Saffron

Is that an existential statement on the state of the Drawing Room lately?

Would love to hear what others do with young children to celebrate, aside from staying in and eating loads of choc!

Ferritin is a protein which binds iron in the body, and releases it as required. It's used as a measure of iron storage, and 'ferritin level' and 'iron level' are often used interchangeably. Ferritin levels for women are generally stated to be in the range 15-200 micrograms per litre of blood, 12-150 or 20-200 sound pretty similar to me. It's a continuum, not a strict measure. Blood serum iron levels can also be measured directly, a measure of 'free' iron in the blood. However, I think this test might be more prone to variation depending on test conditions. So I think unless other diagnostic results suggested that ferritin testing might be insufficient, blood iron levels wouldn't necessarily be measured directly.

2 Academy Awards, and 2 Golden Globes, and several others: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(2009_film)#Reception

Are there any 'attachment' or 'gentle' style parenting classes / peer support groups on a weekend? DH and I both work fulltime. xx

Yes it's a lovely film! PS: If you're feeling emotional/hormonal, definitely don't see 'Frozen'. The two sisters are sooo sweet. *sniff*

Dopamine1979 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'll have whatever Voyageur is drinking. Old Spice on the rocks?

Oh! Wish I'd seen this earlier!! We had cabin fever today too. Anyone around tomorrow, fancy a meet up? My little girl is nearly 4 yo, and plays well with other ages. Xx :-)

DulwichFox Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > FJDGoose Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > If there's anything we can do ...... > > Not sure... All the stronger plants were brought > in for the winter.. (On kitchen window ledge) > > Not enough room for all of them.. The weaker ones > might not survive.. > > Life is so hard. > > Foxy..:( Can you not find a local acupuncturist to treat them? ;-)

If iron levels (ferritin) are low but in the normal range, it's just referred to as low iron. But, if iron levels are below the normal range, it's called iron deficient anaemia. Although as it's been pointed out by others, there's a lot of individual variation. Unfortunately speaking from personal experience, low iron can definitely cause all of those symptoms, including forgetfulness and feelings of depression - because, hey, it's depressing to feel rubbish all the time! The haematology consultant at Lewisham Hospital advised that the reason for this is that iron is important for many enzyme-based functions including memory and emotions. She also advised that for severe deficiency the best treatment is high dose ferrous sulfate. You should take it with vitamin C, which increases iron absorption and reduces constipation. If you're taking long term iron, you should also have your calcium levels checked since iron and calcium compete for absorption. If you need to take calcium supplements too, leave a 2-4 gap between taking iron then calcium. If you find ferrous sulphate too hard on the digestion, try ferrous gluconate. It's a lower iron formulation but is better tolerated on sensitive stomachs. Iron stores can take a long time to replenish, so you may need to take supplements for several months before your ferritin returns to normal levels. Sometimes the cause of low iron is relatively straightforward. If that's not the case, and you continue to struggle with low ferritin levels, you should be referred to a specialist for further investigation. Xx

I they made it into the official top 20 for the independent single release chart. Proceeds go cancer charities. A worthy cause even if you don't dig the music. xx

An article on the ABC news page suggested that it's not confirmed if her account could have been hacked. Yet she was fired before she could even be reached for comment?

Support Lewisham NHS Choir? Help get their single to xmas number 1. Last day to download! See their Facebook page for more info. Xx

What do you think is causing the cough to persist/worsen at night? If it's drainage from the sinus causing upper respiratory irritation, then an antihistamine would be better than a cough suppressant. I can't remember the brand we had last time my LO had this problem, but it was just a regular children's liquid antihistamine from the local pharmacy, nothing special. Also, the airways can become hyper-responsive after an infection. So, things that don't normally make your child cough might now be making them cough since the airways are temporarily sensitised. For example, if you've been playing outdoors, pollen, mold, and pollution can settle in the hair. So wash your LO's hair before bed. Also, house dust mites produce allergens that are commonly found in bed sheets. So wash your LO's bedding with extra-frequency, and use hypoallergenic covers if you have them. xx

You might find these interesting... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3869379.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7917188.stm

Has anyone tried Junior Word Search?

No time limit on peer support. xx

Oh, Mum2be, so sorry that you felt your thread was a mistake! Sometimes things get misunderstood when not said in person. Comments can get taken out of context on either side of an opinion. Obviously some people cherish milestones, while others value different experiences in raising children. There's no wrong or right. People say all kinds of crazy things about children... boys are this, girls are that... big babies do this, small babies do that. Most of it is rubbish, conversation filler, or simply very badly formed opinion (sometimes even from medical professionals!). As flower elegantly points out, there are some small but very significant differences between males and females from conception. But of course, we don't live our lives as statistics, but as individuals. I hope you continue to celebrate good milestones and a happy parent-child relationship. And, when people tell you things like 'boys are lazy,' just nod and smile to yourself, because you know they're talking complete bollocks. ;-)

Cat biscuits are great. Fortified with vitamins. Gravity gets everyone's boobs eventually... even men! They just don't get to prop them up with such aplomb! ! Xx

Hi Sonners, I hope you're able to get your notes easily and have a productive debriefing. If you find you're stuggling and would like some peer support with any post-labour issues, please come along to the birth support group that forumite Sillywoman is organising. Next meeting Thursday January 9th, 7-9pm. xx

AnnaCBH, in addition to talking with your midwife/obs consultant about the steroid injections, have you thought about talking with your GP as well? Risk is not absolute, but on a sliding scale relative to maturation. What might the outcomes be if you don't take the steroid injections? I think this is a really difficult choice. Steroids are a potent and life-saving class of drugs, but their overuse in many fields of medicine (possibly for lack of better drug treatments) probably contributes to a number of undesireable outcomes. What you have to do is weigh up the risks either way. What type of lung function might your baby be expected to have if don't take the steroid injections, and what medical support would be offered? Medical studies can highlight trends in groups, but ultimately the assessment of finite risk is down to the individual. Whatever choice you make, you need to feel confident that you'll be supported in the outcome one way or another. xx

Well, that all sounds good to me! I lose my temper sometimes, and I only have one child!! (This parenting thing is tough, hey?) xx

I have two older brothers, both of them pretty horrible, one of them particularly abusive. I don't speak to the abusive one anymore. He has a lot of personal problems, ADD and probably other undiagnosed problems. My parents did try to help him as a child, but not a lot of treatment was available for ADD back then. He had some counselling etc, but my parents didn't have any counselling for me and my other bother. We didn't do any family counselling. It was truly horrible living in a family with an abusive, bullying sibling. And what's worse, as an adult his behaviour has divided our family. Some arguing among siblings is 'normal', and some isn't. I would always ask for professional help if you have real concerns. Bullying behaviour is just as damaging for the bully as the sibling victim, but equally, even 'normal' sibling arguing can be helped by changing parenting strategies. Good luck. xx http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24867267 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24639063

We've had a fishtank since my daughter was around a year old. Go for zebra fish or similar danio type small fish. They're hardier and won't outgrow a small tank like most gold fish. Get a proper tank with a small filter, so you'll need to change the water less often, less hassle. The pet shop in Ladywell has very knowledgeable staff in the fish room. Good luck!

'TLC - Birth and Beyond'? Widens the focus from positive birth to support in labour and early postpartum months? Names that didn't make the cut: 'Cackle & Squeak' 'ED Coven' ;-)