Childbirth and Parenting Education
Helpful Classes for Current and Expectant Parents
North Shore-LIJ Health System offers a variety of classes for expectant mothers and families to help plan and prepare for childbirth and the care of a new baby. Our classes provide important information, teach valuable skills and are structured to be interactive. All classes are taught by certified educators who specialize in maternal/infant care and are available to answer your questions and concerns.
General Information
Registration
Register early, as class sizes are limited. To register for a class or for more information, register online or call (855) 824-BABY (2229). Pre-registration with payment is required for all classes. Classes may be cancelled or rescheduled based on enrollment.
Confirmation
Upon completion of the registration process and receipt of payment, registrants will receive a confirmation.
Parking
Parking is available at all of our class locations. Parking garage tickets will be validated for free parking when using our visitor parking lots at our hospital locations.
Class Offerings
Preparing for Life’s New Journey
Length: 8 hours (2 hour sessions for 4 weeks)
Fee: $40/person; $70/couple
Our Preparing for Life’s New Journey class is a four-week program for first time parents. Becoming a new parent is an exciting time of your life, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. Join other first-time expectant parents to discuss the joyous moments, lessons and surprises of parenthood. Each session features guest speakers from North Shore-LIJ Health System. Topics will include: Planning Your Baby's Arrival, Adjusting To Your Changing Body & Childproofing Your Home, Nurturing Your Baby, Caring For Yourself After Birth.
Preparation for Childbirth
Length: 7.5 hours
Fee: $185/couple
Our Preparation for Childbirth class prepares the expectant mother and her support person for the birthing experience. Our educators will discuss the process of labor and birth, relaxation and breathing techniques, the role of the partner and coaching skills, hospital admission policies and procedures, anesthesia/analgesic options, vaginal and cesarean births and post partum expectations. A tour of the hospital is included and separate tour registration is not required. This class should be taken four to six weeks prior to your estimated delivery date.
Baby Care
Length: 2.5 hours
Fee: $50/person; $65/couple
Our Baby Care class teaches expectant parents, grandparents and childcare providers about characteristics of a newborn, feeding, bathing, diapering, cord and circumcision care, temperature taking, baby equipment, safety, sleep and immunization.
Baby Safe
Length: 2 hours
Fee: $20/person; $35/couple
Our Baby Safe class focuses on creating a safe home environment for a baby and discusses crib and toy safety, safe sleep positions and SIDS prevention, water safety, baby-proofing the home, choking and fall prevention, home emergencies and basic first aid for bleeding, burns, fractures, shock and poisoning.
Breastfeeding
Length: 2.5 hours
Fee: $50/person (one guest is permitted) — fee is waived if enrolled in Preparation for Childbirth class
Our Breastfeeding class introduces the basics of breastfeeding and prepares expectant parents for a healthy breastfeeding relationship with their baby. Topics covered include advantages of breastfeeding, mother and baby nutritional needs, breastfeeding techniques and effective latching, bottle use, breast pumping, returning to work, and common facts and myths. Bring a baby doll or stuffed animal to class.
Grandparents
Length: 2 hours
Fee: $20/person; $30/couple
Our Grandparents class emphasizes the important role of grandparents, communication with new parents and and provides the latest information on birthing and infant care practices, including baby sleep safety and SIDS prevention and nutrition recommendations.
Sibling
Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $30/first child; $10 each additional child
Our Sibling class is designed to help prepare young children for the arrival of a new baby into the family. The class focuses on the special role of a big sister/big brother and uses educational play to discuss topics such as visiting mom in the hospital, what a new baby looks and sounds like, infant safety, sibling interaction, and changing family dynamics. An adult must accompany the child for the duration of the class.
Kidwatcher
Length: 4 hours
Fee: $20/person
Our Kidwatcher class teaches children ages 11–16 essential skills to become responsible babysitters, including basic first aid, baby care basics, what to do in an emergency and safety for children of all ages.
Infant CPR
Length: 2 hours
Fee: $45/person; $75/couple
Our Infant CPR class teaches Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), a technique that revives victims of cardiovascular emergencies by helping to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and includes instruction on foreign-body airway obstruction clearance. The class focuses on CPR for newborn to 1-year-old children.
Infant/Child CPR
Length: 3 hours
Fee: $45/person; $75/couple
Our Infant/Child CPR class teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a technique that revives victims of cardiovascular emergencies by helping to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and includes instruction on foreign-body airway obstruction clearance. The class focuses on CPR for newborn to 8-year-old children.
Adult CPR
Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $55/person
Our Adult CPR class teaches Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), a technique that revives victims of cardiovascular emergencies by helping to maintain blood flow to the heart and brain, and includes instruction on foreign-body airway obstruction clearance. The class provides a take-home kit with inflatable mannequin, practice DVD, American Heart Association booklet and accessories.
Child Passenger Safety/Child Safety Seat Check-Up
Length: N/A
Fee: Free; registration is required
Our Child Passenger Safety/ Child Safety Seat Check-Up program helps parents make better informed choices when choosing a car seat and teaches the correct way to install and place infants and children of all ages in proper car seat restraints. Participate in one of our monthly Child Passenger Safety/Child Safety Seat Check-Up events to ensure your car seat is properly installed prior to the birth of your baby.
Maternity Tours
Our complimentary Maternity Tours are for expectant parents to visit the labor and delivery unit, mother-baby rooms and newborn nursery of the hospital where you will give birth. Registration is required.
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