Atlanta Baby

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BABY FROM ATLANTA PARENT MAGAZINE

Oh, Baby, Let’s Have Fun Advice for New Moms

Delivery Decisions Nesting 101

Help is on the way: Our Baby Resource Guide

• Small, nurturing learning environment where children matter most • Passionate teachers providing active, developmentally appropriate lessons • Weekly instruction in music, Spanish, PE, art, library and interactive technology • NAEYC, GAC and SACS Accredited • PreK - 8th school program Inspiring Students with the Passion to Excel Visit us at www.mcginniswoods.org • 770-664-7764 • 5380 Faircroft Drive • Alpharetta, GA 30005

Kids love cotton.

Support Georgia farming families by buying cotton products.

Georgia Cotton Commission Serving Georgia’s cotton farmers since 1965. www.GeorgiaCottonCommission.org

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BABY FROM ATLANTA PARENT MAGAZINE

Guide for New and Expectant Parents

9 / Are You Smarter Than

The Average Mom? Put yourself to the test with Atlanta Baby’s pregnancy and baby trivia.

10 / Get Ready for Parenting Read one – or all – of these six books for answers to pregnancy and child development questions and how to get your new family off to a great start.

12 / Nesting 101

Follow these seven steps to prepare yourself and your home for baby so that the “nesting” period of your pregnancy will feel more serene.

14 / A Birth Plan

Make a list to guide your medical team with your care and your infant’s, from who should be present during birth to whether you plan to breastfeed.

16 / Delivery Decisions

Where will you have your baby?

Check out Atlanta Baby’s guide to 22 metro-area hospitals.

20 / Keep Mom

and Baby Happy Taking care of yourself after the baby is born is just as important as staying healthy during pregnancy.

26 / Go Out to Play

Getting out of the house is good for mom and baby, and Atlanta has plenty of play places to explore music, the arts or the outdoors.

28 / Stylin’ Baby

Your little one will make an impression when dressed in these colorful and stylish duds.

30 / 10 Finds $25 or Less

Cool new products on Atlanta Baby’s shopping list.

32 / Resource Guide SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Need classes, services, child care, a pediatrician and more? Our guide can help.

22 / Welcoming Meals

Families with a new baby are so grateful when friends and family set up a meal delivery schedule. Here’s how to do it easily.

24 / Sleep Tight, Baby

When your baby doesn’t sleep well, nobody does. Follow these tips to help your infant learn to fall asleep and sleep through the night.

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BABY

l CONTRIBUTING

EDITOR Amanda Miller Allen

l PUBLISHER

Liz White l ASSOCIATE

PUBLISHER

Laura Powell l EDITORIAL

ART DIRECTOR Sheri Taylor-Emery

atlantaparent.com

l ADVERTISING

SALES Amy Smith Carolyn Haushalter Jordan Lisvosky Diane Radloff

WRITER Hayley Markowitz

l PRODUCTION

l OPERATIONS

l STAFF

Brittany Carlisle Robin Mintz

How to Reach Us 770-454-7599 2346 Perimeter Park Drive Atlanta, GA 30341

MANAGER

Caroline Ward

Atlanta Baby

5

Some Truths About Parenthood What Every New Mom Needs to Know

✽ “This too shall pass.”

When you find yourself rocking a colicky baby at all hours, this comforting mantra is like a blinking light of hope beckoning you forward. I still whisper this oft-spoken phrase to myself in times of stress, and it hasn’t let me down yet.

✽ “I get by with a little help from my friends.”

by Christa Melnyk Hines

Baby showers bring a host of instructions from seasoned moms and wellmeaning friends. As a new mom, I grew weary of hearing “sleep when the baby sleeps.” I stubbornly refused to heed this sage advice and suffered from sleep-deprivation-induced splitting headaches.

Even if the advice sounds clichéd, here are a few truths about parenthood: 6

Atlanta Baby

Don’t underestimate the value of a supportive network of mommy friends. Connecting with other moms offers a pressure release valve when you need to talk out your worries and frustrations, much to the relief of your frequently called-on pediatrician.

✽ “The days are long, but the years are short.”

When steering through a tearful toddler tirade or slogging through sick days, you’ll want for nothing more than the clock to skip ahead to a less exhausting time or place. When well-meaning individuals said, “Enjoy these days – they go so fast,” I wanted to give them a swift kick in the derriere. But now I understand – those long days are swiftly becoming bittersweet memories.

✽ “Mother knows best.”

Know your own heart and mind. I recall standing in line at the store with my 2-week-old son who slept safe and sound in his baby carrier. An elderly woman behind me asked, “How old is he?” When I told her, her voice hardened. “In my day I wouldn’t have left the house until he was at least 6 weeks old.” As a sensitive new mom, admonishments like this bothered me despite following doctor’s recommendations. atlantaparent.com

✽ “Life is like a box of chocolates.

You never know what you’re gonna get.”

You will gain a new respect and appreciation for individuality and the word “quirky.” Many kids have curious interests. My son has loved cars since he was age 2. Not sexy sports cars, mind you. Cars like the 1988 Ford Taurus station wagon and the AMC Gremlin make his socks go up and down.

✽ “Keep calm and carry on.”

Your ability to remain calm in crisis may surprise you. I learned this about myself when my youngest was age 3. Across the room he chirped, “Look at me, Mommy!” I looked over to see him grinning while hanging upside down like a bat from the top of the oak mantle of our stone fireplace. “You need to get down,” I said cooly to avoid any sudden movements on his part. I swiftly walked toward him and lifted him down. I still shudder, imagining him falling on the rough-hewn gray stonework below.

✽ “No guts, no glory.”

On especially exasperating days, you might fantasize about packing up and abandoning this motherhood mess.

But you won’t run away. Children have the distinctive talent of breaking and repairing your heart daily. You won’t think twice about accepting their vise-like hugs and sloppy kisses. You’ll tuck sentimental notes away for safekeeping that sing your praises in childish scrawl, gussied up with stick people holding hands.

✽ “Put on your own oxygen mask first.”

✽ “Being a mother is the world’s hardest job.”

While pregnant with my son, my doctor and loved ones concerned themselves with how I was feeling. The minute my son arrived, he naturally became the center of our universe. I forgot how much I still needed to nourish my body and spirit to be an emotionally stable and healthy mother. Getting out the house, taking walks, joining a supportive moms group and returning to my interests reduced my anxiety levels and helped me feel more content.

Emotionally-charged days with screaming kids may drive you to retreat behind closed doors, curl up in a fetal position and sob. You may tell yourself that mothering is too hard and you aren’t getting any of it right. But surrender isn’t an option. You’ll pick yourself up, throw cold water on your face and get back out there. This is good time to call a friend for moral support.

As you prepare to dive into the thick of motherhood, you’ll find these sayings will gently assimilate themselves neatly among life’s forthcoming milestones, tragedies and triumphs. And sooner or later, you’ll turn to congratulate a new mom and out will pop the words you swore you’d never say, “Enjoy these days. They go so fast.”

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7

Find a Pediatrician you can Trust!

(404) 252-4611 | www.sspediatrics.com

Healthcare with a Personal Touch!

• Phones answered by a real person • See an MD every visit • Patient Advocates help you navigate the office and your insurance • After hours calls are handled by our physicians until 11 p.m. Calls between 11 p.m. -7 a.m. are handled by a pediatric nurse with access to our physicians • Patient Portal – Appointment Requests, Rx Refills, Lab Results, Payments, Message Physician and “Ask the Nurse”

Introducing our newest physician – Sarah Black, MD

We will be your child’s medical home from birth through college graduation.

Estonna Wells-Jarrett, M.D.

a’s Finest 2014 Atlant Loafing e tiv ea Cr a Parent nt la At 15 20 ved “Mom-Appro Doctors”

993-F Johnson Ferry Road Suite 370 Atlanta, Georgia 30342 Telephone 404-252-4611 Founded in 1968 / Northside Professional Center | 993 Johnson Ferry Road, Building F, Suite 370, Atlanta, 30342www.sspediatrics.com Fax 404-256-1759

Exclusive Curriculum

ENROLL NOW! 6 WEEKS TO 12 YEARS www.kidsrkidsatlanta.com 8

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Are You Smarter Than The Average Mom? Put yourself to the test with Atlanta Baby’s pregnancy and baby trivia questions.

