at other nurseries but the options in our area are limited and some of the decent ones have waiting lists of up to a year.

I have a major craving for salted liquorice, belgian, dutch, swedish, it doesn't matter but the stronger the better. I work in Bloomsbury and walk to Charing Cross via Covent Garden does anyone know of any sweet shops/delis in this area that might have this good? (Not cybercandy I have already tried) I am really looking forward to your responses!

How heavy would implantation bleeding be? Ovulated on the 31st and started to bleed today (though not due until the 14th), seems quite heavy to be the 'light spotting' I would expect. Should I sit back with a glass of chamagne wait until next month?

My best friend is returning to work tomorrow, after 7 months maternity leave and isn't happy! I would like to send her a care package that will help her take advantage of good things about going back to work. I am not sure what sort of things to include (not having had this experiance myself). Any ideas for things that I should include?

I have an 3 yr implnon implant which is now 18 months overdue to be removed. Has anyone got any experience of getting pregnant with an implant? How long should it take to get pregant after the implant is removed ?

Just had the worst job interview in the world for the job I am currently doing!!! Seriously I am a lawyer and I don't think I would have answered the how do you spell 'law' question right. So any creative suggestions to take my mind of the impending unemployment queue?