SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 | SUNDAY, SEPT. 28

Gail Dahl

Gail J. Dahl is a childbirth researcher and educator, an advocate for safe and gentle childbirth and a national bestselling author of "Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets."

She has received many awards, including The YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, The Woman of Vision Award and The Great Women of the 21st Century Award for her work in women's health and education. Nominated for Community Advocate: Organization and Signature Award for exceptional achievements.

Graham Walker

Graham Walker has been writing and singing for children for a very long time! When he was really young he loved rhymes and riddles and funny word games that tickled his ear and funny bone. He turned that love into story writing and drawing doodles, and wanted to write books like Dr. Seuss's. Graham studied English Literature and Education in university, then began to self-publish children's books. Poems and stories turned into songs when Graham picked up the guitar more than 20 years ago, and the rest is history! Children and parents alike delight in Graham Walker's fun and lively songs.

Helen Stewart

Helen Stewart is a well-known author and illustrator. She has written several children's books and one memoir. She will be reading from her latest children's book The Patched Heart, A Gift of Friendship and Caring. This is the story of a little sick puppy and his good friends who help him to get well. It is a book to teach children about caring for others and what to do to help.

Meet Helen and purchase her autographed books in the Sprouts booth after her reading!

Karine Bordua

So you're pregnant and planning to breastfeed! Congratulations on your important decision! Breastfeeding is not just a feeding choice, but a health choice as well. You and your baby will gain numerous health benefits by breastfeeding. You may be thinking, "How do I get started?" or "What do I need to know?" Those are some of the questions Karine will answer.

Karine Bordua is an experienced Breastfeeding Counsellor and has been a Leader for La Leche League Canada for the past 5 years. She is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage and is currently finishing her Masters in Applied Psychology with a concentration in perinatal & postpartum depression.

Eva Bild - Babywearing Extravaganza

Eva Bild is a Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula, and Breastfeeding Educator. Eva has been working with childbearing families for 16 years. She is the owner of the Mothering Touch Centre and loves to find new baby gear that makes parents and babies' lives easier and more fun.

Eva will talk about the large variety of baby carriers that exist. Parents & Babies will also have an opportunity to try out these babywearing devices.

Heather Yaxley

Heather Yaxley enjoys sharing the fun of Music for Young Children (MYC) with children and their parents. An imaginative learning environment filled with games, storytelling and hands-on activities allows children to explore music concepts while building concentration, self-expression and confidence. Join us for a dynamic singing, rhythm and movement experience as MYC teachers from all over Victoria bring this leading Canadian music education system to life on stage. Participation from everyone is definitely encouraged!

Dr. Stefanie Green

Dr. Stefanie Green has combined the 13 years of her experience as a family physician in 4 provinces and 3 countries and her own experience of giving birth to her 2 children to help best prepare women for labour. She believes that giving birth should be one of the most empowering events in a womanÕs life and will give you some insights into how best to prepare for that experience.

St. John Ambulance

St. John Ambulance is Canada's leader in First Aid and is celebrating itÕs 125th anniversary. Our Award-winning courses teach the skills necessary to care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers and emphasize safety, dealing with emergencies, and first aid basics, Come see our infant CPR demo on the main stage and see if you would know what to do in an emergency!

Sharon Gerhart

HypnoBirthing is the breakthrough approach to easier, more comfortable birthing. Pregnant women instinctively know how to give birth. HypnoBirthing childbirth education classes assist pregnant women to tap into their innate birthing rhythm. The basic tenet of HypnoBirthing is that childbirth is natural, healthy and normal event for women who are not at high-risk for birth.

Sharon Gerhart is a mother of three adult daughters and has a 10 month old grandson. Sharon moved to Victoria in 2003 to finish her nursing studies and has been a HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator since 2000. Over the last 8 years, Sharon has witnessed nearly 40 hypnoBirthing births both in the hospital and at home. She learned from couples that women, their partner and their baby can experience a safe, joyful and peaceful birth.

Click here for bios for the Sunday, Sept. 28 schedule.

Saturday, Sept 27

11:00 Baby Races

For crawlers aged 6-11 mo.

12:00 Author Gail Dahl

10 Secrets to a Great Birth

12:45 Graham Walker

Award winning children's performer

1:00 Helen Stewart

Children's author

1:30 Karine Bordua

Everything I wish someone had told me about breastfeeding

2:00 Eva Bild

Baby Wearing Extravaganza

2:30 Heather Yaxley

Music for Young Children - Join the music making fun!

3:00 Dr. Stefanie Green

Preparing for your Birth

3:30 St.John Ambulance

Infant CPR: Would you know what to do?

4:00 Sharon Gerhart

Hybnobirthing

4:30 Graham Walker

Award winning children's performer

Sunday, Sept 28

11:00 Baby Races

For crawlers aged 6-11 mo.

12:00 Author Gail Dahl

10 Secrets to a Great Birth

12:45 Graham Walker

Award winning children's performer

1:00 Lorna McRae, RM

Was the Mona Lisa pregnant? A tribute to the art we see everyday

1:30 Jen Corbeil, ND

Nutrition for babies & toddlers: Introducing solids & snack ideas

2:00 Stephanie Curran

Acupressure for Labour

2:30 West Coast Taekwon-Do

Kids Demonstration

3:00 Chiara Missalino, CEFI

RESPs: Planning for your children's education

3:30 Layla Cochrane

with Beebo the Baby Signs Bear