Shop and Take a Class! New Mother New Baby, Northbrook

This is the first place I took B to on my own, and it was the perfect place to go for our first outing. New Mother New Baby is an adorable baby and mom boutique that also offers classes and lactation counseling. It's owned by a wonderful lactation consultant, and they keep a full schedule of great classes for new moms and babies.

It's obviously baby friendly, so I didn't have to worry about what I would do if B started screaming or needed to nurse or be changed. This alone took so much pressure off of this first mom and baby outing. The store has a nice classroom in the back, and a "rest stop"--a private room outfitted with a sofa and changing tables so you can nurse and change your baby in comfort.

I'll never forget that day when B and I first ventured out on our own to attend the first meeting of our New Moms Group. I basically spent the entire morning obsessing over what I should bring, which meant I packed and unpacked the diaper bag at least three times. It was also the first time I actually put on makeup since B was born, and that alone had me feeling better than I had felt in weeks. I pre-tied my Moby at home so I could wear him into the class, and we were off. We made it to and through that first meeting without a hitch, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I felt like I could do anything when we got back into the car once the class was over. Now I look back and can't remember why I was so scared to take B out on my own, but I was, and this was the perfect destination to help me get over that fear.

In addition to great classes, New Mother New Baby has really adorable baby stuff and clothing for moms, and a staff of super nice women who can tell you anything you want to know about all of it. The upside to this is that you can shop after every class, and the downside to this is that . . . you can shop after every class. I've spent more than I care to share in that place. It is great to have a place where you can be introduced to and try out products that you never knew you needed. I actually have New Mother New Baby to blame for my obsession with Boob nursing tops, but I digress.

So, this or any other baby-friendly boutique is the perfect place to get out with baby, especially if you're a scaredy cat like me and haven't been able to leave the house alone yet. Don't wait! Once you have your first successful trip out alone you are going to have a hard time staying in.

Linkies:

• New Mother New Baby, Northbrook

Have a favorite Chicagoland baby boutique? Let us know!

BYOBaby to the Movies! AMC Randhurst

 Select AMC theatres host Bring Your Baby Matinees the first Tuesday of every month. That's right--we have the opportunity to see a first-run movie in a real theatre every. single. month. Giddyup.

I could not be more excited about this. My husband and I are huge movie fans, and pre-baby we spent nearly every Friday night at the movies. Theeeeeeen I got pregnant and that was the end of our weekly movie dates. I don't know about you, but hauling my big belly in and out of a crowded row for potty breaks every half hour was so not going to happen. And of course once baby got here movies were so out of the question, because you know, I didn't want to be that person--you know, the one who brings her screaming baby to a movie.

Enter AMC and their awesome BYBaby movies.

Every month AMC picks one movie for all participating theatres to show. February 2013's movie was Warm Bodies, the zombie-human love flick based on the book by the same name. Now I love a good zombie love flick, but honestly, they could have picked any movie and I would have gone. So Baby B, my pregnant girlfriend, and I headed out for some zombie love action.

We went to the AMC Randhurst 12 in Mount Prospect. New Kids on the Block were all the rage the last time I visited Randhurst, so I was shocked (and thrilled) to learn that the years have been goooood to this place. The theatre itself was clean and super nice. They have a great selection of traditional movie snacks and hot foods, and since this was the first movie I've seen in months you know I was looking forward to the snack bar.

When we picked up our tickets they gave us each a bib and some organic baby food samples. Surprise free stuff is THE BEST, isn't it?

The theatre itself was awesome. The seats were big and comfy, and get this--the entire right side of the theatre was lined with booth seating with tables for four. We grabbed a booth and quickly spread our snacks and stuff all over our very own table.

There were only three other mommies with babies there, plus one woman who, judging from her death stares every time a baby cried, clearly didn't realize it was a BYBaby movie. The sound was at its normal level for previews, but the movie itself had slightly lowered sound which is great for baby's ears. They also kept the lights up just a bit so we could easily see baby the entire time.

Overall, it was a great experience. We nursed, we cried, we ate junk food, and we did it all without fear of being shamed out of the theatre because it was a BYOBaby movie, damnit! But the best part was that it felt so human to sit in a movie theatre after being cooped up at home for so many weeks.

March's movie is Beautiful Creatures, another book adaptation. I don't know why AMC thinks moms have a thing for supernatural flicks, but it doesn't matter to me, I will definitely be there.

 

 Now, how do we convince AMC to host a BYBaby Saturday night flick so working mamas can get in on the fun?

Have you taken baby to the movies? How did it go? Any rants or raves for specific Chicagoland theatres? Let us know!

BYOBaby Out to Eat! Nibbles Play Cafe, Wheeling

I haven't been here but it looks as baby-friendly as you can get! I'll update with a review once I check it out,
 
Nibbles Play Cafe, Wheeling

Anyone been here? What did you think?

BYOBaby Out for Coffee!

Pining away for those pre-baby day when you could make a cup of coffee last an hour on a lazy afternoon? Here's a great article from ChicagoParent.com with reviews of kid-friendly coffeehouses in Chicagoland. 

I'll update with reviews once I visit some of these places!

Been to a great baby-friendly coffeehouse? Do tell.