A Place for New and Expecting Families

Welcome to Cradle! We're all about pregnancy, birth, babies and parenting...

At Cradle, we believe parenting is a transformative experience, enhanced through informed choices and connection to community. Our goal in all we do is to encourage parents to educate themselves and explore their options.

We provide a variety workshops, classes, mom-tested and selected products and wellness services for new and expecting parents to care for themselves and their babies both physically and emotionally.

 We believe in family-centered birth, whether birth takes place in a hospital, home, or indpendent birth center (if only we had one in western MA!). Our hope is for new and expecting families to find the connections and support they need to feel secure in their parenting journey from conception through early childhood. 

For what you care about most, Cradle is here to support you.

Our Classes and Workshops

Our classes and workshops are designed to help new parents make the most of this amazing time and provide guidance for loving and nurturing care of babies.

We offer a comprehensive natural childbirth education series called Welcome Baby (five week series), EXPRESS Welcome Baby and childbirth preparation intensives such a Deep Relaxation for Labor and Birth and Partner Massage for Pregnancy and Birth, as well as classes and clinics on a wide range of topics including breastfeeding, newborn care, infant/toddler development, infant massage, movement for labor and birth, preconception and pregnancy nutrition, babywearing and much, much more.

We offer prenatal and postpartum mom/baby fitness classes (Check out Muscle mama and ME!).This year we are pleased to host the returning HooteNanny with Katryna and Narissa Nields, and Mucho Gusto Spanish with Laurie Davidson.

Cradle's workshop series completes our educational offerings with one-day sessions on topics such as Cloth Diapering 101, Infant CPR and First Aid, Homepathic Basics for Infancy, Tips on Photographing your Baby, and so much more. We're adding workshops all the time, so keep checking back in.

FREE Support Groups

 At Cradle, we host a number of FREE community groups and programs which allow parents opportunities to connect with some of the areas many volunteer support organization.  Currently the FREE community groups meeting at Cradle are La Leche League of Northampton, Nusring Mothers Council, The Carried Child, Attachment Parenting Northampton and Creating Family Rituals, a group devoted developing anchors for a more connected family life and self-care for mothers.

Cradle also hosts a weekly facilitated Drop-In group for New Mothers (babies 0-6 months).  This group meets every Tuesday from 1-3pm and is open to all, no matter where, how or with whom they birthed. Recently added is our Newbie's Developmental Movemental Drop-in Class on Wednesdays at 11am. This group is for care-takers and babies 0-12 months. Cradle also recently added a Queer Non-Gestation Parents Group and Parents of Multiples group.  These groups both meet one Sunday per month.

Check out our entire calendar for more information as well as dates and times of upcoming groups.

Breastfeeding and Baby Weighing Clinic

Cradle will host a free Breastfeeding Clinic on Tuesdays from 12-12:45pm. This clinic will be staffed by Alexa Fletcher, IBCLC a board certified laction consultant and La Leche League leader  At this clinic you can find support and answers, purchase breastfeeding products if needed, weight check your baby, and schedule a private lactation visit if needed. Cradle also carriers a full line Medela breastfeeding products (prices are the same as Target and the local hosptials).

Our Staff, Educators and Associated Practitioners

 Our staff, educators and wellness practitioners are deeply committed experts and include midwives (CNMs and homebirth), doulas, nurses, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, certified fitness instructor, certified massage therapists, certified acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, licensed social workers and certified infant/toddler teachers.

There are many other wonderful practitioners throughout our area who serve mothers and babies (and papas and partners too).  We are more than happy to provide resources and referals so you match with the service or practitioner that is right for you.

 Our Mother & Baby Essentials Store

So many things...What do I really need? We'll help you figure out...

Our products include a carefully chosen selection of books, pregnancy and labor support products from nausea relief products to belly support garments, herbal remedies for common pregnancy and breastfeeding issues, organic and hypo-allergenic mama and baby bath and skin products, baby carriers by Boba, BBSling,Sleepywrap, Mei Tai's and more; European Theraline nursing and Body pillows; Medela breast pumps and supplies, comfortable nursing bras by Bravado, Belabumbum and Blue Kanoe; cloth and eco-friendly diapering supplies by GroVia, LoveyBums, Mother-ease, Little Beetle,  Blueberry, and Weehugger; locally made baby products by Motherherb, swaddling blankets by Aden and Anais and so much more. We also carry adorable baby accessories like hats, handmade shoes by Padriag, and locally made clothing.

Have a product to recommend or can't find something locally that you think is a great product for moms or babies -- let us know and we'll consider it for our store.

And remember, when you shop at Cradle you are supporting a not just a local business but the many mothers who work at Cradle and many free and low-cost groups and services that we provide to the community.

 A Space Created with Mothers and Babies in Mind

Our space is warm and inviting, with plenty of places to nurse and care for your baby or toddler. Cradle's facility includes a large teaching studio, retail area with comfortable seating, a suite of offices for our practitioners and a private bathroom (some people come JUST to see our amazing and inspirational bathroom!) with comfortable changing area. We are conveniently located on the 3rd floor of Thornes Marketplace with garage parking (first hour is free), an elevator, and we are accessible via the PVTA. We look forward to you stopping by and visiting us.

Have a cup of tea, chat with one of our knowledgeable and caring staff members and find good support, things you need and a group of caring practitioners to help you enjoy parenting.