One-Stop-Shop for Moms at Baby Expo

For new moms in Union County left wondering what is the best daycare in the area, where to get a good car seat, or even where to meet other parents, the Baby and Toddler Expo, to be held on Sunday at L’Affaire on Route 22 in Mountainside, will answer all of those questions and more.

The Expo started last year, as the brainchild of Christina Castro and Kate Motz, two local mothers (Castro is from Union Township and Motz lives in Mountainside), who partnered together to start the NJ Mom’s Guide. The web site, a resource for new moms and moms-to-be, features guides on choosing the right camp for your child, how to throw a great birthday party for a little one, and even local deals and discounts. The site is a successor to Westfield Mom's Town, a site Motz created.

Castro calls it “the official go-to guide for moms.”

Taking the spirit of the web site and creating an event where parents could meet up was the next logical step for the two busy moms. With over 30 vendors, workshops and special giveaways already lined up at the Expo, Castro hopes to cover all of the bases in preparing new parents for life with little ones.

“We found that it made life easier for moms to have all of these resources under one roof,” said Castro, adding that she has two children under five years of age, while Motz has three children under five.

The event will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast for all participants, and a “Daycare 101” workshop hosted by Just Babies Daycare.

“It will help moms with what to know before you enroll, asking the right questions, making sure the facility is safe,” said Castro.

Other workshops will include how to “green” your home, a lesson in baby sign language and a yoga demonstration for moms.

All participants will be automatically entered to win prizes like a $100 gift certificate to Babies ‘R Us, or a gift basket from Happy Baby, an organic baby food maker.

Sponsors of the event include local boutiques and retailers in the New York/New Jersey area. When Castro and Motz approached them with opportunities for sponsorship at the Expo, Castro said most obliged easily.

“We’re targeting that demographic of moms with little ones under five, primarily n the Westfield area, so they were very happy to join us,” she said.

The Expo is free (although pre-registration is required), and Castro and Motz just ask that participants bring a new pair of pajamas to donate in support of The Pajama Program, which delivers warm sleepwear to children in need.

“It’s just convenient for moms to get together and be able to learn about baby companies,” Castro said of the Expo.