Over the past 8 years I have formed many lasting connections. Below is a list of recommendations and resources of people, products & services I know and trust:
- Women’s Health Specialists
- Massage Therapist / Doula
- Sports Physical Therapist
- Support for Moms-to-Be, Moms & Families
- Childcare
- Causes We Support
- Photographers
- Shop
- Workout
Women’s Health Specialists
Our selected physical therapists are the best of the best in Chicago. Know you will be in good hands for treatment with any prenatal or postpartum issues.
Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy & Wellness (Lakeview)
Christi Christian specializes in the treatment of pregnancy and postpartum low back and pelvic girdle pain and well as pelvic floor dysfunction related to surgery and/or bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Athletico (Lakeview)
Kathleen Holden is a Physical Therapist specializing in women’s health, performing arts rehabilitation and orthopedics. Services include but not limited to treatment of pre/post natal conditions including: Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, back pain, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain, urinary urgency/frequency, diastasis recti and general orthopedic conditions.
Lakeview Physical Therapy (North Center)
Bridgit Ellingson offers exemplary physical therapy and wellness services for individuals with athletic and orthopedic injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, and for women with musculoskeletal pain during the child-bearing years. Her new larger location in North Center is designed to be client-centered with private spa-like treatment rooms, an exercise area with beautiful views, and is child-friendly with a supervised play-area.
Dee Hartmann Physical Therapy (Printers Row)
Dee Hartmann specializes in the treatment of women (and men) with chronic pain and dysfunction; including but not limited to any pain during or after pregnancy, incontinence, sexual dysfunction (pain with intercourse, unable to have intercourse, lack of desire, problems with orgasm)
Metro Spine and Sports Rehabilitation (The Loop)
Jocelyn Zola-Pitts is a physical therapist specializing in Women’s Health Related issues including but not limited to – pregnancy and post-partum related pain, incontinence, pelvic pain and pelvic organ prolapse issues.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Streeterville & River North)
Suzanne Badillo specializes in prenatal and postnatal musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pelvic rehabilitation (including treatment of bowel/bladder conditions, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction) for women and men, and bowel/bladder conditions in children. Suzanne works out of two RIC locations: 345 E. Superior and 430 W Erie.
Massage Therapist / Doula
Becca Grimwade Brown (North Center)
Becca is both a doula and prenatal massage therapist. Becca customizes each massage according to her client’s wants and needs, recognizing that everyone is different and no massage is the same.
Third Coast Doula (Ravenswood Manor)
Unlike any other doula agency in Chicago, Third Coast Birth Services provides you and your family with a community of experienced professional doulas, child development specialists and peers who support you unconditionally. We offer childbirth education classes, labor support, individualized postnatal support as well as social events for the entire family.
Sports Physical Therapist
Impact Physical Therapy – (South Loop)
Paul Thomas is one of the most intuitive and knowledgeable physical therapists in the city. Paul provides therapy for – but not limited to – orthopedic injuries, post op rehab, offers video gait analysis, vestibular/vertigo rehab, orthotic fabrication, TMJ, headaches, spinal rehab, manual/manipulative therapy, trigger point dry needling, ASTYM, biofeedback and pelvic floor/women’s health.
Support for Moms-to-Be, Moms & Families
Swellbeing
Founded by Janeen Hayward, Swellbeing is a complete parenting resource. From the first few months through the preschool years, Swellbeing specializes in smart sleep solutions (Janeen is the best sleep consultant in the city!). Our solutions are finely crafted with early childhood brain development top of mind. We make house calls, offer webinars and facilitate workshops. Simply put, we’re the missing guide to well-rested parenthood.
Lactation Partners
Lactation Partners is a home visiting practice of maternal child RNs and board certified lactation consultants with over 30 years experience. Judy, Liz, and Joan provide breastfeeding support while helping new families transition into parenthood. We provide teaching and support around breastfeeding, infant care and behavior, as well as postpartum concerns. We also have a drop in clinic twice monthly. Contact us, 847-679-5358 or through our website.
FEED (Forming Early Eating Decisions)
Founded by Nutrition Expert Lara Field, FEED can help you and your children with healthy eating habits, grocery shopping advice, food allergy/intolerance management, Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and more.
Chicago CPR
This team of health professionals and Chicago Firefighters provides CPR classes of every sort. From private, to group, infant, toddler and for caregivers, EVERY parent should take a CPR class before baby arrives and again once they are here as a refresher.
GRASP Group New Moms Group
Support groups for New Moms and Moms of Toddlers, Parenting Solutions and Family support, Individual and Couples Therapy and more!
The Blossom Method
The Blossom Method is a supportive and resourceful center for women, couples, and families as they face the many hurdles of the child bearing years and beyond. They offer Therapy, Couples Counseling, Parent-to-Parent Support Groups. Specializes in infertility, postpartum depression and anxiety, pregnancy and pregnancy loss, high-risk pregnancy and more.
