Cool Baby Tips!

For Rocker Moms, Not Soccer Moms

We have mixed feelings about recommending SUGAR BABY, a hipster baby and children's clothing store on Sunset Boulevard in LA and online. Not because the clothes selection isn't awesome (you will drool on them, too) and the service isn't sweet, but because you will definitely curse us for tempting you to spend the gobs of cash our Cool Baby Test parents ended up spending there on toddler punk tees for bands like The Misfits, spunky outfits by Tea and Zutano and other designers we've never heard of plus hard to find books that are recommeded by Cool baby Tips parents who are artist and designers. Make sure you check out the sale rack in front.

Other parents describe it as where "Alice and Wonderland Meets Jimi Hendrix" or for parents who confess that looking through a Pottery Barn Kids' catalgoue makes them want to barf.

If you can't make it to LA, you can grab some cool stuff online at www.sugarbabyonsunset.com.

Sugar Baby, 7523 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A.; Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (323) 969-9143.

Habla Blah Blah

Habla Blah Blah offers fun Spanish immersion classes for babies and tots that take advantage of the fact that between birth and age 8 your child's brain is uniquely hard-wired to absorb languages. Habla Blah Blah teachers are native speakers who guide children from 8 months of age and up through a 45 minute class that includes songs, theme vocabulary (e.g. colors, food, body parts, etc), creative movement, arts & crafts, and just pure fun. Another bonus? It's like a 2-for-1 deal because moms and dads get to learn a new language, too. All the Cool Baby Tips parents who tried the Spanish classes loved them so much that they signed up for a series, and we have all noticed our babies speaking or understanding new words within two sessions. Cool Baby Harvard Ed Experts all confirm that teaching babies a second, even third language, is highly beneficial, can even help baby with their primary language, and will not confuse them. If you would like to read more on this subject, click on Happy Baby, which offers an easy to digest article on the matter.

P.S. Mention COOL BABY TIPS at Habla Blah Blah's mid-Wilshire/Fairfax site and receive $10 off a trial class (regularly $20) or a set of classes.

SmART Space is More than Just Smart...

SmART Space on Washington Boulevard between Centinela and Lincoln is a great new space for fun, imaginative, and unique enrichment classes for babies and kids. And, for parents the vibe is laid back, relaxing and more personal than so many of the other places around. Three Cool Baby Tips test parents came back raving about their classes like "Wiggles and Blues," "Twosy Art," and "Move and Groove at The Louvre." And that's only a few of their more than a dozen classes for kids from 6 months to 12 years old. They even offer PARTIES! If you live in the area you must check them out or go to their website right this minute: www.smARTspaceLA.com

Mention "Cool Baby Tips" and receive your first trial class free.

Bilingual Babies Rule!

WorldSpeak in the Westside Pavilion offers fun immersion classes in more than a dozen languages that take advantage of the fact that between birth and age 8 your child's brain is uniquely hard-wired to absorb languages. Worldspeak teachers are native speakers who guide children from 10 months of age and up through a 45 minute class that includes songs, theme vocabulary (e.g. colors, food, body parts, etc), creative movement, arts & crafts, and just pure fun. Another bonus? It's like a 2-for-1 deal because moms and dads get to learn a new language, too. Three out of four of the Cool Baby Tips parents who tried the Spanish and French trial classes loved them so much that they signed up for a series, and we have all noticed our babies speaking or understanding new words within two sessions. Cool Baby Harvard Ed Experts all confirm that teaching babies a second, even third language, is highly beneficial, can even help baby with their primary language, and will not confuse them. If you would like to read more on this subject, click on Happy Baby, which offers an easy to digest article on the matter.

P.S. Mention COOL BABY TIPS and, Voila, receive $10 off a trial class (regularly $15) or a set of classes.

Calling all Mini Monets

Stop by and explore paint with your toddler or preschooler at Play Cafe's laid back Messy Arts space. Materials, smocks and clean-up station provided. Paints are all washable (Yay!) and you get to take home some wonderful art work to show off. Suggested age: 14mos. to 5 years. $7 per child. Call to check times: (323) 988-1189. Play Cafe also has a play area for kids, sells cool kid-friendly cd's and instruments, and offers other music and art-related classes. Click on LAplaycafe.com for details. Located at 5814 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Is Your Pediatrician Not Doing the Trick?

Whether you are just plain disatisfied with your pediatrician's approach to your baby's healthcare, are looking for more natural and holistic cures to recurring colds, colic, or other ailments, or want a more integrative approach to your child's physical and mental development, Bee Well Kidz, Inc. may be the place for you and your family. They are fairly new on the block, but they are already sought after by hordes of conscientious moms and dads. In their own words, they "offer collaborative integrated healthcare, unified under one roof, for parents searching for natural treatment options for their children’s illnesses and disabilities." On staff, they have acupuncturists, herbalists, nutrition counselors, masseuses, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, homeopaths, yoga therapists, speech therapists and many more specialists. Using infant massage and herbs they did a great job of curing my baby's lingering cough. You can get more info at www.beewellkids.com.

Mention "Cool Baby Tips" and receive $20 off services for first-time clients

Savvy Stroller Shopping

When celebrity globe trotters like Kate Winslet need travel gear they shop at Traveling Tikes, a mom and pop store that carries only the most reliable and practical strollers for families on the go, as well as a cool selection of diaper bags, the Svan high chair that cool baby parents recommend, and other baby items. They will price match their competitors, and if you don't live in LA you can order online. Click on Travelingtikes.com for more info.

Mention that you heard about them on "Cool Baby Tips" and receive 10% off your purchase (in-store only).

Half off hot baby clothes!

Check out Peanut Butter Playground's 50% off Parking Lot sales! Full of stylish and posh baby clothes. For 2006, the sale dates are: Jan 15, 16, 17; April 2, 3, 4; July 9, 10, 11; October 8, 9, 10. 2042 Westwood Blvd, call for more info and rain dates: 310. 475. 5354