Before Baby: Programs for Parents-To-Be
Biological and adoptive, LGBTQ and straight, singles and couples, Jewish and non-Jewish, people of all abilities – all are welcome to get ready for parenthood at the Edlavitch DCJCC!
Upcoming Before Baby Programs
One day programs offered from 1:00-5:00pm 
Upcoming date options:
Offered in partnership with Nested
Nested’s Childbirth Education Boot Camp is a class that will prepare you for your journey through labor, delivery, and the postpartum period!
- Review common third trimester issues and what to expect at your 36-week visit
- Learn about signs and symptoms of labor and delivery and when to call your obstetrician, doula or midwife
- See what the hospital process will look like and what to expect from your healthcare team
- Discuss options for pain management and potential interventions during the labor process
- Let our teachers walk you through the “typical” childbirth scenario but also prepare for the unexpected, including inductions, assisted vaginal births and c-sections.
- Experienced labor doulas demonstrate specialized comfort and breathing techniques for mom and partner to practice and help with pregnancy and labor pain
Nested’s mission is to prepare new parents for the doctor’s office, the delivery room and the adjustment to parenthood.
One day programs offered from 1:00-5:00pm
Upcoming date options:
- Sunday, January 12 SOLD OUT
- Sunday, January 26 SOLD OUT
- Sunday, February 9 SOLD OUT
- Sunday, February 23
- Sunday, May 3
- Sunday, May 17
- Sunday, June 7
- Sunday, June 21
Offered in partnership with Nested
Nested’s Newborn Care Boot Camp is a comprehensive class that will prepare you for the moment your baby is born through the first few anxiety-provoking months. We take you on a journey from the day of discharge through your newborn’s first few months at home.
Our emphasis is setting your family up for a smooth transition, promoting a healthy baby, parents and supporting community.
- Review normal newborn appearance and hospital discharge logistics
- Learn signs of newborn illness and when to call your pediatrician
- Our clinical instructors will demonstrate swaddling, soothing techniques, bathing and changing diapers
- Parents will learn choking prevention tactics and infant CPR and demonstrate how to resuscitate a specialized CPR non responsive dolls
- Clients will have access to physical therapy videos to address proper ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal injury new parents face
- This class also incorporates the new challenges of a growing family in terms of boundaries with work and family
Ultimately, clients will be armed with a toolkit to strengthen the physical and emotional health of the entire family. This is a perfect class for biological, adoptive or foster parents, friends, caregivers, nannies and grandparents.
REGISTER FOR THE JANUARY 26 NEWBORN CARE BOOT CAMP
REGISTER FOR THE FEBRUARY 9 NEWBORN CARE BOOT CAMP
REGISTER FOR THE MAY 3 NEWBORN CARE BOOT CAMP
REGISTER FOR THE MAY 17 NEWBORN CARE BOOT CAMP
REGISTER FOR THE JUNE 7 NEWBORN CARE BOOT CAMP
REGISTER FOR THE JUNE 21 NEWBORN CARE BOOT CAMP
Thursday, January 30, 10:00 AM
Join us for coffee, the company of other new parents, and a relaxed conversation about finding the right kind of childcare for your family. Sarah Marks, founder of Nannies by Sarah, will discuss the pros and cons of different childcare options and the benefits of hiring a nanny, and will share strategies for hiring a nanny that meets your family’s needs. Bring your questions – we’ll spend most of our time talking through participants’ specific situations. Babies warmly welcomed!
Thursday, February 27, 10:00 AM
Join us for coffee, the company of other new parents, and a relaxed conversation about your baby’s sleep. Gentle sleep coach Jessica Dodson of Starlight Sleep Coaching will discuss how sleep develops during infancy, why it can be so difficult and what you can do to make it easier for both you and your baby. Learn gentle steps you can take to help shape your child’s sleep from their earliest months and how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to restless nights. Bring your questions – we’ll spend most of our time talking through participants’ specific situations. Babies warmly welcomed!
Join us for coffee, the company of other new parents, and a relaxed conversation about returning to work . . . or not. Randi Braun, coach, speaker, and Founder of Something Major will walk through how to prepare for this transition, what questions to think through, and strategies for self care as a working mother. Randi is a thought leader whose insights on working motherhood have been featured in The Washington Post and Parents Magazine. Q&A is heavily encouraged so please come with your questions to this judgement-free conversation.
Join us for coffee, the company of other new parents, and a relaxed conversation about how to take your own newborn photos using your phone or camera. Kimberly Goldwein, newborn and family photographer of Kimberly Goldwein Photography, will walk you through the basics of taking beautiful, natural light portraits of your newborn and assist you in taking practice shots of your own baby using your phone or camera. Babies and phones/cameras are warmly welcome but not required to attend this session.
The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.