Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in halifax, NS

Midwifery in Halifax and Nova Scotia

by Raechelle Masuda

August 06, 2009

When I got pregnant with my third child in Nova Scotia, I was unaware of the midwifery services that were available. In fact, the province was in the midst of regulating midwifery serves, in order to provide the services through our universal health care system. The first step was recognized in March 2009, when The Midwifery Act, passed in 2006 can into effect. As with any movement, the beginning is tough. This move to regulate midwifery services has made it difficult if not impossible for some midwives in Nova Scotia to continue practicing. Yet it must be applauded that the province, along side the midwives, are taking steps to provide this valuable service to all pregnant women in Nova Scotia.
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Introducing the New Baby

by Raechelle Masuda

June 15, 2009

With six weeks to go until my due date, my thoughts are wandering to the big day. It is so exciting that there will be a new member of our family. However, are my feeling shared by my children? Their feelings and expectations of the upcoming arrival are just as important and definitely need to be addressed before the baby arrives.
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Meal Time for the Littlest Ones

by Raechelle Masuda

April 23, 2009

This week we talked about family meals and preparing meals for lunch time. Eating habits start young, so establishing a healthy relationship right from the start is awesome. If you want to breastfeed educating yourself as much as possible before your baby arrives is important. What I have found is every baby nurses differently. I assumed when my son came along I would be set, since i had established a great nursing relationship with my first born. It was HARD at first, but we eventually found our groove after a few tears (me more than him most nights!) and shear determination.

Today’s guest posters are authors Suzanne Schlosberg and Sarah Bowen Shea who have recently written a book titled The Essential Breastfeeding Log. They would like to share with all of our new mothers seven breastfeeding tips. As parents who each breastfed their own twins for at least 9 months, they certainly know what they’re writing about! We hope you find these tips useful. What are some of your own tips?

1. Remember: Just because it’s natural doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy.
Virtually all babies are capable of breastfeeding, and virtually all moms can produce enough milk. But it just may take more time and effort than expected.

2. Educate yourself
The more you know about breastfeeding, the better, so take a breastfeeding class offered by your hospital.  Also, you can join chat rooms and check in with other nursing moms who are in your boat, whether you have a preemie in the NICU or a 6-month-old who seems to be self-weaning.

3. Get the gear
Sure, all that is really required for breastfeeding are breasts, but we recommend investing in a reliable pump, a few good-quality nursing bras, and a supportive nursing pillow.

4. Call in the pros
Many U.S. hospitals have lactation consultants on staff who can offer advice and hands-on help during your postpartum stay. Also, ask the nursing staff for guidance; they’ve been around more than their share of new moms and newborns.

5. Set short-term goals
When you were pregnant, you may have declared, “I’m going to breastfeed for one year,” only to feel overwhelmed, even demoralized, by that goal once your baby arrives and it’s not smooth sailing. If this happens, take it in steps.

6. Involve other people.
Sure, you’re the one with the breasts, so there’s only so much someone else can do. Still, it’s important for partners to support each other on the breastfeeding front. And don’t be shy about asking friends and neighbors to bring meals and to help around the house.

7. Stay hydrated, get your rest, and eat well
The physiological system that drives lactation depends on a variety of hormonal and physical factors, many of which are influenced by hydration, energy, and sleep. In other words, if you’re a dehydrated wreck, your milk isn’t going to flow like the Colorado River.

Suzanne Schlosberg and Sarah Bowen Shea have combined their years of expertise for publications such as Fit Pregnancy, Women’s Health, Shape, The New York Times, Parenting, Glamour, and more in their new book THE ESSENTIAL BREASTFEEDING LOG.

Just as a side note: Canadian hospitals have Lactation Nurses that make rounds in the hospitals. If you are having any troubles just ask. The Le Leche League is also a great resource for peer support and have regular meetings monthly. 

Sunday Suppers and Other Family Feast Fun

by Raechelle Masuda

April 20, 2009

We always eat supper together as a family. We are lucky that my husband can be home early enough to do this every night. As the kids grow up the importance of these family dinners with only grow with them. Yet on the weekends, we have more time and energy for creative dinners we try to have fun and try new things, as well as enjoy our favourites. 
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New Places to Explore

by Raechelle Masuda

March 26, 2009

There are a few new businesses that I have heard about through the grapevine that I thought I would share with you. Preschool and children specific services are always nice to have in the area. In fact I was surprised when we moved to Halifax there was not more kid specific places. Well it looks like I just needed to be a little more patient! I have not had the opportunity to check out these businesses first hand yet, but they are definitely on the To Do list!
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Guest Post with Julie Irwin Zimmerman

by Raechelle Masuda

February 13, 2009

Today Being Halifax Savvy welcomes Julie Irwin Zimmerman as our Guest Blogger today! Julie is a journalist and regular contributor to Cincinnati Magazine. She has also worked as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and the Cincinnati Enquirer.  Today, she has graciously prepared this post to introduce you to her book, "A Spiritual Companion to Infertility". I have not suffer infertility like some, but our son was a challenge to conceive. We have many friends that had to wait a long time before being blessed with a child. Below, Julie offers her thoughts about the the Octuplets' mom and her struggles with infertility.  I would love to read your experiences with infertility, so please be sure to leave a comment :)

Nadya Suleman, the California woman who gave birth to octuplets last month and now has 14 children under the age of 8, is on television today and tomorrow giving her first interview. Like most everyone I know, I am at a loss as to how a doctor could have agreed to place so many embryos in an unemployed single mother who already had so many young children, and I’m troubled by Suleman’s explanation that a lonely childhood led her to want a huge family. But as a former fertility patient, I also recognize the pain she describes in her seven-year quest to have children, how miscarriages and failed pregnancy attempts left her despondent . I never reached the suicidal point that she describes, but my years of trying to have children were definitely the hardest of my life. In our talk-show culture it seems like everyone is willing to talk about their addictions and compulsions in public, but infertility too often remains a private struggle, a source of shame that is borne alone. Those of us who are having problems conceiving usually hope our ordeal ends quickly so we won’t ever have to reveal our trouble to others. Our friends may suspect something’s amiss but avoid bringing up the topic for fear of seeming to pry. A wall goes up between us, and sometimes it’s tall enough to remain even after we’ve resolved our infertility. Now that I have two children I’m more than willing to talk about the difficulty my husband and I had forming our family, but I wasn’t so forthcoming in the thick of things. I’m left wondering if things might have turned out differently for Nadya Suleman and her children if we treated infertility like other medical problems, if she’d gotten more support from friends or help from a psychologist, if it hadn’t been just her making these decisions alone.

Many Thanks to Julie Irwin Zimmerman for sharing her thoughts and expertise today.

Family Time

by Raechelle Masuda

February 09, 2009

As our young children begin to grow up and suddenly venture out into the world without us, they need to be equipped with tools to handle it all.  Read more...

Inspiration

by Raechelle Masuda

January 29, 2009

I have moved three times since becoming a mother. The packing, cleaning, unpacking, organizing, settling, transferring, etc are all very taxing especially with children in tow. However the hardest part about moving for me, was attempting to reestablish a community of mothers around me in each new location. When I need inspiration, help, and general stress relief as a  Read more...

99 Things Continued ...

by Raechelle Masuda

January 27, 2009

Back in September I started a list of 99 things I want to experience with the children in Halifax . So far we have done some of the things listed. We attempted to go whale watching twice last summer. Both times we did not see any whales. My preschooler was so disappointed! We promised her another trip this coming summer and hopefully we will time it just right! We have went  Read more...

Mothers of Preschoolers

by Raechelle Masuda

January 19, 2009

When we first moved to Halifax, I was extremely eager to meet some moms. I have found through my four and half years of mothering that I am a much better mom, if I am in contact with other great moms. I tried to search online, but did not find many leads. I was really getting discouraged. It was easier to find moms in California than Nova Scotia?!?! Then I remembered a few  Read more...

Record Keeping

by Raechelle Masuda

January 15, 2009

Our children's lives pass before us so quickly. When our first was a newborn, premature, so tiny and I was so needed, I felt like time stood still. I wanted to reach that next milestone, that next pound gained, I wanted her to grow. Now that she is four and a half, I want time to stop, I want her to remain unchanging, I want to capture these days, hold them forever. Although I cannot  Read more...

The Big Picture

by Raechelle Masuda

January 06, 2009

Preschoolers can be strange folk. From day to day their favourite toy changes, their tastes in food, and even friends. Yet there are certain things that really matter with preschoolers and small things that really don't. The following are some things I have observed since becoming a parent to a preschooler. What really matters to preschoolers: Love - Knowing without a doubt that their  Read more...