http://www.newyorkfamily.com/newyork/blogs-1-1-1-63.html It's 7 am and someone lifts off my sleep mask and plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. I open my eyes to find the most beautiful set of blue eyes staring back at me. Mommeeee! Mommy up? That's how I'm awakened by Little Peep nearly every morning and I've never had a better wakeup call in my entire life. In a culture where sharing a bed with the family dog is often more accepted than sharing a bed with your baby, I never intended on bringing Little Peep into bed with me. It happened because it was the only way both of us could get quality sleep, and after 19 months (and counting) we still enjoy our nighttime snuggles and lazy mornings in bed.--- In the early days, Little Peep spent the night in a bassinet beside me. But for some reason, she always seemed too far away. I obsessed over whether or not she was breathing and would constantly wake up to make sure her chest was moving up and down with each breath. I tried sleeping with my arm hanging into the bassinet just so I could touch her, but that was both uncomfortable and painful. (I kicked myself for not registering for the Arm's Reach co-sleeper, by the way). After a few weeks, Little Peep started to make it clear that she wanted no part of the bassinet for an extended amount of time. She would awaken moments after I drifted off to sleep. One night she woke so often that I slept with one leg hanging off the bed just so it would be less of a chore for me to get up and soothe her back to sleep. That was the night I decided to bring her into bed with me. The next morning I called my local La Leche Leader for her thoughts on how to get my daughter back into the bassinet. After all, babies are supposed to sleep in their cribs, right? I will never forget her initial matter-of-fact response: "We're mammals. Mammal babies sleep with their mothers." At first, this was difficult to accept. Everything I read about infant sleep revolved around cribs, mobiles, soothing machines, sleep positioners, extra firm mattresses, etc. Now I had to disregard that "expert advice" and learn to give in to what felt natural. I began to bring Little Peep into bed with me, while always practicing safe co-sleeping. People often say, "You'll never get her out of your bed!" I have to laugh at that because I certainly don't know any teenagers who sleep with their parents and I'm sure they don't either. She'll move into her own bedtime space when we're ready, and before I know it she'll be sleeping in her (Ivy League) dorm room and eventually her own home. As I continue on this parenting journey, I often reflect upon my favorite piece of advice, which is rather simple: "Read your baby, not the books." I have learned to respect my mothering instincts and the instincts of my baby. She needs to be close to me, and I sleep better being close to her. ]]> When it comes to quick-witted comebacks, I usually fall short. Oh, the times I've replayed a scene in my head imagining what I should have said in response to someone who has offended me. So it was last week when a woman commented on the lack of vegetables on my 16-month-old's plate. --- We were on our way home from a play date when, realizing an empty pantry awaited at home, I stopped for lunch at a neighborhood restaurant. It was an unseasonably warm day, so we grabbed a spot at a picnic table outside. Toward the end of our meal, a family asked if they could share our table. The mom of the group greeted me as they sat down. Then in a sing-song voice she turned to address my daughter. "And what are we having for lunch today?" "We're having grilled cheese," I answered, matching the woman's pitch with my own cheery tone. "Oh, I see... and... where's the vegetable?" The woman's eyes were still trained on my daughter, but an accusatory tone had crept into her voice. "Uh, she doesn't like apples," I stammered, motioning to the sliced fruit that had come with the sandwich. It wasn't a vegetable, but my first reaction was to assure the woman that my daughter ate a well-balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables--even if there happened to be none on her plate. Then, I remembered the salad. "She ate all of the carrots on my salad," I added, eager to make her understand. But the woman had moved on, avoiding eye contact with me entirely. Apparently she'd seen enough. On the walk home, I seethed, thinking of the things I should have said. She's allergic to greens, I muttered to myself as I pushed the stroller uphill. We only eat vegetables we've grown ourselves, I smirked, as I lugged the stroller up our stoop. Neither of these things was true, of course, but they seemed sufficiently absurd to prove a point. This wasn't the first time I had explained my parenting choices to a complete stranger. Once a nanny scolded me for not having my daughter's head covered on a cold day. Never mind that the child was otherwise bundled to the hilt, or that she'd pulled her hat off 10 times. I waved the rejected hat in the air, exclaiming, "She won't wear it! We're not going far!" The nanny shook her head in disapproval and crossed the street. I realized a pattern was emerging. The people-pleaser in me couldn't stand criticism, no matter how misplaced. As a new parent, perhaps I'd been too concerned with justifying my actions when it was really none of anyone's business. I made a pact with myself that the next time someone commented on my parenting, I would pause before responding. If I couldn't think of a quick, witty retort, I wouldn't say anything at all. Like most parents, I was doing the best I could. There was no need to explain anything to anyone. ]]> This week's round-up of classes (and other helpful or fun experiences) for new and expecting parents include:--- 1. Baby Moves NYC's Toddler Dance & Pre-Ballet: The West Village perennial offers a variety of mommy and me classes. Toddler Dance and Pre-Ballet class (18 months - 3 years) begins to teach babies the fundamentals of dance. More Info 2. Asphalt Green's Water Babies: Kids swim programs these (4 - 18 months) are the perfect way to get your baby comfortable with the water. And usually it's just a great way of bonding with your child. More Info 3. Boing Boing's Babywearing: The beloved breastfeeding and babywearing store in Park Slope has a babywearing class every Saturday at 10 AM. More Info # ]]> We are the Netflix of toys! Always free shipping, and never a late fee. Award-winning, unique toys selected by our experts and personalized for your child. --- Spark Box Toys brings personalized educational toys right to your doorstep: *Right toys at the right time *Fully sanitized *Try it FREE for 14 days at SparkBoxToys.com]]> I was sitting in a tiny airplane seat having serious doubts about leaving on my first trip away from my son. I had never been gone from him for even one night and here I was leaving for four days on a debauched weekend getaway to Las Vegas. It seemed so wrong, so unsavory.--- To make things worse, I had seen loads of babies and families at the airport, reminding me of the family I was leaving behind. Plus, MTV's "Teen Mom" happened to be showing on the airplane TV in front of me. Even a reality show featuring troubled teens struggling at parenthood managed to pull at my heartstrings, making me doubt my decision to fly halfway across the country for a break from full-time mommyhood. Granted, the trip was well deserved. My son was almost two and I'd barely left his side since he was born. In those early days when I was nursing him every two hours and co-sleeping, I told myself that once I made it through this all-consuming phase I would treat myself to a trip away. As soon as I weaned my son and was "free," I called my good girlfriend, also a mom, and we booked a long weekend in Vegas. We chose Vegas in part to reclaim some of our lost youth: trips like this were something I used to love pre-baby. But I wondered, could I still have as much fun now that I was a mom? The trip did not get off to a good start. My feelings of guilt were exacerbated when, upon arriving in Las Vegas, we lunched at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant at the MGM Grand--only to see the man himself eating with his wife and two sons. Of course that made me think of my own family sitting back home. Then, that night my girlfriend started to not feel well. The thought of getting on a plane and going back to Brooklyn ran through my head--I was supposed to be having fun, not trapped in a hotel room with a sick friend and missing my family! But I stuck it out, and day two dawned a new day. I had gotten a deal through Spaweek.com, and our three-night stay at the Las Vegas Hotel was just $150. (This was no five-star palace, but I found it to be totally satisfactory.) Our inexpensive hotel rate, combined with a $28 monorail pass in place of taxis, meant we could spend most of our budget on shopping, food, and of course, spa treatments. Our first stop was Qua Baths and Spa at Caesar's Palace. We luxuriated in whirlpools, a steam room, sauna and deep tissue massages--all the while drinking teas and eating lovely snacks. While we were spa-ing it up, I received reassuring texts from my hubby saying how great they were doing without me, at which point I was able to completely relax. In fact, it occurred to me that I hadn't been this relaxed in a long, long time. Thoughts of my son floated through my head, but I wasn't worried about a thing. That evening we saw Cirque du Soliel's show, "O," which was sublime. I sat there mesmerized, wondering how they came up with all the amazing feats they performed on stage. As a new mom, I sometimes feel starved for art and culture. After that, it was still early (for Vegas, not for two tired Mommas) so we attempted going to a club. The crowd was young and rowdy…and basically made us feel old. While deciding what to do next, we were approached by a pack of boys in their early twenties--two of whom were ironically dressed in baby costumes and tried to pick us up."We have babies!" I told them. And after another day of shopping, eating, and spa treatments, I was ready to go home to mine. The main highlight of my trip, more than all the spa-ing, etc., was just knowing that my son and husband can survive without me (and even have a blast together and bond). When I arrived at our Brooklyn apartment the following evening, I felt refreshed and revitalized and ready to go back to being mommy. My son was already in bed, but I couldn't wait until the morning to see him and snuggle him. The next time I want to go away, I know I will feel better about my decision to take some time for myself--my family is that much sweeter for it when I do. ]]> This just in: We have four pairs of tickets to give away to a special promotional screening of "What To Expect When You're Expecting," the star-studded movie inspired by best-selling pregnancy advice classic of the same name. --- You can read more about the movie here, but for expediency's sake we're just going to name drop the cast: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Chace Crawford. Elizabeth Banks, Brooklyn Decker, Mathew Morrison, Chris Rock, Megan Mullaly and more. The movie opens on Friday. And tonight's screening is at AMC Lincoln Square, 1998 Broadway, at W. 68th Street, at 7:30 PM. To enter, simply shoot us at email to familygiveaways@manhattanmedia.com, and put "What To Expect" in the subject line. We'll pick the winners by 3:30 PM, and email you right back. ]]> Recently, after one of my classes at the Prenatal Yoga Center, several students were discussing their doctors' recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy--a very hot topic among pregnant mamas! Some women were saying their doctors are very lenient about how much weight they put on, while other women told of doctors with stricter guidelines who warned against gaining more than 25 pounds.--- One woman remembered her mother telling stories about walking out of the hospital in her pre-pregnancy clothes because "back in her day" doctors didn't want women gaining more than 20 pounds. So what is a healthy guideline for weight gain during pregnancy? To find out, I asked New York City-based OBGYN Dr. Gae Rodke, with whom I have worked a number of times and greatly respect. According to Dr. Rodke, "There seems to be an ideal range of weight gain in pregnancy. In normal weight women, 25 to 28 pounds gives a nice 7-pound baby and all the necessary accessories (breast tissue, amniotic fluid, placenta, extra blood volume, etc.)." She goes onto explain that "Less than 20 pounds can be associated with poor fetal growth (and possible developmental delays), and more than 40 pounds statistically increases the risk of Cesarean delivery. Not only are the babies bigger, but the fat upholstering the inside of the pelvis reduces the space available." For some women, hearing that they will be gaining 25 to 30 pounds may be overwhelming. But consider the overall weight gain distribution to better understand where it all goes. Here is a sample breakdown provided by the Mayo Clinic: * Baby: 7 to 8 pounds* Larger breasts: 1 to 3 pounds* Larger uterus: 2 pounds* Placenta: 1 1/2 pounds* Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds* Increased blood volume: 3 to 4 pounds* Increased fluid volume: 2 to 3 pounds* Fat stores: 6 to 8 pounds Healthy eating is definitely part of the equation for healthy weight gain. The idea of "eating for two" is more a myth than a reality, since you are not trying to feed another grown adult. Nutritionist Stephanie Clarke MS, RD from C & J Nutrition says, "If you are normal weight pre-pregnancy, you'll need about 300 extra calories per day during the second and third trimester; if you are overweight you may need as little as 150-250 extra calories per day." Remember that it is important not to make those extra calories empty calories. The food you take in should be of high nutritious value to benefit you and your baby. Dr. Rodke says that it is important to remember that what you eat while pregnant can directly affect your baby."I find that refined carbs (white flour, white sugar, white bread, cakes, cookies, candy, white rice, white potatoes and other high glycemic index foods) are prone to increase the size of the baby beyond what one would expect from the amount of weight gained," she says. She explains, "Changes in the mother's hormonal pattern keep these rapidly absorbed sugar molecules in her bloodstream longer, and babies are very efficient in taking sugars and making big bodies (just like in gestational diabetes)." Clarke offers these tips for quick and easy ways to make the most of your calories: * Add canned beans, dried fruit, whole grains like quinoa, and nuts/seeds to salads * Choose whole grains and whole grain products (cereals, crackers, bread, wraps, etc.)* Make oatmeal with fat free milk, rather than water (to add more calcium and protein)* Top cold cereal with fruit and nuts * Add veggies (spinach, mushrooms, salsa, etc.) to scrambled eggs or egg sandwiches * Make snacks that combine calcium and fiber (low fat whipped cottage cheese with strawberries, low fat plain yogurt with fruit and cereal, part skim string cheese with a piece of fruit or 100% juice) * Use avocado on sandwiches instead of mayo * Stir frozen veggies into canned/boxed soups It is crucial to understand that pregnancy is not the time to try to lose weight or greatly restrict yourself. It can and should be a time of bringing greater consciousness to your eating habits and food choices. After all, that old saying, "You are what you eat," means that much more to your little bun in the oven! ]]> Now that my son Dylan is approaching 20 months and is finally weaned, I feel a new sense of freedom. I've been able to rediscover the joy of going out with girlfriends again for the first time in a long while, and I'm beginning to feel like myself again.--- Our pre-baby lives are full of social engagements and, if you're like me, your most memorable (and missed) ones are nights out with your girlfriends. While enjoying ladies' nights may last well into your pregnancy, once baby comes along your social calendar is likely nonexistent. It's totally normal and it's just part of one's transformation into being a mama--that first year or so is a special time that requires all your focus and attention. But once baby starts getting a bit older, you may start to get that old familiar itch to, well…bitch. Chatting with girlfriends on the phone isn't as easy as before, with all the screaming and tyranny in the background. E-mails can be daunting to type with one hand, especially with little fingers grabbing at you. Meeting up with other moms on the playground is great for socialization (both yours and the little ones), however there comes a time when you need an uninterrupted break with your gals. My advice? Grab another mama and ask her on a date. I don't get to do it all the time, but when I can escape for a night out with a girlfriend, it's usually a renewing experience. Sharing a distraction-free meal with a friend is glorious. Usually we both end up talking about our kids and husbands a lot, but that's why it's good to go out with another mama--she gets what your life is like. When you finally do go out, why not treat it like a real date? Dress up, wash your hair, put on actual jewelry and…wait for it…makeup! It doesn't have to be a big event: simply going out to a good restaurant (ideally, one you wouldn't typically take your kid to) where you can enjoy your food and give your full attention to your very own plate can be very liberating. And while you're at it, take my lead and enjoy a bottle of wine. I will warn you though, if you haven't been out in a while, your tolerance probably isn't what it used to be. I can tell you from experience that a few too many drinks on ladies' night feels great at the time…but the next morning at Gymboree can be painful! ]]> This week's round-up of classes (and other helpful or fun experiences) for new and expecting parents include:--- * BklynBirth: We always hear great things about BklynBirth (a colleague just did one of their two day weekend intensive classes, in fact). They offer private and group childbirth education classes covering the labor & birth process, postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care. Classes are taught by three local midwives (all mothers) with years of pregnancy and birth experience. * Art Farm in the City: One of our favorite oases in the city has a Rock, Smocks, and Animals class for infants as young as 14 months. Each animal adventure includes an "Animal of the Week" complemented by music, crafts and an indoor petting zoo! * Baby Fingers: Teaching babies and toddlers and how to sign is no longer the great surprise it once was. Still to see it and experience the learning feels kind of miraculous. And we'd recommend any class on anything taught by the founding director Lora Heller. # ]]> Happy Mother's Day from Yummy Mummy, your one-stop shop for ALL THINGS BREASTFEEDING! --- Yummy Mummy's mission is to facilitate and enrich the breastfeeding experience by providing the information, personal attention, and products and services that mothers need to make breastfeeding enjoyable, rewarding and stress free. With daily pre- and post-natal classes, Yummy Mummy serves as a gathering place for soon-to-be and new moms who are seeking support and guidance. Expert Bra Fittings Hospital-Grade Breast Pump Rentals Designer Maternity & Nursing Apparel Classes, Same-Day Delivery Just call 212-87-YUMMY For more information, visit yummymummystore.com. ]]> Just like the Oscars, the toy industry has annual awards called the TOTYS (for Toy Of The Year). Do you recognize the 2012 winner in the Infant/Toddler category (seen in picture)? It's Playskool's Poppin'Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper, which simply but ingeniously marries the classic Elefun character with the popular Ball Popper. My kids chased Elefun's airborne butterflies around for years, so I get why little kids love this version with popping balls. What's not to love?--- We're giving five away Elefun Busy Ball Poppers. To enter, simply post a comment on New York Family's Facebook Page telling us something fun about your child. Then, email newyorkfamilybaby@manhattanmedia.com, and include "Elefun" in the subject line (so we can contact you if you win). Deadline is Monday, May 21. ]]> This week's round-up of classes (and other helpful or fun experiences) for new and expecting parents include:--- 1. The Mamas Network and New York Hall of Science present the Second Annual Mamas Expo on Saturday, May 5. Open to all parents and families with children ages 0-5, the expo provides access to some of the best local services, specialists and products in Queens and throughout NYC. For info, click here. 2. Eastside Westside Music Together: Introducing music to kids a a very yong age lies at the core of Music Together's mission. Their Babies Class (3-6 months) does just that, along with teaching parents about music development in infants. You also learn at-home musical activities to do with your baby. 3. If Mama needs a brand new (diaper) bag head to the Shop Lucky Finds' Consignment Sale & Trunk Show at the Museum of Motherhood. It's a great way to stock up on designer gear for your tot, for less.]]> I won't tell you how many empty containers of wipes I have tucked away throughout my home, but it's a lot. Never one to throw out items that could prove useful, I've been waiting to "upcycle" them into crayon containers or some other kitschy storage solution inspired by Pinterest. However, as a parent to a very active and attention-seeking toddler, my free time is infrequent and precious, so getting creative with the wipes containers will have to wait.--- In the meantime, I was able to put several other "leftover" baby products to good personal use, and here they are to share with you: Baby oil. I've never found a need to apply baby oil to my daughter's body, as I prefer to keep her skin as close to its natural state as possible. However, having acquired several bottles of it anyway, I hoarded the baby oil for myself to use as one of my favorite beauty products: eye makeup remover! I've been using baby oil as eye makeup remover for years. It's safe, gentle, it works, and it's only a fraction of the price of name brand eye makeup removers. Nursing pads. I had been holding onto a box of leftover nursing pads for over a year, thinking I could sew them into the shoulders of my blazers in the event that this was the next big thing. But then one day I found myself in dire need of a panty liner, only to find an empty box under the bathroom sink. That's when I thought, "If only I had some sort of absorbent pad with a sticky side to place in my underwear just so I could get to the store to buy what I need for "Lady Days." Then it hit me…nursing pads! Okay, so nursing pads probably shouldn't be used in place of a pad or tampon for an extended period (pun intended) of time, but they work in a pinch! Nipple cream. Marketed to women who experience sore nipples during those early days of nursing, I bought a tube "just in case." This is another item I never used (your own breast milk is a much better healer for sore nipples, by the way), but found an awesome alternate use for: lip balm. I have a mild addiction to lip balms and have incorporated the 100% lanolin salve into my daily routine, applying it every night before bed to keep the moisture locked in. The two-ounce tube has lasted me well over a year. Baby powder. This is another item I've never used on my baby since the experts say it's dangerous for babies to inhale. Fortunately, I can put it to good use on my hair when it's starting to resemble an oil slick and I just don't have the time/desire to wash it. Just sprinkle baby powder on the roots of your hair and work it through with your fingers or a comb. Start with a few sprinkles and add more if necessary. The powder absorbs the oil and leaves your hair full of body. (Disclaimer: this works great for me. If you leave the house looking like Marie Antoinette, you have applied way too much powder.) I hope you can apply at least one of these solutions to your own life. And if you have any ideas regarding what I can do with those wipes containers (that won't take more than five to 10 minutes), please comment below! ]]> New York is one of the greatest cities on earth and I love raising my daughter here, but when something gets on my nerves--losing a stroller wheel to an earthquake-sized split in the sidewalk; paying $30 for a toddler yoga class--I wish I lived in a quiet little hamlet off the coast of Nowhere.--- What is she complaining about this time, you ask? I'll tell you. The friggin' mariachi bands on the subway! Damn you, boisterous musicians with your resonant instruments too powerful for the likes of our narrow subway cars! God love 'em for their energy and rhythm, but the other day when Trixie and I embarked on a lengthy subway journey, I almost used one of her dirty diapers to gag the guitarist. My daughter has never liked being trapped on the subway, plus she's teething, so she was cranky and crotchety; screaming, wriggling, and generally shaving years off my life as I tried to quiet her. After about 15 minutes I bounced her to sleep and I thought, "Peace, at last!" … But ten minutes later, the between-car door opened and in strut three smiling and bedazzled Mexicans with a guitar, a trumpet, and a violin. My eyes bulged. I looked from side to side wondering if I could escape, but we were between stations. Trixie and Mommy were trapped. I tried to wwwhhhuurrrrr some white noise into her ears to offset the ruckus, but my hissing was in vain. Within moments of the first jangly cord, my little beast began to rumble--confusion chafed her chubby face. By the first chorus Trixie was wide awake, annoyed, and wriggling all over again. Epic. Fail. Needless to say, when the band finished their little diddy and came through the car collecting money, I did not offer them any. In fact, the sheer vexation in my eyes caused the trumpeter to apologize to me--which, of course, made me feel horrible because I know they're only trying to make a living. But seriously, we all know that 'DON'T WAKE A SLEEPING BABY' is like the golden rule of parenting. Couldn't Bloomberg enact a law that prohibits musicians from performing in cars where there are sleeping babies? Is that so much to ask? Yes, I guess probably it is. So, if anyone has a recommendation for some sort of "Busker Blocking Baby Headphones," I'm in the market! ]]> In my experience, when Stroller Spa is done with your stroller (or car seat!) it will be almost as beautiful and well-functioning as the day you bought it. --- To win a free clean and tune-up from Stroller Spa, simply email us at newyorkfamilybaby@newyorkfamily.com and put "Stroller Spa" in the subject line. And please note that anyone who applies for the giveaway but doesn't win will also be eligible for 25% off a car seat cleaning when booked with a stroller detail. A lot of first-time parents with new strollers don't necessarily appreciate the dirt and wear-and-tear that lies ahead. But it's coming sooner than you might think, and you'll appreciate having this service available to you when you are ready. I'm sure lots of other parents are ready right now. Everyone is eligible for the giveaway. The deadline is Monday, May 21. To learn more about Stroller Spa, visit here. Plus, don't miss our informative interview with Stroller Spa NYC's co-partner Allison Leale, a NYC mom of two, who oversees the local operation with another NYC mom of two, Carolyn Pravda. What's the back story on Stroller Spa? Was the idea inspired by the experience of pushing a stroller around city streets? When did you open and where are your services available?About two years ago, I realized that our stroller was a disgusting mess! I turned to my husband and told him that I wished there was someone to clean it, both of us realizing immediately that this would be a fabulous business to have in New York City. After months of research, I kept being led to in the direction of a San Francisco mom, Jamie Mamikunian, running hew own company doing just what I wanted to do here-clean and repair strollers and car seats. Because I had no clue how to start this type of business, I contacted Jamie about a year ago, flew out to meet her in August and came back to NYC bringing Stroller Spa to the East Coast. Families in New York City have shown a strong need for our service so I have partnered up with business-savvy Carolyn Pravda, for the NYC expansion. We service all of NYC and beyond! Some people even commute in with strollers from the suburbs for us to clean and repair them. We've had customers from NJ, Connecticut, Upstate NY, and even D.C.! I think that most parents could relate to the idea of a cleaner stroller, but you all actually offer a tune-up too! What's that like? Are parents surprised by what a difference it makes? For a tune-up, we clean out all the gunk, grime and grit that accumulates in the wheels and axles of city strollers. All of this debris slows down a stroller and can actually make owners think that their strollers are on the verge of a breakdown! We also lubricate the stroller's wheels and folding mechanisms. Together, these two steps in addition to a complete clean, will almost convince the owner that they have a brand-new stroller. Tune-up is different from repairs, yes? Do you do light repairs?We do it all! Carolyn actually grew up on a farm in Iowa and is pretty handy with tools. Together, we can repair almost any break. Last week we even cut an axle to replace a wheel! Are certain models harder to clean and tune-up? Can you pretty much take on any job? The key is really in the fabric. Certain strollers have soft, cotton fabric. It's lovely and cool but stains like crazy! We can get out almost anything but some of the fabrics certainly make it challenging. You mentioned that new parents often don't realize just how dirty and beat up their brand new strollers are likely to become? Care to enlighten them? How many months before a city stroller could use your services? We generally say that the first cleaning comes about three months after your child starts to eat snacks! Seriously, we would say the average stroller should be serviced about once a year, much like a car. The tune-up can make a big difference in how the stroller rides and letting us fully check over your chassis can help extend the life of your stroller if we can catch a problem in the early stages. What else should parents know about your service? When we clean your stroller, we don't just take a wash cloth and wipe it down. We literally clean it down to the screws. We remove all the fabric. We soak, scrub and shine each wheel. We scrub the entire chassis. Using small brushes and cotton swaps, we clean out even the tiniest crevices. We aim for perfection! Are there common practical steps you recommend to parents for stroller maintenance and cleanliness? Or our most people just not interested in doing it themselves? To keep strollers running like new, parents can follow these simple, but impossible to follow, rules:-Try not to hang anything from the handle bar. -Try not to bump strollers up & down steps.-Try not to put leak-prone items in your folded canopy (water bottles, coffee, food, etc...).-Lubricate wheels every few months.-Keep tires filled with air (when applicable). Do you have energy left to clean your own homes? Both of us have pretty neat personalities. We really put this to work for our business. It does mean though that neither of us are willing to let our houses slide-but just don't ask to see our strollers!]]> This week's round-up of classes (and other helpful or fun experiences) for new and expecting parents include: --- 1. The Mommybites Summit is coming up on Wednesday, May 2! They bill it as The Ultimate Moms' Night Out--and we agree. It's a delightful mix of shopping, socializing and learning, and this year includes one of our favorite speakers, The Happiness Project author Gretchen Rubin. For info, click here. 2. The Mamas Network and New York Hall of Science present the Second Annual Mamas Expo on Saturday, May 5. Open to all parents and families with children ages 0-5, the expo provides access to some of the best local services, specialists and products in Queens and throughout NYC. For info, click here. 3. Kidville has put a lot of time and effort and creativity into producing its new signature music class, Rockin' Railroad, for infants through preschoolers. We checked it out and were very impressed by it's mix of fun, education, movement, and music. If you and your child haven't enjoyed it yet, they're having a benefit concert on Tuesday, May 1. Enjoy! ]]> Tribeca Pediatrics is celebrating new moms this May at their East 62nd Street office. --- Starting on Tuesday, May 8, Tribeca Pediatrics is offering New Moms Groups every Tuesday afternoon through May, free of charge. Tribeca Pediatrics has been helping New York families raise happy, healthy babies and kids since 1994, when Dr. Michel Cohen moved his young family to Tribeca and opened the practice. Local parents loved his accessibility and low-intervention approach. And today, our team of highly qualified, friendly doctors and nurse practitioners continue to bring that same philosophy of care to families in all our New York neighborhoods. For more information on Tribeca Pediatrics, visit tribecapediatrics.com. ]]> Destination Maternity® is the one stop shop for all your pregnancy needs. Find fashions from Motherhood® Maternity and A Pea in the Pod®, plus books, nursing accessories, skincare products and more! From maternity fashion and education to socializing and community, Destination Maternity--the maternity superstore--has everything an expecting mother needs to prepare for baby. For store locations or to shop online, visit destinationmaternity.com. ]]> Ah…the due date. The question everyone always asks. The day that is circled, highlighted and starred on your calendar. It is so easy for the awaiting mother (not to mention her family) to get very attached to this date. However, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), only 5 percent of babies arrive on their exact due date.--- Full-term gestation is seen as anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks--so it's more like a due month than a due date. There are a few different ways to determine a due date. One way is by ultrasound, another is by measuring the uterus, and the most common is Naegele's rule, in which the due date is calculated by taking the first day of your last period, counting back three months, and then adding seven days. However, this calculation assumes that every woman has a regular 28-day cycle and ovulates on day 14. If the pregnant mom has a longer cycle, therefore ovulating later, she will likely have a longer gestation period and her given due date may be off. To make things more complicated, a study done through the Harvard School of Public Health found that uncomplicated, spontaneous-labor pregnancy is longer than Naegele's rule predicts. To determine the due date, the authors recommend counting back three months from the first day of the last menses, then adding 15 days for primiparas (a first-time mother) or 10 days for multiparas (a mother that has already given birth). Given the wide range of interpretation and accuracy involved in determining due dates, it is important for pregnant women to discuss with their health practitioners what their protocol is for passing one's due date--since, according to the data above, the date isn't necessarily accurate to begin with. Throughout my years working with pregnant women, I have encountered some care providers that allow mothers to reach the full gestation period of 42 weeks before induction, while other care providers induce 10 days, one week or even one day after the due date. If the care provider is open to the mother's need for more time, the expectant mother will likely go through a battery of tests to assure the continued health of both herself and her child. Those tests are: Kick counts. This is a completely noninvasive test that can be done at home, and can be a reliable way to keep track of baby's well-being. The mother counts the baby's kicks felt over a specific amount of time and keeps track of the pattern. (The ACOG recommends writing down how long it takes the baby to make 10 movements.) Nonstress test. This test measures the baby's heart rate at rest and during an active period. It is done with an external fetal monitor and an external monitor measuring uterine contractions. Biophysical profile. This test combines the results of the nonstress test and an ultrasound to measure the volume of amniotic fluid and check the baby's breathing, movement, heart rate and muscle tone. Contraction stress test. This test measures the baby's heart rate during a contraction to assess how the baby is handling the reduction of oxygen during the contraction. Mother's blood pressure and protein in urine. The care provider will monitor the mother's blood pressure and check for protein in the urine to assure the mother is not developing preeclampsia. If a mother passes her due date of 40 weeks and would like more time before considering an induction, she can ask to try some natural alternatives to induce labor, which I've written about extensively here. It is rather uncommon to actually pass 42 weeks of gestation. In fact, only about 7 percent of babies are not delivered by this point. Pregnancies passing the 42-week mark are referred to as "post-term pregnancies" and usually involve the care provider inducing labor to avoid serious complications.  ]]> This week's round-up of classes (and other helpful or fun experiences) for new and expecting parents include: 1. Gymboree Play & Learn: What we love about Gymboree's classic 7-level program is how good they are at matching your young child's developmental needs to age-appropriate challenges that always seem just right-and a pleasure to do with a child. Click here for free class sign-ups and enrollment-and to see what they focus on at each stage (0-6 Months, 6-10 Months, etc .). --- 2. The Pregnant New Yorker: Janet Markovitz, the founder of The Pregnant New Yorker, puts together wonderful alternative health events for pregnant and new moms. The next one is at Birth Day Presence, in SoHo, on April 26, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. For more info, click here. 3. Classes In The Park: On Saturday, we ran into a Little Maestros class for little ones taking place in Central Park and it reminded us of one of our favorite trends in the warm weather: a lot of indoor classes providers also start scheduling classes in nearby parks. Sometimes it's not even on their websites, you have to call and inquire. For Little Maestros the number is 212-396-3977. ]]>