When I was pregnant I received so much advice. Family and friends, random people in the grocery store, social media, the internet - they all had advice to give me even when I wasn't asking for it. So how do you sort through all this advice? How do you know what to listen to and… Continue reading Advice for new parents
Category: Baby’s First Year
Emergency Birth Control
Studies show more than 50% of pregnancies in Canada are not planned. With this in mind, have you thought about your reproductive life plan? Perhaps you have decided that you are not ready for a pregnancy just now …but then, life throws you a surprise. For example, in the heat of the moment, you and… Continue reading Emergency Birth Control
Where to get breastfeeding support during the COVID-19 pandemic
Just had a baby and not sure where you can go for breastfeeding support? So many services have changed due to COVID-19. Some clinics have closed and others are only offering virtual services. Toronto Public Health is offering telephone and virtual breastfeeding support by video call if needed. If you would like a Public Health… Continue reading Where to get breastfeeding support during the COVID-19 pandemic
Let’s Talk!
On January 28, 2021 Canadians are being encouraged to talk about their mental health. We are facing challenges that we have never faced before. From social distancing to lockdowns, fear of becoming sick to fear of losing loved ones. When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts. Some stress and… Continue reading Let’s Talk!
Things to do with your baby or young child during lockdown
Are you struggling with how to keep your child engaged and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic? Are you running out of ideas and activities? Here are a few tips to help your day go a little easier: Keep a daily routine. Children do well when they know what to expect and breaking the day into… Continue reading Things to do with your baby or young child during lockdown
Fire Safety: The Home Escape Plan
Keeping your child safe is a full-time job as any parent knows. An important part of home safety is your home fire escape plan. Here's Josephine Park, a Firefighter and Public Educator with Toronto Fire Services, to share her expertise and walk us through the steps. As a Firefighter, Public Educator and a mom of… Continue reading Fire Safety: The Home Escape Plan
Benefits of taking your child on a discovery walk
As a Public Health Nurse working in the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program, I am asked every day: Is it safe to take my baby outside? My answer is YES, I recommend you go outside for a discovery walk (everyday if you can). Here’s my top 5 benefits of a discovery walk: Opportunity for new learningBabies… Continue reading Benefits of taking your child on a discovery walk
Healthy sleep routines for your baby
Have you ever heard the phrase "sleeping like a baby"? It usually means that the person had a really good sleep. But ask any new parent and they will tell you that most babies don't "sleep like a baby". Many new parents struggle with helping their baby fall asleep or their baby waking often in… Continue reading Healthy sleep routines for your baby
A recipe for wellness
These are difficult times and the pandemic is testing our resilience. We are doing things that we may have never done before, such as home schooling, staying away from our family and friends and working from home. Our routines have changed and we may be feeling that we have no control over what is happening… Continue reading A recipe for wellness
Baby talk: Let’s get moving with action words
Children expand their vocabulary by hearing the words we use. We tend to be really great at labeling objects (think: "A car! A ball! A puppy!"). But of course, we need other types of words to build sentences. Action words (verbs) are really important for building sentences, but they can be trickier to teach. Here… Continue reading Baby talk: Let’s get moving with action words
