Bundles for Babies class offers parenting resources, free bundle

The Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted Bundles for Babies May 27, 2015, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The class is offered to expecting and new parents and covers a range of topics such as car seat safety, nutrition, fitness, mental health, dividing childcare and chores, navigating common disagreements between spouses, and a family budgeting session. At the end of the class, each family gets to take home a “bundle” that contains bibs, onesies, pajamas, burp towels, bath towels, crib sheets and mittens sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Meadors/Released)

Bundles for Babies class offers parenting resources, free bundle

A Team Buckley member picks out fruit for breakfast during Bundles for Babies May 27, 2015, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The class is offered to expecting and new parents and covers a range of topics such as car seat safety, nutrition, fitness, mental health, dividing childcare and chores, navigating common disagreements between spouses, and a family budgeting session. At the end of the class, each family gets to take home a “bundle” that contains bibs, onesies, pajamas, burp towels, bath towels, crib sheets and mittens sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Meadors/Released)

Bundles for Babies class offers parenting resources, free bundle

Blankets for expecting and new parents to take home are on display during Bundles for Babies May 27, 2015, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The class is offered to expecting and new parents and covers a range of topics such as car seat safety, nutrition, fitness, mental health, dividing childcare and chores, navigating common disagreements between spouses, and a family budgeting session. At the end of the class, each family gets to take home a “bundle” that contains bibs, onesies, pajamas, burp towels, bath towels, crib sheets and mittens sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Meadors/Released)

Bundles for Babies class offers parenting resources, free bundle

Josh Lewis, Colorado State Trooper, speaks to expecting Team Buckley members on the importance of car seat safety during Bundles for Babies May 27, 2015, on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The class is offered to expecting and new parents and covers a range of topics such as car seat safety, nutrition, fitness, mental health, dividing childcare and chores, navigating common disagreements between spouses, and a family budgeting session. At the end of the class, each family gets to take home a “bundle” that contains bibs, onesies, pajamas, burp towels, bath towels, crib sheets and mittens sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Meadors/Released)

Bundles for Babies class offers parenting resources, free bundle

Published May 28, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Samantha Meadors
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKELY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- With a new baby on the way, a lot of changes are expected to take place.

Bundles for Babies is a three hour class sponsored by the Air Force Aid Society designed for expecting or new parents that covers a range of topics such as car seat safety, nutrition, fitness, mental health, dividing childcare and chores, navigating common disagreements between spouses, and a family budgeting session.

Janie Jackson, Airman and Family Readiness Center representative, began the class with a lesson that covered everything from pre-baby and post-baby emotions, marriage changes, partners feeling underappreciated, the importance of communication and even how to get into the groove of the new baby's routine.

Jackson also mentioned the importance of appreciating every moment of having a new baby, even the frustrating ones.

"Remember that things do eventually get better," she said. "Cherish every moment. What they do today they may not do tomorrow."

The class continued with a visit from a fitness center staff member, who touched on the importance of pre and post pregnancy exercise, along with the proper amount of calories pregnant women should be consuming during and after pregnancy. She also hit on another hot topic: losing weight after pregnancy.

"Many women will try to lose baby weight as quickly as possible, which is fine with proper exercise, but do not cut calories," said Audra Robison, Buckley Fitness Center director. "Especially if you're breastfeeding. Your body needs all the nutrients it can get during that period."

Family Advocacy presented on Shaken Baby Syndrome, which included tips on how to calm a crying baby, and representatives from Women, Infants and Children spoke on available resources to pregnant and new families that need help providing food for their new baby.

After that, a Colorado State Trooper gave a presentation on car seat safety. He spoke on how to pick the right car seat for a baby, how to lock the car seat into a car, how to safely strap a baby in and the importance of rear-facing and front-facing car seats.

To end the class, families who attended were able to choose a homemade blanket for their new baby, along with an Air Force Aid Society sponsored "bundle" that included bibs, onesies, pajamas, burp towels, bath towels, crib sheets and mittens, along with an abundance of informational pamphlets and resources.

Bundles for Babies is hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center and is held every other month. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 720-660-6681.

There are many more classes expectant parents can take in preparation for their baby, including an OB Orientation, Dads 101, Passport to Parenthood, Love and Logic and even home visitations. Classes are open to all ranks and are not limited to a first pregnancy.

"The love you feel right now is nothing compared to the love you'll feel when that baby is born," Jackson said. "Make sure you're taking advantage of as many resources you can to prepare you for that moment."