More than 100 families came together at The New Art Gallery Walsall for this year’s BabyFest, with parents and carers able to access activities, practical advice and support from local organisations.
The free event, organised by Walsall Council’s Family Hubs team, took place on Tuesday 4 August as part of the borough’s programme of activities for World Breastfeeding Week.
Designed to support families from pregnancy through the early years and beyond, BabyFest combined expert guidance with activities for babies and young children.
Visitors could take part in sensory sessions delivered by Baby & Us, enjoy The Tiger Who Came to Tea-inspired arts and crafts and explore a range of interactive play activities. An Introduction to Solids session was also available, while every child attending the event received a free book to take home.
More than 15 local organisations were represented throughout the day, giving families the chance to speak directly with professionals from health, council and voluntary sector services.
Advice and information covered areas including infant feeding, vaccinations, child development, family wellbeing and activities available within the community.
Feedback from parents attending the event was positive, with one saying, “I had a lovely morning. There were lots of opportunities to speak to helpful professionals.”
Another parent commented, “It was excellent, a great support network. There was a variety of fun activities to keep children entertained, and lots of freebies!”
“Supporting families with infant feeding is about much more than nutrition. It’s about creating a strong support network that gives parents and carers the confidence, knowledge and reassurance they need during the early stages of their child’s life.
BabyFest is a fantastic example of organisations across Walsall working together to give parents and carers everything they need to give children the best possible start in life, especially from those early days. It was wonderful to see so many parents, carers and children enjoying the activities, accessing expert advice and meeting others at similar stages of their parenting journey.
There is a wealth of support available through our Family Hubs and partner organisations, and I would encourage families to explore the services on offer and get involved.”
Councillor Lisa Jones, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Skills at Walsall Council
Breastfeeding can present a range of challenges for parents, with national research identifying common concerns such as difficulties with latching, milk supply, discomfort and engorgement.
The event formed part of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from 1 to 7 August 2026 and aims to highlight the importance of effective breastfeeding support while raising awareness of the help available to families.
Support continues across Walsall’s four Family Hubs, where breastfeeding peer groups are taking place throughout the week.
Families can also make use of the Walsall Welcomes Breastfeeding Scheme, which has grown to include more than 60 breastfeeding-friendly venues across the borough.
Information about infant feeding, local support groups and participating breastfeeding-friendly venues is available through the Walsall Family Hubs website.