Ellynne Skove doing an infant massage- divine!

Caribou Baby in Greenpoint can really stock their calendar with solid events and I thought I would give a shout out to some of their upcoming ones.

One of my all-time favorite class teachers, Ellynne Skove of GoGo Babies, will be teaching a Baby Massage Workshop this weekend. I would go just to have her do a little massage on me- but, alas, it’s only for babies!

Ellynne’s GoGo Babies class is so special that she has the most reviews of any class provider on our Marketplace and her classes sold out at Caribou last semester. I see her personally for polarity work- and my mother makes a point of seeing Ellynne when she flies in for a visit. But, since her current workshop is only for babies, I’ll have to schedule my own appointment!

The Baby Massage Workshop, taught by Ellynne, is for babies 6 weeks to pre-rolling & their parents.  This workshop is great for fathers to learn ways to be with baby and engage in meaningful activities as well as new mothers. Grandparents are welcome too!  This workshop will teach you everything from techniques to soothe and calm baby to creating useful sleep rituals using massage.  Tickets will be available in store only for $45/family. Note that these tickets are non-refundable except in case of emergency or baby illness. All refunds will be left to the discretion of Caribou Baby.
Details: Sunday, February 12th 3-5PM at Caribou Baby

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One thing I do know after having taking Baby Be Safe‘s infant CPR class, I knew how to administer the Heimlich on my toddler. I will never forget that day when I banged on her back to relieve her of the gooey, glazed strawberry that she was choking on.  I will always be thankful that I took that class 6 years ago.

Baby Be Safe is teaching Infant CPR and First-Aid Training at Caribou Baby this Saturday. This class is intended for Moms, Dads, nannies, or anybody else who watches your baby or cares for your family. You will learn the skills for prevention, recognition, and treatment for choking (Heimlich), respiratory, and cardiac emergencies (CPR) for infants and children. There will also be hands on practice using infant and children mannequins. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to either learn for the first time or to brush up on your infant CPR and first aid skills.  The class runs for 2.5-4 hours and costs $85-$120 per person depending on whether or not a student is seeking a 2-yr certification in CPR with AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and Pediatric First Aid. Each student will receive a packet and book with the training. Infants can attend with Mom and Dad. Space is limited.
Details: Saturday, February 11th at 12:30PM at Caribou Baby.  $85 pp for Infant Child and Adult CPR and First Aid training only (without certification) (2.5 hours; 12:30-3:00pm) + $15 for 2-yr CPR with AED certification (you must stay an extra 15 minutes to take the test – until 3:15pm) (Total Cost is $100) +  $20 for certification in Pediatric First-Aid (you must stay an extra 1-1.5 hours – until 4:00-4:30pm) (Total Cost is $120)

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If you are wondering what a doula does or if you already know and want to find one, you might consider checking out Caribou Baby’s Eat, Drink, DOULA with BirthFocus next weekend.

Eat, Drink, DOULA with BirthFocus will be an open house, where the BirthFocus doulas will give pregnant women, and their partners, a chance to learn more about their doula practice and to connect intimately with several doulas through one on one interviews.  They lovingly refer to these events as “speed dating for doulas” as each expecting couple will have a chance to meet with 4-5 doulas, of varying experience levels, throughout the event.  Please register for the open house below.  Click here for more information.
Details: February 19th 3:30-5pm at Caribou Baby.

All events are at:

Caribou Baby
272 Driggs AveBrookyn NY 11222
Map
(347) 460-BABY (2229)
info@cariboubaby.com

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The owners of Bump Brooklyn and their two of 5 children!SaSadi is on the left and Hannah is on the right.

The chic maternity store, Bump Brooklyn, organizes after-hours events in their shop on occasion. Besides being  free of cost, their events always seem to be free of any agenda too. In true community spirit, the owners of Bump invite respected businesses to come to their store and give a seminar or do a meet and greet.

This week they have invited Village Obstetrics for an evening’s discussion on the most important questions to ask your doctor or midwife – whether you have already selected your practitioner or are considering other options.  The doctors will be present to answer your questions during a follow-up Q&A session and to mingle with you afterwards.  If you are curious as to how this practice stacks up to the others out there, check out the review on our Marketplace about them. (And, before you do- just know the Marketplace has some current glitches, but I am working on fixing them!)

