Baby Guide 2014|15

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babyguide

free!

Display until Fall 2015

2014-15

Inside our 15th Annual Baby Guide: special offers, resources, features and cool finds for expectant and new moms & dads

Brought to you by

The Local Guide for Active Urban Families

olive fertility centre announces

NEW OPTIONS for PRENATAL TESTING

Congratulations!

The 15th Annual Baby Guide is dedicated to all the new and expecting parents, and those who plan to be one. We celebrate with you and hope that this issue can provide you with valuable information and local resources, as well as cool new products and fun thing to do with your new baby.

One of the fun parts of new parenthood is exploring the latest & greatest! This year we are giving you great ideas for the Best Shower Gifts, Cool New Products to try, and ways to Green Up Baby.

We have also put together the Great Baby Guide Giveaway featuring thousands of dollars of prizes.

Just head to our website to enter often!

In this issue you’ll also find information on the latest fertility programs, how to get help after baby arrives, making your own baby food, and how to decide which childcare is best for you. We’ve fit as much local resources as we can here too, but there are always more - go to www.baby-guide. ca for hundreds more listings and weblinks.

Enjoy every moment of parenthood – it is one of the most challenging and most rewarding things you’ll ever do and we’re thrilled to be a small part of your journey.

on our cover...

10-month-old Jaxon explores at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park.

Photographed by Dylan Doubt www.dylandoubtphotography.com

www.baby-guide.ca Managing Editor, Andrea Vance editor@westcoastfamilies.com Assistant Editor, Kelly S. Thompson kelly@westcoastfamilies.com Contributing Editor , Jodi Iverson jodi@westcoastfamilies.com Art Director & Layout, Krysta Furioso studio@westcoastfamilies.com Administration, Jennifer Bruyns admin@westcoastfamilies.com Accounts Receivable & Payable, Jennifer Brule finance@westcoastfamilies.com Advertising, sales@westcoastfamilies.com

WestCoast Families magazine is proud to bring you the Baby Guide again this year. It is our amazing local advertisers who make this all possible so we encourage you to visit their websites, and explore their products and services – don’t forget to tell them you saw them in the WestCoast Families’ Baby Guide!

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Contests The GREAT Baby Guide Giveaway

Homegrown Fashion The best in local and handmade baby clothes

Fertility Choices Advice from Olive Fertility

Help After Baby Comes Services Offering Postpartum Solutions

Childcare Options What Option Works Best for Your Family?

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Baby Shower Gifts Finding that special one of a kind item for baby

Green Finds Great products that are great for the planet

Reource Listings Find what you’re looking for, quick and easy

Beyond the Jar Making Your Own Baby Food

www.twitter.com/wcfmag www.facebook.com/westcoastfamilies www.pinterest.com/wcfmag

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contests!

Noppies Maternity Contest!

WIN! A $500 maternity wardrobe from Noppies Maternity! Noppies is the brand for every pregnant woman with her own individual style.

Super comfy, trendy and made with love with the latest in designs and fashion.

www.noppies.com Deadline to enter: April 15, 2015 Enter at www.baby-guide.ca

For more contests each month, go to www.westcoastfamilies.com

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Visit us online to enter!

www.baby-guide.ca

The GREAT Baby Guide Giveaway Each month we’ll be giving away amazing prizes from our Cool Finds. All you need to do is enter!

Go to www.baby-guide.ca to enter your name.

Enter often so you don’t miss a draw!

Participating: Love Child Baby & Toddler Food Coco & Tini Bonjour Baby Baskets Blushface Designs Green Ladybugs Designs Guzzie & Guss

win!

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babyguide

best shower gifts!

Caaocho Baby Toys and Teethers Jo Jangles Anklet

by ONLY CHILD Handicrafts Bell anklets are an age-old baby shower gift, and ONLY CHILD Handicrafts is reintroducing this lovely tradition to a new generation of parents and babies. Sterling silver from end to end, the anklet is adjustable so it will fit your newborn as it gets to know the sounds that the world makes, your older baby who likes to kick their legs in the air, and it is especially exciting for toddlers as they learn to walk and make these little bells jingle with each step.

