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Where to Meet Other New Moms in Nassau County

1. WowMoms Long Island — Mineola

What separates WowMoms Long Island from other play spaces is that it is focused on both the mom's experience and the child's. Have a drink or hearty snack at the espresso bar, or book a mani-pedi for yourself. You can relax knowing your baby is safely cared for in the next room. Check out the official website for all the offerings. 

2. Long Island Children's Museum — Garden City

Many of the exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum are accessible for babies. Go during a school day and you won't experience the big weekend crowds. You'll be more likely to run into moms like yourself, though you may also come across a school group. The bubble room is a personal favorite, and great for any age. Babies can also get their first feeling of sand, whether or not it's summer, in the Sandy Island exhibit. TotSpot has a dedicated space for babies to explore, as well as a private nursing room. LICM also has a music and movement caregiver-and-me class. You must sign up at least a half hour before the class begins for a small fee in addition to admission. 

3. Nana's Wonderland — Massapequa Park

The giant ball pit at Nana's Wonderland is a favorite among toddlers, but there's also a separate baby section. Here, crawlers have a safe space to explore and play. In this space, you'll be with other moms with littles who aren't quite ready to jump into the ball pit. Nana's Wonderland offers events throughout the year, so check the calendar to see if anything catches your interest. 

Where to Meet Other New Moms in Suffolk County

4. The Nesting Place — Farmingdale, Yaphank, Merrick

The Nesting Place may be the single-most important resource on this list. It is a haven for moms, new and veteran alike, with a fourth-trimester support circle for moms of babies 0-5 months. This is a six-week session that covers everything you can think of, but most importantly provides emotional support during what can be a very lonely time in a woman's life. There's a baby music class, baby-and-me yoga, and even a tummy-time class led by a pediatric physical therapist. There are two locations in Suffolk, and one in Nassau. 

5. La La Land — Babylon

La La Land's play space is clean and aesthetically pleasing. Moms of babies will be happy to hang out in the crawler section, featuring developmentally appropriate toys. If you're shy, take an opportunity to strike up a conversation when your baby does something silly or drools all over the floor. But remember, if your child puts a toy in his or her mouth, find a yuck bucket to drop it off in! Check out the biz's official website for info on all of La La Land's offerings.

6. Little Laughs Playtime — Commack

Soft climbing structures give crawlers a safe space to explore at Little Laughs Playtime. Small slides and equipment are perfectly sized for littles. Also on offer is a Laugh and Dance mommy-and-me class, which features a singalong, puppets, bubbles, and scarves. Mommy-and-me classes are perfect for creating bonds with other moms. 

RELATED: Best Mommy-and-Me Classes on Long Island for Families

 Check out the baby play area at the Children’s Museum of the East End. Photo by Gina Massaro

Where to Meet Other New Moms on the East End

7. Children's Museum of the East End — Bridgehampton

The Children's Museum of the East End offers a baby-and-me class designed for caregivers and babies, from newborns to walkers. This is an amazing opportunity to explore the museum and have dedicated quality time with your baby. The best part is after the class, when you can stay in the museum and socialize with other moms. The class is FREE for museum members, or $19 for non-members. It includes admission to the museum. 

Islandwide Places to Meet Other New Parents

8. The Little Gym — West Hempstead, Levittown, Lynbrook, Port Washington,Hungtington, Smithtown

If you're on the shy side, it's easier to connect to other moms when babies are present. They're like little ice breakers. At the Little Gym, enthusiastic class instructors are there to help you and your little have fun. It's a great way to bond with your baby and other moms who have children the same age as you. The Little Gym offers classes broken down by age. For children 4 months-10 months, you're looking for the Bugs class, and for 10 months-19 months, it's the Birds class.

9. Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble locations across Long Island offer weekly story times. Get out of the house, see other moms, and introduce your baby to the wonder of books. These events are FREE, and no sign up is necessary. If you're consistent, you'll end up running into some of the same moms each time. 

Local Spots for Making Friends with Fellow New Moms

10. Libraries

Your local library is a treasure trove of resources. In addition to FREE museum passes, many also have mommy-and-me classes. It's a great way to meet moms from around your neighborhood and school district. Check your local library's event calendar, as many of these events fill up early and fast. 

11. Playgrounds

While it's fun to explore big playgrounds like Wantagh or Sunken Meadow, and you'll meet new moms there, they won't necessarily live near you. The best place to meet other moms in your neighborhood is at your local playground. Here you can make friendships that will help you navigate those big moments in the future, like UPK lotteries and getting ready for kindergarten.

Social Media Resources to Check Out

If you're on Facebook, it can be a good resource of local information. Most towns have parent groups and it never hurts to post for meet-ups and play dates. I see them all the time in my local group. It's also where you'll find information on local playground updates, pool openings and more. Check out your local events as well. Sometimes businesses post events on their social media, but not on an official website. While you're at it, be sure to follow Mommy Poppins Long Island on Facebook for more local resources. 

This post was originally published in 2016. Jaime Sumersille contributed additional reporting.