It’s not just newborns entering a brave new world—their parents are too. And they are faced with all kinds of questions as they take on their biggest adventure. Where can I get breastfeeding advice? What do I do about vaccines? Can I find a quality day care? What about kids’ teeth? What kind of classes can we take together? Does playing music in the womb really help? Is a two-month-old ready to start applying to Ivy League colleges? We can’t answer all of them, but our local providers sure can help. Our focus in the yearly Pregnancy & Birth Guide is to hook you up with professionals who can help guide you along the best path for your children’s and your future. Luckily, we have many great providers in Santa Cruz County who will help your kids grow up.
Children’s Dentistry
7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos
831.662.2900
www.santacruzkidsdentist.com
We are accepting new patients! It’s time for a dental check-up when your child has a first tooth or first birthday. We are preventive-dentistry oriented and we provide comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children of all ages. We have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our premises and are able to treat special, challenging children safely and comfortably under a general anesthesia. We have a 24-hour emergency service available for all of our patients.
Community Bridges WIC Program
South County/Watsonville
18 W. Lake Avenue Suite A
831-722-7121
North County/Santa Cruz
1105 Water Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-426-3911
Communitybridges.org/WIC
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and social services for millions of families, and it plays a crucial role in improving lifetime health for women, their infants, and young children. Part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for over 45 years, WIC serves pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children through their fifth birthday. Annually, Community Bridges WIC program serves over 500 pregnant women, 800 breastfeeding women, 1,100 infants, and 3,800 children offering a comprehensive range of services to promote healthy lifestyles both on-site and online.
“I have received so much help from WIC from nutritional classes to just being able to ask questions like is my child eating enough or are the eating too much and also with breastfeeding support.”
Paloma, WIC participant
Dientes Community Dental Care
1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
100 Pioneer Street, Suite D, Santa Cruz
1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville
dientes.org
Dientes is a full-service dental provider located in Santa Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including kids, adults, and seniors; but children hold a special place in our heart – nearly half of our patients are kids seen by our experienced pediatric dentists. As a non-profit dental provider, our focus is on high-quality, low-cost dental services, including exams, x-rays, fillings, sealants and root canals. We accept Medi-Cal and we have affordable sliding scale fees for uninsured patients. We offer bi-lingual services – Se habla Español! Dientes, providing dignity through dentistry for over 30 years.
First 5 Santa Cruz County
831.465.2217
First5scc.org
First 5 Santa Cruz County promotes the healthy development of children from birth to age 5. Parents and caregivers of newborns can contact First 5 to receive a free “Kit for New Parents” with parenting videos, children’s books, information on caring for babies and local resources. First 5 also offers parenting support through the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, a world-renowned program that strengthens families by building positive relationships. To find Triple P classes or quick tips, visit triplep.first5scc.org or facebook.com/triplepscc
Jim Booth Swim School
Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz and Watsonville
831.722.3500
JimBoothSwimSchool.com
Be a water wonder! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to Aquaphobics, our adult beginner class, the whole family splashes together at Jim Booth Swim School. Little Otters is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree pools that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, well-qualified teachers. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School”
Junebug’s Gym
831.464.BUGS (2847)
3910 Portola Dr., Stes. 2 & 3, Santa Cruz
JuneBugsGym.com
Did you know? Activities for babies and toddlers that stimulate balance, movement, and core strength activate the brain for higher learning concepts and lead to later success in school. Join us at June Bug’s Gym for Inchworms — our baby development classes — for crawlers to wobbly walkers. Every Monday and Wednesday from 12:15 pm to 1 pm
MusicalMe, Inc. offering Music Together™
Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County
Call/Text: 831.332.9002
[email protected]
musicalme.com
Q: When is the best time to take your little one to a music class? A: Now. Now is always the best time. Learning begins in the womb – we’re here to help you provide a rich, stimulating & musical learning environment that starts now and will enrich both of your lives from now on. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers—and the grownups who love them!—play and learn together in our Mixed-Age classes, for children from birth through age 5. Interactive and stimulating, Mixed-Age classes feature family-style learning in an informal, communal setting. Siblings are welcome, and grandparents too!
RC Fam | Raíces y Cariño
A Community Collective for Families
1205 Freedom Blvd, #3B. Watsonville
831.288.3105
[email protected]
www.rcfam.com
Raíces y Cariño (Roots & Love) believes the best way to ensure children’s livelihood is by empowering their family structure, however that may look. Our collective’s goal is whole family support from babies to grandparents. Join us today to drop in, take a class, or volunteer!