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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Om Baby Strengthens the Journey Through Parenthood

Jul 23, 2014 01:13PM ● By Nancy Somera

Om Baby Pregnancy & Parenting Center owner Holly Keich opened the center when she realized the area was lacking in holistic, natural birth resources and support for new parents. “After having a baby, I realized how much support moms need and couldn’t easily find the resources I wanted in the area, so Om Baby was created,” she recalls. The parenting center is located in Camp Hill and serves the surrounding areas, where it offers a unique combination of classes that focuses more holistically on the journey of becoming a parent.

 

Owner Holly Keich

A social worker at Capital Head Start and yoga instructor, Keich started Om Baby by teaching prenatal yoga classes, followed by cloth diapering workshops and baby signing classes. Five years later, it has grown into a business, with a full schedule of support groups, children’s classes, birth prep classes, parenting workshops and a natural baby boutique. “We are constantly growing, evolving and expanding to meet the needs of families in the community,” she says.

A group of dedicated instructors that help community members feel supported, understood and heard has contributed to the success and growth of the business. Keich says expansion is always on her mind so that she can continue to grow programming for parents-to-be and new families. She states, “I constantly have ideas popping into my mind about ways to expand, and each year the vision becomes clearer as families from our community contribute ideas about the direction they would like to see us head.”

Fueling Keich’s passion and vision are her own children, which remind her every day that parenting is the hardest work there is. “They keep me focused on creating a better world with more support for expecting and new parents,” she says. “Kids deserve our best.”

The center is celebrating five years of business with a Birthday Bash from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., August 29. “I thought it would be fun to kick off Labor Day weekend with a party at a pregnancy and parenting center,” says Keich humorously. Live music begins at 6:30 p.m. with Fink’s Constant, a local ska/reggae band, and the event will include children’s activities, too. Guests are invited to bring a potluck item to share and contribute a $5 suggested donation to the center.

Location: 2201 Market St., Rear, Camp Hill. For more information, call 717- 761-4975 or visit OmBabyCenter.com.

Nancy Somera is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings.