Great Starts™ - Classes & Registration

Classes and Services for Adoptive Families

For schedules, fees, and online registration click here, or call (206) 789-0883

Other Classes

Class: Baby Care for the Adopting Family

This class covers all the basics of how to care for an adopted baby, up to about one year of age. We discuss feeding, bathing, diapering, dressing, playing, and developmental milestones. Also addressed are issues unique to the care of adopted babies, including babies who come to the family through international adoption.

Class: Becoming an Adoptive Family

This class (formerly known as Growth and Development of the Adoptive Family) covers the emotional and social side of waiting for a baby, becoming a family, bonding with your new child, and developing a family identity.

These classes are often scheduled back-to-back, with Baby Care from 9 - 11 am, and Becoming an Adoptive Family from 11 - 1. Families may choose to take just one of the classes, or both. Classes are taught by Dolly Smith. Dolly is a nurse, certified lactation consultant, and adoptive mother.

Classes are held at the Great Starts office in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle.

Students may also be interested in our Babysafe or Infant & Child CPR classes. If the next "Baby Care for the Adoptive Family" class doesn't work for your schedule needs, adoptive parents are also welcome to attend our regular Newborn Care classes, or schedule an adoption consultation (see below).

Register Now.

Services: Adoption Consultation

Great Starts Adoption Consultant, Dolly Smith RN, MS, IBCLC, postpartum doula, and adoptive parent, will visit your home to consult on: infant care; health and safety; feeding options and opportunities; the unique process of starting an adoptive family; parenting and family adjustments, and infant growth and development. Dolly offers practical advice for your growing family. Consultation can serve as a class to prepare you for the arrival of the baby, or can be a hands-on 'practicum' after baby has arrived at your home.

Cost: $110 per visit (visit typically 1 - 2 hours in length)

To schedule a visit, contact Great Starts at (206) 789-0883.

Information: Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby

Are you curious about the option of breastfeeding your adopted baby? There are several alternative approaches to try, and several ways to increase your chance of breastfeeding successfully. Although we do not offer a class in this specific topic, adoptive mothers are encouraged to either: take one of our regular breastfeeding classes, and arrange for some out-of-class time with the instructor where she can work with you on adoption-specific issues. (this out-of-class time would be billed at our private class rate of $50 per hour). Or, schedule an adoption consultation visit focused on this topic. Web resources on adoptive breastfeeding.

Here's what other adoptive parents say about these classes:

"The instructor has great first-hand experience with adoption and with baby care."

"The most helpful parts were the discussions on how to integrate the new baby into your life."

"The info was exactly what I was looking for."

"We have taken other classes, and this was the best by far, in terms of practical advice."