Did you ever think that once you became a parent, you would talk or think this much about poop? How much, how often, what it looks like? The subject can take over your life, especially when your child becomes constipated.

Constipation in children and infants naturally occurs sometimes but it becomes a concern when it happens more frequently.

In some cases poor diet, or not enough fluids can result in constipation. Even newborns can experience constipation when their diet consists only of breast milk or formula.

Image Credit: johnkasawa/www.freedigitalphotos.net

Changing their diet (or yours, if you’re breastfeeding) or increasing fluid intake can help regulate their bowels but if nothing you’ve done is relieving your little one from constipation, chiropractic might be your next option.

How are chiropractic and proper bowel function related?

Gentle chiropractic adjustments realign the vertebrae of the spine. Realigning the vertebrae decreases the amount of pressure that’s on the nerves.  Reducing this pressure is important because nerves, which begin in your spine, send information back and forth between your brain and the rest of  your body. Extra pressure on the nerve due to a misalignment (also called a subluxation) will prevent the proper signal from being sent, affecting your body’s function. Certain nerves in the lower back and tailbone control the function of the large intestine. If those nerves are misfiring due to a subluxation it can lead to constipation. With a few gentle chiropractic adjustments, normal nerve system control of the intestinal system can be restored bringing relief to both you and your little one.

Every situation is different so results may vary, but many parents have seen immediate success with chiropractic adjustments for constipation in their children.

Chiropractic adjustments for children and infants are very gentle. Infants and toddlers up to the age of two are adjusted while they are held by their mother or father. Older children lie right on the table. The amount of pressure used to adjust children is the same as the amount you can safely apply to a closed eyelid. Chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle and effective, drug free way to help your child recover from constipation.  If you have any questions about chiropractic and children, don’t hesitate to contact me or to comment below!

Yonge Eglinton Chiropractor

Dr. Maya Pande is a chiropractor and owner of Pande Family Wellness centre at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto. Her website is www.pandechiropractic.ca .She focuses on moms, moms-to-be and their little ones. She is certified in Webster Technique which is a low force chiropractic method used to balance the pregnant pelvis and can help the baby get into the proper position for birth. For her non-pregnant patients, Dr. Maya uses a gentle technique that’s safe for patients of all ages (her youngest patient was 2 days old!). She has been in practice and working with old and young families, for 16 years. Please contact her at 416-486-1234 or drmaya@pande.ca

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With so many reusable diapering options it can be overwhelming to choose cloth diapers that are best suited to your family’s and baby’s needs.

Ask yourself which of the 5 statements below seem to most accurately describe your diapering needs.

If you answer honestly, you’ll likely be able to match your ideals to your budget and lifestyle! The results? Finding the perfect cloth diaper solution!

I’m on a budget. I’m choosing cloth diapers to save money.

Choose prefolds & one-size covers for the most economical cloth diapering experience.

I want Canadian made cloth diapers.

Choose amongst several great brands including AMP, Monkey Doodlez, Applecheeks, Bummi’s and April’s Baby to support Canadian manufactured cloth diapers many which have been designed (and often) made by moms.

I need daycare and babysitter diapers. My partner is reluctant to cloth diaper.

Choose All-in-One diapers, All-in-Two diapers or pocket diapers. Each of these styles can be prepared and ready for your daycare provider or partner to put on quickly. Consider choosing cloth diapers that have velcro closures rather than snaps. They are the easiest cloth diaper to put on a baby.

I need the most convenient cloth diaper solution.

All-in-One diapers are as close to disposable diapers are you can get! The absorbent centre is sewn into the diaper. Simply snap or velcro on. Remove when done. Easy peasy !

I need cloth diapers that are easy and can be customized to my baby’s changing needs.

Pocket diapers have an opening for “stuffing” absorbent inserts. This allows you to add either more or less absorbency based on how much your baby wets. An added bonus is that pocket diapers are stay dry (meaning baby won’t feel too wet) with the inner portion of the diaper being fleece, hemp, or bamboo.

Need more help choosing cloth diapers that are perfect for you? Complete our Cloth Diaper Matchmaking Form and we’ll send you our feedback!

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Does it seem like suddenly your reusable diapers aren’t working as hard as they used too?

What’s a mama to do when her cloth diapers are leaking? 

1. Check the Fit of your Diapers.

2. Do you have  a Residue Issue?

What do you do when your cloth diapers are leaking? Please share any suggestions you have!

The post 6 Reasons your Cloth Diapers are Leaking appeared first on changeMatt.

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Birth Photography is quickly becoming a sought-after service for moms-to-be and their partners.

Parents that choose to hire a birth photographer do so because they want to have the birth of their child captured by someone who is not directly involved in the labour and delivery of the child.  The sole purpose of the photographer is to capture the images.  He or she doesn’t have to act as a midwife, doula, doctor or nurse and is able to perform his/her task without distraction.

Parents who choose to hire a birth photographer do not necessarily fit into any particular category.

Although many parents who hire photographers tend to have midwife-assisted births at home, many also choose to deliver at the hospital.  Parents who choose birth photography have the mindset that they want the birth documented, and that’s what motivates them to hire a photographer.   It is important that both parents-to-be are completely open to the idea of having the birth photographed, otherwise, it can cause tension during the labour and delivery time.  If the birth is occurring at a hospital, the parents must find out the photography policies of the hospital and/or doctor prior to hiring a professional birth photographer.  This will avoid any tension during the labour and delivery.

If you are considering hiring a photographer, start researching when you are around 20 weeks pregnant, and be sure to thoroughly research the photographers in your area.  Because birth photography is an intimate life event, you want to make sure that the photographer you hire shares the same beliefs and values that you do, as well as make sure that they properly registered and insured as a business.  Prepare a list of questions to ask during your initial consultation meeting.

These questions should include:

- How many births have you photographed?
- How many years have you been in business?
- What is your backup plan should you become ill when I go into labour?
- Are you registered as a business, and do you have liability insurance?
- Are you a member of any professional organizations?
- Do you have daycare arrangements for your own children when it’s time to have my baby?
- What happens if you miss my birth?
- What happens if I end up having a c-section?
- How much do your services cost?
- What is your privacy policy regarding images being posted online?

I suggest interviewing at least two photographers before deciding which photographer to hire.  Make sure you review not only their birth portfolio, but their overall portfolio also.

Look for the following:

- Image quality – are the images in focus?  Do the colours look right?  Do the black and white images look good?
- Types of images – does the photographer’s portfolio appeal to you?
- Presentation of images – does the photographer present the images in a slideshow or in another way?

I also think it’s important for the photographer you are interviewing to know why they chose to photograph births.

For me, I chose to add birth photography to my services because I knew that deep in my heart, this is something I was meant to do.  I photographed my first birth in August 2011.  I cried along with the family when Aveline emerged out of the water of her mother’s birthing pool.  I photographed, in awe, as Dawn met her new daughter for the first time, and everyone screaming with excitement when Dawn’s eldest daughter, Bella, announced it was a girl.

I left Dawn’s house completely enamored by what I had witnessed and felt so completely blessed that I had been allowed to document this beautiful miracle.

When I am contacted by a potential client, we have a consultation meeting 6-8 weeks prior to the expected due date.  At this meeting we outline all the expectations we have of each other and discuss when I should be notified that labour has begun.

When a client calls to say “it’s time”, I head off to their place of birth and quickly sink into the shadows as the labour and delivery unfolds.  If I sense that the laboring mother wants some privacy, I leave the room and return when she’s given the ok.  After the baby has been born, I stay for an hour or two (take a look here), to capture the first moments with mom, dad and any siblings.  This all goes into a carefully created slideshow that will become a keepsake for mom and dad for years to come.

The birth of a child is an extremely intimate time in the lives of a new mother and her partner.  Documenting the birth of a child, regardless if you hire a professional photographer or not, is an act of love.  The memories of the labour and delivery may diminish over time, but photographs help keep those moments alive in our hearts, forever.

