Birth and Parent Companion Program
News
Birth and Parent Companion Program is recruiting new companions!
Donations Needed for Birth and Parent Companion Program
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Birth and Parent Companion Program is recruiting new companions!
The next training sessions are in April and May 2012. We are especially looking for bilingual volunteers. For more information, click here.
Donations Needed for Birth and Parent Companion Program
The Birth and Parent Companion Program offers free one-on-one support to women during pregnancy and parenting stages. Birth Companions offer prenatal, labour and postpartum support to women who are under-supported. The Parent Companion Program is a mentorship program like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, but with parents, so it's a match between a new parent and a more veteran parent. All of our program participants are of lower income and do not have much extra money for supplies. We have a donation cupboard at our office with limited space (so we cannot usually take on bigger items unless requested).
Items needed:
- a double stroller, specifically one that is front-back, so that someone can take two small ones on the bus.
- regular stroller, appropriate for an infant.
- baby boy/gender neutral clothes for newborn to 9 months.
- nursing bras. (We are very fortunate to receive regular donations from Milkface but often are missing more popular sizes.)
- baby blankets.
- books appropriate for children aged 0 to 5 years old.
- paper diapers, newborn to size 3. We have plenty of lovely cloth diapers at the moment, but many of our participants prefer paper diapers.
If you have any of these items or have any questions, please feel free to contact Lili via e-mail or phone 613-728-1839, ext. 289.
Birth Companion Volunteer Shannon MacFarlane recognized with a Community Builder Award from United Way/Centraide Ottawa
United Way/Centraide Ottawa honours Ottawa’s outstanding volunteers through its Community Builder Award Program — those organizations, partnerships, agencies, neighbourhood groups and individuals who work tirelessly, passionately and collaboratively to make Ottawa a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.
Shannon McFarlane
Shannon is a valued volunteer with Mothercraft’s Birth and Parent Companion Program (BPCP). As a volunteer at BPCP, Shannon provides one-on-one support to at-risk expectant women during pregnancy, labour and childbirth, as well as the early months of parenting. Although she has a family of her own and works full time as a doula, Shannon is always ready to accept a match from BPCP. Shannon has donated pregnancy photography to the women in the Program who otherwise would never be able to afford such a luxury.
The ExtraOrdinary Baby Shoppe Donates Cloth Diapering Supplies
Thanks to the generosity of the ExtraOrdinary Baby Shoppe, many mothers in need will be able to save money and diaper their babies in the best in butt coverings! Many sizes and styles are available to moms who may not otherwise enjoy this baby- and earth-friendly option. The Shoppe carries a wide variety of slings and baby gear, and an amazing array of diapering options. Visit their web site at www.extraordinarybabyshoppe.com.Many thanks from Mothercraft and all the families you will help with this donation!
Donation of New Nursingwear from Milkface
The Birth and Parent Companion Program will be able to provide nursing mothers in need with stylish, new, high-quaility bras, tops, slings, dresses and pajamas, thanks to an incredibly generous donation from Milkface. Milkface is a local mother-run business and the go-to place in Ottawa and on the web for everything a nursing mom needs! www.milkface.ca.Thank you, Milkface!
Lactation Management Course
A breastfeeding course based on The WHO/UNICEF 20-Hour Lactation Management Course for a sound and basic training in breastfeeding management and support.
May 20th, 21st & 22nd, 2009
The course is meant for any person wishing to understand more fully the practice of and issues surrounding breastfeeding. The goal of the INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America breastfeeding course is to provide those working with mothers and their families the information required to adequately support breastfeeding.
20-Hour Lactation Management Course
Printable Registration Form and Course Flyer
The Birth and Parent Companion Program is pleased to announce a generous new partnership with Blue Celery Slings.
Blue Celery is a locally owned, mother-run-business, focussed on giving parents the best slings possible to assist with the ease and bonding of the early parenting experience.
Generously, Blue Celery owner Colleen Caney has pledged to donate four dollars from each sling sold on-line from December 2008 to March 31, 2009. Additionally, the Birth and Parent Companion Program has been able to start a "sling bank" with the help of Blue Celery's wonderful donation of ten of their extraordinary slings to the Program.
For more information about Blue Celery and Mothercraft's new partnership, please see our release.
For more information about Blue Celery or to purchase their exquisite slings, please visit www.bluecelery.com.