Best Specialized Baby Classes in New Jersey

5/16/14 - By Rachel Sokol

New moms should always remember that they are not alone! There's always another mom nearby also looking for a specific parenting course, or just hoping to meet another mom as cool--and perhaps as frazzled!--as they are. New Jersey is home to a wonderful array of really specialized baby classes and meet-ups such as adventures in baby-wearing, stroller fitness and more. Below is a list of some extra-special baby classes that may pique your interest.

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Music Together offers a variety of music classes for infants, kids, and mommies throughout Bergen County. Kids and parents sing, dance, chant and play along with instruments to a variety of musical styles, melodies and rhythms—and yes, you may bring your other kids to any class; in fact, it’s encouraged. (In other words, you can bring your 5-year-old to an infant class with his baby sister.) Fun is absolutely encouraged, along with creativity! The program is 10 weekly, 45-minute classes which include songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement, and instrument play and fingerplay. Check website for Spring and Summer registration info and locations.

There's also a Music Together in Princeton and you can find other music classes for kids in NJ here.

Montclair B.A.B.Y in Montclair, of course, offers a variety of baby classes that really cater to specific needs. Various class offerings include a New Mom’s Wellness Group—which highlights all the emotions new moms go through after childbirth, as well as health advice for new moms; a breastfeeding support circle for moms who need a little extra encouragement as they struggle with breastfeeding their newborns, a Second Time Around support group for moms balancing life with a second child at home, and more. Baby and Me yoga classes also offered! Check Web site for details and dates.

Babywearing is a wonderful way for mommies and babies to bond—both physically and emotionally. It’s a deep-rooted tradition that women have passed on from generation to generation and online and at various boutiques (Such as Bambi Baby in Hoboken) you can purchase some gorgeous sling and wraps to carry your baby. In the meantime, there are babywearing groups out there for moms to meet new friends and also learn more about the benefits of babywearing. There’s a babywearing chapter in South Jersey and North Jersey, so reach out to the group’s founders and organizers to learn more about this beautiful practice. (Central Jersey has a Yahoo forum here.)

Wheeling a stroller around a store or down the street can be exhausting—no really! I used to joke my daughter’s stroller helped work my arm muscles, and it turns out Stroller Strides agrees with me! With various classes held throughout New Jersey, including The Ridgewood Duck Pond and the Garden State Plaza—Stroller Strides® is a total fitness program for moms, babies and strollers. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the surrounding environment. Classes are taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors, it is a great workout for any level of exerciser. Sign up online today and use a stroller as your fitness inspiration—really!

I hate admitting this, and please don’t judge, but I’m no chef. I’m getting better though! Thankfully, I found Give Peas a Chance Cooking School (at Cugini’s Kitchen in Hoboken), which shows mommies quick, easy, and healthy ways to make their own baby food. Classes go in stages, Stage 1: Purees,  Stage 2: Introduction to Textures, Stage 3: Textures and Finger Foods and  Stage 4: Toddler Meals. Cugini’s also offers a baby food delivery service for local mommies. Baby Party Catering also available!

And if you are handy in the kitchen and would like some fresh produce delivered to your door to make your own baby purees, Urban Organic of Brooklyn does deliver to New Jersey residents.

Did you know there is a support group in South Jersey for moms of multiples? Twin power! The South Jersey Mothers of Multiples Club (SJMOMs), founded in 1962, is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization to provide support to mothers of twins, triplets or higher order multiples. New moms and seasoned moms are encouraged to attend monthly meetings in Vorhees at Lions Lake Banquet Facility.

For mommies in the Cape May area who want to meet other local mommies, join the Cape May Moms group, which is made up of single, married, divorced, stay-at-home moms…everyone! The group hosts Moms Night Out events and more.

Bend & Blossom of Rumson is a supportive space for moms and their children that offers classes such as Mommy & Me Toddler Yoga, Postnatal Baby Yoga, Professional park playdate photo shoots, and more. Hypnobirthing classes are also available for expectant moms who are curious about how hypnotherapy assists in the birthing process.

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