Pregnancy

  • See Pregnancy or Adoption
  • FIT4BABY®: a workout designed specifically for moms-to-be. All exercises are carefully selected to prepare your body for the many changes you will experience during pregnancy. 

Parent Education, Support and Newborn Care

Schools

Child Care

Activities and Classes

  • See Classes for Kids and Children's Summer Programs
  • Fit4Mom Davis: A prenatal and postnatal fitness program, providing fitness classes and a network of moms to support every stage of motherhood. From pregnancy, through postpartum and beyond, our fitness and wellness programs help make moms strong in body, mind, and spirit.it4mom.com. Fit4Mom Davis Facebook Page and Instagram Page 
  • Davis Moms and Friends A meetup group for moms in and around Davis to organize park playdates, walks, moms night out, and much more
  • Davis Dads Group Open to both Moms and Dads. Use our forums to find parks that other parents with children are at or post what park you are going to so that others can join you. Great site to make contact with other parents!
  • Hike it Baby A national organization that helps families find group walks and hikes. "Hikes" can mean anything from a neighborhood stroll to a steep uphill climb with trekking poles. There's something for everyone and the motto is "No mama left behind." Find hikes on the website or through the Sacramento chapter Facebook group
  • Co-op New Parent Network — Meets on Tuesdays in the  Co-op Teaching Kitchen (537 G Street) 10:00-11:30 for babies, Wednesday 9:00-10:30 for toddlers, though anyone is welcome at either group! Expectant mothers are also welcome. Sometimes there is a speaker, often times it is open play and socializing. New Parent Network Facebook group
  • Davis Community Church We host a free drop-in play dates every Monday and Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM-11:30 AM.  These classes are held in the Davis Community Church Sunday School classrooms.

    There will be a safe, clean area for your baby, aged 0-18 months, to play, with plenty of toys and, hopefully, new friends to enjoy.  We will have a facilitator on site, but parents will be expected to stay with their child, giving you a chance to meet and get to know the other parents who are attending. http://dccpres.org/news-posts/new-babies-playgroup/

  • Yolo County Public Library-Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch The Davis public library offers many free activities such as storytime or open play time for parents and young children from birth on up. Many activities are listed on their calendar, but sometimes it is not up to date. The children's room of the library has flyers with the current schedule. 
  • Davis Babywearers This group meets regularly to teach parents the many options for wearing their babies using wraps and other types of carriers. They offer a lending library, formal workshops, and casual playdates. Join the Facebook group to get the current schedule. 
  • International House offers the "Connections" program on Wednesday, 10-11:30 am, where participants bring their children of any age. No fee to join or attend.
  • Crocker Art Museum offers several programs for parents and young children such as Baby Loves Art (0-18mo) on the third Tuesday of the month, Artful Tot (19-36 mo), and Wee Wednesday (3-5 yo).  In the summer, they host Family Fridays with "performances, playtime, and art-making inspired by children’s beloved  books. " Many more programs available for older children. See website for current schedule and fees. 
  • Davis Shambhala Meditation Center. The Rising Suns Children's Program, First and third Sunday mornings 8:45, allows parents to receive meditation instruction and meditate while their children enjoy outdoor activities in a loving environment. As parents, one of the best ways we can help our children is to take care of ourselves.
  • Graduate and Professional Mamas a new group for mothers who are also graduate and professional students at UC Davis. Join their facebook group for information on picnics, resources, and a monthly get-together.
  • Chinese Immersion Playgroup For any parent that is interested in getting together and letting their children play/practice in Chinese. Seems to be inactive

Parks

Child Focused and Child Friendly Businesses

See also Kid-Friendly Restaurants.

Many of these businesses have changing tables for parents with children in diapers. See also: High Chairs

The following businesses focus exclusively on children:

  • Avid Reader Active - has children's books, toys, games, and music geared towards all ages. They also have a nice sitting area where children can read on mats.
  • Bubble Belly features designer maternity jeans and baby apparel.
  • Gap Kids - Children's clothing
  • Kindermusik - offers developmentally appropriate music classes for children ages 1.5 to 7 and their parents.
  • Mother & Baby Source - Pregnancy, infant, and toddler needs. Also sells breast pump and other nursing supplies. Has a comfortable room for feeding and diaper changes.
  • Mushpot Records - Alternative children's music label departed?
  • Sweet Potato Pie - Consignment clothing store in Woodland
  • Teach Your Children - Educational toys and supplies
  • Tidee Didee - Northern California Diaper service (based in Sacramento, and subject of a hilarious episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe.)

These businesses, while not specifically child-oriented, provide accommodations for children of customers:

  • All Things Right and Relevant have not-for-sale toys for children to play with.
  • Common Grounds coffee shop has child sized furniture and a shelf of children's toys and books.
  • Davis Barber Shop has a large toy box for kids to play with while waiting for a hair cut and kids get a lollipop after the haircut.
  • Davis Food Co-Op has a few child-sized shopping carts. Encourage responsible consumerism early! Children's books, markers, and coloring pages are available near checkout. Free treat bags for children are available on Thursdays. Offers cooking classes for children.
  • Delta of Venus has a selection of toys and games. These may have originally been intended for customers under the influence of intoxicants, but will serve the purpose of entertaining small children equally well. Mostly games more suitable for older children or adults, but there are blocks and a bead maze that would be suitable for younger kids.

Student Parents

  • Student Family Housing: UC Davis operates two apartment complexes primarily for regularly enrolled students with children--Orchard Park and  Solano Park.  Jointly referred to as The Parks at UC Davis, Orchard Park and Solano Park are named for their park-like settings with spacious lawns and shade trees. Our primary goal in The Parks is to provide a safe, well-maintained, and comfortable living environment at competitive rental rates while creating an environment complementing the University’s academic mission.

  • The Breastfeeding Support Program is available to all campus affiliates.  Forty lactation sites equipped with hospital-grade electric breast pumps are available across campus. Register online to receive site locations. See website for current class and support group schedule. Lactation consultation also available.
  • S.I.N.G.L.E. Parent Support Group - Single and/or young parents who are students (undergraduate or graduate) are invited to share their experiences and concerns or to simply meet others who are balancing work, school and parenting, in a monthly support group. Children are highly encouraged to join so they too can learn the importance of friendship and community. Interested families should email K.C. Moua at [email protected] or call 530/753-3166.
  • Child Emergency Notification Service - Register your class schedule quarterly with the Women’s Center and rest assured that they will act as a backup emergency contact for your child’s school or caregiver during the times you are in class or lab. Forms are available at the WRRC in North Hall.
  • The Reentry Center, located at 160 South Silo, provides resources for student parents (regardless of whether they are actually reentry students or not).
  • The Women's Center has an online Graduate Parent Handbook

Breastfeeding Support

  • La Leche League meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 10:00AM, Group offers support and information to breastfeeding mothers.
  • UC Davis Breastfeeding Support Program Open to UC Davis affiliates and the community. Program offers breastfeeding classes taught by a lactation consultant and a monthly support group. See website for current schedule and location.

Parenting Classes and Support Groups

  • Triple L Parenting offers a six-session series of parenting classes called, "Parenting the Love and Logic Way." Learn to how to put an end to arguing, back talk, and begging, teach responsibility with love, guide kids to own and solve their problems, and much more. For information: contact Melanie Bowden. 
  • Davis Parent University Davis Parent University is coordinated by the Davis Community-Wide Parent Education Collaborative, and strives to present quality programs and events on topics of interest to Davis families, caregivers, teachers and administrators. Videos of some past lectures are available at http://dctv.davismedia.org/dpu
  • Davis Parents of Tweens & Teens (10+) Support Group Parent Support Group.pdf. Click Here to Register
  • Mother & Baby Source offers a New Parent's Support Group every Wednesday from 9:00 - 10:30AM. Babies welcome up to five months. They also offer other parenting classes from time to time.
  • Car seat inspections are done by the Davis Police Department. Make an appointment first (474-5400). Woodland Police does this too. They have 2 on staff who are certified.
  • Adoption Support Group A place for adoptive parents who have adopted internationally or domestically support each other regarding the unique issues, challenges, and rewards of adoption. Children can play and form friendships with one another. We meet every Saturday of each month at 10:30 am. Meeting place varies. Please email Karla Mahoney for additional information: [email protected]
  • "MOPS" (link to info on the MOPS international organization), or Mothers of Preschoolers, is a place for expectant moms, mothers of infants through pre-K children to come and meet other moms from Davis and the surrounding communities, get support, and relax while the kids play and are cared for by a skilled childcare staff (childcare is provided for a small fee; nursing infants are welcome to stay with the moms). Davis MOPS meets every other Monday morning from September to May in the lobby of University Covenant Church from 9:30a.m. to 11:30 a.m.. Meetings include a light breakfast, social time, informational speakers and creative activities. Past speakers have included a police officer, a pediatrician, Davis Food Co-Op, a marriage and family therapist and an infant massage therapist. For meeting dates and more information, email [email protected]. In addition to Monday morning meetings, there are playdates, kids events throughout the year, holiday parties for kids, community activities and mom events. Friends and drop-ins always welcome.
  • Co-Dependents Anonymous — Twelve Step fellowship focusing on relationship issues. As parents, many of us struggle with setting boundaries. We often find that we are good at taking care of our kids, but not of ourselves. But, ultimately, our children need parents that are healthy and happy. The only requirement for membership in CoDA is a desire for healthy and loving relationships.
  • Pregnancy Loss Support Groups — For women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or other types of pregnancy loss, these groups are intended to provide a safe place to meet and share, to give and receive support.
  • Communicare New Parent Support Group — Meets at Davis Community Clinic on Thursdays from 10:00-11:30. Babies and expectant mothers are welcome!
  • Parent Support Group — Meets in the Conference Room at the County of Yolo Davis Office Building on 600 A Street, Davis, CA 95616. Parents are welcomed to join us at this drop-in Parent Support Group every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30pm. Bring in a topic of your own to discuss with other parents or participate in discussions on such topics such as: Avoiding arguments and power struggles with your kids; Why kids whine; Handling social media; "Kids Cook Monday" and so on. Group is facilitated by Victor Community Support Services of Davis
  • LGBT Parent's Group: Support and Social group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents in the Davis area. Activities include children but there are also some parent-only meetings. Email: [email protected], [email protected] I HAVE EMAILED BOTH THESE ADDRESSES. First one, no reply. Second one, undeliverable. Does anyone know if this group still exists? I would sure love to have a group like this in Davis.
  • Single Parent Support Group Parenting without a partner brings its own struggles, joys and issues. The Single Parent Support Group provides a space for parents to share their concerns, learn from others, and know that they are not alone. Seems to be inactive
  • DavisParenting.com The free, comprehensive site connecting all Davis families. Started in August 2009, our goal is to be the one-stop source for discussions, asking and answering questions, finding and sharing valuable information, promoting events, and most importantly strengthening sense of community.  No longer active
  • Moms' Groups

Books

  • Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk. Professor Linda Acredolo of the UCD Psychology Department has co-authored a book about teaching basic sign-language to your baby. The purpose is to allow the baby to better communicate with you even before he or she can do so verbally. The claim, which is supported by the book's reviews and the authors' research, is that this approach will make your baby happier now and will enhance their oral communication later in life. The book, called Baby Signs, has been further developed into the Baby Signs Institute. Now eat your applesauce and no more crying!

Online Resources

Social Services and Low Income Resources

Juvenile Justice

  • See Juvenile Justice System for information on Yolo County Juvenile Justice system; diversion services, such as youth drug rehabilitation and anger management (domestic violence); and youth rights.

Therapeutic Services and Resources for Special Kids

Physical, Occupational, Speech and Horse Therapy Providers

  • Children's Therapy Center: in Woodland provides occupational, physical, speech, feeding, and sensory integration therapy to children, irrespective of a family's ability to pay. http://www.ctchelpkids.org
  • Growing Healthy Children Occupational Therapy: Therapist Robyn Chu and associates provide assessments and occupational therapy services to children, and have special training in addressing sensory processing disorder. They have facilities in Davis and in the Cameron Park area. http://www.ghcot.com Email: [email protected].
  • Suzy Campbell: Occupational Therapist and Brain Gym Consultant, works to meet children's sensory, motor, emotional, behavioral and social needs, in Midtown Sacramento, (916) 248-9174. See Yelp listing for further details.
  • Horseplay Therapeutic Riding Center: in Dixon provides year around therapeutic recrecational horseback-riding program for special needs children and adults. http://www.horseplayriding.org
  • Therapeutic Riding and Off Track Rehabilitation: provides therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with physical, emotional or mental disabilities. TROTR
  • Meridian Physical Therapy: provides therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with special needs.
  • Physical Edge: Katrin Mattern-Baxter, DPT, provides pediatric physical therapy and aquatic therapy.
  • Heidi's House Pediatric Therapy: located in Folsom, Heidi Lockett, Occupational Therapist, specializes in the assessment and treatment of sensory processing disorders as well as other developmental issues for children ages 1-20. http://www.heidishousetherapy.com, (916) 817-8654.

Developmental Pediatricians & Child Psychiatrists

  • Davis Developmental Pediatrics Group: Dr. Stephen Nowicki provides assessments and treats children with special needs.
  • Dr. Linda Copeland, Kaiser Permanente - Rancho Cordova: Provides assessments and treatment for children with developmental disabilities.
  • Dr. Jimmark Abenojar, Davis Psychiatry: provides assessment and treatment to children and adolescents. (530) 643-7546, http://www.davis-psychiatry.com

Dentists

  • Weideman Pediatric Dentistry: works well with children with special needs and will perform more complicated procedures even if Weideman is not your regular dentist. It's a schelp to Citrus Heights where they are located, but a worthwhile alternative to sedation if you're looking for one. http://www.SacChildrensDentist.com

Social and Cognitive Skills

  • The Social and Cognitive Learning Center: supports individuals with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorder, and ADHD using a multi-disciplinary approach to provide individual assessments and services to address social and cognitive needs. http://www.socialandcognitivelearningcenter.com
  • iROC Consulting & Coaching: helps support individuals & parents with life and learning challenges, as well as those with ADHD and Executive Functioning difficulties become more Independent, Responsible, Organized, and Confident through practical everyday solutions.  www.iroccoach.com

Educational Assessments

  • Jennifer Grimes, PhD: specializes in the diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and provides evaluation of Attention Deficit Disorder and Giftedness. http://jennifergrimes.com

Recreational Opportunities & Resources

  • Davis Diamonds Gymnastics: provides Fitness Kids, a fun, general fitness class for kids as an alternative to team sports and activities that require strong motor skills.
  • Help with Bike Riding: great YouTube video to help those with motor challenges learn to bike ride entitled Learning to Bicycle without Pain, Teaching to Bicycle without Strain
  • Rising Suns Children's Program at the Davis Shambhala Meditation Center welcomes children of all ages and their parents. Sunday mornings 8:45 - 10:15. Wondering if our program is appropriate for your child? Contact Barbara West 753-2868, [email protected]
  • Davis Athletic Club: provides reasonably priced private swim lessons that are great for kids with special needs. 530-753-5282
  • TOPSoccer: soccer league for kids with special needs, 5 years and up, no doctor's note required. Located in Elk Grove, outdoor Fall season and indoor Winter season. Easily found on the Internet.
  • Team Davis: a non-profit established to help enrich the lives of children and adults with developmental, cognitive and/or physical disabilities through athletic, social, cultural and recreational activities. http://team-davis.org, [email protected]
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