Newsletter - Mandy Mazliah

Newsletter 

Brixton, Dulwich and Streatham and Riverside branches, 

Spring 2011 

Spring into shape 

Netball, running, pilates...

Contents 

4-5 Welcome letters 

6 Branch buzz 

7-9 New members 

10-12 Diary dates 

14-15 Volunteers 

16-17 My life as a mum of two 

18-19 How to survive a 

hospital visit 

20-21 Breastfeeding advice 

22-23 10 foods all mums 

should eat 

24-25 Want to get back into 

your skinny jeans? 

26-27 Why running is good 

for your health 

28 Fancy a game of 

netball? 

40-41 Who’s Who… 

42 Rainy day ideas 

The NCT is the UK’s leading charity on 

pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. 

www.nct.org.uk 

Find out about your local branch at 

www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area 

In this issue 

Editor’s letter 

A spring in your step… 

A few weeks ago nearly 40,000 people 

took part in the London marathon. Seven 

years ago I was one of them. I lined 

up alongside the Rhinos, the Wombles 

and the superheroes with a real sense 

of excitement. I’ve never been sporty. 

I certainly don’t have a natural running 

physique but I was determined to get to the 

finish line. At times I ran so slowly I might 

as well have walked. I was even overtaken 

by Jimmy Saville at one point but I crossed 

that finish line feeling elated and a little 

emotional, if I’m honest. 

I went on to run another four marathons and although I swore I’d 

never do it again, at this time of year I’m always tempted to run it 

one last time. Running gets me fit, helps me lose weight and makes 

me feel great. Check out more reasons why running’s good for your 

health on page 26. 

I suspect marathon running is a bit like childbirth. You vow never to 

go through the agony again. But you get such a high when you cross 

the finish line that the pain is quickly forgotten and it’s not long before 

you find yourself back in the same situation. I wonder if Jackie Furley 

would agree. Read her story of life as a mum of two on page 16. 

Now it’s Spring and the weather’s getting better isn’t it time we all 

got our butts off the sofa and got some exercise? My NCT group has 

signed up to a pilates class in an attempt to get back in our jeans. 

Read more from Kellie Moore on page 24 about how you can shape 

up too. I’m still a good 10lbs off fitting into my skinny jeans. Maybe 

it’s time I dug out my running trainers after all… 

Anna Kingsley 

Editor 

Newsletter.editorial@southlondon.org 

Next issue 

If you’d like to help out with our next 

newsletter please get in touch. I’d love 

to hear your ideas. 

newsletter.editorial@southlondonnct.org 

Please note that the views in this newsletter are 

those of contributors and not necessarily of the 

NCT. The inclusion of any advertisement in this 

newsletter does not constitute endorsement of 

the advertiser or its products by the NCT. The 

information in this newsletter is intended for the 

use of NCT members, only in conjunction with 

NCT activities and may not be used for commercial 

purposes. 

Printed by Captiv8, www.captiv8.co.uk 

Newsletter Spring 3

Welcome 

Letter from Victoria 

Victoria Eldridge 

Co-chair, Brixton, Dulwich and 

Streatham branch 

4 Newsletter Spring 

Welcome to our Spring newsletter, my first as branch co-chair for Brixton, 

Dulwich and Streatham. This time last year I was celebrating the birth of my 

second son Thomas, and wondering how I’d ever make it out of the house 

and to the park with two children. I’m pleased to say it’s been a lot easier 

than I thought. Read about Jackie’s experience about becoming a mum for 

the second time on page 16. 

I find myself one year on looking forward to another summer. Springtime 

always feels like the perfect time to re-assess life and rejuvenate - the days 

are brighter, longer and warmer - there seems so much to look forward to. 

I’m embracing change this year. Having been made redundant life is taking 

a new direction. I’m hoping to start a degree course in the autumn and the 

builders are about to start ripping my house apart next week (I think I’m 

being a little optimistic thinking they’ll be finished in time for summer leaving 

me and the boys free to enjoy the garden). 

I have to admit that my heart sank a little when I was asked to send in 

a picture of me with my boys to accompany this letter. Not only are we 

taking a lot less pictures of Thomas than we did when Louis was born, 

the challenge of getting two children to face a camera and end up with a 

decent picture is a tough one. The picture I chose was taken last summer 

on the beach in St.Tropez. Looking at it reminds me of my pledge to get in 

better shape for the beach this year. I’m planning on pounding the parks 

daily and hope to meet some of you at the many activities in our area. 

Going swimming with Thomas is top of my list as something new to do. If 

spring cleaning is on your to do list why not clear out some of your old baby 

equipment and take part in our next Nearly New Sale in June. I sold at my 

first NNS in February and had a great time. It was a busy day but lots of 

fun and a great way to make money from things I would have thrown out 

or given away. February’s sale was our most successful to date and we 

hope June’s sale will be just as popular. I was Louis’ hero (for a day or two) 

when I brought back some Underground Ernie trains from the sale. He had 

desperately wanted these for Christmas but they were no longer on sale in 

stores, so thank you whoever sold those. 

We’re hoping to put on some new events in the next few months and 

welcome any feedback or suggestions from members of things you’d like 

from the branch so please do get in touch. 

Victoria Eldridge 

chair@southlondonnct.org

Letter from Claire 

Welcome to our first newsletter since the launch of Riverside branch! 

This newsletter is the combined efforts of two branches: Brixton, Dulwich 

& Streatham (BDS) and Riverside. We have come together to continue 

the excellent work of the newsletter team from the previous Southwark 

& Lambeth branch. The two branches are forging ahead with work in our 

individual areas, and as two smaller branches we hope to reach many more 

new parents and tailor the work of the branch to what you, our members, 

want. But the newsletter will continue in its Southwark & Lambeth format 

until both new branches are ready to publish on their own. 

We have had a busy time since Southwark & Lambeth branch split last 

year. Riverside branch was launched at the beginning of October, headed 

by a brand new team of shiny volunteers! We have been working with 

enthusiastic local mums who are already providing a variety of initiatives, 

we have investigated services being provided across the branch, and have 

been finding out what you think about services and support in your area. 

But there is still a lot to do to pull all this hard work together into a fully 

functioning NCT branch. 

Riverside is lucky to receive a lot of support from our more-experienced 

neighbours, and we would like to say a huge thank you to the committees 

of both BDS and Clapham for all their help, as well as Sherry Bevan and 

Liza Taylor for lots of timely advice. The new committee has been whittling 

the Riverside branch out of the enthusiasm of a few first-time mums, and 

this has at times been a slow and frustrating process. We have had our fair 

share of technological setbacks and ‘computer says no’ moments! However, 

from our own very varied experiences of becoming and being parents, we 

have a huge motivation to get this branch helping new parents in every way 

it can. We know this aspiration is reflected by our members and we really 

hope you will join us in making a success of Riverside. 

Read what we’ve been up to since launching in October and our plans for 

the year ahead in Anne’s Branch Buzz. We are teeming with exciting ideas, 

but we really need more people to help us turn these into a reality. Please 

see the volunteers pages to find out the roles we have to fill, and please 

get in touch if you want to get involved in any way - from hosting a first aid 

workshop or planning the craft fair, to sending us your feedback or meeting 

up with someone to discuss shared experiences. The branch is run for you, 

by you - we will be nothing without you. 

Claire Lützow 

Riverside Co-Chair 

Welcome 

Claire Lützow 

Co-chair, Riverside branch 


Branch Buzz 

Branch Buzz - Riverside branch 

Nearly New Sales 

Beat the economic gloom and doom 

by picking up some nearly new 

bargains at our first Nearly New 

Sales which we are planning to hold 

in June. We are hoping to arrange 

NNS at various location throughout 

the next couple of years taking 

advantage of the vast number of 

postcodes the branch covers and 

making the NNS more local to all out 

members. 

An NNS team is beginning form but 

more volunteers are needed both 

to plan the event and to help out on 

the day. If you are interested please 

contact Anne at nct.riversidechair@ 

yahoo.co.uk 

First aid Classes 

The branch has just held it first of 

several First aid Classes – a huge 

thank you to Hazel Cully for hosting. 

This event is proving very successful 

with our members and places are 

filling up. If you are interested in 

participating do get in touch. The fee 

is £60 per person and each class is 

limited to eight participants to keep 

the class interactive. 

We are also looking for volunteers 

who would be willing to host one or 

more classes. This would require 

no more than offering up your living 

room (of average London size) 

and a cup of tea to the people 

participating. 

Big push 

NCT are piloting The Big Push; a 

buggy push organised by branches 

around the UK and we have applied 

for the Riverside Branch to take 

part. It’s essentially a sponsored 

walk with our pushchairs raising vital 

funds to help the NCT support local 

new mums and dads. 


NCT works with many parents 

through bumps and babies groups, 

early days courses and drop-ins but 

we want to do more. The Big Push 

is a great opportunity to bring your 

local community together raising 

money to combat loneliness and 

isolation among new parents. 

St Stephen’s Playgroup 

The Friday parent & Toddler/Baby 

group held at St Stephen’s Church 

(St Stephen’s Terrace, SW8) from at 

9.30am until 11.30am is in need of 

more volunteers to set up and clear 

away. This task requires no more 

that around 15 minutes of your time 

before and/or after the play session 

on a regular basis. The team runs a 

rota. Please help us keep this lovely 

group alive. 

Survey 

In late 2010 we conducted a survey 

to find out exactly what services you 

would like to see in the new branch 

and where. Thank you very much to 

those who participated. The results 

have given us a lot of ideas and we 

hope to implement some of them in 

the near future. 

Launch party in October 

- Thank You Caroline Flint 

Thank you to those of you who 

participated in the buzzing Riverside 

Launch Party on October 25th in 

Vauxhall. It was great to put names 

to faces and feel the energy and 

enthusiasm among those present. 

In particular we would like to thank 

Caroline Flint who opened up her 

extensive book of contacts, used her 

well-known powers of persuasion 

and took a lead in organising this 

event. 

We hope to see you all again soon 

at the next Riverside social. 

The children of the Riverside branch committee members enjoying the sun

Sarah Savaskan 

Welcome to the world 

Meet the latest members of our family…. 

Rio (Tomomi and Joao) 

William (Georgina and Hew) 

Aoife (Ariane and Matt) 

Zoe (Yolande and Prashant) 

Amelie May (Karen and Stephen) 

Bodhi (Kiliaen and Andy) 

Elliot (Caroline and Paul) 

Honor (Stephanie and Andrew) 

Lucy (Elizabeth and Mark) 

Jasper (Kerry and Adam) 

Louka (Mairead and Panos) 

Emilia (Antonia and Tai) 

Haper Willow (Julia and Andrew) 

Olivia (Antonia and Christopher) 

Adam (Nasreen and Gerrard) 

Connor (Catherine and Brent) 

Michael (Aneta and Peter) 

Leo (Simona and Laurent) 

Oliver (Maria-Jose and Richard) 

Maya (Elga and Peter) 

Liam (Sarah and Niall) 

Caroline Flint 

Cara Elizabeth (Katherine and Donal) 

Wilfrid George Francis (Claire and 

George) 

Rose Angelica (Anna and Nick) 

Elise May (Megan and Craig) 

Isla Annabelle Rebecca (Rebecca and 

Robert) 

Caleb Oliver (Kirilee and Stuart) 

Alister James (Claire and Chris) 

Lorcan Fraser (Roisin and Iain) 

Jasmine (Penel and Tehar) 

Ted (Hannah and Noah) 

Olivia (Alejandra and Christian) 

Natalie Anne (Helen and Matt) 

Continued overleaf... 

Reuben Lincoln (Rachel and Suzanne) 

Ellie Madeleine (Mathilde and Anthony) 

Kingsley Emre (Zuhal and Nick) 

Max Benjamin (Hayley and Chris) 

Hugh William (Emma and Tim) 

Isabella Julia Mary (Anna and Ben) 

Ferris Jack Thomas (Angela and Roger) 

Cleo Belle (Katie and Peter) 

George Claudio James (Sarah and 

Edward) 

John Patrick (Felicity and Martin) 

Thomas Peter Ross (Alison and 

Matthew) 

Ava and May (Nadege and Martin) 

Diana May (Jennifer and William) 

Clara Susan Elisabeth (Julia and Justin) 

Arun Ratnam (Lakshmi and Peter) 

Niklas Mikko (Simone and Stefan) 



Continued from page 7... 

Samuel (Jessica and Robert) 

John Robert (Cathy and Robert) 

Lois Catrin (Roberta and David) 

Jasper (Emma and Jeremy) 

Reuben Robert (Eloise and Daniel) 

Alma (Ingvild and Tom) 

Cora Josephine Iris (Jenny and Brian) 

Zara Mell (Erin and Will) 

Marina Honey (Georgeina and Jamie) 

Wildeve Alexandra (Lisa and Mark) 

Saskia Maisie (Xochitl and Mike) 

Lucas Benjamin (Sim and Olaf) 

Desmond Thomas (Amanda and Evan) 

Millie (Lisa and Ben) 

Liam Andre Martin (Nicole and Kevin) 

Noah Ivor (Caroline and Kevin) 

Frank Alexander (Victoria and Scott) 

Eva Diane (Amy and Adam) 

Phoebe Elizabeth (Corinna and Tony) 

Alycia Peirano (Fernanda and Jason) 

Thomas Lovell (Rebecca and Mark) 

Patrick James (Fiona and Jamie) 

George Rayson (Angela and James) 

Evie Rose (Nicola and Paul) 

Our heartfelt commiserations and love 

go to 

Nemiah and Dave Murfin whose baby 

Sarah Grace was stillborn on 12 

September 2010 

Silas Ching-Sum (Jennifer and Adam) 

Finn George James (Emma and 

George) 

Nathan Carter (Renee and Patrick) 

Haizea (Sonia and Simon) 

Gabriel Reginald (Claire and Damon) 

Oliver (Caroline and Mark) 

Sofia Elizabeth (Clare and Jack) 

Anna Catherine (Suzanne and Tony) 

Siena Valentine (Debbie and Jonathan) 

Albert Emre (Tammy and Alex) 

George Oswald Albert (Virginia and 

Samuel) 

Elande Tanor (Sundiatu and Stephan) 

Frederick Michael (Anita and Ian) 

Joseph Isaac (Zoe and Richard) 

Emily Stracey (Charlene and Nelson) 

Aisha Jean (Bethany and Mohamed) 

Jacob Mark (Hayley and Ben) 

Bruno Charles Terence (Sara and 


Marcos) 

Tristan William (Alex and George) 

William David Charles (Rowena and 

Nick) 

Gaia (Miok and Daniele) 

Elizabeth (Holly and Jonathan) 

Diya Amirthini (Malathi and Gobinath) 

Jaeden Nathan Heron (Kayla and Jovin) 

Connor Ethan (Nadia and Gareth) 

Ilona (Eeva and Herve) 

Tara (Soriya and Andrew) 

Thea (Eleanor and Hugh) 

Eva (Emma and Owain) 

Monty (Danielle and Marcus) 

Eliza (Kara and Chris) 

Lincoln (Emma and Neil) 

Kasper (Anne and Dan) 

Anoushka (Anna and Alister) 

Annie Wasdell 

Stanley (Kirsty and Tom) 

Carina Isabel and Marshall Guillermo 

(Rebecca and Ben) 

Luca Juan Miguel (Audrey and Dominic) 

Django George (Elaine and Roger) 

Sophie Yuki (Kimiko and Simon) 

Floryn Elisabeth (Helen and Tom) 

Holly (Joanna and Cesar) 

Matilda Wen-Kai Mun-Hoi (Yeda and 

Andy) 

Maia (Karie and Michael) 

Amélie Rose (April and Jeff) 

Albert and Sidney (Camilla and David) 

Bethany Anna (Bridget and Matthew) 

Scarlett (Liz and Dan) 

Maya Rose (Chloe and Aly) 

Tristan Felix (Joanna and Andreas) 

Imogen Roseanna (Suzanne and 

Dominic) 

Arthur (Grace and Tom) 

Ayden Trevenan (Atika and Shane) 

Eva Margaret (Jane and Alex) 

Maya (Nicola and Nick) 

Rani Alexandra Kaur (Alex and Baljit) 

Sophia Grace (Jenni and Matt) 

Charlotte Rose (Janie and Peter) 

Alexandra (Lexie) Rose (Mary and Paul) 

Antonia (Marie and Martin) 

Cam Sai (Nicci and Phu)

Tess Dailey 

Get Involved 


Stanley Charles (Rachel and Dmitri) 

Agatha Posy (Nicola and Adam) 

Joe Ainsley (Clare and Stephen) 

Emily Rose (Beth and David) 

Avani Kaur (Kali and Peter) 

Amber Anwen (Ceri and Colin) 

Jack Harold (Anna and Jon) 

Elsie Bo (Emma and Mark) 

Cambell Thomas (Coreen and Simon) 

Dexter Evan (Judith and Markus) 

Martha Ida May (Claire and Mark) 

Wilson Edward (Sarah and Chris) 

Daphne Charlotte Poppy (Linda and 

Ben) 

Tabitha Hazel (Kim and Mathew) 

Isla May (Sam and Donald) 

Matilda Jane Odette (Belinda and 

Jamie) 

Beatrice Maud Parry (Rachel and Bill) 

Emily Abigail (Narelle and David) 

John Unai Craig (Pati and Ian) 

Isla Sophie (Shan and Steve) 

Arran James (Suzy and Ian) 

Oscar (Hollie and Christian) 

Clara Jasmine (Holly and Iain) 

Gabriel (Susan and Patrick) 

Miles Loh Harban (MeiMei and Robin) 

Isaac Sullay (Louise and Ibrahim) 

Phoebe Elizabeth (Sophie and Dan) 

Leo Daniel (Claire and Brendon) 

Lucy Hope (Ann and Cliff) 

Isaac William (Monique and Craig) 

Benjamin Leo (Laura and Gary) 

Zac (Launa and Kirsty) 

Eve Isobel (Rachael and Paul) 

Samuel George (Polly and Matthew) 

Helena Rose (Emily and Edward) 

Amber Brooke (Suzi and Ian) 

Joe Alexander (Annabel and Philip) 

Zoe Elizabeth (Jenny and Jonathan) 

Dorothy Kate (Alix and James) 

Eva Coco (Nichole and Ben) 

George Vaughan (Kirsten and Matthew) 

Daisy (SJ and Ian) 

Elias Buchanan (Caroline and Alistair) 

Wilfie Cameron (Anna and Cameron) 

Maya (Anniken and Mark) 

Pinelope Danai (Sylvia and Chris) 

Alice Mercia (Claire and Daniel) 

Caesar David Anthony (Suzy and 

Jerome) 

Zacharias Anthony (Amber and Marc) 

Alexander Volker (Miriam and Geoff) 

Lara Calverley (Sarah and Nick) 

Beatrice Lara (Jenny and Roger) 

Daisy Florence (Gracie and Sam) 

Toby Edward (Honor and Karl) 

Rory Alexander Alistair (Alice and Ludo) 

Isabelle Reenie (Geraldine and Alex) 

Toby Anthony (Anna and Kit) 

Ella Janet Collins (Catherine and Ray) 

Dexter Thomas (Kath and James) 

Beatrix (Zoe and Luke) 

Indie Fred (Jane and Kevin) 

Elodie Nelson 

Max (Kim and Matthew) 

Felix (Cassie and James) 

Samuel (Gayle and Rakesh) 

Samuel (Martha and Ben) 

Bertie (Emily and Graeme) 

Effie (Nikki and Lee) 

Sophie (Anna and Henry) 

Chester (Miranda) 

Emily (Elaine and Alec) 

Maude (Emma and Nick) 

George (Nicola and Ludo) 

Leyla (Rana and Martin) 

Hugo (Mariza and Robert) 

Annabelle (Beth and Stuart) 

Cameron (Lindsay and Chris) 

Ella (Danielle and Marco) 

Alba (Thea and Joel) 

Ellen (Alex and Adrian) 

Emma (Katy and Ken) 

Marina (Vicky and Nick) 

Asa and Sarai (Beth and Gareth) 

Isaac (Kishani and Nick) 

Sebastien (Lisa and Chris) 

Tegan Yi (Ting and Phillip) 

Patrick (Julie and Rhidian) 

Isabelle (Katie and Tony) 

Ariane (Therence and Jose) 

Leila (Jane and Nick) 


Diary dates 

First Aid Courses 

These 3 hour workshops will provide 

you with practical training and the 

chance to get ‘hands on’ so you 

have the skills and the confidence to 

know what to do in an emergency. 