Please RSVP to reserve a spot. They will have refreshments and all attendees will receive a 10% discount on purchases that evening.

Village Obstetrics

Background on Village Obstetrics from their website:

Prior to co-founding Village Obstetrics, Dr. George Mussalli was the Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the beloved St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village. He has also served as Chief of Obstetrics at North Central Bronx Hospital/Jacobi Medical Center.  His work in the Bronx at both Montefiore Medical Center and in the public hospital system where he served as Director of Obstetrics brought experience in the most challenging maternal and fetal disorders.  Dr. Mussalli is a graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and a father of four.

Dr. Jaqueline Worth is a board certified Ob/Gyn who focuses exclusively on pregnancy and birth. She is an expert in the art of natural birth, VBACs, and her hands have been the first welcoming touch to thousands of newborns. A graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, Dr Worth has also taught at New York Medical College. She has taught many medical students and residents and happily collaborates with doulas and midwives. She co-founded  Village Obstetrics with Dr. Mussalli and is a mother of 2 daughters.

Details:
Thursday, February 2nd @ 6:30pm
Bump Brooklyn
464 Bergen Street
(btwn 5th Ave & Flatbush)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.638.1960

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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

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

How do exposures in the womb and during early childhood put our children at risk for disease later in life? Join Mount Sinai’s Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) for a half-day workshop that examines the environmental causes of some of the most common diseases: ADHD, autism, breast cancer, obesity and infertility. Learn how to keep your family healthier by preventing these toxic exposures.

WHEN: Monday, December 5

WHERE: New York Academy of Medicine (1216 Fifth Avenue, New York City)

TIME: 9:30am – 12:00pm

Pre-registration is required, guests are encouraged.

To register please contact katherine.southwick@mssm.edu or register online here.

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Post tags: chemical exposure in womb, childrens environmental health center, mount sinai, toxic chemicals during pregnancy, workshop by cehc mount sinai

Bay Ridge; photo by Iliana Zuniga

Are you paying your nanny enough? According to the 2011 Park Slope Parents Nanny Survey that came out today, “nannies (in Brooklyn) are earning an average of $14.89- twice the NY minimum wage of $7.25- and are receiving an average of 11 paid days off a year”.

Their findings also noted that despite the higher than minimum wage,  “the overwhelming majority of Nannies who work over 40 hours a week are not receiving overtime pay for their work and only 15 percent are paid completely on the books.”

The Park Slope Parents report is based on a survey of over 1,000 Brooklyn Employers of Nannies.  (BTW, if  you are looking for a nanny, check out our post on “How to Find a Nanny in Brooklyn”.)

Here is a roundup of what they found with their 2011 survey:

In an email today, they reported more of their results.

The Park Slope Parents survey reports other findings that show the Nanny employment situation can be generous:
On top of the 11 days paid time off, more than 8 in 10 also pay their Nannies for the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
4 in 10 employers pay for a Nanny’s Metrocard, which costs the employer over $1500 a year
However, there are also aspects of the Nanny/employer situation where employers fall short :
Only 4 in 10 employers have a written agreement with their Nannies
Since less than one-quarter are paid any of their income on the books, Nannies receive no Social Security benefits from their work situation
1/2 of all Nannies work over 50 hours a week, but only one in four of these Nannies is paid overtime above the 40 hours a week.
Recent legislation such as the Wage Theft Protection Act (WPA) and the Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights (DWBR) are trying to mediate against unfair labor practices. The WPA requires employers to document, among other things, pay rates and designated pay days. The DWBR requires that employers pay one and a half the hourly wage for work above 40 hours, 3 paid days off after one year of employment as well as other workplace protection.

The report, “The Park Slope Parents Nanny Compensation Survey 2011,” is currently available here.

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A new Kensington La Leche League group is starting this Wednesday morning. This mother to mother breastfeeding support group is open to all. To find out where they are meeting, email hezmez@optonline.net

For other Brooklyn LLLs, I’ve listed the contact information below:

(If you are looking for general breastfeeding support, visit our Marketplace listings on “Breastfeeding Support”).

