A Child Grows In Brooklyn

Air Travel Tips

Since Labor Day weekend is coming up soon and lots of people will be traveling- I thought I might post this with some recent additions....any other suggestions are welcome!

Getting them to Sleep
I recently traveled with my son (long haul) and took with me the Kiddapotamos sun shade (it's the stretchy one that you usually see on Maclaren's) and attached it to the Britax car seat that they give you in the Cot seats. Whilst it didn't entirely work it did at least shield him from the plane lights a little and offer some chance of him sleeping (worked a bit like a horse's blinkers). It folds up relatively small so is easy to take. Just thought I'd share.
-Naomi (mom to Theo)

Eating and Drinking
When I went to france with my 11 month old daughter, she drank more milk out of a bottle than I have ever seen her drink.  And she was still breastfeeding.  I breastfed her on takeoff and landing, which was great. But in between she was crying and crying and nothing was helping — they wouldn’t let us walk around or put her in the bassinet because of turbulence.  Anyway, finally we asked them to fill up our bottle with milk, though she had already drank a whole bottle. And this immediately calmed her down.  Maybe her ears were bothering her.  This happened again on the way back.  So if your child drinks out of a bottle, I would recommend being prepared.  When there wasn’t turbulence, the ergo was great for walking up and down the aisle.  Also, snacks are very helpful.   Raisins, cheerios, cubes of cheese, dried fruit, banana, and lots of food.  I just brought a few small toys.  The most popular was a little measuring tape from MOMA store that she pulled out and then we snapped it back and it provided a lot of distraction but fit in our pocket. 
-Alex

Baby supplies delivered nationally and internationally
I'd like to add that baby travel item websites can be great -- we recently used jetsetbabies.com for baby food (organic, too), diapers, wipes, etc. -- and can thus eliminate at least one bag at the airport. You need to order a few weeks ahead, but jetsetbabies will deliver internationally and do a great job following up with your hotel to make sure that the package was received and is waiting at the front desk. Babiestravellite.com is another good site
-Kerrie

Good luck to all travelers!A little bit of everything
We just went on vacation in Brazil and a couple of things we learned from a long trip- definitely bring the portable high chair! A lot of places had them but the times they didn't and we didn't have ours were not fun! It is very difficult to enjoy a meal with a squirmy baby! Bring the stroller - light weight one - it's easier.
you might not need it everywhere but he can nap in it even if it doesn't recline and you will be thankful to
not have to carry him all the time. BUT, bring the ergo or what ever you have because in the cobblestone
streets, you will want it and the Ergo can be used on the back too and is much smaller than a Kelty. Babyfood - they will have it, but probably harder to find organic. I always bring a couple of days worth to get started and then pick up the local stuff - it's just too heavy to carry 10 days worth. But you don't want to have to run out right away to find more either.  Don't assume they will have all the comforts of home
in terms of meds, soap or lotions - I always take what we use here - also avoids sensitivity issues. I
always have tylenol, calendula -for skin issues, baby soap and lotion.
-Michelle

Traveling with our 10 month old to Europe
We used the Ergo to walk up and down the aisles- and that helped relieve tedium for us and him. We got the bulkhead seat (front row) and requested a bassinet. We got both luckily. I liked having the bulkhead seat as Birch had a place to crawl around without disturbing a lot of the other passengers. He wasn't crazy about the bassinet as he was a large 10 month old and couldn't turn in the bassinet. Birch drank so much formula I couldn't believe it- he didn't want to eat solids very much- either on the plane or on the trip.  In hotels we  reserved cribs and they seemed to be fine- but we couldn't have lived without our small white noise maker- otherwise he never would have slept with all the noise from the street and hotel. We brought a Kelty backpack that was wonderful for cobblestone roads- though he never did fully sleep in the backpack well. His head was always lopping forward to the side- despite stuffed shirts and rolled towels as headrests.  We did bring our own organic baby food- I am glad I brought enough for the first few days, but really they have tons of organic baby food over there.  (They sell it in pharmacies in Italy). We rented a car seat- and it was great- no problems- we had to install it for insurance purposes. We brought a lightweight stroller that was promptly lost at the airport so had to buy a new one when we arrived. A royal pain! We didn't have a luggage tag on it with an email address which would have helped avoid this nightmare. Oh, have to add: bring extra bottles, a bottle brush cleaner in a ziploc bag, your own dish soap in travel bottle size (you will be washing out bottles in sinks), and lots and lots of formula (if your child isn't drinking milk). I also love this site: http://www.flyingwithbaby.com/index.html. Also, if you are a single parent or traveling alone, etc this site is helpful: http://www.singleparenttravel.net/
-Karen

