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 (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

 *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.

Nursing Mama Giveaway!

Now that I'm 5 1/2 years into nursing my 3 babes I've become a bit of an expert on breastfeeding friendly attire.  So I was very excited to try out Bridge The Bump's new Reversible Maternity Top. This beautiful top is designed by 2 local moms and made right here in Toronto, which is amazing! I'm always a huge advocate of shopping local, because supporting local businesses means supporting local families...but that's a whole other post. 

What I love most about this top is that it's intended to be worn facing one way while pregnant and then flipped around to accommodate easy access for nursing once your little one arrives. The versatility of this shirt means that you'll get a lot more wear out of it than a typical maternity or nursing shirt.

The cut of this top is perfect post-baby because the fabric flows away from the body, avoiding clinging to areas that you may not want to highlight right after giving birth. Plus it can be layered with a light tank underneath if you want a little extra coverage. The fabric is easy to clean and it dries quickly, which is always appreciated by this busy mama. 

With 5 beautiful colours available: Beige, Black, Burnt Orange, Cobalt & Plum, there is bound to be one that looks amazing on everyone. Pair it with some jeans for a casual look or throw it together with a beautiful necklace, some fancy pants and a pair of heels for a special event. Yup, I said fancy pants...I'm such a mom ;) 

I love my Reversible Maternity Top so much that I've partnered with Bridge the Bump & Diaper-eez to GIVEAWAY an incredible Nursing Mama gift package that includes:

• 1 Bridge the Bump Reversible Maternity Top (Value $54.95)
• 1 Bravado Body Silk & Seamless Nursing Bra (Value $55.00)
• 1 Boogalu Teething Necklace (Value $24.99)

Enter now, by commenting below with your name and email address, for a chance to WIN. Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more ways to enter! 

This contest is open to all residents (18+) of Canada & The Continental USA and runs until Tuesday November 29th 2016 at 11pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Winner to choose colour and size of products from Diaper-eez, pending availability.

Don't wait, Enter NOW! Plus don't forget to enter on Instagram & Facebook.

- Carolyn

*Receive 10% off your Bridge the Bump Reversible Nursing Top and other amazing products at Diaper-eez with promo code: withcare *some exclusions apply

*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.

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.  *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 

Wonderwear Cloth Diaper Service Review & GIVEAWAY!

I love cloth diapers, but I have to admit that the more kids you have the less ideal washing your own cloth diapers becomes. Especially when you're trying to run a home, a few businesses, and perhaps stay sane in the process. So this spring when we faced the diaper dilemma with the pending arrival of our daughter Penny we debated Cloth vs Disposable once again, but this time we added the option of a service into the discussion.

There are so many incredible benefits of cloth diapers for the environment, our finances, and our baby's health (More Info), but the laundry involved can be daunting. I had never been keen on a service because they often bleach the diapers with harsh chemicals and some wash their diapers at facilities that also launder adult diapers for longterm care homes. As a health care provider and mother, this doesn't sit well with me.

So I was just a tad excited to learn about Wonderwear Modern Diaper Service, a weekly cloth diaper delivery service that provides cloth diapers and wipes as well as a host of amazing products for sale to their clients in and around the GTA (Service Areas). Wonderwear asked me to spread the word about their diaper service to my clients, but I needed to try them out myself before being able to review their quality. After 4 months of use I can say that we LOVE Wonderwear! Penny gets all the benefits of cloth diapers, and I don't have to do all the work! 

