JulieP

In the winter months in the UK the UV wavelengths (from the sun) are not the appropriate length for synthesis of vitamin D through the skin. Therefore, getting out in the summer months (only needs to be 15 minutes between 10am and 3pm, only 20% of the skin exposed) should be sufficient although those with darker skin may need more. However, supplementation in the winter may be worthwhile.

I have done 3 fast days so far and agree with other posters that it is easier not to eat for most of the day. Having had a few cups of tea in the day, 400 cals then makes a decent evening meal. I am doing it for the health benefits (but could do with losing a few pounds) so I am trying to have a complete break from eating for almost 24 hours rather than having several small snacks - it seems to suit me but others may have different preferences. I have found that I feel most hungry early in the day and it tends to subside towards the evening. Early days though!

Not had two rear facing seats together but have fitted (snugly) various combinations of 3 rear / front / boosters in our Audi A4.

Oh well, perhaps I ought to readjust my mind-set! The creature that gnawed its way into my house and wandered around the kitchen floor probably after spending some time ferreting through rotten rubbish and maybe a little jaunt along the sewer is actually a misunderstood and highly intelligent animal perhaps even cute / cuddly?. I think you have made me feel slightly better about our friendly neighbourhood rats ? strangely. Probably won?t be inviting them back though.

A few years back when we had not long moved into our house, I was about to pop our young baby onto the play mat on the floor when something caught my eye. It was a rat (I would say 1.5 ft from nose to tail tip) wandering nonchalantly around my lounge. My large black cat was following it not sure what to do, I think it thought it was another cat as it normally caught mice and brought them in so had the hunting instinct. I was also following it, not sure what to do. It stayed there for about 15 minutes being followed around by myself (at one point with a rolling pin which I didn?t dare use) and the cat. Needless to say pest control services were called immediately who suggested there was probably a rat run under the house and they were coming in through holes left where the service pipes came into the kitchen. We blocked the pipes and I have not seen another rat in the house since ? thankfully. This rat was NOT scared of me, my baby or my cat and I dread to think of how many came in without me knowing between moving in and filling the holes. My skin still crawls thinking about it.

I comb my Daughter's long hair with a nit comb once a week and use tea tree oil. It has not and will not stop her getting nits - although I might notice them sooner? Not sure if this makes me middle class. On the same note washing hands after using the toilet will not completly erridicate norovirus as there are many other possible methods of transmission.

My youngest son loved his milk in his bottle and would drink juice or water from any cup but not milk (he spat it out if we tried it). I tried sippy cups of various sorts, sippy attachments to be used with a bottle but he wasn't having any of it. When he was about 2 1/4 I tried a cow cup. He actually sipped some milk from this, I quickly hid the bottle and he has not looked back since - still loves his milk. The cup is nice but I think what really worked was that his older cousin had the same cup.

I don't know if this helps but these are my experiences. My 1st one day decided to stop when she was 11 months old so no problems there. However my second two (both boys!) went on for much longer. Interestingly I remember both of them going through a stage about 14-16 months when they would not leave me alone - but were both fine when at nursery for long days 3 days a week. I honestly thought we would end up like the little britain sketch! It seemed to be a phase as very shortly after that they very quickly and naturally cut down on feeding in the day without much effort from me (except obviously not offering it, using distraction if they started fiddling with my clothes, making sure they were getting plenty of other fluids and food and the occasional "no not now"). All of this seemed to happen quite naturally and as it was slow, there was no engorgement. Night time feeds took a couple of months more - but less waking once daytime feeds had stopped. When they did wake in the night, I would gently say no, give comfort - did try to offer water if they were genuinely thirsty which did not go down well but I think got the message through. Last feed to go was the bed time feed. Weaned off this by lying with them and cuddling (everything the same except not feeding). All children are different and when I was at the stage you are at now, felt like it had been going on for ever and was really physically drained. If it's worth saying, its like the rest of being a parent, this stage will not last forever.

We have charities knocking on our door almost every week. They must be getting some donations to keep on doing this. I admit I do answer the door - I might want to see the person knocking! However, it would be crazy to give out bank details. Even if the charity was above board, who knows who might see / get hold of the paperwork. I have contacted the charity (I think) are involved to make them aware of this.

They came to our place as well. It was past 9. I thought he seemed kosher as was dressed in breast cancer jacket, had ID and there were other collectors in the area. I agree that it was too late to be knocking on doors. I suspect they are desperate to get their commission and resorting to a few "untruths" to do so. The one that came here told us we could not donate online as it was too expensive to set such as system up!

As suggested by pugwash, telecare may be able to help. Is she under the care of a memory clinic? If so, it might be worth talking to the memory nurse to see what they suggest.

Peckham pulse runs swimming lessons in 10 week terms. If your child is 18 months they will need to go to the adult and baby 2 class. Those who are already on a course or moving up from a lower class get priority booking for the two weeks before it is open to the public. The next term will start on 7th January. You should be able to go in from 3rd December to try and book onto the course. It is better to go there in person as they don't always answer the phone. Whether there are a lot of people waiting in front of you and whether you get a place in my experience is a bit down to luck. Perhaps with it coming up to Christmas people will be too busy to think about booking swimming lessons.