There’s so much to learn for new & expecting parents, but online parenting classes can help!
Confident parenthood starts long before the baby is actually born, and it can seem daunting for those without a support system. Fear not! With a little help, parenting can be the most rewarding experience of your lifetime. Plus, we’re here for you now.
Fathercraft has years of firsthand father experience under our belt, and we’ve done some serious research into what makes a good newborn/baby care course. We’ve compiled a list of online newborn care classes that will take you from unsure to confident.
Are parenting classes necessary? Even the most confident first-time parents will learn something new about sleep schedules, sleep safety, first-aid, feeding, burping, diapers, changing said diapers, doctor visits, toys, monitors, baby gear, checklists, postpartum care, nutrition, hospital to home, learning/education, special needs, positive parenting, parent-parent/parent-baby relationships… Do you catch our drift?
Can you really learn what you need to know from an online parenting class? We dug deep and combed through dozens of courses to find that out. From our extensive research, we have curated 13 of the best online parenting classes that really will teach you what you need to know to be a confident parent!
For each course you will find:
- Course Title and Creator
- What You Will Learn
- Course Length
- The Good Stuff
- What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Price
- A Dad’s Opinion
Now, let’s get into those lists, shall we?
Father’s Ed by Fathercraft
What You Will Learn
- Pre-birth to do’s
- Baby’s arrival
- health and visiting the doctor
- the hospital & when your baby is born
- The first weeks at home and the basics of babies
- Skills (holding, feeding, changing, bathing, playing, interacting)
- Baby safety
- Essential Gear
- Sleep
Course Length
5 hours of video content and several weeks of consistent learning.
The Good Stuff
- 9 modules of video content
- Over 80 pages of actionable checklists, helpful resources, and key takeaways
- Checklists and charts to print and use
- Interviews with experts
- 30 day no-questions-asked guarantee
- Unlike some other options, enrolling in Father’s Ed is a one-time fee, it doesn’t lock you into a subscription
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Father’s Ed is one of the more expensive options out there
- Infant CPR is not covered
Price
$149
A Dad’s Opinion
Hey wait a minute, that’s us! But, after 54 5-star reviews, we feel pretty comfortable putting ourselves on our own list of the best online parenting courses for expecting parents.
Yes, Fathercraft offers an all inclusive course on how to prepare for the birth of your child. From actionable checklists to informative videos (yuck walls of text), Fathercraft has you covered. Learn how to do the basics: hold, feed change, bathe, and play with your baby. But also understand the bits and pieces of your baby’s arrival, the hospital, doctors visits, firsts weeks at home, gear, and safety.
Dads should no longer be the sideline players of parenthood. Become that confident father figure by using this course and have fun being a dad. It really is something.
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Father’s Ed, our parenting class for dads
Tinyhood Online Classes — expecting collection and baby’s first year
What You Will Learn
- Tinyhood recently moved all of their content form individual classes to a subscription model. This means when you sign up for a subscription, all of Tinyhood’s classes are available to you on demand. You’ll have access to courses covering everything from pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding, caring for a baby, infant CPR, and beyond.
- For purposes of preparing for a baby, the “Expecting Collection”, infant CPR, and the “Baby’s First Year Collection” are the most relevant classes.
- Breastfeeding: what to expect in the first 30 days, how to tell your baby is getting enough breast milk, common issues, how to increase supply, and pumping/storing
- Sleep: establishing habits and avoiding mistakes
- Safety: Infant CPR and choking
- Baby Care: diaper changes, gas, bath time, holding/carrying, nail care, and tummy time
Course Length
Tinyhood’s classes tend to be short. They contain a few quick videos — for example, the baby care classes total about 30 minutes of video content, and include a number of “handouts” — PDF companion worksheets.
The Good Stuff
- Tinyhood has very consumable content with useful “Takeaway” print-outs for quick reference
- Access all of Tinyhood’s courses with one subscription
- Tinyhood also offers online group sessions, where you’re paired with a small group of folks in the same stage of parenthood, and have guided conversations facilitated by an expert.
What You Should Know, and What’s Missing?
- Can only be accessed via subscription
- Not much information on baby gear
Price: $38.95 per month, or $12.95 per month when you pay annually ($155.40/year)
A Dad’s Opinion
We see a lot of ourselves in this course. Tinyhood was founded by two moms similarly to how Fathercraft was founded by two dads (and an uncle!). Like us, they have consumable content backed by serious research with meaningful support to answer extra questions.
