January 1998.

Ten months old, and after two weeks holiday a return to routine! At this time of year we usually go skiing in Scotland, and we were determined to do so this year. Karls family live just north of Edinburg and so we can leave Matthew with them whilst we travel a couple of hours further north to the ski slopes. For the first few trips we only left Matthew with his Nana and Grandad during the day, but we were leaving in the morning before he had woken up. He is thoroughly independant now, and quite happy to be left. He also had his first sight of snow!... next year he can come with us!

As I return to work I have decided to reduce the amount of time I spend breastfeeding Matthew. I no longer feel the need to feed him for protection or comfort, and his nutritional needs are being met by his solids, although I know he still needs milk I want to reduce his dependacy on me. I am also finding the daytime feeds disrupting, and I want to make more of an effort at work. Dropping the feeds down to morning, lunchtime and bedtime has been easy. However I woke up soaked in milk a couple of mornings running, how brilliant! I still need to feed Matthew at night in order that he can drop off to sleep, and I find this mummy-baby thing so reasuring, I am definitely not ready to stop Matthew feeding altogether.

Matthew had his hearing test today, and the car broke down, so Matthew and I had an interesting day together. We had to travel on the bus, and Matthew loved watching all the other cars go by. We had to wait for an hour at the test place, but Matthew was really good, and enjoyed playing with the other babies who were waiting. The test, called the "distraction test", involves one health visitor 'playing' with a silent toy in front of him whilst another produced various sounds behind him, waiting for him to turn his head to look. He passed the test with flying colours.

Matthew has begun to be a real pain in the car. I think he doesn't like his rear-facing car seat. Although he is barely old enough for a forward facing seat we have decided now that he is probably safer in one, rather than screaming and distracting us when we drive in the rear facing one. He can very stongly hold his head and has been sitting up unaided for four months. We have decided to buy the same brand as his infant seat - and have gone for one which will last until he is six. He is just within the weight guidelines and looks very secure in it. He is much happier travelling forward-facing, and fits the seat well, except when he is asleep. It doesn't really provide enough support when he sleeps so we have bought a neck cushion for him as well.