Making a baby registry or a pre-baby shopping list is no easy feat. There’s the decoding of things like sleep sacks versus swaddles, the deep-diving on every stroller model, the constant “Do I really need all this?” questioning. And even after all that, there’s that lingering feeling that maybe you’re simply unaware of some crucial items. Outside of biggies like a car seat or high chair, what are the lesser-considered game-changers that can make those early days (and beyond) way easier? We asked moms across Canada for the products they swear by. (A recurring response: “Wow, I didn’t real ..read more

When I had my first baby, I made plenty new-mom mistakes. I didn’t notice he had diaper rash. I let him sleep in his swing (a big no-n0 now, but we didn’t know it then). I didn’t get my postpartum depression treated quickly enough. I thought I was better than you. You read that last part right. My worst new-mom mistake? I thought I was the best mom. I thought I had found all the parenting answers. I thought they were one-size-fits-all answers. And I thought that if you disagreed, you were most likely on the way to irreparably damaging your bundle of joy. You weren’t. I didn’t. And while I thi ..read more

So you have a newborn, and lately your evenings have been hijacked by non-stop nursing sessions. If this sounds familiar, you’re probably dealing with the common breastfeeding phenomenon known as cluster feeding. What is cluster feeding? Infants nurse frequently (at least eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period), but sometimes it’s even more often, and they may bunch up those feedings—especially in the evening. This is frustrating for both the parent who’s been home with the baby all day and the parent who may only get to see the baby after work. But cluster feeding is perfectly normal, says At ..read more

The exciting months leading up to your baby’s arrival are a whirlwind of planning and preparation. From choosing a name to creating a baby registry, there are so many exciting choices to make! And let’s not forget all the options when it comes to decorating the nursery. Instagram is full of ideas and Pinterest is a decor maven’s dream. Details of the dreamy nurseries of the rich and famous seem to follow every celebrity pregnancy announcement. Naturally, you want the very best for your baby. But when decorating a nursery, it is definitely possible to go overboard. I for one channelled my bou ..read more

As I was being wheeled into the labor and delivery unit to give birth to our son, it was already frighteningly obvious that pretty much nothing was going to go as I’d hoped. Because there I suddenly was, only 36 weeks pregnant, about to be induced after my water broke at the end of a trick-or-treating marathon on Halloween. So much for my calm, all-natural birth plan. I wasn’t in labour but, one way or another, I was going to deliver our second child that very day. I looked away as the nurse ran the steroid drip into my vein, to stimulate contractions, and strapped monitors on my lower and up ..read more

Babies may be tiny bundles of joy, but they sure do need a lot of products—and some expensive ones at that! From diapers to formulas to hygiene products, these basic necessities can add up fast. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best baby freebies in Canada, so you can catch a break on a box of diapers for once, plus try tons of new products through samples and coupons. Parents, here’s your holy grail of free baby stuff, including where and how to get the best goods. Buy Buy Baby What you get Free goody bag/box with samples and coupons that could include: Baby on board car decal Gerber onesie ..read more

When I had my first baby, it went well, all things considered. I was induced at noon, gave birth 15 hours later in the wee hours of the morning, and my beautiful little boy went right on my chest, snuggling in and latching. I remember him just gazing up at me endlessly, taking in my face. Eventually we were moved to a private room, and I went to a breastfeeding lesson just down the hall, before the grandparents arrived to meet him. Through all the commotion, my blissed-out baby boy slept soundly, swaddled in the bassinet beside me, just like I’d imagined he would.  That night, I sent my ..read more

If you’re pregnant, you’ve probably been thinking a lot about your labour and delivery. And you’ve probably read a bunch about surviving the first few months with your little one. But what about those first 12 to 24 hours after birth? What happens then? (Note: The following applies to babies born with no major health concerns, at the hospital.) You’ll likely be moved from the delivery room to a room on the maternity ward, where you’ll spend the first day and night of baby’s life. There, you may hope to get a bit of rest. But even if you get lucky enough to fall asleep in your oh-so-comfortable ..read more

Your baby’s oh-so-fresh skin is actually super delicate—it’s up to 30 percent thinner than an adult’s skin and it loses moisture quickly. This is especially true in the dry winter months when the humidity level drops and skin loses moisture more rapidly in general. The skin is also a barrier between your baby and the outside world and a weakened skin barrier can lead to dryness in babies. The good news is, parents can play a role in keeping their baby’s skin soft and healthy with these bathtime tips. Delay the first bath  It used to be common for babies to get a bath shortly after birth ..read more

Your baby’s oh-so-fresh skin is actually super delicate—it’s up to 30 percent thinner than an adult’s skin and it loses moisture quickly. This is especially true in the dry winter months when the humidity level drops and skin loses moisture more rapidly in general. The skin is also a barrier between your baby and the outside world and a weakened skin barrier can lead to dryness in babies. The good news is, parents can play a role in keeping their baby’s skin soft and healthy with these bathtime tips. Delay the first bath  It used to be common for babies to get a bath shortly after birth ..read more