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Kids' Health (Pediatrics)
Breastfeeding Support Group 2023
with Kara Kaikini, MMC Childbirth Education

This free peer support group is a great opportunity to meet other new breastfeeding parents in your community, share experiences, and receive postpartum and newborn care information and support. A lactation consultant facilitates the group and can answer your questions.
This group is currently meeting in an online or call-in format. Please register here to receive log-in or call-in information for this weekly group which meets on Tuesdays 1-3pm.
FREE but registration is required. Join anytime throughout the year. New members are always welcome!
Baby Basics Express 2023
with Certified Educator, MMC Childbirth Education

Due to the changes in Maine Medical's visitor guidelines, we are temporarily 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. Thank you for understanding.
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.
Newborn Sleep (0-3 mos): Setting the Foundations (2023)
with Jenna Marion, MMC Childbirth Education

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.
If you have any questions please contact Jenna Marion directly at jenna.marion@mainehealth.org.
Breastfeeding Basics 2023
with Certified Educator, MMC Childbirth Education

Due to the changes in Maine Medical's visitor guidelines, we are temporarily 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.
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. Partners are highly encouraged to register and attend.
We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.
Cooking Matters for Parents and Caregivers
with Cooking Matters Instructor, Maine Medical Center

Cooking Matters empowers individuals and families to stretch their food budgets to create healthy meals at home. Participants learn to shop on a budget, use nutrition information to make healthy choices, and cook delicious, affordable meals.
Kids Say Yes to Fruits & Veggies: This session will discuss pros and cons of using different forms of fruits and vegetables, how to prepare meals and snacks that help kids eat more fruits and vegetables, and share ideas for helping kids enjoy more fruits and vegetables.
Making Recipes Work for You: This session will discuss how to substitute ingredients in recipes, practice using recipe frameworks, and share meal ideas that allow each family member to choose the toppings or ingredients that they enjoy.
Hack Your Snack: This session will share tips for saving time when buying and preparing healthy snacks, practice making healthy, homemade snacks, reading food labels, and identifying healthier choices when choosing prepackaged snacks, and practice comparing unit prices to save money.
The Family Kitchen: This session will prepare caregivers to work together with kids in their care to discuss safe, ageappropriate tasks for kids in the kitchen, practice preparing meals or snacks with child-friendly steps, and make healthy meals and snacks that everyone will enjoy.
Money-Saver Alert: This session will discuss how to use everything that you have (or have access to), practice using ‘hard to utilize’ ingredients in a variety of recipes, and discuss how to save foods that you can’t use right away and how to limit food waste with children while still introducing new foods.
Drink To Your Health: This session will discuss how sugary drinks affect health and describe how to make and taste a variety of healthy beverages at home.
Infant Sleep 101: Surviving the Sleep Regression (3-6 mos) - 2023
with Jenna Marion, MMC Childbirth Education

This 3-6 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. Topics discussed will include 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. 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 regsitered, you will receive an email with information as to how to participate in class.
If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Marion directly at jenna.marion@mainehealth.org.
Siblings 2023
with Ellen Kunkle, MMC Childbirth Education

The scheduled instructor will be leading it and be available for questions. A few days before the class is scheduled to take place you will receive an email with instructions on how to participate online or by phone.
This class will help siblings prepare for the special occasion of becoming a big brother or sister. Big brothers and sisters will tour the Family birth Center, watch an age-appropriate video, and learn to diaper their doll or teddy bear. Siblings will also learn what to expect during mom and baby's hospital stay, what newborn babies look like and act like, and how they can help mom and dad with the new baby.
We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.
Due to recent changes in Maine Medical Center’s visitor guidelines we will be offering this class as an online interactive class instead of in person.
Grandparents 2023
with Ellen Kunkle, MMC Childbirth Education

Registration is per person.
Things have really changed since you became a parent! This class will cover communication between grandparents and the new parents; how grandparents can help during pregnancy, birth and after baby is born; current guidelines for infant care and infant safety; and ways to bond with your new grandchild.
We recommend attending this class between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy.
Due to the changes in Maine Medical's visitor guidelines, we are temporarily 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.