bobbly

I agree with Yak, sounds like strange advice to me. I second going to kings and seeing the allergy consultants thhere. They cann do prick tests (though not always conclusive) but more helpful than feeding him foods from a jar. If he starts to swell around the eye, then antihistimine will help reduce swelling and itching. Any overall rash and swelling, then yes, like you said, straight down to A&E. I agree with Fuschia, sometimes it's the proteins in foods that cause an allergic reaction, also check the detergent and perhaps go for a non bio one like surcare or concentrated bio liquid? He may be reacting to that also, or maybe house mites? It could also mean that the lack of distraction at night makes him more aware of feeling itchy and there starts the cycle. good luck, its a long road, I'm right there with you

Saffron, I am interested in the geeky stuff, any way you could forward any information to me? perhaps pm me. many thanks

Hi Saffron, yes i am interested in the geeky stuff, so please post or pm me the details. I think it may be antibiotics may be an interesting angle, I wonder how many children were exposed to them before the age of 1 and how frequently. Also I do wonder about weaning before 6 months before the gut is able to cope with the introduction of foods. I thiink my child may have allergies to both of these factors, he was given foods at 4 months, this advice has now changed to minimum of 6 months. It is said that children should eat dirt, children who livve on farms far less susceptible. Apparently let your child eat dirt from 18 months and upto the age of 5. I have read a lot about gut and its relationship with allergies and other health problems,including mental. I have not brought my child up in a super clean home environment, I don't believe in killing all germs, nor using very much bleach (apprently related to asthma), but I do not use sprays. That is not to say that every child who has early introduction of anti biotics will have allergies,but those who are suspectible more likely to develop them? I am about to do some research on finding a cure for mmy son by the age of 10. That is my goal, so any info would be greatly appreciated. I really believe it was the amount of antibiotics that my son was given before the age of 6 weeks! anyone else with a similar experience?

if you are a parent at a local school, you ought to have received a handout last week.

As far as i am aware, eczema suffers should avoid dairy, tomatoes, oranges, a range of other stuff that i cannot remember. (sorry shattered). certain foods trigger flares, there is a wonman in the north cross road market who sells pure, unadulterated shea butter. I think the trick is to avoid trigger foods and moisturise moisturise moisturise. Mine has eczema and food allergies, we have managed to avoid asthma though he did have initial wheeziness and had breathing difficulties in smokey atmospheres, but not diagnosed as asthmatic (he is neARLY 5). We avoided conventional paints and as did all possible to reduce dustmites, ie no carpets, special mattress and don't use bleach hardly ever. I also try to avoid cleaners that kill all germs. I don't know if this has helped prevent asthma, but it certainly did him no harm. Often eczema is linked to asthma and food allergies, so whatever can be done to prevent one or more of the three cann onnly be a a good thing. Also watch e numbers in foods, some of them are skin irritants. sorry if this makes little sense, on my way to bed, but hope you find something useful from my rammblins.

if it helps, i recently heard that it is advisable to wean babies at 6 months and not before due to the potential for food allergies. If you can hold out for another 2 months, then it may be your safest bet. Wish I had.

I found surcare helpful, i also used oats in the bath. The lady at Northcross roAD sells pure shea butter, and that is brilliant for moisturising the skin without awful chemicals. Just so happened that found out my son also has food allergies, once these were discovered his 'eczema' disappeared. sometiimes i think there is a confusion between an allergic reaction and eczema, though in your case, sounds like its in the prime places whereas my sons was not, but was still classified as eczemma.

oops wrong

sophiec, funny as i thought about it after and i actually told him several names i told him vagina, and penis at the time (I don't know annyone who actually uses the term vulva) but when we mentionn these bodily parts, I realises i also use the terms minnie, noonie, and willy. so I just told him several names that other people used he understands penis but just uses the word his most comfortable with which is minie and willy, works for me.

I used the proper names when my four year old asked me the other day. In the hope that if I am open and honest in my response about such matters, then he will feel he can approach me about stuff later, though understandably there will probably be a time when he feels unable to discuss things with me, but until such time I think i will continue to be as open and honest as possible.

James exactly how would the double deckers make robbery less likely? Will there be a conductor on the buses in control of closing the doors when necessary?

ouch

Just settled my little one into Bessemer Grange. When I looked at it before the holidays, there were many things i liked about it, but it was looking tired in places and in need of decoration....My goodness what a TRANSFORMATION! Everyone has clearly worked really hard to bring it in line with the new reception class, and the new caterers have been highly praised. The dedication and commitment shown by staff at the school is clearly evident.

Obviously you want to find one best suited to your childs needs, but i would also recommend one as close to home as possible. they make friends in the local community and always a friend in the local park to keeep them entertained. Do it asap the waiting lists are horrendous!

Upstart hippy? I think ZebaN simply gave some other examples to consider that are not generally given merit in our capitalist society. He/she did say that its what is personal to you, not necessarily denying what you believe in. I do I don't think it warrants such abuse. A little more respect would be appreciated, everyone is entitled to their opinion surely.

I KNOW It sounds silly, but seems to be the case, long grass, no poo for weeks, practically most of the sumer, mow it...2 big fat poos....does anyone else find this to be true??? think its been a long holiday....can't believe i'm even writing this, allelujah to the start of school term

I'd be up for doing this course, havn't read all the threads as its almost dinner time, so if all I need do is say 'aye' then I'm in?

hi yes I used one too, great for soothing with one hand it was a breeze, also prevented 'flat head' only thing I would say is that you have to come out of bed completely in order to feed your wee one, which is ok, but feel that I may have preferred to have him besides me where i could actually see him if he vomited or anything, which you cant if they are higher. I also would have liked to have slept with him closer for bonding, but maybe that is just retrospective, and in reality I probably would have slept badly for fear of crushing him... who knows, but all in all I would recommend it if you are not planning on sleeping with your child, its far preferable to a moses basket and the like.

Hi Wellington, I was told that its not necessary to buy traditional trousers, you just have to wear navy trousers. I bought my son a pair of smart casual navy blues from next, but very hard to come by. I only managed to get one pair as that is all they had. He has black shoes too. hope that helps.

My son ins 4 and an only child, and lately I have been feeling a little like you from time to time, but not entirely. I moved to London so that he would have more contact with his cousins. Whenever people ask him if he has any siblings, he says no but he has his cousins. He is extremely sociable and so far, hasn't had trouble making friends, but I believe that changes after a while, and coming from a large family, it sometiimes feels incomplete just the three of us. He is very sociable, but I am an older mother, and couldn't contemplate having another as he is about to start school. I do not rule out adopting or fostering to give him a companion. There are so many out there needing a loving home. Not all are terribly damaged in a way that would distrupt families. I also understand those who wouldn't consider that as an option. Even children with siblings need space away from them from time to time, it is harder work making sure that they sustain their friendships, and holidays we sometimes take with other families so that he has instant companionship, we would even consider taking a child on holiday with us, his cousin or a friend. These are all possiible options, and they show the child that family is not necessarily only blood related. Often as others have already mentioned, quality relationships are sometimes more evident outside the family. It's not all bad, it's just different.

ah yes, no problem, come and get some pears today then if you like i'll be in most of the day....cooking......:))

yes maxxi i will be, be happy to swap with you. give me a shout nearer the time?

Don't worry too muchb if you don't. Bessemer Grange is a great school and improving.

I have some pears, conference and another rouund very sweet variety. Does anyone wish to swap some wiith something veg or fruit is fine...thanks

Raising an emotionally intelligent child by John Gottman.