Baby and You Antenatal & Postnatal Programme
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and welcome to Parents Centre Aotearoa! This is an incredible time, as you embark on your parenting journey.
Antenatal Classes
Parents Centre antenatal programmes are delivered by qualified educators who hold an annual practicing certificate. We ensure that the classes provide you with evidence-based information to help you make decisions. They are carried out in a manner that is interactive, engaging, and fun.
Antenatal classes are held one night a week for 7 weeks, from 7pm - 9pm, at the Rawene Centre, 35 Rawene Road, Birkenhead. You are best to complete this course at least 3-4 weeks before your due date.
Topics include
- Brief overview of pregnancy topics
- Choices in childbirth
- Your labour journey
- Relaxation, management & coping strategies
- Support person/Partner’s role
- Feeding your baby
- Transition to parenthood
- Responsive parenting
- Practical parenting
Postnatal classes
Our postnatal programme follows on from antenatal classes and offers sound tips and strategies as you begin
your journey into parenthood. It is ideal for those with babies up to around 12 weeks old. Our Baby and You
course is held over six weekday daytime sessions which you attend with your baby.
This is a very popular course and is presented by qualified professionals who run each session as a relaxed
discussion group. Because all babies are unique with varying needs and personalities, this format gives you the
opportunity to discuss your particular situation and challenges and receive tips, advice and potential strategies.
Topics covered include:
- Caring for a newborn including feeding, soothing and sleep
- Infant First Aid and CPR for babies and toddlers
- Life changes and looking after yourself including post-pregnancy/childbirth health & wellbeing for the
- primary caregiver.
- Physical Changes & Safe Return to Exercise
- Baby Massage and advice from a Financial Advisor
- Development and play including stimulation for baby, age appropriate toys and key milestones of baby’s growth and development
The structure of this course is relaxed and informal with time for your questions and a cuppa. A great opportunity
for new parents to get out of the house, meet other parents experiencing the same joys and challenges and
foster their coffee group.
Moving & Munching classes
We also run a course for parents of babies preparing for solid food and keen to be on the move. This course runs over 2
daytime sessions and is designed for parents with babies who are 3 to 6 months old.
Topics include
- The development of fine and gross motor skills and how you can assist
- How babies learn through play and age appropriate toys
- The development of language and intellect and how you can stimulate this
- Baby safety now that they are mobile
- Introducing solids and establishing good nutrition
- How to prepare first foods and ideas on what foods to give your baby at different ages