Group home
Welcome to the Lower Hunter Group!
Come along and meet new friends. Chat with mothers who have 'been there' and connect with our local breastfeeding counsellors and educators.
Our local group offers a non-judgmental, supportive atmosphere to all mums and their families to share the frustrations and the joys of parenting, and access accurate information about babies and breastfeeding.
We support all families. Mums who are mixed-feeding, bottle feeding, exclusively expressing or not breastfeeding are always welcome. We chat in a relaxed setting and there is often access to a breastfeeding counsellor or educator who can assist you with any breastfeeding questions, worries or issues you may be having.
What we offer
We meet twice a month in a variety of places around the Newcastle/Hunter region - once a month in person and on alternate weeks via Zoom. Download our events calendar below.
We always have plenty time to answer questions, point you in the right direction for information or simply just chat. Our activities are always suitable for older children including toddlers and we welcome them.
SMS Reminder?
Our group offers an opt-in SMS reminder. If you think it would be helpful to receive a reminder via SMS a few days before get togethers please contact us and we will add you to the list.
If you are pregnant, we encourage you to come and meet the group before your baby arrives. This is so much easier to do before the birth, rather than afterwards when you are trying to find your feet as a mum and everything is new!
Breastfeeding Preparation Sessions run weekly during the evenings or at weekends. We encourage you to book in if you are pregnant and wanting to learn more about breastfeeding before your baby arrives.
Where we are
The Lower Hunter group covers a wide area including the following suburbs (and their surrounding suburbs): Maitland, Cessnock, East Maitland, Rutherford and Kurri Kurri. However people from the greater Newcastle and Hunter regions are always welcome.
Download our local events calendar
Info & Chat
Hear a speaker with professional knowledge or lived experience present on a breastfeeding or parenting topic.
Breastfeeding drop-in
Your questions and concerns about breastfeeding answered by our local breastfeeding counsellors.
Can I still come to local group events if...
...I haven't had my baby yet?
Yes - attending meetings while you're pregnant is a great way to see other women breastfeeding and learn more about it. Many of us nowadays don't have much experience with babies until we have our own, so we need all the help we can get!
You might also like to check out our popular breastfeeding education classes.
...everything is going fine?
Yes! You don't need to be having problems with breastfeeding or anything else to come along and enjoy some interesting conversation and connect with local mums. It’s not just about getting Information and support. Our regular attendees keep coming along because it’s fun to be part of our local group.
...I already go to a mothers' group or playgroup?
Yes! ABA meet ups are more than a new parents' group. There are babies and children of different ages so there’s no competition over whose child reaches the next milestone first/sleeps longest/gains weight fastest. Instead, you get to see children older than yours and find out what's ahead for you. You can also see how far your baby has come every time a newborn arrives. It really helps to get a broad perspective.
Our local group activities are also more than just a playgroup or a coffee catch up. You get to have a conversation with another adult while your child plays. You also have access to information about raising children and can chat to a breastfeeding counsellor or educator.
...I don't breastfeed?
Yes, as long as you don't mind seeing others breastfeed. We know that sometimes things don't work out as you’d planned. We have members who are exclusively breastfeeding, pumping and bottle feeding, mixed feeding, and exclusively formula feeding.
Everyone is welcome: no judgement, no competitions, no 'alpha parents'. We're all in this together.
...my child is not a baby any more?
Yes! Mums don't stop needing support once their child is mobile or starts walking!
...I'm not an ABA member?
Yes! ABA Local Group events are open to everyone. We just ask that you ‘sign-in’ using the QR provided to you by the group leader. This will give you access to free, ongoing Introductory ABA membership.
Joining ABA as a financial member provides us with much needed funding to continue to support mums, parents and families in the community.
Can't make it to local group events? ABA Virtual Village is just a click away!
Become an ABA member and get involved with your local group as a volunteer
Details
Calendar
Breast pump hire
We are not currently offering breastpump hire. Please search the map to check availability of pumps in nearby groups.