A vital ante-natal resource for parents, ‘I Wonder…Baby Bump’s First Book’ has been launched in Irish across the South Eastern Trust for the first time.
The book entitled ‘Mo Chéad Leabhar’ is the result of a joint initiative between the South Eastern Trust’s SureStart Speech and Language Team, Service Users and the Regional Advocacy and Support Group for Irish Language Early Years Settings, Altram.
Introduced at Belfast’s Irish Language Centre, Ionad na Fuiseoige, the book gives simple, kind, loving words for parents-to-be to talk to their baby bump. This aims to increase the number of parents who talk and communicate with their baby bump, as well as provide a resource to support with bonding, attachment and parental and infant mental health. The book can even be personalised by families, with a space to add a scan picture and to write down their own thoughts and feelings about their baby’s arrival.
South Eastern Trust, Speech and Language Therapist, Natalie Williams, explained “The Baby Bump Book in Irish will support mothers and fathers who are expecting a child, to interact with their child in the womb.
“This is the first time that Irish language ante-natal support materials have been provided here.
“We reached out to Altram to explore the opportunity to develop the book in Irish to support Irish speaking families in their efforts to connect with their unborn child.
“We secured some funding from the Department of Health to proceed with this exciting venture. This also tied in perfectly with our parent support programme, Ag Tacú le Tuistí.”
Natalie continued, “The book aims to increase the number of parents who talk and communicate with their baby bump, as well as provide a resource to support with bonding, attachment and parental and infant mental health.
“Research has shown how a baby can recognise voices from 16 weeks in the womb and so communicating with your unborn baby is now known to be really important. This is such a positive step for Irish speaking families, with the baby having exposure to the Irish language in the womb.
“We are delighted with the release and launch of the book, and hope that it supports those Irish speaking parents-to-be and those who wish to learn the language and raise their children bilingually, as they enjoy using the book at a very special and precious time.”
South Eastern Trust’s Speech and Language Therapist’s Gemma McNally and Alison Parke, who presented at the launch, added how bilingualism has such incredible benefits in relation to cognitive development as well as ensuring a shared culture and sense of belonging.
For further information on the book, please contact Natalie Williams at Natalie.Williams@setrust.hscni.net