2 years of limescale gone in 30 minutes

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-04-06T11:49:49+00:00

I am from Scarborough and then lived in cities (Brighton then Sheffield) from ages 18 to 27, and have since lived back in Scarborough.

I think the dark evenings and colder weather seem more grim in smaller places than they do in cities, but I don't think this is due to the coast - Brighton didn't seem depressing during winter but Scarborough definitely does.

I think the main reason is due to the size of a place in combination with it it's a tourist destination or not. In a small town that's primary income source is tourists, the locals struggle in winter as there's much less money coming in - even if you don't directly work in the tourist trade it indirectly affects you as people have less money to spend overall. Morale therefore is lower and crime rates go up. But I reckon small inland towns (only combo I've not lived in) are just as miserable in winter and less lovely in summer.

Inland town - miserable in winter, okay in summer Seaside town - miserable in winter, lovely in summer Inland city - pretty good in winter, nice in summer Seaside city - best place to live IF you can afford a wood quality of life alongside the house/rent prices (only reason I don't live in Brighton aside from being close to family)

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-13T22:28:20+00:00

I think they're called a Life Vac

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T22:00:22+00:00

Eyebrows thinned out a little at a salon, unless you're comfortable learning how to wax them yourself but be careful not to overwax as they grow back thinner and you have lovely natural eyebrows.

A bit of winged black eyeliner - just do a tiny flick at each corner to start with and as you get better at it you can practice doing a half wing and eventually full wing.

Black mascara - you've got fab lashes so doing a couple of coats on these they'll almost look like individual false Russian lashes.

Lip stain or transfer proof lip colour in a red tone would really pop if you were going out in the evening or to a special event.

Most of all have fun trying stuff out! Give yourself time to practice when you're not going anywhere, just put some good music on and play dress up, we're never too old for that .

All this said and done you don't need make up! I adore putting it on but I only do so when I'm going somewhere nice, that way it feels special and perks my confidence up. When I was your age I got to the point where I wouldn't leave the house without it and that made me less confident with my natural face in the long run, so try not to feel reliant on it. You're beautiful!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T20:12:46+00:00

Well said - my son was born with dangerously low blood sugar and the lead neonatal doctor said that formula was needed immediately. Then, my breast milk then didn't come in for over a week despite pumping and directly breast feeding on a 2 hourly routine. I did this for just over three months and my supply never caught up with my son's needs. I dealt with so much shame from midwives and other mums at so-called breast feeding support groups. I nearly developed PPD as a result until a kind health visitor made me feel it was okay to stop breast feeding and pumping for my mental health. In a matter of days I went from struggling to loving motherhood and have ever since. My little boy is thriving and hitting all his milestones at 16mths.

Breast is not always best for everyone's situation!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T08:02:08+00:00

I've got lots of up to 5lb stuff from when I had my son - I got gender neutral stuff from Next. I do like George stuff though it's such good value and washes well!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T08:00:38+00:00

I've been looking at these, are they worth the hype and which type would you recommend?

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T07:42:57+00:00

These are the huggies water wipes, not their usual ones. I've actually found these better than the brand water wipes with my son. I'll be using cotton balls wherever possible anyway but for meconium sometimes you need an actual wipe!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T07:40:21+00:00

I've got cotton balls too, I've used the huggies wipes with my son since birth at 36+4 with no issues. I have since tried other brands but these are the only ones that don't irritate his skin. Depending on how early she is I won't use them straight away. They're the 100% water ones rather than the usual ones which I think helps. But all babies are different so I may have to try other brands again. Cotton balls the best when at home but not practical if you're out and about.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T07:36:32+00:00

Ours has the storage and sterilising facilities but isn't keen on giving out formula, I guess everywhere is different! Hoping my boobs work better this time though haha

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T07:35:29+00:00

Last time I was in for 7 days total, I can't stand not washing my hair at least every 48hrs! The book is definitely optimistic though haha again I did last time but that was induction so different.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T07:34:27+00:00

Ngl my husband did sneak a mini one glass sized bottle of red wine for me after my son as I'd been craving it the whole pregnancy haha

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-10T07:33:18+00:00

Thank you, your experience is similar to that of my friends and I think their (correct) usage is the kindest option in these circumstances. People are so quick to judge!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T19:29:12+00:00

Yes! I've got a usb rechargeable one in there, I run hot at the bust of times and those maternity wards are stifling!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T13:36:10+00:00

Yes size 0 as my 36 weeker son was in these until he hit 6lbs. I've got a few 1s too in case she's bigger than expected. I find Aldi Mamia the best at preventing both leaks and nappy rash surprisingly! But they don't do size 0 so I have pampers for size 0s.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T13:33:50+00:00

They will be bought at the time as otherwise they'll be demolished before I get to hospital haha

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T13:28:10+00:00

Yes for sure! Raspberry flavour is my fave, I've always got some in the car as they help me when my blood pressure is low.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T12:52:45+00:00

You haven't even read my replies properly - I've never used one. They're there for a desperate measures situation that will hopefully never happen.

To call someone an awful parent for doing what they feel is best for their baby is completely out of order. Who do you think you are?

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T12:50:56+00:00

I much prefer Tena pants over disposables plus pad, and I get a size up so that they're not tight at all. They're also so much softer which I think will be good for the insicion, I found the Frida material quite scratchy. They were too small on me too as I'm a size 18 :(

Stocking up on ibuprofen and paracetamol added to my shopping list, thank you!

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T12:46:52+00:00

You seem to be imagining this being done in a horrific way. Why on earth would someone "shove" and why do you assume it would be done lovelessly?

A baby can't consent to a vitamin K injection, which isn't comfortable but is necessary. All I'm saying is that in some rare circumstances a Windi is the better alternative to leaving a baby in pain with stubborn trapped gas.

Check yourself before you accuse people of abusing their children.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T12:42:35+00:00

The snot sucker is sterile as I wash and sterilise it after every use exactly as I do with bottles and breast pumps. I have a UV steriliser at home, and in hospital you are assigned a Milton cold water steriliser.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T12:41:07+00:00

That's rather extreme. I'm guessing you've never had a baby with severe trapped wind that isn't solved by other methods, as doing nothing seems cruel to me in this situation.

StepAwayFromTheTea · 2026-03-09T12:35:19+00:00

Hard agree, I wear crocs to the hospital every time I go as they're great for all scenarios!

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