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MMC Childbirth Education



Our Classes

Baby Basics Express (Fall 2024)

$40

with Certified Educator

Calendar Next available session starts Dec 11, 2024 at 6 pm

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. 

We are offering this class online. After you are registered, a few days before the class starts you will receive an email with the link to participate in the class. 

Expectant first time parents can learn about common newborn needs and behaviors and how to prepare for bringing baby home. This class includes information about how to care for and comfort a newborn, feeding, safe sleep and other ways to keep your baby safe, and tips on how to make this newborn period an easier transition for you.

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

 

 

Infant Sleep 101: Surviving the 4-Month Sleep Regression and Beyond
Online Registration Unavailable

Infant Sleep 101: Surviving the 4-Month Sleep Regression and Beyond

Free

with Jenna Marion

A recorded version of this class is now offered free with your registration of Maine Health's Newborn Sleep class.  A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org.

This 3-12 month infant sleep class is designed for parents who are struggling with getting through the 4-month sleep regression, which is a time of permanent change to baby's brain and sleep patterns and for parents who are still struggling with short naps and/or frequent night wakings. Topics discussed will include age appropriate, step-by-step sleep improvement methods for both naps and nighttime, how and when to drop night feeds to get longer stretches of sleep while maintaining breastmilk supply, step-by step strategies to implement independent sleep skills, and how to work through the 4 to 3 nap transition, how and when to drop down to two naps per day, as well as a phased approach to dropping down to one nap at 12+ months.   We will also discuss planning for going back to work and transitioning to daycare.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Marion directly at jenna.marion@mainehealth.org.

 

Breastfeeding Basics (Fall 2024)

$50

with Certified Educator

Calendar Next available session starts Dec 14, 2024 at 9 am
1 additional session on Dec 17, 2024

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org.

This class meets online. If you are registered for this class, you will recieve an email about 2 days before the class starts with a link to join. 

This class covers the benefits of breastfeeding, different breastfeeding techniques and positions, how to make enough milk, and local community and professional resources. Attending this class before your baby’s birth will help you meet your breastfeeding goals. 

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

Bring Your Own Car Seat (Fall 2024)

Free

with Jami Gilbert

Calendar Next available session starts Dec 19, 2024 at 6 pm

We are offering this class online. After you are registered, shortly before the class starts you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in the class. Thank you for understanding.

Proper car seat use saves lives! Many parents are shocked to find out that car seats are usually used incorrectly.

This class will teach you how to install and use your car seat correctly.

After this course, parents will be confident and prepared to use infant car seats.

We will talk about safety in and around cars and the do’s and don’ts for infant safety in regards to the car seat. 

You will also learn when to transition your child to another seat and how to keep your child safe as he or she grows.

Registrants are asked to bring their car seats with to the class, including the car seat base for hands-on practice.

We recommend attending this class anytime before the 37th week of pregnancy.

 This class will be held virtually. You will receive an email with the link to join the class the day before class is held.  If you have any questions please contact Jami Gilbert at Jami.Gilbert@mainehealth.org or (207) 662 1572.

 

New Parents Circle

Free

with Ellen Kunkle

Calendar Next available session starts Jan 2, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 52 weeks

Come together to share the story of your parenting journey and receive support and inspiration from other new parents.

Discussion topics include sleep, feeding, nurturing yourself, and relationship changes. This group is flexible to address your own needs and concerns. This group is facilitated by a childbirth educator who is also a trained doula and breastfeeding counselor.

This group meets in person (with a hybrid Zoom option, too) at the MaineHealth Medical Building, 5 Bucknam Rd, Falmouth. (Ground floor, lots of parking!)

This group meets every Thursday morning from 10am - 12pm. Please register here. When you register you will receive the zoom link to log in.

 

The group is free but registration is required. Join anytime throughout the year. New members are always welcome!

Newborn Sleep (0-3 mos): Setting the Foundations (2025)

$40

with Jenna Marion

Calendar Next available session starts Jan 2, 2025 at 12 pm
6 additional sessions through Mar 27, 2025

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. 

This newborn sleep shaping class is for pregnant persons at any gestation and new parents with babies up to 12 weeks. During this class parents will learn how to set the foundations in the newborn period for healthy infant sleep. Topics discussed will include what to expect in the fourth trimester, newborn soothing strategies, the science behind sleep, developmental milestones, how to create a sleep conducive environment, how to encourage independent sleep, how and when to stop swaddling and realistic expectations regarding night wakings and feedings.  We will also discuss planning for going back to work and transitioning to daycare.

Non-birthing partners are encouraged to attend.

This class is currently offered virtually via Zoom.  After you are regisitered, you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in class.

You will also receive FREE ACCESS to a recorded version of Infant Sleep 101: Surviving the 4-Month Sleep Regression & Beyond.

If you have any questions please contact Jenna Marion directly at jenna.marion@mainehealth.org.

Siblings In Person (2025)

Free

with Ellen Kunkle

Calendar Next available session starts Jan 5, 2025 at 10 am
1 additional session on Mar 2, 2025

This class will help children prepare for the special occasion of becoming a big brother or sister. Big brothers and sisters will watch an age-appropriate video and learn to diaper their doll or teddy bear. Siblings will also learn what to expect during parents and baby's hospital stay, what newborn babies look like and act like, and how they can help parents with the new baby.

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

Classes are held at the Dana Center Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland. All class participants should enter through the main entrance and be issued a Visitors badge.  You will be directed to the Charles Dana Education Center where the class instructor will be downstairs to meet you. 

Parking: Parking is available in the visitors Parking Garage on Congress Street.  Parking near the hospital is limited and parking for more than 1 hour may result in a fine.

 

Baby Basics Express In Person (2025)

$40

with Certified Educator

Calendar Next available session starts Jan 5, 2025 at 1 pm
2 additional sessions through Mar 2, 2025

Registration fee covers the cost of registrant and one support person. Please register only ONE participant for a class so that you will not be charged twice. A receipt will be issued which can be utilized to submit to your insurance company. Reimbursement is dependent upon individual plans, refer to your plan for additional information.

If you cannot afford the registration fee due to financial hardship, please contact childbirth education at childbirtheducation@mainehealth.org. 

We are offering this class in person.

Expectant first time parents can learn about common newborn needs and behaviors and how to prepare for bringing baby home. This class includes information about how to care for and comfort a newborn, feeding, safe sleep and other ways to keep your baby safe, and tips on how to make this newborn period an easier transition for you.

We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.

Classes are held at the Dana Center Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland. All class participants should enter through the main entrance and be issued a Visitors badge.  You will be directed to the Charles Dana Education Center where the class instructor will be downstairs to meet you. 

Parking: Parking is available in the visitors Parking Garage on Congress Street.  Parking near the hospital is limited and parking for more than 1 hour may result in a fine.

 

 





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