Care Sinclair 7/30/19 Care Sinclair 7/30/19

Save On Essentials With Love Me Do Baby & Maternity's NEW Love Points Loyalty Program + Get 150 BONUS POINTS!!

Shopping for a new baby, and keeping up with our little one’s ever changing needs, can be an expensive endeavour for parents. So it’s always nice to find ways to save a little money along the way, while not compromising on quality or service. One of my all time favourite local & online baby boutiques, Love Me Do Baby & Maternity, is doing just this. The owner Linda, and her amazing team, always offer the most incredible customer service experience (eg. they have the sweetest spot to rest & play, offer Complimentary Professional Car Seat Installation with car seat purchase, and host tons of In-store events), and now they’ve introduced a NEW Love Points Loyalty Program, that earns you points toward future purchases!* In the world of parenting it really doesn’t get much better than free stuff.

The best part is that they made it so simple. All you need to do is create a customer profile with your name and email address (profile can be made in-store, or you can Register Online by clicking the “check rewards” tab). Once you’re all set up, there are a whole bunch of simple ways you can start to earn points to redeem at the store. You’ll even get special stuff like birthday points! As a very special perk Enter Code SHOPWITHCARE at checkout to recieve 50 Bonus Points! Plus if you share a photo of your purchase on Instagram and tag With Care & Love Me Do Baby & Maternity you’ll receive an additional 100 Bonus Points!!

Since so many of us live in small spaces it’s all about quality over quantity, and finding the perfect product to suit your needs. I always appreciate that Love Me Do keeps their inventory and their “Registry Essentials” list to just that, quality essentials! They understand parenting and living in a city. They don’t want to add to your stress by breaking your budget or weighing you down with unnecessary stuff. Make sure to head over to Love Me Do online and set up your profile so you can start earning points today! You can thank me when you earn your first free purchase ;)

- Care

*Some Conditions & Restrictions Apply. Full Details

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Care Sinclair 7/9/19 Care Sinclair 7/9/19

3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families - In Partnership with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation (Video)

Summer is here! Time for outdoor adventures, endless fun, and a few extra scrapes & bruises ;) While summer is undoubtedly the most exciting season, it’s also one that requires some special safety considerations for our little ones. As a CPR & Safety Educator I love supporting parents to learn about family safety, so needless to say I am thrilled to partner with the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation to bring you 3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families.

3 Summer Safety Essentials For Families.jpg

Watch this video to learn about preventing overheating and dehydration in our little ones (so important in our hot summer weather!), learn proper helmet safety for the whole family, and find out how to keep our kids safe on the playground. Parents are often shocked to hear about one of the most common, and preventable, causes of leg fractures in toddlers on the playground. This is a must watch for all parents!

I hope these tips help keep you and your family safe this summer season, but please know that when accidents happen, or your little one needs a check-up from a friendly neighbourhood doctor, the St. Joe’s Just For Kids Clinic is right here in our West End community ready to help. It’s Toronto’s first, and only, Paediatric walk-in clinic in a hospital setting. The warm friendly decor and design of the clinic, along with the interactive games and play area, make children feel comfortable and safe while they wait to meet with the paediatric health care team. If you’ve never accessed the incredible services that St. Joe’s has to offer, make sure to check it out. Follow @stjoestoronto on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to learn more about the health care services available to you and your family. Plus learn more about how you can help the hospital and foundation, so they can keep their promise to continue to provide the families in our community with the best health care possible.

Watch 3 summer safety essentials for families

Have a Happy & Safe Summer!

- Care

In This Video:

*Please note: The information in this video is meant to help you learn about summer safety. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. The information provided is not intended to override your health care providers recommendations for your individual child.

