Offaly mother of two attends national celebration at Áras an Uachtaráin

LOCAL mother of two, Aoife Condron Rigney, celebrated National Breastfeeding Week in style as she and her daughter Síofra represented Cuidiú Offaly at the annual ‘Latching On’ celebration at Áras an Uachtaráin last Monday.

The annual ‘Latching On’ morning was instigated by Sabina Higgins in 2015 and has become a highlight in the calendar for breastfeeding mothers and breastfeeding supporters throughout Ireland.

A teacher at Cloneygowan National School, Aoife has been involved with Cuidiú Offaly since she was pregnant with her second child, Síofra.

“Today was magic,” said Aoife. “We loved it and I’m so grateful to Cuidiú for the opportunity to attend such an uplifting event.”

Cuidiú Offaly is the local branch of the national breastfeeding and parenting support charity, Cuidiú. As well as hosting two meetings a month in Tullamore Library and St Mary’s Youth Centre on Harbour Street, respectively, Cuidiú Offaly organises social events for mothers and babies and a lively WhatsApp group, which now has over 75 members. The group’s welcoming, informal atmosphere has proven popular with both new and experienced mothers in the town.

Cuidiú Offaly has a busy few months ahead with plenty of events in store for mothers, babies and toddlers. The group will host a Pelvic Health Workshop with pregnancy and postnatal coach Martina Dunne (‘Fit Mná’) on 4^th November at St Mary’s Youth Centre; a pop up Speech and Language event on 4^th December and a St Brigid’s Day Lunch on 1^st February. All events are baby and family friendly. Following the success of the group’s Baby Friendly Matinée cinema screening at Esker Arts Centre, Cuidiú Offaly hopes to host another screening in the New Year.

Breastfeeding support is available from the group’s trained Breastfeeding Counsellors at the meetings and over the phone. For more details, see Cuidiú Offaly’s social media pages @cuidiuoffaly.