Family and Parenting Classes

Munson Healthcare offers a wide range of ongoing family education classes designed to meet the specific needs of expectant parents and their extended families.

Childbirth Preparation Classes
All of our instructors are qualified childbirth educators and caring individuals. They look forward to getting to know you and your family at this very special time in your lives.

A Time to Be Born
Baby Care Essentials
Breastfeeding Preparation
Car Seat Safety Check

Health Education Institute Classes
The Health Education Institute (HEI) is a collaborative partnership between Munson Healthcare and Northwestern Michigan College. Courses meet at Munson Medical Center or Munson Community Health Center. Classes offered by HEI are:

Pre-Natal Yoga
Post-natal Yoga

Safety Classes

Injury Prevention and Safe Kids North Shore
Car Seat Checks
Other Safety Programs

For a listing of available parenting and childbirth classes:

Childbirth Preparation Classes

A Time To Be Born
Active Birthing preparation promotes a positive birth experience by preparing the expectant mother and her support person for the labor and birth process. This class presents a combination of Lamaze breathing and relaxation skills along with alternative birthing techniques. Please register during your fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. Class size is limited. Classes meet weekday evenings or weekends, and are offered in Traverse City, or Kalkaska Memorial Health Center. Call for fees.

Registration

Baby Care Essentials
As the birth of your child approaches, you and your family may be concerned about how to care for your new baby.  This one-night course will help you feel more at ease as you learn about newborn care, feeding your newborn, safety considerations, and parenting skills.  Class should be taken before the birth of your baby. Cost is $30.

Registration

Breastfeeding Preparation
Breastfeeding sometimes is thought to be instinctive, but research shows it is more of a learned skill. Preparation and education ensure a successful experience for both mother and baby. Support persons are encouraged to attend. The class is recommended during an expectant mother’s last month of pregnancy. Classes meet weekday evenings. Cost for the class is $30.

Registration

Childbirth Preparation Registration
Preregistration is required for all classes. For classes in Traverse City, contact Childbirth Services at (231) 935-8219. For classes at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, call (231) 258-7533. You can also register online for many of our childbirth preparation classes.

Healthcare Education Institute Classes

Pre-Natal Yoga
Yoga for the mom-to-be is designed to help you to connect with your baby through relaxation, breath work, and opening postures. Each session includes approximately one-half hour of relaxation and one hour of gentle yoga movements with a focus on relaxation and breath to support a calm body during labor and as a parent. Suitable for any stage of pregnancy. Wear comfortable clothes for movement. Cost is $85.

Registration

Post-Partum Yoga and Strengthening —
For Moms and Babies
Strengthen your post-partum core and regain your stamina with a focused workout that provides strengthening and gentle yoga lengthening postures. Each session will also include relaxation, breath work, and infant massage to support your role as a new mom or mom again. You are welcome to bring your baby to this relaxed workout. Appropriate from 1-6 months after the birth of your child. Wear comfortable clothes for movement. Cost is $85.

Registration

Health Education Institute Registration
Preregistration is required for all classes. For more information or to register, please call NMC at (231) 995-1700 or 1-800-748-0566 ext. 51700.

www.nmc.edu/ees

Safety Classes

Injury Prevention and Safe Kids North Shore

Safe Kids North Shore is dedicated to the prevention of unintentional injury in children ages 14 and under. The coalition provides unintentional injury prevention education by partnering with local organizations and agencies with the same mission. Safe Kids North Shore is proudly led by MSU Extension and Munson Trauma Services. Safe Kids North Shore serves Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau Counties.

Other Safety Related Websites:

National Highway Traffic Safety Commission

Safe Kids

Safe Kids Michigan

For more information contact:

Jennifer Ritter
Injury Prevention Coordinator — Munson Trauma Services
Coordinator, Safe Kids North Shore
MSU Extension — Grand Traverse
(231) 922-4843
ritterj@msu.edu

Car Seat Safety Checks

Have your child's seat inspected by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians for: recalls, proper installations, appropriateness for child, and other safety concerns.

AAA
2nd Friday Monthly
10 am - 3 pm
940 US 31 North
Traverse City, MI 49686
For an appointment, call (231) 922-4843.

Grand Traverse Metro Fire Station
4th Friday Monthly
10 am - 3 pm
3000 Albany
Traverse City, MI 49684
For an appointment, call (231) 922-4843.

Other safety programs available:

• Chill Out for Winter Safety
• Fall Prevention
• Helmet and Head Injury
• Kids In and Around Cars

For a listing of available parenting and childbirth classes: