Baby's First Year · Breastfeeding

Do I have enough breast milk to feed my baby?

Almost all breastfeeding parents go through a period when they think they don't have enough breast milk. Sometimes parents worry about this soon after the birth of their baby. Other times even after breastfeeding is well established. The most common reason for stopping breastfeeding is when parents feel they don’t have enough breast milk. The… Continue reading Do I have enough breast milk to feed my baby?

Baby's First Year · Parenting

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

Baby's First Year · Pregnancy

What is delayed umbilical cord clamping?

A common question from expectant parents in our prenatal program is "when is the best time to cut/clamp baby's umbilical cord?" During pregnancy, the umbilical cord helps move blood, oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby. Shortly after baby is born, their umbilical cord is clamped. Research shows that clamping the umbilical cord at different… Continue reading What is delayed umbilical cord clamping?

Nutrition · Parenting · Pregnancy

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

Baby's First Year · Pregnancy

Cleaning and pregnancy: Safety tips

Let’s face it!  Every day we are exposed to all kinds of things that affects our health – and baby's health. During pregnancy, you may be hearing about the risks of certain environmental hazards and the effects it may have on your unborn baby. During pregnancy, your body is baby's first environment. Many cleaning products… Continue reading Cleaning and pregnancy: Safety tips

Baby's First Year · Parenting

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

Nutrition · Parenting · Pregnancy

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

Nutrition · Pregnancy

Vegetarian & pregnant? Tips to meet your protein needs

You can easily get all your protein needs when you are vegetarian - you just need to pay attention to where your protein sources are coming from so that you get all the essential building blocks. To help with the growth and development of your baby, protein needs increase in the second half of pregnancy… Continue reading Vegetarian & pregnant? Tips to meet your protein needs

Emotional Health · Parenting

Postpartum psychosis – A treatable illness

As a Public Health Nurse supporting new parents after the birth of their baby, I'm worried when I hear phrases like "I think someone is trying to take my baby; I just can't settle down; I haven't slept in 48 hours; my mother shakes my baby when she's holding her; I'm a bad mother and… Continue reading Postpartum psychosis – A treatable illness