Newborn Groups

Who are Newborn Groups for?

For parents and new babies to attend together. When a group begins, all babies are four months old or younger.

What happens at a Newborn Group?

New parents meet, share, and learn in volunteer-facilitated sessions. Each meeting includes time for sharing parenting highs and lows, followed by a discussion of the week's topic related to the joys and challenges of parenting an infant. Topics discussed may include: Feeding, Sleeping (Like a Baby!), Soothing a Crying Baby, Infant Development, Enhancing Early Learning, Balancing Work and Baby, Creating Family Traditions, Strengthening the Couple's Relationship, and Self Care for New Parents.

Meetings also include break time for informal socializing and connecting with other new parents. Meetings may include time for singing songs to the babies, or learning about games to play with babies.

When and Where are Newborn Groups offered?

Newborn Groups meet once a week for 12 weeks, at the same time each week, for two hours per session.

You can register for either a daytime or evening group. Daytime groups may be in the morning or afternoon, and are for one parent per family (typically moms, but dads are welcome!). For evening groups, parents can attend as a couple, or on their own. 

Newborn Groups are offered all across King and south Snohomish Counties. You will be matched with a group of 7 to 12 families who live in your part of town. The first meeting is held in the leader's home, and then group members host the other meetings in their own homes, so the location rotates each week.

How do I register for a Newborn Group? How will I know when I've been placed in a Group?

Register by clicking here to complete our online registration form. You can register any time during pregnancy, or after birth, until your baby is four months old. (We recommend registering during pregnancy if possible, to increase the chances that we'll find a group that's a good match for you.)

Within a week of completing the form, you will receive a confirmation email that you're on our waiting list. We will next contact you when you've been placed in a group. This can happen any time between your baby's birth and when your baby turns four months old, but most often happens when babies are six to ten weeks.  We'll notify you by email, and ask you to confirm that that the group we have placed you in will work for you.

What does it cost to be in a PEPS Group?

The program is $150* if one parent will participate or $200* for two parents from the same household. Once you've been placed in a group and accept that placement, you will receive your invoice via email. Payment in full is expected before you attend the first meeting of your group, and is non-refundable.

* Fees billed at rate in effect on date of program placement. 

What if I can't afford the PEPS program fee?

PEPS wants to serve EVERY family that wants to join our community. We happily provide scholarships, supported by our generous donors. Scholarships are income-based, and typically cover amounts equal to 25%-75% of fees, with full scholarships in special situations. So, even if you don't think of yourself as "low income", if the regular fee is going to be a stretch for you financially, don't hesitate to apply for a partial scholarship!

Instructions on requesting a scholarship are on your invoice, which you'll receive after you're placed in a Group.

More Questions?

Check out our Newborn Program FAQ, which answers lots more questions about how registration and placement works, what to expect at your PEPS Group, etc.

You can also attend an Orientation, which offers both a chance to get your questions about PEPS answered, and a chance to meet other parents and start making connections now.

Or, feel free to call PEPS at (206) 547-8570 or email to carim@pepsgroup.org.

Ready to Register?

Register for a Newborn Group by clicking here and completing our registration form.

What other programs does PEPS offer?

Baby Peppers (for older babies), Little Peppers (for families with two children under age 3), and the Parent Talk lecture series.