The Irish Birth Movement

18/05/2026

Lovely free offering from one of our members, - in Portlaoise at the end of May. Contact Kirsty directly if you're interested!

07/04/2026

For any and all of you in North Tipp (or anywhere within travelling distance): come and talk about birth with us! Everyone welcome. Informal meet up in Nenagh. More locations to follow!

Whether you've had a baby (or more), or you're pregnant, or you're a doula or midwife, or a grandmother, a sister, a friend to anyone who is having a baby - come and hang out. Discuss options, get tips, share your experiences, get involved.

You are not alone.

Come and join the movement.

16/03/2026

What a lovely gathering! Thank you to all the mamas and children that made it this time. It was an honour to listen to you. The essence of the day was: healing comes from tears, from screaming rage, and from laughter.

We will gather again in person around the autumn equinox, somewhere else in the country.

If you want to join our whatsapp group, send a PM!

24/11/2025

Did you know that in Japan, over 70% of infants and toddlers co-sleep with their parents?

It’s not controversial.
It’s not something they hide.
It’s a tradition called *soine*, a sleep arrangement where baby sleeps between mother and father, like the character for “river.”

It’s done to promote security.
Not independence. Not training.
Security.

And in Japan, “sleep training” doesn’t even exist as a concept.
Night waking isn’t treated as a problem, no matter how a baby is fed.

Their SIDS rate?
0.2 per 1,000 births.

Compare that to the U.S., where SIDS rates are more than 30 times higher.

Some research suggests Japan’s low SIDS rate is related to their high rates of co-sleeping.

Dr. James McKenna, the world’s leading infant sleep researcher, spent 30 years studying this.
His research shows,

Babies who sleep close to their mothers have more stable breathing.
They wake more easily, which helps protect against deep, risky sleep.
Their sleep cycles sync with their mother’s.
They regulate better.
It’s not broken sleep.
It’s biologically normal sleep.

But somewhere along the way, Western culture sold us a different story:
That babies should sleep alone.
In a crib.
Through the night.
By 6 months.

That story was built in the 1950s
based on formula-feeding, isolated sleep, and adult centered routines.
It wasn’t based on biology.
It wasn’t based on connection.
And it’s not working.

Most babies don’t sleep through the night by 6 months.
Most parents who try sleep training eventually stop, because it doesn’t feel right.

Maybe the problem isn’t your baby.
Maybe it’s the expectation that babies should sleep like adults.

Your baby isn’t broken.
They’re waking because that’s what human babies do.
They’re following instincts that have kept our species alive.

Waking. Reaching. Responding.
That’s how connection grows.
That’s how brains build.
That’s what safety feels like to a baby.

So if you’re contact napping, co-sleeping
if you’re tired, touched out, and wondering if you're doing it wrong...

This is your reminder
You’re not failing.
You’re doing what humans have always done.
And your baby is doing exactly what they’re meant to do 🖤

23/10/2025

TODAY!!! 📢🌀🙌🏼💪🏼💕🤘🏼⭐

21/10/2025

💫 Thursday October 23rd, Leinster House at 2pm we will rally for Better Birth Options and real Choice in Maternity Care 💫

Too many women are traumatised by their experience in maternity wards all over this country.
The promised National Maternity Strategy (2016-2026) has not been implemented. The department of health pats themselves on the back despite the lack of choice, the lack of services and continually rising c-section rates.
The WHO states that if c-sections rise in a maternity hospital, it needs to look at its policies.
We, the Irish Birth Movement are tired of hearing countless stories of women who were forced into situations they didn't want, and overwhelmed and under-resourced midwives leaving their profession.
We're saying that it's time to look at the policies that are minimising the autonomy of midwives and disregarding the decisions mothers make.

Come and join us this Thursday at 2pm and hear our expert speakers, Liz Kelly (independent maternity advocate with the Irish Maternity Support Network) and Chiara Virgillito (midwife, international board-certified lactation consultant and founder of HeyBirthingMama).

Also.....✍🏼🙏🏼⭐🌀

https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/mothers-deserve-more-choice-in-maternity-care-matters?source=web_share_api&utm_medium=myuplift&utm_source=web_share_api&share=3d4b10e6-fb72-4c4c-9582-544fe8f9af50

16/10/2025

✨ Join the Movement — Join us in Dublin! ✨

On Thursday 23rd October at 2pm we’re gathering outside Leinster House, Kildare Street in Dublin to call for Better Birth Options in Ireland. 💪💗

Earlier this month, the Irish Birth Movement held rallies in Limerick and Sligo where communities came together to share stories, raise awareness and stand for change in maternity care.

Now, we’re bringing that same energy and solidarity to Dublin to make sure mothers, babies and midwives are heard at a national level.

This movement is about coming together to demand better care, real choice and respectful, evidence-based maternity services.

🌸 Everyone is welcome to join this family friendly event including mothers, friends, birth workers and families.

If you can’t join us in person then please sign our petition (link in bio) and help us spread the word.

Every voice matters. 💕

12/10/2025

Take this amazing opportunity to join Krysia for in depth doula training. She has enormous experience in supporting women and teaching doulas.

Would you like to become a Doula? Do you want to be part of changing birth in the world we live in? Does empowering women and enabling them to face one of life’s most amazing journeys with confidence and strength resonate with you?Do you want to train with a wonderful community of women in a fun e...