Resources for New Seattle Parents
The best parents are those who access to the information and services they need to help their children thrive. Whether you are a brand new parent or welcoming siblings to your family, the following resources may be helpful.
The Penny Simkin Channel
Childbirth education and doula pioneer Penny Simkin offers short segments on birth-related topics ranging from global maternity care trends to helping a grandmother prepare to attend the birth of her grandchild, to the value of rhythm as an indicator of coping with labor pain, to tips for expectant parents for communicating with staff about a care plan, to basic care decisions that lead to the most appropriate care options for each person. For more videos click here: The Penny Simkin Channel
Books on Childbirth and Parenting We Highly Recommend
The Birth Partner, 5th Edition (2018) and When Survivors Give Birth (2006) by Penny Simkin
The Baby Book, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William Sears MD, Martha Sears RN (2013)
Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born by Tina Cassidy (2008)
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler (1999)
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin ( 2003)
The Essential Homebirth Guide: For Families Planning or Considering Birthing at Home (2013) by Jane E. Drichta and Jodilyn Owen
, The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, by Heng Ou, Amelt Greeven & Marisa Belger (2016)
Birthing from Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz (1998)
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed (1985)
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, Erick Ingraham, and Robert A. Bradley (1996)
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Weissinger (2010)
The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins (2010 25th Anniversary Issue)
The Breastfeeding Book by Martha and William Sears (2000)
Breastfeeding with Confidence by Sue Cox (2006)
The Other Baby Book: A Natural Approach to Your Baby's First Year by Megan McGory Massaro (2012
DVDs on Childbirth We Highly Recommend
"The Business of Being Born" (2008)
"Birth As We Know It" (2006)
"It’s My Body, My Baby, My Birth" (2007)
"Born in the USA" (2000)
"Infant Massage: The power of touch" (2003)
"Pregnant in America" (2008)
"National Geographic In the Womb" (2005)
"All My Babies" (1952)
"Practicing for an Active Birth; the Most Comprehensive Hands-on Guide for a Healthy and Active Birth" (2012)
"Bringing Baby Home" (2005)
"There's a Baby" video about birth for young siblings, by Penny Simkin (2014)
Interactive Birth Plan Tools
Count Your Baby's Kicks Starting in 3rd Trimester
Counting kicks is easy to do. It's important too! It’s a great way to bond with your baby. Most importantly, it could save your baby’s life. When you start your 3rd trimester, it’s time to start counting. To learn more and access a kick counter, go to Countthekicks.org
Birth Doulas
Pals Doulas Referral Service offers referral to fee-based certified doulas as well as low-cost or free doulas; 206.329.7257; palsdoulas.org·
DoulaMatch.net allows new parents to review doula profiles, read reviews, and compare costs and training; Doulamatch.net
DONA International hooks parents up with DONA-certified doulas: dona.org
Open Arms Perinatal Services offers free doula care for low-income women; (206) 723-6868; info@openarmsps.org; openarmsps.org
Breastfeeding Support and Breast Pump Rental
La Leche League of Washington: group support for nursing mothers; lllofwa.org
Catherine Fenner / Nurture New Life: IBCLC-certified lactation consultant: 206.920.3084; NurtureNewLife.com
Beyond Birth Seattle offers clinic, home visit lactation support and drop-in group support; beyondbirthseattle.com/breastfeeding
Nurturing Expressions: IBCLC consultants; 206.763.2733; NurturingExpressions.com
Krystal Silva, ND: 206.409.6406; KrystalSilva.com
Second 9 Months: IBCLC-certified lactation consultant: 206.356.7252; Second9Months.com
Village Maternity: 206.523.5167; 2615 NE University Village St, Seattle; villagematernity.com
The Lytle Center for Pregnancy & Newborns: IBCLC support; 206.215.9853; swedish.org
Birth Site Information: Hospitals, Birth Centers, and Home Birth
Great Starts Guide offers comprehensive information about all options for birth care providers (certified professional midwives, certified nurse midwives and obstetricians) and birthplace (hospital, home or birth center); download the pdf by Clicking Here.
