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The Local Guide for Active Urban Families

fall fun! babyguide westcoast

2015-16

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october 2015

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Inside our 16th Annual Baby Guide: special offers, resources, features and cool finds for expectant and new moms & dads

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WCF From Our Family to Yours

WCF Contests

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One-year-old Calista is all smiles at Richmond Country Farms!

Photographed by Anita Alberto Photography www.anitaalberto.com Photographed at Art Knapp’s Funland www.artknapps.ca

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Families

e: Annual Baby Guid Inside our 16th urces, features and cool reso special offers, ctant and new moms & dads finds for expe

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WestCoastFamilies.com

WCF Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening

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INSIDE .....................................

Contests The GREAT Baby Guide Giveaway

The Modern Midwife How midwives are surging in popularity

Baby Guide Annual Resource Listings

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

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Family Fun Fun Family Activities for Fall and Halloween

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

Get out of the House!

Coping with post-natal Isolation

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Not Your Average Baby Shower Unique Alternatives

Post-natal Programs Helpful Programs After Baby Arrives

next issue nov/dec • holiday gift guide • winter family fun • family photography

World Leaders in Education Ages 1-5 Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we are thrilled to serve our local communities further in extending full CEFA Tuition Scholarships to the following lucky winners: The Bantra Family whose daughter Sayesha will be attending CEFA Surrey-Fleetwood

The Feng Family whose son Phil will be attending CEFA South Surrey-Panorama

The Kramer Family whose daughter Mya will be attending CEFA Langley-Walnut Grove

The Pecchia Family whose daughter Sophia will be attending CEFA Surrey-Guildford

The Pham Family whose daughter Rhodesia will be attending CEFA LangleyWillowbrook

Congratulations to you all.

We look forward to welcoming you into the CEFA family!

www.cefa.ca

October 2015

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from our family to yours

families westcoast

y

ou may have noticed that the temperatures are creeping lower and lower, and many of us are retreating indoors to the eventual rain that comes to the Lower Mainland. We feel your pain and we’re also missing the warm summer days, but our community is stunning this time of year, so be sure to get out and explore…just be sure to pack your umbrella!

October marks our annual Fall Fun feature, and WestCoast Families is determined to keep you entertained and occupied, no matter the weather! So grab our fall fun suggestions and check off some local bucket list items.

We’re also presenting our monthly news features, with an amazing idea for donating your newborn’s cord blood to help others, and tons of events, activities and more in our community calendar.

Don’t miss our annual Baby Guide insert too, which has all the tips, tricks, products and services for new and expecting parents and their families. We have some excellent features on baby showers, midwifery and more, so keep this insert aside for other parents you know!

Once again, we thank our readers for picking us up and browsing all that the Lower Mainland has to offer!

westcoastfamilies.com 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

Assistant Editor

wcf presents Baby and Tot Show

Published by National Families Network Publisher: Andrea Vance publisher@westcoastfamilies.com

Neuroplasticity and Education: Strengthening the Connection

For distribution inquiries, please email publisher@westcoastfamilies.com For submissions to our community calendars, please email admin@westcoastfamilies.com

Heart-Mind Conference

October 23, Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver Join parents, educators, and health care professionals to hear an amazing line up of world renowned pioneers speak about the connections between education and neuroscience. www.neuroplasticityandeducation.com

October 2-3, Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre Helping children meet the challenge of keeping real human connections in our digital world. Two days of presentation, workshops and networking to explore, learn and inquire. www.dalailamacenter.org/program/heart-mindconference

October 23, Creekside Community Centre, Vancouver A fun-filled and inspiring day-long event to celebrate and empower 10-12 year old girls. www.gdayforgirls.com

October 24-25, Tradex Centre, Abbotsford BC’s Largest Baby & Toddler Expo. A valuable event for expectant parents & families. www.babyandtotshow.com

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Advertising sales@westcoastfamilies.com 604.249.2866

WestCoastFamilies.com

G Day for Girls

To share your feedback, please email editor@westcoastfamilies.com Contributors Nicole Breit, Jennifer Bruyns, Krysta Furioso, Jodi Iverson, Nic Enright-Morin, Kelly S. Thompson, Heidi Turner, Andrea Vance All contents copyrighted ©.

Written permission from the publisher is required to reproduce, quote, reprint or copy any material from WestCoast Families Mailing address: 1215-C56 St. Box 18057 Delta, BC V4L 2M4 T 604 249 2866 | F 604 676 2802

contests!

Visit us online for new contests every issue!

www.westcoastfamilies.com

Trick or Treat with Phoenix Gymnastics!

Skate Away with Disney

Have a ball at the Halloween Family Fun Day on October 25th. Winners will receive one of five tickets, valued at $20 each. Tickets offer entry for three children and their parents to time in the open gym, a sundae bar, carnival games, photo booth, bouncy castle, haunted house and more!

Don’t miss your chance to win one of two family four-packs of tickets to Disney on Ice, presenting Frozen! Join your favourite characters from this loveable tale, as Anna and Elsa take you to their wintery wonderland full of music, fun, and ice!

Deadline to enter: October 20, 2015

Deadline to enter: October 30, 2015

Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com

Enter at www.westcoastfamilies.com

October 2015

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westcoast finds Underables These adorable pajamas and basics have a conscience, thanks to this mom-run company based out of Vancouver. The owners ensure materials and clothing items are responsibly made and sourced, from the farmers to the factory workers, meaning you’ll feel good when you don Underables’ luxurious fabrics, made for the whole family.

www.underables.com | $10 and up

Lusomé With a name like this (an old Scottish term for “desirable”), these classy and elegant styles of women’s sleepwear won’t disappoint. Sweat wicking fabric and colourful patterns mean you’ll be stylish at all times, whether lazing in bed or lounging midday.

www.lusome.com | $50 and up

Stonz Boots These easy to put on (and stay on) winter booties come in a wide range of colours and styles to accommodate your little one as they grow. The handy bungee cord strap keeps little toes warm, even when they forget their socks.

www.stonzwear.com $45 and up

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WestCoastFamilies.com

westcoast

babyguide 2015-16

Brought to you by

The Local Guide for Active Urban Families

Inside our 16th Annual Baby Guide: special offers, resources, features and cool finds for expectant and new moms & dads

free!

Display until Fall 2016

l a loc YOUR

N B A I D C A N AS T O R E

ABY

Presented by

families westcoast

on our cover...

10-month-old Tobias is a smile a minute, and gave us one of his best for this year’s Baby Guide!

Photographed by Dylan Doubt www.dylandoubtphotography.com

It’s time for our annual Baby Guide, which offers new and expecting parents all the info, resources, and tips they need for raising their little one in the Lower Mainland. Parenthood is fraught with choices and decisions about how to raise the baby, what products to buy and what companies are trustworthy. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you by finding some of the best local goodies that will make having a baby easier to manage.

We’re also featuring a discussion on midwifery in BC, as it can be hard to differentiate their services between doctors and doulas. We’re also bringing you a great article about local services, restaurants and meetups that help to soothe the isolation that can come with having a newborn, by getting new parents out of the house.