These all natural, pure rubber toys are great for babies and toddlers, made with lots of bright colours and all-stage teething in mind. The Vancouver-based designs stimulate baby’s senses and heighten development and there’s even a line of hermetically sealed baby toys to make for bacteria-free bath time.

www.caaocho.com | $13-$20

Green Ladybugs Gauze Blankets This unique, Vancouver-based company delivers multi-ply gauze baby blankets, washcloths and baby bibs that are soft on baby’s skin while being fluffy and airy thanks to the gauze design. We love their baby blankets for softness but also for the fun patterns that seem both retro and modern at the same time!

www.greenladybugsdesigns.com | $40-$70

http://onlychildhandicrafts.bigcartel.com | $70

Mushy Books

Just Arrived Photography One of the best gifts are memories, so give the new family oodles of them with a baby photography session with Just Arrived Photography.

They specialize in catching baby and newborn snaps, so book a session and watch as they make first baby photos as beautiful as the new bundle of joy. Price includes a one hour studio session and private online viewing.

www.justarrived.ca | $170

Guzzie+Guss This unique company, located in Delta, BC, makes strollers, high chairs and other baby gear for the modern parent. We love the Perch Hanging High Chair, which turns any table into a place for baby to eat when on the road or elsewhere.

www.guzzieandguss.com | $70

These one-of-a-kind baby books are as beautiful as they are original.

Created in Maple Ridge, they allow parents to choose a baby book that suits their child’s personality and feature modern designs that will appeal to the new millennium parent. The pages inside offer something different than those found at big box stores.

www.mushybooks.ca | $70-$85

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homegrown fashion

Photo: Stephanie Lamy

Redcreek Handmade

Beba Bean

Petit Paris

Lovers of craft, antiquity and hand-worked treasures from the past, Redcreek Handmade’s sources of inspiration are abundant and include textiles, quilts, solid colours, natural and hand-worked fabrics and dyes used by the founding artisans of folk art and craft. Each piece is made to order in the Squamish Valley.

Located in Port Coquitlam and offering online shopping, Beba Bean is full of luxurious clothing that is modern and stylish for baby. Creators of the famous Pee-pee Teepee, this brand promises snuggly bamboo clothing and a place to find the best baby gifts you can find.

If you’re after quality, style and comfort for your baby, check out Petit Paris, a fun collection of clothes for all ages of children. We love the Sunglasses Baby Striped Tee for both boys and girls and the variety of fun prints!

www.bebabean.com | $10 - $50

www.petitpariskids.com | $20-$90

redcreekhandmade.bigcartel.com | $30-$120

WeeWoollies Electrik Kidz

Minimoc These leather baby moccasins in an array of colours are made right here in Canada and are designed with an elastic opening for an easy slip-on fit that stays on busy, moving feet. They also make cute onesies that add campy style to any child. www.minimoc.ca | $40

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These cute clothes are Montrealbased creations for children up to three years old. The funky patterns, cheeky designs and edgy prints will have parents snapping up these fun clothes, bibs and sleep sacks as soon as they can get their hands on them.

We love the Prism Legging best of all! www.electrikkidz.com | $20-$50

This Victoria-based company creates unique baby clothes made from snuggly and warm merino wool. All clothes are Canadian made from the best in New Zealand wool and their designs are cute, colourful and gentle on baby’s skin. www.weewoollies.com $30-$60

green up, baby!

Hip Baby Love Child Organics Love Child Organics makes nutritious, preservative-free purees and snacks for your little one, so you know they are getting the best in taste and health. Love Child Organics gives back to First Book Canada, ensuring all children get to experience the magic of books. Run by a husband and wife team out of Whistler, Love Child Organics creates great food products for your growing child.

When in doubt about the best and safest products for baby, go to Hip Baby! They are committed to a more sustainable future without compromising style or fun.

For an eco-conscious toy for baby, check out Cate & Levi Upcycled puppets. Made in Canada from recycled sweaters, these cute puppets will entertain both you and your little one for hours! www.hipbaby.com | $25

www.lovechildorganics.com | $3.50-$5

CoCo & Tini Products CoCo & Tini bath products are soft and safe for baby while easing fears about harsh chemicals on little one’s skin. The owners are a fantastic parent team who strive to use gentle cleansing agents and ingredients derived from natural sources in their hair and bath care line. All Coco & Tini products are manufactured in Canada and are free of sulfates, parabens, petroleum derivatives, artificial fragrance and artificial preservatives. www.cocoandtini.com | $13-$18

Monkey Doodlez Looking for an alternative to disposable swim diapers but don’t know where to turn? Check out proudly Canadian Monkey Doodlez and their collection of cloth diapers and accessories that are safe for the environment and sourced from a variety of high-quality retailers. www.monkeydoodlez.com | $23

Taslie Baby Products This line of natural and healthy products for baby’s skin promises luxurious and natural cleaning and moisturizing while offering fun packaging to keep baby entertained.

Their organic materials will also make the ecofriendly side of parents feel at ease when applying Taslie skin care on baby’s tender skin. www.taslie.com | $4-$22

Lovey’s Tushi Wash Lovey’s makes a great line of wipes, rash cream and their unique Tushi Wash, which will protect baby’s most tender skin with zero chemicals. Great for chaffed, chapped or diaper-rashed skin, Tushi Wash and Tushi Stick are created by a passionate mom and uses the healthiest of ingredients. Best of all, it smells great! www.loveys.ca | $17

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Prenatal Testing Options Safe New Option for Early Prenatal Testing

by Rachel Butler, prenatal genetic counsellor at Olive Fertility Centre

a

new type of prenatal testing called Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is making it possible to accurately screen for a number of genetic abnormalities just weeks into the pregnancy.

Learning that you are pregnant is exciting, but you may also worry about the health of your unborn baby. Until very recently, expectant moms have had to rely on a combination of blood tests and ultrasounds to provide information about the health of the baby. The problem with these tests is that they have up to a 5% chance of giving a “false positive” result for various genetic problems. This means that the result frequently comes back abnormal when in fact the baby is perfectly healthy.

Approximately 95% of women identified as high risk by the traditional screening are carrying a healthy baby. A “false positive” result can create a lot of anxiety for the pregnant mom, as well as unnecessary and invasive additional testing, which increases the risk of miscarriage by 0.5%-1%. In addition, results are often not available until the second trimester, which is usually when the pregnancy starts showing.

NIPT offers women and couples accurate information and choice. The great majority of women who have the test will have a normal result, which will give them peace of mind early in the pregnancy. NIPT can relieve the expectant mom’s anxiety by reliably informing her that the major chromosome abnormalities are not likely a problem for her.

over 35 years old or have a high-risk pregnancy (eg: twin pregnancy, a baby from IVF, or have had a previous pregnancy with a trisomy).

First-trimester screening – This is similar to IPS without the second blood test. Therefore, results are available in the first trimester. This is not covered by our provincial health plan.

If I have NIPT, am I missing any other testing?

If you choose to have NIPT, you are not missing any other testing. However, it is recommended that every pregnant woman have a detailed anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks. This ultrasound is important to look at things like the heart and spinal cord development. NIPT, in combination with the detailed ultrasound, is currently the most effective prenatal screening available. Remember it is also not recommended to do more than one prenatal screening test.

How does NIPT accuracy compare to other prenatal screening tests?

What makes NIPT different from other early prenatal tests?

NIPT represents a major advancement in early prenatal testing. NIPT actually tests the DNA of the developing pregnancy as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy by using a simple blood test from the mother. This means that it is very accurate (>99%) compared to current tests, and does not have the high rate of false positives and negatives.

What does NIPT screen for?

NIPT measures the pregnancy’s genetic material (which is floating in the mother’s blood) to look for too few or too many copies of certain chromosomes. When a baby has three copies of a chromosome instead of the usual two, this is called a trisomy.

NIPT is used to screen for: • Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) • Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) • Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) • Sex Chromosome conditions (X, XXX, XXY, XYY) What other early prenatal tests are available?

Serum Integrated Pregnancy Screening (SIPS) -This involves two blood tests.

The first blood test is done between 9 and 13+6 weeks gestational age and the second is done between 15 and 21 weeks. SIPS is covered by our provincial health plan for all women in BC. Integrated Pregnancy Screening (IPS) – This involves SIPS as well as an ultrasound done between 11 and 13+6 weeks gestational age (Nuchal translucency). This test is covered under our provincial health plan if you are

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How do I decide which test is right for me?

Many women I talk to wonder if they should have prenatal testing. Before embarking on the process, I ask them to make sure that they know what the test they are having can and cannot test for, and to think about what they would do with that information.

Meeting with a genetic counsellor can be very helpful, as your counsellor will take the time to review you and your partner’s history, review basic genetics, and go over the test options in detail. They will help you determine which test is best and help you interpret the results of your test. Ultimately, every woman needs to choose which screening test is best for her.

Rachel Butler, BSc, MSc, CGC, CCGC, is the prenatal genetic counsellor at Olive Fertility Centre. Rachel is both Canadian and American Board Certified and is currently a clinical Instructor at UBC. She has completed a 4-year term on the Canadian Genetic Counselling Certification Committee and was also editor of the Canadian Genetic Counselling newsletter.

Annual Resource Listings

Go to www.baby-guide.ca for full resource listings!

ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT Baby & Tot Show www.babyandtotshow.com Belly Baby & Kid Show www.bellybabykidshow.com Burnaby Village Museum www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca Fantasy Farms www.fantasyfarmsinc.ca Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch hazelmerepumpkinpatch@shaw.ca Healthy Family Expo healthyfamilyexpo.com Imagine Children’s Museum www.imaginecm.org Krause Berry Farm www.krauseberryfarms.com Living Magic www.livingmagicentertainment.com Pony Pals www.ponypals.ca Science World www.scienceworld.ca Taves Family Farms www.tavesfamilyfarms.com Vancouver Aquarium www.vanaqua.org Vancouver Symphony Orchestra www.vancouversymphony.ca

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT BC Lactation Consultant Association www.bclca.ca BC Women’s Hospital Breastfeeding Clinic www.bcwomens.ca Breastfeeding Online www.breastfeedingonline.com Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd www.bflrc.com

La Leche League www.lllc.ca

Canadian Pediatric Society www.caringforkids.cps.ca

Gorgeous Baby Modern & Organic Cloth Diapers www.gorgeousbaby.ca

Vancouver Breastfeeding Centre www.breastfeedingclinic.com

Collingwood Neighbourhood House www.cnh.bc.ca

Green Bum Bum Cloth Diapers www.greenbumbum.com

Community Centres Check your local municipality website for the vast selection of programs at your community and recreation centres.

Happy Baby Cheeks www.happybabycheeks.ca

CHILDCARE AB Mack Immigration Live-in Caregiver training and recruitment www.abmackimmigration.ca

Family Services of Greater Vancouver www.fsgv.ca

Child Care Resource and Referral www.ccrr.bc.ca

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House www.froghollow.bc.ca

Childcare Choices Online Resource www.childcarechoices.ca

Fussy Baby www.thefussybabysite.com

Spare Time Child Care Society www.sparetimesociety.org

Langley Children www.langleychildren.com

UBC Childcare Services www.childcare.ubc.ca

Maxxine Wright Early Care and Learning Centre www.atira.bc.ca

Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres www.vsocc.org

Octopus Village Parent networking, services & resources to families www.octopus-village.com

Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre www.wstcoast.org YMCA of Greater Vancouver www.vanymca.org/childcare

COMMUNITY & SUPPORT Adoptive Families Association of BC www.bcadoption.com Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC www.anhbc.org

posAbilities www.posabilities.ca Provincial Government Education and Family Programs www.familiesfirstbc.ca Surrey Early Childhood www.surreyearlychildhood.ca

DIAPER SERVICES & SUPPLIES

Happy Nappy www.happynappy.ca Kawaii Baby Diapers www.theluvyourbaby.com Saucy Bottoms www.saucybottoms.ca Tender Tushies www.tendertushies.ca

DOULAS & MIDWIFE SERVICES Abbotsford Doula Group www.abbotsforddoula.com All About Birth Boutique www.allaboutbirthboutique.ca BC Women’s Hospital Pregnancy Birth & Newborns Clinic www.bcwomens.ca Childbearing Society www.childbearing.org Department of Midwifery, BC Women’s Hospital www.midwivesinvancouver.ca DONA International Doula Association www.dona.org

Baby Footprint www.thebabyfootprint.com

Doula Services Association of BC www.bcdoulas.org

BC Association of Family Resource Programs www.frpbc.ca

Baby On The Way

www.babyontheway.ca

Midwifery Associates www.midwiferyassociates.ca

BC Council for Families www.bccf.ca

Bumbini Cloth Diaper Company www.bumbini.ca

Midwifery Care North Shore www.midwiferycare.ca

BC Housing www.bchousing.org

bumGenius www.bumgenius.com

Mother Me Home support for new mothers www.motherme.ca

Burnaby Neighbourhood House Community programs and activities www.sbnh.ca

Cozy Bums Diapers www.cozybums.ca

Baby Go Round www.babygoround.ca

The Midwifery Group www.midwiferygroup.ca

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Help After Baby Arrives Services Offering Postpartum Solutions

y

ou’ve survived nine months of pregnancy. You’ve made it through the excitement of labour and delivery, and now you’re ready to head home and begin life with your baby. Once home, reality of motherhood sinks in and can feel a bit daunting. Don’t fret. We have rounded up a list of top-notch services that will make life a little easier as you ease into parenthood.

