The Nappy Lady

I suspect something like 1001 Carpet Cleaner is your best bet Bishberro - and then get a professional carpet cleaner in to do the entire carpet once you've cracked it. We have wooden floors downstairs (thankfully), but have had to tackle accidents upstairs in this way. Molly

"The etiology of asthma is incredibly complex, and it's important to understand that cats are not the cause of asthma but are correlated to it. You might rehome your cats only to discover something else triggers the asthma. Immunology is a relatively young science, so there are still a lot of unknowns. " But OP stated baby has had skin prick tests which show cats as the problem, the testing would have included most of the other common allergens I would imagine. Each to their own, I might be tempted to try the Petal Cleanse, but after that I'm afraid if no joy the cats would have to go.

Poo Land book should sort it I hope - my friend had her daughter in floods of tears, needing to go but refusing to for up to 1.5 days at a time, every few days for about a month, but once she read the book/s with her, she is now fine, and completely potty trained in 2 days. She is 26 months, but was in cloth nappies until potty training, which usually helps them to potty trainer sooner/younger. Really hope things improve soon, and if he isn't keen on having nappies back on then hopefully he'll realise the alternative is to let the poo out on the toilet/potty. Good luck.

Most ridiculous? Pushing a perfectly good but empty buggy with one hand, whilst carrying very heavy baby on hip/other arm simply because said child had decided this is the only way to travel! I have been known to crawl out of a child's bedroom on my hands and knees more than once, thank goodness there are no hidden cameras in our homes eh?!

I believe that the actual allergy is to cat saliva, which is all over their coat as a result of the way they lick their paws and groom themselves....... WHAT CAUSES CAT-ALLERGY? Older books on cats and cat care usually blame the allergy on cat fur e.g. breathing in small particles of the fur itself. Some blame it specifically on the cat?s guard hairs (the long hairs in the cat?s coat) and may recommend keeping a breed which lacks these guard hairs e.g. Devon/Cornish Rex or the hairless Sphynx. Referring to these breeds as hypoallergenic or allergen-free is incorrect as It is not the hair which causes the allergic reaction. The real culprit appears to be cat saliva which contains an allergen; this allergen is a protein called Fel d 1. When a cat washes itself, saliva is deposited on its fur (or skin in the case of hairless cats). The saliva dries into dust (dander or dandruff) which is released when a cat scratches or moves and when humans stroke or brush a cat. All cats wash, even those which lack guard hairs or which lack hair altogether. The dust forms on all types of cat hair or directly on the cat?s skin if it lacks fur. Hairless Sphynx cats produce dandruff directly on their skin and though they produce less of it than furred cats, they can still produce enough to trigger an allergic reaction. An allergy occurs when the body over-reacts to a substance (allergen) and produces excessive amounts of histamine. Excessive histamine production leads to the irritating symptoms associated with cat-allergy - itchy eyes, sneezing, skin rash etc. Although Fel d 1 is the protein most often associated with allergies, humans are very variable and there will be some people who develop allergies to other feline proteins. I have met people who are unaffected by Siamese cats, but allergic to other cats and I have a friend whose cat alergy is only triggered by male cats (even if the cats are neutered). In general, it is not the cat hair which causes the allergy, it is the dandruff (dust) on the cat?s hair and skin. All cats produce dandruff, though some cats produce less than others. No cat is allergen-free, not even hairless cats.

