In this article
Becoming a parent for the first time can bring up a range of emotions, from overwhelm to deep-seated fears and pure joy. Signing up for classes for first-time parents — aka having a dedicated space to connect (and ask questions from) folks who’ve gone, or are going, through similar experiences — can be an empowering way to work through whatever’s coming up for you.
Even experts in the field feel they need a little extra support, including Dr. Noa Sterling, a San Diego-based OB-GYN and founder of Sterling Parents, a website that helps new parents navigate pregnancy and beyond. Sterling says the things she’s learned while taking classes for first-time parents have made her a lot more confident in her abilities. “I’ve seen a dramatic reduction in anxiety,” she shares.
Whether you’re pregnant, looking to adopt or are a caregiver wanting to advise a family close to you on best practices, classes for first-time parents can help ease stress surrounding this exciting life stage. Here, experts share their favorite educational opportunities for new parents and where to find them.
The benefits of classes for first-time parents
When you’re a new parent, you’re essentially entering a brand-new life stage — one that will likely draw up a trove of questions and challenges. As Hendricks notes, classes for first-time parents can be “incredibly beneficial,” helping folks gain a stronger understanding of their new role while gaining a sense of camaraderie with other new parents going through the same thing. Here are a few major benefits associated with classes for first-time parents.
You’ll get credible information from trusted sources
Classes for first-time parents tend to be taught by professionals with some type of medical credential, including doctors (specifically pediatricians and OB-GYNs), midwives and lactation consultants. “Going to a class that’s taught by a medical or child care expert who knows first-hand what’s best for a young child is far better than watching a TikTok from someone who may not be spreading helpful or true information,” explains Karen Johnson, author of “What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom”).
“Going to a class that’s taught by a medical or child care expert who knows first-hand what’s best for a young child is far better than watching a TikTok from someone who may not be spreading helpful or true information.”
— Karen Johnson, author of “What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom)”
Increased confidence in newborn care
According to 2022 research from the journal Midwifery, classes (particularly those that are in-person) can help first-time parents feel more confident in adjusting to this new phase of life. An earlier study in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, classes for first-time parents can lead to greater support and guidance.
Reduced stress and anxiety about parenting
As research from Penn State University points out, participation in educational groups for first-time parents — taken during pregnancy and through the postpartum period — can help ease depression and anxiety.
Connection with other new parents
Hill says courses and support groups can help connect you with parents in similar situations, which “means you enter parenthood with a built-in support system of people who are navigating the same highs and lows at the same time,” she says.
The best classes for first-time parents
As Sterling explains, you’ll typically find educational opportunities for expecting and new parents in two formats: online and in-person. Beyond that, think about your individual needs and how they might draw up certain challenges. For example, if you’re prone to anxiety and depression, seeking out support groups (and other mental health care resources) well in advance of your postpartum period will be ideal. Here’s a list of courses worth looking into:
Childbirth education classes
Childbirth education courses typically cover labor, delivery and pain management, among other things related to giving birth, explains Dr. Tiffany Marie Hendricks, a Decatur, Alabama-based family doctor and mother of three. Here are some examples of specific curriculums that childbirth classes might cover:
- Labor and delivery preparation. “A labor and delivery class helps you understand what to expect when having a baby,” says Jessica Hill, a prenatal educator and founder of The Parent Collective. “You will learn about the stages of labor, pain management options and common interventions like inductions and C-sections so nothing catches you off guard.” (You can typically find these at your hospital, she notes.)
- Hospital tours. Sterling says it’s not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with the place you’ll give birth to feel a bit more comfortable on the big day.
- Lamaze International. This is a nonprofit organization that offers safe birthing courses for new parents. Search for a Lamaze Learning Center here.
- Bradley Method. This educational course is geared toward expecting parents who prefer a non-medicated birth. You can find classes here.
- Hypnobirthing. These classes teach expecting parents to use techniques like breathwork and deep relaxation to help ensure calm labor and delivery, says Hendricks. Find a hypnobirthing educator nearest you.
Infant care classes
You can often find new parent “boot camps” at most hospitals and birthing centers that can assist with everything you’ll need to know back home — from diaper-changing to bedtime, notes Denise Castellanos, lead midwife at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion in Laguna Hills, California. Here are a few course ideas:
- Infant CPR and first aid. All of the experts we spoke to agreed that this was an essential class for any first-time parent. You can find infant safety courses through your hospital or via the American Red Cross.
- General newborn care. Tasks that you might not consider tricky — say, changing a dirty diaper — can turn super challenging when you’re sleep-deprived, says Hill. Basic newborn care classes can help guide parents with diapering, swaddling, burping, understanding newborn cues and establishing a feeding routine (more on feeding techniques below!), she notes.
- Safe sleep practices. Per the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, roughly half of all infants wake up at least two times per night — if not more. Hendricks says that sleep courses can help parents establish healthy, safe routines for babies.
Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding guidance
Some feeding courses will cover things like breastfeeding, while others might touch on both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Castellanos says that lactation courses, often offered through hospitals and/or birthing centers, are staffed with certified lactation consultations (often registered nurses, too) who are trained to help new parents ensure babies stay fed. Here’s what you might learn in a feeding course:
- Latching techniques. These types of courses will help new parents better understand how to position their baby to latch and feed effectively. “Many parents assume breastfeeding will come naturally, but it can be challenging,” Hill notes. “Learning about common hurdles ahead of time can make the process less overwhelming.”
- Formula options. If you can’t, or are opting not to, breastfeed, you’ll need to know what kinds of formulas you should look into, says Hendricks, adding that guidance on formula can often be found in general feeding classes located at hospitals or birthing centers.
- Milk supply and production. It takes some time post-birth for your milk supply to be fully established (roughly four weeks in, per Cleveland Clinic). Hendricks says that many feeding courses will help new parents better understand the process in which a body produces milk, what to expect and how to troubleshoot any issues.
- Baby’s feeding cues. Hill says that learning to recognize signs that your newborn is hungry (say, they’re fidgety or fussy and/or sucking on their hands or fingers) is a common part of any feeding course.
“Many parents assume breastfeeding will come naturally, but it can be challenging. Learning about common hurdles ahead of time can make the process less overwhelming.”
— Jessica Hill, a prenatal educator and founder of The Parent Collective
Parenting and child development
While much of parenting is learned on the job, classes can help parents understand a bit more about what to expect when they actually bring their little one home. “[Parenting classes] provide hands-on practice with essential skills,” says Hill. “Watching a video on baby care is helpful, but practicing in-person makes all the difference.” Here are a few early parenthood educational opportunities to try:
- Health and development insights. These types of courses can help you learn about infant and toddler milestones, nutrition and early signs of health concerns, says Hendricks.
- Co-parenting courses. Not all first-time parent courses are geared toward just a little one, says Hendricks.If you’re partnering with someone to raise a child, caring for your relationship will be crucial. She says that these types of classes (which can also be traded for therapy) can “strengthen communication and teamwork between partners,” helping individuals more fairly allocate various parenting tasks and work on interpersonal skills like conflict resolution.
Postpartum support and mental health
The postpartum period — aka the “fourth trimester,” or the six- to eight-week period after giving birth when the body is returning to its pre-pregnancy state, per Cleveland Clinic — can result in a host of frustrating symptoms such as bleeding, hormonal shifts, blood pressure changes, breastfeeding issues and mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. There are educational opportunities to help ease this sometimes stressful period, such as:
- Postpartum recovery support groups: These types of meetings help new parents cope with the emotional upheaval associated with this sometimes challenging period. Sterling, who struggled with depression after giving birth to her first child, recalls feeling ashamed and that she “should know better, handle it better.” She says postpartum support groups helped her see that mental health help was necessary not just for some parents — but for many of them.
- Individual therapy. Though it’s not technically an organized class, Sterling says one-on-one interactions with a therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, who truly understands the transition, can be an invaluable resource for new parents, as it can help them recognize that their experiences and emotions are valid
- Return-to-work planning: This type of class — sometimes called the “fifth trimester” — can help you manage some of the prep work and stressors associated with easing out of maternity leave and back into work, explains Sterling who benefited from a course like this herself. The curriculum might include things to pack when you head back to an office (say, breast pads if you’re breastfeeding or snacks to munch on while you’re pumping), or even ways to navigate workplace resources (like employee assistance programs, or EAPs, that offer free and confidential short-term counseling).
Fitness classes for new parents
Everyone’s pregnancy and postpartum experiences are different from a physical perspective, but in general, finding ways to move during both phases can benefit your mind, body and overall well-being. For example, research from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that exercise during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of childbirth complications and make the postpartum period a bit less physically demanding. Physical activity in the postpartum period can also help new parents manage mental health struggles associated with the fourth trimester.
Inclusive parenting classes
As Sterling reiterates, access to supportive, inclusive parenting education is crucial for all families, as most of the discussion surrounding (and information for) new parents tends to be geared toward those in nuclear families and in heterosexual partnerships. Inclusive parenting classes will cover things like navigating the adoption process, tips for single and surrogate parents, as well as what life might look like in an LGBTQ+ household.
Where to find parenting classes
The types of classes you’ll have access to as a new parent might vary depending on your location, but again, try to think ahead about what type of educational opportunities might best suit your family’s specific needs. Here are a few places to start:
See what your hospital or birthing center has to offer
The best place to start when looking for parenting classes is the hospital or birthing center where you plan to deliver, as most will be free, says Sterling. That said, don’t hesitate to ask your OB-GYN directly for recommendations. “We often know which local resources truly support our patients,” she says. According to Castellanos, your hospital will likely offer classes related to pregnancy, childbirth, feeding, infant safety and CPR. For example, Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles offers virtual classes for CPR/safety and even courses for those considering elective C-sections.
Look online
Whether offered through your hospital or an independent company (such as Birthsmarter), you’ll find you have your pick of virtual classes, which offer accessibility and flexibility — which are often two hugely important factors for new parents who might be juggling OB-GYN appointments, caring for a child and possibly returning to work all at once. Also, your hospital might only offer online classes, so try to keep that in mind when looking for educational opportunities. Online platforms like Tinyhood, Taking Cara Babies and the American Red Cross (including first aid courses like this on water safety).
Scan social media for fitness classes for new parents
Check out sites like MeetUp.com or Facebook groups for stroller walking groups, baby yoga and more. Here are a few other organizations that offer fitness opportunities for new parents:
- Fit4Mom. This organization offers prenatal and postnatal health and fitness programs, from baby yoga to stroller walks, nationwide. Find a location near you.
- The Mom Walk Collective. Socialize with other parents while getting steps (and sunshine) in through this national organization. Find a local walk closest to you.
Check out national organizations for diverse family classes
Consider checking out a few national organizations that specialize in inclusive parenting to find educational opportunities tailored to your family’s unique needs, including:
- Adoption preparation courses. Major adoption agencies like Children of the World or resources like Adoption Learning Partners sometimes offer educational opportunities for parents considering, or going through, the adoption process.
- Surrogate support groups. For families that opt to use a surrogate, try support through organizations like the National Infertility Association (RESOLVE).
- Single parent resources. Though you can sometimes find these through your local hospital or birthing centers, sites like Single Mom University also offer online courses and meetup groups for single parents.
- LGBTQ+-specfic programs. Courses through sites like RainbowFamilies can help families better understand subjects like the adoption process and life in an LGBTQ+ household.
Research local community centers
Hendricks says to also check out your local community centers, pediatric offices or family practices offices.
Talk to family and friends
Hill also recommends reaching out to friends, family or colleagues. “Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find a great class,” she says. Perhaps you sign up for one prenatal yoga or childbirth class solo. Even if you don’t know many other new parents personally, you’re bound to meet plenty of folks in similar situations who can offer recs for educational groups they’ve partaken in.
Next steps on classes for first-time parents
When Sterling was pregnant with her first child, she assumed her previous medical knowledge would “be enough.” But she struggled emotionally during her pregnancy and postpartum period — something common for so many parents. “I learned that finding the right education is crucial,” she adds.
Before seeking out pregnancy, infant care, postpartum or child development classes, be sure to assess your family situation and needs — and don’t shy away from looping in your care team or family and friends. Though the early stages of parenthood might feel overwhelming, know you’re never truly alone. There are experts and resources on hand to help you get through this.
