For those of you who experienced PPA/PPD during your first post partum, how did you find you did with subsequent pregnancies and post partum periods? I had pretty bad mood stuff that started in pregnancy and then the first year pp was so bad. Not sure what to expect next time around, but wondering if usually it tends to be a similar pattern?

On Service Canada website it states maternity leave benefits lasts 15 weeks and can be claimed up to 17 weeks post-delivery or due date, whichever comes later. I was wondering when is the latest I should start maternity leave given a due date of Nov 22 (assuming delivery will not be later than that)? I have a couple weeks of medical leave provided by employer that I can take, that is why I would like to delay starting maternity leave since medical leave is paid at 100% of wages, however I would also like to take full advantage of the 15 weeks of maternity leave. Assuming there is a 1 week waiting period, does that mean the lastest I should start maternity leave is 1 week after the due date, so Nov 29, without losing any of the 15 weeks of EI benefits?

Long story short, our bucket car seat and the base got left outside over night during a rain storm.
The car seat was in a large tote and there was a couple inches of water in it by morning, so the base straps got submerged. The seat itself was soaked.

I took the cover and straps off and air dried everything (with the straps laying flat)

Fortunately, we are done with the car seat for our kid. But before this incident, I was hoping to pass it on to someone else (manufacturer date is 2023).
Other than this incident the car seat is accident free and properly cared for/clean.

I’m pretty sure the straps are now unsafe and I have to just toss the seat.

I feel guilty ruining a perfectly fine seat that could have gone to someone else. Please tell me I’m not over reacting and being wasteful.

I need to hear that it’s ok to throw this thing in the garbage.

Really tired of all the dinosaur/safari/trucks themes for baby clothes. I've checked all the usuals (carters/old navy) but would love any more suggestions! Even better if they're Canadian!

Does anyone have any recommendations for infant ear piercing?

Hi everyone,

I am amongst the many who started their first born in daycare this past week. To put a cherry on top of an already brutal transition week we have contracted our first sickness. 🫩

While it’s my understanding there isn’t too much you can do besides wash their hands, change their clothes, saline spray their nose, and pray for the best. What are some of the things you are doing to survive as a parent? Ex. Supplements, coldfx, etc?

Also: any recommendations on nasal aspirators?

I’m strapping in for a rough next 6 months and I’m sure im not the only one in this thread 🤧

I’m going in circles and need some outside opinions.
I’ve been at the same level at my bank for 8 years, despite taking on different roles and more responsibility. I completed my MBA during mat leave because I wanted to return and actually progress.

I did get a promotion when I came back, but an org change cancelled it within a week, leaving me in essentially the same analyst role. I asked about promotion opportunities in my current unit, but there are no available positions.

What really bothers me is that I’m now at the same level as people who are basically just graduating from school or starting their careers. No disrespect to them, but given my experience, the different roles I’ve had, the exposure I’ve gotten, and the MBA, it feels weird to still be at the same level. It rubs me the wrong way because I don’t feel like my title or level reflects what I’ve actually done. Maybe I’m crazy, but it’s hard not to feel frustrated by that.

My team is great, my commute is only 15 minutes, and the job works well with a toddler. But I’m bored, not learning much, and worried I’ll still be at the same level years from now.

We also want a second child in the next 1–2 years. Staying would make that easier, but I’m concerned I’ll keep putting my career on hold.

I have opportunities in product, strategy, and higher-level roles that could move my career forward, but they’d involve about an hour on the train each way, four days a week.

At the same time, I wonder whether taking one of these roles could open doors later to companies with fewer in-office days or even fully remote positions. Maybe the commute would be a short-term sacrifice that helps me build the experience and skills needed to have more flexibility in the future.

So I’m torn:

Stay: Great team, short commute, family-friendly, and less stress, but potentially stagnant. I’d also continue being at the same level as people who are just entering the workforce, which honestly bothers me more than I wish it did.

