With the arrival of that little bundle, parents are flung headfirst into the all-consuming joys and challenges of parenthood. Not only do our lives take on new meaning, but the beloved Emerald City we know so well begins to take on a different hue. Gone are the days of jetting out of the house on a whim for a set of errands or walking around busy downtown Seattle for the afternoon, unplanned.
Instead, discovering places where other young families gather and finding resources that will help us bear the trying times become paramount. Local moms and dads offer these tips and tricks to help new parents find their feet. But the most important advice? Figure out what works best for you, and try not to overdo it. Find a good balance that includes quiet time to enjoy your baby. Even in a sleep-deprived haze, you’ll cherish those first little smiles and coos.
1. Rally with Other New Parents
One of the best ways to get support and connect with a larger community of new parents in your area is parenting support groups.
The Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS) organizes parents of newborns in King and Snohomish counties who live close to each other into groups that meet officially for three months. Weekly gatherings for moms, or moms and dads together, include sharing time, socializing and a trained-volunteer-led discussion. PEPS helps new parents understand that they aren’t alone, and new friendships often continue long after your official group ends. 206-547-8570; www.peps.org.
Another great group, Families of Color Seattle, connects new mothers and fathers for friendship and the sharing of resources and experiences for babies of color. The group started out meeting in Rainier Valley but has since grown; weekly gatherings are now being hosted from north to south Seattle and on the eastside. There are newborn and “waddler” groups, and a new dads’ group as well. 206-965-0629; www.focseattle.com.
2. Parenting Classes Are Your Passport to the Experts
Classes may be just the thing for parents seeking concrete facts and advice from an expert. Beyond Birth’s “First Weeks” classes provide new parents of childrenfrom birth to 12 months the chance to connect, learn and discuss the joys and challenges of parenting a 4- to 12-month-old. Topics include everything from breast-feeding struggles to baby-proofing to when to consider having another child. An informal Q & A session is led by a nurse. The $15 drop-in fee may be the best money you’ll spend on parenting. https://beyondbirthseattle.com.
Many area hospitals offer parenting classes in addition to helpful hotlines and breast-feeding support. Evergreen Healthcare and Valley Medical Center offer parent-baby classes, where new moms and dads get practical information to use at home and an opportunity to bond with other families. Seattle Children’s Hospital holds safety and CPR classes, car seat checks and has a handy online list of common children’s ailments and when to call the doctor. Overlake Hospital Medical Center offers various classes and parenting workshops. Stevens Hospital offers new mom and breast-feeding support groups, among other classes. Contact hospital education offices for schedules.
The Gottman Center’s “Bringing Baby Home” classes are popular, with good reason. Rather than focusing on baby care, they teach new moms and dads the importance of keeping their relationships strong and offer tips on how to handle the stresses of new parenthood. For locations, go to www.gottman.com/about-the-bringing-baby-home-program.
Swedish Medical Center in Seattle recently opened The Lytle Center for Pregnancy & Newborns where you will find classes, breast-feeding assistance, a store full of useful products and more.
3. Daddies Need Support, Too
The focus is often on new moms and their journey, but dads are entering new territory, too. They can get involved with PEPS and some other groups and classes, but it’s particularly meaningful for dads to hear from other dads. The “Conscious Fathering” class is just that, a place where dads are encouraged to take an active role in parenting and to leave behind the hands-off approach of generations past. 206-789-0883; www.parenttrust.org.
4. Help Is Always Just a Phone Call Away
Essential parenting questions often come up in a hurry. Getting confidential advice from a professional, or someone who has experienced what you are going through, can be a lifesaver. Parent Trust for Washington Children has a toll-free Family Help Line with live parenting coaches who offer encouragement, education, techniques and referrals for callers’ concerns. The line also has recorded stress reduction tips and a useful list of classes, support groups, events and resources across the state, which can also be found online. 1-800-932-HOPE (4673); www.parenttrust.org/for-families/education-support.
Postpartum Support International of Washington State offers a toll-free “Warm Line” where new moms or family members can ask questions about postpartum mood disorders. I wish someone had prepared me for how much my hormones would fluctuate after having my baby. These mood swings and “baby blues” are normal, but many moms have symptoms that go beyond the typical. Leave a message on the line and receive a call back within 24 hours by a trained volunteer who has experienced postpartum mood disorder. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 1-888-404-PPMD (7763); https://ppmdsupport.com/supportline.html.
5. Take Things in Stride
If the doctor has cleared you for exercise, your baby’s stroller can be an integral part of your getting-back-into-pre-pregnancy-shape routine (and I don’t mean by schlepping it in and out of the car). Stroller Strides incorporates both baby and stroller into a strength training and toning workout; it’s a great way to get out with your child, connect with other moms and have a structured class to keep you motivated. 1-866-348-4666; https://seattle.fit4mom.com. The stroller can also be put to good use by joining a See Mommy Run group in your neighborhood. www.seemommyrun.com.
6. Parent-Baby Yoga Classes in Seattle
Parent-baby yoga classes are also popular. The classes focus on exercises that are helpful for new moms – toning your changed body, stretching and relaxing those tired muscles and deep breathing. Moms get a chance to energize and find balance; babies get an entertaining way to bond with mom.
- 8 Limbs Yoga (Capitol Hill, Phinney Ridge, Wedgewood, West Seattle) – 206-325-8221.
- Lotus Yoga (Columbia City) – 206-760-1917.
- Seattle Holistic Center (Green Lake) – 206-525 9035.
- Whole Life Yoga (Greenwood) – 206-784-2882.
- Yoga Mamma (Phinney Ridge) – 206-784-9642.
7. Let Someone Else Do the Cooking
One of the best things a loved one can do after baby comes is to bring your family a meal, offering respite from a time-intensive chore. If they are particularly industrious, ask that they coordinate with your other friends and family to set up a schedule of regularly-delivered meals for the first few weeks. To formalize the process, create a meal registry at www.mealbaby.com – even long-distance friends can participate by purchasing gift certificates.
A meal assembly store (www.dreamdinners.com or www.dinnersready.com are two) may also be a sanity and time saver. Having ready-made dinners in your freezer is incredibly handy and will help you serve well-rounded meals and eat out less. Spend an hour or two assembling your entrees or, for a slight extra fee, opt for take-out where the staff does the work for you. Or use a meal delivery service – although pricier, there are more vegetarian and organic options. Check online for services near you.
8. Don’t Pay Full Price for That!
Babies often outgrow clothes and equipment faster than you can put them to use. Luckily, there are many wonderful kids’ consignment and resale shops in the area that are constantly getting new merchandise. Kym’s Kiddy Corner in Northgate tops the list for amount of equipment; it’s a good place to shop for jogging strollers, backpacks, baby carriers and bike trailers. 206-361-5974; www.kymskiddycorner.com. Me ‘n Moms stores, particularly the store in Ballard, stock a nice selection of gently-used gear as well. 206-781-9449; www.menmoms.com.
9. Going to the Movies Need Not Go by the Wayside
Going to see a movie with your baby can make you feel, at least for a few hours, as if your life is somewhat back to normal. These family-friendly theaters offer movie screenings especially for new parents; they run adult movies but turn the lights up and the sound down for sensitive little ears (Bellevue’s Lincoln Square Cinemas even serves up refreshments at your seat).
Family-friendly Screenings:
- Ark Lodge Cinemas – “Stroller Park Wednesdays,” 11 a.m. on Wednesdays: 206-721-3156.
- Kirkland Parkplace Cinema – “Baby’s Day at the Movies,” 9:45 a.m. every other Friday: 425-827-9000.
- Lincoln Square Cinemas – “Mommy and Me Movies,” 10 a.m. each Thursday: 425-450-9100.
Or, visit www.landmarktheatres.com to find an independent film at one of two Landmark Theatres with soundproof cry rooms:
- Guild 45th in Wallingford
- Varsity Theatre in the University District
10. Postpartum Doulas Are a Godsend
For families who do not have relatives nearby eager to assist with the hard first weeks of new parenting, a postpartum doula may be the ticket to sanity. Postpartum doulas can guide and assist with everything from nursing to home clean-up to food preparation to understanding your baby’s development, cues and cries. To find a postpartum doula, go to www.napsdoulas.com or call 206-956-1955.
