Reviving Blah Blah Babies: a group for parents of new-borns

“We love seeing friendly faces every Tuesday and it’s been a real treat having an in-person connection with local parents, especially in the earlier days when getting out of the house is as important as it is difficult! I’m genuinely so grateful for the chat and a cuppa every week!" Rosie & Rowan (6 months)

The Charity of William Hobbayne has been supporting the Hanwell community for nearly 600 years. We not only assist those facing hardship, need, or distress, but also provide opportunities for local residents to connect and build a stronger sense of community. 

My name is Sienna, and I work as the Clerk for the Charity of William Hobbayne. In 2019, I had my first child. My husband was able to take two weeks of statutory paternity leave, but then it was just me and the baby. What I hadn’t expected was how isolating those early weeks could be. As much as I loved spending time with my son, he wasn’t exactly a great conversationalist. 

One day, while having a coffee at the Clocktower with my then two-month-old, a friendly mum told me about Blah Blah Babies—a weekly coffee morning where local mothers (mostly, but dads are also welcome) could bring their babies, sit on play mats surrounded by toys, and simply chat for a couple of hours. I went along, and it quickly became the highlight of my week. It broke the isolation and gave me the chance to meet others with babies around the same age. I finally felt connected again. 

In April 2020, when Covid-19 forced the world into lockdown, those meetups naturally stopped. But in October 2021, I had my second child. Restrictions were easing, and I was determined to revive Blah Blah Babies. For nearly a year my youngest and I would go every week—enjoying two hours of adult conversation and solidarity. And not a nursery rhyme in earshot. 

“Jelly on a plate, jelly on a plate,  Wibble wobble, wibble wobble—  Mummy needs a break!” 

Blah Blah Babies has always been a kind of rolling group. You join when your baby is little, and as they get more mobile—or parental leave ends—you naturally move on. But there was always someone with a new baby coming in to take your place. At some point, though, that stopped. The group became just a WhatsApp thread—full of questions, advice, and offers of baby equipment—but the in-person connection that had been such a lifeline for me was missing. 

So now, with a welcoming space available every Tuesday morning at the William Hobbayne Centre, Blah Blah Babies is back. It’s been wonderful to see a growing group meeting each week, bringing their babies, sharing experiences, and forming new connections. 

I’ve made some truly meaningful friendships through my time going to Blah Blah Babies, and I hope those attending now will find the same support and joy that I did. 

“It’s been a great forum to connect with mums in a super relaxed and welcoming space, I look forward to catching up each week and I now see lots of the mums outside of the session too which is lovely.” 

“It’s been an easy going and non-judgmental space for me as a new mum. It’s by parents for parents, and my husband has been made to feel welcome when he takes our daughter too.”