The Registry

In this episode we discuss what type of baby showers we had and what we found necessary for our baby registry. For parents-to-be a registry can be a daunting task on its own, deciding what to put on it, where should we register, should we register at all? Selin, Rita, Erin, Karen and I talk about what we found useful and items that could have waited until after baby came home. You can listen to the episode using the tool below or download it off iTunes by searching for 'Little Baby Steps' under the Podcast category.

Things to add:

• Stroller-Research what type is best suited for you, some good features to look for are cup holder, sun guard, rain cover, good size basket and remember try out the stroller as much as possible.
• Car seat- Check weight limit and make sure it fits with your stroller
• Swing- Some are bigger than others, be mindful of space in your home
• Pack N' Play- Good to have when traveling, this item can be bought new or used
• Crib set- We found this item nice but not necessary especially at the beginning you just need a fitted crib sheet
• Mobile- Can use up until six month's of age, Rita mentioned that baby Aria has one that projects onto the ceiling
• Baby furniture- Crib, bassinet, dresser/change table(Rita and Selin were able to find used dressers on kijiji)
• Mattress- Erin mentioned a plastic cover that encases the mattress, mandatory in New Zealand for the reduction of SIDS
• Rocking chair- Invest in a comfortable one
• Monitor- Many different ones to choose from some are just audio, some have video which Selin has, and others measure the baby's heartbeat
• Diaper bag
• Nursing pillow- test out size and firmness, as Rita discovered the pillow she has was too big!
• Baby D drops- very good idea to have before baby
• Some low cost items to have on your registry: cloths, diapers, creams, hangers, wedges for sleeping, baby care kit, bottles(starter kit level 1), sterilizer kit, brush set, bath tub, sun shade and mirror for the car, change pad cover, diaper genie, nursing pads, play mats(large one)
• Other things that could be optional for your registry- high chair, humidifier, baby carrier, Brest pump, cloth diapers, nursing bras (get fitted), nursing cover

We all would recommend researching and knowing what products are on the market as it can be very overwhelming to choose the right gear for you and your baby.

The Baby Shower...

Between the five of us we all had different types of baby showers. Selin had the more traditional shower on a Sunday afternoon with the ladies as did Karen and Erin's husband due to Emme's early arrival. Erin also had a co-ed work shower and a BBQ book shower (everyone had to bring a book) after Emme was born. As for myself we had a baby party, lots of yummy food, friends of both genders and no games. Each of us had a different experience but all had the same goal to celebrate the arrival of a new family member.

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At the end of each episode, we will share our "MOMMY-SENTIALS" with you.

Pippalily diaper clutch- So cute they'll think it's a purse! Interior pocket perfect for credit card and lip gloss http://www.pippalily.com/

Hydrasense Nasal Spray- Children under two don’t have the ability yet to blow their nose, which means bacteria, viruses, pollen and dust build up in nasal mucus and stay trapped. This accumulation can cause complications such as sinusitis and problems with breathing.
clinically proven, hydraSense® Ultra-Gentle Mist nasal spray gently cleanses tiny noses blocked by colds and allergies to help your baby breathe more easily. Made with isotonic 100% natural-source seawater, its salinity is perfectly balanced with the body. http://www.hydrasense.ca/

Mommy Hook- is the perfect stroller hanger. Built to last, lightweight and versatile, it fits virtually all stroller handles. The Mommy Hook is made from durable, heavy-duty aluminum—it won’t break like cheap plastic hangers. Its unique rubber grip keeps it from sliding. Use The Mommy Hook on your stroller. Use it on your shopping cart. Just snap it on and you’re ready to roll! http://www.themommyhook.com/

Baby Cubes- is the only product on the market that has a lid attached directly to each cube for a hassle free and convenient way too prepare and store baby food. http://www.babycubes.com/

Canada Goose Bunting Bag-A Down filled hood with removable coyote fur ruff
Center-front YKK® locking zipper
Storm flap behind Center front zipper Front patch pocket with Velcro®.
Child-carrier seat belt pass-through
Recessed elasticized Nylon rib knit cuffs to keep out the cold.
http://www.canada-goose.com/

Episode 3: The Registry

Episode 3- The Registry is now available for download on iTunes. Enjoy the show!