One of our favorite parts is the easy, consumable content for overly busy parents. You can print out “Takeaways” and have them lying around so you don’t have to hop on a computer/phone if you have a question. Not everyone wants to use a phone on the changing table– that’s what a printout is for!
There is overwhelmingly positive feedback on their classes for a reason. Easily one of the best online parenting courses.
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Tinyhood online parenting classes
Newborn to 3 Months by Newborncourse.com
What You Will Learn
- Preparing baby items
- Changing diapers
- Bathing your newborn
- Swaddling and holding your baby
- Growth and developmental milestones
- Temperament and behavioral adjustments
- ‘Safe’ and ‘unsafe’ germs
Course Length
This lengthy course is broken down into five main categories. Within each category (caring for your child, sleep, growth/development, nutrition, healthy baby) there are ~15 different classes. Give yourself several weeks to go through these courses!
The Good Stuff
- If you have unanswered questions, there are several other more specific courses through Newborncourse.com
- There is a ‘Just For Dads’ section with information geared towards expectant dads
- A helpful list of free resources
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- The website can be frustrating to navigate
- Lacks information on what the best gear is for your baby
Price
$99 will get you a 6 month subscription to the courses.
A Dad’s Opinion
Newborncourse.com does some awesome things with their breadth of information. Recommendations straight from pediatricians ensure the highest level of instruction on newborn care classes.
It may not be an aesthetically pleasing blog or a new-age website with bells and whistles, but don’t let that get in the way of the important stuff. This is a great course to take if you want to become a confident parent.
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Newborn to 3 Months by Newborncourse.com
Full New Parent Course by WeeHuman
What You Will Learn
- Modern Childbirth
- Newborn Care
- Mind & Body Wellness
- Breastfeeding
Course Length
The Full New Parent Course is the bundle option of the four courses outlined above. This is a lengthy bundle that will be useful before and after your baby is born. This course can be used as a parenting guidebook for as long as two years.
The Good Stuff
- WeeHuman hosts live informational sessions
- Curated video courses with quizzes to keep you on your toes
- Free previews of courses
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Other online parenting classes have more information on newborn care specifics
- Lacking baby gear preparation
Price
$99
A Dad’s Opinion
WeeHuman is a lovely site with a lot of consumable content. There is a lot of information beyond the diaper changing and feeding that some other courses don’t get into. It talks about care for the parents as well as the baby, which is super important. Remember, put your mask on before you help others.
Beyond the content lies a wonderful community. WeeHuman embraces leaning on others and offers a welcoming environment for all parents. We think this is among the best online courses for expecting parents.
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Full New Parent Course by WeeHuman
The Baby Manual by… The Baby Manual!
What You Will Learn
- A crash course on newborns 0-6 months old
- Gear checklists
- The trip home
- Feeding, burping, and changing– Oh my!
- Health and emergencies
- Fun activities and going out
Course Length
Whether you get the DVD or the Online Course, you are in for a 4 hour course that covers 14 important topics.
The Good Stuff
- Their bundle comes with clothes, a swaddle blanket, silicon bib, large gift box, plus the online and dvd course.
- Lifetime access to the course with the DVD purchase… as long as you have a DVD player (if you know what that ancient technology is please contact us!)
- A risk free guarantee
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Portions of this course require a DVD player
- Shorter than other popular courses
Price
$109 for the complete bundle
A Dad’s Opinion
The most impressive part of this course is the amount of expertise backing it. Licensed family therapists, sleep consultants, and pediatricians. You name it, they probably have it.
This is truly a crash course on newborn care, because a lot of information has to be poured into those four hours. If you are feeling confident about parenthood and you think you have a good support system in place, then four hours might be enough to get you fully ready.
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The Baby Manual by… The Baby Manual!
Baby Care Course by Mama Natural
What You Will Learn
- Baby eating habits, questions, and concerns
- How to get your baby to sleep
- Diaper changes
- Baby tantrums and play time
- Growing and care
- Baby ailments and safety
- Baby gear
Course Length
This course is six hours long, but you get a full year of access.
The Good Stuff
- An inclusive community for all questions and confessions
- Taught by a board-certified pediatrician
- Money back guarantee
- Access for one full year
- One of the best online courses for first time parents
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Only one year to access the course information
Price
$119
A Dad’s Opinion
Another crash course on baby care, this six hour course will take your confidence to the next level. Although it is short, it packs a punch with information and could be enough for you.
