Introducing With Care - Education & Inspiration From Pregnancy Through Parenthood (Formerly Fifty-Seven)

I'm so excited to announce the official arrival of With Care - Education & Inspiration from Pregnancy Through Parenthood.

Some of you might have noticed changes on my social media and website over the last few months as I was getting ready to launch With Care. Little hints that something new and exciting was coming. As you can imagine things don't happen quickly with several munchkins in tow, so thanks for your patience. 

For the last few years I have been running my classes and workshops through my business Fifty-Seven, and recently moved my blog to With Care. Although I felt like I had built up a community brand with Fifty-Seven, I felt a pull toward something else. Offering all of my Classes & Workshops, Community Events, Amazing Partnerships, Blog Posts and Videos in one place seemed like a dream. Well, I finally decided to do the work and make that dream a reality. After a long and gruelling rebrand I'm so happy with how everything has come together. One of my favourite parts is my logo, which was created by tracing my mom's handwriting. I love having a little piece of her with me on this journey. 

So what is With Care? Living a life With Care means choosing products and services wisely, with the earth and your family's health and wellness in mind. It means becoming educated and informed so you can make choices that work for your individual family. It means creating a home and life that makes your family thrive. I'm here to provide a little education & inspiration to help you do that. 

I would love if you would take a minute check out With Care and follow me on social media - Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest. I have lots of amazing Giveaways, informative posts and videos, as well as amazing classes and workshops coming up this spring and summer. You can also stay up to date by signing up for my newsletter. As always feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or topics you would like covered, or if you need any assistance registering for classes or booking a private in-home session. 

I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to my community. Thanks to all of the amazing families and businesses that I have worked with over the last 4 years. I can't wait to see where the next 4 take me.

I hope you enjoy what's to come With Care. 

Warmly,

Care xo

*I'd also like to send a huge Thank You to everyone who has made this project possible. My amazing friend Laurence, my cousin Sarah who made my logo, Danielle for my beautiful promotonal materials, and 2 of my favourite photographers Silvia (Anchor Studios - Pregnancy & Outdoor Photos) & Carrie (Four Bees - Newborn Photos) for these beautiful images.

From Caterpillar to Butterfly - Take Part in Junction Wings: Deadline April 30th!

Every spring our family takes part in the most fun community fundraiser ever - Junction Wings! Basically it's the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar (without the inappropriate food choices) come to life in your very own home. 

For only $10 you get a caterpillar in a little container with some caterpillar food (we always get a few. Think of it as an insurance policy so you can avoid a disappointed kid). Your fuzzy friend(s) will remain in the little cup eating until they're nice and big and tired. Then it will attach to the lid of the container and spin it's cocoon. At this time you can move the container lid with the attached cocoon to an appropriate butterfly habitat (stay tuned on a post about butterfly enclosures coming soon). 

About 10 days later a beautiful painted lady butterfly emerges.

Your butterfly will need to remain in the butterfly habitat for a few days while it's wings dry out and it gains strength. 

Then it can be released outside. The whole experience is so magical and such a fun activity to do with your kids. We look forward to this event every year and are so excited that it's almost time to bring a few hungry caterpillars home. 

If you live in the city and are willing to drive to the Junction to pick up your little fuzzy friend(s), you are more than welcome to take part in this event. Simply Buy Your Caterpillars Here by 9pm on Sunday April 30th, and stay tuned for pick up dates and locations in May. 

Can't wait to share our creative caterpillar names this year. Past years have included : Carolyn Sinclair, Banana and Chickaletta. Who knows what winners the kids will chose this year. Stay tuned, and make sure to share your caterpillar adventures (#junctionwings) so we can all follow along. 

Care

Have A Bump Or A Baby? Don't Miss The Bump To Baby Show 2017!

Spring is here and that means it's baby show season! With so many shows and so little time, it can be tough to decide which ones make the cut. If you want to skip the huge crowds, long line ups and over zealous vendors, you need to check out The Bump to Baby Show. This highly curated event held at the beautiful Wychwood Barns brings together the best vendors from around our city, all with a focus on helping parents make healthy choices for their families. Plus it's FREE!! You can't get much better than that.

In addition to an amazing marketplace (*Full List of 60 Marketplace Vendors) the show has expert speakers and fun family friendly events. I am so honoured to be one of the speakers at the show, alongside my amazing colleague Taya Griffin (Lactation Consultant) & Joy McCarthy of Joyous Health.

Attendees can check out a Prenatal Yoga Class with & She Moves (pre-registered event), a Family Yoga Class with Spynga, a fun Puppet Show with The Waldorf Academy, as well as a music class for kids ages 0-4 years with Music Together. Check out the Play & Learn page for full schedule, details and registration. 

The Bump to Baby Show is like no other in the city. So if you're expecting a little one, or have a young family, don't forget to add this amazing event to your calendar.

Hope to see you on May 7th between 10am and 4pm for the family friendly baby show you can't miss. 

Care 

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. 

Who Wants to WIN an Amazing Maternity Photoshoot GIVEAWAY? Enter Now! *$350 Value

If you have a baby on the way and want some beautiful pregnancy photos you can't miss out on this amazing GIVEAWAY from Sara Elisabeth Photography. Enter Now (by simply joining her mailing list) for a chance to Win a Maternity Photoshoot & an incredible assortment of products valued at $350!

The Prize Includes:

• A 1 Hour Maternity Photoshoot
• 8 High Resolution Digital Images
• 2 8x10 Prints 
• 1 Bragbook

We were fortunate to have Sara take our family photos a few years ago in Parkdale, and absolutely love them. Here are a few of my favourites from that session. Looking at these I can't believe how much the kids have grown and changed. I'm so grateful I have these memories to look back on. To see more from our session Click Here

Don't forget to Enter Sara's Giveaway! Contest Closes Friday March 31st 2017. Good Luck!

 Care

*The post is not sponsored.