Attending a birth and baby fair is a great way to learn about a variety of pregnancy and baby products and services all in one convenient event.  When I was pregnant, my Mom and I went to a Birth and Baby Fair.  It was a fun and easy way to get some of my prep work done amongst a sea of expectant parents, parents, babies, strollers, baby carriers, and diaper bags (very handy for getting baby gear ideas).  I had the chance to talk to a few cloth and compostable diaper services to help me decide, “can I really do this?” (turns out, I can!)  I also picked up some coupons for the cloth diapering service I chose and samples of compostable diapers.  I sampled some organic, locally made baby food and talked to the owner of the company about his daughter and how cooking for her led to his business venture.  I signed up for a free subscription to a locally owned parenting magazine and entered my name into various raffles.  I picked up a free goody bag with energy bar samples, chocolate (ooohh, chocolate!), “belly buds” (speakers to put on my belly for piping in sound—I never did use those), coupons, and plenty of reading.

My husband, 10 month old son and I are going to another Birth and Baby Fair in San Francisco on Sunday, 10/2/11.  This time we’ll have our eye on a different set of offerings (like workshops on sleep and discipline).

The San Francisco Baby and Birth Fair focuses on local community resources and unique small businesses and has a wide range of offerings:

• Workshops and Demonstrations: Topics include: sleep, discipline, meet the doulas, baby sign language, vaccines, going green with baby, cloth diapering, baby wearing, making your own baby food, pre and post natal yoga, and breastfeeding.  Pre-registration is available for workshops so you don’t have to worry about vying for a seat.
• Baby gear from local designers
• New and nearly new maternity clothing sale by Maternity Xchange
• Spa areas with complimentary pampering: Massage, mocktails, beauty treatments, and more
• Alternative Wellness Area: Attend mini-lectures and get free consolations
• Nursing Nook: A calm and quiet place to nurse, nap, or take a break
• Tot Spot: A children’s area with arts, crafts, play space, and children’s snacks and food tasting
• Refreshments: Purchase Korean cuisine from Seoul on Wheels or visit the fair’s cafe to buy organic and vegan options from Lydia’s Organics
• Photobooth
• Raffle: Prizes include: Various strollers (Bumbleride, Joovy, Mountain Buggy, Orbit) $100 gift cards to local businesses, gift baskets, and more
• Goodie Bag for the first 150 families

Tickets to the October 2, 2011 San Francisco Birth and Baby Fair are $8 online, $10 at the door (children are free), or FREE with a complimentary pass available at sponsor locations.

To find an event in your area, search google with terms like, “birth and baby fair” or “baby expo” with the name of your city.