You’re finally over the shock of seeing those double blue lines. Now what? Start by perusing this handy guide to the absolute best of the best for Fort Worth moms and babies. Local moms voted on their favorites for everything from baby-sitting sources to childbirth classes and we tallied the results. From the best class for tiny swimmers to the best baby-clothing boutique, it’s all here in our Best for Moms and Babies 2015.
Best Hospital to Have a Baby
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
There’s a reason Texas Health Fort Worth has won this category again and again: The hospital partners with patients to provide the optimal birth experience, whether that’s a natural water birth attended by a certified nurse-midwife, or a physician-assisted delivery in a private maternity suite. The hospital is also one of the first in the area to offer “gentle C-sections” that emphasize skin-to-skin contact between Mom and baby. And with a level III NICU and a special designation by the World Health Organization as a breastfeeding-supportive hospital, Texas Health Fort Worth ensures that each new little one gets the best start possible.
Fort Worth, 817/250-2000
texashealth.org/fortworth
Best Birthing Center
Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center
If you’re planning a natural birth, the variety of licensed practitioners at Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center pledge to make the experience both wholesome and safe. Over the course of your pregnancy, you’ll be assisted by a chiropractor, massage and family therapists, an essential oils specialist and childbirth educators. (Oh, and did we mention the family-style IHOP breakfast in bed after your little short stack makes his debut?)
Hurst, 817/479-0124
gentlebeginningsbc.com
Best Midwife
Carla Morrow, Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center
With almost 20 years of experience in women’s health care, Carla Morrow has overseen hundreds of births in and out of hospitals and offers her clients and their families a full spectrum of gynecological, pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. She recently opened the Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center, where she and other certified nurse-midwives strive to provide women the personal support and education they deserve to make informed decisions about their birth experiences.
Fort Worth, 817/878-2737
fwbirthcenter.com
Best Doula
Abbey Robinson, Divine Birth Doula
Over her years as a doula, Abbey Robinson of Divine Birth Doula has encountered all kinds of births. Whether it’s a natural VBAC in a birthing center or a high-risk cesarean in a hospital, she says her primary goal is to help partners feel empowered and be involved in the way they feel most comfortable. She’s also a childbirth educator, teaching the Birth Boot Camp curriculum to doula clients in her home and to groups in the medical district of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth, 817/343-7545
divinebirth.weebly.com
Best Childbirth Classes
Serenity Birth Services
Trisha Blizzard, owner of Serenity Birth Services, tailors each and every class to meet the unique needs of every mom- and dad-to-be. She specializes in private classes at the couple’s home, scheduled to accommodate every couple’s busy schedule. Classes are taught using the Understanding Birth: PowerPoint Program used in many hospitals, but Blizzard purchased the license to the program, giving her the freedom to adapt the content to line up with each family’s specific goals.
Fort Worth, 817/226-5475
serenitybirthservices.com
Best Prenatal & Postpartum Workout
FIT4MOM
Whether you’re trying to stay fit while eating for two or itching to get your pre-baby body back, FIT4MOM (formerly known as Stroller Strides) has a well-earned reputation among local moms as the best program for exercising, socializing and bonding with baby. From high-intensity cardio and Stroller Barre (a combo of pilates, barre and yoga with your stroller thrown in) to the new Fit4Baby prenatal workout, each class is tailored to moms and comes with a built-in community of support.
Multiple locations
fit4mom.com
Best Maternity Store
Target
With multiple hashtags and social media accounts dedicated to finding deals at Target, moms’ mad love for the store is obvious. And trust us — we get it. Target has just about everything a mom could dream of, including pants that fit before, during and after pregnancy. Liz Lange’s maternity collection offers moms stylish and affordable options for each trimester.
Multiple locations
target.com
Best Baby Clothing Boutique
Zoe + Jack
When you see the quaint yellow building, you’ll know you’ve arrived. A treasure trove of tiny fashions, Zoe + Jack is the destination for parents hoping to avoid the madness of malls and megastores. Loyal patrons rave about the wide selection of boy and girl clothes but say it’s the top-notch customer service that brings them back time and time again.
Fort Worth, 817/989-2200
zoeandjack.com
Best Resale Shop
Kid to Kid
It’s inevitable. At some point your baby will bust out of his 3–6 month duds and become an official size 6–9 months. And then 12 months. Kid to Kid makes the transition as smooth (and affordable) as possible. Beyond the pink doors of the children’s resale shop, you’ll find everything from baby gear to sports and maternity wear. Sell back those stretchy jeans or trade them in for a new car seat.
Multiple locations
kidtokid.com
Best Baby-sitting Source
Mom’s Best Friend
There’s a reason they win year after year. Mom’s Best Friend has baby-sitting down to a science. Prospective baby-sitters and nannies are thoroughly screened before being handpicked and carefully matched with local families. The experts at Mom’s Best Friend are pros at matching families with long-term nannies, but the company also offers temporary care, nighttime baby-sitters and holiday and sick care.
DFW Area, 817/226-2669
momsbestfriend.com
Best Child-care Center for Babies
Primrose Schools
Infant classes at Primrose Schools focus on three things: active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts. A low teacher/infant ratio ensures that each child receives adequate care and attention while enjoying, observing and exploring the classroom. The curriculum at Primrose Schools balances social, emotional, physical and academic learning — meaning babies will be more than prepared come preschool. Early education at Primrose Schools starts as early as 6 weeks old and continues through age 5.
Multiple locations
primroseschools.com
Best Mommy & Baby Class
The Little Gym
The Little Gym encourages parents to learn and grow with their child by participating in parent-child classes for children 4 months to 3 years old. Weekly classes are designed to promote independence, develop socialization and help baby reach new milestones through movement, music and play. Try a three-week, introductory experience for $45.
Multiple locations
thelittlegym.com
Best Infant Swim School
Emler Swim School
It’s no wonder Emler is No. 1: They’ve been perfecting their Waterbabies class for over 40 years, making sure that infants as young as 6 months feel comfortable and safe in the water. Try their balanced method of swimming instruction mixed with songs and playtime at a free orientation class, offered on most Saturdays. The best part? You get to be right there in the water with your little one, helping every step (er, stroke) of the way.
Fort Worth, 817/737-7946
Southlake, 817/552-7946
emlerswimschool.com
