'All about Babies' class is back, baby

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  There is no experience in comparison to raising a child. Parenting is a difficult task for individuals who don't know a thing about babies and those who've read every single baby book they could get their hands on.

The Family Advocacy Program New Parent Support Program nurses have brought back the 'All about Babies' class this year to share their knowledge outside of home visits with a three-hour class every quarter for anyone willing to participate whether they are single, married, expecting or already parents.

There is a big difference between reading how to do something and actually doing it. This class provides hands-on training from qualified nurses and experienced parents.

"Most of us are moms and sometimes experience outweighs all the education," said Pa Lou Vang, FAP NPSP nurse. "We bring a lot of experience in child care to the table.

"We educate and bring awareness to parenting and newborn care," Vang said. "The class will demonstrate hands-on swaddling, soothing, diaper changing and cleaning."

The class will also talk about abusive head trauma, or more commonly known as shaken baby syndrome, and other child-specific medical issues.

One stage of an infant's life may be the most confusing and worrying for any parent, which would be the Period of PURPLE crying.  The child doesn't actually turn purple, but could experience extensive crying within the first two-to-five months of life as part of a normal and natural stage in child development.

This class brings to light factors in a baby's health and well-being that may be over looked by unbeknownst parents. If parents need support outside of the classroom that is exactly what the nurses specialize in.

"This class is just another way to have additional support here," Vang said. "Our priority is home visits, but we want to get our knowledge out there."

The nurses work in the FAP clinic, located in the Lynx Wing of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital, providing on-the-spot emotional support, child development knowledge and volunteer their time to instruct 'All about Babies' classes.

The first class this year was Jan. 11 and the next one is scheduled for April 11 from 1 - 4 p.m. at the clinic.

These nurses are a part of the NPSP, which parents can turn to for concerns, questions and methodology from pregnancy until their child becomes three-years-old. The program is available to help parents be the best they can be, said Sarah Blanning, FAP outreach manager.

"When someone identifies need for support, they are welcome to give us a call and we [are] glad to help, we never turn anyone away," Blanning said.

To sign up or for more information, call 580-5858.