By Laura Grady

Retro Mom This “motherly-touch” cleaning service will tidy up the mess and provide you with a home cooked meal. You pick and choose what needs to be done and Retro Mom will swoop into action. www.retromomservices.ca

Mother Me Doula Services

Best Start

Mother Me Postpartum Doula Agency provides in-home care for both you and your baby. On duty to help you through breastfeeding, meal planning, nighttime routines and sibling care.

Tired parents and a tired baby are not a good mix. Babies need sleep and so do you. A Hushababy sleep consultation is a dream come true for new parents. A sleep expert will assist you with scheduling, feeding and shaping your baby’s sleep habits.

www.motherme.ca

www.hushababy.com/our-services

MamaLuv

My Best Helper

MamaLuv provides healthy meals delivered to your door.

Dishes are prepared locally and arrive frozen (so you can reheat at 2 am if you need to). Order food for a day or the week. You need to eat—so why not eat well?

My Best Helper will match you up with the right sitter. Set up like an online dating service, My Best Helper allows parents to create a job post, search babysitter profiles and find the sitter that suits their needs.

www.mamaluv.com/en/testimonials

www.mybesthelper.com Go to www.baby-guide.ca for the full article and more postpartum solution listings!

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Annual Resource Listings

Go to www.baby-guide.ca for full resource listings!

Vancouver Doula Collective www.vancouverdoulacollective.org

EDUCATION

Millennium Learning Advantage www.millenniumlearningadvantage.com Montessori Mes Petits www.ourpreschool.com

Burnaby French Language Preschool www.bflp.org

North Star Montessori www.northstarmontessori.ca

Collingwood School Non-denominational, university prep and private school for Grade 1 to 12 www.collingwood.org

Our Kids Private School Expo www.ourkidsmedia.com

Elite Montessori Academy Quality childcare and early childhood education www.elitemontessori.ca Fraser Valley Elementary www.fves.bc.ca Garderie et Prematernelle les Moussaillons www.moussaillons.ca Jewish Community Centre Preschool www.jccgv.com Kumon Math & Reading www.kumon.com Little Koala Montessori Childcare, creativity and education www.littlekoalamontessori.com Little Sunshine Preschool www.littlesunshinevancouver.com Meta Montessori House www.metamontessori.com

Reach for the Stars Montessori Children’s learning academy www.reachforthestarsmontessori.com Smilestones Educational junior kindergarten www.smilestones.ca Sunny Gate Montessori www.sunnygatemontessori.com Vancouver Bilingual Preschool www.vancouverbilingual.com

York House School Leading independent school for girls www.yorkhouse.ca

FITNESS

Yoga Buttons www.yogabuttons.com

GEAR & CLOTHING

Bare Fit and Pregnant www.barefitandpregnant.com

Active Baby www.activebaby.ca

Bodies by London www.bodiesbylondon.ca

Baby’s World www.babysworld.ca

Fit 4 Two www.fit4two.ca

Beansprouts www.beansprouts.ca

Mommies In Motion www.mommiesinmotion.ca

Crocodile Baby www.crocodilebaby.com

Mommy Fit www.mommyfit.ca

Dandelion Kids www.dandelionkids.ca

Mommy Moves www.mommymoves.ca

Ella + Elliot www.ellaandelliot.com

Vancouver Montessori www.vancouvermontessorischool.com Westside Montessori Academy www.westsidemontessoriacademy.ca Westside Montessori School www.westsidemontessori.ca Write Choice Early Learning Centre Individualized learning and education www.writechoicelearning.com

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Beyond the Jar Making Your Own Baby Food

by Laura Grady

m

aking your own baby food does not have to be a time consuming labour of love. Babies eat pureed foods for just a few months and with the right tips and tools, the task can be easy and efficient. Making your own baby food is economical too. Skip the grocery aisle and avoid spending money on prepackaged baby food.

