Childbirth, other classes planned for Breese, Highland

The Women and Infants Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese will offer a variety of childbirth related classes during the next several weeks.

Most sessions will be offered at the Breese hospital. A breastfeeding class is scheduled for the HSHS Health & Wellness Center in Woodcrest Plaza along US Route 40 in Highland.

Three breastfeeding sessions are on the calendar: a Breastfeeding Support Group at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, in the Women and Infants Center; and Breastfeeding Classes at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Highland, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, in the Heritage Room at Breese.

The group is for pregnant women, newly delivered and experienced mothers who want more information and/or are interested in talking to others who are nursing; the class is for parents who are considering or have decided to breastfeed. A lactation consultant will lead the sessions.

Two Prepared Childbirth sessions are also scheduled: a one-day class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 6, and a three-week course at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, March 9, March 16 and March 23, all at Breese.

Sessions provide information to decrease anxiety and fears. Topics include relaxation, comfort measures, variations of normal labor and delivery, Caesarean births, risks and benefits of medication.

In addition, the next Baby Care and Safety class is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, and the next Sibling Class is planned from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, both at St. Joseph’s in Breese.

The sibling class is for children three to 10 years old expecting a new brother or sister within the next two months. Baby Care and Safety classes are for moms- and dads-to-be and focus on knowing your newborn.

With funding from the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Community Link’s First Step Family in Breese will offer a two-part infant massage class from 1 to 2 p.m. Mondays, April 5 and April 12, and a two-hour “Happiest Baby” session from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 19, both at the  St. Joseph-Breese HealthPlex.

The infant massage class is for babies from birth to about six months old and offers a great opportunity for two hours of bonding between parent and child. The instructor is trained by the Loving Touch Foundation.

Certified “Happiest Baby” instructors focus on understanding newborn behavior and strategies to soothe fussy babies. Sessions are appropriate for new or expectant parents, caregivers and daycare providers.

For details, a schedule or to register (requested), contact 526-5423 or e-mail Helen Essenpreis.