Check out what Picky Mom Arieanna from activemama.com has to say on the issue of kid’s socks:

When my now three-and-a-half year old was a baby, I discovered Robeez Kick-Proof Socks. At a mom-and-baby group, all of us moms were complaining about how baby socks kept falling off when one mom had the answer: Robeez Kick-Proof Socks. Although I was a little wary of the price ($12), being spoiled by Old Navy prices, I bought a set of 3… and never went back.

Robeez Socks – Still on after nap time!

My son wore those socks nearly every day in rotation. They came in a series of fun designs that were nice looking yet still seemed to go with every outfit. Even as he could pull off other socks in seconds, these ones stayed on. Once he was much older, he could yank them off with some determination, but most of the time he didn’t bother. Unlike other socks, these ones stayed snug on his little feet and never looked messy like all the other droopy socks.

Fast forward 2 years to my second son and I’m still in love with my Robeez socks. Unlike all the other socks that stayed in storage for 2 years, these did not lose their elastic - the majority of the other socks I kept had to be thrown away!

Arieanna is a North Vancouver mom of 2 boys, aged 3.5 and 1 year old. Arieanna writes at ActiveMama.com. 

Yaya Baby loves Robeez Kick-Proof Socks, too – they’ve earned our official Picky Mom Stamp of Approval. Check out all of the cute designs here.

But I am so excited to share with you that the answer is now “YES!!”

YayaBaby.ca is growing up and it’s time to let my little one leave the nest. Starting May 1st, all your favourite Picky Mom Approved essentials are  coming to Vancouver with a store front of its very own. Well, not exactly its own. Since this is its first time leaving home, Yaya will have some roomates. 10 of them. We are so happy to be joining Giving Gifts & Company – a Main Street Cooperative Store. Our new home for the next 2 months (and maybe more!) will be at 4570 Main Street in Vancouver (Main and 30th across from the VW store).

What does this mean for you Picky Moms?

1. You can now come and see all my favourite mommy lifesavers in person. I know our products are awesome – but some things are even more amazing in person, like the gorgeous colours on an Au Fait Mama nursing scarf or the buttery softness of an AppleCheeks cloth diaper.

2. There will now be a FREE Pick Up option in Vancouver! Save on shipping and come and pick up your online order in person. After checkout I’ll send you an email and arrange for your package to be available for pickup. Giving Gifts & Company is open Tuesday-Sunday with someone always there, so that’s super convenient!

3. Come and meet me! I would be happy to give you a personal cloth diaper demo, baby wearing demo or answering any burning questions that you have. I have hours that I will be at the shop each week (Tuesdays and Saturday or Sunday) and will post those on my Facebook page. Or email me at hello@yayababy.ca to make an appointment.

Giving Gifts & Company is open Tuesday-Saturday 11-6 and Sunday 12-5.

And as always, YayaBaby.ca is always open to shop online, with our super-fast, low rate shipping.

Come celebrate with me at the Grand Opening event (wine and treats) next Thursday, May 2nd from 7-9pm and see Yaya’s new home and all of my awesome new roomies.

Normally I am not a big “gadgets” person, but the Buzz B Nail Trimmer has to be the coolest thing out there. To give something my Picky Mom Stamp of Approval it has to be 1) Really Useful and 2) it has to make my life easier. The Buzz B is both of those.

What’s the deal? It’s an electric oscillating nail trimmer with a little file that moves/vibrates so quickly you don’t really see or feel it. It files nails without ANY pain, danger of cutting flesh or accidentally taking too much off. There is no way you can hurt your squirmy baby or toddler with this thing. It comes with 4 “grits” of pads that vary for how soft or hard babies nails are. (Baby’s nails get harder with age.)

Pink pad: 0-3 months, Blue pad: 3-6 months, Green pad: 6-12 months, Orange pad: 12+ months

Why it’s useful?

-Baby nails are sharp. Like ridiculously “those talons could take an eye out” sharp. One minute they’re fine, and the next minute a post baby snuggle looks like your face has been attacked by a wild cat. How did they grow that fast?! They just do. Baby nails have some sort of super growing power.

-Once, while cutting my son’s nails, a thin slice of nail shot from the regular nail trimmer right IN TO MY EYE  And got stuck. ‘Nuff said.

-I have a friend who is able to cut her daughter’s nails by walking into her room when she is asleep, turning on the light, and cutting all her nails – all without waking her up. For the other 99.9% of us – there’s the Buzz B. Imagine calmly cutting nails while breast feeding a newborn baby or reading a toddler a story? Rad.

