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

Holiday Gift Guide for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

When the holiday sales start to roll out it can be tempting to buy everything you see, but do you really need it? We try very hard to remind our children how fortunate we are, and focus on keeping gift giving small and on things that we truly need.

I love to make DIY gifts for the kids and our friends and family, but also always pick a few special gifts to buy for our little ones. We stick to the rule of “Something you Want, Something you Need, Something to Wear & Something to Read”. This year we added a new category “Something to Give”, and are making sure that we think of little ways we can help our community locally or globally every day.

Here are a few of my favourite gifts to give for little ones. Most items included are locally made or sourced from small local stores so that we can reduce our impact this holiday season, and support our local community. Hope you enjoy!  

*Use Promo Code: Withcare for 10% off purchases at Diaper-eez this holiday season

Something You Want: 

There are so many amazing toys available around the holidays, but I love to focus on buying presents that will be enjoyed over the winter months. A Sled is a perfect gift for kiddos of any age. Canadian Tire and many local hardware stores have excellent selections of beautiful Canadian made wooden sleds. From basic to fancy, single to triple occupancy, you can choose what’s right for your family and your budget.

Something You Need: 

With our frigid Canadian winters kid’s need quality winter gear. Here are a few ideas for necessary items that can double as Christmas gifts. 

My absolute favourite snow suit for little ones are the Mountain Equipment Co-op Toaster Suit. Toasty warm as the name implies, these snow suits are made to last through a few kids and never disappoint. Purchase online or locally at Mountain Equipment Co-op. 

For keeping those little hands warm my new favourite is locally made Mimitens. These brilliant mitts have fabric that extends up your little ones forearm to keep them warm and more importantly to keep them ON! If you have a constant mitt taker offer, you know how frustrating it is. Invest in a pair of these and ditch the daily fight. Purchase online or locally at Diaper-eez.  

A warm toque is always needed and my favourite this year is the Je T’aime toque by Whistle & Flute. Made on the West Coast these adorable hats are available locally from Amelie & Max and come in kid and adult sizes. Perfect for twinning! Purchase online from Amelie & Max and choose shipping or local Toronto pickup. 

Something To Wear: 

Little ones need warm feet whether they are lounging at home, out in the car, in the stroller or while babywearing. Padraig Cottage are by far my favourite Canadian made booties. They are soft, cozy, warm and don’t fall off like most other booties. Great for little ones of all ages and the perfect gift. Purchase online or locally at Diaper-eez. 

Something To Read:

Books are one of my all time favourite things to give as gifts. Reading and interacting with babies from a young age has been shown to be very beneficial for brain development.

For little ones who love to put stuff in their mouths and tear at paper, board books are ideal.  One of my absolute favourites is “On the Night You Were Born” by Nancy Tillman. An instant tear jerker for most parents. 

As your kiddos get older and want longer stories I love anything and everything by the super talented Oliver Jeffers. 

For this category also consider thinking outside of the box. Baby Sign Language Flash Cards and board games can be a great way to practice language development.

 
Something To Give:

If you haven’t heard of Cuddle + Kind yet, you need to check them out. These beautiful dolls are part of an incredible campaign to help decrease child hunger worldwide, as each doll purchased provides 10 meals to children in need. It’s too late to order them to arrive in time for this holiday season. Sorry! You’re probably wondering why I included them if their holiday orders were done a few months ago. The truth is I wanted to share them because I think they’re a great gift year round and knew I would have your attention. So get ordering for your 2016 birthday gift list!

Some other great ways to give back include purchasing a food hamper for a family in need in your community, supporting The Stop Community Food Centre which does amazing work in our city, and supporting local Syrian refugee aid groups like the Lakeshore Syrian Connection.

Hope you got some great ideas for your little ones and stay tuned for Part 2 of our Holiday Gift Guide tomorrow with great gift ideas for Expectant & New Moms! 

Don’t forget to use Promo Code: Withcare for 10% off purchases at Diaper-eez this holiday season

- Care

Parmesan Asparagus Barley Risotto

With winter weather making its appearance this week, it seems like the perfect time for some cozy and hearty meals. Here is one of our all time favourites, a delicious Parmesan Asparagus Barley Risotto. A great alternative to rice risottos and a little more forgiving when cooking. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients

1. 2 Tbsp olive oil
2. 1 large onion, finely chopped
3. 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped or crushed
4. 1 ½ cups pearl barley
5. 1 cup white wine
6. 4 cups vegetable broth
7. 1 bunch asparagus
8. salt & pepper to taste
9. ½ -1 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Add barley and cook stirring frequently for 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until absorbed. Add ½ cup broth at a time while stirring frequently and allow barley to absorb broth well before adding more.
3. Add asparagus with last ½ cup broth and cook until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, add parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fresh parmesan topping.
4. Great for leftovers : )

- Care

Bloor West Holiday Cafe with Diaper-eez!

Join Fifty-Seven & Diaper-eez for a Fun & Festive Morning in Bloor West Village in support of The Mama Collective.

*This exclusive event has a very limited number of spaces available, so please email info@fifty-seven.ca to register or be added to our wait list.

Thanks to David’s Tea, Body Language Academy of Dance, Laroux Peoples, Anchor Studio & Diaper-eez for making this community event possible. 

Happy Holidays!!