We are running this very popular 

workshop for mums-to-be and 

new mums every month, dates 

and venues will be dependent on 

demand. Babies are welcome to 

come with you up to the age of 6 

months, (although you will get much 

more from the course if you are able 

to come without your little one). We 

are also looking for people to host 

these events, either during the day 

or evening. Groups are a maximum 

of 8. The workshop will cost £60 per 

person. Email nct.riverside@yahoo. 

co.uk 

The Big Push 

Now the sun is shining it will soon 

be just the weather for glorious 

walks along the Thames! We are 

organising sponsored buggy walks 

along the Thames to raise money for 

more tea groups and playgroups in 

the new Riverside branch. Look out 

for an email from us for dates and 

meeting points. 

Riverside’s 1st Nearly New 

Sale 

Sunday 12 June. Our brand new 

Nearly New Sale Team are currently 

putting together a crack team of 

enthusiasts to get our first sale off 

the ground. There is huge demand 

in our area, which also means 

loads of great items for you to buy! 

Look out for an email soon from 

Membership Secretary Carolyn with 

the confirmed date. 

Branch committee meetings 

Tuesday 7 June 2011 (20:00-22:00) 

and Tuesday 2 August 2011 (20:00- 

22:00). All members are invited. 

Come along to meet the committee, 

see what we are up to and get 

involved! Email nct.riverside@ 


yahoo.co.uk for venues. 

Riverside’s 1st Craft Fair 

November (date t.b.c.). We are 

looking for volunteers for our Craft 

Fair Team. If you’re interested 

putting together a fun and social 

day for local parents with access to 

some great local talents, please get 

in touch: nct.riverside@yahoo.co.uk 

Weekly Tea Group meetings 

Monday 10-12, Unicorn Theatre 

Café,Tooley Street (www. 

unicorntheatre.com/visiting_us/cafe). 

Wednesday 10-12, The Refinery, 

The Blue Fin Building (near The 

Tate) (www.therefinerybar.co.uk/) 

Weekly playgroup 

Friday 9.30-11.30am Stockwell 

playgroup, St Stephen’s Church, St 

Stephen’s Terrace SW8 1DH 

Playgroup 

Little Gems Salvation Army, 

Crystal Palace, 58 Westow Street, 

London SE19 3AF. Play group 

(contact Michelle Arnould to check 

availability: e-mail: m_arnould@live. 

com call: 07735270098) For 0-5yrs 

on Tues, Weds and Thurs from 

10am to 12midday. £2 per session. 

Playgroup 

St. Barnabas’ Parish Hall, Gilkes 

Crescent, Dulwich Village, SE21 

7BT. For babies and toddlers, Tues, 

9.30am to 11.30. £2 per child and 

50p for second child. 

Playgroup 

Peter Pan Phoenix Centre, 66 

Westow Street, London SE19 3AF, 

for babies and toddlers, Tues and 

Fri, 9.30am to 11.30am. Please 

contact 0208 771 6023 

Library group 

For babies, toddlers and young 

children. Upper Norwood Joint 

Library, 39-41 Westow Hill, Upper 

Norwood, London, SE19 1TJ. 

Various activities. Check website: 

www.uppernorwoodlibrary.org/ 

childregularevents.html 

Rosendale Children’s 

Centre 

Rosendale Children’s Centre, 

Rosendale Road, London SE21 

8LR Tel: 020 8761 7411. Various 

activities. Please contact the centre 

to book your place… 

* Kids’ kitchen, 18 months to 5 years 

on Mon from 10am to 11.30am. Free 

* Infant Massage, 0 months to 

crawling. Mon 2.30pm to 4pm. Free 

* Potty Training Workshop parents of 

children 18 months+. Tues 1.30pm 

to 3pm. Free. 

* Stay & Playgroup. 2-5 years old, 

Weds 10am to 11.30am. Free 

* Pregnancy Yoga for under 25s. For 

pregnant mums, Thurs 2pm to 5pm. 

Free. 

* Time to Play, 6 months to two 

years, Fri, 10am to 11.30am. Free 

Crystal Palace National 

Sports Centre 

Off Anerley Hill Jubilee Stand, 

London SE19 2BB. 020 8778 0131 

* Swimming lessons, 4 months+, 

baby, toddler, young children. Every 

day except Sundays. Classes 

throughout the day, cost about £67 

for a term of 12 lessons. 

* Soft Play, for babies and toddlers 

on Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs. 

10am to 12 midday. Cost about £2 a 

session. 

Dulwich Wood Nursery & 

Children’s Centre 

Lyall Avenue,London SE21 8QS, 

020 75251192 

* Bumps and Babies, Baby, Mon, 

10am to 12midday. Free

* Toddler group, Wed, 9.30am to 

11.30am. Free 

* Toy Library, Thurs, 8.15am to 

12midday, 5pm to 5.30pm. Annual 

fee applicable. 

* Parents forum for parents (crèche 

provided). Fri, 9.45am to 11.45am. 

Free 

* Time out with dad, Alternate 

Saturdays, 10am to 12midday, Free. 

Goose Green Community 

Centre 

(Large Hall), East Dulwich, 

SE229AT (attached to the church) 

* Bumps & Babes (contact 

bumpsnbabesSE22@ 

southlondonnct.org) for babies and 

toddlers, Mon, 10am to 12midday. 

£1-£1.50 a session 

* Baby&Toddler playgroup for 

babies and toddlers, Thurs, 10am to 

11.30am. £1-£1.50 a session 

All Fired Up Café 

34 East Dulwich Road, London 

SE22 9AX: Music & Dancing group, 

from 12 months+ Mon 10am to 

10.45. £3 a session. 

Wriggle & Rhyme 

Dulwich Library, 368 Lordship Lane, 

SE22 8NB London 

Tel: 020) 7525 6221: Play, stories, 

songs & craft Baby, toddler, 

young children, Thurs 10.30am to 

12midday and 1.30pm to 3pm. Free 

Bea’s Baby Bop 

Family Natural Health Centre, 106 

Lordship Lane 

East Dulwich London SE22 8HF 

UK: Music, singing and dancing for 

babies and toddlers. Tues, Wed, Fri, 

3.30pm to 4.30pm. £5. 

Babble and Squeak 

East Dulwich Tavern, 1 Lordship 

Lane, London SE22 8EW: 

Communication focused playgroup 

led by speech & language therapist 

for babies and toddlers, Fri, 10am 

Get Involved 

Diary dates 

to 11.45. £4 per baby/child, £2 for 

siblings over 1 year and £1 for 

siblings over 6 months old. 

Horniman Museum & 

Gardens 

100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London, 

SE23 3PQ: aquarium, gardens, 

museum, café. For all ages. Free. 

Playgroup 

St Faith’s Church, Red Post Hill 

SE24 9JQ… 

* Baby & Toddler Playgroup for 

under 5s, Mon 9.30am to 11.30am 

£2 a session. 

* Bumps & Babes (contact 

bumpsnbabes@southlondonnct.org) 

for babies and toddlers, Fri 10am to 

12midday. £1/£1.50 a session. 

Playgroup 

United Church Red Post Hill, 

London SE24 9PW, for babies and 

toddlers, Thurs, 10am to 10.45am. 

£2.50 a session. 

Story and Music time 

Carniege library, 188 Herne Hill 

Road: for under 5s, Fri, 10.30am to 

11am. Free 

Playgroup 

St Luke’s Church, West Norwood, 

West Norwood. Knights Hill, London 

SE27 0HS: for babies, toddlers 

and young kids on Mon 10am to 12 

midday. £2 a session. 

Chatsworth Family Centre 

Chatsworth Way, Idmiston Road, 

West Norwood, London, SE27 9HN 

(family centre entrance in Idmiston 

Road) 

* Saplings A drop-in parent/carer 

group for children 11 months to 2 

1/2yrs Mon, 9.30am to 12.30pm £2 

a session. 

* Young parents group Tues 10am to 

1pm including lunch. Call to inquire. 

* Toddler group for children. A dropin 

parent/carer group Weds 9.30am 

to 11.45 £2 a session. 

* Little Oaks - A parent/carer and 

toddler group offering a more 

structured environment for 2 ½ 

to 5 year olds, Thurs, 9.30am to 

12midday. £2 a session. 

* Acorns - A parent/carer & baby 

group, for 0 to 12months, Fri, 10am 

to 1pm. £2 a session. 

Wriggle & Rhyme 

West Norwood Library, 1-5 Norwood 

High Street, SE27 9JX London. 

Tel: (020) 7926 8092: Play, stories, 

songs & craft for baby, toddlers and 

young children, Weds, 10.30am to 

12midday. Free 

Tree House Children’s 

Centre 

Holmewood Nursery School, 66 

Upper Tulse Hill, London SW2 

2RW, 0208 674 3440 for baby, 

toddlers and young children. Various 

activities. Check website: www. 

holmewood-nursery.lambeth.sch.uk/ 

Tree_House_Activity_Timetable_ 

April_July_2010.pdf 

Infant First Aid courses 

(in association with First Aid For 

Life) 

Resuscitation and Choking Weds 

18th May 2011, 7:30 to 10pm East 

Dulwich. 

Accidents & Illnesses Weds 25th 

May 2011, 7.30 to 10pm East 

Dulwich 

Contact Kate Batty on katie_on_ 

tour@hotmail.com 

Branch meeting 

Thurs 19th May, 8pm- this meeting 

will be held by teleconferencing 

where attendees dial into a tollfree 

number. To be included in 

the distribution list for a reminder 

and more details, please email 

secretary@southlondonnct.org 

Nearly New Sale 

Sat 18th June, 11am-1pm, St 

Faith’s Hall, Bottom of Red Post 


Diary dates 

Hill, SE24. Contact NNS.geninfo@ 

southlondonnct.org for more details 

and also if you want to be a seller/ 

volunteer. 

Branch meeting 

Tues 28th June, 8pm- this meeting 

will be held at a volunteer’s house 

or a public venue. To be included 

in the distribution list for a reminder 

and more details, please email 


Lambeth Country Show 

2011 

16th and 17th July. Come visit 

the NCT tent where you can feed 

and change your little ones, and 

pick up some information on local 

activities. We will need volunteers 

to man this invaluable space, so if 

interested, please email secretary@ 

southlondonnct.org. 

Gymboree Open Week 

Gymboree is opening at South 

London Dance Studios, Herne 

Hill. We’re holding an Open Week 

from May 3rd - 9th. To experience 

a FREE 45 minute class please 

contact us at hernehill@gymboreeuk.com 

or call us on 020 8123 8423. 

We can then book you into a class 

suitable for your child’s age and 

stage of development. NCT readers 

will receive 

15% off their first month’s 

membership. Please quote NCT 

when booking. 

