Inspired by the prospect of her first grandchild in November, Vicki Gilchrist (shown in photo) age 56 of Vancouver, recently pa rticipated in Southwest Washington Medical Center’s New Grandparents Class. She learned that a lot has changed since her son and the father-to be was born.

“We learned about swaddling a baby to help it feel secure, immunizations and how to ask the new parents, ‘How can I help?’” says Gilchrist. “I came away feeling the class was such a good, shared experience with the other grandparents.”

Already new grandparents, John and Carol Costa, ages 65 and 67 of Vancouver, also felt reinforced by the techniques and communication tips. Not only did they learn that child car seats have an expiration date, they learned about a nifty method of soothing infants using the “football” pose (hold baby close to body with head in hand, feet in crook of the elbow).

Most importantly, says Carol Costa, who notes their 3-1/2- month-old grandson is already too big for several of these techniques, “We were reinforced in our awareness that the grandparents’ role is to support the parents and not to intrude in the parenting role.”

In an effort to meet the needs of families, SWMC is the first hospital in the region to offer the new grandparents class. The initial class was held in mid-April at no cost to the participants. Check Southwest’s website for the schedule.

Instructor Alisa Weiss, a perinatal educator certified by the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), says, “The fun and informal class is for those who are becoming new grandparents and reviews important issues such as communication without judgment and updates on child-rearing information.”

The mother of 7 and grandmother of 2, 57-year-old Weiss explains that much has changed since many new grandparents were parents. However, one of the things that has not changed is that new parents need all the help and support they can get. New moms, for example, need help with the laundry or snatching a nap. They don’t need the older generation criticizing their parenting.

“After the class, we hope new grandparents are more up-to-date on their information and can be accepting of this generation’s child-rearing practices,” says Weiss. “New moms are fragile and filled with lots of doubts and insecurities. As a result, they need grandparents to be supportive both physically and emotionally as opposed to directive.”

The class also reviews some of the latest research and best practices for infant care. For instance, grandparents learn the “Back to Sleep” method, which means place all tiny babies on their backs to sleep in an uncluttered bed with no bumpers. This plan is a huge shift from the older generation’s best information.

But this is a safer way, says Weiss who notes that nationwide about 60 percent fewer babies die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) since the “Back to Sleep” campaign started in the early 1990s. Grandparents learn the mantra, “Back to sleep, but tummy to play.”

Another revision in baby care, adds Weiss, “Is that best practices indicate that we do not put alcohol on the cord, there are safer methods.”

In terms of baby gear, grandparents will learn there are lots more car seat options than they ever had. “We show them how to safely transport their grandkids and apprise them of Southwest’s Car Seat Clinic.”

Of course, another result of the class is that these new grandparents come together and share their concerns and learn how to communicate with the parents in a non-threatening, non-judgmental way, observes Weiss. “While this is true with all relationships, the parent-child-new baby scenario tends to be especially emotionally loaded.”

Southwest Washington Medical Center: 360-256-2000; www.swmedctr.com