Save The Earth One Lunch At A Time - Plus Save 22% on PlanetBox Today Only!

With Earth Day coming up this weekend it feels like the perfect time to share one of my absolute favourite eco-friendly products. One that my family couldn't live without, and that I highly recommend to everyone (big or small) who packs a lunch. It's Planetbox!

I have been obsessed with PlanetBox since I bought a Rover lunch box for Ben almost 2 years ago when he was set to start Junior Kindergarten. I wanted a safe, eco-friendly lunch box that would make packing lunches simple, and be easy for him to handle at school. When I found PlanetBox I was immediately impressed. Ben has loved his Rover, so we knew we would need another one with Lucy set to start school this fall. 

I always tell people that PlanetBox lunch boxes are an initial investment, but so worth the money. Here's why:

• They are so easy to clean! - This has to be a priority when you have a kid...or 3 ;) PlanetBox lunch boxes are dishwasher safe, but we just wipe and rinse it with warm soapy water after school and let it dry in the rack (unless it was a particularly messy meal)
• They are perfect for litter-less lunches - Many schools now request this
• They are easy to open - This is especially important for little hands 
• They last for years - Their high quality stainless steal is actually warranted for 5 years!
• They save so much frustration - Avoid the daily chaotic search through dozens of containers and lids. Simplicity makes life much easier, especially as a parent.
• They are safe - non-toxic, non-leaching, safe from BPA, phthalates, and lead
• They are customizable - This matters less to me, but Lucy had a blast picking out her magnets and bag combo and was so excited to see her choices when they arrived. When her brother saw it he announced that he wanted a pink bag too. After almost 2 years of daily use, his Rover lunch box is still in great shape, but his bag has taken a beating (to be expected with a 4-6 year old who drags it through the halls at school), so I think we will replace it. If pink is what he wants, pink is what he'll get. 

If you have little one heading off to school this fall don't wait! **Use Code Earth22 for 22% off Rover, Shuttle or Launch lunch boxes Today Only (April 20th *accessories excluded). ORDER HERE

Once your order arrives don't forget to give your little one some opportunities to practice with their lunch box, so they can feel confident at school. We'll be planning some backyard picnics with Lucy's new PlanetBox this summer. I'll be sure to share some of our healthy lunch ideas on instagram too.

Care

p.s. If you want to check out another amazing eco-friendly product see my post from 2 years ago about Abeego Bees Wax Food Wrap

*We purchased our original planet box but were gifted a 2nd one from Planetbox for Lucy in exchange for promotion. In no way does this change my opinions about this product. It is hands down one of my favourites.

6 Teething Remedies to Help Your Fussy Baby

Before you have kids, teething seems like some event that happens over the course of a few days. Once you become a parent, you learn the truth about teething. That it lasts for years!!!

Some babies and toddlers barely seemed bothered by their erupting teeth. They sleep well, eat well and suddenly one day some adorable little chiclets appear in their mouth, but that's not the case for many babies, including mine. If you have a little one who is drooling profusely, gnawing on everything, and all out of sorts, there is a good chance they are teething. Some of the other symptoms babies experience are red cheeks, decreased appetite, loose bowel movements, diaper rash, red swollen gums, disrupted sleep and generally clingy behaviour. Sounds like fun eh? Well I'm here to help. Here is a roundup of my favourite ways to help support your little one through teething. As always, try to remember, this too shall pass. 

1. Teething Toys: Silicone and wooden toys that baby can safely chew on can help give them some relief and entertainment. (Details: Gertie the Goose, Wooden Teether, Silicone Red Teether)

2. Feeder With Frozen Fruit: If your little one is old enough to eat complimentary foods (approximately 6 months and beyond Learn more), fill up your silicone or mesh feeder with any type of frozen fruit and let baby enjoy a nice numbing sweet treat. 

3. Frozen Wash Cloth: Wet a baby wash cloth and place it in the freezer. Once it's frozen it can be removed for baby to chew on. Before giving to baby always make sure there are no sharp edges of ice, and allow the cloth to thaw for a few minutes to soften if necessary. You can also use the frozen wash cloth to gently massage your baby's gums if that provides them relief. 