Your kitchen is already stocked with the items you need. Fresh produce, grains and meats make perfectly delicious purees. Best of all, you’ll know exactly what you’re feeding your baby. “The old recommendations of starting with rice cereal and progressing through a specific order of foods has proven to not prevent food allergy,” explains nutritionist Kristen Yarker of Vitamin K Nutrition Consulting. “So it’s actually much more fun and easy to start solids now. Starting at about six months, offer your baby foods that you eat in your family.”

Deciding to make your own baby food gets your little one used to eating what the rest of the family eats—a strategy that may help with those picky toddler years. “The goal of introducing solid foods is to have your baby grow to join you at the table,” says Yarker. “The best benefit of making your own baby food is that you get to offer your baby age-appropriate versions of your family’s foods. From the start they’re developing a taste for your family’s foods.”

Choosing the Right Foods Take things slow and ease your way into baby food making. Nocook options are a great place to start. Bananas and avocados can be mashed and pureed quickly using a fork. “Introduce one food at a time and wait two to three days between each food,” advises Yarker. Sweet potatoes, green beans and carrots are good choices for veggies. Just cook them and mash. For fruits, try pears, peaches or plums. When it’s time to prep the fruits and veggies, you’ll want to wash them thoroughly and remove any parts that could cause a choking hazard, like seeds or stems.

“Starting at about six months babies bodies, and in particular their developing brains, need iron. Focus on iron-rich first foods. Ironrich foods include: meat; poultry such as chicken and turkey; fish and shellfish; beans and lentils and iron-fortified baby cereals,” says Yarker. Ultimately, making your own baby food does not have to be complicated. Work with the food you already have and feed your baby appropriate versions of the meals you dish up for the rest of the family.

Choosing the Right Equipment: You’ll need a tool to grind or puree the food into a consistency safe for baby. You may already have something in your cupboard that will work such as a blender or food processor. Keep it simple or go with something more sleek and sophisticated. Pick the tool that is right for you and get started.

“A fork! Fork-mashed is a great texture even from the very start.

Babies don’t need super smooth purees,” insists Yarker. “A blender can also come in handy for preparing meat and poultry. The fancy baby blenders are great but aren’t necessary. Any blender will do.”

If using a fork doesn’t get you excited about making your own baby food, here are a few fancier options to inspire you:

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Beaba Babycook This high-tech gadget has taken baby food to a whole new level. This machine lets you do both the cooking and the pureeing in the same device. Set it to steam and then when you’re satisfied that the food is soft, turn it to blend. The Beaba defrosts and reheats too. http://www.snugglebugz.ca | $190

Oxo Good Grips Food Mill This food mill gets the job done. Steam and chop the baby’s food first then load it into the mill. Simply turn the crank and you’ve got puree. When grinding berries, the food mill keeps seeds and skin out of the puree, thanks to the strainer. www.sears.ca | $70

Baby Bullet This pint-size blender has mashing power. Just like it’s bigger counterpart, this food processor will whip up baby food in a flash. Place cooked food into the Baby Bullet and fire away. The unit comes with storage containers, a bowl for large batches as well and a bowl for making just a meal or two at a time. www.toysrus.ca | $60

Cuisinart Smart Stick If you are short on space but still want to stir up something good for baby to eat, this handheld device works just fine. Plug it in and hold it in a bowl (any size) with food that’s steamed or otherwise ready to go. Hit the “on” switch so it can get to work making a smooth puree. www.cuisinart.ca | $70

ONYX Ice Cube Tray If you decide to make large batches of baby food, you will want to freeze it. The stainless steel Onyx ice cube tray does the trick.

Easily remove the divider, pour your homemade baby puree in, re-insert the divider and place into the freezer. Once frozen, remove individual cubes and place in a freezer safe container (like the ONYX airtight container). www.thetickletrunk.com/15-ice-cube-tray | $30 No matter what tool you choose to use for your baby food, it is important that your work area and equipment be cleaned and sterilized. Be sure to take apart and wash any washable parts with soapy water. Give them a rinse in some hot water and air dry. The dishwasher does a great job of keeping things clean too. Don’t forget to wash your hands.

Whether you work with a fancy baby food-making gadget or stick with a fork, you’ll be a puree professional in no time. Nothing beats feeding your little one healthy and wholesome home-cooked food.