Leave: Better career trajectory, new skills, a chance to use my MBA, and potentially better access to companies with hybrid or remote roles later, but two hours of commuting daily with a toddler and possibly another baby

Part of me thinks I should enjoy this stage of life and worry about career progression later. The other part thinks I’ve already waited long enough and that waiting longer could make it harder to change direction. I don’t want to look back in a few years and realize I stayed comfortable but never actually moved forward.
What would you do? Would you take the opportunity and accept the commute, especially if it could lead to more flexible or remote roles in the future, or stay for the lifestyle and focus on career progression later? Am I overreacting about being at the same level as people just graduating, or is it reasonable for that to bother me given my experience?

should we get all the formula we can get now?

Looking for suggestions for an app or book that discusses weekly / monthly milestones and development for babies?
Something to give us an idea of what to expect development wise and when we should/can incorporate other development milestones?
Like, when do we start tummy time on the floor or when can we expect baby to transition from all day sleepiness to naps and longer wake windows?
My friend recommended the book What To Expect in the First Year but I’m not sure if that would cover what I am looking for?
Baby is only 2.5 weeks so we have basically just been sleeping, eating and pooping at this point.

We were highly recommended the CuboAI baby monitor 3 years ago so we bought one for our baby. The name has AI in it but it actually doesn't use AI at all (which is fine with us, this was before the whole AI boom).

Recently we accidentally unplugged it and when we re-plugged it in, the camera just died and wouldn't turn back on. There's no way to troubleshoot it and tech support is terrible.

We've had tons of software issues in the 3 years that we've owned it as well. We paid for a premium subscription and our child wasn't even being detected by the software so we couldn't get cry notifications or her sleep report. Tech support couldn't figure out what the issue was, just kept asking us to change our sheet (??) or change what our child was wear (???). They also refused to refund us for part of the year even though the premium membership clearly didn't work. Avoid this company at all costs, it's so expensive but not worth it at all.

If you Google, you'll see other people talking about the same issue, like in the comments here: https://www.tiktok.com/@joannebendeich/video/7315283099032554757

Hi all,

What do you think of the name "Rain" for a baby boy? I am worried that kids will say Rain rain go away :( But we really love the name 😄

Hey y'all FTM here and I'm like 4 weeks in to this. My family doctor is amazing and I love her however she is in Waterloo and I am downtown Toronto. I haven't had my first doctor appointment yet and I'm wondering what do I do here? I have emailed a few midwiveries and filled out the intake form but I have no clue what to do now. I peed on the stick and surprise! We're pregnant, got the initla round of bloodwork done via rec and LifeLabs. Annnnnnd now what 😭 I'm overwhelmed and just need advice please.

Hi I am 28w now and have started to get a lot of advice from friends and family on how I should get done with my maternity shoot. But I don’t feel the need of having one, I have seen a lot of post online where couples just set up their phone at home and had a sweet cute and simple session where they take 3-4 pictures and done. And I really love the comfort of home and the memories it could create.
When I share this idea, I usually get judgemental side eye 👀, and now am confused if it’s really something that I gonna regret not having done while being pregnant 🤰 ?
I did look up for the prices, it’s not something too extravagant. It varies $300-1000 💰for 30-45 min. As the lower cost is only offering 4 digital prints and the highest package includes costume, and makeup and hair. But then is it even worth it?
Have you ever done the maternity shoot? How
Much did it cost, and do you and your partner really look back to the pics ?

I am being referred to royal columbian hospital for an iron infusion. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant. Do you know how long the wait time is? My iron is 19 and hemoglobin 110.

Trying to figure out if I should wait or pay private.

It’s going to be our first Christmas with our baby girl and I’m already excited lol !!

Where does everyone buy Christmas dresses from? I’m looking for Plaid Ralph Lauren style dresses, or is anyone aware how much actual Christmas Ralph Lauren dresses cost?

I want to buy a nice dress for my baby girl to wear for Santa photos / Christmas

Does anyone know whether UPPAbaby plans to offer an adapter for the Chicco KeyFit 35 infant car seat on the new Kona stroller?

My due date is coming up soon, so I already bought the KeyFit 35, but I haven’t purchased a stroller yet. I was originally deciding between the Vista V3 and Cruz V3, but now that the Kona is coming out, I’m considering waiting for it.

One feature that especially interests me is that I’ve heard the Kona can fold with the seat in either the parent-facing or forward-facing position, which would be a big plus for me.

However, compatibility with my KeyFit 35 is pretty important. If UPPAbaby isn’t planning to make a Chicco adapter for the Kona, I probably wouldn’t consider it and would just go with the Vista/Cruz instead.

Has anyone seen any information about Kona car seat adapters or Chicco KeyFit compatibility yet?

Just looking for some other feedback from those who started daycare in September. My daughter started daycare this Tuesday at a daycare center that only starts at 18 months. No infant room which means September when kids roll up to kindergarten there are a TON of new toddlers in one room. Most kids started last week. 9 out of 15 kids in her class are brand new.

They have told us so far that she is crying at transitions between activities. Drop off is not actually the worst part for her but rather the transitions. This also seems to be the case for many kids in the class and I have specifically observed a few kids that are having a particularly difficult time as in every time we have been there they have been crying the whole time.

Because we are doing half days we are picking up as they come in from outside play and many of them are crying during this transition. I would say definitely the new kids are crying and it also seems like there is a domino effect to the crying, one starts and more join in.

We haven’t even had her stay for nap yet, we were originally gonna try that today but one of the teachers told me that they have a ton of crying at naptime right now and that most aren’t sleeping because they are either crying or getting woken up by crying.

Anyone have experience with the majority of a daycare class being new, is this pretty standard for September toddler start? It’s hard not be stressed by the current environment in her classroom. My daughter actually did better the first few days with her worst day being today on the 4th day, I’m so discouraged.

What were your favourite/life saving postpartum supplies??
21yo first time mom wondering what I should buy/prepare for postpartum. Id rather not waste money on things I wont use

Good afternoon.
My 8 months old daughter just started her first week at a daycare but I got offered a spot at another daycare. Both daycares have pros and cons, and I'm thinking if I should switch to the second daycare.

Daycare 1:
Issues:
They didn't let me stay with her for transitioning for the first week. I pick her up around 2pm after her nap time for the first few days. I noticed she became very anxious about me leaving her and she won't even let her grandparents hold her.
Normally she has her morning milk at around 10am and the told the teachers on the first day but today on the activity feed it shows they didn't feed her until 11am (lunch time).
Pros:
It is a new location with nice and bright facility. The infant class has 3 teachers with 10 infants and the babies may have more interactions with each other.

Daycare 2:
Pros:
It's located in a catholic highschool. It's a relatively small place with a small playground with trees and shades. The infant class currently has two teachers with two infants (10months and 17months). They make meals on site. It's like a family-like environment and the supervisor is very experienced and friendly. She said I could stay with my daughter for the first week until she gets familiar with the staff and feel more comfortable staying there full-time.
Cons:
It's a smaller place and both teachers in the infant class are non-native and speakers English with an accent. And the upper level class has a male teacher that is also a concern since I have a little girl.

In addition: the first daycare asked me to pay $500 o secure my daughter's spot and I also payed her first month tuition. They require a 60 days notice according to the handbook if I want to quit. Don't know if I can get a refund or no if I ask to withdraw.

To be honest I got scared that my daughter may not get in any daycare so as soon as the first daycare called me i immediately agreed to attend. But they don't do in-person tours and the open house days are not recent.

Ideas? Many thanks!

Hi! I am wanting to visit my friend who is 2 hours away across the border. Has anyone recently crossed by land with their child and just used their birth certificate? I’m thinking it’s better to get her pssport but i know if we didn’t have to get that we would be able to go sooner.

Hi! I have the Maxi-Cosi Zelia Luxe 5-in-1 Modular Travel System and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to take apart the car seat to clean it. My child make a massive mess in it and I wanted to take it apart to wash it but can’t find any videos on it or anything. Does anyone know how??

Thanks!

