Caring Mary Doula

11/15/2024

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Expecting a baby soon? A last minute spot opened up for this Saturday’s Baby Basics Class on November 16, 2024 at Birth Center of Chicago!

Time: 1:00-4:15pm

Topics include: normal infant behavior, feeding and sleeping cues, swaddling, baby wearing, safety in and outside your home, and more!

This class is appropriate for first-time parents and other caregivers with limited newborn experience (nannies or grandparents that want a refresh as they await their first grand baby)

💰 I’m happy to offer the last spot to any parent(s) or other caregivers, for 50% off!

Registration link closes 24 hours before class begins, but if you’d like to join and can’t sign up, please email me and I’ll add you in!

http://www.birthcenterofchicago.com/baby-basics

11/04/2024

Are you or someone you know seeking a part-time, experienced toddler nanny? Caring Mary is available 3-4 days per week, for 24-32 hours. Full time hours are negotiable for the right fit.

I’m looking to provide childcare in a family’s home for their child, along with my daughter, who was born in August 2023.

I aim to foster a safe, playful, and educational environment with a built-in friend for socialization! What could be better than that as we navigate the fall and winter months in Chicago?

My nanny and parenting style is very nurturing and attentive; I aim to provide a tranquil environment where there is a good balance between love, discipline, and routine. I am also a very on-the-go nanny, and as our children grow and their development and schedules allow, I plan to spend most of our time playing and learning outside at the many parks, museums, and play-spaces that the city has to offer. I have experience working with multiples, which will come in handy as our children will be similar in age, and I can partner with you to implement similar day-time schedules that will help meet the physical, developmental, and emotional needs of each of our children.

I live on the near west side of Chicago, in the medical district. I’m open to commuting as far north as Bucktown/Logan Square/Lincoln Park, as far south as Hyde Park Area, and as far west as Oak Park/River Forest.
I’m comfortable with cats and small dogs.

My rate includes child-meal prep, daily cleaning of child bottles/dishes, tidying up of play areas/nursery, weekly child-laundry, and any other child-related tasks.

If I sound like I might be a good fit to provide loving care for your child for the next 1-2 years (or more), I welcome the opportunity to hear from you. I can be reached here and via email at marymc.pp.doula@gmail.com

Thank you!

06/13/2024

I had the honor of breaking bread with renowned author and birth equity warrior, Kimberly Seals Allers! Susana and I were privileged to sit across from her during a doula luncheon to discuss health equity and the Irth app. I was fan-girling hardcore but managed to keep my composure, even while Susana smeared breadcrumbs all over my shirt 😂 Babies, am I right?! 😜

06/07/2024

🎉 It’s that time again 🎉

🌟 Looking to join a play group with your 2-6 month old baby? 🌟

Join me and my baby Tuesday, June 18th at the Birth Center of Chicago, for a casual play and learn group that will focus on:

👶 Understanding your infant’s temperament
🌙 Healthy sleep habits/expectations based on development
🧸 Structuring routines during the day
💪 Developing fine and gross motor skills

🌟 Bring your baby along with a small blanket for them to lay on, a hand toy, rattle or teether.

🕰️ The group will take place from 12:30-2pm.
Register online at the link in the comments.
💰Payment will be collected the day of group, upon arrival, via PayPal or Venmo.

👶 If you joined the first playgroup in March, and your baby is still 6 months or younger, we’d love to see you again to delight in how your baby has grown and changed!

🌟 Susana and I are excited for another opportunity to connect with parents and their babies! Reach out to me if you have any questions.

03/17/2024

🌟 Looking to join a play group with your 2-6 month old baby? 🌟

Join me and my baby this Tuesday, March 19th at the Birth Center of Chicago, for a casual play and learn group that will focus on:

👶 Understanding your infant’s temperament
🌙 Healthy sleep habits/expectations based on development
🧸 Structuring routines during the day
💪 Developing fine and gross motor skills

💕 Bring your baby along with a small blanket for them to lay on, a hand toy, rattle or teether.

🕰️ The group will take place from 12:30-2pm.
Register online at the link in the comments. 💰Payment will be collected the day of group, upon arrival, via PayPal or Venmo.

🌟 I’m excited for another opportunity to connect with parents and their babies! Reach out to me if you have any questions.

12/30/2023

⭐️ Seasons Greetings! ⭐️
Know someone expecting baby in 2024?

Caring Mary Doula would love to ring in the New Year with any expecting caregivers on Saturday January 13th, from 1-4pm at the Birth Center of Chicago. Join me for an informative and interactive workshop to learn all the ins and outs of newborn care! Link to register in comments.
👶🏽👶🏿👶🏼 👶🏾👶🏻

Our baby basics class is back and happening this weekend! If you are nervous about how to care for a baby age 0-3 months, this is a perfect class to offer hands on practice. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Register at our class+ page on our website!

11/04/2023

Newborn Basics is back in one week!! Please join Caring Mary Doula at Birth Center of Chicago on Saturday, November 11 from 1-4pm for some hands on practice as you prepare to welcome your new baby! Link to register is in the comments. Still a couple of spots open. Looking forward to meeting you!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CymEA8xtr6p/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

10/17/2023

Hi All - I have exciting news to share! Caring Mary Doula birthed her own little bundle of joy in early August! 🥰 I've been doing and embracing all of the things that I encourage and educate parents to do during their postpartum period. After 20 years of supporting parents and children professionally, it’s been wild to live out my own advice and experience in real life, with my own baby. I'm so grateful to my community that has supported us during this special and unique time. We couldn't have gotten through these first 2 months without our village, that's for sure! In the meantime, I'm staying present and enjoying all the snuggles and smiles from sweet baby Susana 💕

Photos courtesy of Ama Merrell Photography

08/03/2023

Happy Lactation Month!

August is Breast/Chestfeeding Awareness month and today is the first day of World Bodyfeeding Week!
Caring Mary is dedicated to supporting a parent’s infant feeding goals, and access to knowledge, education and support of human lactation for babies is one of the first steps in achieving health equity, especially for BIPOC families and marginalized communities.

However a baby receives human milk, whether that is direct nursing with their parent, expressed and fed from a bottle, milk from donors, or a combination of human milk and formula, are all okay and healthy options. The point is to support parents to make informed choices that work best for themselves and their infants!
This is one of my favorite images of humans feeding humans, courtesy of Milky Mama, LLC,

06/29/2023

We always have a lot of fun in this class! Looking forward to the July session 😊 Next class will happen again in November.
Thank you to Birth Center of Chicago for collaborating with Caring Mary Doula and hosting me in your classroom each month!
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