11 Best Parentcraft & Antenatal Classes in Singapore | Best of Baby 2023

When you’re expecting your first baby, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with strong emotions happening all at once. Joy, excitement, fear, anxiety, apprehension—the list goes on. Understandably, baby care or parenthood in general is an unexplored territory for most of us. But fear doesn’t have to overpower the immense amount of joy that you have as you await the arrival of your precious one. Attending good antenatal classes in Singapore is one of the effective ways of managing those overwhelming feelings and overall, these classes will help you prepare for what’s ahead of you and your partner as future parents.

While grandparents, relatives, and other experienced parents have a wealth of knowledge and tips to share, it’s still worth not skipping an antenatal class. Usually, the lecturers and trainers in these programs are board-certified medical practitioners, including doctors, midwives, and nurses. They can give you professional advice and proper training on important topics such as health in pregnancy, breastfeeding, baby care, relaxation techniques, as well as birth and labour options available to you. Refresher classes are also available for second and succeeding pregnancies. These classes are both insightful and fun, which can also provide an opportunity for couples to bond. Depending on what you hope to learn, you can find the antenatal class that suits you best. Below are some of the best ones in Singapore.

This article was last updated on 18 January 2023.

1. Hegen Lactation Centre

Personalised 1-to-1 private sessions for new parents

Hegen is all about enhancing the breastfeeding journey of all mums around the world. And they do that not only by providing innovative and practical products for mums; Hegen also offers a full suite of services to guide you in being the best parent that you can be. Such services include lactation consultations, antenatal, and postnatal classes at the Hegen Lactation Centre. 

With so many options out there, deciding on an antenatal class can feel overwhelming, especially if you and your partner are first-time parents. At Hegen Lactation Centre, their medically-certified experts provide personalised 1-to-1 classes where you can learn at your own pace. As it is in a private setting, their team will be able to quickly address questions pertaining to your specific living arrangement, commitments and concerns.

Featuring a wide range of offerings, Hegen Lactation Centre’s private antenatal sessions class cover all major aspects of childbirth and key concerns regarding baby care. Lactation consultations are also available to help mothers and babies kick-start breastfeeding successfully. The goal is to journey with parents from bump, baby and beyond, providing the space and support for mums and dads to bond through this beautiful experience of childbirth and childcare right from the start.

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2. Thomson Medical Centre (from $299)

Busy moms find Thomson Medical Centre’s one-day intensive course practical. They can easily take a day off and squeeze in the 5.5-hour-long antenatal class in their hectic schedule. Think of it as a one-day workshop that can conveniently give you a quick overview on important topics related to pregnancy and parenthood. On the other hand, those who prefer more thorough discussions will most likely prefer their four-week course.

However, the good news is, they’re offering four-hour Zoom lectures as an alternative. Nutrition, labour and pain relief, mode of delivery, baby bath and baby care are the topics included in these online classes. And in case you’re wondering if a hands-on application of the theories discussed is available, yes, they do offer that too. Practical sessions last for up to one hour and 30 minutes. But note that due to physical distancing measures, they only accept a limited number of students per session. So, book your slot ahead of time. Suggested period of booking would be around 20^th week of gestation. Read more about the course outline, FAQs, student reviews, and Thomson Medical Centre’s childbirth education trainers to get a more detailed overview on what to expect in their antenatal classes.

3. Wong BB (from $280-$390 per couple)

For over 30 years, more than 500,000 parents in Singapore have already consulted Wong BB on matters related to lactation, antenatal and baby care. Nowadays, more and more parents continue to trust their expertise and experience. Dr. Wong Boh Boi herself, the founder of Wong Boh Boi Pte Ltd., has been known as the ‘Baby Whisperer’. She has multiple professional certifications in nursing, midwifery, lactation, and childcare. Aside from her, Wong BB houses two other elite trainers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience on the areas they cover in their classes and workshops. Learn more about them here.

If you prefer a more comprehensive guide on topics such as physical and mental preparation and nutrition for mother, childbirth and breathing techniques, baby care and breastfeeding, they host weekly antenatal classes.  When you sign up for one, you will have to attend all four sessions. So, in total, these sessions would make up a month-long course. See class schedule you can enrol in.

Meanwhile, one-day crash courses are also available for those who opt for a quick and more focused walkthrough on specific topics. You can choose between a full crash course (5.5 hours) or a special crash course (3 hours). In a full crash course, the topics are pretty much the same as their regular antenatal classes. On the other hand, the special crash course focuses on breastfeeding and baby care. The three-hour session also includes a practical exercise of the topics discussed. Visit this page to see the availability of their one-day intensive workshops.

4. ParentLink ($450 for full course)

Passionate about helping families welcome their new bundle of joy, the ParentLink team has a combined experience of 30 years in labour wards, birthing centres and even at-home births. What’s unique about them is that they’re professionally trained specifically for the vital role that doulas play in supporting women and their partners before, during and after childbirth. They have been certified with Childbirth International too.

Dubbed as a one-stop shop, ParentLink provides multiple types of classes and services for expectant parents. Their signature antenatal course involves three sessions that tackles physiology of labour and birth, nutrition and exercise, birth plans and options, labour rehearsal, birthing scenarios, relaxation and breathing techniques, breastfeeding, techniques to calm a fussy baby, baby massage, and more. Each session is only three-hour long, so it’s ideal even for parents with a lot of other responsibilities to juggle.

Other types of classes they offer include the Bradley Method of Husband-coached Childbirth course and Hypnobirthing. You can also get to understand what your baby tries to communicate through his cries by attending the Dunstan Baby Language class. And for emergency situations, some knowledge and practice on baby and child first aid and CPR would come in handy, and even a lifesaver. So, it’s worth taking ParentLink’s class for that too.

5. KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital (from $230 for KKH patients)

If you’re seeking a more extensive antenatal course, KKH Women’s & Children’s Hospital is one of the best choices around. Led by a professional team of lactation consultants, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and parentcraft nurses, their antenatal programme is made up of nine weekly sessions in total, with each session lasting for around one hour and 30 minutes. The nurturing your child talk, however, is an exception, as it’s the longest session, lasting for three hours.

Their antenatal course is divided into three segments. The first segment covers important areas on caring for your pregnancy, such as which are the best foods to consume, medications to avoid and managing your emotions. This starts at 16 weeks of gestation, so make sure to book your slot beforehand.

The second segment delves on labour and childbirth. It aims to help expectant mothers to prepare themselves physically and mentally for labour and delivery by teaching them various pain relief techniques, relaxation exercises, and other things related to these. The sessions in this segment involve labour rehearsal and postnatal exercises as well as how to prepare for admission, a guide on breastfeeding, baby care and parentcraft.

Finally, segment three is about nurturing your child. The lectures focus on helping couples to mentally and emotionally prepare for their new responsibilities and unique challenges to expect as new parents. Couples will be able to learn practical advice on parenting from this segment.

In addition to the subjects mentioned, you’ll also gain reliable information on vaccinations. Your concerns will be thoroughly addressed, and you’ll be able to make more informed decisions with regards to the safety and well-being of your child.

6. Mother and Child ($1,180 per couple for private home session)

Since 1994, Mother and Child has been a trusted provider of a wide range of prenatal and postnatal services for expectant parents in Singapore. Comprised by a team of highly experienced midwives, IBCLC certified lactation consultants, childbirth educators, health visitors, maternal and child health nurses, birth doulas, perinatal counsellors, hypnobirthing practitioners, paediatric dietitian, first aid and CPR instructors, infant massage instructors, sleep specialists and fitness instructors, Mother and Child features both private and small group antenatal classes that are specifically tailored for what the couple aims to learn. Would you like to attend a general childbirth preparation course, pre-lactation consultation or take a refresher antenatal class? They offer all these classes, and you can sign up for one you’re most interested in.

Many couples find their private antenatal course convenient and comfortable. They like its flexibility in terms of schedule and setting. Whether at the centre or in the privacy and comfort of their own homes, couples can have their questions and concerns addressed by an experienced midwife or childbirth educator. This five-hour private course runs in two sessions and is divided into four main subjects. The first topic focuses on labour and what pain relief options are available, while the second topic explores and discusses the second and third stages of labour, actual birth, options for the delivery of the placenta, and the various types of assisted delivery methods. In the third topic, you’ll learn about what immediate care and checks should be given to your newborn, the importance of skin-to-skin contact and its benefits to baby, mum and dad, and everything related to feeding your baby either by breastfeeding or formula feeding. Finishing off the session, the fourth topic talks about how to care and look after your baby, including what immunisations are advised and which routine checks are necessary. Included in this course are practical applications such as practising how to hold, carry, burp, bathe and swaddle your baby.

