There are many virtual classes that can help you feel ready for your baby's arrival. Some of the best online options include childbirth education courses from Lamaze, HypnoBirthing, and hospital-based programs; breastfeeding classes from organizations like La Leche League; and newborn care and infant CPR courses offered by groups such as the American Red Cross.

Here's what to know about the benefits of online pregnancy and parenting classes, plus some of the best virtual options for childbirth, breastfeeding, baby care, and prenatal fitness.

summary icon
Key Takeaways
  • Virtual classes can help you prepare for labor, breastfeeding, and newborn care from home. Online courses cover everything from childbirth education and pain management techniques to infant CPR, breastfeeding basics, and baby care skills.
  • There are high-quality options for every learning style and budget. Many organizations, hospitals, and parenting groups offer virtual classes, including free and low-cost programs, as well as more comprehensive paid courses.
  • Online learning offers flexibility and convenience. Virtual classes let you learn at your own pace, revisit lessons when needed, and fit preparation for baby into your schedule without having to attend in-person sessions.

Why take virtual classes?

Part of the excitement of pregnancy is delving into the childbirth experience, as well as the new baby care tasks you’ll need to master when your sweetie arrives. To learn all these new skills, you may want to take advantage of classes. Virtual classes offer flexibility, affordability, and the ability to learn at your own pace — making them a convenient choice for many expectant parents.

"We did virtual classes with my first and it was great," says What to Expect Community mom fmfb22. "We were able to go at our pace and reference back when we had questions."

As long as you have internet access, you have a wide variety of childbirth preparation classes.

“Pregnant women can add to their birth education with online courses and gain a good understanding of the labor and birth process,” says Aaron Styer, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist, co-medical director at CCRM Fertility Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts, and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.

"With my first I did all virtual and still got as much information and learned a lot!" says Community mom dcmrtn1. "You learn all the same things, just in a different way."

One of the best parts of preparing for baby? Knowing you're not doing it alone. Download the free What to Expect app to join birth month groups, swap tips with other parents-to-be, ask questions, and get expert advice whenever you need a little extra reassurance.

What are some good online birthing classes?

There’s a wide range of online birthing courses out there, some of which are free. Virtual childbirth classes can cover everything from relaxation techniques (like breathing and distraction) and the stages of labor and delivery to different labor positions and how to make a birth plan.

Here are a few to consider:

  • Lamaze. This long-established class series helps expectant mothers with breathing and pain management techniques, labor positions, and the different ways a birth partner can help during labor and delivery. Lamaze offers tips for a drug-free birth as well as information about pain medication in their 12-hour online courses. Some classes are free; prices vary on others.
  • The Bradley Method. If you’re looking for a medication-free delivery, a Bradley method class may be for you. This course covers prenatal nutrition, exercise, deep breathing, and relaxation tips, plus it teaches your partner how to become your birth coach. Search for the teacher nearest to you on their site to get information about virtual classes. Online hybrid courses are also available on their Facebook page; prices vary.
  • Alexander. Feeling more in tune with your body is the point of this technique that’s been embraced by actors, dancers, and moms-to-be all over the world. The Alexander Technique teaches women how to sit and squat for labor and avoid the natural reaction to tense the body during contractions. Listen to a podcast, join a Facebook group, or learn virtually with an Alexander teacher via Zoom or Skype. Prices vary.
  • HypnoBirthing. The power of hypnosis is harnessed in these classes in order to help women release any fear or anxiety they may have about their upcoming labor and delivery. Expectant moms and their partners practice visualization and deep relaxation techniques with the goal of a low-tech, medication-free birth experience. HypnoBirthing International offers online prenatal and birth education courses you can complete right at home; prices vary.
  • Mayo Clinic. Some major hospitals and medical centers offer online childbirth classes that cover topics like labor, delivery, parenting, health, and wellness. The Mayo Clinic, for example, has a series called Childbirth Preparation: Prenatal Hybrid Class that combines an online Understanding Birth class with an in-person session focused on practicing techniques for $10.
  • Your hospital. Many hospitals hold their own childbirth classes that prepare parents-to-be for the process of labor and delivery. A class hosted by your specific hospital or birth center can be especially helpful because they often help clarify hospital policies and procedures (such as exactly what happens when you check in). Ask your hospital about online prenatal classes. "The hospital where I will be delivering has online courses that are free!" says Community mom as-is-the-sea.

What are some good online baby care and infant CPR classes?

Knowing how to swaddle or soothe an infant isn’t exactly innate. Luckily, the basics are often demonstrated at the hospital or birthing center before you’re discharged and include how to burp, feed, diaper, bathe, and soothe your little one. Further instruction can also be found online.

Here are good sources for learning about baby care and CPR:

  • American Red Cross. Advanced preparation is critical should you be faced with an infant who’s having trouble breathing. Sign up for a Red Cross online child and baby CPR class, which teaches chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing techniques, for $37.
  • Kaiser Permanente. Health care companies sometimes have video content that describes baby care tasks and answers postpartum questions. Kaiser Permanente’s well-researched site is a free resource featuring information about bonding with your baby, common newborn conditions, and dealing with the baby blues.
  • Evergreen Health. This Washington state hospital system’s free video library instructs new moms in many tasks, including how to bathe a baby and soothe a crying infant. It also includes tips for pumping and maximizing milk production. You can find courses on easing postnatal pain, too.

"I think many times online classes are more affordable than in-person classes, which is much appreciated!" says Community mom EDSK1005.

What are some good online lactation classes?

You can learn a lot about how to hold your baby and coax his little mouth to open by watching nursing videos. Here are a couple to check out:

What are some good online prenatal exercise classes?

It can be hard to motivate yourself to exercise if you’re not going to in-person classes or the gym, but a virtual class can help.

  • Prenatal Yoga Center. You can still reap the benefits of prenatal yoga at home. Some online classes at this New York City-based yoga center are even geared toward particular ailments, such as alleviating back pain, and hip openers that’ll increase flexibility in the pelvic muscles that are needed during labor and delivery; prices vary.
  • MommaStrong. Expectant mothers can sign up for MommaStrong's fast exercise plans (just 15 minutes or less) that begin with a “Momma to Be” program and continue with low-intensity interval workouts. After your tot’s birth (when your doctor gives you the go-ahead to start exercising again), you can ease into the “Hazy Days” section for some light stretching and release exercises. Prices vary.
  • Glo. Meditation? Pilates? Yoga? Walking? They're all in Glo's extensive archive of more than 4,000 video classes. Focus on the mind-body connection with their prenatal options that sound fun even if you’re not expecting ($30 per month or $245 per year, with a free 7-day trial).
  • Aaptiv. There are thousands of courses available on the popular Aaptiv workout app — from strength training to yoga to treadmill workouts — including a slew of great options for moms-to-be (from $15 per month, or $100 for the year).
  • Obé Fitness. Enjoy live and on-demand fitness classes in your living room via a friendly online Obé Fitness atmosphere. Moms-to-be can choose from prenatal sculpt, pelvic floor workouts, and yoga — and after your baby makes his debut, sign up for postnatal strength and mommy-and-me classes ($24.99 per month or $14.17 per month with annual membership).
  • What to Expect. Short on time? We teamed up with Obé Fitness to create a basic 10-minute prenatal yoga flow that you can do anywhere (free).