Neighborhood Guide to Newborn Parenting in Jersey City
Mom to a brand new Baby Girl, one Jersey City member takes us through life as a new mom in the city she loves.
An afternoon with Julia Ben Shalom
There are so many new families moving into Jersey City, what is your number one recommendation to a new/expecting local parent?
A complete must to any new/expecting parent is setting up the support system to help the transition into parenthood. We love Jayne Freeman, a postpartum doula who's role is to ease that transition and help with any postpartum related issues. Plus she makes house calls!!
In hindsight, what do wish you would have known about raising a baby and motherhood in Jersey City?
I wish I had known what places have changing tables in the bathroom. I never thought about how difficult it is to change a baby without a designated place. Also how hard it is to maneuver a stroller around a restaurant!
Because I know you still like to go out and be with friends, where do you go on the weekends as a family?
Hudson Hall is great place to grab a beer on a Saturday afternoon. When it's just me I love the cheese from Van Hook and frequently pop in to grab treats for the weekend. The staff loves babies and gives us all kind of goodies. When I can get out alone I pop into Bucket & Bay for solo time coffee - a necessity to recharge.
More on Hudson Hall and Van Hook in our Jersey City Neighborhood Guide
More on Raising a Family in Jersey City
Once ranked as the 8th worst school district in New Jersey, Jersey City schools have experienced a transformation that is second to none.
Having a baby is life changing and the Lord Abbett Maternity Wing completely recognizes that. Everything about the new addition to the hospital is focused around providing a family-centric, positive birthing experience and fostering a strong sense of community in each babies’ very first moments. In an effort to make every patient’s stay as comfortable as possible, each suite is equipped with cutting-edge technologies and lush touches to make your stay the enjoyable experience that it should be. Additional special amenities available upon request.
As a native New Yorker, making the shift from the Bushwick bustle to quiet life in the City was just what Nicole, and her husband Bobby, had in mind when they first found out they were pregnant. In search of a neighborhood that was a little quieter and more family oriented than their previous home while still being in close proximity to their work in Manhattan, Jersey City was a natural fit.
For four years, the Nicole Long and her family have made The Heights their home. Nicole, a Senior Creative Project Manager for a larger beauty brand based in New York City, and Bobby, a musician and songwriter, have lived in Jersey City since 2013. Welcoming, diverse, exciting. Three words that Nicole D’Anna Long uses to describe the City that she has grown to love. A neighborhood that was a little quieter and more family oriented than their previous home while still being in close proximity to their work in Manhattan, Jersey City and The Heights was a natural fit.
Member Profile: A Personal Perspective From Simmone Taitt on being a Black Woman and CEO. Finally Home and Jersey City Community member, Simmone Taitt shares a personal note about being a black woman and CEO and shines a light on institutional racism within the maternal healthcare system.
More on Family life in Jersey City. Jersey City presents a high-quality of life and offers families with kids of all ages great activities and opportunities. Located across the river from Manhattan, it is perfect for families because of its great neighborhoods and close proximity to New York City. One of the most diverse cities in America, Jersey City is great for newbies and welcoming to people of all backgrounds.
At Finally Home Storytelling is a religion and tradition that we believe in. Everyone has a story to tell, it’s in telling that story there is healing that happens. Not only for the storyteller but for those listening as well. By unearthing our lived experiences, we discover the unique gifts we hold, common challenges we share, and new insights that help us see things in new ways. It’s because of storytelling and of having a safe space to tell that story that we are all about furthering the mission of Poppy Seed Health. Founder, Simmone Taitt discovered the power of emotional and mental support after her own devastating miscarriage in 2016. It was her own lived experience that fueled her mission of making that type of support, information, and experience sharing to the millions of birthing people across the country and the world. She founded Poppy Seed Health as a telehealth solution to transform the way we care for mothers, parents, and caregivers regardless of where their journey begins and where it leads.
An inside look at the home of Annie & David Trotta of Whealth & Co and their story.
You may be familiar with the amazing, healthy food offering that Whealth & Co offers. Owner David Trotta and wife Annie Evans originally met at Jack's Coffee in the West Village over some brief and flirty exchanges years before their first date. Annie accepted a job position in Miami working for a Tech Startup and David continued on towards his goal of building Whealth & Co. It took years before they reconnected through an online dating app, leading to what Annie’s describes as “The most Epic first date in Jersey City and the rest is history…”
Now married and parents to Baby Boy Wells, they enlisted the help of friend and design maven - Irina Schneid of Scharc Studio - to create the perfect Nursery and Guest Room that reflected their fun-loving lifestyle and new parenting roles.
Just 12 minutes away from the Big Apple, is the bustling yet tranquil Jersey City. Heymama, Keren Vered, is the go-to expert who knows the ins and outs of “Chilltown”.
Shining a light on the Jersey City businesses, artists and entrepreneurs who are contributing to the local culture. Through our City Guide and Member & Business profiles we aim to be an inspiring resource for those looking to discover the best of local living. Where to Eat, Where to Visit, Where to live and family resources.
Interior Design and Decor inspiration for Historic townhouse Living in Jersey City. Whether you are renovating your home or buying it new, our Home Decor profiles share the historic splender of living in a Brownstone or Townhouse in Jersey City.
Rasika Boice, on her passion and her Jersey City.