Care Sinclair 12/20/18 Care Sinclair 12/20/18

How To Use A Ring Sling With A Newborn

Getting the hang of a ring sling can take some practice, but they’re such great carriers once you do. I love ring slings because they’re super lightweight and fold up small making them perfect for tossing in my diaper bag or purse, so I’m always prepared while we’re out and about. Kind of essential with 4 kids ;)

Join me and my 5 week old baby Freddy to learn how to use a ring sling safely and comfortably. In this video I’m featuring a linen ring sling by Potter & Pehar. I absolutely love the soft neutral colour of this Elora sling, but to be honest it’s hard to choose a fav from their gorgeous collection. Potter & Pehar products are beautifully designed to simplify motherhood, and I love that they’re all made locally in Toronto. Plus the business is owned and run by two kick ass women (Shelley & Tina), who are always available for customer support via email, facebook, and instagram. I have several Potter & Pehar slings, and have personally used them with my babes and while teaching at my monthly Free Community Babywearing Drop In. This is definitely a biz that feels good to support. You can use Code WITHCARE10 for 10% off Potter & Pehar.

Watch: how to use a ring sling with a newborn

I hope you enjoyed my video. Please comment below with any questions, and let me know if you have any topics you would like me to cover in the future. Don’t forget to Subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date of all of my new videos.

- Care

In This Post:

“Elora” Ring Sling: Potter & Pehar *Use Code WITHCARE10 for 10% Off | How To Thread A Ring Sling Video

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about safe babywearing. There are many ways to safely use a carrier, but I demonstrate how I typically teach ring sling use. Please always refer to your particular baby carrier manual to ensure proper and safe use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such.

Care Sinclair 8/14/18 Care Sinclair 8/14/18

Forward Facing Babywearing 101 - Safety, Ergonomics & Carrier Styles, What You Need To Know

As a mom of 3 and a Babywearing Educator I get a ton of questions from parents in my community and online about appropriate positions to babywear. So I wasn't surprised when Nikki Bergen, local mama and creator of The Belle Method, contacted me to answer some of her own questions about forward facing babywearing. I met with Nikki in her home and we went over the most important things to consider when planning to forward face your baby. We chat safety, ergonomics, carrier styles, and I even give my top babywearing tip! Watch the video to learn more.

***Disclaimer: As a Babywearing Educator I always recommend inward facing, hip, and back carries as the most ergonomic for parents and babe, but when a parent chooses to forward face, my job is to help them do it in the safest and most ergonomic way possible, not to judge or shame them. There is no solid evidence that shows that short periods of forward facing babywearing cause hip dysplasia or improper spinal development. Please remember that what one parent decides is right for them and their baby, might not be the same as what you would decide, but that does not make them a bad, careless or uneducated parent.

Don't forget to join me at my next FREE Community Babywearing Drop In at West End Mamas on September 18th. It's a great way to try some new carriers and learn how to use your existing carriers safely and comfortably. If you want some more personalized help contact me directly (care@with-care.ca) about my Private In-Home Babywearing Consultations & Workshops.

Please note that if you're feeling any pain, pressure, or discomfort while babywearing you should always reach out to a pelvic floor physiotherapists to help assess the situation. Here in Toronto West End Mamas has an amazing team of Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists ready to help (I speak from personal experience), so make sure to give them a shout to set up an appointment. They offer on-site childcare, plus mention With Care for 20% off your 1st wellness service.

Don't forget to check out The Belle Method to learn more about Nikki's amazing online exercise programs designed to support your pelvic floor and core throughout pregnancy and postpartum, plus her incredible local classes in Toronto. You can also watch a recent video we made together where Nikki shares her Top 3 Pregnancy Exercises.

Please feel free to comment below with any questions or topics you would like covered in future videos. Happy Babywearing!

- Care

In this post:

West End Mamas: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists, Get 20% off your 1st Service when you mention With Care | Little Zen One: Beco Gemini Carrier as seen in video. Plus they are getting the Tula Explore in stock soon, it also provides a Forward Facing Option (Use Code WITHCARE for $15 off purchases over $100 at Little Zen One) | Love Me Do Baby & Maternity: Sells the Lilibaby Complete All Seasons Carrier which also provides a Forward Facing Option | Ergobaby 360, also provides a Forward Facing Option

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about safe babywearing. Please always refer to your particular baby carrier manual to ensure proper and safe use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such.