We want to show you newborn-friendly spots that won’t make you feel alone in the parenting sleeplessness!

And are you bored with typical bridal showers? We bring you some unique alternatives to the standard snacks and party game shower.

Whether you’re a new parent, an aunt or uncle or someone who values local products and services, we know that our Baby Guide will help you find all that you need to make welcoming your newborn a positive and exciting experience.

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

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Contests The GREAT Baby Guide Giveaway

The Modern Midwife How midwives are surging in popularity

Baby Guide Annual Resource Listings

contests!

Soothe to Sleep The Sleeping Child is giving away a one-on-one Sleep Consultation, valued at over $500! Since these assessments are done virtually, parents all over the province will benefit from this prize pack. Let the Sleeping Child guide your family to a positive sleep plan for your little ones, with follow up and other resources! The whole family will benefit!

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

Get out of the House!

Coping with post-natal Isolation

6 12

Not Your Average Baby Shower Unique Alternatives

Post-natal Programs Helpful Programs After Baby Arrives

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

Visit us online to enter!

www.baby-guide.ca

win!

Deadline to enter: April 30, 2016 Enter at www.baby-guide.ca

baby guide

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westcoast

babyguide

cool finds Between You and Me Teething Rattle These high-quality teething rattles are made from wood and silicone, perfect for cutting baby’s teeth. They’re made right in Vancouver with food grade silicone and sensorial sound and touch that babies will love using to soothe their angry mouths.

Best of all, mom can wear it as a bracelet between gnawing!

www.betweenyouandme.ca | $21

Petit Loulou Baby Toys Made right in Vancouver, we can’t get enough of these soft, vibrant and unique baby toys. Parents can customize with added rattles and squeakers, while kids will be endlessly stimulated by the ribbons, nubs and colours of their special toy.

www.etsy.com/shop/PetitLoulouShop | $20-45

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baby guide

From the Seeds Fabric Bucket Storage is made snazzy with these adorable fabric buckets.

They come in a variety of colours and sizes and can be used to collect stray toys, clothes, or whatever your little one wants to fill them with. Home décor for the nursery has never been so cute.

www.fromtheseeds.etsy.com | $17

Tanya’s Pick!

From ca Snugglebugz.

Matt and Nat Raylan Diaper Bag

Baby Jogger City Select Stroller

Pack all of baby’s essentials in style with this bag from Matt and Nat. Made in Quebec, these products are all vegan but don’t skimp on pizzazz. No one will know that inside are diapers, handy pockets and everything else to keep you and your child on the go.

All new parents should have this Baby Jogger City Select Stroller, with the titanium colour unique to Snuggle Bugz! This easy-to-maneuver stroller includes 16 configurations, a second seat, and endless accessory options for new parents.

www.hipbaby.com | $190

www.snugglebugz.ca | $900

baby guide

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Not Your Average Baby Shower Unique Alternatives to Traditional Showers

by Kelly S. Thompson

w

e’ve all been to and loved baby showers. It is a time to celebrate a new mother, her partner and a soon-to-be welcomed child into the world, and to help the new family prepare for the little one. But if we’re all honest, we could think of better ways to spend our time than peering at melted chocolate bars in diapers or seeing who can drink the fastest through a bottle. WestCoast Families decided to explore some baby shower alternatives for the next time someone you love is about to welcome a newborn into the world.

Stock the Library Party Sometimes, showers in general can feel like a bit of a gift grab. For those strapped for cash, receiving an invite to a shower can bring feelings of anxiety and for the parents-to-be, this can make a celebratory event something stressful. Instead, why not have a no-gifts get together with simple food and drinks, or set a theme that allows guests to easily afford a coordinated gift.

This is why many mothers are suggesting “Stock the Library” parties, where guests are encouraged to bring their favourite children’s book for the new baby. Not only is this a loving and sentimental way to give something special to the new family, but also gives insight into each guest as they explain why a book made an imprint on their own lives. Guests will love knowing that the new child will also be given the gift of literacy as their parents read from a library stocked by the people who love her.

Gender Reveal Party For parents who choose to know the sex of their baby in advance, this can be one of the most exciting details to share with family members. But more and more people are choosing to have an event dedicated to letting loved ones know if the baby is a boy or a girl. Sometimes the parents don’t know and it is a friend who is told the gender and then coordinates the party accordingly.

Guests can hedge their bets and there is lots of fun to be had surrounding guessing the sex. Think of creative ways to reveal, such as cutting a cake (to find blue or pink cake inside), wrapping a gift with several layers of paper until the final reveals the appropriate colour, or doing a digital montage of photos that culminates in the gender reveal. Whatever method chosen to reveal the baby’s gender, everyone will love being part of the surprise and helping the new parents celebrate their little boy or girl.

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Have a Bro-Shower It’s hard to deny that men are a big part of making a baby! So why shouldn’t the father and his friends be invited to the baby shower or even have one of his own? If the event is going to be decked out in crustless sandwiches and fluffy pink pillows, men are likely to retreat to the basement like boys and girls separating at a junior high dance. So if males are invited, make the event friendly to both genders. Why not play a game of poker, with the winner getting a certificate to a nice dinner out? Or operate a Guitar Hero competition while snacking on traditional pub fare that everyone will love?

Whatever games or events you choose, men don’t have to be excluded from the fun if they’re considered part of the party.

Spa Party Showers can sometimes feel like work. Between the planning and the buying, the shopping and the cooking, hosts and parents alike often slip into a state of exhaustion once the event is over and the final plastic cup has gone in the trash. Prevent this party fatigue with a spa party, using one of the many mobile spa services that operate in the Lower Mainland. Let the mother-to-be sit in the comfort of her own home while her closest female (or male!) friends also get pampered with manicures, massages or even a little hair updo. Everyone will leave feeling relaxed and most importantly, the mother will be preened and prepared to welcome her baby into the world.

Sip and See When a baby is born, everyone wants to see the little one and congratulate the parents on a job well done. But this is a hectic time for the new family and countless visitors can feel daunting when sleep deprived, although parents are often keen to show their baby to their loved ones. Sip and Sees are a type of shower held after the baby is born, usually several weeks later (to give mom a chance to get used to her new routine), allowing everyone

to meet the baby at one scheduled time, instead of a consistent trail of wellmeaning visitors. Consider a two-hour open house where family and friends can come and go as they please, cuddle the baby, and have a small bite to eat before wishing the family well.

Mother Blessing Baby showers are often a reason to give gifts for a new baby, but rarely does the new mother receive something that helps her to relax and prepare for this large change in her life. That’s why some people are considering Mother Blessings, events held before the birth of a child and designed to support and offer blessings to the mom-to-be. This is traditionally a female only event, where loved ones share their own birthing stories, advice and well wishes for the new mom in a loving and supportive environment. Mother Blessings usually involve some sort of spiritual ceremony, whether it is an offering to the mother or perhaps a bead ceremony, where each guest procures a special bead to be made into a bracelet to give the mother strength during her birth. These events sometimes blend a type of spa party too, with massage or spa services for the mother to help her prepare for the work of raising a child.

Whatever method you choose to celebrate a new baby, be sure to do it with the ones you love, as it takes a village!

