The majority of classes and groups offered through Bartlett Beginnings have returned to in-person sessions. All in-person sessions that occur on campus include physical distancing and optional masking in the classroom.
Classes and groups to help you get ready for baby
Healthy Pregnancy Seminars
This series is aimed at making the most of this special time in your life as you prepare to welcome your baby. The monthly sessions feature guest speakers from the community. Topics include nutrition, exercise, finance, lifestyle and healthy relationships. Speakers and topics change regularly, so check the calendar or call for details.
Participants also receive a helpful booklet called “Understanding Pregnancy,” enriched with online content to help you truly understand what is happening with your body, your baby and your medical care.
Please note: Families can take this class any time during the pregnancy but may find it most valuable to enroll upon learning they are pregnant. Partners and/or support people are welcome!
Schedule: The first Monday evening of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. Exact dates may shift around holidays.
Childbirth Preparation Class
This six-week class will help prepare expectant families for the birth of their baby. During the class, you'll learn about:
- What to expect during birth.
- Relaxation, positioning and pain coping skills to help facilitate the birth process.
- How to support the birthing mother.
- Labor variations and medical interventions.
- A tour of Bartlett Beginnings Family Birth Center.
- Bonding, postpartum, infant CPR and more.
Schedule: Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. New classes generally begin on the first Thursday of every other month. We recommend that parents plan to complete the class at least four weeks before their due date.
Childbirth Preparation: Intensive Weekend Series
This class is for parents who cannot participate in the traditional six-week series. It covers the same topics as our six-week series but, due to time constraints, does not include infant CPR.
Schedule: This series is offered four times each year, typically in January, April, July and October. Classes are on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. both days. We recommend that you complete the class at least four weeks before your due date.
Breastfeeding Success and Newborn Care Class
This three-week class series will help give new parents the knowledge and confidence to give their baby the special gift of breastfeeding. We cover preventing common problems, breastfeeding after you return to work, newborn care, what to expect while in the hospital and once home, infant brain development, and car seat safety.
Schedule: Monday evenings, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Classes are scheduled every other month. We recommend completing the class by at least four weeks before your due date.
Infant Care and Safety Class
This one-evening course is intended to provide supportive infant care providers (grandparents, nannies, child-care professionals) with evidence-based information about the safe and optimal care of babies. With support of the Bartlett Foundation and the B-SAFE Program, information regarding safe sleep will be highlighted. Other topics touch on many important aspects of safe and optimal care, including infant communication and attachment, comforting methods, car seat use, and infant feeding.
Schedule: Offered quarterly on a Wednesday evening, 6 to 8 p.m.
Dads and Partners Class
During this class for expectant non-birthing parents, new dads share their experiences about the birthing process and parenting an infant. They share parenting skills such as diapering, calming and bathing their infant. We explore what the shift to "family" and different role transitions looks like in varied situations.
Schedule: Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. Classes are held every other month.
Classes and Groups for After Baby Is Born
Baby Parent Time
A weekly parenting and baby play group for parents and their babies. Group topics come from class participant’s questions and concerns and include topics such as traveling with baby, infant brain development and games to play with baby.
Baby Parent Time gives parents the opportunity to bring their concerns to a professional nurse while sharing information and ideas with other new parents. Come make new friends and give baby some infant social time too.
Schedule: Every Thursday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on campus at Bartlett Regional Hospital.
Balanced Beginnings
Balanced Beginnings is a small group series aimed at increasing parental stress management skills. All new parents experience stress. Having insight into some tools can help! Join us for a weekly series of sessions to meet new friends and explore this material.
Check out this link to register for our next session April 18th - May 16th or to express your interest in a different date and time.
Infant Massage
4-week series, Tuesdays 11-12 at the Valley Public Library offered in collaboration with Bartlett Beginnings and taught by Kasia Spengler, RN, Certified Instructor of Infant Massage. Recommended age: 2-8 months. Infant massage offers a special time for bonding, has shown to strengthen immune system, improve sleep patterns, reduce stress hormones, help babies gain weight, provide relief from gas and tension.
Toddler Play Group
A weekly parenting and toddler play group for parents and their babies aged 1 to 3 years.
Schedule: This support group meets weekly on Mondays in-person at the Southeast Alaska Gymnastics Academy.
Dads 'n' Kiddos Play Group
This fathers' group gives dads time with their infant and/or toddler in a safe, fun atmosphere. Topics of interest discussed include saving for college, brain development, toddler-proofing your home, car seat safety and discipline.
Schedule: This group meets the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon for an outdoor walk and/or playdate. Playground visits, sledding, trail hikes and exploring beaches are some of the adventures we have been having together.
For updates on times and locations of these events, please join us in our Facebook group Bartlett Baby & Toddler Groups. Or join our email list by emailing a request to sgress@bartletthospital.org.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group
Many families have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant and need a place to share and listen. Please join us in a safe space to connect and learn from one another.
Schedule: This group meets monthly on the last Wednesday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. Meetings are held virtually through Zoom.
One-time registration is required to receive a recurring Zoom link.
"Real Talk" Mothers' Support Group
This group provides a chance to connect with other mothers and talk openly about your experiences without fear of judgment. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, the baby blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, or just want to talk to some folks outside of your usual circle, this group is all about that "Real Talk."
Schedule: This group meets monthly on the last Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8 p.m. Meetings are held virtually through Zoom.
One-time registration is required to receive a recurring Zoom link.
Birth Healing and Reflection Group Series
One in three women would consider their childbirth experience to be traumatic. Processing the complex emotions surrounding unexpected or traumatic birth events offers a path for healing. Please join us for a safe space to connect and support one another.
Schedule: This group is offered as a three-session weekly series. Each two-hour session will build on the discussions from the prior week.
Week 1: Sharing your birth story.
Week 2: Reflecting on how this has shaped and influenced the past for you.
Week 3: Healing and looking toward the future
A recurring Zoom link to attend all three sessions will be sent to you following your registration.