New Orleans Childbirth Education Classes

Support for growing families

You have a million questions as an expecting parent and Touro has some of the answers for you! Touro provides free pre- and post-natal classes including a childbirth education series, lactation, natural birthing, sibling classes, and more. We even offer online classes for busy parents or those who enjoy doing things from the comfort of home.

Our classes are taught by experienced nurses and practitioners. Classes are recommended for moms-to-be starting at 30 weeks or 6 ½ months gestation. Read on to learn more about each class we offer.

We offer virtual and in-person classes. Please check the class schedule for details.

Please contact our OB Nurse Navigators, Julie Cocharo or Leslie Caillet at 504.897.7319 to register.

We offer virtual and in-person classes. on the same date and at the same time as noted in the calendar. You may register online for the virtual classes or call one of our OB Nurse Navigators at 504.897.7319. You may also reach them by email, Julia Cocharo at julia.cocharo@lcmchealth.org or Leslie Caillet at leslie.caillet@lcmchealth.org. Once registered you will receive the online link needed for class.

• Online Childbirth Education
• Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
• Understanding Your Newborn
• Positive and Prepared Childbirth Class
• Hypnobirthing Childbirth Education Class
• Sibling Class
• Infant/Child CPR Training
• Baby Food Making Class
• Grandparenting 101 Class
• Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby

Sign-up for Our Classes Today

Childbirth education series

The Childbirth Education Series is a four-class series recommended around 30 weeks or 6 ½ months gestation and can answer any looming questions. The classes address the stages of labor, recognizing early labor signs, pain management, medical interventions, cesarean birth, postpartum and newborn care.

This class is FREE of charge.

Online childbirth education

The Online Childbirth Education is available for busy expecting parents. The date of the class is the date you register online.

You will receive an email with instructions on how to access the class online. The classes address the stages of labor, recognizing early labor signs, pain management, medical interventions, cesarean birth, postpartum and newborn care.

This class is FREE of charge. **Must also be a Touro patient

Prenatal breastfeeding class

Touro’s Prenatal Breastfeeding Class is designed to teach mothers the basics of breastfeeding. Designed for moms who already know they want to breastfeed and for moms who want to know more about breastfeeding.

The free course will cover:

• Anatomy and physiology of the breast
• Care and preparation of the breast
• Breastfeeding techniques
• Pumping and storage of breast milk

This class is FREE of charge.

Understanding your newborn: your personal journey through newborn care

This two-hour class is designed for first-time expecting parents to provide you with the information and skills you need to care for your newborn at home. Grandparents and other caregivers are also welcome to attend.

Topics include:

• Newborn traits
• Newborn behaviors
• Crying and comforting
• Feeding and diapering
• Bathing and dressing
• Newborn health and safety

This class is FREE of charge.

Positive and prepared childbirth class

The Positive and Prepared Childbirth Class is a weekend class designed to give expectant couples the confidence, knowledge and skills necessary for a safe and satisfying family-centered birth experience. The class offers birth education as well as hands-on practice of relaxation, breathing, and coping techniques for labor and birth. Partners will learn how to best comfort and support a laboring woman and moms will learn to utilize their own unique coping skills.

The classes will cover:

• Stages of labor
• Communicating birth preferences
• Relaxation and breathing for labor and birth
• Positions for labor and birth
• Partner participation and comfort measures

There is a fee for this class, please call for pricing.

Hypnobirthing childbirth education class

Mondays, 6 - 8 PM | Foucher Room

Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 1 PM | Foucher Room

HypnoBirthing is an age old childbirth education method that uses hypnosis to eliminate the fear and tension that creates pain in the birthing experience.

Moms and their birth companions will learn how their mind and body can harmoniously communicate for a calmer, more confident and more comfortable birth.

There is a fee for this class, please call for pricing.

For free information or to register, contact Bonnie Miller at 985.726.9333 ext. 118 or call 601.408.5983.

Calming your baby: presented by The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital

Babies don’t come with instructions… Learn how to have the happiest baby on your block! Based on Dr. Harvey Karp’s Breakthrough ideas, the parent educators at Children’s Hospital’s Parenting Center will teach pregnant couples, new parents and caregivers calming techniques proven to quickly calm crying and boost infant sleep.

Come learn how to turn on a baby’s “calming reflex” using five simple steps: the “5 S’s” – swaddle, sway, side/stomach holding and suck. It is appropriate for expecting parents as well as those with babies under 3 months.

This class is FREE of charge.

Sibling class

The Sibling Classes are where children learn what to expect when a new baby enters the family. The class is designed for children 4 years to 11 years of age.

This free course will cover:

• What happens when mom goes to the hospital
• What to expect when the baby comes home
• Ways older siblings cope with the new arrival
• Ways older siblings can help with the new baby
• A tour the family birthing center

This class is FREE of charge.

Infant/child CPR training

Family and Friends CPR teaches the basic technique of CPR and relief of choking for a child and infant. It is perfect for new parents, grandparents, sitters and anyone involved in the care of an infant.

Each participant will receive a handbook. The course uses guidelines created by the American Heart Association. This course is not for certification.

This class is FREE of charge. **Must also be a Touro patient

Baby food making class

Join Touro Nutritionist Julie Fortenberry and Guest Speaker Erin Reho Pelias for an interactive baby food making class.

Introducing solid foods is a fun (and messy) milestone during your baby’s first year of life. But, it can be overwhelming for a new parent to decide what, when and how often.

We’ll teach you the basics of baby food, including: when and how to introduce solids, the benefits of making homemade baby foods, how to make and store baby foods at home, adding new flavors and combinations as your baby ages, and more! Plus enjoy baby food tastings during the class and ask your nutrition questions.

This class is FREE of charge.

Grandparenting 101 class

First time grandparents: A lot has changed in newborn care over the last few decades! From tummy time to safe sleep (back only) and swaddling to car seat safety, we are here to teach you the basics.

Learn how to best support your children as new parents and feel refreshed in newborn care skills that you will quickly put to use as doting grandparents.

The free Grandparenting 101 class will cover:

• Current trends in childbirth and updated standards on infant care
• A tour of the Family Birthing Center and important information for families
• Important vaccination information for grandparents and caregivers
• Advice for new grandparents including trends in parenting, raising children and conflicts in discipline styles
• How to best support your children as new parents
• Clarifying expectations to maintain relationships

This class is FREE of charge.

While we are not able to meet as a class at this time, we do have a way to share the information with you.

Healthy mom, healthy baby: nutrition & wellness during pregnancy & beyond

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do for both yourself and baby during pregnancy and after delivery. Join Touro dietitian Julie Fortenberry for an informative class on nutrition and wellness for expectant and new mothers.

The class will cover basics of healthy meal planning, eating for two, healthy weight gain, important nutrients, foods to avoid, fitness during pregnancy, breastfeeding nutrition, healthy weight loss post baby, body image, meal planning for a busy lifestyle, finding time for fitness after baby and more. You will also learn about entering pregnancy in optimal health if planning to become pregnant.

This class is FREE of charge.