Series of events planned to celebrate Mayo Baby Week
In celebration of Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, the Active and Healthy Early Years Subgroup of Mayo Children and Young People's Services Committee (CYPSC), in partnership with the Mayo Infant Mental Health Forum, is bringing the county alive with 'Mayo Baby Week from Monday to Thursday, June 12 to 15.
The theme of the initiative us ‘Early Relationships Really Matter’.
Mayo Baby Week consists of a series of events taking place across Mayo that all serve to support positive infant mental health.
The events range from fun, interactive events for parents and their babies, to talks aimed at the whole community.
Mary Skillington, lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Care at ATU, and chairperson of the Early Years Subgroup of Mayo CYPSC, said: “The week is a time to ask ourselves what do we want in Mayo for our youngest citizens?
"This week will celebrate the power of connection between parent and baby and connections within the community, offering an opportunity to engage with events across the county.”
HSE Senior Clinical Psychologist and chairperson of the Infant Mental Health Forum, Dr Jeananne Garavan, stated: “The objective is to celebrate the emotional world of babies and their parents and caregivers.
"In keeping with the week’s theme, these early relationships are so important for baby’s healthy social and emotional development not just in infancy but throughout their lifespan.”
Every parent who has a baby during Mayo Baby Week will get a pack, which the HSE Public Health Nurses will distribute.
The pack includes a book for baby, hand cream, tea and biscuits and a travel mug for much needed coffee.
The director of Public Health Nursing for Mayo, Anne Marie McDermott said: “Public Health Nurses are the first point of contact with all new mothers and their babies in the community and have a significant role in supporting their physical and emotional development.
"The PHN service is delighted to be part of Mayo Baby Week highlighting the importance of Infant Mental Health and early relationships."