The Best Parts:

• Super Easy - Remove the wet diaper, wipe baby's bum, and toss the diaper and cloth wipe into the wet diaper bag provided. No rinsing, scraping, soaking etc. Put a fresh diaper and cover on baby and you're ready to go! Weekly delivery times are set by Wonderwear's neighbourhood schedule, but everything can be done from your doorstep without you needing to be there.
• Amazing Diapers - Super soft, fluffy and breathable, but also adsorbent because they are made of a combination of micro fibre & cotton. This means less leaks and rashes!
• Fit Like a Glove - 10 sizes (including nighttime heavy wetters and inserts) means they always fit properly, decreasing the risk of leaks. Simply send a quick email if you need to change your size, request more or less diapers, or pause the service for a vacation. 
• You Save $$ - I will admit that washing your own cloth diapers at home is the most economical you can go, but Wonderwear still ends up being cheaper than disposable diapers and wipes, especially when you consider that most cloth diapered children potty train earlier. 
• All Natural - No Bleach or chlorine is used in laundering Wonderwear diapers, just super hot water. This means the diapers always arrive smelling fresh and clean and don't cause irritation or rashes from built up detergent residue in the fibres. Plus they help reduce the huge impact diapers have on our landfills.

Enter now, by commenting below with your name and email address, for a chance to WIN a $50 Gift Certificate for Wonderwear Modern Diaper Service. *Plus make sure to check out our Facebook page & Instagram feed for 2 more chances to enter! Contest closes Friday Oct 14th 11pm EST and winner will be chosen at random and announced within 24 hours. *Prize must be redeemed for services and products delivered in the GTA (currently: North to Barrie, West to Hamilton, East to Oshawa) 

Good Luck!

- Care

*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.

Awesome Summer Pop Ups in the 6ix!

The city is bursting with summer fun and a few of my favourite online stores are having amazing summer Pop Up Shops, so I thought I would share the details. 

Pop up shops have become such a fun way to meet amazing online retailers & small local vendors, and get a chance to see the products up close and in person. Plus they often come with exclusive offers that can't be beat! Check out these 2 great upcoming sales!

1. The Toronto Urban Collective

Voted as one of the Best Summer Markets, The Toronto Urban Collective brings together a collection of the city's finest local artists, craft makers, photographers, designers and artisan chefs. With dozens of beautiful vendors to meet, products to see, and delicious food to taste, this is a summer event you don't want to miss! 

This year our friends Amelie & Max will be at The Toronto Urban Collective showing off their carefully curated line of beautiful and sustainable clothing, skin care and decor for the whole family.  *Use Promo: MOVIEMOM for $10 off purchases over $50 

Sunday August 7th 11AM - 6PM
The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at
the Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street 

More Info or to Buy Tickets 

2. Family Friendly Summer Pop Up Shop

This FREE family-friendly Summer Pop Up Shop is hosted by our good friends Bonjour Baby Baskets, Minimodel Gallery & Emily D Photography. With over 70% off on beautiful clothing, toys and decor for baby and kids, plus free lemonade, face painting, balloon twisting, photo sessions & Awesome Giveaways, this is definitely an event you want to add to your calendar. 

August 12 & 13 10AM - 5PM
August 14 12PM - 6PM
Real Estate Homeward Brokerage
2035 Danforth Ave

More Info

Hope you have fun checking out these awesome summer sales. I know I will!

- Carolyn

The Bump to Baby Show

Join me on Sunday May 15th for a FREE Family Friendly Community Event, The Bump to Baby Show at the Wychwood Barns. As long as my baby stays on the inside (39 weeks on the 15th!) I’ll be speaking about “Pregnancy & Labour Prep: The Natural Way” with Rachel Schwartzman N.D & Silvia Kwon D.C at 12pm.

What to Expect:

• Shop, eat & learn in the market place from the best health-conscious businesses the city has to offer
• Participate in fun activities with your kids
• Enjoy live music
• Join us for free yoga sessions
• Enjoy free swag and a chance to win some amazing prizes
• Join us for informative question and answer sessions with leading experts in children’s education and alternative services
• Mingle with other expectant and new parents

Check out The Bump To Baby Show for a full list of vendors and to see some of the amazing swag & prizes that will be featured at the event. Plus, did we forget to mention it’s FREE! 

Hope to see you there!

Packing for The Hospital +10% off Diaper-eez

At 37 weeks pregnant with baby #3 on the way anytime I have packing and prepping for birth on my mind. As a Midwife, Prenatal Educator and mom of 2 (almost 3!) I get asked almost every week about what to pack for the hospital. With all of the unknowns of labour, packing can become a daunting task for an expectant parent. So let me help ease your nerves by providing you with a simple list of must haves for the big event.