6.

In what decade did physicians start using fetal monitors to check baby’s health?

8.

How often do newborns urinate?

9.

At what age should children start spending time with a screen, using cell phones, tablets or computers?

1.

What state in the United States has the highest birthrate per 1,000 people?

10.

2.

How many sperm make their way toward the egg after a typical episode of baby-making?

3.

Answers:

8. Every 20 minutes, but take heart, at age 6 months, it’s just every hour.

7. Pampers, in 1961, were the first widely used in the United States, though various versions of disposable diapers were developed in the 1950s.

6. 1960s 5. Nora Ephron 4. 300 (some fuse as children grow) 3. 15 percent 2. 500 million

4.

Adults have 206 bones.

How many do babies have?

9. Most experts say not before age 2, because baby needs to focus on movement and socialization, but an estimated 38 percent of babies younger than age 2 use tablets or smartphones.

Who said, “If pregnancy were a book, they would cut the last two chapters?”

When you’re expecting, what’s a good movie to see that was filmed in Atlanta?

Bonus points if you know which magazine was featured in the film.

10. What to Expect When You’re Expecting (bonus points: Atlanta Parent)

What percentage of women wear a larger shoe size after pregnancy than they did before?

5.

7.

When did disposable diapers start replacing cloth?

1. Utah, with 21 babies per 1,000

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9

Ready, Set, Go! Pregnancy and Beyond

Life in the fast lane – better get used to it. Pregnancy is over in a nanosecond, and when baby arrives, it’s warp speed for the next few years as you experience exhilarating joy and learn things you never even suspected about being a parent. These books will prepare you for a real-life Amazing Race.

✽ What to Eat

✽ Your Baby, Your Way

✽ Common Sense Pregnancy,

✽ A Dad’s Guide to Baby Care

When You’re Pregnant

by Nicole M. Avena (Ten Speed Press) Everybody knows what pregnant women want: Ice cream and pickles, of course (and whatever else they crave). But to support a healthy baby’s development, a diet with a little more diversity is essential. The author, a neuroscientist, expert in nutrition and a mother, tells you how to achieve that in the first, second and third trimester while handling cravings and how to shed “baby weight” afterward.

Navigating a Healthy Pregnancy & Birth for Mother & Baby

by Jeanne Faulkner (Ten Speed Press) New mothers-to-be are often overwhelmed by the medical side of pregnancy – so many tests and decisions and so many emotional and physical changes as baby grows.

Faulkner, a registered nurse, pregnancy columnist and mother, offers reassuring advice, from whether some medical tests are necessary to what to expect in the labor room and in the first weeks after baby arrives.

✽ Pregnancy Day By Day

edited by Maggie Blott (DK Publishing) Count down the days until your baby’s birth with this comprehensive guide that details how your baby is developing and what to expect as your pregnancy progresses. The book covers nutrition, exercise, medical issues, pain relief and all the other questions women have before, during and immediately after delivery.

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by Jennifer Margulis (Scribner Publishing) Some of the advice that mothersto-be receive may not be in the best interests of the mother, the infant or family, this thought-provoking book reveals. For instance, the delays in potty training of toddlers may have more to do with the diaper industry than with baby’s developmental needs. The book encourages parents to question what they’re told about prenatal and infant care and choose their path after careful consideration.

by Colin Cooper (Octopus Publishing Group) It’s easy to for dads-to-be and new dads to feel out of their element – everything changes with a baby, from family dynamics to household chores. On top of that, new parents have to develop a whole new set of skills to handle, change, dress, feed and play with their baby. This book, by a writer and editor of medical journals and father of two, will help men navigate unfamiliar territory.

✽ The Amazing Make-Ahead

Baby Food Book

by Lisa Barrangou (Ten Speed Press) Pureed baby food in jars is convenient and a major reason most parents buy it.

But you can make nutritious baby food without spending days in the kitchen, as this book promises in its subtitle: Make 3 Months of Homemade Purees in 3 Hours.

The make-and-freeze recipes using fresh or frozen vegetables, fruit and dairy are easy to follow and the book provides guidelines about introducing your infant to new foods.

– Amanda Miller Allen atlantaparent.com

Start with us.

Stay with us. beginning with babies 6 months and older You’re looking for a school where your baby will thrive, be safe, grow, and be happy. Holy Spirit Preparatory School offers programs for students age 6 months-4 years old, including a Mother’s Morning Out program for toddlers age 6-23 months; and preschool classes for students age 2-4, including half day, full day, and extended day programs until 6:00pm.

The preschool at Holy Spirit Prep is a place where your little one will be loved by teachers and caretakers, play, learn, and grow into the happy, healthy student you want them to be.

At HSP, your child will receive more than day care: we employ a comprehensive curriculum covering language arts, math, science and social studies, as well as creative movement, fine arts, Spanish, and music.

Holy Spirit Prep is more than a school: it’s a community where your students can interact with and learn from students from our Lower School to our high school. You are always welcome at HSP: stop by, call, text, or email us to schedule a personal tour today.

A complete education solution for your family t applications n e m ll ro n e e t la Accepting school year.

16 15 0 2 e h t r fo An independent Catholic school on two campuses near Chastain Park, serving students age 6 months-12th grade. www.holyspiritprep.org 678.761.7992

NESTING 101: Seven Steps to Organization and Serenity

by Meagan Ruffing

Something magical happens in the third trimester of pregnancy: It’s called “nesting.” You start preparing for baby and want to clean everything in sight.

For some women, nesting is a relaxing and comforting time as they organize and control what goes where. For others, it can be a bit stressful when there’s not enough storage and space to put things where you want them to be put.

So what do you do when you are feeling overwhelmed?

Try these ideas to start creating a calm, organized and nestingapproved home.

✽ Make a list.

Lists are great because they are visual.

Put it in your smartphone or do it the old fashioned way with a pen and paper.

Write down everything on your mind from organizing your shoes to washing all of the baby’s new clothes. Having something tangible to read will help you stay focused.

Be realistic.

You may think that repainting your master bathroom three months before you deliver is a great idea, but don’t. Nesting is a time of organizing and settling in. Save the painting for your husband or paint your soon-to-be baby a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Take your time.

Check your list of things to do and take them one at a time. Trying to tackle everything at once will leave you feeling defeated. Give yourself grace when it comes to tidying things up.

Enjoy nesting.

Nesting is one of the many fun times during pregnancy. It says, “The end is near,” and this, this and this needs to be done before the baby is born. Nesting signals to the brain that “Yes, I am ready for this baby to come.”

Include the kids.

If you have other children, let them help you prepare for the arrival of their younger sibling. Something as simple as putting the baby’s bows in a bin to vacuuming the nursery can make all the difference when your kids want to help out.

Reflect.

After one thing on the list is done, take a break and eat a snack. Take time to reflect on where you are in your pregnancy. Enjoy the moment. Embrace the idea of waiting until after naptime to tackle the dishes.

Save something for your husband.

Even if you think you can get everything done by yourself, leave a thing or two for your husband. This serves two purposes – you can direct your attention to another task and your husband will feel needed and appreciated when he sees how happy you are now that the curtains are hung in the baby’s room.

✽ 12 Atlanta 2 AtlantaBaby Baby

atlantaparent.com www.atlantaparent.com

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy 1. Drink plenty of fluids each day, at

least eight glasses, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

2. Eat small and well-balanced meals daily, five to six meals instead of the standard three.

3. If you smoke, quit, and don’t expose yourself to second-hand smoke.

4. Take a prenatal vitamin daily as

The Chastain School is a NAEYC accredited Preschool that provides the highest quality early childhood education and care.

Program Attributes:

• Infant-Toddler-Preschool-After School • Curriculum based on learning through discovery and play • Lowest student to teacher ratios • Christian-based programs • Experienced and degreed teachers and management • Enrichment Programs-Spanish, Playball, Swimming, Gymnastics, Music and much more

directed by your physician.

Monday-Friday 7:15-6:15 Call to Schedule a Tour 404.851.0001 www.thechastainschool.com

5. Stay toned with daily moderate

exercise – activity is good for physical and emotional well-being and a great stressreducer.

6. Make sure you rest – get at least

eight hours of sleep at night and nap if you feel tired.

7. Non-prescription drugs or herbal remedies aren’t a good idea, unless your physician says they’re OK.

8.

Don’t get in a vehicle without using a safety belt/harness (place the lap-belt portion below your abdomen and sit as far back from the vehicle’s airbag system as possible).

9.

Avoid heavy lifting, standing for long periods of time, using harsh chemicals or changing cat litter (it can expose your baby to toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease carried by cats).

10. This is no time to go on a diet,

but pay attention to your weight gain, and avoid packing on excess pounds that can stress your body and your baby’s; guidelines say normal-weight mothers should gain no more than 35 pounds. atlantaparent.com

ATL ANTA PARENT’S

MOM-APPROVED

DOCTORS Need a pediatrician?

Atlanta Parent asked our readers to nominate pediatricians they would recommend.

See our list at atlantaparent.com/top-atlanta-pediatricians Atlanta Baby

13

Creating a

Birth Plan YOUR DIRECTORY OF

BIRTH PROFESSIONALS Including doulas, childbirth educators, chiropractors, photographers, midwives & more.

We offer monthly educational events, including Desserts & Doulas, Meet The Midwives and a Dad's Panel.

Check out our website for event details. www.GaBirthNetwork.com

Prenatal & Labor Support Postpartum Support NEW: Placenta Encapsulation For more information please visit www.northatlantadoulas.com

404-465-3391

info@northatlantadoulas.com

Y

ou’ve been to countless appointments, picked out the pediatrician, prepared the nursery, packed the hospital bag … but have you created a birth plan?

A birth plan is a personalized list for your ideal labor and delivery scenario.

Keep in mind when you’re drafting your plan that it’s just a plan.

In fact, Teresa Howard, a certified doula and childbirth educator who owns Labor of Love Doula & Childbirth Services based in Lawrenceville, half-jokingly tells moms-to-be, “Do the birth plan in pencil and carry an eraser!”

What she means is that a birth plan is a fluid document, a guideline that might change when a mom’s wishes change or circumstances do.

The birth plan is a communication tool, a “jumping off point” for conversations with your medical team about your preferences, Howard says. It’s best to keep it simple, no more than 10 items, and to have a separate plan for your baby on brightly colored paper. She points out that your birth plan goes in your medical chart, and you need one with “do’s and don’ts” for your baby that will be placed in the infant’s nursery chart.

The best plan may not be a sheet of paper, she says. Howard says one mom rolled out a large scroll to hang in her room, and you can be sure her medical team took notice. Another idea: Write your wishes on pennants and hang them around the room.

– Melanie Wagner and Amanda Allen

Here are some things to consider when creating a birth plan: ✽ Who do you want to be present

✽ Would you like to push instinctively

✽ Know who will deliver your baby, and

✽ Do you want your partner to help

at the birth? Your spouse, partner, friends, relatives or doula? the backup doctor or midwife, just in case.

✽ Know when you should go to the

hospital (immediately if you are Group B strep positive or when your water breaks).

✽ How will you labor? Walking, birthing bed, sitting in a chair, rocking on a big ball, a water birth?

✽ Which pain relief would you like

administered? An epidural or spinal block, acupressure, no pain medication?

14 Atlanta 2 AtlantaBaby Baby

or be coached on when to push and for how long? “catch” the baby? Do you want him or her to cut the umbilical cord? Do you want to hold your baby right away?

✽ Do you want all newborn procedures

to take place in your presence? Do you want your baby to be in the room with you at all times?

✽ Do you want to breastfeed only,

formula feed only or a combination?

✽ Do you want your baby boy circumcised at the hospital, at a later date or not at all?

www.atlantaparent.com atlantaparent.com

✽ Spotlight on baby

✽ ✽

Special Advertising Page

Decatur Yoga and Pilates

Emory University Child Study Center

Create a deep and meaningful connection with your family with a Yoga Lifestyle. Yoga is about connecting. Connection begins as early as the womb. Begin that beautiful bond by practicing Prenatal Yoga. Engage your partner with a P r e n a t a l Pa r t n e r Yo g a a n d Childbirth Preparation Workshop.

Then explore the world with your newborn in our Post Partum Mom and Baby Series.

Decatur Yoga invites your family to GROW with them. The Atlanta Kids Yoga Movement began at DYP in 2003 when Debra Kelley and Cheryl Crawford brought YogaKids to Decatur. Cheryl, co-founder of Grounded, went on to train the majority of yoga teachers for kids in the metro area.

During the school year there are multiple 6-week yoga series for age groups 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-15. Classes are held M-TH 4:305:30 and coincide with an adult class in the Hot Room. On Fridays there is a Family Yoga Series where parents and kids do yoga together.

Don’t miss Family Partner Yoga Workshops and Yoga Birthday Parties.

Families that do yoga together, stay together and grow together. Join Decatur Yoga on the mat soon. Call to schedule an introductory class today, 404-377-4899. decaturyogaandpilates.com. Welcome to the journey. Namaste.

How do children learn and grow? How do they think and remember? How do they change as they grow older? These are some of the questions that Emory University Child Study Center is constantly asking...and you and your child can be part of uncovering new answers!

The center invites Atlanta area families to participate in studies focused on language, learning, memory. It also investigates the role that brain development plays. Emory faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students conduct research studies on each of these fascinating areas.

The Child Study Center studies how children learn and develop by watching and interacting with them and their parents. Each study is carefully planned to be fun and interesting. It usually involves one or two sessions, and typically takes place at the Emory University campus in a comfortable setting. Parents with newborns through school-age children are encouraged to participate.

Parents may stay during the session and play with their children and observe the study sessions. Parking is free and convenient.

If you are interested in participating please, visit www.psychology. emory.edu/childstudycenter or contact the center at childstudies@ emory.edu or 404-727-7432. The center will contact you when an appropriate study becomes available.

Holy Spirit Prep

MJCCA Preschools

You’re looking for a school where your baby will thrive, be safe, grow, and be happy. Holy Spirit Preparatory School offers programs for students age 6 months-4 years old, including a Mother’s Morning Out program for toddlers age 6-23 months; and preschool classes for students age 2-4, including half day, full day, and extended day programs until 6:00 p.m.

The preschool at Holy Spirit Prep is a place where your little one will be loved by teachers and caretakers, play, learn, and grow into the happy, healthy student you want them to be.

At HSP, your child will receive more than day care: they employ a comprehensive curriculum covering language arts, math, science and social studies, as well as creative movement, fine arts, Spanish, and music.

Holy Spirit Prep is more than a school: it’s a community where your students can interact with and learn from students from their Lower School to their high school. You are always welcome at HSP: stop by, call, text, or email them to schedule a personal tour today. www.holyspiritprep.org, 678-761-7992.

Marcus JCC of Atlanta Preschools offer fulland half-day options for children ages six weeks – Pre-K at two convenient Atlanta locations: Dunwoody and East Cobb. Our facilities are like none other and students have the opportunity to explore our campuses and enjoy swimming and other sports, drama, art, and more, as they challenge and enrich their growing minds.

Through an exceptional NAEYC-accredited program (National Association for the Education of Young Children) – a distinction awarded only to the top 7% of preschools nationwide – your children are given a solid foundation upon which to build a lifetime of learning. Our preschoolers are immersed in a safe and loving environment focused on an innovative, secular preschool curriculum that’s infused with traditional Jewish learning and core values such as honesty, respect, and honor.

In order to prepare children to excel in future educational settings, the MJCCA’s Early Childhood Services department has enhanced its already enriching curriculum to include several additional kindergartenreadiness programs. Graduates take with them the tools necessary for success as they move on to elementary schools of their choice. The MJCCA Sunshine School is also a 3-Star Quality Rated School – only the fourth preschool in the state to rank the highest level of 3 stars!

For information about the MJCCA and our early childhood offerings, please visit atlantajcc.org/preschool or call 678.812.4060.

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Atlanta Baby

15

Where Will You Have Your

F

rom taking your prenatal vitamins to getting the nursery ready, it seems like there are a million little things to do before the baby comes. One of your first decisions as a parent is where to deliver your infant. ✿ To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 22 metro-area hospitals, including birthing rooms and birth rates. Expectant parents should make a list of questions to ask the staff and get a better feel for what each facility has to offer. ✿ Take advantage of hospital tours and find out which hospitals are convenient to your home. Be sure to figure out your insurance details beforehand and learn the policies for visitation and guests in the delivery room. ✿ Being prepared will lead to a better experience for you and your baby.

