I know I’ve made about 4 of these car seat installation mistakes and I’m pretty sure that I’m not alone. In fact, I know I’m not: studies show that 82 percent or 9 out of 10 car seats are not installed and used correctly. Even more upsetting? Crashes are the leading cause of death for children from 3 to 14 years old. Suddenly, taking the extra 10 minutes to install a car seat correctly in a livery, taxi or your car seems absolutely worth it.

Baby Bodyguards, a professional baby proofing service based in Brooklyn, is an expert on our blog. This month they wrote to tell me that they are most concerned about improperly installed car seats. They do approximately 5  car seat installations a day and they notice the same errors time and time again. They listed them below so we can check ourselves against them. (I am currently guilty of #3, 5 AND 7.  I need to get on this today.)

If you want some visual help in checking your car seat installation, I found these videos very helpful. Do be careful: there are LOTS of youtube videos on “how to install a car seat” that are just plain wrong and dangerous.  If you want to be certain you installation is done right you can call Baby Bodyguards to do a car seat installation or call to arrange a free inspection at a DOT Child Car Seat Fitting Station. For Brooklyn it is at the Brooklyn Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway, phone: (718) 963-6858.

Here are the most common mistakes they see:

1-Using LATCH in a center seating position when it is not allowed by the manufacturer – most vehicles do not permit you to install a car seat in the center, using the two inner LATCH anchors from the side seating positions. Check your vehicle and child restraint manuals. If nothing is specifically mentioned to allow it, don’t do it.

2-Using LATCH and a seat belt together – you must use one system or the other, not both. Either method is safe when used correctly, so go with the method that gets you the best install.

3- Using LATCH beyond the weight limit. LATCH is only good up to 40lbs unless otherwise stated in your vehicle or in the car seat manual. If the vehicle and car seat manuals defer to one another, err on the side of caution and assume a 40 lb limit.

4-Incorrect seat belt routing on a booster – make sure to read and follow the instructions for how to route the seat belt correctly over your child. Many boosters have arm rests that need the lap belt routed under them instead of over.

5- Loose car seat install – a car seat must be installed tightly enough that there is an inch or less of movement in all directions at the belt path when pushed or pulled on.

6-Incorrect belt path used on convertible seat install – you must use the belt path designated for the type of install you are doing. Usually the rear facing belt path runs under the child’s bottom/legs and the forward facing belt path runs behind their back.

7-Chest clip out of position (usually too low) – the chest clip should be at armpit level at all times.

8-Aftermarket accessories (head positioners, body padding/positioners, strap covers, hanging toys, under car seat mats/upholstery protectors, mirrors, suction cup window shades, seat belt tighteners/ratchets, bunting bags/liners, custom car seat covers, etc.) – if it did not come with your seat or is not specifically allowed by your car seat manual, don’t use it. The less “stuff” involved in your car seat install, the better. Nothing extra should go between the car seat and vehicle seat, the baby and the car seat, or the baby and the harness. Toys, mirrors, and window shades can come loose in a crash and injure passengers. Mats can interfere with an install. Many manufacturers will void the seat’s warranty if aftermarket products are used. There are no safety standards for these items, so even those that claim to be “crash tested” or “meet all federal safety standards” (there are none!) cannot be trusted as safe.

9- Not using the top tether anchor when the lower LATCH anchors are used for a forward facing seat – the top tether MUST be used when a seat is installed forward facing with LATCH.

10- Unfortunately the most common mistake we see, not by our clients, but just general observation, are parents riding around with babies/children with no car seat at all. I cringe every time I see this and just pray that child makes it through the early years without being subjected to a crash.

Related Articles

• Window Guards in New York City
• Alternatives to Teflon
• Baby Proofers in Brooklyn
• Do You Have Lead In Your Water?
• My Favorite Safest Cosmetics
• How Toxic Is Your Paint?
• Update On Lead Paint From A Parent
• Lead Paint- How Do You Know If You Have It?
• Organic Mattresses- More Research

Most of you have heard about Baby Bodyguards by now. First, they came and did an excellent “spec” on babyproofing our place, then they wrote a popular post on our blog about window guards for NYC, now they have been raved about on Park Slope Parents. They are getting lots of mainstream press as well.  The Baby Bodyguard family consists of hand picked Pediatricians, Nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians, Firemen, Contractors and Craftsmen, all of whom share the same passion for child safety.

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Post tags: baby bodyguards car seat installation, baby proofing in brooklyn, baby proofing service in brooklyn, brooklyn, car seat installation check, car seat installation check in brooklyn, car seat installation check in nyc, car seat installation in brooklyn, car seat installation in nyc, car seat installer in nyc, child seat fitting station, do police officers check car seat installation, do precincts do car seat installation checks, DOT, DOT safety check, how to install a car seat, installing a car seat in a livery cab, installing a car seat in a taxi, latch system, manhattan, nyc

If you are pregnant or a new parent and have some questions like “what is a doula?”, “how bad is this labor pain going to be?” to “do I need a carrier and how do I know which one?”- count yourself lucky! All those questions and more will be answered this Monday night at a workshop held at Birth Day Presence. Extra bonuses? You will get to meet other parents in the neighborhood and you just might win a new bouncy seat or a gift certificate to chic maternity store Bump Brooklyn.

So, stock up on a power shake and bring your partner along for a night that will soothe your anxieties and answer some of those burning questions you have.

Belly Basics 101
6:15 Arrival, snacks and drinks
6:30 “Infant Massage: The Wonderful Benefits of Loving Touch” with Charlotta Anderson of Bundle of Bliss
6:50 “Baby Wearing Demystified: Demos & Benefits” with Adriane Stare of Caribou Baby
7:20 “What is a doula Q&A?” with Jada & Anna, co-owners of Birth Day Presence
7:35 “Bond with your Baby through Movement” with Dan Rindler of Child’Space NYC.
7:55 “The Do’s & Don’ts Of Exercise During & After Pregnancy” With personal trainer Zoe Levine of The Thriving Body
8:15 “3 Pain Relief Techniques for Labor: A glimpse of what you’ll learn in Childbirth Class” with Jada and Anna, co-owners of Birth Day Presence
8:30 Raffle* including a mamaRoo bouncy seat ($200 value) and a $50 Gift Cert to Bump Brooklyn. (*You must RSVP to doulas@birthdaypresence.net in order to attend the event and to enter into the raffle; no walk-ins. Pls let us know how you heard about the event.)

Details:
Mon, Jan 30 from 6:15-8:45p.
Birth Day Presence Studio Park Slope
182 8th Avenue, Parlor Floor (btwn Garfield and 1st Street) 11215
You must RSVP to attend and be entered into the raffle by emailing doulas@birthdaypresence.net
No Walk-Ins will be accepted.

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Post tags: belly basics 101, birth day presence, birthday presence, bump brooklyn, caribou baby, childspace nyc, dan rindler, doula in brooklyn, ergo in brooklyn, jada shapiro, maternity store in brooklyn, maya wrap in brooklyn, park slope, the thriving body, what is a doula, where to buy carriers in brooklyn, zoe levine

Who wouldn’t want to raise a good sleeper?! Imagine this: a full night’s good sleep for you and your partner…. and upon waking, you find you have a cheery baby who has also had a good night’s sleep! Not that she is making any promises, but Dr. Janet Kennedy (aka the NYC Sleep Doctor), will give you the steps on making that a real possibility during her new workshops at Tribeca Parenting.

If you start early with helping your baby grow into a good sleeper, you may avoid the struggle of sleep training later on. When our youngest, Willow, was 5 months, I got mono and needed major sleep. Willow was doing that “baby thing” of waking up from her naps after 45 minutes and though she was exhausted, she couldn’t get back to sleep. I would rock her in the glider before trying to transfer her to the co-sleeper and then wahhh! she woke up the moment I tried to put her down. I ended up just sleeping with her in the glider for days on end. I called the NYC Sleep Doctor to help dig us out of the sleeping abyss we had fallen into.

Dr. Kennedy taught me methods to help Willow soothe herself back to sleep. We learned everything from recognizing her favorite sleep positions and sleepy signs to establishing a good schedule to get some control over our sleep patterns. It helped tremendously and when Willow eventually learned ways to get herself back to sleep, I made my own way back to recovery.

Here is the scoop on the 2 hours clinics that will be taught at Tribeca Parenting locations in Park Slope, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, Tribeca and the Upper East Side. The one in Fort Greene starts this Tuesday (January 24th).

How to Raise a Good Sleeper:
For expectant parents and parents of babies 0-12 months

You will learn:

• The basics of infant sleep patterns
• How to make sure your child is well rested
• Soothing techniques for fussy babies
• How to help your child learn to put herself to sleep
• How to avoid excessive crying
• How to address sleep problems as they arise
• … and how to keep the whole family well rested!

No single method fits every family’s needs, just as there is no one way for infants to sleep. Let’s get away from sleep advice that doesn’t work for you, and we’ll find real, productive solutions for your family. Taught by Dr. Janet Kennedy, the NYC Sleep Doctor, these workshops will teach you to get more and better sleep for both you and your baby.

Details: $75 per couple. Please feel free to bring your baby! See Schedule and Register. If you do a phone registration they are offering our readers a $10 discount if you mention “A Child Grows”. (646) 863-4500

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Post tags: classes at tribeca parenting, crying it out, dr janet kennedy, fort greene, help your baby go back to sleep after waking from nap, how to get your baby to sleep, janet kennedy, not doing crying it out, NYC sleep doctor, parent coach in Brooklyn, park slope, reviews of tribeca parenting, sleep consultant in brooklyn, sleep doctor, sleep dr, sleep help in brooklyn, sleep seminar in brooklyn, tribeca, tribeca parenting, upper east side, williamsburg

Nothing beats the cold more than a good movie and snuggling up to your …..baby, toddler or little kid!  If you love classic movies  and want to share them with your child in an actual theatre, then head out to the popular series Big Movies for Little Kids. This series, begun by two mothers, is meant to be totally casual: no one minds if your child bursts into tears or runs into the aisles. In fact, it’s downright expected.  Just make sure you arrive early as it often sells out. The Winter Season begins this Monday and debuts with favorite film, The Phantom Tollbooth.

The series is for ages 2 years and up at Cobble Hill Cinemas for $7 a ticket. All walkers need tickets and can be purchased ahead of time at www.cobblehilltheatre.com.

This Monday, Big Movies for Little Kids is serving up one of my childhood favorite books and films, The Phantom Tollbooth.  Animation master Chuck Jones made this children’s classic book come alive on the screen for all of children of the 70′s. (1970; USA; rated G; color animation; 90 minutes)
Upcoming Movies:

This Monday, January 23rd, Big Movies for Little Kids is serving up one of my childhood favorite books and films, The Phantom Tollbooth. Animation master Chuck Jones made this children’s classic book come alive on the screen for all of children of the 70′s. (1970; USA; rated G; color animation; 90 minutes)

Monday, February 13th, 4pm
BALTO

Monday, February 27th, 4pm
BUSTER KEATON SHORTS

Monday, March 12th, 4pm
PIPPI LONGSTOCKING

Monday, April 23rd, 4pm
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

Monday, May 7th, 4pm
BARBAPAPA

Monday, May 21st, 4pm
SHAUN THE SHEEP

Monday, June 4th, 4pm
SECOND ANNUAL STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

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Post tags: big movies for little kids, Cobble Hill Cinemas, cobble hill theatre, movie series for brooklyn kids, movie series for parents in brooklyn, the phantom tollbooth

I was having problems with frequently choking and was prescribed some medicine for “silent reflux” by an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. She said that the medicine was “fine for a nursing mom”…..without checking. I wasn’t convinced she really knew.  I called my general practitioner to see if the medicine was okay for a nursing mom.

“NO!” she said, “take Pepcid instead.”

Just to double check that Pepcid was okay for a nursing woman, I called Kathy Lilleskov, who was my (amazing) lactation consultant with Willow. She looked Pepcid up in the trusty Thomas W. Hale book, “Medications and Mothers Milk.” Kathy did some of the medical translation for me and told me that Pepcid was an L-1 medicine. Huh? L-1 is a category for a medicine considered safe while breastfeeding. It was so nice to get immediate, trustworthy information.

If you don’t want to go out and buy the book, check out Thomas W. Hale’s website/forum.  He has some helpful information on the site and a great forum.  Hale will no longer answer questions from the public, but will from health professionals. However, search through the forum and you will see some of the answers he has posted.

The other site I love for information about medications and breastfeeding is Kelly Mom.  Between both sites and perhaps the book, you should be able to get your questions answered immediately.

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Post tags: best book about breastfeeding, best book about nursing, book about safety of medicine and nursing, medicine and breastfeeding, medicine and pregnancy, medicine while nursing, what can I take when nursing, zantac and nursing

If your child can say  “nǐhǎo” and “gracias”, you  might not worry so much about them saying “please” and “thank you” in English.  This week and next, two language programs are offering the opportunity to give both Spanish and Mandarin a try with your tikes- for free!

Lango Kids NYC Free Trial Mandarin Class
It seems Mandarin classes are in great demand as Lango Brooklyn has added two additional classes for toddler/parents and for preschoolers. Classes start January 30. Here are the details for their free demos:
Free Demo:
Janaury 23, 2012
Toddler/Parent Demo: 9:30-10:15 am
Preschooler Drop Off Demo: 10:15-11am
Location:
Birthday Presence
182 8th Avenue (Between Garfield Pl and 1st St), Park Slope
Classes are scheduled to start the week of 1/30/12
Tuition:
Toddler/Parent $275 (10 classes + CD)
Preschool Drop Off $325 ( 10 classes + CD, book and online review portal)
Early Bird Discount: register on the day of trial classes and receive 10% discount
RSVP
to: langonewyork@gmail.com

Musica Para Mi’s Free Trial Music-in-Spanish Classes
Though I have never taken one of Gabriela’s classes, my friend on the UWS brought it up to me out of the blue one day, and I know it’s a popular class at GUMBO. Now might be a good time to try it out!
Free Demo:
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10 – 10:45, & 11 – 11:45
Location:
Gumbo in Boerum Hill, 493 Atlantic Ave, Nevins/Third

Free Demo:
Thursday, Jan. 19, 11:30 – 12:15
Location:
Bija Kids in Clinton Hill, 900 Fulton, Washington/Waverly

RSVP
Please send an email at musicaparami@aol.com or call 718-643-6660 and be sure to include your phone number in case of last-minute changes. If you don’t see this in time to get in touch, just let the teacher that you saw this listing  on A Child Grows.

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Post tags: brooklyn, classes in Brooklyn, free trial classes free demo classes, free trial mandarin class, lango kids nyc, language class for kids in brooklyn, language class in brooklyn, mandarin class in brooklyn, music class in brooklyn, musica para mi, musica para mi reviews, nyc, spanish class, spanish class for kids

Joseph Lentol, Marty Markowitz, Julia Dawson (Co-Founder) and Carey Balogh (Co-Founder) at ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at new playspace Frolic

With the grand opening of Frolic! today in Williamsburg, you have even more options for indoor play this winter.  Located in the new condominium building, The Edge, Frolic has the advantage of lots of space (approximately 5,000 square feet), ground floor access and ample stroller parking.

The soft opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was on Saturday (pictured above), where member-families got to be among the first to check out the much-talked about elements that make Frolic different: the interactive VW bus, interactive video wall installation, stage, ticket booth and best of all to some- the coffee lounge.

Want to check it out? Frolic! will offer Preview Passes for first-time visitors only (with advance reservations) to try out the space for a cost that will be applicable to membership if purchased within one month of visit.  Beginning today (January 9th) visit Frolic! in person to schedule a date for a Preview Pass as a limited number will be allotted each day.  As of now, they will only be accepting Preview Pass reservations in person.  Frolic! does not offer pay per play.

Details:
Frolic!
34 North 6th Street (between Kent Avenue and the East River)
Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours Open 7 days a week
Monday to Friday: 9am – 6pm (Thursday: 9am – 7pm)
Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 2pm

Directions By Subway:
L train to Bedford Avenue stop

By Water-Taxi:
East River Ferry to North 6th Street/North Williamsburg stop

Here are the details on what they offer for membership, classes and parties:

MEMBERSHIP:
Frolic! offers a membership-based indoor playground for ages newborn through six.  We offer three levels of annual membership with the option to pay on a monthly billing schedule (or pay upfront for added savings).  Annual membership packages start at $69 per month and include the entire immediate family plus caregiver(s).  There is no additional cost for more than one child.  Final days to receive our pre-opening offer of $100 off first year membership ends January 9th.  Sign up online with a $100 down payment at: http://www.frolicplayspace.com/membership.html

All Frolic! members have access to our 1,500 sq ft customized indoor playground and private coffee lounge seven days a week.  Members also have access to a variety of daily activities exclusive to members of all ages at specified times throughout the week, such as our customized video installation Creature Symphony, Open Gym, Members Meetup, Members Only Drop-off and Storytime.  See detailed descriptions and weekly calendar.

CLASSES:
Frolic! offers unique and custom classes to both members and non-members in music, art, dance/tumbling, language and yoga.  Exciting classes include Little Rock-its (our original Frolic! music program created by Tim Kubart of Tim and the Space Cadets featuring a live 3-piece band in every class), AudraRox Musical Theater, Super Hero Adventure!, Paint it Black…or Blue or Yellow! and Bilingual Birdies in French/Spanish.  We are extending our pre-opening offer of $50 off each semester class for early online registration until January 9th.   Click on the class calendar link to register online here.

Class participants and their caregivers also have access to the Frolic! private coffee lounge before and after scheduled class (note indoor playground use is reserved for members).

Frolic! ‘All Access’ and ‘I’m With The Band’ members receive 10% off each semester class (plus ‘I’m With The Band’ members receive one FREE Little Rock-its 15-week semester class per year).  If you sign up online before January 9th for the $50 early registration discount, we will honor an additional 10% off on top should you register for one of those two membership levels once we open.

The Winter 2012 class semester is 15 weeks beginning on January 16th and runs through April 28th (with 2 make-ups permitted within semester).  Language classes are 13 weeks and Parent & Baby Yoga, Mommy/Daddy Loves Babysitter Yoga and Prenatal Yoga classes are drop-in with the purchase of a 5-class card.

We are offering Little Rock-its classes for mixed ages at 6:15pm on Thursdays and 10am on Saturdays with working parents in mind.  If you are interested, please note these classes are filling up fast!

As we are unable to hold demo classes due to the close timing of our opening and Winter 2012 semester start date of January 16th, we will guarantee a 100% refund after the first class and 50% refund after the second class for this Winter 2012 semester only.  No refunds will be granted after the third class.

PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS:
Frolic! offers one-on-one music lessons in guitar, drums and piano in our Frolic! music studio also beginning January 16th for 15 weeks (ages 5 and up is recommended).  A concert performance will be held at the end of the semester for friends and family.  Please e-mail musiclessons@frolicplayspace.com to sign up and also to hear about our ‘meet and greet’ the week of January 9th with our teachers.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES:
Frolic! would love to host your birthday party!  We offer unique themes to customize your experience at select times on Saturdays and Sundays.  We are now accepting reservations starting in February (January is already booked).  See more information on Frolic! birthdays here.

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Post tags: 34 north 6th street, brooklyn playspace, condo building, frolic, indoor play space, indoor play space in brooklyn, kid activities in winter in nyc, play space in brooklyn, play space in nyc, playspace in brooklyn, playspace in williamsburg, the edge, what to do in the winter in brooklyn

Meet some really cool puppets- this cadre of friends have tattoos, bandanas and style. They make the Muppets look like….well, boooring.  This new group of performing puppets have taken up residence in Williamsburg, having recently expanded from their Hoboken, NJ location. Brooklyn parents who have already attended the shows have been singing the new puppets’ praise on the list serves.

The interactive hour-long show has music, bubbles, and, of course, puppets! With a new show every week your child will become familiar with all the characters and yet participate in a new performance each time.  With hilarious characters like Nana, a rockin’ grandma who loves the cha-cha-cha, Yanni, the construction worker with a side job as a backup dancer for Lady Gaga, or Suzie the British Doctor, parents will enjoy the pop culture references.  The show is scheduled every Thursday through the end of February.

Details:
Puppetsburg (ages 0-4 years)
Thursdays at 12:30 pm
$12 and parent or caregiver gets in free.
Show is 60 minutes.

Baby Puppetsburg (ages 0-2 years)
Thursdays at 11 am
A more intimate PUPPETSBURG aimed at the youngest puppet audiences.
$12 and parent or caregiver gets in free.
Show is 60 minutes.

Performed at The Brick
575 Metropolitan Avenue (between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
L & G subway lines (L:Lorimer stop; G: Metropolitan stop).  For more detailed directions & further information, see here.

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Post tags: baby puppetsburg, childrens show, family theater, in brooklyn, nyc, puppet show, puppet show in brooklyn, puppet theater, puppet theatre, puppetburg, Puppetsburg, the brick, williamsburg

With the best movies of 2011 out in theatres right now, it would be total shame to miss them. Thanks to a new group of movie-loving parents, you can forget having to hire a babysitter in order to see Hugo or The Artist.  One Brooklyn mom has started Parent and Babies Movies, a community of cinephiles who love to bring their babies to the movies.  Relax: bring your blankets, binkies, boppies and burping babies to a matinee where unrest isn’t shunned or shushed and you are surrounded by sympathetic movie going parents.

Their first weekend brunch movie is this Saturday and they are expanding from Nitehawk Cinema to BAM next Wednesday. To get on their mailing list, sign up for their newsletter here.

Saturday, January 7th at 12:15 pm
Young Adult (R, Charlize Theron…looks hilarious. Check out the trailer!)
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Ave
(between Wythe Ave & Berry St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 384-3980
Info: Arrive 30 minutes early for pre-show and to order food. Tickets are
$11.00 each. The lights will be dimmed, the sound will be turned down and
they said they are installing a changing station in the restroom. Strollers
are welcome.

Wednesday, January 11th at 2:20 pm
Hugo 3D (supposed to be amazing for kids & adults, our first 3D flick)
UA Court Street
108 Court St (near State St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 246-8170
Admission: $13.50

Wednesday, January 11th at 4:30 pm
The Artist
BAM Rose Cinema
30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
btw St. Felix & S Ashland Ave near Flatbush/Atlantic
Phone: (718) 636-4100
Admission: $12, $7 for Cinema Club members

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Post tags: babies and movies, bam, brooklyn cinema group, brooklyn moms group, brooklyn parenting group, child friendly matinees, child friendly movie theater, child friendly movie theatre, movies and babies group in nyc, nighthawk cinema in williamsburg, parent and babies movies, parenting groups in brooklyn, programs for parents

Besides being a Lululemon clothes groupie (hey, I can go from pjs to daywear and no one knows the difference!), I also love their whole attitude of sharing. Their local stores often host free yoga classes and seminars and it’s all in the name of good karma. This Friday, Lululemon in Brooklyn is spreading the good vibes around with a free Yoga Stars class. The event is not listed on their event calendar, but I got word that it really is happening! Yoga Stars, created by the team at Super Soccer Stars, is a new developmental yoga program for students aged infant to teen.
Details:
Yoga Stars Free Class
Friday, January 6
11:00am – 12:00pm
Ages 2-3
Lululemon in Brooklyn, 472 Bergen Street at Flatbush Avenue
RSVP for free – 212.787.9642

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Post tags: baby class, baby yoga class, free yoga class, kids yoga class, lululemon in brooklyn, mommy and me class, mommy and me yoga class, toddler class, yoga class in brooklyn, yoga in brooklyn, yoga stars, yoga stars class