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When Robyn Lehman of Deer Park first ventured out of the house alone with baby Hazel, it was a warm Wednesday morning in August, and they headed back to Amery Hospital & Clinic for Baby & Me. Robyn said it seemed like the ideal first outing, knowing she could find support from staff and other moms if need be. Now at six months old, Hazel observes other babies in the group with confidence, and listens attentively as almost five-month-old Hannah Novak of Clayton chatters across the room.

“It’s been nice having something to get out of the house for,” said Robyn. “I enjoy talking with other moms. Plus, it’s just fun to see other babies grow up,” noting that she finds it helpful to see how other babies achieve milestones and generally learning what is typical. “(After prenatal class), this is the next step in learning about your baby,” she said. “It’s nice to know what’s coming developmentally, even if you’re not there yet.”

Sarah Stalheim of Amery has recently joined the group with two-month-old Asher. Sarah finds the group a more engaging way to learn about her son than resources she finds online. “The Internet is just not the same as talking to other moms,” she said. After her first class, Sarah and Asher went home and started working more on tummy time. “It helps learning what to focus on. I had heard about tummy time but not necessarily how important it was.”

Baby & Me in Amery is facilitated by parent educator Marla Butler, who has worked with the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley for over 10 years. “We cover a variety of topics in Baby & Me; I am continually evaluating the needs of the group and work to bring in information that will be relevant. We cover some topics fairly regularly – for example sleep and nutrition – because both mom and baby’s needs are always evolving.”

Amery Hospital & Clinic CEO Debra Rudquist is glad to offer the group in partnership with Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley and United Way Success By 6. “Offering the Baby & Me classes at Amery Hospital & Clinic is an important part of our mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with our patients and community. The vision statement for the Success by 6 program – All children in our communities by age six, with the strong support of family and community, will have the necessary physical, mental, emotional and social development to successfully grow and learn – is very much in-line with our Children’s Health Initiative which focuses on improving early brain development, providing family centered care, and strengthening communities,” she said. “It’s clear that there is a strong link between health and well-being early in life, and health and well-being later in life, so this focus on children’s health is critical to the health of our communities.”

Hospital social worker Kathy Rasmussen believes Baby & Me provides an important opportunity for parents to learn and connect with other moms and dads in the community. “We assume that parents know what to do with babies, but becoming a parent was one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever had. I think Baby & Me is good for everybody, because parents of all backgrounds learn from each other – I truthfully wish I’d had that as a new mom,” she said, adding, “We’re all in this together.”

Baby & Me is offered at no cost to families, in six locations across the St. Croix Valley. For more information or to register, call the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley at 715-684-4440.

Photo caption: Moms and babies gather at the weekly Baby & Me group in Amery.

Baby & Me class schedule