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The Modern Midwife How midwives are surging in popularity

by Heidi Turner

t

here are a few questions that are typically asked of a pregnant woman, including whether she’s having a boy or girl and if she’s planning on a natural birth. Nowadays, pregnant women are also being asked whether they’re using a doctor or a midwife. While childbirth was traditionally the doctor’s domain, more British Columbian women are turning to midwives for pregnancy care. The reasons for this trend are plenty, including personal preference, lack of access to doctors, and a desire for at-home care following birth. So what are midwives and why are women turning to them?

Shortly after, in 2002, UBC began offering a midwifery program—a four-year undergraduate degree. In 2012, the university expanded the program from 10 spaces to 20, a sign of the program’s success. The Bachelor of Midwifery is in such high demand that in the past year, 180 people applied for the 20 available placements. Today, there are 249 midwives actively practicing and licensed in British Columbia, according to Alixandra Bacon, president of the Midwives Association of British Columbia.

Bacon says she knew she always wanted to be a midwife. “I was dedicated to women’s health and reproductive rights. I wanted to work in a holistic model that sees women and pregnancy as normal.”

Why Women Use Midwives

Midwives provide primary care to women throughout pregnancy, including during childbirth. They offer a full range of services and are able to monitor the pregnancy, identify issues and, if necessary, refer the expectant mother to a doctor or specialist for treatment. Additionally, midwives assist during preconception and post-birth, providing care for the mother and infant. This allows women to give birth in a hospital, at home, or in a clinic, with at-home care visits offered in the first week following pregnancy.

There are many reasons women turn to midwives for care during pregnancy.

Some cite the personalized care and the ability to give birth at home. Others refer to the ability to have at-home follow-ups after birth, rather than going to a doctor’s office. Another factor is the continuity of care provided by midwives.

Continuity of care means the midwife present at the birth is known to the mother-to-be—not a stranger who happens to be on duty when the mother goes into labour.

“Midwives offer education and support, and show mothers different options for their pregnancy,” says Michelle Butler, Ph.D. and director of the UBC midwifery program. “They monitor the pregnancy and ensure everything is going well. The midwife supports the mother to achieve her goals during birth. She also prepares the mother for parenthood and gives initial care to the baby. It’s a similar role to a family doctor, with the midwife making referrals if issues arise.”

Under the midwives Continuity of Care Policy, pregnant women can be cared for by a group of up to four midwives, with one of those four on-call at all times so there is always someone available who is known to the motherto-be. In cases where a group of midwives is responsible for the mother, the mother must have the opportunity to get to know each of them to develop relationships. Because midwives offer continuity of care, many choose to work in practices of up to three or four, to help share the responsibilities of being on-call and available for emergencies or births.

A Complicated History Although midwives have been around in some form since women have been giving birth, it was not long ago that midwifery was maligned and women were discouraged from using anyone other than a doctor for pregnancy care.

In the 1990s, after decades of lobbying from midwives, the tide began to change and the B.C. government announced it would legalize midwifery. In 1995, the College of Midwives of British Columbia was established to regulate the profession and in 1998, the college gave out the first licenses.

Midwives Speak We asked some midwives for information about their jobs, the choices women have in their birthing experience, and more.

What should I look for in a midwife?

For some women, the ability to use a midwife is a practical matter. Michelle Butler says midwifery provides vital services in areas where there is a healthcare vacuum, such as in remote, northern communities. “There is an unmet need in the province,” Butler says. “There are communities that don’t have maternity services. Midwives can fill that void.”

Midwives are sometimes confused with doulas, although there are some important differences. Doulas do not have medical responsibility for the pregnancy. A doula can provide support, but does not provide the assessment or clinical care offered by a midwife.

What is the benefit of choosing a midwife for pregnancy and delivery?

Women receiving care from midwives: • Are less likely to have a caesarean section (19% vs provincial average of 30%) • Have a lower rate of preterm births • Are less likely to be hospitalized prenatally • Spend an average of 18 hours less in hospital

Once you have decided on having a midwife, you will need to find one in your area. There is a high demand for midwifery care and most practices book up quickly, so you should call early in pregnancy. Practices vary in sizes.

Some have a larger team of midwives and some practices consist of only one or two midwives. At your introductory appointment you will want to ask questions about these practice specifics, and who will be available for your birth. You also will want to get a sense of the midwife’s communication style, and make sure you feel comfortable with her willingness to answer your questions and listen to your personal concerns.

Other benefits of midwifery care include: • Longer prenatal appointments (30-60min) • At home labour assessments • One-to-one care in labour • Choice of home or hospital birth • Postpartum home visits, including breastfeeding support • At home labour assessment • One-to-one care in labour • Choice of home or hospital birth • Postpartum home visits including breastfeeding support

Janice Robinson, RM, Heart Centered Birth www.heartcenteredbirth.net

Alix Bacon, Midwives Association of British Columbia , www.bcmidwives.com

baby guide guide 8 baby

“We encourage women to have a doula and a midwife,” Alixandra Bacon says.

“Midwives are there for the active part of the labour—when the woman is dilated from four to six centimetres—but early labour can go on for days. A doula comes earlier in the process and provides support during that time.”

Heidi Maxwell has used a midwife for multiple pregnancies. She made this choice because of the personal experience the longer appointment times afforded and because of the aftercare. She also appreciates that midwives allow women to take control of their own birth experiences and prenatal care. “A midwife is the best type of birth attendant for me,” Maxwell says. “I would definitely use a midwife again and aim for another home birth. With a doctor you don’t have the option of home birth, which is where I feel most comfortable. I think more women desire a birth with fewer interventions, more care, and a lower chance of cesarean section.”

Women can turn to a midwife at any stage during the pregnancy and can even engage their services during preconception, but Bacon cautions that midwives tend to book up quickly, so finding one on short notice can be difficult. Midwifery care is covered by MSP and midwives have hospital privileges, so women who are more comfortable giving birth in a hospital are able to do so.

Anyone interested in learning more about midwives can visit the Midwives Association of B.C. website at bcmidwives.com.

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Get out of the House!

Coping with post-natal Isolation

By Nicola Enright-Morin

b

eing a parent of a newborn is one of the most magical experiences there is. When your baby first arrives, the constant stream of wellwishers and visitors means you hardly have time to yourself. But once the initial excitement wears off, being at home all day can be overwhelmingly lonely. With only a newborn, daytime TV and the seemingly never-ending laundry for company, the walls can feel as if they are closing in. Therefore, getting out of the house is vital to any new parent’s sanity.

Public health nurse Andy Timmerman says, “So much of being a new mom is very solitary, just talking to your baby, or to your partner, who is often tired at the end of a work day, so the chance to speak with other adults is vital.

I couldn’t put a price on how valuable it is for new moms to get out of the house, it absolutely is that important.”

Getting out of the house is also a chance to make friends with other new parents. “Just having another person that understands the challenges your going through and who can celebrate your baby’s developmental milestones is so therapeutic.”

Being social with other parents and families is also a great way to extend your mommy network further, as other parents are full of information about the latest hot spots for you and your baby. In the meantime, WestCoast Families has rounded up some of the best mom and baby resources across the Lower Mainland to get you started.

Fitness One of the best ways to feel like your old self again is to include some fitness in your routine. Gone are the days when you could use a newborn as an excuse to lounge and watch TV in your pajamas all day; now there are all kinds of classes to get you and your baby moving.

Fit4Two Fit4Two has classes at locations all over the Lower Mainland.

They have something for all fitness levels, including mom and baby aquafit,

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bootcamps, and stroller fitness classes. You can pay drop-in prices, or sign up for a full block of classes. Prices vary, depending on the location, or the type of class. www.fit4two.ca

Baby and Me Yoga Restore your pre-baby Zen by getting your yoga on.

Yoga is perfect for gentle stretching and it also benefits digestion, circulation and balances your hormones: all of which are important for new moms.

Community centres across the Lower Mainland offer mom and baby yoga classes, as do many private yoga studios. www.semperviva.com | www.yogawithlorilucas.com

Aqua Fit Aqua fit classes for mum and baby are a great way to get your baby comfortable in the water and help you regain your pre-baby fitness in a fun and supportive environment. www.mommymoves.ca

Bare Fit and Pregnant Offering pre and post-natal classes, moms will

love connecting with other women in similar life stages while getting an excellent workout with well-trained coaches. And of course, baby is welcome to classes with new mommies. www.barefitandpregnant.com

Eating Out One of the hardest things about toting a newborn is the anxiety you feel in a restaurant or café. You finally get out of the house - and then your baby needs to nurse or cry. Cue swathing your baby in a blanket the size of a tent and death glares from other patrons. But take heart. Venturing out is much more enjoyable if you go where the food is not only awesome, but babies are positively welcome too.

Circus Play This is a new play café on East 12th where kids can play and

grown-ups get to enjoy quality beverages and food. With workshops, music, art classes and story telling events, this little gem has something for both kids and parents alike. www.circusplaycafe.com

Sweet Salt Cafe A family-focused bakery and café, Sweet Salt Café is home

to carefully crafted breads, pastries, organic sodas and an array of teas and specialty coffee. The perfect spot to hang out with your new mommy friends. www.sweetsalt.ca

Big Feast Bistro Downtown Vancouver is brimming with trendy eateries that are willing to accommodate kids. The outlying suburbs? Not so much.

Well not anymore. The Big Feast Bistro in Maple Ridge not only has a gourmet menu but is all about family. Check them out if you want something a little more up-market. www.bigfeast.ca

Entertainment Le Petit Spa For a real mom indulgence, check out Le Petit Spa, where

you can get a pedicure for yourself, or a reflexology package for both you and baby. It features all the usual spa trimmings, in a baby friendly environment. www.lepetitspa.ca

Movies Fed-up of daytime TV and binge watching Netflix while your little one naps? Going out to watch a movie is a great way to feel human again. www.facebook.com/movies4mommies

Parent and Infant Drop-ins Parent and baby drop-in groups are a

chance to connect with other parents, while getting support from healthcare professionals. There are groups all over the Lower Mainland and each session includes a topic of interest covered by an expert, as well as time for parents to socialize.

www.vch.ca/your-health/infants,-children-&-youth/parent-and-child-drop-in-groups

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Post Natal Programs Helpful Programs After Baby Arrives

by Nicole Breit There are many classes for preparing for baby but for brand new parents, a newborn can be a daunting addition to the family as much as a welcome one. Today there are many post natal programs that help parents hone their parenting skills, learn about baby care and also develop social relationships with other new parents. Take a Kindermusik class, drop in to a breastfeeding group or join a baby and me story time!

You’ll find a host of learning opportunities among these local programs that support new parents and their babies. Check out your library and recreation center to seek out more parent-friendly educational programs in your neighbourhood.

The Childbearing Society Post Partum Classes 3569 Commercial Street, Vancouver Dates: Mondays, 12:30-2:00 pm Ages: 0 - walking age Cost: $10/class www.childbearing.org Bring your baby along for a group learning session designed for new parents. Recommended by midwives and physicians, post partum classes cover infant feeding, sleep, health and safety, colic and crying, attachment and infant development, as well as topics suggested by participants. The Childbearing Society also offers breastfeeding clinics.

Family Place Drop-In Programs West Side: 2819 West 11th Avenue East Side: 1655 William Street South Side: 7710 Nanaimo Street Dates: Ongoing Ages: 0+ Cost: $1-2/drop ins www.westsidefamilyplace.com www.eastsidefamilyplace.org www.southvancouverfamilyplace.org The mandate of a Family Place is to act as a community resource center, offering inclusive, affordable and accessible support for parents and their children.

Register for a Mother Goose early literacy class or sign up for a parenting class. A learning library and childminding are also available at some family places.

La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Various locations in BC Dates: Ongoing Ages: 0+ Cost: Free www.lllc.ca The mission of La Leche League is to “encourage, promote and provide mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and educational opportunities.” Support is available by phone, email or at a monthly La Leche meeting, with partners welcome to attend. Meeting participants share experiences, give suggestions and offer support and encouragement in an accepting atmosphere. Call the Breastfeeding Referral Line at 1-800-665-4324 or visit the website to find a group near you.

12 baby guide

Phoenix Gymnastics Active Play Programs Millennium Sports Facility 4588 Clancy Loranger Way St. James Facility 3214 West 10th Avenue Dates: Check website Ages: 6 months to 3 years Cost: $129 - $214/9 to 15 week classes www.phoenixgymnastics.com These parent participation programs introduce babies to active play in a fun and safe gym environment.

Infants and toddlers enjoy songs and free play while developing their motor skills through games, creative movement and circuits. Registration is required for weekly 45-minute classes, which offer progressive skill development under the guidance of trained coaches.

Notable Kids Kindermusik Classes 3063 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver Dates: Check website Ages: 0 - 24 months Cost: Free for babies under 4 months; $72/4 week session www.notablekids.ca You and your baby will love singing, dancing and exploring a variety of props and instruments with a caring and trained Kindermusik instructor. Registration in a 45-minute Cuddle and Bounce or Sing and Play class also includes digital tools to continue the fun and learning at home or in the car. Sign up online for a free preview class!

VCH Parent & Baby Drop In Groups Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Squamish, Pemberton and Whistler Dates: Call for details Ages: 0 - 12 months Cost: Free but must register www.vch.ca/your-health/ Connect with other parents and get support from health care providers (public health nurses, community nutritionists, etc.) through Vancouver Coastal Health.

Together you’ll learn about health-related issues like breastfeeding, immunization, safety, dental care, adjusting to parenthood and preparing for return to work.

Man in the Moon Dad and Baby Story Times Vancouver Public Library and Surrey Public Library Ages: 0 - 24 months Dates: Ongoing Cost: Free www.vpl.ca www.surreylibraries.ca This story time and sing-a-long for male caregivers and their little ones is offered at several branches of the Vancouver and Surrey Public Libraries. Search the library program listings for story times.

Nobody’s Perfect Parenting Classes Various locations Ages: Parents of children 0 - 5 years Dates: Ongoing Cost: Free www.nobodysperfect.ca Learn about child development, safety, health and behaviour with the support of a trained facilitator. You’ll also meet with other parents, discuss your concerns and discover positive ways of parenting.

Roundhouse Community Post Natal Programs 181 Roundhouse Mews Dates: Check website Ages: 0+ Cost: Varies by program www.roundhouse.ca/programs/post-natal/ Sing and dance to international folk songs and lullabies.

Learn baby sign language. Practice gentle, mindful movements in a dance class. Explore toys, mats and a bouncy castle at a gym drop-in. The Roundhouse offers supervised fun and interactive programs for wee ones year-round. Check the website for current offerings.

Safe & Sound Infant CPR 3170 Tory Avenue, Coquitlam Dates: Check website Ages: 0+ Cost: $45/person www.learnfirstaid.ca/courses/baby-and-childcprsafety/ Designed for parents and caregivers, the Baby and Child CPR/Safety workshop will introduce you to the techniques you need to know to save an infant who is choking or having difficulty with breathing/circulation.

The four-hour class also covers information on safe sleeping, falls, poisoning, car safety and more.

Strong Start Early Learning Program Schools throughout the Lower Mainland Dates: September - June Ages: 0 - 5 years Cost: Free drop in www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/ early-learning/learn/strongstart-bc Parents, grandparents and caregivers are all invited to participate with young children for stories, games, music, art, circle times and free play. At no cost to families, this early learning drop-in program offers young children a chance to meet new friends and prepare for success in Kindergarten.

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

• ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

BC Women’s Hospital Breastfeeding Clinic www.bcwomens.ca

• RESOURCES & SUPPORT

Breastfeeding Online www.breastfeedingonline.com

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

Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd www.bflrc.com

Adoptive Families Association of BC www.bcadoption.com

La Leche League www.lllc.ca

Association of Neighbourhood Houses BC www.anhbc.org

Belly Baby & Kid Show www.bellybabykidshow.com

Vancouver Breastfeeding Centre www.breastfeedingclinic.com

Baby Go Round www.babygoround.ca

Burnaby Village Museum www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca

• CHILDCARE

BC Association of Family Resource Programs www.frpbc.ca

Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch www.hazelmerepumpkinpatch@shaw.ca

AB Mack Immigration www.abmackimmigration.ca

BC Council for Families www.bccf.ca

Healthy Family Expo www.healthyfamilyexpo.com

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

BC Housing www.bchousing.org

Imagine Children’s Museum www.imaginecm.org

Child Care Choices Online Resource www.childcarechoices.ca

Canadian Pediatric Society www.caringforkids.cps.ca

Living Magic www.livingmagicentertainment.com

Spare Time Child Care Society www.sparetimesociety.org

Community Centres Check your local municipality website

Richmond Country Farms www.countryfarms.ca

UBC Child Care Services www.childcare.ubc.ca

Family Services of Greater Vancouver www.fsgv.ca

Rocky Mountain Flatbread www.rockymountainflatbread.ca

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

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House www.froghollow.bc.ca

Taves Family Farms www.tavesfamilyfarms.com

Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre www.wstcoast.org

Fussy Baby www.thefussybabysite.com

• BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

YMCA of Greater Vancouver www.vanymca.org/childcare

Langley Children www.langleychildren.com

My Bella Baby Events gathering exhibitors relevant to new parents www.mybellababy.ca Baby & Tot Show BC’s largest baby and toddler expo www.babyandtotshow.com

BC Lactation Consultant Association www.bclca.ca

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

baby guide 13

Annual Resource Listings

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

Octopus Village www.octopus-village.com posAbilities www.posabilities.ca Provincial Government Education and family programs www.familiesfirstbc.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

Our Kids Private School Expo www.ourkidsmedia.com Reach for the Stars Montessori www.reachforthestarsmontessori.com Sunny Gate Montessori www.sunnygatemontessori.com Vancouver Bilingual Preschool www.vancouverbilingual.com

Surrey Early Childhood www.surreyearlychildhood.ca

DONA International Doula Association www.dona.org

• DIAPER SERVICES & SUPPLIES

Doula Services Association of BC www.bcdoulas.org

Baby Footprint www.thebabyfootprint.com

Midwifery Associates www.midwiferyassociates.ca

Baby On The Way www.babyontheway.ca

Midwifery Care North Shore www.midwiferycare.ca

Bumbini Cloth Diaper Company www.bumbini.ca

The Midwifery Group www.midwiferygroup.ca

bumGenius www.bumgenius.com

Vancouver Doula Collective www.vancouverdoulacollective.org

Cozy Bums Diapers www.cozybums.ca

• EDUCATION

Boomers & Echoes Quality conisgnmnet for eco-conscious parents www.boomersandechoes.com

CEFA Core Education & Fine Arts World leader in education for children ages 1-5 www.cefa.ca

Oyaco Products Innovative solutions for today’s parents www.oyaco.com

Burnaby French Language Preschool www.bflp.org

Next Generation Distributors Innovative and useful products that offer significant value to new and expecting parents www.nextgendistributors.com

Green Bum Bum Cloth Diapers www.greenbumbum.com Happy Baby Cheeks www.happybabycheeks.ca Happy Nappy www.happynappy.ca Kawaii Baby Diapers www.theluvyourbaby.com Saucy Bottoms www.saucybottoms.ca Tender Tushies www.tendertushies.ca

• MIDWIFE & DOULA SERVICES Midwives Association of BC Educating the public about midwifery care while supporting the growing number of midwives across the province www.bcmidwives.com Mother Me Home support for new mothers www.motherme.ca Ostara Midwifery Offering a full scope of personalized care for your pregnancy. www.heartcenteredbirth.net All About Birth Boutique www.allaboutbirthboutique.ca

14 baby guide

Collingwood School www.collingwood.org Elite Montessori Academy www.elitemontessori.ca Garderie et Prematernelle les Moussaillons www.moussaillons.ca James Cameron School www.jcs.bc.ca Jewish Community Centre Preschool www.jccgv.com Little Koala Montessori www.littlekoalamontessori.com Meta Montessori House www.metamontessori.com Millennium Learning Advantage www.millenniumlearningadvantage.com Montessori Mes Petits www.ourpreschool.com My Whole Earth Academy www.mywholeearth.ca North Star Montessori www.northstarmontessori.ca

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

• GEAR & CLOTHING

Snuggle Bugz The best selection of the highest quality brands for pregnancy, newborn and toddler www.snugglebugz.ca Hip Baby Sustainable toys, clothes and baby items www.hipbaby.com Doidy Cup The perfectly shaped cup to wean from a bottle www.doidycup.ca Happy Baby Daily Needs Mom’s healthy choices for baby gear www.happybabydailyneeds.com Active Baby www.activebaby.ca Beansprouts www.beansprouts.ca Crocodile Baby www.crocodilebaby.com Dandelion Kids www.dandelionkids.ca Frogs Hollow Children’s Boutique www.frogshollow.ca

