Birth Network of Santa Cruz County is excited to offer the first Bellies, Birth and Babies (BBB) event since 2019, on September 10, 2-4pm at the Circle Family Center in Aptos.
This 2-hour community event offers expectant and new parents, as well as their support teams, education, skills and resources to enhance their childbirth and parenting journey. Birth Network will offer BBB events every two months with the next one planned for November 12, at the RC Fam/Raíces y Cariño in Watsonville. Next year’s schedule will see BBB events held in the Westside/Scotts Valley area, as well.
Each Bellies, Birth & Babies will offer a panel of speakers and an activity or demonstration. The topics for panels and options for activities will change at each event, providing participants the opportunity to attend multiple events to expand their knowledge. Light refreshments will be available.
The September 10th event will include:
Vendors and Parent Networking – Vendors will include Childish Toys, Primrose & Lace Nursing Bras, and Little Trends Boutique. As attendees browse the offering of items for sale, they will also have an opportunity to connect with other parents. This is such a great opportunity to find other families who want to make a playdate at the park or get together for another activity.
Support for Your Changing Body – Learn about how complementary health care such as chiropractic, acupuncture, pelvic physical therapy, and body work can help before, during and after pregnancy. This panel presentation will include: Krista Healy, DC; Taflyn Wilschinsky, DPT; Lee Ann Cuny, DO.
Babywearing Demo and Fitting – Participants can try out different baby carriers and hear about how to safely wear babies. Baby carriers come in various sizes to support newborns through toddlers, can be casual or dressy, soft, or structured. There’s a baby carrier for everyone – dads and grands included.
Taking some time to try on different carriers can make a big difference when it comes to comfort. Attendeeswill also find out about the local baby carrier lending library. Presenters include: Carolyn Eckman and Jay McMillin from Bay Area Babywearing, and Goldi Jaques-Moynes, DC
The Sept. 10th BBB will have a limited number of tickets available (30 total). This will help ensure that participants can have their questions answered and have ample hands on experience with the baby carriers. Those planning to attend should register early to secure a spot. And mark their calendars for the next BBB on Nov. 12 where the panel topic will be Preparing for Childbirth and the activity will be related to Breastfeeding. Due to the limited number of tickets offered for each event, it is important to cancel tickets if unable to attend so another family is able to go.
While there is a suggested donation of $5 when registering for tickets, it is not required. As with all in-person events, people should stay home if not feeling well. Masking is always welcome but currently not required by the County.
Bellies, Birth & Babies will always be a fun and informative event for new and expectant parents. The format of the current event will evolve over the next year as the Birth Network discovers what topics and activities most interest parents.
Birth Network’s landing page on Eventbrite, birthnetsantacruz.eventbrite.com, has registration information on all their upcoming events – Bellies, Birth & Babies, and Meet the Doulas. Of course, Birth Network’s own webpage at birthnet.org has upcoming events listed, as well as listings for each of their professional members.
By Laura Maxson
Laura Maxson has been the director of Birth Network since 1998. She became an advocate in the early ’80s after experiencing a lack of information and choice around birth and breastfeeding. Laura has worked as a breastfeeding counselor, childbirth educator, doula, and homebirth midwife.
