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Parenting Classes in Philly: Workshops for New and Expecting Parents and their Babies

Nest's Hatchlings class is perfect for postpartum moms and new parents to build community. Photo by Liz Baill
Nest's Hatchlings class is perfect for postpartum moms and new parents to build community. Photo by Liz Baill
8/7/22 - By Corrie Stango

They don’t say “it takes a village” for nothing. Let’s face it; pregnancy, birth, and parenting are some of the most joyous and, we’ll say it, hardest times in parents’ lives. Why not lean on some great resources in our area as support? Meet other families, hear more perspectives, and learn some great guidance and tools along the way. From the prenatal period to toddlerhood, these locations offer classes and workshops to help moms and dads navigate the crazy ride of welcoming a new member to the family and everything that follows.

While these classes are exclusively for parent education, Mommy Poppins also has great interactive class ideas for parents and children as well.

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Kith + Kin offers baby, toddler, and parent education classes in a bright, colorful space. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin
Kith + Kin offers baby, toddler, and parent education classes in a bright, colorful space. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin

Pregnancy, New Parent, and Infant Classes in Philly

Beehive at Bok

South Philly
Come out and be a part of the hive. The “New Baby Group” is free to the public and meets every Wednesday morning. Here, new parents can join to talk about the wonders and unknowns of having a new baby as well as find support from others. Additionally, for older infants and toddlers (6 months−3 years), “Small Talk” is run by speech language pathologists who work on language, socializing, and sensory skills. This Thursday morning class offers 8-week packages or drop-ins, and families can play for free after class. READ MORE

Blossoming Bellies

Various Locations
A vast resource for those expecting, Blossoming Bellies brings webinars and workshops to Philadelphia families and beyond. With years worth of webinars available for purchase, including topics such as pelvic floor health, childcare, epidurals, and nutrition, visitors can purchase and watch informational recordings from home. Or, engage in in-person sessions with topics like moving through labor, infant care basics, and breastfeeding/chestfeeding 101. Support your blossoming belly and beyond with a class through this great resource. READ MORE

Center City Pediatrics

Center City
More than just pediatric doctors, Center City Pediatrics brings classes to families, and being a patient of the office is not necessary to attend a class. From moms supporting moms to infant/toddler CPR and oral motor feeding skills, what better outlet for everything baby than through a pediatric medical facility? READ MORE

Hall-Mercer Child and Parent Center

Washington Square
Penn Medicine is synonymous with top-notch care, and the Hall-Mercer Child and Parent Center offers that care to expecting parents and parents of children 3 years and younger. Various labor and baby care workshops, both in-person and virtually, can be found here as well as classes for post-delivery life with offerings in talking to your baby, parenting a younger and older infant, adjusting to the fourth trimester body, and navigating milestones that arise with 2- and 3-year-olds.    READ MORE

Kith & Kin

Brewerytown
The breastfeeding/chestfeeding sessions here, led by board-certified lactation consultants, are all free and virtual each Thursday; an in-person option is available every fourth Thursday of the month. Kith & Kin also offers other pop-up style functions, including workshops about baby and toddler sign language, parenting toddlers, potty training, and even postpartum nutrition. READ MORE

Lilypad

South Philly
For moms-to-be, “Well Mom, Well Baby” is more than just breastfeeding and combo feeding support; the group also works to prepare moms for their physical and mental health during the postpartum time. Meet other local moms-to-be and learn mindfulness exercises to use through the prenatal and postnatal period. For toddlers, Lilypad brings Express Yourself Therapeutics for 1−3-year-olds to work on speech and language development; this is run as a 5-week series. READ MORE

Main Line Family Education

Various Locations
This facility is pretty much a catch-all for expecting and new parents. Classes cover the entire scope of motherhood; everything from prenatal nutrition to childbirth to breastfeeding to newborn sleep, Main Line Family Education also offers workshops for parents’ mental and physical wellbeing, including “4th Trimester & Beyond: Strategies and Support” and “Pelvic Floor, Core, and More.”   READ MORE

Mama's Wellness Joint

Various Locations
Expecting moms can optimize their physical health with a 12-week series of recorded videos that help the body prepare for labor and birth. Led by a certified prenatal/postpartum health and fitness coach, the workouts gradually exercise the physical and mental sides of moms-to-be. Recorded content is also available for varying stages of pregnancy: “Positively Pregnant,” “Confident & Prepared Birth,” and “Postpartum, Breastfeeding & Newborns” take families through the pregnancy journey and include an invitation to participate in a monthly “Mama Bird Chat” Zoom... READ MORE

Minnow Lane

Fishtown
A retail store that brings eco-conscious children’s and maternity/postpartum products to its customers, Minnow Lane also offers a “Playgroup + Parenting Tips for Newborns−18-month-olds” every Thursday morning. The facilitator places a focus on the RIE principles, which are rooted in the idea of mutual respect and trust between the parent and the child. Another workshop offering is infant/child CPR training every first Sunday of the month. Registration for both can be found on the website. READ MORE

NEST Center City

Center City
NEST has a variety of classes to choose from including gymnastics, indoor sports, yoga, music, dance, science, and art. They also offer preschool prep programs as well as groups for new parents. At Hatchlings and Second Time Around, both first-time and experienced parents can find a place to discuss where they are in their journey.  READ MORE

PlayArts

Fishtown
Preschool classes at PlayArts include PlayMusic Family, which offers an intro to music education, and Movement Lab, an early dance class. PlayArts also has its own preschool and offers afterschool programs, day camps, and summer camps for schoolage kids. Not to mention, the incredible playspace, which is a great place to get out and play! READ MORE

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