Preparing Expecting Parents For Birth And Newborn Care
Our (group or personal) birth and newborn care classes support new parents in their journey through childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Our educators are committed to offering a helpful and informative learning experience, whether you attend classes in person or online.
Childbirth Classes
A childbirth class will provide you with valuable knowledge and tools to navigate the birthing process confidently. The class teaches about making a birth plan, coping techniques, signs of labor, stages of labor, and common interventions. This ensures that parents are well-informed and prepared for any potential situations that may arise during childbirth.
For example, the childbirth class informs about common interventions that women may encounter during labor and delivery. This includes interventions such as induction, augmentation, epidurals, and cesarean sections.
Parents-to-be can learn about these actions. This will help them make informed choices and actively engage in talks with their doctors. They can ensure that any actions they take align where possible with their birth preferences. Overall, attending a childbirth class allows couples to be more involved in their birth experience.
How your body prepares for labor and how to recognize the signs of labor.
The stages of labor; what to expect at each stage.
Common labor interventions.
Timing contractions and when to go to hospital or birthing center.
What to expect when you arrive at the hospital or birthing center.
Labor process monitoring.
Available pain medication options.
Inducing labor medically.
What to expect if it comes to a cesarean delivery.
Tips for partners on what to expect and how to provide support.
We offer group classes and personal classes. We can tailor the personal classes to your specific needs. You can also schedule them at a time and location that is convenient for you.
In these classes, you will learn about how to latch properly, common breastfeeding problems, and ways to keep a good milk supply. The classes give advice on pumping and storing breast milk, and also provide information on other ways to feed if needed. Our educators also teach practical tips on bathing, changing diapers, soothing techniques, and safe sleeping. This class helps you prepare, gain confidence and learn how to care for their babies in a safe and loving environment. Breastfeeding or lactation is a natural and beneficial way to nourish and bond with your baby. Getting off to the best start with breastfeeding is important for both you and your baby's health and well-being. Understanding the benefits, techniques, and common challenges of breastfeeding will help you feel more confident and prepared. It is also a great way to bond with the baby. We will cover much more about this and other newborn care topics during the class.
The key topics we will cover are:
Tips for a successful start to breastfeeding / lactation.
How to assist your infant in latching-on, maintaining a proper latch, and adjusting positioning.
Determining if your infant is receiving sufficient breast milk.
How to avoid common breast infections and breastfeeding problems (like mastitis and engorgement) and when to call a lactation professional.
Understanding baby cues, communication, appearance and sleep patterns.
Grasping routine procedures for newborns in the hospital.
Comprehending the fundamentals of changing diapers, caring for the umbilical cord, bathing, and evaluating your baby.
Comprehending the post-birth adaptation for the entire family.
Signs of concern in newborns.
Baby swaddling, baby wearing and baby bonding.
Purpose of skin to skin and tummy time with the newborn baby.
Soothing techniques the 5 S.
Infant hygiene, including bathing, diapering and nail care.
Co-sleeping and bed-sharing with the baby.
Post-birth integration, including recovery for the birthing person.
When to call the pediatrician.
We offer group classes and personal classes. We can tailor the personal classes to your specific needs. You can also schedule them at a time and location that is convenient for you.