Greater Vancouver Baby Guide 2022-2023

HAVING A BABY 

in Greater Vancouver 

a resource guide 

2022/2023 EDITION 

• Budgeting for Baby 

• Mama’s Choice Award Winners 

• Infant Sleep: What to expect

CEFA gives 

children the keys 

to a Bigger and 

Brighter Future! 

We’re accepting 

applications … 

INQUIRE TODAY 

highstreet@cefa.ca 

(604) 425-3800 

B235 – 3122 Mount Lehman Rd. 

Abbotsford, BC V2T 0C5 

Core Education & Fine Arts for Children 1–5

what ’s INSIDE 

Having a baby in Greater Vancouver 

PUBLISHED BY 

MODERN MAMA 

EDITOR 

LEAH DOYLE 

A RESOURCE GUIDE 

SALES & MARKETING 

Tina Evans, Greater Vancouver 

Tina@modernmama.com 

Nicole Mihaljevich, Calgary 

Nicole@modernmama.com 

Lesley Prosko, Edmonton 

Lesley@modernmama.com 

Leah Doyle, National 

leah@modernmama.com 

DESIGN 

GUPPY DESIGN 

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS 

BUDGETING FOR BABY 

THE WELLNESS STUDIO 

JOYOUS CHILD BIRTH 

CHEERFUL MORNINGS 

CORE LOVE FITNESS 

LAKEVIEW PHYSIO 

EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 

Caitlin Petersen from Kindred Memories 

Photography is a professional photographer 

serving the greater Edmonton area. She specializes 

in Maternity and Newborn photography, blending 

posed portraiture and lifestyle photography 

and has a passion for capturing intimate family 

moments. Her fully equipped studio is located in 

Beaumont, Alberta where she resides with her 

husband and two boys. 

www.kindredmemories.ca 

Visit www.modernmama.com today! 

Instagram @modernmama 

Twitter @modern_mama 

CONTACT US TINA@MODERNMAMA.COM 

PUBLISHER’S NOTE 

Your guide to having a baby 

in Greater Vancouver 2022 is here! 

Be sure to check us out at 

modernmama.com/vancouver for 

our weekly locally-focused content. 

Modern Mama has been sharing 

resources and connecting moms with 

local businesses for almost 14 years. 

Come find us, check out the site and 

follow us on social too! 

Leah Doyle 

Owner, modernmama.com 

Instagram @vancouvermodernmama 

@modernmamafv 

Twitter @ModernMamaVan 

@ModernMamaFV 

Facebook ‘Modern Mama Vancouver’ 

‘Modern Mama Fraser Valley’ 

Pinterest pinterest.com/modernmamateam 

www.modernmama.com | GREATER VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2022/2023 Edition • 3

Greater 

2022|Vancouver 

05 Mamas Choice Award Winners 

You vote and we tell everyone about your 

top picks. Local Greater Vancouver winners 

for everything mom & baby in the city. 

06 Budgeting for Baby 

Have you considered your financial 

plan for baby? 

09 Infant Sleep: What to expect 

Wondering about those first few weeks, 

we give you a brief look at what to expect. 

12 The prenatal exercise that 

transforms your postpartum 

recovery 

Strength training, in pregnancy, can help 

you drastically reduce your aching body. 

Learn more. 

16 Are Prenatal Classes 

Really Necessary? 

Let’s understand what prenatal education 

is and how it can help you. 

18 Movement + Milestones: 

Tips for Encouraging Baby’s 

Development Through Play 

Learn more about children learning 

through play. 

26 Local Resources: Bump 

The very best businesses Greater 

Vancouver has to offer you throughout 

your pregnancy. 

28 Local Resources: Nesting 


Vancouver has to offer in preparing 

you for living with your new bundle. 

29 Local Resources: Baby 


Vancouver has to offer you throughout 

infancy and the first few years with baby. 

Parenting tips, fun family 

events, useful resources 

and relevant info for 

families in BC. 

22 Preparing for Birth 

with a Pelvic Health 

Physiotherapist 

Find useful information for the mom-to-be 

in preparation for babies arrival. 

www.bcparent.ca 

4 • www.modernmama.com | GREATER VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2022/2023 Edition

Mama’s Choice 

Awards Winners 

We heard from you, loud and clear, the best of the best for new moms 

in Greater Vancouver! All of you had something to say, and here they 

are … the winners of the first annual Mama’s Choice Awards: 

Best Baby Store? 

West Coast Kids 

Best Kids Furniture Store? 

Ikea 

Best Baby Clothing Store? 

Once Upon a Child 

Best Childcare Facility? 

Cameron Recreation Centre 

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant? 

Boston Pizza 

Best Prenatal Class? 

Fraser Valley Health 

Best Postnatal Class? 

Safe Beginnings 

Best Mommy & Me Class? 

Tiny Tinkles Music 

Best Kid-Friendly Café? 

Circus Café 

Best Maternity Clothing Store? 

Thyme Maternity & H &M ( tie) 

Best Doula? 

Bethan Stewart 

Best Local Service For Moms? 

Toews Cleaning 

Best Maternity Photographer? 

Moda Bella Photography 

Best Newborn Photographer? 

Carol-Ann Photography 

What Business Would You 

Like To Tell Your New-Mom 

Friends About? 


Best Birthday Party Venue? 

Circus Café 


BUDGETING FOR 

Baby 

BY LAURIE AND GORDON BRANDEN 

Every change in family structure such as getting 

married, moving in together, or having children, 

contains an evolving financial landscape. The 

free online Budgeting for Baby seminar offers a 

wealth of information on a variety of topics and 

lays out the most important financial tasks that 

often commence with the arrival of your baby. 

