Atlanta Baby_2022

KINDERGARTEN HERE WE COME

We challenge you to read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten. It is a great start to your child’s learning adventure.

STORYTIMES

Build early literacy skills like letter recognition, rhyming, counting, colors and shapes.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

Teaches motor skills, coordination, rhyming, vocabulary, and spatial awareness.

LETTER CAMPS

Explore a different letter every week. Help your child learn print awareness, sharing, taking turns, and motor skills.

dream a little dream...

From the moment you walk in our doors, it’s apparent that The Women’s Center at Southern Regional and our Level III NICU were created with you and your baby’s comfort in mind. Our dedicated team partners with you and your doctor to provide a caring, safe, and comforting environment to welcome your little one.

It’s true that the best pre-natal care is critical to you and your baby. If you do not already have an OB/Gyn, you can find a highly-qualified, caring doctor who delivers at Southern Regional.

Just For You Women’s

Robinette King

Cycle

The Women’

OB/GYN

atlanta

Guide for New and Expectant Parents

6 / Baby Hacks for New Parents

a parent doesn’t

with

can help

16 / Where Will You Have Your Baby?

22 / Baby Products for the 21st Century

18 / I Don’t Want to Share My Baby!

8 / Show off Those Photos!

14 / 10 Questions to Ask an OB/GYN

Mom-Approved Doctors:

30+ Great Baby Hacks for New Parents

by Emily Webb

Being a parent doesn’t come with a manual! Check out these tips and tricks for making the early days with your little one easier.

Catch Some Z’s

l Get onesies with zippers – no buttons, advises Adam Duvall of the Atlanta Braves. This’ll save you the pain of trying to line up snaps in the dark in the middle of the night.

l Babies are fully relaxed when they are sleeping (or feeding), making it a great time to cut their nails without them squirming.

l For baby boys: “If your little boy isn’t staying dry throughout the night, and you see wetness on their tummy, flip the diaper,” suggests Kimberly Stroh, writer for Savvy Mama Lifestyle. “Putting the diaper on backwards helps that area stay dry, because the diaper placement is higher.”

Laundry Hacks

l Save yourself the hassle of extra laundry by getting a simple changing pad that can easily be wiped down. The Bumbo Changing Pad is easy to wipe down and doesn’t require any covers.

l Wash a few of your baby’s next size clothing items, so they’re ready for use when your baby starts growing. Pack them in a separate drawer or use drawer dividers to keep them organized.

Before Baby Is Born

l Make a lot of freezer meals, so there’s one less thing for you to worry about when baby arrives.

l Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Organize a meal train where family members and friends bring you meals on certain days as you heal, and your family adjusts to your new addition.

l Get rewarded. “Take a look at your local grocery stores, big box stores and online retailers to see if they offer a baby rewards program,” suggests Siobhán Alvarez, blogger at Mimosas & Motherhood. “For example, Target will give you an additional discount off diapers, and Amazon offers a large Subscribe & Save program that can be combined with their Baby Registry Diaper Discount to help you save even more.”

l Get stains out fast with the OxiClean Baby Stain Remover, which easily removes dried-on formula and baby food, juice spills or diaper stains. For a DIY solution, try dabbing white vinegar on the stain, or soak items in a combination of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap.

l Interested in using cloth diapers to reduce waste? Dry the wet diapers in the sun for natural whitening. Spray lemon water on them while they’re still wet to increase whitening.

l If your dryer is turning off before baby’s clothes are dry, the load might be too light for the dryer to recognize. Speed up the cycle by adding a clean dry towel to the dryer, which will help to absorb excess

Out and About

l “When you’ve got a newborn baby, your diaper bag can get really heavy,” Stroh says. “Instead of storing everything inside your diaper bag, convert your car’s trunk space to a changing area. Use a small diaper caddy to keep the extra things you need. Diapers, wipes and travel-sized cream are smart to have on-the-go. It’ll save your diaper bag from being too heavy, and many moms appreciate their trunk space over a public changing table.”

l Lighten your load. “I keep a multicolor retractable pen in my diaper bag instead of a whole bunch of crayons or colored pencils,” says Amritha A. Joseph, the blogger behind In Transit. “It has all the colors, makes no mess in the bag, it’s less stuff to carry and keep track of, and since it’s a pen, even mom or dad can use it when they need something to write with on-the-go.”

l Keep an extra onesie or outfit for baby in your diaper bag or car, but also pack a change of clothes for you in case of an accident.

l A stroller hook will hold your diaper bag or shopping bag when you’re out about. Or get your steps in around the neighborhood on a walk with your dog by clipping the leash to the hook.

l Restock your diaper bag when you get home or before you go to bed, so you won’t have to stock items at the last minute before you need to leave.

l Plastic condiment cups will make pacifiers and other smaller items easy to find inside your bag.

Keep Baby Healthy

Diaper Duty

l If you live in a multi-level home, keep a small babychanging station or bin with a changing pad, diapers, wipes and creams on each floor, so you don’t have to go upstairs or downstairs every time you need to change a diaper.

l “Those first few weeks of changing diapers is such a learning curve. You do get faster and much more proficient the more diapers you change,” says Laura Hunter, the co-founder of Moms On Call. “With newborns, they have such a startle reflex, and they do not like being without clothes! Unsnap the onesie, pull it up over their arms and snap it over one of the shoulders. This keeps those hands from flinging about and keeps them feeling nice and warm. As they get older, giving them a toy that only comes out while on the changing table may also help.”

l Buy wipes in bulk to keep them stashed all over the house and in your car.

l

“If you’re struggling to administer liquid medication to your baby, try using a nipple that’s not attached to a bottle,” Stroh says. “Place the measured medicine amount in the nipple. Start your feeding and let them relax. Switch out from your breast or bottle to the nipple with medication. They’re into the rhythm of sucking, and usually take of all the medication instead.”

l Use a makeup brush or mini spatula to place diaper cream to avoid getting the stuff on your hands. Bumco’s Baby Bum Brush was created for this purpose, if you’d prefer to buy the silicone brush.

Bonding with Baby

l Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley suggests creating a routine for your baby as soon as possible and reading to the baby as much as you can. Babies respond to noises and familiar voices from birth, and they’ll start responding to words in the first year of life!

l Wear your baby around with a baby wrap. It’ll promote bonding and keep your hands free, so you can do chores while taking care of your baby. It can be tempting to catch up on household chores while your baby is asleep, but try to sleep when baby sleeps.

l Practice tummy time with your baby on your chest.

Around the House

l Set up a Pack ‘n Play in a room you frequent or in a room where you need your hands, like the kitchen, so you have an area to put baby.

l Buy a bouncy seat or lounger for the bathroom for baby while you brush your teeth or wash your hands. And, use it early on, so your baby doesn’t grow accustomed to being held all the time.

l

Repurpose a hanging or over-the-door shoe organizer to keep items for baby –swaddles, burp cloths, blankets.

l “Have all your items you need in the bathroom within arm’s reach. The three-tier cart on wheels is wonderful for this,” says Hunter. “Place a large, warm washcloth over the arms and chest to keep them warm during bath time.”

Time to Feed

l Invest in a good water bottle to ensure you have enough liquids on hand to keep you hydrated if you’re breastfeeding.

l Set up a serving tray that’s within reach with remotes, water or snacks for long nursing sessions.

“Once you’ve introduced solids, place 2-3 pieces of 2-3 food groups on the tray at a time. Too much food can overwhelm them. Keep it to very small portions,” Hunter says. “Have two long-handled spoons available and load the spoon with a bite. Let them grab that one, and while they chew on that one, you can load the second spoon, and swap them out.”

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Show Off Those Photos!

by Laura Powell

The birth of a new baby gives parents the opportunity to capture every moment, from the hospital to the first bath, first smile and more. With digital technology, your photo collection can grow quickly into the thousands.

