maternity & infant

Julianne Buckley (mum of three)

Ref 1: Testimonial available upon request.

WINTER 2016 €3.75/£3.30

Parenting nting Product Pr oduct Awards ds IRELAND

Paren t & Expert Panel Approved

9 772009 193014

For the science bit go to

2015

NATIONAL NATIONAL

08

Generations of soothing, healing & protecting. sudocrem.com

Always read the label carefully.

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1

Win!

WINTER 2016/2017

Contents

A LUXURIOUS FAMILY STAY IN THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL, LIMERICK! PAGE 47

On The Cover

20

34

44

49

THE BURNING TOPIC: PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA We all want to show our beautiful babies off to the world – but even with the standard privacy settings, is putting pictures of your children on social media really that safe? RACHEL MURRAY did her research and found out some sobering truths…

FITNESS DURING & AFTER PREGNANCY Gone are the days of putting your feet up for nine months and eating for two; now it’s possible to keep your fitness levels up throughout pregnancy and afterwards.

But how much is too much?

SIMONE KENNY GLENNON sorts the myths from the facts.

FROM NAPPY TO POTTY Admit it – poo has become a genuine topic of conversation with friends since having babies. We’ve all been there. In our special feature, we answer some of your common questions about the contents of your baby’s nappy – and when it’s time to ditch them.

BOOTS MATERNITY & INFANT AWARDS 2016 WINNERS Our 20-page special tells the moving story of all our parenting heroes, those people who have gone the extra mile to help us along our journeys as mums and dads. Plus our product winners revealed – what’s really worth your money…

MI Winter 2016_Contents.indd 1

31

Features

32

14

CHRISTMAS TOY SPECIAL Make sure Santa gets it right this year with our guide to the very best Christmas toys from the major retailers.

40

HYPNOBIRTHING V PAIN RELIEF One Irish mum tells us her experience of hypnobirthing on her second baby – after enduring a hard time during her first labour.

42

RECURRENT MISCARRIAGES It’s got to be one of the worst things to happen to anyone – when your much-longed-for baby is lost in miscarriage. So what if it happens again – and again and again?

Is there any hope? We take a look at the topic of recurrent miscarriages and ask the experts if anything can be done to help.

Style

26

MATERNITY From cosy winter fashion to stealing Mila Kunis’ pregnancy style, we have all the best maternity pieces here.

30

BABY & CHILD The very best snowsuits and top festive fashion, this is your guide to dressing your little ones this season!

78

YOU Get your brocade on this festive season!

27

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2 WINTER 2016/2017

Contents

71 48

THE BREAST ADVICE NUK breastfeeding advisor Cliodna Gilroy on why we should be recognising our achievements as parents – and counting our blessings.

88

BLOG WE LOG What made us laugh or cry in blogland this season.

Regulars

30 74

SCHOOL GATE DRESSING HACKS Just dragged yourself out of bed and worn out from the stress of getting the kids out to the school?

Relax – a few clever tricks will have you looking effortlessly stylish at the school gates. One trick even allows you to wear your jammies – honestly!

MI Winter 2016_Contents.indd 2

Opinion

17

A DOCTOR’S PERSPECTIVE Our GP columnist, Dr Sinead Beirne, looks at the subject of baby skincare.

23

MUMMY MY WAY One reader, a midwife, tells us her real-life experience with breastfeeding.

24

DAD’S DIARY Nick Wilkinson tells us the story behind his family’s most successful present – a pillow. Yes, really…

26 28

5

TOP TEN What’s on our shopping list this season.

7

NEWS All the latest news, reviews and products.

33 47

STORE DIRECTORY Where to buy

71

ANNABEL KARMEL Get busy in the kitchen with your kids this festive season

79

WINTER HEALTH SPECIAL All your winter health advice in one place.

COMPETITION Win a luxurious family stay in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Limerick! This fabulous prize is the perfect treat this season.

27/10/2016 15:54

Our Design Passion & Innovation - Now in a High Chair At iCandy we’ve always been known for pushing boundaries in design and functionality with our luxury pushchairs. Now we’ve applied our experience and in-depth knowledge to create a truly unique high chair. The iCandy MiChair transforms into a nursery chair or rocking chair once its life as a high chair has ended, and with the optional Newborn Pod is also suitable from birth.

Transforms from rocker, to high chair to nursery chair or rocking chair

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27/10/2016 14:50

4 EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome As I type this, I’m still buzzing from the Boots maternity & infant Awards 2016, which took place on 14th October. Over the course of four-plus hours, we celebrated some of the people who have been true heroes on our parenting journeys, as well as recognised some really excellent products that us parents genuinely can’t get through the day without. It was an emotional, uplifting, life-affirming and really entertaining day, and if you weren’t there yourself, just a glance at our Awards special (beginning on p49) will give you a taster of the wonderful people and products we celebrated that day. Thanks to everyone who voted, nominated, attended and celebrated our Awards – here’s to even more great stories in 2017.

Once the Awards are over, I always feel justified in starting to talk about Christmas – my very favourite time of the year.

Now my kids are getting older (both their birthdays are in November, so they will be six and four come Christmas), they’re really beginning to appreciate the family side of Christmas, which is really love to

THE TEAM

see. That said, they’re kids at the end of the day, and that Santa list is getting veeerrry long indeed.

This year I’m determined that Santa will avoid expensive mistakes and so I’m getting prepared – my festive picks are below, and see p16 for our top tips and top toys.

There’s a lot more to winter than toys and Christmas, of course, and so we have plenty more to enjoy in this issue, from great recipes by Annabel Karmel (p71) and our winter health guide (p79) to top maternity fashion (p26) and keeping fit in pregnancy (p34). The one feature I’ll be bookmarking? How to look pulled together on the school run while feeling like a hot mess (p74). I doubt it can be done, but I’ll be giving it a try…

As always, don’t forget to keep up to date with us on our website, www. maternityandinfant.ie and on Facebook and Twitter. Have a great season!

Penny Gray Editor

Editor: Penny Gray Editorial Assistant: Rachel Murray Editorial Manager: Mary Connaughton Creative Director: Jane Matthews Design: Antoinette Sinclair, Jennifer Reid Photography & Illustrations: Getty Images, Thinkstock Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Sales Director: Paul Clemenson Email editorialdesk@ashville.com or write to maternity & infant, Ashville Media, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7; Tel: (01) 432 2200; Web: www.maternityandinfant.ie All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate. The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Ashville Media Group 2016. All discounts, promotions and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of maternity & infant. The promoter/advertiser is responsible for honouring the prize.

ISSN 2009 1931

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MY PICKS THIS ISSUE 13

16

18

SNUGGLY JAMMIES

FAMILY FUN

FESTIVE TALE

How cute are these gingerbread man jammies? They have a touch of the festive about them, yet are not in your face so your kids can wear them all winter long. We love them…

Ginger Bread pyjamas, €16, Marks & Spencer

We’re starting a family tradition in which we invest in a game every Christmas. We suspect this one is going to get very competitive indeed once the kids go to bed…

Hasbro Crocodile Dentist, €22, Littlewoods Ireland

Am I the only sap who gets teary over Christmas stories? Probably.

Three-year-old Ellie was even giving me funny looks when my voice went all wobbly on this one… Amelie and Nanette: Snowflakes and Fairy Wishes, By Sophie Tilley (Bloomsbury)

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5

1

10 TOP PRODUCTS

M&I

d e t n a Mo s t W What’s on our shopping list this winter…

CUDDLE TIME Is there anything cuter than babies in jammies? We don’t think so. We love the selection of pyjamas and soft cotton separates on Natural Baby Shower, such as the Woodland collection from Finn & Emma (pictured).

See the full collection at www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk

4

2

3 SPY IN THE HOUSE We’re big fans of Elf on the Shelf in the run-up to Christmas, but what about the rest of the year?

Here to save our sanity is The Butterfly Spy, a cute wooden butterfly who magically appears

GLAM LABOUR

and keeps an eye on our little

Anyone who has been through it already

one’s behaviour. An innovative

will testify that you’re not at your most

star system then allows you

glamorous when giving birth. Let’s face

reward good behaviour in

it, it’s hard to be a femme fatale when

your little ones. Created by

you’re rocking the biggest granny pants

mumpreneur Jane Wherity,

you could find in Dunnes and those

The Butterfly Spy is beautifully

massive green maternity pads. Here

packaged and available from

to make us feel a little more special

www.thebutterflyspy.com, priced

(and perfect for those first pictures) is

from €14.95.

a new Irish website, www.memammab. com, which stocks a range of practical nightwear for labour day and beyond.

Perfect for baby shower presents or even a dignity-saving treat for yourself.

5

HAVE A NAKED CHRISTMAS We are rebelling this Christmas – why should the kids have all the Santa fun? So top of our Santa list is the new Naked Ultimate Basics, €47, a hugely versatile collection of 12 must-have neutral eye shades, ranging from cool to warm. Eleven shades are matte so great for all ages, while one is demi-matte, perfect for highlighting.

There’s even a doubleended brush to allow you apply on the run in a matter of minutes. Don’t disappoint us, Santa…

CHRISTMAS BREAK

We’re loving the way that many Irish hotels are recognising that we sometimes need a break, even on holidays. The Rose Hotel in Tralee is running a kids club every evening in the run-up to Christmas, with a different festive activity every night - which means us grown-ups can enjoy a peaceful dinner. Family breaks start at €219 per night and include complimentary passes the Aquadome or a family pass for Tralee Omniplex. www.therosehotel.com

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6

6

7

TOP PRODUCTS

SOOTHING RELIEF Dry, itchy skin is the bane of our lives in the winter months, but thankfully this year we’ve discovered Suu Balm, €14.95 from pharmacies, a natural formulation that soothes itch fast. Formulated by Irish doctor Dr John O’Shea and Singapore consultant dermatologist Dr Tey Hong Liang, Suu Balm’s effectiveness is thanks to its combination of menthol and ceramides – Suu Balm contains 3 per cent menthol, while its competitors contain only 1 per cent. More info can be found on www.suubalm.ie. We’ve stocked up already!

ONLINE SHOPPING

Have you discovered Young Hearts yet? An online store set up by two sisters, Dublin-based Debbie and Brighton-based Sarah (above), Young Hearts stocks clothing for little ones from newborn to aged six, and more. Brands stocked include Tootsa, Turtledove, Organic ZOO, Amy & Ivor, Tiba & Marl, Ingrid Petrie Design, Bold Bunny and The Bright Company.

Get inspired at www.younghearts.ie

8

CLEVER FEEDING We do love a clever gadget, and My Feeding Pal, an innovative feeder for weaning babies from Accessories 4 Babies, is certainly clever. Simply fill the teat with food, and let your child feed safely and independently. It’s also great for keeping your child occupied while travelling. Even better – it’s only €6.95 from www. accessories4babies.com

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9

LIFESAVER – LITERALLY

10

CLEVER CHAIR

We don’t use the word ‘lifesaver’ too

We are in love with iCandy’s new MiChair, which

carelessly around here, but this app

was launched to the Irish market at the recent

from ACT For Meningitis really is that.

Pregnancy & Baby Fair. This clever chair takes

Available free from the Apple App Store

your child from birth right up to the age of six,

and from Google Play, the app allows

thanks to its ability to be transformed into several

parents check the signs and symptoms

different modes, from a pod for very new babies,

of meningitis at the push of a button.

to a high chair for the weaners to a rocking chair

And with the risk of meningitis being

for relaxing toddlers. It’s also impossibly stylish,

higher in the winter months, this is one

designed to fit into any décor rather than the

app all parents could really do with

traditional “wipe-clean” plastic high chair. For

downloading NOW.

iCandy stockists, see eire.icandyworld.com

27/10/2016 16:44

9

7

M&I

ESSENTIALS: 9 THINGS

NINE SIGNS YOU’RE BROODY FOR ANOTHER BABY

1

TINY CLOTHES You find yourself wandering through the new baby section of Next and getting all teary.

NAPPY NOSTALGIA You start thinking of nappies

2

than wanting to hurl at the thought.

3

GETTING JEALOUS You’re pleased for your newly pregnant friend OF COURSE – but a tad jealous too…

4

NO CHANGE You really REALLY don’t want to pack away the steriliser – never mind sell it!

5

FORGOTTEN FIRST WEEKS You see a new baby and you think how adorable – rather than thinking of all the work…

NO SACRIFICE

6

The idea of giving up wine doesn’t faze you; in fact, you WANT to give it up!

7

ALL GROWN UP Your toddler is starting to look like a real grown-up – where has your baby gone?

PREGNANCY INDIGNITIES You’ve successfully wiped out all memory of morning sickness, piles, varicose veins,

8

Pregnant Kimberley Walsh has previously talked about her broodiness for four kids (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

with a tear in your eye, rather

mood swings…

BABY FEVER

9

You just really, really, really, really want another – and you have the perfect name ALREADY…

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25/10/2016 10:53

8 ESSENTIALS: PREGNANCY

ALL ABOUT THROMBOSIS IN PREGNANCY

THE TRUTH ABOUT STRETCH MARKS

It’s not the sexiest of subjects, sure, but with pregnant women four to five times more likely to develop thrombosis, it’s pretty important to know the symptoms and when to get help.

Thrombosis is the catch-all term for deep vein thrombosis (DVT - when a clot forms in a deep vein, such as the leg or pelvis) and pulmonary embolism (PE - when a DVT breaks away and travels to the lungs). According to the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, which has published an information sheet on the subject, about 1 in 1,000 women experience thrombosis in pregnancy. The growing baby places increased pressure on the chambers of the heart, slowing down the flow of blood and causing an increase in pressure to the veins of the legs. Increased hormonal levels can also increase the elasticity of veins, further slowing the flow of blood and causing damage to the lining of the blood vessels, increasing clotting ability.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of DVT in the leg include pain, tenderness, swelling and a feeling of warmth, bruising and redness.

Symptoms of PE include unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness in the chest, rapid breathing and heart rate, coughing up blood, and fainting and lightheadedness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately.

Are there risk factors?

Thrombosis in pregnancy is relatively rare but there are some risk factors, such as a family or personal history of thrombosis;

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Myth! Stretch marks occur only on the stomach Not true – the tummy is the most obvious area, but they can also appear on the breasts, thighs, bum, lower back and upper arms.

Myth! Skinny people don’t get stretch marks Stretch marks often develop due to hormonal and genetic factors – for instance, teenagers can get stretch marks due to hormonal changes, regardless of their weight. aged 35 or older; three or more previous pregnancies; multiple pregnancy; obesity; smoking or injecting drugs; IVF treatment; medical conditions such as pre-eclampsia, heart disease, varicose veins, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or a clotting condition; dehydration or reduced mobility, and if you have had a prolonged labour, C section, blood transfusion or suffered postpartum blood loss in miscarriage and birth.

Can thrombosis be prevented?

To help prevent thrombosis, it’s recommended that you keep moving to improve your blood flow and avoiding long journeys without breaks to stretch your legs, to keep hydrated, to get to and stay at a healthy weight,

and to wear anti-embolism stockings to prevent the formation of clots.

How is thrombosis treated?

Thrombosis is usually treated using Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH), which thins the blood, dissolving clots and preventing further clot formation. LMWH is safe for expectant mums as it cannot cross the placenta to affect the baby and it does not substantially increase the risk of postpartum bleeding.

For more information on thrombosis in pregnancy, visit the Rotunda Hospital’s website, www.rotunda.ie, or Thrombosisireland.ie

Myth! The sun gets rid of stretch marks Sadly not – a tan might cover up the stretch marks, but it won’t get rid of them. In fact, in some cases it may make them look worse as mature stretch marks (the ones that have turned silvery white) mightn’t colour and the darker skin around them might make them more visible.

Myth! Losing weight gets rid of stretch marks Stretch marks are basically scars on the skin due to it stretching. Even if gaining weight resulted in you developing stretch marks, losing it won’t reverse the process. Sadly.

25/10/2016 11:18

9 ESSENTIALS: PREGNANCY

6

WAYS TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS WHEN PREGNANT Alcohol’s off the menu, and probably heavy meals too – but be glad you’re pregnant this Christmas. Here’s how…

1

Eat little and often

2

Plan ahead

During early and late pregnancy, heavy, rich meals might cause you issues thanks to “lovely” morning sickness and indigestion. Try eating smaller amounts more often, and stay away from heavier items like Christmas pudding.

It’s important to pace yourself and not put yourself under pressure. Let someone else cook, or give a gift card instead of trawling through the shops. If you know you have a busy social time ahead, make sure you rest up and have the option to head home early if you’re tired.

3

Take time out

4

Drink water

It’s not easy being the sober tired one in the corner, so make sure you take a break if the endless socialising gets a bit much. Go for a walk or book yourself into a spa for a break. Even better, go swimming.

Water will keep you hydrated and will stop the usual festive indulgences from having too much of a negative effect on your digestion. Try to go for water instead of sugary soft drinks when others are indulging in wine and Prosecco.

5

Allow others to look after you

6

Be prepared

You’re pregnant and therefore an uber-special snowflake. Let other people look after you and fetch you what you want. After all, next Christmas, you will hopefully be running after a small baby!

Put your mind at ease by having details of who to call if you are worried over the festive break – especially if you are newly or heavily pregnant. Make sure your partner knows who to call as well.

Look! Another Gold for MAM UK Maternity & Infant Awards 2016: Best Breastfeeding Product

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27/10/2016 11:55

27/10/2016 11:57

10 ESSENTIALS: BABY

SANTA EXPERIENCES

ALL ABOUT THE NEW BABY VACCINES For babies born on or after 1st October 2016, the primary immunisation schedule has changed to include two new vaccines. Here’s what you need to know…

Two new vaccines have been added to the primary immunisation schedule, which is offered to all babies aged from birth to 13 months; all vaccines are free from your GP and protect against some potentially dangerous diseases, both in your own child and in those who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons (herd immunity means that a large percentage of protected children can stop the diseases from breaking out in the first place and spreading to vulnerable children in which a disease can have deadly consequences).

Discover @ Fota Island Resort & Spa www.fotadiscover.ie Running from 25th November to 23rd December, this year’s Christmas spectacular at Fota is set to top last year’s excellent Wish event. The grounds will once again turn into a winter wonderland, full of magic, elves and surprises, with one of the very best Santas we’ve ever come across.

What are the two new vaccines?

For babies born on or after 1st October 2016, two new vaccines are available free of charge at your GPs. These protect against Meningococcal B disease and rotavirus disease. The MenB vaccine is added into the vaccines at two months, four months and 12 months. The vaccine against rotavirus (a potentially serious form of stomach bug) is delivered via drops given to your child’s mouth.

These are given at two months and four months.

Are there extra appointments needed?

No. The schedule consists of the BCG vaccine, which is given in maternity hospitals or HSE clinics (more on this in a minute) and five trips to the GP’s surgery – at two months, four months, six months, 12 months and 13 months. The new vaccines are simply given at the same time as the others.

Will more side effects be expected with more vaccines?

No. The HSE assures the public that the vaccines are perfectly safe. Your

MI Winter 2016_News Baby.indd 10

Babba might be a tad too young to know what’s going on, but now you have a baby, you have the perfect excuse to book into one of the many Christmas experiences around the country – here are three of our favourites:

child may experience a fever after vaccinations, especially the MenB vaccine. After the vaccines given at two months of age, the HSE recommends administering three doses of 2.5ml infant paracetamol, four-six hours apart; ask your GP or nurse for more details after the twomonth-old vaccines. As always, if you are worried about your child in any way, consult your GP or nurse.

What’s the story with the BCG injection?

BCG vaccine is given to protect babies against tuberculosis (TB); however, there has been a delay with the supply of BCG vaccine throughout Europe. This is because there is only one licensed manufacturer of BCG vaccine in the EU, and this manufacturer has told the HSE that the BCG vaccine will not be delivered into Ireland until further notice. As a result, BCG vaccination clinics in HSE clinics and maternity hospitals

have been postponed until new stock arrives. However, the number of cases of TB has been steadily falling in Ireland, and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), an independent expert group on immunisation, and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have both recommended that BCG vaccine does not now need to be given routinely to all babies in Ireland. The advice is that your baby is not at risk of TB because of the delay, and that you should continue with the rest of the immunisation schedule.

Where can I get more information?

The HSE has an excellent information website at www. immunisation.ie with lots of upto-date advice and information on the primary immunisation schedule, as well as vaccines for older children and adults.

Meet Father Christmas @ Hamleys www.hamleys.com/mfc An annual event that has been fine-tuned over the years, Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys Dublin runs from 26th November to 24th December (cutting it a bit fine there, Santa). Enjoy snacks with Santa and the elves while engaging in fun festive activities.

Rathwood Santa Train www.santatrain.ie Probably one of the original Christmas experiences to really take off, the Rathwood Santa Train books out very quickly so make sure to get your names in there asap.

Runs from 19th November.

25/10/2016 11:20

our

newborn clothing range est.1961

169 1. t s e

169 1. t s e

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27/10/2016 14:49

12 ESSENTIALS: TODDLER

5

THINGS TO KNOW: TODDLERS & TV

FOUR OF THE BEST: PYJAMAS

Like it or hate it, TV plays a big role in our society – but should your toddler be allowed watch it? Here are five things you need to know about your toddler and screen time.

Little Bird Good Morning & Night pyjamas, €18.50, Mothercare

Remember the days when the TV was a couple of channels and kids’ programming was virtually non-existent? When the Looney Tunes music had you haring down the stairs for the sole two minutes of cartoons that RTÉ deigned to show on a weekday? Those days are long gone – now with even basic TV packages, there’s plenty of choice for all ages, and at whatever time you want it. The question is, even if it is available, do you really want even your youngest family members watching TV all day long? How much is too much?

1

Should TV time be limited for toddlers?

Absolutely. The common advice is that children under the age of two shouldn’t be allowed any screen time at all, as they should be engaged in interactive and physical play. They won’t be able to make sense of what’s on the screen, and the hypnotic quality of the TV is not good for their growing brains.

MI Winter 2016_News Toddler.indd 12

2

What about older children?

Even as your child grows, it’s recommended that screen time is limited to an hour maximum a day.

Physical play is better for your growing child’s mental and emotional development, as is social interaction with other children – neither of which is possible if your child is glued to the cartoons. Once your child reaches school-going age, doctors recommend that screen time should be no more than one to two hours a day – and this includes computer, smartphone, tablet etc.

3

How can I control my toddler’s TV watching?

A good idea is to plan what your child is watching. For instance, if your child enjoys Peppa Pig, record a few cartoons and switch off the TV as soon as they are over. Give your child a warning just before the end to help her prepare mentally for the next activity.

4

Should I watch TV with my child?

It’s always good to spend time with your child, and watching TV with her can turn the activity into an interactive one. If you rely on the odd cartoon to allow you get some housework done, try taking the task into the room with you, so you can be with your child yet get your work done. However, don’t be tempted to watch TV at family mealtimes; as your children get older, these are great times for you to interact and bond as a family, and the earlier you treat mealtimes as a family occasion, the more likely this will continue as your kids get older. It also helps to build good eating habits as you will pay attention to your body’s cues that you’ve eaten enough.

5

Ginger Bread pyjamas, €16, Marks & Spencer

The Very Hungry Caterpillar pyjamas, £13, M&Co

Is all TV evil?

Not at all! There are some really good educational programmes on TV; the important thing is that you find them and help your child get the most from them. For instance, if there are numbers in the programme, bring the number taught in the programme into your day, by counting out spoons at a mealtime, for instance.

Superman pyjamas, €11, Penneys

25/10/2016 11:26

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14 ESSENTIALS: TOYS

CHRISTMAS TOYS Yes, it’s that time again – you get fleeced and Santa gets all the credit. Make sure your Christmas toys last well into summer with our handy tips and our pick of the best on the market this year.

Christmas – a time of goodwill to all (wo)men – especially the managers of the toy shops. But despite the fact that Christmas definitely has a negative effect on our bank accounts, the vast majority of us still get excited at the sheer magic of the occasion, the chance to bring together family and friends, and the thoughts of the wonder on your little one’s face when they see what Santa has brought. I’m actually getting teary as I type this. But here’s the negative side. Christmas toys are advertised as early as September, and there can be such pressure on parents to buy the latest toy – which quite often turns out to be an expensive piece of plastic rubbish that doesn’t really do what your child thought it did, and breaks before the end of January dawns. To help you navigate your toy shopping this year, we’ve assembled five top tips from parents and picked out our favourite toys this year.

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS “From the start, decide what your child will get at Christmas.

We’ve told our children from the time they were babies to ask for one thing from Santa and one surprise. Explain that Santa doesn’t like greedy children, so you need to think very carefully about what you want and make sure Santa can fit it on his sleigh. When our kids got older, we’d explain about money and how Santa only has a certain amount of money for all children.”

Shane, dad of three DON’T BUY TOO EARLY “Toy shops often have special offers on in September and it can be tempting to try and get your Christmas shopping sorted then. By all means, take advantage of offers when you see them, but if your child is very young, be wary as they could change their minds. Buy stocking fillers, gifts for others, but unless you’re sure about what your child wants, perhaps hold off on the big present until later.”

