Posts Tagged ‘baby’
By Nicole Meltzer, RMT, CHt
Besides questions concerning childbirth, the next most frequent question I am asked by first-time expectant moms is “how do families afford the cut in income while on maternity (or paternity) leave?” From my own experience as a self-employed mom of two boys and from the ideas I received from mypostpartum moms over the years, I have compiled what I consider to be the top 5 ways to save money in the first year of your child’s life.
1. Breastfeed – Besides the well-documented health benefits for both mom and baby, you can’t find a better way to save money. The truth is formula is expensive and breastfeeding is free! Breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally for some women, so if you experience difficulties, seek out some of the fantastic support available from lactation consultants, postpartum doulas and La Leche League. Although there are some women who are unable to breastfeed due to medical reasons, most women, with the right support, are successful with perseverance.
2. Cloth Diapers – Disposable diapers are not only costly for your pocketbook but also for the environment. Cloth diapers are much more economical and are easy to use. If you can’t stomach the idea of washing them, there are cloth diaper cleaning services. However, if you really want to save money, wash them yourself. Once you’ve done it a few times you become desensitized! Anyway, once your baby is past the 3 week mark chances are you’ve already been peed on, pooped on and/or vomited on! My husband and I did a rough calculation on the money we’ve saved by using cloth diapers and it’s over $1000. The best part about using cloth diapers with your first child is, with subsequent babies, you don’t have to repurchase diapers!
3. Make your own Baby Food –The best way to ensure you know what your child is ingesting is to make the food yourself. It’s very simple and is quick if you have the right tools. Take a class to learn how – the investment of time and money will pay off!
4. Join local mom/dad’s groups – There are many groups who meet regularly at each other’s homes. If your days are filled with play dates at parks and others’ homes, you are less likely to feel the need to fill them with costly programs! The benefit too, is the potential for long-lasting friendships – for parents and children.
5. Learn to budget – Budget doesn’t have to be a bad word! Set up a simple spreadsheet with a column for inflow of money and a column for outflow of money. Each time you receive a bill or bank statement, enter it into the spreadsheet. You’ll quickly see where you’re money is going and where you can cut some corners. And as a bonus, you are setting a good example for your children on how to manage money!
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Nicole Meltzer, RMT, CHt is co-founder of Balanced Body Mind Spirit. Through her specialization in fertility issues & prenatal care she helps parents conceive and achieve balance while on their journey into parenthood. Nicole offers pre/postnatal & pediatric Massage Therapy; Hypnotherapy for children, fertility and childbirth; Reflexology; & Reiki. She teaches a variety of classes including, Hypnosis for Childbirth, Tools for the Birthing Partner, Focused on Fertility, and Infant Massage. To learn more, visit www.balancedbodymindspirit.com
Check out these great deals on PJs, Bibs & The Kangaroo Towel.
It’s baby shower season and time to stock up on award winning baby gear! With waterproof bibs at only $5* and soft cotton PJs at *$11 it’s a sale not to be missed!!
The award winning Kangaroo Towel is on sale for only $30, an amazing deal! Make bath time a breeze. For mom it means no more trying to find a spot in the bathroom to lay down a towel or running to the change table with a naked baby.It means no longer needing an extra set of hands during bath time. In the Kangaroo Towel™ the baby gets coddled as soon as they come out of the bath
The Kangaroo Towel™ is a luxurious baby towel with a pouch for your precious baby. You wear the Kangaroo Towel™ while bathing the baby in order to keep you dry. When bath time is over, simply lift your baby out of the tub and place them into the hooded Kangaroo Towel. The towel comes equipped with a hoodie to make sure every inch of them stays warm on their trip to the change table. It’s for you, but really it’s all about them.
It’s all about practicality. Or is it all about being the hippest baby on the block? With these PJs, it’s about both. Choose these fantastic 2 piece pajamas made from the softest 100% cotton. As well, you can add a matching bib for $5!
For moms and dads in and around Markham, Extraordinary Beginnings is a studio for infant inspirational play. If you are looking for mom and tot classes or other fun things to do with your baby you should check out their web site for new exciting events. Their Mom’s Coffee Hour hosts different professional speakers every 2nd week concerning parenting. As well, offering classes in Mandarin and Cantonese studio classes for children 0-5 years of age, and great inspirational classes for Infants and parents.
Call 905-471-6260 or visit our web site at www.extraordinarybeginnings.ca for more information and to try a FREE CLASS when you mention York Region Parent.
With 2008 drawing to a close we wanted to share with you York Region Parent’s Top 10 Favourite Baby & Kids Products of 2008. We see hundreds of products each year and here are the best for your baby & kid spending dollars!
1) Birthday Invites from Grace Annoucements - Located in Newmarket, Grace Announcements creates custom, and I mean custom invites for your kids birthday parties. I sent Lindsay a few pictures of my soon-to-be one year old and said, “purple and pink flowers”as her birthday theme and she created this birthday invite/keepsake for our now, toddlers first birthday.
2) Ladybugs & Lullabies Hair Clips - As we posted this year, ”I really can’t tell you how much I love everything about Ladybugs & Lullabies, makers of amazingly unique hair clips and accessories for babies & toddlers. As my little one’s hair is starting to get longer I have really gotten in this accessorizing clips with outfits. I did infact just place another order including Strawberry Fields (too cute) as well as some ladybug clips.” This company has become one of our favourite and top of our minds when we hear a friend is expecting a little girl! They aren’t just our favourite, they have recently been featured on People. com and received thank yous are kudos from many celebrity parents. Way to go to another Canadian-mom run company!
3) Peanut Shell® Nursing Cover from Along Came Baby - I could not have made it through this year without our Peanut Shell Nursing Cover. I loved that it allowed from easy and discreet breastfeeding and clothing adjustments.
4) Ugg’ems from baby magoo - A really simple and inexpensive, yet quality hand-made toy that is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly under the arm of your toddler. Our preschooler won’t sleep unless his “bear” as he calls it is right beside him.
5) Pliko P3 Classico - Surf - While I loved my Quinny Zapp from just one little one. I needed something that my baby could ride in or sleep in and had a preschooler standing board on the back, for those long walks. I absolutely love this stroller! It’s been a great stroller for us, including a trip to Florida where after walking for miles and miles our preschooler could hop on the board on the back for a speedy way home. It even worked along the beach!
6) Little Twig Soap & Shampoos -Now available Wild Child Baby Boutique on Main Street in Newmarket, little twig products provide families with a safe and natural bath time alternative. Their products are free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial fragrances, and packaged in recyclable PET bottles. Some of the yummy smelling stuff around!
7) Stonz Boots - BEST baby/toddler boots ever! We are at an awkward stage in our house. Our 12 month old can walk, but regular winter boots kept falling off. So, we went to Baby In Gear, a fabulous baby & kids store in Aurora to buy the Canadian invented and made Stonz Wear boots. These boots are warm and cuddly and stay on!
Pediped Shoes - I really loved the few pairs of Pediped shoes we bought for our daughter. Their originals collection are cute and slipper like, but are soft soled leather shoes that are great for little feet and good looking. We are excited to try their new flex styles for older feet this year
9) Name Your Tune CDs - Now that we are on to our second Name Your Tune CD, it’s still amazing to dance to music with our daughter’s name throughout the songs. She loves to dance around the playroom to her one of a kind CD.
10) Labels from Mabel’s Labels - This year we ditched the black permanment marker and went with labels from Mabel’s to label all our kids gear. If it leaves the house we label it! Our 3 year old’s teacher just loves how easy the labels are to read on shoes, boots, jackets and even toys. I am in love with their labels for the kitchen and with a new years resolution of being more organized, I have a head start!
With the temperature dipping outside and with the first snowflakes already behind us we thought we’d let you know about some of our favourite winter gear to keep your warm all winter.
Blankets
baby magoo, located in Aurora, Ontario creates amazing blankets for babies, toddlers and even mommies! We love the all-weather blanket, which combines faux suede with their classic swirl chenille. This larger blanket is perfect for colder weather in a wagon, sleigh, or in the car for your toddler.
