shaunag

With both parents dentists I religiously brushed m daughters teeth morning and night without any protest from her until I went back to work when she was about 1. Then husband was on morning duty and was a lot more relaxed about teeth. Coincidental timing or not she started making a huge fuss about her teeth. So the battles commenced with inevitable tears every night. Spoke to my mum about it- she told me to relax and not force it (she is mum to 8 but was never pushy with us as her mum had given her a very strict upbringing). So, now we are all much more relaxed about teeth and like mrs tp when it happens it happens - we aim for the before bed time brush and are happy with that(but yes I do stress when it doesn't happen). We talk about teeth and having smelly breath if u don't brush your teeth and big up all the teeth brushing we come across, but I think mums way works for us- I don't want all things teeth to be a horrible experience (I also think that when her teeth are sore she is anti teeth brushing and can't really blame her for that). So, whatever works for you and you can live with is probably what I would set the bar at! Happy teeth brushing!

Hi Saila. I had a similar problem with Mastitis at DmC (had spoken to seldoc on Sunday night; knew what it was as had had it before; seldoc had faxed Dmc to say I had mastitis and should be treated with antibiotics but failed to use precise enough wording such that the reception staff refused to show it to a doctor or get me an appointment until late that day). The doc I saw was really apologetic and used the same "not trained medically" excuse re the reception staff. So, I guess it happens everywhere. I had mastitis 4 times - no longer bf'ing but if you are that prone maybe speak to your doctor about them prescribing you antibiotics to have to hand in case it develops again and you are in a similar situation. I plan on doing this for next time around (albeit can ask my mum in Ireland to write the script and just pay for the antibiotics in Ireland). Get better soon. Xx

Hi Im trying to find a weekend dance class for my daughter who loves dancing, but attends nursery ft, so we need to find a weekend class. For some reason they all seem to take place during the week. I know from a search that there is a ballet class in Goose Green on a Sat (baby ballet?), but havent found any other details on it. Any help for a class/ideas for other dance classes much appreciated!

What works for me is a few drops of olbas oil on pillow,and Vicks rubbed onto throat. You could also try a Vicks plug in. It sounds like your lo has a very bad cough, so this may not work, but it has made the difference for me (and family members) between sleep and no sleep. Also propping the mattress up by putting some rolled up towels under it might help as others have suggested. You may already have a humidifier, but if not dry air irritates so you could try getting one and put a bowl of water beside the radiator in the meantime even if heating off at night (will add moisture during the day). Also, if has been going on a long time would personally ask for antibiotics.not everyone's cup of tea I know,but sometimes I think a helping hand is needed to shift a stubborn cough,and sleep deprivation is not going to help fighting any bugs off. I had a dust mite allergy as a child and was prescribed a nasal spray. Previous poster made good suggestions,but also, if you have pets,try keeping them downstairs and certainly out of Los room as hairs great fodder for the mites and I still sneeze occasionally when in a room with a dog for prolonged period even though the dust allergy v mild now. Really hope she is better soon and you all get some sleep.

Well done bishop, sounds like you are making progress,and gradually which is (I think) best for all concerned. We were down to feeding all night. We went cold-turkey Friday before last. It was absolutely horrendous-both of us in floods of tears, as she is just gone 23 months she was begging me 'please mummy milk' and sobbing uncontrollably. I almost broke but called in daddy (I ended up begging him too for me to give in to her-he said nothing (wise man) but just gave cuddles. She eventually settled at 10:30, then awake from 3:30 to 7, (at which point she declared she was hungry:took her down for some breakfast then she went back to sleep for a few hours-then up for the day at 10. The following night was much better, she went down by 10, woke at 5 looking for milk-none given so she announced she was hungry. Then following night she fell asleep while i was readig a story and a few grumbles in the night. She is ok now,doesn't ask for milk going down but does have occasional little cries in the night for milk. I have to say we couldn't have timed it worse, as she broke out in chicken pox on the Monday (I had put all the daytime misery down to boob withdrawal)-was selfishly relieved when we discovered something else had been going on).i give her some biscuits and oat milk before bed and that has stopped the 5am hunger awakenings (though she does still announce she is hungry every morning. I'm still a bit sad about it but it needed to be done, and gradual weaning wasn't working for the night feeds. We did talk about it lots in the run up to it. I have had engorgement and antibiotics but that's another story. I hope u don't have to go down this route,but if you do be prepared for a very tough first night (some people have no problem with this route though). Good luck.

Hi. Just remembered they make you taste a certain percentage of any baby liquid food you bring. I helpfully can't remember the percentage, but think it was at least 50% (they choose which ones). We had some Ella's and they didn't make us open any of them, but went for home made option instead (we ha a lot of food for 10month old heavily restricted diet). But, my sister was made to open her Ella's pouches in a flight so would check in if you are bringing any. Have done quite a bit of flying and it's generally been fine so don't worry about it too much (and nearly all the airline staff have been really helpful, just a rate few duds). Have a great trip!

Hi Ellie Do you think there is a chance he might be hungry? Sounds odd I know, but my daughter was a terrible sleeper until she hit 8 months and we introduced wheat into her diet. She had been on a restricted diet up until then owing to allergy (so specialist told us to keep her off eggs and wheat as well until 8 months). As soon as she started on wheat she started going to sleep at about 7 vs the usual 10:30 pm. Up until then we had no evenings off and it was totally knackering as never got to 'sleep when baby sleeps'. The only theory we have come up with is that she was just hungry owing to restricted diet. Realise too early for solids, but if bf'ing maybe try a top up bottle (or two or three of formula)? There is a lot of protein and other goodies in formula that are more difficult to digest and keeps little tummies full for longer than breast milk.Weight gain doesn't mean little one isn't still hungry. I might be way off but guess its worth a shot if all else failing? Know how emotional sleeplessness makes me,so can only empathise. This is a tough time but u will come out the other end of it. Best of luck.

Bring a sling as hand luggage- if you don't need it when collapsing the pushchair at the gate you may need it for pacing up and down on the plane and/or walking to the carousel to get your buggy (have found it a bit hit and miss re whether buggy waiting at plane at other end or on carousel and remember a very long walk carrying a lot of hand luggage and baby in my own. As its a long flight would bring a change of clothes for you (and a couple if tops and bra just in case-baby puked down my top on a flight-had a spare top but no bra-nice!) also, few changes of clothes for baby! Ask when checking in if there is any possibility of a row with just u and baby so can get up and down easily if the flight is not too full. Any ear pain most likely on take off or landing so try to have lo sucking on something for those bits of the flight. Still bf'ing so no expert on type of formula, but bring plenty extra in case of delays.also, usual calpol, teething gel, yellow metanium and anything else u might normally pop out for that wont be available in airport or on plane.some form of entertainment for baby prob good-wouldn't bother with a book/magazine as have never get to read anything and they are heavy-audiobook (hands free option) perhaps? Finally, try not to fret if other people give u any grief for any crying-we were all babies once! Have a great trip!

Maybe dry toast, dry bits of breakfast cereal, maybe not that healthy but better than nothing-melt in the mouth organix crisps like the corn, carrot or tomato ones (the from 7 months ones seem a bit blander so less sickening for her), don't really know what else to suggest, only I know breast milk seems least offensive when my lo is off her food. Bread/toast always next most tolerated food. Maybe leave little bits lying around so she can pick at it if she fancies it. She might just stay off food for a few days until she picks up a little more. Hope she is back to full health soon.

Lo has an Irish passport- 15 euro for 3 years vs ?50 for 5- that was the advantage for me! Will probably get another 3 year one in three years as they change so much! My midwife tilde me this when baby was v small-she was v well informed! Have no opinion on other advantages, but if lo travelled somewhere where British citizenship not particularly favourable from a political point of view would probably suggest travel on Irish passport. Downside to Irish passport used to be the inevitable 'random secondary screening' from security-doesn't happen as much these days though...

My sister works in a nursery and gets laden with chocolates and wine every Xmas. Not meaning to be ungrateful, she isn't much of a wine drinker and is weight conscious, so isn't the biggest fan (she also cycles to work and more than a bottle of booze gets v heavy). Her advice to me re what to get my daughters key worker was a gift voucher for jl or somewhere else- that way they can get something they really want or need. That said, I do plan on buying some nice biscuits for all the nursery staff, as they all know my lo and she has a good relationship with them all!

Ok have checked the names paeds registrar recommended/didn't recommend (but bearing in mind my lo's eczema not as extensive,so recommend you get specialist advice). The one he said to discontinue was fusidic acid (which h said was a topical antibiotic). He said (as well as her antibiotics for infection) to use epaderm, and if that didn't work a low percentage hydrocortisone cream. "steroids" sounds scary, but if it's what they need to get better and are really suffering,needs must. Also,for a lot of substances, there is evidence lacking re how much actually passes through the skin when applied topically; a large part of the functioning of the skin is to act as a barrier (so even though muscle creams people use may not actually deliver eg ibuprofen to the muscle). I dont know about steroids and whether there is evidence that they do pass through the skin (rather than just treating the top few layers), but if it really makes you uncomfortable speak to your gp about this. Good luck. Xx