Maggie, mum of one

GET YOUR CHILD TO DO HIS RESEARCH “If your child has been sucked into the latest plastic toy, let him look more into the toy and think if it’s really what he wants. If you think it’s a waste of money, try to steer him in a different way and talk realistically about the toy to him. Sometimes, though, it might be what he really wants, so you might just have to give in!”

Laura, mum of three

iCandy MiPeach toy pushchair, €250, eire.icandyworld.com

Fisher Price Code-a-Pillar, €68.99, Smyths

CONSIDER A FAMILY PRESENT “We started a tradition when our kids were little of buying a game for all the family to enjoy over the Christmas holidays. It started as Buckaroo and Hungry Hippos, but we’ve progressed onto Junior Monopoly and so on. Now we have a great little collection of games and some really great family memories.”

Aisling, mum of four

FOR YEARS 3+

Hasbro Crocodile Dentist, €22, Littlewoods Ireland

MI Winter 2016_News Toys.indd 14

Chad Valley Wood Shed Pirate Ship, €19.99, Argos (on offer at €14.17 at time of going to press)

25/10/2016 15:20

15 ESSENTIALS: TOYS

BABY & TODDLER

Bright Beats Learnin’ Lights Dance Mat, €54.99, Smyths

In The Night Garden My Best Friend Iggle Piggle, €44.99, Argos (on offer at €33.69 at time of going to press)

WD Builder Wagon, €39.99, ELC @ Mothercare DON’T GO MAD “Before I had kids I used to look scornfully on parents who gave their kids everything at Christmas – but now I have two of my own, I can see how tempting it is to keep up with the other families in your area. We try to give our kids what they want but within reason – so if one wants an Xbox, they have to sacrifice something

else, such as a birthday party, or to save up their pocket money to contribute towards it. It’s hard but I keep reminding myself that we’re teaching them valuable life lessons and they’ll appreciate their things more if they have to put some effort into having them.”

Aoibheann, mum of two

VTech Toot-Toot Ride On, €119.99, Argos (on offer at half price at time of going to press)

FOR YEARS 5+

Bruder New Holland TG285 tractor with loader, €170

MI Winter 2016_News Toys.indd 15

DC Super Hero Girls™ 12” Action Dolls, €27.99 each, Smyths

Fairytale Castle, €89.99, ELC @ Mothercare

LEGO City Volcano Exploration Base, €89.99, Argos

25/10/2016 15:20

16 ESSENTIALS: BOOKS

TELLING TALES Reviewed by maternity & infant editor Penny (mum), Danny (5) & Ellie (3) PICK OF THE PILE Amelie and Nanette: Snowflakes and Fairy Wishes

By Sophie Tilley (Bloomsbury) Amelie and Nanette are best friends and share all their secrets and adventures. In this latest adventure, Christmas is coming and they are busy making fairy costumes for the school party. But on the day of the party, poor Nanette begins to cough and sneeze – and she has to stay at home! But her schoolfriends are determined that she won’t miss out, and when she gets better, a very special fairy pays her a visit. This is one for the self-appointed princesses in the family – Ellie loved this. We like… the positive message about friendship. They’ll love… making the paper chain included with the book.

NEW FAVOURITES

+ 3 years 3You+ years My Grandparents Must Bring a Hat

+ 3Robin’s years Winter Song

By Simon Philip; illustrated by Kate Hindley (Simon & Schuster) There’s a party going on – and the only rule is that you must bring a hat. But what if you don’t have a hat? Could you bring a monkey wearing a hat? Such is the dilemma facing our hero, who is desperate to get to Nigel’s party.

Will he get in? This is a gloriously quirky story with a clever ending that had both kids in fits of laughter. The illustrations are filled with colour and character too. We like… using different voices for the various characters.

They’ll love… the quirky, original story and hilarious ending.

By Suzanne Barton (Bloomsbury) This heartwarming story is set in a busy forest, where all the birds and animals are preparing for winter. But Robin is confused by it all and doesn’t like the idea of his friends leaving him to fly south or to hibernate. But then the snow comes and turns the forest into a magical wonderland… This stunning book really appealed to Ellie, who is learning all about the seasons and what happens in the winter. She is on the lookout for a robin now…We like… The gorgeously warm illustrations.

They’ll love… Robin’s innocent adventures and the happy ending.

MI Winter 2016_News Books.indd 16

Love Me

By Claire Freedman & Judi Abbot (Simon & Schuster) This stunning book is recommended for children ages three-plus, but the story is so heartfelt and beautiful that it would appeal to both younger and older children. Judi Abbot is the illustrator of the gorgeous book The Biggest Hug, and her warm approach to drawing continues in this beautiful book about the special relationship between a child and his grandparents.

A lovely comforting book for bedtime.

We like… The simple message about a loving family. They’ll love… the fun and affectionate characters in the illustrations.

+ 5Gulliver years Illustrated by Lauren O’Neill; retold

by Mary Webb (O’Brien) One for the older kids, this is a sumptuous hardback edition of the ageless story by Jonathan Swift, retold for younger readers by the late Mary Webb. Gulliver is a man who loves adventures, but when he wakes up on a beach, he finds himself a prisoner in a land of tiny people. How will he get home? The illustrations really bring this classic tale to life; we read this over a number of nights and Danny was transfixed to the end.

We like… introducing our little ones to this childhood memory. They’ll love… Gulliver’s exciting adventures expertly captured by Lauren O’Neill.

25/10/2016 11:30

17 PRESCRIBING ADVICE

Your baby’s skin is beautifully soft – but unfortunately also sensitive. Our resident GP columnist, DR SINEAD BEIRNE, talks us through basic skincare for a young baby.

I

Baby’s soft skin

remember going along to my 20-week scan.

Like any expectant mum I can recall feeling anxious to pass that milestone. Being a doctor didn’t quell that fear. I was probably too aware of everything that could go wrong. Were the heart, spine and brain normal? Would I see ten little fingers and ten little toes? As the obstetrician scanned my bump, an organ that I didn’t give much thought to at that time was my baby’s skin. But believe it or not, a baby’s skin is already working around the midway mark in a pregnancy!

Skin has many functions, including controlling the body’s temperature, preventing fluid loss and providing sensation. One of its most vital jobs is to act as a barrier to the outside world.

Babies’ skin is different to adults. For a start, their skin is much thinner than ours. Although babies’ skin is naturally more hydrated than an adult’s, it loses water more quickly. This is the reason that newborn babies’ skin is often dry, putting it at risk of infection and dermatitis. A baby’s skin is also more permeable allowing substances to pass through more easily.

Most babies will get some form of irritant-contact dermatitis in their first year. Irritant-contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. It causes an appearance of redness and scaling. In babies, it typically happens when the skin is injured by saliva from dribble under the chin as well as urine and faeces (causing nappy rash) on the bottom. Saliva, urine and faeces are alkaline, causing the pH of skin to raise. This higher pH damages the skin resulting in an angry looking rash on their top or bottom. Once the skin barrier is injured, skin bugs can cause infection.

I advise parents who come into me in the surgery to try to prevent the problem happening in the first place.

You can do this by using an emollient to moisturise

your baby’s problem areas (like under the chin and the hands) frequently throughout the day. A good time can be at a nappy change. Have the emollient (such as emulsifying ointment, Silcocks Base or Aveeno Baby) on the nappy changing table to remind you.

To avoid nappy rash, change nappies frequently and make sure you gently clean and pat the bottom dry. Use a good barrier cream with zinc oxide. Try to let your baby have some time on the floor with their nappy off. I know it can all end in tears with unexpected accidents but babies love the freedom of having nothing on their bottom.

If your baby’s rash is not getting better with emollients alone then you should go to your GP. Sometimes a moderate strength steroid or anti-fungal cream is required to clear the inflammation. Don’t be too scared of using steroid creams on your baby’s skin. Once steroids creams are used under your GP’s supervision for a short period of time, it won’t cause any harm to your baby.

There’s a lot of conflicting advice given about how best to care for your baby’s skin. ‘Only use water’, ‘Put olive oil in the bath’ etc…’ I did a little research on the subject recently and the general consensus from specialists is that water alone can drying on baby’s skin. Instead, liquid cleansers with a neutral pH containing emollient are best.

You simply can’t overdose on emollient. Get a tub of Silcocks Base or Emulsifying Ointment, take a clump of it in a bowl, add some water and whisk it up before pouring it into your baby’s bath. Aveeno Baby has a lovely emollient wash that’s easy to pour into the bath and saves the mess!

Turn nappy and bath time into moisturising time for your baby. They’ll love it because it’s a bit like being in baby spa!

Dr. Sinead Beirne is a GP in Irishtown in Dublin and the resident doctor on TV3’s Ireland AM and Newstalk Breakfast. She is a presenter of TV3 series Doctor In The House. Follow her on Twitter: @DrSineadBeirne All content in this column is for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the advice of your own doctor. Always consult your own GP if you are concerned about health matters.

MI Winter 2016_GP Column.indd 17

25/10/2016 11:33

f l o a v r i r a h e t n g i Anno unc e r t t b e & r e g g i O ur b baby range!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies as it is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illnesses such as ear infections, stomach upsets, diabetes, eczema and obesity.Follow-on milk is only for babies over 6 months, as part of a mixed diet, and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. If you wish to use this product before 6 months, we advise that you consult your healthcare professional. It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care, based on baby’s individual needs. Growing up milk should be used as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Together with maternity & infant, we’re delighted to bring you the FREE Lidl Baby Box! Packed with essentials for both Mum Toujours Newborn Nappies, Toujours & her precious bundle of joy, the Lidl Wipes, Cien Mini Handcream, Cien Baby Box contains our award-winning Lip Balm & lots, lots more!

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20/10/2016 17:02 15:09 25/10/2016 21/10/2016 17:00

20 THE BURNING ISSUE

SHOULD I POST MY

BABY PICS ONLINE?

Proud parents everywhere are naturally eager to show off their beautiful children to friends and family all over the world, but is sharing pictures on social media sites putting our children in danger? How can we share while protecting our children?

N

owadays, the internet plays a part in virtually every aspect of our lives, so much so, it’s easy to forget how much of our personal information we share online.

Every day millions of parents are posting images of their children on social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Tumblr, Flickr, the list goes on.

A recent study found that on average, parents post 200 photos of their children every year online. Furthermore, of the 2,000 parents who took part in the survey, 17 per cent admitted to never checking their privacy settings and almost half said they’d checked their settings once or twice. The study, conducted by The Parent Zone, a UK website devoted to internet safety and parenting in the digital age, also found that 25 per cent of parents confessed to never asking permission of the people in photos before posting them, and over half have uploaded a photo of a child that wasn’t their own.

It’s understandable that proud and wellmeaning parents want to capture special moments to share on their social media accounts, but using social media sites to share these moments with friends and family on even ‘private’ accounts opens up a myriad of possibilities for your child to be exposed to people you have never met.

Stolen pictures In October 2015, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner for Children reported that half of the material found on certain paedophilia websites has been sourced or stolen from parents innocently posting images of their families online. A team of investigators discovered millions of photos of children doing everyday activities such as swimming, sports, and family days out.

At the time, the Commissioner told the Sydney Morning Herald that although the images themselves were not exploitative, the comments on the images were of a sexual nature. Images were catalogued in themes such as ‘kids at beach,’ ‘nice boys play in river’ or ‘gymnasts,’ alongside comments that explicitly sexualised the material.

Many of the users clearly identified that they have obtained the content through trawling social media accounts. “The images are almost always accompanied by highly explicit and very disturbing user comments. Often, users exchange email addresses with invitations to connect outside the site to trade content,” commented Alastair MacGibbon, Australia’s Commissioner for Children’s eSafety.

Paedophiles are also using Facebook groups to share images of children. Any Facebook user can set up a group and only members can view the content shared on the group’s page.

There are three options when setting up a

group – open, closed and secret. Secret groups cannot be found using the search facility, and only people invited by existing members can join a group.

A recent BBC investigation team set up a fake profile to gain access to some of the groups on Facebook, and using Facebook’s reporting facility, they reported images they thought were unacceptable. In a group called ‘cute teen schoolies,’ they found a picture of a girl in a vest, aged between 10 and 11, accompanied by the comment ‘yum yum.’

Facebook says it removes content that includes “solicitation of sexual material, any sexual content involving minors, threats to share intimate images and offers of sexual services,” but Facebook responded that the image did not breach ‘community standards’ and the image remained up.

Caution needed For these reasons, it is imperative that parents are extremely cautious when sharing images of their family online. Once you upload content to the internet it is very hard to first of all, protect and secondly, keep private. No matter how ‘private’ your account is, once you upload content, you cannot control what your friends and family screenshot, download, like or share, and whose timeline the content ends up on. You wouldn’t show a stranger an image of your child, and you should treat the inter-

ONLINE STATS - OUR READERS

100%

have a Facebook account

MI Winter 2016_Burning Topic Facebook.indd 20

57%

have an Instagram account

45%

have a Twitter account

44%

have a Snapchat account

27%

have a Google+ account

1%

have a Flickr account

25/10/2016 11:48

21 THE BURNING ISSUE

90

%

of our readers’ social media accounts are ‘private.’

Q

Have you ever shared an image of another child without the permission of their parent?

15

said YES

MI Winter 2016_Burning Topic Facebook.indd 21

%

Q

Has anyone you are not connected with on social media ever liked, shared or commented on one of your images?

32

said YES

%

Q

Are you cautious about the type of images you post online?

98

%

said YES

25/10/2016 11:49

22 THE BURNING ISSUE

PRIVACY SETTINGS Facebook ✱ You’ll find an audience selector tool when you share status updates, photos and videos etc. Click the tool and select who you want to share something with. The tool remembers the audience you shared with the last time you posted and uses the same audience when you share again unless you manually change it. ✱ This one tool appears in multiple places, such as your privacy shortcuts and privacy settings. When you make a change to the audience selector tool in one place, the change updates the tool everywhere it appears. The audience selector also appears alongside things you’ve already shared, so it’s clear who can see each post.

62

%

✱ After you’ve shared a post, you have the option to change who it is shared with. If you want to change the audience after you’ve shared it, click the audience selector and select a new audience. However, when you post to another person’s timeline, that person controls what audience can view the post.

of our readers share images of their children online.

Twitter ✱ Twitter’s privacy policy is a little more straightforward. When using any of Twitter’s services you consent to the collection, transfer, storage, disclosure, and use of your information as described in their privacy policy (www.twitter.com/privacy). Despite this, you alone control and are responsible for the posting of your tweets and other content you submit through Twitter. ✱ Simply put – if you don’t want Twitter to own it, don’t post it.

Instagram ✱ By default, anyone can view your profile and posts on Instagram. If your posts are set to private, only your approved followers will see them in the photos tab of search and explore or on hashtag or location pages.

Posts can only be set to private on a smartphone application.

MI Winter 2016_Burning Topic Facebook.indd 22

net in exactly the same manner.

All social media accounts should be set to ‘private,’ otherwise social media networks like Facebook, are granted permission to use any IP content that you post in connection with account. This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account, unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

There is a difference between deactivating your account and deleting it. If you deactivate your account, your account is not visible but all of your information is stored. If you delete your account, you go through a deletion process. The deletion process can take up to 90 days to completely delete all of your content.

If you decide that you would still like to share images of your family on social media – be cautious all of the time. Do this by checking your privacy settings regularly. Familiarise yourself with the privacy settings on all of your social media accounts by reading the terms and conditions regularly, because they change regularly.

Remember to check how your profile appears to friends, friends of friends and publicly, this option is available on most social media sites.

There is an option to choose which of your friends on Facebook can view your photo albums on Facebook but not so much on other image-sharing sites.

Be careful about the type of information you are sharing too – your children’s whereabouts, movements or information that identifies who they are. Websites are constantly collecting data on their users, which makes them very capable of determining a user’s circle – that’s why you’ve probably noticed profiles of people you know on Facebook popping up in the ‘people you know’ tab – be very mindful of how exposed you are on social media. Never post any personal information on social media, pictures of your house, car, your whereabouts, or family information and always use hack-safe passwords that include capital letters, numbers and symbols.

25/10/2016 11:49

23 MUMMY MY WAY

Midwife and mum LISA FOLEY, who blogs at Irish Baby Fairy, tells us her honest account of her breastfeeding journey…

T

here was never any question about how I would feed my baby. I know the Baby Friendly guidelines, I know the WHO recommendations, I know the poor breastfeeding stats in this country. My thoughts were along the lines of: why doesn’t every woman just breastfeed?

So I set about getting myself ready for this breastfeeding journey early – at 38 weeks’ gestation to be precise. I started hand expressing colostrum every day into little 2ml syringes to freeze for my baby – my baby wouldn’t be getting formula if they needed a ‘top-up’ on the postnatal ward, hell no! As time went on I was getting bigger volumes each time and ended up on 10ml syringes.

Baby arrived without too much drama, over 10lb in weight and I did my skin to skin and got him breastfeeding, boxes ticked, all going to plan. Fast-forward 24 hours: baby reluctant to feed, precious expressed colostrum all used up, three formula top-ups given and me slightly delirious with no sleep and rather large post-partum haemorrhage. First fail on my journey.

Day Two – major improvements, I’m home, baby is breastfeeding – ALL THE TIME! It’s ok though, using my lanolin ointment religiously and the multi-mam compresses. Even got some sleep. I have this in the bag.

Day Three – tired, so tired. Stitches are sore, everything swollen, popping pain relief tablets as often as allowed. Baby feeding often, very strong suck but still not sore, good supply judging by the milk spilling out of his mouth and many wet and dirty nappies. No formula given since we left the hospital, I think I’m winning!

Day Four – the pain. That first 30 seconds of each feed is excruciating. Public Health Nurse out – observes feed and sees he has a great latch and position, bottom lip turned out, full cheeks, sound of swallowing, chin in and nose out. Pure textbook. She can see no sign of tongue tie.

Day Eight – nipples are truly traumatised, as in split and about to fall off despite ‘perfect’ latch, lanolin, etc etc. In tears at every feed. In tears at the thought of a feed. In tears when baby starts stirring for a feed. Enough is enough, out with the pump and I express all his feeds for 24 hours to give the nipples time to heal.

Day Nine – baby back on the boob. All going well until the evening when baby decides he needs to cluster feed for about four hours – yes nipples in tatters yet again and mummy crying again.

Day 10-17 – as above. Also in the mix are some nipple shields, and contacting a lactation consultant who couldn’t see me for over a week so I never saw her.

Day 18 – enough. Breastfeeding over and out! Negotiate with myself – as long as baby keeps getting breastmilk then I’m not a total failure as a mother and midwife so decide to express for every second feed. That’s the deal. Still feel guilty as hell.

Week 12 (the present) – I am nearly over the guilt. I feel bad to say this but my life changed for the better when I gave up breastfeeding, I felt I got my body back, my confidence back and my sanity back! Baby is still getting a 7oz feed of breastmilk a day, he is thriving – he weighed 14lbs 15oz last week.

To conclude – I salute every woman out there who has ever breastfed – whether it was once or for two years or more and everything in between. If I have any more babies I will do it all again because I know it is the gold standard for feeding baby.

BUT I will see a lactation consultant in the first week to iron out any potential problems. I won’t beat myself up if it doesn’t work out and I will try to be as supportive as possible to anyone giving it a go.

“I SALUTE EVERY WOMAN OUT THERE WHO HAS EVER BREASTFED – WHETHER IT WAS ONCE OR FOR TWO YEARS OR MORE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN”

For advice on breastfeeding, go to www.breastfeeding.ie or to find a lactation consultant, go to www.alcireland.ie

MI Winter 2016_Mummy My Way.indd 23

25/10/2016 14:12

24 DAD’S DIARY

DAYDREAM

BELIEVER

NICK WILKINSON is a dad under pressure. This Christmas, he needs to top the best present his son has ever received. But how can he top, ahem, a cushion?

I

t’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to friends, family – and presents. It will be hard to top the best gift we ever gave our son – a cushion. I’m told that the awesome Nerf setup he got on his last birthday doesn’t count, because I got it for me. My wife bought the cushion – clearly, something every ten-year-old boy yearns for. In an age when we worry about our kids not getting enough exercise, did she think he should sit down more? Kind of.

A couple of years ago, our son developed a habit that made us uneasy. Actually, we became quite worried. We had just moved house. He had to start a new school and make friends all over again. My wife became ill with what turned out to be tuberculosis. Stressful stuff for an eight year old.

We had put him through the wringer and like all good parents, were feeling really guilty. I found my wife sitting in our new kitchen, looking out into the garden, properly worried.

“He’s doing it again.”

Sure enough, our son was walking around and around a lime tree bower.

And he appeared to be talking to himself.

Not just talking, but having quite an animated chat. I go out and ask him what he’s doing.

Actually, I have to repeat the question a couple of times before I get his attention.

“Daydreaming,” he says, surprised that I have to ask, and gets straight back to it.

“About what?” I ask, wary.

“Time travel. I’m figuring out how to make it work.”

Okay. So, this is good. Kids are supposed to use their imaginations. But he began doing this a lot. He’d get home from school and head straight outside to wander about, lost in thought. Sometimes he did it silently, sometimes with actions and sound effects – explosions, ker pows – that sort of thing. Of course we wanted him to be able to entertain himself. But he’d get up in the morning, have breakfast and

hurry outside into his own world. We’d be late for the school bus and I’d ask his sister where he was.

“Daydreaming,” she’d say, matter of fact.

We reached the point where we thought he was avoiding all the stress we’d caused by retreating into himself. He was only eight and we’d messed him up already.

Then, my brother visited. He looked out of the same kitchen window and gave an amused snort. I looked and saw Jasper walking around, apparently trying to figure out some conundrum in his head. His uncle started to chuckle. I began to protest that we were looking at putting a stop to this behaviour. My brother cut in.

“That’s exactly what you used to do.”

My wife gave me a long look. My brother went on: “When you were his age, you’d go round that tree for hours, usually talking to yourself.”

My parents weren’t bothered when I did it. Why were we? Guilt? Yes. But our son was happy. He was making friends and getting on well at his new school. Basically, we had started to think it was weird that a kid could head off on his own to play makebelieve or entertain himself without a screen or a plastic prop of some sort. We got a reality check and it stopped being a problem. The only time we tell him to ease up on his daily meditation is during winter if the weather gets really bad. Then he does it indoors.

What was I daydreaming about? I have no idea. But as I watch my own daydream believer, I wish I did remember.

I can see evolution at work too. Judging by what he comes out with, he’s smarter than his dad. He also keeps a notebook to capture his thoughts in stories and drawings. I hope one day he’ll look back on them and smile. He’s still working on the physics of time travel. And he’s got his cushion. I’ve never seen him sit on it, but it sits proudly on his bed. The cover is a print by Irish artist, Duda. It reads: ‘Don’t Quit Your Daydream’.

“We had started to think it was weird that a kid could head off on his own to play make-believe or entertain himself without a screen or a plastic prop of some sort.”

MI Winter 2016_Dads Diary.indd 24

25/10/2016 14:21

25 TREND

MATERNITY

Style

Black twisted poloneck top, €32; black evening skirt, €40, both JoJo Maman Bébé

It’s party season, but partying is most likely the last thing on your to-do list now that you are expecting.

Remember, it’s the effort that counts – nobody expects you to be on the dance floor all night. The same goes for your maternity style. You don’t have to go all out and buy a new outfit for every event. This issue’s Trimester Trend focuses on leopard print – we show you how a little print goes a long way when making a fashion statement. Our Maternity Trend page is sprinkled with Christmas sparkle and our Steal Her Style star is the gorgeous Mila Kunis who never fails on the red carpet.

MI Winter 2016_Style Opener.indd 25

27/10/2016 16:38

26 TREND

Trimester Trends

Leopard print just keeps coming back season after season.

It’s winter’s most powerful trend - wear it with pride!

3

6

9

CUDDLY COAT

TROUSER POP

SUBTLE TOUCH

0-

3-

6-

1 1

2

1

2

2

3

3

3

4

4

5

6

5

5

4

6 6

1 Leopard fur beanie hat, €29, Topshop 2 Leopard print faux fur coat, €104, Littlewoods 3 Lancome l’absolu rouge, €31, stockists nationwide 4 Black knitted maternity dress, €49.95, Mamalicious 5 Maternity tights, €16.95, Mamalicious 6 Black and gold bracelet pack, €10, River Island

MI Winter 2016_Trimester Trends.indd 26

1 Wool-mix cardigan in black, €14, Penneys 2 Pink clutch, €7, Penneys 3 Black velvet square neck maternity cami, €19.99, New Look 4 Nail varnish gift set, €16, Lipsy 5 Leopard print cropped trousers, €46, Topshop 6 Pink block heel twist strap sandal, €19, Penneys

1 Black contrast disc drop earrings, €8.99, New Look 2 Black twisted polo neck top, €39, Jo Jo Maman Bébé 3 Leather contrast gloves, €55, Dune 4 Black evening skirt, €49, Jo Jo Maman Bébé 5 Black 100 denier microfibre tights, €15, Seraphine 6 Brown leopard print velvet Chelsea boots, €55, River Island

27/10/2016 16:39

12

27 TREND

F es t i v e

1

FUN

11

Winter party season is upon us – it’s time to get into the festive spirit and dress your bump in style.

