Join our experts to prepare yourselves for what’s to come as new parents. We will cover a wide range of topics, including healthy feeding, key developmental milestones, child safety, building a parent community and how to hire qualified caretakers. The event will begin with light bites, wine and networking. Then each panelist will share their professional insights on becoming parents, with Q&A to follow.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, April 27, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. panel
Cost: $20, advance reservations are required
Location: ILR Conference Center
570 Lexington Ave, 12th Floor, New York, NY

Meet the Panelists:

Susan Burger has a Masters in Health Science in International Health from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and a Doctorate in International Nutrition from Cornell University’s Division of Nutritional Sciences. Breastfeeding was always a necessary integral component of every nutrition program that she advised during her international career. When her son was born in 1999, she was shocked to discover that breastfeeding was not as simple as it had seemed from her academic studies and observations during her international work. Thankfully her husband encouraged her to see a lactation consultant. The pragmatic “how tos” and empathy she received from her lactation consultant were far more important than any research paper she had read on why breastfeeding was beneficial. Susan decided to become a lactation consultant herself. She has been working in Manhattan as a lactation consultant since her board certification in 2002. 

Aleth Cheung, Director of Domestic Recruitment & Partner at Hire Society, has spent the past seven years engaging nannies for private residences throughout the world. Aleth started her childcare career at an early age; she has worked as an educator abroad and as a nanny in Manhattan. In her current role, Aleth has found herself on the other side of the table helping families find the right fit for their homes. She has placed hundreds of nannies across multiple locations. As a working mother, she understands the importance and necessity of the right nanny to care for your children. Aleth will be sharing tips on how to navigate hiring a nanny in New York City.

Karen Mathewson, MD is a board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. Dr. Mathewson serves on the faculty at New York University Grossman School of Medicine in the department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and she also has a private practice in Purchase, NY. Through Dr. Mathewson’s training and work experiences at New York University and Cornell University Medical College, she has provided comprehensive care to many children and their families. Currently, Dr. Mathewson treats patients with a wide range of symptoms and challenges including but not limited to autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, learning disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, and Trauma related disorders. Dr. Mathewson is also committed to preventative measures to reduce the severity and impact of psychiatric illness and to preserve the health and well being of children and their families. Dr. Mathewson will be presenting on the importance of early life experience to the developing brain, typical developmental milestones in the early years, and signs or symptoms to look for in your child that may indicate that an evaluation from a professional could be helpful. 

Hitomi Pender, the Founder and CEO of Link Strollers, is a professional mom with a vision of building a strong community for safer parenting. Under her leadership, Link Strollers connects parents and children to a wider network by providing direct messaging through users’ stroller license plate numbers. Through her service, parents connect, bond, share stories and advise, and form a stronger presence as a larger community. She will be sharing tips on how to keep babies and toddlers safe outside the house and how to connect with other parents in the city.

Livly clothing will also be giving away free onesies to participants.

Lisa Carrol is the Founder and Creator of Livly. Following the birth of her premature twins Liv and Lilly, Lisa was determined to find THE BEST fabric that would be gentle enough on her newborns delicate skin to prevent and soothe rashes. Pima Cotton was the answer to the prayers. This organic hypoallergenic, handpicked cotton from the northern valleys of Peru is so unbelievable soft, that you’ll never want to dress your little one in anything else. Today, Livly’s mission is to continue welcoming as many families and their little ones to what they like to call The Soft Line.