Birth Day Presence knows that there is no one-size-fits-all birth. They select the best ideas and techniques from a variety of childbirth traditions to help parents have the birth they want, offering childbirth education classes; breastfeeding, newborn care, and infant CPR classes; on-demand breastfeeding help; and more. What’s more, they’ll be at the New York Baby Show on May 14 and 15, at Pier 92 in NYC.
The nation’s biggest show for expectant and new families, the New York Baby Show is a wonderful family-friendly mega-event featuring everything to do with maternity, baby, and toddler. From top products to trusted parenting experts, the New York Baby Show welcomes thousands of expectant and new parents from New York City, the Tri-State area, and beyond!
Tickets to the New York Baby Show are $30 per family, and $20 per individual.
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To find out more about Birth Day Presence, we spoke with co-founder Jada Shapiro.
For someone unfamiliar with Birth Day Presence, how would you describe your mission and core offerings?
Birth Day Presence provides smart, non-judgmental childbirth education and doula services for savvy New Yorkers. We know there is no one-size-fits-all birth, and there are a lot of different approaches out there, so we hand-select the best ideas and techniques from a range of childbirth traditions and give busy expectant parents the education and support they need to have the birth they want. Our core offerings are childbirth education classes in a range of formats to suit different families’ lifestyles (private, group, express, 4-week format, etc.,), breastfeeding, newborn care and infant CPR classes, on-demand breastfeeding help, and birth/postpartum doula referral services.
Tell us about the company’s background—how did it get started and how has it grown?
Birth Day Presence really began when I was invited to photograph the birth of my friend’s child in 2002. The birth blew my mind! I realized how little I really knew about childbirth and how much there was to know. Eager to learn more, I went to a birth conference in Manhattan, and there I met a woman who was running a birth doula training the following week. The rest is history. I started telling everyone that I had trained as a doula, and you wouldn’t believe how many people invited me to help them at their births!
Pretty soon, Birth Day Presence was born. It grew organically as a doula service at first. After several years of being a birth and postpartum doula referral service, we added Childbirth Education classes to the mix and they were instantly very popular. Expectant couples loved that we were providing amazing, informative classes that were focused both on knowledge and information and on community and support. Over the years we expanded to teach classes in different locations, from our home studio in Park Slope, to our SoHo studio, to classes in satellite spaces all over the city, from Tribeca to the Upper East Side to Greenpoint. Our students and clients always tell us and show us what other services they need. Last year it became exceedingly clear that our community needed more breastfeeding support, and our Breast Start Visit service was born.
What are the most popular and newest services from Birth Day Presence for expectant and new moms?
Last year we launched The Breast Start Visit, an on-demand breastfeeding-help service, and it’s been extremely popular. You text us at 917-407-1347, and we get a certified breastfeeding specialist (CLC or IBCLC, depending on your needs) to you ASAP–whether you’re at the hospital or a birth center or at home. We realized it’s something our community needs–we help new moms with breastfeeding as early as day 1 to help them avoid pain and ensure a good milk supply. A huge part of a successful breastfeeding relationship is getting help as early as possible if there are any problems. As we always say, “If it hurts, get help!”
Our other most popular services are our Childbirth Education Classes. Manhattanites particularly love our weekend intensive class and our express class. But the whole suite of classes, including Infant CPR, Combined Breastfeeding/Newborn Care and Childbirth Classes, are quite popular.
What makes Birth Day Presence unique and different from other childbirth service providers?
Birth Day Presence is comprehensive: We’re the only company to offer the ultimate combination of childbirth preparation classes, doula matching services, and on-demand lactation support. Our strength particularly lies in offering nonjudgmental support and information in fun, engaging classes that leave parents feeling confident they can move through whatever comes up during their childbirth, breastfeeding and early parenting. And we’re known for creating community. People leave our birth classes with new friendships and amazing community resources in addition to having a deeper understanding of childbirth, CPR and breastfeeding. Birth Day Presence is founded and owned by a NY mom since 2002! I had my daughter here — I get what smart, busy New Yorkers want and need as they’re preparing to become parents. To date we have served over 6000 families and are thrilled to continue!
What can parents except to see from Birth Day Presence at the New York Baby Show and in the future in general?
Birth Day Presence is excited to be participating in the fabulous New York Baby Show in so many ways. I am on two different panels throughout the weekend, offering up my expertise on getting ready for baby and how to be a single parent. We have a table, as well, where expectant and new parents can come talk to us directly to learn about all of our classes and services. And in the future…well, we have so many things in store I don’t know where to start! We are launching our newest partnership with the wonderful physical therapy office Renew PT, where we will now be offering many of our Manhattan classes. We are developing two pain relief products which will help moms during labor. And we are expanding our On-Demand Lactation Services.
To learn more about Birth Day Presence, visit birthdaypresence.com!