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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Filed under: Baby Sleep
September is Baby Safety Month, a campaign begun in 1983 by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). The theme of Baby Safety Month this year is creating a safe sleep environment.
Each year, hundreds of babies and young children die because they are placed to sleep in inappropriate places. It's never safe to let your child sleep on a sofa or left unattended on an adult bed, for example. The safest place for a baby and child is in a fully functional, properly assembled crib, cradle, bassinet, portable play yard, or toddler bed. There has been a lot of press recently about baby slings and the unfortunate suffocation that has resulted for some babies - you can read here for more on their safe use.
It's important that these items meet the latest safety standards. If you're unsure about second-hand furniture, search online for any recalls - a good place to start is the Government list. In Canada, for example, cribs made before September 1986 do not meet current safety regulations and it is a criminal offence to advertise, sell, or give them away. You can read here for more safety tips about cribs from the Canadian Government. The JPMA also has a comprehensive section of safety tips for all sorts of sleep arrangements for our kids.
If you are worried that your child is not sleeping in a safe environment - if you are co-sleeping and worried about the safety of your baby - contact me for help!
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 7:28PM |
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Filed under: Dawnn's News
My husband and I just got back from our trip to Cancun, aka our "babymoon". It was great to have some couple time before our new baby arrives and our family expands to having three kids around the house! I'm glad we went away during my second trimester of pregnancy - I'm not too big yet and can still move around, but I'm over that dreadful morning sickness stage (wow, it was so bad this year!). That said, it was TOO HOT in Cancun!
Now that we're back, and I'm coming up on my third trimester, I've begun getting nervous about labour. Again. I know this is not my first time, but I'm not sure if that makes it better or worse! I had my son, Gabe, after 6 hours of labour and my daughter, Kenya, after 4 hours. Both babies were born on their due dates and both weighed in at 7lb 6oz. Pretty unusual, don't you think? I'm quite a petite woman (4ft 11" and about 100lbs), so I'm hoping that this baby is not going to be larger, as they often are in subsequent births.
How were your experiences in labour for your subsequent babies?
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 6:21PM |
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Monday, August 9, 2010
Filed under: Dawnn's News
Stay tuned to the Electra Health Floor newsletter, coming out this month, for a little feature about Cheeky Chops and my services. Electra Health Floor is a downtown Vancouver health and wellness clinic and I'm proud to be featured by them.
Here's an excerpt from the feature:
"Dawnn Whittaker... specializes in helping babies and children learn healthy sleeping habits which often brings overall peace and sanity to tired households...
As a former nanny and Mum of two (soon to be three), Dawnn has 16 years of hands-on experience and her work has taken her throughout the UK, Australia, Canada and the US. She has worked with hundreds of parents and their many different parenting styles and has helped them make positive changes in a way in which they are comfortable.
Dawnn can also help with the introduction of solids, potty training, transitioning children from co-sleeping to sleeping independently, and transitioning from a crib to a bed."
I had a chance to work with Mark, one of the health practitioners there, and his baby - who is now sleeping fantastically well! I'm so happy to share success stories - are you ready to be one of them too?
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 7:36PM |
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Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Filed under: Dawnn's News
If you've been sitting on some questions for me, now's your chance to ask them! Coming up on August 7th at 10:30am, I'll be on the radio with Real Parenting with Amy Bronee to answer your sleep questions. You can tune into the Victoria-based C-FAX 1070 to listen in.
So, head on over here to leave a comment with your question or email realparenting@shaw.ca.
I'll post a transcript here of the questions and answers after the radio interview!
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 7:44PM |
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Saturday, July 24, 2010
Filed under: Dawnn's News
My husband and I are heading to Cancun!! After our big news, of another baby on the way, we decided to grab some 'couple' time before it was too late!
Of course, it's never easy to leave Gabe & Kenya for any length of time, but this may well be the only kid-free time we see for a long time! We are quite excited about the trip - we leave August 5th - and will be posting some photos here when we get back.
BTW, did you know that there is a new term to describe this pre-baby vacation? People are calling it a "babymoon". Check out what Wikipedia says!!
The term has come to be used to describe a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby. Babymoons usually take place at a resort that offers appropriate services like prenatal massage.
Did you take a babymoon before your first baby, or between them?
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 9:15PM |
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Comments
Natasha (BCSunsetGourmet)
Posted 8 days ago
My 1st baby, 11 days early, 8lbs 6oz (water broke naturally). My 2nd baby 14 days early (induced due to preeclampsia), 9lbs 2oz. 3rd baby, 1 week late and weighed 7lb 14oz. All boys too, btw.