The Baby Time Show

The 12th Annual Spring BabyTime Show

The Ultimate Event for Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Toddler.

Shop, learn and have fun all within one vibrant place celebrating parenthood.

Discover new and interesting parenting products, the latest gear, maternity clothing, parenting tools, places to go and services.

Try and Buy the latest in big and small items including nursery furniture, strollers, gear, clothing and that little something special!

100's of great products and services to buy including lots of new product launches at the BabyTime show!

Talk to the experts. Get real advice and answers to your questions. Make small dreams come true and introduce your toddler to their favourite characters at the BabyTime show!

When: April 30th to May 2, 2010

Where: International Centre - Hall 1

Cost: Adults tickets are $15 per person.

Stories from the delivery room

In this episode all 5 moms share their experience of labour and delivery and while there are many similarities, each of us had a unique experience. We all delivered beautiful, healthy baby girls ranging from 5 1/2 weeks early (preemie) to being 6 days overdue. Selin, Rita, Erin and Jenny delivered their babies vaginally whereas Karen delivered via c-section.

As you can imagine, this was a lengthy discussion with several laughs and groans so we've tried to summarize them as best we can. For the complete podcast, tune in here:

Going to the hospital:

• Be packed and ready to go (this includes Mom, Dad and Baby!). We suggest packing your bag approx. 2-3 weeks in advance of your due date. And ladies - pack your own bag unless you want 3 nightgowns and no toothbrush (right Erin?!). Don't forget to pack for the men too - they will be at the hospital for an extended period of time as well, so they too will need to be packed (pillows, comfy clothes, phone numbers, toothbrush etc)
• Essentials to pack for Mommy: BIG pads, BIG underwear, chapstick, toiletries (toothbrush, brush etc), comfy pants, slippers and a pen (to fill out forms).
• Make sure that your baby car seat is installed! The hospital will check to ensure that you have put the baby in the car seat and have him/her buckled properly before releasing you. (Note: This applies even if you do not have a car. The baby should be in a car seat regardless of the mode of transportation: cab, streetcar, bus etc).

Epidurals:

• Think about the right time to ask for your epidural. Once you have it, you will be on a catheter and be stuck in bed. As Selin discovered, she had her epidural as soon as she walked in the hospital and was in bed for 27 hours! However, don't ask for it too late because sometimes your body has progressed too far and you cannot have it, or as Erin & Karen discovered, the anesthetist was not available when we asked for the epidural.
• Check with the nurses re: the availability of the anesthetist. When I (Karen) checked into the hospital they told me that there was only 1 anesthetist on-call after 5pm.
• Once you have the epidural it's common to have chills - which is a welcome relief if you're having a summer baby!
• You will not feel anything which may or may not be a good thing. As Erin mentioned, she loved the empowering feeling she got when she was delivering Emme since she was able to feel her moving through her belly and into the birth canal, whereas Selin didn't feel a thing.
• It's recommended to try and forgo an epidural if your baby is premature

Vaginal Delivery:

• If your water breaks at home, you'll need to replace the carpet. Both Erin & Jenny experienced the "gush" at home while the rest of us had our water broken in the hospital. When your water breaks, it is just that - a gush ... over and over again.
• Erin was able to use a hypno birthing technique to keep herself calm however this was not as effective as she hoped at being able to breathe Emme down
• As I'm sure many of you know, it's very likely that you won't have your regular OB delivering your baby. In Erin's case, her midwives were present at the birth but acted more in a coaching capacity since Emme was a preemie.
• If your baby needs vacuum assistance to be delivered, ask the nurse to get you "the good vacuum". As Jenny was beginning to push she heard "oh no, we don't have the good vacuum" which is definitely not something you want to hear!

C-Section Delivery:

• Of course Ashley had to be "special" and was the only baby among the 5 to be delivered via c-section (obviously she just didn't want to get goop in her hair!)
• My c-section was done by choice despite being in labour for only 5 hours and being fully dilated. Ashley wasn't dropping entirely into the birth canal so to avoid extra stress and fatigue, the c-section was scheduled.
• Recovery from the c-section wasn't as bad as I thought. It was very tender and I was very slow when trying to stand up, sit down or walk. Basically anything that required any kind of abdominal strength was tender and difficult but manageable with help from others.
• I was cut horizontally along my pubic bone and now (almost 8 months later) I have a very faint hairline scar which cannot be seen when wearing a bikini or underwear etc.
• Downside of having a c-section: (1) I wasn't able to hold the baby right away - although on the upside it was a great bonding moment for my hubby and (2) in some cases a c-section will slow down the process of your milk coming in. In my case, I had a lot of difficulty breastfeeding as it took 7 days for my milk to fully "come in".

General Info:

• One of the biggest fears after birth was having your first BM. We all agreed that we were worried about ripping our incisions whether it was from an episiotomy or c-section. Thank god for the little red pills (stool softeners). All joking aside, the nurses should ensure that you do have a BM before discharging you from the hospital.
• Rita experienced PUPPS rash all over her belly during the last 2-3 weeks of her pregnancy which put her through a lot of pain and discomfort. This ultimately led to her being induced as the rash was becoming unbearable. Interestingly enough, they say that 70% of women who have PUPPS rash during pregnancy are carrying boys, but in Rita's case she had a girl.
• Rita & Selin both opted to have blood cord samples drawn. If you're going to have this done, order your kit approximately 1 month before your expected delivery.

Tips for the Men:

• do NOT breathe on your wife when she is having contractions
• do NOT text message everyone in your contact list while your wife is in labour
• do NOT take pictures of your wife while her face is beat red and squished so tight she feels like her head is going to explode
• Relax ... we know that you feel helpless, but there really is nothing that you can do for us. Believe us when we say that if there is anything we need - we will tell you.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
During the podcast we touched on a number of things that may require further explanation and/or research. Below are some links to additional resources that you may find helpful:

To learn more about an episiotomy visit http://www.babycenter.ca/pregnancy/labourandbirth/labour/episiotomy/

For a complete review on the difference between pitocin and oxytocin and the circumstances for each use, visit http://pregnancy.about.com/od/induction/a/pitocindiffers.htm

For more information on your baby's apgar score please visit http://kidshealth.org/parent/newborn/first_days/apgar.html

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At the end of each episode, we will share our "MOMMY-SENTIALS" with you.

• Health Pod - http://www.healthpod.ca/ - Recommended by healthcare professionals and guided by the expertise of doctors, each section of HealthPod Baby guides you to track your child’s most vital health and medical information in a clear and concise format.
  
• Toy Strap by http://www.pippalily.com/ - Attach baby's favourites to the car seat, stroller, shopping cart, wagon etc... to keep them off the ground. Adjustable Velcro strap accommodates literally everything from teethers, sippy cups and our fave - Sophie!
  
• Lunch Bag/Cooler by http://www.soyoungmother.com/ - Why should kids have all the fun? Use it as a bottle bag for baby, pack your child's drinks and snacks in it, or leave the kids at home and take your lunch with you wherever you go. Need an extra hand? These versatile bags can be snapped onto stroller handlebars or worn in either messenger or backpack style.
  
• Hooter Hider by http://www.bebeaulait.com/ - Hooter Hiders are the world's most famous patented nursing covers. Invented in 2004, Hooter Hiders have become one of the top must haves for breastfeeding mothers. Featuring a rigid neckline and our signature prints, Hooter Hider Nursing Covers allow you to breastfeed anytime, anywhere, and in style!

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We recently posted a poll regarding labour and the results are in: 87% had an epidural, 50% had a natural birth, 37% used forceps, 1% used a vacuum, 1% used a mid-wife, 1% had a c-section and 0 people had a water birth.

Cityline Baby Room Makeover Contest

Burt's Bees and CityLine are running a contest for a chance to win a $2,000 baby room makeover and a year's supply of Burt's Bees products! The contest closes February 28th, 2010, so enter soon!

To enter visit: http://contests.citytv.com/burtsbees/

I use Burt's Bees products on Sienna and it's gentle on her skin and I love the smell!

The Little Paper

We were strolling through Bloor West Village this afternoon and picked up a copy of the little paper. I hadn't seen this paper before but am very glad that I picked it up. Dubbed "toronto's best guide for young families. proudly urban, totally independent, fiercely smart & a little bit silly".

I especially like that it's packed with special events, community resources and program information that covers the East End, West End and City Wide.

For more information on where you can pick up your copy, visit their website @ www.littlepaper.com and click on Find Us.

Diaper-eez Clearance Sale: Feb 23 & 24

Diaper-eez is having a gigantic clearance sale!
Shop early as there are limited quantities.

When: February 23 & 24, 10am - 6pm
Where: 2309 Bloor St W

We're now on iTunes!!!

The Little Baby Steps podcast is now available on iTunes. Subscribe, listen and please don't forget to cast your rating :)

Our next Episode: Labour

Our next podcast episode will be about labour- we'll be discussing birth plans and what actually happened with each of us. Hopefully our experience will help you out :) In the meantime, if you've already gone through the process, please take our 'labour poll' (on our blog- to your left) so we can see which category you fall into...

Thanks!

Littlebabysteps.ca is now live!!!

Our site just went live today so check it out and let us know what you think! We made it on a MAC so it looks much better on Safari and Firefox than on IE (or a PC for that matter). Enjoy the site and don't forget to check out our facebook and twitter pages as well. Also- look out for our podcast, soon to be listed on iTunes and Zune.

Our website: www.littlebabysteps.ca

Preparing for Baby

Episode 1

Welcome to the first episode of Little Baby Steps! For complete introductions of our mommies and babies, feel free to visit our website http://www.littlebabysteps.ca/Little_Baby_Steps/About_Us.html

In this segment we discussed the many ways we prepared for the arrival of our baby. From pre-natal classes, OB's and midwives to hyno-birth plans and the newsletters we subscribed to, we all prepared in much the same way. We discovered that there are only so many things you can do to prepare for the unknown but there are a number of excellent books, newsletters and websites available. For a complete list of resources (books, newsletters, websites etc) visit http://www.littlebabysteps.ca/Little_Baby_Steps/Resources.html

So you walk out of the hospital with this tiny bundle ... now what? In this weeks episode we also discussed the items that were critical in those first few days and months as well as those that didn't prove to be very useful. And as you'll see, some items belong in both categories depending on the mom and of course the baby!


Among the favorite "must have" items were: baby bjorn carrier, change table, bouncy chairs, swing, bassinett, and ear thermometer. The reason for our love affair with these items is self explanatory: they made our lives easier, and kept the baby content.

On the "not so useful" list are: coordinated nursery set, bouncy chair, swing, and bath tubs with the molded incline and seat. And, as you can imagine these items were either very expensive for their limited use or were not enjoyed by the baby and therefore were not used.

When looking for gear we suggest that you check out local second hand stores such as Once Upon a Child http://www.onceuponachild.com/ (with locations across Canada and the US), or online at Kijiji (for Canadian shoppers visit http://www.kijiji.ca/ and in the US visit http://www.kijiji.com/). This is a great way to purchase gently used gear and clothing at a fraction of the cost. Each of us have found some great items this way.

You can listen to our podcast by hitting the play button below:

Enjoy!

Movies for Mommies

The Revue cinema on Roncesvalles, in Toronto continues it's new screening series for parents with new babies.

The experience in the auditorium is baby-friendly, with the volume turned down to protect sensitive ears. And, of course, if your baby cries you’re among friends (though most babies are easily calmed in the darkened theatre). Don’t miss this chance to enjoy recent films from around the world with friends, both big and small, in a baby-friendly environment.

Tickets for Baby & You at The Revue screenings are $7 with your valid membership; children and seniors tickets are $6; and babies under 2 get in for free.

For more information about Baby and You @ the Revue, visit their site: www.revuecinema.ca

DoddleBugs closing sale Feb 6th

DoddleBugs (which sells gently used kids clothing/toys) in Bloor West Village is closing. As a result they are having a massive clearance sale this Saturday, February 6th. They are located at: 2323 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON.