Baby looking at itself in a mirror while surrounded by shredded paper and toys

Learning

When babies took over DCA

A look back at our first Baby Takeover

Tue 9 June was Baby Takeover day at DCA, as we celebrated Infant Mental Health Week and Scottish Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

A partnership with Breast Buddies Tayside, NHS Infant Mental Health and NHS Feeding teams, the day saw our Create Space, Ground Floor and Cinema 2 filled with activities for wee ones aged 0-3.

We had sensory stay and play, story times with Book Bug, songs with Baby Notes, film fun at Shorts for Tinies and welcomed 17 different organisations, who provided information about support and activities across Tayside.

We welcomed over 350 people, with over 60 buggies parked around the building at one point! It was a busy, lively and exciting day, filled with happy faces and some lovely feedback.

Published

Fri 26 Jun

Written By

DCA Learning

Two small children playing with colourful sand

Photo by Mei Photography

Parent and child talking to a stallholder

Photo by Mei Photography

Book Bug storyteller telling a story while holding a Book Bug cuddly toy

Photo by Mei Photography

Members of the Learning team holding up a large cut out of a dog at Shorts for Tinies

Photo by Mei Photography

Photo by Mei Photography

Photo by Mei Photography

Feedback

We asked visitors to some up their Baby Takeover in one word and our board filled up! Here's a selection of what people wrote:

Friendly
Informative!
Social
Fantastic!
Community
Excellent

We also got lots lots of longer feedback about the day. Below are some of our favourites...

Handwritten feedback card: 'Such a friendly environment! Great for the wee ones + mums!'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'The event was engaging and fun for my baby and relaxing for me! Love the cinema location and the combination of films and activities.'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'I fed baby in public for the first time!'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'This is my first experience and we really enjoyed it.

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'Beautiful singing class. Lovely day to celebrate babies and mothers'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'The rice pit and baby mat was so good - me and my baby enjoyed it.'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'Great space to bring your babies along.'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'Loved the variety of specialists, the singing was amazing.'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Handwritten feedback card: 'very good for kids'

Photo by Helen Macdonald

Thanks to everyone who visited on the day and to the organisations who joined us and gave such great information, including Dundee International Women's Centre, Sling Library, Angus Nurture Team, Dads Rock, La Lèche, Alternatives, National Breastfeeding Helpline, Breast Buddies, Health Visitors, Family Nurse Partnership and NHS specialist teams, plus Book Bug and Baby Notes.

You can find out more about what DCA provides for babies year round here and look out for another Baby Takeover coming in 2027.

In collaboration with

Babies at DCA

Baby smiling while holding a paint brush and covered in paint

Art at the Start

Exploring the impact of the arts in the early years