Other resources 

Lambeth libraries: www.lambeth. 

gov.uk/Services/LeisureCulture/ 

Libraries/LocalLibraries/ 

Southwark libraries: www. 

southwark.gov.uk/info/437/libraries_ 

and_locations 

Southwark children centre: www. 

southwark.gov.uk/directory/12/ 


southwark_community_directory/ 

category/85 

Monkey Music 

Music and singing for babies 

and toddlers. Various days and 

locations, www.monkeymusic.co.uk 

Little Bubbles 



locations, www.littlebubbles.com 

Tin Pan Annie 



locations, www.tinpanannie.co.uk 

Whippersnappers 



locations, www.whippersnappers.org 

Baby sensory and Toddler 

Sense 

Sensory experiences. Various days 

and locations, www.babysensory. 

com 

Tiny Talk 

Baby signing for babies and 

toddlers. Various days and 

locations, www.tinytalk.co.uk 

If you wish to share an activity, 

please email parent.support@ 

southlondonnct.org so that this list 

can be updated for the benefit of all 

parents.


Your NCT needs you 

Can you fill these vacancies? 

Riverside 

Please get in touch with Riverside 

branch to get involved in any of the 

roles described below: email us on 

nct.riverside@yahoo.co.uk 

Committee: 

We have two expectant second-time 

mums, one emigrant from the area 

and one working mum undertaking 

further studies so we’re in desperate 

need of some fresh blood. The 

roles that we need to fill include 

Treasurer, Secretary, Membership 

Secretary and Co-Chair. These roles 

are vital to the running of the branch 

and will really steer the direction that 

this new branch takes. You’ll have 

the potential to respond to actual 

needs and desires of your local 

area, to make the changes that you 

would like to see. 

Stockwell Playgroup rota: 

St Stephen’s Playgroup is a popular 

playgroup for children 0-5 years, 

including lots of second time mums 

bringing a toddler and baby. You can 

help yourself to tea and biscuits, 

have a good natter while your little 

ones exert themselves on the slide, 

walkers and Little Tikes cars! In 

order for this group to keep going 

we need some new names on the 

rota, to help set up and clear away 

the toys. Playgroup takes place 

Fridays 9.30-11.30am, help is need 

15mins before and after this. St 

Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s 

Terrace SW8 1DH. 

Website editor: 

Riverside has a website located on 

the main NCT website, but so far it 

only has a place-saver with basic 

information. The website is our 

main face to the world and our main 

contact with new members. Anyone 


with basic computer know-how 

will easily get to grips with posting 

photos and information to publicise 

all the good work being done. 

Enthusiasm is more important than 

tech-savvy for this role! 

Fundraising Co-ordinator: 

Are you a keen organiser? Do 

you love to delegate? This role is 

perfect for you! The Fundraising 

Co-Ordinator will oversee smaller 

groups setting up events and 

running activities. You will have 

an overview of all the fundraising 

initiatives in the branch, help come 

up with new ideas and support our 

volunteers. 

Tea Group hosts: 

NCT Tea Groups are run in many 

different ways. Some hosts invite a 

small group of new mums from the 

same area with similar aged babies 

to share experiences and make 

friends over a cuppa at their home. 

Some hosts advertise a regular time 

at a cafe for mums with babies of 

all ages to come along. Whatever 

the format, the host is there to break 

the ice and help new mums find a 

friendly support network on their 

doorstep. Riverside is looking for 

hosts in the whole branch, but in 

particular SE11, SE16 & SE17. 

Craft Fair Team: 

Due to popular demand Riverside 

would like to hold its first fair in 

November. But this can’t happen 

without new volunteers for our 

Craft Fair Team. If you’re interested 

putting together a fun and social 

day for local parents with access to 

some great local talents, please get 

in touch. 

Nearly New Sales Team / 

Contributors: 

We hope to hold Riverside’s first 

sale in June. We need people to 

contribute their wares and take 

part on the day by manning the 

doors, the tills, a cafe, cashing up 

and organising the floor. Everyone 

involved will be invited to a pre-sale 

to shop the best of the booty before 

doors are open to the public. 

Area Reps: 

We need your eyes and ears on 

the ground - let us know what 

great resources are already in 

your area, and what local parents 

really need. We will contact area 

reps sporadically to ask questions 

about our plans and ideas for new 

initiatives. 

Writers and designers 

The editorial team is always grateful 

for extra help. If you’re a designer, 

a writer, or a budding journalist who 

has a few hours to donate to putting 

this newsletter together, we’d love 

to hear from you. Please contact 

editor@southlondonnct.org 

The next issue 

All contributions for the next 

issue need to be submitted by 

July 1st. Please contact editor@ 

southlondonnct.org

Brixton, Dulwich and 

Streatham 

Vacancy: Newsletter editor 

We are looking for a newsletter 

editor to represent the BDS branch 

and join the current editorial team. 

The newsletter is a joint publication, 

so there is a lot of help and support 

to be had. It’s a perfect project to 

get your creative juices flowing and 

build on your communication skills. 

Contact: Newsletter.editorial@ 

southlondonnct.org 

Vacancy: Branch Social 

Coordinator/s 

We’re looking for a sociable and 

well-organised person (or even 

group of friends) to maintain a local 

diary of enjoyable and informative 

activities where parents can meet 

for friendship, mutual support and 

just plain fun! The coordinator/s 

would work closely with our Parent 

Support Coordinator who provides 

all manner of support to parents, 

the newsletter team in drawing up 

a calendar of events for publication 

and with our tea-hosts in setting up 

tea groups. This is ideally suited 

for someone with an outgoing 

personality who is persuasive, 

an excellent communicator and a 

team-worker. Contact tea.groups@ 

southlondonnct.org for more details. 

Vacancies: Tea hosts for all 

postcodes SE5, SE15, SE19, 

SE21, SE22, SE24, SE27, SW2 and 

SW16 

Tea groups are good places to 

pick up tips on local events and 

an excellent way to get to meet 

new people in your area. Consider 

volunteering as a tea host- the 

service you provide will be greatly 

appreciated by new parents. Please 

email tea.groups@southlondonnct. 

org if you are interested. 

Vacancy: Bumps and Babes SE22 

co-ordinator role 

The very popular Goose Green 

Bumps and Babes group will soon 

have to say goodbye to its current 

coordinator, Ruth Alderman. We 

need a coordinator, or a group of 

coordinators to run the show. Tasks 

include recruiting and coordinating 

volunteers, inviting guest speakers 

to the sessions, liaising with 

Goose Green centre staff and 

being point of contact for parents. 

Please email bumps&babesse22@ 

southlondonnct.org for more details. 

Vacancy: Organiser/s for NCT 

Christmas Craft Fair 

This is a prominent event and one of 

the largest fundraisers showcasing 

different stalls from homemade 

baby bibs to unique jewellery 

design. If you love Christmas, have 

organisational flair and are keen to 

keep that CV up to date with project 

management skills, then contact 

volunteering@southlondonnct. 

org. There’ll be a full and detailed 

handover from last year’s 

organisers. 

Vacancies: Very Important 

Volunteers (VIV’s) 

If you have a few hours to help man 

a stall, bake a cake or host a First 

Aid session please put you on our 

list of VIV’s so we can contact you 

to see if you can lend a hand on 

an ad-hoc basis. Please contact 

secretary@southlondonnct.org with 

your details. 


Experiences 

Two’s company, three’s a crowd 

Jackie Furley shares her 

thoughts on life as a mum 

of two 

This is a story not about how having 

your first child can change your life, 

because we already know that. This 

is a story about me as the primary 

carer for my two children, and how 

for a little while, it was three’s a 

crowd. 

Having your first born is a 90 degree 

angle learning curve but looking 

back on it now, I think I can safely 

say that most of us had common 

experiences or complaints - colic, 

blackout blinds, controlled crying, 

cradle cap, swaddling, tummy time, 

nappy rash etc. And goodness 

knows there are plenty of books out 

there advising us each step of the 

way. But for anything plus one, the 

common assumption seems to be 

‘been there, done that, got the t-shirt 

(and sleep deprivation) to prove it’. 

And it’s tempting to think so. It’s 

certainly true that past experience is 

an indicator of future performance. 

Except for one important factor: your 

first child. 

Matthew was 19 months when I had 

Annabelle. Before she came along, 

we plodded along together, mother 

and son doing the things mothers 

and sons do. After all, we’d had 

19 months to get our act together. 

Things started off as well as one 

could hope for. There would be days 

where things would go well with 

all three of us, and there would be 

days where I’d struggle to keep it 

together. 

But when Annabelle was four 


months old things went a little 

atomic. Annabelle was being an 

angel but my relationship with 

Matthew was taking a big hit. I 

seemed to spend all my time telling 

my active and boisterous toddler off 

or nagging him. I kept thinking, he 

should know better. But the more 

I admonished him, thinking that 

he’d be chastised, the worse things 

became. Matthew was also unhappy 

and would cling to my husband 

when he came home. And Annabelle 

was a joy to be with, it made being 

with an irate toddler even harder to 

deal with. 

Two things really saved me. First 

a wonderful husband who kept his 

head straight during this unsettling 

period. He took over the role of 

disciplinarian with Matthew. He 

made the two of us do things 

together like having bath-time 

together even if there were protests. 

He kept telling me that it was a 

phase and also made me realise 

that Matthew was still a baby. 

Just because he was older than 

Annabelle did not mean that he 

should know better all the time. 

Second is a group of friends who 

have known Matthew almost all 

his life and who wholeheartedly 

embraced him for the sofa-climbing 

and bed-bouncing boy that he is. 

They didn’t care that he’d leave 

bite marks on all their apples and 

potatoes, or that he’d give clumsy 

hugs that made their little girls cry. 

They kept telling me to stop fussing 

and affectionately hugged him. It 

was I who kept seeing the negative 

side of his behaviour. 

It was only after Maria, the Italian 

grandmother of one of his regular 

playmates said to me, ‘Jackie… 

enjoy your children now, because 

when they grow older, you can’t 

anymore’ that it really hit home that 

I was potentially missing out on the 

best years of my children’s lives. 

Things had to change, and if you 

want something done right, do it 

yourself especially as the other party 

can’t yet put his socks on let alone 

solve emotional issues. 

Actually, I forgot a third saving 

grace - Matthew. He is forgiving and 

patient with me, and doesn’t hold a 

grudge. We are the best of friends 

now and he is an absolute dream 

brother with Annabelle, sharing his 

toys, always wanting to cuddle her 

and says ‘Ah-ba’ with great concern 

every time he hears a baby cry. 

