Thomson ParentCraft Centre
The joy and excitement of bringing new life into the world has inspired us to explore and discover better ways of serving you and our young patients.

Thomson ParentCraft services are designed as part of our ongoing efforts to help expectant and new mothers enjoy their experience during pregnancy and after delivery.

• Childbirth Education Course • Homecare Service • Confinement Nanny Service • Breastfeeding Counseling • Baby Massage • Weaning to Solids at 6 months old • Parent and Baby Fitness • Infant Care Training Programme • First Aid Training Programme • 24-Hour Postnatal Hotline • Thomson Postnatal Support Group • Outpatient Consultation

Childbirth Education Course We regard childbirth education as an integral part of our family centred care. Awaiting the arrival of your baby can cause unnecessary anxiety and apprehension. The Childbirth Education Course consists of six weekly lessons. You may wish to sign up for the full course or any two lessons (only for subsequent deliveries) and we will include the Doctor’s Talk at no extra charge. With this in mind, the Childbirth Education Course is organised for expectant mothers and their partners to prepare them for the experiences and challenges ahead. Course Duration 6 weeks (5 weekly lessons plus one Doctor’s Talk)

When to book
Confirmation of pregnancy around 20th week of gestation


Time (subject to change)

Weekday Classes	7pm to 9pm
Weekend Classes   Saturday	2pm to 4pm l 4.30pm to 6.30pm l 7pm to 9pm
Sunday	10am to 12pm l 12.30pm to 2.30pm l 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Course Lesson 1 Physical & Mental Preparation • Antenatal Exercise • Nutrition Before & After Delivery • Myths & Traditions • Coping with Pregnancy Discomfort • Back Care & Postures • Instructional Video • Q & A Lesson 2   Pain Relief • Antenatal Exercise • Physiological Approach to Breathing Relaxation • Changes in Pregnancy Leading to Signs & Symptoms of Labour • Other Alternative Types of Pain Relief in Labour • Instructional Video • Q & A Lesson 3   Labour • Antenatal Exercise • Physiological Approach to Breathing Relaxation • Learning to Cope in Labour • Mechanisms of Normal Childbirth • Husband’s Role • Instructional Video • Q & A Lesson 4   Practical Hands-on Baby Care • Hands-on Child Care • General Care • Skin Care • Diaper Care • Bathing • Coping with a Fretting, Crying Baby • Coping with a Sleepy or Wakeful Baby • Coping with Colic • Instructional Video • Q & A Lesson 5   Feeding • Breastfeeding • Bottle Feeding • Sterilization of Feeding Equipment • Weaning (introducing solid food) • Learning to Enhance your Child’s Physical & Mental Development • Q & A Lesson 6   (Doctor’s Talk)* • Husband’s Role during Childbirth • Problems Associated with a Newborn • The Process of Labour • Living with the In-laws • How to Raise a Brighter Child • Post-natal Depression • Back Care & Postures • Instructional Video

For more information or bookings, please call our Thomson ParentCraft at 6251 4090.

Cheques for CBE registration should be made payable to THOMSON MEDICAL CENTRE LTD and are to be mailed to Thomson ParentCraft Centre at Thomson Medical Centre, 339 Thomson Road, Singapore 307677.

Please write your name, NRIC, contact number and CBE course date on the back of your cheque.

Homecare Service
We understand that discharged mothers should be given the continual support and care and therefore we have specially developed our Homecare Service right in the comfort of your home.

The necessary skills of handling the newborn plus the advice for mothers on her personal hygiene and checking of the perineal wound or caesarean section wound are all included.

For more information, please call our Thomson ParentCraft at 6251 4090.

Breastfeeding Counseling
Breastfeeding has always been close to the hearts at Thomson. Breastfeeding has so many health benefits for mother and child that it is not surprising that most modern, well-informed mothers today, opt for total breastfeeding.

However, the unfortunate fact is that although it seems so natural to breastfeed, the ability to do it successfully does not necessarily come naturally. At Thomson ParentCraft, our lactation consultants have been offering individual specialised counseling to breastfeeding mothers either on an outpatient basis or in the comfort of our patient's home.

For an appointment, please contact Thomson ParentCraft at 6251 4090.

Baby Massage Touch is the physical expression of love and it is especially critical for babies. Baby massage aims to encourage parent-child bonding and encourage body awareness, coordination and motor development. Massage can also alleviate infant gas and colic and help calm your baby, promoting a more peaceful sleep. Conducted by our experienced parentcraft specialists, parents

will learn all the necessary skills required to give their baby massages at home. The programme also teaches about motor developmental milestones in a child and how to modify massage techniques at various stages of growth.

Here at TMC, we emphasize small class structure for a more personalized coaching. The baby should preferably be between 1-9 months old.

Contents:

•	Benefits of baby massage
•	Creating the right ambience for massage
•	Individualizes step-by-step coaching on massage techniques by our physiotherapist
•	Ways of communicating with your baby/child during a massage
•	Handling of your baby/child to promote motor development and coordination
•	Modifying your massage as your baby/child develops

Weaning to Solids at 6 months old
Learn how to introduce solids to your baby in a fun way and minimise tears and struggles during this transition period. There will be a lecture by a doctor or specialist on this topic, as well as step-by-step coaching sessions to equip yourself with the necessary skills.


Parent and Baby Fitness
Parent and baby fitness is a fun and interactive activity to promote bonding between parents and baby, and increase babies' ability to cope with future challenges. The step-by-step coaching lessons are easy to follow and interesting to learn. It can help to relax the body and mind, strengthen your muscles and maintain flexibility in the spine and joints as well. Parent and baby fitness is also known to improve immunity, stimulate the senses and balance the nervous system.


Infantcare Training Programme
At TMC, we believe that maids or caregivers should be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary in providing care for the baby. This would increase their confidence in looking after the baby and also serve to increase the confidence of the parents in entrusting the newborn to their care.

The program covers feeding baby, bathing baby, diaper changing, bowel movement of baby, handling and holding baby, management of crying baby and more. For more information, please call our Thomson ParentCraft at 6251 4090.


First Aid Training Programme
Mishaps sometimes happen and they strike us when we least expect them to!

The First Aid Training Program by Thomson Medical Centre teaches you how to deal with an accident at home or in school.

With this programme, you will be taught the safety measures at home and how to handle emergencies like choking, drowning, epileptic fits, and basic CPR in infant and child.

Being aware of the safety hazards around us will also help us take the necessary corrective actions and prevent such accidents from happening.

For more information, please call our Thomson ParentCraft at 6251 4090.

24-hour Postnatal Hotline A complimentary hotline service is available for patients of Thomson Medical Centre who may require advice on breastfeeding and babycare after discharge from our hospital. Our experienced senior nursing staff will be on hand round the clock to provide you with the support that you need. For other matters relating to clinical follow-up, please call the main line 6250 2222 or your paediatrician.

Thomson Postnatal Support Group for Mothers
This support group provides an opportunity for mothers to share their views and problems they may be experiencing in adjusting to motherhood. Besides sharing amongst the participating mothers, doctors from different disciplines are invited to the meetings to offer tips and professional advice.

For more information, please call our Thomson ParentCraft at 6251 4090.


Outpatient Consultation
Thomson ParentCraft welcomes parents who need a one-to-one consultation on issues concerning breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, a crying and fretful baby, caring for baby's skin etc.

For an appointment with our parentcraft specialists, please call 6251 4090.