So jealous, Haydies! DS rarely goes to sleep alone - and he goes from his happy chatting and giggling to a little whinge and five seconds later to the howl that wakes the world. But last night DH left him just a tiny bit asleep and he wriggled but finished it off himself.

It's hard giving up something you're not ready to give up. I'm still feeling guilty we're not breastfeeding even though I was practically forcing DS to feed. I'd not feel guilty letting him cry for 30 seconds - after all, he does that when I need the loo and he's in bed! Especially not if he slept happily after that. But then he woke twice last night... who knows? He does 11 hours if I'm lucky, I'd love him to do 7-8 every day! 7.30-6.30 is pretty much what we have, and he goes down 7.30-8 and wakes 6-6.30. *Sigh*. I suppose it was 8.10-6.50 last night, but 2 wake-ups.

DS's bedtime is 7.30 and a family meal (at 6) is a big part of his life. He eats all his meals with his family and/or friends and, aside from chewing with his mouth open, occasionally eating from his knife and getting yoghurt up his nose, he has pretty decent manners. So much easier to lead by example in the early days than shouting in the later ones. You don't have to do it every night, but every lunchtime sitting down together will teach this.