Teddy Bear University

2026 TBU Class Schedule | Parkwest Medical Center
Anticipation of a baby can be an exciting and challenging time in your life. Teddy Bear University wants to assist you in obtaining the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to meet these challenges. Currently, we offer a free online Prenatal and Newborn Education course for all expecting parents.
You can also view a virtual tour of the Childbirth Center here.
Classes are best taken in the late 2nd trimester or early 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Registration is required for all of our classes. One registration is for two persons, the Mom-to-be and one support person. All attendees should be free of signs of illness within the last 24 hours and all support persons should be over the age of 16 years old. To register for one of our Teddy Bear University sessions, please call 865-374-PARK (7275).
2026 Class Schedule
Breastfeeding Firsts
This class will cover the important guidelines for starting your lactation journey off correctly with the best first latch, ongoing stimulation needed for creating the best supply and basic principles of breastfeeding. All participants will be assisted in getting established with a private practice IBCLC in the community and encouraged to seek a prenatal appointment as well. Registration is required. This class is held on Sundays, 2 – 5 p.m. on the following dates:
- February 8
- March 22
- April 12
- May 3
- June 14
- July 26
- August 9
- September 27
- October 11
- November 22
- December 6
Breastfeeding Next Steps
This class will cover some of the likely issues encountered with the possible need for medical supplementation, when pumping may be needed, and potential areas of common concern. This class is still designed for prenatal support of first-time parents. This class is offered on the following Sundays, from 6 – 8 p.m.
- March 22
- May 3
- July 26
- September 27
- November 22
Childbirth Center Tour
The tours are approximately 45 minutes and start in the main lobby entrance, just outside the gift shop. Someone from the Childbirth Center will gather parents, beginning at 3:55 p.m. Tours are free, but participants are limited and need to be registered, due to space. If you are taking the Labor & Birth Class, you will have an opportunity to go at the end of that class and you should not register for both.
Tours are offered on the following Mondays at 4 p.m.:
- February 9
- February 23
- March 2
- March 16
- March 30
- April 13
- April 27
- May 4
- May 18
- June 15
- June 29
- July 6
- July 20
- August 10
- August 24
- September 14
- September 28
- October 12
- October 26
- November 2
- November 16
- November 30
- December 7
- December 21
How to Prepare Pets, Grandparents & Siblings for the New Baby
This class is still in the planning stations. More information will be available soon.
Infant Safety & CPR
This class will cover car seats, safe sleep guidelines, basic infant CPR and choking practice; there will be no actual certification. This class is offered on the following Monday dates from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.:
- February 23
- April 27
- May 18
- June 29
- July 20
- August 24
- September 28
- October 26
- December 21
Labor & Birth Preparation
This class covers the birth process, developing a birth plan, hospital interventions when medically necessary, a cesarean section overview, and postpartum preview. This can be taken as an 8-hour Saturday course or a 3-evening course, but they both cover the same material. There is a tour at the end of each Labor & Birth Class, so there’s no need to sign up for both the class and stand-alone tour.
Weeknight (Monday) Classes
- March 2, March 16 & March 30, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- November 2, November 16 & November 30, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Super Saturdays
Offered on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.:
- February 28
- March 28
- April 11
- May 2
- June 13
- July 25
- August 8
- September 26
- October 10
- November 21
- December 5
Newborn Care
This class will cover bathing, diapering, feeding and burping, swaddling and other topics of interests for the first time parent. This class is offered on the following Monday dates from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.:
- February 9
- April 13
- May 4
- June 15
- July 6
- August 10
- September 14
- October 12
- December 7
You can register for any classes by calling 865-374-7275. To return to the Childbirth Center website click here.