From the TV Screen to Your Family: Ollwyn Moran on Child Development, Weaning, Screens, and Parenting – Insights from Years on Ireland AM

You May Have Seen Her on Ireland AM

If you have watched Ireland AM on Virgin Media Television (formerly TV3) over the years, you have likely seen a familiar face: Ollwyn Moran.

Sitting on the blue couch, speaking with warmth, clarity, and expertise, Ollwyn has been a regular contributor to Ireland AM for years – covering the child development topics that Irish parents care about most.

From weaning and feeding difficulties to screen time battles, general development, parenting styles, sleep struggles, and behavioural challenges – Ollwyn has been the expert parents turn to when they need answers they can trust.

Now, that same expertise is available to you in person at CogniClinic in Sligo.

The Topics Irish Parents Ask About Most

Over years of appearing on Ireland AM, Ollwyn has addressed the full spectrum of child development concerns. Below are some of the most common topics she has covered – and the insights she has shared.

Weaning: Starting Solids with Confidence

Common Parent Question Ollwyn's Insight
"When should I start weaning?" Around 6 months, when baby can sit with support and shows interest in food.
"Puree or baby-led weaning?" Both work. The key is following your baby's cues – not rigid rules.
"My baby gags on lumpy food – is something wrong?" Gagging is normal (and protective). Vomiting or choking requires assessment.
"How do I know if my baby is ready?" Look for the signs: sitting unsupported, reaching for food, losing the tongue-thrust reflex.

Key message from Ollwyn: Weaning is messy. That is okay. The goal is not a clean floor – it is a confident eater.

Screen Time: Setting Boundaries That Work

Common Parent Question Ollwyn's Insight
"How much screen time is too much?" There is no magic number. Watch for red flags: sleep disruption, dysregulation at turn-off, reduced interest in offline activities.
"My child melts down when I take the tablet away – what do I do?" Use timers (not your voice). Replace, don't just remove. Build a toolkit of alternative activities.
"Is screen time damaging my child's brain?" No – but context and content matter. Co-viewing, educational content, and clear boundaries make a significant difference.
"What about background TV?" Background TV reduces parent-child interaction and child play. Turn it off when no one is actively watching.

Key message from Ollwyn: Screens are not the enemy. But passive, algorithm-driven, unsupervised screen time is very different from co-viewed, limited, intentional use.

General Development: When to Worry and When to Wait

Common Parent Question Ollwyn's Insight
"My child isn't walking yet – should I be worried?" Most children walk between 9 and 18 months. If your child is not walking by 18 months, seek advice.
"My toddler doesn't talk much – is that normal?" By 2 years, most children have 50+ words and are starting to combine two words. If concerned, an assessment can provide clarity.
"My child is clumsy – is it just a phase?" Clumsiness can be a phase – or a sign of retained primitive reflexes or dyspraxia. An assessment can tell you which.
"How do I know if my child's behaviour is 'normal' or something more?" If behaviour is affecting daily life – sleep, school, family relationships – it is worth exploring. Trust your instinct.

Key message from Ollwyn: Parents often worry about "bothering" professionals. You are not bothering anyone. Asking for help early is always better than waiting and wondering.

Parenting Styles: Finding What Works for Your Family

Common Parent Question Ollwyn's Insight
"Am I too strict? Not strict enough?" The research supports authoritative parenting – warm but firm. Boundaries with empathy.
"I yell at my child more than I want to. Am I damaging them?" Repair matters more than perfection. Apologise. Try again. Model what it looks like to make mistakes and repair.
"My partner and I parent differently – is that a problem?" Different is not necessarily bad. The key is presenting a united front on non-negotiables – and respecting each other's style on the rest.
"I feel guilty all the time. Is that normal?" Yes – but chronic guilt helps no one. You are doing better than you think.

Key message from Ollwyn: There is no perfect parent. There is only the parent who shows up, tries again, and loves their child – even on the hard days.

Feeding Difficulties Beyond Weaning

Common Parent Question Ollwyn's Insight
"My child eats only beige foods – is this just picky eating?" When the diet is extremely limited (fewer than 10–15 foods), gagging occurs, or mealtimes are battles – it may be sensory feeding difficulties, not picky eating.
"My autistic child refuses all vegetables – what can I do?" Feeding therapy, not force. Gentle, play-based desensitisation. Small steps.
"Will my child grow out of it?" Some do. Many do not. Early intervention for feeding difficulties can prevent long-term nutritional and social problems.

