Calgary Baby Guide 2022-2023
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HAVING A BABY<br />
in <strong>Calgary</strong><br />
a resource guide<br />
<strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> EDITION<br />
• Budgeting for <strong>Baby</strong><br />
• Mama’s Choice Award Winners<br />
• Infant Sleep: What to expect
what ’s INSIDE<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
MODERN MAMA<br />
EDITOR<br />
LEAH DOYLE<br />
SALES & MARKETING<br />
Nicole Mihaljevich, <strong>Calgary</strong><br />
Nicole@modernmama.com<br />
Lesley Prosko, Edmonton<br />
Lesley@modernmama.com<br />
Tina Evans, Greater Vancouver<br />
Tina@modernmama.com<br />
Leah Doyle, National<br />
leah@modernmama.com<br />
DESIGN<br />
GUPPY DESIGN<br />
Having a baby in <strong>Calgary</strong><br />
A RESOURCE GUIDE<br />
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS<br />
BUDGETING FOR BABY<br />
THE WELLNESS STUDIO<br />
JOYOUS CHILD BIRTH<br />
CHEERFUL MORNINGS<br />
CORE LOVE FITNESS<br />
LAKEVIEW PHYSIO<br />
EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Caitlin Petersen from Kindred Memories<br />
Photography is a professional photographer<br />
serving the greater Edmonton area. She specializes<br />
in Maternity and Newborn photography, blending<br />
posed portraiture and lifestyle photography<br />
and has a passion for capturing intimate family<br />
moments. Her fully equipped studio is located in<br />
Beaumont, Alberta where she resides with her<br />
husband and two boys.<br />
www.kindredmemories.ca<br />
Visit www.modernmama.com today!<br />
Instagram @modernmama<br />
Twitter @modern_mama<br />
CONTACT US NICOLE@MODERNMAMA.COM<br />
PUBLISHER’S NOTE<br />
Your guide to having a baby<br />
in <strong>Calgary</strong> <strong>2022</strong> is here!<br />
Be sure to check us out at<br />
modernmama.com/calgary for<br />
our weekly locally-focused content.<br />
Modern Mama has been sharing<br />
resources and connecting moms with<br />
local businesses for almost 14 years.<br />
Come find us, check out the site and<br />
follow us on social too!<br />
Leah Doyle<br />
Owner, modernmama.com<br />
Instagram @modernmama_yyc<br />
Twitter @modernmama_yyc<br />
Facebook ‘Modern Mama <strong>Calgary</strong>’<br />
Pinterest pinterest.com/modernmamateam<br />
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 3
<strong>2022</strong>|<strong>Calgary</strong><br />
05 Mamas Choice Award Winners<br />
You vote and we tell everyone about your<br />
top picks. Local <strong>Calgary</strong> winners for<br />
everything mom & baby in the city.<br />
06 Budgeting for <strong>Baby</strong><br />
Have you considered your financial<br />
plan for baby?<br />
09 Infant Sleep: What to expect<br />
Wondering about those first few weeks,<br />
we give you a brief look at what to expect.<br />
14 The prenatal exercise that<br />
transforms your postpartum<br />
recovery<br />
Strength training, in pregnancy, can help<br />
you drastically reduce your aching body.<br />
Learn more.<br />
22 Local Resources: Bump<br />
The very best businesses <strong>Calgary</strong> has<br />
to offer you throughout your pregnancy.<br />
23 Local Resources: Nesting<br />
The very best businesses <strong>Calgary</strong> has<br />
to offer in preparing you for living with<br />
your new bundle.<br />
23 Local Resources: <strong>Baby</strong><br />
The very best businesses <strong>Calgary</strong> has<br />
to offer you throughout infancy and the<br />
first few years with baby.<br />
18 Movement + Milestones:<br />
Tips for Encouraging <strong>Baby</strong>’s<br />
Development Through Play<br />
Learn more about children learning<br />
through play.<br />
22 Preparing for Birth<br />
with a Pelvic Health<br />
Physiotherapist<br />
Learn more about children learning<br />
through play.<br />
4 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Mama’s Choice<br />
Awards Winners<br />
We heard from you, loud and clear, the best of the best for new moms<br />
in <strong>Calgary</strong>! All of you had something to say, and here they are …<br />
the winners of the first annual Mama’s Choice Awards:<br />
Best <strong>Baby</strong> Store?<br />
West Coast Kids<br />
Best Kids Furniture Store?<br />
Ikea & West Coast Kids (tie)<br />
Best <strong>Baby</strong> Clothing Store?<br />
Once Upon a Child<br />
Best Childcare Facility?<br />
Evolve Montessori<br />
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant?<br />
Boston Pizza<br />
Best Prenatal Class?<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Birth Essentials &<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
Best Postnatal Class?<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Birth Essentials &<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
Best Mommy & Me Class?<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
Best Kid-Friendly Café?<br />
Belmont Diner<br />
Best Maternity Clothing Store?<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> & Me Maternity<br />
Best Doula?<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
Best Local Service For Moms?<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
Best Maternity Photographer?<br />
Moment Collective<br />
Best Newborn Photographer?<br />
Jenny Davidson<br />
What Business Would You<br />
Like To Tell Your New-Mom<br />
Friends About?<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
Best Birthday Party Venue?<br />
Flip Factory<br />
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 5
BUDGETING FOR<br />
<strong>Baby</strong><br />
BY LAURIE AND GORDON BRANDEN<br />
Every change in family structure such as getting<br />
married, moving in together, or having children,<br />
contains an evolving financial landscape. The<br />
free online Budgeting for <strong>Baby</strong> seminar offers a<br />
wealth of information on a variety of topics and<br />
lays out the most important financial tasks that<br />
often commence with the arrival of your baby.<br />
The first thing you should do is assess where<br />
you are financially. Look at your savings, your<br />
maternity/paternity income, and what you<br />
expect to get in Canadian Child benefits.<br />
As well, consider your one- time and monthly<br />
expenses that you will incur upon baby’s<br />
arrival. This will help you formulate a solid<br />
financial plan and help you to understand<br />
what you want your future to look like.<br />
If you haven’t done so already, consider your<br />
options for life insurance and RESP’s as you<br />
include your children’s needs in this<br />
preparation. It can be daunting, but you will<br />
feel so much better once you have a strategy<br />
to provide for your child’s future and take the<br />
necessary steps to protect your family, should<br />
anything unforeseen happen in the future.<br />
Why should you open a RESP? The cost of<br />
a post-secondary education continues to rise<br />
and saving early can help you achieve your<br />
goals.<br />
Flexibility: If you open an Individual RESP,<br />
you can contribute into the plan up to a<br />
lifetime limit of $50,000 per child. As the<br />
subscriber, you have control over your<br />
deposit amounts and can make changes<br />
as you need over time.<br />
Guaranteed free grants. The government will<br />
match a percentage of your contributions!<br />
Any money you put in, up to $2500 per<br />
year, will be matched at 20% by the federal<br />
government. If you can contribute the full<br />
amount, this means your child’s RESP will<br />
receive an additional payment of $500 each<br />
year. Lower-income families may also qualify<br />
for an additional grant issued every year they<br />
remain eligible, independent of contributions.<br />
Long-term, tax free growth. The money you<br />
invest into the RESP, along with the<br />
government grants, will continue to grow and<br />
compound interest, year after year tax-free for<br />
up to 35 years. The income and grants are<br />
taxable to your child when they withdraw the<br />
funds for their post-secondary studies.<br />
Because students typically have lower<br />
income, the tax rate is often minimal.<br />
Anyone can contribute: Your friends or family<br />
member’s can also contribute towards your<br />
child’s RESP. This is a wonderful way for your<br />
loved ones to help instead of giving toys for<br />
special occasions.<br />
Multiple options for the student: Students can<br />
attend traditional schooling such as College<br />
or University, or they can attend shorter<br />
programs such as trades, practical<br />
education, or online studies. If your child<br />
does not pursue any post-secondary<br />
education, you have other options. You could<br />
roll the RESP to another child, roll the interest<br />
into your own/spousal RRSP, or take the<br />
interest as income to you as an Accumulated<br />
Income Payment (taxes applicable).<br />
6 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Expecting a baby?<br />
Register for a FREE Online Seminar<br />
www.budgetingforbabies.com<br />
Why should I get Life Insurance? Life<br />
insurance is one of the foundations of any<br />
well laid out financial plan as it offers<br />
financial protection for you and your loved<br />
ones. It can help you provide the security you<br />
need to reach your financial goals and is<br />
particularly useful if you are buying a home,<br />
getting married, or having children.<br />
Provides Financial Security: and Replaces<br />
Lost Income: The most obvious purpose of life<br />
insurance is that it provides your family with<br />
long-term financial security to protect your<br />
family if you die. It is a lump sum, tax-free<br />
cash payout. This can help to ensure that<br />
your loved ones will not be financially<br />
strained and can afford everyday expenses.<br />
Provides Emotional Security: It protects your<br />
emotional health by giving you peace of<br />
mind: No one can predict the future but<br />
having life insurance means that you are<br />
preparing to ensure your family is financially<br />
protected if you passed away.<br />
Pays for final expenses or debts. Life<br />
insurance policies can help to cover debts<br />
such as your mortgage or personal loans,<br />
as well as pay for your funeral.<br />
Create an inheritance for your children:<br />
When someone passes away, their heirs<br />
often face estate and inheritance taxes on<br />
any assets they receive. The life insurance<br />
policy can help cover these costs. Certain<br />
policies allow you to build up cash values<br />
over time which is often attractive to families<br />
as this can help supplement and create<br />
an inheritance for your children.<br />
PROOF<br />
Topics of Discussion<br />
“<br />
• Maternity & Parental Benefits<br />
• How much does a baby cost?<br />
• Living on a reduced income<br />
• Canadian Child Benefits<br />
• Retirement Savings Plan<br />
• Life Insurance Coverage<br />
• Birth Certificate & SIN<br />
• Health Benefit Plans<br />
• Personal Directives<br />
• Power of Attorney<br />
• RESP’s*<br />
• Wills<br />
Do you already have children?<br />
Condensed sessions are available.<br />
Space is limited!<br />
*Sold by prospectus only<br />
WOW! This seminar really helped us<br />
to get organized for our new baby.<br />
Thanks for the useful handouts.<br />
Teresa Chambers<br />
“<br />
Laurie & Gordon Branden<br />
Budgeting for <strong>Baby</strong><br />
www.budgetingforbabies.com<br />
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8 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Infant Sleep<br />
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?<br />
As new parents, we put forth great effort preparing for our little one’s arrival. We learn<br />
how to bathe them, feed them and foster their development. It’s also great to know a few<br />
facts about infant sleep; read on for some helpful tips!<br />
The First 3 Weeks<br />
Babies are very sleepy during their first few weeks earthside. This is in part due to the<br />
maternal melatonin that remains in their bodies from their time in the womb. Melatonin<br />
is a sleep hormone that rises and falls throughout the day and night according to our circadian<br />
rhythm (a.k.a. our body clock) and babies don’t produce their own melatonin initially.<br />
Newborns may sleep for 16 hours out of the daily 24 and may only stay awake for 40-60<br />
minutes at a time before needing to sleep again. This is called an “awake window” – the<br />
time a baby is awake before their next period of sleep. As babies get older their awake<br />
windows will lengthen as they will be able to stay awake for longer periods.<br />
In these early weeks babes haven’t begun to distinguish between day and night so they<br />
may disperse their awake and asleep time equally throughout the 24 hours of the day,<br />
some even having more of their awake time during the night.<br />
These early weeks are for you and your baby to get to know one another!<br />
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Weeks 4-6<br />
The maternal melatonin that was present<br />
for the first three weeks of a newborn’s life<br />
has worn off and babes are becoming<br />
more alert. It is common to see crying peak<br />
at 6 weeks. Babes are able to now stay<br />
awake for 60-90 minutes at a time and<br />
are starting to distinguish between day<br />
and night. If you can, try to pay attention<br />
to awake windows and offer sleep every<br />
60-90 minutes (60 minutes for 4 week olds,<br />
increasing to 90 minutes by the time they<br />
are 6 weeks old). This will prevent babies<br />
from getting into overtired states from<br />
which it can be difficult to achieve sleep.<br />
As newborns start to sleep more at night<br />
and less during the day we can expect a<br />
total daytime sleep of 4-5 hours, divided<br />
into several naps, and total night time sleep<br />
of 11-12 hours (with feedings). We also<br />
begin to see the baby sleep cycle emerge.<br />
Babies’ sleep cycles are 45-50 minute<br />
long. They are in a light, or active, sleep<br />
for the first half of their sleep cycle<br />
(approximately 20 minutes) making it<br />
common to see them wake within the first<br />
20 minutes of sleep due to their own<br />
movements, or happenings in their<br />
environment. The second half of their sleep<br />
cycle they are in a deep or quiet sleep;<br />
their faces are restful, their limbs are<br />
floppy and they don’t wake as easily.<br />
Swaddling in the newborn period is a<br />
great tool to use because it creates a<br />
sensation of physical security and prevents<br />
babes from being distracted by their own<br />
uncoordinated limb movements. White<br />
noise is another great tool for newborn<br />
sleep (and beyond) because it replicates<br />
the “whooshing” sound newborns heard<br />
constantly in the womb and it blocks out<br />
environmental sounds which may awaken<br />
the babe when they are in a lighter stage<br />
of sleep.<br />
If you notice it’s been 90 minutes or so<br />
since your baby’s last period of sleep see<br />
if they need some help settling off to sleep<br />
and begin to set the scene. Feeding,<br />
cuddling, bouncing, rocking are all great<br />
ways to encourage newborn sleep as they<br />
may not always fall asleep on their own<br />
accord.<br />
10 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Weeks 7-12<br />
Babes are able to stay awake for 90<br />
minutes at a time now with a daytime sleep<br />
need of 4 hours, split into several naps,<br />
and a night time sleep need of 11-12 hours<br />
(with feedings). At this age a baby’s body<br />
is producing its own melatonin (the sleep<br />
hormone) and a dark environment begins<br />
to play a key part in sleep. Melatonin is<br />
produced in response to a dark environment<br />
and its production is blocked by light.<br />
Therefore the cue of a dark environment<br />
can be helpful for naps and bedtime.<br />
This is a great time to introduce a gentle<br />
routine: consistent times for sleep, feeds,<br />
and a bedtime routine. If independent<br />
sleep is something you feel like working<br />
toward, you can also practice putting your<br />
baby down awake to sleep. When you<br />
notice your baby is becoming drowsy or is<br />
due for a nap or bedtime, put them down<br />
to sleep from an awake or drowsy state<br />
and allow them to fall asleep on their own<br />
with you by their side. If your newborn is<br />
colicky or dealing with reflux, they may still<br />
