KattyKit

Hi, Epidemiological modeling does show that varicella vaccine could lead to an increase in shingles - I remember attending a conference in 2008 which presented quite robust data. You are right, Saffron, natural immunity is not 'better' than the varicalla immunization but in public health terms I have doubts about the benefit of sporadic unplanned uptake of varicella immunisation. The vaccine is effective in preventing chickenpox or modifying severity 3 days (although can be given up to 5 days)post exposure - but in the case of prolonged contact with a case or if you are at risk of severe complications or pregnant then immunoglobulin is more effective. I haven't seen the research re: doubts about the safety of the quadrivalent vaccine but would be interested in reading it.

Hi, Yes unless there was a two dose schedule with high coverage in childhood introducing it into the routine childhood imms program would result in an increase in shingles in older people as adults boost their immunity through exposure to chickenpox in children. There would be an increase in chickenpox amongst adults as their immunity waned - including pregnant women and women of childbearing age, which in turn would lead to an increase in infections amongst neonates (the fatality rate for babies whose mothers develop chickenpox around time of delivery is as high as 30%). There is a quadrivalent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine licened for children under 12 but it s thought that introducing this would lead to a decline in MMR uptake. As measles, mumps and rubella can have more serious consequences the benefits of introducing varicella do not outweigh the risks of declining uptake. Also the two dose schedule would not be cost-effective for approximately 100 years! There two vaccines licensed for use in the UK. The current schedule (I think) is one dose for under 13s and two for over 13s. There are several private London clinic I believe which offer it. Obviously it is personal choice however it is the age-old what may benefit the individual could be harmful to wider society. If lots of people start to take it up privately then the scenario above would occur. Also, children who are vaccinated can get breakthrough infections which although milder are still infectious and would still require time off work etc. So there is a strong argument that it is better all-round to develop naturally acquired immunity as a child. Hope this helps (and isn't too rambley - v long night!!!)

Oh I now realise just how limited my repertoire is! Home made pizzas sound lovely Threadhead I am definitely going to try those. He is just getting into finger foods. Lamb casserole sounds a tasty idea - what kind of lamb should I use? Many thanks.

Hi Knomester good idea about giving easy food at tea - I hadn't thought of that. Thanks v much. K

Hi, I started to wean a while ago and it is gone really well but I am really struggling to think of meal ideas. I am rubbish at trying out new dishes putting things together and end up making the same fish pie thingy or chicken with veg. I have got Karmel's book but it is all a wee bit samey and safe! I was wondering if anyone would mind saving my baby from boring diners and sharing their baby / toddler meal ideas? Thank you!

I pm'd as I thought this was a genuine 'Hi motherhood is tough I want some of my old life back and would like to meet like minded mummies who would like to get together to talk / do non-baby related stuff'. Why the 'you're awesome' messages and is this a first time poster or name change? Sorry I'm really confused....

Pesto is a food

Hi I have the seat liner as it came as a package with my Bee but wouldn't buy one. It is very thin, I'm not quite sure what it is for really and don't find it very useful. I took it out and just use the cocoon for now but will get a sheep skin liner for winter. (In the meantime I just let the baby's feet dangle!). Kirsten

Saffron I agree! We co-slept last night and it was the best nights sleep I have had in five months. My husband has had to give in as like you I was me getting up a million times and I really couldn't carry on. I told him (as cuppa tea) just because he is coming into our bed now it doesn't mean he will still be there when he is five. X

Hi thank you all for your replies. It is throughout the night and tends to become worse as the night goes on. The last couple of nights we have started to co-sleep but my husband isn't keen for it to become a permanent thing although I am and I think it does solve our problem somewhat. Does it become difficult to move them back to their own cot once you start to co-sleep? I am trying to establish other sleep associations other than breast feeding i.e Ewan the dream sheep and this does seem to help a little. I guess I feel as if we have 'regressed' on the sleep front as it seems to be getting harder not easier!

Hi I was wondering if anyone had experienced something similar and can offer any advice? I am going slightly mad from sleep deprivation and have such huge bags under my eyes that I have started to scare the neighbour's dog. My five month old goes to sleep without much fuss but wakes crying every 45 minutes. I say wakes but he has his eyes closed and is not fully awake. I then get up and breast feed or comfort him back to sleep fairly quickly only for the same thing to happen after about 45 mins. He has done this for about the last two months and prior to that only woke two or three times a night to feed. Now I think he is doing it because he is emerging from a deep to active sleep cycle and is unable to make this transition without getting upset but I have no idea how deal with it. Any advice would be really, really appreciated.

Hi, Southwark Council has a duty to examine how all new (and existing) proposals have on various groups via an equality impact assessment to ensure they do not adversely impact on one group due to age, gender, disability, race etc. RTAs are significant public health issue, which disproportionately affect children. There is also a clear inequality in RTAs with children from the lowest socio-economic groups more likely to be killed or injured on the road. Perhaps James can ask if Southwark have done and EIA, if we can see it and if it has fully examined how the proposed reduction will not lead to greater health inequalities? Also perhaps he can also ask how the proposal is coterminous with the Council's Obesity Strategy?

Great! See you all tomorrow. Kirsten x

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone is meeting tomorrow? \ Kirsten x

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone is meeting tomorrow? Kirsten x

Hi Emma, Of course. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter. My son was born at the end of Jan and I haven't managed to make the last few meets but now definitely feel ready to start getting out and about! I m always up for a coffee or walk round the park. Kirsten x

Hi all, Many congratulations on the births of your babies! My son George was born on sat 29th Jan and came home last Saturday from Kings after spending a bit of time in the special care baby unit. It has all been a bit stressful but I am glad to say that he is fit and well now. Hopefully we will be able to make the next meet. Love Kirsten x

Hi all, I'm so sorry I couldn't make it. I am feeling rubbish and am on crutches so a bit bed bound! BUT being induced on Friday so not long now. Many congrats to all who have had their babies. Penny hope you're ok - maybe I'll see you in Kings! Kirsten xxx

Congrats on the safe arrival of Zoe. What a lovely name. I'm around this week x

Hi I'm afraid I can't make it today as I have midwife appointment but will definitely come to the next meet. Kirsten x

Hi, Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year. I am around on sat and would love to meet up. Kirsten x

Hi Sorry I won't be able to make it on Sat as I have an NCT class. Kirsten x

Hi Vickster, In the past the seasonal flu vaccine was only offered to pregnant women who had an underlying health condition. It wasn't offered to all pregnant women simply because it wasn't necessary - if they were otherwise healthy they would generally recover without any complications. This year the have combined the 'swine flu' and seasonal flu strains into a single vaccine and it is because of the swine flu component that they are recommending pregnant women to have it. If you had the single swine flu (H1N1) vaccine last year then you don't need to have the combined one this year. From the pandemic last summer it was shown that pregnant women were more vulnerable to developing severe respiratory complications from swine flu. The vaccine does not contain any live viruses and can't cause flu and has shown to have little side effects. Kirsten X

Arty many congratulations - how wonderful. Hope you're both doing well. Kirsten x

Hi it would be great to meet up. I can do either saturday. Kirsten x