by Jannice Carrasco, for KUAM News

A call for compassion — and community. A local baby boutique is bringing families and businesses together for a diaper drive that hopes to support Guam’s newest moms and newborns at the Guam Memorial Hospital. And it all leads up to a big baby expo happening this Sunday, November 16.

It’s called the Beyond the Bump Diaper Drive, and it’s being led by Obsessed: Bump, Baby & Beyond, a locally-owned business with a passion for supporting new and expectant parents. Owner Louise Gianan told KUAM News, "Our motto is, 'Create a life you are obsessed with'. We curated all these products, that help moms and babies just have a good life together and enjoy every little moment together."

The drive runs through November 16, collecting newborn and size 1 diapers — the items GMH's Labor & Delivery Ward needs the most — along with baby wipes. All donations must be new and unopened.  Gianan says the idea started with a simple conversation about their own recent hospital experiences.

"I recently gave birth in May and a year ago, my manager had given birth to her son. And my first 2 daughters I gave birth at GMH and I was just talking about my experience and when she came back from her maternity leave, she was just explaining how different it was," she explained.

During her earlier births, she received enough diapers and wipes to get her through those first few days. Her manager, she says, didn’t receive the same level of support. So now, every pack donated will help take pressure off new families at GMH.

Drop-off locations include: Obsessed And Baby & Me at Micronesia Mall — and Crystal Dreams at the Agana Shopping Center. The diaper drive builds up to the Obsessed Baby Expo on November 16 from 10am to 2pm at the Micronesia Mall Center Court. "Our expo will be ideal for expecting moms, or people planning to start families, even families in general," she invited.

"We are just excited to be able to provide something different - it's a combination of local businesses that we have on island."

This year’s expo will feature a strong lineup of local vendors, including Little Living, Baby & Me, Obsessed, Olfactory Creative, Nomadic Needles, and The Tree Shop. Plus, a range of community resource tables, offering support from: Bank of Guam, with financial literacy information— Ask The Dentist, with a dentist onsite— Ask The Doula, providing non-medical support— Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center— GUMA, for small business mentorship— WIC Guam.

Guest speakers include a doula, a maternal mental health specialist, and an OB/GYN — all sharing guidance for expecting and new parents. And for a little friendly competition, the crowd-favorite baby race will kick off right at noon.

With resources, education, and community all in one place, the Diaper Drive and Baby Expo hope to lift up Guam’s new parents — one diaper, one support service, and one family at a time.