Staff from Craigavon Neonatal Unit have launched a ‘read to your baby’ initiative which aims to encourage parents to read to their baby from an early age to enhance bonding and development.
TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s premature and vulnerable baby charity, have funded, along with money from parents who have fundraised for Craigavon Neonatal Unit, a scheme to give a book to every baby admitted to Neonatal at Craigavon Area Hospital for the next two years.
Lynne Robinson and Hannah Barratt, Neonatal nurses who led the initiative, said: “Reading to your baby not only promotes bonding and calmness it is also instrumental in the development of language and reading skills.
The positive sounds from reading can enhance brain development and encourages a healthy parent/child interaction by promoting positive engagement and instilling a sense of comfort and security.”
Stacey Rogers from Banbridge gave her feedback on the ‘read to your baby’ initiative.
“As my baby was on a ventilator I felt I couldn’t do much to help. Reading gave me that opportunity to do something ‘normal’ and really helped me to bond and feel close to her,” she said.
“I think the ‘read to your baby’ initiative is fantastic, it brings a sense of calmness to such a stressful time.”
Pictures, from top:
1: Staff from CAH Neonatal Unit celebrate the launch of the ‘read to your baby’ initiative with clients and partners of the initiative
2: (L-R) Janice Tiny Life, Lynne Robinson (from Aughnacloy) & Hannah Barratt (from Portadown) CAH Neonatal Nurses, Mum Shenagh O’Hagan with Kids Noah & Cora Rose (from Armagh) who fundraised for the ‘Read to your baby’ initiative
3: Nicole Berry (from Portadown) reading to her daughters Evie & Erin
4: Shenagh O’Hagan, a parent who fundraised for the ‘Read to your baby’ initiative, presents a book to new mum Nicole Berry as part of the ‘Read to your baby’ initiative.
