Health & Wellness: Raising Bakersfield

Free Children's Immunizations

Walgreens – Wednesday, September 3rd
40 Chester Avenue (parking lot), Bakersfield
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

San Joaquin Community Hospital will be offering immunizations free of charge to children. No appointment necessary, but immunization cards are required. We will stop registration 30 minutes of closing time. The clinics will be held in the parking lots. For more information call (661) 869-6740.

Mom-to-Mom New Mothers' Support Group

Mercy SW, Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Come meet other new mothers and their babies in this new mothers' group. It is a time to share the joys and frustrations of being a new mother. Both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding babies are welcome to attend. There is no sign up or registration required. The class is free, there is no fee to attend.

Join us for the Baby Weigh-in each time we meet. See how much your baby weighs! Breastfeeding help is available.

Come to find out about upcoming speakers, presentations, Mom and Baby field trips, Mom's Night Out, baby-sitting swapping, other mom's groups in the community and MORE!

For more information call 661-663-6067.

Maternity Tea and Orientation

Are you nervous about this special day? Come and see what we have to offer at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. There will be time to ask questions about policies and options open to you, and a tour of the maternal child health area of the hospital will be given.

Occurs the 1st Thursday of each month from 10:00am to 11:30am in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Maternal Child Health Education Center. Please bring only one adult support person with you to this class. We are sorry, but we are unable to accommodate children. No registration necessary for this course.

For more information, please call (661) 327-4647 ext. 4510.

All courses take place at the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital (BMH) Maternal Child Health Education Center which is located at the NE corner of the BMH campus. DIRECTIONS: From 34th Street, turn north onto San Dimas Street. On the right side of the street, enter the parking lot immediately after the entrance to the BMH Emergency Department. Head east to the far NE corner of the campus. The Maternal Child Health Education Center is located in the last bungalow on the NE corner.

Free Children's Immunizations

Wal-Mart – Thursday, September 4th
2300 White Lane (parking lot), Bakersfield
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Baby Safety Fair

11 am - 3 pm, Babies R Us. First time parent? Or seasoned grandparent? Join us and get the facts on keeping baby safe in and around your home and on-the-go. While here, be sure to attend our Baby Safety Seminar at 12 pm and 2 pm.

Free Children's Immunizations

KGET Health Fair – Saturday, September 6th
1001 Truxtun Ave., (Convention Center), Bakersfield
from 8:00am – 4:00pm

Free Children's Immunizations

Sports Authority – Monday, September 8th
4821 Ming Avenue (parking lot), Bakersfield
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

40 Chester Avenue (parking lot), Bakersfield
from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Walgreens – Wednesday, May 7th

Free Children's Immunizations

Wal-Mart – Tuesday, September 9th
8400 Rosedale Hwy (parking lot), Bakersfield
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Mom-to-Mom New Mothers' Support Group

Join us for the Baby Weigh-in each time we meet. See how much your baby weighs! Breastfeeding help is available.

Come to find out about upcoming speakers, presentations, Mom and Baby field trips, Mom's Night Out, baby-sitting swapping, other mom's groups in the community and MORE!

For more information call 661-663-6067.

Becoming Us Registry Party

7 - 8:30 pm, Babies R Us. Think about all the baby stuff you'll need when you become an Us, and you may want to sit down. Why not get up and party instead? come mingle with other expectant parents, enjoy light refreshments and have fun while our specialists help you create the perfect registry.

Mom-to-Mom New Mothers' Support Group

Join us for the Baby Weigh-in each time we meet. See how much your baby weighs! Breastfeeding help is available.

Come to find out about upcoming speakers, presentations, Mom and Baby field trips, Mom's Night Out, baby-sitting swapping, other mom's groups in the community and MORE!

For more information call 661-663-6067.

America on the Move 5K Fun Run/Walk

7-11am, Yokut's Park.

Bounce House provided for children. Come and check out booths on display from around Kern County from 9am-11am.

Our YMCA is joining YMCAs across the county in tracking the number of 'steps' taken in our communities with a goal of collectively reaching 10 billion steps. You can be a part of this effort to get Americans moving.

To register for this event, call 837-9622 or visit www.ymca.net.

Nurture by Nature Baby Seminar

Tuesday, 7 pm, Babies R Us. Come Learn simple ways to create a healthy and safe home environment for you and your baby. You'll find smart, earth-friendly product choices that will make a difference...from cleaning to food to clothing & more.

Mom-to-Mom New Mothers' Support Group

Join us for the Baby Weigh-in each time we meet. See how much your baby weighs! Breastfeeding help is available.

Come to find out about upcoming speakers, presentations, Mom and Baby field trips, Mom's Night Out, baby-sitting swapping, other mom's groups in the community and MORE!

For more information call 661-663-6067.

Buddy Walk 2008

The public is welcome to participate in the sixth annual Bakersfield Buddy Walk to promote understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. This year’s walk is scheduled for:

Saturday, October 4

Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Golden Valley High School (501 Hosking Avenue, Bakersfield)

All Bakersfield area Rotary Clubs work jointly to sponsor this event, in conjunction with Kern Regional Center, Mercy Hospital and other local organizations. Participants will walk four laps around the track at the Golden Valley High School football field, for a total of one mile. The event will also showcase small businesses that are operated by people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Food, entertainment, games and prizes will also be available.

Anyone who wants to support acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome is welcome to participate in the Buddy Walk.

Cost is $10.00 per person for registration by September 26, and $15.00 per person thereafter. Family discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased through H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection, (661) 328-9055 X257 or http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/heartsfrc/BakersfieldBWRegistrationPle.pdf.

The Buddy Walk program is supported at the national level by the National Down Syndrome Society. Started in 1995, hundreds of thousands of people walk from coast to coast and around the world each year. Buddy walks have raised more than $6.5 million to promote education, research and advocacy for Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs in approximately one in every 733 live births. It affects people of all ages, races and economic levels and is the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormality. The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. It occurs when there are three, rather than two, number 21 chromosomes present in every cell of the body. Instead of the usual 46 chromosomes, a person with Down syndrome has 47.

All people with Down syndrome experience cognitive delays, but the effect is usually mild to moderate. Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care and positive support from family and friends enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. More information about Down syndrome is available at http://www1.ndss.org/.

For more information about the 2008 Bakersfield Buddy Walk, contact Kathleen Kress from Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary at (661) 477-1187 or kathleenkress@bak.rr.com.

Birth of a Parent

Wednesdays, December 3th - 18th, 7 - 9 pm, Mercy SW Hospital.

Birth of a Parent is a unique class for pregnant couples. This is a 4-week class with a different instructor each night. Parenting topics such as infant sleeping, parenting styles, parenting tasks, what to buy, tips and tricks from experienced parents will all be explored. Come meet other pregnant couples in a fun class about parenting!

The cost is $30 per couple. Payment can be made in class with check or cash.

You may register for classes online or you can call 661-663-6067 for classes related to childbirth and parenting.