Mums and Tots - Issue 07 - Summer 2013 by Mums and Tots

mums &tots ISSN 2009-437X

IRELAND’S FAVOURITE FAVOURITE MATERNITY MATERNITY MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

PURE IRISH

www.mumsandtots.ie Embracing Life - Pregnancy to Parenting

ISSUE 07 Summer 2013 €3.00

Tips on

Swim Safety

Help! My Child Won’t Eat

Sleep Super Foods

with Sleep Specialist Lucy Wolfe

Win!

Intervention in Labour:

What you might expect

Rollercoaster.ie’s Anne O’Connor on How to Encourage Childhood Friendships

Mums at Work:

Balancing Family + Business

9 772009 437002

ISSN 2009-437X

Beauty: Skin Type Guide with Beauty Team Ireland

A 2 Night Athlone R Stay at the adisson B lu

t m& linic C

Taking care of the whole family

Annabel Karmel’s

Summer Recipes

With our Best plan, you get: Free cover for kids until three Three Personalised Packages to tailor your plan Access to public and private hospitals across Ireland

For health insurance you prefer, call us today on 1890 714 714 or visit GloHealth.ie

The GloHealth plan range includes our core plans, which are our Good, Better and Best plans. We also have two higher level premium plans, Ultra and Ultimate, which provide greater benefits than the Best plan, and one entry level plan, known as our Basic plan. GloHealth Financial Services Ltd trading as GloHealth is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. GloHealth health insurance policies are underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) Plc. Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) Plc is authorised by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Terms and conditions apply. GLO-70000-13

! e m o c l e W Hello and It’s every Irish person’s favourite season - that time of year where the sun might just break through the clouds that envelop our little island! Even though it has been a little rainy so far it won’t stop us embracing all things summer! Don’t miss our swimming safety tips with Aquababies Ireland, page 38, plus the cutest swimming togs and trunks on page 40. Tune into our make up tutorial on this season’s latest trend: The Rebirth of The Sixties Girl, page 80, liquid eyeliner, false lashes and bright pink pouts! This issue we will be dealing with the sensitive subject of miscarriage. If you have ever gone through it yourself, or know someone who has, you will know what an emotional roller coaster it can be. We have advice on coping with miscarriage from The Miscarriage Association of Ireland along with two mum’s own experiences. Did you know that what a child eats can have a direct impact on their sleeping patterns? Sleep Specialist Lucy Wolfe, tells us all about sleep super foods, what we should be feeding our little ones and what we should be avoiding. We also have some delicious summer recipes from Annabel Karmel, page 60. Have you ever gone shopping for a face cream and literally spent 10 minutes trying to decide which one is best for you. Are you combination, dry or sensitive skinned? Find out on page 74, where Beauty Team Ireland’s Sarah Jane Hanton tells us how to decipher your skin type. Have a look at our face cream guide, page 70, for the absolute best products on the market. New to Mums & Tots is our travel section. Turn to page 88 to read about the ultimate family holiday location - Portugal’s Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel. To win a few days away closer to home, don’t forget to enter our Radisson Blu, Athlone competition. I hope you enjoy the read! Please feel free to drop us a line at hello@mumsandtots.ie with any feedback or just to say ‘hello’. We would love to hear from you.

Editor Roberta von Meding

to get Mums & Tots delivered to your door. Only €16 for an annual subscription at www.mumsandtots.ie

www.mumsandtots.ie Editor: Roberta von Meding Graphic Designer: Juliet Symes Cover Image: Photographer: Phil Casey, Aquababies Ireland Contributers: Annabel Karmel, Anne O’Connor, Therese Handibode, Don Conroy, Orla Walsh, Mothercare Published by: Juliet Publishing Printed By: Quinn’s Contact us: editor@mumsandtots.ie or call +353 85 703 1181 Facebook: www.facebook.com/mumsandtots 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. © Juliet Publishing 2013. Please note all discounts, special offers and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Mums & Tots, and therefore the promoter is responsible for honouring the prize. All opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or Editor. Medical articles and opinions are not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. All prices are correct at time of print.

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in b o x

Thank you for sending us your funny stories. It’s so hard to choose each issue but here are some of our favourites //

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Dear Mums & Tots,

Star

Sometimes it takes the Letter perspective of a child to lighten the mood. My father died last year, and as we sat in the church, listening in silence to the priest, my young son turns to me and grabs my arm. “Mummy!” I ignore him and focus on the priest.”MUMMY!” Okay, he has my attention, and that of many people around me. He points to a large stained glass window depicting Jesus, and says loudly, “Look, it’s SANTA CLAUS!” There was a collective release and the mood noticeably lifted. I’ve never been able to look at that window the same way since!

Congratulations Sinead Toolan! You are the winner of this gorgeous this gorgeous Brasil Nut hamper from The Body Shop.

- Sinead Toolan

Dear Mums & Tots, I had my toddler in the trolley in Dunnes Stores and we were buying his Ribena. We were walking by the wine aisle and he shouts out at the top of his voice “oh look there’s Mammy’s Juice” I went so red and walked as fast as I could out of the shop! - Karen Hayes Dear Mums & Tots, My nearly 3 year old daughter had to go to the GP. As she is a big Peppa Pig fan she was very anxious to know how the doctor would visit her if she was very ill. So the first thing she asked after the GP introduced himself was: “are you the flying vet?”. The very handsome young GP played the part and answered: “I may not be a vet but I’ll jump into my helicopter and will come and visit you!” - Frederique Van Buuren Dear Mums & Tots, When my daughter was 20 months she was obsessed with babies’ tummys. She would stare at them everywhere. One day she decided she has a baby in her tummy, ‘baby Jesus’ she told me! Wherever we went she told people that she had baby Jesus in her tummy. After swimming one afternoon, we were getting changed and she suddenly looked at me and said, ‘mummy, I left baby Jesus in the pool! I laughed our loud! - Caroline Lewis Dear Mums & Tots, As my 5-year-old son and I were going to McDonald’s one day, we passed a minor car accident. It looked like someone had been rear ended. I pointed to the accident and said to my son, ‘We should pray.’ From the back seat I heard his earnest request, ‘Please, God, don’t let those cars block the entrance to McDonald’s.’ - Jane O’Neill Dear Mums & Tots, I brought Mia (3) up to my parents’ house for the weekend. She had grown a bit in the month or so since my folks had last seen her, and when my mom looked at her she said, ‘wow Mia, I can’t believe how big you are!’ Mia’s response? ‘Nan, I can’t believe how big you are! - Sarah Legge

If you have a funny pregnancy, toddler or baby story that you would like to submit for the autumn issue of Mums & Tots please send 50-10 words to competitions@mumsandtots.ie with ‘funny story’ in the subject box.

what’s new

Sleepymoon Cards

news

A big welcome to new Irish online baby card boutique, Sleepymoon Cards. Their designs are 100% exclusive, which means their stationery cannot be found on the high street or anywhere else on the net. www.sleepymooncards.ie

* High Flyers

You wouldn’t dream of using a lap belt to strap your child into a car doing 30mph, so why are we prepared to do that in a plane which is travelling at ten times that speed? CARES is a unique travel harness that weighs just 1lb, fits into a handbag and has been accepted by the Civil Aviation Authority and all major airlines. Visit www.kidsflysafe.com

* NetGenie

Keep viruses, botnets, intruders and hackers at bay when your family surfs online with NetGenie. Enable access to age-appropriate Internet content for your kids with NetGenie’s age-wise parental controls that block harmful Internet content for kids and allows access to websites and applications that are suitable to their age-group

* Carry On

Congratulations to Stokke on winning the Reddot Design Award 2013 for their Stokke MyCarrier.

What’s In a Name?

Zooky Names are proud to announce the launch of their website creating bespoke 100% Irish made names using recycled materials. Each wall hanging is 10mm thick, available in 4 different shades and all supporting Irish Charities - Barnardos, Laura Lynn House, ISPCC, and more. Visit www.zookynames.com for more information.

* Frame It!

When a child brings home a drawing from preschool or crèche, here’s a clever alternative to sticking it on the fridge door - the Li’l DaVinci art cabinet. Priced at €28.95, available from www.birthdaygifts4children.ie.

* Drink Up

The habit of keeping a water bottle close to you has now become even healthier with the KOR Water Hydration Vessel, a completely BPA free bottle. This fashion accessory’s success has risen to 50 countries around the world and it has finally arrived in Ireland through www.aquasoft.ie.

Win! We have x 3 Kor Water Bottles up for grabs. Email your contact details to competitions@mumsandtots.ie with ‘Kor’ in the subject box.

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community focus

EU Ban

on Animal Testing for Cosmetics O

n February 28th2013. ethical beauty retailer The Body Shop proudly revealed British singer and global superstar Leona Lewis as its new Brand Activist. Seven years since her triumph on The X Factor (UK), Leona has twenty million album sales and a glittering collection of awards and award nominations, yet remains grounded and true to her beliefs. An animal lover and long-time vegetarian, Leona is the perfect partner for The Body Shop and its unique vision of cruelty-free beauty. As part of the partnership, one of Leona’s first activities is to help The Body Shop and NGO Cruelty Free International in their joint, global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics forever, building on the EU ban on animal testing for cosmetics which came into effect on March 11th this year. Leona has also put her name to an exclusive cruelty-free make-up and fragrance collection, the Limited Edition Collection by Leona Lewis. Featuring 100% vegetarian cosmetics in fashion-forward shades, it features quirky packaging with a floral deer motif, celebrating the fact that The Body Shop was one of the first beauty brands to use cruelty-free, man-made musk instead of musk derived from the musk of deer. To celebrate the partnership, Leona held an exclusive gig for fans which was live streamed on March 26th 2013.. For more information on the gig, follow The Body Shop Ireland on Facebook. Leona Lewis says: “I’m passionate about beauty and I’m all about animal rights. As a result, I’m really conscious of where the products that I use come from. The Body Shop sells cruelty free, ethical products containing amazing Community Fair Trade ingredients. The collaboration is a natural fit!” The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International are urging everyone to sign their pledge to end animal testing for cosmetics, as part of an international campaign to make the EU ban go global. The pledges are to be presented to governments and stakeholders around the world to demonstrate public support for a total worldwide ban. To make your voice heard, sign the pledge by heading into any The Body Shop store or by visiting www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/telltheworld

mums&tots

images by JMCD Photography 2013

community focus

Coping with

Miscarriage Chairperson of The Miscarriage Association of Ireland, Deirdre PierceMcDonnell discusses the very sensitive subject of miscarriage, telling us from her own first hand experience on the subject.

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community focus

he word ‘miscarriage’ can sometimes be dismissive or banal in its use. Even though most people are sensitive when referring to miscarriage, sometimes people’s perception is that it is an experience that a woman and her partner should get over quite quickly and move on. Unfortunately, this perception is far from reality. The physical and emotional impact of a miscarriage on a woman, her partner and family whether early or late is enormous. One can never be “a little bit pregnant” and once you see those two blue lines that indicate “pregnant” your heart and head are filled with love and plans for this little life. Even if the pregnancy is unplanned or perhaps unwanted to go on to miscarry that baby in any case is a life changing experience. Until recent years miscarriage was not something that was spoken about. The most common phrase that was heard was, “sure you are young and healthy, you will have another one”. For older women who have had miscarriages this was definitely the case. These women did not make a fuss or grieve largely because society’s view did not recognise their loss as the loss of their baby. There was no such thing as a pregnancy test that could be purchased over the counter, or scans, – many women did not realise that they were pregnant and had miscarried. But miscarriage is just that – the loss of a baby. It is of no significance to a woman and her partner who have miscarried that they never got to see or hold their baby or that if it was before 24 weeks in medical terms, that the baby was not viable. When you miscarry and feel that little life that you carried slipping away, part of your heart goes with that baby. At a recent Service of Remembrance held by one of the maternity hospitals, I was introduced to a lady who was 71 and had miscarried a baby some 40 years previously. This lady had heard about the Service through her local church newsletter and so wanted to remember her little baby after all these years. Her husband was there with her too and it was touching to see them finally have the space in society and time to acknowledge the baby that they had lost. Time had healed but over that long length of time they never forgotten about the baby. The question is often asked – “How does one cope with a miscarriage?” and the

answer is as individual as each woman. From a physical point of view there are various scenarios depending on whether the miscarriage is early or late and how fast or slow it happens. It can be a very frightening time, as some miscarriages take place over a period of time where blood loss may be experienced. In all cases it is best to communicate openly with a GP or hospital who can advise the best course of action. If you are working, unfortunately there is no legal entitlement to maternity leave in the case of a miscarriage, but talk to your GP who may be able to advise leave if necessary.

When you miscarry and feel that little life that you carried slipping away, part of your heart goes with that baby.

From an emotional point of view everybody reacts differently. But from experience it is important to talk. Talk to the hospital and GP at the time of the miscarriage and ask for as much information as you can to help you through the situation. Talk to your partner, family and friends and any organisation equipped to help you with your grief over the loss of your baby. Most importantly for the woman it is important to allow yourself time to come to terms with what has happened physically to your body, allow yourself time to grieve, get angry if that helps, do little things to remember your baby, cry , shout, laugh, cry again! It really is a rollercoaster where your heart is numb and your head is racing with thoughts and “what ifs” and the world is out of kilter. A miscarriage is not something to be gotten over. That won’t happen but it is an emotional time for a woman, her partner and family that can be worked through over time until a place of peace and acceptance is reached. Some days are better than others and when you do start to feel less numb you may start to feel guilty that you laughed out loud one day – but that is ok too, it doesn’t mean you have forgotten your little baby. If you need support or counselling or to talk to someone outside of your family, there are organisations that are there to help. The Family Support Agency (www.fsa.ie) is a really useful resource that lists all different types of help available countrywide. If counselling is required try

The Bereavement Counselling Service of Ireland which is a free service. Specifically for Miscarriage, there is The Miscarriage Association of Ireland (www.miscarriage. ie), who provides emotional support to all women and their partners and family affected by miscarriage via telephone, email, website, group support meetings and their annual service of remembrance which is held on the second Sunday of November each year. My experience – Rory’s story My first pregnancy had been plain sailing and therefore I was more relaxed about, nearly blaze about my second. It was June 2009 and everything was progressing normally, I had a scan at 16 weeks the doctor carrying out the examination said that they saw the heart beat and that the size of the baby looked in line with the period of gestation. Moving on a few weeks, I had no signs at all that something was wrong; there was no bleeding, no pain. Then at 22 weeks I attended the hospital for the anomaly scan along with my husband and our son who was 2.5 at the time. It was to be an exciting day for us all. Little did we know that our world was to be shattered and go in a direction that we had never contemplated. I got ready for the scan, and the midwife started the examination. After a few minutes the midwife said as gently as possible “Deirdre I’m really sorry but I cannot find a heartbeat”. Even today those words send a shiver up my spine. My husband had been distracted at the time with our son, so I called to him and repeated what had been said. It was very upsetting for all of us. Even the midwife was visibly upset. As hard as it is to receive this information it is also hard to give it. When I found my voice again, I asked was she sure and she said yes, but she would ask another midwife to check also, which had the same outcome. As I was 22 weeks and the little baby was perfectly formed, the midwife kindly asked did I want some pictures of the baby. We did. The hospital staff were very kind and showed a lot of empathy, compassion and support. This made such a difference on what was only the beginning of what was to be a long and painful journey. We were ushered into what I now refer to as “the tissue room” where people go after they have received bad news - boxes of tissues dotted around with tea and biscuits. We

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community focus

were told that a doctor had been called and would be with us to go through what had to happen next. We were both in shock, and even our little son knew that something was not quite right. The doctor came to talk to us. He empathised with us on the loss of our little baby and went through what the next steps were and answered any questions that we had. He and the midwives realised that we were in state of shock and let us have all the time we needed and went back over things as many times as we wanted. For me as I was 22 weeks a D & C was not given as an option, but I would have to take a pill that would bring on labour within 36 hours of taking it. Needless to say taking that pill brought home the saying, “a hard pill to swallow” both figuratively and physically speaking. I was told that I did not have to rush into taking this, but to go home and let things sink in and call them at any time with any more questions that I had. I could call day or night. The most upsetting thing for us next was to have to tell our parents and family. Like us, this news was out of the blue for them. My own mum kept asking me if the hospital were sure and she eventually persuaded me to ask the hospital for another scan. They dually obliged without any hassle to have a repeat scan the next day. Unfortunately the result was the same. No heartbeat. Some would say I was crazy to put myself through that again, but I guess it was peace of mind and I would never have to look back and say what if. When I did take the pill, I had to call the hospital to let them know so that they would expect me in 36 hours later. Of all that we went through losing our little baby, swallowing that pill was the worst part for me as I knew what the pill was going to do and I would really physically have to let go of our little baby. My head told me the baby was already gone my heart did not want to let go. I think that is a mother’s instinct – always to love and protect. So I went into the hospital at the appointed time, and in fairness to the hospital, the area where I had to go was completely away from where the main activities of the hospital are carried on. My

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husband was with me and the staff in the unit were very kind and caring. After some intense labour pain for which I received painkillers, our baby was delivered. It was a little boy. The midwife was really compassionate at this point and he was taken away and then presented back to us in a basket covered in linen. In our case everything that happened from then on showed the utmost dignity and respect

I would have to take a pill that would bring on labour within 36 hours of taking it. Needless to say taking that pill brought home the saying, “a hard pill to swallow” both figuratively and physically speaking. to us and our little boy, whom we named Rory Jack. We were allowed keep the baby with us for as long as we wanted and were encouraged to take photos if we wanted too. The hospital chaplain visited us in the room and lit a candle and said prayers with us. The next day the bereavement midwife went through the paperwork with us. Legally we had to sign papers saying that we gave permission for the hospital to carry out a post-mortem on the baby and when that was complete there was the option to have the hospital bury the baby in Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin, or we could take care of this ourselves. It is really hard to deal with these things but we were lucky in that all this was done with huge amount of compassion and peacefulness. We never felt rushed. Once the post-mortem was completed, the chaplain contacted us to organise a service in the hospital chapel, which family could attend. This was very beautifully done. Rory was laid out in little white coffin and was dressed in a little linen cloth and was wrapped in a blanket. When you are grieving it is strange the things that become important in your head, for me I worried that I did not have a blanket small enough to cover him. I didn’t know at that time that the hospital would provide this, and when I saw that they had, it brought me a lot of peace on the day Rory was buried. The hospital offered counselling sessions, as many as we wanted to arrange. The social worker then followed up when the

post-mortem results were available and we arranged to meet with one of the doctors and the bereavement midwife to go through what had happened. In Rory’s case in turned out to be non-immune hydrops leading to heart failure. For me the non–immune part was the most important as it meant it was nothing to do with anything I had or hadn’t done, it was just one of those things. My mum found a little saying which summed things up for Rory – “a little flower, lent not given, to bud on earth to flower in heaven”. Some of the calls / emails received by The Miscarriage Association of Ireland are from the partners of women who have had a miscarriage, asking how they can help because they are at a loss as to how to help. My main advice would be, just to be there in whatever form is necessary and accept your partner at whatever emotional stage she is at. If your partner wants to cry - then let her, if she wants to talk – then listen. Crying doesn’t always mean suffering it can sometimes mean that a person is coping and the tears are how the grief is being expressed. For the man, accept that it was your baby too and you have to grieve in whatever way helps you. A man’s grief is often not as outwardly obvious as a woman’s is and this can often cause friction and put strain on a relationship. For both parties it is important to recognise that each other’s grief over the loss of your baby may take different forms and be and different stages. As difficult as it may be, try to be kind and support each other through your loss. Hold each other tight and talk, tell people about your experience – times have changed and I think society is ready to listen.

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mums&tots 31

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labour

Intervention 32

mums&tots

in Labour

labour

Statistics available from the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street have shown that the percentage of women having completely natural, “normal” births for their first baby can be as low as 4%. A normal birth denotes one that is free from any intervention, including epidural or induction. In order to fully prepare yourself for labour, it is good to be familiar with the different types of interventions that may be offered so that you can know what to expect. Therese Handibode gives us the information.

Induction of labour To induce labour literally means to start it artificially. This is most common in cases where you are overdue and labour has failed to start naturally after 42 weeks of pregnancy. There are, however, a number of situations where a doctor will deem it necessary to induce labour for health reasons. A medical condition such as preeclampsia would put your wellbeing and the health of your baby at risk, and so your doctor may decide to start labour artificially. It can also be offered in cases where it is deemed more beneficial for your baby to be born than it is to continue with the pregnancy (e.g your baby is failing to gain weight) or when your waters have broken but labour fails to start naturally. In order to induce labour, it is most likely that the hospital will begin by offering you a membrane sweep. In this case, a doctor will use their finger to separate the membranes that surround your baby from your cervix, thus stimulating labour. If this fails to initiate labour, you will then be offered prostaglandin. This is a hormonelike substance that causes your cervix to ripen and stimulate contractions. This can be administered as a tablet or gel into the vagina. A second dose may be given after six hours if the first has failed to work, and a third may be given a further six hours later. Artificial Rupture of Membranes (ARM) or Breaking the Waters When in the womb, the baby is surrounded by liquid known as amniotic fluid. This fluid is contained in a bag known as the amniotic sac. Once this sac has broken, the production of the hormone prostaglandin increases, and this, in turn, speeds up the contractions. If labour has been going on for some time and the amniotic sac has failed to rupture, your doctor may suggest artificially breaking this. When it is necessary to break the waters artificially, a sterile, plastic, thin

hook is inserted just inside the cervix, causing the membrane to rupture and a gush of amniotic fluid to be released through the vagina. There are a number of advantages to artificially breaking the waters, including speeding up the labour by up to an hour. It also allows your doctor access to the baby’s head, so that they may attach a foetal heart monitor to observe baby’s heart beat. The fluids can also be checked for any evidence that the baby may have passed meconium (the first poo) in the womb, which may be a sign of distress. Escalation of labour with Syntocinon

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administered by an anaesthetist. It is an extremely effective form of pain relief and in some cases you will be given access to top up the epidural yourself if you can feel the pain of labour recurring. You will only be offered an epidural once your cervix has started to dilate and usually after you have tried to cope with the pain using gas and air. Once the tube is in place, your epidural will stay in until you have delivered the placenta. Epidurals are known to slow down labour, however, and so Syntocinon is often used in conjunction. Assisted birth

It can often happen that labour may slow down or fail to progress as quickly as your mid-wife may like. If this is the case, a drug known as syntocinon may be used to increase the intensity of labour. Syntocinon is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for contracting the uterus wall so that the baby can be pushed out and is given through an intravenous drip, allowing the hormone to go directly into your bloodstream. Your waters have to be broken before you can be offered this. Syntocinon is most commonly used in conjunction with an epidural, as an epidural may slow down labour and this helps to speed it up again. It can, however, cause strong contractions, which may put your baby under additional stress and so you will be monitored continuously if this has been used.

An assisted birth refers to one where instruments are used to help your baby come out. There are two options, a ventouse (commonly referred to as a vacuum) and forcep deliveries. Which instrument is used will depend on how difficult your doctor thinks the delivery will be and the gestational age of your baby. Forceps are two metal round bars which cup your baby’s head and face so the doctor can pull them out. A ventouse is a cup attached to a section device which attaches to the back of your baby’s head and a suction is used to pull the baby. An assisted birth will generally be offered where you are exhausted and can’t push anymore or when your baby isn’t making any progress through your pelvis and the mid-wife is anxious to get the baby out. They are more commonly used when you have had an epidural, as you don’t have the same sensations as with a natural birth to push the baby out.

Episiotomy

Caesarean Section

An episiotomy is a surgically planned incision on the posterior vaginal wall during the second stage (pushing stage) of labour. This will be used in situations where the vagina has not opened up sufficiently to allow the baby to come through and there is a fear that you will tear, or when a forceps delivery is required and space is needed to allow access to your baby’s head. It is performed under local anaesthetic if an epidural hasn’t been given and will be stitched closed again after delivery.

A caesarean section is an operation during which an Obstetrician makes a cut through your stomach and uterus (womb), to allow your baby to be born. Caesarean sections can either be elective or emergency and can be performed under local or general anaesthetic. The reasons for requiring a section vary greatly. You may choose in advance to have a c-section or you may know in advance that one will be required due to a low lying placenta, your baby’s position in the womb, pre-eclampsia or a virus (e.g. HIV or Herpes). On the other hand, you may have to undergo an emergency, unplanned c-section if your baby is in distress or in danger and your mid-wife wants to get him out quickly. Sometimes the umbilical cord can slip through the cervix ahead of the baby and so you would need a section to ensure the baby’s oxygen supply is not cut off during delivery.

Epidural With the exception of gas and air, an epidural is the most common form of pain relief utilised in labour these days. An epidural is a regional anaesthetic that numbs your stomach so you don’t feel the pain of the uterus wall contracting. The drugs are passed into the small of your back through a fine tube, and it must be

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tots

nutrition

My Child Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Eat 64

mums&tots

nutrition

t’s a common complaint with parents around the world – my child just won’t eat! Babies who previously ate everything when it was puréed and offered on a spoon suddenly turn into toddlers who refuse to eat anything that is put in front of them. No matter what tricks and distractions are used, they simply refuse to put food in their mouths. Therese Handibode discusses this frustrating situation which many parents find themselves in. Child Paediatrician, Dr. Carlos González, has released a book dealing with this very issue, in which he tries to allay parents’ fears about the drawbacks of growth charts, how to avoid eating problems and how to encourage healthy food choices.

Healthy eating is something that is taught from a very young age, and eating habits are formed based on what a child sees around them, what their parent’s attitude to food is and what foods they are offered. What is the book all about? Dr. González has one clear message in his book: Do not force your child to eat. Never make him eat, in any way, under any circumstances, for any reason. When you think about what it means to force a child to eat, you may think about making them eat under duress, pushing a spoon into their mouths when they otherwise refuse, or more extreme methods, such as holding down their arms so they can’t refuse. When Dr. González refers to forcing a child to eat, however, he is also referring to any tactics that would be used to get a child to eat, such as encouraging, bribing or distracting them with other objects while feeding them. He feels that all of these methods are unproductive as they don’t allow a child to regulate their own intake, and that this will, in time, lead to problems with food. “We should never force a child to eat for several reasons” he writes, “one of them is that the more you try to force the issue, the less the child eats.”. In his opinion, a healthy child won’t starve himself. Providing they have been assessed by a professional who considers them to be healthy, that they aren’t losing weight and are thriving, Dr. González feels there is no reason to worry about the quantity of food a child is eating. Dr. González is not alone in his thinking. His theory is accepted by many health care professionals. According to Dr.

Pilar Serrano Aguayo, a Nutrition Specialist, “children do not have preconceived ideas about how much or when to eat. Neither do they know the doctor’s recommendations, nor the recommendations from the World Health Organisation, nor how much the neighbour’s child eats.” She clarifies, “it is appetite that regulates the intake of food, and at least in children, it does so in a way that adequately meets their needs”. The importance of offering healthy food The main concern with a child’s diet for Dr. González is to focus on the importance of offering health food choices. If one meal is refused, they should not instead be offered sugary snacks to compensate. If a variety of healthy food choices are being offered, then he feels the foundations are being set for forming healthy eating habits into adult life. Healthy eating to him is something that is taught from a very young age, and eating habits are formed based on what a child sees around them, what their parent’s attitude to food is and what foods they are offered. In his own words, “Give your child the gift of a lifetime: let him learn to eat according to his own needs, not according to some chart.” Real life experiences The author of the book, Dr. Carlos González is a Paediatrician from Spain and is himself, a father of three. He repeatedly refers to the fact that he has raised his own children throughout the book, in order to reassure that he has personal experience to back-up all his advice. “I don’t speak from hearsay” he says, “I have been there, done that.” The book includes many questions from mothers who have concerns over their child’s eating habits and those who have been questioned about their baby’s nutrition. Throughout the book, Dr. González responds in a positive manner, giving control back to the mother and allaying many fears. Listen to your child The main point that is reiterated throughout this entire book is that children know their own bodies, and hence, have the ability to regulate their own dietary needs. It is important to listen to your child and respect their instinctual knowledge and needs. Dr. González repeatedly refers to breastfed children in the book, and it is a common fact that we will never know exactly how much a breastfed child has consumed. Many breastfed babies feed on demand, and hence learn from a very young age to regulate their own intake, and that this is what should continue into the toddler and childhood years.

Often, parents fear that their children don’t eat in order to get more attention. It is not unusual for children to eat when with a minder, but then to refuse to eat the same foods when at home. For Dr. Gonzáles, this isn’t a sign of manipulation. This is purely a sign that a child is more comfortable in their own home environment and that they don’t feel the pressures to perform. It is nothing to do with attention seeking. He writes, «The majority of children who refuse to eat do it simply because they do not need more food. The only attention they intend to get is to let us know that ‘Hey, I’m finished eating!’”. If you are to take heed of the advice given throughout the book, then meal-times should be set to become a much more relaxed affair. Based on this, it is ok to spoon feed your baby, and it is ok to allow your baby to spoon feed themselves, but in either situation “the plate should be taken away when your child says (or uses his gestures to say): “I’m finished”.”

Anna, Dublin – Mother to 3 year old Sam

‘‘

My son, Sam is now almost 3 and what I would call an “ok” eater. But it’s been a battle, one that required a lot, and I mean a lot, of patience and perseverance. He just never wanted to eat. Ever. He was breastfed, and so I started to introduce solids at 6 months. Every meal was always a battle. He never took to solid food at all and I’d use my iPhone as a distraction while I shovelled the food into him. I first started to worry when Sam had his 18 month check-up and I was told his weight was on the 3rd percentile but the circumference of his head was on the 98th percentile. In other words, he just wasn’t in proportion. It’s scary to hear something like that, and I started to talk to other mums about their opinion. One mum told me to read the book “My Child Won’t Eat”, and I have to say, it allayed my initial fears. Not 100%, as I still didn’t like the huge difference in percentiles, but I stopped worrying about how much exactly he was eating and just kept continuously offering different food. Portion sizes are still miniscule, but it’s gotten to a point where I have faith in him to know what he needs. He is a typical boy, with bundles of energy, so I think it’s working, for now anyway.

‘‘

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Q. How do I help my foundation Q. Is eating junk food bad last longer throughout the day?

