New parent support group at Womack facilitates shared experiences

Photo By Twana Atkinson | Cpt. Cierra Roach, the centering parenting coordinator, shows a mother how her son is measuring on the infant growth chart Jan. 21.  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

01.22.2020

Story by Twana Atkinson 

Womack Army Medical Center

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – New mothers and fathers come together to experience a year’s worth of their well-baby experiences during the Womack Army Medical Center Pediatrics Centering Parenting program.
The centering program is a family centering well-child group that brings parents and their same age babies together in a community-type setting with their health care providers to discuss experiences and concerns.
This program began this year and hosts groups of 10 families at a time in a family setting. There are currently six groups participating.
“As an active-duty mother, it’s been really nice to have the comfort of going through my first mothering experiences with other mothers,” said Sgt. Kina Cross, from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Brigade Support Battalion 82nd Airborne Division.
The groups match up families that have given birth around the same time frame. These families will experience everything from their first well-baby shots to possibly seeing each other’s baby’s first steps.
The centering parenting coordinator, Cpt. Cierra Roach touts on families that have shared their pleasure of the program.
“It’s been a pleasure to hear the parents say that they enjoy the close knit environment of not being rushed and to be able to ask questions without judgement,” said Roach.
The programs also offers educational forums for the parent to participate in during the 90-minute session.
A lot of the military families that are away from family and friends participate in the program for more support
“My husband and I are both in the military and having a setting like this has been very helpful,” said Spc. Abigail Aponte, from the 8th Psychological Operations
Group, United States Army Special Operations Command. “This is both of our first and not having family around can make this wonderful time a little stressful. So it’s very comforting to have an opportunity to have a place where we can address all of our concerns; and also share in the experience of others’ concerns.
Some of the topics discussed were; adjusting to motherhood, growth and development, budgeting with a newborn, nutrition, infant massage, pelvic rehabilitation, active parenting in the first five years and more.
The centering sessions will include six will child visits that entails developmental screening, vaccines, and parental guidance.
The centering parenting classes takes place every two weeks. If you have more questions about the program, please call WAMC pediatrics at 907-7955.

• Date Taken: 01.22.2020
• Date Posted: 02.07.2020 15:22
• Story ID: 362196
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US