Mia Gordon
Reporter, Host, Content Creator, Blogger

Tips on picking the right stroller for you

There is no beating around the bush, babies – despite their small stature – cost big bucks. I mean you will spend over $500 in diapers alone in the first year. One of the biggest purchase though is your stroller. Once you include add ons and extras, strollers can cost thousands of dollars, and with how many different strollers are on the market it can be an overwhelming experience. Thankfully I did a lot of research so you don’t have to!

Here are some of the top things to consider when purchasing a stroller

What kind of stroller do you want

Did you know that there are six different kinds of strollers. Yes, you heard that right SIX.

  • Full-sized stroller: This is the stroller that will last from infant to toddler – durable and sturdy but on the bulky side
  • Lightweight or umbrella stroller: Doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but is lightweight and great for on the go
  • Jogging stroller: Great for people who are on the go and taking the stroller on different terrain. The wheels are usually large and the suspension is better
  • Double stroller: Twins? Planning to grow your family soon? This stroller basically speaks for itself
  • Car seat carrier: Wheels and a frame so you can just add the car seat to create a stroller
  • Travel system: Easy to connect travel system where the carseat can click into the stroller. But many strollers will offer an adapter so that you can use it with a car seat.

So the first step to narrowing down what stroller to purchase is figuring out what kind you want. In order to figure that out you need to consider which one fits your lifestyle best, you need to ask some questions- which brings me to the next point.

Where will you use the stroller

Some strollers can be really big and bulky, not idea for narrow streets. Others can have smaller tires, not great for off road trails. Both of these were important for me to consider since I live in Squamish and I knew I wanted a stroller that would be idea for trails.

How easy is it to use

I knew I wanted to stay active with a baby. I had all these visions of us running on trails together – but realized that would’t be doable if the stroller wasn’t easy to push or hard to navigate. I needed to make sure the stroller was smooth. After doing some research and narrowing down my choices, I decided to go to the local baby shop to try out the different makes and models to make sure the ones I liked were easy to maneuver and handled turns with ease.

How easy is it to fold and unfold

I knew a lot of the time I would be on my own with the baby and so I wanted to make sure even with my hands full I knew how to fold and unfold the stroller so I wasn’t ever stuck. In doing my research many strollers boasted about one hand folds, but back to the stroller being easy to use, it is important to test out the folding capabilities, because what might be advertised as “one hand fold” might not actually be the case for us normal folk.

How long do you plan to use it

While you might pay more upfront costs for certain models, they could prove to be more affordable in the long run if they can grow with your child. Certain models can adapt with infant carseats and then carry your child in their toddler years as well.

How important is weight to you

Strollers can be heavy and when you are carrying a baby in a car seat as well – especially if you have a baby in the 97th percentile like mine, well it adds up. But here is the thing some of the more durable jogging strollers are heavier in weight – you just have to decide what is more important to you in the long run.

 

Helpful features to look at when purchasing a stroller

  • Safety features: There are certain safety features that all strollers need to abide by, but for us this was a top priority when narrowing down our options – we didn’t want just the basic safety feature
  • Quality wheels: Living in Squamish we wanted to make sure that the wheels were durable. The stroller was going to have to survive trails and gravel roads so we wanted something that was built to last
  • Storage: A lot of strollers have some great add on options for drink and snack holders, but something that was important to us was how much storage the stroller had so it would make our lives easier when we were on the go.
  • Sun/weather canopy: Some strollers require you to purchase canopies separately, others come with some of these already attached to the stroller.

    What it boils down to

     

    At the end of the day, you really have to decide what are your pros and cons because unfortunately there is no holy grail of strollers that will meet all of your wants and needs. Some points to really consider are cost, what budget are you comfortable with? Lifestyle, what kind of stroller do you need for what you want to do? And longevity – can this stroller grow with my family? Some of even these key points might require some sacrifice, for example we wanted a jogging stroller for our outdoorsy lifestyle, but we also love to travel – quite the predicament. We narrowed it down to three options, the Thule, Nuna, and Uppababy. At the end of the day the ability to be active on trails with our baby won out and we went with the Thule Urban Glide 2 all terrain stroller and the Nuna car seat with an adapter.

    It took hour and hours of research, multiple trips to baby stores, and test driving our neighbours gear but I am so happy with our decision because I get to go jogging and hiking with my baby daily and being out in nature with him is the best feeling in the world.

I know trying to find the right stroller can be overwhelming but I hope that these tips will help make your choice for this big investment a little easier.

Good luck mommas,

xo

Mia

 

My experience with Lovevery play kits

Being a new mom is extremely challenging. You have to get into a good feeding routine, and sleep training, and then there are those milestones that even though everyone tells you not to worry about them too much, you still worry way too much. Because of this I did a lot of reading and research into toys that could help my baby’s development and hopefully help him reach those milestones – although again I try to tell myself daily that every baby is different and will develop in their own time.

