Better Together: Support Services for African-American Moms and Families During and After Pregnancy

Kindred Space

Provides midwifery care, doula support, lactation consulting, support groups for mothers and fathers and educational workshops, including prenatal classes on breastfeeding.

Lucie’s List 

Map of local parent groups.

Pump Station 

Baby supply store that also offers parent and me classes.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Public Health

Provides free workshops and healing and preventive health care services, including fatherhood/parenting workshops, prenatal classes and breastfeeding classes.

Mocha Moms, Inc.

National support and advocacy group working to help women of color as they journey through all phases of motherhood. Chapter activities include mothers’ support meetings, community service projects, moms’ night-outs, and kids’ socials.

Two chapters in LA County are in the Metro LA area and San Fernando Valley.

Mobile and Texting Apps

Unless otherwise noted, these apps are available free in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

• BabyCenter (App Store | Google Play)
  Can help guide women through pregnancy milestones, provide health information, and help track the baby’s growth and their own body’s changes. It turns into a daily parenting guide once the baby arrives, with tips on caring for the newborn – and mom. See babycenter.com for information designed just for Black and biracial parents.
• Bright by Text
  Tips and information from early childhood experts, tailored to your local area and baby’s age (up to 8 years old). Sign up to receive 2-5 messages per week by texting SOCAL to 274448.
• CDC Milestone Tracker (App Store | Google Play)
  Helps make sure the baby’s development is on track, from 2 months to 5 years of age. Easy-to-use checklists, tips on healthy development, and advice on what to do if there are concerns.
• Glow Baby (App Store | Google Play)
  Track baby’s feeding sessions, diaper changes, sleep schedule, milestones, and medications.
• Peanut (App Store | Google Play)
  Helps pregnant women and those with newborns meet, chat and learn from other women who are also on the journey of pregnancy and motherhood.
• Sprout Baby (App Store)
  Track baby’s feeding sessions, diaper changes, sleep schedule, milestones, and medications.
• Text4Baby (App Store | Google Play)
  An app and text messaging service that helps expecting and new parents get essential health, nutrition, safety, and baby development information. Text BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 to start receiving texts.
• Vroom (App Store | Google Play)
  Science-based tips and tools to help turn everyday tasks into brain-building activities for baby.