Clek Liing Car Seat Review - What Is A Load Leg Anyway?

I’ve teamed up with Clek, our local Canadian car seat manufacturer to bring you a quick video review of their amazing Liing Infant Bucket Seat. This seat is not only beautiful, but has some incredible features that make it functional and convenient. Plus the addition of a metal load leg in the base gives this seat an extra safety feature that many infant seats don’t currently have. This is a must watch video for any parents considering what the right seat is for their baby. You get to see a metal load leg in action, so you can understand why this feature is one you definitely want.

Please leave any comments or questions below and let me know if you have any other products or topics you want me to feature. Make sure to check out my other car seat safety videos for more info. Plus subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up to date on my new videos.

- Care

In this video: Clek Liing Car Seat

Shop For Clek Here **20% OFF Until December 2nd 2019

Watch Clek's Liing Installation Videos Here

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or product for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with products and services that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

*The information in this video is meant to help you learn about car seat safety. Please always read your vehicle manual and car seat manual to ensure compatibility and proper secure installation and use. The information provided does not constitute individual advice or consultation and should not be used as such. 

How to Care For Your Kiddo’s Teeth + An Important Teething Safety Notice: Oral Health Month With The Bloor Clinic Kids

Caring for your little one’s teeth can be really hard. Not all kids love to brush and floss, and knowing how to keep their smile healthy is difficult for parents. Especially as you navigate the exhausting world of teething. That’s why I’m so excited to team up with The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Oral Health Month this April.

With the help of one of their board-certified Paediatric Dentists, Dr. Regina Revuelta Perez, I’m answering 3 Frequently Asked Questions. Plus I’m discussing a very important safety notice for all parents with teething babes, and giving you one of my simple tricks for making teeth brushing fun for the whole family!

1. When Do I Need To Start Cleaning My Baby’s Teeth?

You can begin wiping your babies gums with a cloth (damp with water) wrapped around your finger at a few months old. This gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned, gets parents in the habit of focusing on baby’s daily oral hygiene, and provides a clean environment for their primary teeth to erupt into. As soon as your baby’s first teeth arrive you should wipe their teeth and gums down with a wet cloth at least twice daily. Eventually you can switch to parent-led brushing with a paediatric size toothbrush (with water), and then supervised child-led brushing. Around 3 years old (or when your child can spit) you can begin using a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride. Even older children, who seem capable of brushing their own teeth, should be supervised and assisted to ensure all surfaces of the teeth are being cleaned properly. A lot of parents assume that baby teeth don’t matter because they will eventually fall out, but some primary teeth, like our molars, stay until around 12 years of age. So it’s very important to keep them clean and healthy.

2. When Should I Take My Baby To See The Dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends the “assessment of infants, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by one year of age. The goal is to have your child visit the dentist before there is a problem.” Meeting with a dentist can provide important education for parents, so they know how to care for their child’s teeth, and when to reach out with any concerns. It also allows children to get used to visits to the dentist.

3. Why Should My Little One See A Paediatric Dentist? *Includes Our Personal Experience

Paediatric dentists do an extra 4 years of specialist training, which makes them very well equipped to care for infants, children, and people with special needs. They are trained to work very quickly, something that’s important since most kids have little to no patience ;) They also have special sized equipment needed to assess and treat your little one’s small mouth and teeth properly.

When we took our son Ben (now 7.5 years old) in for his first dental checkup we went to our regular dentist. They did his cleanings for 5 years, however when it came time for x-rays we started having problems. Our initial dentist’s office didn’t have the appropriate size equipment for paediatric x-rays, and the large pieces would cause my son to gag and almost vomit. After several failed attempts to get the x-rays done I saw my son’s anxiety and fear about the dentist rising. I didn’t like the stress it was causing him. I was also feeling a ton of anxiety as a mom, because no successful x-rays had been done. I decided I needed to find a better option, so I reached out to The Bloor Clinic Kids, a new full service Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics clinic at Bloor & Islington.

