Who was at Babypalooza on Saturday? Your Health Department staff, that's who

WIC staff member Stacy Parrish waits to speak with those

taking part  in Babypalooza on Saturday, June 15, at Government Plaza

in downtown Mobile. 

Mobile, Alabama -- Hundreds of expectant mothers, new parents and grandparents crowded Government Plaza in downtown Mobile on Saturday for Babypalooza, a baby expo held to showcase services and products available for families and caregivers of young children.

The Mobile County Health Department participated in the community outreach initiaitve, with representatives from its WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition education program, as well as Aura Wellness Center, manning tables at the day-long event. Other vendors included Springhill Medical Center, the county Head Start program, local preschools, area law enforcement agencies and other businesses.

Elizabeth W. Smith, who oversees the WIC program in Mobile, said she is always looking for creative ways to spread awareness about the nutrition initiative among postpartum and breastfeeding women and the parents and caretakers of young children up to age 5. The goal of WIC is to educate the community of the vital need to balance food intake and daily physical activity, as well as promote increasing the healthy consumption of fruits and vegetables, and to increase awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Elizabeth Williams, Aura's administrator, said she passed out more than 150 gift bags that included a promotional card, to those who stopped by the table to find out more about the wellness center. She talked with expo participants about the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle no matter what stage of life, which includes keeping up with annual wellness screenings.

Aura administrator Elizabeth Williams talks with visitors during Babypalooza.

"Everyone was very positive and very excited," Williams said of those she spoke with about the Health Department's newest program. "Thye loved the wellness concept."

While Aura began in late 2012 as an incentivized wellness program only for patients of the Mobile County Health Department, Williams said, it quickly has transformed into a resource for the entire community and is open to all. Now, Aura offers laser hair reduction treatments and other collagen stimulating services that have been shown to improve skin laxity resulting in smoother skin.

Other programs coming soon to Aura inlcude customized facial treatments and chemical peels as well as clinical weightloss and nutrition programs, Williams said. To find out more about all of these programs, and many others offered by the Mobile County Health Department, visit www.mobilecountyhealth.org Or check us out on facebook and Twitter.

An Aura gift bag handed out at the event.