Tots to teens: Spoon helps babies feed themselves

Cognikids' pre-weaning spoon

WEANING a baby can try the patience of any parent. The weaning pre-spoon from COGNIKIDS could ease the transition. 

Created by child development expert Ollwyn Moran, it’s designed to support babies’ development. 

It teaches them how to grip, grasp, chew, and suck, skills that will eventually lead to them being able to feed themselves independently.

• The weaning pre-spoon costs €9.99 and is available from www.cognikids.com.

deDANÚ's Study Buddy

Testing times

Stress levels are bound to be high in homes where teenagers prepare to sit school or State exams. 

It can be hard for parents to know how best to show their support during these testing times.

One way they can do so is by presenting teenagers with this Study Buddy wellness roller. 

Produced by plant-based health-and-wellness brand deDANÚ, in Athlone, it contains lemon, sweet orange, and peppermint oils to aid relaxation while enhancing concentration.

The stylish and sustainable packaging should also impress teens. It comes in an amber glass container, which protects the essential oils from sunlight. 

The container also has a stainless-steel roller ball and an engraved bamboo lid.

• It costs €16 and is available from www.dedanu.ie.

Acting up

Have you got a young drama queen or king on your hands? If so, you could consider harnessing their thespian tendencies by signing them up for classes at your local youth theatre.

Youth Theatre Ireland is the national development organisation for youth theatre.

• With more than 50 registered theatre groups, visit www.youththeatre.ie to find out if there’s one near you.

Jessica O'Leary, Head of Fundraising, Childline by ISPCC, with Reggie Power (5) celebrating the launch of Rise and Shine for Childline, the charity's national breakfast campaign designed to get people talking while raising funds for its essential services.

A listening ear

Rise and shine to enjoy a special breakfast with Childline this May. Childline is Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people. 

Children can call its freephone line on 1800 666666 at any time of the day or night. Alternatively, they can chat about their problems online at www.childline.ie.

The charity has recently experienced a dramatic rise in demand for its services. In February, March, and April, 145 children contacted the service to talk about mental-health issues.

Childline needs more funds to support these young people. That’s why it’s calling on families, schools, clubs, and workplaces nationwide to host a breakfast and raise money for Childline.

• You can sign up at childlinebreakfast.com to receive a digital pack.

Postpartum help

Becoming a mother can be a huge shock to the system. We’re told that we’ll be overcome with love for our newborn and we’ll instinctively know how best to look after them. 

But not all mothers feel like this. Many struggle during that initial postpartum period, when hormones are haywire and sleep is shattered.

Dr Ashurina Ream is a clinical psychologist whose Instagram account, @Psychedmommy, aims to support mothers and their mental health throughout this time.

She also found early motherhood difficult, which led her to train in perinatal mental health.

She now uses her social media account to share information and advice on how to deal with postpartum anger the effects of sleep deprivation, birth trauma, parental burnout, and so much more.