4. Frozen Pineapple Core: This one is a win win for parents and baby. Simply cut all edible pineapple off the core to eat and enjoy. Then take the tough fibrous core and slice it into wedges approximately 1" wide x 3" long. Toss them in a container or baggie in the freezer and pull out a wedge of frozen pineapple core when baby is needing some relief. The great thing about it is that the core is so hard baby can't chew through it, and it's relatively mess free. Always ensure your baby is being attended while enjoying their frozen pineapple core.

5. Clove Oil: Essential oils are something that I've started to explore in the last year. When we were having some epic non-stop teething pain with Penny a few months ago, and she refused all pain medications, we decided to try clove oil. We diluted 2 drops of clove oil in 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil and rubbed a small amount on her gums. It seemed to provide some good relief and Penny didn't mind it. *Please Note: Clove oil should never be ingested directly and should always be mixed with a carrier oil to dilute it. Always test on yourself before applying to baby's gums and always ensure you are buying high quality food grade oils. 

6. Camilla:  With all of my babies I have found homeopathic Camilla by Boiroin to be a nice option to help with their irritability. There is no solid research to support homeopathic remedies, but I'm open to trying anything that is safe and within reason. After all, I don't claim to know all, and I don't think that we can prove everything with research studies. Camilla doesn't contain any alcohol or sugar and is safe to be used in combination with over the counter pain medications.

It's important to remember that numbing agents that are typically used for tooth pain are not safe for use on babies. Over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe options, but should be reserved for occassions when baby really needs them. Pain medications should not be used for long periods of time, and teething can go on for several weeks at a time...for several months...for several years. It's super fun ;) Good Luck!

Care 

*Note: There has been a lot of attention in the news in recent months about the safety of Hylands Homeopathic Teething Tablets. There has not been any concern about Boiron homeopathic products and there have been no issues within Canada. Homeopathic remedies should never be dangerous to your health, and all companies (whether traditional pharmaceuticals or homeopathics) should have stringent checks in place to ensure their product is being produced safely. More from Health Canada.

*This post is not sponsored

Everything You Need to Know About When to Start Solids With Baby

I get a ton of questions from parents in my community and online about when to start solids with baby. Starting Solids can be a very daunting task for parents and can be accompanied by a lot of self doubt and worry. Parents often fear they might not be doing what is nutritionally best, or safest, for their baby. In my Starting Solids Workshops I always like to remind parents that babies around the world start complimentary foods in many different ways, and that there is no one perfect way. In my classes I focus on encouraging parents to start solids when their baby is developmentally ready, to choose safe healthy foods, and to provide opportunities for their baby to feed themselves (aka baby led feeding/weaning). 

In recent years Health Canada and The Canadian Pediatric Society have changed their position on when it's best to start solids. The recommendation currently focusses on breastmilk or formula as the best food for baby for the first 6 months, and to start solids for healthy low risk babies around 6 months old. Of course there is no exact perfect time for every baby, so some babies will be a little before and some a little after 6 months, depending on their development. In babies who are at high risk of allergies (those with a diagnosed egg allergy or severe eczema) research is indicating it might be beneficial to start high allergen foods (eggs, nut butters, soy etc) sometime between 4-6 months (Learn More about the Newest Allergy Guidelines). The research is always changing, so don't feel guilty if you did it differently with your baby. 

I always remind parents that rather than focusing on your baby's exact age, it's essential to ensure that they are developmentally ready for solids, so we don't increase their risk of choking. Here are some of the things that we always look for when considering if a baby is ready for solids.

• Has baby lost their tongue thrust?

• Does baby have strong head and neck control?

• Can baby turn their head to the side to decline unwanted food?

• Can baby sit upright in a high chair or booster keeping their airway and food passage open, without slumping?

• Can baby bring objects to their mouth? e.g. toys

• Does Baby show an interest in your food and eating?

