OCH Regional Medical Center will host its 23rd Annual Maternity & Infant Fair Saturday, June 2 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the OCH Ed Facility.
Event coordinator and OCH Perinatal Educator Paula Hamilton, RNC-OB, IBCLC, said two new additions to the fair this year include the recently opened Childhood Academy at East Mississippi Community College and Emerson Family Resource Center, which will show a 10-minute video on safe sleep for babies and give away newborn onesies.
“Babies don’t come with instructions, but our community is so fortunate to have a wealth of resources to help parents succeed, and that’s the goal of the Maternity and Infant Fair—to connect moms and dads with local resources to help them care for their new additions,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton said representatives from Early Intervention, Excel by 5, East Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition, La Leche League, WIC, Starkville Clinic for Women, Starkville Pediatric Clinic, and other clinics and community organizations/businesses will be on-site to provide information and special demonstrations. In addition, a booth featuring information about Medela breast pumps, which may be rented through OCH, will also be available, along with details about the nationally-recognized Mom 365 photo service, which is also offered at OCH to enhance infant and childhood security.
Information on breastfeeding, pre- and postnatal diet and nutrition, safe sleep for newborns, car seat safety, and other current recommendations for safety for newborns and their growing families. Attendees will also have the opportunity to pre-admit, ask questions about their hospital stay, and learn how to access their patient information online.
“We recognize the importance of getting the most up-to-date guidelines and recommendations into the hands of moms and dads to ease their fears and help them be well-prepared. Our staff is committed to making the experience of becoming a parent as wonderful as it should be,” said Hamilton.
Refreshments will be provided, and numerous door prizes, including complimentary prenatal, breastfeeding, sibling and grandparenting classes, Wellness Connection swim classes, and donations from area merchants such as a photography session, door hangers, and newborn essentials will be given away at the Fair. “I’m a Big Brother” and “I’m a Big Sister” t-shirts for siblings will be available for purchase, as well as activities for children to enjoy.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the Maternity & Infant Fair, call Hamilton at 662-769-7813 or learn more about OCH’s maternity services here.

-END-