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Pregnancy

Announcing ... Mumsnet’s inaugural Bumpfest

51 replies

SarahMumsnet · 11/07/2014 13:22

Without wanting to blow our - ok, your - trumpet, it's a fact that Mumsnet is a repository of wisdom on the subject of babies: how to produce them, how to look after them when they arrive and, crucially, how to remain sane during the process. Any time of the day (or night), you can come on and ask for help with any and all of the problems you encounter when suddenly in charge of a small, screaming human. It occurred to us that it'd be a neat idea to idea to turn the virtual support group into a real-world one - which is why, on Saturday September 27th, we're hosting our very first Bumpfest.

The day is designed to be a one-stop shop for parents-to-be, covering everything from birth (the myths vs the reality) to bonding, and all points in between. Unlike other antenatal courses, the aim of Bumpfest is to make sure you're armed with information on how to cope after the birth, as well as during: there'll be dedicated, practical workshops on routines, development, baby-led weaning and - of course! - sleep; take a look at the full programme here. As well as providing first-time parents (partners are very welcome, too) with unsugarcoated advice from those who've been through it before and survived to tell the tale, attendees will get to meet others in the same boat. And you'll leave the day with a marvellous goody bag, filled with baby-related loot.

Tickets go on sale today, priced £65 for early birds, and with a special discount for partners - two tickets for £95. So if you're about to be plunged into parenthood, and feel the need for a rundown of what's really in store - book now. We'll see you there (with hot water and towels at the ready, just in case).

OP posts:
squizita · 11/07/2014 13:40

Awww I will have popped by then! Sounds a great idea.

rootypig · 11/07/2014 14:52

That sounds brilliant.

But I hate the name. Sorry to be a grump. I hate the word bump and I hate the focus on one part of the woman's body as though the rest of is has disappeared and I hate the focus on the woman's body anyway because right from the off, the non pregnant parent is let off the hook excluded.

I also think that there should be a lower ticket price for single people attending and just double for the partners. Lone parents in pregnancy need this stuff the most - they shouldn't have to pay more.

See, told you I was a grump Grin

ThisBitchIsResting · 11/07/2014 16:20

Brilliant, well done MN.

And Grin at 'other' antenatal courses that focus on the birth so much they forget to tell you how to look after a newborn without going insane.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 11/07/2014 16:26

Love that Mars and Aitch are going to be there as experts.

I am past my baby years , but would be more than happy to come along if you want somebody to share horror stories Wink

Fram · 11/07/2014 16:38

Can't you get tiktok there too?

Poofus · 11/07/2014 17:00

Yes, Tiktok would be great.

coppertop · 11/07/2014 19:58

I can't be the only one who keeps reading the thread title as "Bumfest"

Blush

Shallan · 11/07/2014 20:20

Have booked! Excited....

chocolatemartini · 11/07/2014 20:34

Another vote for tiktok

I'd book if I hadn't done it all already

Justgotosleepnow · 11/07/2014 22:36

Please have tiktok as a guest speaker!

ThisBitchIsResting · 11/07/2014 22:58

Yes to tiktok, but also it would be really ace if you had some good talks on formula feeding and mixed feeding too. My NCT classes made me feel like a total failure for not managing to bf. I had no clue how to make up formula, plus a couple of our group wanted to mix feed and were roundly told off by the feeding talk lady.

BigHairyLeggedSpider · 12/07/2014 07:19

I'd love to go! However I'm not based in London so the high ticket cost plus train fare is prohibitive!

drinkyourmilk · 12/07/2014 08:13

Yep.
another call for TikTok. I always look for her advice on the feeding threads first.

Wobblealong · 12/07/2014 08:55

Slightly concerned about the lack of men in ALL the photos - I was almost in with a chance of persuading my husband to go before he looked at the link himself.....

TheFantasticFixit · 13/07/2014 18:13

Even though i'm a breastfeeder, PLEASE do something on formula feeding as well - ie. safe prep etc. there is no support out there for first time formula feeding parents that isn't in some way connected to the brands out there

MrsWombat · 13/07/2014 20:53

What sort of food and drink will be available at the venue, as it's not mentioned? Very important for pregnant mums! Some of us would be travelling far and won't want to bring a packed lunch.

SarahMumsnet · 14/07/2014 10:13

Hey everyone - thanks loads for the response and suggestions - glad you think it's a good idea! Will come back with answers to the specific questions asap Smile

OP posts:
SarahMumsnet · 14/07/2014 13:18

Ok! have spoken to the Bumpfest authorities; back with answers Grin

@rootypig

That sounds brilliant.

But I hate the name. Sorry to be a grump. I hate the word bump and I hate the focus on one part of the woman's body as though the rest of is has disappeared and I hate the focus on the woman's body anyway because right from the off, the non pregnant parent is let off the hook excluded.

I also think that there should be a lower ticket price for single people attending and just double for the partners. Lone parents in pregnancy need this stuff the most - they shouldn't have to pay more.

See, told you I was a grump Grin


Hey rootypig - I think the name-ship has sailed, alas Wink Do take your point re societal obsession with bumps to the exclusion of all else - although if there's one time in a woman's life when a focus on the physical is merited, there's a case to be made for pregnancy being it (speaking as someone at the 20-week mark, I know I'M obsessed with my body Grin). Honestly, though, we picked the name because it's a convenient shorthand - sorry it rankles a bit.

Ticket-wise - apologies if it wasn't clear, but partners don't have to be co-parents. If you'd like to attend with your mother, sister, friend or whomever - anyone who's helping support you through pregnancy - that would be absolutely fine. We'll make sure that's clarified on the Bumpfest site - thanks for flagging Smile
OP posts:
SarahMumsnet · 14/07/2014 13:24

@MrsWombat

What sort of food and drink will be available at the venue, as it's not mentioned? Very important for pregnant mums! Some of us would be travelling far and won't want to bring a packed lunch.


Excellent question Grin We haven't finalised the menu details yet, but there'll be a hot lunch, and snacks in the morning and afternoon - we'll make sure you don't go hungry. And all food will, of course, be pregnancy-friendly: the original menu of sushi followed by rare steak and chocolate mousse with vodka chaser has been regretfully abandoned Grin.
OP posts:
SarahMumsnet · 14/07/2014 13:26

@Fram

Can't you get tiktok there too?


Thanks for the suggestion - we've mailed tiktok today. We're still signing up speakers, and will be adding them to the programme for the next few weeks.
OP posts:
SarahMumsnet · 14/07/2014 13:33

@TheFantasticFixit

Even though i'm a breastfeeder, PLEASE do something on formula feeding as well - ie. safe prep etc. there is no support out there for first time formula feeding parents that isn't in some way connected to the brands out there


Hey TheFantasticFixit - thanks for the comment. We have content on the site covering safety, switching from breast to bottle and dealing with any negative feelings you might experience around bottle-feeding if you'd planned to breastfeed, but we didn't think, looking at it, that there was enough to learn to sustain an entire workshop. Hope you can see where we're coming from.
OP posts:
MrsWombat · 14/07/2014 17:52

Does that mean that food is included in the price then, MumsnetSarah Grin or just available to buy, in which case how much?

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SarahMumsnet · 14/07/2014 20:13

All included, MrsWombat. Tuck in! Grin

OP posts:
MrsWombat · 15/07/2014 09:31

Hurrah!

You might want to make it clearer on your advertising that the price includes lunch, drinks and snacks (and a goodie bag) as it takes the sting out of the price a bit. Smile

MrsWombat · 15/07/2014 09:32

I did have visions of Aldi setting up a mini shop in the corner selling sandwiches and nappies. Grin

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