Annual Resource Listings

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

Kids Market, Granville Island www.kidsmarket.ca

Vancouver Coastal Health Resource www.vch.ca/your_health

Music for Young Children www.myc.com

Lusso Baby www.lussobaby.ca

• MATERNITY CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT

Place des Arts www.placedesarts.ca

Once Upon a Child: Kids’ Resale www.onceuponachildlangley.com

Boomers & Echoes Kids & Maternity www.boomersandechoes.com

Rhythm Gym www.rhythmgym.ca

Room for 2 www.roomfor2.ca

Hazel & Jools Locally made lifestyle collections for women, specializing in fabulous maternity wear www.hazelhipmoms.com

Richmond Aquatics www.richmond.ca

Sweet Charlie www.shopsweetcharlie.com Wee Ones Reruns www.weeonesvancouver.com Yaya Baby www.yayababy.ca

• HEALTH & NUTRITION Olive Fertility Clinic Caring fertility treatment and education www.olivefertility.com Pollock Clinics Infant circumcision and vasectomy www.circumcisionvancouver.com

Bellies in Bloom www.belliesinbloommaternity.com Motherhood Maternity www.motherhoodcanada.ca Noppies Maternity www.noppies.com Room for 2 Maternity & Baby, Vancouver www.roomfor2.ca Thyme Maternity www.thymematernity.com With Child www.withchild.ca

YMCA www.vanymca.org

• SAFETY Babysafe – St. John Ambulance www.sja.ca Baby Secure www.babysecure.ca BCAA: Infant/Child Care Seat Information Line www.bcaa.com 1-877-247-5551 Safety Station at BC Children’s Hospital www.bcchildrens.ca/safetystation Safety Superstore www.safetysuperstore.ca

Bonn Chiropractic www.cocochiro.com

• PRENATAL EDUCATION

Dial-A-Dietician www.dialadietitian.org

Adar Birth Services www.adarbirthservices.com

Fraser Health Resource www.fraserhealth.ca

Belly to Baby www.bellytobaby.ca

Sleeping Child Sleep programs to help children get the sleep they need for healthy development www.thesleepingchild.com

Healthy Canadians Online Resource www.healthycanadians.gc.ca

Birthing from Within www.birthingfromwithin.com

A Kiss Goodnight www.akissgoodnight.ca

HealthLinkBC www.healthlinkbc.ca

Dancing Star Birth www.dancingstarbirth.ca

Little Dreamers Consulting www.littledreamersconsulting.com

Kids Physio www.kidsphysio.ca

Healthiest Babies Possible www.vch.eduhealth.ca

Sleep Stars Consulting www.sleepstars.ca

Leap Clinic www.leapclinic.ca

Lamaze International www.lamaze.org

Sleepy Miracles www.sleepymiracles.com

Logan Creek Counselling and Consulting www.logancreek.ca

Lower Mainland Childbearing Society www.childbearing.org

• FINANCIAL

Nourished with Alyssa Bauman www.nourished.ca

The Birth Place www.thebirthplace.ca

Pacific West Dental www.pacificwestdental.com

• PROGRAMS

Peace Arch Maternity Clinic www.peacearchmaternityclinic.ca Pediatric Dental Group PDG www.pdgdental.com South Community Birth Program www.scbp.ca

Phoenix Gymnastics A club built on traditions and values and the love of gymnastics www.phoenixgymnastics.com Arts Umbrella www.artsumbrella.com

• SLEEP CONSULTING

Amit Kent Helping make post-secondary education possible for Canadian families www.knowledgefirstfinancial.ca/amit.kent Hybrid Health Get access to private health care, medical care, medical support and no-wait treatment options www.hybridhealth.ca Mary Ann Clarke-Scott BC Securities-licensed RESP sales representative www.knowledgefirstfinancial.ca/MaryAnn.ClarkeScott

Jump Gymnastics www.jumpgymnastics.ca baby guide 15

wcf news >> Cord Blood Donation

>> Team BC Preparing for the Special Olympics

After decades of research, doctors are becoming more aware of the benefits and healing properties of cord blood, and new treatments are being developed to help chronic and life-threatening conditions. Unfortunately, more than 50 per cent of patients who need blood stem cell transplants are unable to find a donor.

As a measure of offering cord blood to families and patients who need it, the BC Women’s Hospital and Canadian Blood Services have partnered to offer a cord blood donation bank, which takes baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells and stores them for medical usage. Mothers who are having a baby at the BC Women’s Hospital now have the opportunity to donate their child’s cord blood and save another life.

Special Olympics BC seeks to give children and adults with intellectual disabilities a chance to feel a sense of accomplishment and achievement. With an eye to the future, Special Olympics Team BC 2016 is already gearing up for the Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland next March. Their training is in full swing, especially the floor hockey team. The team is coming off a difficult year last year, when one of their treasured athletes passed away just before the provincial competition. But they persevered and were able to capture gold. The Winter Games will see 129 British Columbian athletes and 52 coaches, so be sure to cheer them on! www.specialolympics.bc/ca

www.bcwomens.ca/Services/PregnancyBirthNewborns/cord-blood-bank

>> LEGO Store Monthly Builds If your child is stuck in a creative rut, or they simply want to engage with other Lego-loving kids, then head to your local Lego store, either in Surrey or in Vancouver at the Oakridge mall, to take part in Lego Store Monthly Mini Builds, held on the first Tuesday of every month. Each month 250 mini kits are sent to local stores and children are invited to come (on a first come, first served basis) to build a mini model that they then take home for free! Kids will have fun playing with the latest and greatest on the Lego production line while parents will love seeing what their child comes up with. www.stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/ca/guildford

>> Pink Ribbon Tea On October 23, support breast cancer awareness, treatment and research with a Pink Ribbon Tea. The Yukon and British Columbia sections of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, along with Blenz coffee, have joined together to honour the memory of Joey Holt, a Vancouver resident who dreamed of participating in the annual Run for a Cure, however, her breast cancer treatment prevented her from participating. Instead she hosted a tea party with donation proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Pink Ribbon Teas are now held all across the Yukon and BC, with nearly $40,000 raised last year. To participate, simply register online, receive your toolkit with invites, thank yous, fundraising tips and more, then have friends and family join you for a pink-themed tea that supports an amazing cause. www.thepinkribbontea.com

October 2014

9

by Kelly S. Thompson

Fall is officially here and for some, this is something to celebrate between Halloween, falling leaves crunching underfoot, and chillier temperatures. But in the Lower Mainland, autumn often brings rain too, which can make us want to retreat indoors. But don’t fear! WestCoast Families has rounded up some of the latest fall fun activities to keep your whole family busy, no matter the weather. So bust out a map and pencil and check off these fun activities from your To Do list!

Vancouver Writers Festival

Circle Farm Tour

From October 20-25, don’t miss the Vancouver Writers Festival, full of activities, events, readings and more to spread the love of literacy in the Lower Mainland. Take part in the writing competition (with a special prize for kids!) and pick and choose from your favourite authors who are there to sell and sign books. Granville Island plays the perfect host to this week of art!

