Newborn Registry Checklist For Parents

Oliver B City of Dreams 3-Piece Crib Bedding Set with ventilated slat bumpers.

Special Announcements:

-Join us at the New York Baby Show! The family-friendly event for new and expectant parents with infants and toddlers from the Tri-State area and beyond will take place on the weekend of May 18-19, 2013.

-In honor of the New York Baby Show, you can enter our Ultimate Nursery Giveaway (worth approximately $5,000), compliments of Bellini, a brand new Stella collection designed by Newport Cottages .

To enter to win Bloom Baby’s Fresco Chrome High Chair (worth $650), click here. Deadline is 5/31. Plus, check back regularly at www.newyorkfamily.com for our weekly giveaways leading up to the New York Baby Show!

One of the first thoughts to strike a new parent—after feelings of joy, of course—is just how much stuff their new bundle of cuteness requires. Hence the baby registry, a smart way to keep track of baby’s needs while providing loved ones with the chance to give you something they know you’ll appreciate. But creating a baby registry can be an overwhelming process. I remember standing in the middle of buybuy BABY with my all-powerful laser gun, frozen with indecision over which changing pad to scan. There’s just so much stuff out there—and every parent wants the best. To help the over-stressed parent-to-be, we asked the registry experts for their 10 best tips.

1. Start Early. “This gives you plenty of time to consider your choices and change your mind,” says Ali Wing, founder and CEO of giggle, who recommends registering four or five months before your due date. “It also allows for proper lead time on larger items and special orders.” Plus, if the baby comes early, you’ll already have everything taken care of.

2. Use Starter Checklists. “Let someone else do the homework for you,” Wing says. Rather than beginning your registry from scratch, use checklists available at stores like giggle and community websites like thebump.com to help jumpstart the process; they outline the basic gear and clothing that newborns need.

3. Talk To Other New Parents. With so many products on the market, it can be confusing to discern what you truly need. Asking new moms and dads who’ve been there can help. “They can tell you what was great, what worked for them and what they thought was pointless,” says Ingrid Prueher, founder of NYC Baby Planner.

4. Touch And Feel. “It’s important to try out what you’re getting,” Prueher says. You don’t have to leave your home every time you add something to your registry, but it can be a good idea. A baby blanket may appear luxuriously soft on your computer screen but have a very different texture when you actually get your hands on it.

5. Combine Several Registries Into One. Most parents end up registering at several stores. To make life easier for you and gift-givers, Prueher recommends consolidating all your registries into one place by using a website like amazingregistry.com.

6. Strike A Balance Between Stuff You’ll Use Now And Later. “The amount of clothes we get for newborns is crazy because they outgrow them so quickly,” Prueher says. Instead of registering for countless onesies, include toddler gear like a high chair or umbrella stroller that you’ll need later.

7. Don’t Stress Over Price Points. “Unlike bridal registries, it’s typical for a baby registry to have a lot of smaller items and everyday essentials,” Wing says. Choosing items with a range of prices lets you accommodate all budgets. Include splurges, too. “You never know when friends or family might want to go in together on a gift!” she adds.

8. Register For Gift Cards. If you’re unsure of what to register for, include a few gift cards. Family and friends are often happy to give them, and “it leaves room for items you may need later on [after the baby is born],” says Wing.

9. Don’t Keep Your Registry A Secret. People want to give you something you’ll use, so don’t be shy about spreading the word about your registry. Wing recommends taking advantage of stores that have insert cards for shower invitations. “Or ask to see if they have an e-mail template so you can send notifications from their websites,” she says.

10. Remember What’s Important. In the end, what’s on your registry isn’t going to make or break your life as a new parent. “Babies need a home. They need to be loved, to be changed and fed, and they need a certain amount of clothes,” says Prueher. “Everything else is just accessories.”

Spruce up any registry with hand-picked products as suggested by the pros.

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Homage Skateboard Academy

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Summer Program provides a well balanced INDOOR and OUTDOOR camp experience </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">in the Gowanus/Boerum Hill area.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Kids can take advantage of both the physical and mental benefits of exercise and outdoor exploration, along with indoor activities in a temperature controlled state of the art Skatepark. Campers build their skate skills in a fun and safe indoor environment, then take those skills outdoors gaining further confidence in their abilities.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to daily outdoor programming, each Wednesday (weather permitting), we will go on a mini field trip to a local skatepark or skate spot.  Field trip spots include: Prospect Park, Washington Park (Brooklyn), Thomas Greene Park, a local Skateshop, Astoria Park (dependent on the group). We will spend more outdoor time on field trip day! We will meet at Homage in the morning during regular drop off hours and then head out for the day.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our experienced instructors love to teach skateboarding and are constantly progressing in their teaching abilities, just like their skating abilities. Our coaches are Red Cross Certified for both CPR and First Aid, and have years of child care experience. Our brand new Skatepark, designed and built by World Class Skatepark Builders Push Parks, allows for skaters of any level or ability to learn, practice, and have fun!</span></p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-db7b5156-7fff-c2d6-b5c1-33b29def4b3e" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AGES 6-14 </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5:1 RATIO - STUDENTS:COACHES</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ALL LEVELS WELCOME</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LOANER BOARDS AVAILABLE</span></p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Sessions offered mid-June-August</p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOURS</span></strong></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EARLY DROP OFF 8:30am-9:00am</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CAMP DAY 9:00am-3:00pm</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LATE PICKUP* 3:00pm-4:00pm Skating Allowed, Extra Time to Practice</span></p> <p style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-weight: normal;"> </strong></p>

YMCA of Long Island Summer Day Camp

<p><strong>MAKE A SPLASH WITH US THIS SUMMER! YMCA of Long Island Summer Day Camp – locations in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue</strong></p> <p>As one of the region's largest, most-diverse camps for decades, YMCA Summer Day Camp offers a variety of programs with age-appropriate activities and opportunities to try new things, build confidence, and create memories. </p> <p>At the YMCA Summer Day Camp, we offer the best of adventure, aquatics, sports & games, creative arts, camp traditions, special guests & trips, and summer learning. Our programs for ages 3-15 are designed to meet your child's interests and abilities. </p> <p>Our staff create a safe, fun, welcoming environment where kids can be themselves to enjoy learning, playing, exploring, and socializing. </p> <p><strong>Two-week sessions run July 1-Aug 23.</strong> In-person and virtual open house options. Transportation, lunch and extended schedule options are <strong>CAMP LIFE is the BEST LIFE!</strong></p>

Take the Stage at the Park Slope Day Camp

<p dir="ltr">Take the Stage is a three-week experience for theater artists that offers the experience of creating an original show with friends and performing it. Majors available in Drama, Dance, Music & Stagecraft, Take the Stage blends innovative performing arts activities with traditional day camp including half-day trips & special event theme days in Prospect Park. </p> <p dir="ltr">Take the Stage runs in two 3-week sessions. Performances will be held for PSDC groups on Thursday and for families and friends on Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Extended hours and transportation from most Brooklyn neighborhoods available. Options to mix and match with Traditional Camp and Sports Academy.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4a05926-7fff-16fe-65b7-8086d8c0b59f">For campers entering Grades 1 - 8.</span></p> <p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4a05926-7fff-16fe-65b7-8086d8c0b59f">Register while discounts are at their highest.</span></strong></p>