New Moms' Groups for Boston-Area Moms and Babies

As a soon-to-be new mom, one of the things I’m most looking forward to is finding a group of other new moms to bond with. Finding others in a similar stage of parenthood can be a great way to gather support and share advice, especially during those tiring newborn days. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from in Boston, no matter what type of group you’re looking for or what neighborhood you live in. And best of all? Most of them are free!

Mount Auburn Hospital

Who: All new parents and non-crawling infants, regardless of place of birth or OB care provider

What: Free, drop-in group meetings with other new moms attended by certified nurse-midwives, guest speakers, and even massage therapists

Where: The Classroom at 355 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham

When: Tuesdays, 2 pm-3:30pm

More information: Postpartum Support Group

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Who: New moms and their babies

What: Free group meetings provide emotional support for new parents and the opportunity to discuss concerns about your baby and parenting issues, such as bathing, soothing and feeding. Registration is required.

Where and When:

• Dedham Daytime Group: Tuesdays, 10am-11:30am Dedham Health and Athletic Complex, 200 Providence Highway
• Dedham Working Moms Group: Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 7pm-8:30pm Dedham Health and Athletic Complex, 200 Providence Highway
• Chestnut Hill: Mondays, 1pm-2:30pm Healthworks Fitness Center, 1300 Boylston Street
• Milton: Fridays, 1pm-2:30pm Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, 199 Reedsdale Road

More Information: Parent Connection

William James College, Freedman Center

Who: First-time moms with babies up to six months old (the center also has a separate support group for new dads)

What: New mothers ask questions, share experiences, make new friends, and get support from a professional facilitator and from each other. Babies are always welcome. Group sizes are limited and pre-registration is required, though the group is free.

Where: Freedman Center, One Wells Ave (Ground Floor), Newton

When: 6-week daytime sessions

More information: New Babies/New Moms or New Dads Support Group

Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Who: New parents and their babies under one year old

What: Offered by the Center for Early Relationship Support, these groups give new moms an opportunity to bring their babies and meet other new moms. Registration is not necessary and these groups are free.

Where and when:

• Allston/Brighton:
 (Portuguese and Spanish speaking group) 
Fridays, 10:30 a.m.-noon
. St. Anthony's Church, 
43 Holton Street. Contact Jacqueline Caceres, 781-693-5022
• Arlington: Fridays, 10am-11:30pm
 Calvary United Methodist Church, 300 Massachusetts Ave.
• Brookline: Tuesdays, 10:30am–noon. Temple Ohabei Shalom,
1187 Beacon St.
• Cambridge: Thursdays, 10-11:30am
 Congregation Eitz Chayim,
134-136 Magazine St.
• Jamaica Plain: Wednesdays, 1:30-3pm
 Curtis Hall Third Floor Dance Studio, 20 South St.
• Marblehead: Tuesdays, 10:45am-12:15pm Jewish Community Center of the North Shore, 4 Community Road
• Melrose: Wednesdays, 10-11:30am Temple Beth Shalom, 21 E. Forster St.
• Medford: Tuesdays, 12:30-2pm Medford Family Network (at Medford High School), 489 Winthrop St.
• Sharon: Fridays, 10-11:30am 
Temple Israel of Sharon, 125 Pond St.
• Waltham: (Portuguese and Spanish speaking group) 
Tuesdays, 10:30am–noon. Temple Beth Israel (behind Hannaford Supermarket),
 25 Harvard St.; contact Jacqueline Caceres, 781-693-5022
• Watertown: Fridays, 9:15-10:45am 
Watertown Family Network, Phillips School, 30 Common St.

More Information: Parents of Newborns or Early Relationship Support Groups

A Mom is Born

Who: First-time moms and their non-mobile babies

What: Led by Maria Dolorico, these groups give new moms a chance to meet other new mothers, share stories, and ask questions about newborns, feeding, and sleeping tips, plus share the tips about what's working for them. The group is free, but there is a $5 suggested donation.

Where: Boston Integrated Health, 581 Boylston St., Suite 700B, Doorbell #703, Boston

When: Wednesdays, 12:30-1:45pm

More Information: First Time Moms Group

Massachusetts General Hospital

Who: New moms and their babies

What: Free, weekly group meetings that are open to the public. Moms are invited to discuss topics such as breastfeeding, newborn care and adjusting to motherhood in a supportive environment. 

Where: Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Yawkey Building Second Floor, Satter Conference Center

When: Tuesdays, 10-11:30am

More Information: Me and My Baby Support Group

Mama & Me

Who: First- or second-time moms and their babies (older siblings are welcome at the second-time group)

What: First Connections is a six-week group program that meets once per week to discuss the joys and challenges of new parenthood during your baby's first four months of life. Second Time Moms' Group is a six-week group program that meets once per week to discuss everything related to being a mom of two kids in the second baby's first six months of life. The groups cost $144 and pre-registration is required. 

Where: Mama & Me, 284 Armory St., Jamaica Plain

When: Times and days vary by group and new sessions are starting all the time.

More Information: First Connections and Second Time Moms' Group

Little Lovage Club

Who: New moms and their babies aged 0-12 weeks

What: Join fellow new moms for a multi-week program where you can get used to getting out of the house with your new baby. Share experiences, gather tips and tricks, and learn ways to play with your baby, soothe fussy babies, and more. Cost is $165-198 per semester.

Where: Little Lovage Club, 778 Tremont St., Boston

When: Wednesdays, 11am-12:30pm or Fridays 2-3:30pm 

More Information: Newbies​

Photo courtesy of Cambridge Health Alliance

Cambridge Health Alliance

Who: New moms and their babies

What: This free, drop-in group meets three times per week so new moms can gather in a supportive environment led by CHA's doulas. The groups are held in English, but translation is available in multiple languages. A lactation consultant is available on Tuesdays to answer breastfeeding questions.

Where: CHA Cambridge Hospital Campus, 8 Camelia Ave. (next to the Cambridge Birth Center)

When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am-noon

More Information: Mother's Support Groups

Post originally published May 2012; updated July 2017

Top photo: Friendships are born at the Little Lovage Club. Photo by Katy Doyle Photography