Hi there! Welcome to Bayside Babies. I'm the owner, Elise McNamara. I am a Newborn Care Specialist, Postpartum Doula, and Child Passenger Safety Technician living in Irvine, CA where I reside with my husband, our three sons, and our two rescue pups. 

 

Prior to diving into the private childcare industry as a full-time nanny at the ripe age of nineteen, I originally began college with the intent to study Animal Science, then go on to become a high school Agriculture Teacher. When people ask how I got here, the answer is, and has always been "on accident". I was teaching swim lessons less than a year out of high school and a regular family needed a nanny for their three young children. Knowing I loved working with children, I hastily volunteered. I went on to serve that family for more than 2.5 years. A few nanny families, and over nine years later, I officially made the switch to full-time newborn care in June 2018.

 

As I worked side by side with new parents multiple times over, I quickly saw how valuable postpartum support could be. Becoming a mom gave me a whole new perspective, and I quickly learned that not only was it valuable, but critical. Surrounding myself with evidence based support and knowledge was key in my success as a new mom.  

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I have experience working with moms with postpartum mood disorders, and my Postpartum Doula background allows me to provide family centered and emotional support whilst still working towards routine and sleep conditioning goals. My intent is to always empower you by providing proper support and education, while meeting you where you are in your parenting journey.

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I'm so glad you're here!

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