If the answer is yes to all of these, and your baby is approximately 6 months old, than it's probably time to start thinking about starting solids. 

A common question I get asked is "Should we start solids early to help baby sleep longer stretches at night?" Although this sounds like a good idea as it would keep baby fuller longer, it can actually backfire and cause more night time wakings if baby's digestive system isn't ready. It's also important to remember that night time wakings in infants are normal, and are tied to their rapidly developing brain. Parents are always free to make a decision to start solids earlier or later if that is what works for their baby and their family, but being informed is essential. Remember, you know your baby best.

Now that you know what signs to look for you can keep an eye on your babe and start solids when they're good and ready. Stay tuned for my next post in this series focusing on How to Safely Start Solids with Your Baby. I'll discuss both Baby Led Feeding (Baby Led Weaning) & Spoon Feeding, so you can do what works best for you and your baby. 

Please feel free to send along any questions or comments you have, and don't hesitate to ask for topics you would like me to cover in the future. 

- Care 

*Please speak to your physician if your baby was preterm or has special health concerns. This post is not intended to override any advice or recommendations provided by your health care team.

Parents, Please Stop Covering Your Baby's Face!

I've wanted to write a post about this for a long time, but kept holding off. Probably because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or make parents feel guilty, but that's not what this post is about. I am certain that almost every parent makes decisions with their kid's best interest at heart. We all want what is best for our little one's development, growth, and definitely safety. That's why it's always difficult to approach parents to discuss safety concerns about their little one when I'm hosting community events and teaching workshops. As a healthcare provider and expert in family safety I made a commitment long ago not to bother any parents about personal preferences or things that involve comfort, but safety concerns I cannot overlook. I would never forgive myself if an incident that I ignored led to a baby's harm, or even worse death. 

Lately I have had several incidents involving infants being brought to my events completely covered and concealed without adequate access to fresh air. In some cases it has been babies in their infant car seats with winter seat covers tightly closed around them. In other cases it was babies being worn in baby carriers with coat extensions zipped up fully covering the baby's face, or a blanket covering the baby's head. While I understand the cold weather can be daunting and hard to contend with (especially if you have well meaning people constantly chiming in on how cold baby is!), it is essential to remember that fresh oxygen flow is paramount, and that without it an infant can suffocate.

The importance of fresh air flow around our infant is one of the key messages in SIDs prevention and safe sleep, and is just as essential when our baby is in a car seat, stroller, or baby carrier. Seeing our baby's face allows us to assess their well being through their skin tone and breathing patterns. When we cover our baby completely, they lose access to fresh air, and we lose the ability to ensure they are well. The American Academy of Paediatrics reminds parents to "Be sure to leave baby's face uncovered to avoid trapped air and re-breathing.” It's important that parents are aware that covering a baby’s face completely in a carrier, car seat or stroller can lead to overheating and suffocation (eg. Image B below).

In addition, we must consider what is safe for use in our vehicles. Many retailers carry car seat bundling products that are not safe to use in a car seat. Just because it's on the shelf at the store does not mean it is safe. When I raise this in my Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops parents are often confused as to why products are sold in stores that might be unsafe for baby. In an age where products are constantly entering the marketplace it can be tough to assess what is safe. If a product passes testing for things like textile strength and flammability they often get put up on shelves without any assessment about how parents may use these products, and what real life risk they pose for babies. With the introduction and popularity of car seat covers in recent years, parents have been warned to avoid any covers that go between the baby’s body and the straps (Image A below). These types of covers impact the fit of the harness and do not allow for proper safe use of the car seat as directed by the manufacturer.

A - Backed Car seat covers are Not Safe for Use in car seats. Only for use in stroller seats.

B - Backless Product. Please always keep flap open so baby gets adequate airflow and baby's wellbeing can be assessed

C - Backless Product. Please always keep flaps open so baby gets adequate airflow and baby's wellbeing can be assessed

When preparing our kiddos to go in their car seats in cold weather it's recommended that we dress them in tight fitting compressible layers (not snowsuits or puffy bunting suits). A snug fitting fleece outfit like this one from MEC can be a good option. If you're planning to use something extra to help keep baby warm in their car seat, please make sure it is a product that does not interfere with placement or correct adjustment of the straps, or with fresh air flow. This typically means using a simple blanket tucked in around them once they are strapped in properly, or purchasing a "backless" car seat cover like the Skip Hop one pictured here. These are a great option for infants during our cold winters, but please always ensure you keep baby’s face visible.

The same goes for babies being worn in baby carriers. Recently Health Canada introduced a Public Service Announcement with the message "Visible & Kissable." It aims to remind parents that having our baby in an upright and supported position, without anything covering their face or blocking their access to fresh air, is essential. If baby is being worn in a baby carrier against their parent's body they should mainly be shielded from the wind. As you can see from the photo above of me babywearing Penny, she is well protected from the elements but her face and airflow are not obstructed in any way. If you're going out on an extremely cold day and are concerned about baby's exposed skin, a layer of shea butter or another natural barrier cream can help. If you want to learn more check out my post on Winter Babywearing Essentials.

If it's absolutely necessary to cover your baby for a brief moment to protect them from extreme cold (whether in a baby carrier, a car seat or a stroller) please use a breathable blanket, keep a very close eye on your baby and uncover them immediately. 

Our babies are really cute. Let's make sure we can always see their adorable faces. 

Care 

*This is not a sponsored post.

Please comment below with any questions or topics you would like me to cover in the future. 

5 Favourite Signs for Mealtime with Baby

Baby sign language is a great way to increase communication with your baby before oral language skills are developed. I love using sign language with our babies and have found it hugely helpful in reducing frustration in their non-verbal days. 

I often get asked when we started signing, and how we developed and added to our repertoire over time. I'll be sharing more about our journey with Baby Sign Language over the next few months, but for now I thought I would share a few of our favourite signs for mealtime. 

One of the ways that we naturally increased our sign language vocabulary was adding signs as we encountered new situations or started new routines for our babies. Starting Solids is a great time to introduce basic signs like food and drink, as well as signs that help baby tell us that they want more, or have had enough. These signs are especially important so we can ensure that we are always listening to our baby, and giving them full control over what, and how much, they eat. 

Watch this video of Penny to see one of our favourite Baby Led Feeding Breakfasts. Plus learn 5 of our Favourite Signs for Mealtime with Baby.

To learn more Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (more videos to come soon!) and check out my Starting Solids Workshops. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help registering, or have questions about group or private sessions. Have fun signing!

Care 

*This post is not sponsored.

Family Fun for March Break - Enter My TIFF digiPlaySpace GIVEAWAY!

A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to bring the kids to check out TIFF's digiPlaySpace. Since taking all 3 littles downtown on my own seemed a tad daunting for a Wednesday morning, I decided to make it a special date for my big guy Ben (with the baby in tow of course). When the day was done Ben declared "This was one of my best days ever!" So the short story is, if you haven't checked out this incredible interactive event for kids age 3+, you really should. But now, for some of the fun details. 

When we first arrived at the digiPlaySpace it was tough to choose what to check out first. There were so many amazing displays vying for our attention. We slowly worked our way around the room to see what sparked Ben's interest and was appropriate for his age (5 1/2) and ability. The clearly marked signs at each display had a description and recommended age, which made it simple to find suitable activities. 

We started off playing with polar bears and climbing mountains on the "Canada on (Green) Screen" by Parks Canada. Ben learned about LED Coding as he tossed balls through holes to create a complete circuit. We played, hugged and laughed with Little Robot Friends, and had fun making art with Drawbots. We also boogied down at the Animation Space Station. Ok maybe this one was just Mommy & Penny, Ben ditched us! Luckily I always look super cool dancing like a robot ;) 

As a parent, my favourite was seeing Ben in action with Osmo. This award winning game works with an iPad to create tactile and interactive learning opportunities for kids. Ben loved the coding activity and asked for Osmo to be added to his birthday list right after we left. 