Invest in seasonal pieces that will last all winter long, but accessorise with plenty of glitter and gold.

2

10

9

3

4

8

5 7 6

Main: Green lace woven dress, €69, Mamalicious 1 Black sequin chiffon skinny scarf, €14, Accessorize 2 Floral print bomber, €66, Marks & Spencer 3 Khaki pleat dress, €46, Topshop 4 Gold glitter bag, €21, River Island 5 Gold ring with stone, €6, ASOS 6 Floral print court, €40, ASOS 7 Faux fur coat, €40, Penneys 8 Snake print belt, €18, Next 9 Animal print midi dress, €80, Topshop 10 Gold glitter choker, €9, River Island 11 Champagne silk maternity gown, €295, Seraphine 12 Gold cape, €72, Phase Eight

mi winter 2016_Maternity Trend.indd 27

27/10/2016 16:39

28 TREND Navy coat, €680, Luisa Cerano @ Arnotts

Beaded bangle, €11.71, The Collection @ Debenhams

STEAL HER

STYLE Mila Kunis is giving us a masterclass in maternity style during her second pregnancy - these shoes are to die for! Take some tips from her red carpet style for the upcoming party season.

Maternity floral off-the-shoulder dress, €58, ASOS

GETTY IMAGES

Mila Kunis is certainly taking her second pregnancy in her stride. In a recent interview Mila said she is much more relaxed this time around. “The other day, someone asked how far along I was, and I was like, ‘I have no idea. I can tell you when I’m due, and then you do the maths!’ On my first pregnancy, I could tell you precisely what my daughter was developing, and what stage it was. The second one [pregnancy], I’m running after a toddler, or working, so I’m like, “Oh, that’s right, I’m pregnant.”

We’ve always admired Mila Kunis’ laid-back style, she’s often papped in her mom jeans, converse, t-shirt, no make-up and scraped back hair.

But when Mila hits the red carpet she always look incredible.

Burgundy leather slingback high heel shoes, €49.95, Zara

MI Winter 2016_Style Steal.indd 28

Dinky denim bag, €450, Coach @ Arnotts

Matchstick stud earrings, €100, Sugar Bean @ Brown Thomas

M&I

Gold bangle, €95, Gerry Weber Jewellery

27/10/2016 16:40

The product most recommended by pharmacists for scars and stretch marks.

3Gem, 2015

“I think your greatest fear when you’re pregnant – apart from being a new mother – is that your body just won’t be the same anymore. You’re so conscious about stretch marks. And I carried huge in my pregnancies.

My midwife recommended Bio-Oil, but I’d also heard about it from other women that said they had amazing results. And that’s why I used it. It helps when somebody actually tells you from experience if something works.”

Lyndall with Emiel

Bio-Oil® helps reduce the possibility of pregnancy stretch marks forming by increasing the skin’s elasticity. It should be applied twice daily from the first trimester. For comprehensive product information, and details of clinical trials, please visit bio-oil.com. Bio-Oil is available at pharmacies and selected retailers at the recommended selling price of €11.95 (60ml). Individual results will vary.

Distributed in the UK and the Republic of Ireland by Godrej Consumer Products (UK) Ltd.

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27/10/2016 14:17

30 TREND

Snug as a bug We all need extra layers in this cold weather – babies especially. A snowsuit is the perfect answer, insulating baby from head to toe.

PRETTY IN PINK

DESIGNER BABY

WRAPPED UP

1

1

1

2 2

2

3 3 3

3

4 4

4

5

5

5

1 Grey marl cashmere hat (1-6mths), €21.95, Zara 2 Pink all-in-one coat (1-9mths), €100, Emile et Rose @ Brown Thomas 3 Pink bunny bodysuit (018mths), €7.75, Mothercare 4 Grey star cashmere set (1-6mths), €39.95, Zara 5 Pink broderie anglaise socks, €5, M&Co

MI Winter 2016_Newborn.indd 30

1 Bodyvest, knitted shortie and tights baby set (1-12mths), €64, Tutto Piccolo @ Childrensalon 2 Ivory alpaca fur baby hat, €67, Samantha Holmes @ Amara 3 Navy diamond print cardigan (2yrs-6yrs), from €32, Polarn O. Pyret 4 Ivory cotton jersey baby snowsuit (1-9mths), €60.63, Absorba @ Childrensalon 5 Mini navy booties (0-6mths), €13, Converse @ River Island

1 Multi-colour dino hat (0mths-2yrs), €10.50, Next 2 Blue snowsuit (024mths), from €72, Baker by Ted Baker @ Debenhams 3 Five-pack navy socks (0-24mths), €7.50, Next 4 Knitted gloves, €14, Polarn O. Pyret 5 Denim embellished dinosaur dungarees (0mths-2yrs), from €26.50, Next

27/10/2016 16:41

31

Black leather jacket (1 1/210yrs), €99.99, H&M Studio

TREND

Rosie dress (3-13yrs), from €60, Monsoon

Navy sparkle coat (1-14yrs), from €58, RJR John Rocha @ Debenhams

Red high-neck jumper (12mths6yrs), €11, Bluezoo @ Debenhams

GOLDEN GIRL Gold leather clock bag, €677.25, Dolce & Gabbana @ Childrensalon

COOL KID

Wooden guitar, €24.99, H&M Studio

Blue leather shoes with jewels (sizes 7-11), €190.92, Missouri @ Childrensalon

Rust cuffed chinos (1-7yrs), €12, Marks & Spencer

White long sleeve polo shirt (2-12yrs), €32, Billy Bandit @ Arnotts

BLACK-TIE

Black desert boots (sizes 4-12), €36, Jasper Conran @ Debenhams

all

DRESSED UP

Lace flower pearl beanie, €12, Monsoon

PINK PRINCESS

Christmas and New Year celebrations are upon us – even little ones have to dress in their Sunday best.

Heart bag, €7, Monsoon

Victorian style dress (1 1/210yrs), €49.99, H&M Studio Black mini boys skinny jeans (0-5yrs), €17, River Island

Navy suede Chelsea boots (sizes 3-8), €33, River Island

Blazer (2-12yrs),€74, Billy Bandit @ Arnotts

Black satin bow tie, €9, Next

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Black suede cowboy boots, €39.99, H&M Studio

Lace flower pearl capped gloves, €12, Monsoon

27/10/2016 16:42

32 TREND

Sparkle swan glitter bag, €10, Monsoon

Pink fur scarf, €7.95, Zara

STEAL THIS

TRENDY TOT’S

STYLE

Blue Ivy’s parents, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, may have the moolah to splash out on a dress costing thousands for an event - but we can do it for way cheaper…

GETTY IMAGES

Four-year-old Blue Ivy recently walked the red carpet with her superstar mum, Beyoncé, at the 2016 MTV VMAs in a Mischka Aoki Grande Royalle dress worth a whopping €11,000! Yes, you read that right! The dress featured a laser-cut bodice and intricate 3-D gold metallic appliqué (the brand’s other famous fans include Suri Cruise and Penelope Disick). Blue Ivy completed her look with a Lorraine Schwartz diamond tiara and high top runners. We’ve managed to recreate Blue’s entire look for a lot, lot less!

Sparkle dress (3-16yrs), from €41, Next

Diamanté hair band, €14, Accessorize

Pink-lined mountain style boots (3mths-3yrs), €27.95, Zara Beigi faux fur coat (3mths3yrs), €27.95, Zara

MI Winter 2016_ToddlerSteal.indd 32

27/10/2016 16:42

33 STORE DIRECTORY

STORE DIRECTORY

A

Accessorize Stores nationwide; www.accessorize.com Arnotts Henry Street, Dublin 1; www.arnotts.ie ASOS www.asos.com

B

Boots Stores nationwide; www.boots.ie Brown Thomas www.brownthomas.com

C

Cos 6-8 Wicklow St, Dublin 2; www.cosstores.com Childrensalon www.childrensalon.com Claire’s Stores nationwide; www.claires.com

D

Debenhams Stores nationwide; www.debenhams.ie Dorothy Perkins Stores nationwide; www.dorothyperkins.com Dune London Stores nationwide; www.dunelondon.com

MI Winter 2016_Store Directory.indd 33

G H

Gerry Weber Stockists nationwide; www.house-of-gerryweber

Harvey Nichols 16 Sandyford Road, Dublin 16; www.harveynichols.com Hatley Stockists nationwide; www.hatley.com Heatons Stores nationwide; www.heatonsstores.com H&M Stores nationwide; www.hm.com

I J L

Isabella Oliver www.isabellaoliver.com JoJo Maman Bébé www.jojomamanbebe.ie

Littlewoods Ireland www.littlewoods.ie L’Oréal Stockists nationwide; www.loreal.com

M

Marks & Spencer Stores nationwide; www. marksandspencer.ie Miss Selfridge Stores nationwide; www.missselfridge. com Monsoon Stores nationwide; www.monsoon.co.uk Mothercare Stores nationwide; www.mothercare.ie

N

Name it Stores nationwide; www.nameit.com Natural Baby Shower www.naturalbabyshower. co.uk New Look Stores nationwide; www.newlook.com Next Stores nationwide; www.nextdirectory.ie

R

River Island Stores nationwide; www.riverisland.com

S T Z

Seraphine www.seraphine.com Topshop Stores nationwide; www.topshop.com Zara Stores nationwide; www.zara.com/ie

P

Penneys Stores nationwide; www.primark co.uk Phase Eight Stockists nationwide; www.phase-eight. com/eu Polarn O’Pyret www.polarnopyret.co.uk

27/10/2016 14:12

34 PREGNANCY & FITNESS

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25/10/2016 14:24

35 PREGNANCY & FITNESS

FIT FOR LIFE! (NEW!)

Regardless of your fitness level, staying active during your pregnancy will lead to an easier pregnancy and labour, and a happier, healthier mum and baby, writes SIMONE KENNY GLENNON.

Y

ou’re about to go through some of life’s biggest workouts – pregnancy, labour and parenting – so it makes sense to get into training for the big event. You’re going to need physical strength for carrying your new precious cargo pre and postnatally; and mental strength for delivering the (hopefully) small bundle and contending with the new demands of motherhood. But what exercises are best for your changing pregnancy body and, most importantly, what is safe?

Where once women were told to rest and take it easy during pregnancy – and absolutely you should have lots of this too – it’s certainly not advised exclusively.

Some level of fitness is essential to help aid a non-complicated pregnancy and delivery.

Firstly, though, it’s important to get your doctor’s approval that yours is a low-risk pregnancy. Once you’ve got the go-ahead it’s time to decide which exercise, and what level, is best for you and your new and developing VIP passenger.

According to qualified fitness instructor and mum-of-two Martina Waldron, medical professionals err on the side of caution, simply because there is a lack of research related to exercise and pregnancy on humans. And although there are certain positions and exercise that should be avoided, Martina says that women know a lot more about their bodies than anyone else. “We know a lot about our own bodies, whether pregnant or not and, obviously, we would

MI Winter 2016_Pregnancy Fitness.indd 35

never do anything that puts baby or ourselves at risk.”

However, your level of fitness immediately prior to your pregnancy will help to determine what’s safe and what’s not during pregnancy. “Beginners or those with low levels of fitness should ease into exercise with a lot of caution but those who are already active can continue most of what they were doing – within reason. For example, powerlifters would need to hang up their heavier weights until after baby is born,” advises Martina. Here we provide some advice and exercise suggestions for pregnancy and postnatal fitness.

Best for breathing and relaxation Yoga: This is becoming an increasingly popular form of prenatal exercise, and it’s one I can’t recommend highly enough.

Pregnancy yoga is widely available in most counties, and it’s also a great way to meet other expectant mums. According to qualified pregnancy yoga teacher Catherine Carr (ashbourneyoga.com), yoga has many benefits. “Practicing yoga improves strength, stamina, flexibility, breathing and posture. It also relieves any muscle tension and reduces stress.” The benefits can really be seen when it comes to labour, however, as it considerably helps prepare you mentally and physically for delivering your baby. “Regular practice of yoga stretches ligaments in the pelvis and hips which helps to reduce back pain and aids in a shorter, easier labour and birth,” says Catherine.

Steer clear of…

Bikram yoga: Bikram or hot yoga can cause overheating, which poses a serious risk to your baby (see fact or fiction panel).

Best for strength Pilates: Pregnancy Pilates can strengthen your core, which helps to strengthen your back and avoid back pain. It also helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which is essential for preventing postnatal incontinence, and your arms and legs, which will help with the heavy lifting of baby and equipment after the birth.

Steer clear of…

Heavy weights: Or at the very least only use under close supervision and with clearance from your doctor. Lifting heavy weights can cause serious long-term injury to your ligaments and joints due to the pregnancy hormone relaxing (see fact or fiction panel).

Best for endurance Swimming and water aerobics: Swimming pool workouts are actually great all-rounders, and are particularly good for building up endurance and stamina. Swimming and water aerobics are two of the safest forms of exercise as they put no pressure on joints or ligaments.

You can use water resistance to build up strength, and jogging or walking in the water will also give an great light cardio workout.

Fitness classes: Fitness classes specifically for pregnancy are growing in Ireland and offer a great all-round pregnancy fitness solution.

25/10/2016 14:24

36 PREGNANCY & FITNESS

PREGNANCY FITNESS FACTS OR FICTION LYING ON YOUR BACK CAN POSE A RISK TO BABY

FACT Lying on your back for two minutes or more can cause your blood pressure to drop, especially in the second and third trimester. This is because the weight of your growing uterus can put extra pressure on the vena cava – the blood vessel that carries blood from the lower body back to the heart, and can restrict baby’s oxygen and nutrients.

YOU CAN OVERSTRETCH DUE TO PREGNANCY HORMONES

Most incorporate a mixture of cardio, yoga and Pilates in one class and instructors generally have extra training in prenatal fitness.

Steer clear of…

High intensity workouts: These classes tend to raise your heart rate for long spells which can be harmful for baby. This is because the blood gets diverted from the uterus, which can deprive baby of vital oxygen and nutrients.

Contact sports: Sports like football, rugby, basketball, kickboxing etc. should be avoided due to the risk of injury posed to both you and baby.

Post-pregnancy fitness As with prenatal fitness, resuming exercise after you’ve given birth depends on your level of fitness, and the type of birth you’ve had. However, one exercise that’s recommended almost immediately is pelvic floor exercises.

Most medical professionals recommend easing back into exercise slowly. Those who feel good and experience an uncomplicated and low-risk birth can undertake light, gentle exercise like walking. However, anything more strenuous should generally be avoided until after your six-week check-up. Those who’ve had a complicated birth or a C-section will likely take longer to recover and should seek medical advice before undertaking postnatal exercise.

FITNESS DOS AND DON’TS DO A gentle 15-minute warm-up and cool down using controlled movements Wear light, comfortable clothing and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated Listen to your body and consult your doctor if you’ve any concerns about exercising

DON’T Lie on your back for more than two minutes Raise your arms above your head Continue exercising if you feel dizzy or nauseous

MI Winter 2016_Pregnancy Fitness.indd 36

FACT In the second and third trimester, the hormone relaxin is released, which opens your joints in preparation for the birth. However, this also makes you more susceptible to strains so be cautious about overstretching.

WORKING UP A SWEAT IS GOOD IN PREGNANCY

FICTION Overheating can cause serious risk to baby, especially in the first trimester as it can cause birth defects. It can also cause premature labour at all stages of pregnancy so it’s important to avoid any exercise that will raise your body temperature too high (body temperature should not exceed 101 degrees) and to stay hydrated when working out.

CYCLING SHOULD BE COMPLETELY AVOIDED IN PREGNANCY

FICTION If this is your normal mode of transport then you are best placed to decide whether you want to continue cycling. “Although hormones and your growing uterus and breasts do alter our centre of gravity during pregnancy, because we’re growing each day while pregnant we’re gradually getting used to our changes, including changes to our centre of gravity, so even cycling can still be managed for many weeks,” says fitness instructor Martina Waldron.

Just ensure that you can keep your balance and twist around enough to see in all directions.

25/10/2016 14:24

37 PREGNANCY & FITNESS

PRE-PREGNANCY FITNESS If you are planning a baby or already pregnant, you may be conscious of the need to keep healthy and in good shape. Walking, swimming and other exercises definitely help to keep you well and energised, but there is one exercise that is completely compulsory for all women, particularly when you are pregnant – and that’s your pelvic floor exercises. The pelvic floor muscles are deep inside you and help to support the weight of your growing uterus. A strong pelvic floor will also help your recovery during childbirth and reduce the risk of side effects like temporary incontinence.

Not sure how to do them? Here’s a quick guide: ✱ Lie on your back with your knees bent up. ✱ Breathe out to start. Now squeeze your back passage up towards your pubic bone, as if trying to stop yourself passing wind or peeing. ✱ Hold for 3-5 seconds without breathing. ✱ Now release your pelvic floor completely and let it drop back towards your tailbone. Repeat 10 times. ✱ Practise daily, and keep it up even after the baby is born.

NUK is a registered trademark of MAPA GmbH, Germany * For optimally combining bottle and breastfeeding. Moral et al. BMC Pediatrics 2010, 10:6.

For further information go to http://nuk.com/research

Fully satisfied without the tummy pains.

Inspired by

NATURE

Helps to prevent colic thanks to improved vent:

the NUK First Choice+ Baby Bottle.

Inspired by nature: the NUK First Choice+ Teat is modelled on a mother’s nipple as she breastfeeds and therefore optimal for everyone who wants to both bottle and breastfeed naturally. It has an extra-soft baglet which adapts perfectly to the palate and is particularly well accepted by infants – that is even clinically proven*.

Its improved vent helps to ensure a natural flow of liquid, along with satisfied babies with no tummy pains. Find out more at nuk.com

NUK. Understanding Life. www.nuk.com

2385911 UNited Drug Nuk.indd 1

MI Winter 2016_Pregnancy Fitness.indd 37

17/10/2016 13:58

25/10/2016 14:24

FLU VACCINE INFORMATION FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

BE SURE. BE SAFE. VACCINATE. Now that you are pregnant it is important that you protect yourself and your baby from influenza (flu). Vaccination is the only way to protect you and your baby from flu and its complications.

Why do pregnant women need to get seasonal flu vaccine?

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious viral illness of the respiratory tract that can be life threatening for those in at risk groups including pregnant women. Pregnant women need to get seasonal flu vaccine as they are at higher risk of serious complications from flu. Flu vaccine protects pregnant women during pregnancy and provides ongoing protection to their newborn baby during the first few months of life.

THE VACCINE CAN BE GIVEN AT ANY STAGE OF PREGNANCY. What is the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine?

Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains three common flu virus strains. The flu virus changes each year this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year.

How does seasonal flu vaccine work?

Seasonal flu vaccine helps your immune system to produce antibodies to the flu virus. When someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with the virus these antibodies attack the virus.

Is it safe for pregnant women to be vaccinated?

Yes. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women. Seasonal flu vaccines have been given for more than 60 years. Reactions are generally mild and serious side effects are very rare. Seasonal flu vaccine has been recommended for several years for all pregnant women in the USA. Will my baby be protected if I am vaccinated?

Yes. Vaccination during pregnancy will protect your baby and also helps prevent you getting flu and passing it on to your baby.

Who should NOT get seasonal flu vaccine?

The vaccine should not be given to • those with a history of severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any of its constituents.

What about pregnant women with egg allergy?

Pregnant women with egg allergy can get seasonal flu vaccine.

This may be given by your GP or you may need referral to a hospital specialist.

When should vaccination be postponed?

There are very few reasons why vaccination should be postponed. Vaccination should be re-scheduled if you have an acute illness with a temperature greater than 38°C.

FLU IS ONE THING YOU DON’T WANT TO SHARE WITH YOUR BABY. Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

No. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because it does not contain any live viruses.

How long does it take the vaccine to work?

The vaccine starts to work within two weeks.

What can I expect after vaccination?

The most common side effects will be mild and may include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given.

Headache, fever, aches and tiredness may occur. Some people may have mild sweating and shivering as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but this is not flu and will pass after a day or so.

What if I don’t feel well after vaccination?

If you have a temperature after the vaccine, take paracetamol, as it is safe in pregnancy, and it’s important for you and your baby to avoid fever. Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin (unless advised by your obstetrician). Remember if you are unwell after getting a vaccine, it could be for some other reasons - don’t assume it’s the flu vaccine and seek medical advice if needed.

When should I get the flu vaccine?

You should get the flu vaccine as early as possible in your pregnancy. The flu season usually occurs between September and April so if you become pregnant during this time you should get the vaccine.

How do I get vaccinated?

Flu vaccination is available from your GP or Pharmacist. If you have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘Doctor Only Card’ the vaccine and consultation are free.

If you do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘Doctor Only Card’ you will be charged a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine.

PLEASE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT NOW. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.IMMUNISATION.IE

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25/10/2016 14/07/2016 17:03 16:57

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious illness. The disease is most serious in babies under 6 months of age who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Whooping Cough Vaccine for Pregnant Women What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

How often should pregnant women get the vaccine?

What can I expect following vaccination?

Whooping cough causes long bouts of coughing and choking making it hard to breathe. Not all children get the ‘whoop’ and often older children and adults just have a cough. The disease can last up to three months. Infection with whooping cough does not give long lasting protection so reinfections can happen.

The antibodies you develop after vaccination decline over time so you need to get the vaccine again in your next pregnancy. You should get whooping cough vaccine during every pregnancy so these antibodies are passed to each of your babies in the womb.

You may get soreness or redness around the injection site or a mild generalised reaction of fever and fatigue for up to 48 hours afterwards.

How does whooping cough spread?

What vaccine should pregnant women get?

Whooping cough is spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or close contact. Someone with whooping cough can spread the disease for up to three weeks after the start of the cough.

You should get a Tdap vaccine. This protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

How can whooping cough be prevented?

The best time to get the whooping cough vaccine is between 16-36 weeks of your pregnancy. Giving the vaccine at this time will give your baby the best protection.

Vaccination can prevent whooping cough.

This is offered to all children • as part of the 6 in 1 vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months of age • at 4-5 years of age (4 in 1 vaccine) • in 1st year of second level school (Tdap vaccine) All children should get these vaccines on time to protect them and babies too young to be vaccinated.

How does the whooping cough vaccine protect you and your baby?

The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies pass to your baby in the womb and protect

months of life so it is important your baby gets the routine childhood vaccines (which include whooping cough vaccine) on time at 2, 4 and 6 months.

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When should I get the whooping cough vaccine?

Is there anyone who cannot get the vaccine?

The vaccine should not be given to • those with a history of a severe allergic (anaphylaxis) reaction to a previous dose of whooping cough vaccine or any part of the vaccine.

It is not recommended: • if there is a history of a severe local reaction to a previous dose. You should not get a tetanus or diphtheria containing vaccine more often than every 10 years if you have a severe local reaction.

When should vaccination be postponed?

What if I don’t feel well after vaccination?

If you have a temperature after the vaccine, take paracetamol, as it is safe in pregnancy, and it’s important for you and your baby to avoid fever. Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin (unless advised by your obstetrician). Remember if you are unwell after getting a vaccine, it could be for some other reasons – don’t assume it’s the vaccine and seek medical advice if needed.

Is it safe for pregnant women to be vaccinated?

Yes. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women. This whooping cough vaccine has been studied in pregnant women in the US and no risk has been found. Reactions are generally mild and serious side effects are very rare.

How do I get vaccinated?

Contact your GP or maternity hospital to arrange for vaccination. The vaccine is free but you will be charged for the administration (even if you have a medical or doctor only card). You should also vaccine.

For more information please see www.immunisation.ie

Vaccination should be rescheduled if you have an acute illness with a temperature greater than 38°C.

25/10/2016 16:56 17:04 14/07/2016 18/03/2015 12:17

40 BIRTH

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE

HYPNOBIRTHING

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25/10/2016 14:31

41 BIRTH

Hypnobirthing has become something of a buzzword recently, with fans saying it trains your brain to view birth as a natural act by the body, rather than something to be feared and fought against. But does it really work? We asked writer SUSAN DOYLE, who was trying out hypnobirthing for her second baby’s birth, to tell us exactly how it worked out for her.

I

gave birth to my daughter, the second of my two children, five weeks ago at Cork University Maternity Hospital. The delivery was straightforward, calm and very different to my first experience two years ago when I had my son.

I would attribute this easier birth to two things, one, being a second-time mum and two, hypnobirthing.

I was induced for the birth of my son and found the contractions to be very intense and painful. For pain relief, I used gas and air, pethidine, and an epidural, and when it came to time to push, the labour stalled. After waiting for some time for things to get going again, my son’s oxygen levels dropped and I was close to having a Caesarean section. My consultant managed to deliver him with the help of a vacuum and forceps and by the time he arrived I felt completely out of it due to the amount of pain relief medication in my system. When my son was placed on my chest I asked the doctor “what’s that” to which I heard snickers from around the room and the doctor responded with “that’s your baby”. I’m still embarrassed when I think about it! I had a large episiotomy at the birth and needed a lot of stitches. I was exhausted and weak, and then had a three-day stay in the hospital, before returning home in a terrible state.

