A family of four, including two children aged one and two, was rescued by the RCMP overnight Thursday after crossing the American border into Canada and becoming lost in the woods in Havelock, Que.
RCMP Cpl. Martina Pillarova said the four were suffering from severe hypothermia when they were found.
“They were in a very bad state,” she said. “They were not able to move anymore. They were frozen.”
Pillarova said the family possibly became lost in the woods after crossing the border and had been walking for hours before the mother called 911.
“It was the [Sûreté du Québec] who received a call and they called us for assistance at around 3:15 in the morning,” Pillarova said.
That call, she explained, allowed police to get GPS co-ordinates of their approximate location and narrow down the search area.
They were located within an hour in the forest, sitting huddled beneath a tree and unable to move.
The parents were found barefoot, having lost their boots in some sort of body of water, according to Pillarova, and the children were not dressed for winter weather.
“The children were dressed only in shoes and sneakers, no hats, no gloves. So they were in a bad, bad condition,” she said.
The family members were transported out of the woods to a waiting ambulance, with the mother carried on a sled, the two young children in the arms of officers and the father being rescued a short time later.
Pillarova said the ambulance was waiting roughly one kilometre away from the rescue site, on Covey Hill Road in Havelock.
The Sûreté du Québec and local firefighters assisted in the rescue operation.
As of Friday afternoon, Pillarova reported that all four family members remained in hospital and were in stable condition.
The RCMP confirmed the family asked for refugee status and the Canadian Border Services Agency are now in charge of the file.
Posting a picture of Landon in a hospital bed to her stories, Megan wrote: “One thing I’m learning about being a mum, always trust your gut. I was told to stop Landon’s omeprazole by his paediatrician.”
According to Megan, Landon had “terrible reflux” at six weeks old but she was told to stop giving him omeprazole after four months on the medication.
She continued: “Because I was told to stop when I really didn’t want to, I’m now sitting on a baby ward after being in A&E all last night because Landon has gradually got worse throwing up so much it was scary.
“Screaming in pain and retching till his face turned red and had now become dehydrated from all the vomiting. The paediatrician at the hospital I’m in now is very confused at why he was told to stop taking it and should be on it for at least six months.”
In the post, Megan explained that Landon was put back on the same medicine and given fluids, saying that he is now “back to his happy self again”.
After thanking the nurses and doctors at the hospital, Megan shared a picture of Landon’s hand, which had a cannula in.
She wrote: “His teeny baby hand. He was so stressed and confused having this cannula put in. I’m so upset this reflux has got this bad.
“Moving forward I won’t be taking no for an answer. You as a mum knows best. He’s having a few days for his tummy to settle with the omep and then they told me to wean him slowly again alongside the omeprazole.
“Honestly reflux is awful for our tiny babies. I just want to make sure he doesn’t have to go through that again.”
The Only Way Is Essex airs on ITVBe and streams on ITVX.
Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
Ignacio Bahamondes, like many fighters on the UFC roster, is a lifelong martial artist. But what of his family? Are any of them martial artists, specifically his father? The 27-year-old is just hours away from taking part in the biggest fight of his career at UFC 313.
He takes on fellow striker Jalin Turner in a matchup surpassed in terms of importance only by the main event and co-main event. Come fight night, Bahamondes will rely on every iota of experience and skill at his disposal. But what is Bahamondes’ background?
More importantly, is it one he shares with his father?
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Is Ignacio Bahamondes’ father a former kickboxer?
As it turns out, Ignacio Bahamondes’ father is indeed a former kickboxer. The family is from Santiago, Chile, where his father, Manuel, once competed as a South American WKN kickboxing champion and even became Ignacio’s trainer when the latter opted to dip his toes into the amateur kickboxing world himself.
Check out Ignacio’s video collage about his father:
However, after spending several years in the South American kickboxing scene, Ignacio abandoned it all for a higher calling in a different sport. At the tender age of 16, Ignacio left his home country for Miami, United States, where he entered the world of mixed martial arts, eventually signing with the UFC.