That is not to say that I am not his 

mother still, and there are rules to 

be obeyed and toys to be put away. 

But we have more fun together now, 

I am so much more relaxed and its 

just amazing to see how different 

he is now. My frustration and 

anxiety were almost goading him 

into behaving badly, which would 

then make me more annoyed and 

perpetuate this vicious cycle. He’s 

not only better-behaved, he’s also 

more happy and settled now. 

I don’t doubt that there’ll be other 

challenging periods in the future 

when it becomes ‘three’s a crowd’ 

again, but I hope that next time l’ll 

be quicker to recognise it and to 

stop it spiralling out of control. But 

until then I intend on heeding what 

‘Nonna’ Maria said and enjoying my 

children now. 

Jackie’s top tips… 

• Really assess or re-assess your 

expectations of your first born. Only 

you know your child well enough to 

know what is reasonable to expect

of them. But just because they 

are the oldest doesn’t meant that 

overnight they become fully pottytrained 

or learn to eat with their 

mouths closed. 

• Change the way you react. 

Believe me, it’s a lot easier than 

trying to change the way your 

toddler behaves especially when 

its not something life-threatening 

or dangerous. Unwatched and 

unscolded constantly, Matthew is 

a much more amenable playmate 

now. 

• Choose your battles. Matthew 

now happily bounces and climbs all 

over the couch but knows I mean 

business when I tell him to sit down 

properly on his Da-da’s armchair. In 

fact, I have relaxed so many of my 

previous strictures that when I was 

really cross with him for drawing on 

his table with markers, he knew he 

was in the wrong and walked very 

obediently to the naughty corner 

and stayed there the allotted two 

minutes. 

• Be your child’s friend again, not 

just his parent and keeper. I had 

forgotten to have fun with Matthew. 

Its hard juggling more than one, but 

try to remember what you used to 

do before number two showed up 

and keep some time aside for just 

that. Or just build the fun into the 

new dynamics - Annabelle’s greatest 

source of entertainment is Matthew 

so all I have to do is make him laugh 

and she goes into hysterics. 

• Persevere. Rome wasn’t built 

in a day and childcare is no less 

strenuous. But once you really 

really put your mind to it, and grit 

your teeth through a whole week of 

“Da-da this, Da-da that”, you will find 

things shifting to your favour. 

• Get yourself a great group of 

friends 

Experiences 

There’s just 19 months between Matthew and Annabelle 


Childbirth 

How to survive a trip to hospital 

Eleanor Purser shares her 

advice… 

Of all the NCT handouts, the ‘what 

to take to hospital’ list was one I 

consulted most scrupulously. The 

packed bag, sitting ready to go 

and filled according to instruction 

was my talisman assuring me that 

come what may during the birth, I’d 

have the correct garments (nightdress, 

feeding bra, pads, hip hugger 

knickers etc) ready. Chaos would 

be held at bay and we’d be able 

rapidly to leave hospital with just one 

additional item of luggage. 

In the event, my bag wasn’t required 

on the day. An unplanned home birth 

meant the bag stayed where it was. 

That was until 24 hours later when 

the post-birth check up detected 

jaundice in baby Thea and off we 

went into St Thomas’s. We were 

initially admitted for three days, which 

stretched to five when an ancillary 

streptococcal infection test showed 

that Thea was still harbouring 

potentially dangerous bacteria. 

The NCT bag list, which is designed 

for a 24-stint, was gradually 

supplemented as I accrued things 

to make the stay more tolerable. We 

also learned how to navigate the 

rules and regulations of a hospital. 

So here is my list of tips should you 

find yourselves in a similar situation… 

Are you sitting comfortably? 

The undercarriage can get somewhat 

battered by the birth and sitting down 

becomes an action undertaken only 

with great caution. Consequently, the 

hard plastic chairs onto which you get 

suctioned in the heat are not ideal. 

By chance we had a sheepskin, 

which we had brought in the pram for 

Thea to lie on. It was commandeered 


as a seat cover and was bliss to sit 

on. In the absence of a sheepskin a 

small cushion or blanket would do. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for tips on how 

to operate the bed. It isn’t difficult but 

it took me a couple of days to realise 

that I could raise the head and foot 

of the bed. It makes a change from 

chair, however comfortable you can 

make it. 

Bathtime bliss 

The NCT list advises towels but do 

take a number. The hospital doesn’t 

provide towels and you will need a 

few. Despite adoring my new born 

daughter, I luxuriated in the five 

minutes I could take by myself in the 

shower once my husband was there. 

Do splash out on a shower gel or 

soap that you really enjoy using to 

give you a tiny bit of ‘you time’. You 

will have earned it! 

Phew what a scorcher… 

The wards are kept at a somewhat 

suffocating temperature. Many of 

them at St Thomas’s are also south 

facing. Take very lightweight clothes. 

Vest tops, loose trousers, flip flops 

are all good. No one is too bothered 

about dress etiquette: many new 

mums just stay in their comfortable 

nightwear for a few days until the 

idea of getting dressed seems less 

daunting – and no one bats an eyelid. 

Fan club management 

The hospital doesn’t provide vases, 

so if your adoring public is extensive 

and generous, you might want 

commandeer an old jam jar or two to 

display flowers. 

A slow getaway 

Partners are meant to leave by 10pm. 

The nursing staff are kind and don’t 

hustle them out, however security 

also leave at 10pm and lock away the 

release button for the security doors 

As drugs are also dispensed around 

10pm it may be some time before 

a passing member of nursing staff 

notices a visitor stuck in reception. 

It’s for you… 

I assumed that there would be a 

no mobile phone rule. Actually staff 

seem to turn a blind eye provided 

they are used with discretion. Don’t 

forget your charger. 

Move along please 

There can be no more than two 

visitors at any one time in addition 

to your partner. It’s worth getting 

someone to organise who comes 

when so that you don’t have to 

truncate a visit with your best friend 

in order to be polite to Great Aunt 

Aggie. 

Diner à trois 

Having heard horror stories about 

hospital food, my expectations were 

low. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s 

not gourmet but it largely tasty and 

nutritious. At lunchtime, the salads 

and quiches are good. Partners 

aren’t fed so they’ll need to go and 

forage in M&S or you could chose 

to share your sponge and custard! 

Ensure you have food for overnight 

as breastfeeding may leave you very 

hungry. I found that the M&S Belgian 

chocolate flapjacks were just the 

thing to tide me over… 

What do you think? 

Overall I thought the staff were 

wonderful and the care excellent. 

What was your experience? And what 

tips do you have to make the best of 

your hospital stay. Get in touch at the 

email address on page 3.

What to put in your hospital 

bag… 

For labour 

A front-opening T-shirt nightie, 

dressing gown and slippers 

Drinks and snacks for you and your 

partner 

A straw, to make sipping liquids 

easier 

A facial sponge, for dabbing and 

sucking on 

Body oil, fine talcum powder or lotion 

for back rubs 

Music CDs and a battery-operated 

player, or an MP3 player 

Thea has made a full recovery 

Hair brush, soap, towel and flannel, 

toothbrush and paste, and any other 

toiletries you want 

maternity pads (night-time sanitary 

pads will do) and spare pants 

Keep a water spray in the fridge until 

you leave for hospital. It’s great for 

gentle cool-downs during labour. 

Camera or camcorder 

For afterwards 

A front-opening nightie (easier for 

breastfeeding) 

Comfortable pants and maternity 

pads for heavy bleeding after birth 

Nursing bras (at least two, as you can 

get sweaty in hospital and if your milk 

Childbirth 

comes early your bra may get wet) 

Towels (take one or two - your 

partner can bring in extras if you’re 

required to stay longer) 

Toiletries and cosmetics 

Breast pads 

Magazines and books 

Writing materials 

MP3 player/iPod 

Biscuits and snacks 

Favourite tea bags 

Fruit juice/mineral water 

Baby clothes 

Nappies 

Going home clothes (for you and 

baby) 


Breastfeeding 

Your breastfeeding survival guide 

It’s the best food you can 

give your baby 

Breast milk is recommended 

because… 

It’s bursting with antibodies that help 

build up your baby’s immune system. 

It’s tailor-made for your baby. Its 

nutrient content changes day-to-day 

to suit you baby’s growing needs. 

It’s good for you because… 

It lowers your risk of getting breast 

and ovarian cancer. 

It’s straightforward. There are no 

bottles to sterilise or formula to make 

up. 

It’s free and on tap. 

It can help you get back into shape. It 

uses up to 500 calories a day. 

It’s good for baby because… 

It reduces his risk of becoming obese 

or getting type-2 diabetes in the 

future. 

It protects him from a long list of 

illnesses. 

It may protect him from developing 

allergies. 

It can boost his intelligence 

It can lower your baby’s risk of SIDS. 

Tips for success 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Always sit with your back well 

supported. You may also feel 

more comfortable by placing 

a pillow on your lap to raise 

your baby to the right level for 

feeding. 

Breastfeeding is thirsty work. 

Keep a drink handy. 

Try to relax while feeding as 

your baby can sense it and will 

settle for a feed easily. 

To encourage your baby to turn 


• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

towards the nipple, squeeze out 

a few drops of milk and rub the 

nipple over the baby’s lips. 

Always bring your baby to the 

breast and not the breast to the 

baby. 

When the baby is feeding on 

one breast, the other breast can 

start leaking. Use a breast pad or 

breast shell to catch drips from 

the leaking breast. 

Never pull the nipple away from 

the baby’s mouth to break the 

suction. Slip a finger between the 

jaws for this purpose. 

Wear a well-supported bra 

throughout pregnancy and 

breastfeeding. This will prevent 

your breasts from sagging. 

Alternate breasts for feeds so 

that both are equally stimulated 

to produce milk. 

Always feed your baby on 

• 

• 

demand. This will ensure a 

plentiful supply of milk to match 

your baby’s needs. 

Lansinoh ointment is great for 

cracked nipples. It helps them 

heal and you can carry on 

feeding at the same time. 

If your baby falls asleep on the 

breast try blowing on his hair, 

stroking his jaw line or tickling his 

toes. 

Ask for help 

The most common reasons that 

women give up breastfeeding are 

sore nipples and the feeling that 

there’s not enough milk. These, and 

other problems can often be over 

come by changing the position of the 

baby at the breast. It can be really 

helpful to get some support and 

advice. Gaby Jeffs is our branch’s 

breastfeeding councillor. Gaby is 

available to answer questions and 

provide support around baby feeding. 

Call 07905 662 870 or email gabyd. 

jeffs@virgin.net

Where to go 

Breastfeeding cafes and drop-in 

clinics 

Monday (except Bank Holidays) 

Dulwich Breastfeeding Café 

Christchurch, Barry Road off Lordship 

Lane – use side entrance 

9.30am – midday 

Kennington Sure Start: Bosom Buddies 

Hurley Pre-School, Hurley House, 

Kempsford Road SE11 4PB 

1.15pm – 3pm 

Tuesday 

Deptford Breastfeeding Group 

Shaftsbury Christian Centre, Frankham 

Street, Deptford, SE8 4RN 

10am – midday (during term time) 

Run by Hazel and Sam, contact on 020 

8690 4753 

Ellen Brown Bermondsey Play Centre 

145 Grange Road, SE1 3EU 

10am – midday 

Call 07903 969541 or 020 7403 7482 

Grove Children and Family Centre 

Tower Mill Road, SE15 6BP 

1pm – 3pm 

Call 020 8694 3100 

Wednesday 

Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Breastfeeding 

Café 

Rotherhithe Primary School, Rotherhithe 

New Road, SE16 2PL 


Call 020 7771 5613 / 5614 / 3523 

Rushy Green Surgery 

Hawstead Road, SE6 

11am – 12.30pm 

Run by health visitor Pippa Shillington, 

call 020 8697 1133 

Thursday 

Peckham & Camberwell Breastfeeding 

Café 

Peckham Library (5th floor), 122 

Peckham High Street, SE15 5JR 


Breastfeeding 

Effra Children’s Centre 

35 Effra Parade, SE2 1PL 

1pm – 3pm 

Stockwell Breastfeeding Café 

Children’s Centre, Burgoyne Road off 

Combermere Road, SW9 

2pm – 4pm 

Any queries contact midwife Melissa on 

07956 309 591 

The Milk Spot Breastfeeding Café 

Woodmansterne Children’s Centre, 

Stockport Road, Streatham, SE16 3DJ 

1pm – 3pm 

Call 07939 564 447 

Friday 

Borough & Walworth Breastfeeding Café 

1st Place Children’s & Parents Centre, 

Chumleigh Street, Burgess Park, E15 

0RN 

1pm – 3pm 

Call 020 7771 3938 / 3935 

Other groups 

La Leche League 

The southeast London branch has 

meetings for pregnant and nursing 

mothers where issues surrounding 

breastfeeding babies and family life are 

discussed. Call Antonia for details on 020 

8693 6435 

St George’s Hospital 

If you are an St George’s patient you can 

book an appointment with breastfeeding 

counsellor Elizabeth Thompson at the 

following clinics: 

Tuesday afternoons at Brockelbank 

Health Centre, 249 Garratt Lane. Call 020 

8700 0100 

Thursdays 8.30am – 4pm at Thurleigh 

Road Practice, 88A Thurleigh Road, 

SE12. Call 020 8772 8829. 

St Thomas’ Hospital 

Breastfeeding workshops are run for St 

Thomas’ patients who are around 36 

weeks pregnant. Call 020 7922 5592 

Kings College Hospital 

Antenatal breastfeeding workshops run 

at Dulwich Hospital – mainly for King’s 

patients who are around 36 weeks. Make 

an appointment well in advance of your 

due date. Call 020 3299 3833 

Helplines 

The NCT Breastfeeding Line 

0300 330 0771 

Support and information is available 

Monday to Sunday between 8am and 

10pm 

La Leche League 

0845 120 2918 

Breastfeeding Network 

0870 900 8787 

Helpline is open 9.30am – 9.30pm 

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 

020 7813 1481 

24-hour helpline 

Kings Message Line 

020 7346 4321 

Can provide venue information for 

breastfeeding support 

For breast pumps and Valley cushion 

hire, please turn to page xx for hire 

contact details. 

Human milk bank 

Donors are urgently required. Contacts: 

St Thomas’ call 020 7188 4030 / 4031 

King’s call Paula Blanchette / Karen 

Powell on 020 3299 3038 or Clare 

Kedvas/ Joanne Joseph on 020 3299 

3833 


Nutrition 

10 foods for new mums 

One of the best things you 

can do for you and your 

baby is to eat a healthy diet. 

You might be in a hurry to lose your 

baby weight but regularly eating 

foods that boost energy will give 

you the stamina you need to survive 

those early months. Hungry? Try 

these…. 

Salmon 

Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse 

for new mums. It’s one of the best 

breast-feeding foods out there, 

loaded with a type of fat called DHA. 

DHA is crucial to the development 

of your baby’s nervous system. All 

breast milk contains DHA, but levels 

of this essential nutrient are higher 

in the milk of women who get more 

DHA from their diets. The DHA in 

salmon may also help your mood. 

Studies suggest it may play a role in 

preventing postnatal depression. 

Low-fat dairy 

Whether you prefer yoghurt, milk, 

or cheese, dairy products are an 

important part of healthy breastfeeding. 

They’re a great source of 

protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, and 

one of the best sources of calcium. 

If you’re breast-feeding, your milk 

will be loaded with calcium to help 

your baby’s bones develop, so it’s 


important for you to eat enough 

calcium to meet your own needs. 

One way to do that is to include at 

least three portions of dairy each day 

as part of your diet. 

Lean Beef 

New mums need iron-rich foods like 

lean beef. A deficiency of iron can 

drain your energy levels, making 

it hard for you to keep up with the 

demands of a newborn baby. If you’re 

breast-feeding you need to eat extra 

protein and vitamin B-12. Lean beef 

is an excellent source of both. 

Beans 

Choose dark-colored ones like black 

beans and kidney beans. They are a 

great breast-feeding food, especially 

for vegetarians. Not only are they 

rich in iron, they’re a budget-friendly 

source of high quality, vegetarianfriendly 

protein. 

Blueberries 

Breast-feeding mums should be sure 

to get at least two servings of fruit or 

juice each day. Blueberries are high 

in antioxidants and vitamin C and 

they’re a good source of fibre. They 

also help the body to make collagen, 

which keeps skin supple. 

Spinach 

These leafy greens contain two 

essentials nutrients that new mums 

need: Folic acid and manganese. 

Folic acid helps produce new blood 

cells, which is especially important 

for women who experienced lots 

of blood loss during delivery. 

Manganese helps the development of 

bone, cartilage, and collagen, which 

is vital if you’re recovering from a 

caesarean. 

Brown Rice 

It might take a bit longer to cook 

than white rice but the brown stuff 

is so much better for you. It’ll make 

you feel full for longer and it’s great 

for those suffering from stress or 

digestive problems. If you’re trying 

to lose your baby weight, you 

might be tempted to cut back on 

carbohydrates. But losing weight too 

quickly may cause you to produce 

less milk for the baby and leave 

you feeling lethargic and sluggish. 

Wholegrain carbs like brown rice 

will keep your energy levels up and 

ensure you produce the best quality 

milk for your baby. 

Oranges 

Breast-feeding mums need even 

more vitamin C than pregnant 

women. The orange is famed for 

its vitamin C content but it actually

contains more than 170 cancerfighting 

phytochemicals and 60 

flavonoids, including folic acid, 

potassium and selenium. Oranges 

help the skin retain its elasticity. 

They’re low in calories and some 

research has suggested that eating 

oranges can help us shift our belly 

fat. 

Eggs 

Protein is the building block of every 

cell in your baby’s body and eggs are 

a great protein option. The yolk is one 

of the few natural sources of vitamin 

D, an essential nutrient to keep your 

bones strong and help your baby’s 

bones grow. They’re low in calories, 

at about 80 calories for a mediumsize 

egg and research shows that 

eating eggs for breakfast can help 

you lose weight. 

Wholegrain cereal 

A healthy breakfast is crucial for new 

mums. After yet another sleepless 

night, cereal is one of the best foods 

to boost your energy, especially as 

many cold cereals are fortified with 

essential vitamins and nutrients. 

But it’s not just for breakfast. It’s so 

quick and easy - you can have it any 

time to quench your appetite without 

overdosing on calories. Sweeten by 

adding sultanas or raisins. Or if you 

don’t like cereal add a few handfuls 

of wholegrain cereal into a smoothie. 

And don’t forget… 

Water 

Dehydration is one of the biggest 

energy drains there is. And new 

mums who are breast-feeding are 

especially at risk. You must stay well 

hydrated if you want to keep your 

energy levels and milk production 

up. Caffeine enters your breast 

milk and can cause your baby to 

become irritable and sleep poorly, 

so keep your intake to no more than 

two to three cups a day or switch to 

decaffeinated options. 

Do I need to take vitamin 

supplements? 

Now that your baby is here you 

need almost twice as much calcium, 

phosphorus, zinc and vitamin C 

than before you were pregnant. You 

also need vitamins A and D, most B 

vitamins, magnesium, copper and 

selenium. 

If you’re breast-feeding look for 

a daily supplement that has 10 

micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D. 

Breastfed babies get vitamin D from 

your breastmilk, which is why it’s 

important for breastfeeding mums to 

have enough vitamin D themselves. 

Our bodies make vitamin D when our 

skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D 

is important because it helps bones 

and teeth to grow healthily. In the 

UK, it can be hard for some people 

to make enough vitamin D all year 

round especially if you don’t spend 

much time outside or you have dark 

skin. 

You can also give your baby vitamin 

D drops from one month, just to be 

sure they’re getting enough. The 

Department of Health recommends 

a daily dose of 7mcg of vitamin D 

for breastfed babies whose mums 

didn’t take vitamin D in pregnancy. 

Your health visitor can give you more 

information. 


Exercise 

Want to get back in your jeans? 

Kellie Moore from Jelly 

Belly personal training tells 

you how… 

I’ve found that after having a 

baby most mums have the same 

motivation when it comes to 

exercise. They want to get their 

body back! It’s been stretched and 

re-shaped to accommodate this 

lovely new being in your life but 

there’s still a pair of jeans in the 

wardrobe that you used to wear 

that you probably think you may 

never wear again. Well think again! 

In the first few weeks after having 

your baby it’s important to take care 

of your body. That means good 

nutrition, rest when you can get it, 

gentle exercise such as walking 

as well as those lovely pelvic floor 

exercises, nothing too strenuous. 

Finding a good post-natal yoga or 

Pilates class can help facilitate your 

recovery, strengthen the core and 

abdominal muscles and improve 

your posture. It’s also important to 

find a little time for you. 


