Online and in the shops: School fitness

Developed by Professor Niall Moyna from the Centre for Preventive Medicine at Dublin City University, there are three phases to the challenge: an initial fitness test, six weeks training to improve aerobic fitness and a repeat fitness test.
There are prizes in eight categories for the most improved and fittest schools and the closing date for registration is Saturday, January 17 online at www.avivahealth.ie/fitnesschallenge

These insulated suits from Puddleducks use Coldheat insulation technology to provide warmth without weight for babies and toddlers.
The suit is windproof and shower proof and the full-length zip allows easy access for dressing. Great for cold damp days for outdoor play and for buggies and backpacks, €39.95 www.puddleducks.ie

One Nutrition’s organic Power Greens contains a blend of broccoli, kale, wheat grass and other green foods that can be added to water, juice or smoothies.
Safe to use during pregnancy and for teenagers to support sports training regimes or if they are not eating a balanced diet, these greens contain absorbable iron, protein and B12 along with a range of vitamins and minerals; €14.99 from www.naturalife.ie

Rather than buying a range of items that only be used for a short time, there has been an increasing interest in furniture and equipment that may cost a little more at the outset but can be adapted as your baby grows.
Stokke’s Tripp Trapp highchair, which was first launched in 1972, is designed to provide a comfortable and ergonomic seat from birth, through childhood and can still be used by an adult. A newer alternative is their Steps chair which is suitable until around the age of 11.
It can be used together with a bouncer to bring a newborn to the table, or with a baby set to create the highchair. There’s also an optional, large tray which can be added to give baby a place of their own to eat and play.
Both footrest and backrest can be adjusted as your baby grows, allowing toddlers climb in and out of the seat on their own as they get older.
Stokke Steps and Tripp Trapp are €154.70 for the chairs (baby sets etc extra) and are available from a number of Irish stockists, including JellyBean in Douglas, Cork; www.jellybeangroup.com