The first thing you should do is assess where 

you are financially. Look at your savings, your 

maternity/paternity income, and what you 

expect to get in Canadian Child benefits. 

As well, consider your one- time and monthly 

expenses that you will incur upon baby’s 

arrival. This will help you formulate a solid 

financial plan and help you to understand 

what you want your future to look like. 

If you haven’t done so already, consider your 

options for life insurance and RESP’s as you 

include your children’s needs in this 

preparation. It can be daunting, but you will 

feel so much better once you have a strategy 

to provide for your child’s future and take the 

necessary steps to protect your family, should 

anything unforeseen happen in the future. 

Why should you open a RESP? The cost of 

a post-secondary education continues to rise 

and saving early can help you achieve your 

goals. 

Flexibility: If you open an Individual RESP, 

you can contribute into the plan up to a 

lifetime limit of $50,000 per child. As the 

subscriber, you have control over your 

deposit amounts and can make changes 

as you need over time. 

Guaranteed free grants. The government will 

match a percentage of your contributions! 

Any money you put in, up to $2500 per 

year, will be matched at 20% by the federal 

government. If you can contribute the full 

amount, this means your child’s RESP will 

receive an additional payment of $500 each 

year. Lower-income families may also qualify 

for an additional grant issued every year they 

remain eligible, independent of contributions. 

Long-term, tax free growth. The money you 

invest into the RESP, along with the 

government grants, will continue to grow and 

compound interest, year after year tax-free for 

up to 35 years. The income and grants are 

taxable to your child when they withdraw the 

funds for their post-secondary studies. 

Because students typically have lower 

income, the tax rate is often minimal. 

Anyone can contribute: Your friends or family 

member’s can also contribute towards your 

child’s RESP. This is a wonderful way for your 

loved ones to help instead of giving toys for 

special occasions. 

Multiple options for the student: Students can 

attend traditional schooling such as College 

or University, or they can attend shorter 

programs such as trades, practical 

education, or online studies. If your child 

does not pursue any post-secondary 

education, you have other options. You could 

roll the RESP to another child, roll the interest 

into your own/spousal RRSP, or take the 

interest as income to you as an Accumulated 

Income Payment (taxes applicable). 


Why should I get Life Insurance? Life 

insurance is one of the foundations of any 

well laid out financial plan as it offers 

financial protection for you and your loved 

ones. It can help you provide the security you 

need to reach your financial goals and is 

particularly useful if you are buying a home, 

getting married, or having children. 

Provides Financial Security: and Replaces 

Lost Income: The most obvious purpose of life 

insurance is that it provides your family with 

long-term financial security to protect your 

family if you die. It is a lump sum, tax-free 

cash payout. This can help to ensure that 

your loved ones will not be financially 

strained and can afford everyday expenses. 

Provides Emotional Security: It protects your 

emotional health by giving you peace of 

mind: No one can predict the future but 

having life insurance means that you are 

preparing to ensure your family is financially 

protected if you passed away. 

Pays for final expenses or debts. Life 

insurance policies can help to cover debts 

such as your mortgage or personal loans, 

as well as pay for your funeral. 

Create an inheritance for your children: 

When someone passes away, their heirs 

often face estate and inheritance taxes on 

any assets they receive. The life insurance 

policy can help cover these costs. Certain 

policies allow you to build up cash values 

over time which is often attractive to families 

as this can help supplement and create an 

inheritance for your children. 

Laurie & Gordon Branden 

Budgeting for Baby 

www.budgetingforbabies.com 



Infant Sleep 

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? 

As new parents, we put forth great effort preparing for our little one’s arrival. We learn 

how to bathe them, feed them and foster their development. It’s also great to know a few 

facts about infant sleep; read on for some helpful tips! 

The First 3 Weeks 

Babies are very sleepy during their first few weeks earthside. This is in part due to the 

maternal melatonin that remains in their bodies from their time in the womb. Melatonin 

is a sleep hormone that rises and falls throughout the day and night according to our circadian 

rhythm (a.k.a. our body clock) and babies don’t produce their own melatonin initially. 

Newborns may sleep for 16 hours out of the daily 24 and may only stay awake for 40-60 

minutes at a time before needing to sleep again. This is called an “awake window” – the 

time a baby is awake before their next period of sleep. As babies get older their awake 

windows will lengthen as they will be able to stay awake for longer periods. 

In these early weeks babes haven’t begun to distinguish between day and night so they 

may disperse their awake and asleep time equally throughout the 24 hours of the day, 

some even having more of their awake time during the night. 

These early weeks are for you and your baby to get to know one another! 


Weeks 4-6 

The maternal melatonin that was present 

for the first three weeks of a newborn’s life 

has worn off and babes are becoming 

more alert. It is common to see crying peak 

at 6 weeks. Babes are able to now stay 

awake for 60-90 minutes at a time and 

are starting to distinguish between day 

and night. If you can, try to pay attention 

to awake windows and offer sleep every 

60-90 minutes (60 minutes for 4 week olds, 

increasing to 90 minutes by the time they 

are 6 weeks old). This will prevent babies 

from getting into overtired states from 

which it can be difficult to achieve sleep. 

As newborns start to sleep more at night 

and less during the day we can expect a 

total daytime sleep of 4-5 hours, divided 

into several naps, and total night time sleep 

of 11-12 hours (with feedings). We also 

begin to see the baby sleep cycle emerge. 