As time progresses and you start to 

feel a little stronger you may want 

to start stepping things up a bit. 

Aerobic and resistance exercise 

is great for improving your fitness 

levels as well as shifting those 

unwanted pounds. You also get 

that extra burst of energy and feelgood 

factor. 

Not all forms of exercise may be 

suitable so try to find exercise 

classes that are tailored specifically 

to new mums. Your abdominals 

and pelvic floor might still be weak 

and if you’re breastfeeding, the 

hormone muscle relaxin that’s 

being produced by the body will 

affect the stability of the joints. 

Swimming and cycling are good 

low impact forms of exercise. 

If you’re a runner, start off with 

walk and jog intervals, increasing 

your jogging intervals over time. 

Wear a good pair of trainers and 

a supportive sports bra. Keep 

hydrated during and after your 

session and if you’re breastfeeding, 

a feed beforehand will help to 

lighten the load keeping you more 

comfortable. 

Provided you don’t eat what 

you work off, you should find a 

difference in your waistline and the 

shape of your body as your fitness

improves. Ensure you’re fueling your 

body with the right food sources in 

order to maintain your energy levels. 

Foods high in sugar and fat may 

allow you to feel good for a short 

while but as this quickly wears off 

you’ll usually end up feeling worse 

than before. Fruits, vegetables, 

complex carbohydrates, lean meat, 

nuts, seeds and low fat dairy are all 

good sources of energy for the body. 

Summer is around the corner now 

so get outside with or without the 

buggy and get your body moving. 

You never know, you may end up 

with a better body than before the 

baby! 

Exercise while pregnant 

If you work out you will… 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Most importantly, before starting a 

new exercise programme, please 

ensure that you have been given 

the all clear from your health 

visitor or GP. Find a class or 

fitness professional that has been 

trained in pre/post-natal exercise to 

ensure that you are doing the right 

exercises for you. 

For more information log onto www. 

jellybellypt.com 

handle the discomforts of pregnancy and labour better 

have more energy 

find it easier to get back into shape and go back to your normal weight afterwards 

have a quicker labour 

be less likely to have a caesarean, premature birth or need an epidural. 

What to remember…. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Exercise 

Drink plenty of fluids, before, during and after any exercise, and avoid overheating. If your body temperature 

rises, your baby has no way to cool down, so drinking fluid is vital, even when swimming, when you might not 

realize that you’re sweating. 

If you’re used to exercising regularly, it’s better to remain consistent throughout your pregnancy. However, if 

you don’t work out now is not the time to start. 

During pregnancy the body releases the hormone relaxin, which softens ligaments and tendons to allow your 

pelvic bones to spread for the birth of your baby. So it’s important to avoid bouncing and jerking exercises, and 

deep knee bends, as your joints are more prone to injury. 

After the first trimester, avoid exercising flat on your back as the weight of your uterus reduces the blood and 

oxygen flow to your baby. 


Exercise 

Ready, steady, go... 

Want to get fit and healthy? 

Here’s why running is the 

answer… 

It’s good for your heart 

Running gives your ticker a worldclass 

workout. When your legs hit 

their stride they squeeze blood 

toward your heart, which in turn 

forces it to pump the blood right 

back. The faster you run, the 

harder your heart works and the 

stronger it gets. Running also 

lowers your blood pressure and 

heart rate. It reduces the risks of 

blood clots forming and it prevents 

the stiffening of arteries that comes 

with age. 

It stops you getting sick 

Sitting around can leave you 

feeling sluggish and make your 

immune system sluggish too. 

Running, on the other hand, helps 

boost immunity, which in turn helps 

the body fight off infection. Running 

also prevents that natural decline of 

immunity that occurs as we age. 

It reduces your risk of getting 

diabetes 

Running will help prevent the 

development of diabetes and 

also help manage existing cases. 

Research found that an increase 

in exercise of just 500 calories per 

week (about 5 miles of running) 

will decrease the occurrence of 

type 2 diabetes. Running burns 

glucose (blood sugar) for energy, 

which helps prevent glucose levels 

from rising too high. Running 

also improves circulation, which 

commonly deteriorates with 

diabetes. 

You’ll stress less 

An American university found that 

exercise was three times more 


effective at reducing anxiety than 

resting. Running is even used 

by mental health experts to help 

treat clinical depression and other 

psychological disorders such as 

drug and alcohol addiction. 

It keeps you regular 

Running helps keeps your intestinal 

tract working. Combine this with 

a high fibre diet and you’ll reduce 

your risk of colon cancer. 

You’ll see clearer 

Going for a run can even prevent 

vision loss. Researchers have 

found that running reduces 

the risk of age-related macular 

degeneration and cataracts. 

You’ll breathe easier 

When you run, your muscles 

require a quick delivery of oxygen. 

The more you run, the more 

efficient your respiratory system 

becomes and the easier breathing 

is. Some women have reported that 

running has improved their asthma. 

It’ll ease your PMS 

It may feel like the last thing you 

want to do but if you’re feeling 

bloated and have the cramps, go 

for a run. Your physical symptoms 

are likely to subside and the 

moodiness, irritability or depression 

that some women experience may 

also lighten up after a good run too. 

Pregnancy is easier 

Runners can continue running 

safely during pregnancy. Those 

who do gain less unnecessary 

weight, sleep better, have better 

appetites, and generally enjoy 

better moods than non-runners. 

Running may also help prevent 

gestational diabetes and may 

contribute to shorter or easier 

deliveries. 

It may reduce the symptoms of 

menopause 

Running eases the discomforts of 

menopause by improving sleep 

patterns and stabilising any erratic 

moods that may accompany this 

period. It also helps control weight 

gain associated with this change of 

life. 

It prevents muscle and bone loss 

Running keeps the muscles of your 

legs in good shape as you age, 

but you’ll need to do some regular 

weight training to maintain strength 

in your upper body. 

It’s good for your joints 

Contrary to popular opinion, 

regular running doesn’t ruin your 

joints. It improves their flexibility 

and range of motion. Exercise like 

running is good for osteoarthritis. It 

speeds the rate at which cartilage 

is replaced by your body, making 

it stronger. Running also bolsters 

your cartilage by increasing oxygen

flow and flushing out toxins, and by 

strengthening the ligaments around 

your joints. 

It’s a cancer killer 

An American study found that 

running women produce a less 

potent form of oestrogen than 

those who don’t. As a result, female 

runners cut their risks of developing 

breast and uterine cancer by half. 

Current cancer patients can also 

benefit from running. One study 

showed that the most physically 

active breast cancer patients 

reduced their risk of cancer related 

death and recurrence of breast 

cancer by 26% to 40%. 

It’s good for your skin 

Running helps to produce healthy 

skin. It stimulates circulation, 

transports nutrients and flushes 

out waste products. All of this leads 

to a reduction in subcutaneous 

fat, making skin clearer and facial 

features more distinct. 

It boosts your ego 

You can increase your self-esteem 

and feel empowered by running by 

accomplishing goals, experiencing 

what your body can do, and redefining 

yourself. 

Exercise 

You’ll have better balance 

When running outdoors, you have 

to avoid and deal with curbs, dogs, 

stones, branches and other strange 

objects. These changes in direction 

and speed will strengthen your 

balance, so next time you stand in 

front of the door with three shopping 

bags and a baby under your arm 

finding the key in your pocket will 

feel a lot easier to handle. 

Warning! Breastfeeding mums 

beware… 

Babies don’t like the taste of post- 

exercise breast milk, which is high 

in lactic acid and has a sour flavour. 

One study found that breastfeeding 

mums who clocked up 35 minutes 

on the treadmill had to cope with 

grimacing, reluctant children if they 

breastfed too soon afterwards. 

Researchers recommend that you 

either collect milk for later feeding, 

or breast-feed before running. 

Can’t run? Walk… 

Think it’s too pedestrian, think again. It’s one of the best lifetime sports. It’s easy on the joints, you don’t 

need fancy equipment, and you can burn calories. If you’re trying to lose weight, aim for 60 minutes of 

walking most days of the week. 

The trick is to incorporate walking into your daily life and break the time into several manageable spurts. 

Why do it: Walking at a brisk but comfortable pace for 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week increases 

the oxygen intake to the blood and strengthens your heart. It improves the circulation and lowers blood 

pressure. It helps you to lose or maintain your weight as a brisk walk burns up to 100 calories per mile – 

more if you are very overweight. 

Walking helps your body to regulate blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Walking slows down the growth 

of arthritis and degenerative joint diseases. It helps build bone structure so reduces the likelihood of 

osteoporosis developing. 


Exercise 

Goal! 

You’re never too old to play 

netball… 

If you haven’t played netball since 

you were at school, things certainly 

have changed. The game’s had a 

real revival. Netball has become 

trendy. The pleated skirts are gone. 

And, most shockingly, men are now 

allowed to take part (although to 

avoid male dominance only one 

man is allowed in each third of the 

court). 

For those of you who’ve never 

played it, netball is a game played 

between two teams of seven. It’s 

a bit like basketball. You play it on 

a rectangular court divided into 

thirds, with a raised goal at each 

end. The object of the game is to 

score goals, by passing the ball 

and shooting it into the opposing 

team’s goal. Players are assigned 

positions that define their role 

within the team and restrict their 

movement on court. Goals can 

only be scored by the assigned 

shooting players. Netball games 

are 60 minutes long, divided into 

15-minute quarters, at the end 

of which the team with the most 

goals scored wins. 

You can also play indoor netball. 

Here the court is surrounded on 

each side and overhead by a net. 

This stops the ball leaving the 


court and reduces the number of 

times play has to stop, meaning 

indoor netball is much faster than 

outdoor netball. Or you can play 

Fastnet. Rules have changed to 

make the game faster and more 

television-friendly. Each quarter is 

six minutes long, not 15 minutes. 

For details of netball leagues 

in your area, visit www. 

englandnetball.co.uk, www. 

britishsports.com/netball.htm and 

www.onenetball.com 

Did you know? 

In 1995, netball became an 

Olympic-recognised sport. 

Join your local netball team & have some fun! 

Join your local netball team! 

King’s Griffins Netball Club, Dulwich Village. 

Try it for free - 2 free taster sessions, £3/session thereafter. 

King’s Griffin is an established local netball club and we are looking for 

new players, so whatever your level, if you just want to keep fit and have 

some fun or play to match level then come down and join in. Absolutely 

any level of ability and degree of keenness welcome! 

We train on Saturday mornings and play local SE London League 

matches on a weekday evening. 