– Hayley Markowitz

Private (P) Mat. Beds

Birthing Rooms LDR/LDRP*

Births Per Month

C-Section Rate

Maternity Tours

Atlanta Medical Center 303 Parkway Dr. NE Atlanta, GA 30312 404-265-4000. atlantamedcenter.com

30-P

20 LDR

221

13%

By appt.

1-877-228-3638

DeKalb Medical 2701 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA 30033 404-501-2229. dekalbmedicalcenter.org

62-P

18 LDR

400

18% Primary 15% Repeat

By appt.

404-501-9355 or online.

Eastside Medical Center 1700 Medical Way, Snellville, GA 30078 770-979-0200. eastsidemedical.org

22-P

13 LDR

128

34%

Second and fourth Thursdays at 7 p.m.

800-242-5662 or online.

Emory Johns Creek Hospital 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek, GA 30097 678-474-7000. emoryjohnscreek.com

12-P

8 LDR

80-100

16.4% Primary 15.7% Repeat

Thurs. at 6 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m.

Register online.

Hospital

16 BIG 2 Atlanta BabyBaby BOOK

atlantaparent.com www.atlantaparent.com

Baby?

Private (P) Mat. Beds

Birthing Rooms LDR/LDRP*

Births Per Month

C-Section Rate

Maternity Tours

39-P 8 Antepartum

11 LDR

340

15.3% Primary 13.1% Repeat

1st, 2nd & 3rd Thurs. at 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. and on request. 404-778-7777

Grady Health System 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr., Atlanta, GA 30303 404-616-1000. gradyhealth.org

27-P

12 LDR

245

29.5%

By appt.

404-616-2229

Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion 550 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA 30045 678-442-3600. gwinnettmedicalcenter.org

37-P

19 LDR

400

33%

Tues. at 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Sat. 11 a.m. & noon.

Register: 678-312-5000

30-P 8 Antepartum

18 LDR

300

17% Primary 15% Repeat

Register online or 770-219-1495

North Fulton Hospital** 3000 Hospital Blvd., Roswell, GA 30076 770-751-2500. northfultonregional.com

20-P

6 LDR

110-130

12.3% Primary 11.2% Repeat

Every other Tues. alternating with every other Thurs.

770-751-2660

Northside Hospital-Atlanta 1000 Johnson Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30342 404-845-5555. northside.com

200-P

42 LDR

1,250

40%

By appt.

404-845-5555 or website.

Northside Hospital-Cherokee 201 Hospital Rd., Canton, GA 30114 770-720-5300. northside.com

10-P

8 LDRP

100

34%

By appt.

404-845-5555 or website.

Northside Hospital-Forsyth 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr., Cumming, GA 30041 770-844-3200. northside.com

24-P

6 LDR

250

37%

By appt.

404-845-5555 or website.

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital 1968 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 404-605-5000. piedmont.org

28-P

14 LDR

285

36%

Register online.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital 1255 Highway 54 West, Fayetteville, GA 30214 770-719-7000. piedmont.org

24-P

10 LDR

200

31%

Every other Sun. at 2 p.m.

Every other Thurs. at 6 p.m.

Register: 404-605-3599

Piedmont Henry Hospital 1133 Eagles Landing Pkwy., Stockbridge, GA 30281 678-604-1000. piedmont.org

18-P

12 LDR

175

28%

Register: 678-604-1040

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital 1266 Georgia 515, Jasper, GA 30143 706-692-2441. piedmont.org

7-P

4 LDR

27

30%

Tours 7 days a week 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Register: 706-301-5246

Piedmont Newnan Hospital 745 Poplar Rd., Newnan, GA 30265 770-400-1000. piedmont.org

14-P

5 LDR

100

31%

Tours first and third Sat. of each month at 10 a.m.

Register: 770-400-2220

Rockdale Medical Center 1412 Milsted Ave., Conyers, GA 30012 770-918-3677. rockdalemedicalcenter.org

29-P

17 LDR

150

30%

Offering tours twice a month.

Register: 1-800-424-3627 or website.

Southern Regional Women’s Life Center 11 Upper Riverdale Rd., Riverdale, GA 30274 770-991-8200. southernregional.org

40-P

14 LDR

255

27%

Tues. 5 p.m. & Sun. 3 p.m.

Register: 770-991-8246

WellStar Cobb Hospital 3950 Austell Rd., Austell, GA 30106 770-732-4000. wellstar.org

46-P

20 LDR

307

33%

By appt.

770-956-7827

WellStar Douglas Hospital 8954 Hospital Dr., Douglasville, GA 30134 770-949-1500. wellstar.org

9-P

6 LDRP

39

28%

By appt.

770-920-6240

WellStar Kennestone Hospital 677 Church St., Marietta, GA 30060 770-793-5000. wellstar.org

58-P

21 LDR

458

36%

By appt.

770-956-7827

Hospital Emory University Hospital Midtown 550 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 404-778-7777. emoryhealthcare.org

Northeast Georgia Medical Center 743 Spring St. NE, Gainesville, GA 30501 770-219-9000. nghs.com

The information on this chart has been provided by each hospital. *Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum Rooms

atlantaparent.com www.atlantaparent.com

**Last year’s data for North Fulton Hospital

BIG Atlanta Baby Baby BOOK 17 3

Nurse & Nurture provides private, in-home care for newborn babies throughout the night.

All of our Registered Nurses are college educated, have at least two years of related clinical experience and are Infant CPR Certified. And, since you care about who you let into your home, all of our nurses have successfully passed a criminal background check, wear company issued uniforms and are licensed and insured.

Nurse & Nurture is committed to providing the best possible care for your baby so you can rest peacefully and enjoy a good night's sleep.

Who’s Who?

In your journey from pregnancy to baby, you may end up with more than a few professionals added to your contact list. Some specialize in fields you might have never heard of.

No matter how many you wind up with, you’ll be grateful to each who helped you and your baby along the way. n OB An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in pregnancy, labor and birth.

They also are specially trained to manage complications as well as perform surgery if a cesarean is necessary. n Perinatologist An OB who specializes in high-risk pregnancies or complications. n Midwife Certified nurse midwives can provide full prenatal and postpartum care. In Georgia, certified nurse midwives can practice in hospital settings or private practices but not in homes. n Doula A professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional and physical support to a mother who is expecting or has recently given birth. Doulas can help navigate the birth process as well as issues such as breastfeeding. n Genetic Counselor Health professionals trained to help families understand genetic disorders often flagged through prenatal testing. n Lactation Consultants/

Breastfeeding Counselors People who help new moms with initial breastfeeding support and issues.

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Atlanta Baby

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✽ Spotlight on baby

✽ ✽

Special Advertising Page

Northside Hospital MothersFirst In the fast-pac ed world we l i v e i n t o d ay , f i n d i n g t i m e t o prepare for the arrival of a new baby can b e challeng ing .

Fastest and easiest often over rules taking the time to gather the information you need to make important decisions from trusted sources.

As the leader in maternity services, Northside Hospital delivers more babies than any other hospital in the nation and has been the comforting, familiar presence for mothers-to-be in Atlanta for more than a generation. The hospital’s MothersFirst program was designed with expectant parents in mind – to prov ide evidence-based information you can trust along with care and support to guide you through your pregnancy and beyond.

Northside MothersFirst meets you where you are - from traditional group classes in small intimate environments, where you feel

comfortable asking questions and can network with other couples, to online classes, eBooks, web videos, virtual tours of the hospital and even a new smartphone app.

Topics range from breastfeeding and childbirth preparation to baby sign language and CPR training. There’s even a class about how to prepare the family dog for your new little one.

Don’t forget to send your parents to a Grandparenting class, so everyone is up-to-date with the current information.

There are many options and Northside MothersFirst has you covered at each step of the way. All classes and content are taught and reviewed by nationally certified instructors, nurses and other health care professionals. The new Northside Hospital Baby Bump app offers important information and “fun” extras for every stage of pregnancy and beyond.

Available for iPhone and Android.

Learn more at northside. com/maternityresources, o r f i n d u s o n Fa c e b o o k @ NorthsideHospitalMaternity.

To brow se classes and tour options and register online, visit classes.northside.com, or call (404) 845-5555.

Princeton Lakes Pediatrics

Quality Care for Children

Finding the right pediatric care for your child can have a huge impact on your child’s development. That’s the goal at Princeton Lakes Pediatrics. They focus on successfully balancing medical knowledge and compassion to ensure that their patients receive excellent healthcare in an environment that is comfortable and friendly.

Getting your child integrated into a practice that cares primarily for children may put them at ease when it comes to sharing emotional concerns or physical illness, whether they are a toddler or moving into the teenage years. Make sure you look for a practice that takes every measure to work with parents in raising children that live up to their full potential medically, academically, and socially.

Schedule an appointment today to make Princeton Lakes Pediatrics your child’s medical home. Two convenient locations in Kennesaw and Atlanta. Their newest office in Kennesaw is now accepting new patients, and Walk-ins are welcome. Call the Kennesaw office on North Cobb Parkway at 678-483-6880; or the Camp Creek Medical Center office at 404-629-1880. Learn more at princetonlakespeds.com

Deciding who will take care of your child is one of the toughest choices a parent can face. Parents and caregivers can call a tollfree number – 1-877-ALL GA KIDS – to find licensed child care anywhere in the state.

Quality Care for Children and Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning have teamed up to provide this FREE service to parents.

Callers to 1-877-ALL GA KIDS will be connected with trained staff who will help families connect with child care providers in their area that are licensed, convenient to work at home, and within the family budget. They will also provide information and advice on how to select a qualified child care provider.

A searchable database will also be available at www.allgakids.com.

An estimated 64 percent of families in Georgia already use child care, and demand is growing as more family members work outside the home. Quality Care for Children CEO Pam Tatum said tough economic conditions this year are putting an additional strain on families and the child care services they use in Georgia, as more parents are turning to unlicensed providers that might cost less, but aren’t always safe or properly trained.

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19

7

Steps to Keep Mom, & Baby, Healthy

by Christa Melnyk Hines

Throughout your pregnancy, you eat the right foods, drink plenty of fluids, rest and try to keep stress to a minimum. Once your baby arrives, you might think that you can relax your self-care but it should remain a top priority to ensure good health for both of you.

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Atlanta Baby

✽ Drink plenty of water.

Replenishing your body after significant fluid loss is important.

“The key to optimal recovery after delivery is fluid hydration with water,” says Dr. Gina Petelin, OB/GYN. ✽ Nourish yourself. Before the baby arrives, assemble healthy meals to stash in your freezer. In the midst of caring for a newborn, you’ll be less likely to eat poorly when you can quickly pop a nutritious, readymade meal into the oven or crockpot.

Stock up on protein-packed snacks to keep your energy up, especially if you plan to breastfeed. Choose simple, healthy snacks like cheese sticks, almonds, rotisserie chicken, yogurt and energy bars.

Consult with your physician to determine how many extra calories you should be consuming each day according to your activity level, weight and if you choose to nurse.

✽ Sleep when the baby sleeps.

“Those first days home from the hospital, rest, rest, rest and spend as much time skin-to-skin with your baby as you can,” says Teresa Marshall, a birth and postpartum doula. “This will truly make for a smoother transition for baby from womb to room and for mama, as well.”

Tricia Walania, a postpartum emotional support program coordinator, says that rest is one of the best ways you can care for yourself. “Being rested helps you cope more effectively with both physical and emotional changes,” she says.

Unable to catnap? Relax with your eyes closed. ✽ Integrate gentle exercise.

Many moms are surprised that they still look pregnant after delivery. Don’t panic; that’s normal, Dr. Petelin says. Although the uterus decreases in size right away, you will still appear to be about five months pregnant when leaving the hospital. By following a healthy diet and exercising according to your doctor’s instructions, you’ll get back to your pre-pregnancy body.

Many moms enjoy group exercise activities like “mommy and me” yoga and Fit4Mom (formerly Stroller Strides) where you’ll also experience companionship with other moms. Walking is also beneficial. Not only will you get exercise, a stroll around the atlantaparent.com

block on a sunny day will do wonders for your emotional well-being and give you a boost of vitamin D. Take extra care if you’ve had a cesarean delivery and only gradually increase your activity level according to your doctor’s instructions. Current recommendations include no driving the first two weeks postpartum and no heavy lifting (anything over 15 pounds) for the first six weeks.

✽ Expect hormonal changes.

Many new moms feel overwhelmed, tired, anxious, tearful or mildly depressed.

“Exhaustion, hormonal changes and isolation after the birth of a baby may lead to what is referred to as ‘baby blues,’” Walania says. “To some degree this happens to everyone. It’s natural and not permanent.”

Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist for more than two weeks. Anxiety and depression can also be linked to thyroid issues or low levels of iron and vitamin D. ✽ Tap your village. “I would recommend reaching out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or just a visit,” Marshall says.

Often friends and family members are eager to assist by holding the baby or watching siblings to give you a chance to

nap, shower, go for a walk or run an errand.

“You have to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your baby,” Walania says.

While social media can help you feel connected to the outside world, nothing can quite replace a deeply satisfying conversation with a friend or a warm hug.

Get together for coffee, lunch or a walk.

If your network feels inadequate, join a mothers’ group or look for parent-child gatherings in your neighborhood through

Meetup.com.

The sooner you seek support, the faster you can start feeling like yourself again.

✽ Nurture your spirit. You may be a mom now, but you aren’t only a mom.

Take time to do the things that have always brought you personal fulfillment and joy, whether that’s crafting, relaxing in a warm bath, browsing at a boutique or lunching with a friend. When you are happier and healthier, your baby will be, too.

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by Sara Barry

M

eal delivery schedules make a great gift. Friends and families are excited about a new arrival, and dropping off dinner is a helpful way to show love and support to the new (or newly expanded) family.

Shower Them With Meals Show New Families You Care with Scheduled Food Deliveries after Baby Arrives Set it up Online Creating a meal schedule is easy with online sites such as MealTrain.com and TakeThemAMeal.com.

New parents-to-be can set up an account themselves, but they may find it helpful to have someone else be the administrator. That way when the baby arrives, parents won’t have to deal with updates or questions. The administrator can change preferences, answer questions, or add anybody who can’t get online to the schedule.

Once an account is set up, friends and family can be invited to participate through email or social media. They log in to choose an available date and indicate what they will bring. While listing what they will bring isn’t required, it helps ensure variety for the family. The services even send an email to help people remember to bring their scheduled meals.

Tips for Meal Bringers ✽ Pay attention to food allergies and

preferences. Unsure if something is okay? Ask for clarification, or choose something else.

✽ Respect family wishes. During the early

weeks, mom or baby may be resting, trying to nurse, or simply not up for visitors. You’ll get a chance to meet the baby when the family is ready.

✽ Make it easy for them. If possible, deliver your meal ready to eat. If it needs to be reheated, leave instructions with your meal including the temperature and cook time. Try to use pans or dishes the family won’t have to return.

✽ Bring your meal on time. Don’t keep the

family wondering if they need to come up with a last minute dinner plan.

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Atlanta Baby

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Food for Thought Before asking people to bring a meal, you’ll want to sort out a few details Food allergies and preferences: If your family has any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, no nuts), you can note these when you set up the Some account. You can families set up include favorite foods or other a cooler on guidelines, too. their porch for These notes help people to drop people choose off food. foods that your family will eat.

Frequency of meals: You probably don’t need meals every day. Every other day or a few times a week often works well.

You may have help some days and can plan on cooking then. Also, many people will bring enough food for you to have leftovers.

Drop off time and location: Request that people drop off food within a certain time range to make sure dinner is there when you are ready to eat. If you prefer that people drop off food without visiting, set that expectation in the sign up form. Some families set up a cooler on their porch for people to drop off food. If you don’t have

a safe area for people to leave food, meet people at the door and thank them for the meal without inviting them in for a visit.

On the other hand, if you are starved for company, drop offs will give you a chance to see somebody.

What to Bring Friends juggling a job and their own families want to help, but often can’t make time to prepare a home-cooked meal or casserole. That’s where gift cards and prepared meals come in.

