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Useful Tips for Expecting Long Island Parents Before Baby Arrives

1. Pregnancy Classes

Some hospitals on Long Island offer classes during pregnancy and afterward, such as Baby Care Basics and Family & Friends Infant CPR at North Shore University Hospital.

2. Local Toy Stores

Fun Stuff Toys in Seaford, Kidz Toys in Levittown, Learning Tower Toys in Port Jefferson Station, and many more local toy stores offer opportunities to see and play with toys before putting them on your baby registry or buying them yourself. Some of these stores also offer in-house registries. 

3. Baby Registries

Amazon is the easiest way to register for baby items. The online giant also offers a 15% completion discount coupon to purchase the rest of your registry items. This is available 60 days before your inputted arrival date and 90 days after. Target also offers a 15% off coupon that begins 8 weeks before your expected due date when using its registry. If you're looking for unique, handmade items, you can create a registry on Etsy, though you won't get a coupon. 

4. Universal Pre-K (UPK)

Even though the baby isn't here yet, it's important to think about where they will ultimately go to school. Childcare costs a fortune, and if you're in a district that offers free UPK, it can make a big difference. Some districts offer it as a lottery, while others, like Bay Shore School District, have their own UPK building for all students in the district. 

5. Check your Car Seat

Local firehouses on Long Island and across New York State will install and/or double-check your car seat.

Useful Tips for Long Island Parents After Baby Arrives

6. Free Admission

Take advantage of places with FREE admission for babies. Children 2 and younger are FREE at the Long Island Aquarium. Check out other awesome free spots to play with babies and toddlers on Long Island here.

7. In-Person Support Groups

Baby Café, a national support group for breastfeeding and expectant moms, has three Long Island locations in Bay Shore and Wyandanch. If you're suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety, or merely want to discuss how crazy it is being a new parent, Long Island has parenting groups for everyone. Find one that works for you.

8. Facebook Groups

There are Facebook groups for moms and dads all across Long Island, including for parents of multiples, parents who commute, community-specific groups such as the Nassau County Multiples Club, and more. 

9. Local Baby Stores

Check out our story on LI's best baby stores for wonderful stores selling adorable outfits, bedding, and more. Best of all, you'll be supporting small businesses in your neighborhood by shopping at one of these stores. 

10. Special Infant Parking Spots

Food shopping gets baby-friendly at BJ's in Garden City and Stop & Shop in Woodbury. Both have parking spots for families with infants. Check to see if your local grocery store has them as well. 

11. IKEA

IKEA in Hicksville has a family room with a rocking chair near its café for breastfeeding. There's also a play area for kids called Smaland, where attendants will watch your potty-trained child for up to an hour while you shop.

12. Free Storytime

Free storytimes are offered all across Long Island at Barnes and Noble stores.

13. Curbside Dinner Pickup

It doesn't always have to be fast food. Some restaurants, such as Applebees, have curbside pickup: You can get your food brought out to your car, avoiding the in-and-out of car seats. 

RELATED: Best Baby Stores on Long Island

Zumbini offers a new spin on mommy-and-me Zumba. Photo courtesy of Zumbini

14. Mommy-and-Me Classes

There are plenty of mommy-and-me classes across Long Island where you can meet new moms and entertain your baby. Check out Zumbini...that's right, Zumba with baby.

15. HOV Lane

An infant counts toward HOV-lane occupancy. This might not seem like a big thing, but when you're a stressed-out parent in rush hour, it can make a huge difference. 

16. Last-Minute Retail

At some retailers you can order online and pick up the same day in the store, saving time with baby. These include Target, Staples, and more. Grocery delivery services such as Peapod or Amazon Fresh usually offer next-day service, which is great when you suddenly realize you're out of diapers.

17. Drive-Thru Coffee

Drive-thru coffee options exist all over Long Island, from Starbucks to Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald's. Get your morning caffeine fix without getting out of your car. And trust us, when you're lugging around a car seat, that's a bonus.

18. Local Library Resources

Libraries in Nassau and Suffolk counties offer a treasure trove of new-mommy needs, from classes to museum passes. 

19. Check off an LI Bucket List as Baby Grows

There are so many fun and exciting things to do on Long Island with baby. You can check out our must-do list here.