The poor tot,and poor you watching her go through it. I would go back to gp and get v pushy about a referral to a paeds dermatologist. We were in a&e over a separate issue and mentioned our daughters eczema which the gp had said was infected. the paeds registrar told us to discontinue the cream prescribed by the gp and to use something else instead as what the gp had prescribed was likely to make our daughters eczema worse. The antiobiotics prescribed for the other issue were used to treat the infection and other options suggested to us for the eczema generally. Our daughters eczema was v mild by comparison to what you have described though. Gps have an important role to play but they are not experts.It might even be worth a trip to a&e to see a paeds registrar for their advice if you have to wait for a dermatologist and want someone with more specialism in kids to have a look,especially if it continues to be as extensive as you describe. Best of luck. Xx

We have been thinking about this too. Our main concern was too much love from our 22 month old (we receive endless cuddles and kisses, her doll (or "baby") as she calls it gets a lot more love (strapped in to baby buggy which can end up flying down the stairs as "I do it mummy"). Got talking to a lady at work re our concerns, she told me her mother was too loving to a kitten as a child, having cuddled it to death, literally ( kitty sleeping?,yes dear (no dear kitty suffocated)). So, given the love that goes on around here we are going to wait a year or so. Plenty of families with cats and toddlers living in harmony, but given my record with keeping goldfish alive,couldnt progress to a short-lived cat!

Hi bishop. I have looked into this a bit as I have a 22 month old boob addict.i had to cut out daytime feeds at 11 months in preparation for going back to work. The options are cold turkey or gradual withdrawal. My mum breastfed my brother until he was 2, and cut it out because like you she was exhausted. She went away for the weekend and left my dad to deal with my brother. You will need to bring a pump for this option. Sage reduces milk production apparently. Or you can cut one feed out at a time for several days or a week, or reduce one feed at a time ( by 2 mins at a time) until you eventually cut it out. The reducing in time hasn't worked for me, so I will cold turkey eventually for the night feeds(although I'm trying to refuse and get away with it in the night). Don't offer, don't refuse works for some, but again not for me ( think your and my lo a bit too old for this one). Lots of distraction worked for cutting out day feeds for me, but again, every child is different. I have seen use of lemon juice on nipples so it tastes gross used on Internet forums, but personally I don't think I approve! At 16 months your lo will get enough from diet but I think it's all about comfort at this stage. You could try introducing a dummy, or comforter while feeding, then when you remove boob the comforter might be associated with comfort. Not very scientific but some ideas in there. There is loads of advice online and in books.you have done brilliantly to feed this long so try not to feel guilty. Bf'ing in itself is exhausting and you will have so much more energy when you stop (I found I did in any case even just cutting out day feeds). Best of luck.

Hi mrs G All of the above, plus, how ambitious are you? If very, do you think when your lo goes to school you might regret not taking the opportunity,or worse,resenting her for it? Is this opportunity likely to come up again further down the line, or is it more of a if you don't take it now you are unlikely to get it again? Could you take the job, do the upheaval, but come back to your current or a better position in london if it doesn't work out? Can you take the possibility of havin another baby into consideration (sorry to be so blunt,but if a likelihood might mean more time with your daughter before she starts school). They are only little for such a short time,and it is very precious time that you will never get back. But, it will be easier on her if you are going to relocate to do it while she is still little-do you envisage an ultimate move out of london anyway? I work ft and miss my daughter like mad so I really dont know what I would do in your situation. That said, she is getting to an age where i feel she really needs the stimulation she gets from nursery, and on weekends we need to start doing playdates as she is a bit bored hanging out with grown ups as she as yet has no siblings. If you are not closing any doors long term by turning the job down,it might help with the decision? Just firing fuel for thought (of course don't expect an answer to any of the above!)

Great news, what an enormous relief. So glad for you. Top tip; get a panasonic bread maker for Xmas (I convinced Hubble he wanted one for his bday!)- you can make a milk loaf containing oat milk (so fortified with calcium) by sticking the ingredients (we use pure sunflower spread too) in and setting the timer on it overnight-makes yummy bread,and you can rest assured there is no soy in it. Its also great fun getting lo involved in sticking the ingredients in.The east Dulwich bakery does rolls that are soy free (have checked and much of the other local bakery's are not clear re where there is soy in their bread or not), oh, think blackbird may be ok, but check for dairy as I can't remember (we avoid all except edb). Really pleased for you. Relax now and have a lovely weekend with your wonderfully healthy family.xx Sorry, edited to say Panasonic, not ken wood (thought ours was latter but it's not so dont know how good they are/if they exist!)

