Parenting a newborn is a human feat unlike any other. And when you need some extra help — for you, or for baby — here’s where to turn to.
When I was pregnant with my first child just over two years ago, I had the sweet, sweet luxury of time. I was lucky in that I had a relatively easy pregnancy and only spent the first trimester battling the dreaded morning sickness (it should really be called “all day sickness”). So I read books and listened to podcasts on the growing baby in my belly — and the surprising number of things you really shouldn’t eat — preparing for childbirth and breastfeeding. Already feeling overwhelmed with birth and recovery, and setting up our home to welcome our son, I naively thought that during those sleepy newborn days, I could study up on raising this tiny human.
As you might have already guessed, that didn’t end up happening in a meaningful way, unless you count the frequent, frantic googling sessions: Why is my newborn slamming his legs down? How often is too often for a newborn to nurse? Should I feel numbness around my C-section incision?
I’m here to affirm that the newborn haze is hard. That it doesn’t last forever. And that you are doing a good job as a new parent. For all those in-between moments when you’re struggling with your postpartum body, how to adjust during the new partners-now-parents dynamic and the near-constant self-doubt when it comes to rearing your child, here is a handy guide to turn to. We’ve compiled ways to care for your physical and mental health, to find community, and pro tips on caring for the little potato that is your brand new baby.
The best part? These evergreen resources are available, if and when you need them. They are also doable — with a newborn. You’ve got this!
Support Groups
As parents, we do so much for our children, especially in those first few months and years. Being a new parent is tough in so many expected, and unexpected ways, and it can do a number on your mental health. Hard as all this may be, it’s normal for most (all?) new parents to feel burnt out as they transition to this new role. But the good news is that there is support available when you need to converse with other adults, share your joys and struggles, or simply get out of the house.
Bridgetown Baby
Nurturing Circle Hosted by postpartum doulas and lactation consultants with Bridgetown Baby, (a repeat PDX Parent Reader Favorites winner), the Nurturing Circle support group meets virtually each Tuesday from 10:30 am-12:30 pm via Zoom. The group is a safe space to connect and share with other new parents — although parents of older babies and toddlers are also welcome — and ask questions. And because the experts of Bridgetown Baby know that punctuality can be hard with a baby, it’s totally OK to join after the session has begun.
Ready Set GROW
For families that want to meet in person, Bridgetown Baby, in partnership with postpartum studio, Ready Set GROW, hosts the New Parent Sharing Circle, free, support meetups on the “the ups and downs of the postpartum year.” The group offers connection each Wednesday from 10:30 am-12:30 pm in Ready Set GROW’s Northeast studio. Online registration required and donations accepted. 5433 NE 30th Ave.
OHSU
Connect with other new parents during the free OHSU Baby Club on Tuesdays from 12:30-2 pm at the Center for Women’s Health. Led by a parenting educator, the free sessions are oriented for parents of babies from birth to 12 months old and topics include newborn care, breastfeeding, coping strategies and more. Online registration required. 808 SW Campus Dr.
LGBTQIA2S+ New Parent Support Group
This weekly support group is designed especially for LGBTQ+ parents to come together in a safe, nurturing environment. The meetups are led by Noa Grayevsky, a licensed marriage and family therapist and are tailored for those with babies under a year old, who can join with or without their littles in tow. The next cohort of sessions starts this fall; there is a sliding scale admission of $30-$60 per session, but no one will be turned away.
Papillon Collective
Papillon Collective, started by Caitlin Cunningham, a Portland mom of two, has parental support groups, held in person at the Laurelhurst Club (near the park) to help moms transition to parenthood. There’s New Moms Groups for parents with babies 0-6 months (pictured below) and the Big Baby New Moms Group for parents of little ones ages 6 months to 1 year. The group tackles topics like starting solids, sleep regressions, returning to work and more. The next cohort of eight- to 10-week sessions begins this fall and pricing begins at $165. 3721 SE Ankeny St.
Baby Blues Connection
The organization provides mental health support to all parents throughout Oregon and in Vancouver, Washington. Parents can find online resources and online support groups (including a specific one on birth experiences and the postpartum body). All resources and support groups are free, confidential and supportive of parents from all backgrounds.
