Bringing Baby Home

The Gottman Institute’s Bringing Baby Home workshop is a research-based program designed to help couples navigate the transition to parenthood and become the best parenting team possible. In a relaxed and supportive environment, parents learn how to strengthen their relationship and support their baby’s development.

Dr. John Gottman’s research has shown that the quality of friendship in a marriage is the strongest predictor of how well couples adjust after welcoming a baby. When parents maintain a positive and playful connection, their child benefits in profound ways—feeling safe, nurtured, and ready to learn. Babies in these environments tend to cry less, smile more, and stay engaged during playtime, gaining more from their early experiences.

Couples who participate in the Bringing Baby Home program:

• Report higher relationship satisfaction and are more likely to stay together
• Feel more prepared for the challenges of parenthood
• Develop stronger teamwork in co-parenting and family play
• Experience greater father involvement and more secure father-infant attachment

Benefits for children:

• Stronger language skills
• More frequent smiles and laughter during family play at 3 and 12 months of age

The ideal time to take this workshop is before or during pregnancy (preferably in the second trimester), but it is valuable at any stage—even after your baby is born. Pre-crawling babies are welcome to join the class.

This workshop is designed for couples and families in a variety of life stages—whether you’re considering parenthood, expecting a baby, or already navigating life with an infant or toddler. The tools and strategies taught in Bringing Baby Home are about building lasting rituals of connection, helping couples strengthen their bond and parent with confidence.

The earlier you take the class, the more time and energy you’ll have to practice what you learn before you need it. For expecting parents, the second trimester is often the easiest time to attend, as many mothers have more energy and fewer pregnancy-related discomforts during this stage.