The league matches are in Kennington Park and training is at 10.00am 

- 12midday on Saturday mornings at the The Griffin Sport Ground, 12 

Dulwich Village. 

Training includes a warm up, 15 minutes of fitness training and then 

netball drills and circuits and onto match play. 

Why not try it? We are offering 2 free taster sessions so come down or 

find out more contact: 

Sarah mobile: 07828 312 509 

sarah e-mail: spicastrike@hotmail.com 

Audrey mobile: 07968 752 263 

Audrey e-mail: amball@vizual.co.uk 

The netball club is also looking for local sponsorship, so if you are 

interested then please contact us to discuss the value that your company 

might receive in return.

Strap Who’s line who 

Meet the teams 

A who’s who of all the volunteers… 

The Riverside branch 

Branch Committee 

Anne Kirkeby nct.riversidechair@ 

yahoo.co.uk 

Claire Lützow nct.riverside_chair@ 

yahoo.co.uk 

Secretary: Hazel Culley 

riversidesecretary@yahoo.co.uk 

Treasurer: Iwona Watkins 

Membership secretary: Carolyn Stirk 

nct.riverside_membership@yahoo. 

co.uk 

Antenatal support 

PSA Link: Marta Grabarczyk 

Antenatal teachers 


caroline@birthcentre.com 

020 7498 3464 

Sarah Savaskan 

s@sav777.demon.co.uk 

Tel: 020 7737 5777 

Nearly New Sales Team 

Dani Threadgold, Julia Sattler & 


Tea groups 

SE1 Tea Group host: Henrietta Hill 

teahostse1@southlondonnct.org 

SW8&9 Tea Group host: Julia Sattler 

nct.riverside@yahoo.co.uk 

SW8&9 Email group hosts: Louise 

Rinaldi & Sheila Chawla 

nctteasriverside@gmail.com 

SE11, SE16, SE17 Tea Group hosts: 

vacant 

St Stephen’s Playgroup: Sarah 

Watkins-Idle nct.riverside@yahoo. 

co.uk 

Newsletter deliverers: Penny Heal, 

Venetia McNeile, Kirsten Hilliger 

Website editor: vacant 

Fundraising Co-ordinator: vacant 


The BDS branch 

Branch Committee 

Co-chairs: Jackie Furley and Victoria 

Eldridge chair@southlondonnct.org 

Secretary: Tracy Germain 


Treasurer: Nicky Stoney treasurer@ 


Membership secretary: Zana Khan 

membership@southlondonnct.org 

Parent Support Coordinator: 

Laura Irving parent.support@ 


Information, media and 

advertising 

Newsletter editor: Anna Kingsley 

Newsletter.editorial@ 


Newsletter designer 

Mandy Mazliah 

Newsletter.design@southlondonnct. 

org 

Advertising coordinator and 

treasurer 

Vicky Bowers 

advertising@southlondonnct.org 

e-Group moderator 

Tracy Germain and Jackie Furley 

Website editor 

Helen Peavitt 

web.editor@southlondonnct.org 

Photos in this issue 

All photos in this issue are 

reproduced with the kind permission 

of the various photographers and 

children’s parents 

Antenatal support 

Information and booking: 

Alison Johnson 0844 243 6921 / 

bookings4h@nct.org.uk 

PSA link 

Tracy Germain 


Antenatal teachers 

Joanna Brien 

Joanna@mckelvie11.fsnet.co.uk 

Tel: 020 8677 9352 

Maria Pinter 

maria@pinterandmartin.com 

Tel: 020 7207 0753 

Xenia McGrane 

xenialevy@aol.com 

Tel: 020 8670 0832 

Tessa Dailey 

tessaleila@hotmail.com 

Sophie Dekker 

sophie_dekker@hotmail.com 

Tel: 020 8769 9509 

Becky Byrne 

rebecca.byrne@o2.co.uk 

Tel: 020 7732 8999 

Jesusa Ricoy 

jesusaricoy@googlemail.com 

Alice Yeates 

yeatesa@btinternet.com 

Annie Wasdell 

annie@wasdell.com 

Tel: 020 7639 4108 

Elodie Nelson 

enelsonantenatal@gmail.com 

Home birth support group 

Home.Birth.Support@ 


Joanna Brien 

Joanna@mckelvie11.fsnet.co.uk 

Tel: 020 8677 9352 

Annie Wasdell 

annie@wasdell.com 

Tel: 020 7639 4108 

Becky Byrne 

rebecca.byrne@o2.co.uk 

Tel: 020 7732 8999

Maria Pinter 

maria@pinterandmartin.com 

Tel: 020 7207 0753 

Xenia McGrane 

xenialevy@aol.com 

Tel: 020 8670 0832 

Tessa Dailey 

tessaleila@hotmail.com 

Postnatal support 

NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor 

Gaby Jeffs 

Gabyd.jeffs@virgin.net 

Tel: 07905 662870 

NCT Trainee Breastfeeding 

Counsellors 

Amy Tiltman 

Farhana Nasir 

Miscarriage Support 

Sue Eastham 

Tel: 020 7095 9954 

Lydia Syson 

Tel: 020 7737 5259 

Special Experience Register 

NCT Head Office 

Tel: 0300 33 00 770 

Postnatal Coordinator Trainee 

Beth Folini 

Postnatal teacher 

Pippa Brook 

pip@biblelog.net 

NCT Nearly New Sales team 

NNS General Sale Orgaiser 

Nicky Stoney 

NNS General Inquiries 

Sharon Erdman 

NNS.geninfo@southlondonncct.org 

NNS Seller Bookings 

Nicky SToney 

NNS.bookings@southlonnct.org 

NNS Volunteers 

Anne Borkwood 

NNS.volunteers@southlondonnct. 

org 

NNS Treasurer 

Michelle Hocking 

Events.treasurer@southlondonnct. 

org 

Local hospital representatives 

St George’s MSAG 

Sophie Dekker 

Kings’ MSLC 

Joanna Brien (Chair) 

Gaby Jeffs 

Annie Wasdell 

St Thomas’ MSCL 

Kathleen Beegan 

Annie Wasdell 

Tea groups 

teahostSE5@southlondonnct.org 







teahostSW2@southlondonnct.org 

teahostSW16@southlondonnct.org 

Tea host coordinator - Sarah 

Smalley tea.groups@ 

southlondonnct.org; Second time 

tea groups coordinator - Jackie 

Furley Second.Baby.Tea.Groups@ 


Bumps and Babes 

Bumps & Babes SE19: Jackie 

Furley bumpsnbabesse19@ 


Bumps & Babes SE21: Alice Yeates 

bumpsnbabes@southlondonnct.org 

Bumps & Babes SE22: Ruth 

Alderman bumpsnbabesse22@ 


Who’s who 

Equipment hire 

Valley Cushions 

valley.cushions@southlondonnct.org 

Agent SE15 Alison Tunley 

Tel: 020 7639 6366 

Agent SE16 Nancy Sibson 

Tel: 020 8696 0868 

Breast Pump Hire 

Breast.pumps@southlondonnct.org 

Isabelle Clement 

Tel: 0844 243 6274 

NCT Maternity Bra Agent 

Marissa Charles 

Tel: 07946 197791 

NCT Sales 

Tel: 08458 100 100 

NCT Branch vacancies 

Please see page 14 for details about 

the exciting and varied vacancies 

currently available. We will be happy 

to discuss further with you if you are 

interested in joining the team, so 

please contact the email associated 

with each vacancy. 

NCT national contacts 

NCT National Website 

www.nct.org.uk 

Membership Hotline 

0844 243 7000 

NCT Shop 

www.nctshop.co.uk 

NCT 24 Hour Breastfeeding Helpline 

0300 330 0771 

NCT Pregnancy & Birth Helpline 

0300 330 0772 

NCT Postnatal Helpline 

0300 330 0773 


Editorial 

Great rainy day ideas 

If your plans are a wash 

out, here are some ways to 

keep the kids entertained 

indoors… 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

If you have wooden or polished 

floors, put a cardboard box 

on a cloth, or cloths/socks on 

children’s feet and they can play 

ice-skating or sleigh pulling. 

My little one is in love with 

painting and sticking, making 

camps (especially with Daddy), 

pretending that we’re on a boat 

(on a mat/rug on the carpet) and 

that we’re looking for fish and 

trying not to fall in then having to 

pretend swim. 

Cooking with little ones is great. 

They love all the mess! 

The other morning we got ALL 

our animal toys out and made 

a zoo and petting farm for our 

three year old - it was brilliant 

for about 10 minutes, plus she 

helped set up (but Mummy had 

to put it all away again). If you 

have a more amenable child you 

could even make tickets too, 

and a picnic. 

We have an indoor Wendy 

house and sometimes have tea 

with all the teddies. 

Put together two or three dining 

chairs, a BIG blanket or double 

bed duvet cover (minus the 

duvet in side it) and hey presto 

you have a cave/cabin/hidey 

hole where dinosaurs/fairies/ 

pixies/jungle creatures live. 

They can have picnics or hide 

from the wicked witch/wizard/ 

ogre (mummy or daddy); this 


• 

works a treat as you can change 

the story each time and pretend 

it’s a different location. Turn out 

the lights, draw the curtains and 

give them a torch (so long as 

they don’t get too scared). 

Save lots of cardboard boxes 

big and small, the small ones 

are great for cheap craft, stick 

together with tape to make 

robots and the big ones can 

be sat in as spaceships, trains. 

Look out for sticky tape, stickers 

etc on sale, and keep your craft 

box topped up with things to 

use. Ask for these things for 

gifts at Christmas or stock up on 

Christmas-themed things after 

the season (I don’t think kids 

really care if there is a snowman 

• 

• 

• 

on their sticker in summer!). 

Bring the outside inside. We 

have bought cheap seeds and 

earth and used old pots to plant 

in the garden. But why not try it 

in the home! Save plastic pots 

from yogurt or margarine and 

look out for bigger pots on sale 

or in garden centre’s on special 

offer. Save your fruit pips and 

get seeds on special offer when 

you can. Put down some plastic 

bags, or an old shower curtain 

or other plastic sheeting on the 

floor to protect your carpet and 

do some indoor planting! 

Make some outside plants from 

your leftover boxes, kitchen 

roll holders etc. At the local 

toddler group we’ve made 

palm branches from kitchen roll 

holders with green crape paper. 

Turn the living room into a 

cinema: close the curtains, 

make some popcorn and 

snuggle up on the sofa in front 

of a good film.

Newsletter - Mandy Mazliah

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