Picky Mom Approved? 110% YES!

PS: As always, every product sold on YayaBaby.ca is my personal favourite and used with my own two kids! I was in no way paid to write this post. I just think the Buzz B rocks.

Zoli Buzz B Nail Trimmer on Yaya Baby - http://www.yayababy.ca/clean-baby/125-zoli-buzz-b-nail-trimmer.html

Since that book’s not coming anytime soon… We opted for the Gro Clock instead.

The Gro Clock is a simple visual cue for toddlers to know when it’s ok to wake up and when they should still be asleep (or at least be quiet and not waking mom and dad). The idea is simple – if you see a blue stars it’s sleepy time. If you see a yellow sun, wake up time. The time when the sun comes up is programmed by the parents.

The clock has been very effective with my son and many of his toddler buddies. We’ve established a morning routine that we don’t go into the kids’ rooms in the morning before 7am, but that’s hard to explain to a kid who wakes up and has no idea what time it is. Ta da – Gro Clock! Now, most mornings my 3 year old is actually awake before the sun, but he turns on his light and quietly reads books, sings songs or occupies himself with toys. At 7:00am EXACTLY (when the sun comes up) he informs us “Mommy I’m awake!!” (at the top of his lungs – we’re still working on that part), and then we get on with our day.

I’ve tried other clocks and they either didn’t have as clear of a visual symbol, or the wake up time light didn’t stay on long enough for times when they actually (gasp) slept in.

Here’s how it works:

1) At bedtime you push a button to turn on the blue stars to say goodnight. (It also comes with a night-night book to accompany it.) You also have the option of displaying the actual time in the middle of the star for older kids, so this clock could be used for school-aged kids as well. As a teacher I’ve seen how much kids rely on a visual schedule for their day, so it makes sense why the Gro Clock is so successful.

2) During the night the stars count down as another visual to let kids know time has passed and how much more is coming. My son doesn’t really use this part as much, but he does notice that stars are missing.

3) At the time of your choosing the clock is programmed to change to the yellow sun.

Another feature I love is the option to set a different bedtime wake up time and a nap wake up time. This has been very useful as my 3.5 year old sometimes drops his nap, but the baby still needs to sleep, and mama needs a break so the Gro Clock goes on and indicates “quiet time”.

Verdict: The Gro Clock gets our Picky Mom Stamp of Approval! Find it on YayaBaby.ca here. I’ve gotta go! Nap time is over (3:15) and I hear the good ‘ol “Mommy I am awake!”.

What strategies have you used to get your little ones to stay in bed?

Yes, my son is wearing a pink Woombie in that picture. He didn’t mind, and I was desperate. Let’s move on.

Changing your child’s sleep routine can seem very over-whelming, especially when you are at the end of your rope. Even if you have a good sleeper, there are usually a few things that just drive you CRAZY every night.

So, what to do?

First, imagine what would be your ideal sleep situation for your child/children in a DREAM WORLD. Think about some of these questions:

• How many naps and what duration?
• What time is bedtime?
• What is the emotional mood  and routine at bedtime?
• What type of activities would be enjoyable to you to share with your child before bed (cuddle up with a good book, sing some songs)?
• How do you want your baby or toddler to get into bed?
• How often would they wake up during the night?
• What time would “morning” be in your house?

Now, what is the actual situation? Don’t freak out if your reality is far from the ideal! Your child is not going to become a “prefect” sleeper overnight. But be honest about what is happening, and write it down.

Look back at your actual sleep scenario and identify which parts needs some fine-tuning. What is the hardest part? Pick ONE thing. Your toddler is not going to give up a soother and stop being rocked all at the same time. Eliminate one thing first.

Maybe it’s a battle over a water bottle your toddler wants to take into bed, or instead of enjoying a relaxing cuddle, there’s an argument every night and running out of bed. Maybe your infant falls asleep feeding and wakes up as soon as his head hits the mattress and you spend 30 minutes rocking him before trying the dreaded transfer again. Maybe you’re waking up 5 times each night to pop a soother back in. Whatever it is, figure out which part is driving you the most crazy at the moment and work on slowly modifying that ONE aspect over a series of nights.

Keep these things in mind:

1. Children need practice to become good sleepers. It’s a skill to be perfected, just like using the potty or riding a bike, and is always a work in progress.
2. Set a foundation of good sleep HABITS. Sleep “habits” and sleep “training” are not one in the same.
3. Consistency is key.

You’re not going to change everything in one night. Choose one small thing and start with that!

Share with us! What’s driving you crazy at the moment?

A few months ago I asked some Picky Moms on Yaya Baby’s Facebook page if they thought Amber Teething necklaces were effective or a bunch of hooey. At the time, I had a 14 month old with only 4 teeth and felt like we were about to get hit hard with the teething monster. So I tried to be proactive and look into some natural options and the topic of amber necklace came up again. I’ve always wondered how wearing a necklace could help with teething?! I’ve been curious about these for a while, but in addition to the fact that I’m super picky, I’m also quite skeptical!

Here’s the scoop on amber:

• amber is a fossilized tree resin (not sap, but another secretion that then hardens and can be polished.)
• amber is said to have healing properties – it acts as a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory
• when amber touches the warmth of your skin it is said to release oils and has a soothing and calming effect

Here’s what I do know in mom-speak:

• It looks cute. Like ridiculously cute.
• My son doesn’t mind wearing it at all. It’s lightweight and he never pulls at it or bugs him.
• It’s so cool looking my toddler wanted one, and they fought over who got to wear it. So alas, now they both have one.
• It doesn’t break the bank. $20 each is pretty good considering how much money I’ve wasted on special teething “chew” toys that my kids never, ever chewed.

Here’s what some other Yaya Picky Moms had to say:

“My little man has been wearing his since 4 months. He has 6 teeth and has only had any issues with one of them–and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I have heard some people talk about. 4 of them have come through while we have been on vacations, and I didn’t even know he was teething! I can’t definitively say it’s from the amber, but I’m not taking it off to find out!!” –  Stephanie G.

“It seemed like it was doing nothing. So I took it off for a while. Then she had a bad teething day so I put it back on and her mood improved immediately. So somehow it’s helps.” – Nadja S.

“I wear one myself and have noticed a huge difference with joint pain and stiffness.” – Leslie H.

So are they for realz?

I think so. I HOPE so! My son likes it, and at the moment he’s been popping out 4 new teeth at the same time, with very little drama. So, the Healing Amber necklace is totally here to stay. I’m way too chicken to take it off! And if it helps him a little, that’s awesome.

Do you have some other natural methods for teething pain? Would love to hear your ideas, as we’ve got LOTS more teeth to come!

Curious about Healing Amber? Check ‘em out on Yaya Baby.ca here!

And along came the bamboo Naked Nursing Tank – our new favourite breast feeding essential.

The ingenious design does its job of keeping your stomach covered while nursing, but in a way that is non-restrictive, simple and inexpensive, unlike many other fussy tanks on the market. The racerback tank has no fabric covering the bust part, but gives you coverage where you want it – the tummy, back and hips. So simple, and a major mommy lifesaver.

I had the help of 4 other Picky Moms from across the country put the Naked Nursing tank to the test, just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming this one up. Here’s what they had to say:

• “The Naked Nursing Tank is a new staple in my wardrobe – I don’t get dressed without putting it on.  It basically makes any shirt a nursing shirt, so you don’t have to wear any other special nursing clothes once you have this tank and a good nursing bra.  I love being able to wear all the clothes from my existing wardrobe rather than having to build a nursing wardrobe.  It is also so comfortable to wear that I don’t even feel like I have a second layer on underneath my clothes. The material is so lightweight, and the design is so simple, that the outline of the tank doesn’t show through my clothing.  I also love that I can wear shirts with any kind of neckline and the tank is never showing.” - Jennifer, Vancouver, BC

• “Since I have a big chest but a smaller rib cage and tummy, I can never get a good fit. I usually end up buying tanks that are way too big and sag all over, or are way too small and then the girls are squished in there like sardines!  This tank fits perfectly around my tummy and I don’t need to squish in my boobs…. Which is especially nice since squishing milk filled boobs into a tight shirt gets super painful!! ” -Emma, Montreal, QB

• “The bamboo luxury edition Naked nursing tank is soft and comfy. But unlike most nursing tanks, it fits properly and hugs the body without any bagging, bunching or riding up. Likely because this tank doesn’t have any of those annoying flaps or folds around the bust. Once you have it on you don’t have to do anything more with it for it to be functional.  There are no additional fasteners to deal with, material to move out of the way etc – once you have it on you basically forget it’s there!  Brilliant!” -Lisa, Vancouver, BC

• “I have washed the tank numerous times and it still looks and feels brand new – it really holds its shape!” -Jennifer, New West, BC

• “Other brands I’ve tried have been made with a slightly thicker and more synthetic material, and make me feel too hot.  With the Naked Nursing Tank I never feel like I have an extra layer on and thus I never feel sweaty with the second layer. I love that I can wear any nursing bra rather than having the bra built in – built in bras never seem to fit me correctly.  I have also tried other tanks that don’t have the bra built in, but the extra layer of material over my nursing bra always feels a bit too tight and sweaty.  The Naked Nursing Tank is the perfect alternative because the extra material/coverage is only where you need it.” Jennifer, New West, BC

• “I didn’t notice I had it on most of the time which I really liked. It didn’t add bulkiness to the clothes I was already wearing. Plus, it eliminated the need for other nursing tanks because you can wear it with any shirt.” -Melissa, Woodstock, New Brunswick

Picky Mom Melissa putting the Naked Nursing Tank to the test!

• “ I could say so much more, but bottom line was this tank ultimately left me wondering why I ever bought so many cheap ugly ‘nursing’ shirts from a certain maternity store (that doesn’t always offer quality, but always overcharges), especially when I could have been wearing my old wardrobe… which I paid a pretty penny for pre-baby.” – Emma, Montreal, QB

Final Verdict from Super Picky Mom:

Even though I’m done nursing, I still wear this tank almost everyday as a layering tank. It’s perfect for when I don’t want the bulk up top, but want extra coverage on the hips or waistband. I also love that it will always fit your ever-changing sizes of boobs during your breast feeding days. No phases of too tight or too loose, just a perfect fit all the time.

The Naked Nursing Tank gets the Picky Mom Stamp of Approval by all our mamas. We loved:

1. feeling confident and covered while nursing (no nursing cover needed!)
2. saving money by not having to purchase a (hideous) nursing wardrobe
3. the soft bamboo that was so comfortable and didn’t make us sweaty
4. that the tank will last long after our nursing days are done

Find your Picky Mom Approved essential at YayaBaby.ca!

Want to win one? Head on over to our giveaway page to win won of your own.

It’s my 35th birthday today and I’m feeling especially grateful. 

The plan was to have a huge “It’s My Birthday Sale” on Yaya Baby and joke about how I always get the rough end of the deal having my birthday so close to Christmas. I was going to have a Facebook birthday party full of giveaways, plus free presents for those that ordered from YayaBaby.ca today. But that’s not going to happen. For one, I spent all my time this weekend with my family instead of working on a newsletter. Plus, I think we all have enough gifts already – we have today.

Most likely, you came home from work on Friday, gave your kids a big hug, fed them some dinner and tucked them in to bed. Even if we stop right there, we’re pretty lucky. But chances are, we were all even more fortunate – we probably had fun family outings, enjoyed our kids’ laughter and made some wonderful memories. I experienced all of that this weekend; and the whole time, in the back of my mind, have been thoughts of the parents who were not as lucky.

All weekend long I have not been able to stop thinking about the school shooting in Connecticut- the sweet children that were here one moment and gone the next, and how the teachers and staff must have been terrified.

As a Kindergarten teacher myself, I keep replaying the scenario in my head: What would I do?

Option 1: Would we hide in the bathroom in my classroom that doesn’t have lock, but is a little bit out of the way. Or

Option 2: Would it be better to make a run for it out the exterior door of my classroom that leads outside and load in to my van in the parking lot and drive away? How would I keep 20 kids silent?! And how much time would we have to formulate a plan? I imagine scenarios where we are successful, and also the ones where we were not.

I replay these situations in my head, but I can’t imagine really being faced with the reality of the decisions those teachers needed to make in a split second. We practice drills in school, but that would never actually prepare you … because it’s not a reality I ever thought could have been possible – I mean, really, an elementary school. I hadn’t even entertained the idea. Suddenly, the behaviour of that kid that constantly gets on my nerves seems insignificant, when I consider what it must have felt like for a teacher to watch her 6 year old students get shot, or vice versa. I know I will be a more patient and caring teacher when I go to work this week.

And then as a mother, I try to imagine the perspective of the parents. And I can’t even really go there. It’s too much. Often in the morning we rush out the door, and sometimes when I get to work I think “did I even see my kids this morning for more than 2 minutes?” We are in such a frenzy to get dressed, eat, pack lunches, remember the special stuffy, an extra change of clothes, that we haven’t had a proper goodbye. I’ve been fortunate that every night when they come home I’ve had the opportunity to connect again, but what about the parents of the 20 kids who will never have that chance for a do-over. If your child is murdered (I can’t even wrap my head around that word) it’s not a situation we ever prepare ourselves for, even in our biggest fears. We’ve probably imagined how devastating it would be to lose child to illness, or in a motor vehicle accident, but like this… never.

And as I thought about these awful scenarios all weekend, none of the usual stuff that bothers me, did. Not my toddler asking for another drink at bedtime. Not having to go all the way upstairs to change my baby’s diaper (again). Not even my husband putting my “bathroom cleaning toothbrush” in my regular toothbrush holder by accident and me brushing my teeth with it. (True story.) All that seemed trivial. (Gross yes, big deal no.) Shouldn’t that be how it is every day? Out of all the parents in Connecticut who lost their children this weekend, I don’t think a single one of them wished that they’d given their child one less hug at bedtime.

From now on, I vow to always have a proper goodbye. I will always squeeze in that last hug and kiss on our way out the door in the morning no matter how late we are running. Pinky swear.

I will not wish away one more day of toddler tantrums or naps that are too short. The parents of the 20 children killed at Sandy Hook can only wish that they could have one more “bad” day with their child, one more whiny bedtime, one more frustrating struggle to get their jacket on and get out the door, and I need to remember that, especially in those trying moments. Pinky swear. So, it’s my birthday today, and I’m one lucky mama.

Today really is a present.

A little bit about GoGo Bags:

Created by a North Vancouver mom, GoGo Bags was designed  as a litter-less lunch option that was easy to use, easy to wash, and healthy for her kids and the environment. GoGo bags are made out of 100% cotton, double-lined, and machine washer and dryer friendly. The have no chemicals or plastic coating. The bag is a pocket style design with a fold over fabric closure. Curious about GoGo Bags?

What did Yaya’s Picky Moms think?

Mommy Mei and her little guy loved the quality – they are much “thicker than the other bags out there”. She said it was easy for her son to go in to the bag by himself, and they were compact enough to toss in to a purse instead of a bulky plastic container. Mei also thought it would be handy for her own lunch when she returns to work. (We’d have to agree – we use them all the time for mom’s and dad’s lunch in our house! Plus, we’ve saved at least a couple of hundred bags in the past 8 months. Super cool.)

Geri-Lynne also tried the cotton snack bags – She was skeptical that the bag would hold small snack without them spilling in the diaper bag but… not one Cheerio fell out! Big win! Geri-Lynne also love the super cute, bright prints and how well they held up in the washer and dryer… no fading… no shrinkage, and no zipper or velcro to break down.

Jessica really liked the snack bags as a replacement for plastic containers. The idea of having something that is made entirely out of cotton was really appealing to her.  It was easy for her 19 month old to enjoy her snacks from this bag (and it was fun!).  Before Jessica used the bag, she put it through the wash and dryer, and it came out exactly as it went in!  Super impressed.  Jessica also thought the price was right ($9 for a sandwich and $6 for a snack size), and she could see herself using these over and over.

Congrats! Kelly won a MAJOR Mommy Lifesaver – Attending the Meal Assembly Class at Well Fed Studio, where she’ll bring home 8 delicious meals for her family.

Kelly is a mom to a busy toddler, plus another little one on the way in only 3 short weeks! With a newborn coming soon she knows she’ll be lacking time to prepare delicious AND healthy meals for her family. We hear ya! Tough call for a new mom: Sleep or Make Dinner? Now you won’t have to decide!

Kelly was hoping to win the Well Fed giveaway because she often finds herself stuck for good dinner ideas.We hear ya! To keep dinner easy Kelly often keeps pre-made spaghetti sauce in the freezer, so she can whip something up quickly. Great idea – if you’re cooking something, make a double batch and freeze half. Don’t worry, Kelly! Your freezer will soon be stocked with some of the yummiest and easiest meals you’ve ever had!

Thank you to Anne Marie Rideout from Well Fed Studio for offering this amazing give way to Yaya Fans. If you haven’t done so already, stop by to say “hi” on her Facebook Page and check out the Meal Assembly classes offered on her website. I’ll be attending again ASAP (ya, I’m totally addicted), so  if you’d like to join me for a class drop me an email to picky mom@yayababy.ca and we can go together! The August menu looks amazing!

Here’s some friends and I enjoying our last private party at Well Fed. We had a blast hanging out and enjoyed some kid-free visiting time, plus were super-productive. Win, Win!