Babies R Us Fests & Seminars

[~Tranquility~Doula]

I've been asked to hold an Expectant Parents Seminar at Babies R Us next month! I can talk about anything that I want to.

I'm definitely going to talk about doulas, breastfeeding, postpartum. They would also like me to throw some stuff in about HypnoBirthing and Belly casting. I have 2 hours to speak. What else could I talk about? I hope I don't talk too fast and get done quickly.

I was thinking I'd start off with Bellycasting and then move on to doulas and HypnoBirthing. Then I'd talk about the postpartum stuff. I'll outline everything before hand and write my major points down on my post-it table top pad. I'm going to take some casts with me. They will provide breastpumps and books, etc. I was also going to throw some info in on infant soothing techniques from the Happiest Baby.

Does that sound good? What else should I include?

[fearlessbirth]

That sounds GREAT! What about slings or cloth diapers...you could demostrate the happiest baby swaddle. Sounds like you have lots of ideas...I'll let you know if I think of anything else that you haven't already! Good luck!

[~Tranquility~Doula]

Slings!! That's perfect, too! I wonder if I could bring in the ones I have or if I have to use the ones they have.....hmmmm

[fearlessbirth]

I was wondering that as well. You could probably do a combo of 'this is a great one and this is a great one and this one they sell here'. lol

[Jackie7183]

Noelia,

I just did an all day event for Babies-R-us here in California. It was great, and they were very supportive!

They asked me to touch on the following topics:

Breastfeeding
Bottlefeeding/ pumping
Diapering
Babies first bath
games to play with your newborn to promote development
prenatal/infant nutrition

I did the breastfeeding seminar 3 times! Everyone wanted to know more about that. So that would definitely be somehting to expand on.

Hope this helps!

[syncreo]

Hi,
What about getting the particpants involved - this would help take up some of the time while also providing the parents with some hands on knowledge. You could have them practise comfort measures, breastfeeding, diapering, etc. Have fun!

Cheers,
Shawna

[Kalamazoo Doula]

That is awesome news Noelia! I'm so excited for you! At the end of this month I'm going to be doing my first "What to expect the first week home" seminar at BRU! I would love to hear updates about your event!

[MamaAshley]

Girls, if i've ever needed your help before, now is the time I need it most! I was ASKED to do a Babies R Us Baby Fest at our city's store and provide info about doulas, my business since there are no other doulas really in this area. I'm freaking out! I'm excited b/c i'll get the business, but what do I do? She said she provides the tables, chairs, and table cloths, but to bring educational stuff, have things on hand for customers interested, and hav a display. Okay, I have like no resources to do this! What do I do first??

[HamiltonBirthRevolution]

Is it a table where you'll be on hand for curious comers or will it be a mini lecture?

[fearlessbirth]

Wow! What an awesome opportunity!!

If it were me, this is what I'd do...
Copy or make brochures on what a doula is...either a generic type (like DONAs) with your business card in it (which is really easier than the next idea) or make your own. Be sure to include something on 'doulas and dads', etc. And make sure you have plenty of business cards just laid out by themselves. I'd see what type of other information I could get to lay out on the table on breastfeeding, cloth diapers, nutrition, pumps...anything that could be related..get some Preggy Pops or Luna bar samples (depending on how soon this is)...just to take up space...not make it look cluttered but just so it's not you and a stack of business cards. lol Oh and for a quickie display you could enlist some friends to help you do one of those science project type tri-fold things...maybe with pics of past clients, or just some generic pics...your logo, facts about doulas..the statistics...quotes from previous clients. AND, if possible, see if you can recruit a past client to come sit with you and sing your praises! lol

I'm sure you'll get LOTS of input on this one...if I think of something else I'll let you know. Good luck!

When is it?

[MamaAshley]

Okay, this is August 12th, so not too much time. I lvoe the ideas thus far. It's going to be a table where I sit at it and talk to people about my business and what doulas do. The Babies R Us manager asked me to partisipate after one of her vendors said she couldn't do it, and she needs another one and said she'd like a doula since she doesn't have a doua to attend the event. I was thinking also about doing a tri-fold display. Where would I buy one of those? Also, I can't have any clients come with me b/c my last client was 3 years ago back in NJ, and I live in Nashville, TN now! LOL! So, I guess i'll use a few pics of me with previous clients, and then just generic pics from on-line. Any ideas welcome!!!

[fearlessbirth]

I know places like Office Max/Depot sell them and probably WalMart or Target in their school supplies section.

[newbirth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaAshley I was thinking also about doing a tri-fold display. Where would I buy one of those?

I just saw them at Walmart the last time I was there.

[MothertheMother]

maybe on your board you could put the doula statistics. On your table you could bring 5 or so of your favorite childbirth books from your lending library just to stir up questions from preggie moms. If you have power (or use battery operated) play some relaxation cd's. I agree with keeping the display intersting but simple. Keep in mind if it is outside you will have a hard time with one of those boards staying upright...

[Kalamazoo Doula]

Hey Ashley,
Oh awesome! I'm gonna be at my BRU on the same day, doing the same thing! LOL I've done about three of them now, and they have all been different in outcomes. I've never actually gotten a client from them, but, the way that I look at it, it is a way to get the doula name out there! I had made a felt display board for the first BRU baby fest, and it looks really professional, but let me tell ya-it is sooooo heavy! I also suggest either going to Office Depot, or Office Max, Target, Wal-Mart, etc and look for a cardboard display board! Since the board is natually sectioned off into three areas, I use them to hightlight three main topics about doulas. The center section (which is usually the largest) has basic "what is a doula" info. The left side is what a doula does and does not do. The right side is all about dads and doulas! I'm thinking about asking one of my dad clients to write up a little blurb about his experience and putting it on the board! I have pics of babies and clip art. I have broshures, business cards printed up. I also do belly casting, so I bring two examples of casts for decoration, and a 'menu' of choices for casting. I have a bowl for chocolate (you'll be so surpriced how well candy brings them over to the table, LOL) I usually have a few 'toys' from my doula bag, like my rebozo, massage toys and cd player playing relaxation music.

I also teach one (and soon two) seminars for our local BRU. The one I teach now is a 'what to expect the first weeks home with baby' class. We focus on the physical and emotional changes for both parents and baby! Fun fun! The next one I'm working on is a 'choices in childbirth' class. I'm still getting ideas for this one!

I hope you have fun! And I'll be thinking of ya on that day, since I'll be 'there' too! LOL I just hope you end up with some clientele!

Oh yeah, ask the promotions cordinator if you could leave some broshures in there community area. I've had to fill that up a few time! I also have some of the gals that work the registering desk putting some of my info in the folders that go to the expectant moms when they register!

good luck!