If you’re a new mom, you’ve probably heard, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But what if you aren’t sure where to start to find your village? Good news—joining a moms group is an easy first step.
Joining a group can connect you to a supportive community and is a gift to your mental health. One study published in the National Library of Medicine found a clear connection between having a supportive peer group and significantly reduced postpartum depression. In other words, Mommy and Me Storytime isn’t just good for your baby—it’s a powerful way to boost your mental health, make motherhood feel a bit less isolating, and make this new season a happier one.
Read more: Calm shared 8 mental health benefits of a mom group on their blog here.
Classes Available at Triad Hospitals
The hospital where you delivered your baby may have sent you home with information about local groups. You can also check your hospital’s website. Here are a few options available through Triad-area hospitals.
Greensboro: Cone Health Women's & Children's Center at Moses Cone Hospital
Cone Health offers multiple options to attend during pregnancy and postpartum, including breastfeeding, baby safety, and parenting groups. The Super Siblings class is a perfect way to help your older child welcome their new sibling and to meet other local families. You can view the classes available on the Cone Health website here.
High Point: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Maternity Center
Atrium Health hosts groups for new moms, offering support in Back-to-Work Breastfeeding Basics, car seat safety, and parenting. They also offer a Boot Camp for New Dads in addition to their class for siblings and their class for grandparents. Find out more about the groups available and when they meet here.
Winston-Salem: Novant Health
Novant Health offers a free Baby Cafe breastfeeding support class at multiple locations and a free virtual Postpartum Support Group. Pregnant women can participate in a virtual Pregnancy Yoga class; beginner and chair yoga classes are also available. Find out more about the groups available here.
Moms Groups in the Triad
Another great way to connect with other moms is to visit the storytimes hosted at your local library branch. Triad Moms on Main shared a directory of Triad libraries, so you can check the schedule at the branch convenient for you.
Music classes, mommy-and-me fitness sessions, and church MomCo (formerly MOPS, “mothers of preschoolers”) groups are fun ways to connect with other parents and build friendships. Attending is a win-win; these experiences are great for your baby’s development. New York Family shared,
"A study published in Developmental Science compared babies and parents who took part in music classes with parent-baby pairs who just listened to the same music while doing other things. The babies in the participatory classes were more musically aware and had finer-tuned gestures and increased social skills after the classes ended. “The benefits of Mommy- or Daddy-and-Me classes on a child’s development cannot be overstated,” agrees Katie Davis, M.D., a developmental psychologist at Park Avenue Pediatric Neuropsychology in Manhattan."
You can find Triad Moms on Main’s directory of moms groups in the Triad here to find options that work best for you.
Tip: Don’t assume the moms you meet already have a friend group and aren’t interested in making new friends. Introduce yourself! Most moms are in the same boat, and thankful to meet parents walking through a similar season in life.
Classes and Mom Groups at The Pregnancy Network
Many women have shared in their class review that while the information was informative and helpful, finding community and friendship was one of the best parts of their experience. Check out our free Pregnancy 101 and Parenting 101 classes here.
The Pregnancy Network also offers two ways to find community through the Connect program. The Connect Gathering meets monthly and is a free event designed to share encouragement; attendees will hear from a guest speaker, enjoy light refreshments, and have the opportunity to connect with Triad moms. RSVP for the next event here. This event is for women who have had an appointment at The Pregnancy Network. Schedule your free appointment here.
You can also sign up to join the Connect program and be paired with a mentor to meet one-on-one; hear Ashley and Madison share their Connect story here.
Kacey Minor
Kacey Minor is the Communications Manager at The Pregnancy Network.