Experiencing the Joy of Baby-Friendly Comedy Clubs with New Parents
Angela Garwood, a mother, writer, and actor, is exploring the innovative world of baby-friendly comedy clubs. These unique clubs bring laughter and connection to new parents, swapping traditional nursery rhymes for engaging punchlines.
Describing her first stage experience, Angela recounts an unusual performance scenario. As she entertained the crowd with scenes from her play about motherhood, she was heckled by a two-year-old audience member throwing Lego. But this wasn’t an ordinary comedy club. It was 11am on a Tuesday, and instead of alcohol, the audience was intoxicated with breast milk and sleep deprivation. The crowd, comprised of mothers, babies, and toddlers, were attendees of a baby-friendly event at the Phoenix Theatre in Bordon, Hampshire.
Angela co-hosts Every Other Mother, a mother-focused event combining stand-up comedy, poetry, short stories, and other forms of creative writing. Events like these are popping up across England, designed to uplift and entertain new parents, particularly mothers. Statistics reveal that more than one in 10 women in the UK experience mental health challenges during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth. These events serve as lifelines, providing relaxed, inclusive spaces where the normalcy of parenting life is accepted and celebrated.
Every Other Mother was launched in 2024 by Sally McIlhone, co-founder and writer, who wanted to create a space where all mothers – from foster mums to grandmothers – could congregate, learn, laugh, and feel motivated to share their unique stories. The event is a celebration of creativity in motherhood, and effectively demonstrates that becoming a mother doesn’t mean abandoning personal passions or interests.
Attendees are diverse, including anyone who identifies as a mother, from people who’ve given birth—including surrogates, to mothers within the LGBTQ+ community. The events take place in various venues, such as The Cockpit Theatre in central London, which creates a blend of the Edinburgh Fringe atmosphere and a comfortable corner of the library. Baby mats and toys are set around the stage, while pizza and prosecco are served during the interval.
Other baby-friendly comedy events include Screaming with Laughter shows in London, and Bring Your Own Baby comedy shows, which have been around since 2016. These shows offer parents an opportunity to relax and be entertained. The comedy is personal and often heartwarming, with comedians sharing anecdotes about their experiences of parenthood.
Even further north in England, The Milk Club Comedy in Bradford brings the same spirit of hilarity and brutal honesty to new parents. Co-founded by Francesca Hindmarch, a background actress and events manager, and nurse-comedian Maxine Wade in 2024, the club thrives on the reality of parenting. There’s no sugar-coating, just lots of laughter and shared experiences.
With such a positive reception, the future of baby-friendly events is promising. Who knows what’s next? Baby-friendly circus shows or toddler-approved jazz mornings? The possibilities are endless. The only rule? Keep the Lego at home.
