Be By Baby

Sad to say that this store is closed. Been looking for cloth diapers in Chicago, and it seems like almost all of the shops that sell them (and are not big box stores) are closed.

Great local store for all things baby and toddler. Great atmosphere! Great staff! We took a diapering class and learned things I used for years. The products are really wonderful and high quality. Be By Baby is the place to go for great nursing gear, too. They are LGBTQ friendly, which isn’t true of everywhere.
We loved this store for our little one and still use it for baby gifts for our friends and family.

Wow– went in there before I was showing. You would have thought I walked in wearing a trench coat stuffing baby clothes in my pockets. They followed me all over the store. I finally turned to the sales person and asked if there was a problem (mind you she never said a single word to me from the moment I walked in), she just dead stared me and said no– but still followed me around.

Insescribable rip-off…pure extortion. You would have to be on crack to shop here.
The girl in the store was very nice though, but don’t shop here unless you are Ivanka Trump.

I LOVE this place! I’ve purchased all my nursing bras here! The staff have been incredible With the fittings. Compared to other bra shops, the prices are good as well. They also took time to show me how to use my Ergo carrier since I wasn’t able to attend the class. Love their classes and the fact they host meet up groups for new moms!

I love this store. I have been a customer since day 1 and have bought everything from diapers to nursing bra’s with both my pregnancies. I also give a gift from there to all of my expecting friends. The staff is helping, understanding and knowledgable. The classes are great too. I took a refresher class on cloth diapering before I had my second child. If you are a new mom or an experienced mom who wants quality products for your babies this is the ONLY place to go.

What an awful shopping experience from start to finish. I was there for nursing bras. A friend told me they had a great selection (this is why we drove in from Brookfield – and yes, we did phone first). They even boast about their large selection of nursing bras (supposedly up to cup size K) in large print signage on the store’s windows. Too bad saying it in 5-​inch lettering doesn’t make it true.
I’m due in 3 weeks and have been comfortably in a 38H (measured by Nordstrom) since month 5. The 38H is starting to get a little tight in the cups, so a few days earlier, I went to Nordstrom (where I always shop for bras) and got measured. I measured at a 40H (the cup size goes up slightly with the band, so that was perfect). Nordstrom only had one bra in my size, and being honest, ethical and customer service-​oriented, the salesperson didn’t try to sell me a different size; she told me they wouldn’t have more 40H bras in stock until the next shipment came in. I wish the staff at Be By Baby had been as customer service-​oriented. I would have come back when my size came in.
When my husband and I walked in, there was one other couple in the store, and two sales people. One sales person was helping the woman in the dressing room, while the other stood around and talked to the man waiting in the chair nearby. Neither one of them greeted us, or acknowledged our presence in any way.
So I wandered through the store until I reached the back where all the bras were. Still, not one peep from the sales staff. I though maybe I could help myself, but I couldn’t find my size, or even tell well enough how the bras were organized to look for my size. I decided to find a sales associate and ask for help – something you shouldn’t have to do in a small store with such a high price point and only one other set of customers present.
I finally found someone and asked her for help looking for bras. She took me to the fitting room where she measured me… a 36D. I haven’t been a 36D since I was young and so skinny you could see the tendons in my neck. I told her the measurement couldn’t be right. By this time, the other couple left, so she asked the other salesperson to come in and measure me. She got nearly the same measurement and asked that I just try a few bras on to get a feel for my true size.
She brought me a 36D. I put it on, and it looked like I was wearing doll’s clothing. I showed her what it looked like and she went away and brought back a few more sizes, all of them too small. The largest one she brought – a 38G – one cup size and one band size smaller than the bra that I was currently spilling out of – of course didn’t fit. But the sales associate wanted to make a sale and tried to convince me it did fit and/​or would fit after I have the baby.
She gave me several explanations as to why a bra that was quite snug and uncomfortable now would actually fit after I gave birth and was engorged. None of her explanations sounded plausible, or like anything I had read about or like anything I had experienced after my first pregnancy. Still, I was desperate for nursing bras and she was intent on selling me something. Pressured, I said I’d take the 38G in black.
Still quite unsure of the fit, I asked to try on some bras in the size I was wearing (38H), or the size I had graduated to (40H) and guess what? There weren’t any in stock. Shocker. I then asked if they had any GlamourMom tanks in stock (I had called the day before and the salesperson who answered told me that she thought those might be a great option for me). The salesperson brought me two GlamourMom tanks in size L and size XL. The XL fit me perfectly in the chest. Hooray! I asked if there were any more in that size and she said she’d check – stock was limited… again. She said there was an XL in grey, and I said I’d take it.
At checkout, I changed my mind about the black 38G bra, because despite the salesperson’s bizarre claims and heroically persuasive efforts, I knew it didn’t fit. I checked out, and my husband and I went across the street to Starbucks. The bag sat on our table, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tag on one of the tanks said L, not XL. We went to take it back, but the store was closed. So now we have to come all the way back from Brookfield to return it. Within two weeks of the purchase. And I’m due any day now. No bueno.
I can’t say for sure, but my suspicion – given the limited stock that seemed to plague the store, and the phenomenal snow job the salesperson gave me about what size (s) I was, is that she realized there were no XLs in the grey tanks, but wanted to sell more than one tank, so she pulled the size L and hoped I wouldn’t notice until it was too late. She was either inept, or unethical (I’m leaning toward both). Either way, the whole experience was so awful, after I return the wrong-​sized tank, I won’t be coming back.

Cute little shop.
Great for those interested in cloth diapering. Very knowledgable and willing to help. Even have a class that will explain in mo detail cloth diapering.
They offer free classes for Mom’s and Dad’s to meet with like minded people. (Breastfeeding, Mom’s of Multiples, Attachment parenting, etc)
They have other parenting, Mommy & Me exercise (Yoga, Pilates), pre-​natal classes. Check their calendar on their website for more details.
The shop is great if you aren’t sure what carrier you would like for your baby. They have a ton to try on to see which would work best for you. Again, very knowledgable and helpful.
They have a variety of items. Toys, books, maternity clothes, baby clothes, swimsuits, diaper bags, etc. Price range varies… some good deals, a lot of more expensive items.

This is a very cool spot, especially for hip moms… hehe. I got my daughter’s super cute and super awesome leg warmers here — they are so convenient and cute — love those things! The staff is out of this world friendly and knowledgeable. They demonstrated how to use a moby wrap the right way (since I already had one) and changed my life. Well, kinda. It helped alot and I went from regretting the purchase to loving my wrap!
The only down fall is that their stuff can be pricier than staple stores, but it’s worth it for stuff they only carry… so don’t go buying regular items here. You come here to splurge a bit… on leg warmers, for example. =)

Love this place. Excellent selection of nursing ware and accessories and wraps. Their salespeople are very knowledgeable and helpful.
Case in point– today I was in with my baby in our wrap, and they showed me a new, more comfortable way to wrap carry her– and helped me practice in their mirror.
This store carries the few items I use all the time. This is also the only place in the city that carries the awesome Hoppediz wrap. The quality is worth it. I carry our baby all over the city in it.
I also bought all of my nursing bras and shirts here, and while they are more expensive that what you might find at Target or some other store, you get what you pay for. I would much rather own a few great items that I can wear comfortably over and over, than a bunch of cheap stuff that I do not love. I get compliments on my nursing shirts and tank tops all the time.

Wow, I am so impressed with this local baby store. My husband and I attended a $ 15 cloth diaper class there that was super helpful and so educational. It was not a pushy sales type class-​just informative. We did end up buying many of our cloth diaper supplies since they were so helpful, they have great products AND we like to support local businesses.
I am surprised at the feedback below that is negative-​we have been to the store on 4 occasions in the last 2 months and have had nothing but great, positive experiences there. No one has been pushy or rude-​everyone there is just so darn helpful.
I would strongly recommend stopping by this great gem of a baby store. Oh, and the final thing I will say-​I love how it is not a super trendy (AKA super expensive baby store) they have real, mom/​dad tested products that are reasonably priced.
Check it out! Oh, and if you order a certain $ amount online, they do free shipping in the city of Chicago!

I was pregnant the first time I went into Be By Baby. The reason we stopped in was to check out their baby carriers. I was obsessed with finding the perfect carrier for me and my husband. A sales person assisted us immediately, showing us the various types of carriers, discussing the pros and cons of each, and helping me try one on. She spent a lot of time with us and we never felt rushed. Given the product, it was a much better shopping experience than just guessing and ordering online. I did not find the sales person to be overbearing or rude — she was straightforward and businesslike — exactly how I like a sales person to act.
Before we left, I mentioned that I was looking for a maternity bra and the sales person again offered to help. I despise bra shopping generally, so I gladly accepted. She took a quick measurement of my chest and brought me one she thought would fit well. Yeah, I tried it on and was astonished at how great it felt. In fact, it fit so wonderfully that I wore it out of the store (after purchasing it, of course). I spent the rest of the day marveling at how dramatically a good bra can improve one’s quality of life, particularly this pregnant lady.
I’ve since been back and bought some cute baby clothing on sale. I’m sure I’ll return to see if I can find other deals in the future.

