Monthly New Parent Support Group with Marlee

Couch with coffee cup and flowers Pittsburgh postpartum doula

It can be so difficult to find safe spaces to share the joys, challenges, concerns, questions, and triumphs (big and small) of early parenthood.

In those early months, parents often share with me that they wish there were more opportunities to meet up with other local parents with babies.

That’s why I’m offering a free online support group for new parents each month.

I love hosting these monthly get-togethers for new parents. Gathering on Zoom, I offer a safe space for new parents with babies crawling age and under to meet other people going through the same season of life.

I don’t have a theme for these gatherings, but simply open up the opportunity for new parents to meet each other and chat, and ask me questions if they want to. As a postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and sleep consultant, I’m glad to be a resource for many of the challenges the newborn period can bring.

Pro tip: Come to these gatherings to make some new parent friends! Although folks are welcome to join from all over, we have an emphasis on Pittsburgh-area families to help facilitate local connections.

Feel free to attend once or often!

Next Gathering

Tuesday, March 14, 2023
1 - 3pm Eastern

Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.

It’s free to attend, and I hope to see you there!

 

FAQs

  • Is this only for moms, or can dads and non-gestational parents come?
    Yes, all parents and caregivers of babies are welcome! There aren’t many postpartum or new parent support groups that welcome partners or non-gestational parents/caregivers, so I definitely want this group to be a space where all are welcome.

  • Is this a lactation support group?
    No, this is not a topic-specific group, but you can certainly talk about your lactation or any other feeding challenges during our time together! If you’re looking for feeding-specific support in a group setting, check out this list of Pittsburgh-area lactation support groups. I am a lactation counselor, so if there is extra time at the end of the gathering and you have a feeding question, I’m happy to stay and chat for a few minutes.

  • Is this just for people who have postpartum depression?
    No! Most parents find themselves feeling a bit (or a lot) disoriented in those early weeks with a newborn. Wrestling with questions around finding a new identity, figuring out ways to find time to return to hobbies, habits, or passions that make them feel like themselves, navigating changing relationships, and even just experiencing the sheer exhaustion that the newborn time can bring adds up to a LOT of change to deal with all at once.

    I like to use the terms “postpartum adjustment” or “postpartum transition” to describe the settling in that happens things shift with baby’s growth and development - and as parents grow and develop too. There can definitely be some growing pains as parents find their footing and figure out how this whole thing will work for their family.

    All parents are welcome, whether you have a formal diagnosis of postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression, or if you’re just looking for some extra support and encouragement.

  • Is it ok if my baby is on camera with me?
    Of course, as long as you’re comfortable! Babies are always welcome, and of course I encourage you to feed and care for your baby as needed during our gatherings. (Just remember to mute as needed!)

  • Is it ok if my older kids are on camera with me?
    I highly recommend using this time to focus on yourself and your baby, so it can be really helpful to have a plan for any older children you have at home. If there is noise in the background, I just ask that you keep yourself muted so the group can hear each other (we all know how Zoom can get).

  • Is this hosted by a licensed mental health professional?

    No, it is not. I’m offering this group as an alternative to other new parent support groups in Pittsburgh that are primarily hosted by licensed mental health professionals!

    I’m intimately familiar with the nuances and challenges that new parents face. I want to offer this as a space to explore the aspects of new parenthood that are often hard to talk about with others who don’t specialize in working with newborns and their parents (even if they do specialize in the mental wellbeing aspects of this time of life).

    In addition to my specialty working with parents and infants, I have training and experience in solution-focused peer counseling. Many of my clients express that this aspect of my work made the most difference for them during our time together.