Our Classes

We are proud to offer

Infant Massage

Infant Massage has been shown to increase oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) and decrease cortisol (the stress hormone) for both the baby and caregivers.  We all need a little more of this!  
 
OCEA is offering Live Virtual opportunities to learn this skill and to connect (with us, others, and your baby).  Classes run for 4 sessions for $60.  
 
Infant massage is a natural way to nurture and care for your baby. We do this while holding them - without even thinking about it. Infant Massage classes teach a whole-body massage routine, the benefits of individual strokes, ways to communicate with your baby, and how to have some special time together.

The facilitator, Brandie Lekovic, will lead you through individualized massage sessions. Sessions include massage oil (if joining an online session, see notes) and handouts. Classes are intended for pre-crawling babies and provide lots of clever hints on carrying massage into the years to come. Brandie received her training with the International Association of Infant Massage and loved using these tools with her boys.  

Live Online Class:  4 sessions = $60
Private virtual sessions are $75 for a single session or $120 for 2 sessions (giving a better chance for practice).  You are welcome to invite a group of baby's new friends for an additional $10 per baby. 

Refund Policy:  When cancelling a prenatal class after it has been booked, there is a $25 (CAD) administration fee. If the cancellation occurs less than 14 days before the class, there is a 50% cancellation fee. If it is less than 7 days, there is no refund.  

People who took our online class during COVID-19 had this to say:

Given the continued need to physically distance, the size of our room rentals and the evolving state of our global pandemic, OCEA will continue to offer all classes online throughout 2022.
We dearly want to support the health of expectant families.

If you have any fears or concerns about labour or the initial time after birth this course if for you! The instructors offer a non-judgmental and safe environment where students learn how to cope with all aspects of the process, including current COVID-19 issues.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

My partner and I took the Bringing Baby Home course through the Ottawa CEA, taught by Erin Shaheen. Erin is very knowledge and took the time to answer any all questions the class had. All the topics were thoroughly presented and never felt rushed. She even provided lots of links, resources as well as information on local support services. We took this course about three months before the baby's due date, and we are so thankful that we did. After taking this course, we felt more confident about our decision making regarding feeding, sleeping, diapering and what items to purchase We look forward to taking more classes with Ottawa CEA!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Julia was funny, witty and had good energy throughout the class. She delivered the ingormation calmly and simply. We absolutely adored her as our educator!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Erin was very personable and shared her expertise freely and in a non-threatening way. The way she laid out the information and gave us room to ask questions and determine the best route for our own choices was so appreciated. Her quick responses to questions on the chat was also most welcome.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Amazing class for new parents to be. Very informative and we both feel more prepared for the birth of our baby

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Misty was wonderful! Very knowledgeable, approachable, encouraging, warm - we appreciate it so much, especially in the current climate of unknowns. This course was a great experience - will recommend!

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

During such a difficult time to be pregnant (I never thought my pregnancy would be during a pandemic!) it was really nice to come together with other couples in the same boat. Though it wasn't as social as an in class opportunity likely would have been, the sense of community is such a nice feeling.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Yes - Couldn't recommend these classes more. After taking the Pre Natal and Bringing Home Baby Classes, myself and I my partner both feel more prepared for the unexpected and to welcome our baby home. We now have many tools and resources specific to our area to help us through the process.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

OCEA’s prenatal course is a wonderful tool to help new parents-to-be feel empowered and prepared for labour and the immediate postpartum period. Michelle is an amazing instructor - she was able to pack so much useful information into 2 days in a way that was digestible and non-judgemental. My partner and I left the class feeling more prepared and ready for this adventure! We highly, highly recommend it!

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

My partner and I took the Pre Natal Class with OCEA. The class was hosted on Zoom, since the COVID-19 pandemic meant we had to have a virtual class. Our teacher, Julia, really made this class top-notch. We learned about all our different birthing options in Ottawa and what to expect from each, including any adjustments resulting from the pandemic. It was comforting to learn the current standard of care we can expect in Ottawa, and how this matches the most recent scientific information about birthing. The local information is really what makes this class worthwhile compared to reading a general pre-natal book. We left the class feeling informed and empowered in our choice of care and our choice of birthing place.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

It was easy to share questions verbally or in writing, or that you had the opportunity to ask them more privately, before or after the class via text with Julia. It was a nice option that made me feel more at ease.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

She was great! I really appreciated all of her knowledge and ease of communication even in a new format that is by default distant. I took away a lot of really useful information.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen


 
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  • Online

    Infant Massage
    4 weekdays
    Wed, Jan. 8 · Jan. 15 · Jan. 22 & Jan. 29, 2025
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now

  • Online

    Infant Massage
    4 weekdays
    Wed, April 2 · April 9 · April 16 & April 23, 2025
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Online Class Using Zoom
    Register now