Helping your foundation stay longer throughout the day is simple. First, use an appropriate primer for your skin type under your make-up. This will give a smoother application, and help the make-up to last longer. Next, use a brush to apply your liquid foundation. Your foundation will layer with ease, helping to extend the longevity of your make-up. Applying thin layers will allow you to achieve your desired thickness, and enhance the resilience of your foundation. Avoid applying thick layers. Lastly, finish with a light dusting of powder, and carry a compact powder to touch up throughout the day. Remember to remove your make-up every night before bed. Double cleansing is imperative, as it allows you to remove your make-up and other free radicals from throughout the day. Finish with a moisturiser and/or serum to maximise the potential of your skin for smoothness and radiance. This will provide a smooth canvas for make-up application, and increase the staying power of your make-up in the long run. Vincent Salinitri is an international make-up artist with experience in fashion, film, TV, theatre, editorial and special effects. Vincent has a portfolio of loyal clients, including celebrities and royalty. Formerly a Senior Face Designer for Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, Vincent is now the National Creative and Educational Co-Ordinator for Beauty Team Ireland where he hosts classes and tutorials, and plays host to his personal clients.

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when you’re pregnant?

To answer this you must consider the fact that every mouthful you take will also feed your baby so limiting your intake of junk food will be good. Junk food provides lots of calories but very little nutrition. This isn’t just to do with calories as such. All calories should not be treated equally. Energy in does not exactly equal energy out. Our bodies are much more complicated than that. A physicist will tell you a calorie is a measurement of energy and they’re right, to a point. But a biochemist will tell you that this does not explain where the energy goes or how much of it is used up using it. For instance, fibre is important during pregnancy, it fills you up, helps prevent and treat constipation, helps stabilise your energy levels etc. But it also makes your body work hard. When you eat high fibre foods, your body uses up some of its calories breaking it down and what’s more, you don’t necessarily absorb all the calories from it either! Junk food, on the other hand, is often very low in fibre but high in sugar. Excess sugar causes harm to our body, plays havoc with our energy levels and affects the growth of our baby. So if you do cut down on junk food, you’ll be doing baby and you some good. Orla Walsh, B.Sc Physiology, M. Sc Clinical Nutrition, PgDip Dietetics. Orla operates a dietetic clinic on Thursdays and Fridays in the Dublin Nutrition Centre. Office 016398852. Orla@dnc.ie

My 5 month old son is up every hour or two at night. I just feed him to try to make him sleep. Is this what I should be doing?

Biologically unnecessary feeds are big problem where sleeping issues are concerned, but the last thing that I would advise is for you not to feed your baby if they are hungry and at this age. They may well still require night time feeds. However, plugging a bottle into their mouth when they are not necessarily hungry will contribute to other self-regulation issues in the future. There is a lot of variability in the first 4-6 months of life and some infants need more feeds than others, need more frequent feeding than some and will need more/less sleep than children of the same age. You must try to discover and learn more about your individual baby so that you can respond accordingly. Often if I see a child of this age waking within an hour or two of the onset of sleep, it can typically mean that they are over-tired going to sleep and/or that the parents have assisted the process of sleep At this age, they require 3-4 hours in the daytime split into 3-4 naps and you should be doing your best to ensure that your baby is perfecting the skill of going to sleep without you doing all of the work for them. Stay with them and support them as they learn this skill. Lucy Wolfe is a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach. For solutions for a great night’s sleep check out www.sleepmatters.ie or email lucy@sleepmatters.ie

Q. My son is 6 months and

starting to crawl already! What can I do to safety proof my house?

A. When infants begin crawling

they go from being sedentary to extremely mobile very quickly. Suddenly, the simplest everyday items in your home can be a hazardous threat to your child. • Keep all stairs, doorways and walkways tidy and clear of obstructions to prevent trips and falls. • When preparing hot food or drinks ensure young children are a safe distance from boiling pans and kettles. Keep all pan handles turned inwards so they can not be reached by little hands • Keep all cleaning products and hazardous and flammable liquids clearly labeled and in a cupboard that is locked or childproof. • Move small objects and plastic bags - anything that could choke or suffocate out of reach. • Never leave a small child unattended in a bath or near water. It only takes 1 inch of water and a few seconds for a child to drown. Research shows that accidental burns, falls and poisoning are among the leading causes of deaths and injuries in Ireland for children aged 0 -14 years old. It is vital that parents and family members are aware of basic first aid precautions and procedures, particularly if there is a small baby in the house. The Irish Red Cross provides pediatric first aid classes for individuals, families and companies. Contact the Irish

Red Cross for more details on 01 6424600.

Acid will attract and retain moisture to the skin.

Kevin O’ Donnell from Monard, Co. Tipperary, has been an Irish Red Cross volunteer in the Tipperary Town Branch for the past 28 years. He has also worked for the HSE as a paramedic in Tipperary for the past 9 years. Kevin also teaches commercial courses for the Irish Red Cross to the public and companies ranging from Emergency First Aid and Emergency First Response to Pediatric and Family First Aid courses.

1) Sensitive skin soothing serum is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid anything that has the words salicylic and retinol. 2) Murad’s Essential C moisturiser SPF30 is a nice one for daytime. 3) For a huge hit of Vitamin C, also have a look at Murad’s home facial kit . 4) Hyaluronic acid is a bit of a powerhouse ingredient when it comes to skin moisturising.

Q. I am 3 months pregnant

and my skin is in bits! I always thought that skin was supposed to improve during pregnancy! What do I do?

A. Hormonal changes,

imbalances, aswell as a decrease in oestrogen and an increase in testosterone can make blemishes appear. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can cause the sebaceous glands to go into overdrive, boosting production of sebum which can block your pores and lead to inflammation and breakouts. It’s important to cleanse, treat and moisturise the face in the morning and at night to rid skin of dirt and bacteria. Sulfer-based topical products, as well as those containing AHAs or glycolic acid help with cell turn over and will help combat these breakouts. I recommend pregnant and breastfeeding women use products for the face that contain Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid. The Vitamin C will brighten while providing antioxidant protection. As women tend to experience drier skin during pregnancy, Hyaluronic

Maria Kennedy is a Skin Consultant at Pink Beauty Emporium, Dundrum, Dublin. She is one of the foremost authorities on skin health at Pink. Having traveled with the Pink team to LA to attend lectures with Dr. Murad himself she is one of the best in the industry. Pink Beauty Emporium customize program’s for each client to achieve maximum results. Call Pink Medi Spa Department on 012157958 for further information.

Q. My children have come

home from school with head lice this week for the FOURTH time. I use the special shampoo every time, but is there any way to prevent them getting this in the first place?

Head lice in children can be very frustrating especially when you make such an effort to treat the lice. It is notoriously difficult to prevent the spread of head lice among children in school. There’s so much close contact among children and their belongings that lice can spread easily. It’s no

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reflection on your hygiene habits or those of your children, and it’s not a failure on your part as a parent if your child gets head lice. A number of small studies have shown that ingredients in some products, mostly plant oils such as rosemary, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree and lemon grass, may work to repel lice. Useful tips include: Ask your child to avoid head-tohead contact with classmates during play and other activities. Instruct your child not to share personal belongings such as hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes, hair accessories and headphones. Instruct your child to avoid shared spaces where hats and clothing from more than one student are hung on a common hook or kept in a locker. GloHealth Doctor, Dr. Conor Fitzgerald studied medicine at UCD, worked in Naas General Hospital and also in the Adelaide & Meath hospital, incorporating the National Childrens’ Hospital, (AMNCH) Tallaght. He trained on the Mid Leinster GP Training Scheme and worked as a GP in Wicklow. Dr. Fitzgerald is currently working in GP practice in Lucan, Co.Dublin.

When should I pack my labour bag and what should I bring?