Although not all of my clients deliver in hospital, everyone needs a bag packed, just in case. I suggest getting it out of the way early so you can feel prepared. Having your bag packed and ready by around 36 weeks is ideal.

It can be tempting to pack a ton of stuff to take to the hospital, but in my experience less is more. Remember, you’ll need to bring home everything you pack, plus a new baby, and you’ll be recovering from giving birth. If plans change and you need to stay at the hospital for a few extra days, friends and family can be called for extra supplies, or your partner can take a quick trip home.

Here is my go-to list of items to have packed & ready:

Mom’s Bag:

• Provincial Insurance Card (OHIP) & Private Medical Insurance Card (if you have one)
• Paperwork from your Midwife or Physician (if you were provided with any to bring)
• Birth plan, Prenatal Class Book, Birthing Resources etc.
• Labour Support Aids: Massagers, Heating Pad, Music, Guided Meditations, Hypnobirthing Scripts, Homeopathic Remedies, TENS Machine* etc.
• Something to Wear During Labour (if you do not want to wear the hospital gown, a nightgown with full button opening is ideal, as they are easy to take on and off with an IV in place)
• Slippers (or flip flops, rubber sole is ideal)
• Socks x2-3 pairs (labour is messy so extra socks are needed)
• Robe
• Face Cloth x1
• Towel x1
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, contact supplies, glasses, hairbrush, hair ties, headband, lip balm, massage oil or lotion etc.
• Comfy Underwear x2-3 pairs (most hospitals will provide 1 pair of mesh underwear)
• Nightgown or Pajamas (for postpartum if all is well)
• Nursing bra x1 (no underwire)
• Breast pads (disposable or reusable) 
• Maternity Pads** or Adult Incontinence Briefs
• Comfortable change of maternity clothes for trip home 

*If you’re interested in trying a TENS Machine, they can be rented from many pharmacies

**Please Note: Avoid all maxi pads with plastic dry weave top, as it can impact healing of your perineal tissue. Natracare makes excellent natural cotton pads. Available at most local health food stores and on well.ca. 

***Please Note: Many of my clients have asked about incorporating essential oils into their labours. Since most hospitals are now scent free we cannot allow scented oils to be used. Some clients choose to incorporate oils into their early labour while still at home, or for those choosing a home birth.

Support Person’s Overnight Bag:

• Cell phones & chargers
• Change & cash for snack machines and parking
• Camera
• Comfortable change of clothes
• Pyjamas
• Toiletries
• Swimwear (if you and your partner plan to incorporate water into your birth)
• Contact info for important family member

Baby’s Bag

• Sleepbelt (Perfect for Bonding & Skin-to-Skin)
• Cotton Hats x2-3
• Onesies (aka undershirts) x2
• Sleepers x2
• Socks x2 (if sleepers don’t have feet)
• Light receiving blanket x2
• Warmer blanket for trip home in winter months
• Newborn Diapers (most hospitals will provide a few to start) 
• Baby Wipes (unscented) 
• Natural Oil or cream for baby’s skin (eg. coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, shea butter) 

Large Items:

• Infant Car Seat (Installed correctly. Contact the OPP to make an appointment for their free car seat installation services.)
• Birth Ball (Most hospitals have them available but some people prefer to bring their own)
• Pillow x1
• Basin or bag (for being sick on car ride)
• Healthy Snacks & Drinks for mother & support people e.g. mints, gum, coconut water, juice, trail mix, fruit, veggies, sandwiches etc.

I hope this simple list helps you feel a bit more prepared for the birth of your little one. Wishing you all the best in your labour, birth & beyond! Use Promo Code: withcare for 10% off your purchase online or in store with Diaper-eez .

– Care

Holiday Gift Guide For Expectant & New Moms

Today I’m wrapping up my Holiday Gift Guide with a few gift ideas for Expectant and New Moms. In case you ladies need some ideas for yourself, or want to leave this post open on the desktop in the hopes your partner will see it.  Don’t forget that many local stores now offer registry services, so you can make a little wish list and let your partner or family choose what they would like to surprise you with.