Annual Resource Listings

Go to www.baby-guide.ca for full resource listings!

Frogs Hollow Children’s Boutique www.frogshollow.ca Hip Baby Sustainable toys, clothes and baby items www.hipbaby.com Kids Market, Granville Island www.kidsmarket.ca Lusso Baby www.lussobaby.ca Norwex Products for home and personal www.lilylaverton.norwex.biz Once Upon a Child: Kids’ Resale www.onceuponachildlangley.com Room for 2 www.roomfor2.ca Snugglebugz www.snugglebugz.ca Wee Ones Reruns Quality consignment baby and child items www.weeonesvancouver.com

Nourished with Alyssa Bauman, Health Consulting www.nourished.ca Olive Fertility Clinic Caring fertility treatment and education www.olivefertility.com Pacific West Dental www.pacificwestdental.com Peace Arch Maternity Clinic www.peacearchmaternityclinic.ca Pediatric Dental Group PDG Dental and orthodontic care for children www.pdgdental.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Dylan Doubt www.dylandoubt.com

With Child www.withchild.ca

PRENATAL EDUCATION

Girls With Film Photography www.girlswithfilm.blogspot.ca

Adar Birth Services www.adarbirthservices.com

Just Arrived Baby Photography Beautiful baby and newborn photos www.justarrived.ca

Belly to Baby www.bellytobaby.ca

Revival Arts www.revivalartsstudio.com

Birthing from Within www.birthingfromwithin.com

Rhonda Dent www.rhondadent.com

Pollock Clinics Infant Circumcision and Vasectomy www.circumcisionvancouver.com

Dancing Star Birth www.dancingstarbirth.ca

South Community Birth Program www.scbp.ca

Healthiest Babies Possible www.vch.eduhealth.ca

Babysafe – St. John Ambulance www.sja.ca

Tot 2 Teen Dental Pediatric dental services www.tot2teendental.com

Lamaze International www.lamaze.org

Baby Secure www.babysecure.ca

Lower Mainland Childbearing Society www.childbearing.org

BCAA: Infant/Child Care Seat Information Line www.bcaa.com

The Birth Place www.thebirthplace.ca

Safety Station at BC Children’s Hospital www.bcchildrens.ca/safetystation

Yaya Baby www.yayababy.ca

UC Baby Ultrasound Caring 3D ultrasounds www.ucbaby.ca

Yemaya Natural baby skincare products www.yemaya.ca

Vancouver Coastal Health resource www.vch.ca/your_health

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Thyme Maternity www.thymematernity.com

MATERNITY CLOTHING & EQUIP.

PROGRAMS ABC Music Factory www.abcmusicfactory.com

SAFETY

Safety Superstore www.safetysuperstore.ca

SLEEP CONSULTANT

Bellies in Bloom www.belliesinbloommaternity.com

Arts Umbrella www.artsumbrella.com

A Kiss Goodnight www.akissgoodnight.ca

Boomers & Echoes Kids & Maternity www.boomersandechoes.com

Gabriela’s Movement Studio www.movementstudio.ca

Cheeky Chops www.cheekychops.ca

Flirty Maternity Maple Ridge www.flirtymaternity.com

Jump Gymnastics www.jumpgymnastics.ca

Helen Sands www.helensands.com

Hazel & Jools www.hazelhipmoms.com

Music for Young Children www.myc.com

HushaBaby www.hushababy.com

Motherhood Maternity www.motherhoodcanada.ca

Place des Arts www.placedesarts.ca

Little Dreamers Consulting www.littledreamersconsulting.com

Noppies Maternity www.noppies.com

Richmond Aquatics www.richmond.ca

Sleep Dreams www.sleepdreams.ca

Kids Physio www.kidsphysio.ca

Purl Mama & Baby www.purlmama.com

Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics www.phoenixgymnastics.com

Sleep Stars Consulting www.sleepstars.ca

Leap Clinic www.leapclinic.ca

Room for 2 Maternity & Baby, Vancouver www.roomfor2.ca

YMCA www.vanymca.org

Sleepy Miracles www.sleepymiracles.com

Coco Chiropractic Integrated health & wellness clinic www.cocochiro.com Dial-A-Dietician www.dialadietitian.org Fraser Health Resource www.fraserhealth.ca Healthy Canadians Online Resource www.healthycanadians.gc.ca HealthLinkBC - Health information by phone or web www.healthlinkbc.ca

Logan Creek Counselling and Consulting www.logancreek.ca

baby guide 13

Choosing The Right Childcare What Option Works Best for Your Family?

by Nicole Breit

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or most families, childcare isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. If you’re looking into childcare but aren’t sure what will work best for your family, read on! Our childcare cheat sheet will give you the lowdown on each option with pros, cons, and costs.

