A few weeks ago I saw the Baby Area Birth Information Expo advertised on Facebook. It looked like an intriguing mix of providers, so I was eager to check it out. I made sure to be there early as goodie bags from the vendors would be given to the first 100 attendees. Upon entering I was given five raffle tickets, and a Harmony canvas bag containing all these items.
The included items were a mix of items for mom and baby both including nursing pads, a lactation cookie, and protein bar for toddlers and for adults only including a mini compact (that I’ll add to my hospital bag), reusable water bottle and reusable hot and cold pack.
As the expo was in a community center I wasn’t sure how many exhibitors there would be. Thirty or so exhibited including doulas, preschools, chiropractors, diaper services, and many more.
Though we only used one room in the center it was packed with many booths full of exhibitors that I wanted to visit.
I was glad I had come early to get my swag bag as the booths were often full of people who also wanted to check out all the great information in one place.
I was especially interested in the 20 minute mini information sessions and attended almost every one as so many were directly relevant to me. Bill did an informative and hysterical presentation on teaching babies sign language and starting to learn them while our babies were still in utero and incoporating them into daily life for baby from their birth.
I could definitely see this as something I’d be willing to give a shot when I heard all the benefits it would give our child today and having already been inspired by a Baby Signs book from Katie as a shower gift.
Other topics of workshops I attended included making homemade baby food, breast feeding tips and tricks, having the best birth experience for mother and child both and keeping and enhancing the husband and wife connection after baby is born. After the panels the experts were available for more questions so I was able to get a pamphlet full of helpful tips for breastfeeding after a Cesarean.
One popular station was the massage area, which was nearly full to fill the entire time.
Another was the henna tattoo area. My temporary tattoo has a lotus flower symbolizing transition and smaller swirls running up my finger to symbolize new life. To it pink and blue glitter was added to symbolize our baby. The black part has already flaked off (the first bits came off in less than two hours), leaving the red outline on my hand for about a week.
Although I had been there for hours, I still decided to stick around for the final raffle pulls. It’s a good thing I did as you had to be present to win, and I did on one of the last draws.
My prize was this frame, which reminds me a bit of my henna tattoo, and two accupuncture sessions. I plan to see if they can be used in a way to enhance my breast milk production when the time is right. I’m so glad I went to this expo for the many pieces if information and items received.
~ Danielle
Over 40 First Time Mom 