Your Class Journey

We offer classes from childbirth through toddlerhood, and all the stages in between! You can view our class calendar and/or you can browse our full class listing below.

Most classes are currently, live virtual classes. Limited hybrid and in-person classes are currently being offered.

Most classes are either FREE or insurance-covered. We also offer Financial Assistance for any of our paid classes.

Insurance-Covered Classes

Learn more about insurance coverage with us here.

• Breastfeeding & Pumping Basics
• Breastfeeding Basics for Partners & Coparents
• Baby Care for the Breastfeeding Family
• Sleep for the Breastfeeding Family
• Bottles & Other Feeding Tools: Responsive Feeding
• Prep for Postpartum Recovery
• Nutrition for Lactation (Nutritionist)
• Babywearing for the Breastfeeding Family
• Feeding 101: Starting Solids
• Feeding 102: Adventures in Solid Foods, Navigating the Fun of Feeding

Comfort, Communication, & Positions: Tools for Labor

with Kaely Harrod or Zoerina Ledwidge

Wondering how you’re going to stay comfortable when things get going? Join in with experienced and certified labor doulas, massage therapists and Spinning Babies certified birth workers who will give you concrete, hands-on tools for each stage of labor and unique birth experience. You’ll also learn about variations of labor patterns, when to go to the hospital, and how baby positioning plays a large role in labor! Registration includes the gestational parent and a support person ($70). Register.

Doula Meet & Greet

with DC DOulas

Expecting parents are encouraged to attend our monthly Doula Meet and Greet to learn about supported birth and interact with local labor and delivery doulas. This meet and greet session is intended for interested families to research your birth options, and maybe even meet a doula that you would like to work with! Registration for this class includes the gestational parent + a support person (free). Register.

Evening Lamaze Series

with Sarah Sragg LCCE, CD (DONA)

This class covers practical pain management skills, including relaxation, positioning, breathing, comfort measures and massage, with ample time to practice and physical and emotional strategies to enable the Labor Partner to provide meaningful support. Other topics include back labor, slow progress in labor, hospital procedures and interventions, medications, cesarean birth, and immediate postpartum care. 5th Class is a RAIN DATE only. Price includes gestational parent and a support person ($200). Register.

Natural Childbirth Series

with Kaely Harrod

Allow childbirth to unfold beautifully and naturally in the hospital setting. This course will teach expectant parents physical and emotional signposts of labor, comfort measures, birth options for planned unmedicated birth, and review unexpected situations that could arise, and cover many birth positions that promote physiological childbirth. You’ll leave feeling more confident than ever that your body is meant to do this! Price includes gestational parent and a support person ($200). Register.

2-Day Childbirth Express

with Kaely Harrod

Need a childbirth class that is completely informative in an 2-day setting (one virtual weeknight + one in-person Saturday)? Through hands on practice, visual demonstration and round table interactions, you can be assured of a fun and information packed day that will leave you feeling completely prepared for any event in the labor process. Designed with the policies/procedures of local hospitals & practices in mind. You'll leave feeling confident to plan the perfect birth for you! Price includes gestational parent + a support person ($200). Register.

1-Weekend Childbirth Express

with Kaely Harrod or Zoe Ledgwidge

Need a childbirth class that is completely informative in a ONE weekend setting? Through hands on practice, visual demonstration and round table interactions, you can be assured of a fun and information packed day that will leave you feeling completely prepared for any event in the labor process. Designed with the policies/procedures of local hospitals & practices in mind. You'll leave feeling confident to plan the perfect birth for you! Price includes gestational parent + a support person ($200). Register.

Postpartum Recovery 101

with Carolyn Johnson, OTR/L
*This class can be covered by insurance.

We will discuss tips and techniques to address physical, mental and emotional challenges of the postpartum experience. Some topics addressed: prenatal and postpartum chronic/acute pain, core weakness, c-section or episiotomy recovery, maternal mental health, self-care for mom, body mechanics and ergonomics. By the end of the class you will have a better understanding of how to care for yourself while caring for your newborn. Registration for this class includes includes gestational parent + a support person ($55). Register

Oral Ties Support Group

with Natalie Worthington, IBCLC

A supportive community space for families navigating the unique challenges and joys in treating and overcoming tethered oral tissues, sometimes called "tongue ties." Find emotional support, community, fresh perspective, and affirming stories from other families who are also along a TOTs-care journey. This group is a space for the whole family. This group is VIRTUAL. Register.

Families and Expectant Parents of Color Support Group

with Tina Pangelinan, IBCLC

This group is a space for People of Color to build community, get support, and share their unique joys and challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood, and is led by IBCLC Tina Pangelinan. Topics cover all the highs and lows of pregnancy and early parenting, and include but are not limited to: feeding, sleeping, child development, balancing work and baby, self-care and more. This is a group for the whole family (free). Register

Responsive Family Sleep Group

with kim hawley, ibclc, ma, mph

Responsive Family Sleep is a unique hybrid program of learning modules & electronic resources combined with weekly face-to-face (virtual) group coaching or “office hours.” This program is designed for parents of babies between 5 and 20 months looking for gentle, holistic alternatives to sleep training. You’ll have up to 19 months of comprehensive support (depending on your baby’s age when you join) to gain the information, tools, and guidance to support the whole family’s sleep, troubleshoot challenging sleep patterns, and responsively navigate changes you may want to make. You’ll deepen your understanding of your baby’s needs, learn to trust your intuition, and build confidence in your responsive choices. Register.

Feeding & Postpartum: 0-4m Support Group

with Gina Boling, IBCLC or Torey Potter IBCLC

Congratulations! You and your little one are learning so much together during these early weeks/months, and the support of your community is vital. That's why we offer this experienced IBCLC-led group weekly! Laugh, cry, share stories, tips, and feel some common ground on the journey through these fast-changing early weeks. Feeding and/or pumping during group is welcomed! This group is a space for the gestational and/or breastfeeding parent only (free). Register

Feeding & Postpartum: 4-12m Support Group

with Natalie Worthington, IBCLC

Every day, your baby is changing and so is your feeding story! Enjoy talking with other parents and an experienced IBCLC, about the joys and puzzles of your growing baby. Bring your questions and insights about the transitions underway—be it return to work or staying home a little longer, finding manageable sleep routines, starting solids, thinking about weaning, or toddler nursing. This group is for the gestational and/or breastfeeding parent only. Our Social & Play Groups are open to all (free). Register

Feeding & Postpartum: 12m+ Support Group

with Natalie Worthington, ibclc

Find community and get support with other parents of toddlers, along with expert advice from an experienced IBCLC. Laugh about the joys and brainstorm about the challenges of parenting a toddler - popular topics include feeding/nursing, nutrition, sleep patterns, and weaning options. Feeding your toddler and/or pumping during group is welcomed! This group is a space for the gestational and/or breastfeeding parent only (free). Register

Feeding & Postpartum in the 1st Year

with Ida Hanson, IBCLC Candidate

This group is open to gestational and/or nursing/pumping parents with babies up to a year old! Laugh, cry, share stories, tips, and feel some common ground on the journey through that transitional first year of parenthood. Feeding and/or pumping during group is welcomed! This is an *in-person* group held at The Breastfeeding Center (Free). Register.

Breastfeeding & Pumping Basics

with gina boling, ibclc or jen mueller, ibclc
*This class can be covered by insurance.

This class gives expectant parents evidence-based information to get breastfeeding off to a good start. We will discuss the learning curve of the early weeks and what to do if things aren’t unfolding as planned. Then we’ll explore pumps and other tools that help parents maintain the breastfeeding relationship in our modern lives. Ask your questions throughout, so you can feel more prepared to welcome your baby. Registration includes gestational parent + a support person (covered by insurance; $35 if not covered). Register

Breastfeeding Basics for Partners and Co-parents

with gina boling, ibclc
*This class can be covered by insurance.

This much loved class reviews the basics of breastfeeding and discusses how to support the breastfeeding parent. Questions are encouraged! This class is intended for fathers, partners, co-parents and others who are supporting the breastfeeding parent. This is an instructor led class where discussion and questions are invited. To encourage questions and open discussion, this is a space for only NON-gestational parents, partners, and support persons (free). Register

Bottles & Other Feeding Tools: Responsive Feeding for Breastfeeding Families

with Natalie Worthington, IBCLC
*This class can be covered by insurance.

This prenatal class provides an in-depth dive into all supplementation: pumping, formula, and donor milk; optimal use of bottles, syrings, and feeding tubes; and reading baby's cues for responsive feeding rather than scheduled feeding. Expectant parents will leave this class with a foundation to understand all of their options and decisions for feeding baby away from the chest/breast. Insurance covered class, registration includes gestational parent and a support person. Register

Optimizing Sleep for the Breastfeeding Family (Prenatal-5 months)

with Kim Hawley, IBCLC, MA, MPH
*This class can be covered by insurance.

This class provides evidence-based information on normal infant sleep. A Holistic Sleep Consultant will teach you about biologically normal sleep, safe sleep, and strategies to support the whole family’s sleep, plus dispelling some common sleep myths--for a developmental understanding of sleep which fosters responsiveness and strong attachment between parents and babies. Registration is for 2 caregivers. Register

Baby Care for the Breastfeeding Family

with Jen Mueller, IBCLC
*This class can be covered by insurance.

This prenatal class provides an overview of caring for your new breastfed baby. We will cover typical infant development, reading your baby’s cues for breastfeeding and other needs, the basics of bathing and diapering, soothing techniques, safe sleep, and tips for thriving in the newborn period. Expectant parents will leave this class with a foundation to get early parenting off to a great start! Class price includes gestational parent + a support person (covered by insurance; $35p/h if not covered). Register

Babywearing 101 Choosing and Using the Best Carrier for You

with katie shamp
*This class can be covered by insurance.

Babywearing can be an invaluable tool in early parenting and can help you conveniently(!) meet your baby's needs while attending to your own. In this class we'll cover: babywearing benefits, newborn safety, positioning, comfort (for baby and you!). We'll demonstrate each of the major types of carriers, and discuss pros/cons so that you can choose the best carrier(s) for you, with plenty of time for questions. Registration includes you + a support person. Register

Nutrition for Lactation Series

with Katherine Marongiu Buonaiuti, MS, MA
*This class can be covered by insurance.

This 5-week prenatal course (meets 6-7pm for 5 consecutive Wednesdays) provides you with both the necessary information and practical strategies to use food to support a more nourished and easeful experience in the weeks following birth. You can expect to finish the program with not only a greater understanding of the importance of what and how we eat on lactation, energy levels, digestion, stress levels and connection to those around us, but to also already be skillfully applying and enjoying many of the habits presented. Register.

Financial Planning for Baby

with Andrew Soles

Learn more about Andrew: http://andrewsoles.nm.com/

Our financial planning class addresses concerns that new parents face as they adjust to the financial realities of caring for children. Topics will include budgeting, college savings, insurance needs, funding your retirement, and childcare costs, estate planning. The class is great for moms, dads, and even grandparents! Registration for this class includes includes gestational parent + a support person (free). Register

Perinatal Rights at Work

with Laura Brown

Learn about your perinatal rights in the workplace, including the right to: take leave (paid and unpaid), request on-the-job accommodations, be free from discrimination, and breastfeed. Lawyers from First Shift Justice Project will provide you with a primer on the web of federal and local laws that protect these rights, and discuss how to be proactive by developing a strategy for planning your work/family life and communicating your needs to your employer to protect your rights (free). Register

Infant CPR

with Frontlines CPR

This class is designed for people who want to learn CPR but do not need a course completion card in CPR for their job. This course is ideal for expecting parents, existing parents, grandparents, babysitters and others interested in learning how to save a life. This course teaches the lifesaving skills of adult and child CPR and AED use, infant CPR and relief of choking in an adult, child or infant. This class will run for approximately 2 hours. Register

Optimizing Sleep for the Breastfeeding Family (Prenatal - 5 months)

with Kim Hawley, IBCLC, MA, MPH

This class provides evidence-based information on normal infant sleep. A Holistic Sleep Consultant will teach you about biologically normal sleep, safe sleep, and strategies to support the whole family’s sleep, plus dispelling some common sleep myths--for a developmental understanding of sleep which fosters responsiveness and strong attachment between parents and babies. Registration is for 2 caregivers. SAME CURRICULUM AS PRENATAL CLASS BUT GEARED TOWARD PARENTS OF BABIES 0-6M (covered by insurance; $35p/h if not covered). Register

Infant Massage Series

with Jennifer Graham LMT, CIMT, CPMT

In this hands-on 3-week series, parents and caregivers will learn how to massage their baby to promote bonding/attachment, improve sleep, weight gain, digestion, and enhance neurological development. Each week will focus on learning your infant’s cues, massage strokes for different parts of the body, and discussion about the benefits of nurturing touch. Stroke adaptations for gas, congestion, and teething will also be covered. Recommended for babies 6 weeks to pre-crawling. Registration includes 2 caregivers ($140). Register

Pumping Strategies & Return to Work

with Natalie Worthington, IBCLC

We suggest this class about a month before your return to work date. It can also be helpful to take pump basics which runs prior to this class, especially if you are not yet familiar with pumping and bottle feeding. This class covers techniques to make this transition easier for you and your baby. We talk through emotions, logistics, timing, supply worries, where you will be pumping, equipment needed, milk storage and techniques to maximize pumping volume (covered by insurance; $35 per hour if not covered) Register.

Starting Solids - Feeding 101

with Brittney Kuzila, MPH, RD, LD, CLC

This class provides parents with evidenced-based information on the process of starting solid foods. A variety of approaches are covered including the traditional method of purees and baby-led weaning. We will cover when to start solids, which foods to offer, how to progress through different foods, how to manage breastmilk or formula intake with the introduction of solids, nutrient needs, allergies, choking, foods to avoid, + more. While we do not recommend an age-based criteria for starting solids (this class will cover the developmental milestones that show solids-readiness), we suggest taking this class around 4-6m postpartum so that you have time to fully observe your baby’s developmental readiness and time for yourself to prepare by gathering all the resources, planning, and additional education (CPR) needed to feel relaxed and ready for solids! Includes gestational parent + a support person. Register

Feeding 102: Adventures in Solids- Navigating the Fun of Feeding

with April Anderson, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

This class is for parents of children 6m+ who have started to introduce solids but are running into questions on things like: refusal, spitting out, texture difficulties, coughing, gagging, and all of the challenges that come up with feeding. Get evidence based info from a feeding therapist on development of feeding skills, strategies for the breastfed baby, specific skill building activities, general family mealtime tips for all ages, and when it’s time to seek more help. Register.

Expectant Dads Support Group

with Adam Angel, lscw-c, licsw

Are you an expectant dad in the DC area? Join this group led by therapist and dad Adam Angel to ask questions, get advice, and connect with others! This group is most helpful for those who would like to meet + connect with other expectant dads, want a space to talk about pregnancy, birth, and parenting methods, want a space to talk to about how to communicate with partners and co-parents 2 session weekly group for expectant first-time dads. (free). Register

New Dads Support Group

with Adam Angel, lscw-c, licsw

Are you a new dad? Join this group led by therapist and dad Adam Angel to ask questions, get advice, and connect with others! This group is most helpful for dads who would like to meet and connect with other new dads, want a space to talk to other dads about parenting methods, want a space to talk to about how to communicate with partners and co-parents 10 session weekly group for first-time dads with babies 0-1yr old. $23/session, capped at 10 attendees. Register

Dads 2.0 Support Group

with Adam Angel, lscw-c, licsw

Are you a dad looking for therapy in the DC area? If you are interested in taking a deeper look at yourself and your relationships as you navigate fatherhood and family life this group is for you. The group will be facilitated with the goal of creating a space that supports men to thrive during fatherhood. This group meets weekly at 12pm on Tuesdays. $75/session, capped at 6 participants. Register.

Seasoned Vets Support Group

with Adam Angel, lscw-c, licsw

Are you a dad of a pre-school aged child in the DC area? Join this group led by therapist and dad Adam Angel to ask questions, get advice, and connect with others! This group is most helpful for those who have a 18 month-5 yr olds. You’ll join a team of dads like you, who will share what they know and learn from one another about what is needed to continue being a great father while learning strategies to manage this stage of your child's life in a 6 session weekly group, $33/session. Register