Concentric Counseling Consulting (Downtown Chicago)
Providing adult, couple & marital, child adolescent and family therapy. Services also include teletherapy and online counseling, clinical supervision and consulting.
Neighborhood Parent Network
Neighborhood Parents Network is a non-profit that connects a diverse community of families with the resources they need to navigate parenting in the city.
Bump Club & Beyond
Bump Club and Beyond brings you the best resources, information, experts, product suggestions and dozens of premier events in Chicago and across the country.
*The Chicago New Moms Group
The Chicago New Moms Group is a 6 week, professionally led, education and support program for first time moms of babies 0-6 months old. The group provides the opportunity to come together in a supportive, nurturing and nonjudgmental environment to meet others who are sharing many of the same experiences and challenges.
*Shine Fertility
Shine is an infertility support group – a community where women come together and support each other through their infertility journeys.
Third Coast Doula (Ravenswood Manor)
Unlike any other doula agency in Chicago, Third Coast Birth Services provides you and your family with a community of experienced professional doulas, child development specialists and peers who support you unconditionally. We offer childbirth education classes, labor support, individualized postnatal support as well as social events for the entire family.
Family Picnic (North Lakeview/North Center)
Rebecca Nguyen & Sue Gottschall, owners and a mother/daughter team, began Family Picnic to support families from the time of conception through the early childhood years of their children. They are both Childbirth Educators and Lactation Consultants, teaching comprehensive prenatal classes meant for couples looking to be active participants in their birth and the early experiences of their children. As Early Childhood Educators, they offer developmentally appropriate classes for young children in a warm and inviting environment. Please join us for a group or class soon!
Childcare
Kgrace childcare
If you’re looking for part-time childcare needs, k grace childcare is your trusted, dependable resource. kgrace is a full-service childcare placement agency that focuses on helping parents with part-time needs. A large majority of clients use between 8 and 15 hours a week and may or may not have a set schedule. Have questions, call (773) 649-9339 and talk to their client service manager.
The Nanny Share Board
If you’re looking to share a nanny, this is a great place to find another family to do it with!
Olive You Nanny
Their agency can match you with full-time, part-time, summer or temporary nannies, and even an occasional “we need a night out” sitter.
Causes We Support
Bundle of Joy Diaper Bank
Bundle of Joy is Chicago’s first and only not-for-profit diaper bank. Our mission is to ensure that every parent in Chicago has access to a supply of clean diapers for his or her child.
Girls on The Run
We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
Open Books
Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books.
Share Our Spare
Share Our Spare provides Chicago families living in low-income and homeless situations with the essentials they need to thrive. We impact the health of our communities by connecting those with items to share with those in need. We collect new and gently-used baby and children’s items from individuals and corporations and distribute through a network of social service partners.
Photographers
KH Photopgraphy
Kevin Hammett, studio owner and photographer, has dazzled Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood for over 14 years. His ability to capture personalities from behind the lens has made him a household name with families in Chicago.
Marena Beck Photography
Marena is an international award-winning photographer, with six years of professional experience, specializing in family portraiture in Chicago and north shore suburbs. Her sessions are child led, which allows for simplistic imagery, full of what illustrates who you are.
Lauren Enright
Lauren has been photographing children, friends and families for many years. All portraits taken by Lauren are 100% natural lighting and on-location, whether it is at your home, your favorite park, or scenic location in the Chicagoland area.
Little Nugget App
Created by a former AMC mom, Carrie Griffith. This cool and unique app captures your baby’s sweet moments and milestones with Little Nugget’s photo app.
Shop
Arbonne
Arbonne is a 34 year old health & wellness company committed to pure, safe & beneficial products. Contact Aine Rock at ainerock@me.com for a free consultation or to test drive our products.
Building Blocks Toy Store
Building Blocks Toy Store is locally owned by a mom, Katherine McHenry. Her two stores have the best selection of all the greatest educational and developmental toys in Chicago. The best part, you can shop by phone service and then swing by and pick up your paid wrapped gifts when it’s convenient for you. Even better, their staff will bring your purchases right out to your car if you have little ones in tow!
Fleet Feet Sports
At Fleet Feet Sports, it’s our mission to inspire you to be fit, in mind, body and spirit. Fleet Feet is a great resource for a new pair running sneakers and sport bras.
Workout
*id gym
i.d. gym is the home of all Active Moms’ Club classes and training. Exclusive discount for AMC moms, receive 25% off a purchase of a monthly membership or a 12 or 6 class card.
Bloom Yoga
AMC loves Bloom’s prenatal yoga classes. Kerry and Zach Maiorca, both Chicago area natives, are the husband and wife tag team behind Bloom Yoga Studio. The idea for Bloom was born out of a desire to create a community where the pursuit of health and happiness is a normal part of daily life.
(*) Denotes this partner provides Active Moms Club members with an exclusive discount.