Newborn care classes - Portland

Nurtured Path: Foundations of the Fourth Trimester

The early newborn and postpartum period—often referred to as the fourth trimester—is a deeply tender and transformative time. Our Foundations of the Fourth Trimester classes will help you feel ready for the realities of life, post-birth, with a newborn. From recovery and rest to feeding, baby sleep, soothing, and building your support system, these classes give you the tools, confidence, and community to step into parenthood with a greater sense of ease.

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“In the quiet hours of the fourth trimester, your baby learns the world through your touch, your voice, your gaze. The simplest acts become sacred.”

The Nurtured Path:
Foundations of the Fourth Trimester

In the early days after your baby arrives, time can feel both slow and blurry. You may find yourself marveling at tiny fingers, learning new rhythms in the middle of the night, and navigating waves of emotion and physical recovery — all at once. It’s a tender, transformative threshold. And with thoughtful preparation, it can also feel steady, supported, and deeply grounding.

At Wildwood Birth, we believe every family deserves to enter new parenthood feeling informed, cared for, and confident in their ability to meet what unfolds. Our Foundations of the Fourth Trimester classes are designed to help you imagine and prepare for life with a newborn — logistically, emotionally, and practically.

Preparing for this season means envisioning a new daily rhythm, new needs, and new ways of caring for both your baby and yourself. In this class, we cultivate confidence, resilience, and real-world support as we explore the foundations of newborn care and postpartum recovery, including:

  • What to expect in the early days and weeks after birth

  • Tools for soothing, feeding, and bonding with your baby

  • Babywearing and swaddling

  • Partner/support person roles and shared recovery planning

  • Gentle guidance for physical and emotional healing

  • Creating a system of supports that are nourishing and buoying

We offer two unique class formats so you can choose the learning experience that best fits your schedule and preferences. You’re also welcome to bundle this course with our Foundations of Birth class for a complete Birth & Baby preparation package.

Foundations of Fourth Trimester classes are taught by Wildwood newborn care educator and postpartum doula, Lakiah Olson.

Saturday Intensive

This option is designed for families who want focused, practical preparation for the fourth trimester in a single, efficient session. Over four hours together, we’ll cover the essentials of newborn care and postpartum recovery, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. You’ll leave with a solid foundation in:

  • Newborn feeding basics, including breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and what’s normal in the early days

  • Sleep patterns, soothing strategies, and understanding baby cues

  • Postpartum healing, emotional adjustment, and planning for support at home

  • Building confidence in your ability to navigate when common newborn questions arise

This format is ideal if you prefer a one-day intensive that delivers clear, evidence-based information in a supportive and welcoming space.

Upcoming Dates:

Saturday, May 2nd from 1-5pm

Where: Fremont United Methodist Church

Who: Anyone expecting a baby! Each class registration includes attendance for two — you and a partner or other close support person.

Cost: $210 for families working with a Wildwood doula, $230 for those joining us just for the class. If cost is a barrier, please reach out — sliding scale and payment plans are available

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We also teach

Childbirth Education

Create a class bundle with Foundations of Birth and Foundations of the Fourth Trimester.

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