A few months into my second pregnancy, my thoughts turned to handling labour – and I became nervous just thinking about it. I wanted to be more present and in control when my daughter was born and I also wanted to be able to cope with the pain. A midwife recommended hypnobirthing at one of my hospital appointments and said that from her experience, it really helped women during labour. I was sceptical at first but decided to give it a try. I googled “Hypnobirthing Cork” and found Beautiful Birth, which runs two-day hypnobirthing seminars in and around the city. At 250, the course is expensive but I thought it would be worth it to calm my nerves and potentially make the birth easier. I chose to take part in a group class although you can also arrange for private classes.

The theory In the first of the two classes, the instructor told the group the story of Dr Grantly DickRead, an English physician whose principles provided the foundations of hypnobirthing.

MI Winter 2016_Hypnobirthing.indd 41

In his book, Childbirth Without Fear, which was first published in 1933, he wrote: “In no other animal species is the process of birth apparently associated with any suffering, pain or agony, except where pathology exists or in an unnatural state, such as captivity.” He concluded that fear and tension was responsible for 95 per cent of labour pain, and this could be eliminated through relaxation techniques. Marie Mongan developed the theory further in the 1980s and today hypnobirthing is practised throughout the world.

Both Dick-Read and Mongan believed that fear is the underlying reason behind pain during childbirth. The basic principle of hypnobirthing is simple; if you can relax and release your fears, a pain-free birth will follow. This requires a lot of commitment in terms of time and practice and in order for it to work you must really believe it. The class promotes a natural birth without pain relief.

Proponents of hypnobirthing also believe that you will have a faster, safer birth with less recovery time afterwards.

Preparation During the hypnobirthing course we were first taught about the basic principles and shown videos of calm births. We also learned breathing techniques for labour along with meditations to be practiced at home. We were also given a relaxation CD with affirmations. In order to be successful you must practice these meditations and relaxation techniques every day. You are also taught massage techniques that your birth partner can perform during contractions. The aim of the course is to remove all personal preconceptions that birth is painful, and learn to get yourself into a completely relaxed state at a moment’s notice.

I must confess that my husband and I only practiced the meditation four or maybe five times, mostly because I was exhausted from being heavily pregnant and taking care of a two-year-old child. I did practice the breathing techniques every day, however, and kept a list of affirmations with me and read these once or twice a day. During the course we were also given a number of tips to bring on labour naturally and I started these at 37 weeks in order to prevent another induction.

It must have worked because I went into labour nine days before my due date and was able to stay at home with my son until the

last minute. In fact, I was playing with him and bouncing him on my lap just before leaving for the hospital where I was told I was 4cm dilated and in active labour.

The labour I’m not going to lie; the contractions were painful but very manageable. I practiced my breathing and tried to relax using visualisations throughout and I found that I was distracted by these to the point where the pain didn’t bother me as much. When we got to the hospital my contractions were getting more intense and closer together. I was examined immediately and was taken to the labour ward. At this point I was managing without pain relief, but I was not sure that I would continue to do so and I didn’t want to suffer needlessly so I requested an epidural.

I have no regrets about that decision. Once I got downstairs to the delivery room I kept going with the breathing and visualisations during the contractions for an hour until the epidural was administered. The midwife commented on how well I was handling them and said that I didn’t look like I was in any pain or discomfort. I know that I was in pain but again, it was as though the visualisations and breathing were distracting me to the point where I couldn’t focus completely on the pain or become consumed by it as I had when I had previously given birth.

I did struggle in the final few minutes as my old friend, panic, came back temporarily when I felt the pressure during the final stage of labour but again, I used the calming breathing techniques and visualisations to centre myself and I got through it.

As soon as my daughter was born the pain and panic were forgotten about. I was so happy to meet her and so proud of having given birth in the way I wanted to. I was home the following evening at 5pm and felt really happy and energised (that has changed since due to extreme exhaustion but hypnobirthing is not responsible for that!).

All in all, I would say that hypnobirthing helped me to have a relaxed birth and that the breathing techniques and visualisations for contractions are well worth learning. Both midwives and other women that I spoke to at the course told me in no uncertain terms that it works as an alternative to pain relief and although I did not have the time or energy to immerse myself in it completely, I still found it to be hugely beneficial.

25/10/2016 14:31

42 PREGNANCY

When Things Go Again‌ We’re all aware that miscarriages are common, but what if it keeps happening? What are the odds of going on to have a successful pregnancy? And what can the experts do?

JEN HOGAN, who herself has suffered miscarriages, looks at the issue of recurrent miscarriage.

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25/10/2016 14:34

43 PREGNANCY

F

inding out you’re pregnant is truly one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. From the time the test confirms it, our heads are filled with dreams, ideals and plans about how life will change and immediately we mentally prepare for the nine months ahead. But sadly, sometimes things go wrong in pregnancy.

It’s estimated that roughly one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, though it has been suggested that the rate may well be higher taking into account the fact that many miscarriages occur before a woman even knows she is pregnant. With statistics like this it’s not surprising that most of us will know someone who has been affected by miscarriage or maybe will have been through it ourselves.

Many women, myself included, will go on to a future pregnancy with a happier outcome. However, a smaller percentage will find themselves in the same vicious cycle of heartbreak, as pregnancy after pregnancy ends in miscarriage.

Dr John Kennedy from the SIMS fertility clinic in Clonskeagh, explains that recurrent miscarriage is defined as “three or more consecutive miscarriages of pregnancies that end before 24 weeks.”

“Approximately 1-2 per cent of the population will suffer from recurrent miscarriage,” Dr Kennedy says. “We know that most pregnancies that end in miscarriage do so because of a chromosomal problem with the embryo, that the embryo is not the right embryo genetically to give a baby.”

There can be other causes, however.

“There can be problems with the anatomy of the womb – the size, shape, contour of the uterus, or fibroids. These can be contributory factors and then there could also be immunological reasons why a pregnancy couldn’t continue – things like a hostile environment.”

In terms of investigations to establish the possible causes, Dr Kennedy explains that different potential scenarios require different procedures. A hysteroscopy whereby a camera is placed inside the uterus to do a check of the womb is described as a small surgery by Dr Kennedy. Another option he refers to is a HyCoSy whereby an ultrasound is carried out and “some water is put into the womb at the same time, to delineate the contours of the womb”.

A problem with the embryo is a lot harder to diagnose, Dr Kennedy concedes. “There are IVF techniques, things like pre-implantation and genetic screening that could be considered, particularly in the case of a younger woman who was having a lot of miscarriages

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LAURA’S STORY Laura knows too well the pain of recurrent miscarriage. Her journey to motherhood sadly began with miscarriage before she gave brth to a beautiful baby boy on her second pregnancy. Worse was to come, however...

“When my son turned two, my husband and I decided it was time to give him a little brother or sister,” Laura recalls. “I was lucky enough to fall pregnant very quickly and we were so excited. Unfortunately at seven weeks during a routine scan, we were given the devastating news that there was no heartbeat. An ERPC was arranged, and took place after a second scan confirmed the worst. I woke from the anaesthetic feeling empty and broken-hearted. My consultant was wonderful and reassured me that once I felt up to it, we could try again. Three months later, I was pregnant again but unfortunately that pregnancy also ended in miscarriage when again at seven weeks a scan confirmed that there was no heartbeat. Once again I had an ERPC and received further reassurances that we could try again, when we felt ready. And so it continued.

We never seemed to get past the eight-week mark, and time after time our hearts were broken when no tiny flickering heartbeat appeared on the ultrasound screen. I was prescribed progesterone and bloodthinning medications in the hope that this might support a pregnancy. But it wasn’t working. Our eighth consecutive miscarriage was the worst. It was at this stage I finally began to lose hope that we would ever have another child. I was referred to SIMS where they carried out further tests, not available in the maternity hospitals. They couldn’t pinpoint any underlying issue although there was some suggestion that I might have a slightly elevated level of killer cells. It was decided that once I became pregnant again SIMS would put me on progesterone injections, hcg injections, aspirin, vitamin B, higher dose of folic acid, steroids and lipid infusions, which would be carried out until I was 10 weeks pregnant. I was also to have further blood tests to check that my immune system didn’t become overactive. Luckily I became pregnant again quickly and the SIMS plan took hold. At seven weeks I was booked in for a scan and couldn’t believe it when I saw a heartbeat on the monitor. Nearly eight months later after a nerve-wracking pregnancy my miracle baby girl was born.” Laura credits her family, friends and doctors with getting her through what she describes as an incredibly difficult, emotionally and physically draining time. Her husband was her rock and held her hand throughout the ordeal. In total, Laura had ten miscarriages, eight of which were consecutive but after all her heartache she is now the mother of three beautiful, precious, rainbow babies.

and you felt the embryo was responsible,” Dr Kennedy explains. However, these are not “a perfect science”.

“The immunology side of things is a lot murkier,” he says. “We know some things for sure and we can’t really say other things for sure. We know there are conditions to do

RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE – THE FACTS ✱ Recurrent miscarriage is defined as three or more consecutive miscarriages before the 24th week of pregnancy ✱ 1-2 per cent of the population suffer from recurrent miscarriage ✱ Blood tests and procedures such as hysteroscopy and HyCoSy are frequently used in an attempt to ascertain the cause ✱ Even after three miscarriages in a row there is a better than 50 per cent chance that the next pregnancy will progress as normal

with natural killer cells that we believe are associated with miscarriage and failure. We also know that there are treatments, medical interventions that lower natural killer cells.

What we can’t say for certain is if these natural killer cells are in fact the things that are responsible for the miscarriage. But you’re looking at a woman who has gone through so much tragedy and so much misfortune that you really want to try everything in your power to try to help. So these treatments may help and we’re fairly certain they don’t do any harm.”

So knowing all this, is there hope for the future? “It’s incredibly difficult, but the fact that they are getting pregnant in the first place says something positive about their chances,” he says. “Not to be blasé about it, but because miscarriages are so common it doesn’t take much to see that somebody might just be very unlucky just to have miscarriages in a row. Most people who have families will also have miscarriages. That’s just the norm.” Dr Kennedy’s advice, while accepting that it’s difficult, is “just to keep trying”.

25/10/2016 14:34

44 BABY

FROM

NAPPY POTTY TO

If you’re not worried about what they’re eating, you’re worrying about what they’re, ahem, producing! We answer some of your common questions about the contents of your baby’s nappy – and the ins and outs of potty training…

W

hen you think of parenthood, you might think of neverending love, gorgeous toothless smiles, a whole list of ‘firsts’ and magical family moments. On a bad day, you might think of sleepless nights, childcare expenses and mammy guilt. But truthfully, few of us would have predicted the sheer amount of time and energy we give to thinking about and agonising over one particular thing – poo. And that it would become an animated dinner-party topic. Yes, really!

So to make the subject a little less confusing and worrying, we have collected together some of the most frequently asked toiletrelated questions, complete from newborn to the potty.

What is a newborn’s poo like?

For the first few days after baby arrives, they will pass something called meconium, which is a mixture of mucus and amniotic fluid, along with everything your baby has ingested while in the womb. It will have a greeny-black colour and a sticky texture.

Meconium may be difficult to wipe off your baby’s bottom, but its appearance is a good sign as it means that your baby’s bowels are working normally.

Does a baby who is breastfed produce different poo from a baby who is formula fed?

Yes, babies who are breastfed tend to produce poo that is light in texture and mustard yellow in colour. Formula-fed babies might

MI Winter 2016_Nappy to Potty.indd 44

experience more constipation than breastfed babies, and their poo may differ. Their poo will be bulkier in texture, as formula is not digested as fully as breast milk. The colour of their poo will vary from a pale yellow to yellowish-brown, and be stronger smelling than breastfed babies’ poo. Nice.

If I switch from breastmilk to formula, will my baby’s poo change?

Any change to babies’ diet will alter their poo. Their poo may become darker, more paste-like and have a stronger smell. When making the change from breastmilk to formula, try and make the change slowly and gradually, ideally over several weeks. This slow change will give the baby’s digestive system time to adapt and will hopefully prevent constipation. When your baby has adapted to the bottle, they may develop a completely different pooing routine than before.

Could a change in poo colour signal a health issue?

In very small babies, always consult your doctor if your baby seems constipated or producing lots of runny nappies. If you are breastfeeding, what you eat could affect your breastmilk and therefore your baby’s nappies, but unless your baby seems out of sorts, constipated or sick, this shouldn’t be cause for alarm. When you wean your baby onto solids, the colour of your baby’s poo can reflect what he is eating (see question below) – again, this is not an issue unless your baby seems sick in another way. How-

25/10/2016 14:36

45 BABY

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25/10/2016 14:36

46 BABY

ever, if you are concerned in any way, always consult your GP or public health nurse. In addition, if your baby’s poo is chalkey white, see your doctor as this could indicate a bile shortage. Or if your baby produces poo that is red in colour, get medical advice, as your baby could have a milk allergy or bacterial infection.

How will weaning affect my baby’s poo?

Starting solids will dramatically change your baby’s poo as foods are going to influence the colour and texture of their poo. For example, if you feed them puréed carrot, then the contents of their next nappy might be bright orange. Fibre-rich foods, such as raisins or tomato seeds, may pass through your baby’s system without being digested and will end up in their nappy.

This will change as they get older and are better equipped to digest fibre. As their diets vary, their poos will become thicker, darker and a lot smellier. So, something to look forward to…

What is nappy rash?

Nappy rash is thought to affect up to a third of nappy-wearing babies at any given time. It appears as a rash on a baby’s bottom and can be quite red in appearance and at times can look blotchy or pimply. The main cause is the skin coming into contact with urine and faeces.

Other causes of nappy rash could be an allergic reaction to nappy material or a product used on your baby’s skin, such as wipes or cleansers.

This reaction is called allergic dermatitis, but this is rare for babies to get and is usually easy to diagnose, as the skin will react quite quickly once the offending product has been applied.

How can I treat and avoid nappy rash?

Leaving your baby’s nappy off for a while and exposing their skin to the fresh air will help heal the rash and dry the skin. Applying a barrier cream to your little one’s skin every time you change their nappy and changing frequently will help prevent the rash returning. Ditching harsh soaps and using just water to clean your baby’s nappy area in between changes before drying gently with cotton wool or a soft towel will also help to prevent the rash from returning. Limiting bath time to just once a day maximum will prevent any extra drying of your baby’s skin. In general terms, use a mild baby cleanser in the bath to wash your baby and if using disposables, consider changing to the most absorbent brand possible to help keep the rash at bay in the future.

How do I know if my baby has thrush?

It can be hard sometimes to tell the difference between nappy rash and a yeast/candida infection. Thrush begins as tiny red spots that multiply and form a solid red blotch or a bacterial infection. Your baby may also have a fever, and the infection can result in oozing yellow

MI Winter 2016_Nappy to Potty.indd 46

patches or pus-filled pimples. If your baby’s nappy rash doesn’t respond to the treatment outlined above, see your doctor as it could be thrush and may need an anti-fungal dream or drops.

When is the right time to introduce my child to the potty?

Every child is different, so it’s important that you don’t compare your child with other children, but instead look for clues that indicate that she might be ready. Some may be ready at 18 months, others not until after their third birthday; we would always suggest waiting until they are absolutely ready. Remember that boys are sometimes a little slower than girls when it comes to potty training. Look for signs such as your child telling you when she wants to go to the toilet, showing interest in the toilet, and wanting to sit on the toilet to “try” it.

Should I try night training at the same time as potty training?

Not necessarily. Some children are ready straight away to try and be dry at night, but more often than not, it will be another while before your child is confident enough to go a whole night without a nappy. If your child is enthusiastic about trying, go with it – but put a few measures in place such as curtailing liquids in the evening and making sure he uses the toilet before going to bed. Otherwise, look for signs such as dry nappies/pull ups for a few nights in a row. Make sure your little one has a clear and bright route to the toilet during the night, and knows they can get up and go if they need to. Use a mattress protector because in most cases there will be accidents. Be patient, stay relaxed and reassure your child that accidents are perfectly normal and really don’t matter at all.

What is toilet-training regression and how do I deal with it?

Potty training regression is perfectly normal – if a little frustrating! Sometimes it happens as a reaction to a life event, such as a new sibling, a house move or a class move. It’s a good idea to only start potty training when there are no big changes in the near future. Otherwise, there could be a number of reasons – could your child be forgetting to go because she is too involved in an activity? Try giving gentle and regular reminders to go; sometimes very young children don’t realise they need to go until they’re bursting, which is when accidents happen. If your child is showing signs of regressing, keep patient and positive. Tell her that it’s okay to have accidents and that they‘re normal – otherwise she might avoid the potty altogether, which could lead to bladder issues or constipation.

FIVE STEPS TO TOILET TRAINING ✱ GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT A big toilet might seem scary to a small child, so invest in a potty or a seat adaptor (and perhaps a stool!). Talk this over with your child to see which he would prefer.

Some children like to go straight for the toilet, while others might be captivated by the idea of having their very own toilet.

Make a big deal of getting it, unpacking it and letting your child sit on it (with the nappy on at first). ✱ MAKE IT VISIBLE The next step is to make your toilet choice visible and talk about it. If your child sees it, she’s more likely to want to keep trying it.

Encourage her to sit on it at certain times of the day, for instance, after mealtimes and before bathtime. Start by sitting on it with clothes on, before removing the nappy and letting us get used to sit on it in her bare skin. If your child is scared, leave it for a few weeks before trying again. ✱ CONSIDER USING TRAINING PANTS Training (“pull-up”) pants are great for the early stages of potty training as they allow your child to take on and off their underwear for the potty, but if they have an accident it doesn’t really matter. Once they are trying the potty regularly, however, some parents find that it’s beeter for them to feel when they’ve had an accident. ✱ ENCOURAGE AND PRAISE… When your child manages to do something in the toilet or potty, no matter how small, make a huge deal of it. Nothing encourages a child like praise and positive reinforcement. Just don’t make a big deal out of every time he sits on the potty – this could backfire and make him feel nervous and self-conscious. ✱ …BUT STAY PATIENT Some children pick up the potty/toilet very quickly, but others may take longer and even regress. The key is to wait until they are absolutely ready, accept that there will be accidents and setback, encourage and praise every little breakthrough, and know that the time for ditching the nappies completely WILL come – and sooner than you think!

25/10/2016 14:36

47 COMPETITION

WIN!

Congratulations to Amanda Dalton, the winner of last issue’s competition!

WIN A LUXURY TWO-NIGHT BREAK AT

RADISSON BLU HOTEL AND SPA, LIMERICK

S

et on 20 acres of rolling green fields, there are plenty of treats to be enjoyed onsite at Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Limerick.

A world of adventure awaits for the little ones in your life with the Global Explorers Kids Club, and the fun starts at check with goodie packs for each child to ensure their adventures begin the moment they arrive!

The fantastic Global Explorers Kids Club is the ultimate break from routine with a range of activities designed to entertain and engage children of all ages with jam packed fun, including a Global Explorer activity bag for each child, Blu Crew Games Room fully fitted with games, activities and a movie theater screening children’s favourites, plus outdoor fun and attractions, including meet the animals, pony trekking, track and bush crafts, hoverball archery and water zorbing (weather permitting), a swimming pool, outdoor play area and tennis court. In the evening, with the explorers suitably tired after a day of fun, enjoy a family dinner in Porters Restaurant with delicious dinner options especially designed to keep those fussy eaters happy – and mum and dad too! Children under 12 eat for free from the children’s menu.

To celebrate the family packages, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick are giving one lucky Maternity & Infant reader a chance to win a twonight break for 2 adults & 2 children with a super buffet breakfast on both mornings and an evening meal on the night of your choice at Porters Restaurant.

If you’re not lucky enough to win on this occasion visit www. radissonblu.com/en/hotel-limerick to find out more information on the fantastic family offers available at Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick.

HOW TO WIN To win, simply log on to www.maternityandinfant.ie/radissonblu and answer the following question: What is the name of the restaurant in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick? a) Porters b) Markers

Terms and Conditions: Prize includes two night’s B&B for two adults and two children, non-transferable, subject to availability and not valid Christmas, New Years and Bank Holidays. Kids Club is available at weekends and school holidays. Closing date for all entries is 27th January 2017. Prize is non-transferable.

Competition is not open to employees of Ashville Media Group or Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Limerick. No cash or gift card will be awarded in lieu of stated prize. If any of the items offered are unavailable, a suitable alternative will be provided. Winner will be selected at random from a draw and will be contacted by phone. Competition entrants must be resident in the island of Ireland. One entry per person. Competition is also subject to all usual terms and conditions.

MI Winter 2016_Competition.indd 47

Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: (061) 456 200 | www.radissonblu.com/Limerick

27/10/2016 14:11

48 THE BREAST ADVICE

COUNTING YOUR

BLESSINGS NUK breastfeeding advisor and mum-of-three CLIODNA GILROY is determined to count her blessings as a mum – and advises us to keep stock of the good things we’re doing as parents.

H

aving been a mum for nearly seven years now, I sometimes have to stop and take stock of how lucky and happy I am. You’ll often meet so many mothers telling you how tough it is and how dreadful their children are being (very often it’s me).

Honestly, it is tough, it’s harder work than I’ve ever done before, but for every challenge there are so many triumphs.

Nothing defines you like being a Mammy.

I often think how crazy people would think it if I introduced myself as a ‘daughter’.

Imagine “Hi I’m Cliodna, I’ve two parents. Michael has just turned 72 and he’s playing lots of golf and doing sooo well at his Spanish. Emer, who’s none of your business and a half next month, skis twice a year now and is great at her crossword.”

People would think I had lost my mind.

But it’s very rare to meet a mother and not know that she is a mother within ten minutes of talking to her, at the very least you’ll know the age and gender of all of her children. You’ll also hear about the challenges of afterschool activities and swimming pool changing rooms and last week at a wonderful party I even learned about how one woman felt that she could happily ‘put her three year old in a rugby divot and kick him over the try line’. For those of you without children you may be horrified by that statement but those of us with three year olds had complete understanding.

When you’re expecting a little baby it is important to ignore us cynics and be rest assured that we love being parents. It is possible we are expecting too much of ourselves as parents. At the Pregnancy and Baby Fair last week I was working on the NUK breastfeeding stand, as I always do, and met so many mothers that planned to breastfeed ‘if they

could’ or mothers who had ‘just’ fed for three days.

Have faith in your own ability; if you want to breastfeed, ask for help and support, this is the best way to ensure success. Take it from someone who expected to fail, the support is there but you have to ask for it. If you’re not sure where to start then ask your Public Health Nurse, midwife, GP or you can contact me though NUK Ireland Facebook or Twitter @nukireland. If you’re one of the mothers who ‘just’ fed for a couple of days or weeks then well done you. I think it’s important to take the word ‘just’ out of that sentence and remember what a good job you’re doing as a parent. Sometimes it is important to take stock of all the positives.

I was reminded of this recently when calling to a maternity ward. There I saw a couple who had clearly just received devastating news. I thought of what they would give to have a little person getting on their last nerve. I made a resolution there and then to think of different reasons why I love and value my children each night at bedtime.

Don’t get me wrong, they still push me to the edge. I had a bad night the other night, a very bad night. The 10 month old decided sleep is for the weak and kept me up all night. This gave me lots of time to convince myself that the three year old had given me nits (she had) and to top it all off, after an hour, nature called and I sat on a toilet seat that the six year old hadn’t bothered to lift before he had a wee. My children have it in for me and they do it without even noticing. Those sleepless nights are tough at the time but they quickly become funny stories. I know because the aforementioned ‘Micheal and Emer’ (did you think I’d made them up?) still laugh as they tell stories of the horrific things my brother, sister and I did 30+ years ago.

“I had a bad night the other night; those sleepless nights are tough at the time, but they quickly become funny stories.”

MI Winter 2016_Breatfeeding.indd 48

27/10/2016 14:04

49 AWARDS

Hosted by RTÉ’s Maura Derrane and Brian Ormond, this fantastic event took place in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire on October 14th. On that day, we rewarded the finest in products, services and early education centres, as voted and tested by parents, the public and an esteemed panel of judges. As well as celebrating top products we also got the chance to meet a number of truly inspiring people and hear their stories. This year the judging panel, as always, faced an extremely difficult task in choosing the winners. These individuals are selfless, brave and hardworking people who have overcome challenges with exceptional attitudes or who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to help others.