Layla's Mum, just to say I also sounded out my sister (who like me is allergic to cats and asthmatic) on your post to see what her view was. I'm afraid she agreed with me re ideally getting rid of the cats and doing a deep clean of the house. We both feel that doing this will improve your little ones condition very quickly, whatever the Doctors/Consultants may be saying. As my sister said, to those who don't suffer it can appear to be 'just a runny nose' but in truth allergies are much more miserable than this, and unless you have suffered personally it is hard to appreciate just what it can be like. When ours flare up we are both truly unhappy - with a runny nose & sore throat at the very least, and often it can also cause shortness of breath, a headache, and sore nose from the constant wiping. Also itchy or weeping eyes. Within an hour of leaving the place of exposure I will be feeling 50-100% better without fail. I'm not saying any of this to make you feel bad, but I do want to help you to understand what it is really like to be allergic, so you can maybe have a better understanding of how your little one might be feeling. He's never really lived without the allergies, so doesn't know any different, but when he does it could be like a whole new world for him (just remembered you saying he was better when on holiday, so I guess that maybe gives you a clue to this). I am an animal lover, though more a dog person as cats cause me issues clearly, they are lovely at a distance....BUT I have to say I would never put a pet over my children, and much as I hate to say it I believe most animals are pretty shallow and will be perfectly happy in a new home as long as they are fed, watered and given a bit of love. I really would think seriously about rehoming them if I were in your shoes. I am sorry though, it must all feel pretty miserable for you.

Charlotte, Search for the 'poo phobia' thread on here - it includes some good book suggestions including Mr Poo goes to Poo Land which really helped my friends daughter who was withholding. It is very common, try not to make an issue of it, let him wear a nappy for now to poo if it helps & read the book(s) to him. You will get there. Good luck. Xx

In my experience only older kids come without adult company. Tell the scary wizard to go for it!!

As above, 20 mins max, then take away what's not eaten & nothing else unless a good effort has been made. They soon learn. Used to have huge stress with our first over meal rimes but I just don't pander to it any more.

Yes, I agree - feeding too fast sounds like the most likely cause.

P.S. Can highly recommend Dayon on 07956 512362 for carpets, mattresses etc - he was recommended via a friend & is very good. Molly

Horrible predicament, but as someone who is allergic to cats & asthmatic I'd say rehome the cats, and get the house really well cleaned - all carpets, soft furnishings & mattresses washed by professional company & damp dust all surfaces & Walls to clear as much of the allergens as you can. When I'm away from home and visiting cat households I get the symptoms you describe & they make me feel rotten. I know he is coping, but you may find he's a very different child when not having to live with the allergy 24/7. If you don't rehome then I think you should give him the anti histamine & see how much difference it makes (if any). If no cas at home you could give meds on days he is with Childminder, but symptoms may lessen once he is in less overall contact anyway. Re post above, it's true my symptoms do lessen if I'm somewhere for long enough, but I don't think this applies here, where he's stayed the same since birth. So sorry you are faced with the dilemma, .

You're right Snowboarder, cold hands not an indication of a cold baby when in bed at night, though obviously a degree of common sense required. Houses these days are generally a lot warmer than they were 100 years ago! Xx

New mother, I'd just put oil filled rads with thermostats in the childrens bedroom, I'm sure it would be cheaper than heating the entire house all through the night.

Just remembered I used to put a fleece sleepsuit on my toddler in the mornings over her cotton one as a 'dressing gown' & it worked really well in that way too.

Yep fleece sleepsuits, plus sleeping bag 'gro bags' which you can get for up to about 7 years old if need be. The other thing someone on here suggested which I stored away for future use is to use a single duvet turned sideways with the extra length tucked under the mattress so it doesn't slip off. Great idea!

Ahh, that's so sweet. As for us...well, we did it. Right after my posts on her at the end of August we got down to just one feed a day (first thing in the morning). That went on until the day before her 2nd birthday, but was becoming a shorter and shorter feed. I had planned to give her the 'last feed ever' on the morning of her birthday, but her Dad got her up, took her downstairs and gave her a beaker. The next day was a Monday and other than a brief murmer of 'boobie' as I took her straight down stairs she accepted a beaker instead just fine, and has really only mentioned it a couple of times since. I was worried about what would happen when she next saw me naked, but just avoided it for a few days, and now all she does is laugh (with good reason!!) and point out various parts of my anatomy!! So, I never got to do the final feed I had planned, but in a way I'm glad about that. What is brilliant is I can now take proper medication for coughs and colds and things, it shows my age that I am more excited about this than the prospect of being able to drink large amounts again, which I think has been conditioned out of me!

Best thing we had was one of the Jo Jo Fleece All in One suits, with the fold over cuffs that come down and around the hands like mittens - last winter our 1 year old wore it daily, and no issues with lost gloves etc. though of course you do have to fold them back if they need to hold a beaker or anything. Jo Jo also do the mittens that popper on to the ends of the sleeves mind you, we had some of those too, but found the fold over cuffs the best solution. This year, at just 2 she's been saying to me "Need glubs Mummy, need glubs"!! Molly

Very true Keef, when C was 3 weeks old 2 Halloweens ago we put a sign on the door explaining & saying "normal service back next year" it was really sweet as we heard lots of children approaching the door (we are known as Halloween friendly), then reading the sign & creeping away saying shhhh to their friends - not 1 trick or nasty reaction/door knock. Pebbles - we dressed up but enjoyed staying at home answering the door with O for the first few years. I think she first went out with the neighbours children when she was 4. Not sure what we will do this year as I'm sure C at 2 will want to go out with the 'big girls' in her pumpkin costume! P.s. O was a bit scared the year she was 2, so be a bit careful how you react to people at the door.

Keef, My children are knocking on the doors of people we know - either fellow school families, or just friends due to having lived here for 15 years......but I really don't mind who knocks on my door as long as they have made the effort to dress up. However, if you dislike it you shouldn't be harassed by it, I hope you will be able to have a quiet Halloween without any decorations up.

I agree about Sunday night - Halloween is on the 31st October and if anyone comes knocking on any other night they will not get any joy from me (and I love Halloween believe me), there will be carved pumpkins, fake cobwebs, decorated windows and all sorts at our place. It's really fun in our road, lots of houses and families take part and make a real effort with their costumes. People only call at 'decorated' houses, and nearly all the children are very polite, saying "Happy Halloween & thank you". Hope you all have a lovely time! Attached photo of my daughter in her very scary ghost costume from last year....maybe we should all add some pictures of this years efforts, would love to see what everyone does.

How is it generally - very different from what you expected?

My hubby would buy them off the shelf at 2 years old if he could! Not me though, I love newborns.

Gina, I so know what you mean...I've loved this age with both of mine (youngest turned 2 last weekend). Both times I've been amazed by the way that you see the accelarated learning...from them having just a few words (and being able to keep count of how many), so them seeming to learn several new ones every day, and of course completely losing track. There are moments when it is a bit like having a mini (and female) Norman Wisdom in the house when our little one is in the best of moods and really out to make us laugh, she is just so funny. I love her funny little phrases, sense of humour and determination ....well I love the determination most of the time..... However, we have the bad times too, yesterday from post nap time - 2pm ish until bed time was really awful and I was almost a sobbing wreck by the time my hubby got home...how can one small person do that to me? It is a fab age though, and I think that it is when a lot of fathers start to really see their children in a whole new light, and really enjoy them, because they become so interactive. Belle - it is very common for boys to be behind on speech but ahead on physical stuff at this age, don't worry about it, they all end up pretty much in the same place by the time they start school. I think it makes it tougher of course from the parenting point of view because they are going to be frustrated at not being able to express themselves, but on the positive side, they can't argue with you yet!

Clary sage can bring on labour, as can jasmine - good jasmine oil is very expensive but lovely. Don't use til 38 weeks plus, run a bath then once taps are off add 4-6 drops of each to the water so oil floats on surface. Can also be mixed with a carrier oil and used for massage - lower back is good - did this during labour and it was lovely, but again you can try it to bring labour on. I also burnt jasmine oil in a burner during labour & can't smell it without being transported back to both my births (good memories). Not sure about other oils but Angela Flanders is a good supplier & very knowledgable. Based in Columbia Rd, where the flower market is. Maybe phone her for advice? Molly X