Bundles for Babies program offers advice for new parents

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Becoming a parent for the first time can be stressful for anyone, but Airmen and their spouses here have a resource in their corner.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center will host "Bundles for Babies" from 9 a.m. to noon May 9.

The three-hour class sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society is geared toward women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy and mothers of infants younger than six months, said AFAS officer Jim Flammio, 62nd Mission Support Squadron. 

Fathers are also encouraged to attend, he said.

It will explain the costs of raising a child, important health topics such as dealing with stress and caring for babies, and provide information on other AFRC and AFAS programs, said Mr. Flammio.

"It's an introductory class, so we don't get in depth, but we share some good information," he said.

The finance portion of the class will focus on the importance of setting up a budget before and after a child is born, what items to shop for once a child comes home and how to find the best prices on baby items, Mr. Flammio said.

Some of the health topics the class will cover include the basics of breast-feeding, the best position for babies to sleep in and the need for new mothers to make time for themselves, said new parent support program nurse Vicky Lunghofer, 62nd Medical Oper-ations Squadron.

One of the important portions of the session covers shaken baby syndrome, Ms. Lunghofer said.

"Babies cry a lot," she said. "Parents need to know how susceptible babies can be to [shaken baby syndrome], and how they need to have a plan about what to do when the baby is crying."

The class also offers new parents the chance to find out what support programs they have available to them both on base and in their communities.

"Sometimes when it's the first baby for people who are new to the area, and they don't have any family around, it can be tough," Ms. Lunghofer said.

"We want to let them know that being a military parent is hard, and that there is someone around who can help them answer questions about what is and what isn't normal [with their babies]."

At the end of the class, parents receive a "bundle" for their babies. The bundles include various baby items such as crib blankets, towels and baby clothing, Mr. Flammio said. For more information or to sign up for the class, call the AFRC at 982-2695.