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend

Care Sinclair 7/25/17 Care Sinclair 7/25/17

Keeping Our Kiddos Safe In Summer - Preventing, Recognizing & Treating Overheating & Dehydration

Summertime is so much fun with little ones, but it can also be a dangerous season if we don't consider how to keep our little ones cool and hydrated during extreme heat. Babies and young children have a smaller amount of liquid in their body, so dehydration can progress more quickly than in adults. Additionally, babies and young children can't sweat as well as adults, so they can have a hard time cooling their bodies down once they begin to heat up, putting them at higher risk of overheating. That's why it's very important to keep a close eye on your little ones on hot and humid days. Most of the time we can recognize the early signs and symptoms of dehydration and overheating (heat exhaustion & heat cramps) and work to prevent any serious issues. If ignored, these can progress to Heat Stroke and Severe Dehydration - which are a medical emergency and life threatening.

As a CPR & Safety Instructor and mom of 3, I get lots of questions about keeping kids safe from the sun and heat in the summer months. So today, I'm sharing a few tips on keeping your kiddos safe from the sun, and preventing overheating and dehydration. Plus how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses, and what to do if you're concerned about your little one.

How to Keep Littles Safe In the Sun:

It is recommended that babies under 6 months old stay out of the sun, and sunscreens are not recommended. If you absolutely can't keep baby shaded from the sun, a small amount of sunscreen is typically safer than sun exposure to their sensitive skin.
Cover up as much skin as possible with light loose breathable clothing
For kids and babies over 6 months use a broad spectrum sun screen of SPF30+ daily on exposed skin, and don't forget to reapply frequently. This is my current favourite
Use a brimmed hat and UV protective sunglasses (if your little will keep them on!)
Stay in the shade as much as possible
Use UV protective clothing and swim suits
Use umbrellas to create shade

When parents are concerned about sun exposure they often cover their baby completely, putting them at a much higher risk of overheating. Here are some tips to reduce that risk and keep babies & big kids safe on hot days.

How to Reduce the Risk of Heat Related Illnesses:

Stay home on heat/smog advisory days, or head to air conditioned spaces e.g. libraries, community centres, shopping centres
Dress in light breathable natural fabrics
Play outside before 10am & after 4pm when the sun is less intense
Play in the shade
Use a sprinkler, water mister, or fan to stay cool
Encourage hydration throughout the day. Breastmilk/Formula are the main forms of hydration for infants under 1 year, but a small amount of water is appropriate if you're concerned about their fluid intake on a hot day. Clear fluids like water and coconut water are ideal. You can flavour water with fresh fruit for a nice change. Popsicles are also a great way to hydrate and stay cool. Kids can get distracted when having fun, so make sure you stop regularly for hydration breaks.
Eat foods with high water content eg. watermelon, cucumbers, cantaloupe, blueberries, oranges etc
Never leave a baby, child or pet in a parked car, even for a moment. A parked car can reach life threatening temperatures within minutes.
When out and about with your stroller or car seat avoid using plastic sun covers, and never fully cover your baby. A few years ago a Swedish research study showed that a covered stroller or car seat can become dangerously hot very quickly, even with a light muslin blanket. If you are using a stroller cover, please ensure it's a UV protective breathable mesh cover, or ensure you don't cover the entire opening. Always prioritize air flow to baby.

You should always be able to see your baby's face without lifting up the fabric. Oh hot sunny days I use a set of Kiddie Clips to hold a light weight blanket in place which creates good sun cover for Penny's bare legs, but does not block the air circulation to her face. If you're ever draping a blanket over a car seat please ensure there is adequate air flow and that baby is always visible. (*Special offer from Kiddie Clips below)

If you're babywearing try to choose a carrier made of a lightweight breathable fabric like linen, or one with a mesh panel to allow air flow. My favourite in the summer months are my Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling and my new I-Angel Hip Seat Carrier with mesh panel. If you or baby is getting too hot make sure you take a break and remove baby from the carrier to cool off in the shade or inside. *These are only 2 examples of carriers which are ideal for summer wearing. I always encourage parents to "try before you buy", as you never know what will fit you and your babywearing needs best until you try it with your own baby. Join me at my monthly FREE Babywearing Drop In to learn more about babywearing, or to try any of my carriers.

