Mumsnet Talk

I've just read that all toddlers should take a Vitamin A and D supplement as they are probably not getting it from diet/sunshine alone - is this right? And would they be better taking an all purpose vitamin?

DD2 is 3yo, she has severe eczema. We are currently on dermasilk clothing, thick ointments, dermol, high steriod ointments (week on, week off) and bactoban. She also has oral antibiotics when its very bad. She also has antihistamines.

She sees a dermatology nurse but her flair ups are constant. Shes had allergy testing but nothing came up. Her skins a mess, she struggles with sleep because of it and with her starting school next year we really need to get on top of it. Is there anything we can do to break the cycle?

Why is there sugar-free, but no real "additive" free versions of children's medicines such as Calpol etc. even antibiotics.

This has proven to be a nightmare for us as we realised very early on, that my DDs "Eczema" & tummy trouble was an intolerance to chemical food additives - ie Azo Dye, Benzoate Preservatives & all artificial sweeteners, initially passed through BM.

She had suffered a few nasty illnesses in her time & now has a chronic pain condition to deal with, but up until more recently when we can give her adult drugs or at least doctor them - ei empty ant Bs out of the coloured capsules & mix with honey - there has been NOTHING we could safely give her

Why is this still an issue, when intolerance to these chemicals is not actually that uncommon ??

Thank You

Excellent - thank you!

Wowsers, Just spoken to Kate Thornton, Jo frost and Dr Ellie Cannon! Fabulous, Thanks ever so for the advice.

Do I recall you saying this would be available online to "Listen Again"? If so, where can we find it please?

I need tips on how to spend regular individual time with my children whilst they are small. They all have individual time at bedtime with stories, but my middle child mainly misses out. She is pre school, as is the youngest, and the only time alone is when he naps during the day. It feels like squeezed in make do time. The littlest is too young to be expected to do anything alone (that I allow him to do, he is just two).

I can factor in occasional special time with one parent, e.g. when the others are at parties, but that's about it. Am I being unrealistic here, or is there a better way to do it?

Any advice for my DSs molluscum contagiosum please?

They are like small white/creamy bumps on his arms, the GP told us it might take 2 yrs to go away. It has been 12 months and he still has them although they do not bother him at all.
He did suffer terribly with eczema when he was younger (almost 11yo now) is there a connection?

i've noticed a big difference in energy levels in my teen since using iron supplements - wish id started years earlier. so thats my top tip for lethargic teens. i use floradix but theres other brands out there

Please could we have some guidance on what constitutes a portion of vegetables for a toddler - I serve veggies at every meal (including lots of "hidden" veg) but never know if the hidden veg is actually enough to be counted.

Not read whole thread so apologies if already been asked.

My ds, 14, has turned vegetarian. He eats beans, lentils and cheese, not so keen on nuts and seeds.

Should I be giving him a supplement? Am concerned about the lack of protein and iron.

Thanks

my tip: before your baby is due, tell your friends that once it is here they are to invite themselves round and not wait for an invite. In those first few weeks I didn't feel in a fit state to invite anyone round but greatly appreciated the daily appearance of a friend with some food and a spare pair of arms. you can always tell them to go away again.

my questions:
is there any research into how increased screen time is affecting concentration, at various ages?
is there a recommended minimum age before children should be allowed on smartphones, laptops etc?
how can I encourage my child to make the effort to do more wholesome activities and not take the path of least resistance which is the computer?
how can i stop my child playing 18 games when all his friends do?

My DS1 is 6. He's clever, articulate, funny and kind BUT he does not listen!! I often have to repeat myself about 5 times before he'll do as I've asked and sometimes I end up yelling because time's of the essence, for example before the school run. I hate shouting at him but sometimes it's the only way to get through to him! I've tried reward charts with limited success. DS2 is now starting to pick up on this and had also developed 'selective hearing'. I know there's not a physical cause such as glue ear because believe me, both boys can hear the lid of the biscuit jar from the other end of the house!

Eczema - we have aveeno on prescription, and i find it is much better than the very greasy emollients. I put some on to my 2 year old before a bath, which has really helped stop the skin from drying out.

Does my little one need vitamin drops? He's 16 months old and half Indian half Irish so might need extra vitamin D. My gp says no but every other source of info says yes.

Which vitamin supplement do you recommend for a teenage vegetarian girl who currently takes a multi vitamin with iron but often seems tired?

Kittycat - thank you for your PM
My dd had actual reflux when she was younger & I found that cutting out dairy from my diet (she's bf) really helped so you may find it useful to do so for your DC. Will respond to your PM in a mo

My ds2 has silent reflux. Have you any tips re weaning? Foods to avoid? Since weaning his reflux isn't so silent, he's sick with his morning and bed time bottles. He's been having vegetable purées and yoghurts, I think the yoghurts are a problem and am concerned there may be dairy allergies now?

When my DS (5 mo) suffers a flare up of his eczema, he changes from a cheery chappy into a desperately unhappy little screamer, fighting to scratch, crying till he's bright red, making bedtime and nappy changes a battlezone... GP has him on hydrocortisones & emollients which have been pretty good at keeping it at bay and saving sanity all round...

Are there any other changes we could make around the home to help him out / minimise triggers?

He is EBF so far (would diet changes/limitations make any difference? Just trying to eat balanced diet and not eat too much cake/ have a glass of wine every evening ) No smokers here but we do have a cat. Any help would be great.

My 3 yo has on numerous occasions been in contact with children who have then got chicken pox.

Why hasn't she had it?

Genuinely bewildered as they must have been contagious when she was there as other dcs caught it.

Am concerned about dc3's health.

He is an undersized 2.5 yr old when compared to the rest of the family. He is now on the 9th percentile for height having fallen from the 50th although remains on the 50th for weight (older brother was on the 98th for height at the same age, father is 6ft 2, I'm 5ft 6). He also had reflux as a baby, screamed after every feed and was given domperidone/ranititine. Now that he is toilet trained am very aware of how loose his stools are, often liquidy & terribly windy and wondered if there was any connection/should I be concerned?

How do you know whether a rash/dry skin is eczema or what?
Tia