Free new parent group in Wauwatosa
Baby & Me: a peer group for parents with babies 12 months & under
your village is waiting
A cozy, come-as-you-are peer group for new parents & their babies at Little Village Play Cafe in Wauwatosa. Coffee in hand, we stroll the neighborhood when it's nice out & cozy up inside when it's not. No cost. No sign-up. Just show up.
What is Baby & Me?
Baby & Me is a free weekly peer support group for parents & caregivers with babies 12 months & under at Little Village Play Cafe, 6505 W North Ave in Wauwatosa, WI. It meets every Monday from 8:30 to 9:30am. There's no cost & no registration, you just show up.
We know this season is beautiful, and a lot. The snuggles, the sleepy smiles, but also the sleepless nights, the overwhelm & the "am I doing this right?" moments that sneak in daily. Baby & Me is a soft place to land in the middle of the swirl. A place to connect, share, exhale & remember you're not doing this alone.
If it's nice out, we head out for a stroller walk thru the neighborhood. If it's not, we cozy up inside the play space for circle time. Either way, you'll leave with a warm drink, a few new names in your phone & the feeling that somebody gets it. If you've been searching for a new mom group in Wauwatosa, a postpartum support group near Milwaukee, or a stroller walk group in Tosa, this is the one.
A typical Monday morning
An easy hour with a gentle rhythm, so you always know what's coming. Arrive late, leave early, feed the baby in the middle. It's all fine here.
Settle in
Make a name tag, grab a drink from the cafe, find a comfy spot & meet a friend.
Circle or stroll
Stroller walk if it's nice, circle time inside if it's not. A weekly prompt, rose & thorn, and shared topics.
Mix & mingle
Pack up, swap phone numbers & say your see-you-laters. Same time next week.
Who Baby & Me is for
- New parents with babies 12 months & under, newborns welcome
- Moms, dads, partners, grandparents & nannies alike
- Parents on leave who need a reason to leave the house
- Families new to Wauwatosa or Milwaukee looking for their people
- Anyone craving adult conversation & a warm drink on a Monday
- Parents who could use a reminder that they're doing great
Why this group means so much to me
Before my son was born, I prided myself on getting things right. Then I brought a baby home & learned, fast, that babies are not something you can perfect.
Those early months were the most love I'd ever felt & some of the hardest days I'd ever had, all at once. Postpartum anxiety & depression snuck in. Scary, intrusive thoughts I didn't have words for sat right next to a fierce adoration for this tiny person. It was so much to hold, & I was so confused by how both could be true at the same time.
I had a beautiful village of friends & family. But saying those things out loud to them felt terrifying. What I needed was a room of moms who were in the thick of it too. No judgment, no advice unless I asked, just people who could nod & say "me too." I found that in a few places, & I will forever be grateful to Moms Mental Health Initiative for carrying me thru those early years of beautiful chaos. But I kept wishing there were more spots in Milwaukee where a brand new parent could walk in & feel embraced.
That wish is a big part of why Little Village exists. And from day 1, a free Baby & Me group was non-negotiable. So if you're in the thick of it right now, come sit with us. You don't have to have it figured out. You just have to show up.
Warmly, AbiFounder & mom, Little Village Play Cafe
Kristin Heacox
Director of Education · Early Childhood Educator · Tosa mom of 2
Kristin is a Tosa mom with 2 boys, & she gets it. She's been in the thick of it too: the long nights, the second-guessing, the days that somehow feel both endless & gone in a blink. That's the heart she brings to Baby & Me every Monday. She sets the weekly prompt, keeps the circle warm & makes sure nobody leaves without feeling heard. She's also the first to say the parents are the real experts in the room.
She pairs that with a Bachelor's in Education from UW-Milwaukee, a focus on early childhood & 3 years leading classes at Little Village. And once you & your little one have graduated from Baby & Me, you can step right up to her next class, Little Learners, a more interactive, play-based class for toddlers ages 1 to 3.
- Tosa mom of 2 boys
- Bachelor's in Education, UW-Milwaukee
- Early childhood focus
- Hosts Baby & Me
- Leads Little Learners
Why parents keep coming back
Zero pressure, zero prep
No registration, no fee, no need to RSVP or show up on time. Come once, come every week, or come back after a month off. Your spot is always here.
A real cafe, built for this
Espresso, comfy couches, a nursing-friendly space & changing tables. Grab a drink on your way in, feed the baby whenever you need to & settle in. This hour was made for you.
Where we meet
Little Village Play Cafe
6505 W. North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
414-477-2188
Free street parking on North Ave & the surrounding side streets. Come in the front door & look for the name tags.
We're 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee, 5 minutes from Tosa Village & Mayfair, and a quick drive from Brookfield, Elm Grove, Menomonee Falls, Shorewood & Whitefish Bay.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baby & Me really free?
Yes, always. No fee, no membership required, no strings. If you'd like a coffee from the cafe, that's the only thing you'd pay for.
Do I need to sign up?
Nope. Just show up any Monday at 8:30am. No registration, no RSVP, no commitment.
When & where is Baby & Me?
Every Monday from 8:30 to 9:30am at Little Village Play Cafe, 6505 W North Ave in Wauwatosa, WI. It runs year-round.
What ages is it for?
Babies 12 months & under, from brand-new newborns on up. Once your little one turns 1, Little Learners is the natural next step, and it's right after Baby & Me on Mondays.
Is it just for moms?
Not at all. Dads, partners, grandparents, nannies & any caregiver with a baby are welcome. It's a parent group, not a mom group.
What if it rains or it's freezing?
We skip the stroller walk & cozy up inside the play space for circle time instead. Baby & Me happens every Monday, whatever Wisconsin throws at us.
What if my baby cries the whole time?
Then your baby will fit right in. Feed, change, bounce, step out & come back. Nobody here is judging, we've all been there.
Can I bring an older sibling?
Baby & Me is designed for babies 12 months & under so parents can focus on connecting, but we know life happens. Reach out to Kristin if you're in a pinch.
Do I need a stroller?
No. Baby carriers are perfect for the walk, and on inside days you won't need either. Bring whatever's easiest for you.
What should I bring?
Just you & the baby. A blanket for the floor is nice for inside days, but we have plenty. Socks are handy since the play space is shoes-off.
More for your crew at Little Village
Mondays are for classes at Little Village. When your baby's ready for more, we're ready too.
Little Learners
Mondays at 9:30 or 11am, right after Baby & Me. Parachute, music, storytime & sensory play. First class free.
Learn more →
Story Sprouts
A preschool-style drop-off class with lunch included, for when your baby is suddenly a big kid.
Learn more →
Memberships
1 price covers your whole family. Unlimited open play, free classes every month & 10% off everything in the cafe.
See membership options →Your village is waiting.
Mondays at 8:30am in Wauwatosa. No cost, no sign-up, no pressure. Bring the baby, bring the bags under your eyes & come find your people.