The Parent Connection

While you may have prepared your home for baby's arrival and taken childbirth education classes, the most important "home" to prepare before baby arrives is your relationship as parents. This free, one-session workshop available solely to couples delivering at BIDMC is recommended during the last trimester of pregnancy. We'll combine information with exercises and group discussion addressing:

• What to expect in the newborn period and strategies to protect and nurture your relationship during the fourth trimester
• How experiences in our family of origin influence how we will parent
• How to care for each other and your relationship during the biggest adjustment of your life!

All workshops are remote via Zoom. Register for our ‘From Couplehood to Parenthood: A Workshop for Couples’ here.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful and natural way to feed your baby, but it can take some practice and support. Please join us for our postpartum breastfeeding support group virtually on Zoom. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm. The group is free, but registration is required for each weekly session. Register for our online breastfeeding group here.

Beth Israel Lahey Health makes your health and safety our biggest priority. Beginning in September 2022, some of our new parent support groups will return to meeting in person. If you have questions about our meetings or infection control policies, please call 617-667-2229.

Are you a new parent? Do you want to meet other new parents, have a place to talk about the joys and challenges of parenthood, and be able to ask questions? Join us for one or many of our new parent groups, a complimentary service for parents and babies under one year old. We know that as new parents, coming together in person is important and helpful, though we also understand that not all live in close proximity to our meeting locations. We will be offering a mix of in-person and online meeting options. Find Parenting Group meeting details and registration information below. Please note that you must register weekly for group meetings.

Longwood – Boston
In-person meetings begin Monday, September 12, 2022
Every Monday, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
BodyScapes Fitness, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston

Dedham
In-person meetings begin Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Every Wednesday, 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Dedham Health and Athletic Complex, 200 Providence Highway, Dedham

Virtual Group
Meetings will continue on Zoom
Every Friday, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Working Parents and Second Time Parents Group
Meetings will continue on Zoom
Occurs two Thursdays per month, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Register Here

For In-Person Group Meetings

We will be following Beth Israel Lahey Health COVID-19 guidelines for in-person group meetings. All adults participating must wear a mask and attest to being “up to date” with COVID-19 vaccinations (primary series and boosters, when eligible) at the time of registration in order to attend an in-person group. In addition, we require that adult participants attest that, on the day of attendance and during the five days prior, they are not experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Loss of smell or taste
• Fever greater than 100.4° or feeling feverish
• Chills or body aches
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Unusual fatigue

Individuals may not attend group if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days. Screening for symptoms and exposure may take place upon entry.

Parents are matched with a trained, volunteer mentor who provides weekly phone call support through the first 12 weeks post-delivery. Mentors lend valuable support, encouragement and reassurance as well as resource information particularly around breastfeeding, or when to call your pediatrician.

As mentors initiate calls during the first days home from the hospital, they are often in a position to recognize early signs of a postpartum mood disorder and thereby help families get connected to the appropriate health care provider as early as possible.

To register for our Mentoring Program, email the Parent Connection your name, baby’s name and phone number.

The Parent Connection is an award winning program that has received rave reviews from participating families:

"My family was unable to travel from China because of COVID, so we felt all alone with our baby. My mentor, Casey, was so helpful. She understands my culture from home and life here. I don’t know what I would have done without our weekly calls."

"I was so very worried about going back to work because I had so many questions about pumping and logistics. The breastfeeding support group has been amazing. It's so helpful to talk with others who are going through something similar."

"The new parent support group is what got me through the early stages of being a new mom. Getting out of the house, meeting new friends, and receiving advice from people with older babies were all invaluable. You have so many questions as a new parent. But having a place to go weekly where your concerns can be addressed and your anxiety can be eased is really truly a blessing."

"I just want to give a huge 'thank you' and tell you how much the mentor program has meant to me. My mentor has not only been there to answer my questions, but most importantly she has helped me to believe in my abilities and trust my instincts as a mother. I rely on her weekly calls, and just knowing someone will be there to listen is something I cherish. Kudos to BIDMC for having such amazing resources for their patients that extends far beyond the delivery room!"