If you want to check out where you food comes from, and teach your children the value of how food is grown and the effort it takes to make healthy fruits and veggies, don’t miss the Circle Farm Tour, which takes you to a number of amazing farms on a clearly marked map that shows who grows what and where! Simply pick a spot on the map and travel in the comfort of your own car to local, tasty food.

www.writersfest.bc.ca

www.circlefarmtour.com

The Vancouver Symphony

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Whether you’re looking for an adult’s only night out or you want to bring the kids along, the Vancouver Symphony has something on offer for the whole family. Their Halloween Spectacular will be a sure hit and Folk and Fiddle Time caters to the littles who still love music. Buy some tickets, close your eyes and let the music transport you to another place!

We can’t get enough of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, with the St. Roch and the unique boating experience…indoors! Families will love learning about the aquatic history of the Lower Mainland and kids will love playing dress up and checking out the pirates who used to troll the waters of the west coast.

www.vancouversymphony.ca

www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com

10 WesCoastFamilies.com

Vancouver Lookout Tower See Vancouver from a whole new angle at the Vancouver Lookout Tower.

Up in the glass tower, kids will see Burnaby Mountain, the rising shores of North and West Vancouver, the Burrard Inlet and more, all from a unique perspective up in the sky. They have excellent programming for kids and parents will enjoy sipping a coffee with the city at their feet. www.vancouverlookout.com

More Family Fun! Burnaby Village Museum We love Burnaby Village Museum with their annual October haunted experience from the past.

www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca Britannia Mine Museum

Halloween at Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics On October 25, celebrate Halloween at Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics.

Enjoy the open gym, foam pit fun, bouncy castle, haunted house, arts and crafts, face painting, carnival games and more! There are four open gym sessions available throughout the day. Tickets for all sessions go on sale 8:30am on the day of event. Don’t forget to come in your Halloween costume! www.phoenixgymanstics.com

Explore, search for gold and tour underground in this family favourite destination.

www.britanniaminemuseum.ca Hazlemere Pumpkin Patch Visit the animals and pick your very own pumpkin for Halloween fun.

www.facebook.com/Hazelmere-PumpkinPatch-125530080795831

Take in a Sport If you can’t be outside playing your own sport, because weather is getting the better of your plans, then why not go see one of our local sports teams battle it out on the field under the cover of a roof and the comfort of hot dogs? Whether you’re into soccer and wanting to cheer on the Whitecaps FC, or you prefer to vouch for hockey and check out the Canucks, there are a variety of sports teams with dates in October.

Don’t forget the BC Lions and Giants too! www.canucks.nhl.com www.whitecapsfc.com www.bclions.com www.vancouvergiants.com

Take a Walk If the rain lets up, why not go on one of the guided tours of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, especially fun during the haunted October season. Depending on the theme tour, walkers will learn about historical facts, murderous mysteries, architectural marvels and other informative tidbits that will have you wondering if you really know the city you live in. There’s also a fun special tour at Fort Langley National Historic Site, in honour of the hallowed season! www.forbiddenvancouver.ca www.tourguys.ca www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortlangley

Imagine Children’s Museum In for a road trip? Check out this amazing children’s museum with creative exhibits and hands-on fun.

www.imaginecm.org Taves Family Farm Taves offers tons of family fun that can’t be beat, with fruit, rides, mazes and an awesome kids corner.

www.tavesfamilyfarms.com Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House Join others in your community for fun family programming.

www.froghollow.bc.ca Richmond Country Farms Outdoor fun for the whole family with animals, an amazing pumpkin patch, restaurant and more!

www.countryfarms.ca

October 2014 11

community Heart-Mind Conference: Human Connection in a Digital World Vancouver Convention Centre October 2-3 Expand your network with 500 educators, parents, health and wellness professionals, recreational and community leaders and others who want to help children flourish. Deepen your knowledge of how we teach and nurture our children as we explore Human Connection in a Digital World. www.dalailamacenter.org/program/heart-mindconference

Family Fall Fair Colleen Findlay Place October 4, 11am–3pm Bring the family to this fun-filled event featuring a free lunch, bouncy castles, a circuit of games for the kids to complete for a prize, and more! We hope you join us for this great event. www.cloverdalereporter.com PumpkinFest 2015 West Vancouver Community Centre October 4 Back for another year of family friendly activities including: pumpkin Patch, farm zone including a petting corral and pony rides, antique farm equipment, live entertainment stage, family zone, face painting and crafts, and much, much more! www.westvanpumpkinfest.ca

The Study and Go Abroad Fair Vancouver Convention Center, East Ballroom October 6, 2-6pm Don’t miss Canada’s largest international university and student travel expo for any students or young professionals considering studying for an undergrad or postgrad degree, to learn a language, intern, work or volunteer abroad. Meet with the world’s top universities and student travel organizations, and start planning your trip! www.studyandgoabroad.com Bullying and Your Child Clayton Hall, Cloverdale October 7, 7-9pm Join guest speaker, Michelle Reitsma, on the topic “Bullying and Your Child”, specifically addressing cyber bullying. Michelle works for the Ministry of Child and Family Development as a child protection family service worker, within the Surrey school board as an aboriginal child and youth care worker. admin@surreytwinclub.com The Importance of Risky Play Peekaboo Beans, Richmond October 8, 7-9pm PLAY-ducation is a series of workshops with knowledgeable industry educators. These workshops are a night out to grow, learn, and feel supported in your family values. Participants will consider what can be done to restore balance and be provided with tools for talking to parents, educators and others about the importance of risk taking. www.peekaboobeans.com

The Best of Both Worlds

op HipH Breakin’ Choreo Contemporary

Old Skool Freestyle

All ages and levels Call 604 805-0558 www.boogalooacademy.com

REGISTER NOW!

Ballet z z a J Lyrical Musical Theatre Voice

Quote promo code WCF for a free week of classes! (new students only)

12 WesCoastFamilies.com

Flashlight Corn Maze & Wagon Ride Maan Farms, Abbotsford October 8–31, 6-8pm, last call 7:30 pm This non-haunted corn maze welcomes guests of all ages and takes approximately 20 -30 minutes to complete. Be sure to bring flashlight! Then share a moonlight wagon ride through Maan Farms corn maze!

Grab a blanket and maybe someone to cuddle with and celebrate this magical time of year. $14. www.maanfarms.com Mental Health Week–The Thief: Anxiety The Vancouver Club October 9, 7am–8:30am Anxiety is a common and debilitating feeling that can be overwhelming and affect us on many levels. It can act as a thief that limits our ability to move forward or simply to enjoy life. Join two outstanding teachers and clinicians in the field of anxiety, Dr Bill MacEwan MD,FRCP Head of Psychiatry St Paul’s Hospital and Michael Mandrusiak, PsyD, Registered Psychologist, Adler University and Burnaby Counselling Group. $36 w w w. e v e n t b r i t e . c a / e / t h e - t h i e f - a n x i e t y tickets-17975554367 Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo Various locations in Vancouver October 15-18 Vancouver Halloween Parade and Expo is an annual festival of arts, cosplay, films, comics, anime, games, toys, costumes and makeup. With performances in theatres, exhibitions at PNE, and a parade in downtown Vancouver, the festival of arts is open to everyone and attracted nearly 100,000 spectators last year. www.VanHalloween.com

calendar Discovery Saturday: Latin Fiesta Surrey Museum October 17, 1-4pm Discover the colours, sounds, and tastes of Latin culture!

