workshops

The Art of Baby Wearing

This workshop will discuss the benefits of babywearing for both the baby and the caregiver. There is a learning curve with any baby product, including baby carriers. It is important to think of babywearing as a skill that can be learned. See a demonstration of the four main types of baby carriers which include adjustable slings with rings (these come padded or unpadded), pouch slings that are not adjustable, Asian-style carriers, and wraps that simply tie on. Come to this class to examine and try on the different types, brands and sizes of baby carriers to see which suits you best. See why babywearing will become one of your most important parenting tools!

Baby Sign Language

Babies as young as seven months have the ability to communicate using sign language. In this class you will learn the basic vocabulary necessary to build communication skills with your infant. In a playful, educational and language-rich environment, caregivers and children will learn the basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary through instruction, interactive games and songs. You will learn recommended first signs, the benefits of using ASL with infants, and demonstrate easy techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life.

Breastfeeding Basics

Breastfeeding is a natural, but also a learned art that takes time and patience. This workshop is designed to support and educate expectant moms and their partners about the benefits of breastfeeding, and give women the tools they need to successfully begin nursing their newborn. The course includes discussion of the health benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, basic anatomy and physiology of the breast, care of the nursing mom, recognizing baby’s cues, initiating breastfeeding, correct positioning and latch, tips for problem solving, bonding with your baby, and successfully locating community resources.

Car Seat Safety

The safety of our children at all times is paramount. Since car crashes are the #1 cause of fatalities for children and young adults ages 2-39 in the United States, safety on the road is just as important as the precautions you take at home when welcoming a new baby into the family. This workshop is designed to educate caregivers on the importance of proper installation and use of child safety seats inside the family’s vehicle. Certified Child Passenger Technicians will be available to check your car seat and advise you of unsafe installation or recalled car seats.

Cloth Diapering 101

Have you considered using cloth diapers? Are you sure you want to use cloth but are confused by all the options? Do you want to know more about washing and using cloth diapers? This workshop is for you! We’ll discuss the benefits of using cloth diapers, washing your own diapers & using a diaper service. Then we’ll show you the different cloth diaper products and how to use each. If you decide to buy cloth diapers, we’ll help you come up with a system to match your budget. This workshop is a great tool to help you wade through the options. This workshop presents an overview of cloth diapers, and is best to take before baby comes.

Conscious Discipline

Conscious Discipline helps caregivers to understand how providing safety and maintaining connection in difficult moments promotes neural plasticity in us and our children. Learn a brain-based approach to managing behavior and practice fun, simple stress release activities for you and your child.
Cord Blood Banking- Cord blood is the blood that remains in your newborn's umbilical cord after birth. It contains stem cells that can be banked for future use in a variety of medical treatments for life-threatening diseases such as genetic diseases, cancers and blood disorders. Should there be a need, your baby will have a source of stem cells that is an exact match, with no risk of rejection. This workshop will discuss the benefits and options in choosing to store your newborn's cord blood.

Finding Quality Childcare

We know that no one can take care of your baby as well as you, but when the time comes to seek childcare for your little one we want you to have all the tools that you will need to find quality childcare. This workshop will provide useful resources, tips for researching facilities and red flags to watch out for.

Go Green Mama

Beyond the waste we produce, a key aspect of keeping a Green home is to reduce the chemicals that your family is exposed to. The most common ways that we are exposed to chemicals in our homes is through cleaning products, pesticide, and fertilizer. “Green” cleaning is almost a no-brainer once you learn the basics. Most homes can be kept quite clean through the use of nontoxic alternatives. This interactive workshop will provide simple and old-fashioned solutions for making skincare products, safe ways to protect against germs, how to get the toxins out of the nursery, ways to clean green and strategies to green up your baby care routine. Recipes will be provided along, with in-depth look at all natural ingredients like essential oils, herbs, beeswax, olive oil and more.

Infant Massage

Massage increases bonding between baby and caregiver, helps to relax baby, facilitates optimum quality and quantity of infant sleep cycles and communicates caring through the universal language of touch. Babies love massage, even at an early age and this workshop allows for parents to share and learn from each other while getting to know their babies better.

Photographing Your Baby

You’re a new parent. And no baby will ever be as wonderful and interesting as yours! From the moment they are born, you’ll want to capture every magical moment—especially those milestones and physical achievements like first smiles, turning over, sitting and standing up, and eventually walking. The photographs you take will record and preserve the special, everyday moments and preserve them for family members & friends to enjoy. Photographing your baby is a great way to capture things as realistically as possible and from the angle that only a parent sees. With today’s technology and varying costs, everyone can own a camera. Whichever you choose, don’t for a minute think there’s a right and wrong way to do it. Taught by an experienced photographer, this fun workshop is designed for parents of young babies of all different skill levels who want to improve their photos of their babies.

Preventing a Primary C-Section

In a city where the rate of Caesarean rate is over 51 percent securing a vaginal birth requires lots of education and maybe a bit of luck. There is no question that C-sections save lives. They are an important option when complications arise and surgery becomes medically necessary. The problem is that definitions of "medically necessary' vary greatly between care providers and often normal physiologic birth is not prioritized. This workshop is designed to provide women with the tools necessary to have an optimal chance to have a vaginal birth in the city with the highest c-section rate in the United States.