It is good to be prepared. I would suggest packing your hospital bag from about 33-36 weeks of pregnancy. Here are some things you may need:

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For You -Your chart -Pyjamas, slippers, dressing gown and a big baggy t-shirt or a nightdress for the delivery -Maternity bras -Underwear and plenty of it! A lot of women suggest disposable underwear. I’d suggest dark coloured underwear and get a size bigger than you would usually wear -Maternity sanitary towels up to 8 per day -Breast pads -Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, hairbrush, face wash and towels. -Hair dryer -Clothes for going home For Baby -Nappies: enough for 8 per day -Clothing: hats, mittens, baby grows, vests, booties and blankets. Allow for 2-3 changes per day -No wipes are necessary. Newborn skin is so delicate, warm water and cotton wool are enough to clean a baby -Face cloth / muslin cloth for winding baby Labour Bag Extras -Bendy Straws -Lip Balm -Magazines -Camera -Labour Aids: TENS, birthing ball, snacks, drinks -Money for vending machines April Kavanaugh has a BSc in Nursing and HDip in Midwifery, both from Trinity College, Dublin. She practised nursing for 4 years in theatre, in Trauma Orthopaedics and General/vascular before pursuing her Higher diploma in Midwifery in 2010. and practices using current research and guidelines

We already have life cover on our mortgage but now with a new child, is there a need for further life cover and what other insurance cover?

This is a sensible and responsible approach to raising a family. What happens if you die suddenly or are made redundant? Having children should focus your mind on these issues. Ideally you should have life cover outside of mortgage protection up to 10 times your net annual income once you have dependants. Up to completion of their 3rd level education – this is called level term insurance and means the full amount of cover is payable for the full term if one of you die at any time. Health insurance should now include the new born, while income protection (also called Permanent Health Insurance ) should also be considered. This covers up to 75% of your monthly income less any social welfare, should you be incapacitated and unable to work for any reason. This takes effect usually after 6 months and pays out until you return to work or your pension kicks in. Remember also all premiums paid on income protection policies attract tax relief at your marginal rate. Repayment protector covers your mortgage up to 12 months against accident, sickness or redundancy. Ensure you receive professional advice from an authorised and independent adviser before taking out any kind of insurance. John Lowe is a fellow of the Institute of Bankers and Managing Director of Money Doctor the trading name of Providence Finance Services Ltd Stillorgan Co Dublin and author of the best selling: The Money Doctor Finance Annual 2013 plus 50 Ways to Wealth. Follow John on Twitter (@themoneydoc) Linkedin & Facebook. For consultations call +353 1 278 5555 or visit www.moneydoctor.ie

I am 6 months pregnant and am looking to get fitted for a new bra as my normal ones are definitely too tight. Should I wait until after the baby is born to come and get fitted or get one now?

Having entered your third trimester, it’s really important you’re wearing the right underwear. Your body will have changed dramatically by now – your normal bras just won’t do. And I’m sure by this stage of your pregnancy you’re keen to try anything that will make you a bit more comfortable! At JoJo, we recommend women come to us for a fitting at around 20 weeks. By this time, your breasts and ribcage will have increased in size and your normal bra will not only be too small, it won’t provide the support your body needs. A proper maternity bra will also help prevent mastitis, stretch marks and backache, so it really is a worthwhile investment – we suggest you buy at least two. If you’re planning on breastfeeding, you’ll need to buy new nursing bras just before your due date. We recommend getting fitted for your first nursing bra at 38 weeks. Just make sure it fastens comfortably on the last row of eyes as your ribcage will get smaller after the birth. It’s always best to trust your instincts when it comes to your pregnancy – if you’re feeling uncomfortable, do tackle the issue now rather than later. Laura Tenison, founder of JoJo Maman Bébé, was living in Brittany, Western France when she fell in love with the region’s elegant Breton style. Laura decided a revolution in maternity fashion was needed. 20 years on, there are now 52 JoJo stores across the UK and Ireland, with many more in the pipeline.

I am 3 weeks away from giving birth to my first child and am so worried about my body returning to normal. I have been told that due to the size of my bump I have separation of my tummy muscles, and I am concerned that this will not return to normal causing me long term problems.

A. Many changes occur to our

bodies during pregnancy, and the size of your bump/weight of the baby can certainly contribute to what you have mentioned. Separation of the abdominal muscles (Diastasis Rectus Abdominus) is very common indeed, but can be improved dramatically post-natally with appropriate assessment and advice on correct exercise. The best advice I can give you is to attend for a postnatal check with a Chartered Physiotherapist who has a special interest in Women’s Health. During a postnatal check the Physiotherapist can assess the degree of separation of your abdominal muscles and advise you on progressive exercises to rectify this. There may be other treatments which can also help your abdominals, such as muscular trigger point release and dry needling. Postnatal Pilates can help return your abdominal muscles to full strength and function if your Physiotherapist feels it is appropriate. After a postnatal assessment you should have the confidence and reassurance that you will, with time and guidance, return your body to full strength and function. Hana Burrow is a Chartered Physiotherapist treating ante and post natal women for pelvic girdle pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. As well as 12 years working experience she is a mother of 1 daughter with a second baby on the way!

My 8 month old daughter has come up in an eczema type rash on her face. I think it may be related to the introduction of dairy into her diet. I am breastfeeding still and will continue until 12 months. If I have dairy will it affect her? She only has 3 feeds a day now.

A. She is at an age where there could be several contributing factors, but I would continue to breastfeed as breastmilk is giving her the benefits to manage her flare up. Wiping any dribble can make the problem worse so try using a gentle barrier cream suitable for her face. If you are using baby toiletries, try washing her face and body with just water, as perfumes and additives can cause irritation. Talk to your health visitor and GP it may be that she needs a gentle emollient to moisturise and reduce the redness. Wind chaffing can also cause tender, red, dry skin. Look at her diet to see if it is associated with introducing a new food group. It may well be that she has a sensitivity to dairy. If you are giving her lots of dairy, talk to your health visitor as it is important that she gets the correct intake of calcium and minerals for growth and development. Remember, you have been breastfeeding for 8 months and for it to suddenly flare up as a consequence of your dairy intake is very unlikely. Continue with following a healthy diet for yourself without excluding diary. Sioned Hilton is the Education and Lactation Manager at Medela UK, she has been working with breastfeeding mothers for more than 20 years.

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www.mothercare.ie

Q. I am three months pregnant

on my first baby and am terrified of getting stretch marks. How can I prevent them?

A.Stretch marks are feared by

most women especially the first time round. They appear in 50 to 90% of all women coming towards the end of the pregnancy. While the majority will be on the lower abdomen they can also be found on the thighs, hips, bum, breasts and arms. Stretch marks are caused by the skin stretching, generally due to an excessive or rapid increase in weight. They tend to be pinkish or reddish in light skinned women and in dark skinned women they tend to be lighter than the surrounding skin. The skin is slightly indented and this reflects the separation of collagen in the skin. While they are not painful they can be itchy and have a tingling sensation. Contrary to popular belief stretch marks cannot be prevented. Your best defence is healthy skin and good genetics. If your mother and sister had them then you are more likely to develop them. Women who have good, elastic skin tone, either because of inheritance or through years of excellent diet and exercise may less likely to develop stretch marks. You will either get them or not but skin that is healthy, well nourished and hydrated stretches better. If you do develop stretch marks during your pregnancy, they will fade gradually after delivery and turn a silvery colour. Sometimes called the silver threads of motherhood. Suggestions: Eat a proper diet, plenty of fresh

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fruit, vegetables and oily fish such as salmon and sardines. Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses a day. Promote elasticity in your skin by nourishing it. If you have itching of the skin use a cream to moisturise the area, maybe try vitamin E or almond oil. Some mothers are happy when their stretch marks fade others are quite bothered by them and would like them removed. If this is the case you should probably wait until your family is completed and then look into getting some Laser therapy. Margaret MerriganFeenan is the Mothercare Midwife, who advises parents at the monthly Baby & Me Evenings. She is also a regular on TV3’s Ireland AM, practises in the Rotunda hospital, runs private ante-natal classes and the website wwwnewbaby. ie. See www.mothercare.ie for dates and locations.