Babies’ sleep cycles are 45-50 minute 

long. They are in a light, or active, sleep 

for the first half of their sleep cycle 

(approximately 20 minutes) making it 

common to see them wake within the first 

20 minutes of sleep due to their own 

movements, or happenings in their 

environment. The second half of their sleep 

cycle they are in a deep or quiet sleep; 

their faces are restful, their limbs are 

floppy and they don’t wake as easily. 

Swaddling in the newborn period is a 

great tool to use because it creates a 

sensation of physical security and prevents 

babes from being distracted by their own 

uncoordinated limb movements. White 

noise is another great tool for newborn 

sleep (and beyond) because it replicates 

the “whooshing” sound newborns heard 

constantly in the womb and it blocks out 

environmental sounds which may awaken 

the babe when they are in a lighter stage 

of sleep. 

If you notice it’s been 90 minutes or so 

since your baby’s last period of sleep see 

if they need some help settling off to sleep 

and begin to set the scene. Feeding, 

cuddling, bouncing, rocking are all great 

ways to encourage newborn sleep as they 

may not always fall asleep on their own 

accord. 


Weeks 7-12 

Babes are able to stay awake for 90 

minutes at a time now with a daytime sleep 

need of 4 hours, split into several naps, 

and a night time sleep need of 11-12 hours 

(with feedings). At this age a baby’s body 

is producing its own melatonin (the sleep 

hormone) and a dark environment begins 

to play a key part in sleep. Melatonin is 

produced in response to a dark environment 

and its production is blocked by light. 

Therefore the cue of a dark environment 

can be helpful for naps and bedtime. 

This is a great time to introduce a gentle 

routine: consistent times for sleep, feeds, 

and a bedtime routine. If independent 

sleep is something you feel like working 

toward, you can also practice putting your 

baby down awake to sleep. When you 

notice your baby is becoming drowsy or is 

due for a nap or bedtime, put them down 

to sleep from an awake or drowsy state 

and allow them to fall asleep on their own 

with you by their side. If your newborn is 

colicky or dealing with reflux, they may still 

require your help to fall asleep until their 

colic subsides (typically around 12 weeks) 

or reflux improves. These babes often need 

a lot of hands on support and settling to fall 

asleep so give them whatever they need! 

Remember, it is normal for different babies 

to require different amounts of assistance to 

fall asleep. Try your best to not to compare 

your baby to others. Normal sleep for your 

baby might look like: 

• contact naps 

(i.e. baby being held for naps) 

• motion sleep 

(cars and strollers for example) 

• independent sleep from the get-go 

• sleeping in short spurts 

• long stretches of sleep 

The journey to independent settling can happen at any time, typically 4 months of age 

and onwards depending on the baby and family. Having a baby that can independently 

settle may be a goal for some families and not important to others. Healthy sleep 

can be fostered in either setting so let’s build and maintain supportive parenting 

communities where all sleep is good sleep! 

Warmly, 

Sara Davis, BscN, 

Cert. Infant & Child Sleep 

Consultant 

sara.davis@cheerfulmornings.ca 

www.cheerfulmornings.ca 


The prenatal exercise 

that transforms your 

postpartum recovery 

If you’re expecting your first baby, you are 

probably feeling overwhelmed right now 

with everything there is to know. What is 

your birth plan? How will labour go? What 

about breastfeeding? Formula? Cloth 

diapers? Huggies? Pampers? Which car 

seat is safest? Where will baby sleep? And 

on and on. 

And when it comes to exercise, of course 

you want to know what is safe. You 

understand your body is going to change 

a lot in these 9 months. It already has! 

Maybe your lower back aches a little. 

You pee, just a little, when you sneeze or 

cough. Clearly your stomach muscles are 

expanding. And you wonder, will you feel 

normal again? 

If you voice these things aloud you might 

be told something like, “Every mother goes 

through this, welcome to motherhood.” 

Or the opposite. “Enjoy your free pass in 

pregnancy… because postpartum? Get 

ready for the Kegels, crunches, and hard 

work to get your body back.” Right? 

Nope. 

I wish every expectant mom could know 

there’s a better way. 

You do NOT need to leak pee or deal with 

constant pain in pregnancy. Or put yourself 

through butt kicking workouts postpartum 

to regain your strength and confidence. 

But what can you do? 


Let’s take a quick tour 

of your pregnant body 

Your core is much more than abs. Think of it 

as a cylinder made up of your abdominal 

muscles on the front, your lower back 

muscles, diaphragm at the top and your 

pelvic floor at the bottom. 

These muscles work together to stabilize 

you during exercise and while doing life’s 

everyday tasks – bending, lifting, squatting, 

carrying, reaching. 

During pregnancy, your abdominal muscles 

stretch (a lot) to make room for your 

growing baby. Your lower back works 

much harder, and your diaphragm has to 

breathe with a lot less space. Your pelvic 

floor works really hard to support your 

pelvis and organs within it. It also needs to 

relax during a vaginal delivery to give your 

baby a smooth exit. 

What happens to 

your body postpartum 

At 6 weeks, your doctor checks you to see if 

you need surgery or any other interventions. 

If not, your medical care essentially wraps 

up. You’re cleared to return to exercise and 

navigate the rest of postpartum life on your 

own. 

But your core is still changed. In fact, 

you might feel like your entire body has 

changed. 

