UrbanBaby New York

A changing body during or after pregnancy means you’re ready to rethink your workout routine. Instead of denouncing the gym for weeks, then working yourself into a frenzy of Bikram yoga, spin and sprints in the park, it’s time for a regular routine.

Expanding your options, Figure 4 (Pure Yoga’s addictive barre-based class that mixes in Pilates, yoga and free weights) recently launched its classes at the studio’s Upper East Side location (along with an UWS outpost) — and for those who really like to sweat, added a Hot Figure 4 option in a studio heated to 105 degrees (though pregnant women should avoid hot classes). Besides plenty of personal attention during class (yes, they’ll see you if you’re slacking on squats), these teachers can really relate — not only are many of the regular clients new moms and moms-to-be, but several of the star instructors are as well. We checked in with the method’s founder, Kate Albarelli, on how to maintain a healthy and toned body before and after baby.

Before pregnancy: Kate recommends keeping your fitness level consistent to maintain energy, along with getting plenty of sleep and eating well. A great move to try: Plank, which works out everything from your glutes to arms and abs.

During pregnancy: Don’t push stretches too far, Kate advises — be mindful of the relaxin hormone that makes muscles and ligaments supple. Make sure your heart rate doesn’t elevate too high, and keep your head above your heart to maintain the maximum amount of bloodflow. Keep up with abdominal work, though you may have to make some modifications. When laying down for long periods of time, lay on your left side so the vena cava (major artery) doesn’t receive any pressure. And remember to do lots of back stretches and hip-opening exercises. A favorite move for this phase is the wide fitness second position.

After pregnancy: Pay attention during Figure 4’s cushion curl section — “It pulls the abs in while working out so there is no outward pressure on the muscles,” says Kate, who advises baby steps in postpartum workouts. “Make sure you listen to your body — it will tell you how far to push yourself while getting back into shape.” A favorite move to get you back on track: Strong spine chair.

Of course, talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program, and let the instructor know at the beginning of class if you’re pregnant or recently had a baby — she’ll be able to help you make modifications to your new-and-improved routine.

Visit pureyoga.com.

Do
Annual Brooklyn Heights Spring Egg Hunt
Little bunnies can gather at Pierrepont Playground for an egg huntand other treats — plus, buy a treat at the bake sale that benefits the Brooklyn Heights Playground Committee.
When: Sat. 4/7, 10am; Free.
Where: Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Columbia Heights & Pierrepont St., bhplaygrounds.org.

See
Tall Tales
Catch this double-header of both a classic and new animated family-friendly film: 1955’s Jack and the Beanstalk and 2009’s The Gruffalo.
When: Sat. 4/7, 12pm; Ages 5+; Free with museum admission.
Where: MoMA, 11 West 53rd St., moma.org.

Visit
UniverSoul Circus
This new twist on the circus includes aerialists, pretzel-like contortionists, hip-hop dancers, and of course, tigers, elephants and clowns.
When: Through April 15, $15-$30.
Where: Roy Wilkins Park, Merrick & Baisley Blvd., Queens, universoulcircus.com.

Go
Seder Plate Collage
Kids can celebrate Passover by gluing images of the holiday’s traditional foods onto their own Seder plate.
When: Sat. 4/7; 10am & 1pm; Free with museum admission; Ages 4 and under.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., cmom.org.

Never. Not a chance. Nuh-uh. Denied. I think not. You’ve tried coming up with ways to say “no” that your kids will actually understand, but to get them to be the super citizens you know they can be, you might need to start getting a little…meaner.

New York-area parenting writer, blogger and mom of two Denise Schipani dishes on the benefits of being lovingly stern in her new book, Mean Moms Rule: Why Doing the Hard Stuff Now Creates Good Kids Later. Rather than trying to be your tot’s BFF, Schipani advocates the not-so-easy path of enforcing rules and offering consequences for bad behavior. The book is structured around 10 principles like, “don’t follow the parenting pack” and “prepare them for the world, not the world for them.” With an honest, straightforward style, Schipani draws on her own experiences to dispel popular parenting myths like, “we believe early motherhood can, or should, be blissful.” If nothing else, you’ll feel validated in knowing you’re not the only one turning down requests for candy before dinner, inappropriate TV shows and a toy at every store — they’ll thank you for it later.

