Lamaze Family Center's Grand Opening Celebrates New Space

Here's a great article posted on annarbor.com about our new space.

Special thanks to our Events Committee who planned the event, pictured at left: Beth Simon, Bonnie Kerber, Julie Lubeck-Hofer, Meredith Lovelace, Elizabeth Satterley and Jodie Hughes.

http://annarbor.com/business-review/ann-arbor-family-lamaze-center-opens-in-new-location-after-georgetown-malls-closure/

Car Seat Safety/Baby Wearing Workshop Premieres on Jan. 25

Don't miss Car Seat Safety/Baby Wearing Workshop, this free class specifically designed for expectant and new families! The first class is being held on Wednesday, January 25 from 7:00-8:30pm. Sponsored by The Little Seedling, Lamaze Family Center is pleased to offer this new 1.5 hour workshop, which compliments our Infant Care class, and is open to all families. This workshop is free, but advance registration is requested.

Car Seat Safety Basics

The most dangerous thing our children do is ride in a car, and they do it every day. Learn how to protect your most precious cargo from birth through adulthood during every car ride. Child Passenger Safety Technicians Torey and Susan are 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.

Britax is sponsoring our January and February workshops and will be giving away a free B-Safe Infant Safe to a lucky family in attendance.

Introduction to Baby Wearing

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.

Our sponsor Sakura Bloom will also be giving away one free Sakura Bloom Sling per class.

Pregnant families, as well as ones with babies in arms, are encouraged to attend this free workshop.

Advanced registration is requested, but not required.

LivingSocial Deal: Grab It and Save at Lamaze!

We're rather pleased with ourselves at Lamaze, as we have entered into a new age of social media: we have a LivingSocial deal on now! Save $30 off any class at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor by purchasing a $15 voucher. That's a 50% savings! Current customers can use this deal, and the credit is good until May 23, 2012.

Check it out:
http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/94/deals/228708-30-to-spend-on-prenatal-baby-or-family-classes

Lamaze to Teach Childbirth Classes at new UofM Hospital

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor will begin teaching their premier, comprehensive childbirth classes at the new University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital in January.

“We look forward to continuing our strong ties with Lamaze,” says Dr. Timothy RB Johnson, Bates Professor of the Diseases of Women and Children & Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Michigan.

Pregnant women and their partners will enjoy this in-depth, interactive 12-hour series held at the new hospital on Tuesday nights beginning January 17, 2012, and offered thereafter monthly. The series covers a wide range of topics 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.
• The class fee also includes a separate free breastfeeding class, offered at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor, 2855 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

“We are proud and appreciative of our strong support from the University of Michigan and its care providers around the area,” says Stephanie Schaldenbrand, Executive Director of Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor. “Teaching at the new hospital, as well as at our new center, will help us continue to offer evidence-based childbirth education to a greater number of growing families.”

All of the childbirth educators are highly trained, active in the birth community and are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE).

Classes run for four weeks, and meet Tuesdays from 6:00-9:00pm in the Family Resource Center in the Von Voiglander Women's Hospital. Class series are offered monthly, and pregnant moms and their partners are encouraged to register for a class that is completed 3-4 weeks before their due date.

Other offerings at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor include:

• Childbirth classes on Monday and Thursday evenings, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays at Lamaze Family Center;
• Breastfeeding;
• Infant Care;
• American Red Cross Infant CPR;
• Support groups for new moms; and
• Toddler playgroups and art classes.
• Free monthly Miscarriage and Newborn Loss support group on the second Tuesday evening of the month;
• Postpartum Depression Support Group of Greater Ann Arbor twice-monthly meetings;
• Doulas Care orientation sessions.

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor empowers, educates, and supports families from pregnancy to preschool.  To learn more about us and our classes and programs, call 734.973.1014 or visit www.lamazefamilycenter.org

LFC Seeking New Board Members for 2012

Lamaze has a few openings on its Board of Directors in the new year. Do you have a passion for Lamaze, and some time each month to volunteer in a leadership position and attend the monthly Board meeting? Does it intrigue you to help Lamaze move forward in 2012? Email Stephanie at info@lamazefamilycenter.org to learn more!

Lamaze Tree of Wishes Posted In Lobby

So many generous supporters of Lamaze have helped us this year, and we sincerely thank you. We've gotten many inquiries from families that come here every week about how they can help Lamaze, so here is our Lamaze Tree of Wishes, posted on our wall in the lobby today through the holiday season. To help, you can take an ornament when you are at Lamaze, or post on our Facebook page what you would like to donate and bring to Lamaze by Thursday, January 5, 2012.

Thanks for keeping Lamaze Family Center in mind while you do your holiday shopping and giving! We couldn't do it without you!

-ipod speakers/player for toddler classroom
-AA batteries
-toilet paper
-bean bag chairs for the toddler classroom
-Kroger or grocery store gift cards (for toddler group snacks)
-Home Depot/Lowe’s gift card (for paint in classrooms//reinforcement materials for changing table for babies in bathroom)
-gift cards to Office Max
-reams of white copy paper
-paper towels
-IKEA gift card (for chairs in childbirth classroom)
-$20 donation for toddler group art supplies
-$75 sponsors a low-income family in a childbirth class
-$50 sponsors a teen family in a childbirth class

New UM Hospital Open Today

Check out the latest logistical feat in Ann Arbor: moving a hospital while babies are being born!

http://annarbor.com/business-review/a-massive-logistical-feat-university-of-michigan-moves-patients-staff-equipment-to-new-mott-children/

And on a fun Lamaze-related note: baby Emma Matz's parents took their childbirth prep classes at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor. Photo of Emma halfway through the article.