We really like the on-demand support and step-by-step demonstrations, because it feels more intimate than a wall of text. Speaking of intimate, the community around Mama Natural provides an inclusive space for new parents with questions, concerns, and confessions. That’s hard to beat!
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Baby Care Course by Mama Natural
Bootcamp for New Dads by Dads Adventure
What You Will Learn
- How to be an effective father to your baby and partner for the mother
- General baby care
- Getting home and life with an infant
- Connecting with your baby
Course Length
This is an in-person workshop that is usually conducted a couple months before your baby is born.
The Good Stuff
- Led by healthcare professionals and “veteran” dads
- An inclusive scene for dads that might not feel comfortable as a father
- Dads of all cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicity come together
- Focuses on the tremendous amount of support that dads can offer, instead of being a sideline player
- Links to free online parenting courses and resources
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Not all cities have Dad Bootcamps, so availability is limited
- Missing key ingredients to an online newborn care course (mostly the online part)
Price
$4
A Dad’s Opinion
Bootcamp for New Dads is unlike the other courses outlined on this list. It takes a subject that many men are uncomfortable with (i.e. loving care for children) and turns it into something approachable. Being a new dad can be really tough, and sifting through catalogs of mommy blogs makes it hard to find a shared experience. This is a perfect place to find shared experiences and become a meaningful father figure
This is an in-person bootcamp with selected availability across the States. This makes it tough for dads that don’t live in a selected city, but there are resources available to start your own Boot Camp in your town.
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Bootcamp for New Dads by Dads Adventure
Baby and Me! (0 – 5 months) by Center for Children and Youth
What You Will Learn
- Feeding, sleeping, and developmental milestones
- Q&A portion with a baby care expert
Course Length
1 Hour
The Good Stuff
- A manageable course for parents that want some insight into what parenthood might entail.
- Center for Children and Youth has several other courses available on the site
- Led by child care professionals
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- This is not a full course on all essential baby care
- Several other courses on related topics can be found on this site
- This course needs supplemental information!
Price
$25
A Dad’s Opinion
This is a very short, but effective childcare lesson for new parents. Clear up confusion or questions with the help of child care professionals and learn where to go for the next steps.
Although this is a short class, the website offers a lot of other resources (both free and paid) for new parents. This is merely a starting point for parents and it will serve as a perfect stepping stone to find confidence in yourself.
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Baby and Me! (0 – 5 months) by Center for Children and Youth
Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online by American Red Cross
What You Will Learn
- Baby CPR and Safety
Course Length
1 hours 45 min
The Good Stuff
- Online class by the American Red Cross
- Teach you to not only care for emergencies but recognize when they are happening
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- This is supplementary information that does not cover day-to-day baby care.
Price
$35
A Dad’s Opinion
The American Red Cross is a well-known organization that leads in disaster and emergency relief. In other words, they’re pretty good at what they do.
We sincerely hope that you never have to use the information that you learn from this course in real life, but unfortunately emergencies do happen. When they happen it’s best to not only know what to do, but also how to spot it. Many times an emergency situation will be happening and it goes unnoticed.
Baby safe equals parents happy.
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Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online by American Red Cross
Prenatal and Newborn Sleep Package by Sleepwise
What You Will Learn
- How to get your baby on a sleep schedule
- How to get yourself on a sleep schedule
- A 9 month action plan for setting sleep habits
Course Length
This course is different than most in that it is continuous. Working on sleep habits and tweaking things here and there is a constant process. This course also contains weekly emails and follow-up calls, as well as monthly check-ups to see how the course is progressing.
The Good Stuff
- Among the greatest sleep courses out there right now
- A very high level of connectivity between you and your sleep consultant
- High volume of positive results
- Who doesn’t love good, healthy sleep?
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- This is not a course for general infant care
- Lacks gear recommendations and information
Price
Basic: $695
Gold: $825
Platinum: $1395
A Dad’s Opinion
Sleepwise offers top of the line service and it is reflected in its top-shelf price point. Growing up, my dad taught me to invest in a few things: your shoes and your bed. You spend a lot of time on your feet and you spend a lot of time sleeping. Here’s the thing, you could have the best bed in the world and still have terrible sleep if your baby doesn’t have a good sleep schedule in place.
Sleep is absolutely necessary. Good sleep can bring a clear mind, happier moods, and better decision-making. On the flip, it will give you brain fog, anxiety, stress, and fatigue. Don’t underestimate sleep, parents.