Ignacio Bahamondes’ MMA career examined
Ignacio Bahamondes spent a considerable amount of time in the regional MMA scene in the United States. It allowed him to gain experience as he worked his way through various promotions, amassing a 10-3 record before catching UFC CEO Dana White’s notice.
After an appearance on White’s Contender Series, during which Bahamondes scored a stunning front kick knockout of Edson Gomez, he signed a UFC contract. Unfortunately, his promotional debut went poorly, as he suffered a split-decision loss to veteran striker John Makdessi.
Check out one of Bahamondes’ knockouts:
However, he quickly turned his luck around by authoring a three-fight win streak consisting of two finishes: a knockout and submission. Alas, his second UFC defeat soon followed as he was on the receiving end of a unanimous decision loss to L’udovit Klein.
Thankfully, the slick striker managed to turn his fortune around again, winning his next two bouts via knockout, and is now aiming to add Jalin Turner to his list of conquests.
March is here, my least favorite month. My mother passed away on March 29, 2020, and I’ve hated this month ever since. Because she passed at the end of the month, I’m forced to anticipate this anniversary for almost all of March.
My mother was the most loving, caring, and patient person I’ve ever encountered. She was a pillar in my life. Thankfully, I recognized it when she was alive and shared my feelings with her daily. We had an incredibly close, symbiotic relationship, although I think she contributed more than I did because of her selflessness. She would show up to help me with something, and then I’d later learn she was actually sick but didn’t tell me. She put my needs above her own.
Recommended Reading
A grandmother’s steadfast love
I share this tale because my mom was also a big part of my daughter Abby’s life. In 2017, Abby was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare, genetic, neurodegenerative, and terminal disease. As Sanfilippo progresses, Abby continues to lose skills and requires more support. My mom was a huge part of that support system.
My mother lived alone and was quite independent for many years, so she was very involved with my little family of four. She was in the room with me during the births of both of my daughters and was always there when I needed her while raising them. When Abby was diagnosed, my mom was absolutely crushed. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer just a couple of months after Abby’s diagnosis. The year 2017 proved to be the hardest of our lives.
Hindsight has revealed to me that my mom was quite depressed in her last years. That’s understandable, considering the gravity of both mine and Abby’s diagnoses. I don’t think I acknowledged it enough and didn’t consider her feelings as much as I should’ve. In her persistent, loving way, she soldiered on and continued to support us without fail. She never wavered and was there for anything we needed.
Does Abby know her grandmother has passed?
I often wonder if Abby realizes my mom is gone. I hope she doesn’t, because I don’t wish this grief on anyone. My gut tells me that Abby doesn’t know, only because of her cognitive decline. Her awareness has deteriorated so much over time. But this example is a situation where I’m thankful for her lack of awareness. The last thing I want is for Abby to experience sadness on top of everything else her body is trying to handle.
In my previous column, I mentioned my thoughts on heaven and being reunited with Abby after she passes away. I believe we’re destined to be saints in heaven after we die. For me, this belief provides solace when dealing with my grief when I think of Abby’s death preceding my own. I also feel peace when I think of the reunion I’ll have with my mom. The way she lived her life assures me that she’s in heaven waiting for us.
Note: Sanfilippo News is strictly a news and information website about the syndrome. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sanfilippo News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Sanfilippo syndrome.
As Bachelor Nation fans know, former Bachelor Ben Higgins married the love of his life, Jess Clarke Higgins, in November 2021 and the two announced last summer that they were expecting their first child together — a baby girl.
Last month, Ben officially joined the girl dad club and shared the exciting news that their daughter Winona (Winnie for short) finally arrived!
Now, Ben’s parents are opening up on the “Almost Famous Podcast” and revealing how Ben and Jess are really doing as new parents.
Ben’s mom Amy shared that she was impressed with how her son immediately jumped in and started taking care of Winona right away.
Instagram
“I just couldn’t believe that even the very first time we met Winona at the hospital and she needed a diaper change, I mean this boy picked her up, took her right over… and was diapering this brand-new baby up,” she said. “I was just thrilled. I knew he was born for it. He’s just such a tender person anyways. So no, it didn’t surprise me at all that he jumped right in there, but it was just too sweet to see, I’ll tell ya.”
Ben’s dad David then revealed how Ben and Jess created a schedule for Winona once they left the hospital to let them know when extra assistance was needed.
He said, “When we first got back from the hospital, Ben and Jess invited us over. And they kind of had this daily plan as far as, here’s the feeding, here’s the quiet time, here’s when we need some help. So they did a really great job at laying that out.”
Amy chimed in again and talked more about how helpful the schedule’s been, as well as how proud she and David are of Ben and Jess’ parenting skills.
Instagram
“I was so thankful after the couple first days that the kids took the guesswork out of it for us so that we didn’t feel awkward and like what do we do with ourselves,” she expressed.
“They set out a really nice timeline and I really appreciated it because it’s worked really well… We’ve been really productive, we’ve gotten a lot of great things done, and I think for me, a lot of it has been that freedom to know not only what our expectations they expected from us but to be able to spend enough time to get to watch the two of them as new parents. And I tell ya, Jessica and Ben both are just rocking it. I can’t be more proud of them. They’re crushing it.”
So sweet!
We love that Ben and Jess get to spend this special time with his parents and we love hearing more about their lives with Winona. Congratulations again to their whole family!
This podcast episode ofThe Patrick Madrid Show had everything: a baby named Cyrus, a conversation about a left-handed Sign of the Cross, and a subtle campaign to get the namePatrick into Carol’s future baby lineup.
Meet Carol👶
Carol from Colorado Springs calls in with a great little tidbit: her baby is named Cyrus! Naturally, Producer Cyrus is thrilled. But wait, there’s more: her other son is namedHoratius. (Shoutout to her husband, who teaches Latin and clearly takes his baby-naming game very seriously.)
Left-Handed Sign of the Cross? No Problem! ✝️🤚
Carol’s real question? She usually holds Baby Cyrus in her right arm at Mass, so sometimes she makes the Sign of the Cross with her left hand. Is that okay?
Patrick reassures her that yes, it’s totally fine! God isn’t sitting there with a scoreboard, docking points. The important thing is making the Sign of the Cross, not which hand you use.
Also, fun fact: the word “sinister” actually comes from the Latin word for left-handed. But don’t worry… being left-handed isn’t a bad thing. (Just ask Paul McCartney)
Future Baby Patrick? We’ll See… 🤔👶
Before Carol goes, Patrick slyly suggests “Patrick” as a name for any future babies. Carol’s open to it, but she and her husband don’t always agree on names. (If history is any indicator, it may need to have some kind of Latin or ancient history connection to make the cut.)
Final thought… Patrick would love to hear Baby Cyrus chat with Big Cyrus someday. (Same, Patrick. Same.)
🔥 Takeaway: Whether you’re a righty or a lefty, just keep making the Sign of the Cross. And if you ever need baby name inspiration, maybe brush up on your Latin.
Thebest way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.
Daryn Wilmore, the 16-year-old daughter of astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, expressed her frustration over her father’s extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024. Taking to TikTok on February 6, Daryn spoke candidly about her frustration with the situation, blaming “negligence” and “politics” for the delays.
“He’s missed out on a lot,” Daryn said, according to a New York Post report. “It’s less the fact that he’s up there sometimes; it’s more the fact of why. There’s a lot of politics, there’s a lot of things that I’m not at liberty to say… There’s been issues, there’s been negligence.”
She further explained the ongoing issues surrounding her father’s return from space, adding, “It’s just been issue after issue after issue.”
Musk and Wilmore agree on delay
SpaceX founder Elon Musk has weighed in on the situation, stating last year that SpaceX was ready to launch a rocket to bring Barry Wilmore and fellow astronaut Sunita Williams home after a malfunction with their Boeing Starliner capsule. However, Musk claimed that the Biden administration delayed the rescue mission.