Not so many years ago, parents had to go to the store to get their precious photos printed, and then place them into albums, frames and boxes. Parents today have more options.

A fun way to capture your photos from the first year is a memory book, but which service to choose? Before your baby is born, think about how you want to capture your baby’s growth. Many parents pose their infant with a favorite stuffed animal, which provides scale as the baby grows. A laundry basket is also a fun prop to use. One good idea is to use stickers with the month on them,

or write the date on a chalkboard or card to include in the shot. Check out Sticky Bellies on amazon.com. Etsy. com has many choices as well.

After the first year, you can pick the best pictures from the past 12 months and organize them into a book to treasure. Almost every major retailer, from CVS to Walmart, offers custom books. Warehouse clubs also offer this service but require a membership.

Online photo book services usually offer more creative options and tend to produce higher-quality results. Here are three companies to try. Depending on size, pricing starts at around $25$35 for hardcover, with lower priced options for softcover. Register to receive coupons and special offers, including shipping discounts.

Tips for for a Great Photo Book

n Fewer photos per page is better; aim for two or three images per page.

n Fewer embellishments can make a page more attractive. It’s easy to get carried away with fun tags and quotes, but too many can be distracting.

n Try to change pre-set quotes to ones you know and like. Change theme blurbs to match your own child’s personality.

n Be aware of the orientation of people and faces in relation to the spine of the book. Some pictures may look better on one side or the other.

n Multiple-picture layouts look better on the left; onepicture layouts look better on the right.

Snapfish

Snapfish is straightforward to use, and uploading photos is easy. It does not offer quite as many preset baby layouts, but you can modify one of their blank templates to your desired theme. You can also change the order of the pages, or delete pages you don’t like. Snapfish is not as customizable as the other two programs; it is more about making simple, easy photo books.

n Size Ranges: 5" x 7" to 11" x 14"

n What You’ll Spend: 8" x 8" photo book with 20 pages; hardcover/$29.99-$59.99; softcover/$19.99-$21.98; additional pages, $2.49-$2.99. Shipping, $8.99 and up. snapfish.com

Beyond the Baby Book

Too many photos languish unseen in a computer or smartphone. If making a photo book isn’t for you, try these ideas:

MixBook

MixBook is the most customizable program for someone without a design background. The service has a great variety of layouts and themes that you can edit and customize how you want. You can change border colors, edit stock text from the theme and add text to fit your child’s personality, and add stickers and embellishments like quotes, badges and flowers.

n Size Rages: 6" x 6" to 11" x 14"

n What You’ll Spend: 8.5" x 8.5" photo book with 20 pages; hardcover/$34.99-$59.99; softcover, $19.99; additional pages, $1.39-$2.19. Shipping, $6.99+. mixbook.com

Printique

Printique is known for its highquality photo books. Choose from baby-specific templates or one of the classic templates; each has modern, clean lines and can be customized with your choice of colors, borders, text and stickers. The design process is fairly straightforward and you can choose from wide range of cover finishes, paper options and more.

n Size Ranges: 4" x 4" to 12" x 12"

n What You’ll Spend: 8" x 8" photo book with 20 pages; hardcover/ $54.99+; softcover/ $31.99+; additional 2 pages, $2.70-$2.99. Shipping, $7.58+. printique.com

More Photo Book Sites to Explore

n Shutterfly; shutterfly.com

n Pinhole Press; pinholepress.com

n Google; photos.google.com

n Amazon; amazon.com

1 2 3 4 5

Digital Slideshow

After a family trip or event, use photo-editing software to make a slideshow to play for the family or during a party. Many let you add music or special effects.

Share Online

Share photos by creating your own website or blog, or use a cloud-based platform such as Shutterfly, Google Photos or FamilyAlbum. It’s easy to upload photos from your phone or computer (or set up for autoupload). Your photos are not visible to the public, and you can choose who to share your images with. Some offer a set amount of storage space, with additional storage available for a fee.

Make Presents

Create a one-of-a-kind calendar featuring family photo; put your kids’ faces on a mug, keychain, puzzle, greeting card or tote bag. Try Shutterfly, Target Photo or Amazon.

Scrapbook Without Glue

Digital scrapbooking sites let you pop your digital photos into scrapbook pages, then print them out, store them online, email to friends, or post them on Facebook. For an easy program, try Smilebox.

Fridge Magnets

Find pictures of complete figures and carefully cut around them. Place the cutout photo on the backing paper of an adhesive magnet sheet; trace around it with a permanent marker and cut out around the outline. Peel off the backing and press the photo onto the sticky side of the magnet sheet.

Robinette King, MD

Dr. Robinette King is dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care to women at every stage of their lives. As the lead physician at Life Cycle Obstetrics and Gynecology at Southern Regional, she prides herself on spending time with each patient ensuring that she and her team develops a personalized partnership focused on each patients’ healthcare journey. For Dr. King and staff, it’s all about comfort, confidence, and communication with every patient.

Dr. King received her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, where she also completed her Residency and an Internship in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She also completed a Fellowship in Clinical and Translational Research in Healthcare for Community Providers at Morehouse School of Medicine/Institute for Healthcare Improvement. She earned her undergraduate degree from Albany State University, Albany, Georgia. BoardCertified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, she is a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Life Cycle Obstetrics and Gynecology at Southern Regional is committed personalized high-quality women’s health care. The practice, located just off Southern Regional Medical Center’s campus in Building 29, was formerly Life Cycle OB/GYN of Riverdale and East Point which has served the communities of the southern crescent of metro Atlanta since 2001. The diverse and dedicated team is honored to continue to provide all aspects of women’s health for all women in the community.

The Best Care for You and Your Baby

Bringing a baby into the world is one of life’s great joys. At Southern Regional, they work with you and your Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/Gyn) to provide a caring and comforting environment to welcome your baby.

Whether you’re having a high-risk pregnancy or planning for natural childbirth, Southern Regional will provide the best possible care for you and your baby. They offer a full range of services and state-of-the-art technology – from comfortable labor and delivery suites to their Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for newborns who need special care.

Let Southern Regional be your hospital of choice when you are expecting.

Life Cycle OB/GYN

Riverdale

Life Cycle Obstetrics and Gynecology

Southern Regional

OB/GYNS

Anderson, Keisa, MD

North Atlanta Ob/Gyn, Atlanta, Marietta and Alpharetta

Aspuru, E.J., MD

Northside/Northpoint OB-GYN, Atlanta and Alpharetta

Barratt, Peter J., MD

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, Atlanta

Bassil, Christopher E., MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology of Atlanta, four metro Atlanta locations

Bowen, Genesis, MD

Gynecology & Obstetrics of DeKalb, Decatur and Stone Mountain

Bryant, Zuri H., MD

Piedmont Women’s Heathcare, Atlanta

Bukkapatnam, Jayasri, MD

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, Atlanta

Collins, Betsy M., MD

Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta

Curtis, Elisabeth, MD

Piedmont Physicians Obstetrics and Gynecology, Newnan

Dabney, Andrea, MD

Emory at Kirkwood Obstetrics & Gynecology, Atlanta

Davis-Williams, Camille, MD

Greater Atlanta Women’s Healthcare, Atlanta

DuBose, Tracy Bland, MD

Kaiser Permanente Cumberland Medical Center, Atlanta

Eaccarino, Mary E., MD

Roswell OB/GYN, four metro Atlanta locations

Eaton, Lakisha, MD

Greater Atlanta Women’s Healthcare, Atlanta

Espinosa, Lauren R., MD

Piedmont OB-GYN, Atlanta

Evors, Laura Jane, MD

Piedmont Physicians Obstetrics and Gynecology, Newnan

Fairbrother, Genevieve L., MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology of Atlanta, four metro Atlanta locations

Fapohunda, Tope, MD

Every Woman’s ObGyn, Stockbridge

Fisch, Jacqui, MD

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, Atlanta

Frederick, Hughan, MD

Nile Women’s Health Care, Roswell and Suwanee

Garrett, Veronica E., MD

New Beginnings Comprehensive Women’s Healthcare, Conyers and Lithonia

Ghandi, Peahen, MD

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Guthrie, Deanna E., MD

Peachtree City Obstetrics & Gynecology, PC, Peachtree City and Newnan

Haley, James, MD

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Harmon, Sheena, MD

Peachtree Women’s Specialists, three Atlanta locations

Harrison, Sabrina, MD

Sovereign Women’s Healthcare, Roswell

Holloway, Keri, MD

Peachtree Women’s Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology, five metro Atlanta locations

Honoré, Marin M., MD Women’s Health Associates Group, Atlanta

Howard, H. Kit, MD

Peachtree Women’s Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology, five metro Atlanta locations

Hsiao, Clement C., MD

Alliance Ob/Gyn, Sandy Springs and Alpharetta

Ibezue, Ijeoma, MD

Greater Atlanta Women’s Healthcare, Atlanta Johns, Charity, MD

Peachtree Women’s Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology, five metro Atlanta locations

Khan, Kathleen S., MD

Piedmont Women’s Healthcare, Atlanta

Kim, Annie, MD

Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta, PC, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Cumming

King, Robinette, MD

Life Cycle OB/GYN at Southern Regional Medical Center, Riverdale

Lankford, Whitney, MD

Greater Atlanta Women’s Healthcare, Atlanta

Litrel, Michael, MD

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Long, Parker, DO

Northeast Georgia Physicians Group OB/GYN, Gainesville

McLeod, Lisa, DO

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Mekonnen, Sitra, MD

North Atlanta Ob/Gyn, Atlanta, Marietta and Alpharetta

Mmbaga, Natu, MD

Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta, PC, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Cumming

Morgigno, Laura, MD

Maternal Gynerations, Lawrenceville

Nix, Angela, MD

Roswell OB/GYN, four metro Atlanta locations

Phillips, Pushpa Liseli, MD

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Phillips, Joe, MD

Wellstar Kennestone OB/GYN, Marietta

Price, Lisa, MD

Dunwoody OBGYN, Dunwoody

Prosper, Rachel, MD

Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta, PC, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Cumming

Atlanta Parent asked readers to recommend obstetricians and midwives they trust for excellent medical care.

Reyes, Ingrid, MD

Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta, PC, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Cumming

Reyes, John, MD

Modern Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Atlanta, PC, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Cumming

Scott-Miller, Yvonne, MD

Dr. Yvonne Scott-Miller, Snellville

Sermons, Alvin, MD

Dunwoody OBGYN, Dunwoody

Singh, Archana, MD

Women’s Health Specialists, Stockbridge

Smith-Winfield, Christina Marie, MD

Emory Women’s Center at Decatur, Decatur

Soufi, Winifred Lin, MD

Women’s Health Associates Group, Atlanta

Stafford, Jade, MD

Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta

Sun, Phoebe, MD

Women’s Health Associates Group, Atlanta

Tackitt II, Bobby, MD

OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, Marietta and Woodstock

Terrill, Crystal, DO

Longstreet Clinic, Gainesville

Turner, Heather S., MD

Southern Crescent Women’s Healthcare, Fayetteville and Newnan

Walters, Jacqueline, MD

Comprehensive Women’s OB/GYN, Dunwoody and Duluth

Woods, Kalinda, MD

Emory Gynecology and Obstetrics, Atlanta

Wootten, Charles D., MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology of Atlanta, four metro Atlanta locations

Zertuche, Adrienne D., MD

Piedmont Women’s Healthcare, Atlanta

Zhukova, Mariya, MD

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

MIDWIVES

Battaglia, Taylor, CNM

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Carr, Margery McMichael, CNM Women’s Medical Center, Tyrone

Cleveland, Kwajalein, CNM Gifted Hands Midwifery, Loganville

Denney, Rachelle, CNM

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Fischels, Susan, CNM

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC, Woodstock and Canton

Harrison-Wyatt, Kia, CNM

Atlanta Gynecology & Obstetrics, Decatur and Lilburn

Ware, Bethany, CNM

Wellstar Northwest Women’s Care, Marietta

Whitworth, Natalie, CNM

Obstetrics and Gynecology of Atlanta, four metro Atlanta locations

Zimmerman, Amanda, CNM Wellstar Northwest Women’s Care, Marietta

FERTILITY SPECIALISTS

Hipp, Heather, MD

Emory Reproductive Center, Atlanta

Spencer, Jessica, MD Emory Reproductive Center, Atlanta

Brahma, Pavna, MD

Shady Grove Fertility, Atlanta

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates

Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates has been serving Atlanta for over 50 years. The practice’s mission is to improve the individual quality of life for the women under its care, supporting patients’ needs throughout each stage of life with adolescent gynecology, birth control counseling, prenatal care and delivery, and menopause management.

Dr. Bataille graduated from New York University in 2000 with a degree in Anthropology and Biology. Following graduation he received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to do scientific research at Columbia University for three year. He then went on to receive his medical degree from the Morehouse School of Medicine in 2007, where he also completed his Pediatric residency in 2010, training at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals/facilities. During his residency Dr. Bataille became well acquainted with the staff and patients at Intown Pediatrics, and in July of 2010 he officially joined the practice. . He is committed to IPAM’s mission of partnering with families to foster the healthy growth and development of Atlanta’s children.

The experienced team at AOG understands the unique health needs of women and specializes in diagnosing and treating common gynecological problems such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, urinary incontinence, infertility and pelvic pain. The practice also performs procedures to diagnose and treat various health concerns and conditions, including colposcopy, hysteroscopy, ultrasounds and minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Bataille strives to be an easily approachable, communicative Pediatrician dedicated to providing comprehensive and informative care of the whole patient. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association.

AOG congratulates Dr. Peter Barratt, Dr. Jayasri Bukkapatnam and Dr. Jacqui Fisch on their nominations as mom-approved doctors. For highly skilled patient care from a team of experienced OB/GYNs, call Atlanta Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates or book an appointment online today.

Visit IntownPediatrics.com today and learn more about their entire team and all they can offer your family as they develop a “provider-parent” partnership with you

Buckhead

275 Collier Rd., Suite 100-C, Atlanta 404-237-6887 Brookhaven 3925 Peachtree Rd., Suite 240, Atlanta 404-448-2843 atlobgyn.com

Keisa Anderson, MD; Sitra Mekonnen, MD

North Atlanta Ob/Gyn congratulates Dr. Keisa Anderson and Dr. Sitra Mekonnen on being selected as Atlanta Mom-Approved Doctors! It is no secret that these two physicians create a comfortable, supportive, and individualized environment for every patient, every time.

Dr. Keisa Anderson is an Atlanta-native who has been providing personalized care for nearly 20 years. She attended Medical College of Georgia then completed her residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C. Dr. Anderson finds all aspects of women’s health rewarding. Her passion lies in helping women find their optimal health through education, nutrition, and more customized treatments like hormone optimization through Biote and laser rejuvenation with MonaLisa Touch.

Dr. Sitra Mekonnen joined North Atlanta Ob/Gyn after completing her residency training at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Florida. She strives to create a nurturing experience for each of her patients. She is particularly skilled in obstetrics – including high-risk, contraceptive management, and minimally-invasive, robotic surgery. Dr. Mekonnen is grateful to be an integral part of so many women’s life milestones.

Drs. Anderson and Mekonnen are part of a team of eight providers at North Atlanta Ob/Gyn who provide the most current, highest quality of care to patients of all ages. With three convenient metro Atlanta locations, you are sure to find the right care for all of you

Atlanta/Sandy Springs: 5780 P’tree-Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta, 30342. 404-255-0621

East Cobb/Marietta: 1523 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta 30062. 770-977-3513

Alpharetta/Avalon: 3905 Brookside Pkwy., Alpharetta 30022. 770-752-0824 naobgyn.com

Tope Fapohunda, MD

Dr. Tope Fapohunda is the CEO and co-founder of Every Woman’s ObGyn, LLC. Board certified and a fellow in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Dr. Tope” has been treating patients for almost 20 years.

