Dunedin Parents Centre

Dunedin Parents Centre is an independent, volunteer-led centre.

We provide cornerstone services such as:

• Childbirth education (antenatal courses)
• Parenting education (postnatal Baby & You classes and infant massage courses)
• Parent-led playgroups

Our educators for childbirth and parenting are Dunedin-based. They provide professional classes covering pregnancy, labour, childbirth and care of a newborn, using evidence-based information, to ensure parents are well-informed and confident going into the early years of parenting. Our programmes support and educate parents with children of various ages and stages of development.

The educators are further supported by a group of dedicated volunteers who offer additional services and groups to support local parents. These volunteers know that parenting is a huge life change because many of them have been on the same journey.

Our playgroups and programmes help give parents a place to connect, being supported and understood by other parents.

Founded in December 1964, we are a non-profit organisation run by parents for parents. For 60+ years, we have been providing and delivering quality education and support services for parents and families in our community.

Our mission statement

Supporting parents through the early years because great parents grow great children.
We are passionate about supporting parents in Dunedin. We believe parents are highly valued in their role and would benefit from positive birth experiences and informed parenting.

Parent Education

Childbirth & Early Parenting Education (Antenatal Courses)

Everything you need to know about pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Topics include:

• Brief overview of pregnancy topics
• Choices in childbirth
• Your labour journey
• Relaxation, management & coping strategies
• Support person’s role
• Feeding your baby
• Transition to parenthood
• Responsive parenting
• Practical parenting

Courses are run from our own rooms with plenty of opportunities for getting to know other class members.

Our classes are facilitated by members of our Centre who are qualified Childbirth Educators and have a passion for providing up-to-date information to expectant parents to prepare them in their new role. These classes are a great place to meet others in the same situation and make lifelong friends.

Antenatal courses are held on a Wednesday night once a week from 6.45pm to 9pm, for 6 weeks.  Other options include Sundays for 2x sessions or over a weekend from 10am to 4.30pm.

Courses come with a 2-year membership to Dunedin Parents Centre, which gives you access to our services and discounts at various local businesses.

Baby and You

Our postnatal programme follows on from antenatal classes and offers sound tips and strategies as you begin your journey into parenthood.  It is ideal for those with babies up to around 3 months old.

To see your baby smile, play and grow can be an extraordinary experience.  You will have feelings of tenderness and closeness and a sense of awe at the miracles of the first milestones.

With a new baby, sometimes come uncertainties.  Your tiny bundle may rule the entire household through their sleep patterns and personalities.  This can be very challenging for a new parent, so come and join us and ask your questions.

Topics include

• Caring for baby, including feeding, sleeping, and settling
• Life changes and postpartum health & wellbeing
• Development and play – stimulation for baby, age-appropriate toys and key milestones of baby’s growth and development

These sessions will run on Thursdays 1.15-2.45pm for 5 weeks.

The course includes afternoon tea. Your partner or another support person is most welcome to come too.

The structure of this course is relaxed and informal with time for your questions and a cuppa. A great opportunity for new parents to get out of the house, meet other parents experiencing the same joys and challenges and foster their coffee group.

Infant Massage

Infant Massage classes are facilitated by a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and are run one day a week over 5 weeks from 9.30-11am or 1pm-2.30pm at Dunedin Parents Centre.  Members can attend for free so please make sure you tick the box if you’re a member on the registration form.  For non-members the cost is $25 per family.

As well as helping parents to bond with their baby, massage has therapeutic effects for both the parent and infant, including relaxation for parent and baby, better sleep patterns, reducing colic and tummy pain, soothing stressed babies and reducing the impact of Post Natal Depression (PND) and disrupted bonding.

You will learn a combination of Indian and Swedish Massage strokes, Reflexology and gentle Yoga stretches.  ​The massage strokes encourage circulation and relaxation, the reflexology works on the feet to release tension elsewhere in the body, and the yoga stretches help to develop suppleness in the muscles and joints.

Classes are suitable for babies from 6 weeks to 1yr old but the ideal time is usually around 3-4 months – so book in your class for after you have completed you Postnatal Course!

For course dates and registration details: www.dunedinparents.co.nz