Songpa-gu, which leads all Seoul districts in the number of births, is rolling out customized parenting education for multicultural and immigrant expectant parents who face uncertainty about giving birth in a foreign country.
The district, led by Mayor Seo Gang-seok, said it will hold a "Baby Care for New Moms" workshop for married immigrant expectant mothers on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Songpa Maternal Health Promotion Center.
The district designed the special program to help married immigrant mothers — who often struggle to adapt to Korea's pregnancy and childbirth environment due to language and cultural barriers — easily access the information they need for a safe delivery and confident childcare.
The two-hour, hands-on session will be led by an internationally certified breastfeeding specialist. Couples will learn essential newborn care skills together, covering understanding newborn physical characteristics, swaddling and proper holding techniques, breastfeeding and burping, newborn bathing, understanding a baby's cries, and newborn safety management.
The program is open to married immigrant expectant families residing in Songpa-gu, as well as expectant families who have returned to Korea after an extended period living abroad.
Registration opens Monday on the Seoul Pregnancy and Childbirth Information Center website, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The district operates a range of maternal and child health programs through its public Maternal Health Promotion Center, working to build an environment that supports pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing.
"I hope this program offers real, practical help to married immigrant mothers and their spouses as they welcome a child in an unfamiliar environment," district Mayor Seo said. "We will continue to expand thoughtful and diverse childbirth and parenting support projects to make Songpa a great place to raise children."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