There are so many great products and services available for moms, so I’m just sharing a few that I genuinely love and hope you will too.
 

Something You Want:  

Relaxation! The aches, pains and stress associated with being pregnant and caring for a newborn can be intense, so a gift card for a wellness appointment (massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, physio), or a wellness class (eg. yoga, meditation) is a great gift for an expectant or new mom. A little time alone to allow your body to recover and recuperate will allow you to feel better and enable you to give more of yourself to your little one. West End Mamas in Bloor West offers a full line of treatment options, classes and workshops for pregnant & postpartum moms, plus they have childcare available for parents during their services (*limited hours please inquire) *Mention With Care for 20% off your 1st Wellness Service at West End Mamas.

For moms with an older baby, toddler or preschooler, a day trip to Ste. Anne’s Spa, or a more local option like The Old Mill or Body Blitz, is also a perfect gift.

Another great gift to help promote relaxation at home are therapeutic grade essential oils. I have fallen in love essential oils in the last few months and now use my oils almost daily to support our physical and mental health. Some of my favourites include: Lavender, an especially calming oil for those panicked feeling days; Peppermint, ideal for respiratory support for the whole family & Lemon, a great awakening oil. As I explore and try more oils I find so many great uses for them in our daily lives. 

Something You Need: 

Sleepbelt is one of those amazing products that you don’t realize you need until you try one. Then you’re hooked! This hands free skin-to-skin support system allows you and rest and recover during the 4th trimester when your newborn wants to be cuddled non-stop. This is one of my all time favourite presents for expectant and new parents. Best of all it was designed and created by a local Toronto Mom and is Canadian made. Purchase online at Sleepbelt and receive free shipping when you mention With Care. 

Something To Wear: 

If you’re pregnant or babywearing over the course of a Canadian winter a Bridge the Bump insert is a must have and a perfect holiday gift. Bridge the bump allows you to adapt your own coat to suit your growing pregnant belly or while babywearing. Check out my Bridge The Bump review from last winter.  I can’t wait to use mine again this winter while pregnant with baby #3. Bridge the bump is available for purchase online, save 10% using code WITHCARE10

If you’re a nursing mom a fresh new nursing bra is a great item to put on your wish list. The newest addition to the Bravado family The Body Silk Yoga Bra is the perfect gift for any active mama. I tested mine out recently while doing yoga and absolutely love the cross back option for additional support. Purchase online or locally at Diaper-eez (more selection available in store) *Save 10% at Diaper-eez with Promo Code: Withcare

Something To Read: 

I don’t know many new parents that have a ton of time to read, so a magazine on a topic of interest is a great gift that has a chance of actually being enjoyed. For the magazine lover a subscription to Texture by Next Issue is also a great way to access a huge selection of magazines online.

A spa menu is also great reading material in my opinion. *See “Something You Want” and check off 2 categories with 1 gift!

Something To Give: 

Two charities near and dear to my heart that help improve the lives of mothers and families here locally and worldwide are The New Mom Project & The Mama Collective.(*Edited Dec 2017 to note that The Mama Collective is no longer running. Please feel free to donate to The New Mom Project)

The New Mom Project provides marginalized families with basic baby necessities to get them off to a great and loving start. They collect new and gently used items for infants 0-12 months old to provide to families in need around our city. Please check out The New Mom Project to Donate to their Sweet Dreams Campaign and stay tuned for our next donation drop off in January. 

The Mama Collective aims to raise awareness about maternal health globally, advocate for expectant women worldwide & raise $10,000 to build a Gift of Hope Clinic with Plan Canada to serve women & families in Nigeria. Check out The Mama Collective to donate. *Edited Dec 2017 to note that The Mama Collective is no longer running. Please feel free to donate to The New Mom Project)

I hope you found some great ideas for yourself or the expectant or new mother in your life. Happy Holidays!

– Care