My daughter had Chicken Pox and there was no sign of them on her twin brother. The GP told me two things.
The boy would develop all the symptoms exactly 14 days later and he would get it worse.
Well, the 14 days are correct. Amazing! I don't know whether it will be worse as the poorly symptoms are just starting and I don't know why the GP made such a prediction.
More about Chicken Pox on my previous post.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Why do Children Always Need the Doctor Out of Hours
I have noticed that my three children most often get sick enough for me to want a clinical opinion at the weekend. Usually Saturday just after normal GP suggeries have closed.
I don't think there is any answer as to why, how do their little bodies know that most medical staff have gone home?
Yesterday was a typical example. Boy twin was coughing and a bit miserable Friday night and Saturday morning but waited until midday before he started heavy breathing such that i thought he might need to be admitted to hospital for a nebuliser! Actually I managed to get to see the out of hours doctor within 2 hours, which is probably faster than I would have seen my GP! Antibiotics were prescribed.
Only last week girl twin developed Chicken Pox. Sure enough the very first spots appeared on Saturday, sure enough Sunday was followed by bank holiday Monday. I was fairly certain it was Chicken Pox.
I know that GPs do not need to see Chicken Pox, there is no treatment but soothing Clamine Lotion and Paracetamol. My daughter had red, painful eyes, however, so I wanted to check that it wasn't actually Measles or whether she needed treatment for Conjuctivitus. The doctor told me sore eyes is a symptom of Chicken Pox as well, I didn't know that, and there was no treatment. Her eyes are much better now, by the way.
This short film introduces the symptoms of Chicken Pox
I don't think there is any answer as to why, how do their little bodies know that most medical staff have gone home?
Yesterday was a typical example. Boy twin was coughing and a bit miserable Friday night and Saturday morning but waited until midday before he started heavy breathing such that i thought he might need to be admitted to hospital for a nebuliser! Actually I managed to get to see the out of hours doctor within 2 hours, which is probably faster than I would have seen my GP! Antibiotics were prescribed.
Only last week girl twin developed Chicken Pox. Sure enough the very first spots appeared on Saturday, sure enough Sunday was followed by bank holiday Monday. I was fairly certain it was Chicken Pox.
I know that GPs do not need to see Chicken Pox, there is no treatment but soothing Clamine Lotion and Paracetamol. My daughter had red, painful eyes, however, so I wanted to check that it wasn't actually Measles or whether she needed treatment for Conjuctivitus. The doctor told me sore eyes is a symptom of Chicken Pox as well, I didn't know that, and there was no treatment. Her eyes are much better now, by the way.
This short film introduces the symptoms of Chicken Pox
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
I saw an iCandy, I was pushing a Maclaren!
I was enjoying an outdoor cup of coffee at a cafe in the sun today, while the twins were playing in the dirt, when a very smart twin pushchair came up and loitered along side me. I was fascinated to see it in action because it was an iCandy.
In case you do not know the iCandy is reputedly one of the most desirable twin strollers. It can take twins from birth and is a travel system with two car seats but it is a tandem.
To my mind that is a big BUT.
Sure enough the child behind has a very limited view and doesn't like it. One of the twins always draws the short straw which is why i was adamant that we were only having side by side pushchairs.
To its credit the iCandy has an adjustable handle bar and looked very easy to push. Whereas my twins were in the very popular Maclaren Techno. Another stroller which I would not recommend because it is bulky in the car, heavy to lift in and out the boot and not light to push. You can't easily push it with one hand and the handles are a bit too high for me, i am not quite 5'3". When folded it doesn'r stand you have to lay it down.
I prefered my We2 Combi (called the Combi Sport in the US). It is nothing to look at but it is the lightest weight double buggy on the market, much lighter than the maclaren. It was really difficult to work out how to fold the Combi at first, I had to watch an online video, but it was worth it. When folded it stands on its own feet, taking up very little space. It has a single handle bar across the back so you can push with one hand. The greatest disadvantage with the We2 is storage. The baskets underneath are small and dificult to access. and it was near on impossible to hang bags on the back of the buggy.
The We2 and Maclaren are for those with a budget of less than £300 whereas the iCandy is 2 or 3 times as much, depending what bits you are buying.
Twin ICandy Pear official promo film is here:
In case you do not know the iCandy is reputedly one of the most desirable twin strollers. It can take twins from birth and is a travel system with two car seats but it is a tandem.
To my mind that is a big BUT.
