New: The Parents Center at Heller's in San Rafael

I think one thing that all expectant and new parents can agree upon is that there can never be too many resources to back you up in this new and unfamiliar part of your life. One of these resources is the new Parents Center, which recently opened in the inside the venerable Heller's for Children store on Fouth Street in San Rafael.

Located in Heller's loft area (in space donated by Heller's), the Parents Center is a comfortable, welcoming place that offers support and education for new and expectant parents. Moms are invited to come in, feed and weigh baby, have a cup of tea and relax. There's even a special rocker for breastfeeding moms with an optional privacy screen. There is a library of books and dvds for loan, all about pregnancy, parenting and baby and mother wellness. All parents are welcome, so stop by and check it out.

Classes, workshops, and programs offered at the Parents Center include free lactation consultations on Tuesdays between 12:30 and 2 pm, infant/child CPR and first aid, childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding and pumping, prenatal yoga, baby massage, infant sleep, baby massage, and more. All class fees are on a sliding scale, which is especially welcome in today's economic climate.

Childbirth and parenting professional volunteers staff the Parents Center every weekday between 11 am to 2 pm, and the Center's advisory Board includes a pediatrician, an OB/GYN, a midwife, an IBCLC lactation consultant, and an PhDc infant sleep expert (including Marin Mommies contributors Dr. Oded Herbsman and Angelique Millette).

Learn more about the Parents Center and their programs at their website: www.theparentscenter.com. Heller's has been a fixture in Marin for over 50 years, and is located at 514 Fourth Street (on the east side of 101) in central San Rafael.

Left picture features Georgia Montgomery, Program Director, and Linda Heller Levy, owner of Heller's