Parks in Baltimore | A Parent’s Guide

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Heading out as the weather warms? Parks in Baltimore are easy to find but which ones are best for your little one? As Postpartum support for families, we’re no strangers to visiting local parks with newborns! We pulled together our favorite parks with some pro tips and key features in this complete guide to Baby and Toddler-friendly parks.

New mother in Baltimore strolls parks during the springtime with her newborn baby during postpartum.

Newborn/Infant-Friendly Parks in Baltimore

1. Patterson Park

Address: 27 S Patterson Park Ave, Baltimore, MD 21231
Neighborhood: Patterson Park
Key Features: Baby swings, toddler playground, spray pool (seasonal), shaded paths.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Visit the spray pool weekday mornings to avoid crowds.
  • Grab a drink or snacks at Corner Juice Bar (just outside the park).
  • Stroller hack: Use the eastern entrance (Lombard & Linwood) for quick playground access.

Safety Features:

  • Fenced playground areas with soft flooring.
  • Shaded benches near play zones for easy supervision.
  • Seasonal restrooms available.

2. Cylburn Arboretum

Address: 4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
Neighborhood: Cylburn
Key Features: Gardens, gentle trails, nature programs.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Bring a baby carrier for unpaved garden paths (strollers work on main trails).
  • Visit in spring for blooming magnolias and kid-friendly birdwatching.
  • Pack snacks and water bottles!

Safety Features:

  • Wide, shaded paths minimize sun exposure.
  • Quiet atmosphere with minimal traffic.
  • Limited restrooms (plan ahead!).

3. Lake Roland Park

Address: 1000 Lakeside Dr, Baltimore, MD 21210
Neighborhood: Roland Park
Key Features: Lake boardwalk, nature center, accessible trails.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Check the Nature Center calendar for toddler-friendly events like “Nature Book Club”.
  • Park at the Robert E. Lee Park entrance for stroller-friendly boardwalk access.
  • Feed ducks responsibly (bring birdseed, not bread!).

Safety Features:

  • Boardwalk has railings and is stroller-safe.
  • Restrooms at the Nature Center (open daily).

4. Oregon Ridge Park

Address: 13401 Beaver Dam Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030
Neighborhood: Cockeysville
Key Features: Nature center, meadows, hiking trails.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Weekdays are quieter—ideal for toddler explorers.
  • Bring a picnic blanket for the meadow area (ample space for crawlers!).
  • Skip the steeper trails; stick to the Beech Tree Trail.

Safety Features:

  • Play areas are away from water hazards.
  • Restrooms at the Nature Center (open daily).
  • Wildlife sightings common—keep little ones close!

Nonbinary parents join their baby in the sunshine at parks in Baltimore, Maryland.

Older Baby/Toddler-Friendly Parks in Baltimore

5. Druid Hill Park

Address: 3001 East Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217
Neighborhood: Druid Hill
Key Features: Maryland Zoo, splash pads, playgrounds.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Arrive at the zoo by 10 AM to beat crowds and heat.
  • Use the Jones Falls Trail (stroller-friendly) to connect to nearby parks.
  • Splash pad opens Memorial Day—bring towels, sunscreen, and water shoes!

Safety Features:

  • Playgrounds have soft turf and fencing.
  • Restrooms and changing stations at the zoo.

6. Gwynns Falls Trail

Address: Main trailhead at 1900 Annapolis Rd, Baltimore, MD 21230
Neighborhood: Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
Key Features: Streamside trails, playgrounds, bridges.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Start at the Winans Meadow Trailhead (easy parking, playground nearby).
  • Avoid trails after heavy rain—muddy and slippery!
  • Pack a carrier for younger babies—some paths are narrow.

Safety Features:

  • Guardrails near streams in most sections.
  • Limited restrooms.

7. Leakin Park

Address: 1900 Eagle Dr, Baltimore, MD 21207
Neighborhood: Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
Key Features: Carter Memorial Playground, Winans Meadow Loop.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • The playground is shaded in the afternoon—perfect for summer.
  • Park near Carter Playground for quick access to restrooms.
  • Try the Winans Meadow Loop for a stroller-friendly nature walk.

Safety Features:

  • Playground has rubberized flooring and low-height equipment.
  • Ample parking and well-marked trails.

8. West Shore Park

Address: 401 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Neighborhood: Inner Harbor
Key Features: Open lawn, events, Inner Harbor proximity.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Combine with a visit to the National Aquarium.
  • Weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded.
  • No shade? Bring a pop-up tent for baby!

Safety Features:

  • Flat, paved surfaces ideal for new walkers.
  • Restrooms at nearby.

9. Federal Hill Park

Address: 300 Warren Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
Neighborhood: Federal Hill
Key Features: Playground, harbor views, historic site.
Parent Pro Tips:

  • Use the ramp on Warren Ave for stroller access to the summit.
  • Grab post-park pizza at Matthew’s Pizza (oldest in the U.S.!).
  • Sunset views are stunning but crowded—opt for mornings.

Safety Features:

No matter what park you choose, getting outside with baby is always a great idea! Fresh air and sunshine are great for your little one and movement like walking with a stroller helps you as well. With parks in Baltimore that feature playgrounds, splash pads, and even a zoo, there isn’t a shortage of things to do (and these aren’t even all the parks in Baltimore!)

Did we miss your favorite park? Drop us a comment!

Carrot Fertility: A Guide to Flexible Coverage

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In recent years, fertility benefits have become an important and sought-after part of employee benefits packages. Carrot Fertility is a global fertility benefits provider that helps employers support their employees with reproductive health services. Whether you’re considering fertility treatments, egg or sperm freezing, adoption, or surrogacy, they offer financial and educational support to make these journeys more accessible.

What is Carrot Fertility?

Carrot Fertility is an employer-sponsored benefit program that provides financial assistance and expert guidance for reproductive health and family journeys. Unlike traditional health insurance plans, Carrot offers more flexible coverage tailored to a wide range of fertility and reproductive needs, including:

  • Fertility treatments (IVF, IUI, egg freezing, etc.)
  • Adoption and surrogacy support
  • Pregnancy and postpartum care (hint: that means us!)
  • Menopause and hormonal health support
  • LGBTQ+ family assistance

An expectant LGBTQ+ couple lounges together.

Who Can Benefit from Coverage?

Carrot Fertility is designed for individuals and families at various stages of their reproductive health journey. The program is particularly beneficial for:

  • Employees seeking treatments like IVF or egg freezing
  • LGBTQ+ individuals or couples looking to expand their families through surrogacy or adoption
  • Individuals with medical conditions that could affect reproductive health
  • Those who want to preserve their eggs or sperm for future family planning
  • Employees experiencing menopause or hormonal changes and seeking specialized care

By offering this type of coverage, companies can show a commitment to employee well-being, inclusivity, and work-life balance. Many businesses are adding these benefits to attract and retain top talent.

 

How to Apply for Carrot Fertility Benefits

If your employer provides Carrot Fertility as part of its benefits package, applying is simple:

  1. Check Your Eligibility – Log into your company’s benefits portal or contact HR to confirm benefits are available to you.
  2. Sign Up – If eligible, you’ll receive access to the Carrot platform, where you can explore your available benefits.
  3. Consult with the Experts – Connect with fertility specialists, adoption advisors, or hormonal health consultants for guidance on your next steps.
  4. Use Carrot Benefits – Depending on your employer’s plan, you’ll receive financial assistance, reimbursements, or direct payments for eligible services.

For those whose employers do not yet offer these benefits, consider advocating for it in your company’s benefits package by discussing it with your HR department. You could also request it directly from their website!

Hands on a keyboard search for fertility options in Baltimore.

Does Doulas of Baltimore work with Carrot?

Yes! We have had the pleasure of caring for many families whose employers provide coverage for families. If you’d like more information, please reach out to us and we’ll discuss your options!

Conclusion

Carrot Fertility has created a simple solution for companies to support reproductive health and family planning. By offering financial assistance, expert guidance, and a broad range of services, Carrot makes care more accessible to employees of participating companies worldwide. If you’re considering fertility treatments, family planning, or reproductive health support, ask if your employer provides Carrot Fertility and take advantage of the benefits available to you!

Baby’s First Sniffles? How to know when it’s RSV in babies

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RSV in babies is a topic that is regularly searched during this time of year. At the forefront of all safety-minded parents is the cold and flu season. This year, parents of young children (especially those under two) have likely seen much about the high levels of viral activity in the area. 

We’re going to focus on RSV in babies and young children – this virus keeps lots of littles (and their parents!) awake at night and sometimes sends them to the pediatrician’s office or urgent care.

What is RSV anyway?

Respiratory Syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) Virus (RSV) is a common, respiratory viral infection. For most, it typically causes relatively mild, cold-like symptoms, usually lasting a week or two. However for young children and the elderly, it can be much more severe. This means that if someone says, “Oh, we just have a little runny nose,” it could be a signal to you to adjust your plans to avoid RSV. It is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) in children under one-year-old.  

How to protect babies from RSV:

  • Wash your hands frequently and require anyone who comes into contact with baby to also wash their hands. Keep hand sanitizer with you as well as an easy way to quickly disinfect hands.
  • Make sure family members (especially siblings!) avoid kissing or touching your baby’s face and hands. Opt instead (if needed) for the back of the head – no kisses at all is preferable!
  • Remind everyone to keep their hands off their face/mouth 
  • Cover coughs and sneeze (and promptly wash hands again)
  • Encourage visitors to your home to wear a mask and wear your mask in crowded public settings
  • Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces- door knobs, light switches, railings and toys that end up in baby’s mouth
  • Avoid close contact with sick people: this includes staying out of pediatrician’s office/urgent care unless absolutely necessary and opting out of family gatherings if you’re not sure attendees are well
  • Consider baby wearing during large gatherings and allowing family to meet them from a safe distance if you feel uncomfortable with passing the baby around. This is a great way to attend while also avoiding unwanted kisses or germs.

Common symptoms (older infants and toddlers):

  • Excess mucus or runny nose
  • Decreased appetite
  • Coughing/wheezing
  • Fever

In very young infants (under 6 months) you may only see:

  • Irritability or general fussiness
  • Decrease in activity 
  • Poor feeding
  • Wheezing

How to treat RSV in babies at home:

  • Prevent dehydration – fluids and frequent smaller feedings, suction nose just before feeding.
  • Saline nose drops with gentle suctioning. We like the Nose Frida over a bulb syringe if you can stomach it!
  • Keep a cool mist humidifier running as much as possible.
  • Manage fever and discomfort with skin to skin, cool compresses and OTC meds – acetaminophen before 6 months of age, ibuprofen is ok after 6 months. Your pediatrician should have dosing recommendations.
Avoid the following for infants:
  • Over-the-counter cough/cold medicine (unless recommended by your doctor)
  • Aspirin or other pain relief medications
  • Vapor rubs/oils like Vicks or eucalyptus applied to skin
  • Any essential oils being applied to skin or diffused (especially eucalyptus!)

When to seek medical care:

  • Trouble breathing – fast breathing, blue tinged skin or lips, pulling hard to breathe (see the AAP’s video on Signs of RSV in Babies)
  • Fever over 100.4 for a newborn (under 4 months of age)
  • Dehydration – fewer than 1 wet diaper every 8 hours
  • Lethargy – significant decrease in activity or alertness. Trust your instincts here – you know your baby best. 

Your pediatric care provider is able to treat the vast majority of infants and young children with RSV. In the event that your usual pediatrician is not available (after hours, booked, etc) or has recommended more immediate care, a pediatric specific urgent care is your next best option. Unless recommended by a pediatric provider, avoid the ER if possible. Our local pediatric emergency departments are often flooded with patients around this time of year, so if you absolutely have to go to the hospital, pack plenty of patience. 

RSV/Cold/Flu season can be a stressful one for parents of a new baby. Balancing family relationships with keeping your baby safe can oftentimes leave you at odds with others. We want to encourage parents to be firm and kind in your decisions and always remember that your baby’s health and safety should come first. Follow your instincts when it comes to family outings or gatherings and do what feels right for you. 

Also, you can always leave. If you happen to arrive at a family dinner full of symptomatic people that are making you nervous, you are always able to graciously leave. If you have a partner, now is the time to connect and discuss your game plan for handling family gatherings.

If this was helpful, be sure to check out our tips for keeping baby healthy or traveling while pregnant or with a baby during the holiday season!

Snoo Bassinet: Should You Buy One?

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With promises of extra sleep, little need to sleep train, and an extra set of hands, the Snoo Bassinet by Happiest Baby is a product we often get questions about. As professional overnight newborn care providers, we have absolutely used this product when families request! Newborn sleep is a hot topic on most new parents’ minds so it makes sense that this is an often requested topic of discussion.

Let’s break down the purported benefits of the Snoo, the standard and optional features, the pros and cons, and what we think overall. Should you buy the Snoo?

Snoo Bassinet promises vs reality

On the sales page for the Snoo you’ll find quite a few benefits outlined. Let’s walk through these and share our experiences with each. 

Please note, for this section, these are simply our experiences and not meant to dispute the legitimacy of these claims.

Added Sleep

This really depends on the temperament of your baby. It’s true for some families and less true for others. Some babies really love the movement of swings or bassinets and others hate them. There’s really no way for you to know this without testing it for yourself first.

“…in my experience not every baby takes to the Snoo. Some infants, especially those with different sleep needs or temperaments, have not found the motion and noise soothing, like at all” – Rae Braxton, DOB Doula

Rae Braxton, a doulas of baltimore doula who attends postpartum newborn clients

Sleep Trains Baby

Kind of. The bassinet does help soothe some babies back to sleep from the wakeful part of their sleep cycle. Adult sleep cycles last between 90-120 minutes while a baby’s is more like 40. They also wake during the night because their stomachs are smaller. During their more active part of their sleep cycle, it’s normal for them to make noise and move around sometimes resulting in them waking up. The Snoo detects this movement and soothes them back to sleep. Transitioning out of the Snoo can be simple or could be difficult, again depending on your baby’s unique needs.

 

Your 24/7 Helper

While it is true that your baby can go into the bassinet while you shower, as the website claims, they could also simply be put down to nap and you take a shower. So long as your baby is in a safe space, they can be put down anywhere. As Postpartum Doulas, we also know that extra hands to help with snack prep, light cleaning, and laundry are also invaluable. You don’t always want to put your baby down, sometimes you just need hands to do the tasks you can’t get to while you’re holding the baby.

 

Responsive

We can confidently say that the Snoo Bassinet is definitely responsive. When it senses that baby is fussing, it activates shushing and/or movement to soothe them back to sleep.

“While working overnights, I really appreciate having a Snoo because the Snoo helps to soothe the baby. Although I am awake when the baby is fussing, the Snoo is usually able to soothe the baby so that I don’t have to get up from a restful position.” – Amanda Dymond, DOB Doula

Amanda Dymond shares her thoughts on the Snoo Bassinet

Mobile App

Yes, we can confirm there is a Snoo App and it has lots of interesting information. The main thing it does is compile information and in our experience is limited in functionality.

“…I think the app integration works well for more tech savvy parents and caregivers. (The app is not very intuitive but if they like compiling data, it would work well for their needs)” – Rae Braxton, DOB Doula

 

Added Safety

The claim is that because the swaddle is secure it prevents the baby from rolling into an unsafe position. This one is a tricky one to assess because most swaddles keep your baby in the position they’re in and once your baby is attempting rolling they shouldn’t be in a swaddle anyway. We can definitely confirm the Snoo will keep your baby in their spot while in the bassinet. 

 

Calms Fussing

Much like the added sleep claim, this one is very subjective. If your baby finds the Snoo to be relaxing and soothing, yes! It will definitely calm the fussing. If, however, your baby finds it to be stimulating, it’s unlikely to calm the fussing.

“… it really depends on the temperament of the baby. Some find the automated motion calming, while it can stimulate other babies. “ – Lani Cohen, DOB Doula

 

Key Snoo Bassinet Features

This bassinet offers a host of features that parents may love to offer their new babies.

Directly from the Happiest Baby website:

“Breathable mesh walls for healthy air flow

5 levels of specially designed sound + motion to soothe babies and boost sleep

Premium motor for quiet and reliability

Advanced algorithm can tell baby cries from room noise

For babies 0-6 months old who cannot roll over consistently

(meaning they have rolled from stomach to back—multiple times—during sleep)”

Sleep Sack Sizing and Snoo Sheets

According to the website, the sizing for the swaddles looks like this:

 

Small: 5-12 lb

Medium: 12-18 lb

Large: 18-26 lb

X-Large: 26-33 lb

 

We can attest that these swaddles do run a little small as they’re intended to be snug. There are only 3 included with your purchase: one small, one medium, and one large. This means if your baby happens to have a blowout or spit up on their swaddle you’ll need to wash it quickly before their next nap or purchase additional swaddles in their size. One swaddle will run you $44.95 or you can purchase a set of three for $73.40. 

This also goes for the Organic Cotton Snoo Sheets as your bassinet purchase only comes with one. The sheets can be purchased individually for $19.95 or a set of three for $38.50.

 

Snoo Weight Limit

The Snoo’s weight limit is 25 lbs. Beyond weight, parents should also be aware that babies should not be using the Snoo if they are rolling consistently and definitely not if they can get up on hands and knees.

A newborn is swaddled and set into a Snoo bassinet

Pros and Cons of the Snoo Bassinet

Pro: This smart bassinet may help your baby sleep better, getting parents additional sleep that may help aid in warding off things like Postpartum Depression, for which sleep disturbances are a risk factor, and delayed healing.

Con: There’s no way for you to know if your baby will actually like this device besides investing the money to try it.

 

Pro: This bassinet is great for babies who enjoy being swaddled up for sleep.

Con: That means you may end up retiring this bassinet as soon as 2 months when your baby begins to try rolling over. That’s a potentially very short period of time.

 

Pro: You get 9 months of premium access to the Snoo Subscription app that accompanies the bassinet when you purchase or subscribe to a Snoo Bassinet Rental through an authorized dealer or Happiest Baby themselves.

Con: If you use that app primarily as your tracker for baby you will have to pay after that 9 month period of time or spend time transferring data out of the app.

 

Pro: You can rent it at a lower rate than purchasing it.

Con: If you end up keeping it past a couple months it might end up being more expensive anyway with the added fees and taxes, plus you can’t keep it to use with any future babies if that is your plan.

a new parent sets their baby into a bassinet

So, should you purchase a Snoo Bassinet? 

As with so many other parenting choices you’ll make that depends on your baby. A quick search of the message boards on a website like Reddit will yield many varied results and some insights that might help make the decision based on real-life reviews of the product.

Overall, we think this product can be very useful in some situations. Being that there is the possibility that you don’t use it past 2 months of age, the up front investment is very high, and it’s a case-by-case product, we highly recommend renting or borrowing one to see what you think before diving into purchasing it.

“My advice is to always try renting before making the full commitment! It really can be a fantastic tool and help parents get the sleep they need—but it’s definitely not one size fits all. “ – Rae Braxton, DOB Doula

Should you choose to move forward with the Snoo, we highly recommend purchasing additional swaddles and sheets to ensure you have at least one backup in case your little one soils them.

A useful tool for some, an expensive waste of money for others, the Snoo Bassinet is a purchase you won’t find a definitive answer on!

New Parents | Planning for Your New Normal

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New Parents, your life will never be normal again.

Ok, that’s not entirely true. You will settle into a new normal but when a baby is born, life as you know it comes to an end. That can sound daunting! How will you make sure your new baby is cared for, your home is tended to, your work keeps going? When new parents are settling into a new normal it will take work. With some skilled planning and a willingness to shift when needed, you’ll find yourself in a groove before too long.

 

End of New Parents Leave

Usually once a baby has arrived one or both parents will get some amount of leave from their job. Circumstances look different for each employer. Explore what options you and/or your partner have for parental leave once your baby has arrived. How long can you take? When preparing to return to work, consider what will make it easiest including a hybrid or virtual work schedule for a period of time or even permanently. Explore these options and what they will look like with your employer.

New Caregiver

New parents transitioning to a new caregiver will take some effort but with planning it can be as smooth as possible. Ensure your new caregiver has adequate bottles and pumped milk or formula available to feed the baby. Pack their bag well with extra diapers, wipes, outfits, and anything else they may need. Discuss any circumstances unique to your family that your new caregiver may need to understand (is your baby on medication? Do they need to be fed a certain way? etc.) Communication is key to make transitioning to a new caregiver as easy as possible.

Balancing Home/Work

A new baby will always change the dynamics in a house. Consider how to make the transition easier for yourself as new parents, your pets, big siblings, and extended family members. Identify how your household tasks are currently split. Who takes out the trash? What about cooking meals? Who does the dishes? Consider a chart or writing out a schedule for when these things occur and think about planning to prepare food ahead of time while you ease into your new routine.

 

Babies change your life in the blink of an eye and it can feel overwhelming going through all the changes that you will face. With an open mind, lots of communication, and a plan ready, going back to work will feel challenging but not impossible. 

 

Need some extra help? Check out our Free Ultimate Postpartum Planning Guide!