In addition to these four main topics, they’ve also included the Active Birth class in this course. This class aims to prepare mum’s body for labour and childbirth by learning positions and relaxation techniques.

7. Birth Discovery (from $680 per couple)

Birth Discovery is your top choice if you’re interested in reaping the benefits of HypnoBirthing. Their antenatal class focuses on this topic, which aims to prepare women for a natural, drug-free childbirth experience. The course includes the discussion of natural childbirth education, relaxation techniques, HypnoBirthing signature breathing techniques, and visualisation and self-hypnosis natural anaesthesia. There is also a complimentary workshop that teaches the Butterfly Touch Baby Massage which helps in relaxation and growth, relieves birth trauma and soothes a colicky baby.

The course is divided into five sessions. But it’s a good investment of time, money and effort, considering that Birth Discovery is committed in providing continuous mentoring through phone and email, even after the sessions are completed. Yup, you’ll get continuous support from pregnancy through post-birth.

8. Four Trimesters ($995 for 6 lessons)

Four Trimesters’ antenatal course has been uniquely named as the “Oxytocin Equation”. One of the key takeaways from the course is how mums can increase their level of oxytocin and take advantage of this ‘love hormone’ as it promotes an easier, shorter, more comfortable and relaxed birthing experience. The end goal of the programme is to help women and their partners have a more positive outlook for pregnancy, labour, childbirth and parenting.

The class runs for six sessions lasting four hours each. In the first session, you’ll learn how to mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for childbirth, while the second session focuses on the key strategies that prepare the body for birthing. The second session aims to provide instruction on writing your birth plan. It discusses the options available, as well as the risks and benefits of each. This allows couples to make more informed decisions and teaches them how to communicate their birth plan to their healthcare providers.

Fourth session talks about everything related to labour and birth, while the fifth one is all about breastfeeding. Meanwhile, the sixth and last session doesn’t only provide valuable advice on baby care, but for couples themselves, too. Specifically, we love the topic “Babyproofing your Marriage”, which will surely inspire couples with lessons on how to nurture and strengthen their relationship while nurturing their baby at the same time.

9. Beloved Bumps (from $625 per couple)

If you’re looking for a highly informative and interactive antenatal class in a beautiful social setting, Beloved Bumps is one of the winning places. And literally, they’ve won several awards already, including The Finder Expatpreneur Awards 2019. Besides the goal of educating mums-to-be and their partners on topics around normal labour and birth, pain relief, complications, breastfeeding, formula feeding, and the postnatal period, Beloved Bumps also aims to create a strong and happy community that fosters new friendships among expectant parents due around the same time. And one thing they most look forward to is a postnatal reunion hosted by the Beloved Bumps team!

Add-ons for the different class packages are also available. You can choose to include postnatal home visits and support from one of their postnatal doulas. Whether you are a Singaporean or an expat, Beloved Bumps will warmly welcome you in their antenatal classes.

10. Mummy Baby Care (from $50)

Do you think you’ve gained enough information already about labour and delivery, but one thing that makes you most anxious about is how you’re going to take care of your newborn? The course most suitable to you is something that’s centred around baby care. Some of the classes you can take are Mummy Baby Care’s Dunstan Baby Language and Baby Massage classes. The Dunstan Baby Language class explores and discusses this breakthrough method in decoding babies’ universal language—their cries. You’ll gain a deeper understanding about when baby is hungry, sleepy, colicky, tired, or anything else.

Meanwhile, in the Baby Massage classes, you’ll learn the benefits of baby massage to your child and to the family as a whole, and most importantly, when and how to do it.

11. Love Based Birth (one-time payment of $595)

As the name suggests, Love Based Birth’s antenatal course is designed to help mums-to-be transform their fears into love. If you’re looking for a more holistic approach in preparation for your labour and birthing experience, this is the course you can enrol in. Aside from the interactive sessions, you’ll also get access to midwife Red Miller’s best-selling book From Fear to Love which will inspire you to have a more optimistic mindset from pregnancy to postnatal period. You’ll also receive a step-by-step class workbook and templates you can easily use for your birth plan, as well as, the right questions to ask to your healthcare provider.

Continuous support is also available with their Live Sessions with Wellness Experts feature and the Love Based Birth Tribe Membership where you’ll be automatically admitted as a member when you enrol to the course.

I hope that this article on the best antenatal classes in Singapore has helped you discover the best place to go to learn about how to take care of your pregnancy, prepare for labour and childbirth and learn valuable insights on baby care. Please share this with your family and friends!