Children's services
Walsall families invited to free BabyFest event for World Breastfeeding Week
Published on
Families across Walsall are invited to a free, fun and informative event this summer as BabyFest returns to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2026.
Taking place on Tuesday 4 August, from 11am–1pm at The New Art Gallery Walsall, BabyFest will bring together local services, activities and support for parents, carers and families with babies and young children. The event is supported by partners including Walsall Family Hubs, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and whg.
The event is free to attend and will include a range of activities such as baby sensory sessions, arts and crafts, baby massage, and opportunities to connect with local organisations offering advice and support. Families will be able to meet the infant feeding team, midwives, whg breastfeeding peer supporters, speech and language therapists, child car seat safety advisers and representatives from Murray Hall counselling service, all in one welcoming space.
Last year's BabyFest welcomed more than 100 attendees, who took part in activities and accessed support services in one place.
As part of World Breastfeeding Week which runs every year from 1 to 7 August, the event helps raise awareness of the support available for infant feeding and early parenting in Walsall.
National research shows that while many families want to breastfeed, they do not always get the support they need. Around 7 in 10 mothers who stop breastfeeding say they would have liked to continue for longer, highlighting a gap between intention and experience. Around 3 in 10 mothers say more support in hospital would have helped them continue, underlining the importance of early and accessible support.
In Walsall, partners are working together to strengthen that support both in hospital and in the community. This contributes to the borough's ambition to be a Child Friendly Borough, as set out in We Are Walsall 2040 and aligns with the national focus of giving every child the best start in life.
Breastfeeding and infant feeding also play an important role in Walsall's work to improve access to healthy, nutritious and affordable food. As part of Feeding Walsall’s Future: Walsall’s Food Plan 2025–2030, supporting good early nutrition helps give children the best start in life and reduce food inequalities.
Families attending BabyFest will be able to get trusted advice and reassurance from professionals and peer supporters, learn where to access local support with feeding, bonding and early parenting and find out more about breastfeeding-friendly spaces through the Walsall Welcomes Breastfeeding scheme.
“ We want every family in Walsall to feel confident and supported, whatever their parenting journey looks like, and for children to have the best start in life.
BabyFest is a great opportunity to meet local services, try something new, and get friendly advice in a relaxed and welcoming environment. I encourage families to attend, find out more about what is on offer in the borough and get involved. “
Families can either book their free place online via the Walsall Family Hubs website or walk-in on the day.
- Data included above is taken from the national Infant feeding survey 2024: full report - GOV.UK.
- World Breastfeeding Week takes place every year from 1-7 August 2026. To find out more about the week, including this year’s theme visit: https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/
- To find out more about infant feeding support in Walsall, including details of venues part of the Walsall Welcomes Breastfeeding scheme, visit the Walsall Family Hubs website.
- To find out more about the Government’s strategy for giving every child the best start in life, visit GOV.UK.