1

3

4

5

6

2

10

9

7

8

1 Chris Braitch, Leane Danby (Organix) and Anthony Kearns (SHS) 2 Brian Ormond and Maua Derrane 3 Eithne Cosgrave and Tina Campbell (Hotel Westport) 4 Fiona Hanratty, Vera Keys (Carrickmacross Community Centre), and Rose Seary (Daisy Days Creche) 5 Fsana Azad, Celina Hanlon and Cristine Cranny (Canavan & Byrne) 6 Gail Bovenizer (Harmony Yoga) and Eimear Fahey (Accessories4Babies) 7 Gail Mackey and Liz Halliday 8 Michelle McGrath, Sorcha Bennett, Karen Marmion, Laura Ward (Mothercare) 9 Jason Doyle & Paige Doyle 10 Sinead Sharkey (Chicco) and Tracey Jacob (EuroCycles EuroBaby)

MI Winter 2016_Awards.indd 49

25/10/2016 16:31

50 AWARDS

THE STATS

249

ENTRIES

OUR SPONSOR On behalf of Boots Ireland, I’d like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists and winners. The Boots maternity and infant Awards are about recognising unsung heroes and we look forward to this day every year, when we meet inspirational people from all across Ireland and share their remarkable stories. These Awards are the perfect fit for Boots Ireland and complement our Boots Parenting Club, which provides support for parents throughout Ireland.

Gi lli an H ennes s y HEAD OF MARKETING, BOOTS IRELAND

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

childcare

canavanbyrne childcare canavanbyrne

Congratulations to all of the winners. It has been another great Boots maternity and infant Awards this year and we’re delighted that we were able to celebrate some of the most inspirational people in the country, while also shining a light on the best products on the market for parents, babies and children. These awards are considered to be the most rigorous in the industry, because they are judged by real experts, parents themselves.

We had a fantastic response to our eighth year of product testing.

We had over 1,200 parents sign up this year and over 200 products to test. Parents tested smaller items at home and the bigger ticket items at our Academy Day, which took place in the same venue as the Awards ceremony, The Royal Marine in Dún Laoghaire. Check out our behind-the-scenes photos on the next page.

A massive thank you to Boots Ireland, our headline partner for the second time this year and our TV partner RTÉ’s Today show. It was a pleasure to work with you once again.

Tracey Carney Event Director Ashville Media Group

MI Winter 2016_Awards.indd 50

39

PRODUCT WINNERS

1,200+ PRODUCT TESTER SIGN-UPS

86

ACADEMY DAY TESTERS

122

PEOPLE NOMINATIONS

14

PEOPLE WINNERS

25/10/2016 16:31

51 AWARDS

TWEETS?

LOOK WHO WAS TALKING

Pip & Pear Baby Food @pipandpearbaby Such fun at @ maternityinfant awards with fabulous hosts @brianormond79 @ MauraDerrane Still pinching ourselves after our win #bestbabyfood

OUR HOSTS

We were delighted to welcome back Maura Derrane and Brian Ormond to host the Awards for the second year running. Brian and Maura were big hits last year, thanks to their genuine interest in the parenting industry - both have small children of their own - and their caring and thoughtful interviewing of the People Award winners. “The Awards can be quite emotional,” Brian, dad to Chloe, Ollie and Louis, told us in the run-up to the Awards. “The people who win are so inspirational. You read the story before the Awards, but it’s only when you meet them that you realise what they have been through and what they have achieved.” Maura, who is mum to a little boy Cal, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be involved with the Awards, both as MC and by following the Awards journey on the Today show. It’s a great celebrating of parenting and also the people who take care of our precious little bundles, like great crèches and regular folk who go the extra mile to help parents in difficult circumstances. I was also excited to see which baby products come out on top because the Awards are voted for by the public who are the best judges.” Thanks again to both Maura and Brian for helping the make this year’s Awards so entertaining, inspiring and successful!

OUR TV COVERAGE

Over the last few months there has been extensive coverage of the Awards on the Today Show on RTÉ, hosted by Maura Derrane and Dáithí Ó Sé.

accessories4babies @acc4babies Yaaaay we won Bronze so happy for innovative product of the year for our Pram Pegs @maternityinfant #BootsmiAwards2016

Select Hotels @SelectIreland Congrats again to @ KenmareBayHotel winning Best Family Hotel @Kantar_Media #bootsmiaawards2016 in @royalmarine great day for @SelectIreland

Renault Ireland @renaultireland @maternityinfant delighted to win @ maternityinfant awards!

Thank you families of Ireland for voting for us! #scenic #bestfamilycar

kiki moon @KikiMoonIreland What a great day at #BootsmiAwards2016 Amazing inspirational stories and lovely mc’s @MauraDerrane @ brianormond79 @ maternityinfant #dreambig

MI Winter 2016_Awards.indd 51

25/10/2016 16:31

52 AWARDS

THE ACADEMY DAY

PRODUCT TESTING

When it comes to buying baby products for your little ones, parents can be inundated with choices, and after trawling through store after store, it still can be hard choosing a product that’s right for your family. The Boots maternity & infant Awards have taken out all the hard work and can recommend products that have been voted for, tested and approved by parents, for parents.

Products entered into the Boots maternity & infant Awards in all 39 of our categories first went through a gruelling voting stage. The products that gained the most votes from the public were shortlisted and then the testing began!

MI Winter 2016_Awards.indd 52

Over 80 parents and children came together on a beautiful sunny day in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire, on July 19th to test baby and family products. Everything from travel systems to safety gadgets to family cars were put under the telescope and analysed. They then rated their favourite products after discussing their feedback with the maternity & infant team and other parents. It’s safe to say it was a riveting day of testing and discussing! voting stage. The products that gained the most votes from the public were shortlisted and then the testing began.

25/10/2016 16:31

53 AWARDS

HOME TESTING

Small products like baby wipes, nappies and skincare creams were sent out to family homes across the country to test over a five-week period. Each household was assigned a category and then sent all the shortlisted products in that category. After testing, the parent answered a questionnaire and gave their honest feedback. Sometimes, the categories assigned to certain families brought their testing outside of the home. In order to successfully test categories like Best Family Day Out, Best Family Friendly Restaurant and Best Family Hotel/Holiday Destination, the families were given the opportunity to visit the shortlisted locations and fill out their questionnaires on site. A tough job for some!

S IGN UP FO R NEXT YEAR! MI Winter 2016_Awards.indd 53

Want to take part in 2017?

It couldn’t be easier to sign up via www. maternityandinfant.ie/ awards. Be part of one of Ireland’s biggest and most prestigious awards that are voted, tested and approved by parents, for parents.

25/10/2016 16:32

54 AWARDS

BEST CAR SEAT WINNER:

AXISS ONE TESTER SAID: “Fantastic as you can take the child out easily and fast as the seat turns sideways. Has an indicator to tell you when it is in safe locked postion.

Has 8 different reclining positions.”

FINALISTS: * 2way Family- Pebble Plus, 2wayfix & 2waypearl * BeSafe Izi Modular * Cabriofix & Easyfix Base

BEST TRAVEL SYSTEM WINNER:

Obstetrician of the Year WINNER: DR MEABH NÍ BHUINNEAIN NOMINATED BY: PATIENT, AOIFE MCDONNELL Our winning Obstetrician of the Year has been praised by her patient for her kindness, patience and understanding during a nerve-wracking pregnancy.

Any pregnancy can be nerve-wracking as you anxiously count down the weeks and days to your due date, but when you’ve lost a baby at a late stage in the past, it can be even more harrowing.

Aoife McDonnell sadly lost her baby boy Robbie at 34 weeks, and when she became pregnant in November 2015, she opted for the best care possible – and that was Dr Meabh Ní Bhuinneain in Mayo General Hospital and Ballina Clinic. “Choosing Dr Meabh was the best decision I ever made,” Aoife says. “She is the most understanding, patient and kind doctor, I have the height of respect for her and she has looked after me so well from Day One. I feel she has made a personal effort to make sure that everything goes well for us, and even at 34 weeks, which was when we lost our precious baby boy Robbie, I felt at ease knowing she is looking after me.” Aoife first met Dr Meabh when she was 12 weeks’ pregnant. “I travelled down to Ballina from Castlebar every four weeks and she would not let me leave until I saw her. The first time I met her, she listened to every worry I had, and answered honestly every question I had. She took the TIME to listen and that means a lot. She didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear to keep me happy, she told me the truth, she gave me statistics and she was honest and that made me trust her 100 per cent.” As Aoife’s pregnancy progressed, she travelled to Mayo General Hospital to be reviewed each week, and as Dr Meabh had been made Dean, she occasionally saw other doctors. “I missed Dr Meabh’s honesty and her presence, so you could imagine my delight and relief when I saw her walking into the room to discuss my care once again. She was there to see me through the tricky stage around 34 weeks, and thanks to Dr Meabh I now have my beautiful baby girl asleep in my arms and that’s all that matters.” Aoife is delighted that Dr Meabh has won the award and hopes it shows just how much she is appreciated by her patients. “I am delighted that Dr Meabh has won the award. She is so deserving of it. She works so hard and is so busy and yet she will give all her time to you to make you feel at ease. I trusted her from the minute I met her and I knew I was in safe hands.”

“Dr Meabh didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear to keep me happy, she told me the truth and that made me trust her 100 per cent.”

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MOTHERCARE GENIE ONE TESTER SAID: “Has an adjustable handlebar for different heights.

A good basket underneath, as it is expandable.

Great value for money. Different reclining levels for child sleeping or sitting.”

FINALISTS: * Baby Elegance Cùpla Travel System * Cosatto Giggle 2 * Stokke® Xplory™ * iCandy Strawberry

BEST FAMILY CAR WINNER:

RENAULT SCENIC ONE TESTER SAID: “Has trays, deep door bins and large sized boot which are perfect for children’s toys.

Roof bar on top is very handy for extra storage of luggage.”

FINALISTS: * Fiat 500l Mpw * Mitsubishi Outlander * Nissan X-Trail (5 & 7 Seater)

25/10/2016 16:31

55 AWARDS

Mum of the Year WINNER: CARLA SMITH NOMINATED BY: MUM, BETTY FARRELLY This year’s Mum of the Year has certainly faced difficult times but through it all, her love for her children has remained a guiding light.

Carla Smith’s journey through motherhood has often been met with bumps along the road.

However, her commitment to providing love and stability for her family of four wonderful children, aged two, five, six and seven, is why we’ve named her our Mum of the Year. When Carla’s first-born arrived in the world, it was an occasion that united the Smith family as a whole. Unfortunately, her second pregnancy would prove a significantly more challenging experience. Not only did Carla develop asthma, but at only 32 weeks’ gestation, she also went into early labour and her newborn had to be placed in incubation. When Carla was eventually given permission to return home with her child, she felt the tough times were behind her.

However, a few days after returning home, Carla’s new baby fell ill and then lost consciousness.

After being resuscitated a total of seven times by emergency services, the child was then rushed to the National Children’s Hospital via ambulance and remained there for 10 agonising weeks.

During this time Carla held a full-time healthcare position and worked long hours to support her growing family. Yet, throughout her next two pregnancies, financial pressures continued to boil over and Carla’s relationship with her partner, the father of her children, began to deteriorate.

“Over the next one to two years, there were often times when there was no food and no money to pay bills, and Carla was like a single parent,” says Carla’s mother Betty, who confesses to be in such awe of her daughter’s resilience that

BEST BABY BAG

she has nominated her for this award. When her youngest child was only eight weeks old Carla made the courageous decision to walk away from a relationship that was verbally and physically abusive. With her four small children, all under the age of five, she carved out a new life. After living in sheltered accommodation for five months, Carla now has a more permanent home for her children, where she hopes to remain and provide a stable childhood environment. “I admire her,” says Betty. “Yes, she’s had plenty of times where she has been at rock bottom, feeling isolated, having no money or food and feeling

BEST BABY GADGET

WINNER:

WINNER:

BABYMEL CARA CHANGING BAG IN NAVY STRIPE

SOOTH™ SENSORY TEETHING BIB

ONE TESTER SAID: “It is a perfect size for everything you need and the bag itself is light without anything in it. It’s waterproof for when you get caught in the rain. Price is very reasonable.”

ONE TESTER SAID: “It’s soft for baby’s skin. The teether is great as all babies love chewing.

Easy to throw in the wash with great material.”

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FINALISTS: * Lassig Mix N’ Match Changing Bag * The iCandy Emilia East West Bag – Leather * Pink Lining Yummy Mummy

incredible sadness for her shattered dreams and her broken home. But Carla has been both mum and dad to her four children, she’s their one constant. This is the drive behind Carla.” Carla’s children are happy and thriving thanks to her unrelenting determination, receiving awards from school in recognition of their commitment to education and pristine attendance record.

Outside of her work, Carla lavishes her time on her family, who have grown to cherish the memories of picnics at the lake, catching fish and learning how to swim, trips to the park and, most importantly, spending quality time with mum.

BEST BUGGY WINNER:

CLEVER CLOGS UPPABABY VISTA

FINALISTS: * Baby Elegance Pram Hook, Baby In-Sight™ Mega Mirror * Brush-Baby Babysonic Electric Toothbrush * Mothercare XSS

ONE TESTER SAID: “The buggy has a big hood that covers a lot. Great legroom for the child. The green/ red light brake feature is very good. The price is good value and has adjustable bar handle.”

FINALISTS: * Mothercare Nanu Stroller * Out ‘n’ About Double Nipper V4 * Maxi Cosi Stella * iCandy Peach

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56 AWARDS

BEST FEEDING PRODUCT WINNER:

CLEVAFEED ONE TESTER SAID: “This is an easy and clever idea for teething. Great for keeping them entertained. The extra teat and cover is handy for when you’re out and it’s a great price.”

FINALISTS: * Beaba Babycook Plus * Grip™ Baby Bottle Gripper * Philips Avent Natural Bottle 9oz * Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Feeding Bottle

BEST STERILISER WINNER:

PHILIPS AVENT MICROWAVE STEAM STERILISER

Midwife of the Year WINNER: LIZ HALLIDAY NOMINATED BY: PATIENT, RUTH MCMANUS Our Mothercare Midwife of the Year winner was there to support her patient through a nerve-wracking pregnancy, delivery and beyond.

When Ruth McManus found out she was pregnant again, she was concerned that because she was over the age of 40, she wouldn’t be able to have a home birth because of the HSE’s rules. However, when she discovered the new Neighbourhood Midwives service, her hopes for a home birth were renewed. “While tapping in to an unmet demand for home birth services, NM is not just for home births (with birth pool provided), they also offer antenatal and/or postnatal care at home, a doula service and more.” From the start of her pregnancy, Ruth knew she would need a lot of emotional support, and this is where the expertise of her midwife, Liz Halligan, came into play. “The reassurance of having a trusted midwife by my side is hard to put into words. Liz had the time to listen – if I needed her, she was only ever a phone call away. While thoroughly professional and highly experienced, the practical aspects of the antenatal visits were not her only concern. We had plenty of time to talk through different scenarios and options in a relaxed, unhurried way. No question was too big or too small. I felt listened to and cared for.” Ruth went into labour at 34 weeks and 5 days, in the middle of the night, with the two children asleep in bed and her partner two hours away.

“The first person I rang was Liz. Her calm reassurance at the other end of the phone was just what I needed. I knew immediately that, at such an early gestation, I would have to go to hospital, but this was something that we had already discussed. Liz was with me within minutes and drove me to the hospital. I was very lucky that the hospital staff allowed Liz to stay with me in the delivery room where her support was wonderful. While I was terribly disappointed to end up in hospital and devastated when my newborn was taken up to NICU, I trusted Liz to help me make the best, informed decisions to keep me and my baby safe. Her continued support was hugely important, right through baby’s three days in NICU and the transition home and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with postnatal hormones. “I’m absolutely thrilled that Liz is receiving this award, as I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more. Her calm and reassuring presence was a lifeline to me, especially when things didn’t go according to plan. Anyone who has been lucky enough to have Liz as their midwife knows that you couldn’t wish for a safer pair of hands, or a more lovely person to be by your side through thick and thin.”

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ONE TESTER SAID: “It has side clips to secure lid, which will keep the bottles sterile.

It is very fast and holds six bottles, which is great timesaver. It is dishwasher friendly making it much easier to clean.”

FINALISTS: * Boots Baby 2-In-1 Combination Steriliser * Boots Baby Electric Steam Steriliser * Tommee Tippee Electric Steam Steriliser

BEST BREASTFEEDING PRODUCT WINNER:

MAM BREASTFEEDING SET ONE TESTER SAID: “The pump is easy to use and feels so soft and comfortable. The self-sterilising anti-colic bottles are a fantastic idea and design. Its compact, portable and great value for money.”

FINALISTS: * Boots Ultra Slim Breast Pads * Frugi Summer Tie Dress * Philips Avent Natural Breast Pump * Tommee Tippee Express And Go Range

INNOVATIVE PRODUCT WINNER:

MUNCHKIN MIRACLE® 360° TRAINER CUP ONE TESTER SAID: “I loved the shape, size and colours, which made it easy to grip for the babies and had a no spill feature. It is dishwasher safe, this was a plus.”

FINALISTS: * Accessories4Babies Pram Pegs * Farm Safety Story Books * Gloup® * Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine.

25/10/2016 16:32

57 AWARDS

BEST BABY/TODDLER SUPPLEMENT WINNER:

BABYVITD3 DROPS ONE TESTER SAID: “These are a great way to get the vitamin D that newborns need.

Only one drop is all they need. It’s ingredients are just Vitamin D and coconut oil, no sugar or flavouring. Great.”

FINALISTS: * Biokult Infantis * Boots Pharmaceutical Multivitamin Syrup 6months+ * Dluxinfant Vitamin D Oral Spray * Vivioptal Junior

BEST PREGNANCY SUPPLEMENT WINNER:

PREGNACARE PLUS

Dad of the Year WINNER: PAT CAREY NOMINATED BY: SON AND WIFE, AARON & AISLING CAREY This year’s Dad of the Year has proven himself a quiet hero, never seeking praise or recognition for his kind nature and good deeds.

In life, dad is often the person who is there to pick you up when you fall. But Pat Carey doesn’t just pick his children up off of the ground, he also helps them soar. For this reason, he’s been named our Maxi Cosi Dad of the Year. When Aaron Carey was born with severe heart defeats, it was the beginning of a scary time for the family. When his newborn son required open-heart surgery at just four days old, Pat remained a quiet strength by his hospital bed. During these early days the silence of the ward was only broken by the nightly chanting of Pat’s favourite lullaby at his son’s bedside, You’ll Never Walk Alone, which Aaron, now 15 years old, still insists is ‘our song.’ In the years since, Aaron has undergone two further open-heart surgeries and his father has remained an unwavering presence.

When Aaron is out in the world he feels safe in the knowledge that, no matter what, his dad is no further than a quick text away. When Pat isn’t lighting up the children’s wards with his impressive vocals, he’s dedicating his time to his tremendous charity work. Working tirelessly for Heart Children Ireland and Crumlins Children Hospital, Pat spends his time organising car boot sales, Christmas fairs and even skydiving jumps in his fundraising attempts. Yet it’s not these feats of bravery or acts of amazing kindness that sets Pat apart from the other dads. For Aaron, it’s Pat’s inclination to avoid any thanks or praise for his efforts and achievements that makes him truly deserving of this award. Aaron says, “I don’t have enough words to describe how much my dad deserves this award. I have so much to say about him but it’s hard to write it all down.” Aaron is proud to witness, first-hand, this hardworking and selfless nature his father dedicates to every aspect of his life. Whether at work, in his role as a caretaker in a local school, or at home, Pat moves through his day, quietly ensuring everyone has what they need. Even with his busy schedule Pat never fails to carve out quality time for Aaron, but no time they spend together is more sacred than watching a Liverpool match. Both avid fans of this legendary team, Aaron explains that a Liverpool game is exclusively ‘our time.’ Unfortunately, Aaron is aware he’ll need further surgeries as he grows older. His only comfort is that with his dad by his side, as he always has been, this future seems significantly less daunting. “I need more open heart surgeries in the future and I know I’ll need my dad there with me,” says Aaron. “Right there by my side is where he will be.”

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ONE TESTER SAID: “I took this all through my pregnancy, was really easy to take and to keep down even through my morning sickness. I had loads of energy to work right up to my last day of pregnancy when I had my beautiful, healthy baby boy.”

FINALISTS: * Boots Pregnancy Support Plus * Dluxpregnancy Vitamin D Oral Spray * Spatone Liquid Iron

BEST BABY FOOD/RANGE WINNER:

PIP & PEAR CHILLED BABY FOOD RANGE ONE TESTER SAID: “This is a great product.

I loved everything about this product. It had great packaging, quality ingredients and reusable pots. Loved them. ”

FINALISTS: * Aldi Mamia Organic Range * Heavenly Baby & Toddler Snacks * Organix Baby Ring Biscuits Banana

BEST ORGANIC PRODUCT WINNER:

HEAVENLY TASTY ORGANIC MINI ITALIAN BREADSTICKS ONE TESTER SAID: “These were a hit with kids, organic ingredients and retain so much freshness.

Very handy for travelling and especially when grocery shopping, something for them all to munch on.”

FINALISTS: * Elmtree Organics Afternoon Delight * Goodies Carrot Cake Cereal Bars * Mamia Organic Chicken & Vegetable Casserole.

25/10/2016 16:32

58 AWARDS

Business Parent WINNER: KEELIN O’KEEFE NOMINATED BY: SISTER, AIDEEN O’BRIEN Eumom’s Business Parent of the Year began her company at the most hectic time in a mother’s life, but faced every hurdle with grace and resolve.

In 2014, entrepreneur and mum of one Keelin O’Keeffe was all set to launch her boutique baby label kiki moon. But in the madness of designing an amazing new baby range, liaising with manufacturers and selecting fabrics, Keelin soon discovered that an even bigger launch was scheduled mere months before this new venture, the arrival of her second child, Kaela.

Undeterred by the hectic times that lay ahead, Keelin, with the love and support of her family, prepared for her latest adventure. It is this inspiring determination and resolve that makes Keelin our Business Parent of the Year. During a difficult pregnancy, Keelin faced numerous health concerns. Most notably, she suffered severely from Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), which left her unable to walk and requiring the use of crutches for most of her final trimester. Keelin’s sister Aideen remains in awe of everything she has accomplished.

Aideen says, “nothing got in her way of achieving her vision. She was so determined that this business was going to happen and happen it did!” Keelin’s little girl Kaela was born on March 1st, during a snowstorm in Dublin, and kiki moon launched only a few months later. With unbending determination and an unrivalled work ethic, Keelin has transformed kiki moon from a small home-based business into a considerable enterprise that is quickly gaining momentum and garnering international recognition. Keelin now ships her beautiful products to 35 countries worldwide, her biggest market being the UK and

BEST POTTY TRAINING PRODUCT

FINALISTS: * Huggies Pull-Ups * Lidl Toujours Quick Pants Nappy Range * Pampers Baby Dry Pants * Supervalu Fragranced Flushable Toilet Wipes.

ONE TESTER SAID: “These fit my son so well that there was no leaks. He does a lot of running around and they stayed in place the whole time.

Great value for money. ”

her young son Ethan, bringing her beautiful daughter Kaela into the world and starting kiki moon, Keelin’s resolve to create a better future for her children never wavered. Aideen says, “Keelin has not allowed anyone or anything to dampen her vision. She constantly inspires me with her passion and determination to succeed.” Keelin manages all areas of kiki moon with a flair and finesse that’s exclusively reserved for the giants of enterprise. Yet, when the laptop is closed and the workday has finished, she’s not just an inspiring businesswoman, but also a proud mum of two.

BEST BABY WIPES WINNER:

ALDI MAMIA SENSITIVE WIPES

PAMPERS BABY DRY NAPPIES

CLEVAMAMA TOILET TRAINING SLEEP MAT

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BEST NAPPY RANGE WINNER:

WINNER:

ONE TESTER SAID: “This was very helpful when doing night training with my daughter, on a couple of occasions her pullup leaked and this made dealing with the inevitable clean-up a lot easier. It is well-made and good quality.”

Ireland. The impeccable quality and creative flair of her blankets and baby wear have captured the attention of the media at both home and abroad. Recently, Manhattan-based journalist Peachy Deegan praised her blankets as ‘the ideal gift for the young around the world’ and hailed Keelin as someone ‘who is clearly keeping Ireland on top.’ Contributing to the mounting success of kiki moon, celebrity party planner Mindy Weiss (whose client list includes the Kardashians, Ellen Degeneres, Heidi Klum and Pink) is hoping to incorporate kiki moon products into her famed luxury baby showers. In the face of raising

FINALISTS: * Aldi Mamia Nappies * Baba+Boo Reusable Cloth Nappy * Boots Baby Super Dry Nappies * Lidl Toujours Nappy Range

ONE TESTER SAID: “These are excellent value for money. I had no problems with baby in terms of sensitivity.The packaging is very easy to use with secure opening.”

FINALISTS: * Boots Baby Soft Cloth Wipes Fragrance Free * Jackson Reece, Kinder By Nature Unscented Baby Wipes * Johnson’s® Extra Sensitive Baby Wipes * Supervalu 72 Newborn Sensitive Fragrance Free Baby Wipes.

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59 AWARDS

BEST BABY SKINCARE PRODUCT WINNER: BEPANTHEN ONE TESTER SAID: “I loved the light texture of this compared to other nappy creams. Great for every day use. It’s very soothing and a great product to prevent nappy rash. ”

FINALISTS: * Childs Farm Moisturiser * Elave Sensitive Baby Intensive Cream 125g * Storksak Organics Baby Spa * Sudocrem Nappy Rash Cream

BEST BATH TIME PRODUCT WINNER:

Child Hero of the Year WINNER: BILLY KIELY NOMINATED BY: MUM, CHRISTINE SHANAHAN The BT Child Hero of the Year winner really puts the “super” into “superhero” as his proud mum and nominator explains.