require your help to fall asleep until their<br />
colic subsides (typically around 12 weeks)<br />
or reflux improves. These babes often need<br />
a lot of hands on support and settling to fall<br />
asleep so give them whatever they need!<br />
Remember, it is normal for different babies<br />
to require different amounts of assistance to<br />
fall asleep. Try your best to not to compare<br />
your baby to others. Normal sleep for your<br />
baby might look like:<br />
• contact naps<br />
(i.e. baby being held for naps)<br />
• motion sleep<br />
(cars and strollers for example)<br />
• independent sleep from the get-go<br />
• sleeping in short spurts<br />
• long stretches of sleep<br />
The journey to independent settling can happen at any time, typically 4 months of age<br />
and onwards depending on the baby and family. Having a baby that can independently<br />
settle may be a goal for some families and not important to others. Healthy sleep<br />
can be fostered in either setting so let’s build and maintain supportive parenting<br />
communities where all sleep is good sleep!<br />
Warmly,<br />
Sara Davis, BscN,<br />
Cert. Infant & Child Sleep<br />
Consultant<br />
sara.davis@cheerfulmornings.ca<br />
www.cheerfulmornings.ca<br />
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The prenatal exercise<br />
that transforms your<br />
postpartum recovery<br />
If you’re expecting your first baby, you are<br />
probably feeling overwhelmed right now<br />
with everything there is to know. What is<br />
your birth plan? How will labour go? What<br />
about breastfeeding? Formula? Cloth<br />
diapers? Huggies? Pampers? Which car<br />
seat is safest? Where will baby sleep? And<br />
on and on.<br />
And when it comes to exercise, of course<br />
you want to know what is safe. You<br />
understand your body is going to change<br />
a lot in these 9 months. It already has!<br />
Maybe your lower back aches a little.<br />
You pee, just a little, when you sneeze or<br />
cough. Clearly your stomach muscles are<br />
expanding. And you wonder, will you feel<br />
normal again?<br />
If you voice these things aloud you might<br />
be told something like, “Every mother goes<br />
through this, welcome to motherhood.”<br />
Or the opposite. “Enjoy your free pass in<br />
pregnancy… because postpartum? Get<br />
ready for the Kegels, crunches, and hard<br />
work to get your body back.” Right?<br />
Nope.<br />
I wish every expectant mom could know<br />
there’s a better way.<br />
You do NOT need to leak pee or deal with<br />
constant pain in pregnancy. Or put yourself<br />
through butt kicking workouts postpartum<br />
to regain your strength and confidence.<br />
But what can you do?<br />
14 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Let’s take a quick tour<br />
of your pregnant body<br />
Your core is much more than abs. Think of it<br />
as a cylinder made up of your abdominal<br />
muscles on the front, your lower back<br />
muscles, diaphragm at the top and your<br />
pelvic floor at the bottom.<br />
These muscles work together to stabilize<br />
you during exercise and while doing life’s<br />
everyday tasks – bending, lifting, squatting,<br />
carrying, reaching.<br />
During pregnancy, your abdominal muscles<br />
stretch (a lot) to make room for your<br />
growing baby. Your lower back works<br />
much harder, and your diaphragm has to<br />
breathe with a lot less space. Your pelvic<br />
floor works really hard to support your<br />
pelvis and organs within it. It also needs to<br />
relax during a vaginal delivery to give your<br />
baby a smooth exit.<br />
What happens to<br />
your body postpartum<br />
At 6 weeks, your doctor checks you to see if<br />
you need surgery or any other interventions.<br />
If not, your medical care essentially wraps<br />
up. You’re cleared to return to exercise and<br />
navigate the rest of postpartum life on your<br />
own.<br />
But your core is still changed. In fact,<br />
you might feel like your entire body has<br />
changed.<br />
So you might struggle to find a comfortable<br />
posture while feeding your baby that<br />
doesn’t leave your back so sore. You can’t<br />
believe how heavy it feels to carry an<br />
8-pound baby 17 hours a day. You’re<br />
shocked how painful lifting your newborn<br />
in and out of the crib can be.<br />
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The solution to a smoother postpartum recovery?<br />
Strength training.<br />
Depending on your experience with it, you<br />
might be imagining heavy barbells and<br />
intense workouts. Strength training in<br />
pregnancy is different.<br />
The key is lifting heavy enough weights<br />
(for you) to actually challenge your<br />
muscles. Lifting 3- and 5-pound dumbbells<br />
isn’t going to be enough to help you build<br />
the strength you will need to carry your<br />
15-pound, 3-month-old baby.<br />
But you don’t need to be an expert weight<br />
trainer either. You don’t need bootcamps<br />
that drown you in a pile of sweat. You do<br />
need to progressively build up your core<br />
strength with short, effective workouts that<br />
leave you stronger and energized.<br />
Strength training NOW, in pregnancy,<br />
can help you drastically reduce your aching<br />
hips, sore low back and tight neck and<br />
shoulders. Strength training is the key for<br />
a strong and energized pregnancy and<br />
a smoother postpartum recovery.<br />
I know you can’t wait to kiss those baby<br />
