This informal support group for breastfeeding families provides interaction as well as individual assistance when needed. Women wanting more information about breastfeeding are also welcome. Facilitated by a lactation consultant from the Women and Infants unit. Because of room occupancy restraints, we are limited to a maximum of 7 moms with babies in arms. Siblings will not be allowed at this time. Please call 207-301-8337 for more information. This group is free, but pre-registration is required.

To register, please visit http://journeytohealth.coursestorm.com or call 207-301-3950

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!

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.

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.

Registration includes a support person.

The One-Day Express Course covers all of the same information as the Childbirth Education 4-evening series in one full day.

Recommended for all first-time pregnant people and their birth partners, this class is designed to provide you and your labor partner with the information, skills, and resources to prepare you for the birth of your baby.

• Introduction to Labor & Delivery You can expect to learn the stages and phases of labor, what to expect physically and emotionally, the importance of labor support, and more. You will also see birth videos and go on a teaching tour of the Family Birth Center.
• Practical Skills and Comfort Measures You will learn comfort measures such as relaxation, breathing, and positions that you can use both at home and while at the hospital. Even mothers planning to use medication for pain relief will utilize skills to manage labor prior to and in conjunction with the use of medication.
• Medications and Interventions Be an active participant in the decisions that affect you and your baby. Learn about induction of labor, unplanned cesareans, vacuum, fetal monitoring and more. Whether you are planning on using pain medications, or just want to understand the available options, you will take home the information you need to make informed decisions about pain relief.
• Putting It Together The class will wrap up with a labor rehearsal and birth plan exercise as a way to practice all of the skills and knowledge learned in the class.

We recommend attending this class between the 28th and 32nd 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.

Registration includes a support person.

These comprehensive classes are designed to provide you and your labor partner with the information, skills, and resources to prepare you for the birth of your baby.  Recommended for all first-time pregnant parents and their birth partners.

• Class#1: Introduction to Labor & Delivery
  • This class covers the stages and phases of labor, what to expect physically and emotionally, the importance of labor support, and more. You will also see birth videos. 
• Class#2:Practical Skills and Comfort Measures
  • This class will cover comfort measures such as relaxation, breathing, and positions that you can use both at home and while at the hospital. Whether you are planning to use pain medications, or just want to understand the available options, this class will provide you with the information needed to make informed decisions regarding pain relief. 
• Class#3: Medications and Interventions
  • Be an active participant in the decisions that affect you and your baby. Learn about induction of labor, unplanned cesareans, vacuum, fetal monitoring and more.  This class series also includes opportunities for Q&A.

We recommend attending this class between the 28th and 32nd 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.

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.

Registration includes a support person.

Couples expecting more than one baby will receive information specific to multiple pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Early participation in this class is advised (before 30 weeks gestation). If this is your first pregnancy, participation in one of our childbirth education classes is also strongly encouraged.

We recommend attending this class between the 24th and 28th 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.