Top Services You Didn’t Know You Needed…Until You Did! The Mommy Connections Fave 5!

06/19/2014

When you start out on your parenting journey, there are certain services that you know you’ll need. Baby boutiques, doctor’s offices and grocery stores are all services new families frequent. However, there are also a number of businesses tailored to families that you might not know of. They are meeting the needs of Canadian families…even if at first you didn’t realize that you needed them!

1.  Precious Moments Babeez: Like most first time moms, I set out determined to be a breastfeeding machine, available at all hours to comfort my little bundle. Four colicky months later, the hourly night feedings had wreaked havoc on me mentally, physically, and emotionally. It was thanks to a friend in my own moms group that I was introduced to a sleep consultant. She got us on a routine and changed our lives. I realize sleep training isn’t for everyone, but I am a big believer that a mom’s health is critical in order to ensure her little one is also well cared for. Precious Moments Babeez is is a team of Labour and Postpartum Doulas, Night Nannies, Registered Nurses and Sleep Consultants offering a diverse range of services to support your journey from pregnancy, through childbirth and into parenting. Their team of professionals will guide and support you through the sleep training process which will ultimately encourage self soothing, eliminating overnight feeds, sleeping through the night with short to no wakes and promoting better age appropriate naps throughout the day. I hope that all of you are blessed with a baby who likes to sleep, or with your own personal stamina that allows you to cope with the challenges of sleep deprivation. For those of you who are struggling, I encourage to reach out for help.

2. Kids & Company: Finding child care in Toronto can be a huge challenge, especially in the Bloor West area. If you’re lucky enough to have found someone to watch your precious bundle, then congratulations! But I ask you…what happens when you’re fabulous day home provider goes on vacation? Or you’re amazing nanny calls in sick? Kids & Company to the rescue! They provide a nurturing and educational early learning environment for children to play, discover and grow.  They have over 60 centres in North America and provide reliable, flexible and nurturing child care.  Our son went to their Islington & Bloor location for 3 years and it was a wonderful experience for our whole family. As a long time partner of Mommy Connections, they have made us an affiliate company, which means no matter what your permanent child care arrangements are, you can purchase their Emergency Backup Care Plan. For the low cost of $350, you will receive 15 days of care to be used as you need them throughout the calendar year. This plan was created to help parents when there is a planned or unpredicted breakdown with your regular child care arrangements.

3. Puh-Nash: Now that we have you sleeping well again, and your child care plan is in place, it might be time to start thinking about going back to work. If the thought of squeezing back into pants with a button and zipper has you running back to your Lululemons in fear, then Nashly from Puh-Nash can help! She’ll come to your home to discuss what clothes you need to suit your lifestyle. You’ll talk about the trends and styles you like and Nashly will help you incorporate these looks into your current outfits. You’ll pull out pieces that have seen better days, and figure out what, if anything, you still need in order to round out your wardrobe. You can fill in the missing pieces at from her private boutique at Jane & Bloor, or take your handy style guide with you the next time you hit up the mall. Trust me, shopping can be fun again. There’s no need to cram yourself and baby into a tight change room, while a 17 year old tells you everything “looks great”. Nashly truly understands moms, and how our bodies change post baby. She has impeccable style, tons of tips to suit your body shape, and a way of being honest that won’t leave you in tears 😉

4. Nitwits: This next service is one that I hope you never need, but the odds are that once your child hits elementary school this unwelcome houseguest might pay you a visit. Nitwits has been in business for three years and the owner, Shawnda Walker, was the first Canadian certified in the Shepherd Method of strand-by-strand nit and lice removal. They use all-natural ingredients without pesticides or chemicals and operate two clinics: one in Toronto and one in Etobicoke. Helping families across Southern Ontario, they also provide educational talks and services to schools and daycares who need assistance identifying lice as well as educating parents and families on what to do if they find lice (which is how I came across them!)

5. Mommy Connections: I may be a bit biased, but I also think our own program is huge help to new moms 😉 Just read our testimonials to find out why and I hope to see you at one of our classes soon!