Listowel Connection: Lartigue Museum photos, Mums and babies and a potential Rose

Official opening of The Lartigue Museum

McKennas with the French ambassador and Minister Deenihan

Noelle Hegarty, Bert Griffin and Paula

Norella Moriarty and Bridget Curtin

Oliver O'Neill and Mr. Brodbin.

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From The Irish Independent May 6 2013

Members of the Listowel Family Resource Centre Mums and Babies Group at their Wednesday meeting. Front from left: Aisling and Aoibhinn Stack, Stacey and Tommy Murphy, Michelle and Sive Nolan, Marguerite and Seán Wixted-Nolan and Treasa and Ria...

The names of the back row are not printed. Sorry girls!

LISA SALMON – 06 MAY 2013

New research suggests having a baby can widen your social circle. So why are 'baby mates' so important - and do such friendships last?

If you're finding it hard looking after a new baby, seek comfort from your new 'baby mates' - chances are you'll have a lot of them.

Research has found that new mums make an average of nine new friends in the year after giving birth, with those new chums usually living nearby and having a new baby themselves.

The study, by organic cotton children's products company Natures Purest, showed strong bonds are created almost instantly amid exchanges of views and tips on subjects such as childcare plans, illness and how to get baby sleeping through the night.

Indeed, half of the 2,000 women questioned said its easier to bond with other women after having a baby.

Nearly half of the new mums made friends with other women at mother and toddler groups, 31% in antenatal classes, and a fifth through other friends.

And almost a third of mums in the survey said they were worried about boring old friends with constant baby talk, which was one of the reasons they formed new friendships with women going through the same experience.

As well as antenatal classes, many mothers-to-be or new mums meet at social gatherings such as Bumps and Babies groups.

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT parenting charity, says: "What often happens is that when women get pregnant and their old friends aren't going through the same life change, they may find they move apart.

"Women who haven't been through a pregnancy can find it very hard to understand what it's like - they might not be able to share your world, so it's easier to talk to people who've got that shared experience with you."

The survey found that sharing birth experiences was by far the most popular topic of conversation for new mums - 73% would happily regale new friends with stories about their labour.

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Some unexpected visitors to Saturday's opening were this year's Kerry contestants in the Kerry Rose of Tralee competition.