Chicago Baby & New Parents: The Ultimate Guide

Along comes baby and life as you know it stops. Right? Not in Chicago! 

Welcome to the ultimate guide to baby and new parent resources for Chicago families! Whether you're a new parent navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood for the first time or an experienced parent looking for new adventures with your little one, this guide is your go-to resource for all things baby-related in the Windy City.

From family-friendly events and activities to pediatricians, and everything in between, Chicago is bursting with opportunities for you and your little one to explore, learn, and grow together. If you have any questions about a resource, please feel free to reach out to us directly at sarayaniga@macaronikid.com and we will always do our best to help!

Healthcare Providers

Selecting a physician for yourself or your children can feel daunting, but if you break it down into a few steps it can be a more manageable process. When I moved to Chicago and was expecting a baby, I had a very small community of friends, especially friends with young children, to reach out to for advice. Here is how I approached the process and I hope it may help you too!

• Check with your insurance company & create a list of providers and start checking them out online.
  • Visit their websites and social media presence
  • Consider how convenient they are in proximity and hours
  • Call and ask if they are accepting new patients and if so, schedule a time to visit
  • Ask Questions! Are they board-certified in their specialty? What is their approach to preventative care? After-Hours concerns? How do you include the parent(s) in the decision-making process about the approach to care? How long have they been practicing and/or with that practice? Do they have any particular areas of special interest or focus? Ask them if they have any questions for you! Ultimately you are not just looking for a doctor, but someone to be part of your parenting team and compatibility matters. 
• Reach out to your local parent community! School, work, church, the playground, social media groups - yes, I would even stop relative strangers with young children and ask if they had a referral, or knew anything about a particular physician or practice. By now you have probably narrowed your list to just a few candidates, so ask your network if anyone has feedback or first-hand experiences with any of them. 
• Trust your gut! I believe in the power of parental instinct. Who made you feel the most welcomed and comfortable? Who did you feel a mutual respect with when you visited their practice? And remember, you are the voice and advocate for a tiny human who won't have their own words or voice for a while. During your relationship with a physician or practice, keep evaluating them, keep asking questions when needed, and do not hesitate to make a shift if your instincts are telling you to!

Parenting really is better when you have a village! Beyond your physicians there are more services and classes for both parent & child health and well-being! Yoga, infant massage, workshops, postpartum groups, breastfeeding and playgroups and so much more. Check out these great options to help you build your own picture of what parenting means to you. And my advice is to open yourself up and talk to that other parent walking the same path as you by the lake, or in the museum - they just may become a key part of your parenting journey and you of theirs!

For Moms

Sometimes we get so consumed with the baby and the 'stuff' that we need to do and buy to prepare that we forget about something, or should I say someone, very important! Mom (and dad too!) can often miss out on really preparing themselves for the life-changing event that is about to happen. Some great places are here to help take care of you before and after childbirth!

Partum Health Chicago offers in-person and virtual prenatal and postpartum care in Chicago and the surrounding areas. Have a better pregnancy and postpartum experience with proactive, interdisciplinary care from your first through fourth trimester — all in one place. ‍Virtual physical therapy, behavioral health, and nutrition counseling services are available statewide.

• Chicago New Moms Group offers support for new moms with professionally led education and peer support programming for new moms with babies ages 0-6 months. First- or Second-time moms can join groups where they are offered a nonjudgmental and safe space in which to share experiences and information during a stage that can have a complex combination of emotions.

Baby & Family-Friendly Activities

If you find yourself going stir-crazy and longing to get back out and about you may be wondering, what are the best places to go with a baby in tow around Chicago? Let this guide help you discover the best spots for a “Chicago baby” and perhaps some newfound appreciation for a longtime favorite!

• Bubbles Academy joining the Bubbles Academy community is more than an educational experience – it’s an opportunity to enhance how you and your family interact, think, and create. Our goal is to ensure the journey of discovery with your little ones will be full of wonder. We offer programs designed to stimulate their minds and imagination so they may develop meaningful connections through collaboration, creativity, and exploration in a safe setting. Music, Art, and Play classes are offered at multiple locations, including their flagship location in Bucktown!

• Chicago Public Library was a lifeline for me personally when I began navigating life in Chicago with an infant. They offer so much more than books with classes, and special events in over 70 branches and throughout the community. Not to mention, the HAROLD WASHINGTON location offers one of the best spaces to read, play and learn in the Loop. If you do not have a library card then I encourage you to get one, because with it comes great perks - like the museum pass program which allows free entry to dozens of great museums and science/learning centers around Chicago.

• Skip & Scoot focuses on whole-child fitness & well-being through play and offers an amazing Gross Motor & Sensory Adventure class for the teeniest of tots! Founded in 2019 by a seasoned Masters-level teacher and mom to two amazing and active young kiddos the mission at Skip & Scoot is to support early childhood physical, cognitive, and social-emotional wellness with our energetic and holistic baby and kids classes. By engaging your whole child in exciting and fun physical movement games, we aim to plant the seeds to prioritize and enjoy exercise and healthy living for a lifetime.

• Stages Chicago offers classes for ALL ages, from birth to high school!  With a curriculum developed by professional performers turned early childhood development professionals who have decades of experience with the stages of life AND the theatre stage. The youngest kids love Broadway and Me or Lullaby League, but there truly is something for everyone. 

• Put that Stroller to Use! From miles of walkable paths along the lakefront to what feels like endless greenspace and urban sidewalks, Chicago is a very walkable town! Check out your neighborhood, or favorite park, stroll along the 606 or visit someplace new! Getting a daily dose of outside time is good for your physical & mental well-being, especially after childbirth. You could even check out a local Fit4Mom or StrollerStrides class, or just grab some buddies and build your own walking club. 

• Visit a museum! Sure, your new baby could care less about the new exhibit at the Field Museum or Art Institute that you have been wanting to see, but they do like spending time with a happy parent, so don't stop seeing and exploring the places that bring you joy! Plus, our museums have tons of quiet nooks and benches for taking a snuggle or feeding break! Be sure to check out the schedule for FREE ADMISSION for Chicago/Illinois Residents, or consider using the Digital Museum Pass program from CPL. 

• Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory, or Garfield Park Conservatory - both of which offer year-round, FREE, fun for families in Chicago! No matter the season, there is always something to see and experience! Both offer a variety of programming and events through the year for families and can be great entertainment for a big sibling too!

• Sign up for infant swim lessons at one of Chicago's swim schools such as Goldfish Swim School, Big Blue, or Chicago Blue Dolphins. If you belong to a local YMCA or athletic club, be sure to inquire about swim lessons, or if they have a listing for local teachers who are approved to teach private lessons there. The Chicago Park District also has several locations that offer swim lessons, or even open swim for parents & children.