Baby Bonding in North County

Moms, dads and babies all enjoyed the Baby-N-Me Playgroup for new mothers enrolled in HHSA's Maternal Child Health and Nurse-Family Partnership programs in North County.

Twelve new moms got to spend a few quality hours playing with their babies while at the same time learning about educational opportunities, thanks to HHSA programs.

The North Coastal Public Health Center teamed up with MiraCosta College Community Learning Center to host a Baby-n-Me Playgroup for new mothers enrolled in Maternal Child Health and Nurse-Family Partnership programs. Dads were also encouraged to attend.

The purpose of the playgroup is to help the babies socialize and interact with other babies. It also provides a time for new parents to come together to meet, learn and play. Playgroups get parents out of the house, allow them to meet others in similar situations and create a support network for them.

Each playgroup offers an activity for learning through presentations, parallel play and crafts. Nutritious snacks are provided since the playgroups occur over the lunch hour. Public Health Nurses and social service aides plan and facilitate the playgroups.

The most recent playgroup was held at the MiraCosta College Community Learning Center. The learning center staff made a presentation on available adult education programs including ESL classes, an adult high school, vocational classes, a career, tutoring and writing center and citizenship classes. The craft activity was decorating terra cotta pots with infant/toddler handprints. Bagged soil and flower seeds were provided to each family to take home and plant in their pots.