Our Family Focus Media team is pleased to present the best services and businesses for growing families and beloved pets, as recommended by parents in the Philly Family Community. From expert doulas and lactation consultants to top-notch veterinarians and pet care facilities, these award-winning providers offer invaluable support for every stage of your family’s journey. Whether you’re preparing for a new arrival, navigating the challenges of early parenthood, or seeking the best care for your furry family members, our guide highlights the most trusted resources Philadelphia has to offer.

Read the endorsements from local parents in our Philly Family Community about who they love and then pop over to our Philadelphia Family Best for Families Guide to find more trusted resources! Best for Families Celebration & LOVE Luncheon photos by AMC Photography.

 

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“We have been using Baby Gear Group since my little one was an infant, and he is now 2.5 years old! We love that we can keep trying new toys, strollers, etc, and keep renting the ones he loves, without the hassle of returns and exchanges and frankly wasting a lot of money. It’s a great deal, and I love being able to support a woman-of-color owned business. Bo is wonderful to work with and always has helpful recommendations!”

– Emily H.

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“Emily works hard to make things easy for those who require her services. She is very professional and honest, and has the best selection of equipment. Emily goes out of her way to make sure her clients have a smooth transaction..”

– Bonnie M.

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“We are so happy with the work that Joe did. We weren’t sure if our house was going to be too complicated to baby proof fully. Joe was able to assess our house via a video call which was really convenient. He even pointed out some baby proofing areas that we wouldn’t have thought of before. Joe listened to our concerns and was able to come up with the best plan for our needs. The estimate provided was very reasonable. We highly recommend Joe for any baby proofing needs you may have! I feel confident in the safety of our home!.”

– Step O.

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“Philly Hypnobirthing was an amazing five week birthing class! Estee is so informative and intelligent, her soothing voice and warm presence helped calm our nerves as we prepared for birth! We have recommended her to our best friends and would continue to keep recommending her work to all pregnant women and their partners!”

– Kellie R.

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“The nanny share network was a lifesaver when it came to finding our nanny! They did all the leg work for me and truly cared about finding us the perfect match. We couldn’t be happier with the nanny they found for us.”

– Katie K.

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“MBR is the agency to use if you are looking for help finding care for your child(ren) in the Philadelphia area. I am so grateful to Marissa and her team for helping me and my family transition to a schedule that allows us to maximize our work/home time. The best aspect of MBR is the accessibility and responsiveness of Marissa. Being away from your baby is so tough, and trusting someone to care for your baby is tougher still. I appreciated being a part of the process in finding someone I could trust. Marissa’s experience and candidness are what make her so special. I am so thankful!.”

– Kate B.

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“They are more than just a daycare. They are a family support system. Our 2-year-old daughter was having speech issues. KinderCare worked closely with us, guided us and led us through the challenge. They identified that she had a hearing problem and guided us on what to do next. After the right treatment and additional tutoring through the center, she’s now fully verbal and won’t stop talking! Incredible success story. They also fully potty trained her, which is incredible (we just followed their lead). Also, because they have a chef onsite, our daughter is now a more eclectic eater and less picky. They’ve transformed our family and we are forever grateful. They are the best daycare center in Philly – hands down. No one compares to their skill, knowledge, compassion and dedication.”

– Lauren G.

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“Northern Star Doula cared for our preemie NICU twins from two months old to seven months old overnight. Nicole Todd was knowledgeable, calming, and wonderful with our sons. By the time Nicole was done, the boys were sleep trained and at age 5, they still sleep through the night religiously. I would recommend Northern Star Doula and Nicole Todd for anyone looking for a doula.”

– Rachel K.

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“Kate is a dedicated doula. We loved her support for our family and couldn’t have gotten through the first few months without her guidance.”

– Aliyah T.

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“This organization is run by Ashley Reid, who is an absolutely magnificent trainer with a specialization in women’s health and especially postpartum health. She does an amazing job of helping women exercise while they are pregnant, helping them, put their bodies back together after they have given birth, and continuing with an exercise regime afterwards. She not only provides an extremely welcoming community, but also very useful advice, and a place that women feel welcome and can talk. There’s nothing else like this, and she deserves recognition..”

– Ada K.

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“Marcella was kind, empathetic and professional. She was also able to accommodate us last-minute when we had breastfeeding concerns with our newborn. We would absolutely recommend her and work with her in the future if we have lactation issues!”

– Briana B.

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“Veronica is always ready to run out to support a new mom who is having feeding troubles, whether it be nursing, pumping and/or bottle feeding. She is someone who will show up same/next day, and really prioritizes those who are in immediate need. Veronica is always coming through in a pinch, when time is of the essence. She serves the Philadelphia Family community through a local pediatrician’s office but also has room for private clients. She has a heart of gold.”

– Nicole T.

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“The Breastfeeding Resource Center has been a phenomenal resource as a breastfeeding mother. They’ve helped me in countless ways through several issues surrounding feeding my girls through their 1st year of life, and extended breastfeeding support as well. Without them I’m not sure I could have made it through the challenges and had a positive and long (still ongoing) breastfeeding journey. Forever grateful for the amazing IBCLC’s at the BRC and all their help over the years. I’m also thankful that I’m now able to give back through their community counselor program and other volunteer opportunities to help others in need.”