In my endless google searches I came across Lovevery. On the website it states that the play products are designed by child development experts to help children get what they need at every stage of development. If you read further, the website has more information on exactly who those experts are. Different doctors that specialize in neuroscience, experts in Montessori learning, and psychologists to name a few. And so I ended up connecting with Lovevery after Max was born to see if I could give their products a try.

The first kit that we got was the 3-4 month play kit. When the kit arrived it came with instructions on how to use each toy that was included and at what stage to introduce them into playtime. In the box we found contrast cards, a soft book, a mirror card, a rubber teether, crinckle bag, silicone teether, wooden rattle, framed mirror, rolling bell, and hand to hand disk. I was surprised at just how much came in the kit.

The instruction book came with talking points for 3 and then 4 months. Different things to expect from your baby and things your baby may like at this point in their lives and then went into detail about each play thing. Why it is useful at this given age and how to use it. It really took the guess work out of how to help my baby develop with these items and as a new mom made the hours and hours of play time each day (which don’t get me wrong I love but sometimes don’t know what to do) make more sense.

And as soon as Max hit three months he  started to thrive with these toys. He loved looking at the mirror for tummy time, grabbing the soft book, and rolling the bell. It was amazing to see the wonder and enjoyment in his eyes but also see developmental leaps start to happen. Grabbing with both hands at just three months, rolling onto his side around that time too. I was impressed to see his progress in such little time.

Takeaways from working with Lovevery:

  • It takes the guesswork out of play time 

I never had to take time to do my own research when it came to toys. They sent them straight to my door each month with a guide on how to play with them and when.

  • There is a variety of toys 

You don’t just get one or two toys each month, you get a handful that all have different uses which I really loved. We had rattles to work on our hearing senses, teethers for touch, and mutli-coloured toys for sight.

  • They are child safe and sustainable 

If you watch my work on the Weather Network you know how important sustainable products are to me. I love that these toys are built to last and made with sustainably harvested wood and nontoxic paint.

I am a big fan of Lovevery and cannot wait to watch max continue to grow with these toys.

Happy play time mommas,

xo

Mia

 

How to know if you’re doing a good job as a parent

Last night we spent 4 hours in the ER because Max had a spider bite that wasn’t looking great. It turns out it got infected and he had cellulitis. I cried the whole way home saying I was a bad mother for letting this happen to him – full well knowing there was nothing I could of done to prevent it.

Becoming a parent is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make in your life. So far these two months have been the hardest yet most rewarding of my life, and since there is no handbook on it – it can be hard to  know if you are doing a good job or not, trust me most times you are even if it doesn’t feel like it. So I wanted to share some tips I have picked up in the short few months I have been a mom that I believe show you are doing a great job! 

1) You Are Loving And Supportive

One of the most important things a parent can do is provide love and support to their child. If you are always there for them, both emotionally and physically, then you are doing a great job! Children need both emotional and physical support to thrive. If you can provide that for your child, they will be very grateful!

 

2) You Are A Good Role Model

Children learn by watching their parents. If you want your child to grow up to be a good person, it is essential to set a good example for yourself. Be kind, patient, and understanding with your child, and they will likely follow suit. It is also essential to teach them right from wrong; this will help them make good decisions when they are older.

 

3) You Are Looking After Their Health

It is essential to look after your child’s health, both physical and mental. This means ensuring they are eating healthy foods, getting enough exercise, and getting enough sleep. It is also vital that their vaccinations are up to date and that they visit the doctor regularly. If you can do all of these things and take them to clinics, like CBD medical, then you are doing a great job as a parent!

 

4) You Respect Your Child’s Privacy

It is essential to respect your child’s privacy, even if they are still young. This means that you should not invade their space or read their diary without permission. It is also essential to allow them to have some independence and make their own decisions, as long as they are not putting themselves in danger. Respecting your child’s privacy will show them that you trust and care about them.

 

5) You Are Involved In Their Life

Another sign of a great parent is being involved in their child’s life. This means attending school functions, knowing what they are interested in, and being there for them when they need you. It is also essential to provide guidance and support and allow your child to make their own mistakes. If you can do all of these things, then you are doing a good job!

 

6) You Are A Good Listener

A good parent is a good listener. If you are always there for your child and will listen to them without judgment, then you are definitely doing a great job! It is essential to be patient and understanding when your child is talking to you. This will help them feel comfortable coming to you with anything they need to talk about.

These are just a few things that have helped me so far – this and trying to have patience and forgiveness for myself as well as I learn and navigate this new chapter in my life. Parenting can be difficult, but it is also enriching. Be patient, and never give up on your child! They will appreciate everything you do for them.

