Swine flu research in Glasgow

The Medical Research Council is looking to recruit pregnant women and parents of children with underlying health conditions in Glasgow to take part in a research study on swine flu. The public-health researchers, based at Glasgow University, will be conducting small group discussions in order to hear people’s views and concerns regarding the swine flu vaccine and the swine flu infection. Each participant in the study will receive a £20 gift token. If you’d be interested in taking part, contact Emily Smith at the MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit.

Emily Smith
MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit
4 Lilybank Gardens, Hillhead
Glasgow
Email: e.smith@sphsu.mrc.ac.uk
Phone: 0141 357 7506

For further information, download their poster here.

Jungle in the City soft play in Partick

GlasgowBaby has just been to check out the new soft play in Partick, Jungle in the City. It has a climbing frame with a slide and ball pit for older children, and a separate ball pit and play area for babies and younger toddlers. There’s also some general play space with soft animal climb-ons, a doll’s house and table footie. The layout has been well thought out; all play areas are in full view of the spacious seating area, meaning parents and carers can enjoy a well-earned break while little ones go ape in the jungle. This is particularly helpful if you have two under-3s, and need to keep an eye on both children at the same time. The café has a small but keenly priced menu offering sandwiches, fruit, coffee, tea etc, and unlike many soft plays we’ve been to, it has a few windows to let in some natural light. Children’s parties catered for too. Email jungleinthecity@hotmail.co.uk for details.

Jungle in the City soft play
8 Gardner Street, Partick, Glasgow G11 5NG
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10am-7pm
Under 4s: £2.75/hr; subsequent 1/2hr £1
Over 4s: £3.50/hr; subsequent 1/2hr £1.50

NCT Glasgow Nearly New Winter Sale – November 2009

The NCT Winter Nearly New Sale will be taking place in a month’s time on Saturday 21st November 2009. This is a hugely popular event, and anyone can sell good-quality baby clothes, equipment, toys and books (you just have to register in advance) – the seller takes 65% of the value of items sold, with 35% going to the NCT. It’s a great way to declutter by getting rid of all those things your kids have grown out of. To register for a seller’s pack, go to http://www.justgiving.com/nct-glasgow and donate £3.50 for your pack.

NCT Winter Nearly New Sale
When: Saturday 21st November 2009, 1pm-3pm
Where: Cleveden Secondary School

For further information, contact Sheila Macintyre on:
email: nns_glasgow@yahoo.co.uk

October Slingmeet Glasgow

There will be a slingmeet this Friday 23 October 2009 at the Lane café/bar on Ashton Lane from 11 till 1pm. Go along to meet other babywearing parents, and help is on hand to try a new sling, or to practise a new type of carry. See the Slingmeet Forum to find out more.

Get fit with your buggy!

If you’re keen to get back into shape after having a baby, there are a number of exercise classes to which you can take your baby. Buggy Fit is one such class offering a safe and effective postnatal workout with qualified postnatal fitness intructors. The class takes place outdoors with your buggy, and involves both cardiovascular and resistance elements to burn fat and tone up after your pregnancy. Various options are given depending on your fitness level so you can power walk or jog some sections, and resistance bands are used for targeting all muscle groups and helping you tone up. Classes take place in Queen’s Park in the Southside of Glasgow come wind, rain or shine! Mothers and babies often meet up for a coffee and a chat afterwards.

Buggy Fit
Where: Queen’s Park
When: Tuesdays at 10.30am and 12.30pm; Thursdays at 10.30am
Who: Contact Paula on 07922568960
Website: Buggy Fit website

For other exercise options with your baby, click here to visit glasgowbaby.com’s Exercise section.

Vivace Minis: new theatre class for 2- to 4-year-olds

Vivace Theatre School are starting a new theatre class for 2- to 4-year-olds. Ignite your child’s imagination with this theatre course that weaves music with movement, storytelling, mime, singing, props and costume. The first class will take place at the Vivace Theatre School Rehearsal Studios (opposite the People’s Palace) from 1pm-1.45pm on Sunday 25 October 2009. Booking is essential, and classes cost £4 per session.

Vivace Minis
Vivace Theatre School
Templeton on the Green
62 Templeton Street
Glasgow G40 1DA

For further information, contact Joyce on 0141 554 3318, or visit the Vivace Theatre School website.

Glasgow Real Nappy Nappuccino

The monthly nappuccino events are taking place this week. Learn everything you need to know about cloth nappies over a coffee and a cake.

Thursday 1 October 2009

10.30am-12pm at The Beanscene, Clarkston Toll

1pm-2.30pm at The Beanscene, Woodlands

Thomas the Tank Engine at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway

The next ‘Day Out with Thomas’ events at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway will take place on Sat 12th and Sun 13th September 2009. In addition to your exciting train ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, you can also visit Percy at Bo’ness, meet ‘The Fat Controller’ and watch the ‘Troublesome Trucks’ at work. There will also be entertainers, bouncy castles and face painting.

Visit the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway website for further details.

Glasgow Real Nappy Network Nappuccino

The monthly nappuccino events are taking place this week. If you’re interested in trying out cloth nappies, then enjoy a coffee and a cake while you find out all there is to know about reusable nappies. The organisers have a nappy library with plenty of real, reusable nappies so that you can see the different types and styles of nappy available. There will also be mums on hand who use real nappies to answer all your cloth nappy questions.

Thursday 3 September 2009

10.30am-12pm at The Beanscene, Clarkston Toll

1.30pm-3pm at The Beanscene, Woodlands

Gymboree Glasgow South starting October 2009

Gymboree is starting up shortly in the southside of Glasgow. Based at The Couper Institute in Cathcart, Gymboree will offer gym, art and music classes for babies of 3 months up to 5-year-olds. They can also organize themed birthday parties for 1-5-year-olds with exclusive use of their facilities. Classes will be available Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am-3.30pm. For further details or to book a trial class, visit their website (link below), or telephone 07545 957 040.

Gymboree Glasgow South
The Couper Institute
86 Clarkston Road
Cathcart
Glasgow
G44 3DA
Gymboree Glasgow South website
Click here to download the timetable.

Gymboree is also available in the West End and in Bothwell.