The NASAastronaut Wilmore family’s ordeal began on June 5, 2024, when Barry Wilmore and his fellow astronaut Sunita Williams launched for what was expected to be a one-week mission. However, issues with the propulsion system and propellant leaks forced them to stay in space for an extended period while further analysis was conducted. The astronauts were initially expected to return in January 2025, but further delays pushed their return to mid-March.
Family connection amidst the delay
Despite the frustration, Daryn shared that her family stays connected with Barry Wilmore almost daily through video calls. While missing her father, Daryn expressed her excitement over his upcoming return.
“Recently we found out he will most likely be coming back in mid-March, which is so exciting, and I miss him so much,” Daryn said. “I can only wait to hug his neck and see my sister graduate high school and see the show I’m in right now.”
Hopeful for a reunion
While the delays have been emotionally challenging for Daryn, she remains optimistic. She hopes that her father will return soon, but acknowledged that things could change at any moment. “Fingers crossed, things could always change and especially with this whole thing. We’ve had so many changes.”
Reflecting on her father’s resilience, Daryn said, “He’s just been bummed, but he’s fine. My dad has always been resilient.”
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Mother’s Day is just around the corner (FYI: this year, it lands on Sunday 30 March in the UK), and it’s a wonderful chance to show your love and appreciation for the amazing women in your life, whether that’s your mum, grandma, aunt or even a special family friend.
While it goes without saying spending quality time together is key, a thoughtful gesture is a great way to let her know just how much you care. Let’s face it, mums do so much for us and, while we could never truly repay them, a little treat goes a long way. So, whether she’s the mum who loves curling up on the sofa with a good book, a beauty buff or someone who thrives when cooking up a storm in the kitchen, our thoughtful edit of the best gifts is here to help.
There’s no hard and fast rule for what makes a great Mother’s Day present, so, it’s important to consider your giftee’s tastes and interests. Do that, and you’ll be on to a winner. Of course, if you’re really stuck, something boozy or chocolatey is sure to go down a treat, as are personalised gifts.
Be it a cosy set of pyjamas, a fancy fragrance or a piece of timeless jewellery, there’s no end of options when it comes to treating your mum and making sure she gets a special gift that’s just right for her. Here, we’ve put together our edit of the perfect picks for every type of mum this Mothering Sunday.
How we tested
We spent weeks testing a range of products, to bring you our favourite picks (Sarah Jones)
As seasoned givers and receivers of Mother’s Day gifts, we know the types of presents that are guaranteed to make any mum smile. We spent weeks testing every single product featured in this list, and have made sure to include a range of options to suit every type of mother figure – from personal tokens to practical gifts and everything in between. Prices also range from small treats to luxury buys but, whatever your budget, you can be sure that each one will make her feel cherished.
Why you can trust us
Sarah Jones is the assistant IndyBest editor and has years of experience when it comes to writing and editing shopping content, so, it’s fair to say she knows a thing or two about putting together a gift guide. She specialises in a variety of topics, spanning home interiors, beauty and fashion, as well as parenting and kids’ products. Committed to helping you find the perfect item for your mother or maternal figure, Sarah has combined her bank of fail-safe present ideas with her shopping expertise to steer her selection of top-rated gifts featured here.
Jennifer Donnelly is from St Matthew’s Primary and Nursery School in east Belfast
There is no app to replace your lap.
That is what they tell parents at St Matthew’s Primary and Nursery School in east Belfast to encourage them to read with their children.
And Jennifer Donnelly from the school said the message was getting through.
“When children are developing their speech and language a book can take you anywhere,” she said.
“Although there is a place for technology at times we feel that if a child is sitting reading with you, turning the pages and learning all about how to read the book it’s so much better than the technology.”
Jennifer was among those at the Eastside Learning reading fair at the Skainos centre in east Belfast spreading the message about the benefits of books.
Faith Ritchie needed no convincing about the benefits of reading
But parent Faith Ritchie, who had come along with her young daughter, needed no convincing.
She reads with her daughter most nights.
“I find it’s a good way to engage with my daughter, to spend time and bond with her,” she told BBC News NI.
“Since she’s started early already it’s helped with her communication skills.
