Bubster

Hi Tara, I've been meaning to go to the albrighton cafe as I've heard good things about it. Interesting too to hear about your getting help to lose the nipple shields. I've often been afraid to try feeding without because they seem to protect the nipples from further damage (and I hope from another bout of mastitis) but yeah, then what about milk transfer?! Anyway, it's off to the cranial osteopath Monday so wish me luck!

Thanks, everyone, for continuing to share your stories and experiences. Reassuring, but also alarming in a way, to hear from so many people who have also had really tough times with breastfeeding. Makes me feel much less lonely. Anyway, the next step in our 'journey' seems to be a visit to a cranial osteopath, as recommended by Katie Fisher. Any thoughts or comments on this? For those who took their baby for treatment, would you say it made a noticeable difference to breastfeeding?

Thanks so much, CocoC. I'll check it out now. And thanks for the moral support too!

Huge relief to find this thread today. Our firstborn is nearly five weeks and breastfeeding has been a nightmare: tongue tie, severe nipple trauma, bacterial mastitis. We're combination feeding for now - expressed breast milk and formula via bottle. One of the reasons we've persevered so long despite all the pain and trauma is because of the lack of information about and support for formula feeding. I want to be positive if and when we finally give up trying to breastfeed the 'normal' way (eg. Without nipple shields or tube feeding or expressing) but it's really hard to be positive when there is no official support for it, and it seems so complicated and liable to error around sterilising etc. I will just keep repeating simonethebeaver's story to myself to keep things in perspective and I hope it is ok if I pm a few of you who've offered advice and your experience with making life using formula easier.

Thanks, Penfold! Really good to know about this useful, free service.

Thanks so much, Dun! Very helpful advice and tips on other models.

Thanks, both! Yes we definitely want to extract to the outside while we have the opportunity due to building a whole new kitchen. But these recessed ceiling models are fairly uncommon so that's why we were hoping also to hear from those who have installed them already to see if they are worth the extra cost.

Thanks, PPS. Do you mean there are models where the flu/chimney doesn't protrude from the wall? Can you show me? Assume the hood itself is still over the hob, though, right? The look we're trying to achieve is a wall and head space above the counter units and hob that is completely clutter-free, hence the possibility of installing one of the recessed ceiling ones: http://www.elica.co.uk/view_products_parent.php?cat=ceiling-mounted-island-and-corner-hoods Any other comments/advice from the Forum? Thanks.

Good morning EDF users. We are building a new kitchen extension and considering installing a recessed extractor fan - i.e. one that is flush with the ceiling rather than the standard chimney/flue type. Would appreciate any feedback from those of you with such a contraption. Is yours effective? How noisy is it compared to standard models? Much trouble for your builder to install? Many thanks!

We need someone to break up and remove a concrete pad, approx 34 square metres, that covers much of our rear garden. We don't think it's too thick as weeds are growing through in places. The rear garden has no direct street access so rubble will have to be conveyed through house. Please get in touch if this is something you can help us with.

Hi all, We are planning a major house renovation and would like to know if anyone has used South London Extensions and Lofts (Amer Ali is one of the partners) and what your experience was. Thanks!