So you might struggle to find a comfortable 

posture while feeding your baby that 

doesn’t leave your back so sore. You can’t 

believe how heavy it feels to carry an 

8-pound baby 17 hours a day. You’re 

shocked how painful lifting your newborn 

in and out of the crib can be. 


The solution to a smoother postpartum recovery? 

Strength training. 

Depending on your experience with it, you 

might be imagining heavy barbells and 

intense workouts. Strength training in 

pregnancy is different. 

The key is lifting heavy enough weights 

(for you) to actually challenge your 

muscles. Lifting 3- and 5-pound dumbbells 

isn’t going to be enough to help you build 

the strength you will need to carry your 

15-pound, 3-month-old baby. 

But you don’t need to be an expert weight 

trainer either. You don’t need bootcamps 

that drown you in a pile of sweat. You do 

need to progressively build up your core 

strength with short, effective workouts that 

leave you stronger and energized. 

Strength training NOW, in pregnancy, 

can help you drastically reduce your aching 

hips, sore low back and tight neck and 

shoulders. Strength training is the key for 

a strong and energized pregnancy and 

a smoother postpartum recovery. 

I know you can’t wait to kiss those baby 

toes and enjoy some newborn snuggles. 

But beyond soaking up every ounce of 

joy a baby brings, what is your dream 

for YOU after baby? 

Maybe it looks like walking to the park, 

baby snuggled in a sling and your back 

is strong enough to take it. Or joining your 

family on a hike with your 9-month-old 

secure on your back. Or you’re running 

marathons again, cheered on by your 

children, without peeing your pants. 

You deserve all of this and more. 

The first step? Strengthen your entire body, 

starting with strengthening your core from 

the inside out. 

Your future self, babe in arms, 

will thank you. 

START SIMPLE, TODAY 

Want to know more? Download this free email mini-course and learn 5 

Core Circuits For Pregnancy (that will take you 3-15 minutes to complete). 

Rooting for you, 

Kaye & Shannon 

ABOUT CORE LOVE 

Core Love Fitness is redefining fitness during pregnancy, postpartum and 

beyond to help moms build their strength so they can live their lives to the fullest. 

www.corelove.ca 

IG and FB @corelovefitness 



ARE PRENATAL 

CLASSES REALLY 

NECESSARY? 

BY PROF. GURJEET S MINHAS R.N. MSN 

Being a mom can be an overwhelming 

experience – your body is changing; life 

growing in you and maybe concerns related to 

childbirth and caring for the newborn baby. 

Increasingly, parents are opting for prenatal 

classes to prepare themselves and in part, it 

gives the couple time to understand all the 

changes and talk through various options and 

decisions to be made. 

Let us understand what prenatal education is 

and how it can help parents. Prenatal classes 

are varied, but all have the same aim - to help 

prepare you for labor, birth, and early 

parenthood. Your prenatal class should educate 

you in all ways to enjoy your pregnancy and 

have an amazing childbirth experience with all 

the support you need. There is an investment 

required, although some may be free. 

You may argue that birth is a natural 

phenomenon but remember that we no longer 

live in a village or a small community where we 

are supported by our neighbours and village 

midwives or wise women, well versed in 

supporting the woman giving birth. Today, most 

couples start their family while living on their 

own and may not have the support of their 

extended family. There are also many more 

options today relating to pain relief methods. 

Sometimes new moms and dads are anxious 

and fearful of the whole birth process and 

sadly, anxiety can have disastrous effects on the 

unborn baby. If the anxiety attacks are extreme, 

the unborn baby is traumatized as baby is a 

part of the mom’s system. Fear and anxiety 

experienced by the pregnant woman cause 

disruptions in the energy flow through her body 

leading to difficulties during birth. Often there is 

little guidance from experienced elders who 

can share ancient wisdom to prepare your 

body for birth. 

Birth is a natural process with mental, 

physical, emotion, social and spiritual 

dimensions to it! 

In most hospitals, comfort options offered 

are narcotic drugs and epidurals. Moms 

complain about their side effects, and baby 

enters the world in a drugged state and 

suffers the consequences of drugs. 

Prenatal education is beneficial 

for you if it: 

• Allows you to understand the physical and 

mental changes you experience during 

pregnancy 

• Prepares you and your partner for 

childbirth and helps you feel relaxed and 

confident 

• Prepares you for times if things go wrong 

and helps you make informed decisions 

• Teaches you strategies to deepen the bond 

between you and your unborn baby 

• Helps your baby enjoy a safe, joyous entry 

into the world 

• Guides you on exercises and optimal 

nutrition to ensure a strong healthy body 

and well-toned birthing muscles for an easy 

childbirth 

• Prepares you for the birth process and 

provides you with natural pain relief 

options 

• Shares valuable resources you may need 

Pregnancy does not last forever! 

Your baby deserves the best start in life 

and depends on you. 


3 Tips for choosing a prenatal 

class worth your investment,for 

natural and safe, birth preparation 

The amount of information available on Google can easily 

put you in a state of overwhelm and it may be hard to 

differentiate the forest from the trees. It is important that both 

you and your partner acquire the skills and confidence 

needed to make your birth a positive experience. Your baby 

is an active participant and needs to be included in your 

preparations. 

These 3 Checklist points will help you ACE your 

prenatal class selection process! 

1. Accessibility 

- Can you access the content after the class? 

- Is there a support system in place to assist 

with unknowns of pregnancy as they arise? 

- Are there resources that you can access to 

help you with your birth preparation? 

- Will you have access to important handouts 

to support you through pregnancy and birth? 

2. Content 

- Information about the birthing process 

- Exercises to prepare your birthing muscles 

and optimal nutrition for you 

- Natural alternatives for discomforts during 

pregnancy 

- Spiritual aspect of birth and how it assists 

you and baby 

- Partner education for support through 

pregnancy and birth 

- Pregnancy tests, what they mean and why 

they matter 

- Release fear permanently when it arises 

and reprogram your mind for easy birth 

- Key stages of baby’s development and what 

that means for you 

- How to provide an environment for your 

unborn baby’s optimal development 

- How to establish a strong relationship 

with baby before birth 

- Warning signs of potential issues that 

may adversely affect you and baby 

- Birth plan, hospital bag preparation, 

home birth 

- The stages of labour and knowing when 

to visit the hospital 

- Pain relief - medical and natural alternatives 

- What to expect at the hospital and and 

what to do when you are in active labour 

- Medical and surgical interventions offered 

during birth 

- Unexpected events that may occur and how 

to get the best birth experience 

- How to successfully breast feed your baby 

and enjoy your post-partum experience 

3. Educator 

- Does the educator have the education 

and experience required to teach? 

- Does she know current hospital protocols? 

- Is she able to answer your questions 

correctly? 

- Does she offer regular support during 

pregnancy? 

- Are there good reviews from previous 

clients? 

Prof. Gurjeet S Minhas R.N. MSN 

info@joyouschildbirth.com 


MOVEMENT + MILESTONES: 

TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING 

BABY’S DEVELOPMENT 

THROUGH PLAY 

BY DR. JESSICA DE NOOIJ 

The first year of a baby’s life is a time of 

rapid brain growth and neurological 

development. Although your baby has the 

most nerve cells they will ever have at birth, 

it is the connections between neurons, called 

synapses, that form the important building 

blocks of the brain. Ensuring your baby has 

good spinal movement and nerve function 

will help set them up for success. It is 

incredible that babies will progress from 

barely being able to hold their head up 

as a newborn, to rolling, sitting, crawling, 

standing, cruising, and walking – often 

within one short year. 

Your baby is born with a c-shaped spine, 

meaning they do not have the neck or low 

back curves we have as adults. The neck 

curve will form as they learn to hold their 

head up against gravity when practicing 

tummy time. The lower back curve will start 

to form when they begin to crawl and 

continue until a few months after walking. 

The spine and cranium serve as protection for 

your baby’s brain and spinal cord. A balance 

of stability and mobility are required for your 

baby to function at their best. Many parents 

choose a preventive health care model, 

bringing their baby for regular chiropractic 

wellness care. Tension and misalignment in the 

neck, back, hips, or shoulders can affect your 

baby’s ability to move through motor 

milestones with ease. 

It is not uncommon for parents and caregivers 

to feel overwhelmed when it comes to baby 

movement and milestones. It may seem as 

though there is a never-ending amount of 

information for each age and stage. If this is 

you, not to worry. Here are some of my top 

tips to help you feel more confident and to 

encourage your baby’s motor milestone 

development: 

Children learn through Play 

Sometimes we forget that baby movement 

should be interactive and fun. Try to 

incorporate favourite songs, variations in your 

voice, animated facial expressions, gestures, 

and/or toys with bright colours or fun sounds 

to entertain your little one. Play time on the 

floor is a great opportunity for bonding and 

touch. When your baby’s exercise session 

resembles play, they often are better able 

to stay engaged and motivated. 

Pro Tips: 

Babies often love their parents’ 

voices. Learn a few songs that 

you can sing together 

Reserve certain special toys 

specifically for your play session 

Make eye contact with your child and 

use a variety of facial expressions 


Tummy Time. Tummy Time. 

More Tummy Time! 

Tummy time helps to build neck, shoulder, 

and back strength and helps to prepare for 

rolling and crawling. Aim for 20 minutes of 

tummy time for each month of age, increasing 

to 80 minutes by 4 months. If your baby gets 

fussy just remember they are complaining 

because it is hard. The stronger they get, the 

easier it will become. Consistency is the key. 

Don’t forget to balance tummy time with 

equal time for play on their back and sides; 

all positions of play are important and help 

to create balance. 

Avoid excessive time spent 

in Baby Containers 

It is important that your baby have ample time 

and opportunity to move their body freely. 

The best place for baby movement is often on 

the floor. Limit time spent in containers, such 

as bouncers, swings, and seats, as they do 

not allow your baby to wiggle, kick, reach, 

roll, and crawl. Movement is required to help 

your baby to build strength and coordination 

and provide lots of opportunities to practice 

new skills. Containers often prevent proper 

body alignment, limit core muscle activation, 

and may delay motor milestones. 

Pro Tips: 

Roll baby on to their tummy for 3-5 

minutes after each diaper change 

When fussy, place baby on a 

45-degree angle on a pillow or large 

exercise ball to decrease the 

difficulty and build endurance 

Take breaks by rolling baby on to 

side, then returning to tummy for more 

Pro Tips: 

Use the car seat only for the car. 

Allow them to stretch out on the floor 

whenever possible 

Avoid jumpers as they can place 

inappropriate stress on the spine, 

hips, and legs 


It is not a Race! 

It is important to remember that each child is 

different and that milestone acquisition is not a 

race. There are many benefits to spending a 

longer time practicing and perfecting a skill as 

the repetition helps to strengthen neurological 

patterns. For example, a baby who spends 

more time practicing the cross-crawl will often 

be better prepared when it comes to walking. 

Pro Tips: 

Try not to rush baby into the next skill 

Place baby on floor on tummy vs 

propping them to sit; to encourage 

tummy time and rolling 

Place baby in the middle of the floor 

to encourage crawling vs walking 

baby before they are ready 

Be on the lookout for any of the following 

issues that are common (but not normal) in 

baby’s first year: flattening on the back or 

side of the head, preference to turn their 

head one direction, arching when on their 

back, asymmetrical use of arms or legs, 

scooting or asymmetrical crawl, or any other 

noticeable concerns or delays. These are 

often signs that additional support, including 

pediatric chiropractic care, may be needed. 

I hope these simple tips help to boost your 

confidence and serve as a reminder that you 

that you are doing great – you’ve got this! 

Look out for possible Red Flags 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Dr. Jessica de Nooij is a family Chiropractor at The Wellness 

Studio in Calgary, AB. She has a focus in pediatrics, pregnancy 

and family wellness and has completed both the Webster and 

CACCP pediatric certifications through the International Pediatric 

Chiropractic Association (ICPA). 



Preparing for Birth 

with a Pelvic Health 

Physiotherapist 

BY GAYLE HULME, BSCPT, PELVIC HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST, CO-OWNER LAKEVIEW 

PHYSIOTHERAPY & MOVEMENT STUDIO IN CALGARY, ALBERTA. LAKEVIEWPHYSIO.CA 

For physiotherapists with a special interest and experience helping women with pelvic 

related concerns, optimizing pregnancy, labour, and delivery is a daily occurrence in our 

office. We love it that women are also enthusiastic about advocating and preparing for the 

birth of their baby. 

There is much that we can do in preparation for your baby (or babies!) whether your plan 

includes a scheduled caesarean section or a vaginal birth. As experts in movement 

physiology, we bring practical advice on how to approach pregnancy and birth, taking 

into perspective every patient’s unique situation. 

From a professional standpoint, we really enjoy these appointments, and these sessions 

are packed with useful information for the mom-to-be. We typically provide this information 

throughout our treatments with expectant mothers. 


Here are our top 5 strategies when preparing for birth: 

1. Movement 

Being pregnant poses challenges to your 

entire body. Pelvic health physiotherapists 

can help how your body feels as it adapts 

to your growing baby. Improving flexibility 

at the back and inside of your legs such as 

the hamstrings, adductors, and calf 

muscles, lets you do things like squat, 

which is not only helpful in labour but also 

for picking up toys later! Improving pelvis 

symmetry with prescribed exercises is also 

useful to reduce back and SI joint pain 

which is common during pregnancy. 

When a woman is in labour, we like to 

encourage movements that allow for hip 

external rotation. She may use this external 

rotation of her hips while in hands and 

knees position (which also helps turn a 

baby) or while sitting on a therapy ball. 

During a vaginal delivery, hip internal 

rotation is particularly useful to open the 

pelvis. Side-lie position with the top leg 

supported by a partner with the heel up 

and knee down has also shown to help 

reduce the severity of perineal tears. 1 

2. Confidence 

Having a sense of control leads to 

decreased fear. We build confidence in 

what your body can accomplish during 

pregnancy and birth. Practicing what you 

learn reassures you in your abilities. 

Sometimes just a few words of encouragement 

can make a world of difference when 

it comes to facing the anxiety of becoming 

a mother. We have the benefit of learning 

from current research and collaborating 

with other maternity professionals to 

provide you with concrete expectations 

and plans of care. Education along 

with manual therapy and exercises are 

cornerstones of a pelvic health 

physiotherapist’s perinatal care. 


3. Pelvic Floor Readiness 

Your pelvic floor strength should be 

addressed by your pelvic health physiotherapist 

prior to your due date and is 

particularly important to work on as your 

body changes with the demands of a 

growing baby. Good pelvic floor 

responsiveness is essential for all 

post-partum recoveries. Near your due date 

we are also teaching you how to release 

your pelvic floor. We start the practice of 

perineal stretching around 36 weeks to 

aid with the flexibility of the opening of the 

vagina, called the introitus, and instruct you 

on how to carry this on at home, up to the 

time of delivery. 

4. Pushing Prep 

There are many methods to push a baby 

out. We like to show you how you can 

maximize your diaphragm and body 

position during the push phase. This entails 

using your diaphragm to direct pressure 

towards your vagina and pursing your lips 

to slowly let air out. With your arms 

overhead and lengthening your spine, you 

can use a yoga strap or a bar to pull down 

on while timing your uterus contraction and 

breath work all together. This technique can 

be gently practiced in different positions as 

well as visualized in the form of guided 

imagery. 

5. Toileting 

Whether your bundle of joy arrives with a 

vaginal birth or a c-section, your first bowel 

movement may need special consideration. 

All women bleed from their uterus, called 

lochia, after giving birth regardless of 

delivery method. And all women will need 

to poop afterwards! Everyone should use 

a footstool when sitting on the toilet to 

prepare to have a bowel movement. After a 

vaginal delivery, you may want to support 

your perineum for your first few BMs to 

reduce distention of these tissues. Similarly, 

if you had a c-section, you may want to hold 

a pillow over your belly to gently support 

your abdominal scar. Remember that it is 

ideal not to push for a bowel movement so 

practice the pursed lip technique or ask your 

nurse or doctor for stool softeners for the first 

while after giving birth. 

Preparing for birth is a process that should 

start during early pregnancy. Pelvic health 

physiotherapists can ease the discomforts 

of pregnancy, prepare you for delivery, 

and assist with your post-partum recovery. 

Along with the help of your pelvic health 

physiotherapist, you can become 

knowledgeable, stronger, and more 

confident in what your body can 

accomplish during this life-changing event. 

Source: 

1 Maternal position and other variables: effects on perineal outcomes in 557 births. Inge Meyvis 1, 

Bart Van Rompaey, Karine Goormans, Steven Truijen, Sabine Lambers, Eveline Mestdagh, Wilhelm Mistiaen 

Birth. 2012 Jun;39(2):115-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2012.00529. x. Epub 2012 May 17. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23281859/ 


Expecting a baby? 

Register for a FREE Online Seminar 

www.budgetingforbabies.com 

PROOF 

Topics of Discussion 

• Maternity & Parental Benefits 

• How much does a baby cost? 

• Living on a reduced income 

• Canadian Child Benefits 

• Retirement Savings Plan 

• Life Insurance Coverage 

• Birth Certificate & SIN 

• Health Benefit Plans 

• Personal Directives 

• Power of Attorney 

• RESP’s* 

Warm and 

cozy makes 

sleeping easy. 

• Wills 

Do you already have children? 

Condensed sessions are available. 

Space is limited! 

*Sold by prospectus only 

“ 

WOW! This seminar really helped us 

to get organized for our new baby. 

Thanks for the useful handouts. 

Teresa Chambers 

“ 

604.534.5555 

gandyinstallations.net 

HEATING • COOLING • PLUMBING 

ELECTRICAL • AIR PURIFICATION 


GREATER 

VANCOUVER | resources 

Bump – Maternity Fashion 

Bella Belly Maternity Clothes 

604-512-5103 

Hazel & Jools 

604-730-8689 

New Genes Maternity 

hello@newgenesmaternity.com 

Not For Long Boutique 

780-294-0401 

Stevenson Village Maternity 

778-297-7379 

Bump- Baby and 

Maternity Photography 

Aida Miri Photography 

778-558-5190 

Amanda Dams Photography 

604-401-5727 

Anna Alexander Photography 

images@annaalexanderphotography.com 

BB&B Photography 

bbandbphotography@shaw.ca 

JaNa Photography 

604-724-0531 

JLS Photography 

778-242-8617 

Laura Berkenpas Photography 

lauraberkenpasphotography@gmail.com 

Rachel Yoon Photography 

604-715-5114 

Bump – Ultrasound 

3D Mom & Baby Ultrasound 

604-507-1002 

Belly Bean Imaging 

604-779-5431 

UC Baby 3D Ultrasound 

1-877-682-2229 

Bump- Pre-Natal Fitness 

Barre Fitness 

604-492-4498 

CoreBody Pilates & Yoga 

604-916-9335 

Fit 4 Two 

604-719-7981 

Form Body Lab 

604-687-6870 

Into Yoga 

604-421-9872 

Mama Method 

hello@mamamethod.ca 

Uphoria Yoga 

604-326-2995 

Yoga With Lori Lucas 

yoginilori@gmail.com 

Bump – Wellness 

Olive Fertility Centre 

604-559-9950 

Acumamas 

778-323-3973 

Bloom Family Wellness Centre 

604-988-1411 

Bump Physio & Co 

604-562-2867 

www.bumpphysioco.ca 


GREATER 


Canopy Integrated Health 

604-973-0210 

Crossroads Obstetrics + Gynaecology 

604-872-5484 

Dayan Physiotherapy & Pelvic Floor Clinic 

604-876-2344 

Evolve Wellness Centre 

604-255-7777 

Hennessey Salon & Spa 

604-981-3300 

Jassal Chiropractic 

604-731-3006 

Listening Hands Physio 

604-460-7890 

Pacific Life Chiropractic 

604-850-0551 

Panorama Wellness Group 

778-726-0550 

panoramawellnessgroup.ca 

Physiotiques 

604-973-0210 

Pollock Clinics 

604-260-1219 

Reformotiv Physio + Pilates 

604-684-5826 

Vancouver’s Pediatric & 

Family Wellness Chiropractor 

604-566-9088 

Warm Buddy Company 

888-649-0649 

West 1st Chiropractic Clinic 

604-736-8353 

West Coast Health Collective 

604-746-2258 

Bump- Birth Doulas 

ACU Doula BC 

info@acudoulabc.ca 

Apple Blossom Families 

778-836-6736 

The Devine Child 

604-916-8926 

Doula Services Association of BC 

604-515-5404404 

Doulas of Vancouver 

778-997-0753 

Mother Me Post Partum Care 

604-524-1793 

Mothers Way 

310-598-9062 

New Mummy Company 

1-844-237-4686 

North Shore Doulas 

604-202-8523 

Bump – Midwives 

Abbotsford Midwifery and Wellness 

604-859-4430 

Babease Midwifery 

604-983-0949 

Bloom Community Midwives 

604-609-3550 

Blossom Birth Program 

778-297-1678 

Midwives Association of BC 

604-736-5976 

Midwifery Care North Shore 

604-984-6960 

Mission Midwives 

604-820-2424 


GREATER 


Ostara Midwifery 

604-385-0535 

The Midwifery Group 

604-877-7766 

Westside Midwives 

604-224-0686 

Bump – Pre-Natal Classes 

Baby Prep 

778-389-0048 

Beautiful Birth Hypnobabies 

604-782-0824 

The Childbearing Society 

604-878-1031 

Dancing Star Birth 

604-254-1100 

Douglas College Prenatal Classes 

604-527-5472 

Down to Birth 

info@downtobirth.ca 

Hypno Mammas 

604-375-8831 

Joyous Childbirth 

604-726-6043 

Nesting – Baby Gear 

& Layette 

Active Baby 

604-270-4788 

Babes On 4th 

604-739-9870 

BabyGoRound 

604-558-4840 

Lusso Baby 

hello@lussobaby.ca 


604-744-2522 

604-792-0298 

Portage and Main 

hello@shopportageandmain.com 

shopportageandmain.com 

The Button Box 

(604) 795-2492 

The Kiddies Store 

800-755-4857 

Watermelon Tree 

778-998-3751 

Wee Woolies 

250-889-4770 

West Coast Kids 

1-855-554-9443 

Nesting – Safety 

Active Baby 

604-427-4788 

BCAA Road Safety Foundation 

877-247-5551 

Kidproof 

info@kidproofsafety.com 

Crocodile Baby 

604-742-2762 

Hazel & Jools 

604-730-8689 

Lagoon Baby 

855-288-7386 


GREATER 


Baby – Consultants 

for Parents 

Dancing Star Birth 

604-254-1100 

Empowering Moms Pregnancy 

& Birth Coaching 

carly@empoweringmomsbirth.ca 

Green Mountain Midwifery 

and Lactation Consulting 

carliesanfordRM@gmail.com 

JA Surrogacy Consulting 

877-640-5685 

Kids Physio Group 

604-730-6966 

Laura Your Fertility Coach 

laura@yourfertilitycoach.ca 

Leap Clinic 

604-770-0101 

Mamavita 

mamavita.ca | 778-918-0251 

Mommy’s Milk 

Lactation Consultant 

604-783-2507 

North Shore Pediatric Dentistry 

604-971-3940 

Pediatric Dental Group 

604-263-2727 

Rockababy 

604-499-4044 

ROKband Pediatric Head Shape Clinic 

1-844-944-3237 

The Sleeping Child 

michelle@thesleepingchild.com 

Vancouver Breastfeeding Centre 

604-738-1912 

Vitamin K Nutrition Consulting 

karine@vitaminknutrition.ca 

Baby – Mommy & Me 

Classes 

Brightstars : Performing Arts 

604-725-1607 

Cineplex Odeon: Stars and Strollers 

Cineplex.com/theatre/starsandstrollers 

Gymboree Play & Music 

Gymboreeclasses.com 

I Hope Family Centre 

604-988-5281 

Kindermusik 

1-800-628-5687 

Movies for Mommies 

vancouver@movies4mommies.com 

Music for Young Children 

800-561-1692 

Nurture Natal 

604-314-7222 

Salsa Tots & Salsa Babies 

1-888-536-4611 

Staccato Music Studios 

604-421-3753 

Sleepy Miracles 

604-788-3044 

SleepDreams 

604-985-2991 

Sweet Dreams Consultant 

778-320-4671 


GREATER 


Baby- Moms Groups 

Modern Mama Vancouver & Fraser Valley 

Modernmama.com 

Tina@modernmama.com 

Meet Up 

Meetup.com 

Baby – Childcare 

Ace Personnel Domestic Services 

604-321-2778 

Brightpath 

888-808-2252 

CEFA Early Learning 

Cefa.ca 

Budding’s Daycare 

Budding.ca 

Child Care Resource & Referral 

Abbotsfordccrr.ca 

Jellybean Park 

Jellybeanpark.com 

Kids & Company 

kidsandcompany.com 

MyBestHelper 

Mybesthelper.com 

Nannies On Call 

604-734-1776 

New Mummy Company 

844-237-4686 

Baby – Post-Natal Fitness 

CoreBody Pilates & Yoga 

604-916-9335 

Elevate Pilates & Physio: 

Pelvic Floor and Pilates Physiotherapy 

hello@elevatepilatesphysio.com 

Fit 4 Two 

604-719-7981 

Kalev Fitness Solution 

604-568-6006 

The Motherhood Project 

604-318-7244 

Yoga Buttons Kids Yoga Studio 

604-739-9642 

Baby – Community 

Resources 

Best for Babies 

604.859.7681 Ext: 288 

Babygoround 

604-558-4840 

Budgeting For Baby 

budgetingforbabies@shaw.ca 

Direct Food Store 

directfood.store 

Family Services North Shore 

604-988-5281 

Fraser Health 

1-855-412-2121 

Gandy Installations 

604-534-5555 

HealthLinkBC 

811 


GREATER 


La Leche League 

604-520-4623 

Mamas for Mamas 

604-275-3969 

Options Community Services - Healthiest 

Babies Possible 

604-583-1017 

Pacific Post Partum Support Society 

855-255-7999 

The Motherhood Project 

604-318-7244 

Vancouver Coastal CoastalHealth 

604-736-2033 

Vital Statistics Agency 

(Online Birth Registration) 

888-876-1633 

Baby – Publications 

BC Parent 

Bcparent.ca 

Family Fun Vancouver 

vancouver@familyfuncanada.com 

Modern Mama Fraser Valley 

Modernmama.com/fraser-valley 

Modern Mama Vancouver 

Modernmama.com/vancouver 

Tiny Tinkles Music 

604-791-7749 

Vancouver Mom 

Vancouvermom.ca 

Westcoast Families Magazine 

Westcoastfamilies.com 

Family Fun Vancouver 

info@familyfuncanada.com

Greater Vancouver Baby Guide 2022-2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?