‘BABY brain’ will be a familiar feeling to many new parents, but one new mum has set up her own group for grown-ups to talk more than toys and teddies.

Sarah Morris, who lives in Whitecross, Abingdon, set up Jibber Jabber for mums and dads to listen to thought-provoking guest speakers.

The 32-year-old has been on maternity leave for more than a year for the birth of nine-month-old daughter Sophie, and wanted to do something to keep her grey cells firing on all cylinders.

She said: “I wanted to do something to engage myself. Baby groups focus on babies which is great, but I just wanted something a bit more to think about. There was nothing involving that, that you could bring your baby to.

“There are lots of baby groups and they are a great way of meeting parents but I struggle to find like-minded people who have something else to talk about. It’s just to have that bit of change and give mums something to think about other than babies.”

There are many intellectual debates and talks in the county, she said, but little ones aren’t necessarily welcome with the noise and mess they might bring.

The project manager added: “At Jibber Jabber you don’t have to worry about babies misbehaving because we are all in it together. If one is kicking off, it really doesn’t matter. The speakers have been briefed to know that there will be children around.”

Each session focuses on a different brain-stimulating topic. A guest speaker will give a talk or presentation, then parents can chat about it over tea and biscuits while their children play.

The group has met twice so far, hosting speakers from Oxfam and Abingdon Area Archaeological and Historical Society.

Mrs Morris said: “We have a box of toys for the children and it’s fine to feed and change them.

“I am contacting local organisations, like the historic societies, to come for talks. I’m leaning on support of volunteers and seeing how far I can go.

“We have a broad range of topics. Hopefully people will learn something new. We don’t expect people to have a certain level, just enthusiasm. We want people to come and see what it’s about.”

The sessions run every other Monday at Christ Church in Northcourt Road, Abingdon, with the next due on February 8.

Entry is free the first time and £3 after that, to cover cost of the venue and refreshments.