Our Classes

We are proud to offer

Bringing Baby Home

The OCEA Bringing Baby Home class was developed in 2004 by Erin Shaheen to fill an information gap for expectant families on the transition to parenting after birth.  With a strong background in mental health counselling, post-partum Doula support and a variety of additional certifications (CPR, Car seat Installation, Breastfeeding counsellor, Infant Sleep Educator, Circle of Security Training, and Self-Reg with Stuart Shanker), Erin brought all of this information into a six evening session or four mornings across two weekends (9am-12pm)

As our other classes have shifted back to in-person or online, the BBH class remains exclusively online. This has allowed us to present resources, websites and videos in ways not possible in person. We acknowledge that this also increases inclusivity for those who face barriers to in-person attendance due to transportation limitations, for participants outside the City of Ottawa, and for those who may be on bed rest or have an immunocompromised condition.

This is not your average online class!
With over 25 years of experience supporting expectant and new families, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge to every session. From her work as a postpartum doula and parent coach to her deep understanding of community resources, Erin’s approach is grounded, supportive, and always delivered with a gentle sense of humour.

This class welcomes all families, including families giving birth to babies, or having babies join through adoption or surrogacy.

We ask that all participants keep their video on throughout the small online class. Like an in-person class, this creates a sense of community and safety. If you prefer not to be seen, we recommend a private one-on-one session with one of our instructors.  Online classes are accessible to anyone across Canada and run over four weekend mornings from 9 am-12 pm or online over six evenings.

Our Bringing Baby Home class is a hands-on parenting class for expectant parents, including
  • Choosing daycare and managing the wait list
  • Building your after-birth support system, including filling in service gaps when you do not have a Family Doctor
  • How to decide what items to purchase for life with a baby
  • Basic baby care, including bathing, swaddling, and holding the baby
  • The difference between cloth diapers, disposable diapers and diaper service and the diaper loaner program
  • Benefits of babywearing and how to pick baby carriers for ergonomics
  • Infant Feeding and Introducing Solids
  • What you need to know when purchasing a car seat for your baby
  • Learn how to properly and safely install your car seat
  • How to properly restrain newborns in car seats
  • How to deal with choking
  • Babyproofing: how to make your home safer for your baby
  • Learn the most common causes of injuries and how they can be prevented
  • Where to purchase home safety products

The cost of the class is $230 (CAD) (per couple). 
*A couple is defined as a pregnant person and one support person (which can be a spouse, partner, friend or family member)

Refund Policy: Classes cancelled from the time of booking until 14 days before the class start incur a $25 administration fee. Classes cancelled between 7-14 days; 50% cancellation fee. Classes cancelled with less than 7 days’ notice; no refund

People who took our class had this to say:


We dearly want to support the health of expectant families.

Yes. If you only take one class before the birth of your baby, I would highly recommend that it be the Bringing Baby Home class. My husband and I learned so much during this class that has increased our confidence in our ability to parent. We also feel like we are much more aware of the resources that are available to us as parents, which will also be very useful.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The Bringing Home Baby course offered by OCEA was worth every penny. My husband and I were thoroughly impressed with the educator’s level of knowledge and experience. The class covers a lot of material but somehow flies by! 10/10 would recommend!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The class was very informative and engaging. It was a fun and non judgmental atmosphere and we felt better prepared after attending

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

Erin provided good information regarding on screen time with infants/children which is something that we have always been concerned about.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Julia has been very patient and has a really calm way about explaining difficult things which was very helpful

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

It really prepared us for the journey we are about to experience, we highly recommend everyone who is going to have their babies to take this prenatal sessions. Removes the fears and unknowns about childbirth. Being able to share your knowledge and experiences with the other new parents in the class was very helpful.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Erin was phenomenal. She is obviously very knowledgeable, but more than that, she is clear with her method of delivery and strikes me as honest and genuine. My husband and I felt like this course was worth it after day one with Erin, and it's because of how she gave us the information, as opposed to just the information itself. We learned a lot from Erin and are very grateful to her.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This course provided it us with the knowledge and confidence we need to bring our bundle of joy into this world! In these uncertain times it reminded us to focus on things we can control! Erin was a great teacher. Thank you so much!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Julia is EXCELLENT! She was very knowledgeable and very funny! She knew how to navigate those awkward and uncomfortable topics with care and grace. If we have a 2nd baby, I would love to have Julia as my midwife :)

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia was very informative and engaging. She kept the topics interesting through the online format.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

10/10 she was very knowledgeable and informative, delivering everything with positivity

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

Bringing Baby Home is a great opportunity for new parents to help learn the basics, get answers to common questions, and connect with the local parenting community and resources.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen


 
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  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    weekend
    Sat, Nov. 15 · Nov. 16 · Nov. 22 & Nov. 23, 2025
    09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    6 weekday evenings
    Thu, Dec. 4 · Dec. 11 · Dec. 18 · Dec. 25 ·
    Jan. 1 · Jan. 8 · Jan. 15 & Jan. 22, 2026

    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    weekend
    Sat, Dec. 6 · Dec. 7 · Dec. 13 & Dec. 14, 2025
    09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    weekend
    Sat, Jan. 3 · Jan. 4 · Jan. 10 & Jan. 11, 2026
    09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    6 weekday evenings
    Tue, Jan. 13 · Jan. 20 · Jan. 27 · Feb. 3 ·
    Feb. 10 & Feb. 17, 2026

    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    weekend
    Sat, Jan. 17 · Jan. 18 · Jan. 24 & Jan. 25, 2026
    09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    6 weekday evenings
    Thu, Feb. 12 · Feb. 19 · Feb. 26 · March 5 ·
    March 12 & March 19, 2026

    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Bringing Baby Home
    6 weekday evenings
    Tue, March 10 · March 17 · March 24 · March 31 ·
    April 7 & April 14, 2026

    07:00 PM - 09:15 PM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now