Postnatal Classes
Classes That Can Help You Adjust to Parenthood
by Chelsea P. Gladden
ongratulations – your beautiful, healthy baby is here. Gone are the nine months of preparing for, and anticipating, the arrival of your child. Yet, now that baby is here, you’ve only just begun the learning process on how to take care of and have fun with your infant. We’ll get you in the know on the myriad of classes that will help you adjust to new parenthood.
BREASTFEEDING
MOMMY & ME
DADDY & ME
BABY MASSAGE
MOMMY & ME/MOVE & GROOVE
STROLLER STRIDES
MUSIC
BABY SIGN LANGUAGE
SLEEP
HAPPIEST BABY ON THE BLOCK
DUNSTAN BABY LANGUAGE
BREASTFEEDING
For an initial tutorial, lactation consultants are available at maternity wards. If you request to see one after delivery, they’ll help to check your hold, your baby’s latch, and teach you how to listen for the sound of your baby’s swallow. They’ll likely recommend that you bring your baby to your breast in the early postpartum hours so the two can get acquainted.
After you leave the hospital or birthing center, new moms can choose to have one-on-one consultations with private lactation advisors. Or, if you just need to get out of the house and visit with other new moms, check out local breastfeeding support groups. These groups allow mothers to breastfeed openly and to have their questions and concerns addressed by qualified lactation leaders.
MOMMY & ME
These groups are where new moms and their babies gather together once a week to discuss top parenting topics, such as sleep, feeding, marriage, teething and development. Led by trained guides, women share stories, lend support and observe their babies playing with each other.
It’s likely you’ll sing silly songs, but you’ll be surprised at how fun it is to sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” when you’ve just found out how to get your baby to sleep through the night!
Classes start as early as age three weeks, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible (some popular classes fill up so fast, they require moms-to-be to enroll when they’re pregnant). If you plan to go back to work, check out Saturday classes that are available just for working moms.