First, check out what seats you will have by going to www.seatguru.com  to see what kind of seats you have and what you can request.

Here is a checklist of suggestions:
1. If breastfeeding, nurse during take-off and landing (landing is the most important)- or give a bottle- to help relieve any ear discomfort.
2. Bring Infant Tylenol with you (Infant Benedryl, which some suggest, can have the opposite effect on children so test before using it)- you can give it half hour before take-off if you are concerned about an existing cold or trying to get the child to sleep.
3. Request bulk-head seat- for international travel- try and get bulk-head with bassinet.
4. Bring extra clothes and blankets.
5. Take snack packs.
6. Take extra baby food in case of a flight delay.
7. Bring a highchair for restaurants (I like the Phil&Ted's MeToo the best)
8. Bring a baby carrier like a Bjorn or Ergo or sling.
9. Bring a few burp cloths or cloth diapers for sopping up messes.
10. Bring a new toy or book.
11. See if you can get the window or middle seat as the aisle seat does not allow you to put up the armrest and makes sleeping for the baby really hard (not to mention nursing!)
12. Bring a ton million!  pacifiers.
13. Bring some handiwipes for wiping off a pacifier or toy that falls to the floor.

Want to know about other family friendly neighborhoods?

My friend and fellow blogger, Mommy Poppins, has compiled a neighborhood guide based on writings from bloggers from Brooklyn and Manhattan. (I did one on Fort Greene).  Basically, it is a compilation of bloggers thoughts on living in their neighborhood with family. It is a great guide for anyone thinking of moving, or just taking a day's excursion or just want fun, vicarious reading, I highly recommend it. Here is how Mommy Poppins explains the Neighborhood Guide: This New York City Neighborhood Guide for Families brings together the many talented neighborhood and parent bloggers of NYC to share their insider view of living and playing in New York with kids. Whether you are looking to move to a new hood, or just looking to explore the different areas of the city, this Neighborhood Guide will give you a taste of the best of the neighborhoods of New York for families.

Check it out here:

Camping Successes and Failures

So, we made it. The camping weekend was fairly successful due to the advice I got from the internet that I posted here. But more importantly it was a blast. We went down to North Carolina for a bluegrass festival, and although people played music until 4 am in the camping ground ( yes, it was annoying at times) it was amazing. We were surrounded by tents within 5 feet of ours so we all became close very fast. And that was good. I guess you can't take the city girl out of me.

This was car camping and so in many ways it was much easier than remote camping. We could bring the Pack N Play for one, and have the luxury of bringing lots of food for two.

However, there were some failures. None loomed so much as my ear infection which sent me to the emergency room for a couple of hours and one painful, sleepless night (at least hearing the music all night was entertaining!)