Gift cards might include restaurants that deliver pizza or ethnic food or have an easy take-out process that lets diners call ahead and pick up the completed meal at a “to go” counter. Zoe’s Kitchen (zoeskitchen. com) and Chili’s Bar & Grill (chilis.com), for instance, let you order online for pickup at the restaurant. Locally run restaurants are also happy to prepare takeout meals.

Casseroles are a great option, and you don’t have to make them yourself.

Order a frozen casserole from Casseroles Atlanta (casserolesatlanta.com) to deliver to the family or give the restaurant enough notice and they’ll heat it for you. Paul’s Pot Pies (paulspotpies.com) in Marietta sells frozen pies (vegetarian, seafood, beef, turkey and more) that cook perfectly with

set-the-oven-and-forget-it directions.

Delis offer plenty of choices for assembling to-go family meals you can deliver. Goldberg’s Bagel Company & Deli (goldbergbagel.com), with nine locations, also has frozen dinner options, including pot pies and casseroles. And don’t forget supermarket delis.

Instead Of Flowers (insteadofflowers. com), another Atlanta company, will deliver prepared meals to the family’s home on the date you specify, with a meal selection that includes comfort foods and more.

Getting Started One of the most challenging things about a baby meal schedule is knowing when to start it. TakeThemAMeal.com suggests setting up your account based on the baby’s due date and getting two people to commit to bringing the first two meals.

Another tip is to have those first two people freeze a meal ahead of time so that they have something to deliver on short notice.

Some families choose a start date a week before the delivery date, and start the sign up process about a month before the due date. If the baby isn’t born by the start date, the administration can awsk them to choose a later date.

Announce Your Baby’s Arrival With A Six-Foot Sign in Your Front Yard!

A Sign from Above is the premier supplier of elaborate baby signs, birth announcements and stork signs in Atlanta and all of North Georgia. There is no bigger or better way to announce your baby’s arrival than with one of our adorable baby signs in your front yard.

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Call us now and order your sign – Give a gift that stands above the rest – literally!

Visit our website to check out the gallery of signs and for more information!

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Atlanta Baby

23

Find Baby’s Sleep Number Late bedtimes cause many childhood sleep problems, but figuring out when to put your baby to bed can be tough.

To find your baby’s perfect bedtime, first determine how many hours of sleep he needs in a 24-hour period to figure out how many hours he can comfortably stay awake per day. Set your child’s bedtime so that he is not awake longer than that, and you’ll prevent overtiredness that can wreck nighttime sleep.

For example, a 10-month-old who needs 14 hours of daily sleep can stay awake for 10 hours per day. If he gets up at 6 a.m. and naps for 3 hours each day, he needs to be in bed by 7 p.m. each evening. (Newborns need between 14 and 16 hours of shut-eye per day; children ages 1-3 need 12-14 hours, and kids 3-6 need 10-12 hours.)

Easy Ways to Help Your Baby

Sleep All Night

Embrace Boring An effective bedtime routine is one that’s set: the same things, in the same order, every night.

“Our bodies love routine, and this is especially so with children and bedtime,” says sleep expert Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum. Performing the same events in the same sequence cues a child’s subconscious for sleep.

For an easier bedtime, start your baby’s day off the bright way. Strong morning light helps set your child’s internal clock so he’ll fall asleep more easily come nightfall. Open curtains to let the light shine in.

by Malia Jacobson Atta Baby Learning to fall asleep in bed will help your child learn to sleep longer stretches, and eventually, sleep through the night.

Help your baby learn to love his crib by using rhythmic patting to soothe him after placing him in bed, without picking him back up. Infants should be placed to sleep face-up, so pat the crib mattress or the shoulder.

Avoid Nap Traps

Nix the Night Light When it comes to sleep, the best light is no light at all. Nighttime light disrupts melatonin production, and even a small night light or the light from the baby monitor can be enough to prevent deep, restful sleep. Dim the house lights after dinner and install effective blackout blinds to get the bedroom truly dark.

A black twin-sized flat sheet can be folded in half and tacked around a window in a pinch.

Start Sunny Side Up

Practice the Pacifier Pediatrics magazine reports that nearly 70 percent of parents give pacifiers to their newborns. Many of these parents are getting up at night to replug their baby’s lost binky. The sooner baby learns to manage a pacifier, the better everyone sleeps.

Incorporate “paci practice” into tummy time and playtime.

Naps are important to babies and young children – they promote healthy nighttime rest, and new research from Emory University shows that they help babies learn and retain new information. But napping all day means less sleep at night. Naps of an hour or two are long enough to be restorative without robbing nighttime sleep.

Get Baby Moving Moving all day can help your baby sleep all night. A body in motion is one that’s primed for sleep, because exercise helps children fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. So let your little one move. Aim for at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous activity. Toddlers and young children need to walk and run; babies need lots of time on their tummies and backs to wiggle, stretch, and work their muscles.

Jacobson is author of Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks or Tirades (Amazon Digital Services, 2013).

24

Atlanta Baby

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WellStar

Pediatric Center The WellStar Pediatric Center offers a wide range of high-quality, child-centered services with convenient hours for busy parents.

Our specially trained pediatric experts – including radiology, anesthesia, pediatricians, subspecialists, technologists, physical therapists, a supportive child life specialist and other caring team members – are dedicated to your child’s well-being.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 770-956-STAR (7827).

1180 Barrett Parkway | Kennesaw | wellstar.org/forchildren

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Atlanta Baby

25

Oh, Baby, Let’s Have Fun!

New parents searching for something fun to do with their babies don’t have to look far. We’ve gathered a list of the best parent and me classes in metro Atlanta from playgroups to swim classes. ✽ Move to Music

✽ Explore the Arts

The Music Class: Children and parents sing, dance, move and learn to play instruments in classes throughout metro Atlanta. Infant classes, for ages 0-10 months, focus on singing and musical fun. themusicclass.com

Alliance Theatre: Theatre for the Very Young targets children ages 18 months to 5 years, offering a live performance, plus dance, music, movement and storytelling. alliancetheatre.org

The Learning Groove: Several locations in metro Atlanta offer music and movement classes for infants to age 4. thelearninggroove.com

High Museum of Art: Toddlers and young children can discover art with the museum’s programs for families. On Toddler Thursdays explore the High’s collection through letters, colors, numbers and shapes. high.org

The Music Class

Kindermusik: Children up to age 7 have fun and learn with music and movement. The Village and Cuddle & Bounce classes are for newborns to age 12 months. kindermusik.com Alliance Theatre

✽ Step Outside Atlanta Botanical Gardens: Take a sensory exploration of the changing seasons, colors and textures of the Garden with an interactive walking tour, Stroller Struts for ages 1-2. atlantabg.org Zoo Atlanta: Learn all about animal babies with specialized programs and meet an animal ambassador. Stroller Cubs, for ages 0-2. zooatlanta.org Atlanta Botanical Gardens

26

Atlanta Baby

✽ Get in to Swim Aqua Tots: Learn holding and safety techniques while your baby adjusts to the water. Tadpole lessons for ages 4-12 months. aqua-tots.com DynamoSwim: Enjoy songs and games while getting acclimated to the water. Floating skills, safety techniques and submersion movements are taught. DynaBabies offers three different classes for ages 6-36 months. dynamoswimschool.com YMCA: Aquatic safety, water orientation and a positive aquatic experience. Games, songs and basic aquatic movements are introduced at this level. Parent + Tot swim lessons for ages 6 months-36 months. ymcaatlanta.org/swim-lessons atlantaparent.com

FACT:

Moving lip and tongue muscles helps babies master pre-speech vocalizations.

Gymboree

✽ Time to Play Gymboree: Gymboree Play & Learn, for ages 0 to 5, has two classes for babies – one for ages 0-6 months that explores the senses and another for ages 6-10 months to build strength using slides, ramps and climbers. gymboreeclasses.com Hippo Hopp: A separate bouncy house filled with balls, a big jungle-themed inflatable, oversized foam blocks, play houses, toys of all sorts on a soft foam mat and baby bouncers are available in the toddler only area for ages 3 and younger.

Plus a nursing nook. hippohopp.com Catch Air: Enjoy an indoor jump location with a separate large toddler play area for ages 3 and younger including swings, crawl area, slides and more. catchairparty.com The Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Fun activities for infants and their older siblings at a museum that specializes in creative and educational activities.

