Birthways Inc. 1484 W. Farragut Chicago, IL. 60640 773.506.0607 birthwaysinc.com Notes: An agency that provides full service doulas (labor support and postpartum needs).
Dona (Doula Organization of North America) 888.788.3662 Notes: DONA is a great resource for all things doula related.The link below will take you to a list of accredited doulas in the state of Illinois but you can also call the main office to ask any questions about using a doula, search criteria, or anything else. dona.org
Bloom Yoga Studio 4663 N. Rockwell Chicago, IL 60625 773.463.YOGA bloomyogastudio.com Notes: A great community for moms-to-be and new moms; offers more than just yoga classes—check out the Mama Get Together events; the Childbirth Prep class; and the Pregnancy and Postpartum massage.
My Corner Playroom 2121 N Clybourn Ave Chicago, IL 60614 773. 388.2121 mycornerplayroom.com
Sweet Pea's Studio 3717 N. Ravenswood #213 Chicago, IL 60613 773.248.YOGA sweetpeasstudio.com Notes: One stop shopping for expecting and existing parents. Wonderful pre and post natal yoga classes, mommy and me classes, kindermusik classes, suppport groups, and massage. Highly regarded.
Bubbles Academy 1504 N. Fremont Chicago, IL. 60622 312.944.7677 bubblesacademy.com Notes: Comprehensive list of classes and services for mothers and babies alike.
Mommy & Me Classes :: Suburbs
Starland 710 Robert York Ave. Suite D Deerfield, IL. 60015 847.914.9100 starlandkids.com Notes: Very interesting and unique classes.
Happy Child Music 847.682.6283 happychildmusic.com Notes: Locations in both Evanston and Winnetka. Julie Frost, a well-known children's music producer, combines bubbles and instruments to make a very unique enjoyable class for infants and toddlers alike.
Parks & Playgrounds View listings by neighborhood:
Parks & Playgrounds :: Downtown
Fellger Playlot Park 2000 W. Belmont Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 312.742.7785 fellgerpark.com Notes: This park is fenced in which makes it very easy to keep an eye on your little ones. Two play areas as well as a water area. Wicker Park 1425 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 Phone: 312.742.7553 wickerpark.com
Harold Washington Playlot Park 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd. Chicago, IL 60615 Phone: 312.747.6187 haroldwashingtonpark.com Notes: Considered by many to be the best playground in the city. Walsh Playground Park 1722 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60614 walshpark.com
Parks & Playgrounds :: Suburbs Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Rd Glencoe, IL 60022 847. 835.5440 chicagobotanic.org Notes: This a wonderful and soothing place to take a child of any age because it is a chance to explore and learn about nature. Plus, the grounds are stunning.
Gyms, Play Areas, Classes View listings by neighborhood:
Gyms, Play Areas, Classes :: Downtown
Bubbles Academy 1504 N. Fremont Chicago, IL. 60622 312.944.7677 bubblesacademy.com Notes: Comprehensive list of classes and services for mothers and babies alike.
Old Town School of Music 4544 Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60625 773.728.6000 oldtownschool.org Notes: Wiggleworms is the best known kids music class in the city. Children and parents sing, dance, and there are even special instruments made for little hands!
My Gym 1880 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL. 60614 (Other locations as well) 773.645.9600
My Corner Playroom 2121 N Clybourn Ave Chicago, IL 60614 773. 388.2121 mycornerplayroom.com
Gyms, Play Areas, Classes :: Suburbs
Starland 710 Robert York Ave. Suite D Deerfield, IL. 60015 847.914.9100 starlandkids.com Notes: Very interesting and unique classes.
Gymboree gymboree.com Notes: Multiple locations in Chicago suburbs but readers have recommended the locations in Northbrook and Skokie in particular.
Nannies (Agencies, Resources, etc.) View listings by neighborhood:
Nannies (Agencies, Resources, etc.) :: Downtown
Childminders Inc. 4350 W. Oakton Suite 204 Skokie, IL. 60076 847. 673.8998 childmindersinc.com Notes: This service is well known for giving extensive background checks on their prospective nannies. Very thorough. American Registry for Nannies and Sitters, Inc. 312.475.1515 american-registry.com Lakeview Domestic Agency, Inc. 3166 N. Lincoln Ave. Suite 214 Chicago, IL.60657 773.404.8452 lakeviewdomestics.com
Nanny Resource 4006 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60641 773. 736.3173
Nanny Sitters Inc. 200 W. Higgins Rd. Schaumburg, IL. 60195 847.885.1700 nannysittersinc.com TeacherCare 1701 E. Woodfield Road. Suite 700 Schaumburg, IL. 60173 312.214.6411 teachercare.com Notes: This service specializes in placing nursery school teachers as either live-in or live-out nannies who can teach children and plan activities.
Nannies (Agencies, Resources, etc.) :: Suburbs Childminders Inc. 4350 W. Oakton Suite 204 Skokie, IL. 60076 847. 673.8998 childmindersinc.com Notes: This service is well known for giving extensive background checks on their prospective nannies. Very thorough.
Lakeview Domestic Agency, Inc. 3166 N. Lincoln Ave. Suite 214 Chicago, IL.60657 773.404.8452 lakeviewdomestics.com Nanny Resource 4006 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60641 773. 736.3173
Nanny Sitters Inc. 200 W. Higgins Rd. Schaumburg, IL. 60195 847.885.1700 nannysittersinc.com
TeacherCare 1701 E. Woodfield Road. Suite 700 Schaumburg, IL. 60173 312.214.6411 teachercare.com Notes: This service specializes in placing nursery school teachers as either live-in or live-out nannies who can teach children and plan activities.
