1.  White Noise

Let’s face it, babies cry.  At times it can even be easier to teach yourself theoretical physics than to put them to into bed.   To soothe your little bundle of joy, the White Noise (only $1.99) app has more than 40 ambient sounds to choose from.  New moms can even create a long list of sounds that range from a heartbeat to light rain with birds to washer.  New sounds can be created by simply changing the pitch, speeding up or slowing down the tempo, and the fade-out option allows sleeping babies to rest quietly. Finally, White Noise has a timer that lets you create a playlist of sounds your newborn is sure to enjoy.  White Noise and White Noise Lite (the free version) are available for download through the iTunes store button below.

2.  Total Baby

Got a bad case of mommy brain? You won’t have to worry about that anymore with Total Baby by ANDEsigned!  Total Baby ($4.99) is the number one baby log and tracking application for the iPhone.  With 13 separate timing, tracking, and logging functions that allow users to input doctor’s visits, nursing sessions, sleep time, vaccines, allergies, and much more.  In addition to scheduling, this app is also great when updating your doctor on your baby’s eating and sleeping habits as a summary of your child’s day is grouped into four categories (early morning, morning, afternoon, and evening) and displayed at the top of your iPhone.  All in all, this app allows moms to better plan their errands and much needed mommy time.  Click on the iTunes button below and start tracking your baby!

3.  Baby Monitor

With newborns, sometimes two hands are not enough.  Often, you find you need to be two places at once.  The makers of Baby Monitor understand this, which is why they created a wonderful application to help moms out.  Simply place your iPhone next to the baby while the application is open, input a phone number where you will be, and when the baby starts making noise, the Baby Monitor app places a call to directly to you!  It’s a great way to monitor what your baby is doing from anywhere. This app costs $4.99 and can be purchased through the iTunes button below.

If you like the above apps, but don’t have an iPhone or iTouch, fear not!  Most of these apps (or similar ones) are available for other smartphones.  Check out their respective app stores for more information. 
 

Savvy moms and dads are always seeking fun ways to help enhance their children’s lives, especially through music.  With the help of companies like Baby Einstein, infants are exposed to concertos by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart as early as their first ride home from the hospital.  And throughout New York, western music classes and concerts are readily available for kids of all ages.  Now, you can expose your little ones to classical South Asian music thanks to the recent launch of Little Ustaads.

Launched in Mumbai in 2007 and in NY/NJ in 2009, Little Ustaads teaches parents and children the richness of Indian classical music in a fun and lively manner, exploring their sense of creativity and expression through music.   The classes allow children and their parents to discover and appreciate this world of music through rhythmic tunes, rich vocals, mini instruments and vibrant visuals. 

Using their classical music training, founders Kavita Bafana and Rachana Chandaria-Mamania developed a curriculum that spans nine levels, with eight classes at each level.  The founders created Little Ustaads to ensure that their little ones would be exposed to rhythmic Indian classical music.

All classes include a welcome song, an introduction to Indian music notes (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, etc.) and musical free play with sitars, tablas and harmoniums.  The classes are administered in English, although some Hindi is also spoken.  Each child is given a CD to reinforce the teachings at home.  In addition to learning music, the curriculum promotes emotional development, hand and eye coordination, mental stimulation, auditory refinement, cultural awareness, and exploratory play. 

Little Ustaads is a fun-filled venue for you and your loved one.  Classes are currently in session in NY and NJ.   Check out www.littleustaads.com or call 773-744-1662 for more information. Be sure to mention CitySaheli Baby for a 10% discount!

Below are details of the free demos that are coming up. Please RSVP or call Kavita Bafana at 773-744-1662 or via email at newyork@littleustaads.com for more details.

NYC - December 5^th 11 AM - 4 West, 43rd Street, Room # 618 (Between 5th and 6th Ave.)

Jersey City - December 5^th 2:30 PM - Betty’s Bassinet 204 Washington Street, Unit 1A

Hoboken - December 5^th 4 PM - Surya Yoga Academy on 618 Washington Ave.

Mahwah - December 6^th 12:30 PM - Hindu Samaj at 247 W. Ramapo Ave.

Edgewater - December 7^th 4:30 PM - Edgewater Public Library at 49 Hudson Ave.

Somerset, NJ - January 10th 11:00 AM - Dancing Shiva, 1075 Easton Ave. Suite #5