Okay, so I have to start off with the not so successful stories from our trip:

• Identity bracelet for Birch. (Don't forget there were around 16,000 people at this festival). It wrapped around Birch's wrist and I wrote with permanent marker his name, emergency numbers, etc. The permanent (!) marker wore off in 2 days from sweat, suntan lotion and general grime.
• Eating in the tent. This was a particular disaster as Papa Tree woke up swearing one night. He had rolled onto a fig newton. Apparently it hurt?? At any rate, he woke me up "all for a damn cookie!", but when I had a look at him the next morning, I was in stitches. He had fig newton in his hair, mashed on his back and in his sleeping bag. Apparently he was rolling in fig newton! If we had been in bear country we would have been in big trouble.
• Not enough toys. I know, I know, playing in nature is the big box of toys. But, honestly, Birch was running to other campsites to check out their goods all day and night and that got tiring for all of us.
• No cooler. This was a big loss as no one sold milk at the festival. Not even the ice cream vendors. So we just did without
• Not bringing toilet paper. It seems t.p. is a big commodity for car campers. Every time I went to the port a potty the t.p. was gone. Not a lot of fun.
• Birch did not go to sleep at his normal bed time. Unlucky for us. He would go to sleep about 2 hours later. I think that was due to the fact that it wasn't dark enough at night.

And, now for the more positive, successful travel tips from our camping trip:

• Soccer ball: this travels well, and satisfies not only children but adults. You can buy these at our destination for about $3 from a drugstore or big box store.
• Tarp or waterproof backed blanket: this became a good spot for Birch to play on and for us to lounge on when the sun was hot.
• Pack N Play: some toddlers will sleep in your sleeping bag with you and so make the Pack N Play obsolete. Birch would only sleep in the Pack N Play.  Although he is almost too big for it, it kept him contained- especially when I needed to run to the port a toilet and didn't want to leave him alone in the tent. My friend Deb wrote to say that she and her husband hung a blanket from the center of the tent to divide the Pack N Play from their sleeping and she said that helped. Her daughter would wake up and play by herself- lucky Deb! I think this is a great solution.
• Head lamp. We used this for trips to the bathroom, to get ready for bed or read when Birch was asleep. We also hung it from the top of the tent so we could read to Birch late at night. Birch also learned how to use it so he could ready by himself (divine!)
• Foogo Thermos for keeping milk or drinks cold
• Travel towelettes of makeup remover (this is great for wiping sticky suntan lotion off)
• We used a 7 am Enfant stroller blanket as a sleeping bag for Birch. It wasn't too large that we worried he would suffocate. (Though I read from someone on Berkeley Parents Network that they put a belt around the outside of their child's too large sleeping bag to prevent their child from slipping down into it).
• Tiny board books . I linked here to Birch's favorite one: a window book about a spider who is lonely. It fits in his pants pocket.

Camping With Children

We are going camping this week at a bluegrass festival with about 3000 other people. Yes, we are insane. I am 6 months pregnant and will have to use the dreaded porta potties all night, not to mention roll around in the tent with my ballooning tummy while tending to Birch while Papa Tree is out playing music. I am the one who is insane to agree to this.

In order to manage this camping experience I did some research into families who successfully camp. A good portion of these are from the Berkeley Parents Network- my favorite parenting advice site.
Here are some of the suggestions that I culled:

• But when we camp with young ones, the first thing we do is set boundaries. Even for toddlers. Walk the area with them that they are allowed to roam without supervision. This is usually the campsite itself. If you start this as toddlers, the older kids pretty well figure out where they can go, but always tell them anyway.
• Another thing we found useful at 11 months, when our son was still crawling, was to have a reasonable size tarp for him to play on.  That way, he didn't get quite as filthy and was a little less likely to eat all the bark and bugsi he could see.
• It's somewhat hard to keep them safe at this age. I would recommend bringing a portacrib or similar so that you can confine your baby at times when you're cooking or whatever. I remember our first car-camping trip with a one-year old and we ended up using the car itself as a playpen for brief periods.
• We went on lots of walks with her in the backpack which kept her out of trouble some of the time and we spent a bit more time in the tent than I normally would while camping, but, again, it was a very rewarding experience for all of us.
• I would not recommend bringing your port-a-crib. If your child stays under blankets all night, you may buy a cheap kid's sleeping bag (Target sells them). If your child does not keep his blankets, like my daughter, bundle him up like it is winter if you are camping where it is cold at night. They love sleeping between parents. It was actually while camping that our oldest sarted sleeping through the night!
• We took our 2   1/2 year old and 10 month olds camping a year or so ago and brought the portable crib. However, we only used it when we needed 2 hands each and could not watch the baby closely. As for sleeping arragements, we had sleeping bags for them, but were also open to having one of them each in the sleeping bags with us. Our oldest daughter slept just fine in her own with her pillow from home, cuddled up against my husband on the air mattress. The baby slept best in the sleeping bag with me on a foam pad on the floor of the tent. That way, I didn't worry about her getting too cold, and she fell asleep right away with me beside her. Worked out great and we all had a ball!
• With the port-a-crib you can put your child down for a nap and need not worry about any wanderlust that always happens while you're between your campsite and the bathroom.  It's best to keep the kid off the ground;  they'll sleep better, it's warmer, more comfortable, and you know just where they are if you are 10 feet away and hear them squirming.
• Worship baby wipes.  You will develop an entirely new appreciation of them after you've camped with a toddler.
• Don't worry about bringing any toys except maybe a familiar book for the bedtime ritual -- otherwise, nature has a lot of its own toys (sticks, rocks, etc.).  It has helped to have a sand bucket and shovel handy for him to scoop dirt to his heart's content in the campsite.
  
• If you're camping in summer, also be prepared for your baby or toddler to want to stay up later than normal. They won't have the normal cues for nighttime such as a dark room with closed curtains, and sunset can be quite late.

Babywearing: slings, pouches, carriers and more....

This has to be one of my all time favorite posts...and I can't even take the credit! Local mom, postpartum and labor doula Megan Davidson agreed to help me out with this one. Megan does babywearing and cloth diapering workshops as well as being a doula. So I called Megan for some help for a new carrier as a pregnant mom who wanted to carry her hefty 33 pound child on the cobblestone streets of Mexico.  Megan had a couple of great solutions. (I have the Ergo but it was so uncomfortable for my pregger belly). You can see me trying out a ring sling here. It wasn't a comfortable solution though as the ring dug into me with Birch's weight. (Not to mention that Birch was squirming so I didn't really have him or the sling on properly though).  Then Megan showed me how to hip carry with a pouch- cool and she made it look so easy. See her happy child and smile below.

In the end I loved the Babyhawk and Kozy Karriers that she showed me the best. You can see the Babyhawk on a promo photo here with the pigtailed cutie being carried and the Kozy Karrier being used by 2 dads and me with Birch. I will probably get the Kozy Karrier as I liked the lightweight material and flexibility of tying methods. 

After our visit, I asked Megan if she would be kind enough to write down her knowledge about carriers for everyone- and she agreed! So, I have pasted it below. If you want her in person instruction then you can go to her workshop on both babywearing and cloth diapering on Tuesday, April 22nd at noon. It will be just one of the events at Still Hip in honor of Earth Day. There is a $10 suggested donation.  Without further ado...here is Megan.

Beyond Bjorn: Babywearing from Newborn through Early Childhood

More than forty years ago my mother began sewing hippie patchwork baby carriers and selling them along with her other fabric creations. Unfortunately none of the carriers that she crafted before I was born survived until my children were born, but the practice of babywearing continues in my family. Although for many, babywearing seems like a new or novel practice, babywearing is a pan-cultural, historic practice for transporting children safely, and for comforting scared, tired, uncomfortable, or unhappy babies and children. Recent attention to the concept of attachment parenting (http://www.askdrsears.com/ http://attachmentparenting.org) has placed a huge emphasis on babywearing and helped expand the popularity and options enormously, but the practice itself is simply the most efficient, logical way to continue living while raising a child!