toes and enjoy some newborn snuggles.<br />
But beyond soaking up every ounce of<br />
joy a baby brings, what is your dream<br />
for YOU after baby?<br />
Maybe it looks like walking to the park,<br />
baby snuggled in a sling and your back<br />
is strong enough to take it. Or joining your<br />
family on a hike with your 9-month-old<br />
secure on your back. Or you’re running<br />
marathons again, cheered on by your<br />
children, without peeing your pants.<br />
You deserve all of this and more.<br />
The first step? Strengthen your entire body,<br />
starting with strengthening your core from<br />
the inside out.<br />
Your future self, babe in arms,<br />
will thank you.<br />
START SIMPLE, TODAY<br />
Want to know more? Download this free email mini-course and learn 5<br />
Core Circuits For Pregnancy (that will take you 3-15 minutes to complete).<br />
Rooting for you,<br />
Kaye & Shannon<br />
ABOUT CORE LOVE<br />
Core Love Fitness is redefining fitness during pregnancy, postpartum and<br />
beyond to help moms build their strength so they can live their lives to the fullest.<br />
www.corelove.ca<br />
IG and FB @corelovefitness<br />
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MOVEMENT + MILESTONES:<br />
TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING<br />
BABY’S DEVELOPMENT<br />
THROUGH PLAY<br />
BY DR. JESSICA DE NOOIJ<br />
The first year of a baby’s life is a time of<br />
rapid brain growth and neurological<br />
development. Although your baby has the<br />
most nerve cells they will ever have at birth,<br />
it is the connections between neurons, called<br />
synapses, that form the important building<br />
blocks of the brain. Ensuring your baby has<br />
good spinal movement and nerve function<br />
will help set them up for success. It is<br />
incredible that babies will progress from<br />
barely being able to hold their head up<br />
as a newborn, to rolling, sitting, crawling,<br />
standing, cruising, and walking – often<br />
within one short year.<br />
Your baby is born with a c-shaped spine,<br />
meaning they do not have the neck or low<br />
back curves we have as adults. The neck<br />
curve will form as they learn to hold their<br />
head up against gravity when practicing<br />
tummy time. The lower back curve will start<br />
to form when they begin to crawl and<br />
continue until a few months after walking.<br />
The spine and cranium serve as protection for<br />
your baby’s brain and spinal cord. A balance<br />
of stability and mobility are required for your<br />
baby to function at their best. Many parents<br />
choose a preventive health care model,<br />
bringing their baby for regular chiropractic<br />
wellness care. Tension and misalignment in the<br />
neck, back, hips, or shoulders can affect your<br />
baby’s ability to move through motor<br />
milestones with ease.<br />
It is not uncommon for parents and caregivers<br />
to feel overwhelmed when it comes to baby<br />
movement and milestones. It may seem as<br />
though there is a never-ending amount of<br />
information for each age and stage. If this is<br />
you, not to worry. Here are some of my top<br />
tips to help you feel more confident and to<br />
encourage your baby’s motor milestone<br />
development:<br />
Children learn through Play<br />
Sometimes we forget that baby movement<br />
should be interactive and fun. Try to<br />
incorporate favourite songs, variations in your<br />
voice, animated facial expressions, gestures,<br />
and/or toys with bright colours or fun sounds<br />
to entertain your little one. Play time on the<br />
floor is a great opportunity for bonding and<br />
touch. When your baby’s exercise session<br />
resembles play, they often are better able<br />
to stay engaged and motivated.<br />
Pro Tips:<br />
Babies often love their parents’<br />
voices. Learn a few songs that<br />
you can sing together<br />
Reserve certain special toys<br />
specifically for your play session<br />
Make eye contact with your child and<br />
use a variety of facial expressions<br />
18 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Tummy Time. Tummy Time.<br />
More Tummy Time!<br />
Tummy time helps to build neck, shoulder,<br />
and back strength and helps to prepare for<br />
rolling and crawling. Aim for 20 minutes of<br />
tummy time for each month of age, increasing<br />
to 80 minutes by 4 months. If your baby gets<br />
fussy just remember they are complaining<br />
because it is hard. The stronger they get, the<br />
easier it will become. Consistency is the key.<br />
Don’t forget to balance tummy time with<br />
equal time for play on their back and sides;<br />
all positions of play are important and help<br />
to create balance.<br />
Avoid excessive time spent<br />
in <strong>Baby</strong> Containers<br />
It is important that your baby have ample time<br />
and opportunity to move their body freely.<br />
The best place for baby movement is often on<br />
the floor. Limit time spent in containers, such<br />
as bouncers, swings, and seats, as they do<br />
not allow your baby to wiggle, kick, reach,<br />
roll, and crawl. Movement is required to help<br />
your baby to build strength and coordination<br />
and provide lots of opportunities to practice<br />
new skills. Containers often prevent proper<br />
body alignment, limit core muscle activation,<br />
and may delay motor milestones.<br />
Pro Tips:<br />
Roll baby on to their tummy for 3-5<br />
minutes after each diaper change<br />
When fussy, place baby on a<br />
45-degree angle on a pillow or large<br />
exercise ball to decrease the<br />
difficulty and build endurance<br />
Take breaks by rolling baby on to<br />
side, then returning to tummy for more<br />
Pro Tips:<br />
Use the car seat only for the car.<br />
Allow them to stretch out on the floor<br />
whenever possible<br />
Avoid jumpers as they can place<br />
inappropriate stress on the spine,<br />
hips, and legs<br />
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 19
It is not a Race!<br />
It is important to remember that each child is<br />
different and that milestone acquisition is not a<br />
race. There are many benefits to spending a<br />
longer time practicing and perfecting a skill as<br />
the repetition helps to strengthen neurological<br />
patterns. For example, a baby who spends<br />
more time practicing the cross-crawl will often<br />
be better prepared when it comes to walking.<br />
Pro Tips:<br />
Try not to rush baby into the next skill<br />
Place baby on floor on tummy vs<br />
propping them to sit; to encourage<br />
tummy time and rolling<br />
Place baby in the middle of the floor<br />
to encourage crawling vs walking<br />
baby before they are ready<br />
Be on the lookout for any of the following<br />
issues that are common (but not normal) in<br />
baby’s first year: flattening on the back or<br />
side of the head, preference to turn their<br />
head one direction, arching when on their<br />
back, asymmetrical use of arms or legs,<br />
scooting or asymmetrical crawl, or any other<br />
noticeable concerns or delays. These are<br />
often signs that additional support, including<br />
pediatric chiropractic care, may be needed.<br />
I hope these simple tips help to boost your<br />
confidence and serve as a reminder that you<br />
that you are doing great – you’ve got this!<br />
Look out for possible Red Flags<br />
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<br />
Dr. Jessica de Nooij is a family Chiropractor at The Wellness<br />
Studio in <strong>Calgary</strong>, AB. She has a focus in pediatrics, pregnancy<br />
and family wellness and has completed both the Webster and<br />
CACCP pediatric certifications through the International Pediatric<br />
Chiropractic Association (ICPA).<br />
20 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 21
Preparing for Birth<br />
with a Pelvic Health<br />
Physiotherapist<br />
BY GAYLE HULME, BSCPT, PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST, CO-OWNER LAKEVIEW<br />
PHYSIOTHERAPY & MOVEMENT STUDIO IN CALGARY, ALBERTA. LAKEVIEWPHYSIO.CA<br />
For physiotherapists with a special interest and experience helping women with pelvic<br />
related concerns, optimizing pregnancy, labour, and delivery is a daily occurrence in our<br />
office. We love it that women are also enthusiastic about advocating and preparing for the<br />
birth of their baby.<br />
There is much that we can do in preparation for your baby (or babies!) whether your plan<br />
includes a scheduled caesarean section or a vaginal birth. As experts in movement<br />
physiology, we bring practical advice on how to approach pregnancy and birth, taking<br />
into perspective every patient’s unique situation.<br />
From a professional standpoint, we really enjoy these appointments, and these sessions<br />
are packed with useful information for the mom-to-be. We typically provide this information<br />
throughout our treatments with expectant mothers.<br />
22 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
Here are our top 5 strategies when preparing for birth:<br />
1. Movement<br />
Being pregnant poses challenges to your<br />
entire body. Pelvic health physiotherapists<br />
can help how your body feels as it adapts<br />
to your growing baby. Improving flexibility<br />
at the back and inside of your legs such as<br />
the hamstrings, adductors, and calf<br />
muscles, lets you do things like squat,<br />
which is not only helpful in labour but also<br />
for picking up toys later! Improving pelvis<br />
symmetry with prescribed exercises is also<br />
useful to reduce back and SI joint pain<br />
which is common during pregnancy.<br />
When a woman is in labour, we like to<br />
encourage movements that allow for hip<br />
external rotation. She may use this external<br />
rotation of her hips while in hands and<br />
knees position (which also helps turn a<br />
baby) or while sitting on a therapy ball.<br />
During a vaginal delivery, hip internal<br />
rotation is particularly useful to open the<br />
pelvis. Side-lie position with the top leg<br />
supported by a partner with the heel up<br />
and knee down has also shown to help<br />
reduce the severity of perineal tears. 1<br />
2. Confidence<br />
Having a sense of control leads to<br />
decreased fear. We build confidence in<br />
what your body can accomplish during<br />
pregnancy and birth. Practicing what you<br />
learn reassures you in your abilities.<br />
Sometimes just a few words of encouragement<br />
can make a world of difference when<br />
it comes to facing the anxiety of becoming<br />
a mother. We have the benefit of learning<br />
from current research and collaborating<br />
with other maternity professionals to<br />
provide you with concrete expectations<br />
and plans of care. Education along<br />
with manual therapy and exercises are<br />
cornerstones of a pelvic health<br />
physiotherapist’s perinatal care.<br />
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 23
3. Pelvic Floor Readiness<br />
Your pelvic floor strength should be<br />
addressed by your pelvic health physiotherapist<br />
prior to your due date and is<br />
particularly important to work on as your<br />
body changes with the demands of a<br />
growing baby. Good pelvic floor<br />
responsiveness is essential for all<br />
post-partum recoveries. Near your due date<br />
we are also teaching you how to release<br />
your pelvic floor. We start the practice of<br />
perineal stretching around 36 weeks to<br />
aid with the flexibility of the opening of the<br />
vagina, called the introitus, and instruct you<br />
on how to carry this on at home, up to the<br />
time of delivery.<br />
4. Pushing Prep<br />
There are many methods to push a baby<br />
out. We like to show you how you can<br />
maximize your diaphragm and body<br />
position during the push phase. This entails<br />
using your diaphragm to direct pressure<br />
towards your vagina and pursing your lips<br />
to slowly let air out. With your arms<br />
overhead and lengthening your spine, you<br />
can use a yoga strap or a bar to pull down<br />
on while timing your uterus contraction and<br />
breath work all together. This technique can<br />
be gently practiced in different positions as<br />
well as visualized in the form of guided<br />
imagery.<br />
5. Toileting<br />
Whether your bundle of joy arrives with a<br />
vaginal birth or a c-section, your first bowel<br />
movement may need special consideration.<br />
All women bleed from their uterus, called<br />
lochia, after giving birth regardless of<br />
delivery method. And all women will need<br />
to poop afterwards! Everyone should use<br />
a footstool when sitting on the toilet to<br />
prepare to have a bowel movement. After a<br />
vaginal delivery, you may want to support<br />
your perineum for your first few BMs to<br />
reduce distention of these tissues. Similarly,<br />
if you had a c-section, you may want to hold<br />
a pillow over your belly to gently support<br />
your abdominal scar. Remember that it is<br />
ideal not to push for a bowel movement so<br />
practice the pursed lip technique or ask your<br />
nurse or doctor for stool softeners for the first<br />
while after giving birth.<br />
Preparing for birth is a process that should<br />
start during early pregnancy. Pelvic health<br />
physiotherapists can ease the discomforts<br />
of pregnancy, prepare you for delivery,<br />
and assist with your post-partum recovery.<br />
Along with the help of your pelvic health<br />
physiotherapist, you can become<br />
knowledgeable, stronger, and more<br />
confident in what your body can<br />
accomplish during this life-changing event.<br />
Source:<br />
1 Maternal position and other variables: effects on perineal outcomes in 557 births. Inge Meyvis 1,<br />
Bart Van Rompaey, Karine Goormans, Steven Truijen, Sabine Lambers, Eveline Mestdagh, Wilhelm Mistiaen<br />
Birth. 2012 Jun;39(2):115-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2012.00529. x. Epub 2012 May 17.<br />
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23281859/<br />
24 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 25
CALGARY | resources<br />
Bump – Maternity Fashion<br />
Ella Bella Maternity Boutique<br />
403-870-0695<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> & Me Maternity<br />
403-283-3070<br />
Clotheshorse Ladies Consignment<br />
403-247-9434<br />
Dragonfly Maternity<br />
587-316-0822<br />
Knocked Consignment<br />
403-809-6601<br />
Bump – Ultrasounds<br />
Canada Diagnostic Centres<br />
403-212-5855<br />
First Peek<br />
587-917-3359<br />
UC <strong>Baby</strong><br />
403-258-1007<br />
Bump – Pre-Natal Fitness<br />
2 The Core Training Inc<br />
403-617-3362<br />
Imstamyoga<br />
403-461-2347<br />
The Yoga Studio<br />
403-239-3344<br />
Bump – Doula<br />
Adora Birth & Wellness<br />
403-971-8499<br />
Butterfly <strong>Baby</strong> Doula Services<br />
403-613-9562<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Birth Essentials<br />
403-982-5580<br />
Chavah Birth Services<br />
587-225-9595<br />
Doula Essentials<br />
403-831-3138<br />
Five Elements Birth Services<br />
587-581-5810<br />
Heart & Soul Doula<br />
403-542-2990<br />
Maternal Instincts<br />
403-801-4004<br />
An Extra Set of Hands<br />
403-700-4045<br />
Tender Touches Doula<br />
403-333-0954<br />
The <strong>Baby</strong> Hive<br />
801-997-8444<br />
Bump – Midwives<br />
Alberta Association of Midwives<br />
888-316-5457<br />
Aurora Midwifery<br />
403-203-5105<br />
Briar Hill Midwives<br />
403-474-8260<br />
Cochrane Community Midwives<br />
403-932-3176<br />
Honeycomb Midwives<br />
403-286-9945<br />
Bump – Mama & <strong>Baby</strong><br />
Wellness<br />
Blessings Way<br />
403-945-2422<br />
Britannia Acupuncture Clinic<br />
403-208-6488<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Doula Association<br />
info@calgarydoulas.ca<br />
26 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
CALGARY | resources<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Maternity Massage<br />
403-251-3671<br />
Centre Massage<br />
403-210-3203<br />
Dr for Moms<br />
403-247-9301<br />
East Village Dental<br />
403-263-9014<br />
Elevate Chiropractic<br />
403-701-1488<br />
Fertile <strong>Calgary</strong><br />
403-984-3970<br />
First Step Nutrition<br />
403-608-3240<br />
JA Surrogacy<br />
1-877-640-5685<br />
LakeView Physio<br />
403-249-5253<br />
lakeviewphysio.ca<br />
Life N Balance Wellness<br />
403-686-7676<br />
Marda Loop Naturopath and Wellness Clinic<br />
403-910-1133<br />
Massage Heights<br />
403-276-7529<br />
Nesting –<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> Gear & Layette<br />
Babies R Us<br />
403-974-8687<br />
Buybuy <strong>Baby</strong><br />
403-282-3519<br />
Enfance Designer Kids Clothing<br />
403-455-8226<br />
Epic Kids Play Solutions<br />
403-617-3362<br />
Freshkids<br />
info@freshkids.ca<br />
Growing Co Kid’s Eco Boutique<br />
587-894-3661<br />
Happy Nappy<br />
403-281-6100<br />
Once Upon A Child<br />
403-543-1066<br />
Portage and Main<br />
shopportageandmain.com<br />
hello@shopportageandmain.com<br />
State <strong>Baby</strong><br />
403-852- 9596<br />
West Coast Kids<br />
403-258-2332<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> – Community<br />
Support<br />
Alberta Blue Cross<br />
800-661-6995<br />
Babies Best Start<br />
gaze@telus.net<br />
Bowwest Community Resource Centre<br />
403-204-8280<br />
La Leche League<br />
403-242-0277<br />
Made by Momma<br />
madebymomma.org<br />
Northern Star Mother’s Milk Bank<br />
403-475-6455<br />
Nourish Consulting<br />
403-803-9348<br />
Ohana Counseling & Hypnobirthing<br />
403-978-2645<br />
Step Forward to Better Health<br />
403-978-7422<br />
The Alex Community Health Centre<br />
403-520-2260<br />
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CALGARY | resources<br />
New Health Journey<br />
587-393-3890<br />
Ohana Counseling & Therapy<br />
403-978-2645<br />
Preventous Collaborative Health<br />
403-229-0129<br />
ROKband Pediatric Head Shape Clinic<br />
1-844-944-3237<br />
Seton Health Clinic<br />
587-393-3866<br />
Small to Tall Pediatric Dentist<br />
403-474-5600<br />
South Health Maternity & Wellness<br />
403-271-3381<br />
The Wellness Studio<br />
403-228-5433<br />
Trinity Wellness Centre<br />
403-238-8378<br />
UROSPOT<br />
403-776-2572<br />
YYC Village<br />
403-617-3362<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> – Sleep Consultant<br />
Blissful Nights<br />
403-612-3980<br />
Cheeky Sleeper<br />
403-970-6788<br />
Cheerful Mornings<br />
587-888-0272<br />
Mountain of Sleep<br />
ashley@mountainsofsleep.com<br />
New Mummy Company<br />
1-844-237-4686<br />
Symone Sleep Rescue<br />
403-390-1742<br />
Wonderland Sleep<br />
403-862-7063<br />
wonderlandsleepco.com<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> – Mommy & Me<br />
Classes<br />
Brilliant Beginnings<br />
403-283-5437<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Public Library<br />
403-260-2600<br />
Lady Bug <strong>Baby</strong> Music<br />
403-479-7952<br />
Mommy Connections<br />
katherine@mommyconnections.ca<br />
My Gym<br />
587-333-6223<br />
Rhyme and Reason<br />
586-894-4800<br />
The Backyard Yogini<br />
403-828-0242<br />
The Yoga Studio<br />
403-239-3344<br />
Yoga Santosha<br />
403-244-9642<br />
28 • www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition
CALGARY | resources<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> – Moms Groups<br />
Modern Mama <strong>Calgary</strong><br />
modernmama.com/calgary/<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Birth Essentials<br />
403-982-5580<br />
Macaroni Kids Chestermere<br />
403-862-1120<br />
Mommy Connections<br />
katherine@mommyconnections.ca<br />
Parents Village<br />
parentsvillageyyc@gmail.com<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> – Childcare<br />
Active Start Childcare Centre<br />
403-275-1157<br />
Brentwood Childcare Centre<br />
587-349-2883<br />
Bright Days Premium Childcare<br />
admin@brightdays.ca<br />
Brightpath<br />
403-800-3440<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Childcare<br />
calgarychildcare.org<br />
Clever Daycare<br />
403-474-4157<br />
Discovery Childcare<br />
403-261-2811<br />
Kids & Company<br />
kidsandcompany.com<br />
Kids U<br />
1-855-80-KidsU<br />
Panda Child Development Centre<br />
403-543-7356<br />
Thornhill Childcare<br />
403-274-2335<br />
<strong>Baby</strong> – Post-Natal Fitness<br />
Active Living<br />
403-220-7749<br />
2 the Core Training<br />
403-617-3362<br />
Maria Schuba Fitness<br />
403-481-0090<br />
Yoga In Bowness<br />
403-288-2909<br />
General Resources<br />
Alberta Blue Cross<br />
800-661-6995<br />
Birth & Babies<br />
403-955-1450<br />
Birth Worx<br />
403-669-9764<br />
Booby Food<br />
hello@boobyfood.com<br />
Budgeting For Babies<br />
budgetingforbabies@shaw.ca<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> + Tot Show<br />
403-249-1270<br />
<strong>Calgary</strong> Birth Essentials<br />
403-982-5580<br />
Hair Tropics<br />
587-351-5220<br />
Lindsey Stefan<br />
587-830-6335<br />
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre<br />
1-888-910-1551<br />
Rocky View Maternity & Family Practice<br />
403-640-0600<br />
Soiled Diapers<br />
mark@soileddiapers.ca<br />
Welcome <strong>Baby</strong> Co<br />
403-619-4302<br />
www.modernmama.com | CALGARY | A RESOURCE GUIDE | <strong>2022</strong>/<strong>2023</strong> Edition • 29
CALGARY | resources<br />
Photographers<br />
Bebe Newborn Photography<br />
587-707-7598<br />
Brianna Payne<br />
403-835-4770<br />
Dulce <strong>Baby</strong> Photography<br />
403-619-9701<br />
Elle R Photography<br />
lisa@ellerphotography.com<br />
Honey Heart Photography<br />
ashley@honeyheartphotography.ca<br />
Marsha Pizarro Photography<br />
403-466-4321<br />
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