Exercise Classes and Physical Health
It might be an understatement to say that pregnancy changes your body in a significant and wide-ranging number of ways. And while it’s all perfectly normal, many of us want to physically look and feel more like our pre-baby selves again. And you can! Just give yourself grace in the process.
Fit4Mom
A PDX Parent Readers Favorite winner, this national fitness business bills itself as made by moms, for moms to provide “strength in motherhood.” Fit4Mom offers pre- and postpartum exercise classes in its Southeast and Clackamas locations. The best part? You can bring your baby with you to class. Enroll in walking or running classes where you move with your strollered baby, or a wellness program that includes nutrition, group exercises, accountability and weekly challenges. Single classes are $25 and memberships start at $79 a month.
Ready Set GROW
Held in a cozy Northeast studio, Ready Set GROW offers classes made to do with your baby. There’s Postpartum Yoga, which focus on rebuilding strength, easing tension and more. In addition to yoga, the class incorporates movements with baby (the class is ideal for newborn to crawling babies), songs and in-person parent connection. For babywearing parents, check out Ready Set GROW’s Babywearing Ballet and Babywearing Dance. Dance it out while getting in all those newborn snuggles. Drop-in classes are $38 and memberships start at $110 a month.
Mendwell Pelvic Health
Growing a baby and giving birth is a lot of work and the process changes your body in various ways. For those who have experienced postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, the pros at Mendwell Pelvic Health can help. The organization, located in Tigard, offers virtual and in-person physical therapy to help parents who gave birth feel the best that they can.
Finding Your Community
I never knew that having a whole new human in my life would be surprisingly isolating (that and not every person in my life wanted to hear about breastfeeding challenges or if my son’s poop was weird that day.) That’s why it feels so great to have friends who are also new parents. You can share successes and joys, offer helpful tips or just commiserate on the lack of sleep. Here are places to meet other folks in your exact stage of life.
The Library
Your local library branch is a great place to meet new parents in an easy environment during free, weekly story times. For example, Multnomah County Library has weekly Book Babies story time, made for parents and littles 12 months old and younger; Clackamas County Libraries has Baby Storytime and Washington County Cooperative Library Services hosts Book Babies. You’ll likely see the same families each week!
Hike It Baby
Now under the organization, We Are Outgrown, Hike It Baby’s mission remains the same: providing support, encouragement and knowledge to explore the outdoors with your infant. The program — available in over 150 communities across the country — supports families with children ages 0 to 5 through free, community-led outings and family-friendly trail resources. You can also join the private Hike It Baby Portland Facebook group.
Peanut app
When I was pregnant, I joined Peanut. It’s like a free dating app for pregnant people and parents. Like dating, it was work to message and meet up with people, but 100% worth it! I have made great friends as a result, who also happen to be parents, too. It’s provided the socialization I needed and wanted as a new parent.
Music Together of Portland
Tailored for kids ages 0 to 8, and their adults, participants can sing, dance, play music and connect during a series of classes. Bonus: Classes are offered at six locations around Portland.
Resources for Your Newborn
For all those times when you need extra support or just have questions on caring for your little one, these places are here to help.
The Mother and Baby Clinic This clinic, part of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center offers newborn feeding consults and lactation consults. Visits are available in person and virtually. The clinic also offers a range of classes, ranging in price from $60-$75.
Check out our PDX Parent Reader Favorites for the winner and top 5 finalists for pregnancy and postpartum support. Here you’ll find local postpartum doulas who can provide care to you and your baby during those tender first weeks.
Where to Shop for Baby
Babies need a lot of things. And they grow so quickly! Here’s where to go when you need new onesies for them, tummy-time activity mats, board books and more.
Beanstalk Children’s Resale
Oodles Kids
SuperKids Resale (Consignment events happen twice a year in the old K-Mart in Gresham.)
A Children’s Place Bookstore
Don’t forget about Facebook! You can join local neighborhood Buy Nothing and parent groups, which parents often use to offload items they no longer need for their baby.