Our pregnancy classes are taught by Cheryl our highly experienced midwife and cover pregnancy, birth and beyond. You can expect the content of our classes to be based on up-to-date research and recommendations as published in the NICE clinical guidelines for antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. The course is taught in a fun and engaging way and will allow you to feel prepared for your parenting journey. The classes are conducted with parents who are all due at a similar time allowing you to make friendships, should you wish, for you and your baby.
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The course includes three 2 hour sessions over three consecutive weeks.
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Rugby, Warwickshire - First three Mondays of each month at Rugby Borough Football Club.​
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Kettering, Northamptonshire - First three Wednesdays of each month at Pytchley Golf Club.
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Please check dates upon booking as it sometimes may vary. If you wish to book paediatric first aid you can select 'yes' when completing your booking form and a separate paylink will be sent to secure your space.
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If you are interested in our 1:1 antenatal course please enquire via our email:
Antenatal Classes
(group or 1:1)
Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
Becoming pregnant is a very exciting time for expectant parents, however, with this
comes many questions and the potential for increased anxiety. The Little Bears
Company offers a range of services, facilitated in an unhurried environment that
compliments the care that you receive from the NHS maternity sector. We offer
parental education for the antenatal, labour/birth and postnatal periods. Our sessions
are split into three 2 hour sessions and are suitable for those 20 weeks+. We also offer an additional 2 hour session on paediatric first aid should you wish to learn these skills prior to the birth of your baby. The classes are delivered in a fun and interactive way and include the following:
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Physiology of pregnancy, signs of labour, coping in early labour, induction process, caesarean section, stages of labour, pain relief, breathing techniques, postpartum recovery, what to expect with a newborn, feeding your baby (breast and bottle), looking after your baby... plus lots more!
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Session 1: Labour and Birth
Session 2: Labour and Birth
Session 3: Postnatal cares for you and baby.
Session 4: Paediatric First Aid (optional - additional cost of £30 per couple)
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We will also ensure if there is anything you specifically would like us to cover (e.g VBAC, large/small for dates babies) we can incorporate this; just add this information upon booking.
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At the end of the course you will be given a login to our online portal which provides you with an informative booklet and videos of everything covered during our course. This can be really helpful in the few weeks before birth and also postnatally to refer back to.
Our course includes a Whatsapp group with other parents on your course which you can chat with and organise meet ups before and after you've had your baby.
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Our Kettering sessions are held less that 20 minutes from the following locations: Finedon, Corby, Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Earls Barton, Northampton, Rothwell, Desborough, Irthlingborough, Wellingborough and Brixworth.
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Our Rugby sessions are held less than 20 minutes from the following locations: Daventry, Lutterworth, Crick and some areas of Coventry.
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What happens in the class?There is a mat for you and your baby to sit on. We start every class with the same welcome song and you are provided with oil to perform massage on your baby. Our class instructor will focus on a different area of the body to massage each week, building up to a full body massage by the end of the course. We also include an introduction to baby yoga in each session where we perform playful developmental yoga to nursery rhymes. Each class ends with bubbles and a hot drink and sweet treat for parents.
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What do I need to bring?Just bring your normal changing bag and a blanket to put on top of the yoga mat for your baby’s comfort.
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What if my baby cries or doesn't like it?We will always encourage you to do whatever makes your baby happy. If you baby doesn’t like laying down we will show you different ways you can massage baby on your lap. It may be that your baby just isn’t in the mood and that’s fine; you can cuddle/feed/rock your baby whilst watching so you can try again at home.
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My baby has colic, can massage help?Massage is a great technique to help relieve or comfort a baby with colic or reflux. Massage naturally relaxes the muscles so your baby will feel more relaxed. Some symptoms can be eased through specific massages on the tummy area and massaging the chest area is good for babies with reflux. The hormone oxytocin is also released by the baby when bonding with their parent during a massage session. Oxytocin is a natural pain relief.
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My baby has hip dysplasia, is the class suitable?In our baby massage classes, parts of the yoga element are not suitable. Our class instructor can adapt the yoga element of the class to suit yours and your babies needs. We would not recommend booking onto our baby yoga class as most of the class is based around this.
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What are the main benefits of baby massage?There are many benefits to baby massage such as promoting sleep, relieving symptoms of colic and reflux, increasing circulation and encouraging muscle development however in my opinion the main benefit is the unique bonding experience you create with your baby. The combination of touch and interaction with our baby is a wonderful experience for you both.
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What areas are your Baby Massage Classes in Warwickshire accessible from?Our Warwickshire classes are held at Kilsby Village Hall, Rugby on Friday's at 1:30pm. This location is accessible from Daventry, Lutterworth, Crick and some areas of Coventry.
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What areas are your Baby Massage Classes in Northamptonshire accessible from?Our Northamptonshire classes are held at The Midwives Circle and Wellness Centre. Kettering on Thursday's at 1:15pm. This location is accessible from Findeon, Corby, Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Earls Barton, Northampton, Mawsley, Rothwell, Desborough, Irthlingborough, Wellingborough and Brixworth.