Children constantly amaze us with their coping skills in often tricky situations, but some have to endure things we can’t even begin to comprehend. Eleven-year-old Billy Kiely suffers from a rare progressive disease called Hunters Syndrome, which causes painful joints, heart problems, enlarged liver and spleen, development delay and speech problems. Billy is also almost completely deaf and suffers painful carpal tunnel in his hands. Yet despite all he has had to go through in his life so far, Billy always has a smile on his face and a genuine joy for life. “Billy is my superhero and the bravest boy I know, his proud mum Christine Shanahan told us. “I may be a little biased as I’m his mum but everyone who knows Billy is blown away by his courage, his constant smile and infectious laugh.

Even though every day is a battle for him he never lets the pain get to him and always manages to put a smile on everyone’s face.” Every week, Billy has to go through a four-hour treatment to try to slow down the progression of the disease, as well as numerous other appointments and procedures, including physio and occupational therapy. He also suffers a lot from joint stiffness and respiratory infections. “Despite all the medical appointments, Billy never gets down and loves nothing better than going to school to be with his friends and just be a normal kid. As parents we just strive to keep him as happy and healthy as he can possibly be. Billy never gives up and always has a smile on his face so we must do that too.” As Billy gets older, dealing with the disease gets trickier as it is progressive and therefore raises more challenges as the years go on; however, Christine is hopeful that advances will be made. “Billy is on ERT (enzyme replacement treatment) at the moment and his condition is relatively stable. We hope to maintain this for as long as possible, but ERT only slows down progression unfortunately. However, a lot of advances have been made in clinical trials so we are always hopeful for the future.” Christine is thrilled that Billy is getting this award and that his courage and bravery is being recognised. “I have the most rewarding job in the world cause I am mum to a superhero. Billy loves Superman, Spiderman and all the superheroes, but to us he is the most amazing superhero of all.”

“Billy loves Superman, Spiderman and all the superheroes, but to us he is the most amazing superhero of all.”

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CLEVAMAMA SPLASH & WRAP BABY BATH TOWEL ONE TESTER SAID: “This is a great product and very handy to use as I always get drenched lifting my kids out of the bath! It washes well and is easy to use.

It’s a good decent size and I like the hood.”

FINALISTS: * Elave Sensitive Baby Bath 400ml * Johnson’s® Bedtime Baby Bath * Mothercare Aqua Pod * Munchkin White Hot® Safety Bath Duck

BEST MATERNITY SKINCARE RANGE WINNER: BIO-OIL ONE TESTER SAID: “I loved this product. It lasts for a long time and a little goes a long way. It was comforting to apply and made my bump feel moisturised and smooth.”

FINALISTS: * Elave Dermo Renew Sensitive Skin Balancing Moisturiser * L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser: Day Cream Night Cream, Serum * La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra * Lidl Cien Intensely Hydrating Hand Cream With Almond Oil And Shea Butter.

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60 AWARDS

BEST SLEEP PRODUCT WINNER:

CHICCO NEXT2ME ONE TESTER SAID: “I found this very useful for night feeding. It had padded sides to add comfort for baby. It’s a great size and settles the baby knowing they are close to you.”

FINALISTS: * Baby Elegance Healthcare Pocket Spring Mattress * Clevasleep+ * MAM Night Soother (0+ Months) * Pabobo Super Nomade

BEST BABY MONITOR WINNER:

MOTOROLA MBP36S REMOTE WIRLESS VIDEO BABY MONITOR

Grandparent of the Year WINNER: MARY CREAVY NOMINATED BY: DAUGHTER, MELANIE DOYLE This year’s Grandparent of the Year has a kindness and strength that’s bound her family together through generations.

The memories we share with our grandparents during the formative years of our lives often last long into adulthood. The time and tender, cherished moments Mary Creavy has given her family is what makes her our Irish Daily Mail Grandparent of the Year. As a mother, Mary lovingly dedicated many years of her life to raising her eight children. Once they had grown and had families of their own, she didn’t show any sign of slowing down. Instead, she now spends her days showering her 11 grandchildren, aged from just newborn to eight years old, with all of the love and attention that one person can muster. In 2014, for the second time in her life, Mary made the unfortunate discovery of a lump in her breast. Having survived cancer in the past, she made the brave decision to have a double mastectomy, along with radiation and chemotherapy. It was through this difficult time that her strength shone through. “Even though she was in pain from the surgery and sick from the chemotherapy or radiation, she never complained, she just got on with it!” says Mary’s daughter, Melanie. Even through her illness, Mary continued to be a support and a comfort to those closest to her, often happily volunteering her time to look after one of her many grandchildren. While Mary bravely faced her illness, the Creavy family was dealt another heartbreaking blow. Mary’s five-yearold granddaughter, Nicole, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Taking after her grandmother in bravery and spirit, Nicole underwent a year and a half of chemotherapy, along with surgery to remove the tumour. Yet, a key comfort during this trying time was knowing that Mary would be by her side through similar experiences. Melanie notes, “They both went through it together, which in a weird way was comforting for them both.” As both lost their hair, Mary kept spirits high by insisting they have a race to grow it back. (Nicole was victorious in this feat) and turned what would be a trying time into a shared experience between granddaughter and grandmother. In moments when she wasn’t raising spirits to attention, Mary worked quietly in the background of this harrowing time to comfort her daughter, Suzanne, who was watching her child fight this destructive illness. Thanks to their strength and bravery both members of the Creavy family have now received hopeful news from doctors, with Mary being given the all-clear from cancer and Nicole’s tumour reduced enough to stop chemotherapy. Melanie says, “It’s been tough but none of us could have gotten through this without her strength and unconditional love. I can’t write enough that will explain how much she has done for all of us and our children.”

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ONE TESTER SAID: “The digital screen was a great size and had a clear image and the remote control camera was a fantastic feature. The price was very reasonable. ”

FINALISTS: * BT Digital Baby Monitor 350 Lightshow * Motorola Mbp662 Connect Wireless Baby Monitor * Philips Avent Sensitive Eco Dect Baby Monitor * Tommee Tippee Digital Video * Movement And Sound Monitor

BEST SAFETY PRODUCT WINNER:

BOOTS BABY HOME SAFETY STARTER PACK ONE TESTER SAID: “I found this extremely useful as a starter pack. The pieces were easy to put in place and fitted the doors and drawers neatly.”

FINALISTS: * Boots Baby Padded Harness And Reins * Guard Me™ By Baby Dan * Lindam Easy Fit Plus Deluxe Gate * Mothercare Coolmax Fx Mattress

BEST BABY/TODDLER TOY WINNER:

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE SAND AND WATER TABLE ONE TESTER SAID: “It is easy to assemble and sturdy. It will provide long hours of entertainment.

Allows the child to be innovative, creative and get used to different textures.”

FINALISTS: * Bigjigs Toys Stegosaurus Pull Along * Double Sided Crib Toy * Little Green Dot Stripe Handmade Elephant Toy

25/10/2016 16:32

CONGRAT ULAT IONS FROM

Jennifer Gleeson (Lidl) and Carla Smith

We would like to congratulate our Lidl Mum of Year Carla Smith!

Well deserving of this award and a true inspiration!

LIDL2_1C_MI.indd 1

27/10/2016 16:50

62 AWARDS

BEST OUTDOOR AREA

WINNER: BESSBOROUGH CENTRE CRECHE, CORK ONE JUDGE SAID: “Peter Gray, Research Professor at Boston College and world expert on the evolution of play praised this service for having so much raw outdoor space and that its curriculum includes risk, allowing children to play with little intervention.”

FINALISTS: * Grovelands Childcare * Carrickmacross Community Childcare, Monaghan

BEST LEARNING INITIATIVES WINNER:

KILMINCHY SCHOOL HOUSE ONE JUDGE SAID: “According to Imelda Graham, Researcher and Author of Spaces to be Me: Quality Environments in Early Years Services, this learning initiative provides a wealth of different opportunities for play, learning and development. It introduces children to a wilder environment, where nature has to be responded to with respect.”

FINALISTS: * Grovelands Childcare * Outdoor Explorers Preschool Mayo

Early Education Awards At the Boots maternity & infant Awards, we celebrated the difference quality early education can make on young children’s lives. We wanted to recognise the benefits of early childhood care and education as well as recognising the key role played by early years professionals, which is why this year, we introduced five brand-new categories. These new categories are a reflection of the modern world of early education and showcase services that are leaders in the sector. To find the best early education services across Ireland, we first asked the parents to nominate a centre of their choice. It could be a local creche, nursery or pre school, a Naíonraí (Irish language pre schools) or Montessori that they sent their own children to, or a High/Scope school or a Steiner school that they knew did great work within their community. Once we received a nomination, we contacted the centre and invited them to enter one of our categories by filling in a simple submission form telling us all about their centre. The submissions were reviewed by our esteemed panel of judges from Canavan Byrne and then by our independent judges who were specialists in their early education fields. We want to extend a huge thank you to Canavan Byrne and all the judges who helped choose the the best early educational centres in Ireland!

“These new catgeories are a reflection of the modern world of early education and showcase services that are leaders in the sector.”

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BEST FOOD AND NUTRITION WINNER: GROVELANDS CHILDCARE, OFFALY & WESTMEATH ONE JUDGE SAID: “Ruth Charles, paediatric dietitian and owner of Nutrikids, was highly impressed with how this service leads by example and uses mealtimes as a learning opportunity.”

FINALISTS: * Kilfinane Playschool Ltd, Limerick

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63 AWARDS childcare

canavanbyrne Early childcare canavanbyrne Educator of the Year WINNER: KELLY CHURCHARD NOMINATED BY: PARENT, CHRISTINA SHERLOCK Our Early Educator of the Year winner has been praised for her warm and encouraging manner with all the toddlers in her care.

Many mums dread leaving their babies when it’s time to return to work after the end of maternity leave – even if they’re excited to get back to the workplace. But having great childcare that you can trust helps to take the sting out of those first few weeks. For Christina Sherlock, returning to her job in Woman’s Aid after having her second child, Tadhg, was made a lot easier by the fact that she had a crèche that she knew and loved after her experience with her daughter, Orla, who is now five. Like many parents, Christina admits to struggling at first when leaving Orla in crèche, but found the transition a lot easier with Tadhg thanks to the staff in her chosen crèche, Daisy Days – and one staff member in particular.

Kelly Churchard works in the toddler room in Daisy Days, and Christina was immediately taken by her warm character. “Kelly takes a real interest in the child and talks to all the parents at drop off and collection. As a parent, it really put me at ease. She is a really friendly, warm and open childcare professional. You can see that she has high standards and wants all the children to do well.” Philip Lowry, whose sons Max and Caleb also spent time in Kelly’s room, agrees. “I really cannot stress how nice Kelly is. She is warm not only to the kids but also to the parents. At no stage did I ever feel Max or Cal would not be loved under Kelly, and I think that’s the difference, she doesn’t only mind them she makes them feel loved. I have never seen a bad side or humour to Kelly and I don’t know if one exists.” In addition, Kelly’s skills as an educator are put to the test in her room.

“Kelly is a really friendly, warm and open childcare professional. You can see that she has high standards and wants all the children to do well.”

“The toddler room is where the children start to develop the skills they need before heading into pre-school,” Christina explains. “Kelly puts a big emphasis on learning through fun and exploring new experiences, like water play, arts and generally making a mess! Tadhg was a little quiet with his speech for a while and Kelly

BEST INDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

worked with us to help bring him along.” Tadhg has since moved on to the pre-school room, but still calls Kelly’s room ‘his room’ and is always delighted to see her. “I am thrilled that Kelly has won this award; she and all the staff at Daisy Days really deserve it for their excellent standard of childcare and their warm and caring ways.”

BEST IN EQUALITY & DIVERSITY

WINNER:

WINNER:

NAÍONRA NA NÓG, CO. LIMERICK

OAKVIEW VILLAGE CHILDCARE AND EARLY YEARS SUPPORT CENTRE, CO. KERRY

QUOTE: “Imelda Graham, researcher and author of Spaces to be Me: Quality Environments in Early Years Services, said she loved the fact that the environments promoted independence, selfdirected learning and creativity.”

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FINALISTS: * Oakview Village Childcare and Early Years Support Centre * Kilminchy School House

ONE JUDGE SAID: “Brid Hickey, early years specialist and strong advocate of Inclusive early education said that this service demonstrates a huge commitment to accessibility and inclusive practice both through their curriculum and their links with the wider community.”

FINALISTS: * Grovelands Childcare

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64 AWARDS

Young Achievers of the Year WINNER: HARRY & MOLLY FLYNN NOMINATED BY: MUM, MARIA FLYNN This year’s Avonmore Super Milk Young Achiever award goes to two siblings who have saved their little sister’s life on hundreds of occasions over the last five years.

We hear so many funny stories of bickering siblings that we often forget how close brothers and sisters can be – and that even the most warring of siblings still look out for each other in various situations. But going far and above the usual sibling care are a brother and sister duo, Harry and Molly Flynn, who have saved their sister’s life over 200 times in the past five years.

Mum Maria Flynn explains more: “Isabelle has a condition called apnea, which causes her to stop breathing at any moment and die. Both Harry and Molly learned CPR in the Irish Red Cross, and have used it on Isabelle many times to save her life. Her brother Harry, who is now 11, first saved her life when he was six years old, while his sister Molly, who is nine, has also saved her life on many different occasions, including one time on a bouncy castle, when she stopped breathing and went unconscious.”

Harry and Molly’s compassion for their sister doesn’t end with the physical, however. “Isabelle also has cerebral palsy, and the doctors had said she would never walk, talk, or have the use of her arms. But thanks to the love and ongoing attention she gets from the kids she has learned to use her arms and is fully intelligent and even started to walk a month ago.” Harry and Molly’s experience with their sister has made them passionate about lifesaving techniques, and believes that everyone should know CPR and other emergency skills.

“Harry and Molly are volunteers with the Irish

BEST FAMILY HOTEL/ HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Red Cross Waterford City branch. They attend weekly training on Monday nights, learning CPR and all first aid skills that adults would learn, and they spend over 100 hours a year doing public demonstrations to teach the public and especially other children how to do CPR and save a life. They want to reach as many children as they can and show them that it is so easy to do CPR and yes it can save a life. Their main reaction on hearing about this award is that now

BEST SANTA EXPERIENCE

WINNER:

WINNER:

THE KENMARE BAY HOTEL & RESORT

RATHWOOD SANTA TRAIN EXPERIENCE

ONE JUDGE SAID: “My kids absolutely loved the kids club as well as the play area in the restaurant. It completely gave me and my husband piece of mind. The staff couldn’t have been more friendly. Will 100% be returning!”

ONE JUDGE SAID: “The Santa train were so organised, had name tags for the kids so Santa knew their name. It was well worth the price and trip. The cabin was lovely decorated and there was a great restaurant too.”

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FINALISTS: * Brandon House Hotel Family Getaway * Hotel Westport Family Holidays * Slieve Russell Hotel * Golf & Country Club, Westport House

they can tell even more people how to do CPR!” Maria is thrilled that Harry and Molly have been recognised for this award. “When Isabelle is sick she can stop breathing up to 40 times during the day and night and as a single parent you can only imagine just how much rely I on the kids in that situation. Yet they never complain. I am truly blessed to have Harry and Molly; without them, Isabelle would not be alive today. They are definitely her Guardian Angels.

BEST HOLIDAY PRODUCT WINNER:

CALDESUN 50 SPF CHILDREN’S SUN PROTECTION 200ML

FINALISTS: * Amber Springs Santa Train Experience * Fota Wish * Santa’s House Express @ Palmerstown House Estate * Winter Wonderland At Westport House

ONE TESTER SAID: “This is an excellent sun care lotion and i was able to apply it onto the kids very easily. It also holds up very well in the swimming pool, would highly recommend!”

FINALISTS: * Caldekids Travel Pops * Elave Sensitive Sun Spf30 250ml * Huggies Little Swimmers * La Rochve-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Baby Spf 50+

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65 AWARDS

BEST BABY STORE WINNER: BOOTS ONE TESTER SAID: “Boots always has a huge range of different brands for you to choose from. The staff are friendly and helpful. They do great competitions and bonus points giveaway. I would highly recommend.”

FINALISTS: * Baby Elegance Baby Store * Mothercare Ireland

BEST MATERNITY WEAR WINNER:

Miracle Baby of the Year WINNER: CATHAL DALY NOMINATED BY: AUNT, SINEAD EGAN This year’s Sudocrem Miracle Baby Award goes to a tiny little boy whose presence here really couldn’t be possible without the miracle of organ donation and a very brave and selfless uncle.

Baby Cathal Daly was both on August 12th, 2016, weighing in at a healthy 7lbs 6oz. A perfectly normal birth announcement, you would think, except that Cathal’s mum Therese had a kidney transplant only the year before. In March 2015, Therese’s brother Cathal donated his kidney to save his sister’s life – but little did they know that only 17 months later Therese would give birth to the most gorgeous little boy and name it after her selfless brother! Therese had suffered kidney problems for many years, and received her first kidney from a deceased donor on September 11th, 2001. “Therese was pretty sick before both transplants,” explains her sister, Sinead. “But one thing I will say about Therese is that she was always really positive in what was an extremely tough time for her. Her husband Paul was amazing too, always by her side.” When Therese got sick again, all of her five siblings were willing to donate and were tested for suitability. Cathal was a full 6/6 match for Therese, which is an exceptionally good match, and the transplant went ahead in Beaumont Hospital. Both Cathal and Therese recovered well after the donation, and Cathal even went on to captain the winning Kildalkey side in the hurling championships in September 2015. “Cathal made a speech upon receiving the cup and said it was a personal achievement to go out and win a county final after donating his kidney to his sister Therese. There wasn’t a dry eye on the stand that day!” says Sinead. When Therese discovered she was pregnant, she was understandably nervous, but the doctors reassured her that she would be monitored closely during the nine months. “Thankfully she had a pretty smooth pregnancy and she really looked after her health. Whenever she went to the Rotunda she had to go to Beaumont too to make sure the kidney was functioning well – which it did throughout and afterwards.” Happily, Cathal’s birth was straightforward enough, and he’s now thriving. “Cathal is doing great. The amount of happiness he has brought into the world for our whole family is in incredible and I know none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for my brother’s bravery. I was going to enter him for the sibling award too but he said he wanted baby Cathal to win Miracle Baby. It is a day to celebrate him. “It’s also great to share their story and to raise organ donor awareness. The gift of life is so special, and it’s fantastic that Cathal is our silver lining out of all of this.”

“The gift of life is so special, and it’s fantastic that Cathal is our silver lining out of all of this.”

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MOTHERCARE BLOOMING MARVELLOUS ONE TESTER SAID: “Love their range, as the clothes are comfortable yet stylish and they can be dressed up or kept casual. Reasonably priced.”

FINALISTS: * Lidl Esmara Maternity Range * Tiffany Rose Maternity Wear * Zip Us In Jacket Expander Panel

BEST TRENDY TOTS BRAND

WINNER:

LUPILU RANGE IN LIDL ONE TESTER SAID: “This range is so affordable and the clothes are great quality. The kids loved the design and different styles.

It had simple washing instructions to follow.”

FINALISTS: * Frugi Spring/ Summer 2016 Collection * Littel Green Dot Organic Baby ‘Eco-cool’ Range * Little Bird By Jools Oliver

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66 AWARDS

Super Siblings of the Year WINNER: EOIN & JOE KEANE NOMINATED BY: MUM, ANNE MARIE KEANE This year’s Super Siblings of the Year are two boys who prove that you’re never too young to be a role model of kindness and love.

In 2014, mum-of-two Anne Marie Keane and her husband John happily discovered they were expecting another child. But nothing compared to the excitement felt by their two young boys Eoin, ten, and Joe, seven. In a remarkable display of self-control, both boys remained tight-lipped to their friends about their new sibling, even as their excitement doubled over when Anne Marie discovered she would be having twins. “They were so excited, they finally got to break the double news when they got to school on Monday,” says Anne Marie. At 34 weeks’ gestation Anne Marie went into early labour and her beautiful boys Cillian and Conor were born. Anne Marie and John then discovered that both boys had Down syndrome. After explaining to the boys that Cillian and Joe would need a lot of love, care and attention from their older siblings, Eoin and Joe revealed the generous and kind nature that makes their parents so proud. Anne Marie affectionately recalls Eoin remarking, “But dad they’re our brothers, why wouldn’t we help them?” After that the boys settled comfortably into their new roles as older brothers, protectors and role models. Not only do they spend their time building on the speech and physiology skills their brothers are learning, but they also continuously show an active interest in their progress. Anne Marie says, “They’re always really interested in hearing how they got on at appointments or wanting to know what they have to do for their next appointment.”

Even babysitters confess to having little work to do when Eoin and Joe are around, as they insist on attending to their brothers in every way. Still, even these inspirational helpers draw a firm line at nappy changing! “To be honest, my husband works long hours and if it weren’t for the two boys I’d never manage. They’re fantastic little men and I’m very proud of them!” Anne Marie says.

Maternity Advisor of the Year WINNER: PAULINE GANNON NOMINATED BY: CLIENT, CIARA MCFARLANE Our Maternity Advisor of the Year winner was instrumental in helping her client achieve as close to an ideal birth as possible in difficult circumstances.

When looking ahead to your baby’s birth, most parents to be have an idea in their heads of how they would like labour and birth to go. But sometimes the reality is vastly different from the plan, and the challenge then is to get as close as possible to your wishes and – above all – ensure the safety of both mum and baby. Ciara McFarlane planned a natural birth using hypnobirthing with her first baby, but unfortunately interventions ended in a traumatic experience that had a knock-on effect on breastfeeding and her confidence as a new mother. For her second child, Ciara then decided to go for a midwife-led birth and to avoid interventions unless absolutely necessary. This was when she met Pauline Gannon. “I rang Pauline after Googling hypnobirthing and immediately on the phone she made me feel at ease and listened to, which I now know was missing after my first birth,” she explains.

Unfortunately, complications arose towards the end of Ciara’s pregnancy. “After being admitted early due to breach position and told I would need a section I was devastated. Pauline re-assured me at a very vulnerable time and said that the hospital was the place for me. I ended up asking the doctors to turn baby and I had my hypnobirth in hospital. The midwives were excellent and using Pauline’s birth plan I got as close to the ideal birth that I could hope for, and my wonderful healthy baby boy was born. Pauline was right about being in hospital as the cord was wrapped twice around his head.

Pauline opens herself up to women in a very honest and touching way. Many women hope that their labour will not turn into a medical event or emergency and Pauline supports this but she is equally realistic and supportive if medical help and supervision during labour is necessary. Striking this balance with her holistic approach, in my eyes make Pauline worthy of this wonderful award.”

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BEST PARENT & BABY ACTIVITY WINNER:

HARMONY YOGA TODDLER YOGA CLASSES ONE TESTER SAID: “Brilliant classes.

There was lots of games, exercises and activities accompanied by songs.I got to do some yoga stretches as part of the class.”

FINALISTS: * ODEON Newbies * Rugbytots Play Programme For Kids * Water Babies Baby Swimming Lessons

BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT WINNER:

NO. 9 CAFÉ ONE JUDGE SAID: “I wish I could bring the chefs home with me! Never have I been to a more friendly restaurant where they compleetly catered for children and no request was to big for them. They treated my kids like VIPS and that, to me, is priceless.”

FINALISTS: * Coqbull * Cornstore

BEST FAMILY DAY OUT

WINNER:

TAYTO THEME PARK & ZOO ONE JUDGE SAID: “The staff here were great, and even though it was really busy, we didn’t have to queue for toilets or a picnic bench or for very long at the park rides. Really well organised and well run venue. ”

FINALISTS: * Imaginosity Dublin Children’s Museum * Odeon Kids, Viking Splash Tours * Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park

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67 AWARDS

BEST PAIN RELIEF FOR KIDS WINNER:

CALPOL ® INFANT ORAL SUSPENSION SUGAR FREE ONE TESTER SAID: “This works very quickly and takes away any pain while also helping to bring down your baby’s temperature.

Reasonable priced as well.”

FINALISTS: * Buplex Junior Ibuprofen Suspension * Infacol * Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules

BEST FOR BABY COLIC

Outstanding Achievement Award WINNER: RON RICHARDSON NOMINATED BY: CLIENT, CLODAGH WHITE This year’s Boots Outstanding Achievement Award goes to a man whose perfect attention to detail when it comes to fitting carseats saved the life of one small client.

July 9th, 2016, was a normal day for Clodagh White and her young family. Her 12-year-old daughter Meabh was going to a birthday party, and she strapped her two-year-old son Rian into his extended rear-facing car seat before they all went to drop Meabh off. Unfortunately they never made it to the party, as en route, the car was involved in a serious collision, as Clodagh explains. “Every single part of my being shook with the impact. I instinctively threw my left arm out to hold back my 12-yearold daughter, who was a front seat passenger.” Both Meabh and Clodagh suffered horrific injuries.

