CarePlus Pharmacy’s latest BabyClub event has heard from an expert in weaning about the 4 questions parents need to consider before moving their baby onto solid foods. The gathering at Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar, County Westmeath, saw 80 parents and young children gather for a morning to share experiences and hear expert advice on a wide range of topics including nutrition and the all-important sleep for babies and their parents.
CORU Registered Senior Paediatric Dietitian and mum of 3, Cathy Monaghan from weaning.ie, told the group that the 4 key questions are:
- What are your aims?
- What are your expectations?
- What aspects of your relationship with food do you want to pass on?
- What aspects of your relationship with food do you not want to pass on?
Cathy says it’s critical that parents consider questions such as these because of the importance of the weaning period in their child’s life: “Nutrition during infancy and early childhood is fundamental to the development of each child’s full human potential. It is well recognised that the period from birth to two years of age is a “critical window” for the promotion of optimal growth, health and behavioral development”.
The group also heard from Child Sleep Consultant Erica Hargaden, who discussed what she sees as the 7 Steps to Better Sleep, including the sleep environment, timing, the milk/solid balance, nap and bedtime routines and self-soothing. Erica says the final step, consistency, is one of the most important: “The reality is, for most people there is no quick fix to ensure your baby has a better night. It can take up to 4 weeks to really establish a consistent bedtime pattern so it’s really important that the path you choose to begin with suits you all, so that you don’t end up having to start all over again when you’re halfway there”.
Friday’s event in Mullingar was hosted by CarePlus Pharmacy, while the CarePlus BabyClub Brand Ambassador Kelly Horrigan also stopped by.
CarePlus Pharmacy’s BabyClub, sponsored by MAM, now has over 12,500 members nationwide, and offers parents a range of supports including expert advice and special offers on products relating to caring for babies and small children. Marketing Manager at CarePlus Pharmacy, Carla Crerar thanked the speakers and audience for coming along to Friday’s event: “We are thrilled with the turnout in Mullingar today and so happy to be able to host these amazing experts in weaning and sleep. Our network of community pharmacists and their teams are always on hand with expert advice for parents who might have questions about their baby’s health. The CarePlus Pharmacy BabyClub is an opportunity to extend that offering into special events like this while building up a great relationship with our members, as a trusted source of valuable information”.
