Parent Education Classes & Support Groups
NYU Langone’s Center for Perinatal Education and Lactation offers numerous parent education classes and groups that help you prepare for childbirth and provide you with the support you need when you bring your baby home.
Our live online classes, eClasses, and support groups are available to all—and our eClasses, available in several languages, let you learn at your own place.
Topics we cover include information about the following:
In addition, our free Ready, Set, Baby! hospital information session teaches you what to expect from the childbirth experience at NYU Langone.
For more information about any of these programs, please email NYUBaby@NYULangone.org. To register for any of these classes or programs, please use our online registration system.
Pregnancy and Childbirth Classes
If you prefer to learn at your own pace or have limited time, consider our eClass Understanding Childbirth.
Childbirth Express (Live Online)
This one-day class is a fast-paced overview of the childbirth experience. Topics include physiology of labor, comfort measures, common practices and interventions, birth preferences, and postpartum adjustments. Register online.
Cost: $299
Prepared Childbirth (Live Online)
The Prepared Childbirth class is a three-week childbirth education series for pregnant women and their support persons. Topics are based on the Lamaze International philosophy and include birth physiology, including what’s going on before, during, and after labor; comfort techniques during labor; medical interventions, including pain medication; and how to prepare for the immediate and at-home postpartum experience.
Each 2.5-hour class is live-streamed, and participants are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions with the instructor and other class participants. Register online.
Cost: $299
Ready, Set, Induction! (Recorded Link)
Ready, Set, Induction! is a brief recorded presentation about induction of labor—interventions your doctor may use to stimulate uterine contractions before labor begins on its own. This session is intended for women who have been scheduled for induction of labor and their support person. Our instructor provides an overview of the common medical reasons for scheduling induction of labor, as well as information about what to expect when you arrive at the hospital. We also provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about induction of labor. Register online.
Cost: Free
Babywearing (Live Online)
Babywearing, which is carrying your baby on your body with an infant carrier, offers many benefits for parents and babies, from enhanced bonding to simple convenience. In this workshop, expecting parents learn the ins and outs of choosing and using baby carriers safely and comfortably. Topics include the biology of babywearing, types of popular carriers, choosing the right carrier for your family, ensuring comfort and safety, and troubleshooting, followed by a question-and-answer session. Register online.
Cost: $30
Infant Safety Seat Basics (Live Online)
Learn the basics of your infant safety seat, including strap positioning, proper harness adjustment for your baby, aftermarket products, and expiration dates. Other topics include height and weight limits, handle positions, and the importance of using infant safety seats even if you do not own a car. This session is ideal for those who already own a car seat. Please have a stuffed animal or infant doll available for the session. Register online.
Cost: $25
Birth Basics in Japanese and English (Live Online)
This four-hour livestreamed class covers the basics of healthy birth. Topics addressed include the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices, stages of labor, medical support and postpartum healing. Learn about laboring at home and at the hospital and practice a variety of pain-coping techniques. This class is taught in Japanese and English and is intended for couples. Register online.
Cost: $200
Planned Cesarean Birth (Live Online)
This two-hour class, taught by a certified childbirth educator, is offered to people who already have a cesarean birth scheduled. This class reviews how best to prepare, what happens during cesarean delivery, and what to expect after your baby is born. Register online.
Cost: $60
Dogs and Storks (Live Online)
During “Dogs and Storks,” we help families that have dogs prepare for life with a baby. We offer positive, practical, and fun solutions that help you include your dog once the newest member of your family arrives. This workshop helps families transition from pet parents to baby parents with pets. Register online.
Cost: $25
Healthy Families (Live Online)
Becoming parents can bring profound changes to a couple’s relationship. During the Healthy Families webinar, new and expecting parents learn ways to work through conflict with greater ease, improve communication, create positive parent–infant interactions, maintain relationship satisfaction, reduce the incidence or severity of postpartum mood disorders, and increase friendship in the relationship. This webinar is based on the work of researchers at the Gottman Institute, which teaches the Gottman Method of couples therapy. Register online.
Cost: $25
Healthy Pregnancy (Live Online)
During this two-hour presentation, you learn how your baby grows and what physical changes you can expect throughout your pregnancy. Our certified childbirth educator provides practical tips for relieving the physical discomfort that women commonly feel as their babies grow. This class is most appropriate for women and their partners in the first trimester or early second trimester of pregnancy. Register online.
Cost: $20
Introduction to Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (Recorded Link)
This complimentary online webinar provides an overview and discusses the facts about vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), as well as assists you in exploring your childbirth options. Register online.