“My little girl cracked the base of her skull, C1 vertabrae in her neck, multiple bleeds on the brain, contusion to one of her lungs and a fractured pelvic bone. I ensued injuries to my pelvis, cracked sacrum and fractured pubic bone. I spent one month in hospital on bed rest and physio work.”

Thankfully, Meabh is now back in school on a part-time basis and doing well, although still suffers from post-concussion syndrome. Clodagh is still in pain with her injuries and may be facing surgery in the next few months. Miraculously, however, Rian escaped without injury. “It was nothing short of a miracle that he was physically virtually unharmed, not a scratch or bruise. He did start vomiting and was brought to UCHG for two nights observation and tests. His CT scan revealed no abnormalities.”

Clodagh credits one man with Rian’s escape from injury – Ron Richardson at the RSA who had guided Clodagh when fitting Rian’s carseat. “Only four days before my accident I contacted Ron and sent him a video link of one of the seats, which was clearly not installed correctly. Ron gave up his time after a working day to watch my video and explain to me in clear detail what I needed to do to remedy the situation. I immediately acted on his advice and both seats were rock solid as a result. In fact, the only two parts of my car that weren’t destroyed by the crash were my two carseats! “Ron’s passion for and belief in child car seat safety exceeds the hours he works for at the RSA Check It Fits roadshows. He is an active member of a very popular and busy car seat forum on Facebook and is called on daily to offer advice and solutions to carseat dilemmas. “Only for Ron and his advice I shudder to think of the consequences. Ron in my eyes is as equal a hero to any surgeon, medical consultant etc. He saved my little boy’s life and I’ll forever be indebted to him.”

“Ron in my eyes is as equal a hero to any surgeon, medical consultant etc. He saved my little boy’s life and I’ll forever be indebted to him.”

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WINNER:

INFACOL ONE TESTER SAID: “This is a great product for helping your baby with wind. It’s so easy to give to your baby with the use of the dropper and seems to work so much better and faster in comparison to others. ”

FINALISTS: * Colief® Infant Drops * Philips Avent Classic + Anti Colic Bottle (9OZ) * Tommee Tippee Advanced Comfort Feeding Bottle Range

BEST BABY THERMOMETER WINNER:

Inhealth Medical Dual Mode Thermometer - Forehead Or Eardrum ONE TESTER SAID: “Great that you have a choice of forehead or ear so you can compare results.

It works quickly and gives accurate readings. The fever alarm lets you know if the child needs medical attention.”

FINALISTS: * Boots Non-Contact Thermometer * Braun Thermoscan® 7 Ear Thermometer With Age Precision® (IRT6520) * Philips Avent Bath & Room Thermometer * Tommee Tippee Digital Ear Thermometer

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68 AWARDS

Special Merit Award WINNER: CLARE CLARKE/CLIMB4CLARE NOMINATED BY: FRIEND, WENDY SCANLON This year’s Boots Special Merit Award remembers an inspirational mother who used her battle with terminal cancer to help children whose parents had been diagnosed with cancer.

Being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer at any age is heartbreaking both for the patient and the family, but when you’re a young mum, having to explain the diagnosis to your children can be even more agonising. Such was the dilemma facing Clare Clarke who at the age of 29 was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. Her friend and neighbour Wendy Scanlon explains more: “Clare underwent surgery and chemotherapy but one of her main worries was how she could explain to her girls, Katie, who was nine at the time, and Ava, who was just a baby.” Aggressive treatment helped, and Clare was cancer-free for four years. Sadly it came back, and this time with secondaries in her lung and her leg, and eventually going to her brain, spine, and liver. “Clare wanted to get support for her children after diagnosis but when she went for help, she found that only one cancer centre in Tuam and one in Northern Ireland had a CLIMB programme (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) where children between the ages of 5 and 12 are given help to deal with a family member’s cancer diagnosis,” Wendy explains. “Clare was shocked at the lack of support and decided to help. And so Climb4Clare was born as the brave young woman decided to bring the help she needed to Dublin and throughout the rest of Ireland so other families could get the advice and support that they needed. Everyone rallied round to make Clare’s dream to make it happen.

BOOTS GRAND PRIX AWARD

Clare gave a speech at The Ladies Gaelic Football Association Annual Congress, made an appeal at the 2014 TG4 All Star Awards and appeared on Ireland AM in November 2014. “Thanks to Clare’s efforts, CLIMB is now in 22 out of 35 cancer centres,” says Wendy. “The aim is to have the programme available in all of the 35 cancer care centres nationwide. The programme helps children with their feelings of anger, sadness and fear in different ways and lets them mix and speak with other children who are going through the same thing.” Sadly, on the day the first facilitators finished their training, which was

BEST PARENTING BLOG

AVONMORE SUPER MILK

SUDOCREM

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BEST FAMILY BRAND WINNER:

WINNER: ABOUT THE AWARD: The Grand Prix Award is a special commendation for outstanding excellence and exceptional achievements in a product or service.

Sudocrem is acknowledged as an innovative market leader for the past 85 years, and stands out for their dedication to the highest quality of standards. There there isn’t an Irish home that hasn’t had this product in their cupboard at some point in time.

funded by Clare’s efforts, Clare passed away at the age of 35 with her family round her. “Clare leaves behind a huge legacy,” says Wendy, who also lost her mother at the age of 12 to cancer.

“She amazes me how brave she was and how she turned a tough experience into a positive thing. She spent her time fighting for her family and other families. If only I had someone like that helping me and my mother when she was diagnosed with cancer. I have no doubt every cancer patient with young children is grateful for Clare’s work in providing them and their kids with support.”

WINNER:

MY LITTLE BABOG ONE JUDGE SAID: “This is an excellent blog.

It is easy to read, engages with the blogger’s family and her everyday experiences. It has beautiful photos and great relevant content for her audience.”

FINALISTS: * One Yummy Mummy * Office Mum * Mykidstime * Love Parenting - Highs, Lows & the general madness of pregnancy * Cuddle Fairy * Confessions Of An Irish Mammy * Busyparentblog * Bumbles Of Rice * BadMammy.com

ONE TESTER SAID: “It tastes great and my children have it every day with their breakfast. The the fact that it provides Vitamin D is just an added bonus.

It’s something less I have to worry about!”

FINALISTS: * Aldi Mamia * Babybjörn * Johnson’s * Pip & Pear Chilled Baby Food

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69 AWARDS

THANK YOU! We want to say a huge thanks you to all our sponsors, finalists, winners, judges and parent testers.

We are already planning the 2017 awards so make sure to keep an eye on our website for updates in the new year!

www.maternityandinfant.ieawards #Boot smiAwards2016

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1 Bath Time Product: ClevaMama Splash & Wrap Baby Bath Towel: Brian Ormond & Suzanne Browne 2 Best Baby Carrier: Stokke MyCarrier Front and Back Carrier: Brian Ormond & Alana Conlon 3 Best Maternity Skincare: Bio-Oil: Maura Derrane & Catherine Cullen 4 Best Baby Thermometer: Inhealth Medical Dual Mode Thermometer-Forehead or Ear: Brian Ormond, Daryl Divilly & Emma Murphy 5 Best Holiday Product: Caldesun 50SPF Children’s Sun Protection 200ml: Maura Derrane & Kelley Treanor 6 Best Santa Experience: Rathwood Santa Train Experience: Maura Derrane & Margaret Dalton 7 Best Parent & Baby Activity: Harmony Yoga Toddler Yoga Classes: Brian Ormond & Gail Bovenizer 8 Best Pain Relief for Kids: Calpol Infant Oral Suspension Sugar Free: Maura Derrane & Claire Geoghan 9 Best Learning Initiative: Kilminchy School House: Brian Ormond, Sonya Duggan & Linda Carter 10 Best Organic Product: Heavenly Tasty Organics Mini Italian Breadsticks: Brian Ormond, Kristen Jameson & Maura Derrane

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The must-have family Cooking app Filled with delicious recipes for the whole family to enjoy and a fun interactive cookery course for children, Annabel’s app is the ultimate kitchen staple.

Download from the app store www.annabelkarmel.com

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71 ANNABEL KARMEL RECIPES

CHRISTMAS

GOODIES

Christmas is the ultimate excuse to get creative in the kitchen and you can get little ones helping out with ANNABEL KARMEL’s selection of fun festive party pleasers. From edible wreaths to Santa Claus crackers, create a standout spread that friends and family will love!

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S ee O v er SNOWMEN CUPCAKES

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72 ANNABEL KARMEL RECIPES

F rom p ag e 7 1 Cupcakes Preparation: 15 minutes Makes: 6 Cupcakes: 125g butter or margarine 125g caster sugar ½ tsp lemon zest 2 eggs 125g self-raising flour ¼ tsp baking powder Icing: 500g vanilla buttercream 20 chocolate chips 50g orange fondant icing Matchmakers A little milk chocolate Edible silver baubles

Pre heat the oven to 160°C Fan/180°C/Gas 4. Line a muffin tin with 8 paper cases. Put the butter, sugar, lemon zest, flour and baking powder into a bowl and beat until smooth. Divide the mixture between the paper cases and cook for about 20 minutes or until golden and springy to touch. Cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cut off a short length from some Matchmakers and attach these using little of the melted chocolate as in the photo. Use the orange fondant icing for carrot noses. Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe the buttercream on top. Add chocolate chips for eyes, the orange noses and silver baubles for the mouth. Add Matchmaker arms.

RICE PILAFF WITH TURKEY

SANTA AT THE RITZ

Turkey Pilaf Preparation: 25 minutes Cooking: 25 minutes Makes: 6 portions 150g basmati rice 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 50g frozen peas 100g sweetcorn 175g cooked turkey, finely diced 2 ½ tsp sweet chilli sauce 1 tsp soy sauce A knob of butter 2 eggs, beaten 2 tbsp milk

Cook the rice in boiling salted water. Drain amd cool. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over a low heat for 8 minutes until soft. Add the peas and stir for 3 minutes. Add the turkey, sweetcorn and cooked rice. Stir-fry over the heat to heat through. Add the sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce. Mix the eggs with the milk and season with a little salt. Melt the butter in a small frying pan. Add the eggs and scramble until the eggs are cooked and dry. Break up into small pieces, then add to the rice. Season to serve.

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Santa Claus at the Ritz Preparation: 15 minutes Makes: 6 6 Ritz crackers 3 slices chorizo 100g cream cheese Capers 1 stick celery

Arrange the Ritz crackers spaced apart on a serving plate.

Cut the slices of chorizo in half and then shape each half into a Santa hat and place on top of the crackers. Put the cream cheese into a piping bag. Pipe a squiggly line of cream cheese where the chorizo meets the cracker, pipe a beard at the lower end of the cracker and pipe a star of cream cheese for the bobble on Santa’s hat. Add capers for the eyes and nose.

Cut the celery into slices and arrange on top of the cream cheese beard to form whiskers.

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73 ANNABEL KARMEL RECIPES

MINI HOT DOG CHRISTMAS WREATH

Mini Hot Dog Christmas Wreath Preparation: 20 minutes (plus 1 hr thawing) Cooking: 20 minutes Makes: 1 wreath 1 sheet (320g) ready rolled puff pastry 15 mini hot dogs A little Dijon mustard 1 egg, lightly beaten 3 tbsp milk 1 red pepper Rocket leaves

Defrost the puff pastry sheet overnight in the fridge or leave for about one hour to thaw at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 180°C Fan/200°C/Gas 6. Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside.

Using a sharp knife, slice each puff pastry sheet into 16 squares (you

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will have some squares left over). Roll out the puff pastry to make 15 squares of approx 7cm.

The size will depend on the sausages that you use – it needs to be just large enough to wrap around the sausage. Spread a little mustard over the pastry. Wrap the pastry around each sausage and join the pastry together with a drop of water. Arrange on a baking tray in a circle. Mix together the egg and milk and brush the egg wash over the pastry. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

For the bow, slice off the top and bottom of the red pepper. Remove all the seeds and slice to create a bow. Slide the Christmas wreath onto a serving platter and arrange the bow at the bottom of the wreath. Decorate with a few rocket leaves.

Keep little ones busy this summer with Annabel’s BRAND NEW Family Cooking app. As well as lots of simple, tasty recipes, it includes a special Kids Rule the Kitchen cooking course designed to feed young imaginations whilst teaching essential cooking skills. Available via the App Store.

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74 MUM LIFE

GET DRESSED IN

2 MINUTES INSTEAD OF TEN

Ah yes – the school run. Getting the kids out and into the blasted car takes up all your energy sometimes – and you’re just shy (sometimes) of heading out in your jammies. Here, Mum Hacks author TANITH CAREY tells us how to look put together, even if you have barely had time to brush the teeth…

T

here will be some days when you have literally five seconds – at most – to get dressed. Here’s all you need to know about looking together – but in a fraction of the time.

Get your colours done Deciding what to wear is much easier if you know what definitely suits you. Take the guesswork – and the tangerine and lilac wardrobe mistakes – out of your wardrobe by finding out what the best tones are for you.

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When you actually know for certain what colours work with your hair and skin, you will instantly be able to identify the items that make you look your best. Eventually you will also build a wardrobe of matching colours that will take the time-wasting indecision out of dressing in the morning. You will also be able to shop faster online because you will be able to search more quickly for the shades you know work for you. There are online quizzes to help guide you – search for ‘colour analysis’.

Get out a tape measure We all know that clothes sizes vary wildly between stores. Do you actually know what your measurements are, or do you usually make an educated guess? When you’re shopping online, be equipped with all your vital stats – including the length of your legs – to avoid returning items that don’t quite fit. Or keep a tape measure close at hand.

Check it out online first If it’s an emergency and you have to head for

25/10/2016 16:47

75 MUM LIFE the high street, spend half an hour browsing through the collections online beforehand so you have a good overview of what’s out there.

If you are not confident in putting together outfits, have a look at some Irish fashion blogs or a website like Opsh.com, which brings together many of the big high street brands on the one website.

THE EASIEST HANDBAGS

Invest in good underwear If you have greying bra straps, droopy bras that have lost their lift, saggy pants or underwear that can be seen when it’s not meant to be, then you will look – and feel – like a slob. Get your bust size measured, in case it’s changed since having children, then re-stock. If you are very active with your kids, invest in a range of comfortable sports bras with strong support so you are ready to run around after them.

Find the perfect dress shape for you Find a style that flatters. Then look for it in materials that wash well. Beware of too many zips and buttons. If possible, an easy dress should slide over the head in one smooth move. When you’re trying it on, don’t just judge it on how it looks. Time how long it takes to put on – and consider whether it will need ironing.

Make it easy Forget the clothes that need special care or are dry clean only. Say goodbye to silk, sequins, beads, bows that untie and the rest. Resist bell sleeves, ribbons or ties that will end up trailing in all sorts of unspeakable substances. Steer clear of stripes or spots. Bold prints will be impossible to match with tights and other accessories in a rush.

Layer it Wear layers you can peel off as they get progressively covered in sick, paint, baby food, etc. You know we’re right here...

Buy longer tops Unless you are very lucky, your tummy probably isn’t as flat as it used to be. So dump short tops. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than continually tugging them down over a bulging stomach.

✱ SIZE MATTERS: Get a size that’s not so small that it’s constantly overflowing, but not so big that you need wheels to pull it along. ✱ WIPE CLEAN: Avoid bags in soft pale materials that stain easily. Instead opt for darker, harder materials – or even wipeclean patent. ✱ TRY IT ON: When you are shopping for a new bag, try it with the coat you will usually wear it with so you know it will fit comfortably over your arm. For summer, make sure the material is not too hard against bare skin. ✱ TEST IT: Make sure that when you put the bag down, it stands up. The last thing you want is to put it down and have the entire contents spill out on the floor. ✱ PLENTY OF POCKETS: Check it’s got the right number of compartments and outer pockets that close securely. It should have sections for your purse, mobile phone, key, lipsticks and sunglasses – and if possible something at the end to hold a bottle or beaker upright. Don’t overdo it, though.

I once bought a bag with five pockets on each side. Finding my mobile was like playing treasure hunt. ✱ HANDS-FREE: Think about a smarter version of a back-pack style instead of a classic bucket-style handbag, which will leave you hands-free to tend to the kids and push a stroller. ✱ TRAVEL SIZE: You are going to need to fit everything in it, bar the kitchen sink, so shrink everything down. Buy a mini-size

YOUR SCHOOL RUN ESSENTIALS ✱ A good well-made darker-coloured coat with big pockets and long enough to cover jammies if possible! ✱ A mac with a hood for rainy days

MI Winter 2016_Mum Hacks.indd 75

✱ A pair of black leggings or jeggings to wear with baggy knits and under dresses ✱ A black polo neck jumper to wear with jeans and

under dresses ✱ Your signature dress in several different textiles and colours ✱ A bad-hair-day hat ✱ A set of black and white long-sleeved

✱

✱

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brush and travel-sized versions of your favourite makeup.

STAY MOBILE: Get into the habit of always putting your mobile in the same zippable outer pocket every time, so you are not constantly rooting around in a panic for it.

Keep it away from anything wet if you want it to survive.

BE PREPARED: Keep nappies and wipes in separate Ziploc bags. Otherwise the wipes will either dry up or leak – and nappies swell up when they get moist.

DON’T LOSE IT: Buy the most substantial key ring you can find to make keys harder to lose. Don’t bother with the type that beeps when you whistle. I thought they would change my life, only to find out the alarm was set off by every screech and cry. Instead consider using a rock climbing-type clip to attach your keys to your bag handle so you can always fish them out from the depths.

KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED: If you are out and about with your child, take some entertainment other than your smartphone.

Buy everything in miniature – mini colouring books, pencil sets and even tiny plastic doodle pads. They don’t take up much room, but on a trip out of the house they can make all the difference.

Tanith Carey is the author of Mum Hacks, published by Crimson Publishing, a book packed with lots of useful tips and advice to make a busy parent’s life as hassle-free as possible.

T-shirts to go under tops and take dresses from summer to winter ✱ A pair of boots with a solid heel ✱ A pair of trainers ✱ A pair of ballet flats

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76 ADVERTORIAL

SAFER MOTHERHOOD Giving birth in Somalia can be a dangerous experience for women.

Trócaire is helping expectant mothers to deliver babies safely in hospital.

An expectant mother goes through a routine ante-natal check-up at the maternal health centre in Belet Xaawo district, southern Somalia.

New mother Bisharan Ali Kintenge’s newborn son receiving his first immuninization from a Trócaire trained midwife, at the Khalil hospital, southern Somalia.

B

inta Sheikh Ibrahim has been helping women to deliver healthy babies in rural Somalia for 15 years.

She learned this skill from her late mother who was a well-known volunteer midwife in Luuq, a small town in the southwest province of Gedo.

Women like Binta are on the frontline of preventing maternal and infant deaths in rural Somalia, where conflict has wreaked havoc on the nation’s infrastructure and devastated health services.

With one in twelve women dying of pregnancy-related causes, giving birth is a dangerous and risky time. If complications

arise, hospitals are difficult to reach and as a result many mothers die from excessive bleeding and breech births.

Luuq town has a military barrier which runs from 6:00am to 6:00pm. “One time, a mother delivered her baby at the gate of the military camp as she was not allowed to pass through,” recalls Binta.

With support from people in Ireland, helping women to have a safe labour with medical care is a central part of Trócaire’s work in Somalia.

The charity provides a public health service through a network of health posts and hospitals reaching 220,000 people across five

districts. This includes primary health care, emergency nutrition for mothers and children and maternal healthcare.

Women and their newborns receive comprehensive medical care before and after birth, greatly increasing their chances of survival and boosting their health.

Trócaire has been working in Gedo since 1992 and during this time the role of community midwives like Binda has changed.

In remote villages, medical care is almost impossible to reach if complications arise when giving birth at home. Today, instead of helping to deliver babies at home, they have been trained to support and encourage women to give

birth in hospital.

Binda accompanies mothers to the delivery room and helps the nurses during the delivery. She also gives emotional support to mothers during labour. To avoid any problems on route to hospital, Trócaire has a well-equipped ambulance service in place for people in Luuq.

It’s a journey well worth taking.

The chance to give birth under the care of a trained midwife has become almost impossible for many rural Somali women.

Programmes like this help people to feel there is some hope and for women to know that they can deliver their children in a caring and safe environment.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUPPORTING SAFE MOTHERHOOD IN SOMALIA THIS CHRISTMAS VISIT TROCAIRE.ORG/GIFTS OR CALL 1850 408 408.

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27/10/2016 14:14

Mother and baby are doing well thanks to the of Mother and New Born Baby Care

Habiba pictured with her daughter Farhiya.

Photograph: A.Gichigi, Trรณcaire, southern Somalia.

Charity No. 20009601 Revenue Number CHY 5883

Buy a or donate to the Trรณcaire Christmas Appeal Callsave: 1850 408 408 Online: www.trocaire.org Trocaire_1C_M&I Winter 2016.indd 1

27/10/2016 07/10/201614:13 16:35

Metallic brocade jacket, €30, Penneys Metallic brocade trousers, €18, Penneys

Wine brocade belted blazer, €445, Rodebjer @ Arnotts

78 TREND Navy shiny knitted top with high neck, €69, Cos

Wine brocade wide trouser, €385, Rodebjer @ Arnotts

Metallic Rivington clutch, €115, Whistles

LOOK 1

LOOK 2

Gold fringe loafer boots, €114, Maximum @ Topshop

M&I

MUM

STYLE

Navy bag with guitar strap, €85, Dune

Navy velvet ankle boot, €50, Dorothy Perkins

Brocade is back - this woven silk material threaded with metallics is ideal for dressing up this festive season.

Brocade and lace dress, €160, Topshop

Gold twisted branch hair crown, €16, Orelia @ Topshop

Gold irregular disc earring, €17, East

Black ribbed roll neck crop top, €12, River Island

LOOK 3

Gucci

LOOK 4

Patchwork shoulder bag, €970, J. Marc @ Brown Thomas

Black bellona waterfall coat, €124, Phase Eight Black velvet platforms, €34, Dorothy Perkins

Black leather Kiely boots, €450, LK Bennett @ Brown Thomas

Rose jacquard full skirt, €56, Marks & Spencer

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Gold tone statement rings pack, €17, River Island (pack of 5)

27/10/2016 16:43

79 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

Winter Health Brrrr, baby it’s cold outside – time to crank up the heating and light that fire. Unfortunately, along with bigger heating bills, winter also brings with it a whole host of health issues. In our health section this season, we take a look at some of the common winter ailments for both parents and children and how to treat them – or even better, prevent them. In our nutrition special on p85 we also look at food safety over the festive season – an essential read if you’re cooking for the masses this Christmas. Plus, our experts answer some of your dilemmas on all subjects from fertility to pregnancy to helping your child’s sleep patterns.

Got a question or need some expert advice in a hurry? Our website, www.maternityandinfant.ie, is packed full of great features and advice, while our community of mums and experts are available 24/7 through our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/maternityandinfant) if you have a particular question that you can’t find an answer for through our website. So get reading, get clicking and most importantly, get talking!

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25/10/2016 15:17

80 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

COMMON WINTER AILMENTS M&I KNOWS ...

We’re well into the sniffly season, where it seems that bugs are continually doing the rounds! We take a look at four of the most common complaints in winter and how to treat them.

Four ways to stay healthy Eat your brekkie Get some warmth into you with a hot bowl of porridge. Add in some berries or dried apricots to get one of your five a day from the get go.

Colds Forget about visiting the doctor – colds and mild flus are usually viral, so antibiotics are useless.

They are incredibly infectious too, so practising good hygiene like regularly washing your hands, using disposable tissues and binning after every nose blow, sneezing into a tissue, and covering your mouth when you cough can all help prevent you from spreading the virus to others, especially more vulnerable people like the elderly, pregnant women and babies. There’s no cure for the common cold, but you can treat the symptoms. Stay indoors and keep warm, and use overthe-counter painkillers and decongestants to help painful sinuses, sore throats, headaches and congestion. If you are pregnant or taking any other medication, or if your child has a cold, consult your pharmacist before trying any remedy, natural or otherwise, as it might not be suitable for you.

Flus Influenza, or flu, is not the same as a cold. It is caused by a different group of viruses and tends to come on more suddenly and be far more severe. Common symptoms include a temperature of over 38°C, tiredness or weakness, headache, muscle aches and a cough. If you’re usually healthy, the best way to treat a flu is to stay at home and rest, use over-the-counter remedies (as advised by your pharmacist), and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you are pregnant, aged 65 years or older

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Get out and about

or suffer a long-term medical condition, consider seeing your GP if your symptoms are bad.

In addition, if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or start coughing up blood, seek medical attention. If you are pregnant or in a high-risk category, make sure you get the flu vaccination to protect yourself.

Sore throat Sore throats are a common side effect of colds and flus, and are usually nothing to worry about.

