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[title]Caribou Baby
Besides selling infant essentials—nursing bras, baby clothes and carriers—this Greenpoint spot serves hot tea and support to new parents. Mom groups, baby boot camps and developmental movement classes meet in the serene skylit studio in back, but as hormones surge and exhaustion sets in, mothers may appreciate Beyond the Big Push: Meditation Practices to Nourish the New Mom (Jan 22 2--4pm, $40). The two-hour workshop offers ways to relax, focus and even meditate during a hectic day. 272 Driggs Ave between Eckford and Leonard Sts, Greenpoint, Brookyn (347-460-2229, cariboubaby.com)
Child'Space NYC
Leader Dan Rindler plays guitar and sings throughout these Feldenkrais-based sessions, in which parents learn how to boost their child's budding motor skills and reluctant tummy-timers get comfortable on their bellies. Choose from three different groups: precrawlers (ages five weeks to five months), five months and up, and mobile crawlers and cruisers. At every level, the combination of soothing music and gentle touch induces squirmy tots to melt into cooing bundles of baby pleasure. Locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn (347-406-4464, childspacenyc.com). Ten classes $250--$300.
Little Hearts CPR
No sooner can babies raise their chubby little hands to their mouths than they are inhaling Cheerios and scaring the beejeebers out of parents. Luckily, the Infant CPR workshops at Little Hearts are held most weekdays, with weekend and Spanish classes, too. In two and a half hours, you'll learn how to handle CPR, choking and basic baby safety. Little Hearts CPR, 688 Sixth Ave at 22nd St (212-691-5989, littleheartscpr.com). $75 per person.
92nd Street Y
You could pretty much raise your child from cradle to college at the 92nd Street Y's Parenting Center. Lactation support groups, baby massage classes and weekly drop-in get-togethers discussing everything from infant massage to introducing solids are just some of the offerings that help new parents get with the program. 1395 Lexington Ave at 92nd St (212-415-5500, 92y.org)
RIE Parent-Infant Discussion and Observation
The West Coast parenting method Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) has been steadily gaining followers in NYC. Parents closely observe their baby, following the child's lead as she plays and discovers the world at her own pace. Chelsea arts space Kids at Work hosts weekly sessions for both mobile and nonmobile infants. Kids at Work, 242 W 27th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-488-8800, kidsatworknyc.com). Winter classes start Jan 9. Eight classes $480--$560. For parents with babies 4 to 20 months.
Ten Toes
Founded by two local lactation consultants, this Staten Island store and education center sells baby gear and offers lactation support. Classes include Breastfeeding 101 ($60) and What to Do Your First 24 Hours Home Alone ($60), which demystifies umbilical-cord care, bathing and other topics that strike fear into new parents. 322 New Dorp Ln at Clawson St, Staten Island (718-836-8637, tentoes.org).
Tribeca Parenting
The parenting group gives moms and dads ongoing support from newborn to the dreaded teenage years. In addition to infant-safety and breastfeeding-support sessions, you'll find New Dads Boot Camp—which helps fathers navigate everything from burping to coparenting—and a Private In-Home Baby Care Class, where educators visit new parents at home to teach them the ins and outs of bathing, swaddling and diapering. Go to tribecaparenting.com for locations.