– Kristina J.

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“Allison is an extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable Lactation Consultant. Her support was invaluable in the early days of my breastfeeding journey with my baby. She shared many hands-on tips and tricks that made our life with a newborn so much easier. Allison also has a great sense of what it takes to continue breastfeeding and pumping while working outside the home. I would recommend her highly to anyone in search of an excellent Lactation Consultant.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“I love working with Coral! As a mom, my mind, my time, and my priorities were frustratingly fragmented. Coral always provided time and space for me to think through things, with gentle prompts. Overall, I ended up with courage to go after the goals and ideas I had in my mind, and strategies to deal with all the concerns that I felt were stopping me before.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“The resources at Penn Parenting Resource Center came to my rescue twice with my first child. In December I attended their childbirth class with my partner. As a nurse, I went in wanting to learn about the birthing process for the first time since school over a decade prior, and also for the first time as an expecting mom. He went in wanting to know what to expect and how he could be most supportive. Four days later I had precipitous labor and what we learned in that class is the only reason we remained semi-calm while rushing our way to Pennsylvania Hospital to deliver!
Fast forward to 6 weeks postpartum and I was about to give up on breastfeeding. My baby was having difficulty nursing and I was in so much pain. Everyone says breastfeeding is painful at first, then after a bit you get used to it, so I just kept waiting. Finally when I was ready to give up, I gave a lactation consultation a try. I am now 4 months postpartum and proud to share that my baby and I are successfully still on our breastfeeding journey! This is genuinely only because of the support I received through my lactation appointments. The first was in person then I chose to do my next two virtually. It was so convenient, and I was able to continue breastfeeding without pain!”

– Amanda

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“Brandi is the BEST! She is extremely knowledgeable and approachable and we always laugh together. Her parenting insight is priceless and she communicates it so well.”

– Rachael F.

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“When my husband and I called Maria, our 8-month old was still waking up 2-3 times per night every single night and we were at wit’s end. Maria and her team kindly and quickly moved forward with a ‘diagnostic’ Zoom call, followed by creation of a customized sleep training program for our son. Maria spent a night at our house to make sure we kicked off the program correctly. She and her team were constantly available for support for the following several weeks. By night 7, our son was sleeping through the night and has never looked back! We joke that ‘there was life before Not a Peep, and life AFTER Not a Peep’. We are so grateful for this service and have recommended them a dozen times to friends and family since last year!”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“Bethany quickly became an extension of our family after hiring her postpartum Doula services when our son was 5 weeks old. We instantly connected as I saw how genuinely nurturing, self-assured, and calming she is. He is our first born, and at a time in life when everything feels flipped upside down, Bethany provided stability in our home and took amazing care of our little boy AND me, the mama! Such incredible cosmic energy. Thank you, Moon Goddess Mama!”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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“Liz is truly one of a kind!! Her soul shines and illuminates the lives of everyone around her!! She is dedicated to all whom she serves and goes above and beyond!!”

– Anna B.

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“I worked with Both the owner Jennifer and her partner Jes during my pregnancy and postpartum healing. The knowledge, patience and support they provide goes way beyond the typical massage experience. I received tips on positioning for better sleep, stretches to relieve my shifting aches, and pointers for how to keep my body healthy, comfortable, relaxed and energized while focusing all my attention on caring for a newborn.”

– Jamie G.

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“If you haven’t been to Art City Vets & Urgent Care, it’s really such a special place. Their vets and staff as a whole are some of the most caring people you’ll meet. They care about their clients and their family members and support the Philadelphia community in so many amazing ways. They hold community events that benefit rescues and when looking for an office cat, they look to help those who may be overlooked because of their special medical needs.”

– Kaity L.

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“Have been using them since they opened in Fishtown. They LOVE all the animals that come to them. I took my two older dogs to them in their last day, and the staff were so wonderful. Now we have a crazy Bully girl, but they are so good with her. It was a business that was lacking in our area until they opened up.”

– Philly Family Community Parent

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As we celebrate these outstanding Philadelphia Family LOVE Award Winners and Family Favorite Honorees, it’s clear that the Philly Family community is rich with resources for both new parents and pet owners. These exceptional businesses and professionals demonstrate a deep commitment to supporting families through some of life’s most important transitions and everyday care needs. Whether you’re seeking guidance for a smooth birth experience, looking for expert help with breastfeeding or sleep training, or searching for the perfect home-away-from-home for your pet, these award-winning providers offer the expertise, compassion, and quality care your family deserves. We encourage you to explore these valuable resources and connect with the dedicated professionals who are here to support you and your loved ones – both two-legged and four-legged – every step of the way. Be sure to explore the Main Line Parent Best for Families Guide and Bucks County Parent Best for Families Guide to find even more resources that can support your family’s journey.

Know a fantastic local resource that should be on this list? Share your experience with a Philadelphia Family Member on their Profile Page (we count new endorsements as nominations year-round)! If you’d like to Recommend a Resource that our community should know about, our team will reach out to any referrals with an invitation to join and will mail you a copy of our Community Magazine as a thank you gift. If you would like YOUR organization to be more connected with local parents, caregivers, and family-focused business leaders in our community, we invite you to join our Philadelphia Family Membership Program.