Women and Infants Center Classes
The St. Joseph-Breese Women and Infants Center has announced dates for the remainder of 2012 and beginning of 2013.
With Community Link’s First Step Program in Breese, WIC will offer Happiest Toddler on Monday, Dec. 10, and Happiest Baby on Monday, Jan. 14. Classes are from 1 to 3 p.m. at the hospital HealthPlex and are provided with funding from the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
Happiest Toddler is for those with children one to four years old; Happiest Baby is for new or expectant parents. Both are open to anyone caring for infants or toddlers including day care providers.
Class coordinators include Laurie Hemker and Janice McElroy, both with First Step.
An Early Head Start and Infant Mental Health Coordinator, Hemker holds a master’s degree in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker and Certified Happiest Baby Educator. McElroy, First Step’s Early Learning and Family Support director, holds a master’s degree in counseling and human development.
A Breastfeeding Support Group session also remains on the 2012 calendar – at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26. In 2013, the first Breastfeeding Class will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, with the support group meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30.
Sessions are in the Heritage Room; contact 526-5785 or shirley.spaeth@hshs.org for more information.
Those attending the support group will receive tips from trained volunteer counselors, registered nurses experienced in lactation consulting and Clinton County Health Department staff who will share in facilitating the group.
WIC will offer Prepared Childbirth sessions in three formats in January: a three-week course at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 15, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29; a Childbirth Refresher class at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, and a one-day Prepared Childbirth class from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Prepared Childbirth classes are held in the hospital Heritage Room; this Childbirth Refresher session will be in the Board Room.
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.
Also at the beginning of the New Year, WIC will offer a Sibling Class from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, and Know Your Newborn at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, in the Heritage Room. Sibling is for children three to 10 years old expecting a new brother or sister within the next two months; Know Your Newborn is for moms- and dads-to-be.
For more information on classes, to register (required) or a tour of the facility, contact 526-5464 or hessenpreis@sjb.hshs.org.