Resources for New Parents
It’s often said that “it takes a village to raise a child,” but sometimes the village can be hard to find. We want all the parents in our community to be able to access the support and resources they need to thrive.
diapers & wipes
Cradles to Crayons: Map out the nearest service partner and place a request for needed items.
Share Our Spare: Locate a partner in the directory and contact them directly to request items.
Food banks sometimes provide diapers. Locate the closest food pantry through Feeding America.
For parents and caregivers outside of Chicago, use the maps on National Diaper Bank Network or Feeding America to find diaper banks or food pantries near you.
formula
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits provide nutrition assistance for women and children, including baby formula.
Check your eligibility and learn about the application process.
Organizations such as Greater Chicago Food Depository can help you determine your eligibility and apply for benefits.
Chicago also has several WIC Grocery locations, as well as a WIC Mobile Market.
For parents and caregivers outside of Chicago, use the federal WIC website to access these benefits in your region.
breastfeeding support
Local groups provide support from fellow breastfeeding parents and guidance from lactation experts.
Baby Bistro is offered free by UChicago Medicine. The group meets on Wednesdays from 10:30am-12pm on Zoom. UChicago’s Breastfeeding Hotline is: (773) 702-8885
The Hyde Park chapter of Breastfeeding USA offers meetups and support. You can contact the lactation counselor at (630) 447-0378 or esther.bowen@breastfeedingusa.org.
Birth centers and collectives offer a variety of perinatal services, including general lactation education and support.
Sokana Collective offers a sliding scale payment option Medicaid coverage options. Services may also be covered by commercial insurance. Check your insurance eligibility here.
Chicago Birthworks Collective offers virtual breastfeeding support as part of their birth services packages, or on its own. Schedule an intake call here.
Chicago Birth Center offers lactation classes covering breastfeeding basics and returning to work. Call (773) 232-2299 or register for a class on their website.
Certified lactation consultants offer expert, individualized support for all types of breastfeeding challenges.
The Lactation Network helps you find local lactation consultants who are covered by your insurance. Request a consultation here.
Bornbir connects parents with lactation consultants, including those who accept Medicaid.
For breastfeeding education, visit the resource library compiled by The Lactation Network, or the instructional videos produced by Stanford University. These resources can provide helpful assistance with breastfeeding basics and common challenges.
Breast pumps
Most insurance providers, including Medicaid, will cover the cost of a new breast pump.
For parents with insurance or Medicaid, visit NEB Medical to obtain a pump through insurance.
For parents who do not have insurance, contact EveryMom Chicago for support in accessing a pump.
Cribs & Bassinets
To request a safe sleeping space for your baby, find a local agency through Cribs for Kids.
For parents with BlueCross Community Health Plans (BCBS Medicaid), the Special Beginnings Program will provide a free portable crib. Complete your application here.
For Safe Sleep Community Training, contact Lurie Children’s Hospital to find a training near you. Need-based portable cribs are also provided.
Dominique Johnson, Lurie Infant Safe Sleep Coordinator
(djohnson@luriechildrens.org, 773.336.2648
For safe sleep guidelines, see the National Institute of Health’s guidelines. While bedsharing is not recommended, La Leche League has compiled some guidelines for safer bedsharing.