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What Is Swaddling and What Are The Risks and Benefits?

As a first time mom, I had no idea how to swaddle or why we even swaddle babies. Fortunately, I learned how to swaddle 2.5 years ago with Madi and was ready to swaddle George when he was born! I now explain swaddling to parents as wrapping your baby tightly in the shape of a baby

What is Baby-Led Weaning and Should we do it?

Before I became a parent, I had no idea what baby led-weaning was. I actually thought it had to do with breastfeeding! I now realize that baby-led weaning (BLW) is a method in which the baby controls their solid food consumption by self-feeding. Baby-led weaning versus spoon feeding This is a controversial topic among parents. Some

What are the Different Types of Insect Repellants and Are They Safe?

Mosquitoes are nuisances. In Alberta, mosquitoes are everywhere and in some cases can ruin a perfect day outside if they are particularly high in population. In order to fully enjoy the spring and summer weather while we have it, we may want to prevent itchy mosquito bites by using insect repellent (bug spray). But not all insect

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnancy

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is the presence of bacteria in the urine without symptoms of a urinary tract infection. It can occur in 2 to 15% of pregnant women and if left untreated, some can develop a serious kidney infection called acute pyelonephritis. Screening For Asymptomatic Bacteriuria The current recommendation is to screen for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women during

Do’s and Don’ts of Sunburns

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction of the skin to the harmful UV rays of the sun. Sunburns can range from mild redness to blistering. Here are some do’s and don’ts for managing sunburns Do’s DO drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. Burns draw fluid to the skins surface and away from the rest of

Should We Use Soothers (Pacifiers) For Infants?

Before I became a mother, I did not realize how attached an infant can be to their soother. Madi loved her soother, and we lovingly nicknamed it “soo-soo.” Madi would reach for her “soo-soo,” call out for it, and we always make sure we had it in her diaper bag. Then one day, at around

Treating Acne During Pregnancy

Many people struggle with acne at some point in their lives. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can cause acne to worsen in some women. If they occur, acne flare-ups are often worst during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. There are some acne treatments that women may normally use to control acne that

I Have a Cold Sore, Can I Be Near My Newborn Baby?

Cold sores are highly contagious. But what are you to do when you have a cold sore and also a newborn baby to care for? What is a Cold Sore? Cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). They look like small blisters around the lips, mouth, chin, cheeks, or even nose. Within

Can I Eat Sushi or Other Fish While Pregnant?

One of the most common food types that people will tell you that you cannot eat while pregnant is sushi, or raw fish. There are many health benefits to having fish as part of your regular diet. So why is it that sushi shouldn’t be consumed while pregnant? Does this apply to other types of fish as well?

Safety of Hand Sanitizer

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer has become a staple household item. However, many parents are wondering, is hand sanitizer safe for use in children? The short answer is yes, though it can be unsafe in certain circumstances. Hand Hygiene The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hand washing with warm

Ways to Improve Breast Milk Supply

Breastfeeding was not intuitive for me. I struggled with low milk supply early on and had difficulty getting Madi to latch correctly. Fortunately, with the help of a lactation consultant, after two weeks breastfeeding improved. There are two main reasons why mothers and their infants may have breastfeeding difficulties. The first reason is inadequate milk production from the mother. The

What is a Yeast Infection And What Can You Do About it?

Vaginal yeast infections, or vaginal candidiasis, are common in women. Many healthy females have yeast colonization in their vaginas such as Candida. However, sometimes these yeasts may overgrow leading to yeast infections. Risk Factors for Yeast Infections Certain conditions and medications can make women more susceptible to yeast infections including: Recent use of antibiotics Oral contraceptives (especially those