The baby café at Nynäshamns parish hall offers a safe place for parents with young children. The gatherings have meant more than just an activity; this is where friendships and a sense of community are formed.
In a large room at Nynäshamn parish hall, there is a huge play mat in the middle with all kinds of toys, colourful ones, toys that make sounds. It is the baby café today, an event organised by the Church of Sweden. When it opens, the first parent arrives, and after that, more and more parents and babies slowly fill the room.
The baby café has been running for several years as part of the church’s activities. The concept means that children up to one year old get to play for a while, followed by singing time and then coffee and snacks. A large part of the focus is also on conversation and building a sense of community with others in the group.
Lina Jibberfors is one of the leaders of the baby café and is very pleased with the concept. Lina herself started as a participant with her baby. She experienced it as an opportunity to build a sense of community with others.
”It was super cosy, and such a great opportunity to meet other parents. It is important for building a social network.”
The group includes both first-time participants and parents who return regularly. Several highlight the importance the gatherings have had in finding other parents who understand what they are going through themselves.
”It is easy to feel lonely as a new mother. I had a lot of emotions, and I did not know that many people in either Nynäshamns or Ösmo, where we live. In the beginning, I came here for my own sake, but not, as Ines has gotten older, it is also for her,” says Elin Lööv, mother of 10-month-old Ines.
Elin has been going to the baby café since January and says that it has been a great support for her as a first-time mother. She was introduced to the group through Lina, whom she knows through friends. She has also started recruiting other parents to the group through various family gatherings in the municipality.
”It was a little scary to come here for the first time, especially when the others already know each other in the group, but the leaders do a great job of including you so that you quickly become part of the group.”
Nicole Wandell, mother of 2-month-old Mira, is here for the first time. She got the tip from a woman on the commuter train. She was on a crowded train with her baby when a woman came up to offer her support and mentioned the baby café.
”I felt that I had to give it a try. It has been so cosy with lovely people and fun with live songs. 10 out of 10, I will definitely keep going in the autumn!”
The baby café has been a place to build relationships, and the goal is to continue doing so in the future. With its relaxed atmosphere, it gives both parents and children a chans to socialise and expand their social networks. The group is now taking a summer break, but the gatherings will resume in the autumn. Nicole is already looking forward to the next term.
”It is nice to have something planned for the day, and fun to have something other than baby talk.”