Williamsburg/Greenpoint LLL
Lisa Fortin and Anne Hynes are the co-leaders of this group. If you have any questions, you can email Lisa here.

Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO LLL NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE
http://www.lllusa.org/NYE/Kings/brooklyn.HTM
The meetings are run by two LLL leaders, Katie Lewis and Jennifer Rapoport.
Contact: jennifer.rapoport@gmail.com

La Leche League of Park Slope/Windsor Terrace
Park Slope: 11AM on 9/20 call 965-4428
Windsor Terrace: 11am on 9/27 call 788-1060
Locations may vary, please call Leaders for details.
Anne  965-4428 • Deirdre  788-1998
Judy 789-9451 • Katharine 788-5166 • Suzanne 788-1060

Employed Mothers’ Meetings
Time: 11am-12:30pm
Date: 9/10
Windsor Terrace Library, 160 E 5th St. at Ft Hamilton Pkwy.
Contact Deirdre for more info.  Meeting day, call 646-761-0482.

Toddler Meetings
Time: 10:30am
Date: 9/15
Katharine: (917) 882-3508

Meetings for Mothers of Twins
Time: 11:30am
Date: 9/23
Partners and helpers welcome. Bring 1, 2 babies or come solo.
Contact: Anne (718) 965-4428

LLL FORT GREENE
Time: Meetings on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am, please call for location.
Contact: Lucy (718) 643-9219

LLL COBBLE HILL
Time: Meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 6pm.
Place: Open House Nursery School, 318A Warren St. between Court and Smith.
Contact: Lucy (718) 643-9219

LLL BAY RIDGE/ DYKER HEIGHTS
Contact: Marjorie (718) 921-1558, Karen (718) 921-0817

LLL MARINE PARK/ MADISON
Contact: Jennifer (718) 339-3806, Paula (718) 241-1818

LLL BORO PARK
Contact: Miriam (718) 232-2338, Rivky (718) 851-9729

LLL GRAVESEND
Contact: Teba (347) 922-7273 (English/Spanish)

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Post tags: breastfeeding circle. la leache league kensington, brooklyn, dumbo, fort greene, greenpoint, la leche league in brooklyn, lactation consultants, nursing help, park slope, williamsburg, windsor terrace

I started a Meetup group for A Child Grows In Brooklyn after some readers told me that they wanted to have a way to meet one another “live”. They wanted not just to meet each other, but to have playdates, mom mentors, babysitting co-ops and parenting seminars.

In August, I ran the first 2 meetups and they both sold out quickly and I think (hope), parents got something out of them and met new friends.  So, I am really happy that some of our Meetup Members have started their own events on our group. I wanted to post them here so you can join us!

Hope you will come to a Meetup and start your own in our group too!

xo

Karen

OCT  14: 10:00 AM
Fun Mandarin playgroup hosted by a Lango teacher
Birth Day Presence
182 8th Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10011
Hi everyone, I am hosting a free playgroup at Birthday Presence in Park Slope. This will not only be fun but also educational – it is structured to teach parents and toddlers how to speak Chinese.There will be puppetries, singing, dancing, arts/crafts and everything kids love!
OCT 15: 2:00 PM
Workshop How to Sell Your Stuff on eBay @ New Event Space Ft.Greene/Clinton Hill
STUDIO 515
515 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
If you are like me and have a kid growing like a weed with brand new clothes with the tags still on them then this is a good workshop to attend. Learn everything there is to know about becoming an eBay Diva! Sat,Oct 15 from 2-4pm at Studio 515 in Brooklyn. For more info email me at lmsomerville@yahoo.com or call 9175875434. Discount for all meet up friends!The cost is $45 meetupers get $10 off!

OCT 11: 6:30 PM
How to start a babysitting co-op (JUST OPENED IT UP FOR 10 MORE RSVPS)
At this Meetup, I will give all the info you need to start your own babysitting co-op.  Lauren, the owner of the lovely Bija Kids yoga classes and camps thought it would be fun to do it in her store so that there’s enough space for everyone to hear, meet and play while I give you some pointers.  You will get a worksheet to get you started….  Hopefully, you will find like-minded families to start your own co-op right then and there! The event is FREE, you just need to RSVP as we have limited space. Yes! Bring babies, kids and partners!  Everyone is going to go home with a bottle of my favorite homeopathic cough syprup- Chestal Honey from Boiron.  I swear by it.

