Chilton Hospital’s Community Outreach Department, Parent Education division, announces its September 2012 schedule. All classes require pre-registration at least one week in advance. For more information and registration, call Janet Amore at (973) 831-5475.

Childbirth Preparation (four-week class): Wednesdays, from September 5 to September 26, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Chilton Health Network, 242 West Parkway, Pompton Plains (just 1.5 miles from the hospital). Learn about the stages of labor and birth, the partner’s role and coping techniques including Lamaze breathing and the postpartum period. Tour of the new MotherBaby Center included.  Pre-registration is $200.

One-Day Intensive Childbirth Preparation: Saturday, September 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Chilton Health Network, 242 West Parkway, Pompton Plains (just 1.5 miles from the hospital).  Learn about the stages of labor and birth, the partner’s role and coping techniques including Lamaze breathing and the postpartum period. Bring your own lunch. Tour of the new Mother Baby Center included. Pre-registration is $200.

New Moms Group: Fridays, September 7 and 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Chilton Health Network, 242 West Parkway, Pompton Plains (just 1.5 miles from the hospital). Come join new moms and their infants for an informal group. Laugh, learn and share your stories with other new moms. Babies welcomed! This free meeting is held every second and last Friday of each month.

Breastfeeding: Tuesday, September 11, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Chilton Health Network, 242 West Parkway, Pompton Plains (just 1.5 miles from the hospital).  Attendees will receive information on benefits of breastfeeding, pre-natal preparation, positioning, nutrition and avoiding common problems. Pre-registration is $40. This class is for moms only.

Stroller Strides: Wednesdays, September 12 to November 7 (no class 10/31), from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at Greenview Park, 27 West Parkway, Pequannock.  Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. This unique program also provides moms with the opportunity to meet other moms and form long lasting friendships! It is designed to give mothers the ”Strength for Motherhood!” Required bands will be available for purchase at class.  Pre-registration is $80 for all 10 weeks plus $8 for the required bands.

Baby’s First Six Months: Monday, September 17, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Chilton Hospital in the Board Room. A Chilton Hospital pediatrician will discuss parents’ concerns and some of the issues that should be decided before the baby’s birth.  This is a free event.

Baby Basics: Tuesday, September 18, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Chilton Health Network, 242 West Parkway, Pompton Plains (just 1.5 miles from the hospital). Learn the basics: how to bathe, take care of the cord, diaper and burp. In addition, learn some basic steps on how to help infants sleep longer and soothe even the fussiest of babies in minutes, based on the “Happiest Baby on the Block” method. Class is for expectant mother and partner. Grandparents are also welcome for an additional fee. Pre-registration is $45.

Feeling Good and Staying Healthy: Thursday, September 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wayne YMCA, 1 Pike Drive, Wayne.  What every woman wants and needs to know when she is planning on becoming pregnant. Having a baby in today’s world presents many questions and issues from whether it is safe to use certain beauty products during pregnancy to what is the right kind of exercise to do. Chilton Hospital OB-GYN Vonetta Sylvestre, MD, will discuss topics dealing with nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene and beauty, vitamins, maintaining a healthy body and how modern lifestyles and health conditions can impact fertility, pregnancy and more.

Pre-registration is $5.  For more information, contact Marc Koch, Associate Executive Director, Wayne YMCA, 973-595-0100 ext. 272 or mkoch@metroymcas.org. For registration, call (973) 595-0100 ext. 242 or ext. 284.

Ongoing programs: Online education, hospital tour and breastfeeding support

Childbirth Education Online: Are you unable to attend conventional prenatal classes due to bed rest, scheduling conflicts or time constraints? Chilton Hospital offers a web-based alternative suitable for any parent. The eLearning Childbirth Education Program is an interactive class that covers everything in the Childbirth Preparation program. After signing up, you will receive a password and instructions. Online class is $200, or $25 for those registered for the live Childbirth Preparation class.

Tour of Chilton Hospital’s new Mother Baby Center: Tours are scheduled for Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Please call in advance to register (973) 831-5122.

Breastfeeding Warm Line: Breastfeeding sounds like it would come naturally, but unexpected issues may occur. Problems such as plugged ducts, leaking and other normal occurrences can lead to anxiety and stress. For any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, Chilton Hospital’s MotherBaby Center offers a Breastfeeding Warm Line for support and personalized care. It’s free of charge and your call will be answered within 24 hours. Our specialists, who are available between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., can determine whether you need a physician’s order for a lactation consultant. Call (973) 831-5263 to speak to a compassionate professional who understands what you’re going through. If your call is not returned within 24 hours, please call (973) 831-5122.

A full schedule of Parent Education classes and events can be found online at www.chiltonhealth.org.