Talks

See below the Programme of TALKS for our Pregnancy, Baby & Early Years Show on 5 April at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.

If you have purchased Admission Tickets, you may now reserve seats by completing and submitting the form below.

Saturday 5 April 2025

 

[10.30 am] Why Planning Your Birth is More Important Than Planning Your Wedding!
Speaker: Rebecca Rodgers (Rebecca Rodgers Birth Preparation)

It is so important to know ahead of birth the options that are open to you.

For example, if it rained on your wedding day and you were planning it outside, you’d want to know ahead of time what the alternative was! It’s the same for birth – you need to know what your options are first, so that you know what the alternatives are!

In a similar vein, couples will sit down together to plan their holiday, putting time, resource, and effort into chatting about what’s important to them – weather, location, flight times etc. And again, you need to have these discussions before birth, so as, most importantly, the birth partner knows how to support their labouring partner.

Rebecca will talk about why it’s so important to plan for birth, how it helps with outcomes, can reduce birth trauma and ensure birth partners feel informed.

Rebecca sees her job as not so much to give advice on how people should have their babies, but more to signpost and ensure they are aware of all options open to them, so that they can approach birth feeling calm, informed and knowledgeable.

Rebecca will be happy to answer questions – and chat with you after her presentation.

 

[11.00 am] Common Medical Conditions to be Aware of in Children 0-5 years – and When to Seek Support
Speaker: Dr Jonathan Henderson (Sonny Health)

In this session, Dr Jonathan Henderson will discuss and answer questions relating to your child’s health record (the red book), baby checks, growth assessments and child development.

He will also provide information on common medical conditions e.g. reflux, bronchiolitis, constipation and other common childhood illnesses. Plus, when to seek support.

 

[11.30 am] Mummy and Me: The First Year
Speaker: Julie Edler (Movement and Milestones)

Julie will be discussing how mums can take care of their health and wellbeing – and that of their babies – through the pivotal first year after birth. This will include . . .

For Mum:

• Changes to your body during and after pregnancy.
• What to expect after birth.
• A few tips on taking care of your wellbeing and physical health in the first year after childbirth.

For Baby:

• Baby milestones – why are they important?
• The first year being the foundation for development.
• A few tips on how to set your baby up for success in the first year.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of this presentation.

 

[12.00 noon] Nurturing Early Minds: The Vital Role of Connection and How to Support This in Infant and Toddler Development
Speakers: Dr Jude Hutchinson and Leigh McGowan (Insight Clinic)

In this session, Leigh McGowan and Dr Jude Hutchinson (Insight Clinic) will explore the importance of early connections and how this impacts on the development of babies and toddlers.

They will also discuss the benefits of following your child’s lead, bonding with your child through reading and the crucial role of play.

There will be an opportunity for Q&A’s at the end of the session.

 

[12.30 pm] First Aid for Babies and Young Children
Speaker: Mark Bailie (MKB Medical Services)

Choking is every parent’s worst fear, but the reality is that you will most likely encounter it at some stage of your parenting journey. With quick and confident action, you can assist a child who is choking to free their airway of obstruction and restore normal breathing.

Mark will demonstrate how to deal with choking in both newborn infants and young children and will explain the potential pitfalls of each scenario.

Mark will also discuss:

• Bumps and Burns
• Meningitis Awareness
• Preparing a First Aid Box

He will also take your questions on other first aid issues.

 

[1.30 pm] Understand Your Child’s Baby Body Language
Speaker: Anne Matthews (Author of the parenting book: What is My Child Telling Me, That I’m Not Getting . . . Yet?

The concept of Baby Body Language (BBL) reveals how life was in the womb for your child and how delivery and birth leave their early imprints physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Anne will guide you in how to read and interpret BBL by sharing captivating stories from parents she has worked with therapeutically over the past 35 years. Expect to be offered insightful reasons and solutions to the range of challenges that children have in reaching many of their developmental milestones.

Such common challenges are seen in the unsettled newborn who cries excessively or has issues around sleeping, feeding, colic, reflux and poo-ing; the older baby who dislikes tummy time, crawling and sleeping on their back; the toddler who has emotional meltdowns and shows early signs of developmental delay; and the older child who has difficulty with coordination, balance, behaviour regulation and learning.

Look forward to being more empathetic and compassionate for the journey that your child has made in being born. This session facilitates more wholesome and connected relationships, as reading and interpreting your child’s Baby Body Language is an invaluable gift for parents.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of this presentation.

 

[2.30 pm] Healthy Sleep Foundations
Speaker: Lindsey Hanna (Your Sleep Support)

Lindsey (Family Centred Sleep Consultant) will speak about understanding paediatric sleep and cutting through common myths and misunderstandings about infant sleep.

She will include practical advice on creating a sleep environment that promotes safe sleep and encourages healthy sleep foundations.

Lindsey will be discussing common challenges in the first year and how to navigate them.

There will be an opportunity for Q&A’s at the end of the session.