Expecting

When it comes to dressing your baby bump, leggings can only take you so far. A few disposable duds work well in a pinch (as in, you’ll never wear them again after the 9 months are over) but you’re looking for clothes that will instantly transform you into one of those effortlessly put-together, only-in-New York pregnant women.

Hatch is a chic and comfy new maternity collection, born of a designing mom and founder of twobirds Bridesmaid. These wardrobe essentials — about a dozen key pieces that include a cozy Japanese cotton cardigan, simple striped dress and silk drawstring pants — are classics you can wear from before you’re actually showing through those first few months of post-pregnancy mayhem. Mix and match a wear-with-everything wrap with an extra-fine knit maxi dress, and you’ll achieve a mommy-to-be-style to take you through winter without a fashion mishap.

We don’t know how you do it.

Visit hatchcollection.com.

Your BFF is expecting her first bundle, and you want to throw her a shower that will give her a moment of calm before the insanity starts.

Head to a downtown oasis: The Spa at Trump SoHo will now help you plan the perfect pre-baby bash at its sleek hotel. The selection of party themes is especially enticing to pamper a mom-to-be and her pals: Baby Shower Brunch, where the ladies can indulge in mini 15-minute spa treatments like a seated aromatherapy massage or organic spray tan; Beauty Bar Baby Shower with makeup applications, oxygen facials and hand exfoliations; or Happy Baby Hour, an after-work fete with mocktails and cocktails, and 30-minute treatments like reflexology and scalp massage. Each option includes yummy treats and spa gifts for guests. Parties take place in chic Bar d’Eau, or in the spa’s serene relaxation room or pretty private outdoor area, depending on the size and season.

Nothing but luxe for the baby bump.

Visit trumpsohohotel.com.

Baby bingo, baby trivia, finish the baby rhyme…you’ve played every game at every shower. Next time, skip the games and go straight to the fun.

Put an artful spin on your baby shower: Akiyo Henna does beautiful, exotic, temporary (and safe!) body art with a modern twist. Henna artist Akiyo will expertly paint your baby bump with intricate patterns (using a henna paste that’s safe for pregnancy) that you’ll want to show off. Have her bedeck your growing belly to take center stage at your shower, then have her stay for the party to give guests equally fabulous Luxe Glow (a waterproof glitter body art) on their hands, shoulders or feet. A few of the girls might jump up on the couch to bellydance, but hey, it sure beats baby bingo.

Go for the glow.

Visit akiyohenna.com.

Your kids love to ham it up in front of the camera — and although the shots you snap with your iPhone are pretty priceless, you’d love for a professional to preserve the precious age they’re at.

Opening tomorrow on the Upper West Side, PhotoOp family photography studio is just the place to get your little ones in front of the lens. Led by creative director Brian Marcus (who has photographed a fair share of celebrity weddings, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner), the studio has a team of senior-level photo stylists to capture your kids’ most memorable moments in both modern and classic family portraits. Take a spin though the sample closet for accessories such as a denim jacket or pink tutu to add pop to the photos, pick out a colorful backdrop like a candy wall, and strike a pose. A sitting fee includes retouching, editing and a digital slideshow, and there are plenty of packages and a la carte options to choose (depending on how many 8×10s the grandparents will want). The studio also offers birthday party options (you can’t go wrong with dress-up clothes, snacks and your favorite soundtrack) and photo-based keepsakes as a token of your star treatment.

That’s a wrap.

422 Columbus Ave. at 81st St., 212-362-1911, photoopnyc.com. 

If only there were three of you to get everything done before your due date — one to clean, one shop, and one to figure out what you’ll actually do with the baby once you all come home.

Multiple yourself: Sissy + Marley’s baby planner and concierge service just launched to help expecting parents prepare for that big arrival. Launched by a trio of working moms who perfected the art of busy schedule-meets-baby decor (fashion exec, physical therapist and private chef are among their qualifications), the team helps NYC families with everything from setting up a gift registry to helping you whip up homemade baby food. Like the magical fairies you’ve envisioned coming to the rescue throughout your pregnancy, they’ll shop for maternity and nursery gear, babyproof your home and help you set up a photo shoot to capture that gorgeous newborn.

Visit sissyandmarley.com.

Your pregnancy feels like a game of 20 questions: Disposal diapers or cloth? Breastfeed or bottle? If only you had a room full of experts to guide you on the best path for you and your baby.

Get some answers. This Wednesday, stop by the Maclaren store in Soho for the next installation of The Pregnant New Yorker, an event where moms-to-be can gather info on how to feng shui your nursery, green your home and use safer cleaning products. Plus, pick up tips on prenatal yoga, physical therapy, massage and other ways to ease your pregnancy — plus post-natal baby solutions for cloth diapering and breastfeeding. Guest speakers like a lactation consultant, doula and acupuncturist will be on hand to answer your most pressing questions for the next nine months.

No more guessing games.

When: Wed. 12/8, 6:30-9pm; $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Where: Maclaren, 150 Wooster St. (bet. Prince & Houston), thepregnantnewyorker.com.

It may be the city that never sleeps, but you’re pregnant and desperately need a nap. With an urban baby kicking around in your tummy, it’s time for an escape to the country.

Schedule a last-minute babymoon, no JFK required. The Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spa just about three hours from NYC in Pennsylvania’s lake region, is a scenic car or train ride away. Give yourself two or three nights to enjoy the serene spa, which includes prenatal massage, soothing body polish and gentle facial treatments, not to mention a relaxing indoor pool. In between appointments, schedule a mani/pedi at the salon (try the autumnal harvest-inspired options) or stop by one of the many classes going on throughout the day, from meditation and nature walks on the pretty outdoor trails to watercolor painting and cooking demos. Or, simply curl up with a good book and comfy robe in front of a stone fireplace. If you’re bringing the DH, keep him busy with cocktail mixology lessons, golf at nearby Woodloch Springs or couple’s massage. The Lodge is quiet as can be, which means you’ll (finally!) be able to detox from city noises, dream up a few new baby names, and get ready for that special delivery.

Relax and say spaaa.

Visit thelodgeatwoodloch.com.

New Yorkers fell in love with the Novogratz family during their hit Bravo show, 9 by Design — even though most local folks can’t exactly relate to the fab city spaces (a rooftop basketball court, really?). Cooler-than-thou husband-and-wife team Cortney and Robert Novogratz of NYC-based Sixx Design are known for renovating otherwise drab spaces into spectacular homes any family would dream to live in (check out their book, Downtown Chic). But as parents of seven kids, they also have great practical tips for transforming your baby’s room, whether it’s your first or fifth:

Learn to Share
“A lot of people don’t look at the bright side of sharing a room,” says Cortney, who designed a joint bedroom for her then-infant twins and two older boys in a former home. Big kids may enjoy reading to little roommates, and everyone quickly learns how to share. Side-by-side cribs allow twins to pass toys or babble to one another. Give each baby her own toys and stuffed animals so she can express herself and start to form an identity that’s separate from her sibling – this can be as simple as giving one baby a teddy bear and the other a tiger.

Get Organized
Make sure there are enough soft books and blocks to go around, and establish an organizational system so toys can be stashed away quickly. Stock up on inexpensive baskets, or invest in an armoire with doors to hide the clutter inside.

Use Art Everywhere
“We love art, so we have a huge collection and don’t save it for just the living room,” Cortney says. “Open your whole house up, and put good things in every room. Since everybody comes to see the new baby, consider hanging your best piece of art in there.” Nursery art doesn’t have to be limited to the ABCs: Hang sophisticated pieces that you enjoy – after all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in there, too! Frame items in Plexiglas to make them more baby-friendly. Infants will quickly outgrow a room that is too juvenile, but if you make it hip and stylish they’ll still love it in their tween years.

Stick to the Essentials
When it comes to nursery gear, it’s tempting to indulge in every imaginable accessory – but you’ll do just fine with a few basics. Essentials: A basic crib that serves as a great focal point, a cool modern-looking chair, drapes or roller shades for the windows and an interesting piece with timeless appeal, like a cool lamp. And don’t forget a soft rug, since you’ll spend a lot of time on the floor with games and toys.

Visit sixxdesign.com. 

Autumn in New York is nesting season, which for expectant parents (and judging by the explosion of pregnant women on the city streets in August, there are plenty out there) means it’s time to decorate the nursery.

September is Baby Safety Month, a program sponsored by the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) to promote awareness — this year the focus is on safe sleeping. So before you outfit the baby’s new digs (or convert the walk-in closet into a bedroom), check out these helpful tips.

Your crib should be placed away from windows, draperies, blinds or wall-mounted decorative accessories with long cords.

Toys and other pillow-like items should not be placed in the crib with babies under 1 year of age. These items can cause suffocation risks.

Products such as fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows, pillow-like bumpers and stuffed animals should be removed from the crib and should be used for decoration only.

If you choose to use bumper pads, avoid those that are pillow-like and once baby can stand, remove them from the crib.

Remove quilts and other bedding before putting baby to bed. Consider hanging your quilt or decorative blanket on the wall as art.

For more JPMA safety tips, visit babysafetymonth.org.

Summer may be over, but take advantage of a little family fun to beat the fall blues.

Go
JCC Open House
Stop in for a glimpse of kid and parent-friendly classes. Try the Music for Aardvarks & Rock a Baby Concert (10-11am, ages 1-7), Movin’ Mamas bootcamp for moms and their crawling-age babies (10:30-11:30am), or the Kids Sports Expo (11am-12:30pm, ages 1-8).
When: Sun. 9/12, 10am-12:30pm; Free.
Where: JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St., 646-505-5708, jccmanhattan.org.

See
Books to Film for Children
As part of the Brooklyn Book Festival, see a series of short films based on children’s books, followed by a Q&A.
When: Sat. 9/11, 10:30; Ages 2-6; $12/Adults, $9/Kids. Check the schedule for additional kid-friendly workshops and readings throughout the weekend.
Where: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, brooklynbookfestival.org.

Hear
The Deedle Deedle Dees
A family-friendly rock-n-roll variety show comes to The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.
When: Sat. 9/11, 11am; Ages 2+: $10-$20.
Where: Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave., 347-529-6696, bk.knittingfactory.com.

Shop
Fashion’s Night Out at Destination Maternity
Join the glitterati in midtown, as Heidi Klum previews her Fall 2010 collections, Lavish by Heidi Klum for A Pea in the Pod and Loved by Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity, from 6:30-8:30pm. Plus, see inspiring exhibitions of maternity fashion from the 1950s to today, and enjoy moctails and hors d’oeuvres. 
When: Fri. 9/10, 6-11pm; Free.
Where: Destination Maternity, 57th St. & Madison Ave, RSVP at 212-246-2977, destinationmaternity.com.

Fashion’s Night Out at Baby CZ
Browse the classic kids’ styles, sip a little bubbly and enter to win a cashmere shopping spree.
When: Fri. 9/10
Where: Baby CZ, 820 Madison Ave. (bet. 68th & 69th St.), 212-288-8030, babycz.com.