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Parenting Program

Beaumont Children’s Hospital’s award-winning Parenting Program provides support and education to new parents through experienced parent volunteers. It is a free, one-stop resource for anyone who delivers a baby at Beaumont. Earlier discharges and limited family support can add to the stresses of becoming a parent. The Parenting Program offers phone calls, individual contact and parent groups to assist first-time parents in caring for their newborn. The Parenting Program has helped more than 75,000 parents since it began in 1980.

An Understanding Partnership for You and Your Baby

Our volunteers are parents themselves and understand what it’s like to suddenly be caring for a brand-new person. You may participate in all aspects of the program or only those you feel will be helpful. The Parenting Program provides information and emotional support in individual and group settings. Experienced, trained parent volunteers can answer questions, validate concerns, listen, and refer families as needed.

The Parenting Program offers

  • Individual family support – You and your family can receive support from trained parent volunteers who interact with you by phone, e-mail or face-to-face meetings.  Parent volunteers listen to concerns, answer questions and help you build a strong support network.
  • Breastfeeding follow-up – A volunteer who has breastfed and completed training will contact you to answer questions and provide support for a positive breastfeeding experience.
  • Parent groups – Groups begin meeting when babies are 3 to 5 months old.  The groups bring new parents and their babies together with a trained parent group leader.  Popular issues discussed in the group include
    • Adjustment to parenthood
    • Childproofing your home
    • Common childhood illnesses
    • Development and temperament
    • Feeding your baby
    • Play, learning and reading
  • Postpartum Adjustment Support – partners with the Tree of Hope Foundation to create a safe and supportive environment for families struggling with postpartum adjustment. Specialists are available to support mothers experiencing a difficult transition to parenthood or postpartum mood disorders.
  • Parenting Classes

Having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be stressful. The NICU Parenting Program can introduce you to parents who know how it feels because their babies were in the NICU. They can provide emotional support, suggestions and non-medical information to help you through the experience. The NICU Parenting Program also offers:

  • Sharing Through Education and Parent Support (STEPS) – This group provides education on various topics related to your infant.
  • Support at home – A trained NICU parent volunteer will be available to visit you or consult with you over the phone or by e-mail for several months after your baby joins you at home.

After-hours questions about baby care can also be addressed on our Mother/Baby units at:

Royal Oak 248-898-6396
Troy  248-964-3995
Grosse Pointe 313-343-1705

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