Jennifer Gilbert, owner of Jennifer Gilbert Photography, is a Toronto and area expert in capturing the innocence of family life and development whether expectant mother, newborn, toddler or entire family unit. With a versatile and flexible studio, she goes anywhere to capture the true moments that define who you are.  She also commits a considerable amount of time to charities close to her heart, such as Dreams Take Flight, and The Tiny Light Foundation.  She can be found online at www.jennifergilbert.ca and on Twitter at @JenGPhotog.

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Looking for a cloth diaper that’s flexible, affordable and marries your love of a variety of cloth diaper styles in one fabulous fluffy package?

Funky Fluff was started by 2 Canadian moms who were on the quest for the perfect diaper – and when they didn’t find it, they decided to design it. Take a close look at the Funky Fluff Fusion 3 in 1 diaper. This innovative diaper brings a new level of flexibility and versatility to the world of cloth diapering: with the interchangeable AI3 system, you can use these diapers as an AIO system, an AI2, and a pocket system. No matter how you choose to use them, Funky Fluff diapers are convenient and reliable!

Funky Fluff offers both natural bamboo blend and stay-dry diapers, plus diaper pail liners, wet bags, and more!

To learn more about the Funky Fluff Fusion 3-in-one diapers, visit www.funkyfluff.ca. You can also read about why we the Funky Fluff Double Wetbags are one of our favourite eco-savvy products here.

 To celebrate the launch of their new colours and prints, Funky Fluff is hosting a giveaway via their retailers and more.

Get Funky and WIN one of the newly added prints by Funky Fluff cloth diapers …….Funky Bubbles!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Not sure if you’re cut out for cloth diapering? Is your partner protesting?

All in One Cloth Diapers are as simple and close to disposable diapers you can get in the reusable diaper world!

Watch the first instalment in our New to Cloth Series to quickly learn what an All in One Diaper is and why you might fall in love with it.

Recommend your favourite All in One Cloth Diaper and help a new mama to cloth diapering find her perfect AIO match!

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I spent last Sunday stripping. It wasn’t sexy but it was kinda fun….

Over the holidays, both my husband and I and the kids had been sick-stomach flu sick. Barf.

It turns out we had each left a pail liner full of cloth diapers in the laundry room with the intent to return to put them in the wash.

We surpassed the limit for the number of days you can go between cloth diaper washes.

It’s best if I don’t tell you how long those poor diapers sat in the basement….

I ran our cloth diapers through two complete wash cycles but when baby M. wet them, they smelled T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. We had a serious smell situation with our cloth diapers and I needed to take action.

Here’s how I stripped our cloth diapers and brought them back to being fab and fluffy!

Strip Step 1. All the cloth diapers were put through a typical wash cycle so they were clean.

Strip Step 2. I filled up the bathtub with warm/hot water and two sample packages of The Laundry Tarts Strip It!

Baby M. not to pleased that the bathtub was not for playing in!

Strip Step 3. I ran cold water over the cloth diapers in the bathroom sink to prep them for stripping. I tossed them into the bathtub as I went.

Strip Step 4. Once all the diapers were in the tub, I swished them around a few times.

Strip Step 5. Leave the diapers sitting in the tub for at least an hour (I left mine for two hours). Swish on occasion.

Strip Step 6. Drain tub and rinse all diapers in cold water. Squeeze out excess water.

Strip Step 7. Complete a regular wash cycle. And done.

Tip: If you only have a few cloth diapers to strip, soak them in a big bucket or in your laundry tub.

Our cloth diapers are as good as new now and I’ll be sure to use some hybrids next time we’re all sick, if I don’t feel well enough to do laundry!

The Laundry Tarts products are among my favourite green household items. They are made in Canada by a eco-savvy mama, use natural ingredients as well as list all their ingredients! I’ve use Strip It! before to remove ammonia residue from my preschooler’s clothes when he was learning to potty train! It works quickly and well!

Have you ever had to strip? What is the longest you have gone between cloth diaper washes? Tell us what lead to this stinky situation for you?

Share your stripping cloth diapers story in the comments below and you could WIN a 14 oz full-size bag of  

The Laundry Tarts Strip It! 

Open to CANADIAN residents only (Sorry, friends).

We’ll choose a winner using the plug-in Pick Giveaway Winner on Sunday January 27th, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.

The post Stripping Cloth Diapers with The Laundry Tarts appeared first on changeMatt.

Forget your coffee. This video will be all the jolt you need.

You may have heard some of the information before but hearing it and seeing all the data together is a call to action

It can feel like there is nothing you can do to protect your child after watching the video. It’s not true-there are many simple things you can do starting today to make a difference in the lives of your family and your children. One simple step you can take today, is to stop using air fresheners. Get rid of them.

As the great lady, Margaret Mead said,

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

Feel sad for a few moments, but it’s time to get angry, be noisy and make some real change. What will you do?

The post Maybe it’s time we all got scared enough to do something… appeared first on changeMatt.

When I speak about healthy sleep habits with families, it often surprises people to know that I use attachment parenting tools. My husband and I have shared our bed with our children. We have shared our room with our children. We cloth diaper. I’ve breast fed. We believe in baby wearing (neither of my children saw the inside of a stroller until they were 7 months old). But we also believe in independent sleep skills.

Having a child that has healthy sleep habits while embracing attachment parenting philosophies doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. Sleep problems in children are more often than not the result of a lack of independent sleep skills, but it’s also important to consider other contributing factors such as daytime schedules, establishing consistent and predictable routines and creating a comfortable sleep environment.

The following tips will help you to understand the unique sleep needs of your child and can help to ensure that everyone is getting the rest they need.

Respect the Nap

Naps are often overlooked as an important component in achieving healthy sleep habits for children. While many families strive for long periods of sleep at night, it’s rare to achieve that goal unless your child is also well rested during the day. Sleep pressure can build rapidly in a child’s brain creating a need for sleep during waking hours. It’s not really about how many hours of sleep in total, but how long a child can tolerate being awake before sleep is biologically required again.

It’s crucial to respect the fact that your child needs to nap during the day. That doesn’t mean you can’t leave the house, but I encourage families to limit scheduled activities, outings and errands during naptime. Instead, find other opportunities to spend time together when your child is well rested.

While every child is different, the number of naps they need during the day to keep them well rested is based primarily on their age. Use the following table to see if your child is napping enough.

Get into a routine

While the focus is usually placed on bedtime routines, it is equally important to develop and follow a predictable naptime routine. When children know what to expect, it makes it easier for them to make the transition from waking to sleeping. Consider the following when creating sleep routines:

• Orderly. Maintain the order of the routine to help your child know what to expect next.
• Short. Bedtime routines should be approximately 30 minutes in length so that your child doesn’t become over tired. Naptime routines should be 3-5 minutes.
• Enjoyable. The process should be enjoyable for everyone, so if something isn’t working, take it out of the routine.

Setting the stage

Room conditions also play an important role in quality sleep. Create a calm, relaxing and safe sleep environment by following these tips:

• Safe. Visit the Canadian Paedeatric Society to learn more about safe sleeping environments for infants and children.
• Dark. Our sleep patterns are regulated in part by light and darkness. Light cues trigger chemical changes, including the release of the hormones melatonin and coritsol. Melatonin is released as the light in our environment decreases and is responsible for helping the body prepare for and maintain a state of sleep. Coritsol, on the other hand, helps to prepare the body to become alert and active and is released when we are exposed to light. Click here for a review of room darkening options.
• Quiet. Respect that your child is trying to sleep. Consider using a white noise machine or fan to block out environmental noises such as street traffic or noise from siblings.
• Relaxing. Make sure clothing isn’t restrictive or uncomfortable. Think about the type of clothing you would want to nap in. Cute overalls probably doesn’t make the list for you, why would it for your child?

Rebecca Earl is a certified Sleep Sense™ sleep consultant and is the founder of The Sugar Plum Sleep Co. For more great sleep tips follow Rebecca on Facebook, Twitter or visit www.sugarplumsleep.com

photo credit: paul goyette via photopin cc

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