This website uses cookies to ensure the best possible experience for you, the visitor. Find out more about cookies and how they relate to this website.

I UNDERSTAND
A parent to parent voluntary support charity

National Breastfeeding Week 1st - 7th October

'Every Breastfeed makes a difference'

Cuidiú are delighted to be celebrating National Breastfeeding Week from the 1st to the 7th of October. Our many branches will be hosting coffee mornings, talks and workshops around the country. At the end of the week a number of Cuidiú volunteers and members have been invited to the inaugural "latch-on" morning in Áras an Uachtaráin. See below for a report on the coffee morning from 2015.

For local events near you go to your branch web page or follow updates on the HSE web site for more information 

 

                                                           Cuidiú at Áras an Uachtaráin

                                  

 

 

 

 

In recognition of Cuidiu's breastfeeding support work, Cuidiú is invited annually by Michael and Sabina Higgins to a Reception and Latching-On Morning, in Áras an Uachtaráin, as part of National Breastfeeding WeekIt is truly joyful morning, where the mothers and children of Ireland were warmly welcomed into the Áras, to hear Sabina talk passionately in support of breastfeeding and on her own breastfeeding journey, which included breastfeeding twins in the 1970s.  Among other invited guests were representatives of La Leche League of Ireland, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and Friends of Breastfeeding.

On Monday, 5th October, 2015 over 100 breastfeeding mothers, children and their supporters from Cuidiiú were invited as part of National Breastfeeding Week. Guests were treated to a surprise appearance by Uachtarán na hÉireann, who spoke eloquently about his support for his wife when breastfeeding. These photos show the lovely morning experienced by the many Cuidiú supporters. 

Cuidiú proudly presented Sabina with honorary lifetime Membership of the Cuidiú, in recognition of her support for breastfeeding and an Oxytocin Pendant, depicting the chemical structure of the hormone which is instrumental in promoting parental bonding and breastfeeding.

Such support and recognition is truly welcome, given that rates of Breastfeeding in Ireland compare poorly with other European countries, and especially in light of the huge health and emotional benefits breastfeeding brings both mother and child.

Week-in-week out, Cuidiú provides breastfeeding support for families throughout Ireland, with trained breastfeeding counsellors on-hand for mothers. All of this is done on a voluntary basis to build confidence and help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals.

In addition, Cuidiú provides support and education for parents and parenthood. Empowering parents through knowledge and mutual support to make informed choices and to progress fulfilled through all stages of parenthood, from pregnancy to raising children to adulthood. This is achieved through childbirth education, postnatal support, breastfeeding support and parental education.

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs should be credited to: Fiona Killeen of BluePrint Photography