Insta-famous mums talk parenting at this year’s Essential Baby & Toddler Show

Whether you’re a parent stumbling through the haze of the newborn days, or in the thick of toddler tantrums it’s safe to say any tips to make life easier are welcome. Here’s why you can’t miss this year’s Essential Baby & Toddler Show.

Best-selling author and lactation expert Pinky McKay with a new mother.

Whether you’re a parent stumbling through the haze of the newborn days, or in the thick of toddler tantrums it’s safe to say any tips to make life easier are welcome.

For those pregnant or who’ve already birthed their babies, the Essential Baby & Toddler Show is back this weekend, but with a twist.

For the first time in its 11 year history, the expo will host live forums each day with bloggers, influencers and breastfeeding experts.

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Celebrity host and mum Toni Pearen will run the panel discussions, which will cover everything from a healthy body and mind to breastfeeding, safe sleeping and sex after birth.

Among the panellists is mum-of-three Laura Mazza, who’s blog The Mum on the Run has garnered her more than 18,000 dedicated followers.

Mrs Mazza will be part of the Beginners’ Guide to Sex after Childbirth panel, and said she couldn’t wait to share her journey with other parents.

“I’m nervous but excited too,” Mrs Mazza said.

“I don’t want to scare any other new mums but I want to prepare them for the reality of things.

“With my first I had an episiotomy and third degree tearing. But prior to that I thought my vagina was this powerhouse that was just going to cannonball this baby out. But it was like a chopped onion. I didn’t have sex after having my first child for eight months.”

Mrs Mazza said she started The Mum on the Run in April 2016 after being diagnosed with Post Natal Depression following the birth of her first son, Luca.

She said the blog was also a way to help other struggling mothers.

“I just started to tell my truths about PND as a way to help others and to help myself,” the Safety Beach resident said.

“I love it, I really enjoy it.

“I get lots of messages from mums who say I’ve really helped them — it’s so rewarding.”

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Mrs Mazza said the baby and toddler show was a chance for new and expecting parents to be around others in the same situation, and hear from the likes of well-known author and lactation consultant Pinky McKay.

Ms McKay, one of the country’s most recognised breastfeeding experts, will be a panellist on the Beginners’ Guide to Breastfeeding forum.

Breastfeeding expert Pinky McKay will be on several panels at this year’s Essential Baby & Toddler Show.

She said parenting was a “whole big learning curve” and encouraged parents to go along for the free advice.

“It’s a good opportunity to come and learn something,” Ms McKay said.

”You expect it (breastfeeding) to be natural, but often you’re all alone with a hungry baby.”

Ms McKay will also be part of a panel discussing toddler tantrums and technology with host Ms Pearen.

“It will be fun. It will be very real, there’s no ‘you should’ or ‘you must’. It’s just what you can expect and some helpful tips.

“I love expos — I love talking to real people and mixing with a wide variety of people and it’s really nice to get feedback from people.”

The mother-of-five will also be handing out free samples of her Boobie Bikkies, and said ticketholders will also have the opportunity to try the new Boobie Brekkie, a dairy, wheat, egg and sulphate free, vegan cereal for new mums.

The Essential Baby & Toddler Show will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building from April 5-7.

To register for a free ticket visit www.babyandtoddlershow.com.au