Baby Clothing and Car Seat Support
Baby Cupboard offers nutritional support, clothing and diapers to families in need; 206.694.6722; familyworksseattle.org
Wellspring Family Services Baby Boutique offers new parents in need baby clothing, diapers, formula and other vital gear; 206.826.3050; wellspringfs.org/community-services/baby-boutique
Westside Baby offers free infant car seats and other gear for those in need 206.767.1662
Cranial Sacral Therapy for Babies (to address breastfeeding and other concerns)
Tina Dos Santos, LMT, CD, CPD; cranialdoula.com
Early Intervention, Testing and Questions About Child Development
Center for Human Development and Disability at University of Washington provides diagnosis, assessment and management plans for children at risk for neurodevelopmental delays or disabilities; 206.589.9246; chdd@uw.edu
Diapers
Baby Diaper Service is a paid cloth diaper service; 206.634.2229; babydiaperservice.net
Baby Cupboard offers nutritional support, clothing and diapers to families in need; 206.694.6722; familyworksseattle.org
Westside Baby offers free diapers to those in need; 206.767.1662; westsidebaby.org
Wellspring Family Services Baby Boutique offers new parents in need baby clothing, diapers, formula and other vital gear; 206.826.3050; wellspringfs.org/community-services/baby-boutique
Emergency Medical and Medical Advice
Emergency police, fire or emergency medical care: Call 911
Washington Poison Center Hotline: 800.222.1222
Seattle Children’s Hospital Emergency Room: 206.987.8899 or 866.987.8899; 4800 Sandpoint Way N.E., Seattle
Seattle Children’s Hospital Resource Line: 206.987.2000
Emergency Babycare
On Call Nanny offers referral to short-term or long-term professional child care providers; 1.866.776.2669; oncallnanny.com
Helpr App offers sitters whenever you need them, including same day. https://www.helpr-app.com/
Family Health Hotline
ParentHelp123’s Family Health Hotline helps parents find local resources and services like food banks, parent support groups, play and learn groups for your kids, low-cost health clinics, free birth control, and more; 800.322.2588; parenthelp123.org
Fathering
Fathers Network support for fathers caring for their children with special needs. 425.653.4286; fathersnetwork.org
DADS assists fathers in developing a sense of self, family and community responsibility through education, effective parenting, mentoring and partnering; 206.722.3137; aboutdads.org
Aid (Financial and Otherwise) to Families
Apple Health for Kids provides free or low-cost health coverage for children in homes w/incomes 2 to 2.5 times poverty level: 800.562.3022; hca.wa.gov/applehealth/Pages/default.aspx
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps keep heat on. Call for an appointment 206.348.7144; https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy/low-income-home-energy-assistance/
Within Reach connects families with free or low-cost insurance, food, parenting and other social and health programs. 800.322.2588; wintinreach.org
Food Support
Food Lifeline offers families in need food pantries, food banks and hot meal programs; 206.545.6600; 4011 6th Avenue S., Seattle; foodlifeline.org
Fussy Baby Support
The Fussy Baby Network at Cooper House offers the Fussy Baby Warmline, information and support for parents with concerns about a very fussy baby; 206.906.9622; cooperhouse.org/fussybaby
Infant Safety
Infant-Child CPR Training: HeartSaver at Seattle Children's Hospital, http://www.seattlechildrens.org/classes-community/classes-events/first-aid-cpr-aed
Safe Sleeping Information from Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: http://www.multicare.org/mary-bridge-infant-sleep-safety
Car Seat Safety Checks are offered by Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle; 206.987.5999; https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/car-seat-checks/
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Auburn; 253.403.1417; multicare.org/mary-bridge-child-passenger-safety
Booster Seat Coalition at Swedish Hospital; 206.386.2502; seatcheck.org
The Safety Restrain Coalition offers car seat inspection throughout Washington; 1-800-BUCK-L-UP
New Parents Support Groups
PEPS (Program for New Parent Support) offers volunteer led newborn parent support groups. Moms and couples groups available. PEPS also offers Baby Peppers for parents of babies 5 to 12 months of age, and Little Peppers for families with two children under age 3; peps.org
Bringing Baby Home. This research-packed program will help both parents better understand their role with baby, what changes and challenges to expect once baby is home and how to focus on keeping the couple relationship strong during the stressful transition to parenthood. Scroll down the page to Washington for workshops: https://www.gottman.com/couples/parenting/new-parents-workshop
Listening Mothers offers new parents support groups led by professional therapists. Explore the emotional experience of the early parent-child relationship. Groups include up to seven moms, and their babies. communityofmindfulparenting.com/programs-listening-mothers.html
Parenting Information and Support
Family Help Line at Parent Trust: For parents who need support, information, referral to support groups and other resources. 206.233.0139. Resource database at parenttrust.org
Children’s Home Society of Washington offer parents many support services, designed to help the whole family succeed at low or no cost; 206.695.3200; chs-wa.org
Puget Sound Adlerian Society posts The Parenting Calendar updated quarterly with parenting classes throughout Seattle. psasadler.org
Children’s Hospital Resource Line provides basic health information: 206.526.2500
Crisis Line hosts a 24-hour phone support for any personal/family crisis. 206.461.3222
Within Reach Referral Line provides information about public health services, free or low cost medical coverage, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, health care providers, WIC food and nutrition program, referral to lactation consultants, free or low cost immunizations, birth control information, smoking cessation programs, and resources for families of children with special needs. 800.322.2588; wintinreach.org
Wellspring Family Services offers new parents a wide range of support services; (206.826.3050; 1900 Rainier Avenue South
Seattle; wellspringfs.org
Postpartum Depression Support
Postpartum Support International of Washington: 24-hour hotline for women and families who may be experiencing postpartum depression or related issues: 800.404.7763; ppmdsupport.com
PPD Support Groups and Resources; https://www.postpartum.net/locations/washington
Postpartum Doula Support
Northwest Association for Postpartum Support (NAPS): find a postpartum doula; 206.956.1955; referrals@napsdoulas.com; napsdoulas.com
DoulaMatch.net: Review doula profiles, read reviews, find your match. Doulamatch.net
Parenting Coaches & Consultants
Sarina Behar Natkin, noted as one of the best parent coaches in Seattle. www.sarinanatkin.com/about-sarina