StraferJack Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Words can't hope to convey how awful this is > > On plus side, hopefully a watershed moment for > that sometimes backward nation Straferjack,I spent 20 years in ireland, and 13 here. I have come up against the endless stereotype of irish being backward and stupid and far worse many many times in those 13 years, sometimes those references have been made directly at me, and have been pretty nasty experiences. Frankly such stereotypes are racist and outdated and offensive. I think the above remarks, however trivialised you make them do but perpetuate the stereotype and I think you do your fellow irishmen and women a disservice. Of course there are elements of every constitution one can find fault with, and the Irish constitution is no exception. But there are great things about it also. I'm going to stop posting on this thread now, I'm not sure where it is going or how the op envisages it should, but if you just want to bash the Irish it's not really a discussion I can add anything to.

I don't think being of a particular nationality imparts immunity to making racist comments about that nation. I don't think labelling a nation assists in resolving any future preventable events from occurring.

StraferJack, this incidence,however tragic, does not give you licence to refer to the Irish as a "backward nation". That is just racist, and as an Irish person I take enormous offence. I also think your alleged insight into the minds of the Irish nation both ridiculous and arrogant. Let's not make this tragedy about your blatant prejudice against the Irish.

Hi.we bought a small one (seats up to four) in homebase for ?7 (i think)in the summer-worth checking there. You can order expensive wooden ones from jojo

I was told by the doctor to put my daughter on a high sugar high fat diet at one point-she couldn't have chocolate owing to allergy, and most of the fattening foods/sugary foods involve soy or dairy, so found myself loading her food with extra oil and dairy free spread. I think being a parent is really hard, and you just don't know the kind of kid people are dealing with at home.i used to babysit a child that ate nothing many moons ago. I had no idea how stressful it could be then, but having had a kid with eating issues, I now understand why his mum was happy if he ate anything, whatever it was. It is easy to judge, but really, I like to think we are all doing our best for our kids.maybe that's a naive rose tinted view, but, I like being an optimist. It's Saturday night and have had a glass or two, but kudos to all parents, it can be a tough gig!

Hi.dont think you are imagining it.my lo reacts with severe diahorrea if I have trace amounts of dairy or soy.you need to see the gp,get a referral to the team at kings to see a gastro specialist and dietician.my lo went Undiagnosed for three months which made her allergy so much more severe. I was told struggling like they are trying to go to the loo for hours on end is a symptom of a gut allergy. He can be that sensitive.also,for the non-dairy formulas,what they are is partially pre-digested so the body doesn't recognise the cows milk/soy protein.pepti is the first in this-if he is severely allergic this may not be sufficient for him-he may need nutramigen (more digested) or neocate (even more digested). It takes quite a while to get an appointment with the team at kings so I would get to the gps straight away. The gps are not supposed to prescribe alternative formulas without the nod from a specialist, but some do,so it's worth asking so you can try it while you wait.it is a food idea to get your lo to accept the formula before they hit 6 months as they tend to have taste preferences from then on. If it is Cmpa, he may have developed a soy allergy as something like 40% of Cmpa babies do-so you may need to cut this out also (in extreme cases traces of as well). There are different sensitivity levels though-my daughter was/is severe,so projectile vomiting and diahorrea,but sounds like he is struggling so don't underestimate his discomfort-mum,is generally,right when she thinks that something is wrong (don't let people tell you you are imagining things). Take care.xx

ehh, don't mean to be a smart arse, but breast milk is "made or produced by human beings" too! I think the upset is caused because we are all organic mad, wanting the absolute best for our little ones, and the idea that someone would choose to intentionally use an "artificial" means of feeding to their precious baby frankly just does not go down well. Scientific terms are fine, but in context, and to other scientists or health professionals; we don't call them "mammary glands", we call them breasts (who wants to feel like daisy the cow). To a hormonal new mum that can't breastfeed, telling her bottle feeding is artificial, whether or not it actually is, just isn't the nicest/most sensitive of things to do. Ladies (and gents), I fear we could debate all this till the cows come home! Im just glad we are fortunate enough to be able to feed our little people, by whatever means.

My daughter is dairy and soya free (including traces thereof). She has a gut allergy as opposed to anaphylactic reaction (so more akin to coeliac). Would be interested but like the other poster I work ft and expect the talk would be midweek? Meal ideas would be good, as I tend to Churn out the same old reliable favourites and it would be good to get some inspiration on what might be likely to work. Thanks for suggesting this!