guides

Macaroni KID Guide for New and Expecting Parents

Local resources for new parents in Westchester County

By Kelly Fitzpatrick February 15, 2023

We enter pregnancy and motherhood through so many different circumstances. For some of us it’s a surprise, for others a planful approach; and then again some may have never even thought it possible.

No matter how we have gotten here, and whether you currently have an “inside baby” or an “outside baby” we need a village.  

And, we’re here.  The Macaroni Kid editions of Westchester County are thinking of you and your unique needs at this time.  We’ve been there, sometimes we are still there, and several of us even have the retrospect to look back with clearer eyes on what would have been most helpful during this amazing, difficult, empowering, humbling time of new or due parenting.

New and expecting parents are filled with questions.  We hope to provide you with the resources to find some of the answers that you seek.  If we are to put first things first, however, maternal health, both physical and mental is of the utmost importance.  To that end, please see the resources below should you need support.  Additionally, White Plains and Rivertowns publisher Rachel Seaboldt-Fenty is an experienced doula.  Please contact rachels@macaronikid.com for more information. 

And while I am not a mental health expert and have no medical background, if you need a friend, an ear, a hug, company, or someone to watch your children while you go to an appointment throughout any of these exciting and also stressful times, please reach out to me, Kelly, at mackidchappaqua.macaronikid.com or DM mackidchappaqua.  I will do my best to help or find help should you need it in any sense of the word.

But rest assured, we've got the experts included here!

A huge "thank you", our two title sponsors, Sloan Post Therapy and Rock-a-Bye Baby Sleep for offering their services and their support to our community.


Clinical Support

For clinical support, we encourage you to reach out to Sloan Post Therapy.  Located in Armonk, NY and serving individuals far beyond, Sloan Post has many areas of specialization, including extensive training and experience in Perinatal Mental Health.

If you’re a mother in need of mental health support, Sloan Post specializes in behavioral methods, family systems therapy, and maternal-specific techniques. For more information, a free, 15-minute consultation can be scheduled here.

Email: Sloan@sloanpost.com

Phone: 201-431-5170


                                 


Sleep Consulting 

Liza Montanino of Rock-a-Bye Baby Sleep supports parents and their children in getting quality rest. I can personally recommend the magic she offers, as well as the gentle touch and collaborative approach.  A current offer from Rock-a-Bye Baby Sleep includes an exclusive free event for the Facebook group Peanut Moms of Westchester.  



Join the Facebook Group to receive sign-up details!

Additionally, Rock-a-Bye Baby Sleep offers 1:1 personalized sleep plans and unlimited text support through the sleep training process; group sleep coaching and workshops for families with babies 6 weeks - 8 years old

Special Offer: I offer a free master sleep needs download on my website!

Contact: 347-886-4196/liza@rockabyebabysleep.com

Facebook group: Rock-a-Bye Baby Sleep

IG: liza_rockabyebabysleep


Newborn and Family Lifestyle Photos

A question asked time and time again, "Does anyone have a recommendation for newborn photos?"  We know how important it is to capture this special time and we have you covered!  In addition to the beauty below, Mia Kani Photography is behind our cover photo and all of its newborn baby goodness.

Mia Kani Photography





As a pregnant mom or a mom with a newborn, I understand how hectic life can be - this moment in your life is one of a kind but is also fleeting! To ensure that you fondly remember this time in your life, Mia Kani Photography aims to offer a stress-free session that is baby friendly and offers heirloom products to produce tangible keepsakes of this precious time.

In our sessions, we will capture all that love that you feel when you add a cute little newborn to your family - plus the yawns, the stretches, the laughs, the tender moments, the active toddler, the sleepless mom and the smitten dad! My newborn sessions are relaxed and fun. They are baby-led with a lifestyle approach - natural looking photographs with focused guidance and posing in the best lighting in your home. As a physician and mother, safety of the newborn is of utmost importance to me, and our sessions are always baby led.

Best of all, sessions are all inclusive of your digital images and you can add-on a petite maternity or an heirloom package with album and print to take advantage of additional savings. You will be well-prepared for your session, and I will provide guidance from start to finish to ensure a smooth experience.

Family heirlooms such as wall art, cards, canvases and albums are available to freeze these moments in print and to remember them for generations to come. With the purchase of an album package, album design is complimentary!

Visit www.miakaniphoto.com/newbornwelcome to learn more! I can't wait to meet you and to be a part of your story in capturing these special moments of love for you family!

Insider Tips for Mac KID subscribers: 

1. As we are a new business in Westchester, we are offering an introductory special to MacKID subscribers. You will receive $200 off any package of your choice if you book a newborn session during the 2023 year and are a MacKID subscriber. Take advantage of these special savings and snag your spot today!

2. For tips on newborn sessions and other everyday photo tutorials, be sure to follow me on my social media accounts.

3. Join my VIP Club here for exclusive offers and to download 3 tips to photograph your baby at home: https://www.miakaniphoto.com/vipclubmembership


Contact: miakaniphotography@gmail.com; Instagram: @miakaniphoto; Facebook: @miakaniphotography

📚Prenatal Resources📚
“A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty.” — Unknown


For Reproductive Assistance:

1st Choice - RMA White Plains | RMA of New York - World Class Fertility Service (rmany.com) Dr. Lederman

2nd Choice -  Westmed (westmedgroup.com) Dr. Greene


Childbirth and New Parent Classes



The Parent Collective


The Parent Collective offers prenatal, postpartum and parenting classes designed to help couples establish friendships among others living local to them and due at the same time, all while skipping any judgements and agendas.  We hope that couples taking a TPC series will cultivate a social network through weekly participation, forge a robust prenatal/parental support system and of course, gather playmates for the little ones on the way. 

Contact: sarah@theparentcollective.com


Maternity - Northern Westchester Hospital | Northwell Health

Phelps Hospital | Northwell Health

Westchester Birth and Parenting

Westchester Medical Center


Articles

Make Prenatal Care A Priority | Macaroni KID North Lake

What parents-to-be should know about prenatal screening tests | Macaroni KID Westminster-Carroll

Ask the Expert: How to Get the Most of your Prenatal Appointments? | Macaroni KID Schenectady


Apps

Recommended Pregnancy Apps | Macaroni KID Armonk - Chappaqua - Mount Kisco - Pleasantville






🏥Labor and Delivery Resources🏥
“You are pregnant and you are powerful. You are bold and you are beautiful. Go forward in your boldness, in your beauty and in your contentedness. Trust your body to birth and know that the collective power of women worldwide will be with you.” — Unknown


Maternity Hospitals in Westchester County


 ❤️Postpartum Care and Community Support❤️ 
“You are the closest I will ever come to magic.” — Suzanne Finnamore

5 Postpartum Recovery Tips for New Mothers

The New Mother: Taking Care of Yourself After Birth 

Postpartum Care: 7 Tips for New Moms 

Postpartum Recovery Timeline: Help Your Postpartum Body Heal After Childbirth 





Training for Warriors Briarcliff
We are a small group / personal training facility with tons of fun trainers and coaches.  We offer community and a safe space.  We offer a great work out and guidance towards your health and fitness goals.
Email
 








Sam Loves Food

SLF offers health and lifestyle coaching to people with a wide variety of goals, including weight loss, illness management, and new habit formation. We work with both individuals and groups to create individualized plans and strategies to make positive changes as desired by our clients.

Phone: 845.617.4527

Email: sam@samlovesfood.com

Social: IG @samlovesfood




Nidhi Sharma Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Pregnancy, Postpartum and pelvic floor Physical Therapy, Bladder health, Bowel health, Sexual health

Special Offer: Free 30 Min consult if you're not sure you need PT or if you need help figuring out your diagnosis

Email: sharma.nidhi.pt@gmail.com

Phone: 917-388-2031

Address: 1600 Harrison Ave, Suite 1600, Mamaroneck, NY 10543














Fit4Mom- Pregnant and Postpartum mom workouts, offering both child friendly and moms only classes 5 days per week.  Morning and evening classes available and add-ons for nutrition support.  Fit4Mom offers more than workouts -  it's your village.   Moms Nights, Meet ups, crafts for kids, and lots more.  

Classes include Stroller Strides, Strides 360, Body Boost, Run Club, and Body Ignite.  

Try your first class for free!

 

Romperee New Parent Series at World Cup Gymnastics

Contact: Camryn Bell

Phone: 9142389267 X20

Address: 160 Joan Corwin Way

Chappaqua, NY 10514

Email: camryn.bell@worldcupschools.com 

Social Media: Facebook Page: "New Parents of Westchester County and Nearby"

Special Offer: Free Romperee Trial for MacKID subscribers- "Caregiver and me" introductory gymnastics classes featuring circle time, activities like parachute play & musical instruments, bubbles, and a stamp!



 

Social Parent: Social Parent seeks to build a community of new parents through organized groups, events and programs.