Say it like you mean it.

Visit sourcebooks.com.

Hear
A Musical Toy Store
Kids can learn about the elements of music through classic toys and games like spinning tops, bouncing balls, rocking horses and talking animals.
When: Sat. 3/3 10am & 11:30am, and Sun. 3/4 1pm & 2:30pm; Ages 3-5; $15 & $40.
Where: The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, East 68th St. bet. Park & Lexington Ave., 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org.

Go
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Little ones who love the Cat in the Hat, Grinch and others can listen to favorite Seuss stories, sing happy birthday and make a fun party hat to take home.
When: Fri.-Sun., 3/2-3/4, 11:30am; Ages 18 months to 2.5 years; Free with museum admission.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., brooklynkids.org.

Do
Caring for Your Newborn Baby
Sign up for this workshop that helps pre and postnatal parents find fun in looking after a new baby — anecdotes, props and hands-on learning will make it easier to learn and remember the skills.
When: Sun. 3/4, 3-5:30pm; $50.
Where: Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 West 72nd St., 2nd floor, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com.

Shop
Elizabeth Daniel New York
Restock on a mommy work-or-play staple, the classic white or black collared shirt. The slimming cotton spandex styles range from sweet ruffle to tailored tuxedo.
Where: elizabethdanielny.com.

Visit
Spring Fling in the Park
Celebrate the season with music by AudraRox and The Wiyos, storytelling, face painting and yoga with Karma Kids Yoga. Don’t forget to decorate eggs and make solar-powered bracelets.
When: Sat. 3/31, 10:30am-1pm; Free
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Empire Fulton Ferry section, 718-802-0603, brooklynbridgepark.org.

Go
Moey’s Music Party and Annual Egg Hunt
Kids can hunt for 20,000 Easter eggs, hop like bunnies and sing along to holiday-themed songs and hear the latest from Moey’s new CD.
When: Sat. 3/31, 12-2pm (egg hunt at 12pm, concert at 1pm); Free. Rain date Sun. 4/1, 12-2pm.
Where: Carl Schurz Park, East 87th St. and East End Avenue, carlschurzparknyc.org.

Do
Books 4 Our School
Vote for your kid’s school to receive 75 to 100 new, free books for the library. The Brooke Jackman Foundation has teamed up with NYMetroParents to provide thousands of tomes to NY-area schools in an effort to promote literacy — the schools that show the most spirit win.
When: Through April 30.
Where: books4ourschool.org.

Read
Weight Watchers
Don’t miss out on the conversation: Peruse the April issue of Vogue for the controversial essay by NYC mom Dara-Lynn Weiss about putting her 7-year-old daughter on a diet.

If you love her low-cal cocktails and snappy one-liners, you’ve jumped on board the Bethenny Frankel train. Even if you couldn’t spot the reality star in a lineup of Real Housewives, you might relate as a mom looking for naturally minded beauty products.

It seems inevitable that the Skinnygirl brand would branch into adorably packaged skincare, and naturally, the collaboration with Lotta Luv includes a special Skinnygirl Mommy collection. Conditioning Belly Butter, Cool Your Feet Spray, Energizing Leg Cream and Soothing Body Oil are made with delicious-sounding ingredients like sweet almond oil, coconut oil and cranberry extract for the preggo and post-baby set. Most importantly, the products feel light-as-air and smell as fresh as a 75-degree day in March. And even though it’s available online at Walmart, the line of lotions and lip balms feels part of a boutique brand — except for the prices ($13 for a three-piece mommy gift set is about as steep as it gets).

Smoothly ever after.

Available at walmart.com.

Hear
Princess Katie & Racer Steve
Monster-themed, high-energy interactive rock awaits. Kids can dress like monsters, bring their pet monsters and dance to songs from the duo’s upcoming CD.
When: Sun. 3/25, 11am; Ages 2+; $15.
Where: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., 92y.org.

See
The Neverending Story
In its U.S. premiere, the epic adventure based on the classic German novel and iconic film is filled with heroes, villains, reality and fantasy. Presented by the Roseneath Theatre of Toronto.
When: Thurs.-Sun., 3/22-3/25, 2pm & 7pm; Ages 8+; $20-$30.
Where: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square, 212-352-3101, skirballcenter.nyu.edu.

