Praise for Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor!

The Lamaze Family Center was a winner in the 2012 "Family Favorites" contest put on by the Ann Arbor Family Press!

Lamaze Family Center was voted the "Best Support Group for Moms," an honor we have now received several years in a row.The Ann Arbor Family Press also recognized the Lamaze Family Center as a runner up in the "Best Place to Nurse a Baby" category.

To read more and see all the 2012 "Family Favorites" check out the Ann Arbor Family Press website.

Are you a new mom, or do you have friends or family who are? Experience our Mother's Groups for yourself! Our Mother's Groups are a great place for new moms to meet other moms, and to discuss the the joys and challenges of caring for a newborn. Each week the facilitator of the Mother's Group picks a topic for general discussion. Topics include : getting your baby to sleep, life with a newborn, how to survive the challenges of being a mom, places to go around town with your baby, and changes to your relationships. As a past participant of a Mother's Group, I cannot stress enough how important this group was to improving my over all well being in those first few months of motherhood. Where else can you go in wrinkled clothes, covered in baby spit-up, and nobody even blinks an eye?!

To learn more about Mother's Groups or to register for an upcoming group (a new group starts in July!), visit our website.

Early Pregnancy Workshop

Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy? Join Cara Genisio, Certified  Childbirth Educator & Certified Birth Doula to learn more about nutrition, exercise, physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, preparing for childbirth and much more on March 14, 2013!!! Check out the calendar for more details on joining this awesome event and other events and classes that Lamaze Family Center has to offer.

Plymouth District Library

223 South Main St.Plymouth, MI 48170

Sponsored by:
University of Michigan Health System
Women’s Health Program
and the Lamaze Family Center – Ann Arbor

To register go to the “Events” tab at http://www.plymouthlibrary.org/.

For more information please call Lamaze Family Center at 234-973-1014 or call the UMHS Women’s Health Program @ 734-936-8886.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a special experience that creates a bond between mother and baby that no one else can experience. It is a great way to save money on formula and there are health benefits for both baby and mother.  According to WebMD " Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding reduces your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor."

At Lamaze Family Center our two-hour class, to be taken before your baby arrives, covers the basics of breastfeeding plus information on life with a breastfeeding baby, nutrition, proper latch, how fathers/partners can help, and avoiding or managing problems. Each couple will have an opportunity to practice various breastfeeding positions. Have you registered for a class yet? 

Childbirth Preparation

Childbirth, especially if you are having your first child can be unexpected and scary. Even for those who have had children staying on top of changes in childbirth are excellent ideas. And the best way to counteract those fears and meet new changes head on is to prepare. How do you prepare? Our premier, comprehensive childbirth class is designed for pregnant women and their partners. This in-depth, interactive 12-hour series meets on weekday nights at three different locations throughout Ann Arbor. The series covers a wide range of topics in-depth based on Lamaze International's Six Healthy Birth Practices , including:

• the various stages of labor, birth, and early postpartum including early breastfeeding overview;
• relaxation and breathing techniques, comfort measures and positions for labor and delivery;
• partner's role with laboring mom; 
• pain management options and birth interventions; hospital procedures, and Cesarean birth.
• Class fee includes a free breastfeeding class.

All of our childbirth educators are highly trained, active in the birth community and are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE). The University of Michigan endorses our prenatal classes and one of our class series is taught in the new University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. Have you started studying the Six Healthy Birth Practices? Which one is your favorite?

To register for one of our premier classes visit our website at www.lamazefamilycenter.org or call 734-973-1014.

Swaddling

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Swaddling, the practice of tightly wrapping a baby in a light blanket, is an age-old technique that not only calms babies but makes them portable. The technique is growing in popularity in the United States.

