Todd Guenzburger, MD: Chief Health Information Executive | LinkedIn
Todd Guenzburger, MD: Chief Health Information Executive | LinkedIn
Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) and the SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale Birthing Center are organizing the 2025 Baby's Best Start Fair. This community event, free of charge, is designed to provide new and expectant parents with resources for young children.
The fair will occur on Saturday, August 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Carbondale Civic Center. Door prize drawings will be held at 2:45 p.m.
Attendees can expect support ranging from breastfeeding assistance and infant development resources to car seat safety and family support programs. The event will feature nearly a dozen vendors and local experts.
Timed with World Breastfeeding Month, the fair aims to ease the challenges families face during early parenthood stages.
“Families are the first responders when something feels off with a baby, and they play a critical role in that child’s early development and well-being,” said SIH Perinatal Outreach and Lactation Coordinator Mary Jarvis. “This fair is a way to support them with tools, information and a caring network.”
Key features include breastfeeding and lactation support, infant development guidance, car seat installation checks, medical supplies, WIC resources, balloon artists, coloring stations, and character visits.
“Babies don’t come with instruction manuals, and many parents feel overwhelmed—that’s completely normal,” Jarvis added. “Our fair is a one-stop-shop to help answer questions and connect families to trusted resources across Southern Illinois.”
No registration is needed for this event. For further details, contact Mary Jarvis at mary.jarvis@sih.net or call 618.549.0721 ext. 65252.
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