My wife is about to give birth and we’ve heard so many different things about how our baby should sleep. We have a cot in our bedroom ready for use but do you have any additional advice?

At Mothercare we recognise that as with every aspect of babycare there is loads of advice out there but by following these simple steps you can ensure you are doing your best for your baby to aid a restful and safe sleep.

• Place your baby on the back to sleep (and not on the front or side). • Do not let your baby get too hot and always keep your baby’s head uncovered. • Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent them wriggling down under the covers. • Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair. • The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or cot in a room with you for the ﬁrst six months. It’s especially dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you (or your partner): • are a smoker, even if you never smoke in bed or at home • have been drinking alcohol • take medication or drugs that make you drowsy • feel very tired or if your baby: • was born before 37 weeks • weighed less than 2.5kg or 5lbs at birth • is less than three months old Don’t forget, accidents can happen. You might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby; or your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed, or could roll out of an adult bed and be injured. Settling your baby to sleep (day and night) with a dummy can reduce the risk of cot death, even if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep.

In order to reduce the risk of cot death follow these strict rules:

If you breastfeed your baby, ensure you establish breastfeeding before starting to use a dummy.

• Cut smoking in pregnancy – this applies to fathers too and never let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby.

If you have any questions or are unsure of any aspect of sleep safety for your baby please ask a

fully trained member of staff in any Mothercare store. They can offer advice and answer any questions, plus offer demonstrations for you. A sleep safety campaign will run throughout the month of June and will work to establish a better understanding for parents on the importance of safe sleep for baby. As well as free advice and demonstrations, there will be 10% off all mattress and 3 for 2 on soothers during the sleep safety campaign. Laura Ward is Marketing Director at Mothercare Ireland. Having worked in the family business, Laura has worked across the business from stores to fashion to marketing and is a fully trained Sleep Expert. She has grown through the ranks to her current position.

comfort, but do be comfortable at the same time. Know when it is time to buy maternity clothes; the correct fitting jeans, bras and tops can make all the difference in the early stages while you may not be telling everyone. For example you may need your first bra fitting at around 6 weeks if your current bra feels uncomfortable. Wear what fits. You should be the same dress size as your prepregnancy size. A lot of people make the mistake of trying to squeeze into clothes that are too small for them, or worse buying clothes that are too big that just swamps their entire figure. Embrace the new silhouette! Bra fitting is essential. You should get fitted every 6-8 weeks, even if it is just to get your existing bras adjusted. You will need about 4 bras to see you through the pregnancy. Leggings – invest in maternity leggings. A lot of women fall into the trap of cheap leggings. Maternity leggings allow for the expanding areas around the rear and the tummy. Embrace them, show them off but do keep them covered.

I’m newly pregnant and generally like to experiment with my style. I love Kate Midleton and generally admire Kim Kardashian but her recent choices have left me scared that I’ll end of looking like a floating big top!

The most important thing you can do for your fashion sense during your pregnancy is to stick to your own style. There’s no need to veer away from your pre-pregnancy style, wear what you’re used to. You do not have to sacrifice your personal style for

It’s not ALL about empire lines. There are lots of different styles to choose from and again this relates to your own style. Wraparounds can be great, as can slim fitting vests and t-shirts.

and jumpers and just add to the perfect silhouette. • Dresses • In winter: a good fitting coat, tights • In summer: two-piece swimsuits and tankini’s are the way to go! Finally don’t ditch the maternity wardrobe as soon as you have the baby! Give your body time to get back to normal. It takes 9 months for your body to change in the first place so give it at least 9 months to get back to pre-baby body. For the first few weeks or months, wear your comfortable jeans and vests. The Blooming Marvellous range of maternity wear from Mothercare is available from sizes 8 to 20 both in store and online at www.mothercare.ie. Siobhan Wilmot is the Mothercare Fashion Buyer. She brings a wealth of experience to the fashion sector and has a deep understanding of the requirements of Mum’s, Newborns and Children. Specialism is one of her key priorities when selecting garments and fabrics and she ensures all items are of the highest quality, as well as value.

Floral Print Woven Tea Dress, €38.50, Mothercare

Here’s some must haves for your maternity capsule wardrobe: • Maternity bras • Vests • Bump protector • Jeans – give skinny jeans a chance during pregnancy, they can be fantastic and make your legs look great! • Leggings – for comfort and for style. They look great with tops

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travel

Portuguese Paradise

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travel

here are two things you need to know about Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, firstly it is a little on the expensive side and secondly it is well worth every single cent!! So, start saving now folks! Consider saving your pennies and opting for a staycation in Ireland this year so you can go all out on a family trip to the Western Algarve next summer - you will not regret it. We promise it will be one of the best family holiday you have ever taken. Aside from everything else, the region enjoys sun and perfect weather all year with temperatures never dipping below 20 degrees. Be still our chilly Irish hearts!

Location, location, location Voted as Europe’s Leading Villa Resort 2012 in the World Travel Awards, this 25 hectare paradise has a stunning position overlooking some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Portugal. Nestled into the stunning Costa Vicentina nature reserve, Martinhal is just over an hour away from Faro International Airport. The resort is located next to the historic town of Sagres on the unspoiled Western Algarve. ‘Sagres’ means ‘sacred’ and this is clearly true for the Portuguese, judging from the unkempt wild and rugged beaches, cliffs and dunes of the sparsely populated region.

Accommodation There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation at Martinhal. For couples with babies there are reasonably priced bedrooms in the main hotel. Parents of two or more children can stay in one of the stylish and spacious family houses. These are dotted around the gardens and beach front of the resort, all featuring a designer kitchen, Voya toiletries and a walk in rain forest shower. If you are feeling very flash you can go for one of the more expensive luxury villas which even have their own private pools.

family

Possibly the best service in terms of childcare, is the childminding facility at mealtimes! At no added cost, you and your partner can enjoy a delicious leisurely meal without having to entertain and feed the kids.

Out and About In the centre of the resort’s grounds is The Village Square. This is the entertainment hub of the hotel. Complete with a soft tarmac play area for children, the playground is equipped with play houses, scooters and bikes. Parents can sit at the ‘M Surf Bar’ and watch in peace with a glass of freshly pressed orange juice (or a cocktail or two!). On site, the resort has an impressive sports centre called Club 98, where guests can start their day with yoga or pilates or have a midday workout with a Zumba class or game of Padel - Tennis. If you prefer to take it easy, there are four gorgeous swimming pools set around the grounds where you can have a drink and lounge in a comfy Fatboy beanbag. There is an inexhaustible list of things to do both at Martinhal and the surrounding vicinity for children and parents alike. Day trips include; dolphin watching, horse riding and jeep safaris. Take a trip around the nearby coastal regions either on foot or rent a bike for the day to view the breathtaking sights of the idyllic Algarve. Like the west of Ireland the Western Algarve is excellent for surfing! Martinhal’s surf school has fully qualified instructors who can show you how to master the art, providing all the equipment you need. If surfing is a little too adventurous for you, try your hand at kayaking.

Designed by architectural genius, Sir Terence Conran, the contemporary low rise buildings at Martinhal blend in with the natural and unprocessed feel of the Western Algarve. The eco - interiors, by Interior Designer Michael Sodeau, all reflect Portuguese landscape, using locally sourced cork and local Monchique stone. It is just like having the outside inside.

Child Care One of the best facilities available at Martinhal is their excellent childcare service. Raposinhos (meaning ‘little fox’ in Portuguese) has three clubs; Raposinhos Creche for 6-23 months, Kids Club for 2-4 years and Fox Club for 5-8 years. If parents want to go out in the evening there is a babysitter service available so no need to stay in all evening. There is even a Baby Concierge service on hand (no we are not joking!) so there is no need to bring big bulky baby equipment on your trip. Everything will be supplied, from bottle sterilisers and potties to stair gates, cots and baby baths. Nothing is too much to ask!