Dr. Tope and her team provide the highest-quality care for women, from adolescence through menopause. The practice specializes in low- and high-risk pregnancies, abnormal bleeding and NovaSure ablation, fibroid therapy, abnormal pap smears and weight loss management.

Every Woman’s ObGyn is currently welcoming new patients. Call today for an appointment at their Stockbridge office.

115 North Park Trail Suite 119 Stockbridge 30281 678-881-0020 everywomansob.com

PARENT’S

10 Questions to Ask

an OB/GYN

The relationship between a family-to-be and an obstetrician is a special one.

When it’s time to find an OB/GYN, a good place to start is recommendations from friends and family, or other doctors your family uses. The physician also should be certified in obstetrics by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (abog.org).

Then you’ll need to check whether the doctor is part of your current health insurance plan, research the doctor’s credentials and office hours and factor in convenience, such as how far the doctor’s office is from your home or whether the doctor practices in the hospital you prefer for delivery.

Here’s what to ask the doctor or office staff:

n How long have you been practicing obstetrics and how many births have you attended? How many do you typically attend in a month?

n How can I get in touch with you if I have a concern? Are some questions handled by email or a nurse practitioner?

n If the doctor is in solo practice, who covers when the doctor is not available? If the doctor is in group practice, what percentage of his patients does he deliver each month? How often will my prenatal appointments be handled by other doctors in the practice?

n What will be covered during prenatal visits and how much time do you allow for a visit?

n What is your philosophy on pregnancy care, labor and birth? Which prenatal tests do you routinely recommend? Does your practice include midwives?

n Will your practice make every effort to follow my written birth plan, unless there is an emergency?

n Does your practice or hospital policy limit who can be in the room with me during labor and birth?

n During labor, do you encourage natural child birth? What do your recommend for pain relief?

n If an emergency C-section is needed, who will perform it? Is an anesthesiologist available if there is an emergency? What percentage of your patients have C-sections or complications during delivery that require surgery?

n Will my baby be in the room with me throughout my hospital stay?

(And 5 to Ask Yourself)

After the visit, ask yourself:

n Was the office clean and professional?

n Was the staff efficient and attentive? How long did you wait to see the doctor?

n Does the doctor share your philosophy about prenatal care and childbirth?

n Did the doctor really listen to your concerns or did the interview feel hurried?

n Is there anything about the doctor or the medical practice that makes you uncomfortable?

5 Great Apps for New Moms

Navigating life with a new baby can be a challenge! There are many apps that can make life a little bit easier. Here are the top apps for new moms, and they’re all free, so download an app – or three!

n Ink Cards

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play

One thing you can always use more of as a new parent is time. How about downloading an app that lets you transform what you’re doing anyway (like taking lots of pictures of your baby) into something you know you really should be doing (like sending greeting cards to family and friends)? Ink Cards makes it easy to turn pictures of your baby into high-quality print greeting cards, whether you need to send out thank-you notes, holiday greetings or cards for any other occasion.

n Smiling Mind

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play

As a new parent, one of the things you’ll crave the most is a few quiet moments to just relax, and Smiling Mind offers just that. This app has hundreds of guided meditations that help you tune everything out and focus on your breathing while visualizing calming images. The cool thing about this app is that it also has meditations for kids age 7 and up, as well as mediations that parents can do together with their kids.

n Universal Baby Monitor

Available at: Google Play

Peace of mind depends not only on your baby getting a good night’s sleep, but also on whether everything is ok when you’re not there in the nursery. Universal Baby Monitor lets you check on your baby while she’s sleeping, and it alerts you if your baby moves or wakes up.

n WebMD Baby

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play No app in the world can substitute for a real-life visit to your baby’s pediatrician, but between visits, you may want to consult WebMD Baby. The app has lots of physician-reviewed information for new parents. You can look up medical conditions and treatments, get information on vaccines, and find contact information for local hospitals, physicians and pharmacies.

Read All About It

by Emily Webb

These books will help you think through the aspects of parenting with pregnancy wisdom and tips after bringing baby home.

n The Gentle Sleep Book: Gentle, No-Tears, Sleep Solutions for Parents of Newborns to Five-Year-Olds by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

This book offers gentle, effective prescriptions for addressing the common sleep challenges encountered by new parents. The first five years of a child’s life can be filled with concerns and challenges about sleep, and with suggestions for each developmental stage, readers will learn how to create a consistent bedtime routine, use comfort objects, assign naps and more. Available at amazon.com for $16.99.

n The Bottom Line for Baby: From Sleep Training to Screens, Thumb Sucking to Tummy Time – What the Science Says by Tina Payne Bryson

No need to Google! This book covers every babyand toddler-care decision a parent might struggle with, including breastfeeding, food allergies, pacifier use and more for help during the first year of life. Using reliable research and sifting through old wives’ tales, Bryson has information and answers to more than 60 common concerns and dilemmas. If the information is inconclusive, she helps you think through how to apply it to fit your family. Available at penguinrandomhouse.com for $17.

by Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

n Winnie

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play Sometimes what you crave more than anything else is to connect with other new parents and get their advice on what to do in certain situations. When you get that urge, download Winnie. Known as “Yelp for parents,” the app lets you interact with a large network of other parents to ask questions. It also has a large directory of baby-friendly restaurants, parks and shopping centers.

n Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality by Laura A. Jana and Jennifer Shu

The fourth edition of this guide for new parents offers advice from two pediatricianmoms. With tips on feeding, dressing, diapering, bathing and more, you’ll be prepared to do the best by your baby.

Serving as a reference guide for the first year, updated sections include postpartum depression, breastfeeding, insurance benefits, SIDS and car seats, along with the latest AAP guidelines. Available at publications.app.org for $16.95.

n Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong – and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster

Fully revised and updated for 2021, this book helps answer the questions pregnant moms have, such as why coffee is forbidden. Using data, Oster shows the reasons behind the accepted rules of pregnancy, as well as why some of them are wrong by debunking myths and explaining the available information. Available at penguinrandomhouse.com for $18.

Where Will You Have Your Baby?

Before baby is born, there is a long checklist of things to do! One of your first decisions as a parent is where to deliver your infant. The metro Atlanta area has many different healthcare and hospital options, so you can discover the best fit for your family. This list includes the major metro-area hospitals to help you learn more about their services, birthing rooms, birth rates and more. Check websites for more information, including how to schedule a maternity tour.

HOSPITALS

Emory Healthcare

emoryhealthcare.org

Emory Healthcare offers comprehensive, high-quality maternity services at three locations, including certified breastfeeding specialists, childbirth classes, overnight accommodations, oncall baby photography and more. The Johns Creek and Decatur hospitals have Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units, and the Midtown location features a Special Care Nursery.

n Emory University Hospital Midtown

Births per month: 485

Private maternity beds: 51-P Birthing rooms: 18 LDR

n Emory Decatur Hospital

Births per month: 260

Private maternity beds: 52-P Birthing rooms: 18 LDR/LDRP

n Emory Johns Creek Hospital

Births per month: 115-130

Private maternity beds: 11-P Birthing rooms: 12 LDR/LDRP

Grady Memorial Hospital gradyhealth.org

Special programs at Grady’s Women’s Health Center include Centering Pregnancy, a prenatal program that creates support groups of women whose babies are due on similar schedules; Baby Friendly, which encourages breastfeeding; and Talk With Me Baby, a program encouraging mothers and caregivers to spend time talking to newborns. Grady’s Perinatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Unite serves more than 40 counties in North Georgia.

Births per month: 200

Private maternity beds: 26-PP Birthing rooms: 12 LDR

Northeast Georgia Health System

nghs.com

Northeast Georgia Medical Center specializes in Mother/Baby Care, allowing moms to actively participate in caring for your newborn during the hospital visit with special time to bond. They use the CUDDLES infant security system, a soft, selfadjusting band that attaches to the infant’s ankle for assured rest. The Gainesville location includes a new Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

n Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton

Births per month: 105

Private maternity beds: 20-P Birthing rooms: 10 LDR

n Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville

Births per month: 293

Private maternity beds: 30-P Birthing rooms: 18 LDR

Only 5% of babies are born on their due date.

On average, May babies are the heaviest.

Northside Hospital

northside.com

Northside Hospital offers in-person maternity classes, as well as self-paced online courses with an interactive Q&A session with an experienced nurse. Northside offers multiple high-risk maternity services with their Center for Perinatal Medicine, High-Risk Perinatal Unit, Maternal Heart Health Clinic, Special Care Nursery, Gestational Diabetes, H.E.A.R.T.strings Perinatal Palliative Care Program and Miracle Babies programs.

n Northside Hospital Atlanta

Births per month: 1,347

Private maternity beds: 200-P Birthing rooms: 42 LDR

n Northside Hospital Cherokee

Births per month: 224

Private maternity beds: 24-P Birthing rooms: 8 LDR

n Northside Hospital Forsyth

Births per month: 337

Private maternity beds: 40-P Birthing rooms: 12 LDR

n Northside Hospital Gwinnett

Births per month: 413

Private maternity beds: 37-P Birthing rooms: 19 LDR

Piedmont Healthcare piedmont.org

Piedmont Healthcare has helped welcome more than 100,000 babies in the last century. They offer a variety of classes, including childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, baby care and more. Piedmont Healthcare has also launched the first neonatal nutritional program in Georgia allowing breastfeeding moms to help premature infants by donating their excess breast milk. The Athens, Atlanta, Fayette, Henry, Newnan and Rockdale locations have a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Piedmont Newton has a Level II Special Care Nursery.

n Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

Births per month: 200-250

Private maternity beds: 29-P Birthing rooms: 13 LDR

n Piedmont Eastside Medical Center

Births per month: 110-135

Private maternity beds: 24-P Birthing rooms: 13 LDR

n Piedmont Fayette Hospital

Births per month: 215

Private maternity beds: 24-P with 12 overflow Birthing rooms: 12 LDR

n Piedmont Henry Hospital

Births per month: 159

Private maternity beds: 18-P Birthing rooms: 12 LDR

n Piedmont Newnan Hospital

Births per month: 150

Private maternity beds: 18-P Birthing rooms: 6 LDR/LDRP

n Piedmont Rockdale Hospital

Births per month: 140-160

Private maternity beds: 19-P Birthing rooms: 16 LDR

Southern Regional Medical Center

southernregional.org

Southern Regional Medical Center will work with you and your OB/Gyn to welcome your baby, or you can find a highly qualified doctor at Southern Regional. The Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is led by a board-certified neonatologist and is available 24 hours-a-day.

Births per month: 170

Private maternity beds: 40-P Birthing rooms: 14 LDR/LDRP

Wellstar Health System

wellstar.org

Each year, 10,000 babies are born at Wellstar hospitals. The Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center offers water birth. The Atlanta, Cobb, Kennestone, North Fulton and Spalding locations feature a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the West Georgia Medical Center has a Special Care Nursery for babies born prematurely.

n Wellstar Kennestone Hospital

Births per month: 465

Private maternity beds: 69-P Birthing rooms: 20 LDR/LDRP

n Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center

Births per month: 165

Private maternity beds: 30-P Birthing rooms: 13 LDR/LDRP

n Wellstar Cobb Hospital

Births per month: 230

Private maternity beds: 38-P Birthing rooms: 20 LDR/LDRP

n Wellstar Douglas Hospital

Births per month: 55

Private maternity beds: 10-P Birthing rooms: 10 LDR/LDRP

n Wellstar North Fulton Hospital

Births per month: 105

Private maternity beds: 20-P Birthing rooms: 6 LDR/LDRP

n Wellstar Spalding Regional Hospital

Births per month: 85

Private maternity beds: 21-P Birthing rooms: 4 LDR/LDRP

n Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Births per month: 60

Private maternity beds: 15-P Birthing rooms: 10 LDR/LDRP

BIRTH CENTER

Atlanta Birth Center

atlantabirthcenter.org

The Atlanta Birth Center provides a holistic program with comprehensive midwifery care, childbirth services and free women’s support groups. Birth services include labor, birth and postpartum care in a birth suite, hydrotherapy, immediate skin-to-skin care and more, and other services include family planning, pap smears, anxiety and more.

Active labor usually lasts about 4-8 hours. A baby’s brain doubles in first year of life.

Only 1 in 10 mothers’ water breaks before labor begins.

Understanding the challenges and benefits of postpartum support systems

Amritha Alladi Joseph

I Don’t Want to Share My Baby

by Amritha Alladi Joseph

Before I became a mother, I figured that the sanctity of mother-baby bonding that followed was not only well known but well-respected across cultures and generations. I looked forward to scooping up my baby, cuddling her and absorbing the new responsibilities of motherhood – on my own.

How brusquely I was lurched into reality that day three years ago when I realized just how much I would have to fend for alone time with my little one.

I had just delivered my first baby, Sahana, and was blissfully numb from the waist down thanks to an epidural that had worked gloriously well. Now, I was soaking up every peach-fuzz-covered inch of her.

She slept, undisturbed in the hospital’s bassinet, so soundly that as a naïve first-time parent, I let her snooze through feeding times. Apart from glaring hospital lighting and a sensation gradually returning to my lower body, this pristine bubble that surrounded us was my nirvana.

And then, the bubble popped.

For the next 24 to 48 hours, nurses and technicians alternated in what seemed like visits every 30 minutes: first to check on baby’s vitals, next to poke and prod at me to ensure I was recovering; sometimes they whisked my little one away for additional testing and observation. They were healthcare workers, so I let them do their jobs.

But then our families descended, gushing loudly, eager to snatch my newborn from my arms and jolting her awake. By this point I was barking – perhaps from the combined whiplash of postpartum hormones, a fading anesthetic and my own frustration with nursing setbacks. Either way, I wanted privacy and time to bond with my baby without interference or unsolicited advice. Call me possessive, but I wasn’t ready to play hot potato just yet.

Eventually, we all made it home together, and my family’s presence proved to be an immense help for which I am grateful: they offered words of encouragement for my nursing journey, cooked meals (including lactogenic foods), watched over Sahana so I could take some time for personal care.

Yet for the few days and weeks that followed the birth, I retreated early in the evenings to my bedroom with Sahana, under the guise of postpartum exhaustion and attempted nursing, to create some space.

From my perspective, this was prime time with my daughter, moments I would not get back. Was it unreasonable or selfish of me to want uninterrupted snuggles and space to navigate the new groove of parenthood with my husband independently?

Understand that bonding is a biological need

Apparently not, according to Tijana Sefic Eby, a pediatric and family chiropractor and birth and postpartum doula. There is a physiological rationale for giving new mothers space to bond with their newborns.

“The time spent together during the initial postpartum period is necessary for both mom and baby. This is how both of them regulate their bodily functions,” she says. “For babies, skin-toskin contact helps regulate body temperature and breathing; and for moms, skin-to-skin contact helps promote and regulate the breast milk production and feeding patterns, as well as reducing the stress hormones.”

To my relief, it’s also not uncommon for moms to feel overwhelmed or territorial during this time.

Luisa Martinez of Sandy Springs also felt inundated –and guilty of her reaction in hindsight – by the immediate presence of family at the time of her son’s birth. The popping of champagne bottles and toasts that took place upon the birth of her son made her feel frustrated as she felt exhausted after delivery.

“I felt like they were invading my privacy,” she says. “I wouldn’t let my son leave my sight.”

