KWT Babies and Tots

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Getting The Help You Need: New Mom Resources



As Fall approaches I can't help but think about where I was a year ago, a brand new mom of a big, healthy baby boy and freshly out of a botched c-section surgery. Experiencing complete opposites on the emotional spectrum, I was vacillating between euphoria and despair. It was uncomfortable for me to acknowledge that such a joyous, heart-bursting moment was also a terrifying and excruciating one. This was compounded by other people's expectations. Just answering the question 'How are you doing?" seemed intensely complicated. If I said 'Amazing, I couldn't be more in love with my new baby!' I felt that I was hiding a big part of my experience and myself. But if I said "I'm in a lot of pain" it felt like I wasn't acknowledging the beautiful creature who had just arrived in our lives; it felt selfish and negative. "It's a hard and beautiful time" I wrote, just 10 days after he was born. 

My son turns one in October, the joy he gives me keeps growing and the pain of the surgery (both physical and mental) has faded. Reaching this 1 year milestone feels like a good opportunity to honor this journey by sharing some of the things that got me through it with a little extra grace, confidence and honesty. 


  • I recently chatted with neighborhood mother, pre + post-natal focused yoga teacher, lactation counselor, all around amazing resource for mothers-to-be and newbies: Liz Buehler Walker. Liz's pre-natal class at Jaya East helped me in so many ways beyond the physical, I looked forward to every Sunday when I knew I was going to a space filled with support, humor and a real sense of community in a laid back setting. After the birth she also assisted me with a lactation counseling visit that rocked my world. Here's a bit of our conversation: 


Bone broth is an excellent food for new moms post childbirth. 
What three ways a new mom can take care of herself physically after childbirth? 

1. Nourish herself. With good, hearty food (ideally homemade by someone else who loves her). And eat plenty of it.

2. Pull belly button to her spine and hold it there for 20 seconds while she counts out loud (so she’s not holding her breath). This tones the deep abdominal muscles and supports the spine. She can do this up to 5 times a day.

3. Use coconut oil. It is highly nutritious. She can put it on her skin, leave it in her hair for a while before one of those elusive and glorious things called a shower. She can put it in her oatmeal and her smoothies. Added bonus, you can use it on baby’s skin and hair, too. Great for cradle cap. **It makes some people itchy so be on the lookout for that in yourself and your baby.

Are there different modalities you recommend or don't recommend right away? 

1. Going to physical therapy for pelvic floor and abdominal rehab. Pretty much everyone can benefit from it. Your care provider can write you a referral.

2. Anything that helps you feel like yourself, like the real you, like the NOW you (not the you that used to sweat it out in a killer spin class until you felt like you were gonna fall over)

3. Pilates is great, but work with someone who specializes in Post-Natal or take a Post-Natal Pilates class. Otherwise it can be too much forward bending of the spine and exacerbating the separation of the abdominal muscles called Diastasis (her care provider or physical therapist can evaluate for Diastasis)

What are 3 things you wish someone told you the first year of having a baby?

Liz and her son, what a lucky boy!
1. It takes 10 months for your body to grow and birth your baby (sometimes many months or years of preparation before that), so you should expect it to take at least 10 months for your body to return to something that feels like “your body”. 



2. Your body continues to be your baby’s home for the first 6 months of life, and that is extended in some ways if you continue breastfeeding longer. So it is an intense connection that can feel stifling, but it also makes you very mobile since the outside environment matters MUCH less than your baby having you as home base.

3. SEEK AND ACCEPT HELP! Tons of people did say this, but I wish I had been able to hear it and do it. My son is 5 now, and it has been in the last 2 years or so that I have finally figured out ways that I can take the pressure off of myself as being the “it and the all” and get meaningful support for both him and me. (Side note: one of my favorite postpartum stories is a friend of mine who when her daughter was a baby would hire a babysitter, but instead of going out they would stay in and eat dinner, watch TV, etc. I love this idea of alleviating the intense pressure of baby needs (diaper changes, rocking) for a couple hours but without adding on the pressure of getting dressed up and going out. 

Liz's Contact Info: email: lizbyogalife (at) gmail.com
instagram: @lizbyogalife


Eva Grimaldi keeping babies happy and mommies supported.
  • Another neighborhood person who helped in those early months of motherhood was postpartum doula Eva Grimaldi. She helped with everything from a little light housework to holding the baby while he slept and I ate/ showered/rested. She had so much knowledge and helpful pointers to share and was even our our first babysitter at 6 weeks. The time and care we received was truly helpful, especially when my husband had to go out of town soon after I gave birth. I had Eva come over for 4-5 hours just so I could get a break during that time. Her rates were affordable and she was easy to communicate with over text and email. A postpartum doula can offer so much and the beautiful thing is, we have great one just around the corner. 

Eva's Contact Info: evakgrimaldi (at) gmail.com 
She is also listed on http://www.kindoulas.com/ourdoulas/

    Judy at Jaya
  • I have been going to Judy Atrubin's Gentle Yoga class at Jaya East since I was cleared for exercise. The class is a wonderful way to move (gently) and listen to your body in a non-competitive, mellow environment. Her sequences are different every class so I never get bored and she is excellent at offering different variations for injuries or ailments. After months of physical therapy, the one thing that actually helps with my shoulder pain is Yoga and this class is a great place to get grounded. See you Sunday, mamas! 