Reopening after renovations in late 2015. childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Other toddler programs to explore

Infants – Private Kindergarten & After School

PRIMROSE WAY:

We encourage the blowing of raspberries.

CALL FOR A TOUR. 39 Atlanta Metro-Area Schools 1.800.PRIMROSE | PrimroseSchools.com/Atlanta Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and The Leader in Early Education and CareSM are registered trademarks and service marks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2015 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail.

✽ Mice Tours.

Marietta Museum of History. marietta.com/museum-mice-tours

The Atlanta Parent Family of Publications

✽ Turtle Tours.

Heritage Sandy Springs Museum. heritagesandysprings.org

✽ Mommy and Me Preschool Program. Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. southernmuseum.org

✽ Toddler Fridays. The Hudgens Center for the Arts. thehudgens.org

✽ Magic Mondays. Atlanta History

atlanta

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K BIG BOO of Parties

BABY FROM ATLANTA

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Atlanta

Atlanta Pare nt Magazine ’s

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July 2015 / atlantaparent.com

PARENT MAGAZINE

Oh, Baby, Let’s Have Fun Advice for New Moms

Delivery Decisions Nesting 101

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Help is on the

way: Our Baby

Resource Guide

ys Start Here!

Great Birthda st tion Checkli l A Celebra l

es Party Resourc

Summer Just Got a Lot Cooler

The e at Ultimation Educ ide Gu

Nearby Sandy Shores Fountains and Spray Parks Backyard Water Fun Like Us on FACEBOOK

Center. atlantahistorycenter.com

✽ Second Thursday

Preschool Program.

Southeastern Railroad Museum. southeasternrailwaymuseum.org

Call 770-454-7599 for advertising information www.atlantaparent.com

– Hayley Markowitz atlantaparent.com

Atlanta Baby

27

Steppin’ Out

in Style

Atlanta Baby’s top picks for baby.

✽ That’s My Pacifier!

Parents with multiples will love MAM’s personalized pacifiers with each baby’s name, and the pacifiers are great for babies in childcare, too. $19.95-$29.99. mambaby.com

✽ Onesies with Pizzazz ✽ Ready for a Debut Take baby home in the perfect outfit. Skip Hop’s Modern Baby Basics 4-Piece Welcome Home Baby Set includes onesie, cap, sweater and pants. $35. skiphop.com

Hanna Andersson’s Crossover One Piece in Organic Cotton combines comfort and style for baby. It stretches for diapers and springs back into shape when washed. A cap, pants and socks to match make a cute outfit. $15. hannaandersson.com

✽ Whimsical Leggings

✽ A Perfect Fit Livie & Luca is known for selling beautifully crafted baby shoes that softly cushion baby’s feet. New designs for fall include Pio Pio with a bird appliqué and Mary Jane style and a brogue-style shoe from Flint with ornamental stitching, in neutral shades of toffee and navy leather. $39. livieandluca.com

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Atlanta Baby

Fun and colorful, these leggings are headturners with designs that include a fox, airplane and ship anchor for boys and strawberries, butterflies and unicorns for girls. $24.99. doodlepants.com

atlantaparent.com

✽ Chewbeads ✽ Travel Bib and Spoon

This clever solution from B.box lets babies grab a bite in the back seat, without wearing breakfast or lunch on their clothes. When baby finishes eating, just fold the bib into the zippered pouch until it can be laundered. $17.95. bbox.com

10 Finds $25 or Less

Teething Toy

Attach this soft and flexible, 100 percent silicone teething toy to a stroller or carseat and your curious baby will touch, tug or chew on it – a great way to distract when Mom is driving or shopping. $15. chewbeads.com

by Laura Powell

✽ Evenflo

✽ S’well

These dishwasher-safe tempered glass feeding bottles feature a Proflow Integrated Venting Nipple design that directs air bubbles into the bottle, not baby’s stomach, to help reduce gas and fussiness. 8-ounce three-pack, $10.99. evenflofeeding.com

What’s not to like about these reusable, insulated stainless-steel bottles that keep cold beverages cold for 24 hours, and hot ones hot for 12 hours. $25 9 oz. bottle. s’wellbottle.com

Bottles

Classic Glass + Vented Bottles

✽ Meiya & Alvin Toys Soft and adorable – just like your baby – the Meiya & Alvin Collection of plush toys use soft textile and natural rubber for huggable friends made of allnatural products; the toys also are sold in recycled packaging. $16.99-39.99. greatpretenders.ca

Specializing in the Detection and Treatment of Pediatric Digestive Disorders

Now enrolling children from 8 weeks to 9 years.

At International Montessori Academy our programs promote independence, initiative, confidence, responsibility, strong academics, self-discipline, leadership, and a lifetime love of learning.

International Montessori Academy Offers: •AMI Accredited Teachers •Multi-Age Classrooms in Peaceful, Respectful, Montessori Prepared Environments •Year-Round School for Infant & Toddler Communities •Multi-Cultural, Multi-Language, Montessori Learning Atmosphere •Lower Elementary •Extended Day Option and Summer Program •Group Violin offered to children 5 years and older •After school programs: ballet, gymnastics, yoga & more!

International Montessori Academy 1240 Euclid Avenue • Atlanta, GA 30307 Phone: 404.474.6375 website: www.internationalmontessoriacademy.org email: info@internationalmontessoriacademy.org Instagram: ima_candler • Twitter: IMA_Candler Facebook: /internationalmontessoriacademy.IMA

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Atlanta Baby

Expert GI Care for Your Children At Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, our Board Certified pediatric gastroenterologists care for infants, children,‘tweens, and teens with any type of digestive or liver condition, including: • Abdominal Pain • Lactose Intolerance • Celiac Disease • Colic • Eosinophilic Esophagitis • Crohn’s Disease

• Acid Reflux • Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Constipation/Diarrhea • Hepatitis/Liver Disease • Feeding Difficulties • Ulcerative Colitis

5445 Meridian Mark Road NE Suite 490 Conveniently Located Near Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite

Now Seeing Patients in Alpharetta

Dr. Tejas R. Mehta

Dr. Nirav R. Patel

3300 Old Milton Parkway Suite 225

For appointments: 404.843.6320 www.atlantagastro.com/pediatrics AGA is a participating provider for Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia.

atlantaparent.com

✽ Dreft Stain

Remover Pen Take the stubborn out of “stubborn stains” with the new Dreft Portable Pretreater Pen. It treats stains caused by formula, spit-up and food and is safe for colorfast fabrics.

0.7-ounce pen, $3.99. drefthome.com

✽ Milkin’ Cookies These tasty cookies, developed by two doctors who grew tired of fenugreek when they were nursing their infants, are nutritious and boost a woman’s breast milk supply. Available in cranberry almond oatmeal, oatmeal chocolate chip, dairy free cranberry almond oatmeal or a variety pack; 14-day supply, $21.99. milkin-cookies.com

✽ Lucy Darling Stickers

Expectingly Expecting Class • Newborn’s First Visit Open Monday - Saturday

Call to schedule your appointment today!

Get your infant photo-ready with a whimsical sticker that proclaims a milestone such as age (1 month to 12 months) or “my first smile.” The Tutti-Fruitti monthy stickers, for instance, use colorful fruit images; just stick one on an outfit to announce your baby’s age to friends or to snap a photo. 12 stickers, $15.99. lucydarling.com

✽ JJ Cole Changing Clutch Who would guess this sleekly-designed “clutch” from JJ Cole unfolds into a large 19x28-inch pad for a portable diaper-changing area? Clutch has a place for wipes and multiple diapers. $19.95. jjcolecollections.com

✽ Skinfix Hair & Body Wash

Babies have delicate skin, and some have skin that is supersensitive, dry or eczema-prone.

Skinfix Gentle Hair & Body Wash soothes those ailments and it’s free of steroids, fragrance, nut ingredients, sulfates, parabens and phthalates. $19.99.

Skinfixinc.com

atlantaparent.com

Atlanta Baby

31

Baby Resource Guide Whether you need child care, a diaper service, a pediatrician or other services, you’ll find it here.