Cost: Free
Prepared Childbirth Review (Live Online)
If this is not your first pregnancy and you’d like a childbirth refresher course, the Prepared Childbirth Review may be for you. This three-hour class, taught by a certified childbirth educator, is offered to couples that have completed the Prepared Childbirth course within the last three years. This is not adequate for couples having their first baby. Please email NYUBaby@NYULangone to request.
Cost: $50
Ready, Set, Grandparent! (Live Online)
Soon-to-be grandparents are invited to our Ready, Set, Grandparent! class, which explores the transition to this new and exciting role. We discuss generational parenting differences, current maternity and infant care practices, and how to best help new parents. We also review baby care, including feeding, diapering, swaddling, and more. Register online.
If you prefer to learn at your own pace or have limited time, consider our eClass Understanding Grandparenting.
Cost: $40
Terrific Twins and Triplets (Live Online)
This course helps you and your partner prepare for the unique joys and challenges of raising multiples. From pregnancy to birth to parenting, we provide guidance, tips, and educational tools to help you plan for your new family. We also discuss self-care, baby care, feeding, essential equipment, getting around, and more. Register online.
Cost: $60
Prenatal Yoga (Live Online)
This livestreamed class is for pregnant women who have entered their second trimester. Yoga is a safe and beneficial form of prenatal exercise. Movements and poses strengthen and tone the muscles and organs. An emphasis is placed on soothing practices including breathing, meditation, visualization, and relaxation. Register online.
Cost: $150 for a 4-week series
Yoga for Labor and Delivery (Live Online)
This two-hour live online session uses movement, positions, breath, and relaxation to support the birthing process. Keeping the mind calm is helpful during childbirth. Sessions are for the expectant mother and her birthing partner. Register online.
Cost: $50
Newborn, Infant, and Toddler Parenting Classes and Support
Going Home with Your Baby (Recorded Link)
This recorded presentation contains important information regarding your discharge from the hospital and caring for yourself and your baby in the early days after delivery. We encourage you to view this complimentary video both prior to and again after delivering your baby. Register online.
If you prefer to learn at your own pace or have limited time, consider our eClass Understanding Your Newborn.
Cost: Free
Babyproofing and Child Safety (Live Online)
During this 75-minute livestreamed class, participants learn about sleep and crib safety, childproofing, fire safety, emergency preparedness, safety products, and ways to prevent poisoning. This session covers safety measures for newborns through the toddler years and general home safety for all. Register online.
Cost: $40 for 2 participants.
Potty Training Basics (Live Online)
Learn how to determine when your child is emotionally and physically ready for toilet training in this two-hour live online session. We provide parents of children ages 18 months to 2.5 years of age with strategies to make the process fun and help avoid setbacks. Each session includes plenty of time for discussion. Register online.
Cost: $25
Sign, Say, and Play! (Live Online)
Sign, Say, and Play! is a live online baby sign language workshop series for hearing babies. Classes are a fun and entertaining way for parents and hearing babies to learn sign language together. Topics covered in this three-week series include mealtime, bedtime, bath time, getting dressed, pets, and the park. Through songs, activities, books, and instruction, six or seven signs are taught for each topic. Siblings and other family members are welcome to join in. Register online.
Cost: $90
More Sign, Say, and Play! (Live Online)
This second six-week series of “play classes” helps provide parents with information on how they can support their baby’s social and emotional development through fun activities, games, and songs. The curriculum has been designed to follow the first series, although it can be taken as a standalone series. Topics covered in this three-week baby sign language series include feelings, outside, farm, safety, zoo, and birthday. Six or seven signs are learned for each topic. Siblings and other family members are welcome to join in. Register online.
Cost: $90 ($72 if you previously purchased the first baby sign language series)
Mothers with Toddlers Group (Live Online)
During our Mothers with Toddlers Group, moms meet virtually to discuss their children’s behaviors, share their experiences, and provide encouragement. The group is facilitated by our professional staff who share and offer guidance when needed. Register online.
Cost: Free for mothers who delivered at NYU Langone; $15 for the general public
Infant CPR (Live Online)
During this live, online course, a certified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructor teaches parents and caregivers the basic steps of CPR and choking relief for infants up to 1 year old. Participants are asked to have on hand a doll or stuffed animal to use for practicing chest compressions alongside the instructor. This webinar is designed to provide an overview of the basic steps of infant CPR and choking. It is not a certification course. The course includes time to ask questions and have group discussion with the instructor. Register online.
Cost: $40
Sibling Class (Live Online)
This one-hour webinar uses discussion and educational play to help children prepare for their new sibling. The class is designed for children age 3 and older. Register online.
Cost: $15
Starting Solids (Live Online)
As your baby nears the sixth month of life, he or she approaches a major milestone: eating solid food. Learn what you need to know to feel confident when introducing your baby to solid foods. Register online.