When I asked Ben what his favourite activity was, he had a hard time choosing, but finally declared "Flight Painting!"  At this installation we controlled the height, colour, speed and brightness of a light to create a unique pattern that was captured in a long-exposure picture. This was one of my favourites too, because not only did we get to do it together, but we made some beautiful 3D light paintings like this one.

With March break around the corner I thought it would be fun to do a GIVEAWAY for a Family Pack of 4 tickets to TIFF's digiPlaySpace. The event is on until April 23, 2017 and is geared towards kids age 3-13, however every adult I saw there was having a blast too! Weekday admission is $11 per person and weekend admission is $13 per person. (Babies 2 and under are Free)

Don't wait! Enter Now for a Chance to WIN a Family Pack of 4 Tickets to The TIFF digiPlaySpace. Simply comment below with your name and email address, or alternatively you may comment below and submit your email address to info@fifty-seven.ca for entry. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

Contest is open to all residents of Canada and closes Thursday March 9th at 11pm EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. Good Luck!

- Care

* I did not receive any financial compensation for this post. TIFF provided admission for my family and for the Giveaway. All opinions are my own...and Ben's ;) 

Welcome to the Neighbourhood West End Mamas!

Photo Credit Jade Beall Photography

I'm so excited to welcome West End Mamas to our Bloor West Neighbourhood! This total wellness centre for motherhood was created by Sarah Mickeler, a neighbourhood mom and incredibly skilled Chiropractor. After almost 15 years of working with clients solely on fertility, pregnancy and postnatal issues, Sarah decided to create a space that focuses on supporting the whole journey of motherhood. 

West End Mamas officially opened their doors today, and will provide a wide variety of Wellness Services including: Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, Registered Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Lactation & Breastfeeding Support, Psychotherapy & Counselling, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition Services, Doula Services, and Parenting Coaching. You can find out more details about their Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum services online.

In addition to this incredible line up of services, West End Mamas will be hosting amazing educational workshops, wellness classes and community meetups in their bright studio space. I'm very honoured to be working with West End Mamas and offering some of my programs including: Infant/Family CPR & Safety Workshops, Starting Solids Workshops, Parent Prep Classes, FREE Babywearing Meetups, and FREE Breastfeeding Cafes. Space is extremely limited for these programs, so please don't wait to Register. 

As a Midwife and neighbourhood Mom of 3, I firmly believe that we need more spaces like this for hopeful, expectant and new families. Bringing together skilled clinicians and amazing educators means that families don't have to travel around this huge city to find the services, education and support they need. When I began Fifty-Seven I imagined it as a space like this, but my business took me in a different direction. I soon decided to focus on my own personal offerings via teaching, consulting, writing and speaking, but was always sad that there wasn't a space like this for my clients, friends, family and neighbours. Needless to say I am very happy that Sarah has come in to fill this huge void in our community. I know that West End Mamas will be a incredible source of support for local families.

Check out West End Mamas gorgeous website to learn more, and drop by some time to see their beautiful space in the heart of Bloor West (2477 Bloor St W, 2nd Floor). If you have any questions about services or programs offered please don't hesitate to Contact West End Mamas.

- Care 

Congrats On Your Move Diaper-eez!

Our good friends at Diaper-eez made a big move this past weekend. We're sad to see them leave the Bloor West strip, but we're so happy that they're staying in the neighbourhood. Their Bloor Street location closed on February 19th and their new boutique location at 501 Runnymede Rd (Runnymede & Annette) opened yesterday. Drop by to check out the new shop and mention With-Care for 10% off*. If you can't make it in to the store, head online and use code withcare for 10% off*

 

Diaper-eez new store hours at 501 Runnymede Rd.

• Tuesday-Friday: 12pm-5pm
• Saturday: 10am-5pm
• Sunday-Monday: Closed

Thanks for shopping small and supporting our local stores. 

- Care 

*Some restrictions apply