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Prenatal and Newborn Sleep Package by Sleepwise
Positive Parenting Solutions
What You Will Learn
- 7-step parenting success system to end tantrums, melt-downs, and fights
- Science of misbehavior
- How to empower your kids to be confident and independent
- Regaining control and letting go of guilt
- How to handle extreme behaviors in a positive way
- Sibling relationships
- Family Harmony
- Continued success through the ages and stages
Course Length
This is a longer course with several modules and ~50 in-depth training videos.
The Good Stuff
- Behavioral advice from babies to teens
- 24/7 access to the content
- Lifetime access to the course
- 1-on-1 live help with parent coaches
- “Ultimate survival guides”
- Free online parenting classes (preview)
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- Not applicable for newborns and infants
- Only behavioral information
Price
$350 for the full package
A Dad’s Opinion
Chances are your newborn baby isn’t going to get into an argument with you on your way home from the hospital. If they do, then you should turn around and go back. However, creating a meaningful relationship with your kids is crucial, and it starts at a young age.
If you’re not ready for this step yet, then we don’t blame you. Take it one step at a time, but know that this is a great resource for when you might need it!
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Premium Package by Baby Sleep Made Simple
What You Will Learn
- How to get your (5-24 month old) baby to sleep
- Step-by-step guide on napping throughout the day
- 21 Day guide to peaceful sleep
Course Length
21 Days to Peace and Quiet is the advertised promise. Find your sleep zen in that time or get your money back!
The Good Stuff
- Four different guides on gentle sleep training to choose from
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Lifetime access to the Naps Facebook Support Group
- A good night’s sleep!
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- More expensive than the average cost for newborn classes
- This focuses on sleep! Does not contain general newborn care information
Price
$297
A Dad’s Opinion
Yet another amazing sleep program for those plagued with sleepless nights. This program is designed for children that sleep in cribs. They (and we at Fathercraft) do not advise co-sleeping, and they can help you get your baby comfortable sleeping alone.
We love the support group option with the premium package, but if it isn’t for you, then you can get the DIY package without the support for $97.
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Premium Package by Baby Sleep Made Simple
Baby Proof Your Relationship by Illuminate Counselling
What You Will Learn
- Managing expectations
- Relationship pitfalls and solutions
- Communication basics
- Understanding perinatal mental health
- Postpartum relationship problems
- Creating an actionable plan
Course Length
3-5 hours
The Good Stuff
- Indefinite access to the course work
- Take-home exercises and assignments to help you and your partner
- Online appointments are available with Ruth (their expert couples counsellor!)
- This is not therapy! It offers tools to prepare your relationship for a baby, and it might just keep you from needing therapy
What you should know, and what’s missing?
- This is not newborn care! This is parent-relationship care!
- No gear, no diapers, no burping
Price
$175
A Dad’s Opinion
Adding a baby to your relationship is a huge milestone, and it can take a toll. Understanding the psychology of parenthood and what to expect will help you and your partner thrive as parents. Taking care of your precious baby is easier when you have help from your partner.
This is not a course directly aimed at baby care, but we still think it can be classified as one of the best online courses for expecting parents. A child deserves a happy household and we know you’ll do great.
Learn More
Baby Proof Your Relationship by Illuminate Counselling
FAQ
Jeez, necessary is such a strong term. Try this: Are parenting classes going to help me take care of my newborn baby? Yup! Our advice is to try our parenting class, and if you don’t learn anything, no sweat! We have a 30 day no questions asked return policy. Learning ahead of time is a huge investment in your own time, because you don’t want to be elbow deep in a diaper wondering if you should put butt cream on after every change.
As luck has it, this is an entire list of online parenting classes! As far as in-person classes go, there are usually parenting classes offered by community colleges and universities. Same goes for some hospitals, too!
Crash courses are great if you aren’t sure where to even start. They will give you a general overview of what to expect, common mistakes to avoid, and just general advice.
Sleep classes are tailored for *checks notes* sleeping. There are a lot of sleeping classes out there for a reason! Sleeping can be a really tough hurdle to get over, and it is definitely worth the investment in figuring it out.
Behavioral classes aren’t as big of a deal for first-time expecting parents. Your newborn isn’t going to be arguing very much with you (or at least not with words), so you will probably be safe waiting on those classes for a bit.
Nope! These courses are here because we think they are among the best out there. Our hope is our readers find a class that suits their needs and are therefore more prepared for parenthood.
