The Please Touch Museum will host an Expectant Parents Bootcamp on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will take place at the museum’s Memorial Hall, located at 4231 Avenue of the Republic. The event will feature leading experts and must have baby products that will help prepare new moms and dads for this exciting time in their lives.

“Starting a family is one of the most amazing times in a couple’s lives and we’re hoping this program helps to prepare new parents and relieve some of the stresses that come along with the transition,” said Please Touch Museum President and CEO Laura Foster.

Tamisha Grant of Yeadon strongly recommends parenting classes and workshops for both new and seasoned parents.  

“When you are about to bring a child into the world, you can never be too prepared and you can never have too much information,” Grant said.  

“The Expectant Parents Bootcamp sounds like a great chance to get together with other expectant moms to find out about all of the baby products out there. There are so many baby products that it helps to be able to learn about everything before the baby arrives.”

While expecting, Grant and her husband attended parenting classes. Both feel the classes did a great job of preparing them for what to expect.

Most expectant parents value the opportunity to share the pregnancy journey as a couple. Parenting expos, baby classes and books all contribute to this.

For Grant, the most valuable thing she learned from attending classes, participating in workshops and reading books was the knowledge of knowing exactly how the labor process would go.   This was important to her and her husband.

“That really helps take away some of anxiety when you know what to expect,” Grant said.

RoShawnda Jorgensen is a new mother on the go.

She commutes between New York for work and her home in South Philadelphia on a weekly basis. As a first time mom, Jorgensen attended several parenting classes with her husband while the couple was expecting.

“We wanted to learn about childbirth and breastfeeding,” she said. “The classes were extremely helpful. It made us think of things we would otherwise not consider.”

Many first time parents are excited to learn about breastfeeding. Having time with a certified breastfeeding consultant will be of great value to expo participants.

“I learned the most from the breastfeeding classes because if you've never done it before you need as much guidance as possible,” Jorgensen said.

The event will include renowned speakers and leading experts including Donna Ellenbogen, founder of Family Wellness Solutions; Pamela Brawer of Save-A-Tot; Peter Rose, owner of The Home Hero; Brittany Sharpe McCollum, certified breastfeeding counselor; Shannon Choe, from Premier Baby Concierge; and Shawn Keane, from First Financial Group.

Bootcamp highlights and discussion topics include how to put your baby to sleep; how to swaddle and breastfeed your baby; tools for sleep deprived mommies and daddies; and preparing your home for baby’s arrival.

Additionally, the expo will feature vendors specializing in all things baby - from baby gear to childcare experts. For expectant parents, this event will be a one-stop day for participants to collect a host of information, advice and ideas for their family.

Tickets are $50 per person or $90 per couple. This includes a continental breakfast, complimentary swag bags, raffle prizes and more.

To register online, visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/events/bootcamp/ or call (215) 581-3174.