Sure enough the child behind has a very limited view and doesn't like it. One of the twins always draws the short straw which is why i was adamant that we were only having side by side pushchairs.
To its credit the iCandy has an adjustable handle bar and looked very easy to push. Whereas my twins were in the very popular Maclaren Techno. Another stroller which I would not recommend because it is bulky in the car, heavy to lift in and out the boot and not light to push. You can't easily push it with one hand and the handles are a bit too high for me, i am not quite 5'3". When folded it doesn'r stand you have to lay it down.
I prefered my We2 Combi (called the Combi Sport in the US). It is nothing to look at but it is the lightest weight double buggy on the market, much lighter than the maclaren. It was really difficult to work out how to fold the Combi at first, I had to watch an online video, but it was worth it. When folded it stands on its own feet, taking up very little space. It has a single handle bar across the back so you can push with one hand. The greatest disadvantage with the We2 is storage. The baskets underneath are small and dificult to access. and it was near on impossible to hang bags on the back of the buggy.
The We2 and Maclaren are for those with a budget of less than £300 whereas the iCandy is 2 or 3 times as much, depending what bits you are buying.
Twin ICandy Pear official promo film is here:
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Why Buy Twins Identical Presents, Gifts, Clothes and Stuff
My twins are only two years old, they could not be more different and they are boy girl but i can see a definite reason to choose identical everything for them.
They have both wanted a beanbag seat, like their older brothers. When granny bought two last week they have fought over who with have the red one with numbers. Can you believe neither of them want the one with police cars and fire-engines? Having two identical whatevers just stops any chance of an arguement.
Even items that are almost the same but not quite can be the focus of a fight.
Don't get me wrong. Being twins they grow up learning to share and there are plenty of toys which they simply have one between the two of them. There is a lot of co-operation and laughter but i am coming to the conclusion that if I am buying two of something it might just be best to buy identical orange ones not one in pink and one in blue. If you know what i mean.
They have both wanted a beanbag seat, like their older brothers. When granny bought two last week they have fought over who with have the red one with numbers. Can you believe neither of them want the one with police cars and fire-engines? Having two identical whatevers just stops any chance of an arguement.
Even items that are almost the same but not quite can be the focus of a fight.
Don't get me wrong. Being twins they grow up learning to share and there are plenty of toys which they simply have one between the two of them. There is a lot of co-operation and laughter but i am coming to the conclusion that if I am buying two of something it might just be best to buy identical orange ones not one in pink and one in blue. If you know what i mean.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Haven Caravan Holidays on Consumer TV Watchdog
I was interested to see Haven faced criticism on TV's watchdog a few days ago as I have just returned from one of the featured sites: Coombe Haven at Hastings. I have been there before and I think it is such good value for money that I have booked to go on two holdays next year at two different Haven caravan holiday parks.
Haven Coombe Haven on Watchdog
Having said all that I would not want to book the cheapest caravans. If you book the more expensive caravans they are promising that it will be almost new and they have full gas central heating. The cheaper models are smaller, older and just have a gas fire in the lounge. Not surprising then that there is damp. Pets are also welcome in the cheapest models.
I understand that families with pets might want to take their pets with them on holiday. BUT it was the dogs on site which were possibly the worst thing. Not Haven's fault but thoughtless owners. Dog Poo. It was not every where, but when I saw it it was a big problem. There was a terrible incident with a disgusting slide in the kiddies play area, I will spare you the details. There was dog poo on paths at places where inevitable people are going to walk in it.
Haven Devon Cliffs on Watchdog
Next year i have booked to go to Devon Cliffs. Also featured as having terrible dirty accommodation. Although i have bravely booked these caravan holidays in England I must be honest now and own up that some of my dearest relatives live just 10 minutes away from the Haven Devon Cliffs park. They have a house big enough for us to stay if the caravan site is too awful. I have booked on the site because the facilities are excellent value for entertaining the children.
My other Haven holidays have been similar. Coombe Haven only 2 hours from my home and a good friend lives in Hastings (in a big house). And next year I have booked to stay in the closest site to home, only one hours drive away.
Haven in Devon in this film
Haven Coombe Haven on Watchdog
Having said all that I would not want to book the cheapest caravans. If you book the more expensive caravans they are promising that it will be almost new and they have full gas central heating. The cheaper models are smaller, older and just have a gas fire in the lounge. Not surprising then that there is damp. Pets are also welcome in the cheapest models.
I understand that families with pets might want to take their pets with them on holiday. BUT it was the dogs on site which were possibly the worst thing. Not Haven's fault but thoughtless owners. Dog Poo. It was not every where, but when I saw it it was a big problem. There was a terrible incident with a disgusting slide in the kiddies play area, I will spare you the details. There was dog poo on paths at places where inevitable people are going to walk in it.
Haven Devon Cliffs on Watchdog
Next year i have booked to go to Devon Cliffs. Also featured as having terrible dirty accommodation. Although i have bravely booked these caravan holidays in England I must be honest now and own up that some of my dearest relatives live just 10 minutes away from the Haven Devon Cliffs park. They have a house big enough for us to stay if the caravan site is too awful. I have booked on the site because the facilities are excellent value for entertaining the children.
My other Haven holidays have been similar. Coombe Haven only 2 hours from my home and a good friend lives in Hastings (in a big house). And next year I have booked to stay in the closest site to home, only one hours drive away.
Haven in Devon in this film
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Getting a Toddler to Use an Asthma Inhaler with Face Mask & Spacer
I had seen inhalers and big scary face masks and plastic spacers prescribed to young kids left right and centre. But had no idea how you would teach a toddler to breath in the medicine from the ventalin inhaler through this big plastic transparent contraption.
If there is one good thing about being admitted to a Hospital Children's Ward for a few days is that you get to learn how to administer the medicine and the child learns to take it. Of course, there are techniques to these things. AND as we all know our toddlers will do amazing things for other people which they will not do for mummy.
The nurse told me that until the child was compliant it will be almost impossible for one adult on their own to get a toddler to take an inhaler via a spacer & mask at first. Makes sence, the child is scared of the look of it and how can you pin them down to take it when they wriggle and you need to press on the inhaler.
How to Get a Toddler to Take an Asthma Inhaler
In hospital I held my child whilst the nurse held the medical devise. When the inhaler was squeezed we counted to ten, slowly. We also watched to make sure the little plastic value by the mouth was moving a clicking (listen hard, it is quiet). After so many sessions my son get used to this, now at home he wants to do it or hold it. He wants to be can't reach the inhaler to push it down.
Even when he doesn't want to take his medicine it is now easy for me on my own. I sit him on my lap, hold him tight to me facing away and hold the face mask to his face. He doesn't wriggle too much because he knows what is happening and he is not frightened.
This film shows how a child should use and look after the inhaler with spacer. but I have not managed to find a film of using an inhaler with spacer and non-compliant toddler or baby.
If there is one good thing about being admitted to a Hospital Children's Ward for a few days is that you get to learn how to administer the medicine and the child learns to take it. Of course, there are techniques to these things. AND as we all know our toddlers will do amazing things for other people which they will not do for mummy.
The nurse told me that until the child was compliant it will be almost impossible for one adult on their own to get a toddler to take an inhaler via a spacer & mask at first. Makes sence, the child is scared of the look of it and how can you pin them down to take it when they wriggle and you need to press on the inhaler.
How to Get a Toddler to Take an Asthma Inhaler
In hospital I held my child whilst the nurse held the medical devise. When the inhaler was squeezed we counted to ten, slowly. We also watched to make sure the little plastic value by the mouth was moving a clicking (listen hard, it is quiet). After so many sessions my son get used to this, now at home he wants to do it or hold it. He wants to be can't reach the inhaler to push it down.
Even when he doesn't want to take his medicine it is now easy for me on my own. I sit him on my lap, hold him tight to me facing away and hold the face mask to his face. He doesn't wriggle too much because he knows what is happening and he is not frightened.
This film shows how a child should use and look after the inhaler with spacer. but I have not managed to find a film of using an inhaler with spacer and non-compliant toddler or baby.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
In Hospital With Asthma
An extra special birthday treat for twin 1. On his second birthday he took a ride in an ambulance to A&E and was admitted to the children's ward for 2 nights because of asthma. I stayed with him, of course. Dad, granny and others stepped in to keep the other children safe.
As I've had asthma myself I could totally identify with how he felt. No energy, just wanting to sit still and do some heavy breathing.
I don't know how & why but it does seem that the eczema, asthma and his sesame seed allergy all seem to be linked in some way. Luckily my older son and twin 2 do not suffer from any of these complaints.
As I've had asthma myself I could totally identify with how he felt. No energy, just wanting to sit still and do some heavy breathing.
I don't know how & why but it does seem that the eczema, asthma and his sesame seed allergy all seem to be linked in some way. Luckily my older son and twin 2 do not suffer from any of these complaints.
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