Baby Bookworms in training as Coombe hosts Read-A-Thon

The Coombe Hospital is hosting its first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Babies With Books Read-A-Thon, with support from Friends of the Coombe who have teamed up with Children’s Books Ireland.

Taking place from September 11th to 21st, the Read-A-Thon aims to encourage parents and families in NICU to read to their premature babies as a way of boosting brain development and creating a deepened baby-parent bond.

Families and babies taking part will each receive a book kindly donated by Friends of the Coombe and Children’s Books Ireland to read for the duration of the Read-A-Thon.

Each baby will receive a certificate of participation to commemorate the special occasion and will be able to keep their donated book for life.

Pictured (L-R) is Esther Akhile and Professor Michael O’Connell, Master of The Coombe Hospital. Pic Orla Murray/Coalesce

The Babies With Books Read-A-Thon marks an opportunity for families to celebrate the joy of reading, while helping to encourage their baby’s brain development.

According to research from the American Academy of Paediatrics, reading to babies as well as talking and singing stimulates brain development, building language and literacy skills while strengthening the parent-child relationship.

Professor Michael O’Connell, Master of The Coombe Hospital stated:

“We are delighted to hold our first Babies With Books Read-A-Thon this year at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in The Coombe.

“Research shows that reading to babies early in their developmental stages has proven benefits, with links to cognitive development and stronger brain connections.

“Premature babies develop most while in NICU and we feel it is important to highlight the benefits of reading to not only encourage growth, but also nurture a closer bond between parents and their babies with the sound of a calming and familiar voice.

“We are very grateful for the support from Friends of the Coombe and Children’s Books Ireland for this special initiative and look forward to seeing families celebrate the joy of reading with their babies in NICU over the coming days.”

Ailbhe Gilvarry, Chairperson, Friends of the Coombe said:

“Friends of the Coombe is delighted to be involved in The Coombe Hospital’s first NICU Babies with Books Read-A-Thon.

“Reading offers so many benefits and is a great way to help strengthen the parent-baby bond.

“We are grateful to Children’s Books Ireland for partnering with us, and hope that the Read-A-Thon will be the start of a lifelong love of books for the Hospital’s NICU babies, many of whom are smaller than the books being read to them during this special event.”

Aoife McDonnell, Book Gifting Manager at Children’s Books Ireland said:

“At Children’s Books Ireland, we aim to inspire and encourage a love for reading in children and young people in Ireland.

“Reading to babies is an excellent way to encourage brain development in premature babies and is also a lovely way to come together as a family and spend time enjoying books.

“We are proud to be involved in this great initiative with The Coombe Hospital and hope that the Babies With Books Read-A-Thon encourages parents and children to keep reading.”

The Coombe Hospital’s NICU Babies With Books Read-A-Thon to Thursday September 21st.

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