There are thousands of brands of baby carriers available and the options can be truly overwhelming, especially given the scarcity of carriers in non-internet based stores. So often carriers are only available to purchase online and it is difficult to tell if a carrier will fit you well or be comfortable for you and your baby without getting to try it on. In Brooklyn, stores such as Still Hip and Boing Boing have some carriers available for trying on and purchasing and the local babywearing meetings also provide a nice place to try things out. If you’re up for a trip uptown, Metro Minis also has a great selection and knowledgeable staff to help you make babywearing choices. There are also carriers often stocked in stores like Buy Buy Baby or Target, but these are often not carriers that are highly recommended among people who baby wear often.

What you like in a carrier often depends on just what you want to be able to do while wearing your baby. For example, I often travel on the trains and buses to take my older son to and from classes. This means that we are often on the trains and buses at peak times when a stroller would not only be a hassle for me to get up and down stairs, but would be too space consuming for getting onto packed trains. I like pouches for these time because they keep my baby snuggled up to my chest where I can easily protect him from getting bumped around by the crowds or poked and played with by strangers.

The pouches I carry him are made by Kangaroo Korners, Mammas Milk , and Hotslings. The silk and non-stretchy cotton slings from Mammas Milk and Hotslings gave great support for newborn carrying. I much prefer the more rigid structure of non-stretchy fabrics for starting out with a newborn because the baby is already so floppy that the carrier is often most comfortable when it is a little stiffer. These pouches tend to be easier than ring slings because there is less fabric to contend with and I find parents often are less confused about how to best position baby. If a ring sling is what you’d like, though, Maya Wraps are great and I love them for carrying older kids in also . In the cold months, a fleece pouch from Kangaroo Korners is a wonderful way to snuggle your baby or toddle up to your skin and it pads your shoulder nicely for carrying comfortably. All of these carriers must be purchased in sizes and getting the right size is very important for comfortable carrying. This makes them less ideal for sharing with another parent who is a different size but they tend to be less pricey, so getting more than one is an option.

Pouches do not place the weight of your baby evenly on your body, since they hang on one shoulder or the other, and so when I am walking around the neighborhood or cleaning in my house, I grab a carrier that I can put on my back. One of my favorite options is the Babyhawk which can be used with a newborn to snuggle against your chest in a front-carry or with an older baby, toddler, or child as a back carrier. They have amazing fabric selections, well-padded straps, and great craftsmanship. I also love my Kozy Carrier, which I carried my son in until 40 pounds when he needed a lift. Both of these carriers are Asian-inspired Mei Tais and there are hundreds of other options available for Mei Tais. I highly recommend a carrier with padded straps unless you have a very lightweight baby/child and are not concerned about getting sore shoulders. These carriers can be used similarly to a Bjorn or Snugglie (but without the concerns about spinal damage because you are not letting the baby’s legs dangle out of the carrier, instead their whole body is tucked inside the carrier with no stress on the spine).

Similar to Mei Tais in terms of how you can hold the baby, are several popular forms of soft structured carriers such as the 4th Generation Beco (which are no longer being made because of lawsuits over copyrights to this style carrier but if you can find one used, I highly recommend it) and the ever-popular Ergo . These carriers are very similar to the Mei Tais but instead of tying the straps, they come with clips, buckles, and adjusters. If you prefer this, these are a great option, as is carriers like the Hip Hammock (which is my husband’s favorite carrier) or the Walking Rock Farm Hip Baby Carriers . The Ergo does have an infant insert to make it possible to use this carrier from birth, but these soft structured carriers tend to be best after your baby can hold its own head up well, beginning around 4 –6 months old.

There are also structured carriers, such as hiking backpacks, which are great for use in outdoor contexts where space is not tight. I love the line of metal frame backpacks made by Kelty Kids but in the city, these can be difficult to maneuver since they make turning around in tight store aisle difficult and they take up almost as much space as a stroller in your house (unlike all of the carriers above, which can easily be tucked into a bag while you are out). For hiking trips or even just doing the dishes, this is a very comfortable carrier that is well designed to offer lots of back support.

