The Brooklyn baby infestation

Even before I moved into my new hood, I used to visit all the time to hang out with my best bud. We had a bit of a routine: We’d meet at the Tea Lounge, sometimes enjoy a glass of half-price happy hour Chardonnay ($4!!!), and then take a walk across the Slope to Taro, our favorite sushi haunt. Along the way, we’d gab about our latest dramas, enjoying an eyeful of window shopping (and people watching) along the way.

Since moving, our routine hasn’t changed much - probably because it’s such an awesome one.

Those of you who aren’t from around here probably don’t know this, but Park Slope is a super trendy part of New York City known for two things: hipsters and pregnant women. It’s very interesting how the two go together. And while neither one of us is pregnant (thank God!), we do consistantly marvel at all the pregnancy-oriented services we pass. For instance, BodyTonic, a fitness studio next door to our favorite organic yogurt shop, is currently having free yoga classes on Saturday afternoons. We wanted to go! However, we could not. (Segregation!) Said class is only available to PREGNANT WOMEN. It was, alas, prenatal yoga.

We joked that since we are not currently “natal”, we are technically “prenatal” and thus are qualified. Sadly, no one understands us. (This too is a common theme.)

So, in a situation where you live in a hood INFESTED with pregnant people, and on the flip side, you see people you know starting to pop little bundles of joy (OK, no one I know personally is, but I’ve heard the horror stories), you may be starting to be invited to baby showers, and all that related stuff. You may even have a sister or cousin who is about explode, and you want to give her relief, but don’t know nipple butter from nipple clamps.

Truth be told, I actually saw the birth process twice. Once, several years ago, when I was in the delivery room when my friend Megan had her son. And, more recently, last year, when my shih tsu Lily gave birth. The puppies? Much better experience.

Anyway, you might as well be prepared for these (blessed?) events just in case they do happen.

A friend of mine has turned me on to Earth Mama Angel Baby, an awesome company that sells only natural, organic body care products and teas for pregnant women and their babies. Their web site is full of sweet, easy little gifts that your pregnant pals will really be able to use, plus they are safe (no hidden toxic chemicals) and you get credit for being thoughtful when you know you really rather be at that $4 happy hour than examining rattles.

The site is also full of information (and reviews from other moms) about what pregnancy is really like. TMI for me, but good to store away for the future (wayyyy, far in the future), or to forward to your friends to show them how much you care that they know all this good stuff. Just tell them to keep all the hemorrhoid and episiotomy talk to themselves.

So, check out the Gifts section for everything pregnant people and babies really need, from Natural Nipple Butter, a nipple cream for breastfeeding included in the A Little Something for the New Mama gift set, to Angel Baby Bottom Balm, their best-selling diaper cream that’s in the A Little Something For Baby’s Suitcase travel set. It’s the reality show of gift ideas, but stuff that people who (well, care) may actually use.

And, here’s something even better - you can help your friend/sister/aunt/coworker soothe their sore ass at no cost to you! (Seriously, I hear there are a lot of butt problems when you get pregnant.) I’ve got $25 gift certificates to give away to four winners, so you can get some goods, or if you’re too squeamish, gift up the certificate itself, for baby or mama stuff perfect for the next shower you are invited to.

Just leave a comment and tell me what you would buy with your gift certificate and who you would give it to! As always, the best answers win, and sending cute pix to turn on my maternal instinct, not a bad idea either. (Though you may have better luck showing me your puppy.)

Deadline July 15.

PS: Always use a condom.