Classes & Schedule


Childbirth, Breastfeeding, and Newborn Care Classes in
Western Massachusetts.


Class Schedule - 2016

To sign up for a class, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com

Childbirth Education Series   |   Breastfeeding Classes   |   Newborn Care Classes   |   Private Classes

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Childbirth Education


CBE_anatomy_editThis fall/winter we are offering a 2-Day Condensed Series, covering Anatomy of Physiology of Birth, Labor and Delivery, Medicated and Non-Medicated Pain Management, Common Interventions, and Cesarean Birth. 


Classes are ideal of pregnant women in their second or third trimester (if you are due VERY soon, please contact Mollie to discuss a private session). We encourage partners or other support people (a parent, friend, doula, etc.) to participate in classes, and we respect and welcome all family structures.

All our classes focus on informed decision-making and evidence-based information, taking time to discuss the risks and benefits of all aspects of your birth preferences. This is not a "natural birth" or a "medicated birth" class series; rather we help you decide what kind of birth you want, guide you through the questions to ask yourself and your care provider, and give you the skills you need to achieve your best birth experience.


2-Day Condensed Series

Dates:
     Sunday December 4 and Sunday December 11, 10am-1pm

Location:
     Northampton, MA

Cost:
     $100.00 per couple for the 2-day series



To sign up for a class or for more information, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com



Breastfeeding Classes


Breastfeeding is one of the most amazing gifts a mother can give to her baby. However, many mothers are not prepared for the challenges that can occur when she AND the baby are learning to nurse (because baby has to learn too!) Please join us for a 2-hour class dedicated to learning the skills needed to start your breastfeeding relationship right.

Breastfeeding puppet (10)

This classes is ideal for pregnant women in their second or third trimester who intend to breastfeed. We encourage partners or other support people (a parent, friend, doula, etc.) to participate in classes, and we respect and welcome all family structures.

To sign up for a class, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com

Dates:
  Dates and Location: TBD

 Cost:
     With 6-Week Series, $30.00 per couple
     Without series, $35.00 per couple


 Topics:
  • Anatomy of nursing
    • Review the physical process of how breastmilk is made.
    • Discuss supply and demand and how that translates to feeding schedules.
  • Latch
    • Review the characteristics of a proper breastfeeding latch, discuss what happens if baby does not latch properly, and practice (with a special "Latch" doll) latching a baby to a breast.
  • Breastfeeding Positions
    • Review the different ways to hold a baby while nursing, and practice these positions with baby dolls.
  • Common problems and solutions
    • Discuss common issues moms and babies can have while learning to breastfeed, how they can be prevented and solved, and when to call a Lactation Consultant for help.
  • Pumping and Bottle-Feeding Expressed Milk 
    • Discuss how and when to introduce and breastfed baby to a bottle.
    • Operate a breast pump while discussing the logistics of pumping at home and at work.
To sign up for a class, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com



Newborn Care Classes

Newborn Care ClassYou've made your plans for a healthy pregnancy and a safe birth. Maybe you have all your diapers ready, your car-seat installed, and your layette washed, folded, and artfully put away in your nursery or bedroom. ... but what are you supposed to do with the baby?! When discussing the newborn period, the word "Shock" comes up a lot -- when so much of one's mental energy is focused on the birth, it can be incredibly difficult to plan and prepare for AFTER the birth. Please join us for a 2-hour, hands-on Newborn Care Class to help you prepare for taking care of this new little life you are about to take home.

This classes is ideal for pregnant or adopting families, grandparents or other care-givers, for first-time parents or those needing a refresher before another baby joins the family. We encourage partners or other support people (a parent, friend, doula, etc.) to participate in classes, and we respect and welcome all family structures.


To sign up for a class, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com

Dates:   
     Dates and Location: TBD


Cost:
     With 6-Week Series, $30.00 per couple
     Without series, $35.00 per couple


Topics:
  • Bathing
    • Practice bathing a baby safely.
    • Discuss baby's appearance and learn what is normal.
  • Diapering
    • Practice diapering a baby.
    • Discuss changes in baby poop, and how to know if baby is getting enough to eat.
  • Calming and Swaddling
    • Practice swaddling a baby.
    • Discuss ways of calming a crying baby.
  • Sleep Safety
    • Discuss infant sleep safely, including bed-sharing, alone-sleeping, and SIDS/cot death.
  • Car-Seats
    • Review how to install a car-seat properly, and practice securing baby in a car-seat.
  • Baby-wearing
    • Discuss the benefits of baby-wearing and become familiar with different types of baby carriers.
To sign up for a class, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com



Private Classes

Mobile Childbirth Ed Class

If you are due very soon or cannot fit a group class into your schedule, you may consider a private class. Mollie would come to your home and take you through any childbirth, breastfeeding, or newborn care topics that you need. The lesson can be customized to your unique needs and preferences.

Cost:
$25 per hour (plus a $10 surcharge if I travel farther than one hour from Northampton)

To sign up for a class, email Mollie at CraftedBirth@gmail.com


Serving Adams, Agawam, Amherst, Ashfield, Athol, Barre, Becket, Belchertown, Bernardston, Blandford, Brookfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Cheshire, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Conway, Cummington, Dalton, Deerfield, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Erving,Florida, Gill, Goshen, Grandby, Grandville, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Hadley, Hampden, Hardwick, Hatfield, Hawley, Heath, Hinsdale, Holyoke, Huntington, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Leverett, Leyden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Middlefield, Monroe, Monson, Montague, Monterey, Montgomery. New Braintree. New Salem, North Brookfield, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Otis, Palmer, Pelham, Peru, Petersham, Phillipston, Pittsfield, Plainfield, Richmond, Rowe, Royalston, Russell, Savoy, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Southwick, Springfield, Stockbridge, Sturbridge, Sunderland, Tolland, Tyringham, Ware, Warren, Warwick, Warwick, Washington, Wendell, West Brookfield, West Springfield, West Stockbridge, Westfield, Whately, Wilbraham, Williamsburg, Windsor, Worthington