Gentle Yoga with Judy
Sundays @ 5:30 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

              New Season, MORE Stuff (part 2) 


Bye Summer, we had a blast ! 



Splash Pad at Prospect Park's Lakeside extended season: 

Open Until September 27th ! 

All ages and Free: Soak it up! 


Fall Art Workshops start at Barking Cat Studio September 21st

Ages: 12 months - 12 years (depending on class) 
Price: Drop ins are $25 - $35 depending on the class (save more by purchasing a class card) 
When: So many classes from 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Monday - Saturday 
            Check Website for specific class times. 
Where: 219 Greenwood Ave between East 2nd and East 3rd 

Barking Cat Studio is the creative inspiration of proud Brooklyn native, toy designer & graphic artist Karen Merbaum. As the top cat at Barking Cat Studio, Karen sets the tone for an exhilarating, upbeat, creative environment that encourages her students to produce fun, out-of-the-ordinary arts & crafts. Karen & her staff’s commitment to the arts & the students makes the studio experience at Barking Cat one kids (and adults) won’t soon forget. Barking Cat is also offering school pick up for kids 7-12, call the studio for more info! How cool is that? 


Got a little performer on your hands? Auditions for The Nutcracker at Alden Moves Sunday, September 27th 


Ages: 4 and up
Price: No performance fee, just 3 advance adult tickets ($60 value)
When: Audition: Sunday September 27th 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Parents must email to reserve audition time:                 info@aldenmovesbk.com
Performance: Sunday December 20th - shows at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Where: Auditions at Alden Moves Studio 1203 Church Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11218
Performance at East Midwood Jewish Center
 

The Nutcracker is a magical production in which students have the opportunity to dance side by side professional dancers and exercise their imaginations. They gain an enormous sense of enjoyment, purpose and responsibility by participating in a production bigger than they are, and have the opportunity for team building that they don't get in classes alone. This is ALDEN MOVES Dance Theater's 2nd annual production of The Nutcracker. 






Wednesday, September 9, 2015

New Season, New Stuff ! (Part 1) 

Baby and Me Yoga with Anna Beth at Jaya East starts Tuesday September 15th


Ages: 6 weeks - 14 months
Price: $18 or class card
When: Tuesdays at 12:15 - 1:15
Where: Jaya Yoga East - 2902 Fort Hamilton Parkway 

Baby and Me is a yoga class for babies and their moms, dads, or caregivers. The class incorporates a strengthening and relaxing yoga practice for the adults while providing lots of cuddles, activities, and songs to encourage the physical and emotional development of the babies. Each week, we aim to nurture both caregiver and child, build community, and tailor a practice that addresses the specific needs of postpartum moms and all parents.

Anna Beth is a parent of two and knows firsthand the symbiotic relationship between yoga and parenting. She earned her 500-hour certification through YogaWorks, received her certification in kids yoga from Karma Kids, and obtained her Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby certification with Jyothi Larson.


New Open Play hours at Prospect Gymnastics 

Ages: 4 and under
Price: $10 or 10 pack for $60
When: Mon, Wed, Thurs @ 12:00 - 2:00                          Tues @ 1:30  - 3:30 
             Fri, Sat @ 3:00  - 5:00 
Where: 1023 Church Ave 

Open playtime for toddlers 4 and under. Parental supervision required. Only 1 grown up per child Guardian must actively supervise their child at all times. No food or drinks on the gym floor. If your child needs a snack please feed them in the back tile area. Please enter through backyard entrance only (black gate on Stratford Road). 

Toddler Tuesdays at Alden Moves are back starting September 22nd

Age: The program is designed for toddlers through age 4, but babies and older siblings are welcome.
Price: $10 per family
When: Tuesdays at 10:00 - 10:45 
Where: 1203 Church Ave 

Fabulous pianist and teacher Maxine Feldman joins ALDEN MOVES Dance Theater's Alden LaPaglia for a sing-along and dance-along in one, featuring Disney classics, theater favorites, standards, kids songs, and even the Beatles on 1203's baby grand piano.Throughout the program, kids will have the opportunity to dance, play, and bounce around our spacious studio, all while belting out anthems like "It's a Hard Knock Life." To top it all off, every program finishes with piano discovery, during which kids can take their own turn at the piano.

Music Together Fall session starts September 14th - (slots still available for Monday morning class last time I checked!) 

Age: newborn - 4 (with caregiver)
Price: $280 for 10 week session 
When: Mondays @ 11:15 - 12:00
Where: Jaya Yoga East - 2902 Fort Hamilton Parkway 

A 45-minute music class include songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play. These activities are presented as informal, non-performance-oriented musical experiences--developmentally appropriate for children and easy for parents and caregivers--regardless of their own musical ability. 2 CDs and Songbook are included! Pre-registration is required,  Call Hootenanny anytime at 718-369-0528 for more information. http://southslopemusictogether.com/index.htm