santa cruz pregnancy and birth

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.

Enrichment

Music Together/MusicalMe, Inc.
Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County
Call/Text: 831-332-9002
[email protected]
MusicalMe.com
In our Music Together Babies class (0 – 8 months), you’ll learn a lot of fun musical activities for babies. You’ll also learn to recognize which of your baby’s behaviors are musical so that you can support their development at the time when your baby’s brain is at its most receptive. The Babies class has other benefits, too! Singing and dancing with your baby is a beautiful way for the two of you to bond. And making music with other parents of newborns is a great way to make new friends in your community who are as sleep-deprived as you. Join us outdoors!

RC Fam/Raíces y Cariño
1205 Freedom Blvd, #3B. Watsonville 
831-288-3105
[email protected] 
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. Whole family support from babies to grandparents is the RC Family Collective’s goal.

The Bookakery
BookakeryBoxes.com
Looking for the perfect baby gift? Order a Bookakery Baby Box and encourage a love of reading from day one! Each Bookakery Baby Box comes with: a beautiful hardback picture book, two fun board books, your choice of a bookish onesie, and a recipe card for the new mom. Order yours today at www.BookakeryBoxes.com

HEALTH

Alison K. Jackson, DDS 
Children’s Dentistry
7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos
831.662.2900
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.

Dientes Community Dental Care
Mid-County: 1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz 831.464.5409 Beach Flats: 302 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz 831.464.5411 Watsonville: 1430 Freedom Blvd., Suite C, Watsonville 831.621.2560
Dientes.org
Dientes Community Dental Care is a full-service dental clinic located in mid-Santa Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including kids, adults, and seniors; but children hold a special place in our heart–half of our patients are kids seen by our experienced pediatric dentists. As a non-profit dental clinic, 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. Dientes is open 6 days a week. We offer bi-lingual services. Se habla Español! Dientes, providing dignity through dentistry for 30 years.

Dominican Hospital Birth Center
1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
831-462-7700
DignityHealth.org/dominicanbirthcenter
Dominican Hospital offers advanced maternity care options combined with the comforts of home. Our Family Birth Center provides a welcoming environment for families and is committed to a positive birth experience. We are a certified Baby-Friendly® hospital, which means we offer comprehensive lactation support, and your baby will remain by your side throughout your stay. Families can rest assured if their newborn needs extra attention, Dominican offers the highest level of care available in the area through a partnership with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford – a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staffed by Stanford neonatologists and NICU-certified nurses.

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

Karen Cohen, D.C.
CA License # 14316
1709 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz
831-425-1422
Chiropractic and gentle craniosacral therapy are wonderful tools for optimizing flexibility, well-being and a pain-free pregnancy. I am a mother of three, have worked as a midwife assistant and I taught OB-Gyn and Pediatrics at Palmer Chiropractic college. I have enjoyed many years of delivering safe and effective chiropractic care for women in pregnancy and postpartum. I offer patient-centered and individualized health-care and the close rapport I form with each woman creates a flexible, responsive and truly holistic approach.

REDYPER™ Powered by EarthBaby:
Santa Cruz County and San Francisco Bay Area
(650) 641-0975
[email protected]
Earth-Baby.com
The World’s First Compostable Diaper Service. Want the convenience of disposable diapers without the waste? Get weekly diaper delivery, pickup, and composting with REDYPER™ Powered by EarthBaby. Plus, our plant-based diapers are free of harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances. Try your first month FREE with the code ‘SCFAMILY’ at earth-baby.com. Terms and conditions apply.

RESOURCES

Nursing Mothers Counsel
831.688.3954 (Santa Cruz)
650.327-6455 (Bay Area)
NursingMothers.org
Nursing Mothers Counsel, Inc. is a non-profit organization helping mothers and their babies with breastfeeding. Counselors are available via phone, text, email and in-home visits. We provide hospital-grade pump rentals and grants. Breastfeeding services are free. Counselors are available from 9:00am – 9:00pm. Look for us on Facebook and Instagram.

Sports

Adventure Sports Unlimited
303 Potrero St, Suite 15 Santa Cruz, CA
831-458-3648
Asudoit.com/
Swim Babies at Adventure Sports is a parent/infant class for swimmers aged 4 months to 2.5 years. We use subtle and comfortable techniques to introduce your little one to the wonders of water. Classes run from January to December in our 90° pool up to 11 times per week. Come play with us!

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