Finally, many baby wearers swear by wraps, such as the German-made Didymos , the Ella Roo , or the Moby Wrap . These carriers offer an amazing range of ways to carry your baby (front, back, hip, newborn, toddler, child), they are easy to nurse a newborn in, and they can be worn by any one who wants to carry your child (unlike pouches, for example, that come in specific sizes). They have a higher learning curve and can be difficult to get used to if you have a crying baby you are trying to get tied up. I don’t recommend them to first time babywearing parents because of this, but they are an amazing resource if you are willing to spend some time experimenting with how to get them on and off.

I cannot say enough good things about babywearing for both parents and children. It comforts babies and children, keeps them warm and safe, brings them up to eye level for socializing, and makes communicating so much easier. Many women can nurse in their carriers, often while walking around and doing other things, and most babies will nod off to sleep in a carrier when you take them walking. They are a great way for dads to sooth fussy babies or for other family members to help out (my mom swears by the Kangaroo Korners fleece pouch now and takes my baby for walks with her donkeys in the mornings when we visit her). Also, for negotiating multiple children, it is a blessing, since you are free to use your hands to help older children.

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Is YOUR car seat installed correctly?

I did a post awhile ago about Birch in his car seat.  Someone from New Zealand wrote a comment on the post that I hadn’t put Birch in his seat correctly. I had no idea! Apparently, the chest strap was too low and he wasn’t cinched in very well. However, what I do know is that the car seat itself was installed correctly. An experienced salesman at Heights Kids in Brooklyn Heights fitted our Britax for us.  If YOU want to make sure that your seat is installed correctly, check out www.seatcheck.org and then “find a technician”.  You can also check out the beloved “Car Seat Lady” : ALISA BAER ("THE CAR SEAT LADY")  (646) 206-1918
Email: info@thecarseatlady.com   www.thecarseatlady.com

What To Do For Winter Break?

As Birch is still too young to school, I don't have the school calendar holidays emblazoned on my brain.  I didn't realize that there was a Midwinter Break from Feb. 18-22nd, which includes Washington's Birthday. What is a parent to do? Well, here is one fun camp to do........does anyone have any others that they would like to list or submit?

Young Player's Theater is offering a winter camp this February 18-22. It will be held at the Micro Museum located at 123 Smith Street.  Classes will be held every day from 9-3PM. We will spend the week improvising, playing theater and movement games, singing, and writing and acting out scenes.  There will be a theme (TBD) that will be explored throughout the week. Open to K-5th graders

Information/registration call:
212.253.1700
OR
kristen@urbangypsyproductions.com

February 18-22 is NYICFF (NY International Children's Film Festival) Film Production Workshop- how cool! Kids can to be on the other side of the camera, learning from experts and more.  During the February 2008 public school break, kids ages 7-14 will produce a claymation film in Soho at the Childrens Museum of the Arts.  It will be screened at the NY International Children's Film Festival.  Go here to register, apply for a full scholarship, or learn more.

 

Baby Wearing

Boing
461 7th Avenue (between Winsdor and 16th Street)
718 840-5880
Babywearing workshops every Tue 4-6 pm, $10.00. They demo carriers, and you can walk out with one that day.

Megan Davidson
Breastfeeding & Babywearing Education/Support
Cloth Diaper Education/SupportPostpartum Doula
Labor Doula (ChildBirth International) 
www.brooklyn-doula.com
brooklyndoula@gmail.com
917-627-6727.
I can provide workshops or in-home assistance with babywearing from newborn through early childhood. From soothing an infant to practical solutions for traveling around the city with a tot, I help parents select a carrier (and have many they can try out), or make sense of the ones they already have, and learn how to use it successfully.