Think: Perfect for the Santa Claus parade!
Price: On Sale for $88.00
More: Check out their personalized blankets for some early Christmas ideas! There is something for everyone!!
Where: You can buy online at baby magoo.
Boots
We are at an awkward stage in our house. Our 12 month old can walk, but regular winter boots kept falling off. So, we went to Baby In Gear, a fabulous baby & kids store in Aurora to buy the Canadian invented and made Stonz Wear boots. These boots are warm and cuddly and stay on!
Think: Perfect for that really cold January day!
Price: About $45.00
More: Stop by Baby In Gear in Aurora to pick them up. While you are there you can browse all the best brands like Mally Bibs, Zutano, Boon, Bees Knees Baby and more!
Hats
We love Canadian company Snug as a Bug. We bought our Maple Leaf hat about 3 years ago on a visit to Ottawa for our son and are now using for our daughter.
There are so many cute designs from Kitty, to Strawberry to Moose and Bear. They also sell mittens for you wee ones.
Think: Another great Canadian company making very cool things. Check out their Christmas jammies!
Price: About $20 — on sale right now as well!
More: Check out their Pjs for a great Christmas gift.
Stroller Accessories
We like the Warm As A Lamb, Winter Stoller Covers , which are the first and only fully thermally insulated cover to keeps babies and toddlers completely shielded and protected against the cold frigid winds, snow, rain and other winter elements without ever having to lift the cover or letting out the child’s body heat inside stroller when traveling outside.
Designed with adjustable pulls on each side for a desired fit to all standard size strollers, lightweight strollers and jogging strollers. It comes in a variety of sizes including double strollers.
Think: Just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean you can’t get out for a walk. Nothing beats a walk as the snow is falling, it’s so peaceful!
Price: About $100, with shipping reasonably priced for Canadian Deliveries!
More: How cool is this…!!? A recordable voice module that can be heard from the inside of stroller so parents can teach, sing or tell a story as they stroll. Also has a prerecorded section that recites the alphabet for your child’s entertainment and learning skills! Fun!!
Your First Vacation With Baby!
Connect with your new family on holiday…
A vacation with baby can seem daunting. After all, travel can be stressful in itself, throwing diapers and spit up into the mix doesn’t necessarily sound like much fun! Leaving the house is often a major accomplishment in the early days of mommyhood. But once you’re out and about, you can’t imagine ever staying housebound. And once you’ve gone away with your baby, you can’t imagine ever experiencing somewhere new without her.
Backpacking and hostels or exotic locales and boutique hotels may be postponed for the time being. In choosing a destination, your first concerns should be safety and health. If you feel the need for a little sun, there are many places in the Caribbean and South America that are peaceful and clean – at many price points. With our stronger dollar, the Southern U.S. is also a great option. Europe can be pricier and trickier, but it can be done. Deciding where to go is part of the fun! Pick a place you’ve always fancied, and tailor your itinerary to baby’s routine and your needs.
You’ll be spending a lot of time in your room now, so it’s worth spending a little more to make sure it’s nice. A kitchenette comes in handy, but it’s not necessary. You will need a fridge – not only for baby’s food, but for your drinks as well! Unless you’re arranging for babysitting, your evenings will be spent in once baby’s in bed. Try to get a room with a balcony or terrace. See if your hotel offers cribs, but if you’re concerned, toss a playpen onto your already giant pile of luggage.
Right, luggage… You’re going to have a lot of it and it will be heavy. If baby’s traveling on your lap, you won’t get extra luggage allowance. Some airlines will nail you with overweight charges, but you might get lucky with a sympathetic check-in person. Either way, you shouldn’t be charged for checking a car seat or gate-checking a stroller, and your bags will be considerably lighter on the way back. Make a detailed packing list or print one off the Internet. How detailed depends on how easily you can buy what you need. Florida? No problem. Cuba? Not so easy.
The travel days are tough, so be armed with extra everything – diapers, wipes, distractions, clothes (for you too!), and nourishment for baby. Delays are common, and airports aren’t the best places to buy baby things. Once you get where you’re going, the journey becomes a distant memory, and your new vacation memories can start! Your holiday routine will fall into place if you go with the flow.
A vacation with baby provides the opportunity for you all to connect away from the busyness of day-to-day life. Take the plunge, and try a family getaway. It doesn’t matter if baby won’t remember, because you will never forget it.
Corinne McDermott is the founder of Have Baby Will Travel - your online guide to traveling with babies and toddlers. For more information please visit www.havebabywilltravel.com or send a message to info@havebabywilltravel.com
IsaBooties™ are soft-soled baby shoes that are top quality, non-leather, highly breathable and adorable! The greatest part about these booties is that they are machine washable and dryable. Especially when your baby is as orally fixated as my first was, footwear that is washable is key!
IsaBooties™ have a non-skid material on the bottom which makes these booties very practical for babies who are newly on the move! The soft elastic-ankle creates a secure and snug fit for young ones who love to take off their shoes.
We highly recommend IsaBooties™ as a footwear option for your little ones! They make a super gift too.
And as an added bonus get free eco-friendly gift wrapping on your order.
I have a bit of an obsession with bags, purses and diaper bags! I am constantly on the look for a bag that suites all of my needs.
I li
ke a bag that is durable and has many pockets to organize my necessities.
jimeale has covered most of my requirements in their stylish line of diaper bags. The Luca bag has side pockets for bottles and juice cups and there are compartments inside the bag to organize my things. I love the padded shoulder strap on this bag. Often, my bag gets quite heavy with all of the items that I carry and the padding on the strap certainly helps the bag sit comfortably on my shoulder.
jimeale bags are made with trendy patterns and colours so that you can walk around in style! The bags also come with a coordinating bottle insulator and waterproof change mat.
Howling When It’s Time To Leave…The sign of a good time at Great Wolf Lodge!
This summer was a busy one, and there wasn’t a lot of time off for vacation. With the precious few days we did manage, we still wanted to get away and go somewhere fun. We’d heard raves about Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, so we decided to check it out for ourselves.
We timed our drive around our daughter’s nap – hoping she’d get a few winks in before the fun began. Of course she didn’t sleep, but we lucked out with traffic and we were pulling into the parking lot just over 90minutes after having left our house in Toronto. Great Wolf Lodge is roughly a 5-minute drive from the main drag in Niagara Falls, and looks like a giant log cabin from the road.
The log cabin theme is continued in the large lobby – where a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace is adorned with animatronic wolves howling intermittently. My daughter was captivated by “Mr. Moose” and “Mama Bear” – more animatronic creatures set up in the lobby – but we were both a little creeped out by the talking tree. Along with Daddy, Mr. Moose and Mama Bear kept our little cub occupied while I checked in. The line moved quickly and in no time we were wristbanded and away to our room. We were lucky that our room was ready early. You can check in as early as 1pm but rooms aren’t guaranteed until 4pm.
The rooms are spacious and well laid out for a family stay. Ours was the basic family suite that would certainly pass for an upgrade in your typical hotel. Each room is equipped with a small fridge, a microwave, safe (with buttons at perfect toddler level – beware!), TV with inputs for your dvd player or game device, as well as a separate sitting and eating area. We found the beds to be very comfortable and our room was a perfect place to relax and unwind.
In spite of (or perhaps because of) not sleeping in the car – my daughter was raring to go – off we went to the waterpark. My husband is a waterslide kind of guy, and his eyes completely lit up as we walked inside. This place is big and loud and wet and totally fun. In no time my daughter was going down the kiddie slides by herself, and we’d spell each other off catching her at the bottom so the other could go on the “big kid” rides. Tiny towels are provided and they do offer a small selection of life jackets to borrow. If you want to be sure your child is wearing one, bring your own. The wave pool was great fun and the lazy river was a surprise hit. With it being summer, I was hoping to spend some time outside, but the small pool out there was no match for the favoured green slide. However, the vigilant mom in me was relieved not to have to fuss with sunscreen.
