Welcome to PEP
Postpartum Education for Parents has been supporting growing families in Santa Barbara since 1977 — with education, encouragement, and a warm community of parents who get it.
Click the link below to learn more about who we are, or continue to scroll to learn about the services we offer, upcoming events, and more!
Baby Basics
Whether you've never changed a diaper before, or have been babysitting your whole life, caring for you own newborn can be an eye-opening and humbling experience
- How much does a baby eat?
- When do they sleep?
- How do I keep them safe?
Our Baby Basics classes teach the highlights of what you can expect after your baby is born. Each class is designed to inform soon-to-be parents about the many choices available for baby care. We understand that each family is unique, so we explore different options and techniques for keeping your newborns healthy and happy. Our motto is that there is “no one right way to parent,” and we encourage each family to find the method that works best for everyone.
You may have taken childbirth education classes and read all the books on labor and delivery, but how much do you really know about what to do after the baby comes home? By preparing you for what to expect, we hope that you'll discover that you know more than you thought you did!
Have confidence as a new parent, and love the wild journey that you're about to embark upon.
Our three-hour class is designed for new and expecting parents and covers the following topics:
- Typical newborn behavior
- Feeding options and techniques
- Diapering options and demonstrations
- Vehicle safety
- Safety-proofing your home
- Live bathing demo with a newborn
- Participants also receive a digital guidebook that covers additional topics for the first few weeks after your baby is born.
If you're interested in joining an upcoming Baby basics class, please register your interest by signing up below. We recommend choosing a date that falls about six to eight weeks before your due date. Classes are typically held on the first Saturday of every other month from 8:45 am to noon (see the Event Calendar for specific dates). Once you register interest in Baby Basics, you'll receive a follow-up email several weeks before your selected class with full registration details.
Please Note: to help support our in-person program, the class costs $25, which covers one registration group (one registration per family). PEP is committed to making this class accessible to all. If cost is a barrier for you, please apply for a scholarship when registering.
Postpartum Outreach
We offer a postpartum outreach service to check on you and your baby, answer any questions you have, and connect you with local resources if needed.
You will receive a call or text and an email from one of our volunteers approximately two weeks after your noted due date.
New Parent Groups
Just home with your new baby and wondering what's next? You're not alone, and you don't need to figure it all out by yourself!
PEP's New Parent Discussion Groups (commonly referred to as “PEP Groups”) are free, volunteer-facilitated gatherings for new parents to connect, share, and support one another. You'll meet others with babies the same age, navigating similar challenges and celebrating the same milestones.
Groups cover topics such as breastfeeding issues, sleep challenges, emotional highs and lows, and changing relationships. It's comforting to know that others are going through the same thing at the same time, while learning from each other in a safe environment.
Whether it's your first car ride with baby or your first chance to talk through postpartum emotions, PEP offers a welcoming space for all new parents.
- Groups are 100% parent volunteer-run
- Groups do not give product pitches nor sponsor providers or services
- Groups provide judgment-free, peer-led support
- Groups abide by our "no single right way to parent" philosophy
We believe that supported parents raise happy, healthy children, and that every family is unique. Come for the support, stay for the friendships. If you are interested in joining a New Parent Group when your baby arrives, please sign up for Services.
Warmline
Need another parent to talk to? Seeking more info about our services?
Our free Warmline service provides confidential one-on-one support from trained volunteers: parents just like you. From basic infant care to breast or bottle feeding issues to postpartum adjustment, the Warmline can be a great source of information and support.
Leave a message on our Warmline number, and one of our volunteers will reach out between 8am and 8pm, 365 days a year.
Touch-A-Truck
Touch-A-Truck is a free, family-friendly event presented annually by Postpartum Education for Parents (PEP), with the help of local businesses and community members. Kids (and adults!) can explore the many different trucks, emergency and public safety vehicles, construction equipment and meet the men and women who protect, serve and build in our community. After you've climbed and honked to your heart's content, listen to live music, visit our generous sponsors' exhibitor tables and check out the face painting, games and delicious eats!
Upcoming Events
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
PMADs describe a wide range of emotional and physiological reactions to childbirth. At least 10-20% of mothers suffer from this disorder. PMAD is more serious than the “baby blues”, which come earlier, are milder, and pass quickly.
Parent Resource Guide to Santa Barbara
This free guide is filled with valuable information on parenting and child development, as well as local resources and support services available to families. From prenatal care to navigating the school system, this guide covers everything a parent needs to know to raise happy and healthy children in Santa Barbara County. Whether you are a new parent or have been raising children in the area for years, this resource guide is an essential tool for all parents.
PEP does not endorse any of the providers or services listed. Our goal is simply to share helpful information so parents in the PEP community can find what's right for their family. PEP will never promote or solicit products or services to our community members.