What an outpouring of love and support for moms we experienced during Barb’s (second) visit to Chicago!

From the very first event, we were excited to meet so many great moms at the Purple Monkey Playroom with our friends from Latched Mama. We had a great time hanging out with founder and mother of 6, Melissa Wirt, and hearing all about her upcoming book - I Was Told There'd Be a Village.

Moms came back to see us there two and three times, and it made us feel extra special! 💖

That evening, we were completely inspired by our panel discussion with the Chamber of Mothers Chicago Network. Alongside Nancy Ukpe Gargula & Abby Schmeling (CoM), Melissa Wirt (CEO & Founder of Latched Mama), Jenny LeFlore (Founder of Mama Fresh), & Ashley Farrow (CMO of The Lactation Network), we discussed how moms will save us all, and - of course - why it's more important now than ever to Vote Like a Mother, no matter how you vote.

As if that weren't enough inspiration, we were honored to partner with the Chicago Department of Health and HHS/HRSA to connect parents to their local resources, such as Family Connects Chicago. They send nurses to visit new parents at home, so mom never has to leave her house and can still receive invaluable support and guidance, including about breastfeeding! We even had the opportunity to meet a mom on her very first outing with her one-week-old baby! 🤯

Credit to Tess Crowley of the Chicago Tribune for capturing this beautiful image of her. 👇👇👇

P.S. Check out the full write-up about Barb's visit in the Tribune.

In addition to the local resources we've been able to shine light on in every community, it's important to note that HRSA's Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA) is available to parents nationwide, 24/7, providing free, confidential mental health support. Pregnant people, moms and new parents can call or text any time, any day. Their services are available in English and Spanish!

And the Prego Expo? Wow, what a way to close out our time in Chicago this year! So. Many. Moms!

From open to close, Barb was full of love and families, receiving support from our friends at Munchkin, Spectra, Bravado Designs, Latched Mama and Aeroflow and being connected to one of their local resources —Chicago Family Doulas!

This week, Barb is en route back to the Northeast. She'll have her final stops of the 2024 Feel Better, Feed Better tour this weekend, and we're going out with a bang!

ICYMI: the last stop will also be available virtually. Whether you were able to meet Barb in person this year or not, we want you to see her! So if you haven't already, register for the Mother Pumpin' Party!

We'll celebrate you, Barb's journey and all of the partners who made this tour possible. There will be goodies and giveaways AND we'll be doing the drawing for the much-anticipated Mother of a Giveaway LIVE!

The Pumpspotting Feel Better, Feed Better Tour is built by moms, powered by community, and fueled by this amazing collective of sponsors: