This is my first post using my WordPress iPhone app, so excuse me if it turns out all chopped up!

There is no shortage of local online hotspots to virtually meet and chat with other parents.  Some come to make friends and schedule playdates, others look for reccommendations of service providers, and some just looking to be reassured in their parenting journey.

Here is a listing and description of the different communities that I have found and what you can expect.  If you have any others you would like to see added, please email info@baltimoremama.net

Area Wide

www.mothering.com Mothering Magazine’s message board, local board for Maryland

The Bump: Baltimore Babies

Baltimore Attachment Parenting, also known as BaltAP

Natural Approach to Parenting

www.baltimoremommies.com – part of the Mommies Network

www.mymarylandmommies.com

www.baltimommies.com – now defunct

Neighborhood Specific:

SEBALTCITYKIDS, Southeast Baltimore City Kids  Email for more info. and to get a group invitation

FEDHILLKIDS

Familton, for families of Lauraville and Hamilton

When I was expecting my second child I knew I was going to use cloth, but which ”system”? After much trial and error (and lots of laundry!) I finally settled on prefolds with waterproof, Velcro covers, which has served us well for the last 10 months but is not without a few annoyances such as the bulkiness of the prefolds – especially when you have to double up like we often do.

Despite having combed every corner of the internet to research and compare the endless array of options, I seem to have missed contour diapers or assumed they had to be used with specific covers or would only fit for a short amount of time.  Turns out, I should have tested them long ago. The Bumkins Contour Diaper is much more versatile than I expected – these diapers work with most covers (I tried it with two types and it worked perfectly), are incredibly slim but absorbent and very soft. I tested the diaper overnight without doubling up and to my surprise, no leaks or wetness.  Another plus for me is the Bumkins diaper line-dried in the same amount of time as the prefolds.  The only downside I noticed is the Contour Diaper is only available in one size so they might not work for smaller babies.

While the Bumkins Contour Diapers are not cheap  – $10.95/cotton, $12.95/bamboo – I think having a few on hand is definitely a worthwhile investment, especially for those of us that stubbornly insist on using cloth diapers outside of the home but don’t want the extra weight in the diaper bag.

Unfortunately these are not recommended for homes with septic systems but you can throw them in the trash after flushing the poop if necessary.

Bumkins Flushable Liners are priced competitively at $9.95 for a pack of 100.

A wacky and whimsical circus spectacular featuring the ultimate tug of war between Ringmaster Chuck Wagner and clown eccentric Tom Dougherty over a magical top hat that controls the circus. Watch dogs fly, Asian Elephants skip, hop, and groove and one courageous man stand eye to eye with a pack of powerful Bengal tigers. Circus celebrities help rev-up the motorcycle madness featuring one cycle on a high wire and seven speeding riders in a Globe of Steel. Extraordinary aerial acts fill the arena sky with a rare double-decker trapeze and Chinese acrobats propelling through the air. This show really goes OVER THE TOP!

Baltimore show dates: March 25 through April 5
Baltimore location: 1st Mariner Arena

Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code “MOM” at select ticketing channels**. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Gold Circle Seating, Circus Celebrity Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers.  Other Restrictions May Apply.
The tickets can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.com and by entering the MOM code in the “MC promotional box” when purchasing tickets.

There are too many too cute things at such great prices, all hand made with love.  I love knowing I am supporting an artist, not a machine.  I know lately I have been thinking about Easter baskets for my girls and looking forward to finding some goodies and spring accessories that they will adore.  Here are some that I am going to snag…

This green tee from cddureksen

These crayon rolls are so cheap and I love the fabrics:

There is so much more to see.  You must go see, shop, and support this young family that has experienced such an unthinkable loss.

from The Baltimore Sun

You are invited to join families from all across Baltimore City for a
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to benefit the Playground at Stadium
Place.

Friday, March 13th at 5:30pm at New Waverly Methodist Church.
644 East 33rd Street across from the entrance to the Giant.
$5 for Adults
$3 for children under 12
Includes children activities and entertainment.

We will rise from the ashes! As many of you know, Our Playground at
Stadium Place was destroyed by an arsonist in September.
Unfortunately, the arsonist has not been caught; police and fire
detectives are still actively investigating.

The Y of Central Maryland and Friends of Our Playground are mutually
focused on improving the lives of the children and youth by providing
safe and enriching opportunities for play and recreation. These
organizations have joined together to rebuild Our Playground at
Stadium Place after the tragic fire in September of 2008. We invite,
and thank you for, your participation and support.

www.StadiumPlayground.org
FriendsOfOurPlayground@gmail.com
443.756.6198

I totally get it.  The idea is to have the comfort, support, safety, and cuddliness of a wrap, but easier to learn and faster to put on.  I think this carrier successfully does all of these things, though it does lose a few wrap-qualities along the way.

The Baby Nest allows you to do a very well-supported and comfortable carry, with 2-3 layers of fabric over the baby, but it is not quite as intimidating as one huge 15-foot length of fabric…as they say, it’s a wrap-less wrap.  Instead, it consists of 3 loops, two of which are already crossed together and the third, which is adjustable.

Advantages:
–the material!!  This is the softest, greatest-feeling carrier, so very delicious to wear!  It’s got just the right amount of stretch, less stretch than a Moby or a Sleepywrap.
–stays off the floor.  One of the annoying things about wrapping is getting set up without dragging the ends of the fabric on the floor–or worse, adirty/wet/slushy parking lot.  No such problem with the Baby Nest.
–The adjustable belt layer also has a pocket!  Slip a diaper and some wipes in there, maybe your wallet, and that’s all you need to carry for a quick trip into a store.
–All the advantages of babywearing are here.  Baby gets physical comfort and mental stimulation, while parent gets the use of both hands while still cuddling baby, plus easy exercise.

Disadvantages:
–Though it is easier to learn than a wrap, it is less adjustable than a wrap and you need to get the right size for you–and this can change as the mama loses baby weight and the baby grows.  But because this is a stretchy fabric, that might not be too big of a deal.
–The number of carries you can do is limited.  The carrier must be put on first, and then the baby put in it.  I can’t imagine doing a back carry on my own withthis carrier; it would definitely take two people.  The package also shows a forward-facing-out front carry, which is not something I recommend.
–The packaging claims the carrier is good for birth-35 lbs.  I would disagree.  In general, a stretchy fabric is less comfortable/useful as the carried one gets bigger. I tried it with my 30-lb 2 year old, and it was not supportive enough for me.  But I can’t wait to use it with this next baby in May!

You can purchase the My Baby Nest baby sling at The Wardrobe in Hunt Valley.