Do
National Puppy Day
After all, having a pet is like caring for a newborn baby — needs plenty of TLC. Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow, has the following tips for the first week home: give your little pup as much attention as possible during his; make sure he has a safe, designated area where he can eat, sleep and play; get him to the vet for an initial exam; feed him the same type of food he had at the shelter or breeder; remember puppies have small bladders so keep newspaper on hand for nighttime accidents; and be consistent, firm and patient with discipline.
When: Fri. 3/23

Visit
Passover Spectacular
Hunt for clues in a scavenger hunt around the historic 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, and discover how immigrants experienced the New World.
When: Sun. 3/25, 11am; Ages 4-9, $15 per family.
Where: Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St., 212-219-0888, eldridgestreet.org.

If you missed Oprah’s special interview with Lady Gaga on Sunday, here’s the gist: Her family still lives on the UWS, her parents fully supported the meat dress and she encourages kids to be themselves.

The Upper East Side’s new Gaga Center shares no relation to the popstar, but it’s also a place where kids can be true to their inner gaga freaks. Played with a soft foam ball in an octagonal pit, gaga is a fast-paced game where players dodge, run, jump and try to hit their opponents below the knees with the ball. Basically, it’s a lot of hopping around for about 5 minutes until a winner is declared (the last one still in the pit), then it’s on to another round. Turn up the music and you’ve got an energy-burning party. The center was started by two moms whose kids’ love of the game outgrew their living rooms. Stop by for a session (open drop-ins are available for ages 6+; ages 5+ can sign up for weekly classes), or plan a birthday party in a private space full of gaga fun.

It was born that way.

230 East 93rd St. bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave., 212-920-7884, gagacenter.com.

Hear
The Paper Bag Players
A dancing broom tries to keep the planet clean and the band teaches a shakin’ dance craze in their funny new show Laugh! Laugh! Laugh!
When: Sun. 3/18, 2pm; Ages 3-8; $20/Adults, $15/Kids.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3337, thejewishmuseum.org.

Go
Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Fifth Avenue is too much of a frenzy — instead, head to Park Slope the day after St. Patty’s for this Brooklynite parade that celebrates the intertwined histories of Ireland and America.
When: Sun. 3/18, 12:45pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Starts at 15th St. & Prospect Park West, brooklynstpatricksparade.com.

See
The Ugly Duckling & The Tortoise and the Hare
Glow-in-the-dark 3D puppets and props bring these two classic stories to life — with a high-tech twist. Storytelling shapes set to a modern soundtrack tell the age-old tales as they leap across the stage.
When: Sat. 3/17, 11am; $25/Adults, $15/Kids.
Where: Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

Visit
Whitney Stroller Tour
Tour the 2nd floor of the 2012 Whitney Biennial with your babe in tow — teaching fellows will lead parents and tots (even crying ones) through a special viewing of the exhibit when the museum is otherwise closed.
When: Fri. 3/16, 12pm; Ages 0-18 months; $25 (registration required).
Where: Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St., 212-570-3600, whitney.org.

The unseasonably warm weather means the spring collections you’ve noticed while window shopping actually feel appropriate. It may be safe to put away the kids’ snow boots and puffy jackets, but since spring usually lasts about 36 hours you haven’t exactly thought through their March/April/May wardrobes.

Stock up before it hits 70-plus degrees. Pink Chicken opened its first NYC store on the Upper East Side, with bohemian-chic, vintage-inspired girls’ dresses, plus relaxed separates like skirts, leggings and shirts for infants to tweens. Flutter-sleeve embroidered frocks, fun block prints, sweet striped rompers and cute boho tunics are the perfect way to welcome spring (and yes, there are some women’s items, too). Founded by Stacey Fraser, a mom who previously designed for the likes of Ralph Lauren and babyGap, makes clothes little girls will love to wear — the sparkly headbands and many shades of pink will indulge her singular fashion sense while satisfying your “less Cinderella, more classic” style mandate. Pick up play clothes for a park date, sundresses for spring break, or gifts like cool coloring books and art supplies for the next birthday party. The store itself feels ever-so-springlike, with oceany weathered floors and neutral walls that let the sorbet-colored duds say it all.

Don’t be chicken.

1223 Madison Ave. bet. 88th/89th St., 212-722-9090, pinkchicken.com.