Even when we follow these recommendations overheating can happen in our extreme climate. Learn the signs and symptoms below so you will know how to recognize heat related illnesses early, and treat them to avoid an emergency.

Signs and Symptoms of Overheating and Dehydration:

Change in behaviour eg. lethargy, drowsiness, irritability
Muscle Cramps
Decreased urination/dark yellow urine
Headache
Extreme thirst
Nausea/Vomiting
Cool, clammy skin
Weakness/Fainting
Fever
Rapid breathing & heart rate

What to Do If You Notice Concerning Symptoms:

Bring person to a cool place indoors, an air-conditioned car, or shady area
Remove excess clothing
Encourage hydration (clear, non-caffeinated, non-carbonated liquids are best)
Apply a cool wet cloth to skin *Here's one of my fave mom hacks for summer. If we're headed out on a long summer day trip I always plan ahead and freeze a few water bottles in the deep freeze the night before. The frozen bottles stay cold late into the day and keep the rest of the food/drinks cool. They can be used to hydrate, but can also be applied to the back of the neck/wrist, or thawed cold water can be poured over a piece of fabric for a compress, to help cool someone off if need be.
With mild symptoms continue to encourage hydration and monitor closely.
If they are refusing liquids, and symptoms are not improving or becoming more serious, contact your health care provider or head to a clinic to get health care immediately.
Always call 911 if situation becomes life threatening (eg. overheating or dehydration causing rapid breathing, a true fever, increased heart rate, fainting, unresponsiveness)

I hope these tips make you feel more confident caring for your babes in our hot summer months. In my experience parents focus so much on their little ones well being, and often forget about their own. So here's a friendly reminder for all parents, and especially the nursing mamas out there, to up your hydration during the summer months so you to keep up with the increased hydration your body needs.

If you want to learn more about keeping your family safe throughout the year check out my Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops (Private in-home and public group classes available). As a little gift please use code: sunsmart10 for 10% off your own set of Kiddie Clips. Please post any questions or comments below, and let me know if you have any topics you would like me to cover.

Care

IN THIS POST:

Ollibaby Kiddie Clips *10% off code: sunsmart10 | I Angel: Grey Chevron Hip Seat Carrier | Tiny Trendsetter: Chambray Bonnet & Saltwater Sandals | Diaper-eez: UV suits, Baby Sunglasses *10% off code: Withcare | Sakura Bloom: Linen Ring Sling | Uppababy Vista Stroller | Bonjour Baby Baskets Little Unicorn Official Strawberry Blanket

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Care Sinclair 11/29/16 Care Sinclair 11/29/16

Winter Babywearing Essentials

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of babywearing. I babywear almost 365 days a year and don't know how I would survive life as a Mom of 3 without my carriers. Although many people express shock and horror at the idea of trudging through the snow wearing a baby, I can tell you from experience that it's a lot easier wearing baby...

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of babywearing. I babywear almost 365 days a year and don't know how I would survive life as a Mom of 3 (edited to note: now 4!) without my carriers. Although many people express shock and horror at the idea of trudging through the snow wearing a baby, I can tell you from experience that it's a lot easier wearing baby than trying to push a stroller through the snow on sidewalks and up snowbanks. I've had lots of questions recently about winter babywearing, so I thought I would share a few of my essentials for surviving the winter with a baby (or toddler) in tow.

Must Haves For Parent (Babywearer)

1. Flat Winter Boots with Good Tread

Babywearing is safe in most wintery conditions, but it's essential that you have good footing under you. A flat pair of properly fitting winter boots with a nice deep tread are ideal. You can also purchase boots with special grips or add traction devices to your shoes. I recommend that you don't babywear if there is an ice warning, it's a particularly slippery day, or if you have any injuries that could make you more likely to fall.

