Annie Laster and her husband, Nick, bought their house in New Canaan 3 years ago, with the intention of putting down roots and raising a family in the New Canaan community. According to plan, Annie and Nick welcomed their son, Noah, into the world as a native New Canaanite in 2023. But, despite Annie’s substantial professional background in Event Planning and Interior Design, she found planning for the most important event of all - Noah’s birth - to be difficult, if not overwhelming.
“There are just too many companies hawking too many products and services, all claiming theirs is the best for baby…and - until Babybloom,” Annie smiles, “...no professional planner or reliable guide to help the expecting mother through the process, no less design the entire experience. …And I was sick a lot during my pregnancy…and I certainly didn’t plan for that!”
“Babybloom is a comprehensive support system for expecting and new parents, offering help navigating every aspect of the pregnancy and assisting new parents with the newborn and young baby,” Annie explains.
Annie declares, “everything from selecting and assembling baby gear, to designing the nursery and making the home safe, to planning the gender reveal, baby shower, welcome home, bris, christening, or baptism, or even the ‘babymoon’, and the photographer to capture it all... it’s a lot of work and a lot of decision making, and often the only new phase of life that we don’t have experts to consult.”
“And I love to design nurseries! I want to make the entire process of having your new baby seamless, stress-free…and the joy it should be! …And help with your bringing home baby safely, comfortably…and in style!”
I want to make the entire process of having your new baby seamless, stress-free… and the joy it should be!Annie Laster
She continues, “I start with a consultation so I can really understand each client’s personal needs and tastes. From the beginning of the process there is an inundation of choices, and I’m instrumental to expecting parents in honing the options to fit their budget and lifestyle. I’m happy to just help with product recommendations and practical solutions, but there’s really so much more if a client wants more help.”
Some Tips & Tricks
1. Washing bottles is one of the most dreaded tasks for new moms. There are so many parts that need to be sterilized and dried. Brezza Bottle Washer Pro washes, sterilizes, and dries all in one. It is AMAZING and saves so much time. I recommend it for every new parent.
2. Keeping your changing table EASY to clean is important. You don’t want to be constantly washing covers or pads. Peek-a-boo pads are key if using a padded changing table for easy cleanup or a wipeable changing table like Keekaroo Peanut or Hatch Digital Grow make diaper changes so much easier.
3. Slumberpod for travel - whether a vacation or an overnight at grandma’s, this pops over ANY crib, pack n play, etc and keeps a dark comfortable environment to keep babies on their “at-home” sleep schedule on the go is a travel MUST!
4. Tummy time and play sneaks up on you and comes sooner than you think - great to be equipped with subscription toy companies like Lovevery which delivers a box of toys tailored to which milestones your baby should be working on at that age and you don’t have to think about which toys are the best to get they pick them for you - all educational!
And that’s just the beginning of the consultation before Annie begins to customize to individualized needs and goals.
“We emphasize the importance of mommy’s self-care, and can provide recommendations for prenatal massages, yoga, doulas, and other well-being providers,” Annie says, “we also provide recommendations for baby nurses and nannies.” Access to pre-researched and vetted services sets Annie apart.
“Another area where I can help,” Annie offers, “...is in getting mom out of the house as soon as possible. And we can recommend a range of local activities for mom alone and for mom-and-baby, and - particularly in and around New Canaan - provide some guidance relating to online and in-person moms groups.”
“I’m so passionate about this, I wish there was a way for me to offer this kind of a very personal and customized approach to baby planning to absolutely every expecting and new mom and dad,” Annie proclaims. “Like I want you to know that you simply have to get a Brezza Bottle Washer Pro to wash, sterilize and dry all the bottles all-in-one, even if you don’t want me to help with your stationery, design your layette…or suggest a private vacation with your spouse during pregnancy to share the anticipation and maybe get some pics of mom before or with the bump…or tell dad where to find the push present you’re thinking about. Most of all… I’m excited to be helping people through a phase that I found to be so incredibly fun and rewarding, but also extremely scary and confusing; there are consultants for everything else! So why not this too?!”
As featured in the September/October 2024 issue of Bedford & New Canaan Magazine