Key message from Ollwyn: If you are serving a separate meal for your child every night, you are not spoiling them – you are surviving. But there is help available.

From the Ireland AM Couch to CogniClinic

For years, Ollwyn Moran has been the expert Irish parents invite into their living rooms via the television screen. She has answered thousands of questions – on weaning, screens, development, parenting, feeding, sleep, behaviour, and neurodevelopmental concerns.

But television has limits. A 5-minute segment cannot address your child's specific struggles. A generic answer cannot replace a personalised assessment.

That is why Ollwyn founded CogniClinic.

At CogniClinic, you get:

• The same expertise you have seen on Ireland AM – but tailored to your child

• Time – not a 5-minute slot, but 60-minute consultations

• Answers – not general advice, but specific, actionable plans

What Parents Say About Ollwyn Moran

"I saw Ollwyn on Ireland AM talking about weaning. I was so anxious about starting solids. Her advice was practical and kind – not judgmental. When I needed help with my son's feeding difficulties years later, I knew exactly where to go." – Sarah, mother of two

"The screen time segment changed how we do things at home. We stopped feeling guilty and started having a plan." – David, father of three

"Ollwyn explained developmental milestones in a way that made sense – and told me when to actually worry (and when to stop worrying). I wish I had seen her years earlier." – Emer, mother of one

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Ollwyn Moran really appear on Ireland AM for years?
Yes. Ollwyn Moran has been a regular contributor to Ireland AM on Virgin Media Television (formerly TV3) for many years, covering child development topics ranging from weaning and feeding to screens, general development, parenting styles, and neurodevelopmental concerns.

Is Ollwyn still appearing on Ireland AM?
Yes, she remains a trusted expert contributor.

Can I book a consultation with Ollwyn at CogniClinic?
Yes. Ollwyn sees clients at CogniClinic in Sligo for neurodevelopmental assessments, therapy, feeding support, CST, and parent consultations.

Do I need a referral to see Ollwyn?
No. You can self-refer. GPs, SENCOs, and therapists can also refer.

What if I live outside Sligo?
CogniClinic serves the entire Northwest (Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo). Executive functioning coaching and parent consultations may be available online.

Topics Ollwyn Moran Has Covered on Ireland AM (A Selection)

Category Specific Topics
Weaning & Feeding Starting solids, baby-led weaning vs puree, dealing with fussy eaters, food refusal, gagging vs choking, feeding therapy
Screen Time Setting boundaries, managing meltdowns at turn-off, age-appropriate content, parental controls, screen use in neurodivergent children
General Development Motor milestones (crawling, walking), speech and language development, play and social skills, toilet training, sleep
Parenting Styles Authoritative vs permissive, managing parental guilt, co-parenting differences, discipline without damage
Behaviour Tantrums vs meltdowns, sibling rivalry, lying, defiance, anxiety in children
Neurodevelopmental Concerns Signs of autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder, retained primitive reflexes – when to seek assessment
Sensory Processing Sensory overload, tactile defensiveness, auditory sensitivity, seeking behaviours, calming strategies
Sleep Newborn sleep, night waking, bedtime resistance, sleep and screens, co-sleeping

Ollwyn Moran – Qualifications and Expertise

Credential                                                                                                   Detail
Neurodevelopmental Therapist Specialist in child development and neurodevelopmental conditions
INPP (UK) Specialist training in primitive reflex integration and neurodevelopmental assessment
The Melillo Method (NYC) Advanced functional neurology for neurodevelopmental conditions
CogniKids Founder – extensive experience supporting children and families across Ireland
Media Regular contributor to Ireland AM (Virgin Media TV), NewsTalk Children's Clinic, RTE Radio
Columnist Monthly columnist for RSVP magazine; writer for numerous national publications

Next Steps

If you have watched Ollwyn on Ireland AM and wished you could ask her your specific question – now you can.

📞 Contact CogniClinic: +353 87 7919020
✉️ Email: hello@cogniclinic.ie
📍 Sligo, Ireland

Book a consultation with Ollwyn Moran – the child development expert Irish parents have trusted for years, now available in person at CogniClinic.