Pretty soon you'll have your very own tiny baby! Preparing for labor and birth is a rite of pregnancy; but after baby's arrival, many new parents wish they would have spent more time preparing for the wondrous roller coaster that is new parenthood.

This innovative curriculum combines everything you need to know to get breastfeeding off to a great start plus how to prepare for the postpartum period and care for your baby, including information specific to breastfed babies.

This class integrates age-old wisdom with the latest research, our own experience, and the collective suggestions of other Happy Bambino customers. Discussion, movies, and practical demos keep the class upbeat and interesting.  

• Why Breastfeed (you know 'breast is best', but you may be surprised by some of the benefits)
• How to Breastfeed (latch, positioning)
• Feeding Your Baby (how much, how often, feeding cues)
• Infant speech – what do those cries/babbles really mean?
• Babywearing overview
• Homecoming (preparing yourselves and your home for your new baby)
• The important role of dads/partners and other family members
• Tapping into local resources for breastfeeding support
• Baby soothing – beyond nursing, babywearing & massage
• Nutrition for the breastfeeding mama
• Tips for the sad-bellied baby
• Pumping, bottle-feeding & milk storage – plus successfully returning to work/school
• Infant massage overview
• Nighttime parenting – Are you getting any sleep?
• Safeguarding your sanity after baby
• Your relationship after baby
• Nursing bras
• Mama pampering/Partner Q&A

Notes: Support person welcome if partner can't attend.  Please bring a sack lunch on Saturday. Sunday is a potluck lunch.

Lea Wolf is mother to daughter Ma'iingan (1/02) and co-founder of Happy Bambino. She is a Native woman (Bad River Anishinaabe) and has lived in Madison for the better part of 8 years, having moved here initially to attend the University. Lea has a bachelors in American Indian Studies and Educational Policy, and has completed the coursework for her master's in Educational Policy at the UW. She and her daughter's father strive to co-parent Ma'iingan in ways that support and build upon the values of parenting that they hold dear.  Lea is a birth/postpartum doula.

Alison Dodge is is co-founder of Happy Bambino, a certified lactation counselor, and happy mama. Her son is Liam (7/03) and daughter Ariana (12/07). Alison brought a human resources background to Happy Bambino, but her love of children and fascination with the childbearing year have been with her from an early age. Alison is passionate about parental empowerment and choice in healthcare and the advancement of family-friendly social policies.