I can’t say enough about Be By Baby. It is simply a wonderful store with an incredible environment. I visited yesterday to pick up a nursing tank. By the time I got there I needed to feed my son. I asked if it would be ok to feed him. Silly me for even asking. I’ve never been so accommodated. They took me their nursing chairs, where Boppy’s & nursing stools were also provided. Meg, who was helping me out, also asked if I’d like water. I was overwhelmed at the service. Oh — and did I mention that they had a puzzle table & blocks to entertain my 2 ½ year old?!? Heaven!
After feeding my boy Meg fitted me for some new nursing bras. The selection is impeccable, and I was so excited to leave with a bra that fit!
Be By Baby certainly isn’t the cheapest store, but for nursing mom’s and specialty baby items it is a store you must visit!

Today’s review is brought to you by the letter «I».
Anyone who has breast-​fed knows that your body has a delightful sense of humor post-​partum. You transform from having a comically large belly to cartoonish breasts in a matter of days.
My second pregnancy treated me to unbelievably laughable mammies. My daughter loved them… I, however, had no idea what to do with them.
My sad little nursing bras from baby número uno were just not sufficient support or coverage and made me feel, if possible, even worse about my new-​mom physique. I required an intervention stat.
I sent an urgent SOS text to a few new moms and was told to check out Be By Baby. I’m not really the crunch, granola kind and I’m definitely on a budget these days thanks to a weak paycheck and a weaker economy. But I’m despreate and Be By Baby was close which made it convenient, and I WILL pay for convenience.
Enter Meg from Be By Baby. She’s one of those salespeople you know are selling to you but who also has more knowledge than you so you don’t mind so much? She has a comforting, assertive way about her that reminds me of the best nurses. I was putty in her hands. I told her the problem though it was clear to her as soon as I showed her my current bra.
In a matter of seconds, she had me measured and confirmed my shocking self-​discovery of my new bra size. HOLY MOTHER OF !!! It is still hilarious to me that there is such a thing as this size. I can only point to the decade or so I spent praying «Are you there God? It’s me Christine.» for boobs as the ironic karmic payback of these ginormoboobs.
I walked out of the store with two high-​quality, made in America nursing bras that changed my posture, my profile, and my confidence. I’m locked and loaded, y’all. Watch out.
I can finally re-​employ my favorite ta-​ta line, «They’re real, and they’re spectacular.»
Thanks Meg.

So this is where I should go to buy bottles and formula, right?
Even joking about that in this place will get you in trouble.
I go walking in this area a lot and have walked by this place a million times. I’ve only been a mom for 8 months but honestly, I’ve been avoiding this place for ages because, frankly, I don’t like their militant attitude towards being a mother. They force Attachment Parenting and breastfeeding down your throat just with their window displays. WEAR YOUR KID! BREASTFEED! I feel like I’m in an Attachment Parenting rally.
Mind you, I still breastfeed and occasionally baby wear, I just can’t get onto the APing bandwagon (so if I don’t AP, does that mean I’m into Unattachment Parenting?) and I don’t like people who take militant stands on anything. I also think that labeling your parenting style is stupid. I’m just, you know, mom.
Anyways, so my dude and I were taking our little guy camping and even though everything I read said it was ok to use small amounts of DEET on the kiddo, I didn’t want to. I did some research and found that California Baby and other companies make all natural insect repellents. I went to Target. They were out. So, as I strolled through this neighborhood, I figured, «a place that is SO militant about being natural would have to have a natural insect repellent for babies».
Wrong.
After struggling with my stroller in the doorway while a salesperson looked on (GASP! I have a STROLLER), I came in and inquired if they had such a thing. The sales associate stared at me blankly and finally answered that she had never heard of such a thing.
Ah. OK. I figured I made it in the door I should look around anyways.
Everything is so incredibly overpriced. Crazy overpriced. And, I get it, you want me to breastfeed. I do. But the crap that they sell isn’t necessary for breastfeeding. It really, really isn’t. I had none of it and I was a very successful breastfeeder (and continue to be).
Btw, I went to another Target and found the California Baby repellent.

Excellent customer service! I have gotten help with bras there during my pregnancy and for nursing. I’ve also gotten other maternity peripherals and have found them attentive & knowledgeable. Additionally, there prices are right inline with other retailers assuming you’re looking at the same item. On that note, I find that while they may not carry the quantity of products as a toys r us, they do an incredible job in their product selection. It has the best stuff.

As a first-​time mom, I imagined this place as the Cinderella’s Castle of All Things A Natural and Attachment Parenting Family Would Need. I drove (during a Cub’s game!) 45 minutes to get there. I proudly brought my newborn. I was ready to get What I Needed.
Woah– is that really what I needed?
Nursing stools, $ 300 wooden high chairs, $ 40 simple toys, $ 90 «nursing» dresses, $ 20 onesies. Wait a minute here. I thought the point was that this was the natural way? Do people in nature have an AmEx Platinum that I don’t know about or something?
The intent is there, for sure, and I realize that business needs to make money, but it’s contrary to the mission of expanding a more natural way of parenting to put such a big price tag– and so much crap– on it. Looking back from where I am now, more than 6 months into my Mommy-​Adventure, I see that I don’t need 90% of what they have there, the 10% I do need is available elsewhere in simpler, cheaper form, and the stuff I did buy was overpriced and marginally necessary. You can get nursing bras at Target, if you buy nursing clothes you’ll probably only wear them for the first few weeks till you’re comfortable, and all that other stuff is just icing… nice if you can afford it, but completely unnecessary.
I want to like this place– I really do– but it’s just too much.

Epic fail. You know that annoying «friend» who always has to put other people down to make themselves feel better? Well here she is in retail form!
Having recently moved to Chicago from NYC, I was super excited to visit this «Attachment Parenting» themed store, as I thought it would be similar to my favorite place in NYC of the same ilk. Wrong in so many ways.
It seems the sales staff’s motto is to criticize the customer and snicker loudly behind their backs, so that said customer reverts back to 5^th grade and kowtows to whatever the «mean girls» instruct (i.e. new sling, a class, warmer clothes for baby, etc…). The staff and management are crass, and in my opinion, the epitome of «wannabe» snobs (sorry, but they simply don’t have the chops to be the real thing– not that there’s anything good about being a «real» snob, but you know what I mean…). Think wannabe, pseudo-​hippy snobs; that’s more like it in this case.
They have a decent selection of merchandise, but as others mentioned, everything is considerably marked up (which I wouldn’t flinch at if I thought I was supporting a genuinely kind, local business– not the feeling here). The owners must not realize that other like-​minded stores are popping up everywhere, and that one could easily buy anything sold at their store for considerably less online (and have it shipped express at little or no cost).
So ironic… The goal of Attachment Parenting is to «…raise children who will become adults with a highly developed capacity for empathy and connection.» You would think that the owners of Be By Baby would be intelligent enough to brand their store and customer experience accordingly. Instead, they’re doing just the opposite, and driving (wealthy, educated) customers like me away in their attempts to be elite.

As a first time mother, and overall clueless human being when it comes to nursing, Be By Baby was the perfect baby boutique for me to stumble upon.
I was greeted by the owner and her little one as I walked in, and she was kind enough to give me a quick tour of the store so I knew right where to find whatever I needed (cloth diapers, clothing, toys, pacifiers, shoes, books, slings, diaper bags, organic outfits, a ton of nursing items, etc).
My favorite is the nursing section in the back, where they have EVERYTHING you need. Nursing bras, work/​casual tops, dresses, covers, pj’s, creams, accessories, etc. It was a bit overwhelming for this mom-​to-​be, but that is where their expertise helped.
I can’t remember the name of the lady who helped me (pregnancy brain) when the owner got pulled aside, but she was incredibly knowledgeable and NOT pushy AT all. She was very patient with me and answered the MANY questions I had about nursing bras/​clothing. She also backed off when I was set so I could look around the store without feeling like I HAD to buy anything else.
It is a bit pricey, but that is no different than most of the baby boutiques in the city. I could have went to Gap Maternity or a big chain to get nursing items but I would have purchased them with no real knowledge of what was best for me.
She also mentioned that I could call them if I had any problems/​questions with nursing and that they would happily try to help me through it or find someone that could, and that is FANTASTIC service if you ask me.

I am not prone to writing negative reviews. However, after the poor treatment my wife and I received at Be By Baby I felt compelled to share my dissatisfaction with them. My wife bought a garment from them recently. It sat in the bag for a few weeks before she decided to return it.
We stopped in today and they refused to take the return even though we had the receipt. There was a spot on the garment that was not noticed until the moment we pulled it out of the bag for the first time since it was purchased. All the tags were still on the garment and it was still folded neatly as it was when we bought it.
Not only would they not except the return they were extremely snooty about it and treated us with a lack of respect as if we had used this garment for weeks only to try and sneakily return it.
How shortsighted of them. Here we are a pregnant couple that were brand new customers. They could have treated us with respect and earned our business for the years to come. Instead they drove us away. Luckily in Chicago their is no shortage of stores that will provide us a better experience.