A Lubbock Hospital Is Offering Free Parenting and Safety Classes

Knowledge is power, and Covenant Children's in Lubbock wants to give new parents all of the tools they need to succeed when their little bundle of joy arrives.

That’s why they offer a handful of classes for expectant moms and dads free of charge. Here’s what you need to know and how to sign up.

Childbirth Classes

This class is tailor-made to walk you through the labor and delivery process. First-time parents will get an inside perspective of their pain management options, breathing techniques, labor positions, possible interventions that may need to be taken and what to expect after your child is born. Moreover, they will get an extensive tour of the facility so that when the big day comes, they will know where to go and what to expect.

This online class runs just under five hours and there are currently six dates available for sign up. The next one is this Saturday, May 7th, 2022. The course is free to parents who have pre-registered to deliver at Covenant.

Breastfeeding Basics

Surprisingly, breastfeeding can be a LOT harder than it looks. Getting some guidance before you find yourself in a sleep-deprived state can make this transition so much easier. Covenant has an amazing staff of lactation specialists who will direct parents on the best breastfeeding practices, various positions, and how to troubleshoot when problems arise. They will also give moms tips on how to transition back to work after maternity leave ends.

This is another free service provided to Covenant patients. There are eight available time slots for this two hour, in-person course. The next available date to sign up for is Monday, May 16th, 2022.

Infant CPR & Road Rules

If your child started choking, could you save their life? Conducting CPR on an infant or a small child is very different than what you would do on an adult. This course is designed to teach parents how to handle the unthinkable.

Covenant Children's Lactation Consultant Angela Westfall, RNC and Advanced Practice RN, said "we want parents to feel empowered to know how to intervene immediately to get their baby help." This lifesaving skill is one that you never want to use, but is important to know in case of an emergency.

Additionally, the second half of the class covers car seat safety and installation. While this may seem self explanatory, a whopping 59 percent of parents use these car seats incorrectly. In the event of a crash, you want to ensure that your child is safe, and this course will give you the information you need.

This is the only course that comes at a cost. Thankfully, it’s an extremely affordable 10 bucks. Right now there are five dates available for this two-hour, in-person class. The next opportunity will be on Monday, June 13th, 2022.

Sign Up Now!

Signing up for classes is as simple as visiting Covenant's website or you can call their Women's Services Coordinator Mary Ann Murphy at 806-725-6667 for more information.

As someone who has taken all three of these courses, I can tell you that they’re extremely beneficial and the staff is eager to answer any and every question that you may have about this new chapter in your life.