Emotional Health · Parenting · Pregnancy

Coping with stress and anxiety during & after pregnancy

Some stress and anxiety is common during pregnancy. When either become more severe and start to affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviour, it's important to seek help.  The challenges or changes during and after pregnancy can increase the risk of stress and anxiety. 1 in 5 mothers experience anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum.… Continue reading Coping with stress and anxiety during & after pregnancy

Emotional Health · Pregnancy

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy

What makes a healthy relationship?  Do words like respect, love, equality come to mind?  Well, this may not be the case for some people. Pregnancy can be a vulnerable time for intimate partner violence due to changes in physical, emotional, social and financial demands. Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to physical, sexual, or emotional harm… Continue reading Intimate partner violence during pregnancy

Baby's First Year · Emotional Health · Parenting

Surviving the first year: Self-care tips for new parents

Most of us are quite busy in our day to day lives - we have our routines, our interests, and our responsibilities. While parenting is an exciting, challenging and rewarding adventure, it can be easy for new parents' own needs to take a backseat as life with a little one begins. With the popularity of… Continue reading Surviving the first year: Self-care tips for new parents

Nutrition · Parenting · Pregnancy

Chat live with a Public Health Nurse

Let's face it, life can be extremely hectic and it's not always convenient to talk on the phone!  Waiting to speak to the right person can seem like hours, particularly when you are trying to manage several tasks at the same time! Being a parent and juggling the demands of work/school and family, I know… Continue reading Chat live with a Public Health Nurse

Baby's First Year · Breastfeeding · Parenting

Family and friends can support breastfeeding

The early weeks after the birth of your baby are joyful and full of new experiences. At the same time they can also be tiring, overwhelming and stressful. As a new parent you can feel both emotionally and physically tired. Your body needs time to recover. You also need time to learn how to breastfeed,… Continue reading Family and friends can support breastfeeding

Baby's First Year · Parenting

Baby’s speech, hearing & vision: Don’t wait and see

Did you know that approximately 1 in 10 children require support developing typical speech and language skills? It is important to know that milestones as early as 6 months of age can begin to impact a child's speech and language development. In the past, it was common for parents and some professional to take a… Continue reading Baby’s speech, hearing & vision: Don’t wait and see

Baby's First Year · Emotional Health · Pregnancy

Feeling sad or stressed? Find out where to get support in Toronto

This may be your first pregnancy, or your fourth baby – depression and anxiety can happened to anyone.  Many new parents who are struggling don't get the help they need…some because they are ashamed and feel they should be enjoying their pregnancy or new baby, and some because they just don’t know where to start… Continue reading Feeling sad or stressed? Find out where to get support in Toronto

Emotional Health · Parenting

Motherhood and scary thoughts: How are these connected?

"I'm just going to check on the baby one more time, I want to make sure he's still breathing."    "Wait!  Let me hold her, you may drop her if you don’t hold her tight enough."  "What if the bathwater is too hot and I burn my baby?" Have you had thoughts like this about… Continue reading Motherhood and scary thoughts: How are these connected?

Baby's First Year · Parenting · Pregnancy

5 great ideas for a baby shower gift

You're excited to welcome a new baby, and want to choose just the right gift. For the first year of life, babies need to be fed and loved, cuddled and sung to, precious gifts that are difficult to wrap! That means the perfect baby shower gift is one that meets parents' needs, giving them support… Continue reading 5 great ideas for a baby shower gift

Emotional Health · Parenting

New to Canada?  Just had a baby and feeling lost and alone?

Maria moved to Toronto six months ago.  She is a new mother of a two month old baby girl.  She and her husband are feeling the stress of a new country, a new baby, and no family to help.  Maria speaks little English and isn’t sure where or how to get help from her new… Continue reading New to Canada?  Just had a baby and feeling lost and alone?