As a Healthy Babies, Healthy Children (HBHC) Public Health Nurse one of the best parts of my job is to help parents find moments of joy with their infants and children. Sharing joy and laughter can help parents and babies create a connection that will last a lifetime. Moments of joy may look like: A… Continue reading Increasing the joy in parenting
Category: Parenting
Tips to help beat the Autumn blues
Are you already missing the warm sunlight of summer? Have you felt stressed with trying to juggle with back to school routine with older children? Is it difficult to go out in the darker evenings? Autumn can bring a feeling of change, or a feeling of the need to prepare for our long winters. We… Continue reading Tips to help beat the Autumn blues
Postpartum Depression in Fathers and Partners
It's common for new fathers to experience joy, excitement, stress and fear while adjusting to parenthood. Did you know that 10% of new fathers suffer from Postpartum Depression (PPD) and 50% when mom is depressed too? Most people are not aware, including the fathers experiencing it. In honour of World Mental Health Day, on October… Continue reading Postpartum Depression in Fathers and Partners
Limiting food wastage
As the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables continue to rise, we tend to think of how to buy less. Food wastage has become an important issue. As a dietitian, I share with my clients how to better use foods that we already have. The Toronto Food Policy Council states households in Canada on average… Continue reading Limiting food wastage
Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
In Canada, Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually on October 1-7th to promote the importance of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding provides a number of benefits: breast milk helps protect your baby from ear infections, coughs and colds and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome breastfeeding helps protect you from breast cancer, diabetes and ovarian cancer promotes closeness and bonding with… Continue reading Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
Reading to baby: Get an early start on a lifetime of learning
The time I spend with my kids reading a book is my favourite part of the day. It’s a time where everyone can wind down, snuggle in, explore new adventures and…have fun while learning language! So how early should we start reading to our children? Research shows that in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy,… Continue reading Reading to baby: Get an early start on a lifetime of learning
Top 12 foods to keep you hydrated
Did you know that our bodies are made up of about 60% water? You may wonder, why do our bodies need so much water? Water helps to: carry nutrients to and from baby remove waste from your body prevent constipation prevent dehydration, headaches, and muscle cramps, and keep you cool, especially in hot weather control… Continue reading Top 12 foods to keep you hydrated
A recipe for praise
As a parenting group facilitator, many parents/caregivers have asked me "will praising my child spoil them or feed their ego?" Actually, praising children nurtures their growing brain with positive attention, love and reinforces that you believe in them while fostering self-motivation in your child. There are key ingredients to praising effectively which apply to both… Continue reading A recipe for praise
Simple and delicious peach recipes
Calling all peach enthusiasts, it is that time of year again- Peach Season! If you are like me, your taste buds have been tickling at the thought of juicy mouth-watering peaches. Peach crisp, peach pie, peach jam, peach mango salsa, savoury or sweet you just cannot get enough of them. Peaches are a good source… Continue reading Simple and delicious peach recipes
FASD: Reduce the risk
Alcohol and pregnancy – a topic that has been around for generations and many people have different opinions on. This is discussed in our prenatal programs, and common questions asked are: "Isn't it OK to have a glass of wine or cider on a special occasion during pregnancy?" "One drink won't hurt, right?" "My mom… Continue reading FASD: Reduce the risk
