CatherineMom's Blog

Not only can lullabies soothe your baby to sleep, but they can also ease pain. A new study has found that well-loved children’s songs helped paediatric patients in Great Ormond Street Hospital feel better. The children’s stressed heart rates were found to drop – even in toddlers waiting for heart transplants – and babies were in visibly less pain. Speculation that these reactions were...

New research shows women who stay fit when pregnant could be helping their little ones develop healthy hearts. The study said people whose mums exercised during pregnancy will have healthier blood vessels in adult life. They believe this is because exercise can programme a baby’s blood vessels to resist heart problems in later life. Scientists from both the US and Germany carried out the study...

The number of employers offering full maternity benefit has decreased by more than 26.6% since the recession began. On top of this, there has also been an increase in the number of employers offering nothing on top of the statutory benefit, which was cut in Budget 2014 and has been liable for tax since 2012. The number of women returning to work full-time has gone from 61% in 2008 to 79...

Worryingly almost half of British kids between the ages of 10 and 14 have seen their parents drunk. Children copy their parents’ behaviours and Elaine Hindal of Drinkaware calls on mums and dads to “understand their significant influence as role models and feel confident to set a good example.” Last year over 3,000 Britons, some as young as 12, had to seek help for a drinking problem and...

A recent survey in the UK has revealed that 21% of stay-at-home mothers were the family’s main earner before they gave up work to look after their children. Many of the women who took part in the poll believe they would be earning more than their partners had they not given up work but were prepared to give it up to look after their children. Just under half of the women surveyed gave up their...

Mums understand just how hard it can be to give their kids medicine when they are ill. Most children refuse to take it unless it is brightly coloured or has a certain flavour but a recent survey found that these bright colours contain additives that are linked to hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. Under EU law synthetic colourings are banned from food and drinks targeted at children...

One in four Irish children is now overweight or obese. This is one findings of the Growing Up in Ireland study and Safefood is now to launch a campaign to combat the growing obesity problem. The new campaign will focus on a number of practical steps parents can take to help their children lead a healthy life and avoid excessive weight gain. These steps include portion control, being active and...

Do you count the hours you spend doing housework as exercise time? The World Health Organisation’s official claim that household chores kept people active has been quashed by new research. A study carried out at the University of Ulster found that people who listed “domestic physical activity” as a significant portion of the physical activity were also the largest of the participants...

Facebook has eased privacy rules for teen users, allowing 13 to 17-year-olds to post updates that can be seen by anyone. Currently, posts by users in this age range can only be seen by friends or ‘friends of friends’. The move comes at a time when cyber bullying and its horrific consequences are making headlines, resulting in calls for more protection for children and adolescents online...

Research by the Irish Cancer Society has found children are attracted to colourful cigarette packaging. The study of third class pupils in a Dublin school showed children found the packs appealing and were positive about “the bright colours and rainbow-coloured effects used” as well as the “fancy writing”. Approximately 80% of smokers start before the age of 18 and children in Ireland...