The two week postpartum period

“Be ready to cry.. a lot… for no reason at all.”

That was the advice I got from a few friends as I was in the final countdown to give birth to Max. And to be honest as I am sitting here and writing this blog I am crying for who knows what reason.

I had done a lot of research on the 4th trimester, one that is hardly talked about but one that poses its own set of challenges (some say it could be the hardest trimester of all). It is considered the 12 week period after birth. During this time your baby is adjusting to being outside the womb while you adjust to life as a new mom. You are dealing with sleepless nights, intense feeding demands until the baby is back to his birth weight, and a rollercoaster of emotions as your hormones balance out again – hence try crying. Oh and on top of that the constant worrying, is my baby too hot or cold? Is that poo a normal colour? The google searches never end and they can take you down a very dark rabbit hole. It is so important to not just take care of your baby, but to take care of you as well because if you aren’t functioning  – how can you be in the mindset to take care of the little one also.

When we first left the hospital Max wasn’t latching. I was so scared we were going to get home and I wasn’t going to be able to feed my child. Thankfully living in Squamish there is a large support system for new moms. The day after we brought Max home a midwife came over to help me with latching, but many new moms don’t have that support and so if you are struggling, there are resources out there like lactation consultants that can help.

On top of the fear of feeding the little man was the fear of well everything else. Even though he seemed to be a good sleeper I couldn’t sleep at all because I wanted to make sure he was breathing. I wasn’t sure if we should add a swaddle while he slept because he might be cold, but I didn’t want him to overheat.  A day after leaving the hospital we were back because he got an eye infection. I spent moments just crying because I was worried I wasn’t doing the right things for him. But overall I would say my two weeks postpartum was pretty positive, mostly because of a little help from Max (figuring out breastfeeding pretty quickly) and the research that I did ahead of time. I wanted to share some of the steps I took that helped me stay relatively sane.

 

1. Set boundaries

A new baby is such an exciting time and of course all of your friends and family are going to want to meet the little one. My  husband and I set some rules before he was even born, no one could hold or get too close to him unless they had the covid vaccine and flu shot. But once he is here we had to set other boundaries. We didn’t jam pack more than one visit per day, and it was limited to an hour so that we could have some time in-between feeds. I also wasn’t shy about letting friends know if we needed help. Asking for someone to take a change diaper turn or bring us some food or take our dog on a walk. I am usually the type of person who doesn’t like to ask for help – but you have a new baby and the small circle of friends that you are going to let see him in those first few days are the ones that want to lend a helping hand anyway

2. Find time for you still

Sleep when the baby sleeps – I am sure you have heard that before right? Well when you have a newborn and they have to feed every 2-3 hours that can be a tough task. Thankfully I have an extremely supportive partner who actually let me sleep while Max slept and he took care of cleaning, cooking, laundry etc. But now that his pat leave is over I am in charge of all poo explosions and temper tantrums. But one thing that the nurses told me before I left the hospital was if I don’t take care of myself (eat, sleep, stay on top of pain relief) then there is no way I will have the energy and mental capacity to take care of him. So as hard as it may sound – try and actually sleep when the baby sleeps – and again lean on friends if you need to. On top of that, keep taking those pain meds. I tried to stop mine early because I was feeling good but alas as soon as I tried to cut down and get moving again the pain started to creep back up and I was just in a constant state of discomfort, which made breastfeeding a challenge.

3. Don’t push it

I am a former professional athlete and during the pregnancy I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and so I had to stay active. Well then you have the baby and all of a sudden I am told I am not allowed to go on more than 5-10 minute walks for the first two weeks. One day I figured I would cheat. I strapped Max on and went for a 30 min walk. Worst decision of my life. I was in pain for hours after that and my husband had to feed him. As hard as it was, I learned that my body truly is healing from one of the most intense experience and I need to respect that  – also I have learned from others that if you don’t let your pelvic floor heal there could be life long consequences.

4. Lean on friends and find a good support system 

When I was in the hospital a lot of the nurses told me about the baby blues and postpartum depression. While I was feeling really good in the first week and a half, a few things happened in the second week that left me feeling anxious. Thankfully I had the support of my husband and midwife to get me through. It is important to be able to recognize these things and feel like you have a support system or someone you trust that can help you get through.

5. Give yourself a pat on the back 

For 10 months you carry and grow this human and then in a day they arrive and all of a sudden you are tasked to take care of him. I joked at the hospital that there should be a test before you are able to go home – the only test we got was that we knew how to use the care seat – the rest we had to figure out on our own and that is scary. Just take a moment each day to appreciate how hard you are working for your baby because even on the days when you feel like a complete failure – you are doing everything in your power to make sure your little one is happy.

You got this momma

xo

Mia