Today, she, too, acknowledges that the outpouring of jubilation and love was “a beautiful gesture,” but at the time, she couldn’t help feeling like the rest of her family was being insensitive. The revelry only continued through the holidays, as she got home from the hospital on Christmas Day and her family threw a New Year’s Eve bash without consulting her first.

How to Establish an Effective Support System

n Prior to the due date, clearly decide with your partner the environment you want for your newborn, but be ready to anticipate changes if needed (When will you allow visitors? If so, who?).

n Let your social circle, including potential caregivers, know your boundaries (immunizations/health checks required before handling baby, use of pacifier/bottle feeding, etc.).

n Inform loved ones of the type(s) of help you will need (watching the older kids, meal requests, errands, etc.).

n Be polite but firm in discussing your anticipated parenting approach, and request they respect it.

n Be honest about your bandwidth to sit and chat, as you will likely not have time to entertain guests.

n Generously cite your medical professional’s guidance to justify your approach.

Marta Himmelreich

She felt alone, despite being surrounded by the merriment of her husband’s family, who had helped deep clean the house and had shown up in full form.

“I was so embarrassed because his family was doing everything to make this experience easy. I regret not embracing the excitement and accepting them with open arms,” Martinez says.

Make the support system work for you

Perhaps embracing support – in some forms – isn’t a bad idea as a mother is still recovering, according to Eby. The “fourth trimester,” the 90 days following the birth, is just as tender as the first three for moms, who should prioritize rest in the early postpartum period, she says. Having a support system to help the with cooking, chores or even bolstering mom’s mood with conversation around topics other than the baby can be a significant benefit at this time.

“Most moms don’t need the support with the baby. They need help around the house,” she says. “None of the moms want to give their baby up.” (Phew, so it wasn’t just me!)

Such non-intrusive help came as a blessing for East Cobb resident Marta Himmelreich, who feels lucky to have had her in-laws fly in from Texas to help when her son was born in February 2020. As an immigrant, Himmelreich was not able to rely on the support of her own family, who live in Poland and were reluctant to travel. However, her in-laws were able to assist with grocery shopping, house cleaning, cooking and dog walking.

“It was so amazing. I was so happy to have them there,” Himmelreich says. Her in-laws stayed for one week to help the couple get adjusted to the new demands of parenthood. After that, Himmelreich and her husband were able to settle into the new routine on their own, but it was not without challenges. Once her in-laws left and her husband resumed work, Himmelreich found it hard to find a window of time for herself. There were days she’d end up in tears for not having even 20 minutes to take a shower in peace.

Now, as she and her husband plan for their second child, Himmelreich is confident in the community of friends –including other moms – that she has built in Atlanta to make the experience less lonely the second time around. “It’s important to have the right people around you who know the boundaries and went through the experience, so they know what you might need and also what you might not want to see, hear or do,” she says.

“It’s important to have the right people around you who know the boundaries and went through the experience, so they know what you might need and also what you might not want to see, hear or do.”

– Marta Himmelreich

Set expectations, limit exposure

Selecting and screening visitors is especially important from a medical perspective, too, especially for the baby’s development, according to pediatrician Dr. Shayna Smith of Flourish Pediatrics.

Even prior to the pandemic, the first month of life has always been considered a crucial period for keeping the baby’s contact with others minimal, as there is always a risk of infection while the infant’s immunity is starting to build up.

She advises parents to enforce frequent hand washing by visitors. If prospective visitors have been sick, have had a runny nose or have been exposed to any kind of virus recently, have them visit after a month.

“In the first couple weeks, the baby is going to sleep. Having a lot of family doesn’t help,” Smith says. “If people are upset or question what the parents say, put it on the doctor. I know exactly what the risks are.”

That’s precisely what I did the second time around. Since my son was born during the pandemic, hospital restrictions prohibited visitors, and there was only a skeletal hospital staff who were preoccupied with more urgent cases.

I basked in the solitude. For those quiet hours in the hospital with my son, our bubble remained our own.

How Friends and Family Can Actually Help

n Respect the new parents’ wishes, regardless of how you feel about them. Withhold judgment.

n Focus on uplifting mom. Give her the opportunity to talk about what she’s going through or talk about something that has nothing to do with babies. Remind her of how she is an individual with interests of her own.

n Offer (and follow through) to help with the baby’s laundry, do the dishes or household chores. Bring over a nutritious meal, or offer to spend time with the other children/pets in the house.

n Ask and listen for specific needs, rather than your perception of the family’s needs.

n Do not expect new parents to entertain you if you visit. Be mindful of their time.

Please

BABY PRODUCTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Use these high-tech gadgets to make parenting easier.

by Emily Webb

n Somebody’s Watching You

The Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor with Wall Mount Kit allows you to keep track of your baby’s breathing and sleeping in real-time. Monitoring technology allows you to track breathing and understand sleeping habits contact-free, week-by-week on the app. With the two-way microphone, you can hear if your baby starts to cry and talk back immediately to start soothing them. It also plays original sleep sounds and lullabies to lull baby easily. Available at mikucare.com for $399.

n Baby Tracking

Talli makes keeping track of everything easier. Using buttons with icons, you can log bottle feeding, solid food, diapers, sleep, nursing, pumping and more to track data related to taking care of your infant. The small device connects to your Wi-Fi and sends the event to the corresponding app, so you can see everything in one place. The device makes it easier for multiple caretakers to log information. This company is also an Atlanta startup! Available at talli.me for $99.99.

n Sit in Style

The CYBEX Sirona S 360 Rotational Convertible Car Seat with SensorSafe is the perfect car seat for baby. It can grow with your child since it’s safe for newborns through 65 lbs. The convertible car seat features a 360-degree rotatable seat for rear-facing or forward-facing positions, depending on your child’s age. The EasyLock bar makes for quick, simple and secure installation. Pair the SensorSafe 4-in-1 Safety Kit to your smartphone to be alerted in critical conditions, such as if car temperatures get too hot or cold or if the child unbuckles. Available in four colors at cybex-online.com for $549.95.

n Growing Like a Weed

Want to accurately measure your baby’s milestones and have this info handy when visiting the doctor? Check out the Hubble Grow + Smart Bluetooth Baby Scale. Download the HubbleClub app to track and graph weight, height and head and compare those measurements against World Health Organization percentiles, as well as tracking sleep, reading parenting tips and more. Available at hubbleconnected.com for $79.99.

n Beep, Beep

Get a backseat baby reminder with the Ride N Remind Car Alarm. Although this service must be professionally installed, the car alarm will be automatically activated upon the rear door opening and closing. Your car horn will alert you to check the back seat and can give you peace of mind when traveling with your child. The reminder system doesn’t require an app and can work for any number of passengers (or your pet). Available at ridenremind.com for $149.99.

According to Nameberry, the world’s largest website devoted to

names,

have a special place in

hearts for “A” names. In fact, the top five baby names Atlantans chose last year start with A: Adeline, Ava, Atticus, Ace and Ambrose.

cool Atlanta baby name fact: Elizabeth, Josephine, Lucy, Lochlan, Ace and Ambrose made the Top 10 List only in Atlanta. So, what other names made the cut?

BABIES Just Want to Have Fun!

New parents don’t have to look far to find fun things to do with their babies. We’ve gathered a list of our favorite classes, museums and spots to see animals.