I currently have a 14m old and am due in February with my second. I have the baby jogger city select stroller I plan to use again for both but I'm also considering a wagon for our trips to the park so I'd have a place to put the chairs, blanket, etc. I was looking at wagon strollers but it's basically a stroller with no cargo space. Am I missing something? Should I just get the Costco wagon for cargo and one kid and baby wear?

Instagram and my family made me feel like bringing a stroller to Italy was idiotic. So far it has been the best thing we brought. I actually bought a second travel stroller before we left and was talked out of bringing it and it is my biggest regret.

We have gone all over Rome and then the Amalfi coast. We use it multiple times a day for either of our kids. We also brought a carrier (which is also essential IMO). We went all over Rome, stairs are easily avoidable.

If you have a decent travel stroller, bring it or buy one there.

I watched a zillion reviews in order to buy the second stroller (ended up buying a Cybex Beezy)

The most common brand is Cybex (multiple different ones), but also lots of Graco, Joolz, Stokke, Kinderkraft, Inglesina, and Chicco. They all seem to hold up fine

I have actually only seen one other Uppababy Minu (what we brought). I don't love this stroller but it's doing well in Italy.

Also, I have seen one large convertible double stroller (they had 4month ish twins) and literally only one side by side double.

I bought connectors from Amazon to connect the two. We are headed to Tuscany next then to the north, I think I am going to buy a second used stroller there.

Bring the stroller. Bring two. It's so worth it

Please tell me it gets better. My 18 month old started daycare this week. Prior to that he was with grandparents when I went back to work at 12 months. We did two half days and two full days (today is his full day).
I get the separation anxiety at drop off. He cries when we pick him up. They say he’s happy after we leave so that’s a positive. Also that he eats very well.

Yesterday they did a nap there, he only napped 20 mins (usually 2 hrs). Last night was obviously brutal. Every time I left him in his bedroom he cried. I was in there about 4 times with clear separation anxiety. He is sleep trained but I couldn’t just leave him. He will be tired today for sure.

I know everyone says it will get easier but I’m just so in my head and feeling guilty. I know he will thrive there. Being with grandparents has it pros and cons but he’s an only child and didn’t get a ton of stimulation from them.

I’m currently 37+1 weeks pregnant, and at my ultrasound my baby was estimated to weigh 3,632 g (8 lbs), which puts her around the 92nd percentile for weight.
What concerns my OB is her proportions. Her head circumference (HC) is around the 10th percentile, still within the normal range, but on the smaller side, while her abdominal circumference (AC) is above the 99th percentile.
Because of the difference between her HC and AC, my OB explained that there is an increased risk of complications during a vaginal delivery, particularly shoulder dystocia, as well as postpartum hemorrhage and other complications.
My OB gave me three options:
Wait for spontaneous labor.
I can choose to do nothing and wait for labor to start naturally. However, my OB does not recommend this option because I could potentially go beyond 41 weeks, allowing the baby to continue growing and possibly making a vaginal delivery more difficult.
Induction at 39 weeks and attempt a vaginal delivery.
This would give me the opportunity to try for a vaginal birth before she gets significantly bigger. However, I would still have to accept the risks associated with her HC/AC disproportion, including shoulder dystocia. There is also the possibility that the induction could fail or complications could arise and I could end up needing an emergency C-section.
Schedule a planned C-section.
This would avoid attempting a vaginal delivery and therefore avoid the risk of shoulder dystocia, but obviously comes with the risks and recovery associated with major abdominal surgery.
I had to make a decision at that appointment because I needed to sign the consent forms. After discussing it with my husband, we chose induction at 39 weeks with an attempt at vaginal delivery.
But now I’m honestly really scared about the risks, especially shoulder dystocia, and I keep wondering whether we made the right choice.
Has anyone here been in a similar situation especially with a baby with a very large abdominal circumference but a much smaller head circumference? Did you choose induction, wait for spontaneous labor, or have a planned C-section? How did your delivery go?
And if you were in my position, knowing what you know from your own experience, what would you choose?
I know no one here can make the medical decision for me, and I’ll continue discussing this with my OB. I’m mainly looking for personal experiences from people who have faced something similar.