Early Times - Spring 2012
Chickenpox can be worrying and distressing for parents
Happily, however, symptoms tend to be mild in young children and chickenpox usually runs its course without serious consequences. Before developing a rash, your child might have some flu-like symptoms, including: feeling sick, raised temperature or fever, loss of appetite, generally feeling unwell. A couple of days after these symptoms are noticed, a red rash appears, starting as small, itchy red spots that then become fluid-filled blisters which eventually scab over. The rash can occur anywhere on their body and face including behind their ears, on their scalp and even the soles of their feet. If you are at all worried, call your GP. Chickenpox is a virus so there is no cure for it. Your child’s immune system should deal with the virus over a few days and here are some practical tips for parents.
Virasoothe Chickenpox Relief Cooling Gel is a revolutionary new product specifically formulated and clinically proven to relieve the irritating symptoms of chickenpox. Virasoothe provides rapid cooling and soothing relief to the affected areas. This reduces the urge to scratch which allows the skin to heal more naturally, helping to reduce long term scarring. It is suitable for children over six months of age and can be applied to both body and face. Apply Virasoothe to break the itch, scratch, infection cycle.
Keep your child as cool as possible in light, loose clothing. Keep your child’s fingernails clean and short to prevent deep scratching and make sure your child drinks plenty of water. For children over 4, sugar free ice-lollies can help to lower temperature and provide fluids, as well as soothing a sore mouth. Avoid foods that may make the mouth sore (such as salty foods). Children with chickenpox are infectious from before the first spots appear until the last blister has scabbed over. To prevent further spread, children with chickenpox should be kept off school, creche or playgroup and you should keep your child away from people who have not had chickenpox, especially newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system.
ViraSoothe is distributed by ClonMedica and is only available in pharmacies. Always read the label. For more information visit: www.itchi.ie
MAUREEN CULLINEY – A HELPING HAND FOR PARENTS
DON’T you wish there was someone who could help you when your baby just won’t stop crying?
Well, the answers to your prayers has arrived in the form of maternity and sleep consultant Maureen Culliney who provides a trouble-shooting service for parents across the country.
A NNEB-trained nursery nurse, maternity nurse and sleep consultant, Maureen has many years’ experience working with children and babies of all ages in both Ireland and England.
Maureen is particularly expert in helping babies suffering from colic and reflux and travels nationwide to provide a personalised service in your own home.
She can also provide help and advice on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, nutrition, weaning and sleep and feeding routines.
One parent said: “We consider Maureen to be professional, knowledgeable and intelligent but at the same time warm, funny and caring and have no hesitation in recommending her to other parents.”
For more information, contact Maureen on 0877646577 or email maureenculliney@live.ie
Innovative product prevents mastitis
Breast Aid, innovative breast warming pads already widely used in Sweden and Australia, utilises NASA technology and uses a mother’s natural body heat, to help prevent and cure problems including mastitis, engorgement, blocked ducts and nipple vasospasm, making them a natural and environmentally responsible solution. They also provide fast and effective relief from hard, sore or lumpy breasts and can help with expressing and blocked ducts. They are also ideal for new mothers choosing not to breast feed and having to deal with milk reduction. Breast-Aid pads are available online from www.enviro-pod.co.uk
Galway Childminders are currently researching new opportunities to continue to meet in Clusters around the city and county. Taking place in a community hall, library or any suitable venue, the aim is for childminders - whose role can sometimes be quite isolating - to have a place to bring their children along to meet and play with other childminders and their minded children. Childminders also have the opportunity to pool resources, knowledge, support and information as well as identifying any local challenges that can be brought to the Committee. The Galway City and County Childcare Committee is happy to assist and facilitate these networks - for example through room hire, publicising information or offering sports equipment. The main areas of interest so far are: Monivea; Claregalway; Tuam; Gort; Craughwell and Westside (City). Please contact 091 752039 or email colette@galwaychildcare.com for information
Mayo County Childcare Committee has a comprehensive training programme for 2012 for childminders and parents. A Series of HighScope training workshops will take place in Ballyheane Community Childcare Centre on Sat 3rd March, 14th April and 12th May covering diverse topics such as Organising Play Space, Playing and learning together and conflict resolution & working with families. For details of all training courses and events Contact 094 9047010 or email: mayochildcare@mayococo.ie
Tiny Footprints
A new book written by parents about their experience of having a baby born prematurely, has recently been launched. The book has accounts from 80 families about their premature birth experience and includes some local stories from the Neonatal Intensive Care Baby Unit in UCH Galway. O’Brien’s Newsagents in Galway are selling the book without profit and all proceeds from book sales will go to the www.IrishPrematureBabies.com charity.
A guide to weaning - join DAIRY DEN
The National Dairy Council invites you to join Dairy Den, the FREE club for mothers of very young children. The team of expert nutritionists has put together a range of practical, easy-to-read booklets and, it’s science-based and backed by the latest independent research. Beginning with the Guide to Weaning, which they’ll send out when your baby is four months old, it will be followed by a Guide to Nutrition for Toddlers when your child is two years old. The guides cover all the food groups and explain the importance of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients essential to a growing child’s health and wellbeing. To join the Dairy Den simply email www.ndc.ie dairyden@ndc.ie
Save your memories thanks to Tweekaboo
Cork based start-up company, Tweekaboo has just launched a new iPhone App that helps parents to keep a private digital diary of their children's lives using their phones and then share the memories securely with family and friends online. Check out http://www.tweekaboo.com or visit the App Store at
www.itunes.apple.com/kz/app/tweekaboo/id440682407
New pre-school board books in Irish from Futa Fata
Galway based Irish Language Publisher Futa Fata has a lovely range of new board books in Irish for pre-school children. The Baba agus Jeaic series of four books covers day to day activities such as Getting Dressed, At the Park, Yummy Food and Bath Time. They also have a series of beautifully illustrated paperback books about animals for age 4+ The Tá mé ag fás series includes Coileán, Ainmhithe Feirme, Coinín and Piusín. www.futafata.com 091-504612
