Settling in with Baby
In this hands on newborn care workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to care for brand new babies. Cut down on midnight Google searches (“What’s wrong with my baby?” “Is this normal?” “Why does my newborn’s poop look weird?”) and tackle infant care like a pro.
Dates and booking
Please select the class type you are interested in to be taken to the booking calendar.
Course Breakdown
This pediatrician-approved course is hands on! We use dolls and real supplies, so you’re truly prepared.
Health concerns
Keeping baby safe
Appearance
Feeding cues
Bottles and Formula
Causes of SIDS
Distress/Soothing
Sleep
Bathing
Diapering
Swaddling
Supplies
Includes a copy of Settling in With Baby, a book co-written by Brilliant Births founder Heidi Kate.
Meet the Instructors
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My name is Amelia McDonald, a happy Bay Area resident, mom of two wonderful kids and too many pets and a lover of the water. I’ve spent many years supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period, and that work has deeply shaped how I approach birth education — with respect, practicality, and a belief in informed choice and embodied knowledge.
Alongside birth work, I’ve spent much of my career teaching and coaching in high-trust environments, helping people feel capable, calm, and supported as they learn new skills and navigate big moments.
When I’m not talking about births and babies, you’ll most likely find me on a pool deck coaching, teaching, or cheering my swimmers on. I’m honored to be teaching at Brilliant Births and to support expecting families as they prepare for birth with clarity, confidence, and care.
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Throughout her entire life, Heidi has been a reassuring voice to others. A leader and supporter, a woman and a friend. Heidi earned an associate degree from Northern Arizona University in Environmental Sciences and a Dual Masters from the University of California Berkeley in Urban Planning/Environmental Sciences. After working for several years and earning a high-level management position in the solar power industry, Heidi had a life-changing realization. She became a mom and immediately realized that support is a fundamental need during pregnancy, labor and birth.
Heidi left her degree and career to pursue becoming a professional, certified doula. Heidi knew that with her passion for providing support, her commitment to education, and her ability to encourage and reassure others, becoming a doula was an obvious choice. It was almost as if the position was created specifically for her!
Heidi is certified to teach HypnoBirthing and Lamaze Childbirth classes. She has trained as a birth doula through DONA, CAPPA, Cornerstone, ProDoula, and Dynamo Doula. Her additional focus of study includes Spinning Babies and Evidence Based Birth. Heidi has also earned her Master rebozo credentials and placenta certification.
With a passion for vaginal birth after cesarean section, Heidi has supported and celebrated more than 50 clients as they reached this powerful goal. Her deepest desire is for her clients to know that they are cared for, that they can feel confident in their choices, and that they have the information they need when they need it.
Heidi married into a 4th generation Bay Area family and has resided there for the past 13 years. Together she and her husband raise their three children. When Heidi is not working, she loves spending time with her extended family, living an eco-friendly lifestyle, reading, watching BBC period dramas and doing seasonal canning.
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Keira comes to the birth world after a career in public health and social services research, evaluation, and consulting. That work also focused on supporting people as they navigate life transitions, social challenges, and the systems and institutions that support us as we all move through these moments. She has a passion for deep learning and listening, connecting to people, building communities, and being an advocate and a resource.
Keira is also a parent to two young people who are heading off to college, which inspired a search for change and a return to pursuing a passion for women’s health and empowered birth. She is grateful for the support, opportunities, and connections made during her own pregnancy, birth, and early child-rearing years. She now enjoys helping others find the connections, information and support they need to build their confidence, make decisions, grow, and thrive as they build their family.
Keira has a Masters in Public Health. She trained as a birth, postpartum, and full spectrum doula with Cornerstone. She is also a certified Cornerstone and Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator. She also just started additional training as a lactation counselor!
When not teaching, learning, supporting births or helping families postpartum, Keira is a mountain bike coach for the Berkeley High School team, grows veggies and keeps chickens in her backyard, sings and dances with MoTor Dance, and gets into the mountainous backcountry (on ski wheels, or on foot) as often as she can with her partner, two kids and friends.
Save up to 15% with a package!
Our most popular classes, paired with our most popular workshops. Save on both by buying together!
Frequently Asked Questions:
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This workshop covers two people, so make sure to bring a support person with you!
This class is hands on. Please wear clothes you can comfortably stand, sit, and kneel in.
We offer water, tea, and snacks, as well as chilled beverages for purchase in our space. You are also welcome to bring their own snacks and a water bottle.
Overall, bring your positive attitudes and curiosity! We're excited to have you with us.
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This workshop is priced as "per couple", or for two people per sign up. If you would like to sign up as an individual, or add an additional person, please contact us! We are happy to help.
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This class is geared towards parents, as the cost is per couple. If you are expecting or currently parenting, it's a good class for you!
We also love having grandparents, family, friends, or babysitters attend this class to gain knowledge. Please message us for an individual sign up! You are welcome here.
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For the health and safety of our students, Brilliant Births requests COVID-19 vaccination. Masks are not required but welcomed, and are provided in-studio.
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We do not offer cancellations, refunds, or exchanges for workshops.
If your chosen date no longer works, please contact us to reschedule up to 12 hours before the class start time. An administrative fee will be charged for rescheduling a class, charged to your card on file. If rescheduling doesn’t work with your needs, you will be issued a credit towards a future class.
We aim to fill our workshops, but if there are less than two sign ups for this workshop, it may be rescheduled or cancelled. If the rescheduled date doesn't work with your needs, you will be issued a code for credit toward a future class. No monetary refunds are given.
In the case of unexpected events (including but not limited to: pandemic, fire, excessively poor air quality, or general safety concerns), the format may change from in-person classes to virtual classes if required by public health guidelines or at Brilliant Birth's discretion. No change in fee will be issued, and no refunds will be given outside of the allotted cancellation policy.
More Information
Have questions about our newborn care workshop?
Feel free to get in touch and we can answer any and all questions you might have!