Down Syndrome Ireland Launches New Parents Guide
Last Thursday, Down Syndrome Ireland launched the New Parents Guide at the Tell it Right™️ conference.
This guide will be sent out to all hospitals nationwide in the coming weeks. When a baby is born with Down syndrome, the parents will be given this guide. The guide has support and information for the parents as they welcome their new baby.
Learn more about Tell it Right™️ and read the New Parents Guide here:
This booklet includes information on Early Intervention, Medical checks, Feeding Your Baby, Sharing the News, Self-Care, Entitlements and more.
Early Intervention Specialist, Silvia Segales-Angel, was instrumental in making this invaluable booklet; “This guide has been in development for some time and was created with input from parents and professionals. Our main purpose is to support families in those very first days and weeks after learning that their baby has Down syndrome. We wanted parents to have information they can trust. Information that is balanced, respectful, positive, and genuinely useful.”
“One of the biggest challenges families face today is information overload. When a baby is born, or when a prenatal diagnosis is received, parents need clear, structured, and relevant information for this moment in time. This guide provides a place to start, with the right information, and a tone that’s kind, hopeful, and realistic’, says Silvia.
“The early days after diagnosis can feel overwhelming: full of emotion, questions, and uncertainty. Our hope is that this guide helps families take one small step at a time while feeling informed, supported, and hopeful about their baby’s future. Because with the right support and connection, every family can begin this journey feeling confident and cared for.”
Many people helped bring this booklet together, including experts in the medical field, parents and staff at DSI.
A huge thank you to Caroline McCafferty, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neonatology and Discharge Coordinator in the National Maternity Hospital; Fiona McGrane, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Down Syndrome, Children’s Health Ireland and Sinéad Fidgeon, Founder of The Perfect Gift for their input into this booklet. DSI staff on the Member Support team and the Communications team also contributed to this as well as many parents who shared their stories.
