Bump Club

These sessions are for you to meet other expectant parents in the Didcot area, to build support networks, and get ready for life with your new baby.

Becoming a parent is the most wonderful, overwhelming, rewarding, hardest rollercoaster ride of many of our lives. Nothing can truly prepare you for it and your journey will be unique, but we aim to help you get off to a confident and positive start with your little one. We will give you honest, evidence-based, non-judgemental information about what to expect in the early weeks with a new baby. We hope you will feel empowered to make informed choices that feel right for your family, and find the supportive "village" that will help you thrive in early parenthood.

This is not a class! The sessions are held in a relaxed and informal format. On arrival you can grab a hot drink and a place at cafe style tables. Once everyone is settled in the facilitators, Lisa & Kath, lead a short discussion (you are welcome contribute or to just listen). The discussion is followed by plenty of time to chat to other attendees and ask the facilitators questions. You can also take a look at our selection of baby carriers and try them on with our demo doll Diddy (who does weigh as much an an actual baby!) and browse our library of excellent evidence-based books which are available for you to borrow. You will receive a little bag of info and lovely things to take away and have the option to join a Bump Clubbers WhatsApp group.

FAQs about Bump Club

When can I join?

We rotate through four discussion topics and you can join at any point in the cycle. If you start coming from around 24 weeks of your pregnancy you should be able to fit them all in, as well as have time to get to know your fellow Bump Clubbers with similar due dates. It's all very flexible though - you can join later or pick out certain topics that interest you.

How much does it cost?

We ask that you make a pay-what-you-feel donation of £5-10 per session.

Select a "free ticket" to book your space then in the optional "donation" box enter the amount of the donation you wish to make.

Larger donations are greatly appreciated if you would like to "pay-it-forward". We aim to raise most of our funding from grants, but this is an ongoing challenge and your donations make a vital contribution to us being able to run the group as open to all.

Where are the sessions?

The Didcot Community Station in Royal Scot House (the SOHA building) - note that the entrance is at the rear of the building from Lydalls Road.

Can my partner/mum/friend come too?

Yes. Partners, or any other family member or friend who will be supporting you, are very welcome (attending solo is also fine and not at all unusual too!)

Can I come if it's not my first baby?

Yes! The group is open to all parents and it's great if you'd like to share your experiences with others.

What topics do the discussions cover?

We focus on the preparing for the postnatal "fourth trimester" period, a.k.a. the bit with an actual baby (we know this can feel a little abstract sometimes!). The four topic are:

29th April Is it SB or BS? - looking at the evidence behind the claims made by some popular baby items to see whether they are the best thing since Sliced Bread or marketing BS! Find out what you really need on your baby list!

4th June Got Milk? - busting some myths about breastfeeding and formula and empowering you to make informed choices about feeding your baby.

2nd July Loved Up - looking at the so called "love hormone" Oxytocin's role in birth, breastfeeding, bonding and brain development and how you can help get it flowing.

30th July Cache & Carry - how human biology explains normal baby behaviour and development - how can you support your little one with this, and get support yourself.

Where can I find information and classes to help me prepare for birth?

The Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Maternity Team offer free online workshops and there are options locally for paid for classes - from a traditional antenatal course to specialist hypnobirthing classes and pregnancy yoga.

We also have a great selection of evidence-based books about birth available for you to borrow from our library and you will have access to our recommended resources ‘Padlet’ of reliable online info.

Is it worth coming if I’m also doing an antenatal course?

Absolutely! The content complements these classes well.

Who are the facilitators?

Bump Club sessions are facilitated by Kath and Lisa.

Kath is DBM's group chair, and a lapsed accountant now a qualified Breastfeeding Counsellor and Gentle Sleep Practitioner, and mum of three girls (including twins).

Lisa is a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over 20 years’ experience supporting families to meet their personal breastfeeding/chest-feeding goals, and mum to 2 daughters and 2 dog babies.

We look forward to welcoming you to the group!