July 2007
Baby Bits
PEPS Sponsors Bringing Baby Home Workshops
PEPS (the Program for Early Parent Support) is sponsoring the 12-hour (two-day) workshop Bringing Baby Home July 14 and 15, Oct. 20 and 21 and Dec. 1 and 2. The workshop for expectant couples and parents with young children is based on the research of Drs. John and Julie Gottman and focuses on the emotional and practical aspects of the transition to parenthood.
Workshops are held 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. Cost is $150 per couple, and babes in arms up to 6 months are welcome. Registration is limited to 12 couples per workshop. Call Mary Gentry at 206-547-8570, ext. 21 or visit www.pepsgroup.org.
Bringing Baby Home workshops are also regularly offered at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle (206-215-3338; www.swedish.org) and Evergreen Healthcare in Kirkland (425-899-3000; www.evergreenhealthcare.org). For more information on the program and a list of local certified instructors, visit www.bbhonline.org.
And Baby Makes Three, by John Gottman, Ph.D. and Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D., (Crown Publishers, 2007) is the “official book for the Bringing Baby Home Program.” Beginning with the birth of the Gottmans’ daughter, Moriah, the book chronicles what happens to couples after baby arrives and gives information on how to preserve intimacy while nurturing your baby and your new family.
The most important message, according to the Gottmans, is this: “The greatest gift you can give your baby is a happy and strong relationship between the two of you.” Topics include “Delight in Your Baby,” “Cool down Your Conflicts,” “Compromise” and “Heat up Your Sex Life.”
Free Mother’s Tea July 25
A free Mother’s Tea will be held July 25 at 1 p.m. at the Seattle Holistic Center, Room 302, Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. in Seattle. It follows the 11:30 a.m. Postnatal Yoga with Infant and Baby Sing-Along Class ($16).
The Seattle Holistic Center offers classes in aikido, yoga and holistic health and spirituality. They include Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, Mother’s Flow with Infant, Yoga for Parents with Crawlers and Toddlers, Belly after Baby, and Baby Sing-Along. For more information or to sign up for the tea, call 206-525-9035, visit www.seattleholisticcenter.com or e-mail reception@seattleholisticcenter.com.
New Breastfeeding Support Group Begins
The Swedish Outpatient Lactation Clinic begins an ongoing weekly, drop-in breastfeeding support group this summer at Swedish/Ballard. The group is held every Wednesday, 2 - 3:30 p.m., in the 5 North Conference Room, 5300 Tallman Ave. N.W. in Seattle.
The fee is $5, or medical coupons are accepted. Pre-registration is not required, and the group is open to any mom in the community, no matter where she delivered her baby. For more information, call 206-386-3740 or visit www.swedish.org.
Most birthing hospitals offer breastfeeding support or classes. For classes and individual support, led by mothers who have breastfed their own babies and received training, contact La Leche League of Washington, 206-303-0311, www.lalecheleague.org/Web/Washington.html.
Stroller Strides Helps You Get in Shape
Stroller Strides is a fitness program for moms and their babies (6 weeks and older). It includes a warm-up, power walking and body toning using tubing and the stroller, taught by fitness instructors.
The nationwide program is offered locally at Woodland Park, Green Lake, Issaquah Highlands, Mill Creek and Lake Wilderness Park in Maple Valley, with classes coming to Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood this October. Some programs – including the ones in Maple Valley and Issaquah – are connected with Luna Moms Clubs with playgroups, moms’ nights out and other activities.
To find a local group, visit www.strollerstrides.com and click on “Locations” at the top of the screen or call 1-866-FIT-4MOM (348-4666).
Free Rotavirus Vaccines Available
A vaccine against rotavirus, which affects babies and young children, is now available for free, as part of the new state budget passed by the legislature this spring.
The new vaccine was released in 2006 and prevents most cases of the virus. Rotavirus affects nearly all children at some point, often with mild symptoms of gastroenteritis. In some cases, it causes severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever, which can lead to dehydration and hospitalization. Babies need three doses of the rotavirus vaccine by six months. The first dose should be given at two months.
The vaccine is now part of the Washington State Department of Health’s Universal Childhood Vaccine program, using state and federal funding to buy recommended vaccines for children from birth through 18 years. The program makes vaccines available to children at no cost, though health care providers may charge an office and/or administrative fee.
Visit your regular health care provider or call your local health department to find out about the free vaccines. Parents can also call the Within Reach Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 or visit www.withinreachwa.org. For more information, visit the Department of Health Immunization Program Web site at www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize.
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