Cost: $40
Baby and Me Yoga (Live Online)
This 45-minute yoga session is for mothers and newborns between 6 weeks and 12 months of age. We practice gentle stretching, meditation, and breathing exercises to help moms build strength, balance, and flexibility. Moms also share parenting tips and experiences in a peaceful, relaxed environment. No Prenatal Yoga experience required. Register online.
Cost: $15 per session
Learn and Play/New Baby & Parent Support Group (Live Online)
This support group is for birthing parents with new babies to have the opportunity to meet and talk with others about their discoveries and experiences as a new parent. Most weeks there will be an opportunity to expand your baby’s and your own knowledge with scheduled guests and professionals, including but not limited to Baby Sign Language, dental health, Baby and Me Yoga, Baby Minds Activities, traveling with baby, and participant–requested topics.
Registration for each session is required. Register online.
Cost: Free for those delivering at NYU Langone; $15 for general public
Boot Camp for New Dads (Live Online)
Boot Camp for New Dads is a workshop for fathers and other support persons of a birthing parents. During this three-hour class, our instructors discuss ways you can support support your partner through the childbirth experience, adjust to life with a newborn, and explore your new role as a father. Register online.
If you prefer to learn at your own pace, or have limited time, consider our eClass Understanding Fatherhood.
Cost: $65
Boot Camp for New Moms (Live Online)
Boot Camp for New Moms is a unique workshop where moms-to-be get advice, insight, and tips on how to raise a baby. This 2.5-hour virtual session offers a judgment-free setting for expectant and new moms to discuss a variety of experiences about what happens in the early days after birth. The workshop shows that there’s no one “right” way. Register online.
Cost: $65
Breastfeeding Classes and Support
If you prefer to learn at your own pace or have limited time, consider our eClass Understanding Breastfeeding.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Basics (Live Online)
This 2.5-hour class for expectant mothers and their partner or another family member is taught by an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. Topics covered include the benefits of breastfeeding, proper positioning and attachment, maintaining milk supply, learning feeding cues, what to expect in the early weeks, and strategies to deal with early breastfeeding challenges. There will be opportunities for questions and answers. Partners and support persons are strongly encouraged to attend. Register online.
Cost: $80
Lactation 101: Breastfeeding in the Hospital (Recorded Link)
As a follow-up to your prenatal breastfeeding class, please watch this video to review the process of early breastfeeding in the hospital and what to expect after giving birth. This guide to basic breastfeeding information will help get you and your baby off to the right start. Register online.
Cost: Free
Pumping 101 (Live Online)
This live, 90-minute class, taught by a board-certified lactation consultant, is for those who want to learn more about pumping breast milk for their baby. Topics include how to choose the right pump to meet your needs, how to combine breastfeeding and pumping, when and how to pump, techniques to effectively express your milk, best practices for storage and handling of breast milk, and more. There will be ample time for questions and answers at the end of the session. Register online.
Cost: $40
Telehealth Lactation Consultations
During this 60-minute, one-on-one online session, an international board-certified lactation consultant evaluates the breastfeeding relationship and addresses your questions and concerns. At the end of the session, you receive a personalized care plan to help you reach your breastfeeding goals.
All sessions take place through your NYU Langone Health MyChart account. If you are a patient at NYU Langone and do not have a MyChart account, you can create an account. We also recommend that you download the NYU Langone Health app to access your MyChart account from your mobile device.
To schedule virtual lactation video visit, please email your request to nyubaby@nyulangone.org, with the subject line: Lactation Consultation Request. Please include your full name, baby’s name, baby’s date of birth, and your phone number in your email.
Cost: Visits are covered by most insurance plans. Check with your insurance plan to ensure there is no out-of-pocket expense.
If you prefer to learn at your own pace or have limited time, consider our eClass Understanding Breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Café (Live Online)
This online support group offers new mothers who have newborns to six-month-olds the opportunity to provide each other with encouragement and feedback on breastfeeding. The session is in a question-and-answer format. Registration for each session is required. Register online.
Cost: Free for mothers who delivered at NYU Langone; $15 for the general public
Breastfeeding Café Grande (Live Online)
This online group offers breastfeeding support and encouragement to mothers of babies 4 months of age and older. Register online.
Cost: Free for mothers who delivered at NYU Langone; $15 for the general public
Finding Balance: Breastfeeding and Returning to Work (Live Online)
Taught by a lactation consultant, this 90-minute class is for mothers who are preparing to return to work and want to keep breastfeeding. We recommend you take this class at least one month before your maternity leave ends. Register online.
Cost: $40