“It started off where I’d just look at the pictures with her and now she’s able to tell me what the pictures are and we create our own stories.
“Now as she’s starting to get a wee bit older we’re looking more at the words, to see if she can recognise words from the book then.”
Jessica Gilmore said reading with her young daughter had also changed her own view of books
For mum Jessica Gilmore, reading with her young daughter had also changed her own view of books.
“To be honest, I didn’t like reading when I was in school so I really want to boost her to like books and love them,” she said.
“So I’m trying to get myself to like books now.
“She really has a love for it so I want to kind of put that in my flow while she’s going before she gets into P1.
“I think it’s really good for their imagination.”
Both parents said they knew that screens and phones were likely to enter their children’s lives more as they got older.
But Jessica is hoping to delay her daughter getting one “until she is at least P7”.
Bond between parent and child
Education Minister Paul Givan recently gave guidance advising all schools to restrict when and how pupils can use mobile phones.
Reading improves language skills and fires the imagination. Some research suggests it’s also good for our general wellbeing, improving confidence and self-esteem.
In St Matthew’s, they take part in a scheme called the Big Bedtime Read to encourage children and their parents to read at bedtime.
And Jennifer Donnelly said the response from parents has been positive.
“The bond between the parent and the child is developed, the speech and language is developed,” she said.
“It’s speech and language that’ll help the child proceed through the school and have better outcomes and that’s what we’re hoping for.”
Ruth Guildea said the fair helps parents have confidence that they are “doing the right thing for their child”
Ruth Guildea from Eastside Learning said part of the reading fair’s purpose was to give parents more confidence about reading with their children.
“Even if they didn’t feel confident themselves, they’re still able to pick up a book and read the story, look at the pictures and interact with it,” she said.
“Just being confident that they’re doing the right thing for their child is really, really important.”
Parents will try just about anything to get their baby to sleep through the night. From white noise machines to gentle rocking, every family finds their own routine—but sometimes, viral parenting hacks promise a quick fix. The latest? Feeding babies a spoonful of butter before bed.
Yes, you read that right. Some parents on TikTok swear by the practice, claiming that a small scoop of butter helps their little one stay asleep for longer stretches. But before you reach for the butter dish, experts are sounding the alarm. Not only is there no scientific evidence that butter promotes sleep, but there are also potential health risks to consider.
So, where did this trend come from? And what actually helps babies sleep? Let’s dive in.
Where did this butter sleep trend come from?
Like many modern parenting trends, this one started on TikTok, where exhausted moms are willing to try just about anything for a good night’s sleep. The so-called butter sleep hack reportedly began with U.S. parents before making its way to the UK and New Zealand.
One TikTok mom, @millieellis, documented her experience trying the trend with her baby, Ivy. On the first night, she gave her daughter a spoonful of butter before bed and claimed Ivy slept all night—except for one feed and a brief wake-up due to noisy neighbors. Encouraged by the results, she tried it again. On night two, Ivy woke up fewer times, but Millie admitted she wasn’t sure if it was the butter or simply the fact that her baby was overtired from a busy day.
Another mom, Paige Balloch from New Zealand, decided to test the hack with her 15-month-old, who had never slept through the night. “What do I have to lose?” she asked in her TikTok video. Unfortunately, the answer was not much sleep—her toddler woke up three times within an hour of bedtime.
Despite mixed results, the trend continues to gain traction, leaving many parents wondering: Could butter actually help babies sleep, or is this just another social media myth?
Does butter actually help babies sleep? The science behind baby sleep cycles
At first glance, the idea that butter could help babies sleep might seem reasonable. Fat-rich foods can be filling, and some adults even swear by warm milk or high-fat snacks before bed to help them feel drowsy. But when it comes to babies, there’s no scientific evidence that butter has any impact on sleep quality.
Newborns don’t produce melatonin right away – According to research, this sleep-regulating hormone starts developing around 2-3 months, which is why newborns wake frequently.
Sleep patterns shift as babies grow – Waking up during the night is developmentally normal, especially during growth spurts and teething.
Some nutrients support sleep—but butter isn’t one of them – Foods rich in tryptophan (like dairy, turkey, and eggs) help produce melatonin, but butter itself lacks significant sleep-inducing properties.
While some babies may happen to sleep longer after eating butter, correlation does not equal causation. Factors like daily activity levels, feeding schedules, and overall sleep hygiene play a much bigger role in how well a baby sleeps.
How parents are responding to the butter sleep trend
Parents are both curious and cautious about the butter sleep hack. Some are asking for more details before trying it out:
melissa__kh: How old is ur baby? And at what age can we give baby butter?
Others are skeptical, especially about the quality and safety of the butter being used:
sharon: have you read ingredients on them tubs…yuk
Kerry Kerr471: thats not butter you need real butter lurpac is an oil based spread in
nicola: that cant be good for them
Despite the concerns, some parents are still willing to give it a try, eager to see if it works:
Abbey 🍓: Let us know chick I’ll try it with my little girl 💜
Sandra Evans: Good luck ❤️
Why experts warn against this trend
While some parents are eager to try the butter sleep hack out of desperation, experts strongly advise against it—and for good reason. There are a few key concerns when it comes to giving babies a spoonful of butter before bed.
1. Nutritional concerns
Butter is high in saturated fat and salt, neither of which are necessary in large amounts for babies. In fact, excessive saturated fat isn’t recommended for infants, as their primary source of fat and nutrients should come from breast milk, formula, or balanced solid foods as they start eating solids.
Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a leading baby nutritionist, told The Independent that social media is “rife with misinformation”, and while butter in small amounts is fine in cooking or on toast, giving babies spoonfuls of it isn’t recommended.
2. Choking risk
A spoonful of butter has a slippery texture, which could pose a choking hazard—especially for younger babies who are still developing their oral motor skills. Unlike spreadable butter on toast, a large chunk can be difficult for babies to swallow safely.
3. False hope for parents
Perhaps the biggest issue with the butter sleep hack is that it sets unrealistic expectations for tired parents. Baby sleep is complex, and no single food or “hack” can make a baby sleep through the night. Night wakings are normal and often linked to hunger, developmental leaps, teething, or separation anxiety—not a lack of butter in their diet.
Instead of reaching for unproven TikTok trends, experts recommend focusing on evidence-based sleep strategies that support healthy sleep habits.
What actually helps babies sleep? Expert-backed sleep strategies
Instead of turning to viral trends like the butter sleep hack, parents can focus on evidence-based sleep strategies that are proven to support healthy sleep habits. Here’s what experts recommend:
1. Establish a consistent bedtime routine
Babies thrive on routine, and a predictable wind-down process helps signal that it’s time for sleep. Try a calming bedtime sequence that includes:
A warm bath
Gentle baby massage
Quiet cuddle time
Reading a short book or singing a lullaby
This triggers melatonin production and helps babies associate these cues with sleep.
2. Optimize the sleep environment
A dark, quiet, and cool room promotes better sleep. White noise machines can also be helpful for blocking out disruptive sounds, like noisy neighbors or older siblings.
3. Encourage full feedings during the day
If hunger is waking your baby at night, ensuring full feedings during the day (instead of small, snack-like feeds) can help. For older babies, incorporating nutrient-rich foods like bananas, yogurt, and oatmeal at dinner can help them feel satisfied before bed.
4. Be patient with normal sleep development
It’s completely normal for babies to wake during the night—especially in the first year. Sleep regressions, growth spurts, and teething can all lead to temporary disruptions. Instead of looking for quick fixes, understanding that sleep is a developmental process can help ease frustration.
The bottom line
Parents will try almost anything for better baby sleep, but the butter sleep hack isn’t the answer. Not only is there no scientific evidence behind it, but experts warn it could pose choking and nutritional risks.
Instead of quick fixes, focus on expert-backed sleep strategies—a calming bedtime routine, a sleep-friendly environment, and full feedings during the day. Sleep takes time to develop, and no single food can change that.
When it comes to baby sleep, science—not social media—offers the best solutions.
