Free (or almost free) Summer Weekday Fun in Chicago
Bump Club and Beyond Ultimate Birthday Party Resource List
Bump Club and Beyond: GRASP Recommended Developmental Toy List, 0-6 months
Bump Club and Beyond: GRASP Recommended Developmental Toy List, 7-12 months
Bump Club and Beyond Checklists:
Diaper Bag Checklist
What to Pack in your Hospital Bag
Travel Gear 2012
Bump Club and Beyond “Approved” Lists:
BCB APPROVED: Restaurant Picks 2011. We nominated, you picked the winners!
Bump Club and Beyond Supports Shine Chicago
Shine: a ray of light on infertility. Our mission, through experience, passion, and education, is to provide a place of comfort, community, and support for women living with infertility. At Shine, share your experiences, gain peer support, and gather information through professional seminars.
Bump Club and Beyond Resident Experts
Bump Club and Beyond relies on many experts—both nationally and locally—to provide you with the BEST information and resources available as you navigate pregnancy and beyond. Here are our recommended resources and experts for all of your needs. Please watch our calendar of events as all of them will make an appearance for at least one event during the calendar year!
RESIDENT BABY GEAR EXPERT, The BabyGuyNYC, Jamie Grayson
Jamie Grayson is THE Baby Gear Expert. As a product demonstrator/personal shopper at Buy Buy Baby in Manhattan, he helped thousands of parents navigate the maze of baby gear and decide what products they REALLY needed to help them ease the transition into parenthood. After becoming the only male baby planner in the world, Jamie has been featured on The TODAY Show and The Martha Stewart Show, and the WE Television series “Platinum Babies,” in Time Out New York, The NY Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, and The LA Times. In March of 2010 Jamie was named “Best Baby Gear Guru” by New York Magazine. Jamie knows his gear and takes the chaos and confusion out of the registry process with informed guidance mixed with a bit of Southern charm.
Baby Solutions Childproofing Services is your premier partner in baby and child home safety. For more than 10 years, we have been working with Chicagoland parents to help create safer environments for their children. Our evaluations help calm your fears, not create them – providing you with recommendations and solutions that fit your lifestyle.
RESIDENT LACTATION EXPERTS, Kathy Lipke, and Judy Teibloom-Mishkin RN, BSN, IBCLC
Kathy Lipke and Judy Teibloom-Mishkin are registered nurses and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. Lactation Partners provides home based breastfeeding support for moms and babies with a focus on assisting new families as they begin their venture into parenthood. ”Collectively we have over 35 years of experience as lactation consultants,” said Lipke. ”With our former practice (Lactation Associates, Inc.) we saw over 1000 new families/babies in 2010. We share a passion for helping families as they begin their journey into parenthood”. Kathy spoke at two Bump Club and Beyond events in 2010 and Judy joined her at the June 2010 Expectant Mom Dinner.
RESIDENT SLEEP EXPERT, JANEEN HAYWARD, PRINCIPAL of Swellbeing
Janeen Hayward is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the states of New York and Illinois and certified Gottman Educator. Swellbeing is a complete parenting resource. From sleep problems to feeding issues to general support—you have questions, they have answers. Janeen spoke at two Bump Club and Beyond events in 2010 to two sold out crowds. She tackles the toughest sleep problems and gives you realistic solutions.
RESIDENT NUTRITION EXPERT, Lara Field, MS, RD, CSP, LDN
Kids need guidance when it comes to making smart eating decisions, however many parents don’t practice healthy eating habits themselves. Lara Field, a Chicago based pediatric dietitian, can help teach you the vital tools needed to establish a healthy lifestyle. Learn from FEED and help your kids Form Early Eating Decisions that will last a lifetime. Specializing in picky eating, food allergies, and digestive diseases such as Celiac Disease, Lara can help guide you learn about making smart food decisions and prevent future disease.
RESIDENT CHILDCARE EXPERT, Erin Krex, Owner of First Class Care, Inc. APNA’s 2010 Agency of the Year
First Class Care, Inc. is the premier full service domestic placement agency in Illinois . First Class Care places exceptional nannies, newborn care specialists, babysitters, housekeepers, house managers, personal chefs and elder care companions throughout Illinois . When working with First Class Care expect the highest level of service, professional screened candidates and a full staff walking you through the process. All candidates are rigorously screened, personally interviewed and reference checked by licensed placement counselors. Completed references, background checks and physicals are provided before you hire. Have peace of mind you hired the best for your family!
RESIDENT GREEN EXPERT, The Green Mama
The Green Mama helps grow healthier families and greener businesses–and guarantees fun in the process.
The Green Mama was founded in Chicago in 2007 by Manda Aufochs Gillespie. Ms. Aufochs Gillespie worked in the sustainability field for more than 14 years. She has worked directly with hundreds of families, bringing her passion for research and sustainability along with her sensitivity to what clients actually need. Her extensive green experience and upbeat approach has led her to be described in the media as “the green guru” and “serious, but not absolute.” Her work has most recently been showcased on the television shows Save My Planet (on ABC’s Living Well network) and The Lazy Environmentalist (on HBO). The Green Mama shares the products of her research through the popular Green Mama blog;classes; corporate, daycare/school, and home consulting; and through guest appearances in the national press.
RESIDENT CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS, Sara Sladoje MS, CCLS and Alison Kramme MA, LCPC of GRASP group. GRASP group is a collaboration of a Psychotherapist and a Child Developmental Specialist who provide consultation, therapy, support groups and education.
RESIDENT “DO-GOODER”: More Than Milk
More Than Milk is an organization that provides moms with an avenue to explore, get involved and be inspired through philanthropy. We provide flexible opportunities for moms to volunteer and support our select non-profit organizations, helping to build a family culture of giving back. By connecting moms with deserving non-profits, we provide our partner organizations with heightened awareness in the community, financial support, and a new force of energetic and talented volunteers. Come Learn, Do, and Share with us!
RESIDENT URBAN EXPLORER OF KID-SIZED CHICAGO EXPERT, Cindy McCarthy, Owner of On The Go Chicago
Cindy McCarthy is the founder of onthegoChicago.com, a one-stop guide to the kid-sized version of Chicago. If you loved the city before your “bump,” but could use a little help navigating with kids in tow, then visit on the go Chicago. We’ll help you rediscover the city through your child’s eyes by sharing the inside scoop on where to shop, eat, learn and play with your wee one. Chicago’s a big city. We make it kid-sized!
Resident Beauty Expert, Nicole Pearl, Founder of thebeautygirl.com
A new mom herself, Nicole has joined Bump Club and Beyond for two signature (sold out) beauty events in the past year. Sharing her insider tips with our moms and moms-to-be, she shows us that “beauty should’t be a bitch.” Nicole has written for national publications including Allure, Cosmo, Marie Claire, Self, In Style, Seventeen, and more. She’s covered NYC and LA Fashion Weeks, has appeared on TV as a top beauty and style expert and has been a guest speaker for corporations. The Beauty Girl blog is Nicole’s exclusive insider notebook, sharing her V.I.P. access to the latest in beauty.