Sitter City. Com 213 W. Institute Place Suite 504 Chicago, IL 60610 888.SIT.CITY sittercity.com Notes: If you don't know about this amazing website, you are in for a wonderful discovery. Voted one of the 50 Coolest websites by Time Magazine, this service has helped countless families find great sitters. National service.
Sitter City. Com 213 W. Institute Place Suite 504 Chicago, IL 60610 888.SIT.CITY sittercity.com Notes: If you don't know about this amazing website, you are in for a wonderful discovery. Voted one of the 50 Coolest websites by Time Magazine, this service has helped countless families find great sitters. National service.
The Day Care Action Council of Illinois 1340 S. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL. 60608 312.823.1100 daycareaction.org Notes: A highly regarded resource. Helps people to make informed choices about childcare. The expert staff identify a family's needs, explain licensing, and provide referrals.
Florence G Heller Jewish Community Center 524 W. Melrose Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 gojcc.org
Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center 3003 W. Touhy Avenue Chicago, IL 60645 773.761.9100 gojcc.org
Day Care Centers :: Suburbs
Parenthesis 405 South Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL. 60302 708.848.2227 parenthesis.com Notes: Parenthesis is the kind of place that every city should have, particularly the morning drop-in program. Wonderful childcare is provided while parents are free to either work or socialize with fellow new parents. Parents can not say enough good things about the supportive environment and lifelong friendships they have made at this special place. Jewish Community Center 5050 W Church St Skokie, IL 60077 847.763.3520 gojcc.org
Support Groups/Resources View listings by neighborhood:
Support Groups/Resources :: Downtown
Art of Breastfeeding 2648 N. Menard Avenue Chicago, IL 60639 773.745.0992 artofbreastfeeding.com Notes: The place to go for moms who want to breastfeed; offers support, advice, breastfeeding products, lactation services and bra-fitting services.
Bubbles Academy 1504 N. Fremont Chicago, IL. 60622 312.944.7677 bubblesacademy.com Notes: Comprehensive list of classes and services for mothers and babies alike.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Prentice Women's Hospital 333 E. Superior Street Chicago, IL. 60611 877.926.4664 nmh.org Northside Parents Network 1218 W. Addison Chicago, IL. 60613 312.409.2233 npnparents.org Notes: An extremely comprehensive, member based organization that offers a wide array of resources including a newsletter, various moms groups, playgroups, social events, and a guide on preschools in the Chicago area. What a find! Circle of Parents 500 North Michigan Avenue Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60611 312.334.6837 circleofparents.org Notes: A straightforward, Chicago based parent support group. Free of charge. Meeting groups all throught state of Illinois. Known to be very caring and informative.
Fussy Baby Network Erikson Institute 420 North Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL. 60611 888.431.BABY fussybabynetwork.org Notes: The fussy baby network was started by the Erikson Institute, a graduate school in child development. This network helps new parents with issues of crying, sleeping, and feeding through either telephone support, in-home visits, or classes. Very highly respected.
Sweet Pea's Studio 3717 N. Ravenswood #213 Chicago, IL 60613 773.248.YOGA sweetpeasstudio.com Notes: One stop shopping for expecting and existing parents. Wonderful pre and post natal yoga classes, mommy and me classes, kindermusik classes, suppport groups, and massage. Highly regarded.
Support Groups/Resources :: Suburbs
Parenthesis 405 South Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL. 60302 708.848.2227 parenthesis.com Notes: Parenthesis is the kind of place that every city should have, particularly the morning drop-in program. Wonderful childcare is provided while parents are free to either work or socialize with fellow new parents. Parents can not say enough good things about the supportive environment and lifelong friendships they have made at this special place.
Circle of Parents 500 North Michigan Avenue Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60611 312.334.6837 circleofparents.org Notes: A straightforward, Chicago based parent support group. Free of charge. Meeting groups all throught state of Illinois. Known to be very caring and informative.
Mothers and More P.O. Box 31 Elmhurst, IL. 60126 630.941.3553 mothersandmore.org Notes: Many different groups all over the suburbs.
Notes: A nationwide company that offers unique and comprehensive full body workouts done either outside or inside. You will NEVER be bored. The best part? Baby can come with you and the stroller is incorporated into the workout...genius!
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Prentice Women's Hospital 333 E. Superior Street Chicago, IL. 60611 877.926.4664 nmh.org Notes: Most people agree that this hospital offers a better variety of classes than any gym in the city. Postnatal body sculpting gets tons of raves.
Lakeshore Athletic Club 1320 W. Fullerton Chicago, IL 60614 773. 477.9888 lsac.com Notes: The "fit mom" program has a really comprehensive list of classes including Yoga Mama, Stroller Strength, and Water Baby.
Sweet Pea's Studio 3717 N. Ravenswood #213 Chicago, IL 60613 773.248.YOGA sweetpeasstudio.com Notes: One stop shopping for expecting and existing parents. Wonderful pre and post natal yoga classes, mommy and me classes, kindermusik classes, suppport groups, and massage. Highly regarded.
Bloom Yoga Studio 4663 N. Rockwell Chicago, IL. 60625 773.463.YOGA bloomyogastudio.com Notes: Pre-natal belly dancing, anyone?
Notes: A nationwide company that offers unique and comprehensive full body workouts done either outside or inside. You will NEVER be bored. The best part? Baby can come with you and the stroller is incorporated into the workout...genius!
Evanston Athletic Club 1723 Benson Ave. Evanston, IL. 60201 847.866.6190 eaconline.com Notes: Comprehensive list of classes including yoga, cardio, and water aerobics.