The Social Parent Whats App group is your digital "mom village". It's a supportive, inclusive, community to help answer your questions, share tips and make friends. Our in person events are a great way for parents to build a community and get to know other local parents. Events are often geared for kids aged 5 and under.

Contact: Alison Leighton

Email: SocialParentNY@gmail.com

Social Media:  FB: Social Parent NY IG: SocialParent_Westchester 




Peanut Moms of Westchester- A supportive community via a Facebook group of 4,000+ for expectant moms and moms with children under 5 to meet through various events all over Westchester.


 

Lisa Ulley Fitness


I teach women how to properly lift weights in order to help them get stronger for themselves and their loved ones. Longevity of body and mind! It’s never too late to get started.

1 on 1 personal training, small group training, nutrition guidance, pre/post natal, kettlebell training in person or virtually

Phone: 9147031729

Contact: laulleyfit@gmail.com / Instagram: @lisa.Ulley / Facebook: Lisa Ulley Fitness



   

Prenatal Yoga - Steffi Nossen
               

Prana Prenatal Yoga and Education - Prana Prenatal Yoga and Education
                     
           




Dr. Kira Bartlett, Psychologist in White Plains NY
Call Dr. Bartlett today at 917-697-5153, or email dr@kirabartlett.com
297 Knollwood Road, Suite 208
White Plains, NY 10607










Personal Recommendations for Lactation Support Needed!  
Please contact mackidchappaqua@macaronikid.com with your recommendations or to be featured.



🦺Health and Safety🦺
“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” ― Rajneesh


                             

Infant Swimming Resource with Brianne Keefe - ISR is the safest method of Self-Rescue Swimming available for children ages 6mo-6yrs. Designed with child behavioral science in mind, lessons are 1-on-1, tailored to your child, and give an extra layer of independence in the water.

Special Offer: Discounts for first responders, teachers, and veterans. Offering scholarships for veterans and first responders in 2023.

Phone: 201-889-8010

Location: Scarsdale

Contact: Brianne.Keefe@infantswim.com, @isrwestchesterny for both Instagram and Facebook.


Infant CPR 
 Birth Ambassador Doula Joyce
Additional Mental Health Resources

Westchestergov.com Mental Health

Postpartum Depression — Hudson Therapy Group




🛀Self-Care🛀
"Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain—your life will never be the same.” — Catherine Jones





Aesthetics by Kim

Facials and Lash Extensions

15% Off first service when mentioning Macaroni Kid as a referral.



Hair by Christine Ferry



Hair by Christine Ferry offers haircuts, blowdrys, smoothing treatments, single process, glosses, highlights, travel and styling.  A private salon experience with a local mom who understands postpartum hair loss and provides a friendly comfortable environment.

Specialty Offer: Liss Vegan & Stem-cell Smoothing Treatment which is safe for pregnant/breastfeeding/children. It smooths down frizz, cuts blowdry time in half, adds tons of shine and reconstructs damaged hair. Think of it as an intense conditioning treatment that lasts 3 months!! Mention this ad for a free shampoo & conditioner with Treatment!

Contact: @hairbychristineferry on IG and hairstylistchristine@gmail.com

Phone: 9142629395

Location: Chappaqua, NY








😀For Fun😀
“A grand adventure is about to begin.” — Winnie the Pooh

Labor for Mommies: How to Get the (Delivery) Party Started Naturally 

Baby Shower Venues

Babymoon Ideas

Food Delivery


Time and Place Interiors

Time & Place Interiors offers residential interior decorating services for homeowners who seek to translate their personality into a uniquely special space. We focus on decorating with a mix of vintage and modern designs.

Setting up a nursery? Check out our blog: https://timeandplaceinteriors.com/blog/nursery-childrens-bedroom-antiques

Phone: 917-818-2547

Email: hello@timeandplaceinteriors.com 

Social: https://www.instagram.com/timeandplaceinteriors/




Guided Journals and Memory Books
Titles include Sweet Baby Days18 Years of Celebrationsand more!

A shameless plug for the journals I created in my brother's memory.  Proceeds benefit the Sgtlennonscholarship.com
 
Lyssa's Larkspurs
Custom handmade children's and occasionally adults clothing using high quality fabric and supplies.
colorsoflyssa@gmail.com


🍼Additional Resources🍼  
“A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart until the day you die.” — Mary Mason

For Reading - Recommended read alouds by our community for new parent bonding

For Scrolling - Follow these parenting gurus on IG

For Listening - Listen and learn on your commute or while folding laundry


Interested in growing our guide? Email mackidchappaqua@macaronikid.com

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