FlorenceRedbird

I had an experience almost exactly like Ladyruskin... It would be well worth getting him checked (by a proper expert) for tongue tie. All the things you describe sound very familiar. I hope things get better for you very very soon. Edited to add - as Shaunag said, Peckham Breastfeeding Cafe is a really good place to start (if you haven't been already).

I just wanted to recommend Colin (from CHS Pest Control) who is absolutely brilliant. He got rid of the mice in our house when I thought we'd tried everything. He also re-homed the bees living in our loft and removed a wasp nest in our compost bin (we've been really unlucky with pests!). Anyway, he's brilliant, very reasonable and a really good guy. You can call Colin on 07949 020876.

What you describe sounds very similar to my experience with my second son and it was well worth it. I went to the Peckham Breastfeeding Cafe (10-12 pm I think) every Thursday at Peckham Library and the lovely midwife there diagnosed it and referred him to Mr Patel's clinic at Kings. That can all take a while, so if you'd prefer to get it sorted quickly, Katie Fisher (who works with Mr Patel) can do it for a fee. A quick Google will give you all the info you need to get in contact with her. (Sorry... I'm on my phone and so links are a bit tricky!)

Like you, my first baby had a tongue tie that made it very difficult for him to feed until he had it cut. My second son also had a tongue tie, but fed much more effectively so we didn't get it cut initially, but it gradually got harder and harder for him (and more painful for me), so we had his cut too at about eight weeks. Both done by Mr Patel at Kings. So perhaps you could just wait and see how you get on... If it gets worse, you could get it cut at a later point.

After a really straightforward and lovely home birth (with Brierley midwives) for my first son, I planned the same again for my second son who was born at the end of Jan. When things didn't go according to plan, I transferred to Kings. I really didn't want to go to hospital, but all the staff at Kings were amazing. I felt confident that I was in really good hands. I stayed in hospital a while afterwards and I was largely left alone which was ideal as far as I was concerned, but every other woman on my ward recieved extensive breastfeeding support - presumably because they asked for it. I can't say enough good things about Kings.

We've had two BT monitors, the first just totally stopped working and the second one still works, but the screen has stopped working and always needs to be in its docking station. I wouldn't recommend.

My son had his tt snipped (at Kings) at 10 weeks old. It was like an (almost) instant personality transplant. He went from a baby who cried or tried to feed constantly (he was obviously starving), and who never slept... to a lovely calm, happy, smiley baby who was a joy to be with. It was the best decision for both of us.

A race might work... I used to be responsible for getting my five year old brother dressed for school. He absolutely refused to do it himself, so I raced him. I had to race for each item of clothing (left sock, right sock, shirt etc...) otherwise he'd get bored and give up (or miss items out!). It worked every day.

Me too.

I have the lush mummy diamond dress - it is amazing. I've lent it to several breastfeeding mums for weddings - and they all looked good (and we are all different shapes and sizes).

I feel your pain. My little boy is 13 weeks old and we have only just got rid of thrush which I got after taking antibiotics for mastitis at 2 weeks (but he had Tongue tie which wasn't diagnosed/sorted until 10 weeks). I saw Claire Kedves (lactation consultant) at Kings and she suggested I print off the thrush leaflet from the breastfeeding network and take it to the GP. http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf After three courses of Fluconozole, daktarin cream for me and gel for my wee guy - it has eventually gone... On the plus side, I would say that even though it didn't go away for ages, the intense pain did ease after the first course of Fluconozole. I hope yours clears up much more quickly. Good luck... And congratulations on your new baby. :-)

I would definitely recommend you give Colin a call. He is brilliant. http://www.kandopestcontrol.co.uk/

I would also recommend Lizzie Lomax (Dulwich Therapy Rooms on LL). I have suffered from severe migraines for years and going to see her has changed my life - she is amazing. I know she specialises in treating babies and children. I can't recommend her highly enough.

I would also recommend Colin from K&O. We had rats in our cellar - we called the Council and Rentokil, but it wasn't until we called Colin that he sorted the problem. He is brilliant.

My first baby is due in July and I'd like to come along and meet a few of you on the 8th...