Classes and Private Education
I now offer gift certificates!
Gift certificates may be redeemed for any of the classes I provide.
Education and care make an amazing gift for the new parent in your life.
Preparing for Baby: A Class for New Dads
February 19, 26, and March 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Join us at East Nashville Chiropractic for three comprehensive classes taught by two experts in all things birth and postpartum. This class will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to confidently navigate the exciting journey of becoming a parent.
Classes will be lead by Tessa Bryant of Thistle & Iris Birth Services, and Lauren Levine of Gold Dust Lactation & Sleep. Lauren is a lactation counselor, infant sleep & well-being specialist, and postpartum doula. Tessa is a childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula.
Classes will be taught in an interactive workshop style and will be as follows:
Monday, February 19th: Childbirth Ed for Birth Partners
Learn the physiology of birth, what to expect during the labor process, and how to support your partner both emotionally and physically as you prepare to become parents. Topics include:
- How to support during pregnancy
- The Partner's job in each of the stages of labor
- Co-creating a birth plan
- Building a supportive team
- Coping strategies
- Physical support
- Emotional support
Monday, February 26th: Postpartum Planning
Gain a deeper understanding of this delicate time as a brand new family; leaning into rest and bonding with your baby while caring for yourself and your partner. Topics Include:
- Protecting infant and parental mental health
- Bonding and early attachment
- Infant care
- Practical solutions for common challenges
- The parental brain
- Nourishing families
Monday, March 4th: Infant Feeding & Sleep
Practical information, guidance, and resources for all things infant sleep and feeding. Topics include:
- Basic lactation comprehension
- How to support your breastfeeding partner
- Shared feeding responsibilites
- Pumps, bottles, pacis, oh my!
- Reframing normal infant sleep
- Coping with fragmented sleep
Each class will run approximately 2 hours and will include time for questions.
Total Investment: $225
>> Early bird pricing! << Register by February 5th to get a rate of $185!
Private Childbirth Education
I offer private, in-home or virtual childbirth education tailored to each birthing family's needs! These classes are usually 4-5 hours of content split between 2 sessions, but accommodations are happily made for other scheduling needs.
All childbirth classes cover the following topics generally, but we will shift focus and do deep dives as needed depending on your circumstances.
- Common pregnancy complaints and comforts
- A survey of the most common pregnancy complications
- An overview of the process of late pregnancy, stages of labor, and birth
- Fetal positioning, pelvic dynamics, and movement
- Mental and emotional preparation for birth
- Medical and non-medical comfort measures for labor and birth
- Consumer options for birthing in hospitals and birth centers
- A survey of the most common birth and postpartum complications
- Options for medical inductions and surgical birth
- Options for out-of-hospital birth
- Newborn care procedures and the golden hour
- Patient rights in hospitals and birth centers and self-advocacy skills
- Postpartum support and expectations
- Support tips for partners and families
- Postpartum mood disorders and comfort measures
- Local resources and professionals
$350 (T1) | $250 (T2) | Pay what you can (T3)
Group rates can be discussed on a case-by-case basis according to number of attendees and venue.
Infant Care 101
I am thrilled to offer one-on-one and small group infant care classes! This class is for new parents, aunts and uncles, friends, and other loved ones who are excited to meet and care for the new baby in their lives but perhaps have little experience with infants. This course is best taught in the home where baby will live (so that you have an opportunity to try out the products you'll be using), but can be taught elsewhere if necessary.
Infant Care 101 covers the following topics:
- Diapering & Dressing
- Bathing, Grooming, & Common Skin Care Complaints
- Basic Breast/Chestfeeding Information & Techniques (not formal lactation education)
- Bottle Feeding Techniques
- CDC Guidelines for Safe Dishwashing Practices
- Swaddling & Soothing
- Basics of Safe Sleep (not expert infant sleep education)
- Common Baby Gear & how to use it
- Local Resources for: CPR/first aid training, comprehensive lactation education, certified babywearing and car seat safety specialists, infant sleep specialists, lactation consultants, and other specialists.
$200 (T1) | $150 (T2) | Pay what you can (T3)
Group rates can be discussed on a case-by-case basis according to number of attendees and venue.
*PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional, and this class does not teach medical care, CPR, or first aid. This class covers basic infant care for healthy, full-term babies, and does not give details of care for premature or medically complex infants.
New Grandparenting
In this course, we will discuss the unique joys and challenges of making the transition from parenthood to grandparenthood. We will take time to talk about your individual experience as a parent and how to bring that knowledge to your grandparenting in a constructive, nurturing way. We'll also brush up all your basic infant care skills as needed, including ensuring you've got the most current information on infant care and safety.
This course is best taught in the home where baby will live (so that you have an opportunity to try out the products you'll be using), but can be taught elsewhere if necessary.
New Grandparenting covers the following topics:
- Communicating Effectively with New Parents
- Supporting the Postpartum Parent
- A refresher (as needed) on: Diapering & Dressing, Bathing, Grooming, Common Skin Care Complaints, Swaddling and Soothing
- Basic Breast/Chestfeeding Information & Techniques (not formal lactation education)
- Bottle Feeding Techniques and CDC Guidelines for Formula Preparation
- CDC Guidelines for Safe Dishwashing Practices
- Updated Safe Sleep Guidelines (not expert infant sleep education)
- Common Baby Gear & how to use it
- Local Resources for: CPR/first aid training, comprehensive lactation education, certified babywearing and car seat safety specialists, infant sleep specialists, lactation consultants, and other specialists.
$200 (T1) | $150 (T2) | Pay what you can (T3)
Group rates can be discussed on a case-by-case basis according to number of attendees and venue.
*PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional, and this class does not teach medical care, CPR, or first aid. This class covers basic infant care for healthy, full-term babies, and does not give details of care for premature or medically complex infants.
Volunteer Services
Childbirth and having a family is not and should not be restricted to those with means.
When I am available, I am happy to volunteer my services to those with significant food and/or housing insecurity, and to birthing parents under age 18. If you or someone you know is pregnant and at risk, contact me to discuss your options for care and for assistance finding local resources to support your family.