– Care

Top 3 Myths About Wills and Estate Planning – Guest Post by Laroux Peoples LLB

Please welcome guest blogger Laroux Peoples LLB, who is here to give us the ins and outs on wills and estate planning for young parents. Laroux is a local mom and lawyer whose practice focusses on wills and estates. She offers in home services, which are ideal for young families, plus a special perk of 20% off for Fifty-Seven’s clients & readers. If you need any help or advice please don’t hesitate to reach out to Laroux at Peoples Law.

Top 3 Myths About Wills and Estate Planning

Have you been avoiding getting your will done? You are not alone. Many Canadians procrastinate on this one. Young parents often think that it’s not important to get a will at this stage of life. To this, here are the top 3 myths about wills for young parents:

Myth #1: Wills only deal with money, and I don’t have much so why bother?
The most important part of a will has nothing to do with money, it’s about who would care for your child or children should something happen to both parents. This is called the Guardianship clause and allows you as parents to decide who would care for your child or children should something happen to both of you and they were under 18 years of age.

Myth #2: If I don’t have a will, my friends and family will know what to do.
Unfortunately, friends and family can’t make decisions on your behalf if you pass away without a will. Without a will explaining your interest, the Court gets to unilaterally decide who will take care of your children. In addition, if you pass away without a will, the government decides who gets your money.

Myth #3: Estate planning is only necessary as you get older.
Not true! A lawyer can help you determine who would be best suited to manage your finances or deal with your health care if you were in hospitalized and left incapable of makings these important decisions for yourself.

If you have any questions or want to discuss what it takes to get started planning your estate, please feel free to contact Laroux at 416-994-3474 or laroux@peopleslaw.ca and don’t forget to mention us to receive 20% off!
 
*Laroux will be one of the guest speakers at our special Bloor West Holiday Cafe on Tuesday December 8th at Diaper-eez. Stay tuned for exciting details in the coming days!

My 7 Tips & Tricks For Camping With Kids – Part 2 of 2

Thanks to everyone who read Part 1 of My Camping with Kids Series My 6 Top Must Haves For Camping With Kids.  Today in Part 2, I’m sharing My 7 Tips & Tricks for Camping with Kids. 

With a few decades of camping trips under my belt, and a couple of years now with kiddos in tow, I have managed to come up with a few things that I hope help you on your next camping adventure.

My 7 Tips & Tricks for Camping With Kids
 
1. Pack in Ziploc Bags: Although we try to minimize how many plastic bags we use at home on a daily basis, ziploc bags are great for packing for camping. They keep things clean and dry and can be reused after the trip. Pack a bag for each category eg. a bag for toilet paper (plus an extra emergency roll); a bag for sunscreen & bugspray; a bag for books & cards etc.

*Please Note: Anything valuable eg. Cell Phone, Camera, GPS, should be kept in something that is guaranteed to be waterproof like a Pelican case. 

2. Freeze Water, Wine & Juice: When you’re camping with kids a cooler of some type is usually necessary. To save space and weight, freeze your water bottles, tetra packs of wine and juice boxes, and use them as freezer packs to keep your dairy, meat and produce cold for a few days. Works like a charm. 

3. Make Baggie Pancakes: We love to make banana blueberry pancakes while camping. To keep it simple I pack the mix (homemade or store bought) into a large ziploc freezer bag and write how much water to add on the outside of the bag. When it’s time to make breakfast I add the water directly into the bag, toss in a ripe peeled banana, zip it up, and have fun mushing it all around. When mixed and ready, I cut a hole in the corner of the bag and squeeze out the mixture onto a hot greased pan. I recommend adding the blueberries by hand, as they tend to block the hole, and if the hole is made too big your mix will pour out too fast.

Cook over the fire or on a camping stove & watch your kids devour them.

4. Pack Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Dirty: Camping is really really messy. Way messier than you think. Plus campfire smell is pretty strong and can stay in fibres for a long time, even after being laundered. In order to embrace the mess that comes with camping, you need to ditch your kid’s favourite fancy duds at home and bring breathable, comfortable, dark coloured clothes that your kids can have fun in.

5. If You Don’t Have The Gear, Borrow It Or Rent It: If you’re lacking a specific piece of equipment and can’t afford to invest in it right away, reach out and see if any friends or family can loan it to you. Another amazing option is the MEC Equipment Rental. For only a few dollars a day you can rent tents, sleeping bags & food barrels, as well as additional gear for water sports, climbing, snow sports etc. It’s a great option for those needing a short term piece of gear.

6. Keep Snacks Accessible At All Times: Kid’s get hangry (hungry + angry), especially when you’re on the go. Make sure to keep some protein rich snacks and water close at hand, so you can feed them at all times. It’s no fun listening to a kid scream for an entire paddle, portage or hike cause they’re suddenly STARVING!!! Everyone on the lake will thank you for this one.

7. Be Prepared for Emergencies: Minor bumps, bruises, cuts and burns are bound to happen when you’re out exploring the wilderness. Being prepared with a proper 1st Aid Kit is important, but it’s also essential that you know how to deal with some of the more life threatening emergencies that can come up. As a Heart & Stroke Foundation Instructor I highly recommend taking a 1st Aid & CPR Course from an accredited group every few years. Shameless Plug: Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to register for one of my scheduled workshops, or are interested in having me come to teach a workshop for a group in your space (email care@with-care.ca). I offer live and virtual CPR & safety workshops for families, the general public, employees & health care providers. 

I hope My 7 Tips & Tricks For Camping With Kids help you and your little ones have fun & stay safe on your next family adventure. Check out my Complete Family Camping List to help you pack for your next big adventure. Happy Camping!

– Care