2. Babywearing (& Pregnancy) Coat Adapter

Skip the snow suit and wear baby inside your coat! Bridge the Bump (Made locally by 2 West End Moms - See full review here) makes leaving the house with baby so much easier. All you have to do is dress baby in normal warm cloths (cozy pants, socks, a warm shirt, sweater, hat and booties - see below) and pop them in the carrier inside your coat with the insert zipped up. Having the baby directly in the carrier typically means that it will fit better (vs. if they have bulky winter gear on) and your body heat will keep you both warm. This is ideal for errands and trips where you will be going inside, as you can simply open your coat or take it off and baby can stay in their carrier without the dangers of overheating in their snow suit or trapping you in your warm coat.

3. Slim Neckwarmer

Having the top of your coat open to accommodate a baby in a carrier can leave a gap around your neckline leaving your skin exposed to the weather. To cover up this gap and stay warm a slim fitting neck warmer is ideal. Be careful of large, bulky, loose scarves and neck warmers that could impede baby's fresh flow of air or cover their face in any way. This beautiful neck warmer from Bridge the Bump is a new fav of mine because it's super cozy but also slim, so it sits close to my skin and doesn't bother Penny.

Must Haves For Baby

4. Winter Hat for Baby

When wearing our baby we always want them to be visible and kissable. Visible means we never want to cover baby's face with a blanket, carrier hood, or scarf, even in the winter months. Parents are very concerned about their baby staying warm in the cold weather, but when baby is facing in against an adult the body heat created should keep them nice and cozy. A winter hat, ideally something that covers the back of the neck, will keep baby warm, but not impede their fresh flow of air or block your view of their face. If you have concerns about your baby's skin getting chapped in the cold air you can apply a thick barrier cream such as Shea butter before heading out.

5. Winter Booties for Baby

Since your baby won't be in a snow suit in their carrier I recommend some cozy booties to keep their toes and legs nice and warm. There are tons of great booties out there, but I recently found these locally made ones from Mimitens and absolutely love them for little babes who aren't walking yet. They're thinsulate, water resistant, and have a leg warmer attached. This is key for me, because they are less likely to fall off and be lost on treacherous winter walks. It's never fun to realize you've lost one bootie from your favourite pair. I think these might actually survive a whole season!

The real winter weather has yet to arrive, but I know when it does Penny and I will be ready. I hope I've given you some winter babywearing inspiration. If you prep now you can enjoy a winter with your cozy babe in tow. *Don't forget to use code WITHCARE10 for 10% off Bridge The Bump.

- Care

Care Sinclair 11/9/16 Care Sinclair 11/9/16

NEW Monthly Babywearing Meetup!

I've had so many requests for Babywearing advice from community parents, friends and family, I have decided to start a monthly West End Babywearing Meetup. Bring your babies and join me on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:30am-11am at Body Language Academy of Dance (272 Jane St). This is a FREE community event, open to all families.

I've had so many requests for Babywearing advice from community parents, friends and family, I have decided to start a monthly West End Babywearing Meetup. Bring your babies and join me on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:30am-11am at Body Language Academy of Dance (272 Jane St). This is a FREE community event, open to all families. *Please Note: As of March 2017 the West End Babywearing Meetup will be moved to West End Mamas at 2477 Bloor St W 2nd Floor.

This casual gathering will allow local parents to meet, learn about baby wearing, chat about parenting and get some extra support. Don't forget to bring your own carrier (if you have one) so you can learn how to use it properly. Plus, feel free to try a carrier from my collection. I have a selection of carriers including Ring Slings, Woven Wraps, Stretchy Wraps, Mei Tais, Soft Structured Buckle Carriers & Backpack Style carriers. When it comes to baby wearing it's always ideal to "Try Before You Buy", so join me and find what works best for you and your baby.

Hope to see you at our first baby wearing meetup next Wednesday November 16th (Calendar of Events). Feel free to send along any questions to info@fifty-seven.ca or comment below.

- Care