Leitrim champions of breastfeeding support to be honoured at Gala Awards

The Friends of Breastfeeding (FoBF) Awards will celebrate Leitrim excellence in breastfeeding promotion, advocacy, and support across both the professional and voluntary sectors in Ireland at a gala in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Saturday, March 29.

This year, over 1,300 nominations were submitted for the FoBF Awards, including several Leitrim women nominated across three categories.

Ciara Turbett (Bohan), from Eslin, has been nominated for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) of the Year Award.

A public health nurse and community IBCLC working in Roscommon, Ciara recognised the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on in-person peer support for breastfeeding mothers.

Determined to bridge the gap, she set up a Friends of Breastfeeding Mum2Mum group, offering support to mothers via WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.

Once restrictions eased, she began hosting in-person breastfeeding support meetings in Leitrim three times a month, including a monthly weekend session.

Sarah Mulligan Fitzpatrick has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year Award. A dedicated volunteer with the Mohill FoBF Mum2Mum group and a FoBF Breastfeeding Buddy, Sarah played a key role in securing funding for group activities.

Thanks to her efforts, the group secured funding for initiatives such as a Healthy Ireland and Leitrim Sports Partnership exercise class, allowing mums to participate in pilates, yoga and postpartum strength training.

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The Mohill Mum2Mum group is a finalist for Group of the Year award. This peer led breastfeeding support group is run by Ciara Turbett, Sarah Mulligan Fitzpatrick and Aisling Logan Heaney.

Their WhatsApp group alone supports over 100 members, proving round-the-clock assistance to breastfeeding mothers.

Sarah and Aisling recently completed Friends of Breastfeeding Buddy training - funded by Leitrim County Council - to offer one to one support.

The Mohill Mum2Mum group has a strong history of excellence having won Group of the Year in 2022 and being nominated again in 2023. 

Ciara was awarded PHN/Midwife of the Year in 2022 and was a nominee for IBCLC of the Year in 2023.

Aisling won Volunteer of the Year in 2023, while group member Charlene Donnelly took home the Mum of the Year award.

CEO of Friends of Breastfeeding, Dr. Edel Quirke BL, highlighted the importance of these awards stating: “The Friends of Breastfeeding Awards are a truly special opportunity to celebrate all of the positive things happening in the breastfeeding promotion and support space in Ireland, and to recognise and reward all of the many unsung individuals, businesses and groups going above and beyond to ensure breastfeeding is valued, welcomed, and supported.”

A limited number of tickets are available for the event in Tullamore on Saturday, March 29 here

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