Novel Tullamore workshop planned for expectant grandparents

A novel information event is set to take place in Tullamore next month for expectant grandparents.

"What to Expect When You’re Expecting… a Grandchild!" is the title of the event, which is described as "a fun, interactive workshop for grandparents whose daughter or daughter-in-law is expecting a baby and intending to breastfeed".

It will take place in the newly renovated Tullamore Presbyterian Church on High Street on Saturday, September 20, from 10am-1pm

It's being organised by the Cuidiú Offaly Breastfeeding Support Group and admission is €10, which includes home-baked treats, tea and coffee.

Grandparents will have the chance to get up to date on new developments in baby safety since their own children were small, including car seats, safe sleep for SIDS (cot death) prevention, supporting mother and baby in the postpartum period, including recovery from caesarean section, and supporting their daughter (or daughter-in-law) to get breastfeeding off to a good start.

Cuidiú Offaly said the workshop is "the first of its kind in the Midlands and perhaps in Ireland".

The local group is part of a national charity which provides breastfeeding and parenting support, antenatal classes and other support for families.

The event will be facilitated by Cuidiú Antenatal Educator Nicky McEntee and 2025 ‘Lactation Consultant of the Year’ Patricia Marteinsson, who provides free professional breastfeeding support through the HSE.

"Grandparents are at the heart of the family, but it is not often they are included in antenatal classes," says Cuidiú Offaly Chairperson, Jasmine Elkhershi.

Ireland is known to have some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world but Offaly has been celebrated as a national leader in reversing this trend in recent years, due in large part to the partnership between Patricia Marteinsson and local breastfeeding support groups Cuidiú and Banagher Breastfeeding Group.

"More than half of new mothers in Offaly are choosing to breastfeed their babies and our exclusive breastfeeding rate at three months was actually among the top three in Ireland in 2022," said Jasmine.

Based in Tullamore, Cuidiú Offaly is a thriving breastfeeding support and social group boasting over 130 members, three qualified Cuidiú Breastfeeding counsellors, and five more in training.

The idea for the workshop came about when the committee noted that a large number of the group’s members were the first in their family to breastfeed for several generations. According to the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (2023), breastfeeding rates on hospital discharge in the 1980s and 1990s, when many of today’s new mothers were born, were around 30%.

"Many grandmothers may have had negative experiences with breastfeeding or may not have been supported to breastfeed at all," said Jasmine. She noted that there are many more supports available today, through the HSE, voluntary breastfeeding support groups and private lactation consultants.

Jasmine emphasised the difference that grandparents can make when they support their daughter or daughter in law to breastfeed.

"Grandparents’ support really matters. Studies show that babies whose grandmothers breastfed their own children or who have a positive attitude towards breastfeeding are up to 12 times more likely to be exclusively breastfed," she stated.

Breastfeeding has lifelong health benefits for both mother and baby, including reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer for the mother. It provides optimal nutrition for the baby, as well as supporting the immune system and reducing their risk of diabetes, childhood cancers and cot death (SIDS).

Grandparents can book their place for the workshop online here or by or by contacting Cuidiú Offaly on offalycuidiu@gmail.com