Start Now reading initiative to support expectant mothers and babies

Catríona Crowe (Sláintecare Health Communities), Salamatu Mohammed and baby Julia, Aoife Ryan (Antenatal OPD, TUH, Clonmel), Maggie Dowling (Director of Midwifery, TUH Clonmel) | John D Kelly

placeholder image — Catríona Crowe (Sláintecare Health Communities), Salamatu Mohammed and baby Julia, Aoife Ryan (Antenatal OPD, TUH, Clonmel), Maggie Dowling (Director of Midwifery, TUH Clonmel) | John D Kelly

Start Now Baby Bag to be given to expectant mothers at their first antenatal appointment

Tipperary County Council Library Service, in partnership with the HSE, Tipperary University Hospital Clonmel and Sláintecare Healthy Communities has launched a new reading initiative.

Start Now is a new early literacy initiative designed to encourage parents to read aloud to their babies from the very beginning of their life journey, even before birth.

Sally with baby Ali and Seyram Aggor and baby Serena | John D Kelly

Start Now aims to raise awareness of the importance of reading to babies during pregnancy and from birth. Research shows that reading to babies before they are born can support early language development, stimulate brain growth and help strengthen the emotional bond between parents and their unborn child.

Maggie Dowling (Director of Midwifery, TUH Clonmel) Debbie Scally (Staff Officer, TCC Library Service), Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, Mayor of Clonmel Borough District, Rachel Lonergan, Salamatu Mohammed and baby Julia, Catríona Crowe (Sláintecare Health Communities) Anastasia McGuigan (Assistant Director of Midwifery, TUH Clonmel) | John D Kelly

The initiative also encourages families to connect with their local library and discover the wide range of free resources, services and supports available through Tipperary County Council Library Service.

Debbie Scally (Staff Officer, TCC Library Service), Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, Mayor of Clonmel Borough District, Jean Marsh and baby Maggie, Aoife Ryan (Antenatal OPD, TUH, Clonmel), Kay Aherne (Midwife Antenatal Clinic, TUH Clonmel), Paul Devane (Executive Librarian, TCC Library Service | John D Kelly

As part of the programme, expectant mothers attending their first antenatal appointment at Tipperary University Hospital Clonmel will receive a Start Now Baby Bag containing a baby’s first book, a Start Now brochure, a 10 Good Reasons to Read to your Baby information leaflet and a guide to the range of free library services available in the county.

Debbie Scally (Staff Officer, TCC Library Service), Catríona Crowe (Sláintecare Health Communities), Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, Mayor of Clonmel Borough District, Seyram Aggor and baby Serena, Aoife Ryan (Antenatal OPD, TUH, Clonmel), Pat Bracken (Senior Executive Librarian, TCC Library Service | John D Kelly

The Start Now Baby Bag is designed to help families begin their child's literacy journey from the earliest possible stage and to highlight the important role reading can play in a child's development and wellbeing.

Jana and baby Lydia, Evelyn and baby Maeve and Sally with baby Ali | John D Kelly

Damien Dullaghan, County Librarian, Tipperary County Council Library Service, said:"Libraries have always played an important role in supporting families and communities. With Start Now, we are encouraging parents to begin their child's reading journey from the very beginning. Something as simple as reading aloud to your baby can have a lasting positive impact, and we are delighted to work with our partners in the HSE, Tipperary University Hospital Clonmel and Sláintecare Healthy Communities to bring this important initiative to families across County Tipperary."

Seyram Aggor and baby Serena and Salamatu Mohammed and baby Julia | John D Kelly

Members of the Clonmel HSE Breastfeeding Support Group were on hand to help launch the programme. This group meet in Clonmel Library twice a month. Start Now is a collaborative initiative involving Tipperary County Council Library Service, the HSE, Tipperary University Hospital Clonmel and Sláintecare Healthy Communities, working together to support positive early childhood outcomes and lifelong learning.