Megan Davidson holds free workshops and in-home consultations (for a fee) to help you find the right solutions.  She brings an assortment of slings, pouches, front and back carriers and wraps to address parents’ particular needs.  She can fit you for all stages of babywearing: the newborn to toddler and pregnant mama. She especially likes to work with dads who want to wear their baby.  Her cloth diaper workshops and consultations cover cloth diapering in all forms: covers and pre-folds, pockets and all in one systems. She will tell you the best places to buy cloth diapers, set up the system and logistics of  cloth diapering in your home. And, as if that weren’t enough, Megan is also a postpartum and labor doula with a busy schedule.
-Karen

Slings In The City
http://www.slingsinthecity.com/
Slings in the city was created for parents who love to wear their babies for parents who are curious about wearing their babies or for parents who are struggling to wear their babies.Some of us are cradling newborns, while others are toting toddlers. There are even the occasional pre-schooler that needs a ride on Mama's back. We get together regularly so that we can trade, compare and learn about new carriers -- our idea of play for the grownups -- and so that the kids can play too.Whether you sling, wrap, mei tai or Bjorn, come check us out. We all found the perfect carrier and so can you! No more dragging the bulky stroller up and down the subway stairs. Everybody is welcome who wants to learn more about Babywearing (Pregnant, TTCing, or adoptive parents- please do not be afraid to join us!) Our current meeting schedule has official meeting in      Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Northern NJ and Westchester County. We also often get together for special outings like going to the zoo, hiking and other fun things.

They have a sling library so you can try a bunch of different wraps and borrow one for a week.    
       

Jacob Riis Beach

Jacob Riis Beach:
Birch and I got in our tiny mini cooper and drove to Jacob Riis Beach this Sunday for a birthday party on the beach. It was a heck of a ride on a Sunday I have to say. Bad traffic on Flatbush- and after 20 minutes, Birch began to wail. And I thought we were lost. I was about to turn back to Brooklyn when I realized I wouldn't have any relief at home anyway and at the beach I might have a few helping hands, so we plugged on. It took about 45 minutes to get there total from door to parking lot. Though we parked illegally so I don't know how long it would really take to do the whole thing right. According to a long-winded ranger I flagged down, there is general parking at 149th Street for $5 and then  you can take a 30 minute walk down the beach to 169th Street (who was she kidding??) or just park at 149th and then stay at that beach. Fine. The public bus drops you at the 169th Street and it is an easy 150 yard walk to the beach from there. Our friends who did the public transportation route said it took 1.5 hours- but I understand that was exceedingly unusual. The beach was clean, fun, full of successful fishermen and women (pure entertainment for the kids), big waves and a nice long sandy area. We had a blast (except for the attack of the killer flies that descended on us when we brought out the cupcakes and birthday cake.) It was definitely worth the trip!

How the hell do I get there:
Drive all the way (and I mean all the way) down Flatbush, take the toll-bridge, take
the first exit past the bridge onto Rockaway Point Blvd, take the first right that lets you
make a u-turn, make u-turn, make a left back onto Rockaway Point Blvd, followed by a
right onto Beach 169th St (no street sign on the right hand side so go super slow), and park as close to the Beach as you can.   

Or

Take the 2 or 5 to Flatbush / Brooklyn College, and transfer to the Q35 Bus.  Get off at
the first stop after the bridge (request stop on the bridge, cause, if you intend to do so once
you're off the bridge, you'll have passed it already).  Follow the path to Rockaway Point Blvd,
cross said Blvd, walk down Beach 169th St, make a right when you hit the beach - we're
at the next bay.

Great for Travel

Papa Tree found this bib clip at a local Brooklyn store (I don't know which one unfortunately- if you know please let me know!)

These Kipiis are great- they make anything into a bib. This is HUGE for when you are traveling and don't feel like carrying bibs with you. Just find a paper napkin (or three), or dish towel or cloth and attach the Kipiis and POP! you have a bib. 

Available (as is everything fantabulistic) at Sparkability.net

Bonus: Birch thinks it is a funny toy too and provides lots of springy amusement.