New York Family Baby Fall/Winter 2014

FALL 2013

The

ULTIMATE

STROLLER

GUIDE BEHIND THE SCENES WITH

PROJECT NURSERY Everybody’s

DOULA-ing It!

OUR LITTLEST

BLOGGER

Baby Elle Belle Tells All New Parent Directory COVERNYFB_1013.indd 1

A HEALTHY PREGNANCY Keep Calm And Labor On

11/26/13 2:27 PM

The family that sits together grows together.™ Not only does Tripp Trapp® grow with your child, it can be adjusted to custom fit your child’s body through its unique depth and height adjustable seat and foot plate. This enables comfortable and correct ergonomic seating for children of any age.

Visit www.stokke.com to learn more about our entire range of Tripp Trapp® colors.

facebook.com/StokkeNorthAmerica

STOKKE_1113NYFB_SPREAD.indd 1

twitter.com/Stokkebaby

11/25/13 5:25 PM

Taking you higher, bringing you closer.™

Stokke® Xplory®

No matter where you’re going, you want to stay as close to each other as possible. At Stokke we believe that early physical contact strengthens emotional ties. All important eye-contact creates a feeling of safety and increases the connection between parent and child. Visit www.stokke.com to find an authorized retailer.

Winter and Summer Kits (Sold separately) facebook.com/StokkeNorthAmerica

STOKKE_1113NYFB_SPREAD.indd 2

twitter.com/Stokkebaby

11/25/13 5:25 PM

contents

FALL 2013

pg.22 pg.42

pg.48

pg.11

pg.36 pg.34

6 | Events & Offers Get the scoop on the 2014 New York Baby Show and win $1,000 towards a giggle registry 9 | Strolling In The Deep Expert advice on buying a stroller 11 | The Wheel Deal The best strollers this season 18 | The Whole Nine Months Some easy under-the-radar tips for a happy and healthy pregnancy 22 | Do You Doula?

More and more women do. Here’s everything expectant parents need to know about hiring a doula.

26 | The Best Of Baby Elle Belle New York Family’s littlest blogger shares what the first year and a half of city life is like.

28 | To Birth And Beyond A survey of our favorite prenatal, post-natal, and childbirth education classes and support services around the city

2

34 | Best In Show Baby gear winners from the 2013 New York Baby Show this past spring 36 | Behind The Scenes At Project Nursery A Q&A with the founders of the online décor hub— plus, 12 trendy picks for a true-blue nursery look 40 | A Toddler Grows In Brooklyn New York Family Baby blogger Alex Richards puts a humorous spin on the misadventures of raising a toddler in NYC. 42 | Adoption 101 NYC mom and founder of helpusadopt.org Becky Fawcett shares her tips and insights on the complex process of adoption.

44 | The Ultimate Directory Your one-stop guide to NYC’s best maternity and baby resources 48 | Last Word Prenatal yoga guru Debra Flashenberg on keeping calm and laboring on for a more peaceful birthing experience Cover Photo by Karen Haberberg Photography

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

TOC_NYFB_1013.indd 2

11/26/13 2:31 PM

GYMBOREE_1113NYFB_HP.indd 1

11/25/13 3:58 PM

FALL 2013

Editor and co-publisher Eric Messinger emessinger@ manhattanmedia.com senior Editor Christine Wei cwei @ manhattanmedia.com associate Editor Mia Weber mweber@ manhattanmedia.com

Publisher John Hurley For Information On The Baby Show 212.268.3086, jhurley@ manhattanmedia.com Associate Publisher Mary Ann Oklesson maoklesson @ manhattanmedia.com Special Projects Director Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer@ manhattanmedia.com SALES ASSISTANT Erik Bliss ebliss@ manhattanmedia.com

Art Director George W. Widmer gwidmer@ manhattanmedia.com

Circulation Aaron Pollard apollard @ manhattanmedia.com Business Manager Shawn Scott sscott@ manhattanmedia.com

Contributing PhotographerS Heidi Green, Karen Haberberg, Michael Jurick, Andrew Schwartz

Accounts Manager Kathy Pollyea kpollyea @ manhattanmedia.com

Contributing Writers Jana Beauchamp, Leah Black, Stacey Gawronski, Alissa Katz, Nadia Ramlakhan, Alex Richards, Samantha Simon

New York Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of AVENUE magazine, Mitzvah magazine, and The Blackboard Awards.

4

Manhattan Media Chairman of the board Richard Burns Chief executive officer Joanne Harras Direcetor of digital Dennis Rodriguez

Š 2013 Manhattan Media, LLC | 72 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor New York, NY 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

MASTHEAD_NYFB_1013.indd 4

11/26/13 2:32 PM

Winter Baby MAGIC Classes begin January 6th Mommy and Me Baby Classes - 6 to 18 months Tiny Tumblers Piccolo Picassos Do-Re-Me! Call us today at 212.737.2989 or visit us at www.74magic.com

Follow us. on Twitter

74MAGIC_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

Join us on Facebook

Under the red canopy at 510 East 74th Street (off York Ave.) New York 212.737.2989 www.74magic.com

11/25/13 5:21 PM

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the fall/winter edition of New York Family Baby. This magazine began as a helpful supplement of recommendations and advice for parents who were attending the springtime New York Baby Show (more on that below), but we realized that we could greatly increase our efforts to nurture and support new parents throughout the year with a fall/winter publication between shows as well. It’s just one slice of the daily, weekly, and monthly ways in which we aim to be helpful and be a part of your special journey as new parents. For more, check out our New York Family Baby blog and newsletter at newyorkfamily.com.

Eric Messinger Editor, emessinger@manhattanmedia.com

events & offers Win $1,000 Toward A Registry At giggle!

Ali Wing, owner of giggle

2013 marks the 10th anniversary year of giggle, the boutique retailer known for everything nursery and baby and their special knack for curating highquality and delightful products. Both online and in person, giggle is a onestop shop for everything from cribs, strollers, and layettes to bedding, decor, and keepsakes. Along with our friends at Mommybites, we have a very exciting giveaway to offer readers: $1,000 toward giggle’s registry! To enter, visit newyorkfamily.com and click on the Contests & Giveaway link. Deadline to enter is Friday, January 31. Good luck!

The Next New York Baby Show The annual New York Baby Show is coming up the weekend after Mother’s Day in May 2014! The largest show in the Northeast for new and expectant parents (along with their infants and toddlers), the New York Baby Show presents hundreds of top products and services for maternity, baby, and toddler, along with an inspiring menu of speakers and demonstrations from highly regarded experts. And, of course, there are activities, games, and music for parents to enjoy with their little ones. This past year, more than 4,000 families attended the event.

The best way to learn about early ticket sales and discounts is to sign up for the New York Family Baby newsletter and email event manager Sara Gardner (sgardner@manhattanmedia.com) to join the 2014 ticket waitlist. For vendors who are interested in participating, contact publisher John Hurley (jhurley@manhattanmedia. com). newyorkbabyshow.com

6

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

EDNOTE_NYF_NYFB_1013.indd 6

11/26/13 2:36 PM

LESTERS_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

11/25/13 5:27 PM

Award-winning theater FOR LITTLE ONES!

FEBRUARY 12 - 23 Playing at the NEW 42ND STREET Studios

THIS [BABY] LIFE Sally Chance Dance from Adelaide, Australia

FOR AGES 4 to 18 MONTHS PHOTO: COURTESY OF ARTPLAY

Introduce your littlest one to the world of contemporary dance with this “thoughtfully devised, nurturing experience."

Dance Out There (Melbourne)

MAY 7 - 18

Playing at The Duke on 42nd Street BABY RAVE Young at Art from Belfast, Northern Ireland

FOR AGES 4 MONTHS TO 4 YEARS Bring your binky and your blankie and “rekindle those days of carefree frolics and night time dancing..." NetMums (London)

ART: TOM SLAUGHTER

THE NEW VICTORY THEATER ®

NewVictory.org • 646.223.3010

®

NEWVIC_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

W 42nd Street (just west of Broadway)

11/25/13 5:29 PM

Strolling

in the Deep The Most Important Things To Look For When Making Your Most Important Purchase For Baby

By Alissa Katz

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 9

STROLLERSTORY_NYFB_1013.indd 9

11/25/13 5:26 PM

There are a number of ways to get around the streets of the concrete jungle: by subway, by cab, by foot, by car, and, for the tiniest residents, by wheels. Stroller wheels, that is. For new parents, who themselves haven’t been pushed around in a stroller for several decades, this means getting educated about new features, brands, price points, and ultimately what model makes the most sense for their lifestyle and budget.

In fact, Jamie Grayson, the self-acclaimed “Baby Guy” and New York magazine’s best baby gear guru of 2010, says that choosing a stroller is like test driving a car.

“You really need to go in and play with them in the store,” he says. “I think a lot of people fall into the trap that, ‘Oh, my friend bought this one so that’s the one I’ll buy,’” he explains. “I think you really need to try them out, learn how they work, think about your living situation (walk-up or elevator), whether you can store the stroller downstairs or not, in and out of a car, or if you use a lot of public transit. All of those will really decide what stroller you’re going to buy.”

Natalie Diaz, city mother of twins, founder of Twiniversity, and author of the new book What To Do When You’re Having Two, goes a bit farther and suggests adding a load (as in a simulated baby load) to a stroller before the test drive.

“When any parent is trying out a stroller, load it up with weight with two or three cases of formula,” she says. “Any stroller will push beautifully when empty, but you have to see what it’s like when there are kids in it.”

The most important aspect of stroller buying is safety, of course, though fortunately it’s not a factor you really need worry about. For as Grayson points out, “Everything has a safety standard, or else it wouldn’t be on the market.”

Key features to keep in mind when shopping for a stroller, he says, are a reversible seat, big wheels, a cup holder (if not two), and a good size undercarriage basket—and for city moms in particular he recommends focusing on big wheels, foldability, and weight.

One issue that parents often wrestle with when putting together their stroller checklist is whether to buy with one or two kids in mind. For parents looking ahead, Grayson favors caution. “If you’re buying a stroller in the beginning with the idea that it converts into a double, you never know when or if you are going to have another child, and you don’t know what strollers will be on the market then,” he says. “I tell people just really shop for a stroller that fits their needs at that moment and cross the bridge of buying a double when you come to it.”

Leah Black, the editor of New York Family’s baby blog, is a mom of two who started her family

10

in Brooklyn and now lives in the ‘burbs of New Haven. She had to cross the double-stroller bridge when she recently had her second child.

“My son was almost 3 when we had a baby,” she says. “He can walk around, but it’s better to have a stroller trying to get to places quickly.”

Black went with what she thinks is the best option: a stroller complete with a bassinet and a toddler seat or board.

“This way, the big kids get to ride with their new sibling and they can choose to sit or stand up,” she says. “It’s narrow, so you can go into doorways easily. It’s important for a new mom to get out with the baby, but if you have a toddler, how do you do that? This [stroller] made it very easy.”

What about when parents are expecting two at once? Diaz says the very first thing to do is measure your living space to determine whether you’ll go with a tandem or double stroller.

“Measure your doorway, the elevator, the turning radius,” she says. “Believe it or not a lot of parents don’t do that, and then they can’t fit [their stroller] into their home.”

There’s not a right or wrong choice between the two, even though the double is usually three inches wider. Diaz emphasizes that once you put things on the side of your stroller, like bags or purses, the width is really about the same. A tandem may seem to fit easier down the aisles of most stores, but the width of a double stroller is usually the same width as a wheelchair, so as long as a business isn’t violating the American Disabilities Act for wheelchairs, you should be able to go with either choice.

Strollers—singles or doubles—can also make a nice dent in the wallet, too. They can range anywhere from $100 to over $1,000. So, why such a big range for the same apparatus?

“Higher-end strollers have more features, better materials and better upholstery and are better engineered,” Grayson says, indicating that the “better engineered” variety often take years to develop and bring to market, while in contrast “some companies put a list of what they want together and go to factories in China and market it as a stroller at a lower price point.”

To put it plainly, you get what you pay for.

But then again, most models satisfy the essential needs of getting a baby from here to there in reasonable comfort.

One more piece of good advice before you jump out of your seat and rush to nearest baby store: “Be very careful what reviews you read and watch, because the average consumer doesn’t know the difference between a consumer review or an ad, which is misleading,” Grayson explains.

“YouTube is a good source for reviews.”

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

STROLLERSTORY_NYFB_1013.indd 10

11/25/13 5:26 PM

the

Wheeeal

Dl

Check Out Our Comprehensive Guide To The Absolute Best Strollers For The Season

By Ginger McKnight Chavers and Stacey Gawronski

1

4

2

3

5

6 Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 11

STROLLERGUIDE_NYFB_1013.indd 11

11/25/13 4:28 PM

When it comes to that all-important piece of parenting equipment, the stroller, moms and dads now have more options to choose from than ever before. Whether you favor style, ease of storage, stability, or the savviest bells and whistles, there’s a stroller out there to suit every parent’s—and every baby’s—needs and lifestyle.

1. Bugaboo Buffalo For the outdoor-loving parents, the Bugaboo Buffalo is an all-terrain stroller that is a perfect companion on the trails or urban streets. Its high, wide seat, which holds up to 50 lbs, is complete with an extendable sun canopy to protect against various outdoor elements. With multiple luggage options, one-piece fold, and the world’s first stroller to be recognized with an official safety certification to hang up to 13 lbs on the handlebar, the Bugaboo Buffalo will easily take you out and away from the bustling city in style and practicality. $1,129, bugaboo.com 2. Eddie Bauer Trail Hiker 3 Wheel Travel System This sturdy three-wheeler is built for easy maneuverability and stability, whether you’re navigating city streets or rough terrain. With a snap-in infant car seat, comfort grip handles, secure straps to prevent slippage, and an ample storage pouch, the Trail Hiker is ready to roll for kids up to 50 lbs. $249.99, target.com 3. Quinny Zapp Xtra With Folding Seat Quinny listened to feedback from moms and made improvements to its Zapp Xtra model.

For parents on the go, travel and storage are easier now that the stroller can be folded very compactly with the seat still attached.

With 360-degree rotating wheels, Zapp Xtra is a breeze to maneuver. It’s available in three fashionable hues—Natural Mavis, Rebel Red, and Rocking Black—and functions as a travel system when used with Maxi-Cosi Mico and Prezi infant car seats. $349.99, quinny.com 4. BOB Motion As the name suggests, the Motion is perfect for bustling parents. After 15 years of focusing on jogger strollers, BOB’s first-ever four-wheel Motion stroller is a compact, lightweight, and durable alternative with plenty of storage space. With a one-hand, quick-fold frame that locks automatically, this stroller can be easily assembled or collapsed while you’re on the move. The pneumatic tires and rugged suspension system allow for smooth maneuvering on bumpy terrain, and the comfortable, infinite recline seat with a fivepoint harness is sure to keep your little one safe and sound. $349.99, bobgear.com 5. Mountain Buggy Cosmopolitan Combining flexibility and freedom in one seat, the Cosmopolitan promises to deliver a smooth and stylish four-wheel drive that stays true to the MB DNA of maneuverability, 12

durability, functionality, and adaptability, all while incorporating a unique three-mode multiadaptable seat, including a rear-facing option.

Elegant aesthetics and exquisite handling on urban terrain round out the lifestyle-suiting stroller. $549.99, mountainbuggy.com

6. phil&ted’s Smart Smart is phil&ted’s complete compact stroller designed to help parents adapt and survive outside the nursery. The innovative stroller configures in four ways—add a peanut carryout, add a car seat, switch baby to face you, and switch baby to face the world—carrying your child from birth to 4 years. Smart’s aerocore seat is comfortable, hypo-allergenic, ventilating, insulating, UV resistant, waterproof, non-toxic, and easy to wipe clean. As it folds telescopically (think Mini Cooper flexibility) and is narrow enough to zip through small aisles and spaces, Smart is great for city parents. Plus, you can choose the color palette of your Smart stroller, so the hood, seat, and liner will match your city style. $299.99, philandteds.com 7. Britax B-READY Britax’s modular B-READY stroller is sturdy and suitable for everyday use by NYC parents who do lots of walking. With more than 14 configurations, it can accommodate a second seat for another child and can fit all Britax infant seats, as well as of many other brands, with an adapter. Ample storage space—including a pouch that can be accessed from all four sides—an adjustable handle, and a wide array of accessories are available to personalize the stroller for each family’s needs. $499.99, britax.com 8. 4moms Origami 4moms produces one stroller model: the hightech Origami. It power-folds at the touch of a button and features a built-in generator that charges both the stroller’s electronic features and your cell phone as you walk. With daytime running lights, pathway lights for low-light conditions, sensors that detect when a child’s in the seat (so it’ll never fold by accident), and a handlebar LCD that shows the temperature, speed, and distance traveled, the Origami is the Starship Enterprise of stroller models. $849.99, 4moms.com 9. Baby Jogger City Mini Double Ideal for urban dwellers who have twins or two small children, the City Mini double features Baby Jogger’s patented Quick-Fold technology.

Its padded seats recline almost fully for optimal comfort, and at less than 30 inches wide, the stroller is narrow enough to fit through standard retail doorways. Perfect for the growing family, the City Mini’s universal accessory mounting bracket also offers a spot for car seat attachment. $449, babyjogger.com

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

STROLLERGUIDE_NYFB_1013.indd 12

11/26/13 2:41 PM

7

8

10

12

11

14

9

15

16

13

17 continued on page 14

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 13

STROLLERGUIDE_NYFB_1013.indd 13

11/26/13 2:42 PM

continued from page 13

18

22

26

14

21

20

19

23

24

27

25

28

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

STROLLERGUIDE_NYFB_1013.indd 14

11/26/13 2:42 PM

10. Chicco Liteway PLUS The Liteway PLUS is Chicco’s first-ever umbrella stroller compatible with its KeyFit line of infant car seats. Recommended from birth up to 40 lbs, its features include a fiveposition recline that can be adjusted with one hand, a 3D compact fold for easy storage and transport, and rear-wheel suspension to provide a comfortable, smooth ride for baby. The new model also comes with an adjustable canopy with a detachable weather panel and a large carrying basket. $179.99, chiccousa.com

11. Graco Modes Click Connect Travel Stroller Essentially three strollers in one with ten different riding options from infant to toddler (up to 50 lbs), the Click Connect Travel Stroller features an extra-large basket for storage, parent’s tray, and removable child’s tray.

Providing excellent maneuverability (one-hand, standing fold with automatic storage latch plus lockable single front swivel wheels), the stroller frame also works to fit all Graco Click Connect infant car seats. $249.99, gracobaby.com 12. Peg-Perégo Book Plus Peg-Perégo’s newest stroller, the Book Plus, is reversible and practical, enabling a transition from newborn to toddler with one stroller. The seat adjusts to several positions, including a flat position for newborns, and can convert to a travel system with the Primo Viaggio SIP 3030 car seat attachment. The Book Plus is easy to use and maneuver, featuring a one-piece handle, “easy drive” wheels, and a compact, easy close. $499.99, pegperego.com 13. Kinderwagon Tandem Umbrella Kinderwagon’s tandem umbrella stroller is lightweight, narrow, and easily collapsible for city parents who need a stroller suitable for their growing families. The front seat is suitable from 6 months and up to 50 lbs, with a two-position recline and leg rest. The rear seat is suitable for little ones from 3 months and can recline to 130 degrees. Features include one-touch double brakes, a removable canopy with two viewing windows, a rain cover, and a removable cup holder. $299.99, kinderwagon.com 14. Summer Infant Fuze The new all-aluminum Fuze stroller is lightweight, modular, and versatile—a practical option for city parents seeking a less weighty stroller and a smoother ride. Featuring reclining forward- and rear-facing seats, plus a compact fold even with the seat attached, the newest Fuze is decked out in a cool Mod pattern and includes a universal car seat adapter.

Try it with the compatible Prodigy infant car seat with Smartscreen technology that takes the guesswork out of the installation. $329, summerinfant.com

15. Snugli Stroller This sleek, black, aluminum-framed stroller can be paired with Snugli Style Sets in funky

colors with geometric, camouflage, and quilted patterns, enabling parents to customize their stroller’s style. The reversible and fully adjustable stroller can accommodate a variety of infant car seats by Snugli and other brands. For convenience, it features an oversized storage basket and a one-touch brake. $449.99 (stroller), $49.99 (set), snugli.com 16. Stokke Crusi The beautiful design of the high-rise Stokke Crusi places you closer to your child from birth through 45 lbs to allow you to bond naturally with your child. Stokke Crusi’s multiple features include a durable chassis with visible suspension that transforms into the widest range of stroller options using the following interchangeable Stokke quality components: Crusi Carry Cot, Sibling Seat, and Xplory/Crusi Seat. Can be front- or rear-facing. $1249.99, stokke.com 17. Combi Catalyst This 3-in-1 modular stroller has the versatility to function as a complete travel system, a bassinet stroller, and a toddler stroller. The infant car seat adapter is included and works with Combi’s Shuttle infant car seat and those of other major brands. The reversible seat has a weight capacity of 50 pounds. The unit’s other key features include an oversized canopy, durable polyurethane wheels, one-hand adjusting, a large storage basket, and all-wheel suspension in an easy fold model. $299.99, combiusa.com 18. Schwinn Turismo A single swivel wheel jogger, the Schwinn Turismo offers uncompromising safety and a comfortable ride aided by a rubberized, adjustable, and slip-resistant handle. With an exposed spring suspension, the stroller is compatible with many top infant car seats. Some extra perks include cup holders for parents and children and a built-in MP3 speaker to keep kids entertained. $189.99, schwinnbikes.com 19. Evenflo SmartFold Travel System One second and one hand is all it takes to fold up this durable and lightweight stroller, which includes a multi-position reclining seat, large storage basket, parent drink holder, full canopy with a peek-a-boo window, as well as front swivel locking wheels. Plus, the stroller selfstands when folded, so no bending is necessary.

The system includes Evenflo’s Embrace 35 LX Infant Car Seat, suitable for 4-35 lb babies. $159.00, evenflo.com 20. CYBEX Onyx This versatile stroller works equally well for your infant or 55 lb toddler. This year’s model comes in a splashy Chili Pepper red and maintains all its well-loved features: four-position recline, rear-wheel suspension, a one-pull harness, and a super big canopy. And when combined with the Aton or Aton 2 Infant Car Seat, you have a continued on page 16

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 15

STROLLERGUIDE_NYFB_1013.indd 15

11/26/13 2:42 PM

continued from page 15

fantastic urban travel system. $260, cybex-online.com 21. Mamas and Papas Armadillo Light, practical, and no-nonsense, this stroller (whose name is inspired by the robust yet sturdy animal) has a large, lie-flat seat and adjustable leg rest designed to give baby wiggle room and added comfort during nap time. Its compact size nonetheless features everything parents might want, including a large shopping basket, easy carry handle, peek-a-boo window, XL removable hood canopy, puncture resistant tires, rear brake, and an automatic lock when the stroller is folded. It’s compatible with car seats like the Aton, Maxi-Cosi Cabrio Fix, Max-Cosi Pebble, and Chicco Key Fit 30 and it comes in a wide range of cool colors. $279.99, us.mamasandpapas.com 22. UPPAbaby VISTA Part sports car, part sport utility vehicle, this smart universal stroller system accommodates newborns up to 50 lbs and grows with your family by converting into an inline double if needed. The easy-to-handle model is a smooth rider with shock and suspension. It has a reversible seat and a simple one-step fold, with or without a car seat attached. It works with UPPAbaby’s new MESA car seat as well as those from other leading brands. The model comes with a bassinet and toddler seat, an extra large storage basket, and an extendable SPF 50+ sunshade. $729.99, uppababy.com 23. bloom zen The zen is one of the world’s slimmest and easiest-to-move full-size strollers. Outfitted with a full size bassinet, the zen is perfectly suitable for your newborn and baby up to 44 lbs. Its helpful features include a revolutionary one-hand retracting fold and multi-directional wheeling (which doesn’t require lifting).

It’s free-standing when folded flat, and the bassinet component doubles as a mobile travel bed and bouncer. Additionally, the zen’s fully integrated solar lighting system enhances road safety, and, when paired with leading car seats from brands like Graco, Maxi-Cosi, and CYBEX, the overall unit becomes a complete parentfacing travel system for modern parents. $799, bloombaby.com 24. Inglesina Trip The Trip has most features of a full-size stroller without the hefty price tag. Good for babies starting at 3 months and up to 55 lbs, its features include rear-wheel suspension (for an extra-smooth ride on not-so-smooth NYC streets), extendable canopy, roomy storage basket, padded bumper bar, four-position back rest, cup holder, soft ergonomic handles, and a peek-a-boo window. Plus, it includes a rain cover and comes in stylish colors such as purple, navy, yellow, green, and black. $199, inglesina.us

16

25. Joovy Groove Ultralight The Groove Ultralight stroller is an excellent choice for the on-the-go urban family seeking comfort, quality, and a lightweight stroller with an attractive sporty appearance. With clean lines, a sturdy frame, and sleek fabric, it is both a great-looking and extremely functional umbrella stroller—and it’s a fantastic value! Available in Joovy’s bestselling colors: blueberry, green, orangie, and black. $189.99, joovy.com 26. Orbit Baby G3 Product Line The brand new Orbit Baby G3 line offers parents the most customizable premium stroller and car seat system on the market. Orbit Baby is a complete child travel system, from stroller to car seat and beyond. With an emphasis on advanced safety and engineering, Orbit Baby is continually recognized for their innovation, ergonomic design, and environmentally friendly focus. Its unique features, including 360 rotation, true one-handed stroller fold, and certified green fabrics, have made this system a top choice for parents. The mixable G3 product line allows parents to customize their stroller system with car seats, stroller seats, bassinets, rockers, and storage options and to convert their single stroller to a double. From $740, orbitbaby.com 27. Bumbleride Indie 4 The Bumbleride four-wheel all-terrain Indie 4 was unveiled to American audiences in October of this year and will officially hit the market in January 2014. The stroller is designed for modern, on-the-go parents who need a stroller equipped for city life and weekend adventures. The Indie 4’s easy maneuverability and compactable frame are perfect for the urban parent, but its pneumatic tires and all-wheel suspension also make for simple transitions to more rugged environments. The Bumbleride Indie 4 also features a roomy seat that is appropriate for infants as well as toddlers and a generous storage area.

As with all other Bumbleride products, the Indie 4 is made eco-consciously. Price TBA, bumbleride.com 28. Jané Nanuq The Jané Nanuq offers super-easy handling— thanks to the large diameter of its wheels (8.3 inches, to be precise)—and promises to keep steady even over rough terrain and just about any bumps in the road. Almost a “pocket” stroller, the Nanuq is the most compact stroller on the market, folding to 12 percent of its height when upright. Because of its “ball joint” system, it’s more than three inches smaller than the next smallest stroller of its class. Additionally, the Nanuq is suitable for babies right from birth through 40 lbs, has five backrest positions and an adjustable handle, and includes a practical carrying handle and guard rail. $250, jane-usa.com

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

STROLLERGUIDE_NYFB_1013.indd 16

11/25/13 4:30 PM

minimally invasive obstetrics Elite and caring two-doctor practice Freedom to move during labor Low cesarean section rate High VBAC success Unhurried birth Doulas welcome

Hypnosis Meditation Hydrotherapy Birth plan support Mount Sinai Hospital Easy parking near office

Visit us to find out more.

VOB NORTH 1225 Park Avenue @ 95th St.

Two Locations

www.villageobstetrics.com

VILLAGE_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

VOB SOUTH 101 West 12th Street

• (212) 741-2229 (BABY )

11/25/13 5:31 PM

The

N e in Months Whole

Some Easy, Under-TheRadar Tips For A Happy, Healthy Pregnancy

By Stacey Gawronski

For many women, the onset of pregnancy brings, along with many joys and challenges, an innate desire to quest for knowledge. So it’s no wonder that pregnant women find themselves bursting with questions. From “Is there any raw egg in that dish?” to “Is it ok to have sex when I’m 36 weeks pregnant?” the topics that pregnancy calls into question are seemingly boundless.

While the best plan is to find an OB-GYN who makes you feel comfortable and can answer most questions (and also to check out some of the great pregnancy books on the market), it never hurts to get some unexpected expert advice.

So we turned to some of our favorite maternity mavens—including nutritionists, yoga instructors, and doulas—and compiled a list of under-the-radar nuggets of wisdom that are all easy to follow and don’t require a lengthy doctor’s appointment. So read on and learn something new, but remember the best rule of thumb (or rule of belly, if you will) is to always listen to your body. That’s one piece of advice that is crystal clear and totally timeless.

Sex: It’s not news that sex during pregnancy is actually totally natural and healthy—however, there often seems to be a nagging discomfort about it 18

for pregnant women. There’s no need to let pregnancy press pause on your sex life, says Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow. In fact, she encourages expectant mothers to embrace sex during pregnancy. “The more good sex you have, the easier the labor and birth you’ll experience, because the muscles of the vulva, round ligaments, and uterus have been well trained for the ‘main event,’” Thomas explains. She recommends setting the mood and using touch (exploring the body’s many erogenous zones) and play (one part erotic pampering, one part steamy sex) as ways of “getting out of your head space and into your body.”

And we having a feeling your spouse or partner might be a little more excited about helping you out with prenatal sex than, for example, sitting in at Lamaze class.

Bedrest: The practice of bedrest is a long standing one that is prescribed to many mothers without question or analysis, but more info is coming to light to show that bedrest might not be such a necessary fact of modern pregnancy. Susan Stratton, owner of Sage Spa in Brooklyn—which offers continued on page 20

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

PREGNANCYHEALTH_NYFB_1013.indd 18

11/25/13 5:05 PM

90 day money back guarantee

enjoy

15% OFF Coupon Code: NYFAMILY

daddyncompany.com See our complete line of daddy gifts! *Not to be combined with any other offer.

TEMPLATE_NYFB_1213.indd 21

11/25/13 5:55 PM

continued from page 18

prenatal massage in addition to a varied menu of spa treatments—advises expectant mothers not only to explore the benefits of massage but the problems associated with bedrest as well. Stratton notes that a number of her prenatal clients are put on bedrest, but she finds conflicting research on the subject: “When you look at the research, bedrest is not shown to be any more effective than a woman just continuing her life as normal,” she says. And while bedrest is sometimes the right course, the negative side effects, like bone loss, should not go unexamined, Stratton notes.

Fitness: The question of how much exercise is the right amount is one that looms large, even for women who aren’t pregnant—making prenatal fitness even trickier to gauge. While overall fitness is of course important, it’s even more vital to focus on the prevention of injuries while pregnant.

Prenatal yoga instructor Liz Buehler discusses the prevention of diastasis recti, a common pregnancy injury, resulting in a tear in the connective tissue in the middle of the recuts abdominus. While it’s normal for the belly to stretch to accommodate the growing child, one can prevent diastasis from occurring by doing crunches and engaging in other lighter ab exercises during pregnancy. Waiting until after the birth to check for diastasis is meaningless, Buehler explains, because “it’s not a muscle tear that can repair itself. Once it’s done, it’s done.” She also points out that the injury not only affects the look of the abdomen but can also affect a woman’s “feeling of being centered,” which can require long term monitoring and modifying in exercise. “[To prevent diastasis] women should work more deeply from their core, keeping that navel to spine connection strong and solid, rather than overloading their core and letting their muscles punch out or ‘dome,’” adds Charlotte Butler Penenberg, owner of Pilates Studio Streamline.

Keeping in mind the prevention of injury and diastasis, many experts agree that both yoga and pilates are excellent choices for expectant mothers. Penenberg encourages her clients to continue their regular Pilates routine as much as possible.

The same can be said for yoga. According to Deb Flashenberg, owner and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center, certain poses, especially twist-based poses, are to be avoided, but otherwise pregnancy shouldn’t be too limiting. “Poses that invite a softening to the pelvic region are great. You do not need to be limited to just seated or restorative poses,” she says.

Nutrition: Brooklyn-based nutritionist Jennifer Schonborn doesn’t beat around the bush: “Do you want your baby’s brain, nervous system, and liver to be made out of Chicken McNuggets or Skittles?

Of course not, so it’s important to remember that your baby is being ‘built’ out of the foods that you’re consuming.” Her advice may read as 20

common sense, but it’s important to keep in mind when atypical (and not always completely healthy) cravings come to call. Certainly, the occasional indulgence is permissible, if not encouraged, but in general it’s vital to take the “you are what you eat” mentality to heart as you eat for two.

And as a yummy bonus, expectant mamas can take note of little-known nutrition boosters, so it’s not all about avoidance. Flashenberg offers her praise of the nettle plant. According to Flashenberg and the research of teacher and writer Susan Weed, the nettle leaf is known to nourish mother and fetus, ease leg cramps, reduce hemorrhoids, and increase the richness and volume of breastmilk. “The nettle’s high calcium content lends itself to diminishing pain during and after birth,” Flashenberg adds.

Caffeine: Many a working woman has faced pregnancy with dread at the prospect of having to cut out coffee and caffeine for the duration. Fortunately, things aren’t so black-and-white when it comes to java consumption. Heidi Murkoff, celebrated author of the What to Expect When You’re Expecting series, is here to ease your fears with the fact that a cup of joe a day (up to 200mg) won’t harm your baby. “The catch,” she says, “[is that] while 200mg may sound like an open coffee bar, it’s equivalent to a tall (12 ounces) brewed coffee or two shots.” Still, for expectant mothers facing the potentially draining symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, this is wonderful news.

Oral Care: With all the care and attention to the body and inner organs, expectant moms should also be careful to heed their dentists’ advice to floss and brush regularly. Rosie Pope, star of Bravo’s “Pregnant in Heels,” maternity designer, and author of Mommy IQ: The Complete Guide to Pregnancy, is one of many experts to note the seriousness of gum disease in pregnant women.

“Having gum disease while pregnant makes you seven times more likely to have a pre-term baby of low birth weight,” Pope says. Maintaining good hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly are the best ways to keep tabs on gum health while pregnant.

Cesarean Sections: For women anxious to deliver naturally and avoid a C-section, labor and postpartum doula Jada Shapiro offers a succinct suggestion: “Simply hire a midwife or doctor with a low Cesarean rate.”

But, she adds, if you do end up having a C-section with a provider who has an overall low rate, it is likely the procedure was 100 percent necessary. One should note that natural, C-section free births come with their own set of concerns, especially perineal tearing. Stratton’s advice for avoiding this painful injury is to use warm compresses during labor.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

PREGNANCYHEALTH_NYFB_1013.indd 20

11/25/13 5:05 PM

Insurance accepted for

Prenatal Breastfeeding Class and In-home Lactation Consults!

Other classes Offered: Childbirth/Lamaze Breastfeeding Baby Care and Safety Expecting Multiples Private Lactation Consultation Infant/Child CPR On-Line Classes

lOcatiOns: Wall Street Murray Hill Upper East Side New York Presbyterian Hospital

Phone: 646-627-7334 info@storkandcradle.com

www.storkandcradle.com Empowering Birth & Breastfeeding Support

TEMPLATE_NYFB_1213.indd 22

11/25/13 5:56 PM

Northeast Doulas

Do You Doula?

More Resources For where you can find doulas, baby nurses, and all sorts of pre- and post-natal support, see our ultimate resource guide on page 44.

Doulas help moms plan for the birth she wants and provide support on all fronts.

More And More Women Do—Here’s Everything Expectant Parents Need To Know

By Nadia Ramlakhan

Having a baby is one of the most beautiful moments a woman will ever experience in her life.

But wouldn’t it be great if there was someone who could minimize the pain, uncertainty, doubts, and stress of the labor process? Well, we’ve found someone to help (and, no, we’re not talking about your hubby or partner!).

A doula is a trained childbirth professional whose number one rule is to provide non-judgmental support throughout the entire process of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She offers emotional, physical, and educational support to mom and her partner while also maintaining the role of advocate between mom and doctor. She’s a constant presence who is there to answer your questions and let you know with confidence that everything is going smoothly. Basically, she’s your new BFF—who happens to know a lot about the birth process.

“Just having someone with you to lift your 22

spirits and praise, recognize, encourage, and teach you, is the most valuable thing we can give ourselves when we have a baby,” says Randy Patterson, co-owner of Northeast Doulas. “It’s your last opportunity to be nurtured before you become the nurturer. That’s what the doula does.”

If you’re asking yourself, “What pregnant woman wouldn’t want a helper like that?” you understand why doulas have become a more and more common part of the birthing landscape. And because their role, essentially, is to help a woman plan for the kind she wants, doulas are popular both with women who want a traditional hospital birth as well as those focused on alternatives like home births.

There are two types of doulas—a labor doula and a postpartum doula—and often a mom will hire both, although in some cases a labor doula can act as a postpartum doula and vice versa. In a traditional hospital birth without doula help, couples are largely left alone as nurses and doctors come in and out. But a labor doula will join the laboring mom at home, staying with her until about an hour or two afterward to help with breastfeeding and settling in. During labor, the doula can offer reassurance and different massage techniques.

She also knows better labor positions and how to use acupressure, effleurage, and rebozo to ease mom’s mind and body.

Expecting parents might be surprised to find that doulas actually help both mom and dad/partner during labor—they don’t, as common misconcontinued on page 24

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

DOULAS_NYFB_1013.indd 22

11/26/13 2:46 PM

SELENI_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

11/25/13 5:40 PM

It’s In The Numbers Maternity maven and Mama Glow founder Latham Thomas makes the case for using doulas: Birth coaches help facilitate an easier birth. In fact, having one present at your birth can cut your laboring time by 50 percent! Now if that’s not an incentive to look into getting a doula, I don’t know what is. When I gave birth, I didn’t understand the value of having a birth coach present. (I did, however, have four of the most wonderful staff present, as well as a midwifein-training.)

According to Mothering the Mother, by Marshall Klaus, John Kennell, and Phyllis Klaus, studies have shown that the physiological effects of continual support during labor reduces: • The chances of needing a C-section by 51 percent • The length of labor by 25 percent • The use of analgesia by 35 percent • Pitocin augmentation by 40 percent • The use of epidural anesthesia by 60 percent • The use of forceps and vacuum by 30 percent But wait, there’s more: Moms who work with doulas report greater satisfaction with childbirth, fewer incidences of postpartum depression, increased self-esteem, better mother-infant interaction, and improved breastfeeding success.

continued from page 22

ception might have it, replace the role of a mom’s partner. “Doulas show up with a bag of tricks,” explains Birth Day Presence Co-Director Jada Shapiro. A doula has all sorts of ways to help mom cope with the anxiety of contractions and pain of labor, so the most important thing for a partner is to bring lots of love.

“Pressure is removed from them to remember every last thing they learned in child birth class,” says Shapiro. “It allows the partner to be the loving support that they are. They get to hold mom’s hand and look her in the eye while she is getting a lot of extra physical support from a trained doula.”

The role of the postpartum doula is to help lead the transition into parenthood, usually for as little as three weeks or as long as eight weeks, depending what’s right for the family. She joins the mom for about four to eight hours a day to help with cooking, breastfeeding, pediatrician appointments, and even parenting styles—she may suggest a few philosophies and help you and your partner make decisions based on what resonates with you. Essentially, instead of simply taking care of the baby, she teaches, encourages, and helps the entire family. “It’s like having a nanny—but for you, not for the baby,” says Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow.

So when should an expectant mom start look24

ing for a doula? As with many aspects of parenting, there’s no absolute right or wrong time, but experts agree that the earlier you find someone who’s right for you, the more time you’ll have to connect with her and build your comfort level.

Most moms begin the search around 36 weeks into their pregnancy.

Choosing the right doula for the family can be intimidating, but breaking it down into a few general steps makes the process much more manageable.

First, you’ll want to set up an interview to learn about her experiences and formal training as a doula, making sure she’s certified and has attended at least 30 births. Prenatal Yoga Center Director Debra Flashenberg suggests asking questions to get a sense of her philosophies on birth as well. For example: How would she support you if you decided to use pain medication? What are her best aspects?

What was a particularly challenging moment in a birth and how did she help mom through it? Does she have back-up in case she isn’t able to attend?

Aside from asking the right questions, the most important thing to remember when selecting a doula is chemistry. She’ll be sharing an extremely intimate experience with you, so be sure to trust your instincts. Close your eyes and visualize this woman standing beside you. How do you feel in her presence? “The answer should be ‘I feel solid, I feel comfortable, I feel womanly, I feel safe,’” Patterson says.

A few additional factors may also come into play in your search. If you’re planning on a water birth, for example, you might want to hire someone who’s had one herself. Or perhaps you favor a doula who’s also a licensed massage therapist or has a degree in nursing.

Whatever your preference, it isn’t surprising that the doula fees vary based on experience.

A more experienced labor doula in the city can charge between $1,000 and $4,000, while a less experienced doula might charge a few hundred dollars. For a postpartum doula, rates are anywhere from $35 to $55 per hour. As the last step in the hiring process, you’ll want a signed contract, detailing their role, to make sure everyone is in sync.

Once hired, after an initial meet-and-greet, your doula is on-call 24 hours a day seven days a week. But the relationship is really in the hands of mom. While doulas don’t generally check up on the mom, Flashenberg says, they’re always there to answer your questions. They can refer you to acupuncturists, send resources, and recommend foods or vitamins. Having regular contact will help you get closer and bond with your doula, so be sure to shoot her a quick e-mail after your doctor’s appointments. (Chances are she’ll be just as excited to hear about it!) Then, before the postpartum doula steps in, if you have one, the labor doula visits the family one more time a week after the birth to make sure mom is healthy and happy.

In all of this, to ensure you have the best possible birthing experience, the key is simply to be totally honest and open with your doula. As long as you’re clear about what your needs are, what you’re going through emotionally, and what you want, you’ll be well on your way to a happy and healthy childbirth experience.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

DOULAS_NYFB_1013.indd 24

11/26/13 2:46 PM

StemCyte has provided over 1,800 transplant units to patients in need at 315 transplant centers in 38 countries around the world.

SLEEPING SOUNDLY

SHE KNOWS YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO

CC-0015

PROTECTHER Call 866-389-4659 or visit StemCyte.com

We

Moms and Dads.

And Babies. And Kids.

(and grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, too) For more than 20 years, Rutgers has been a place for families to grow together on the Upper West Side.

Located on West 73rd Street, RCP offers a child-centered atmosphere of love, creativity and fun for parents and children 0 to 10 years.

We feature new moms support groups, free parenting workshops and family play groups for babies and toddlers.

Pre-K play programs for 2s and 3-5s, plus classes in art, gym, dance, soccer, theater, and Mandarin.

Our class sizes are small, our prices reasonable, and our teachers: terrific.

So come in – and play awhile!

We are happy to see you.

TEMPLATE_NYFB_1213.indd 23

Rutgers Community Programs 236 West 73rd St, New York

212.877.8227 ext. 212 rutgerschurch.org

jmoore@rutgerschurch.org www.facebook.com/rutgerscommunityprograms

11/25/13 5:56 PM

The Best Of Baby Elle Belle New York Family’s Littlest Blogger Shares What The First Year And A Half Of City Life Is Like

By Baby Elle Belle Meet Baby Elle Belle: Discover The Parenting Dreams Versus The Reality For This NYC Family Of Three Although I’m only 10 months old, I’m pretty savvy when it comes to blogging. I write from the perspective of a happy, hilarious, and sometimes harried baby about growing up in the city during my earliest days. A little peek into my world: In my family, here’s what the typical “dream sequence” looks like: Mommy checks amazon. com and finds what she’s looking for, a book called How to Raise a Perfect Baby: A Step-byStep Guide for Type A, Overachieving Parents, Who Are Used to Everything Going According to a Detailed Plan and On Schedule. She hits the Buy Now button before alphabetizing her cookbooks for the third time this week.

Fast forward two months. Mom’s guidebook works like a charm. I enjoy my three-hour schedule of eat, play, and sleep. I nurse every two hours without fail and nap at each scheduled interval for a full 60 minutes. I never cry. I communicate via telepathy. My poos are never stinky, and I don’t require frequent changing. I am the perfect baby.

And here’s what the reality is like: I’m not a 26

Baby Elle Belle cracks a smile.

perfect baby. For instance, I cry…a lot. I sleep when I feel like it. I pee and poop often and sometimes it goes everywhere. Although I don’t mean to, I sometimes aggravate my parents. But after several months, we’re rocking and rolling and enjoying each unique day while learning from each other.

As a newborn, I didn’t like to eat much. I’d fall asleep nursing and Mom would have to tickle me and nudge me along. I wanted to eat when I was hungry, so I fed on demand. (Heck, does anybody eat at two-hour intervals?) And I didn’t like to sleep on schedule. The world was—and still is—so new to me and I’m just trying to figure it all out.

Mommy-Baby Food Wars: When Elle Belle And Her Mommy Go Head-To-Head In An Epic Food Fight, Bananas Are All It Takes To Find A Truce Dream: I gobble down my first bites of food enthusiastically. I open wide for more. “This rice cereal is fantastic!” I exclaim. I grab the spoon from Mommy’s hand and begin to self-feed. I continue on this flawless feeding path with new food that’s introduced every few days. As each food stage progresses, so does my ability to feed myself with a fork and spoon.

Reality: What’s this mushy, gushy poor excuse for food? You want me to eat that? I don’t think so.

As I close my mouth super tightly while refusing to take another bite, I vigorously shake my head from side to side saying “No!” the only way I know how to. Although a couple of bites have landed in my mouth and may have made the trip down to my tummy, most of the food is: 1) on the floor, 2) finger painted on the highchair,

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

BABYELLEBELLE_NYFB_1013.indd 26

11/25/13 5:35 PM

3) in puppy’s tummy (puppy is always asking for food so must be hungry!), 4) on yours truly, or 5) all over Mommy. It looks as if we redecorated with splatter paint Jackson Pollock style.

Mommy keeps smiling while trying to feed me the same disgusting bite of food. Does she really think that if the spoon choo-choos like a train, it changes how nasty the food tastes?

This is absurd. I can feed myself. So I take the spoon from Mommy and wave it in the air triumphantly. Oops. As I swing the piece of stolen cutlery, I toss most of the stuff that was on it.

Mommy somehow manages to get the spoon back and refills it. I try one big bite. Yum. This is great. I chew and swallow, chew and swallow.

What did she do? Lace it with my Mum-Mums?

“Banana,” Mommy says. “Banana makes the cereal better.”

Adventures In Play Dating: From A Sandbox Rendezvous To Playground Escapades, This New York Baby Is Ready To Play!

Dream: Who’s ready to play? I gather all of my favorite friends and magically—despite different nap times, meal times, class times, and caregiver schedules—we all rendezvous for a super duper play date. We all get along while playing, sharing, respecting each other’s space and toys.

Reality: It’s impossible to schedule a play date with my friends. But who needs a schedule anyway? I’m a flexible baby. I only get a little cranky if I miss a nap or get hungry.

Play dates really do rock. Babies enjoy having friends play next to them (we don’t want to play together quite yet). Occasionally, we even vent to one another about our mommies.

Earlier this week, my friend—we’ll call him Mickey—and I spotted each other from across the sandbox and waved hello and smiled. Then we played with our soccer ball, got balloon animals, traded snacks, ran in circles under the playground equipment, and climbed up the ladders like the big kids (Mommy only helped a little).

But in a class the day after, I was so embarrassed because Mickey stopped in the middle of the group during circle time and knocked me a kiss. Everyone started giving us a round of applause! For the record: I did not kiss back. That just makes things complicated. Or so I hear.

The next day, I was on yet another play date in the park. I arrived fashionably late after a restful nap and settled into the action. My friend makes the awesome discovery of a toddler-sized gap in the fence-in play area and is soon chasing after a doggie. I ran to follow her close behind. Soon enough, our mommies ushered us back to the enclosed area. They always step in just when the fun begins!

ELLE BELLE is a beautiful baby girl who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and their darling dog. She can be found on tugsonmyheartstrings.blogspot.com and reached at LilElleBelle@gmail.com.

Start life with music.

Singing, dancing, and making music with your new baby is a wonderful bonding experience that also stimulates learning.

Join us for a free class to experience this award-winning program and discover firsthand the pleasure and developmental benefits of Music Together. Call or email today to schedule your visit!

(212) 496-1242

ESWSMusicTogether.com UWS and UES locations Winter classes begin in January

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 27

BABYELLEBELLE_NYFB_1013.indd 27

11/25/13 5:35 PM

TO

BIRTH

&

BEYOND A Survey Of Favorite Prenatal, Post-Natal, And Childbirth Education Classes And Support Services Around The City

If you are pregnant in the city, this much is for sure: You will not have to go on the journey alone.

In addition to your OB-GYN, there are many wonderful education, exercise, and support classes and groups. Here are some of our favorites: 92Y At 92Y, parents and parents-to-be can be part of a vibrant community, make lasting friendships, and build important support networks. Pre-natal offerings include: Baby Toddler/CPR and Safety; Becoming Parents: A Primer for Parents-To-Be; Breastfeeding Workshop; Caring for a Newborn; Lamaze Complete Childbirth Preparation; Dad’s Boot Camp; Prenatal Yoga; Prenatal/Postpartum Nutrition Counseling; and Miscarriage Support Group (new). Post-natal offerings include: New Parent Get-Togethers (newborn to 12 months); Breastfeeding Support Group; New Mother, New Baby (newborn to 5 months); Yoga for Mommy

28

and Baby; Rock ‘n’ Roll with Baby (5-9 months); Shape Up With Baby (6 weeks to 9 months); and Baby Massage (2-5 months). 92y.org

Baby In The Family Baby in the Family specializes in prenatal education and postpartum support. Founded

by Andrea Syms-Brown in 2006, workshops are hosted at various locations in the city. Their Caring for a Newborn Baby workshop concentrates on practical care routines such as diapering or bathing. The How to Breastfeed workshop focuses on breastfeeding techniques and routines for newborns through their first thirty days. Andrea, who also provides individual postpartum support in NYC and the tri-state area, currently serves as President of the New York Lactation Consultant Association. babyinthefamily.com Birth Day Presence

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

BIRTHandBEYOND_NYFB_1013.indd 28

11/25/13 4:06 PM

Founded in 2002, Birth Day Presence is a premier provider of childbirth classes and birth and postpartum doula care for expectant families in New York City. Led by Jada Shapiro and Anna Merrill, BDP combines the best of modern childbirth techniques and old world practices to reduce the fear and anxiety around childbirth, while increasing the joy and pleasure of confidently becoming parents. BDP has assisted thousands of families in a nurturing, safe, and joyful way. Classes include Childbirth Preparation, Breastfeeding, Newborn Care and Infant CPR, plus new additions like Sibling, Pet, Cesarean, and Twins prep. birthdaypresence.net

informed of their choices in birth and provides them with necessary tools to be happy and confident parents. citybirths.com

BklynBirth BklynBirth offers private and group childbirth education classes covering the labor and birth process as well as postpartum, breastfeeding, and newborn care. Classes are taught by three local midwives (all mothers) with years of experience taking care of women during pregnancy and childbirth. BklynBirth believes that pregnancy and childbirth are normal, physiologic processes and the less unnecessary intervention that is used, the healthier the outcomes are for mother and baby. They don’t follow one particular school of childbirth education, but take what they’ve seen to be the most useful tools of various childbirth preparation methods with a focus on breathing, massage, position changes, and stress and anxiety reduction. bklynbirth.com

Fitnotic Fitnotic is devoted to keeping women healthy and strong through pregnancy and motherhood. Sheryl Wilson, founder of Fitnotic and mother of two, accomplishes this by ensuring that moms develop sufficient core strength to safely exercise and handle the physical demands of their day-to-day lives. Minimizing abdominal separation (diastasis recti) and developing functional core strength is at the heart of all of Fitnotic’s offerings, including one-on-one private training, customized online training programs, and group fitness classes such as pre- and post-natal hoopdance, boot camp, and kickboxing. Workouts are fun and effective and leave moms feeling empowered. fitnotic.com

Chic City Mom Inspired by her own challenges as a busy mother of two, Chic City Mom founder Erica Stamey-Hong designed an organization that would help city-dwelling mothers connect through support groups. Chic City Mom provides educational mommy & me playgroups for recent mothers and their babies ages 0-18 months. Licensed experts, such as reproductive psychiatrist Carly Snyder and naturopathic doctor Laurie Brodsky, speak about issues that range from infant health to post-baby relationship changes.

Chic City Mom’s six week semester of classes is offered at locations in SoHo, Chelsea, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side. chiccitymom.com City Births City Births offers classes in Childbirth Preparation, Newborn Care & Breastfeeding, Infant CPR & Safety, New Moms Groups, and Breastfeeding Support. From the start of pregnancy through delivery, they encourage parents to be well-prepared for childbirth as well as for the care of their infant. Classes offer the most up-to-date information on the reality of giving birth and raising a family in NYC. All of City Births’ instructors bring hands-on experience, having attended births in in the city, and can provide accurate information as to what to expect during labor and birth. The organization empowers parents to be fully

Fern Drillings Fern has been teaching and advising expectant and new parents since 1983 and has even appeared on “Bethenny Getting Married,” cluing a very pregnant Bethenny Frankel into CPR. Fern’s CPR classes teach parents and caregivers life-saving maneuvers as well as basic first aid and safety techniques, including baby proofing. Her childbirth education classes provide an in-depth and comprehensive overview of labor, delivery, breastfeeding, and newborn care. She also offers private classes if her two-week series or intensive group classes pose a scheduling challenge. ferndrillings.com

The JCC in Manhattan The JCC in Manhattan is the Upper West Side’s premier location for pre- and post-natal support, education, and services. In addition to classes and seminars such as How to Care for Your Newborn Baby and support groups like the Breast-Feeding Support Group, they offer socializing experiences through Tummy Time and Coo & Crawl: A Mother and Baby Play Space. For the mother who is looking to stay fit during pregnancy or get back in shape after, The JCC’s Marti Ann Meyerson Center for Health and Wellness offers weekly classes such as Aqua Get Fit! Pre+Postnatal Exercise Class, Movin’ Mamas, and Pre+Post Natal MELT. jccmanhattan.org Karma Kids Yoga Karma Kids Yoga believes that having a good support system is as important as being in good physical and mental shape during this time, striving to make your transition into motherhood as smooth as possible. Offerings cover a range of tools that include: prenatal yoga, prenatal pilates, pre- and post-natal pilates, pre- and post-natal yoga tune up, and childbirth workshops, Lamaze childbirth courses, as well as doula speed dating events, baby-wearing clinics, and other support group services. Once the baby is born, they offer mom & baby yoga, dad & baby yoga, My Baby Fingers’ baby sign language, and free yoga storytime classes. karmakidsyoga.com continued on page 30

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 29

BIRTHandBEYOND_NYFB_1013.indd 29

11/25/13 4:06 PM

continued from page 29

Metro Minis Metro Minis has been offering quality babywearing and parenting education for over six years. Metro Minis mainstay courses in baby carriers, cloth diapering, and elimination communication are taught by its dedicated staff of birth and postpartum doulas, breastfeeding counselors, yoga instructors, and certified babywearing educators, helping thousands of NYC parents make the transition into parenting more smoothly. Last month, Metro Minis took its expert instruction mobile, offering workshops and dropin hours in locations throughout the boroughs.

New and expecting parents can attend a babywearing or cloth diapering intensive workshop in locations like SoHo, Dumbo, Astoria and the Upper West Side, have private instruction in their homes, or participate in webinars on various parenting topics. metrominis.com Mommybites When Mommybites co-founder Laura Deutsch was a new mom living in NYC, she was astonished at how lonely she felt in such a huge, happening city. Laura started Mommybites because she wanted to create an easy way for moms to meet other moms, feel supported, and learn from top parenting experts. Founded in 2006, Mommybites (originally Babybites) has become one of the largest social and educational communities in the New York City area, while expanding to other key cities and within its online community. Through their signature mom support groups, free online parenting classes, and parenting tips and articles, Mommybites connects moms to other moms, experts, and all the latest parenting education, products, resources, and support to help make their lives a bit easier. mommybites.com MomPrep Rosie Pope’s MomPrep offers a core curriculum of prenatal and postpartum education at the Rosie Pope Maternity retail locations, through classes, personalized concierge services, and digital education, including tips at rosiepope.com.

From baby CPR through childbirth education, the core curriculum offers MomPrep attendees the foundation of education to take with them into their journey of becoming parents.

Within MomPrep, Rosie’s panel of experts, from renowned OB-GYNs to celebrity fitness trainers, serves customers with unprecedented access to expert information both in person and online. rosiepope.com Mom Support The founder of Mom Support, Jessica Shapely, has helped hundreds of parents care for their children and themselves through support groups, sleep consultations, and individual or couple counseling.

Her weekly support groups (including groups for new moms, seasoned moms, and multiples) allow

moms to share the joys and address the challenges by establishing support, combating isolation, and normalizing the experience of being a new parent.

Rather than trying a one-size-fits-all approach to sleep, her sleep consultations are customized to each family based on personal needs. Her individual counseling sessions include a lot of work with prenatal women as well as postpartum moms and couples facing a variety of emotional and physical struggles. momsupport.org Northeast Doulas Led by a trio of certified doulas with a combined history of helping over 1,800 mothers on the path to parenthood, Northeast Doulas provides families in Greenwich, Fairfield, Westchester, and New York City with highly trained and experienced doulas to assist them from pregnancy to postpartum. Beginning with a complimentary pregnancy consultation, their experts are all about connecting families with the appropriate doula for them—and their staff of diverse doulas virtually insures a good match. The agency also focuses on providing high quality post-partum doulas who are available for shifts of 4-24 hours, as needed, providing new mothers with everything from housekeeping help to hands-on baby education. Other services include prenatal discussion groups, placenta encapsulation, pregnancy consultation, and sleep consultation. northeastdoulas.com NYC Dads Group Started in 2008 by Lance Somerfeld and Matt Schneider, the NYC Dads Group is a community of active and caring dads who are leading the way as we all redefine what it means to be a good father in the 21st Century. Prenatal offerings include weekly New Dad Boot Camps at top parent education providers around the city.

These workshops for dads by dads give new and expecting fathers the opportunity to discuss parenting with veteran dads, who bring their babies along to give the rookies some handson experience holding, feeding, and calming real babies. The group also organizes weekly meetups for postnatal dads and their kids at parks, museums, parent-and-me classes, and living rooms, as well as parenting workshops and dads nights out. nycdadsgroup.com Pregnant New Yorker The Pregnant New Yorker provides fun, alternative health events in NYC educating the pregnant community on how to have an easy, healthy pregnancy. Janet Markovits, also the owner of Maternal Massage and More, founded the health-minded group in 2008 when her clients kept asking for advice and referrals and had questions related to everything pregnancy and baby. The Pregnant New Yorker brings the best guest speakers together to teach pregnant and continued on page 32

30

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

BIRTHandBEYOND_NYFB_1013.indd 30

11/25/13 4:06 PM

JACKSON-REESE_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

11/25/13 5:52 PM

continued from page 30

postpartum moms, while providing an opportunity to learn something new about different services and products, and a chance to meet other pregnant women. thepregnantnewyorker.com Prenatal Yoga Center Prenatal Yoga Center is the first and only yoga center in New York City to focus solely on expectant and new moms. Their classes have a three-prong approach, focusing on community, physical comfort, and childbirth education.

Community means starting each class with the women introducing themselves, saying how far along they are and how they are feeling physically; physical comfort means identifying the aches the students are feeling that day in order to cater the class to ease their discomfort; and childbirth education means interweaving informative themes through the class. The center believes that this is a very digestible way to take in new and sometimes overwhelming information, with the hope that the new mother will feel more confident in making conscious decisions during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and motherhood. prenatalyogacenter.com Seleni Institute The Seleni Institute is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 by George and Nitzia Logothesis to attend to the mental health care needs of women. In addition to supporting research and providing women with online resources, the institute offers assessment, consultation, and treatment for women experiencing reproductive or mental health issues. Their areas of coverage include lactation support, acupuncture, massage, therapy, support groups for post-partum depression and anxiety, and infant bonding and attachment with a focus on individualized treatment throughout. Additionally, the team of experts at Seleni lead monthly workshops on topics like breastfeeding, preparing for motherhood, and more. seleni.org Stork And Cradle Stork and Cradle gives mothers the real deal about labor and breastfeeding. Their services mentor families through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding empowering them to make choices that keep themselves and their babies safe and healthy. They’ve create a non-judgment zone where parents can discover what they need and want to have their ideal safe birth, eliminate regrets, and have a rewarding experience. In addition to free monthly healthy pregnancy classes and weekly breastfeeding support calls, offerings include: Comprehensive Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Baby Care and Safety, Infant CPR, Expectant Multiples, and an online childbirth class. storkandcradle.com Tribeca Parenting Tribeca Parenting provides childbirth preparation, babycare, and breastfeeding classes for expectant couples. It is an affiliate of Tribeca Pediatrics but is open to all expecting New York City parents. The parent education 32

organization was born from Dr. Michel Cohen’s desire to help families have healthy births and new baby experiences, and he brought on Erica Lyon, author of The Big Book of Birth, to run the program. Support and education don’t stop with the arrival of the baby: New moms groups, breastfeeding support, and the very popular Toddler Talks let parents find sanity with resources that age up with their kids. There are convenient locations on the Upper East Side, Tribeca, Chelsea, Long Island City, Fort Greene, Gowanus, and Jersey City. tribecapediatrics.com/TPeds Twiniversity Got twins? If you are expecting twins or are a new parent of twins, don’t miss a Twiniversity Class. Natalie Diaz, founder of the global support network Twiniversity teaches classes locally to her fellow New Yorkers. She’ll answer questions like: Should you breastfeed two at a time? How? One crib or two? Should you co-swaddle? What stroller is best for our city?

How much help do you need and where do you find it? Should your twins be on a schedule and how to get them on one? All this and more is taught in both the Twins 101 class (for expectant families) and Twins 201 class (for new families). twiniversity.com Urban Wellness Acupuncture Urban Wellness Acupuncture offers treatment sessions that focus on overall women’s health, fertility and more uniquely new mom’s wellbeing. Carla Gervasio, L.Ac and Rae Ritke, L.Ac. are licensed and board certified acupuncturists committed to create an office that functions as an oasis from the business of life, so clients can focus on harmonizing their bodies and minds.

In addition to sessions that center on positive energy for fertility benefits, Urban Wellness Acupuncture offers support for recent mothers to rebuild their resources after birth. Carla and Rae use acupuncture to help with postpartum symptoms like abdominal pain, sleep issues, and emotional imbalance by moving the body’s bioenergy to enhance the natural healing process and recovery. urbanwellnessnyc.com See our ultimate directory on page 44 for more resources for OB-GYNs, midwives, lactation experts, and more.

For more information and advice on newborns, visit our baby blog at newyorkfamily.com /blogs/ new-york-family-baby.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

BIRTHandBEYOND_NYFB_1013.indd 32

11/26/13 2:47 PM

Mandarin FOR BABIES TO ADULTS

Z G T

Sign up for Baby Classes!

Mommy & Me 1-2 years ZGT Kids

3-5 years

Group Classes available Get a head start learning Mandarin through song and dance.

Develop social, language, music and math skills all while having fun!

James Keyte, Founder ZGT currently runs the Mandarin Programs at St Bernard's, Buckley, Allen-Stevenson and PS6

208 East 73rd Street jamie@zgtnewyorkcom

212.837.1306 zgtnewyork.com

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE TRIAL CLASS!

The Diller-Quaile School of Music 24 E. 95th Street w New York, NY 10128 w 212-369-1484

DQ

Visit www.diller-quaile.org for a complete listing of Early Childhood, Instrumental & Vocal, Adult, and Community Programs for 2013-2014.

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community & Precollegiate Arts Schools

TEMPLATE_NYFB_1213.indd 24

11/25/13 5:57 PM

Best

In SHOW

The 5 Winning Products From The Spring 2013 New York Family Baby Show Offer Innovation, Function, Design, And Value

1

2 3

34

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

BESTinSHOW_NYFB_1013.indd 34

11/25/13 5:31 PM

4

5

In addition to our print publications and online offerings, New York Family is also proud to annually produce the New York Family Baby Show.

Last May, we were thrilled to be able to check out a multitude of amazing baby products, the top tier of which were chosen with distinction by a selective panel as Best In Show. These five products, from a lightweight stroller to a nifty teether/rattler combo, each serve a unique purpose in a baby’s development and well-being journey. So check them out and see for yourself— you can’t go wrong with the best of the best in baby gear.

The 2013 Best In Show winners were selected by a distinguished panel of editors, bloggers, and retail experts: Leah Black of New York Family Baby; Catherine Connors of Babble; Elina Furman of A-List Mom; Melissa Keswin of GILT.com; Audrey Goodson Kingo of Earnshaw’s; Elena Donovan Mauer of The Bump; Serena Norr of MomTrends; Peter Roberge of Albee Baby; Hallie Scheflin of Parents magazine; Ali Wing of giggle; and Alicia Ybarbo and Mary Ann Zoellner from Today’s Moms.

and storage, proving that the Yezz is truly a fun new addition to the category of umbrella strollers that has been sorely in need of a new look and design for the last few years. Plus, it’s available in a multitude of cheery colors. $279.99, quinny.com

1. ParentLab’s journeyBee: Designed

5. Bitybean: A child carrier that you can tuck easily into a diaper bag? It almost seems too good to be true, but this compact and convenient carrier really is that easy. Bitybean is smaller and lighter than other soft-sided carriers on the market and can be folded to fit in a pocket, bag, or purse when not in use carrying toddlers weighing 8-40 lbs. $54.95, bitybean.com

especially for families on the go, the journeyBee is a lightweight and portable crib that’s safe and easy to use. The easy carry bag and pop-open design make the journeyBee perfect for all kinds of family adventures—from play dates to picnics in the park. $199, parentlab.com

2. Quinny’s Yezz: Super lightweight, super cute, and super innovative are the perfect ways to describe this wildly popular stroller. This small wonder folds up when not in use for easy travel

3.Innobaby’s Teether & Rattle: This lightweight and flexible teether/rattle combo has a fun design that babies will love and is easy for them to grasp. With a slim petal shaped design to stimulate muscles, EZ grip handle, and flexible design, this product allows babies to reach all parts of their mouths and go through teething in comfort. $5.99, innobaby.com

4. Nuna’s Leaf: This nifty little rocker from Dutch company Nuna is perfect for moms looking for a greener way to get baby to go to sleep.

Designed to simulate the motion of a floating leaf, the rocker is propelled by the baby’s weight, no batteries or electricity required. And with a weight limit of 130 pounds, the Leaf will last long past the infant years. $219.95, nuna.eu/USA

The 2014 New York Family Baby Show is scheduled for May 17-18. For more information, visit newyorkbabyshow.com.

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 35

BESTinSHOW_NYFB_1013.indd 35

11/25/13 5:32 PM

Décor

Div s

Stephanie Anders

The Moms Behind Project Nursery Talk Form, Function, And Fun

By Nadia Ramlakhan

Project Nursery founders (L to R) Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio

Five years ago Pam Ginocchio and Melisa Fluhr barely knew what a blog was. Now, their vibrant Project Nursery site leads the pack for familycentric interior design resources online.

The online décor destination is filled with everything you need to know about creating a nursery, from tips and ideas to product and brand recommendations.

Alongside a professional team of 12 interior designers, real parents offer real advice on designing a nursery that is special for parents and baby. Popular sections of the site include the Project Gallery, where parents can proudly showcase their finished rooms, and the design blog, where readers can scope out new trends.

For the complete lowdown, we caught up with Ginocchio and Fluhr (who is currently designing her own children’s rooms in her new home).

Luckily for us, the dynamic momtrepreneurs are eager to share their tips, tricks, and takes on the top trends they’ve been seeing.

How did it all begin, and why were you inspired to start your site?

Ginocchio: Melisa was planning her first nursery in L.A. in a house that needed total renovation. They couldn’t quite afford to renovate the whole thing, so Melisa auditioned for a makeover from HGTV and in two days she had cameras on her front door from the show “RateMySpace.” Afterward, she put photos of her nursery on HGTV’s website, and overnight it became the number one nursery. She was inundated with e-mails about how to do the wall treatment

36

[she did for] her son’s wall—a lattice paint treatment.

And this idea came to her: “Why don’t I put this information in a blog?” Because people are really interested and they want to know about every aspect of this room. That’s when she called me up and said, “I think we should start a blog”— and I said, “Okay, what’s a blog?”

Fluhr: There was nothing else at the time and I think now there is probably too much out there.

Especially when you’re expecting your first, you’re so overwhelmed with information and there are so many products and design ideas. We try to give people options and help them get to the part where the nursery is finished.

What makes Project Nursery stand out from other design sources?

Ginocchio: We’re all about the real, the real parent. It’s not about being a professional interior designer, and that’s certainly not what Melisa and I have ever been. Back then it was really about ripping out pages from magazines. We’re really about how you can achieve the nursery you want on your own—a little DIY, a little bit of shopping, some high-low blending prices.

Most people don’t have the means or desire to hire a professional interior designer to do their baby’s nursery. We are the champions of the real, everyday parent, especially for urban families. You have space constraints or maybe you’re renting and we offer solutions for every budget, every style, and every scenario.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

PROJECTNURSERY_NYFB_1013.indd 36

11/25/13 4:35 PM

Fluhr: We are so heavily community driven and, unlike bigger sites, we are so niche. It’s all about kids design and a well-designed life with kids, because we really believe it’s all about mixing and matching and about the nursery being an extension of your own home. There’s a real conversation happening, specifically in the Project Gallery where parents are able to upload their rooms and have conversations with other parents: “Where did you get the rug? Where did you get the crib?”

What are some absolute essentials, besides the crib?

What are some key features of the site?

Fluhr: Then the dimmer switch for lighting… so that in the middle of the night, for those late night feedings, you’re not turning on the light at full blast. You can have a nice soft glow and go in and check on baby. Kids grow so fast, I think it’s also important to have enough storage. I don’t think parents realize how much stuff they’re going to get.

Fluhr: We started our site in 2008 as a blog, and we offer design trends and advice three times a day. That content is produced not only by myself and Pam, but also by our team of true design experts. I would mention our Vendor Guide—we have companies that we’ve gone out and handselected that we’re saying is the best, and we love what they do.

When should parents have purchased everything?

Fluhr: We tell everyone to start buying in the second trimester. I think that’s when you really do the heavy lifting—[but] don’t do any heavy lifting!

That’s when the real work takes place. We like to say that the first trimester is the time to dream and create and just get used to the idea that you’re pregnant and you’re having a family. By the time the second trimester rolls around is when our parents are most active.

Do you design with the baby or the parents in mind?

Ginocchio: You don’t have to make it super baby…the days of that matchy-matchy, sort of Winnie-the-Pooh nursery are gone. And you really can do anything you want. You can make it sophisticated, and obviously with the key pieces like the crib and the changer, it’s going to be functionally perfect for the baby. We’ve always taken the stance that mom and dad are going to spend a lot of time in that nursery, and you want it to be a place that you feel really good in. Your baby’s going to love it, no matter what! We’re saying it’s an opportunity to actually design.

What’s the best first step in designing the nursery?

Ginocchio: Find your inspiration. It can be a color palette that you love, a fabric, bedding, or a piece of art.

Fluhr: Now with tools like Pinterest—rather than buying a couple things, then sitting back and thinking, “Okay now what do I do?”—you can actually plan everything out and sit and stare at it in one place. It’s collecting those thoughts and ideas and inspiration and coming up with a design board, essentially, just like any designer would, to put everything together. So maybe that crib you had in mind may look funny with the bedding you wanted, and this way you can easily adjust it.

Fluhr: The glider, I think, is a must.

Ginocchio: Yes, or a comfy chair. It can be a rocker, glider, or a little loveseat, but definitely a place to bond with baby. Gliders are awesome because they’re comfortable for mom and baby and they often help getting the baby down. And then a place to change the baby, whether it’s a dresser with a changing top or a whole changing station.

What are some common mistakes parents make?

Fluhr: Safety. You have to be really careful; you can get excited about the design aspect of it that you may forget. It’s not smart to put your crib in front of a window or hang heavy things on a wall right above the crib.

Ginocchio: If you’re buying reputable products, there are strict guidelines, but you can take the extra step. With paint we really advocate for low [volatile organic compound] choices like Lullaby Paints, and most brands offer those options. You can go as far as organic bedding, and companies like Sprout offer a fully organic glider.

What do you think about wall art?

Fluhr: I think wall art really finishes a room. It’s so important to incorporate art in the room, because it does bring a lot of personality, whether it is in the form of a canvas, poster, picture, or even just a simple wall decal.

What’s your favorite part of the whole design process?

Fluhr: The reveal at the end. When the room is clean and perfect—it’s the best. When somebody actually starts with an idea and goes through and executes it.

Ginocchio: The starting off point and the possibilities. I actually really enjoy the different options and the imagination process. It’s really fun and it’s a way to be creative.

For more design ideas visit newyorkfamily.com & read on to see Melisa & pam’s 12 trendy picks

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 37

PROJECTNURSERY_NYFB_1013.indd 37

11/25/13 4:35 PM

1

TRUE

2

u l e B

According To The Tastemaking Duo Behind Project Nursery, Everyone’s Favorite Neutral— Navy—Will Make A Splash This Year

7

5

8 9

38

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

PROJECTNURSERY_NYFB_1013.indd 38

11/25/13 4:36 PM

Melisa Fluhr and Pam Ginocchio are forecasting navy blue to be the next hot color trend in the nursery and children’s spaces this fall and winter.

In their opinion, navy is a versatile neutral that can be paired with bursts of pinks, aqua, orange, and coral for beautiful effects. Check out their top picks for some sweet eye candy as you conceptualize your baby’s nursery look—and get ready to set the mood for a sophisticated and serene space.

3

4

1. Crib: Bellini’s Stella crib by Newport Cottages in deep blue/ white. $1,240, bellini.com 2. Diaper Pail: Ubbi diaper pail in navy blue. $79.99, ubbiworld.com 3. Table: Gates Lacquer side table, in Thai blue, by West Elm. $99.99, westelm.com 4. Chair: Grazia swivel glider, in navy blue with white piping, by Monte Design. $1,195, montedesign.net 5. Bag: Wistful Weekender by Petunia Pickle Bottom. $180, laylagrayce.com

6

6. Lamp: Penelope Pendant, in navy ceramic, by Robert Abbey. $368, ylighting.com 7. Mirror: Home Sapphire mirror by Bunny Williams for Mirror Image. $1,135, zincdoor.com 8. Storage: Medium dark blue Kneatly Knit rope bin by Land of Nod. $39, landofnod.com 9. Rug: Navy/ivory Zig cotton Dhurrie rug by Serena & Lily. $195795, serenaandlily.com

10

12

10. Art: Lord Bodner print

by Jonathan Adler. $2,2550, jonathanadler.com 11. Dresser: Oslo 3-drawer dresser, painted navy, by ducduc for Land of Nod. $1,499, landofnod.com 12. Swaddles: Into the Woods organic muslin 3-pack by aden + anais. $54.95, adenandanais.com

11

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 39

PROJECTNURSERY_NYFB_1013.indd 39

11/25/13 4:36 PM

A Toddler Grows In Brooklyn Our Blogger Alex Richards Sheds Light— And Laughter—On The Journey From Naming To Nursery School

By Alex Richards My Daughter’s Not-So-Unique Name: We Thought Our Choice Was Perfect…And Unpopular How long did it take you to choose a name for your child? Because my husband and I angsted for the entire nine months. It is a seriously big decision, right? You’re going to say this name every day for the rest of your life. Yell it when she’s in trouble, sing it when you’re praising her, groan it under your breath when you’re annoyed. A name is an investment. And, more importantly, I wanted to choose a unique name—and I don’t mean Sacagawea or Bamboo (although, come to think of it, Bamboo has a nice ring to it)—but a name that won’t be shared with half the girls in her class.

And so when she was born we chose Beatrix.

“X” names were high on our list, and it suited her.

So imagine my frustration when I discovered her name’s popularity.

“She’s our 10th Bea this year!” said our pediatrician.

“There are two girls named Beatrice in my building!” a new friend exclaimed.

I cling to the fact that her name is Beatrix, not Beatrice. Every little bit helps. That’s why we’re mostly calling her Trixie. Spotlighting that “x” like it’s in a talent show. Plus, I haven’t come across any other Trixies in the neighborhood, except that for Christmas a friend gave us the book Knuffle Bunny. It’s adorable. But it’s about a girl named Trixie (grrr) and her daddy (a tall, skinny, strawberry blond who wears glasses—a.k.a. my husband—double grrr) and their escapades in Park Slope (where I live—triple grrr!).

Oh, well. My little baby will always be unique to me!

40

Alex Richards and her daughter, Trix

When To Wean: As My Baby Gets Older, Breastfeeding Is Losing A Bit Of Its Charm Breastfeeding has started to lose some of its charm. I still love the special bond it gives my daughter and me, but as she gets older (going on seven months), this once cozy activity suddenly feels like a game show—for her, mind you. Instead of “spinning the wheel” for her big prize, Trixie will pull my hair, squeeze my nipples, grab at my lips, smack my chest, stick her fingers up my nose, or occasionally bite, kick, and thrash. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

The question of how long you plan to breastfeed can be a prickly one, but it’s such a personal choice. Some people would do it forever if they could; others nix it as soon as they can.

Most of us fall somewhere in between.

My feeding sessions with Trixie can be frustrating and often painful, but breastfeeding is still the easiest way to calm her down and put her to sleep—and I know I’ll never leave her food at home when it’s attached to my body. So, for now I will continue to play the part of Trixie’s human jungle gym, even though sometimes I just want to scream, “Focus! Stop thwapping my chest like it’s your drum kit and just eat!” But it’s hard to scold those big blue eyes and that innocent smile.

Preschool Procrastination: Taking On The Dreaded Nursery School Admissions Process Without Going Crazy It started almost a year ago. I was on a playdate, and one mom-friend said, “So, where are you sending Trixie to preschool?”

At the time my daughter wasn’t even two. I thought, “Um…huh? Preschool is for 3-year-olds, right? Am I really supposed to figure that out now?”

The answer—much to my surprise and dismay—was yes.

I have a lot of mommy friends and, to be

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

ALEXRICHARDS_NYFB_1013.indd 40

11/25/13 5:13 PM

honest, I let them do most of the dirty work. When one friend went on a tour of a Montessori oasis on Brooklyn’s gritty Third Avenue, I sat back and waited for the report—that’s how I heard about every other reputable school. But, it turns out that if you want to apply to preschool, you have to visit the school yourself first.

First up, we went to a slightly hippie, playbased school for our tour (and by “tour” I mean “interview”). All I knew of the school was that each parent had to volunteer 17 hours per semester.

And pay tuition! Yeah. Still, we gussied up and set out to wow the staff.

Wow them we did not. Trixie spent most of the time picking her nose, but I was the screw up. At one point I randomly blurted out, “You don’t let the kids go outside, do you?” The woman looked at me like I’d asked to bum a cigarette. Like, maybe I lock my daughter in the basement—which might’ve explained why Trixie was standing in the corner of the office screaming, “Don’t look at me!”

That’s what she does when she’s making a poop.

(And who doesn’t like a little privacy when they’re pooping on a preschool interview?!)

Needless to say, we didn’t get a letter of acceptance. Like most preschools in the city, this particular establishment had guidelines. Weeding tools, if you will. They wanted to know what we, as parents, could bring to the program. What were our family’s goals for preschool? Ultimately, they were looking for children who would “bring something” to the twos program. So I guess we didn’t bring what they were looking for.

Another nearby school had a pleasant, eclectic vibe. I went on the tour and the school seemed great. But then one mom told me parents begin lining up at 1am the night before registration to get a spot. And I’m talking bone-chilling February here.

Ultimately, I decided not to worry. I skipped the midnight line and put my preschool-addled brain on hiatus. A few weeks later, I decided to call the school with the eclectic vibe. To my surprise, the program director said, “Oh, sure! We still have a few spaces!” I was floored. After all those visits and interviews and applications, we managed to get into a great school.

Alex Richards is a writer and artist living in Brooklyn with her husband, toddler Trixie, and two disinterested cats. Read more from her at newyorkfamily.com/blogs.

The Parents League o f

n e w

y o r k

A non-profit association of parents and independent schools since 1913

Preschool Admissions Workshops School Advisory Services Parenting & Education Events Online Resources Publications

WE KNOW SCHOOLS ParentsLeague.org 212-737-7385 Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 41

ALEXRICHARDS_NYFB_1013.indd 41

11/25/13 5:13 PM

101

NYC Mom And Founder Of HelpUsAdopt.org Becky Fawcett Shares Her Tips And Insights On The Complex Process Of Adoption

Lindsay May for Classic Kids Photography

Adopt on

Becky Fawcett with her children

By Becky Fawcett Ever thought about adopting? As an adoptive mother of two, I will never tell anyone that the process is easy. Worthwhile? Yes. And would I do it again? In a heartbeat. But wanting to adopt and being willing and able to adopt are two very different things. People adopt for many different reasons—mine was infertility—but whatever the reason, the adoption process is expensive and complex. No two adoptions are the same, and there are always bumps in the road. My son, Jake, is 8 and my daughter, Brooke, is 4. They both know they are adopted, and it is part of our life as a family. I am frequently asked to talk to friends of friends about adoption, and the conversation usually goes like this: Can you please talk to my friend and tell them what they really need to know?

I am not an adoption attorney or licensed social worker. I write a blog (An Infertile Blonde), and have worked in the adoption field for six years as the founder of the Help Us Adopt website, which provides financial assistance to families who need help affording their adoption. It’s hard for me to come up with the most important thing you need to know, but I will say this: Yes, I was scared. Every time I got overwhelmed I remembered this: Scores of families have adopted and made it through to the other side happily. I just kept remembering how much I wanted to be a mom and how much the child I was going to adopt would fill my heart. Here are my top tips—parent to prospective-parent—on beginning the adoption journey.

42

1. Adoption is not a word that should be whispered. Gone are the days when adoption equaled shame and secrecy, which, quite frankly, wasn’t good for anyone or any situation—much less a child and their family experience in this world.

2. People adopt for many different reasons, but 80 percent of the people who adopt are failed infertility patients. Like me, adoption is their only option to become parents—the only option to build a family. Another important factor to be aware of is that anyone can adopt—married couples, non-married couples, single parents, and the LGBT community, to name a few.

3. Adoption is expensive. It is not uncommon for a private adoption to cost $30,000-50,000 or more. This lump sum is due in full and up front (although not all at once) before you can officially adopt your child, and it often presents a financial obstacle for prospective parents.

4. Fostering is a great option. Foster care adoption through the New York State Department of Social Services is one option that is free. This process is also long and arduous. There are more than 500,000 amazing children in our foster care system each year, and if you are interested, information on foster care adoption is readily available from the Dave Thomas Foundation.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

ADOPTION_NYFB_1013.indd 42

11/25/13 4:47 PM

Utilize your resources.

Becky recommends the following websites to help give you the details and statistics on the adoption process: helpusadopt.org adoptioncouncil.org davethomasfoundation.org adoptionattorneys.org adoptivefamilies.com

5. Domestic vs. international. Choosing your specific adoption path is a very personal decision.

Ask yourself some questions: Do you want a newborn? Do you want a toddler or an older child? Are you looking to have knowledge about the birthparent and an open adoption, or are you more interested in adopting a child from an orphanage oversees? Are you open to adopting a child of a different race? Would you be open to a child of special needs? These are all questions that are vital to moving forward. Additionally, domestic adoption law is not federal. It is state-specific and can have various caveats based on where you live in regard to where the baby is born. International adoption is also tricky because each country has different laws and they do change frequently, from country to country.

Every time I got overwhelmed I remembered this: Scores of families have adopted and made it through to the other side happily. I just kept remembering how much I wanted to be a mom and how much the child I was going to adopt would fill my heart.

required pieces of the puzzle, such as “facilitators.”

Everyone is willing to help you for a fee: some are necessary expenses, and some are not. It’s hard for me to believe that not all adoption professionals are in business to help people build families. But just like in any other field, the adoption world has bad seeds.

8. Research, ask questions, and trust your gut.

While it’s always important to research a new topic and learn as much as you can on your own, I do not advise simply Googling “adoption.” You will be overwhelmed. Even after two adoptions, I still get overwhelmed by the amount of information available. The other downfall is that you will read about every horrible adoption-gonewrong story, making you want to run for the hills.

Unfortunately, the bad stories are the ones to make the headlines. Your adoption professional should always be your go-to on all questions concerning your adoption, and they should always answer your questions in full. If you do not understand an answer, ask the question again— you need to be in the know.

9. Open vs. closed adoptions. A closed adoption is a situation where the adoptive parents and the birth parents do not meet and no information is exchanged. While there aren’t too many closed adoptions these days, they do still exist. It is my opinion that closed adoptions aren’t good for anyone—from the birthmother and the adoptive parents right down to the adoptee—as they were typically shrouded in undue mystery. Information and knowledge are powerful, especially in regard to your personal journey. In an open adoption, one or both of the birth parents select the adoptive parents and then meet them before the birth.

Basic information is exchanged and a relationship is built prior to the birth of the child. A post-birth communication plan is created by your adoption professionals, and communication boundaries are set. Both of my adoptions are open, and I am so grateful to not only have met both of my children’s birthmothers, but also to have information about them to pass on to my children. This openness is what scared me the most about the adoption process initially, but it really turned out to be a fear of the unknown.

6. Attorney or Agency? Once you decide how you want to adopt—i.e. domestic, international, or foster care—your first step will be to hire an adoption attorney or adoption agency. Many people assume that lawyer adoptions are much more expensive than agency adoptions, but my experience has been the complete opposite. Keep in mind that all adoptions will require a lawyer at some point in the process. Choosing the right type of adoption professional is important when finding someone to guide you.

10. Talk about it. A lot! You might find this awkward and uncomfortable at first, but force yourself to do this. You will be pleasantly surprised at how many people in your day-to-day network are connected to adoption. Talk to as many people as possible and ask questions, ask them to share their experiences with you, and ask to meet their children. Also, make sure that you have a “buddy”—a therapist, a support group, or even a pet (don’t laugh)—that you can confide in along the way. Only you and your partner or spouse can make the decisions along the way, but you should not shoulder the emotion alone.

7. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. As you progress through your adoption planning, be wary of professionals for hire who are not legally

Becky Fawcett is the founder and executive director of helpusadopt.org, which provides financial aid to couples trying to adopt.

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 43

ADOPTION_NYFB_1013.indd 43

11/25/13 4:48 PM

R dy, , e t S

B by!

A Selective Guide To Everything For Bump And Baby For expectant and new parents (with children up to toddler age), New York Family has four very special and helpful resources.

There’s our grand annual event, The New York Baby Show, which takes place one weekend every May. The expo attracts thousands of new and expectant families from the metropolitan area who come to discover hundreds of leading vendors and services for new families, while also enjoying seminars and lectures by parenting and family experts and sharing all sorts of fun activities with their infants and toddlers. This year, new parent guru Rosie Pope gave the show’s main address both days, joined by a panel of some of her favorite experts.

For more info about the 2014 New York Baby Show next May, visit newyorkbabyshow.com and 44

email info@newyorkbabyshow.com to receive early bird ticket specials and other information.

On a more regular basis, we also offer expectant and new parents a wonderful and free weekly newsletter filled with tips on pre- and postnatal resources, shopping, news, and musings—not to mention wonderful giveaways. The newsletter is mostly based on our popular New York Family Baby blog at newyorkfamily.com, which is where you can sign up for the newsletter.

This magazine, New York Family Baby, is a bi-annual magazine focused solely on needs and interests of expectant and new parents. The next edition will be available in May 2014.

Finally, the following directory should help you address many of your needs as new parents as well.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

NEWPARENTS_NYFB_1013.indd 44

11/25/13 4:13 PM

Illustration by Ward Jenkins

BABY & BREASTFEEDING GEAR

Albee Baby albeebaby.com ANB Baby anbbaby.com Babesta babesta.com Babies“R”Us babiesrus.com Bellini Baby & Teen bellini.com Boing Boing boingboingmaternity.com Brooklyn Baby World brooklynbabyworld.com buybuyBABY buybuybaby.com Caribou Baby cariboubaby.com Giggle giggle.com Goodnight Room NYC goodnightroomnyc.com J&R Jr. jr.com/jr Metro Minis metrominis.com NessaLee Baby nessaleebaby.com New York Baby Shop newyorkbabyshop.com Planet Kids planetkidsny.com Posh Baby poshbabyusa.com Pottery Barn Kids potterybarnkids.com Schneider’s schneidersbaby.com Sprout San Francisco sproutsanfrancisco.com Upper Breast Side upperbreastside.com Yummy Mummy yummymummystore.com

BABY PLANNERS AND CONCIERGE SERVICES

The Baby Guy babyguygearguide.com The Baby Sleep Whisperer babysleepwhisperer.com Sissy & Marley sissyandmarley.com

BABY PROOFING

All-Star Baby Safety allstarbabysafety.com A Plus Child Proofing apluschildproofing.com Baby Proofers Plus babyproofersplus.com Baby-Safe Inc. babysafeamerica.com

CHILD CARE

Absolute Best Care absolutebestcare.com Au Pair Care aupaircare.com Au Pair In America aupairinamerica.com Barnard Babysitting barnardbabysitting.com Bright Horizons brighthorizons.com Care care.com College & Nanny Tutors collegenannies.com Craigslist craigslist.com (for their listings) EurAupair euraupair.com The House of Little People thehouseoflittlepeople.org Irish Echo irishecho.com (for their listings) The Learning Experience thelearningexperience.com Lucky Lil’ Darlings luckylildarlings.com Mom To Moms Advisor momtomomsadvisor.com Mommybites mommybites.com (for their nanny board) Nannies Of New York nanniesofnewyork.com The Nanny League thenannyleague.com Penelope’s People penelopespeople.com Pinch Sitters Agency nypinchsitters.com Preschool of America preschoolofamerica.us

BIG TIP: OB/GYNs, Midwives, Doulas & Lactation Experts If you’re searching for an OB/GYN, midwife, doula, or lactation consultant, there’s no shortage of qualified people in the NYC area. Start by asking trusted friends for recommendations, but don’t take their advice as the last word. Follow your instincts.

Use Google or one of your childbirth reference books to really understand the role of each provider, noting questions to ask when interviewing the kind of health care provider you’re interested in working with.

For OB/GYNs: The major local hospitals have referral services. We also recommend the search engine at castleconnolly.com, which gathers Best Doctors lists using peer referrals.

For doulas: Try DONA International (dona. org), NYC Doula Service (nycdoulaservice. com), the Metropolitan Doula Group (metrodoula.com), and Mama Views (mamaviews.com) for its Rate My Baby Nurse directory. You can also speak to your OB/GYN. For baby nurses: Try Mama Views (mamaviews.com) for its Rate My Baby Nurse directory.

For midwives: Try the American College of Nurse-Midwives (midwife.org) and Choices in Childbirth (choicesinchildbirth.org).

For lactation experts: Try the New York Lactation Consultant Association (nylca.org).

Sensible Sitters sensiblesitters.com Sitter City sittercity.com Tutor Time tutortime.com Upper Westside Playgroup upperwestsideplaygroup.org Urban Baby urbanbaby.com (for their listings) Urban Sitter urbansitter.com Wee Care weecarellc.com

DIAPER SERVICES

Diaper Kind diaperkind.com

FERTILITY CLINICS

The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility ivf.org New Hope Fertility newhopefertility.com NYU Fertility Center nyufertilitycenter.org continued on page 46

Fall 2013 | New York FamilyBaby 45

NEWPARENTS_NYFB_1013.indd 45

11/25/13 4:14 PM

continued from page 45

Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York rmany.com

HOSPITALS AND BIRTHING CENTERS

Beth Israel Medical Center wehealny.org The Brooklyn Birthing Center brooklynbirthingcenter.com Lenox Hill lenoxhillhospital.org Maimonides Medical Center mainmonidesmed.org New York Downtown Hospital downtownhospital. org New York Methodist nym.org NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital childrensnyp.org/mschony NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center med.cornell.edu NYU Langone Medical Center med.nyu.edu St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center wehealny.org

INFANT CPR

Baby Be Safe babybesafe.com Little Hearts littleheartscpr.com

MATERNITY CLOTHES

A Pea in the Pod apeainthepod.com Belly Dance Maternity bellydancematernity.com Bump bumpbrooklyn.com Clementine Consignment clementineconsignment.com Destination Maternity destinationmaternity.com Encore Maternity encorematernity.com Madison Rose madisonrosematernity.com Motherhood Maternity motherhood.com Rosie Pope Maternity rosiepopematernity.com Veronique Maternity veroniquematernity.com

PEDIATRIC OFFICES

Beth Israel Pediatric Associates bethisraelpediatrics.yourmd.com Big Apple Pediatrics bigapplepediatrics.com Downtown Pediatrics downtown-pediatrics.com Carnegie Hill Pediatrics carnegiehillpediatrics.com Global Pediatrics globalpediatrics.com LaGuardia Place Pediatrics laguardiaplacepediatrics.com Manhattan Pediatrics manhattan-pediatrics.com Manhattan Physicians Group mpgcares.com Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine pedsny.com Pediatric Associates of NYC pediatricassociatesnyc.com Pediatrics of New York pediatricsofny.com Premier Pediatrics premierpediatricsny.com Tribeca Pediatrics tribecapediatrics.com Village Pediatrics villagepediatric.com Weill Cornell Medical Associates weillcornell.org/wcma West Eleventh St Pediatric Associates west11thstreetpediatrics.com West End Pediatrics westendpedsnyc.com

PEDIATRIC OFFICES

Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian childrensnyp.org 46

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for Emergency Medicine nypemergency.org

PRE- AND POST-NATAL EDUCATION, FITNESS, AND SUPPORT

92Y 92y.org AquaMom aquamom.com Birth Day Presence birthdaypresence.net BklynBirth bklynbirth.com Caribou Baby cariboubaby.com Chic City Mom chiccitymom.com Choices in Childbirth choicesinchildbirth.org Destination Maternity destinationmaternity.com (for their classes) Diastasis Rehab diastasisrehab.com Fern Drillings ferndrillings.com Fit4Mom fit4mom.com Fitnotic fitnotic.com The JCC In Manhattan jccmanhattan.org Karma Kids Yoga karmakidsyoga.com Mama Glow mamaglow.com Manhattan Twins Club manhattantwinsclub.org Metro Minis metrominis.com Mind Over Matter Health & Fitness (MOM) mindovermatternyc.com Mommybites mommybites.com Mom Prep rosiepope.com Mom Support momsupport.org Newborn Notions newbornnotions.com Northeast Doulas northeastdoulas.com NYC Dads Group/New Dad Boot Camps nycdadsgroup.com Prenatal Yoga Center prenatalyogacenter.com Stork and Cradle storkandcradle.com Strollercize strollercize.com Tribeca Parenting tribecaparenting.com Twiniversity twiniversity.com Yummy Mummy yummymummystore.com

SLEEP CONSULTANTS

Deborah Pedrick familysleep.com Dream Team Baby dreamteambaby.com Mommywise mommywise.com NYC Sleep Doctor nycsleepdoctor.com Sleepy On Hudson sleepyonhudson.com Smooth Parenting smoothparenting.com SLEEP-EEZ KIDZ sleepeezkidz.com Soho Parenting sohoparenting.com Swellbeing swellbeing.com

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR NEW PARENTS iKidNY ikidny.com Mommy Nearest mommynearest.com pingMD pingmd.com weeSpring weespring.com

STROLLER CLEANING AND REPAIR CleanBeeBaby cleanbeebaby.com Stroller Spa strollerspa.com

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

NEWPARENTS_NYFB_1013.indd 46

11/25/13 4:14 PM

The JCC in Manhattan Whether you’re expecting, or your child is a newborn or older, the JCC is here to help you every step along the way with workshops, fitness classes, and more.

Parenting Resources

Health + Wellness

American Heart Association Heartsaver: Infant/Child/Adult CPR w/ AED Certification 2 Tuesdays, Nov 5 & Dec 10, 6:30—9 pm, $95/$115

The Lunchbox and Beyond: Nutrition for Kids Oct 9, 7—8 pm, Free/$10 Nov 14, 6:30—7:30 pm, Free/$10

Developmentally Appropriate Discipline: Minimizing Power Struggles with Children Thu, Oct 10, 7—8:30 pm, $15/$20 Preparing Yourself for the Difficult Questions Children Ask Mon, Nov 4, 7—8:30 pm, $15/$20

New Parents Tummy Time (drop-in) Mondays & Wednesdays, Sep 9—Jan 15, 11—11:45 am, $15 per session Breastfeeding Support Group 3 Tuesdays, Oct 15, Nov 12, Dec 10, 11:30 am—1 pm, $20/$25 per session Caring for Your Newborn Baby 3 Thursdays, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12, 6:30—8:30 pm, $30/$40 per session

NEW! Pre + Postnatal MELT 2 Fridays, Nov 15 & Nov 22, noon—1 pm, $36/$46 per session Movin’ Mamas 6 Fridays, Oct 4—Nov 8, 11:30 am—12:30 pm, $180/$226

Incr edib Res le o u rc e for Par en Par ent ts and s-to -Be !

Save your 10% on first cla with the c ss o de JCCN YFPA R

Call 646.505.5708 or visit jccmanhattan.org/parenting for more info and to register. fb.com/JCCYoungFamilies

5 Wednesdays, Nov 13—Dec 18, 11 am—noon, $150/$184 5 Fridays, Nov 15—Dec 20, 11:30 am—12:30 pm, $150/$184 Mother and Baby Pilates: 4 Weeks–Crawling 6 Wednesdays, Oct 2—Nov 6, 1:30—2:15 pm, $180/$226 5 Wednesdays, Nov 13—Dec 18, 1:30—2:15 pm, $150/$184

Photo: Jennifer Lee

NEW! New Parents Group 6 Mondays, Oct 21—Nov 25 12:15—1:30 pm, $15 per session/$70 all

Prenatal Yoga: Pregnancy + Childbirth 6 Sundays, Nov 3—Dec 15, 4:15—5:45 pm, $167/$192.

An

JCC_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

11/25/13 5:44 PM

Keep Calm

& Labor On

One Of The City’s Leading Prenatal Yoga Instructors On Focusing Inward For A More Peaceful Birth

By Debra Flashenberg

A couple of months ago, a student approached me after a prenatal yoga class to tell me that while the class helped to reduce her lower back pain, she found it hard to relax and enjoy it because of distractions like the number of other students practicing and the noise of the street traffic. I apologized and suggested she try a less crowded night class during a time when fewer delivery trucks roam 72nd Street. At the time I thought I had given good advice for helping this student have a good class experience—but I recently realized that there’s an important lesson for the entire birthing process that I had missed.

Earlier this month, I came out of my doula retirement to support a former client, Sandi, through her second labor. Around 1am, Sandi, her husband, and I arrived at NYU Langone Medical Center, where the labor and delivery floor was quiet and subdued. Upon checking in at the nurse’s station, it was very obvious that Sandi was in the transitional stage of labor, so she was promptly brought to a room.

Within minutes, the quiet environment we had walked into was gone. Sandi was gowned up with a monitor strapped to her and a hep-lock IV inserted into her arm. We learned that she was fully dilated.

Her own doctor was not there yet, so we were paired up with an OB resident, the attending physician, and two nurses. One of the nurses quickly rolled the table of delivery instruments into the room.

Meanwhile, a bright overhead spotlight was shining down on Sandi and, because she wanted to push on her side, the doctor was also holding some sort of flashlight to get a better view of Sandi’s bottom.

Sandi was not shy about expressing how the chaos in the room was distracting her, especially when she felt the urge to push, and the spotlight shining in her eyes was interrupting her concentration. I brought my hand over her eyes to shield her from the light, then talked her through focusing inward. At that moment, we were completely unable to change any part of the surrounding environment, so Sandi’s work was to direct all her focus inward. She kept her eyes

48

closed, focused on my voice and her breath, and became in tune with the job at hand: pushing her baby out.

Sandi was amazing. With a tornado of activity around her, she found an inner calmness that allowed her to concentrate on the difficult task of child birthing. About 15 minutes later, Sandi gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, baby girl—and the noisy background gave way to the adoring love of a mother for her newborn.

Watching Sandi find focus within the chaos reminded me that we rarely have control over our external environment, but we do have a say in how we choose to react to it. (Personally, I am still working on mastering this skill!) In yoga, this practice is referred to as pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses. I interpret this not as literally covering your ears, closing your eyes, and retreating, but as more of a softening of the senses achieved by focusing inward. When this happens, the external world is not disruptive or jarring to one’s inner stability.

I do not fault the student who expressed her discontent in the yoga class’ hectic environment.

More importantly, at the time I had not thought to use the disruptions in class as a teaching tool. But I was inspired by Sandi’s birth to teach a prenatal yoga class in which I invited the students to embrace the practice of pratyahara and to notice themselves, their bodies, their breath, their babies, and the structure and alignment of the asana (yoga pose) they were practicing. Afterward, many students said they felt refreshed and excited.

Should they encounter a less than ideal labor and delivery environment, they now had the tools for focusing inward, which can provide a sense of calmness in even the most harried environment.

Next time you are on a crowded subway or bombarded by loud sirens? Try turning your focus inside yourself in order to create an inner space separate from the outside world. What a rewarding skill to have—both in labor and in everyday life.

Debra Flashenberg is the founder of the Prenatal Yoga Center. For more information visit prenatalyogacenter.com.

New York Family Baby | Fall 2013

LASTWORD_NYFB_1013.indd 48

11/25/13 4:49 PM

HARRYS_1113NYFB_HP.indd 1

11/25/13 5:43 PM

MaxiCosi_1113NYFB_FP.indd 1

11/25/13 5:45 PM