BREASTFEEDING CONFERENCE: National Breastfeeding Week ends on Friday with a national conference on breastfeeding, hosted by the HSE in Croke Park, Dublin. The conference, entitled Breastfeeding in a Bottle Feeding Culture, will discuss the important role of fathers and grandparents in supporting breastfeeding.
LAUGHTER IS BEST MEDICINE: The curative powers of laughter are being put to the test over the next six months as so-called clown doctors do the rounds at the National Children's Hospital in Tallaght. "There is more to the clown doctors than a few jokes," says matron Maura Connolly. "Quite aside from de-stressing and relaxing the children, the laughter actually helps them fight infection and disease by boosting their immune systems and reducing pain." Clown doctors are professional arts performers trained to work in hospitals.
EATING DISORDER SUPPORT GROUP: A free support group for family and friends of people with eating disorders will have its first session tonight at 7pm. The sessions will be led by experienced psychotherapists at the Kildare St Clinic, 29 Kildare St, Dublin. John Crimmins, director and psychotherapist of the clinic, says: "Family members can be left feeling bewildered . . . Our psycho-educational groups are designed to educate and inform and discuss the taboos around eating disorders." Sessions for those with eating disorders will be held on Monday evenings. Tel: 01 6629737 for details. See also www.psychology.ie
FELDENKRAIS METHOD WORKSHOP: The Feldenkrais Method is gaining a steady following in the Republic. First developed by Russian-Israeli scientist Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, it is about moving and breathing with less effort or tension. A teacher of the Feldenkrais Method, Gunther Bisges, will lead a workshop on Saturday and Sunday next at the Old School of Nursing, St Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. The fee of €120 is to be paid on the first day. To register, tel: 0049 89 36192964 or e-mail g.bisges@bisges-bewegungssysteme.de
(Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson)