PerryWinkles Kids Blog

New York and babies aren’t exactly a match made in heaven but having a baby shouldn’t stop you from going to New York City, as you’ll discover a new side of this fantastic city. 

My first concern when heading there last week with my 10-month-old was transportation.  You would be insane to rent a car in a city that is dominated by aggressive drivers and yellow cabs.  Taking the bus proved a little unwieldy, as you are expected to fold up your stroller to get on the bus, but to my surprise cabs were a lot more laid back about taking babies than I had expected.  Although we ended up walking most of the time, it was a relief to know we had a viable option if needed.

The highlight of this last trip were not the fantastic dining experiences or wandering aimlessly from shop to gallery through the Village but, rather, the playgrounds in Central Park.  I had never noticed this before but there are play grounds every few meters in Central Park.  In fact, there are 21 playgrounds in this one park!  Also, on the Sound end, right by 5th Ave. is a Children’s Zoo.  I just love wandering aimlessly through this park and seeing where I end up after each turn.  I’m still amazed that a place can be so serene and be stuck in the middle of Uptown Manhattan.  The perfect escape from the crowds and the shopping when traveling with a baby.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

Up to now, 9 months after lugging my diaper bag everywhere I go, I have been pretty happy with my Skip Hop diaper bag, a gift from a friend at my baby shower.  It’s handy and fashionable, durable and spacious enough to hold everything I need for the day.  I was very disappointed last week when one of the strap clips cracked.  As you know, a diaper bag that you can’t carry over your shoulder or snap onto your stroller is, simply, useless! 

To my great relief Skip Hop customer support was immediately responsive to my issue; I was told that the store where the bag was purchased would replace it.  Sure enough, the store asked no questions nor needed to see a receipt to replace the damaged  bag with a new one.  Even better - I lucked out with the new model that now has me raving about Skip Hop’s product development.  Basically, they have addressed all the little annoyances that the old model had.

The new model of the Duo Deluxe has magnetic closures, which means no sweaters caught on the velcro; the lining is now a contrasting colour, which makes it easier to find things inside a black bag; the strap now has a shoulder pad; and, my favourite new feature, the new clips mean you don’t have to switch straps when you go from hanging it on your stroller to putting it on your shoulder.  I love the new model!  So, deep down, I’m glad I got a defective bag the first time!

I’m convinced that good customer support is what sets great companies apart.  And I’m definitely checking in frequently with Skip Hop for new models, since they seem to be so in touch with their end users!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

This Summer we will be back at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Show in Bracebridge, Ontario. Now in its 46th year, Muskoka Arts & Crafts’ Summer Show is Muskoka’s oldest and largest outdoor art show. Set in a beautiful park, the Summer Show features 200 creative artists from across Canada. Shop for PerryWinkles Kids’ hand-smocked dresses there from July 18th to 20th.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

In the past month, my daughter Clara, now 7 months, has graduated from her original choice of baby toys. She no longer lingers on the grabbing toys but is fascinated by balls and anything that rolls, as well as stacking blocks.   Also on her favourites list are stuffed animals that make noise.

Having gained more control of her movements she can now pick up balls the size of her palm, as well as get her hands into beachballs. She is still at that fascinating stage where she can’t not reach for something if you put it in front of her, which makes distracting her from getting into dangerous things easier.  But the wonderful thing is she’s also learning cause and effect so you can almost see her brain light up when she shakes a toy and hears a noise coming from inside it.  Then she figures if she shakes the toy really quickly more noise will come from it…and if she bangs it against another toy!…soon we’ve got a concert going on!

Clara’s current collection of favourites includes:

1. A beachball that is not fully inflated so she can grab easily with a couple of fingers. ($2 at Gymboree)

2. A colourful ball that makes noise and she can grab with both hands.

3. Small, animated balls that fit easily into her hand.

4. Mandarins that she can push around and quickly grab and get her teeth into. (She needs to be supervised during this activity, lest she actually eat the citrus fruit that her stomach is not ready for yet!)

5. Stacking blocks are fun to hold with all its textures, sounds and colours but even more fun is stacking them and letting Clara hit them and watch them tumble.  We can do this activity over and over again without her tiring of it!  ($15 at Manhattan Toys)

 I can’t wait to see what the next stage will bring!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

Here in “deepest darkest Peru” everyone has an opinion about everything when it comes to raising babies.  Of the tips that our local cleaning lady, Denise, has shared with me over the past month some show local folklore and others practicality of people with few means.

Noticing how much hair I was losing, something I thought a normal post-partum effect, she said with full conviction that the reason I was losing hair was that my baby sucks her thumb.  Thinking I had misunderstood I asked her again what she meant and she repeated the same thing perfectly serious.  My baby does indeed suck her thumb but I suspect my hormones are also still adjusting less than six months after giving birth.  Also according to Denise, Clara is going to be a chatty baby because she sticks her tongue out often.  (She also happens to be teething…)

When my baby had an eyelash stuck in her eye she said I should blow in it.  I softly blew in but she laughed at me, grabbed her eye open and blew hard and loudly into her eye.  My baby didn’t even flinch, as if she hadn’t just had someone pretty much spit right into her eyeball, and the stuck eyelashes easily slid out of her eye onto her cheek.  Problem solved.  She shared that another way to get rid of this problem is to express some breastmilk into the baby’s eye.  I haven’t tried this method yet but I’m starting to believe that I should take this lady’s tips seriously.

When we fed my baby peas for the first time Denise shared that this vegetable is known for causing gases and that they should be cooked with aniseed to avoid making the baby uncomfortable.  When my baby got her first teeth she told my sister, who was the first to notice, that she had to give her an allowance for good luck.  I’m not messing with Peruvian folk beliefs so I’ll harass my sister about that allowance!

Another Peruvian secret when it comes to babies is that they give them the juice of a wonderful fruit called ‘granadilla’ even before they try any solids.  It’s an exotic fruit full of seeds with a sweet flavour.  Its smooth juice is extracted by pressing it through a colander and it’s a great way to ease babies into fruits, keeping them hydrated and giving them some nutrition.  In these hot summer days down South (not to rub it in) it’s important to keep babies hydrated, as I keep being reminded!

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Preparing to travel with a baby for the first time is no easy feat.  Yet another challenge of holiday travel is figuring out how to breastfeed while on the go.  One obvious difficulty is finding a place that is quiet and somewhat private.  You can take the time to find these places when you’re out and about with no agenda but what happens when you’re in an airport waiting lounge or in a plane, for example, and your baby needs to eat NOW!  You’re pretty much bound to your seat or not wanting to stray too far if you’re waiting to board a plane.  Rest assured that you can still breastfeed comfortably in these situations. 

Bebe au Lait makes handy ‘hooter hiders’ (also known as nursing covers) so you can take your time preparing and latching your baby for feeding without compromising your modesty.  There is nothing worse than trying to feed in public while being self-conscious about showing some skin or some nipple!  The stress is passed down to your baby and neither you nor her are comfortable.  Bebe au Lait uses beautiful fabrics and a simple design that allows you to see your baby and the baby to see you. Their ‘hooter hiders’ are like oversized canvas bags where the handle goes around your neck.  They are a bit large and not exactly discrete but they are definitely a convenient, colourful way to get privacy.

The next challenge - how to hold your baby for the duration of the feed when you’re not at the comfort of your home with your favourite breastfeeding pillow.  My Brest Friend makes a perfect travel pillow that inflates into a sturdy pillow that doesn’t slide around and is light-weight and easy to pack to take along on trips.  You don’t need to try to support your baby with your jacket or be all hunched over when feeding on planes, restaurants, parks or when traveling.  Although I don’t see myself pulling out my breastfeeding pillow at a restaurant, I think it’s a great solution to the travel dilemma. 

Bon app, les bèbès!  Luckily baby’s meals don’t have to be compromised when we’re on the go.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing 

As the cold weather settles in we start to wonder if it’s possible to stay warm, fashionable and comfortable while carrying our babies outside.  Slings are great for warmer weathers but trying to tie one over a jacket can prove challenging.  One solution to having to layer and wear your unbuttoned jacket around your sling or baby carrier (we’ve all seen the awkward attempts!) is the Mamaponcho.

Perfect for the Fall or Spring, the Mamaponcho has a pouch attached where your baby sits warmly and comfortably and can also be worn over your baby carrier or sling.  It’s also useful as pregnancy wear.  Made in Germany of 100% virgin wool, it retails between 162 euro and 198 euro.  Some custom orders are still hand-made by the mompreneur who created them.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

One thing about pregnancy is that the world becomes more social. Living in a place like Toronto, where strangers avoid looking each other in the eye or striking up a conversation, this was a welcome change in my life when I got pregnant. Sure, sometimes you get tired of everyone asking you the same questions but I liked being noticed and having strangers (mostly older women) sharing my excitement when they noticed I was pregnant. I felt more connected with those around me through my changed state.

I also learned the power of sharing my experiences with other pregnant women. Being pregnant is such a unique experience that you cannot fully describe it, hard as you may try, to those that haven’t gone through it. When you talk to other pregnant women and share the little idiosyncrasies of being pregnant you know they are getting exactly what you’re saying. So you bond naturally.

Then comes the baby, and everyone loves babies! Any time you’re out walking around people are peeking into your stroller, trying to get a glimpse of the cute little thing passing by. People inevitably have a moment of tenderness looking into a baby’s eyes or seeing a baby sleep peacefully. Once again, you feel like the world is noticing you and they know your state of mind – you are a mother.

One of the strangest experiences for me after having my baby was going out alone. This wasn’t just because I missed having her glued to me and hearing her little noises but because, all of a sudden, I was anonymous to the world. I was just one more person, no bump, no bundle, no stroller. No one took notice.

One day when I ran out to the pharmacy on my own only days after having my baby someone asked me how many months pregnant I was. I was surprised that instead of taking offense to her comment I felt happy that she had noticed me.

My experience has taught me that people welcome a reason not to remain anonymous. I may just strike up the odd conversation with strangers. I have a suspicion that they may not think I’m crazy but rather they may just smile back. One of the many lessons that my baby will have taught me, I’m sure!

Veronica

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

The arrival of motherhood can be as much a wonderful as an overwhelming time. You are falling in love with your baby while at the same time trying to learn how to breastfeed, take care of your newborn while sleep deprived and balance your baby’s needs with your own (will I be able to sneak in a quick shower today??). As all this is going on you are also trying to figure out which toys will actually stimulate your baby at the right time in their development –will those Baby Einstein tapes actually make my child a genius or are they mainly a distraction to give mom a break so she can, say, take a shower! (I suspect the latter which by no means diminishes their usefulness!) You are also faced with the task of picking from a myriad of tools that are available to ease your life as a parent. You talk to friends, read consumer reports, shop around, trying to select just enough to make your life easier but not too much that your home will turn into a baby gear shop!

Of all the baby gear I either purchased, inherited or received as presents, my favourite so far has been my baby sling. I received a Pippalily sling as a gift and I don’t know what I would do without it. Slings free your hands to get stuff done around the house when your baby just wants to be held. Holding your baby this close to you is a great way to bond with her; I’ve discovered this is also the best time to cut my baby’s nails, as it’s one of the few times when she is holding still and is close enough to me that I can actually get to her 10 fingers! Also, did you know that the motion that babies are in while being carried in slings is believed to help them develop motor skills faster by stimulating the vestibular system in their brains, the part of our brains responsible for our balance and essential to orientation and movement? (Apparently a possible explanation for why babies of non-industrialized nations tend to walk sooner than those in industrialized ones.)

Based in Toronto, Pippalily slings are designed to sit comfortably on your hip. They have a great selection of beautiful designs in silk and cotton and all their slings are machine washable. Well worth the $75 they retail for on their website! You can also find them at the Toronto Children’s Trunk Show.