Betsy's Baby Services

On March 25, from 6:45-8:30 pm, I will offer a $25 breastfeeding class at the awesome consignment store Smallclothes on California Avenue SW. More details to follow. I will focus on breastfeeding basics for the new mom and pitfalls to watch out for. Smallclothes is planning to offer a coupon to attendees. I will work out a way to have snacks or dinner so you won’t starve during class. Register by emailing me, betsy@betsysbabyservices.com.

I am delighted in the interest in my class! Thanks to all of you who have registered early, the March class series is now full. Contact me to be placed on the waiting list in case someone drops out (unlikely, but still possible).

THREE SPOTS AVAILABLE!! Register for this class and recieve $25 off postpartum doula or lactation consulting services. Some restrictions apply.

I will be offering a “refresher” childbirth class on March 7 & 21. This class is restricted to couples due in late March or beyond who have given birth before and just want a reminder of what to expect and do. This class is not appropriate for couples who are pregnant with their first child. If you have never taken a class, it will help a lot, but it will be even more useful to those who have prior childbirth education experience.

The class will consist of two sessions held on March 7 and March 21 from 4 pm to 7:30 pm.  A $90 fee includes the same workbook from my 8 week series, handouts and materials, but does not include the recommended books, The Birth Partner and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Topics will include:

• A reminder of the trajectory of labor and coping techniques for the birth partner and laboring mom
• What new fun to expect in pregnancy with your subsequent kid, especially with the first one(s) underfoot
• Differences you may find in labor this time around
• Coping with labor with your other kid(s)underfoot
• Including your child(ren) in the birth and preparing them for the new sibling (actually, I recommend the Great Starts class for that)
• Breastfeeding the next time around

and more, depending on the needs of the students. Sign up by contacting me at betsy@betsysbabyservices.com.

A mom approached me looking for a how-to-breastfeed class in an evening or weekend time slot. I have taught breastfeeding classes at WIC offices, and have also taught classes on breastfeeding and nutrition and basic breastfeeding management at Bastyr University and at South Seattle Community College. It’s one of my FAVORITE topics to teach! The elements would include:  getting off to a good start after birth, managing the first week postpartum, coping with engorgement, what to do if your nipples are sore, and troubleshooting.  Please contact me right away to let me know if you would be interested in such a class.  If you work at a large company, I can also come teach a lunchtime session at your workplace, for example at Amazon.com, Starbucks, Microsoft, Realnetworks, etc. If this sounds interesting, talk to your HR and let me know!

This class is appropriate for couples due in June, July, and early August. There are four spaces left in that class.  Email betsy@betsysbabyservices.com or call me at 206 353 9334 for more information.

I am so excited to announce the birth of my new business, Betsy’s Baby Services, helping your new family start off on the right foot. I’m new to blogging, so this is also exciting for me. I was a teacher of The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth(R) from 2002 – 2009. In 2010, I will launch “Northwest Natural Childbirth,” based on my broad experience as a teacher, doula, lactation consultant and mother, with a Northwest emphasis and new materials.  After volunteering as a La Leche League Leader with both the West Seattle and Seattle Toddler groups since 2002 and 2004, I just became a Board Certified Lactation Consultant and cannot wait to start serving clients professionally. And, because I love helping families learn how to parent their newborns, I am breaking into the field of postpartum doula work as well. All your new family needs under one roof!