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Spa Time Time to slip away into the garden for a bit of indulgence. ‘Finisterra’ means ‘end of the earth’. This well named haven is landscaped into its own peaceful garden so that you would hardly even know it was there. With a variety of treatments for mums, dads and even families, a trip to the spa is a must! At Martinhal they actively encourage all members of the family to come and enjoy treatments at the spa together. Mums can get a massage with their children or if they prefer a shorter time frame there are manicures and pedicures available. While you would worry that a spa is generally not a place for children the staff make sure that it remains a calm sanctuary. For new parents, Finisterra offer baby massage workshops so the whole family can share in the experience.

Treat Your Tastebuds There are three delicious restaurants to choose from at Martinhal, serving only the finest locally sourced organic food. Located 5 minutes from the beach, As Dunas specialises in seafood. Make sure to experience Portuguese cuisine at its finest by tasting local fish dish delicacy, Cataplana.

Overlooking the unending white beaches of the Algarve is surf and turf restaurant O Terraco. The most delicious things on the a la carte menu include succulent Wild Boar Loin for main and piping hot Carob Cake, for dessert, which has a hot melted centre and is served with fresh pistachio ice cream. Combine with a glass or two of a local Portuguese wine for a meal made in heaven. Last but not least is Os Gambozinos, the Italian eatery, located in the Village Square. Featuring an a la carte menu with hot and cold antipasti, parents can choose from a wide range of mouth-watering pizza and pasta dishes as they dine al fresco, watching their children play in the playground adjacent. All three restaurants have menus which cater for children of all ages, offering bitesized portions for young children and a puree menu for babies. It is extra touches like this that set the resort a notch above the rest. All in all Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is the perfect holiday destination for families looking to relax and unwind. To make a reservation call +351282240200 or email res@martinhal.com

Aer Lingus operate daily flights from Dublin and Cork to Faro. For more information on fares and schedules and to book log on to www.aerlingus.com

Europe's Leading Villa Resort

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family

Summer Skin Safety

1. Wrap, Splat, Hat - it’s easy to remember! 5. Avoid sun-exposure at peak hours Keep children well covered by making sure they’re wrapped up or wearing a t-shirt. Splat on sun protection and re-apply frequently and generously to maintain protection, especially after swimming, perspiring and towelling. Don’t forget to put on a hat and sunglasses.

The sun is at its strongest in the middle of the day, so it’s best to seek shade between 11am and 3pm, especially if you’re very fair skinned.

2. Don’t stay too long in the sun

No matter how much you apply, sun protection simply cannot give you 100% protection. It’s no substitute for staying in the shade, and wearing close-weave clothing (e.g. cotton), a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of quality UV sunglasses.

Make sure you are not exposed to the sun’s rays for too long, even when you’re using sun-cream, as nothing provides you with 100% protection, and over-exposure to the sun is dangerous. Always keep babies and very young children out of direct sunlight.

3. Get the factor right

Be sure you are using sun protection products that give you sufficient protection for your skin. Babies always require a high factor.

4. Apply, then reapply

6. Nothing beats a cover up 7. Know your rays

UVB rays and their intensity peak during the summer months. They penetrate the skin’s surface and can damage skin cells causing a short-term reaction to the sun - like sunburn! UVA rays are present all year round. They penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging fibres in the dermis which leads to premature ageing, which is one of the many reasons why it’s important to wear sun protection even on cloudy days in Ireland.

Apply the sun protection product just before exposure. Reapply frequently and generously to maintain protection.

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daddy diaries

I turn the engine on before they ALL say, “daddy we have to pee”.

Daddy

Diaries

Damien Parle is daddy to four children under 6. They were well exercised getting into Damien Parle under 6. His home. It was a His gorgeous wife is daddy to four children the car as we headed gorgeous a few days Jeannine went wife Jeannine went away slow for haul as we ploughed our way to leaving him in charge of the kids andAsthe away for a few bed. thehouse. older kids began to get ready Here is what days leaving him happened. for bed I grabbed the baby for the usual in charge of the change before bed. I was sure she had kids and the house. soiled herself so I was ready for anything. Here is what I carefully peeled backs the layers to happened. be surprised by an empty nappy and it

When the mum’s away the dad will play I

stood there, gripping the hands of my 4 kids as I watched my wife walk further and further away. With luggage in hand and bound for her mothers for the next 5 days I was on my own. Hannah (6), Ruth (4) Matthew (2) and Rebekah (1) stood looking at me as I thought to myself...... ‘now what?’ Of course Jeannine (my wife) had spent the whole drive to the airport reminding me of school times, nap times, dietary needs. We arrived home tired and ready for bed. With a bit of persistence Hannah and Ruth started on their bedtime routine and I dealt with the younger two. I got them in to bed or at least quiet by 8.30, which I thought was good. I realized I needed a “dad proof” plan to make the next few days work well. The next couple of days went without any major incidents. Once day 1 was out of the way and we were in a bit of a routine it wasn’t too bad. It was when things happened outside of our routine that drama happened. For example, I get a phone call from the girls school mid morning issuing all parents with an official blizzard warning and you are to come and collect your children immediately. Didn’t they realize I was on my own and it would

I had definitely realised by now that my car with all the kids strapped in was my best friend. We drove until I found a huge green field with a fence all the way around. I backed the boot of the car up the only entrance to this field and released the children to pasture. It was great! They ran for hours and hours in circles as I laughed to myself. We played all the classic games like, who can run to the left the fastest, who can run to the right the fastest and my favourite one, who can run in circles the most.

be a huge hassle for me to stop doing the laundry, get all the kids in the car and drive to school? This did not go down well with daddy. Another thing that i will admit I was struggling with was my girls hair time in the morning. I wasn’t so concerned about the baby because she’s so cute no matter what, but defiantly the older girls had to look presentable. Word was getting out that Jeannine was away for a while so a friend of mine gave me a quick way of doing girls hair. He posted me a video of a man using a Hoover to suck all the hair into a pony tail. I thought this could save time so out the Hoover came and we gave it a go. Hannah thought is was very funny as long as I cleaned the hoover nozzle first. We tried it and it was a huge fail. I had created the worlds fasted dread lock in 60 seconds. Needless to say we were late to school that day The weekend came quickly and I had no school to pass even half of my kids to. I sat with all the kids over breakfast and we made a to do list for the day. Things like, I would like to pet a cow, and make a giant fort got onto the list but at this stage I didn’t mind what we did. With all kids in the car, bags packed ready for our adventure I honestly think they wait until

instantly struck me. My biggest challenge was yet to come..... bath in the morning. I finished the day doing washing, cleaning house, finally to sit down at 9.00 to watch tv. Then the electricity went! Oh the joy of being a parent. I laughed and went to bed. Bright and early I put the emersion on and the bath began to fill, bubbles and all. If you have 3 kids or more you’ll understand that timing is everything when bathing young kids. I could compare it to a military exercise, but I won’t. I scrubbed the kids until my bath water became a grayish green colour and all the kids smelled like wild roses. I took a breath as I looked at all of my beautiful kids playing in the bathtub, but it was quickly cut short by Matthew, ‘I’m peeing’. Im pretty sure I broke the record for bath evacuation procedures that day. Jeanine was due to fly home in the morning so with kids looking and smelling better we took to cleaning up the house. Hannah cleaned the bedroom while Ruth made all the beds. Matthew used baby wipes to clean everything and baby Bekah ate all of the fallen Cheerios from underneath the kitchen table. That evening I found myself thinking of all the things that I gained from this experience. As much as I love my daughters dearly they are already way too fashion conscious for my liking and fight me every time for things to match perfectly. My parting thought to you dear reader, yes, fruit is very good for your kids but If you give them too much you will regret it the next day.

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