[Be sure to sign up for our Ultimate Nursery Giveaway
for expectant and new parents! And don’t miss our New York Baby Show at
Pier 92 in New York City on the weekend of May 19 and 20. For details
and to buy tickets, visit newyorkbabyshow.com.]
There is perhaps nobody with more questions—and the need for
support—than a pregnant woman or new mother. To help, we’ve compiled a list of
some of New York City’s best
classes, venues and experts for maternal health and well-being.
MIND: EDUCATION, INFORMATION & ADVICE
A group of trained HypnoBirthing Practitioners based in Brooklyn,
A Mother’s Instinct specializes in
HypnoBirthing, doula services, fertility hypnosis and belly casting. Birthing
while under hypnosis is taught in a series of five once-weekly classes and
groups are limited to eight couples. Classes are taught in Brooklyn,
Manhattan, Queens
and North Jersey. amothersinstinct.com
Founded by two trained doulas and Lamaze educators, Birth Day Presence has a bit of
everything on offer, including childbirth education, breastfeeding and newborn
care instruction, belly basics, CPR and even prenatal belly dance and
photography services in their Park Slope and SoHo studios. birthdaypresence.net
BklynBirth classes,
led by local midwives, promote positive and safe birth experiences by informing
women and their partners of all available options. Recognizing that the
transition to becoming a parent is always unique, BklynBirth combines various
schools of thought, along with professional and life experience to provide
comprehensive guidance. Group and private classes available. bklynbirth.com
Caribou Baby in Brooklyn
sells baby supplies and toys focused on simple and healthy living, in addition
to hosting events and expert-led classes like breastfeeding support, prenatal
yoga, prenatal and post-pregnancy Pilates and postpartum support groups. Check
out the store’s very full calendar online! cariboubaby.com
From pregnancy through childbirth and parenting, Ellen
Krug’s Choiceful Birth and Parenting
offers information-seeking parents advice on how to make the most informed
choices. Individualized counseling and psychotherapy offers parents the chance
to explore various topics in a nurturing environment. choicefulbirth.com
Choices in Childbirth
is an education, outreach and advocacy organization that assists
mothers-to-be in considering their prenatal options, choosing a provider and
creating a birth philosophy and support team. Alongside comprehensive,
childbirth education and workshops, postpartum services are also available. choicesinchildbirth.org
Destination Maternity on the Upper
East Side has more than
just great clothes. Classes in
prenatal yoga, Pilates, breastfeeding and childbirth are held on a daily basis,
as well as mom support groups. destinationmaternity.com
Through small evening classes limited to eight couples, Ellen Chuse Childbirth provides moms
and dads with the necessary information on labor, birth, breastfeeding and
newborn care. Mother’s Meetings are a great place to share experiences and gain
insights. Classes held in Manhattan
and Brooklyn. Private classes also available. ellenchusechildbirth.com
With her expertise in childbirth education and lactation
consulting, Fern Drillings schedules
three-week childbirth and CPR classes and one-time intensives for couples who
require private instruction. Classes are meant to be informal yet informative
and are offered day, evening and weekends. ferndrillings.com
Local pregnancy, birth and newborn parent consultant Lisa
Gould Rubin is a published author and Founder of The Good Birth Company. With the belief that there is no right way
to give birth, Rubin coaches parents in person, by phone, via email and video
chat so that they can customize their own birth and new baby experience. thegoodbirthcompany.com
Latham Thomas, a local specialist in maternal and child
health and well-being, brings NYC families plant-based culinary services,
holistic nutrition and prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum yoga instruction via Mama Glow. Her coaching supports the
busy city mom who wants to integrate optimal wellness and self-care practices
into her life. mamaglow.com
Metro Minis on the Upper East Side will educate parents in everything from babywearing and wrapping to having a fearless childbirth and elimination communication. In addition to hosting workshops, the store sells everything from cloth diapers to toys and books. metrominis.com
With support groups in Manhattan,
Brooklyn and also online, Mommybites presents local mothers with great opportunities to
luncheon, meet in-person, attend seminars and workshops. Plus, their annual
Mommybites Summit this May is an evening not to miss! mommybites.com
Jessica Shapley’s Mom
Support services include sleep workshops, mom support groups and parent
counseling for mamas and papas with newborns and tots up to 18 months old.
Programming available up and down the West Side of Manhattan, as well as the Upper
East Side. momsupport.org
Mom to Moms Advisor
is a global childcare consultancy offering customized parenting and childcare
solutions from a team of dynamic experts. In its fifth year, the organization
hosts events and workshops for baby safety and nannies, as well as social
events like Expectant Parents Cocktails and Dinner, as well as New Mom High Tea
and New Dad High Tea support groups. momtomomsadvisor.com
In addition to pregnancy guru Rosie Pope’s flagship Manhattan
store, MomPrep offers an amazing
curriculum of classes on childbirth and newborn care, birthing options,
breastfeeding and sleep training. rosiepope.com
From childbirth preparation to breastfeeding and baby care, Stork and Cradle helps expectant and
new parents tap into their inner strength and build the confidence to take on
parenthood. Through their association with NewYork-Presbyterian, Stork and
Cradle teaches the hospital’s prenatal classes. storkandcradle.com
The Tribeca Parenting
education center offers a variety of classes like Expecting Reassurance, Preparation
for Childbirth, Essential Baby Care and Breastfeeding Preparation. New parent
classes include a Meeting Other Mothers series and Raise a Good Sleeper. Locations
in Manhattan, Brooklyn
and Jersey City. tribecaparenting.com
Twiniversity has (you guessed
it!) classes for parents of multiples. Courses
like Twins Prep 101 and (the follow-up)
201 Intro to Twins offer plenty of tips and tricks on how to prepare and adjust
for multiple bundles of joy. Private Skype sessions and home visits also
available for booking. twiniversity.com
The Upper East Side’s Yummy Mummy is a one-stop destination
for information, products, services and classes devoted to the breastfeeding
experience. Daily and weekly pre- and postnatal classes, including yoga, are
offered for moms seeking support and guidance. yummymummystore.com
BODY: EXERCISE &
FITNESS
In addition to classes focused on transitioning into
parenthood, baby safety and caring for a newborn, 92Y hosts New Dad Boot
Camp, prenatal Pilates and prenatal yoga. 92y.org
An eight-week weightless, water-based workout may be just
the ticket for expectant mamas at AquaMom.
These prenatal pool sessions promote strength, endurance, flexibility, better
sleep and weight control. Small group classes are offered at private pools in
the Midtown Sheraton Hotel and Léman Preparatory
School in the Tribeca/Wall
Street area. aquamom.com
An experienced fitness instructor, Pamela Keefer founded Baby Body Boot Camp for full body
conditioning targeted at moms and moms-to-be at all fitness levels. Classes are
held outdoors at Battery Park City and personal training consultations are also
available. b3nyc.com
In its tenth year, Core
Pilates NYC is conveniently located near Union
Square and open seven days a week. With classes in
Prenatal Tower
and Prenatal Props Mat, pregnant women can focus on targeted muscles and
challenge their bodies in new ways. All Pilates students can pay per class or
buy packages. corepilatesnyc.com
Spearheaded by Julie Tupler, Diastasis
Rehab offers the famous Tupler Technique of how to lose the mummy tummy
after baby. Her maternal fitness offerings are conveniently packaged in books
and DVDs. You can also attend local seminars in Manhattan
or Brooklyn or take part in online sessions from the
privacy of your own home. Individual consultations also available. diastasisrehab.com
Fitnotic is a
haven for pre- and postnatal private training and group fitness classes.
Offerings are geared toward expectant and new moms and women can sign up for
Baby Belly Boot Camp, Pre/Postnatal Yoga, Pre/Postnatal Hoopnotica Hoopdance,
D-Qube Prenatal Ballet, Pre/Postnatal Belly Dance and Pre/Postnatal Cardio
Kickboxing. fitnotic.com
At its new Peace-In studio, Karma Kids Yoga offers prenatal and adult restorative classes in
yoga, Pilates, prenatal Thai yoga massage and more. Class packages are
extremely flexible and your first prenatal yoga or Pilates class is free!
Private sessions at home or in the studio can be 60 or 90 minutes long and
require an appointment. karmakidsyoga.com
With limited equipment required, Mind Over Matter Health & Fitness (MOM) brings in-home training
to the forefront of prenatal and postpartum exercise. MOM helps each individual
fit frequent workouts into their daily routine. Plus, mommy yoga classes are
held at Manhattan Movement
& Arts Center
on the Upper West Side. mindovermatternyc.com
The JCC in Manhattan hosts Movin’ Mamas Pilates Boot Camp and
Movin’ Mamas Pilates Cardio Stroller Class, on days when the Central
Park class is rained out. The intensity of the exercise increases
with each class. Dads are welcome! movinmamas.com
The first yoga center of its kind in NYC, the Prenatal Yoga Center’s schedule
includes Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, New Mother’s Support Groups, Childbirth
Education and a Breastfeeding Support Circle,
all conducted in a calm, peaceful environment. Locations in Manhattan
and Brooklyn. prenatalyogacenter.com
The great outdoors becomes a parent’s perfect playground at Strollercize classes in all five
boroughs. Founded over twenty years ago by retired ballerina Elizabeth
Trindade, Strollercize has a calendar full of postnatal exercise classes, as
well as a prenatal fitness program called Preparing to Push. Classes are
membership based. strollercize.com
Use your stroller to get a total body workout while spending
time with your baby at Stroller Strides.
If you’re expecting, try the Fit4Baby class to get in shape while pregnant.
Additionally, Body Back offers high intensity workouts for women at any stage
of motherhood. Classes are held in the morning and on Saturdays in Manhattan
and Brooklyn. strollerstrides.com
The Vanderbilt YMCA
in Midtown offers two prenatal yoga classes per week while the McBurney branch hosts
La Leche League of Downtown Manhattan’s breastfeeding support group. ymcanyc.org
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, and take note of 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 trying the
search engine at castleconnolly.com, which gathers Best Doctors lists using
peer referrals.
For doulas: Try
the following websites: DONA International (dona.org), NYC Doula Service (nycdoulaservice.com) and
The Metropolitan Doula Group (metrodoula.com). You can also speak to your OB/GYN.
For midwives: Try
the American College
of Nurse-Midwives (midwife.org), and Choices in Childbirth
(choicesinchildbirth.org)—also ask your OB/GYN.
For lactation experts:
Try The New York Lactation Consultant Association (nylca.org).
Childbirth
Education At Hospitals
Most hospitals offer pre- and postnatal education and
support classes (including Lamaze) and have come to view childbirth education
as an important party of their mission. Their courses are typically more
affordable than those outside of a hospital setting, and are open to any
expecting or new parent, not just those planning to give birth there. Notably,
St. Luke’s Roosevelt (nywomenshealth.com) offers a large
menu of classes that includes everything from hypnobirthing to Lamaze
refreshers. In Manhattan, Mount
Sinai Hospital
(mountsinai.org), NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (nyp.org), the NYU Langone Medical Center
(nyubaby.org), Beth Israel (wehealny.org) and Lenox Hill Hospital
(lenoxhillhospital.org), among others, all have classes. If you’re
interested in finding a class at a hospital near you, check out their websites
and act promptly since many classes fill up quickly.
[Be sure to sign up for our Ultimate Nursery Giveaway
for expectant and new parents! And don’t miss our New York Baby Show at
Pier 92 in New York City on the weekend of May 19 and 20. For details
and to buy tickets, visit newyorkbabyshow.com.]
