Classes & Instruction

• First-Timers - This class is designed for pregnant mothers and 1 or 2 support person(s). It is similar to any other childbirth class in that it goes over stages of labor and delivery, support techniques, and various issues (both positive and negative) that can happen during childbirth. The difference is that this class does not simply focus on one method of support but includes an entire "toolbox" of items that can be used to make the birth process more enjoyable. (Yes - more enjoyable! Birth should not be a bad time.) Questions are encouraged! Being a first-timer class, we even give you the answers to the questions you may not even know to ask. It will cover unmedicated births, medications during labor, interventions, and what to expect and not expect. It briefly goes over newborn care and breastfeeding.

• Teens & Young Parents - This class addresses the specific needs and issues that surround the labor and delivery for a teenage mom. It is nonjudgmental. (I had a teen pregnancy!) Most of the instruction will be JUST the teenage mom so that you are able to learn and make your own decisions and form your own questions about labor and delivery. Then, we will add in your choice of support person(s) and loved ones who will be around during your pregnancy, labor, delivery, and/or raising of your newborn.

• Expecting Again! - This class quickly goes through everything you may already know (stages). However, it will focus in on changes that may have happened since your last birth, give you new ideas and techniques to try during labor, and allow you to rethink your labor and delivery to make it the best experience possible. Questions are encouraged, and much of the class is tailored to meet the specific needs of the participants, rather than just follow a standard, rigid curriculum.

• The Family Birth - This class is designed for a single family to go through the labor, delivery, recovery, and newborn experience together. It is intended for those who will labor at home or include several loved ones with their birth experience. It can be for the first-timer or experienced parent. Instruction will be tailored to the age ranges and educational needs for each member of the family.

• Special Situations - This class is designed for a family, couple, or individual who has special needs surrounding the birth process. It may be for the couple who is expecting a special needs child. It may be for the couple who are adopting or a birthmom who is lovingly giving her child up for adoption. It may be for the woman who is on bedrest and cannot actively engage in a traditional childbirth class. Like the other classes, all the "basics" of labor and delivery will be discussed, but also issues surrounding your specific needs will also be addressed.

• Babies & Boobs - This is a fun class on breastfeeding basics! If you are curious or passionate about breastfeeding, this class will go over everything from essential equipment ("What?! I thought you only needed breasts!) to techniques in breastfeeding to what to expect and not expect. It will bust some of those myths of breastfeeding and help you to feel prepared and excited about this adventure with your baby.

• Help! It's not working! - This is an emergency class (one-one-one) to help you with problems with breastfeeding. Is it hurting? Is baby not getting enough food? Does it feel like you're not producing enough milk? Is baby becoming jaundice ("yellowish") or have medical problems affecting breastfeeding? Call, and we will get you back to successful breastfeeding in no time.

• Breasts On Loan - This is a 2-hour class for the fathers who will be supporting their baby who is breastfeeding. It is a humor-filled class focusing on what you should and should not do to help in the breastfeeding journey. It goes over everything from breastfeeding basics to the emotions that can arise when you don't get to participate in breastfeeding. It even covers the sensitive topic of how to handle those breasts which are "on loan" to your child.

• How can Feeding a Baby Be So Complex? - This is feeding baby 101. It will cover everything from breastfeeding to formula (all those different types!). It will cover all the foods and when to start them. It will even give you some information about how different cultures feed their children and let you possibly implement some of those items. It goes over the timeline of feeding a baby. Things have changed since our parents fed us! Not only does it go over the whats and whens to feed, but it also goes over all those doggone contraptions surrounding infant feeding (from bottle and nipple choices to sippy cups versus straws to teaching self-feeding). This class is not necessarily for the first-time parent either. Things change, and this class is to keep you current.

• Homemade Baby Food - This class teaches you how to make your own baby food. What's more important it teaches you how to make baby food cheaper than what you can buy in the store, store it in a convenient fashion, and make it time-saving. Moms of babies do not have a lot of extra time to spend in a kitchen!

These classes (in the process of being updated) go beyond the traditional parenting "how to" classes. Yes, they give practical instructions, but moreso they are designed to teach you to be a better parent - plain and simple. They are anything but boring and always tailored to the needs of the participants. Most parenting classes stick with a curriculum to push through and cover. These classes specifically take in the individual needs of the group and goes from there. They are practical, nonjudgmental, and work!

Classes are designed to be for just the parents or in some cases small groups. They are held in the homes of the parents, so there is no need to find a sitter, drive, or add to your time away from your other activities. Interruptions of daily living (children, phones, etc.) are perfectly fine for these classes because who gets to parent when there aren't real-life interruptions?! Casual and pressure-free.

Please check back soon for the complete list.