Bleary-eyed (the chlorine is strong), we headed back to our room to shower and dress for dinner. There was a bit of a wait for the buffet, which was a little nerve-wracking with a hungry, non-napped toddler, but soon we were seated for supper and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and selection of the food.
After dinner, we snuck past the Mr. Moose & Mama Bear pajama party/storytime in the lobby (we learned on previous trips that staying up to party after dinner means no sleep for anyone) and once back in our room our daughter was asleep in minutes. We sat on our balcony and enjoyed the beer we’d brought that was chilling in our fridge, but truth be told we were lights out soon after. In spite of our pillow barricades, our poor little mouse fell out of bed. A call to the front desk confirmed that Great Wolf Lodge does provide bed rails – good to know for the future!
We started our second day with breakfast from the takeaway inside the waterpark. Then it was all slides, all the time – with a bit of wave pool and lazy river to break up the monotony! We all had a great nap in the afternoon, and after a quick trip to the Cub Club for a bit of arts and crafts, it was back to the waterpark once again. The spa looked lovely, but this mini-break was about spending time together so I figured I’d check it out another time.
We had intended to go into Niagara Falls for a bit of a change for dinner, but a torrential rainstorm thwarted our plans - it was back to the buffet. The choices were the same, but at least there is enough variety so you don’t necessarily have to eat the same thing. Again, after dinner our daughter was asleep in seconds, and even though we had beer left over – we were simply too tired to drink it. We were asleep within minutes of our daughter!!
Although you can stay until 7pm on the day you check out, my husband and I were a little waterpark-ed out and figured we’d hang out in Niagara Falls for the morning. We arrived in the lobby just in time for the morning storytime! As we got organized, our little cub enjoyed a few last moments with her beloved Mr. Moose & Mama Bear. The howls as we were leaving weren’t coming from the animatronic wolves, they were coming from a 2.5-year-old determined not to leave Great Wolf Lodge!
This was our first real venture to a “family” attraction, and we were pleased to find that it was very clean and nicely laid out for a family’s comfort. At 2 ½, our daughter was probably just old enough to really enjoy it, although families with small babies were well looked after as the older ones played. However, there were a few things I wish I had known in advance, so I’m giving you some tips to make your stay at Great Wolf Lodge a great one…
5 Tips for maximizing your enjoyment at Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls:
- Surf before you book – the rack rate is quite steep but there are often deals to be found online. Also, Great Wolf Lodge offers many companies an excellent corporate rate, so check with your employer.
- Give your wallet (and your waistband) a break by bringing healthy snacks and food from home. Many families brought coolers containing their breakfast and lunch staples, so their only other main expense was dinner.
- Check in early. You can arrive as early as 1pm, so pack a day bag and enjoy the facilities while your room gets ready. We had smooth sailing at 2:30, but by 4pm the lobby was absolutely jammed with people and luggage.
- Bring your skin and hair care products. I figured I could make due with the hotel stuff for 2 nights and didn’t pack my usual arsenal of lotions and potio
- ns. The waterpark area is spotless but the chlorine is strong and my skin and hair were really dried out.Pack your patience. Not every parent is as diligent as you are, nor is every child as well-behaved as yours… Try to laugh it off and just be grateful that it’s not your son cimbing the display to punch Mr. Moose in the face, it wasn’t your daughter pushing toddlers out of the way at the top of the slide, and it was someone else’s husband that almost knocked me down trying to get on the elevator as I was getting off.
Corinne McDermott is the founder of Have Baby Will Travel – your online guide to traveling with babies and toddlers. For more information please visit www.havebabywilltravel.com.
GumDrop™ Pacifiers are a great pacifier for newborn babies. With my daughter, I constantly worried about her pacifier coming apart and posing as a choking risk. There is no worry like that with GumDrop™ Pacifiers due to their single-body construction. The exterior of the pacifier is made entirely with soft silicone that rests gently against a baby’s face. As well, GumDrop’s open back lets you easily position and reposition the pacifier in the baby’s mouth.