Museums and Places to Explore

Alliance Theatre

Alliance’s Theatre for the Very Young Program features engaging, professional-level performances designed for kids ages 5 and younger. Atlanta, 404-733-4600. alliancetheatre.org

Atlanta Botanical Garden

A beautiful setting for strolling or playing, with kid-friendly exhibits and activities in the Children’s Garden. Programs for younger children include Garden Playtime and Garden Grooves. Atlanta, 404-876-5859. atlantabg.org

The High Museum of Art

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Center for Puppetry Arts

Puppet shows such as “Animal Amigos” and “The Dragon King” are fun takes on classic stories; visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum to see puppets and costumes from Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and more. Atlanta, 404-873-3391. puppet.org

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

This hands-on museum has plenty of places to explore and play. On Messy Thursdays, toddlers can finger paint, create, and learn about science. Atlanta, 404-659-5437. childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Fernbank Museum

The NatureQuest indoor play area immerses kids in science and nature; outdoor places to play include Fernbank Forest and WildWoods trails. Story Time for ages 1-6 is held on select days. Atlanta, 404-929-6300. fernbankmuseum.org

Georgia Aquarium

See sharks, whales, otters and hundreds of fish! Walk through an underwater tunnel, view aquatic life through a 25-foot glass window, watch the sea lion show, or touch rays in the petting area. Atlanta, 404-581-4000. georgiaaquarium.org

High Museum of Art Toddler Thursdays feature a weekly topic with art-making, activities and a tour for ages 3 and younger. Saturday Toddler Tours occur on the first Saturday of the month (museum members only). Atlanta, 404-733-4400. high.org

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Inc.

Toddlers will love flying in an airplane, shopping for groceries, playing dentist, making music, and exploring the dairy farm at this hands-on museum. Gainesville, 770-536-1900. inkfun.org

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

This fun LEGO playground has a special Duplo Village just for toddlers ages 2-5, with oversized bricks for stacking, building and sorting. There’s also a slide and oversized animal models. Atlanta, 404-848-9252. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/atlanta

Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

Explore the museum’s collection of sculptures and paintings; during Toddler Time sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, kids ages 1-5 can listen to a story and make a corresponding art project. Marietta, 770-528-1444. mariettacobbartmuseum.org

Southeastern Railway Museum

Explore locomotives, cabooses and more; admission includes a train ride. The monthly Second Thursday Preschool Program for ages 2-4 has crafts, stories and games. Duluth, 770-476-2013. train-museum.org

The Southern Museum

The museum’s education center has train-themed books and puzzles, a train simulator and animated videos. Mommy & Me, a program for ages 3-5, features a storytime, activities and art. Kennesaw, 770-427-2117. southernmuseum.org

Zoo Atlanta

Get up-close and personal with hundreds of animals, visit the petting zoo, ride the train and carousel. Adventure Cubs and Twilight Tots, for ages 5 and younger, encourage learning and exploration. Atlanta; 404-624-9453. zooatlanta.org

Fernbank Museum

The Georgia Aquarium

BABIES Just Want to Have Fun!

Animal Encounters

Alpaca Farms

Meet dozens of cuddly, friendly alpacas at L&R Alpaca Haven Farm, where each animal has a unique personality. Douglasville, 404-4084635. lralpaca.com. At Creekwater Alpaca Farm, you’ll also find bunnies, goats and sheep. Snellville, 877-465-5181. cwafarm.com

Autry Mill Nature Preserve

This 46-acre woodland has miles of trails, a visitor center with more than 30 animals and a historic mill. Preschool Adventures sessions for ages 3-6 include story time, hands-on activities and a craft. Johns Creek, 678-366-3511. autreymill.org

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Connect with nature, walk the trails and find activities for all ages. The Pee Wee Naturalist program for ages 3-4 encourages a love of nature and wildlife. Roswell, 770-992-2055. chattnaturecenter.org

Dunwoody Nature Center

Shaded trails and a toddler playground offer plenty of opportunities to play and explore. Sign up for Mommy and Me Nature Classes, with engaging activities for kids 18 months-3½ years. Dunwoody, 770-3943322. dunwoodynature.org

North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park

Take a guided wildlife walk and see kangaroos, lemurs, alligators, a giant tortoise and more. Young kids will love miniature farm animals at the petting zoo. Cleveland, 706-348-7279. northgeorgiazoo.com

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary

Bears, lemurs, turtles, goats and more – the paved trails at this scenic wildlife preserve make it a great place for strollers and young walkers. Lilburn, 678-395-3453. yellowriverwildlifesanctuary.com

Zoo Atlanta

Get up-close and personal with hundreds of animals, visit the petting zoo, ride the train and carousel. Adventure Cubs and Twilight Tots, for ages 5 and younger, encourage learning and exploration. Atlanta; 404-624-9453. zooatlanta.org

for Mini Lessons

While swim lessons for your baby may not be top of mind, getting your infant confident and comfortable in the water can start as early as 3 months. Research has shown that attending swim lessons with your baby helps deepen the parent-child bond.

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Places to Splash and Play

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Parent and Tot classes for 4-12 months help build confidence and teach initial skills, followed by classes for 1 year and older that build on learned skills. Multiple locations. aqua-tots.com

Big Blue Swim School

Baby Blue classes for ages 6 months-3 years focus on breath control, back floating and more. A flexible schedule and free trial lessons are added conveniences. Johns Creek, 770-308-8227. bigblueswimschool.com

British Swim School

The Tadpole class for ages 3 months-3 years acclimates children to the water, reducing fear. Parent-involved sessions include songs and water play. Multiple locations, 844-576-2796. britishswimschool.com

Dynamo Swim School

DynaBabies classes help babies 6 months-2 years become comfortable in the water. Preschool classes for ages 3-5 work on basic swim skills and water safety. Multiple locations. dynamoswimschool.com

Goldfish Swim School

Mini lessons for babies 4-35 months teach water safety in a fun environment. Four class levels fit every age and range of experience. Sandy Springs, 770-766-0237. goldfishswimschool.com

SafeSplash Swim School

Infant and toddler swim classes for ages 6 months-3 years teach confidence, safety and coordination through play. Small class sizes create a supportive group environment. Multiple locations. safesplash.com

SeaVentures

Free Baby Splash classes introduce ages 3-9 months to water safety skills. Classes for 10 months-6 years build on previously learned skills and help build confidence. Alpharetta, 770-992-3772. seaventures.com

Goldfish

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On The

BABIES Just Want to Have Fun!

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EMAIL

The Sound of Music

Bach to Rock

Designed for toddlers, the Rock n Roll class is a weekly high-energy music and movement class, with singing, instruments and group activities. Marietta, Alpharetta and Suwanee, 877-227-8558. b2rmusic.com

European School of Music and Chess

The Mommy and Me Learning Groove program for ages birth-4 years develops rhythm, pitch and fine motor skills through games, songs, dancing, stories and live music. Atlanta, 404-255-8382. euroschoolmusic.org

Kindermusik

LIKE us

Classes for infants-7 years include singing, instruments, movement and stories, helping to develop a love of music in a playful environment. In-person and virtual options are available. Multiple locations, 800-628-5687. kindermusik.com

The Learning Groove

Educational songs, stories and resources, created by author Eric Litwin and musician Michael Levine, are available for parents to stream online. thelearninggroove.com

The Music Class

Music Pups classes for ages 4 and younger are packed with singing, dancing, movement and instrument play; choose from indoor, outdoor or at-home classes. Multiple locations. themusicclass.com

Oodazu

During music classes for ages 18-36 months, toddlers use exercise, dance and stories to develop physical skills and movement – all while having fun. Atlanta, 404-565-0259. oodazu.com

The Music Class

Pastry Addict pastryaddict.com

Pastry Addict is the perfect combination of taste, style, and service. Cakes and desserts will be the show-stopping centerpiece of your event. Wow your party guests with a custom dessert! Call today. 404-500-9760.

BIRTHDAY PARTY PLANNER

Ms. Jennifer’s Music Birthday Party MusicBirthdayParty.com

Celebrate your baby’s special day with live music! Circle-dances and sing-alongs, our music birthday parties are perfect for 1-4 year olds and guests of all ages. 404-618-1475.

remember. Latina owned and Eco-Friendly. @Celebrar_Events. 770-715-6166.

Pretty Princess By JACI Kidz prettyprincesskidz.com

The BEST place to have a birthday party fit for a princess. Choose between a spa, dance, or art party. We can customize any birthday package. Pick a theme and leave the rest to us.

specialty entertainment at your location. Let us bring your Dream Event to life! Atlanta Based Since 2001.

Jason’s Music Party jasonsmusicparty.com

A Birthday Concert for Your Child. Interactive live kids music for all occasions. Performing classics and new favorites, percussion jams, singing, dancing and more. Options for every budget. Easy set-up, best for ages 1-8.

Zone of Light Studio

ZoneofLightStudio.com

Zone of Light is THE place for any kind of party, you tell us what you want – we’ll make it a party! Plus, we have the coolest Black Light room. Check us out – we put the ART in parties!

Topplin’ Tots

topplintots.com

Book your next event with Topplin’ Tots, Atlanta’s #1 Soft Play Rental Company. Specializing in soft play activities, ball pits and bounce castles for your toddler. Call Today! 470-851-7131.

Altitude Trampoline Park

altitudeeastcobb.com

Altitude Trampoline Park is the place for kids to freeplay! Parties are indoor adventures that will have guests bouncing, soaring, tumbling and battling their way to a one-of-kind experience. Call today! 770-693-7627.

KB Fun Zone

KBFunZone.com

Step foot into the KB Fun Zone. A mobile gaming truck party offering a top-of the-line gaming experience. Equipped with the latest and greatest video games. Book your party today! 404-916-0703.

Bucks Sports and Circus Barn

BucksSportBarn.com

We are located in Buckhead. With our private parties you get the entire facility. We have more than 300 costumes and 30 performers. Circus, Sports, Superheros, Princesses, Ninja Warrior and much, much more.

MOM-APPROVED PEDIATRICIANS

Parents are choosy when it comes to medical care for their children. Atlanta Parent asked readers – moms and dads like you –to nominate pediatricians they would recommend. We wanted to know what makes your child’s doctor special and you told us.

PEDIATRICIANS

Ali, Muhammad, MD

Eastside Pediatrics, Snellville

Avery, Rashida, MD

Intown Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PC, three metro Atlanta locations

Babao, Carmina, MD Dawson Pediatrics, Dawsonville and Cumming

Babcock, Laura, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Bataille, Fredly, MD

Intown Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PC, three metro Atlanta locations

Benaroch, Roy, MD

Pediatric Physicians, PC, Roswell and Alpharetta

Berenson, Gloria Ana, MD Dunwoody Pediatrics, Dunwoody and Alpharetta

Bhatia, Taz, MD

CentreSpringMD, Atlanta and Johns Creek

Bien, Elizabeth R., MD

Pediatric Physicians, PC, Roswell and Alpharetta

Billingsly, Tiffini, MD

Premier Pediatric Associates, Smyrna

Blackington, M. Rebecca, MD Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Bowman, Catherine B., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Bramwell, Anna, MD Piedmont Pediatrics, Atlanta

Burnham, Brian D., MD Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Burnham, Robert D., MD Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Butler-Rice, Angela, MD Amazing Pediatrics, Decatur

Cabrera, Greg, MD North Point Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Campbell, Jennifer, MD North Point Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Clements, Rebecca B., MD Preston Ridge Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Darby, Scott, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Davis, Jenna S., MD Valentine Pediatric Group, Decatur

Eaton, Melissa G., MD Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Faroqui, Mahnaz, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Fowlkes-Callins, Jennifer, MD Morehouse Healthcare, Atlanta

Franklin, Jennifer, MD CentreSpringMD, Atlanta and Johns Creek

Furr, Christine Y., MD

Children’s Medical Group, PC, Johns Creek

Gfroerer, Terrence, MD Dunwoody Pediatrics, Dunwoody and Alpharetta

Gillman, Rachel, DO

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Gropper Biggs, Jennie, MD Pediatric Physicians, PC, Roswell and Alpharetta

Guthrie, Bridgette D., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Hammid, Saad, MD

Greater Atlanta Pediatrics, Stone Mountain

Harbaugh, Norman C., MD

Children’s Medical Group, PC, Johns Creek

Hari, Meenakshi, MD Sun Pediatrics, Marietta, East Cobb and Alpharetta

Hassel McNeil, Stephanie, MD

Our Village Pediatrics, Canton

Herrmann, Carol, MD

Rainbow Kids Pediatrics, Decatur

Jackson, Jessika, MD

Premier Pediatric Associates, Smyrna

Jackson, Vanna, MD

Sandy Springs Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, PC, Atlanta

Jacobsen, Sara, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Johnson, Wes, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Johnson, Yolanda, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Jones, David, MD

Kaiser Permanente, Atlanta

Josephson, Douglas S., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Kanaan, Emily, MD

Oakhurst Pediatrics, Decatur

Kelly, Linda S., MD

Dunwoody Pediatrics, Dunwoody and Alpharetta

Klopman, Andrea F., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Kubagawa, Homare, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Landis, Evan N., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Lavania, Hiral, MD

One Family Pediatrics, Cumming

Levy, Laurie, MD

Briarvista Pediatrics, Atlanta

Long, Mark A., MD

Kennesaw Pediatrics, Kennesaw

Marcus, Tara L., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

McKinnon, Elizabeth A., MD

Preston Ridge Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Molock, Suzanne, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Muller-Dale, Stephanie, MD North Point Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Ologunja, Kola, MD Spectrum Pediatric Group, Kennesaw

Papciak, Michael R., MD, Preston Ridge Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Penny, Larue D., MD Preston Ridge Pediatrics, Johns Creek

Quisling, Yvette, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Ransom, Lindsey, MD

West Atlanta Pediatrics, Lithia Springs and Dallas

Roberts, Lisa, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Santorum, Jennifer E., MD Johns Creek Pediatrics, Johns Creek Sells, Deneta, H., MD Intown Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PC, three metro Atlanta locations

Shepard, Alejandro, MD Intown Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PC, three metro Atlanta locations

Shirazi, Kathy, MD Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Shore, Steven, MD Sandy Springs Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, PC, Atlanta

Shu, Jennifer, MD Children’s Medical Group, PC, Decatur

Silverman, Howard W., MD Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Smiley, Susan, MD Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Stebbins Stanton A., MD Pediatric Physicians, PC, Roswell and Alpharetta

Steele, Sharon, MD Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Stephansson, Reanne, MD Pediatric Physicians, PC, Roswell and Alpharetta

Stickney, George, MD Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Stolle, Ashley, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Szabo, Christa L., MD

Roswell Pediatric Center, PC, Alpharetta and Cumming

Thomson, R. David, MD

Hamilton Mill Pediatrics, Dacula

Verras, Athanasios, MD

Verras Pediatrics, PC, Tucker

Vigil, J. Vincent, MD

Children’s Medicine, PC, Lawrenceville and Suwanee

Washington, Keyana, MD

Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, four metro Atlanta locations

Wexler, Eve, MD

Briarvista Pediatrics, Atlanta

White, Crystal, MD

West Vinings Pediatric Group, Smyrna

Wilkov, Jane, MD

Dekalb Pediatrics, Decatur

Williams, Douglas, MD Georgetown Pediatrics, Cumming

Wilson, Danelle, MD North Point Pediatrics, Alpharetta

Winters-Smith, Lisa, MD Kennesaw Pediatrics, Kennesaw

Young, Earl, MD West Atlanta Pediatrics, Lithia Springs and Dallas

Youngblood, Elaine, MD Kids First Pediatric Group, LLC, Stockbridge

PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS

Mehta, Tejas, MD

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, Sandy Springs

Chacko, Thomas, MD

CHACKO Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, six metro Atlanta locations

Statham, Melissa, MD Atlanta Institute for ENT, Atlanta and Alpharetta

Moss, Cierra, MD

CHOA Developmental & Behavioral Clinic, Atlanta

Thomsen, James, MD

PENTA: Pediatric ENT of Atlanta, nine metro Atlanta locations