Our Associate Director Michael Hill
announces that Adoption STAR will be offering a newborn/infant care class, 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, April 9th that is open to any interested prospective adoptive parents!
Our oldest son’s birthmother allowed us an incredibly high level of involvement in her prenatal care. She invited us to join her for medical appointments (including sonograms), which was just an amazing experience (and something we will always be grateful for).
While joining her for these appointments, I was amazed to see the number of opportunities that pregnant individuals and couples have to take parenting classes (as evidenced by the flyers announcing such classes that seemed to adorn each and every waiting room we sat in). These classes were designed to help folks feel better prepared for the arrival of their babies, and when it comes to things like feeding a newborn, swaddling a newborn, etc., I imagine having some insight into these types of “parental duties” would really help parents feel more safe and secure.
These kinds of opportunities aren’t as readily advertised to prospective adoptive parents, and I think that’s a shame. On a personal level, I felt quite prepared to care for our son, but only because I’ve been around babies for as long as I can remember…I have nearly 30 first cousins, so there was a pretty much a new baby to care for and babysit every year of my adolescent life! However, not everyone has the same opportunities to be around little ones. A former co-worker once told me that, “the first baby I ever held was the first baby I gave birth to.” This shocked me, but I can’t imagine her experience is completely atypical.
Given all of this, I’m pleased to announce that Adoption STAR will be offering a newborn/infant care class that is open to any interested prospective adoptive parents! The class will be facilitated by a group of practicing nurses that are currently pursuing an additional nursing degree at Daemen College. The class will be held at Adoption STAR’s main office: 131 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY 14228, from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, April 9th. Adoption STAR clients can receive 5 educational credits as a result of attending this class. Topics for discussion will include bathing, feeding, swaddling and more. Please call 716-639-3900 to RSVP or e-mail [email protected].
Read More on Infant Adoption: Issues and Perspectives in Adoption Then and Now Part 1,Issues and Perspectives in Adoption Then and Now Part 2, Issues and Perspectives in Adoption Then and Now Part 3, Infant Adoption Awareness Training Project, Understanding Infant Adoption