In 2008, the medical journal Pediatrics has weighed in with a commentary, noting that there is a wrong way and a right way to swaddle. The right way has a seemingly wondrous effect. Fussy babies, with their arms wrapped tightly to mimic the effect of the mother’s womb, stop crying almost instantaneously. The technique has been popularized recently by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” But several medical studies, including one report in The Journal of Pediatrics, also show that swaddling can decrease crying time. Other studies show it prolongs sleep and even reduces a baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS — but only if the baby is on its back. Swaddled babies placed on their stomachs are at higher risk for SIDS, as noted in a review article published in Pediatrics last October.

But there is a wrong way to swaddle. The wrong kind of wrapping can affect a baby’s hip development and increase risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip.  The key is to leave plenty of room for baby’s legs to move around. 

 “Babies have an on and off switch for crying, but like any other reflex it requires very specific technique,” said Dr. Karp. “For the last 30 years pediatric books have talked about swaddling, and rocking and white noise and all that stuff, but they never taught parents how to do it. These techniques have to be taught very specifically.”

At Lamaze Family Center, in our Infant Care Class, we have a workshop going over each of these soothing techniques where we watch and practice.  Our experienced instructors will offer hands on assistance and answer any questions. Our goal is to have you leave the class, feeling confident and capable of soothing your newborn the day he or she is born.

To register for an Infant Care Class, go to our website at www.lamazefamilycenter.org or call us at (734) 973-1014.

Birthing Plan

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Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting experiences in life. It’s a time of change, excitement and new experiences. With so many changes occurring it’s always helpful to have a plan. During pregnancy creating a birth plan helps to reduce some anxiety from the unexpected and gives some focus when baby is ready to come. It also ensures that when the time comes your wants and needs during labor are expressed to everyone involved. There are several things to consider when creating your birth plan: such as a home birth vs. a birthing center, the use of a doula vs. a midwife and many other great things. It’s also a great way to bond with your significant other as you work together to create the plan. Have you created your birthing plan? Here's a sample you can start with or you can create your own! Care to share what you are most excited about?

 

Birth Plan

  

Name:

Partner’s Name:

Your Labor Support People:

Do you want visitors during labor? o Yes o No
Do you want to receive phone calls during labor? o Yes o No
What are your plans for pain relief during labor? (Please check all that apply)
o Non-medicated, natural childbirth with use of relaxation, massage, breathing techniques, shower
and/or Jacuzzi, birthing ball
o Use of pain medication
o Epidural
o Unsure at this time

How can our staff best support you?

Are there any special requests for your birth experience?

What are your expectations?

Baby Care Plan
Baby’s name if chosen:

Baby’s doctor:

Breast-feeding: o Yes o No
Do you have any previous experience breast-feeding? o Yes o No
Do you plan to return to work while breast-feeding? o Yes o No
Do you have concerns about breast-feeding? o Yes o No

Bottle-feeding? o Yes o No
Would you like your baby to have a pacifier? o Yes o No
Are there any siblings? o Yes o No
Names and ages:

Do you have any concerns or special requests about the care of your newborn? o Yes o No
If yes, please explain:

We encourage you to discuss your birth plan with your doctor, doula or midwife during your prenatal care. We understand that a birth plan must be flexible and that you may want to make changes or additions during your stay with us.

MD / CNM Review:

Admitting RN Review:

Free Car Seat Safety/Baby Carrier Workshop Tonight

Confounded by car seats? Baffled by baby carriers? Get the scoop in our informative and free workshop tonight, April 25, at Lamaze Family Center at 7:00pm.

Presented by The Little Seedling, Child Passenger Safety Technician Torey is ready to show you the basics of car seat safety and answer any questions you may have. This workshop  is great for first time and experienced parents alike. When you're done, you'll have a working knowledge of choosing, installing and using your child's car seat, as well as an opportunity to schedule a car seat check with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Baby wearing is a safe, intimate way to transport your baby. Getting started can be a little overwhelming. This interactive class is designed to help you ease into baby wearing, with a hands on approach to getting started. The ladies from The Little Seedling will show you the many different carriers and explain how each works. There will also be a chance for you to try different types of carriers and get a feel for what you think works for you. 


Preregistration is encouraged, but not required, and we offer a workshop every month if you miss this one!