A Sign From Above

asignfromaboveinc.com The premier supplier of elaborate baby signs, birth announcements and stork signs in Atlanta and all of North Georgia available for 7 day rentals. 678-215-6721.

Arbor Montessori School

arbormontessori.org Toddler program, starting at 18 months, includes dance, singing, stories, reading, playtime, art, gardening and toilet training.

2998 LaVista Rd., Decatur. 404-321-9304.

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates

atlantagastro.com/pediatrics Specializes in the detection and treatment of pediatric digestive orders including colic and feeding difficulties. Two convenient locations: Sandy Springs (near Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) and Alpharetta (in the Pediatric Center). 404-843-6320.

The Chastain School

thechastainschool.com Preschool & child development center providing the highest quality of early childhood education to develop, love and teach children.

Meeting the childcare needs of working parents in the Buckhead, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs neighborhoods. 404-851-0001.

Decatur Yoga and Pilates

decaturyogaandpilates.com Begin bonding with your baby in our prenatal yoga classes and childbirth preparation workshops. Then explore the world with your newborn in our postpartum Mom and Baby series. 404-377-4899.

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Emory Child Study Center

psychology.emory.edu/childstudycenter The center invites families to participate in game-like studies about how children think and learn. 404-727-7432.

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Georgetown Pediatrics

georgetownpediatrics.com Dedicated to fostering the health, development and well-being of your child! Georgetown Pediatrics delivers on this promise by administering the highest quality of care to every patient, from birth to the age of 21. Alpharetta, Cumming, Dunwoody, Johns Creek.

Georgia Birth Network

gabirthnetwork.com Free directory of birth professionals, including Doulas, midwives, educators, photographers, lactation consultants, chiropractors and more. Free monthly events. info@gabirthnetwork.com

Georgia Cotton Commission

georgiacottoncommission.org Serving Georgia’s cotton farmers since 1965. Funding programs of research, promotion and education.

Gwinnett Physicians Group OB/Gyn

gwinnettphysiciansgroupobgyn.com Board certified physicians and certified nurse midwives have more than 120 years of combined experience. Admitting privileges with Gwinnett Medical Center, Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion and the Outpatient Center at GMCDuluth. 1942 Atkinson Rd., Ste. 100, Lawrenceville. 678-775-0600.

atlantaparent.com

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Holy Spirit Preparatory School

holyspiritprep.org Programs for students age 6 months-4 years old in an independent school. Mother’s Morning Out program for toddlers age 6-23 months; and preschool classes for students age 2-4, including half day, full day, and extended day programs until 6:00 p.m.

678-761-7992.

International Montessori Academy

internationalmontessoriacademy.org Programs promote independence, initiative, confidence, responsibility, leadership and a love of learning in a Montessori environment for children ages 8 weeks-9 years. 404-474-6375.

Kids R Kids Atlanta

Quality Care for Children The Music Class

themusicclass.com/atlanta Rob Sayer’s fun filled classes of singing, dancing, movement and instrument play.

Parents learn how to enrich their child’s music environment, increase music potential and understand music development. Ages birth-6 years. Over 150 classes offered metro-wide.

Buckhead, Kirkwood, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Toco Hills, Cumming, Woodstock, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, East Cobb, Smyrna, Suwanee. 770-645-5578.

North Atlanta Doulas

northatlantadoulas.com Providing nonjudgmental prenatal, labor and postpartum support as well as placenta encapsulation services. 404-465-3391.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center

nghs.com Rated Georgia’s #1 Hospital for overall care, Heart, Surgery and Women’s Care.

770-219-9000.

Northside Hospital

kidsrkidsatlanta.com The first step to higher education.

6 weeks to 12 years with exclusive curriculum. Enroll Now!

northside.com A trusted and comprehensive resource for all your maternity need. 404-845-5555.

Marcus Autism Center

nurseandnurture.com The premier newborn night nurse provider in the South. 404-835-7580.

marcus.org/research Marcus Autism Center aims to maximize the potential of children with autism today and transform the nature of autism for future generations through research. To participate in a study call 404-785-7607 or go online for more information.

Nurse and Nurture

Pisgah Preschool

experiencepisgah.org A premier preschool in Johns Creek offering full and half day options with small classes where children explore, interact, develop and discover. Ages 6 weeks and up. 678-336-3443.

McGinnis Woods Country Day School

PrepareFirst Baby Proofing

mcginniswoods.org Small, nurturing learning environment where students matter most. Ages 6 weeks-8th grade. NAEYC, GAC and SACS Accredited. 5380 Faircroft Drive, Alpharetta. 770-664-7764.

preparefirst.com From newborns to older children, PrepareFirst helps parents achieve their safety goals thoughtfully, attractively and with minimal expense.

678-888-0600.

MJCCA Preschools

Primrose

atlantajcc.org/preschool The MJCCA offers two top-quality, NAEYC-accredited Jewish preschools, The Weinstein School (Dunwoody) and The Sunshine School (East Cobb). 678812-3833.

primroseschools.com/Atlanta An accredited, private preschool providing premier educational child care experience.

6 weeks-Private Kindergarten and After School. 800-774-6767.

Monkey Butt Cloth Diaper Service

princetonlakespeds.com Walk-ins accepted. Offering quality care for newborns, kids and teens.

2953 N. Cobb Pkwy. Ste. 16/17, Kennesaw 30152. 678-483-6880; 3885 Princeton Lakes Way, Ste. 302, Atlanta 30331. 404-629-1880.

monkeybuttdiapers.com Pickup, laundry and delivery of sanitized bundles of cloth diapers to your doorstep weekly. In-home demonstrations available. 678-336-9494.

atlantaparent.com

allgakids.org Find childcare or Summer camps at allgakids.org or call 877-(AllGAKids).

Sandy Springs Pediatrics

sspediatrics.com Find a pediatrician you can trust for your child from birth through college graduation.

Healthcare with a personal touch. Located in the Northside Professional Center. After hours calls handled by the physicians until 11 p.m. Schedule an appointment today.

404-252-4611.

Stepping Stone Montessori

steppingstonemontessori.com Stepping Stone Montessori School supports natural and optimal development, honors each child, and builds a foundation for life.

Sugar Hill, 770-614-4310; Cumming, 770-205-0317.

WellStar Health System

wellstar.org Please call 770-956-STAR (7827) for maternity tour information, class registration or physician referral.

Zoo Atlanta Stroller and Adventure Cubs

zooatlanta.org Monthly programs designed exclusively for babies, toddlers and their favorite grownups.

This hands-on program allows you to go on a Zoo tour, explore and play at interactive learning stations, and meet an animal ambassador up-close. To book your program call 404-624-WILD or go online.

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Princeton Lakes Pediatrics

Atlanta Baby

33

What’s in a Name?

For Baby, A Lot

The names of babies born in Georgia closely track the nationwide list, but with a few surprises. The top 10 names for babies born in Georgia:

In six years, you’ll be seeing more Noahs and Emmas in first-grade classrooms. The top baby names of 2014 in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration:

✽ ✽ Boys:

Noah Liam Mason Jacob William

Ethan Michael Alexander James Daniel

Girls:

Emma Olivia Sophia Isabella Ava

Mia Emily Abigail Madison Charlotte

Names that Fit a Boy or Girl

When the baby announcement introduces Rory, don’t be quick to assume the couple had a boy, as you might have a few years ago. More parents are choosing gender-neutral baby names and Rory is among the trending monikers, according to a 2015 survey of 185,000 baby names by BabyCenter.com.

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Atlanta Baby

Boys:

Girls:

William

Olivia

Mason

Ava

Noah

Emma

James

Madison

Jacob

Isabella

Elijah

Sophia

Aiden

Abigail

Liam

Elizabeth

Jackson

Emily

Michael

Chloe

✽ Top gender-neutral names:

Amari Karter Phoenix Quinn Reese

River Rory Rowan Sawyer Taylor

atlantaparent.com

More than 50 family-friendly activities Back for our 12th year, it’s Atlanta’s favorite family festival!

Toddler Play Zone

Join the fun October 10th, Mercer University Atlanta Campus.

Images By N’Neka and Butler Family Photography

Exhibit, Volunteer, Donate Contact Jordan for more information: 678-222-1911 JLisvosky@atlantaparent.com

www.atlantaparent.com/familyfestival