OCT 12: 7 PM
Brooklyn’s Best Resources for New and Expectant Parents (WAITING LIST ONLY)
Do you want to know which are the most highly reviewed pediatricians, midwives, dentists, kids’ classes? How about where to meet other parents or even what car service to use? We have the answers! We’ll start off the night asking what your burning questions are: daycare, nanny, doulas, hospitals? We will help you uncover and discover the best Brooklyn resources with me- Karen from A Child Grows in Brooklyn and Adriane, co-founder of Caribou Baby, the coolest store and community hub in Brooklyn! Come join us for a night of meeting, talking and absorbing! Everyone will bring home a box of my favorite homeopathic teething solution: Camilia from Boiron.

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Post tags: a child grows in brooklyn meetup, bococa, boerum hill, boroklyn heights, brooklyn parenting meetup, carroll gardens, clinton hill, cobble hill, fort greene, greenpoint, meetup group for williamsburg, park slope

Do you want to know which are the most highly reviewed pediatricians, midwives, dentists, kids’ classes? How about where to meet other parents or even what car service to use? We have the answers!

We’ll start off the night asking what your burning questions are: daycare, nanny, doulas, hospitals? We will help you uncover and discover the best Brooklyn resources with me- Karen from A Child Grows in Brooklyn and Adriane, co-founder of Caribou Baby, the coolest store and community hub in Greenpoint!

Come join us for a night of meeting, talking and absorbing.

Everyone will bring home a box of my favorite homeopathic teething solution: Camilia from Boiron.

This is the first time I have mentioned the Meetup and we only have 12 spots left because our Meetup members filled it up so quickly- so hurry if you want to come.

RSVP: At our Meetup Group here.

Caribou Baby
272 Driggs Avenue
Greenpoint

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Do you want to meet other parents, have a date night and make playdates for your children? Join a babysitting co-op! The parents of the 1970′s had it right when they realized that instead of paying for babysitters, they could pay “in kind” for a swinging night out with their partner.

Times have changed, but there are still babysitting co-ops everywhere and very much alive in Brooklyn!

I am hosting a meetup on “How To Start A Babysitting Co-op” where I will give you all the pointers on how to start a babysitting co-op and hopefully, you will find like-minded parents right then and there to start your own.

Lauren, the owner of the lovely Bija Kids yoga classes and camps thought it would be fun to do it in her studio so that there’s enough space for everyone to hear, meet and play while I give you some pointers. In other words, children are welcome.

Starting a babysitting co-op can seem daunting, especially if you don’t know enough parents to get one going. But…check out what one can do for you.

a.    Nighttime sits.
b.    Daytime/playdate sits esp for freelancers or SAHP or emergencies.
c.    Emergency sits (use Yahoo Group or phone in addition).
d.    Weekly swaps with one family.
e.    New baby. Playdates for older kid, social & relief time for you.
f.    Babysitting party- night out for parents.
g.    Airport rides.
h.    House sits.
i.    Pet sits.
j.    Sleepovers. You get a night away!
k.    Meal swaps.
l.    Last minute sits. Put a call out that you are free.
m.    Socialization for your kids
n.    Community of parents for you and for your children

Sounds good, doesn’t it?!

A few babysitting co-ops were formed at the last Meetup (2 in Greenpoint alone, 1 in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill and 1 in Park Slope), so I’m hoping we will continue that tradition.

The biggest bonus: the possibility of lifelong friendships and all that help through a co-op! So exciting.

*If you want the handout I give to everyone about “How to Start a Babysitting Co-op” then sign up for A Child Grows in Brooklyn Meetup Group and go to the Files section of our Meetup and download the Word document. You do have to be a parent in Brooklyn however!

I have written about “How to Start a Babysitting Co-op” many times on the blog too, here is my latest post on the subject.

The event is FREE, you just need to RSVP as we have limited space.

Yes! Bring babies, kids and partners!

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Post tags: babysitting, babysitting co-op, babysitting cooperative, brooklyn, cooperative, creating a babysitting co-op, how to start a babysitting co-op, joining a babysitting co-op