My Baby Expo: post-natal support & Mister Maker (of course!)

These last 14 weeks with my baby have been a reminder that a good support network during those first months with baby is vital. Not only to help you cope practically but psychologically feel like you are not alone. When I was a 'first time' mum it was overwhelming and although with second baby, I feel a bit more comfortable in some areas, I still like to sit and chat with mums on their second or more child. This is where organisations such as the National Childbirth Trust are invaluable, not only providing first class ante-natal education but an on-going network of support and advice. They will have information on their stand for groups in the county, Battle, Rye and Hastings, Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Horsham, Mid Sussex branches. The La Leche league are also represented. We visit the Brighton Breastfeed Drop-in every week which is supported by NCT and Breastfeeding Network trained counsellors. There is a great community atmosphere plus I can take my toddler as well as baby, which is not always possible at many baby groups.

Brighton & Sussex University Hospital NHS trust and Western Sussex NHS trust will also be there, where you can find out more about the maternity units at the Royal Sussex County, Princess Royal Haywards Heath, St Richard's Chichester and Worthing. Although web resources are great these days, there is nothing like meeting someone face to face when you are pregnant to ask all those burning question. I can vouch for this after visiting the homebirth talk provided by the community midwives in Brighton (visit www.mypregnancymatters.co.uk) it reassured us about our choice. I was also happy to see Chestnut Tree House with a stand, the only children's hospice in Sussex. I'm sure in these economic times, they need all the support they can get, so exposure at this event can only help raise awareness.

There's also an opportunity to visit representatives from a wide range of services before you decide what to spend your hard earned cash on, hypnobirthing, doulas, baby signing, baby swim classes, slings, family photography...the list is bountiful. I've even managed to get the husband to come with me, I'm sure he's more curious about the stadium! So I'll see you there in my sling carrying a Flip camera and badgering random people blogstylee.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here