Jessica Nash The third Birth, Baby & Beyond Expo will be held on Sunday 30th April at the Jetty Beach House from 11am to 3pm. We had a chat with Jessica Nash, founder and coordinator of the event, about what we can expect and how this event has been growing and helping local families to build their ‘village’ and support network since it started in 2018.
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ow long has the Birth, Baby and Beyond Expo been running here in Coffs Harbour, and how has it evolved since its inception?
The first Birth, Baby & Beyond Expo was held in Macksville 2018 and was so well received, I was asked that it become a regular event. I created it as a way to showcase many of the services and products available to young families in the area, and as a fundraising event, raising over $700 for Little Silk Wings. The second Expo was held in 2022, again in Macksville, and raised $1000 for Angel Gowns Australia. I started out with just 16 stallholders in the first Expo, this year we have 45 stallholders confirmed. This will be the first year we’ve hosted the Expo in Coffs Harbour, and we’re fundraising for Tender Funerals Mid North Coast, as an extension of our support for community based bereavement services. 60 COFFS COAST focus
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I coordinated the first two Expos on my own, but this year took a dose of my own medicine and created a village to support me. Rani agreed to co-host, and we’ve gathered a small team of amazing women who are helping bring this event together.
and how they support new parents and families?
We have such a range of stallholders this year, there really is something for everyone at almost every stage from preconception until the early childhood years. We’ll Can you tell us about have midwives from the where it will be held Coffs MGP program, as this year, and when? Is well as private midwives; In the age of it open to the public or Doulas for birth and social media do you need to book? postpartum support; and online marketing, The third Birth, Baby & maternity/birth/newborn/ so many services are Beyond Expo will be held family photographers; lost in the void, so at the Jetty Beach House, nutritional experts families may not be Jordan Esplanade Coffs to support through aware of all that’s Harbour, on Sunday April preconception and available to them. 30, from 11am to 3pm. pregnancy; breastfeeding It’s open to everyone, no educators, bodyworkers need to book. Entry is by (chiro/osteo/masseuse/ gold coin donation, or $5 yoga practitioners), Tresillian, Child and Family a family. Health Nurses, baby sleep experts, placenta Can you tell us a bit about the vendors and encapsulation, plus a range of products for exhibitors who participate in the Expo, babies and families.