Babies & Bumps, a convention designed to prepare new and soon-to-be parents for all aspects of having a baby, will host its first Cleveland-area event on Saturday, June 3.
The fun and educational experience will bring together local organizations that cater to pregnant women, new parents and their babies at the DoubleTree East Beachwood, located at 3663 Park E. Drive. The events runs from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Attendees can expect 12 expert-led seminars that focus on topics related to pregnancy, labor & delivery, newborns & infants, and the transition to motherhood, plus seven demonstrations that will teach a variety of skills that range from comforting measures during labor to the supportive belly wrapping pre- and postpartum. There also will be a babywearing test drive area, shopping for handmade products in a Mom & Baby Market, a raffle to benefit Babies Need Boxes, a non-profit organization that provides the lifesaving Finnish Baby Box tradition of equipping essential childcare products to families in need. A variety of organizations also will be on hand with products, services and resources that cater to Cleveland’s new and soon-to-be parents.
“I’m thrilled for Babies & Bumps to debut in Cleveland,” says event founder and organizer Monica Infante. “The area has a strong network of local resources that cater to growing families, as well as a culture that values connections and support, and I’m grateful to have been welcomed into the community and excited for the big day.”
Northeast Ohio Parent readers can get discounted tickets with promo code NEOP15. Click here to purchase all-access tickets at the special rate of just $15.
Regular priced tickets range from $15 to $25; if available, tickets will be sold at the door for $30. On the day of the event, check-in opens at 9 a.m. and doors open at 9:30. All attendees will receive a gift bag with products from well-known manufacturers, along with information and special offers from local organizations.
Attendees are encouraged to pre-register online at babies-and-bumps.com. Participants will be able to download an event app through the website to plan a schedule in advance based on seminars, demonstrations and activities of most interest. A complete listing will be available by May 26.
Babies & Bumps is an inclusive event – in addition to moms and moms-to-be, dads, dads-to-be, partners, extended family members and friends are also welcome to attend the event, as well as women who are thinking of becoming pregnant. For more information, visit babies-and-bumps.com/events or call 585-244-2040.
Visit the Northeast Ohio Parent Facebook page May 22-25 for a chance to enter to win tickets to Babies & Bumps! Check the top of the page for contest details.
New Birth Year Group
To further connect mothers with each other and local resources throughout the year, a new membership-based 2017 Birth Year Group will launch during the event season. The social and support group will include in-person new/first baby gatherings and informational sessions, plus the ability to connect online via an app to share links, announcements and comments on a regular basis. Members will also receive exclusive discounts from partners of Babies & Bumps.
Infante started her own new and first-time moms’ group following the birth of her first child in 2012, and says she’s thrilled to play a role in helping support mothers all year long with a similar experience. “My group formed a sisterhood that completely changed my life,” says Infante. “Five years later, we still meet to share stories, give advice and support one another, and my hope is that members will find the Birth Year Group just as rewarding.”