The Family Option

Pros:

Many families lean on grandparents or extended family to fill gaps in childcare. Often, this is the best option cost-wise, and it also nurtures close family bonding.

• Structured care in a child-centered learning environment.

Pros:

• Choose from a wide variety of programming options including Montessori, Waldorf, fine arts, academic, language or culture-based.

Live-Out Nannies

• A potential win-win for family members who have the time to spare.

• Accountability is greater with directors, managers, and trained caregivers on site.

• Low or no cost childcare.

Cons:

Cons:

• Long wait lists are the norm with daycare centres, especially the really good ones.

This option works well for families who need full or part time help and want to enjoy the benefits of in-home care.

Pros: • No hectic daycare drop offs and pick-ups and assistance provided in getting your children ready for school while you get ready for work.

• The close one-on-one relationship can mean more individualized care than in a group environment.

• Light housecleaning and meal prep makes family life less chaotic and more enjoyable.

Cons: • Last minute schedule changes can be a challenge as many live out nannies have other jobs.

• This is one of the pricier childcare options.

Cost: $16-25/hour depending on number of kids, special needs, travel required, meal prep, housekeeping, and other duties.

• It can be challenging for parents to communicate their care needs with family, especially those of a different generation or parenting style.

• Having family involved can place stress on relationships.

• Older family members may overestimate their ability to care for infants or busy, active kids.

Cost: Typically low or even free.

Home Based Daycare A small in-home daycare may be the perfect solution for families with young children. Most kids enjoy being part of a group that nurtures new friendships and emphasizes play-based learning.

Pros: • Socializing with other kids.

Live-In Care Live-in nannies offer round the clock care at an affordable price. This is a popular option for families raising more than one child.

• Parents enjoy greater flexibility with this type of care versus larger centres (e.g. with schedule changes, administering medications, negotiating pick up times, etc.)

Pros:

• A relatively affordable option.

• When you’re run down, your kids are sick, your work schedule changes, or you want a night out, care is available.

• Be prepared for your kids to get sick with frequent exposure to runny noses and shared toys.

• Tax deductions for room and board can bring down costs.

• New parents can learn a few tricks from nannies who have years of experience or kids of their own.

Cons: • Parents may struggle when their kids turn to the nanny first for comfort, playtime, and attention.

• A compatible personality and parenting style are key to this arrangement working out, and may take time to find.

If you value family privacy, this may not be the best option.

Cost: $300-$400/40 hour week plus room, board, and overtime.

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Cons:

• A variety of activities may be limited in homebased care (though it really depends on the daycare and its staff ).

• It can be difficult to monitor what really happens in a day.

Cost: Varies with child’s age and full or part time care, but average is $40-$55/day

Daycare Centres Group care centres offer kids and families a high degree of structure and accountability with programs for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school age children.

• Be prepared for paperwork, strict rules, and policies.

• Daycare centres tend to be one of the more expensive childcare options, especially for larger families.

Cost: Varies with child’s age, full or part time care and location, but average $50/day and up.

Workplace Care What could be more handy than taking your kids to work with you? Many families love the ease and comfort of having their little ones close in an on-site daycare facility.

Pros: • Save time and gas money with only one stop each morning.

• Enjoy the comfort of knowing your child is being cared for close by.

• You’ll get to know your co-workers with kids and maybe even set up a few playdates.

Cons: • If you’re not going to work or have to work late you’ll still have to get your kids to daycare or back home; a closer option may sometimes be more convenient.

• Some parents may feel pressured to stay at work when their child needs them.

• The temptation to peek in on your kids during the day can be hard to resist.

Cost: Varies, but expect to pay what you’d pay in other group daycare centres, around $50/day and up depending on the age of your child.

When it comes to choosing care for your child, nothing beats a personal referral and great references! Be sure to check out www. daycarereview.ca, a website run by parents for parents.

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