Marking my place to lurk more.
Thank you for finding all the info on the nhs guidelines for cmpi/allergies. I had a read through the few bits I understood and got DH to look too. There's a bit he's latched onto though - that an elimination diet can change an allergy from mild to potentially serious, so should only be done under advice from a dietician.
DH then made me eat some chocolate cake. Practically forced me.
I was happy with the decision last night, now I'm unsure again today. Not helped by the awful night we had. He woke every hour all night, but from 8-10:30 he settled well - fed him and put him straight down and he went straight to sleep, and resettling him at 9 took literally 30s - pick up, quick cuddle, down asleep. 10:30 til 1 am I tried settling him the same but just no joy. He'd fall asleep ok in my arms, and transfer fine. Then 1-10 mins after being put down he'd wake crying again. I tried for ages, even fed to sleep at 11:45. Finally gave in at 1am and coslept but he still woke me very hour after. When cosleeping he'll usually only settle on the breast, so he fed quite a bit overnight. That said, both breasts were unusually full this morning, so I don't think he ate as much as normal.
BP reading about what your awful CM said had me in tears. No wonder your amazing LO wasn't happy with her. If I have suppressed anger at T when he's crying he takesuch longer to settle. They sense these things, and having an angry stranger look after you muat be awful for them. Hugs for you both.
My next door neighbour is a CM and lovely. Really great with the kids and the parents (she's even offered to take T for free for a couple of hours for me after a bad night). I go over quite often with coffee and am amazed how well she handles the kids. From wilfull 3 year olds to a room full of boisterous 5 year olds. Always gentle, calm and firm. I think it helps she's a Christian (though that could be my stereotyping).
VQ lidl nappies are great. They got the mumsnet best nappy award last year. I used them when T was too small for cloth and in a brief lazy period and they're great. We're full time cloth now though.
I like easyfits though we regularly get poo leaks (any advice on that Pidg?) and bamboo fitted size 2 overnight. Just bought some little lamb pocket nappies which I'm hoping will be as good as the easyfits, or better. I'm too cheap (and DH too tight) to buy more expensive easyfits, but we only have 4 so I really struggle keeping him in them. I also have 1 mio solo, and 2 bum genius. We used to do full time bamboo but I struggle to dry them (damaged all our size 1's by putting them on the rads to dry), so only use them overnight now.