The possibilities for moms and babies in Cowtown are endless, which is why we asked you where you go and who you depend on to get you through pregnancy and year one. Which Mommy & me class do I go to? Where’s the best place to have a baby? You spoke, and we wrote. Here they are, in no particular order, the winners (voted on by you) of our Best for Moms and Babies 2012.
Birthing Center
Gentle Beginnings Birthing Center
GBBC is a “warm haven” where babies can be born at their own pace, among family and friends. Eight certified professional and licensed midwives oversee everything from pregnancy exams to delivery. The center also offers chiropractic care and massage therapy. The Keller location opened six months ago, according to office manager Michele Massey. What sets Gentle Beginnings apart is its staff’s Christian beliefs and reliance on faith, she says.
Keller, 817/562-2828
Hurst, 817/479-0124
gentlebeginningsbc.com
Place to Have a Baby in Tarrant County
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth
With 18 uniquely designed birthing suites plus three caesarean suites, the hospital offers a soothing, comfortable and private option to ease the transition to mommy land. And that’s not to mention its top-tier medical personnel and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Personal touches abound here, giving moms a great head start in their new nurturing roles.
Fort Worth, 817/250-2000
texashealth.org/fortworth
Doula
Kathy O'brien, 4 Hearts Services
Through 4 Hearts, O’Brien stresses that she offers a service, not a business. Having “cared for people all my life,” she answered the calling to become a doula in 1995. Since then, she’s provided support and comfort to countless mothers and their partners from pregnancy to post-partum.
817/924-1773
kathyobrien.org
Midwife
UNT Health Certified Midwifes
UNT Health’s certified nurse-midwives offer a compassionate touch to the birthing process, from water births to well-woman exams. Offering one-on-one attention during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum, they work closely with obstetricians/gynecologists on the medical staff to provide low-intervention support, encouraging natural births.
Fort Worth, 877/847-9355
nurse-midwife.com
Maternity Store
Motherhood Maternity
From nursing bras to designer jeans, Motherhood Maternity ably fills the expectant mom’s shopping expectations. No matter the occasion, the store carries it all: from work clothes to evening wear to even middle-of-the-night-feeding wear. Whether you need a body pillow or a “tummy sleeve,” you’ll be sure to find it here.
Hulen Mall, 817/292-5823
motherhood.com
Place to Splurge on Baby Furniture
Baby Bliss
When baby becomes your life there are days you may not get out of your pajamas or leave the house, so surround yourself with lovely things. At Baby Bliss you can find stylish furniture, bedding and décor to make the nursery (your world) a pleasant oasis. Rock your precious package in a sleek Joya Rocker or watch her sleep in a modern Oeuf Classic crib. Staff at this atypical boutique will help you get started on what you need to make bringing home baby both chic and comfortable.
Southlake, 469/232-9420
shopbabybliss.com
One-stop Shop for Baby Goods
Babies "R" Us
TGFBRU – Thank Goodness for Babies “R” Us. Since opening in 1996, the go-to baby store has kept nurseries stocked with baby essentials. If you need it, they have it. Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming going from aisle to aisle trying to make the best decision on what kind of diaper rash cream to use, but you’re not alone. The staff at Babies “R” Us know the look too, and they'll help make those decisions easier.
Fort Worth, 817/423-8829
Hurst, 817/595-2189
babiesrus.com
Mommy & Baby Class
The Little Gym
Anywhere that has a “Parents’ Survival Night” is a place you need to know about. The Little Gym is all about fun for everyone. Starting at 4 months, you and your baby can join a class and start working on motor skill development. From the Bugs (ages 4–10 months) to the Super Beasts (2 ½–3), children participate in fun activities such as gymnastics, dance and sports skills. The first years of that little person’s life are so important, and you can be part of the fun.
Fort Worth, 817/346-9655
Southlake, 817/562-4466
thelittlegym.com
Post-partum Workout
Baby Boot Camp
Made for mom by a mom. Founder Kristen Horler created Baby Boot Camp to give moms an opportunity to burn off those baby pounds and spend time with the little one who had a role in transforming that body. The group activity supplies motivation, and Baby Boot Camp lets you choose from STROLLFIT, which uses your child in the stroller as part of the workout, or STROLLGA, yoga-inspired fitness for moms using the stroller as a prop to get into yoga poses. Child’s Pose will have a whole new meaning.
Multiple Locations, 941/953-5000
babybootcamp.com
Babysitting Source
Mom's Best Friend
In the market for a baby sitter? Maybe you’re new to the area or your go-to-girl is leaving for college and you don’t know whom to trust. Mom’s Best Friend is a membership-based service pairing you up with safe and reliable sitters who’ve gone through background checks and meet their baby-sitter criteria. The annual membership fee is $125, and hourly pricing depends on the specific need. If you’re just home from the hospital, enlist a night nanny or newborn care specialist to help you through.
Fort Worth, 817/226-2669
momsbestfriend.com
Resale
Kid-To-Kid
So, about all that stuff that your baby’s grown out of or just doesn’t use because the roll of toilet paper is more entertaining than the pricey piece of plastic you bought last week … rather than letting the toy collect dust, consign it and collect money for your piggy bank. Kid-to-Kid buyers inspect gently used name-brand clothes, toys and baby gear to ensure quality and safety for customers. With toys up to 70 percent off the retail price, you might need a second piggy bank too.
Fort Worth, 817/263-4660
kidtokid.com
Place to Splurge on Baby Clothes
Zoe + Jack
This Westside Fort Worth boutique has become the go-to place to buy that beautiful layette for your best friend, or to find the perfect baby shower gift. Clothes, hair bows, shoes, blankets; nearly everywhere you look in this former bungalow, you’ll find hard-to-resist treasures, from darling TEA dresses to popular toddler-boy Ben Sherman shirts.
Fort Worth, 817/989-2200
zoeandjack.com
Childcare Center for Babies
Primrose Schools
Primrose is well known in the DFW area for its warm and inviting approach to caring for children. Each franchise location must meet strict standards and is accredited by SACS/CASI or NCA/CSI, respected organizations that also accredit private schools and colleges. The internal standards are built on Balanced Learning®, which blends teacher-directed and child-initiated strategies to support learning through play and exploration. Primrose Schools is in its 30th year of caring for children ages 6 weeks to kindergarten at more than 42 schools in the DFW region.
Multiple locations
primroseschools.com
