The power of shared experiences during one’s pregnancy is something all mothers can attest to. Stories of support, words of advice and secrets on how to make the whole experience better are powerful words passed between friends and mothers and sisters. While nothing can replace those intimate exchanges, Barista Kids has compiled a listing of local experts to help the Baristaville expecting mother.
Jill Wodnick, certified doula, encourages expecting mothers to focus most on caring for themselves during the nine months leading up to birth, since much attention will be on the newborn after those nine months are over. Says Wodnick, “During the nine months, a mother should do the internal work of being born into motherhood. The identity of flowing from maiden to mother archetypes is so important to honor and most baby showers which are filled with delightful treasures for the baby, do not offer the same rituals for a couple becoming parents and a woman becoming a mother.”
Seems like great advice—and the kind of advice that even your best friend might not think of!
Read on to find resources that will help you with everything from lactation to baby booties. Think of us as one more addition to your circle of caring friends.
Postpartum Support
Postpartum Support International
PSI is a great resource for mothers struggling with the often overlooked or silenced topic of postpartum depression. In Montclair, Alexis Menken PhD is the New Jersey state Co-Coordinator located at 94 Valley Road Suite 2. She can be reached via phone at 973-783-7681 and by email here.
Ms. Lorraine Caputo
Offers counseling for new mothers on postpartum depression and maternal infant health. Located in Maplewood, NJ at 511 Valley Street, Suite 201. She may be reached by phone at (862) 397-0937 and (973) 275-9222.
Mindful Mommy
Offers online and face-to-face counseling sessions. Jennifer Bronsnick LSW started this enterprise after the birth of her own child. According to the website, “Mindful Mommy was created to help women and families navigate the wonderful and stressful transition to parenting by providing counseling services and innovative products to help, teach and support expecting and new Mommy’s.” Contact Jennifer to set up an appointment here.
Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga
Bright Life Yoga
The best part about Bright Life Yoga is that they come to you! Available to offer private or group classes in your home or office, Bright Life Yoga offers Prenatal Yoga and Post-natal Yoga. Prenatal yoga offers “A safe and nurturing environment in which yoga postures are modified for the changing needs of the expectant mother. Develop strength, flexibility, proper breathing and an inner peace. Post-natal Yoga offers new mothers the chance to “Relieve neck and shoulder tension, regain abdominal and pelvic floor tone, restore prana (vital energy) and create spaciousness in the mind and body. Class can either be taught for mom only, as a partner class for mom and dad or with mom and baby.” Contact Nicole Coons CYT here to learn more.
Yoga Montclair Prenatal Yoga
An excerpt from the class description says it all, “Relax and relieve the physical discomforts that arise during pregnancy, while deepening your connection to the baby growing inside of you. Prepare your body with specific poses for the intensity of the birthing process, and learn what positions to do to prevent discomfort.”
Starseed Yoga Prenatal Yoga
The class, led by Kelli DeFlora, prepares for a healthier pregnancy and allows an easier delivery.
Shakti Yoga and Living Arts
This Maplewood studio offers a variety of pre and postnatal classes, including Labor and Delivery classes. Check out their website for the full descriptions of upcoming classes. Located at 1861 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.
Prenatal/Postnatal Care
Four Corners Physical Therapy specializes in orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapy for prentatal and postnatal women. Debra Goldman, MA, PT
17 Hanover Road, Building 300
Florham Park, NJ 07932
973.845.2592
Fertility Help
NJ Acupuncture Wellness and Fertility Center offers various resources to aid in fertility, such as acupuncture and yoga. Located on 70 Park Street, Suite 1 in Montclair, NJ.
Infant and Child Stores
Just Kidding Around
This Montclair kid’s store also has a New York city location. While the store emphasizes toys for all ages, moms-to-be can also find specific infant and newborn sections that sell toys specifically geared toward the newest addition to the family. Located at 507 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042. Phone (973) 233-9444. Store Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00 – 7:00 pm and Sun 11:00 – 5:00 pm
Little One and Company
Who can resist a store based around the guiding principles “Sweet. Simple. Modern”? This Maplewood story offers everything from apparel to home décor to toys. Products for babies abound along with gear for moms too. They even provide a service to help those in search of the perfect baby gift. Just fill out the form at this link and the store will do the rest! Located at One Highland Place, Maplewood, NJ 07040. Phone (973) 763-7070.
Suki’s: The Children’s Boutique with a Point of View
Known for its very personalized service, this store offers a combination of toys, clothing, gifts, cribs and strollers. Employees here strive to educate their customers about the brands and products in order to help them make decisions about the most appropriate purchase. 329 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ 07041
The Baby Registry by Diapers.com
This Montclair storefront is a one stop shop for parents-to-be. It’s a full service registry offering free shipping on all orders. 598 Valley Rd # 1 Montclair, NJ 07043.
Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields is one mom’s “shopping bible” for locating cribs, gliders, strollers, etc.
Resource Shops
The Birth Boutique
Certified nurse midwife and board certified lactation consultant Shari Criso had a dream to create an oasis for 1st time mothers – a place where they can learn, be supported, and shop for what they need all in the same place! The Birth Boutique is the fruition of this dream. While located a bit beyond Baristaville, it is well worth the extra few miles’ trip to 28 Diamond Spring Road, Denville, NJ 07834.
Postpartum Place
Opened as a lactation consultation place by Maria Parlapiano RN, IBCLC, Postpartum Place now offers breastfeeding help & support, babywearing classes, and much more. Located at 55 Main Street in Chatham, NJ. Call 800-801-MILK for more info or email here.
Education Classes
Nursing the Natural Way
Led by Danit Wehle, RN, IBCLC, Nursing the Natural Way provides a strong foundation of breastfeeding education, while emphasizing the importance of the mother/baby bond and its effect on breastfeeding initiation and success. In addition, the class covers key information about what to expect in the hospital and how to work within the hospital system to create an optimal breastfeeding experience.
Offered in Montclair and Maplewood.
Calm Baby RN
This center, founded by Alisa Underwood, RN, BSN, IBCLC, is dedicated to constant education and knowledge enhancement and strives to continue to be at the forefront of Women’s Health, Newborn Care and Lactation. Offerings included Breastfeeding classes, Childbirth classes, Newborn classes and Infant CPR classes. Located at 516 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, 07052.
Midwives and Doulas
Avalon Midwives – A Center for Women’s Health
While not located in Baristaville proper, this center nearby offers midwife care which focuses on the needs of the individual woman and her family for physical care, emotional and social support and active involvement of significant others according to her cultural values and personal preferences. 616 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 3D, West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Montclair Maternity
Montclair Maternity, run by Jill Wodnick, MA CD (DONA) offers private prenatal yoga, Birthing From Within workshops, prenatal healing arts and doula trainings. She is the Expert Doula for Pregnancy Magazine and outside of her private practice, runs a non-profit maternal infant community doula program in Jersey City. Jill’s popular 35 minute pregnancy relaxation guided imagery CD, ‘Prenatal Peace & Calming’ is available on her website or downloaded as a MP3 here. Jill’s website for Montclair Maternity also offers wonderful links to local birthing professionals.
Mother Birth Yoga
Kelli DeFlora, RYT, CD (DONA), a certified doula as well as a certified Infant Massage Therapist, offers birthing classes as well as infant massage. Mom Debi Gordon took Kelli DeFlora’s 8 week Mothering Group for new mothers at Starseed Yoga. Says Gordon “I started taking Adam when he was 4 weeks old and got to discuss the trials, tribulations and joys of being a first time mom. She saved me! The women I met in that class and I have been hanging out every week since then (8 months now…).”
Doulas (From DONA, listings for doulas in Baristaville)
Maplewood
Kimberley Collins
973.762.2529
email
Birth Doula
Debra Harris
845.216.4776
email
Birth Doula
Postpartum Doula
Montclair
Debra E. Cerruti
973.760.0566 (cell)
email
Birth Doula
Blythe Eaman
973.580.0838
email
Birth Doula
Stacy Lyons
201.317.3089
email
Birth Doula
Alice Tracy
973.476.2449
email
Birth Doula
South Orange
Kimberley Collins
973.762.2529
email
Birth Doula
West Orange
Donna Pecora
973.325.2012
email
Birth Doula
Cynthia Darling is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Barista Kids.
(Photo: Flickr /abarefoot)
LOVE the Avalon midwives – they are completely awesome!
I have to warn those planning to visit The Birth Boutique – the owner is very goal-oriented in getting as much cash as possible and is not at all shy about it. Not even in an attempt to provide good customer service. I’ve visited the shop on 3 separate occasions, one of which was for nursing bra fittings and one of which was with a friend looking for some advice on using the baby carrier she had purchased from the shop. I was given a lecture (literally!) when I suggested that, while I definitely wanted 3 of the bras I’d tried on, I would have to consider the one brand and probably later purchase it online. Everything in this store is HUGELY marked up – lotion I get for $13 at Target was priced at $19 in the store, the bra I planned to buy online was at least $10 more than direct from the manufacturer’s online site. I’m not saying she doesn’t have nice things – just saying watch your wallet. She IS great at bra fittings during that difficult post-partum period, though!
Great list! May I add for the musical mom-to-be a Ritmo Pregnancy Sound System (www.ritmopregnancy.com). It’s a supportive belt with little speakers so you can play music, or you, your family and friends reading or singing to baby in utero. We used it to introduce our little one to all the voices she’d hear once she was born so she’d be familiar with everyone. You buy it online, but their administrative offices are here in Montclair.
yngralph,
We actaully have a story and a coupon code for the RITMO coming up today!