The general advice is to take overthe-counter painkillers (as advised by your pharmacist), and try other remedies like throat lozenges or gargling with salted water. Avoid smoking and smoky rooms, and drink plenty of cool or warm fluids. If your tonsils are inflamed, enlarged or feature white spots, see your GP as you could have tonsillitis. If these symptoms are accompanied by swollen glands, you could have strep throat and again should see your GP.

Norovirus Otherwise known as the dreaded winter vomiting bug, norovirus is highly infectious and seems

to be constantly doing the rounds these days! It can strike at any time of the year, but is most common in the winter as people are gathered inside for longer and therefore germs are spread more easily. There is no cure for norovirus, but it usually passes within a few days. Stay at home to prevent spreading it to others, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (but avoid giving fruit juices or fizzy drinks to children as they could make diarrhoea worse; continue feeding babies formula or breastmilk as usual), get plenty of rest and eat plain food like soup and bread if you feel like eating. Call your GP if you feel concerned; try not to call in unnecessarily as it’s very contagious. Get medical advice if your symptoms haven’t improved after a few days, if you have a serious underlying condition, if you are showing signs of dehydration like passing small amounts of urine or feeling dizzy, or if you have bloody diarrhoea. Always seek help if your child is feverish, pale or is less responsive, or has severe vomiting or diarrhoea.

Don’t hibernate inside all winter.

Gather the family together and go out for a winter walk. Or try a winter activity like ice skating.

Catch up on sleep People naturally sleep more in winter because of the long dark nights. Take advantage of this and enjoy a few early nights.

Aim for eight hours a night, if you’re an adult.

Beat SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects many of us during the winter, but you can help battle it by getting out as much as you can during the daylight hours, eating healthily, exercising and spending time with friends and on hobbies.

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81 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

ASK THE FERTILITY EXPERT

LOOKING FOR HELP I have been trying to conceive for six months without success. When should I look for the help of a GP or fertility clinic?

This is one of the questions I am asked most frequently. It’s not a topic that we generally discuss with friends or family who already have children and it’s amazing that the facts are not common knowledge. In a study of 346 women who were actively trying to get pregnant, it was found that: ✱ 38 per cent conceived on the first attempt ✱ 68 per cent had conceived after three attempts ✱ 81 per cent had conceived after six attempts ✱ 92 per cent had conceived after 12 attempts

This study concluded that the majority of couples will conceive within six attempts of correctly timed intercourse, but it may take up to 12 attempts to conceive.

These results align with the guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO), who advise that couples should seek medical advice if they fail to conceive after 12 attempts. It’s generally accepted that this advice holds true in cases where the female in the couple is under 35 years of age. However, in cases where the female of the couple is aged 35 years or older it is recommended to seek advice if they have failed to conceive after just six attempts. While it may seem counter-intuitive to seek advice sooner when over the age of 35, it is well known fact that female fertility begins to decline from this age and the sooner medical advice is sought, the more likely the couple are to be successful.

AMH TESTS I have been told that I should have an AMH test carried out to check if I am fertile. What is it and what does it measure?

The AMH or Anti-Mullerian Hormone blood test is routinely used in fertility clinics to assess female fertility. The two ovaries are the reproductive organs in females, which act like egg warehouses. A woman is born with between 1 and 2 million eggs in her ovaries, which will deplete to about 300,000 by the time she reaches puberty. At the beginning of each month tens of eggs start to grow in each ovary and they begin to compete for a limited amount of the hormone that is necessary for them to grow, sort of like chicks in a nest all competing for a single morsel of food. As a result of the limited supply of hormone, just one egg gets to grow fully and this is the one that is released from the ovary at ovulation. Unfortunately, all the other eggs that started to grow at the beginning of that same

month don’t go back into stock, they die off and are lost. So the basic fact is that a woman loses many eggs each month from the limited stock of eggs available in her ovarian warehouse and the stock diminishes as a woman gets older, which is why a woman’s fertility decreases as she ages. The AMH blood test is the stock take for your ovarian warehouse. It tells your fertility doctor if your stock level of eggs is too low, too high or normal for your age. Women can experience fertility problems when their AMH levels are too high or too low. When having fertility treatment, your AMH level also helps your doctor decide on the optimum dosage of fertility drugs to use to get a good response from your ovaries.

M&I KNOWS ...

How do I choose a fertility clinic?

Finding out you may need help in conceiving a baby can be a shock to the system, and you might be thinking ‘what next?’ A good fertility clinic can give you reassurance and most importantly, hope. But with fertility testing and procedures an expensive business, how do you know your clinic is right for you?

Dr Declan Keane is a senior clinical embryologist with 20 years’ experience. He is director of ReproMed fertility clinics in Kilkenny and Dublin, with a third clinic opening in Limerick this year. For more information, call Declan on (01) 685 6755 or visit www.repromed.ie

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Try these tips: Do your research: One thing the Internet is GREAT for is research. Gather together your possibilities (based on location and personal preferences), and Google the heck out of them. Look for reviews from people who have used the clinic.

Ask for recommendations: If you have friends who have been through treatment, ask about the clinic they used. Talk to your GP too for recommendations. Ask questions: When you’ve settled on a clinic or two, call them and ask questions. If the clinic isn’t willing to answer your questions, or avoids certain topics, maybe you should look elsewhere. Be confident in your choice: You must feel confident and happy in your choice of clinic and staff. If at any stage you feel nervous or unhappy, speak up. You need to believe that your choice of clinic will do everything they can to help you reach your goal.

25/10/2016 15:17

82 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

ASK THE OBSTETRICIAN M&I KNOWS ...

ALCOHOL AT CHRISTMAS

Smoking & pregnancy

I’ll be five months’ pregnant at Christmas.

Could I have a small glass of wine with my dinner?

This is a really frequent question especially around Christmas and it’s frustrating that the answer is not completely understood. We know that alcohol consumption during pregnancy is not a good idea and even small amounts can have an effect on the developing fetus.

Alcohol affects the baby’s brain development and in its most extreme form can cause fetal alcohol syndrome where the damage to the baby’s brain is permanent. The trouble is that the effect is not the same for everyone. So we have to advise that it’s not a good idea to drink alcohol when you are pregnant.

PELVIC PRESSURE I’m just over six months’ pregnant and I’m feeling incredible amounts of pressure in my pelvic region. Is this normal?

Feeling pressure low down in your pelvis is a very normal sensation as the expanding uterus and growing baby put pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor. If this is your second or third pregnancy the pressure you feel may be greater than in your first pregnancy because your pelvic floor is not as strong as before. If you experience any leakage of clear fluid vaginally this may indicate premature rupture of membranes and you should get this checked out. Vaginal bleeding is also abnormal and will need to be assessed. If you are experiencing painful tightening in your lower tummy you should also talk to your doctor or midwife. The vast majority of the time what you are feeling it is entirely normal.

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Smoking is undoubtedly bad for your unborn baby. It lowers the amount of oxygen available to you and your baby, increases your baby’s heart rate, increases the chance of miscarriage and stillbirth, heightens the risk of premature birth or low birth weight, increases your baby’s risk of developing respiratory problems, and heightens the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Want to quit? Try these strategies: ✱

Turn your home into a smoke-free zone – that includes asking those around you to refrain from smoking

BRINGING ON LABOUR Are there natural ways of bringing on labour? I’m 40 weeks now and want to avoid induction or a C section as much as I possibly can.

The best way to go into labour is naturally, there are lots of old wives’ tales about how to help bring on labour but no evidence that any of them work. Being as relaxed as you can certainly helps and getting anxious about what you want to avoid does not help. Most women when they reach 40 weeks will go into labour over the next 10-12 days and only about 10% of women would go much beyond that. You will be attending the clinic this week and your doctor may suggest doing a sweep if the baby’s head is well down, this may assist in bringing on labour particularly if the neck of the womb is already starting to soften and thin out. Most obstetricians don’t allow women to go more than 12 days over their due date and there is good evidence that prolonging the pregnancy more than 42 weeks is not good for the baby. So your doctor will probably suggest booking a date for induction but hoping you labour before that. There is a much higher incidence of emergency interventions and fetal distress in very prolonged pregnancies so once you get to about 12 days over it’s time to organise delivery because waiting much longer does not carry any benefits and does increase the risks.

✱

Sign up to a smoking cessation service – see www.quit.ie for more, or talk to your pharmacist or GP.

✱

Change your habits – if you always smoke when you have a coffee, give up coffee.

✱

Keep active – get out and about, take up a new hobby, eat well and do plenty of gentle exercise.

✱

Keep sugarfree gum on hand for those times you get an overwhelming urge to smoke.

✱

Dr Sam Coulter-Smith is a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, former master of the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, and a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal College of Surgeons. Visit www.rotunda.ie

What about e-cigarettes?

Sam says: “We don’t know what their effects are yet as they are relatively new and there is no long-term follow up on their use either during or outside pregnancy.”

25/10/2016 15:17

83 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

ASK THE PHYSIOTHERAPIST M&I KNOWS ...

TUMMY MUSCLES AFTER BIRTH I had my first baby last week, and was shocked that my tummy was so wobbly after it. What can I do to help my tummy muscles recover?

Don’t worry, this is totally normal. Your abdominal muscles were stretching over your growing bump for nine months, so expect it to take time for the muscles to settle back to their original state again. Ask your Chartered Physiotherapist for some fitted tubigrip and wear it over your abdominals daily for the first six weeks.

The compression from the tubigrip helps reduce abdominal swelling, moves stagnant lymph out of the area, and stabilises the skin to help it shrink again.

For mums who have a C section, the compression is great for

supporting your healing wound.

Massaging your abdominal muscles helps improve your circulation and flushes out the area. If you had a C section, you will not be able to massage around the wound until the scar has fully healed. Once the scar is well healed (approximately 9-12 weeks after the birth), it is beneficial to gently massage over the scar to make the tighter tissue more supple. This should be continued until the scar feels painfree to the touch and without tightness (which could take a few months). Visit your Chartered Physiotherapist for some gently abdominal strengthening exercises

How to treat a child’s fever that will help tighten the muscles again, and avoid sit ups as they put too much pressure on your tummy in the early stages.

THIRD TRIMESTER SLEEPING I am eight months’ pregnant and finding it really uncomfortable to sleep. Any tips?

Pregnancy at this late stage can be uncomfortable, and your bed might not be the relaxing haven it used to be. Later in pregnancy, lying on your side is really the only available position to sleep in.

Support your bump with a pillow underneath so you don’t have tension across the sides of your bump and lower ribcage. Place a long pillow between your knees to keep your pelvis and lower back as balanced as possible.

Some women may prefer to give up the bed entirely, and instead sleep in a reclining chair.

When getting out of bed use the

✱ Keep your child hydrated with water, diluted fruit juices and soup. Even fruit or ice lollies (sugar-free if possible) will help. following trick to keep your spine and pelvis balanced: when lying on your side, let your two feet fall together over the edge of the bed and push yourself up

at the same time with the underneath elbow. This keeps your back straight and supported, and avoids straining through your bump.

Jenny Branigan is a chartered physiotherapist and partner at Total Physio in Sandyford, Co Dublin, and sees many women during and after pregnancy, treating issues like pelvic girdle pain. She is also mum to Jamie and Holly. Jenny runs pregnancy pilates courses through Total Physio. For more information see www. totalphysio.ie These answers are not a substitute for a full assessment by your chartered physiotherapist. If you are suffering with any pain or injury, please contact your local chartered physiotherapist who specialises in treating pregnant and postnatal women. It is vital to deal promptly with these aches and pains and they will only get worse as your bump and baby get bigger and heavier.

MI Winter 2016_Health.indd 83

Fever is part of the body’s way of fighting infection.

The heat kills some types of bacteria directly, and also appears to speed up the body’s production of white blood cells. Common reasons for fevers in children include colds and flus, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, viral illnesses, vaccinations and urinary tract infections.

Usually a fever can be treated at home, but if your child is under six months old or the fever doesn’t respond to treatment, seek medical help.

And always look for help if you are worried in any way.

✱ You don’t need to remove your child’s clothing or add anything. Just let her rest and eat if she wants. ✱ If your child is very uncomfortable or the temperature is high, offer her a paracetamol or ibuprofen suspension suitable for her age. Don’t give both at the same time, but if the fever doesn’t respond to one, the other can be given in between doses of the first. Always follow directions and never exceed stated dose.

25/10/2016 15:18

84 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

ASK THE SLEEP EXPERT M&I KNOWS ...

FESTIVE SLEEP ADVICE How can I make sure that I retain great sleep over the Christmas period?

Maintaining excellent sleep habits in the run up to and over the Christmas period may be difficult for you and your child.

It may mean that you need to make some important decisions about which parties you will attend, how late can you stay and what you can do with your baby if you are travelling over the festive season.

To really ensure that everything is enjoyed to the maximum, it’s a great idea to ensure that in the run up to the holiday season you have a regular schedule that includes nap and bedtimes that suit your baby.

The more rested child will be much more adaptable than one that is always coping on less or frequently disturbed sleep.

Depending on your child’s age, make sure that you are filling the day and night sleep quota as best as possible.

Plan ahead: If you will be driving long distances try to ensure that you preserve sleep as much as possible. It can be a good idea to plan your journey to coincide with the first nap of the day so that your chid will (hopefully) sleep and then you can arrive at your destination before the second nap of the day.

If your journey is extensive, then plan to make stops on the way to break the journey and keep your child from becoming bored and irritable.

Many parents plan their journey at night and arrive at the destination with their children asleep in the car. If you do this then make sure that on arrival you put your child to bed immediately, even if they appear wakeful.

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How to swaddle a baby Swaddling is a great way to keep your newborn baby warm and feeling secure.

Remember not to tightly bound your baby’s legs as this might affect the hip joint.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you stop swaddling when your baby is two months old, before he tries to roll over.

4

If you are staying away from home try to make sure that you maintain your typical bed time as much as possible. If your child has their own room at home, it would be great if this could be replicated away from home – or at least if you’re sharing, move the cot far away from the family bed as possible in an effort to minimise disruption.

Bring familiar items from home, such as the bedding and sleepwear; it is helpful to bring bedwear that has already been used so that your child will be able to smell their familiar sleep environment in the different house.

If you use lullabies music or white noise at home, don’t forget to bring it with you!

You may find that your baby is unsettled initially in a different environment.

Provide plenty of reassurance and encouragement especially at bedtime. However, avoid making decisions that may have long-term implications, such as bed-sharing.

Make informed decisions about staying up late: this one will depend on your child’s temperament and how they cope with a dis-regulated schedule and loss of sleep. Parents of children who manage well can sail through

5 6 7

this much easier than those with a child that becomes fussy and cranky due to lack of sleep. Lost sleep often means frequent night-time waking and early rising, so beware!

If you have a late night, resist the urge to allow your child to sleep in as this may make for an unsettled child come bedtime the next night. Try to wake up by 7.30am to maintain the day’s timetable. Instead of sleeping in, bring forward the time and allow a longer duration for nap 1. Don’t be afraid of heading for a nap within one hour of waking up if your child is visibly tired.

Avoid too many late nights in a row, the aftermath may take many weeks to correct and the fun of the festivities may be a distant memory, while sleep issues may linger.

Try to have grandparents, uncles, aunties and friends understand why you are prioritising your child’s sleep health and get them involved in the bedtime and nap routines so that they can feel part of the process.

8

✱ Use a sheet or a cellular blanket and fold it into a wide triangle. ✱ Place the baby in the middle of the blanket with his neck at the top edge. ✱ Put the baby’s arms high up on the chest and gently wrap the two corners of the sheet around the baby and securing the ends underneath the baby’s body. ✱ Fold the bottom end of the blanket and tuck it loosely behind your baby, making sure that both legs are bent up and out from his body, and he can move.

9

10

Lucy is a paediatric sleep consultant and mum of four. She runs a private sleep consulting practice where she provides knowledge, expertise and valuable support to families across the country. Visit www. sleepmatters.ie.

25/10/2016 15:18

85 EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE

FOOD SAFETY AT CHRISTMAS If you’re feeding the masses this Christmas, you’ll want everything to go without a hitch – and you certainly don’t want a dose of food poisoning. Poultry like turkey, duck or goose can carry bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Cooking them thoroughly will kill this bacteria, but there is still plenty of opportunity to spread the bacteria when storing and preparing. Follow these tips from SafeFood to ensure everyone stays safe this Christmas

Storage ✱ If you are using a fresh turkey, place it on a deep plate or dish to catch any juices and keep it covered. ✱ Store the turkey on the bottom shelf of the fridge until ready to start cooking.

Defrosting ✱ If you are using a frozen turkey, make sure it is completely defrosted before you start to roast it. ✱ The safest way to defrost your turkey is on the bottom shelf of the fridge, on a plate or a tray. Do not thaw the turkey in cold water. ✱ It will take at least 24 hours to defrost every 2-2.5 kgs of turkey. Make sure you check

the weight on the label and give yourself enough time. It can take up to three days to defrost a frozen 7.5 kg turkey! ✱ You’ll know the turkey is completely thawed when the body is soft, the legs can be moved, and there are no ice crystals in the cavity.

Handling ✱ Do not wash your turkey because bacteria may be splashed over the work surfaces of your kitchen or to other foods. ✱ After you have prepared the turkey, clean the work surfaces thoroughly using detergent and warm water. ✱ Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any raw poultry.

Cooking ✱ Make sure frozen turkeys are completely defrosted before roasting. Remove the giblets and keep them for making gravy. ✱ If you have an electric fanassisted oven you can safely stuff the body cavity of the turkey. The stuffing should weigh no more than 10 per cent of the weight of the bird and be loosely packed in the body cavity. If you have any other type of oven, SafeFood recommends that you cook your stuffing in a separate oven-proof dish. ✱ Follow the cooking time carefully for your size of turkey and remember to increase the time if your bird is stuffed.

✱

✱

✱

✱

✱

See www.safefood.eu for more details on cooking times.

Cover your bird loosely with foil while cooking, and remove for the final 30 minutes if you want it to brown more.

Before serving, make sure your turkey is piping hot all the way through with no pink meat left.

Pierce the thickest part of the thigh and breast with a clean fork or skewer. The juices should run clear.

If your turkey is stuffed, the centre of the stuffing should be piping hot. This is the slowest part of a stuffed bird to cook.

For the tastiest and juiciest turkey, cover the bird with foil and leave for half an hour before carving.

M&I KNOWS ...

What about the leftovers?

Leftover turkey and ham should be covered and stored in the fridge within two hours of cooking. You can help it cool down by cutting it into smaller pieces. Once refrigerated, it should be eaten within three days. If you want to freeze stuffing or Christmas meats, wrap them in heavy freezer wrap and put in a container suitable for your freezer. When reheating Christmas leftovers, turkey and stuffing should be reheated until they are piping hot all the way through.

Food should never be reheated more than once and leftover gravy should be brought to a rolling boil.

MI Winter 2016_Health.indd 85

25/10/2016 15:18

86 ADVERTORIAL

MALAWI’S FOOT SOLDIERS IN FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER Childhood malnutrition is one of the biggest struggles in Malawi – but there are people helping the situation.

I

n Malawi, where the hunger situation is registered as ‘serious’ by the 2016 Global Hunger Index (GHI), childhood malnutrition is one of the biggest struggles communities are facing.

Only eight per cent of children under two receive a ‘minimum acceptable diet’ and 40 per cent of under-fives are small for their age – or stunted. Sadly, over six per cent of children in Malawi will die before they ever reach their fifth birthday.

Ireen Chinglanda is a volunteer care group promoter in Mchinji district. As part of the Support Nutrition Improvement Component (SNIC) project, implemented by Concern Worldwide, Ireen has trained “lead mothers” in her area in good nutrition and hygiene practices, exclusive breastfeeding and family planning. The lead mother, in turn, is training a “cluster” of other mothers in her village. The aim is to improve the health of mothers and babies and prevent malnutrition.

“I’ve seen a change in how cluster members and the lead mothers practice hygiene and sanitation,” she said. Before they started the programme, only a few houses in her village had toilets, and this led to health problems, exacerbating malnutrition. Most households have now built toilets after learning about the benefits, Ireen says, and they’re using them.

In Malawi, many diets are heavily reliant on very few crops – and often eat maize only. This means that young bodies are not receiving the nutrients they need to grow. As a mother of four children aged six to 21 years, Ireen herself has found the SNIC training on the six essential food groups to be critical. “As mothers we now know how to diversify our diets and include the right

MI Winter 2016_Concern.indd 86

Ireen Chinglanda, care group promoter

mix of foods – and we learnt it all through the project.”

Among the ‘lead mothers’ Ireen has trained is 24-year-old Josephina from Zizwa in Mchinji.

Concern is supporting the training that cascades down from care group promoters like Ireen to lead mothers like Josephina.

Shyleen, Josephina’s youngest child who is only a few months old, lies snugly strapped to her mother’s back. Josephina tells us how the knowledge she gained from the project influenced her perspective on check-ups during her pregnancy with Shyleen: “I had my first child before I became a lead mother. For that pregnancy, I went for growth monitoring only in my seventh month, but with Shyleen I went much earlier on in the pregnancy because of what I had learned.”

Josephina recalls a mother in her community, who tragically died giving birth, and whose newborn went on to become malnourished. Educating women on

Josephina Oscar, lead mother

the importance of healthcare during pregnancy is vital, particularly considering that Malawi still has a high rate of maternal deaths: for every 100,000 births, 510 mothers die. Concern’s work with Josephina on the SNIC project aims to prevent these kinds of tragedies from occurring.

Josephina has a clear message for the people who support Concern to drive projects like SNIC

forward. She says: “I appreciate the work of people from Ireland but this shouldn’t be the end.

We need this support to continue so that the next generation can benefit.”

As for Josephina, when asked whether she will continue to play her role in Mchinji’s fight against hunger, she smiles broadly and says: “I won’t be quitting any time soon.”

27/10/2016 16:47

WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS, EVERY MOTHER CAN PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY Before, Yemisrach struggled to feed her children. But now, thanks to Concern supporters, she has a healthy crop of maize, onions, kale and pulses. Everything a family needs to grow-up healthy and strong!

With Concern Worldwide, you can help more mothers like Yemisrach to support their families. A gift of â‚Ź40 is all it costs to provide essential seeds and tools to a family in Ethiopia.

The harvested produce will keep an entire family healthy and provide an invaluable source of income as the extras can be sold at market. It’s amazing how a few seeds can make such a big difference!

To help someone like Yemisrach today, please visit www.concern.net/ donate Thank you.

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27/10/2016 15:56

88 BLOG WE LOG

PARENTING CAN BE

LONELY Hi! I’m GERALDINE and I blog over at www.overheavenshill.com. Here I talk about how parenting can bring a sense of loneliness into your relationship – and how to deal with it…

I

’m not talking about when you bring a newborn home and the world suddenly seems very big and very scary. I don’t mean when the excitement of the first few weeks dies down and suddenly friends and family visit less. And I’m not talking about the loneliness that comes with being somewhat isolated on maternity leave.

What I’m talking about is the sometimes lonely and sometimes empty feeling in your relationship you get one year down the road, three years, maybe even ten years down the line. It seems that when babies and children enter your lives, a quietness can seep into your relationship.

It’s impossible to assume that things will stay the same when the wonder of a baby appears. We all expect and accept these changes. But this transition felt lonely to me. Gone were the nights of cuddling up beside my husband with popcorn and a movie.

Evening walks in late summer, when we would spend an hour or two solely in each other’s company, couldn’t be done anymore. Life changed all too quickly and I wasn’t prepared for the drastic move in a relationship that was rock solid. But rock solid it was and rock solid it still is.

It took me a while to understand why I felt lonely, and why it happened. Becoming a parent is difficult. Your life changes in a million and one ways. In ways no one ever tells you, in ways no one could ever tell you because everyone is different and we all react and cope differently.

I felt the sting of loneliness as conversations slowed down, time together disappeared and

contact became minimal in those first days, months and dare I say years. I have on occasion missed the simple things in our relationship, which became watered down, such as holding B’s hand as we stroll along the harbour in Howth, or having a conversation that doesn’t involve bowel movements or how many scoops of formula or ice cream.

How do we creep out of the silence and the loneliness that parenting can bring into your relationship? How do we regain the spark to trigger those moments you miss?

Talk – keep your hearts and minds open.

Communicate. Try not to sit in silence as you both ponder the world and wonder why things are harder in your relationship. How is your partner to know how you’re feeling unless you tell them?

Love – love and respect each other. It really is as simple as that. It started with that and it will end with that. The middle is what’s important and knowing you’re loved and showing your love is a cornerstone of your relationship.

Date – a first baby takes your breath away and if you let it, your romantic life. Date little and often.

Nothing major, nothing fancy. A romantic homecooked meal and the TV turned off. Conversation and laughter hides any silence buried in your heart.

I’m happy to say these feelings are not as prominent for me anymore. Tomorrow is our first date night in what feels like forever… or rather date day as we’re going for lunch and to the cinema in the afternoon. I can’t wait if I’m honest.

I won’t let go of B’s hand at all tomorrow.

FOLLOW GERALDINE’S PARENTING ADVENTURES ON

w w w . ov erh eav ens h i ll. com If you’re a parenting blogger, we want to hear from you! Email us at editorialdesk@ashville.com

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