Get out your maracas and brush up your salsa moves!

Experience the rich culture of Latin America through lively performances, colourful crafts and traditional snacks. www.surrey.ca Family Sunday Surrey Art Gallery October 18, Noon-4pm Explore, enjoy, and create art together! Drop in for activities inspired by the current exhibitions. Free. www.surrey.ca Family Program: Night Science for Kids VanDusen Gardens October 23, 6-7:30pm Explore the gardens in the evening, when an entirely new host of creatures come out to welcome you. Learn about the resident barred owls, visit the bat houses and tour the gardens with the help of your guide looking for signs of nocturnal life. Experiment with collecting and identifying nocturnal pollinators and learn which plants you can grow to invite these pollinators to your own backyard. www.vandusengarden.org

Neuroplasticity and Education: Strengthening the Connection Westin Bayshore Hotel October 23, 7am-4pm This year six leading experts in the fields of neuroscience and education will meet to speak about the incredible potential for positive change that comes when we understand the connections between our brain’s ability to change and grow and educational practice. www.neuroplasticityandeducation.com

G Day for Girls Creekside Community Centre October 23, 8:45am–5pm G Day is a fun-filled and inspiring day-long event that girls may attend on their own, or with one or more “Champions” in a modern day rite of passage, celebrating and empowering 10-12 year-old girls as they transition from childhood into adolescence. www.gdayforgirls.com

Halloween Family Fun Day Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics Oct 25, 9:30am-4:30pm Enjoy an open gym, foam pit fun, bouncy castle, haunted house, arts & crafts, face painting, carnival games and more! 4 Open gym sessions available throughout the day. Don’t forget to come in your Halloween costume! $8 or $20 group rate (3 children) Parents & children 2 yrs and below are free. www.phoenixgymnastics.com

The Baby & Tot Show Tradex, Abbotsford October 24, 10am-5pm & October 25, 11am-4pm Shop & sample over 150 exhibitors and get educated on everything you need to know from pregnancy to birth and beyond! Lots to see and do for your little ones!

From our play area to meet and greet with their favorite characters, it will be a feast for their little eyes and ears! $12 cash only at the door 604.209.3542 | www.babyandtotshow.com

Heart of the City Festival Downtown Eastside October 28-November 8 Over 90 events at over 25 venues including 12 days of music, stories, songs, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media, art talks, history talks and history walks, and an array of artists. www.heartofthecityfestival.com

Wild Things Richmond Nature Park October 24-25, 5:30–8:30pm Once a year, mischievous raccoons, a friendly bear, chatty crows and their forest friends emerge from the bog to greet visitors as they walk along a trail lined with hundreds of jack-o-lanterns. Join in for some spooky fun; face painting, storytelling and pumpkin carnival games. $2 for children three to 12 years, $3 for adults.

604.718.6188

Hide and Seek Sculptures 555 Nelson Street October 31, Noon-3pm Responding to Gander’s sculptures that suggest hiding place dens made by children from all manner of household items, including bed sheets, golf umbrellas, cushions and laundry racks, participants will collaborate to create a large shelter structure. Free. www.contemporartartgallery.ca

Visit www.westcoastfamilies.com/events_calendar for more family friendly events in October! To have your event included in the WestCoast Families community calendar, please email your details to admin@ westcoastfamilies.com.

Go to www.westcoastfamilies.com to see more local and community family events in your area.

FOR MORE amazing Halloween and Fall Fun events, please go to www.westcoastfamilies.com and check out our events calendar and listing pages.

October 2014 13

wcf feature

Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening Advancement in fertility

By Dr Beth Taylor MD, FRCSC

b

reakthroughs in fertility treatment are offering new hope for women over 40 or those suffering from a failed in vitro fertilization, unexplained infertility, or repeated miscarriages.

There have been major advancements in the treatment of female and male infertility in the last few years and now the large majority of couples diagnosed with infertility will be able to get pregnant. In many cases the treatment is quite simple. But for couples that require a more high tech approach, our success with in vitro fertilization (IVF) has improved enormously.

IVF involves removing a woman’s eggs, fertilizing them in a lab with her partner’s sperm, and then placing the embryo back in the woman’s uterus.

Until recently we’ve only been able to judge the health of an embryo by its appearance. While we’re able to get good success rates with this approach, in some cases embryos that look normal don’t result in a successful pregnancy.

This can be because the embryo isn’t chromosomally normal.

If an embryo has too few or too many chromosomes (a condition known as aneuploidy), the embryo will either never implant in the uterus, or result in a miscarriage or a baby with conditions such as Down’s syndrome.

A new test called Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening (CCS) is allowing fertility specialists to determine with much greater accuracy which embryos in IVF have the normal number of chromosomes and are the most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.

Studies have shown that IVF with CCS can achieve: • Pregnancy rates as high as 70% • Miscarriage rate as low as 5% • A very low risk of chromosomal problems such as Down’s syndrome (diagnostic accuracy of CCS is about 99%) What does CCS involve?

With CCS, an egg is fertilized in the laboratory and the embryo is grown for five days, at which point five to ten cells are taken from the part of the embryo that will form the placenta (thus leaving the cells that are destined to become the fetus untouched). The embryo is then frozen and the biopsied cells are sent to a specialized laboratory for testing. The results usually return in less than five days, identifying which embryos are chromosomally normal. This healthy embryo can be transferred in the next menstrual cycle.

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Who can benefit from CCS? Any woman going through IVF may consider CCS, but it can be particularly helpful if: • You are older than 35 • You have experienced miscarriage • You have a previously failed IVF Can CCS harm the embryos?

Concerns about damage to the embryos from the process are common, but the results are reassuring. Over 95% of embryos survive the biopsy procedure.

In addition, evidence is mounting that pregnancy rates of vitrified (frozen) five-day-old embryos are actually higher than of those transferred “fresh.” Of course, it’s critically important that laboratory is staffed with highly trained and experienced embryologists.

Is there a downside to CCS? The biggest potential disappointment with CCS is there is a chance that none of the embryos will be normal. The risk for abnormal embryos increases with a woman’s age. For example, for women under 35, the chance of a healthy embryo is about 65%. For women over 42, however, that plummets to about 15%.

CCS adds about $5000 onto the price of an IVF cycle. Many women and couples feel that despite the added upfront costs, CCS may actually improve the cost effectiveness of IVF by reducing the number of failed transfers, miscarriages, and procedures related to unhealthy pregnancies. Also, instead of freezing all embryos that appear healthy, only those that are chromosomally normal will remain cryopreserved.

In time, the cost of the technology is expected to decline to make the process more accessible.

Talk to your fertility specialist about whether you might benefit from CCS. Dr. Beth Taylor is co-director of Olive Fertility Centre (olivefertility.com) and Clinical Associate Professor at UBC. Dr. Taylor coordinates the UBC Obstetric & Gynecology residency program “Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility” rotation. She is an active staff member at BC Women’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital and performs surgery at both of these centres.

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