The staff answered all of my questions, helped me get a predetermination done with our insurance company, and booked our 2 bid kids in as new patients within a few days. I was amazed that they were successful in getting all the x-rays we needed in just 1 quick appointment. Ben even raved as we were leaving the office “this is the best dentist ever!” I was so relieved that it went so well and that there wasn’t a single cavity for either kid. However, we did find out that our daughter Lucy is missing her adult incisors (which my dad and I are also missing, thank goodness for modern day dentistry!). We know she will have a very long dental journey ahead of her, so I’m very relieved to know that we have the amazing team at The Bloor Clinic Kids to help us along the way. Especially since they provide orthodontics on site too. It’s nice to know they’ve got us covered for it all. If you need some help with your little one’s smile reach out to their incredible team info@thebloorclinickids.com or (437) 774-8225. They will be more than happy to help answer all of your questions, and get your dental needs sorted out.

Teething ***IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE!***

Teething can be a long a hard process for some babies. Click here to read about 6 of My Favourite Teething Remedies. Please always remember that Orajel/Baby Orajel teething products should NEVER be used. The presence of benzocaine in these products can lead to a rare but fatal condition called methemoglobinemia (Health Canada Warning). In addition any local numbing agent could numb their throat making it difficult to breath, or increasing the risk of choking. There are many other remedies that can help with the discomfort of teething without being dangerous.

Finally, I want to share with you one of my parenting tricks that helps make teeth brushing fun in our home. We love to sing Brush Your Teeth by Raffi in a very jovial way. Our kids absolutely love it. Check it out if you don’t know the song. Wishing all the parents good luck brushing teeth tonight.

- Care

In This Post: The Bloor Clinic Kids Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics is located at 3250 Bloor St West Unit 112 in Toronto at Bloor & Islington. Contact info@thebloorclinickids.com or (437) 774-8225 with any questions.

*This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies that I genuinely love and want to recommend.

Giving To Charity Never Smelled So Sweet: Great Wolf Lodge + Ronald McDonald House Charities

Every year as the holidays approach I try to think of some ways that our family can give back. We are so fortunate and privileged, and it's essential that our children grow up knowing that. Throughout the year we try to instil a sense of gratitude in our kids and actively help in our community where we can, but the holidays are a great time to reinforce this giving mentality. Whether it's small local initiatives or larger charitable organizations, we always pick a few to support. I often include these giving activities in our Christmas Countdown Calendar, interspersed with little gifts, treats and holiday family events.

So on December 1st I was very excited for the kids to open their calendar. Ben (who is an excellent reader) peeled open the envelope and as he read the card his eyes lit up and huge smile came across his face. The card said "We're taking a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge!!! While we're there we will be dining in a real gingerbread house, and making a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities to help families with sick children." Ben had heard myths of Great Wolf Lodge from friends and family, and desperately wanted to go, so this was huge for him. I don't think the kids fully understood the life size gingerbread house part, and honestly I think they thought I was lying to them, but they seemed very excited and curious to see it. Penny, on the other hand just wanted to eat the envelope ;)

When we arrived we were all in awe. The gingerbread house was absolutely gorgeous and the kids were mesmerized by it. Made with over 1200 eggs, 666 lbs of flour, 5 lbs of ginger powder and 40 Litres of Molasses (just to name a few ingredients), plus 165 lbs of candy, it's an impressive structure. The house takes over 700 hours to plan and make, and baking begins each year in September. Inside the house there is a working fireplace and a train running around the top of it. Plus the smell...oh the smell, it's absolutely incredible. It's like sitting in Christmas. The only issue was that Lucy wanted to eat the whole thing!

If you're headed to Great Wolf Lodge for their Snowland Event this holiday season I highly recommend checking out the 10th annual Gingerbread house. By giving a $20 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities, families can reserve this special table for a meal during their stay. It books up fast, so be sure to contact the resort in advance, or reserve online, because virtually every kid wants to eat in it once they see it. Our kids wanted to eat EVERY meal in it! 

I feel so fortunate to have 3 healthy children, but I know that their health can change at any time and I never want to take that for granted. Having a critically or chronically ill child is one of every parent's worst nightmares. Ronald McDonald House Charities provide incredible support for families with ill children around the world. Most of us have heard of their "home away from home" housing for families with hospitalized children, but I was totally unaware of the other amazing initiatives they have. These initiatives include: Mobile Medical Care in remote areas around the world, Family Rooms in hospitals to provide a safe and quiet space for families to rest, Grants for non-profit organizations that work in children's health, and Educational Scholarships. Donations from the Great Wolf Lodge Gingerbread event go to 3 local Ronald McDonald houses in Toronto, Hamilton & London Ontario, so you will be supporting local families when you donate. 

I'm so happy that we were able to do our little part to help out this year. A trip to Great Wolf Lodge was the icing on the cake...or should I say gingerbread house ;) 

- Carolyn 

*This was a sponsored trip, but all opinions are 100% my own. Although I wasn't asked to write more about our stay at Great Wolf Lodge, I'll definitely be sharing some tips for anyone planning a trip in a future post. Stay tuned!

**If you're not headed to Great Wof Lodge this season, but would still like to make a donation to local Ronald McDonald Houses, please follow the link.

Winter Babywearing Essentials

As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of babywearing. I babywear almost 365 days a year and don't know how I would survive life as a Mom of 3 (edited to note: now 4!) without my carriers. Although many people express shock and horror at the idea of trudging through the snow wearing a baby, I can tell you from experience that it's a lot easier wearing baby than trying to push a stroller through the snow on sidewalks and up snowbanks. I've had lots of questions recently about winter babywearing, so I thought I would share a few of my essentials for surviving the winter with a baby (or toddler) in tow.

Must Haves For Parent (Babywearer)

1. Flat Winter Boots with Good Tread

Babywearing is safe in most wintery conditions, but it's essential that you have good footing under you. A flat pair of properly fitting winter boots with a nice deep tread are ideal. You can also purchase boots with special grips or add traction devices to your shoes. I recommend that you don't babywear if there is an ice warning, it's a particularly slippery day, or if you have any injuries that could make you more likely to fall. 

2. Babywearing (& Pregnancy) Coat Adapter

Skip the snow suit and wear baby inside your coat! Bridge the Bump (Made locally by 2 West End Moms - See full review here) makes leaving the house with baby so much easier. All you have to do is dress baby in normal warm cloths (cozy pants, socks, a warm shirt, sweater, hat and booties - see below) and pop them in the carrier inside your coat with the insert zipped up. Having the baby directly in the carrier typically means that it will fit better (vs. if they have bulky winter gear on) and your body heat will keep you both warm. This is ideal for errands and trips where you will be going inside, as you can simply open your coat or take it off and baby can stay in their carrier without the dangers of overheating in their snow suit or trapping you in your warm coat. 

3. Slim Neckwarmer

Having the top of your coat open to accommodate a baby in a carrier can leave a gap around your neckline leaving your skin exposed to the weather. To cover up this gap and stay warm a slim fitting neck warmer is ideal. Be careful of large, bulky, loose scarves and neck warmers that could impede baby's fresh flow of air or cover their face in any way. This beautiful neck warmer from Bridge the Bump is a new fav of mine because it's super cozy but also slim, so it sits close to my skin and doesn't bother Penny. 

Must Haves For Baby

4. Winter Hat for Baby

When wearing our baby we always want them to be visible and kissable. Visible means we never want to cover baby's face with a blanket, carrier hood, or scarf, even in the winter months. Parents are very concerned about their baby staying warm in the cold weather, but when baby is facing in against an adult the body heat created should keep them nice and cozy. A winter hat, ideally something that covers the back of the neck, will keep baby warm, but not impede their fresh flow of air or block your view of their face. If you have concerns about your baby's skin getting chapped in the cold air you can apply a thick barrier cream such as Shea butter before heading out.

5. Winter Booties for Baby

Since your baby won't be in a snow suit in their carrier I recommend some cozy booties to keep their toes and legs nice and warm. There are tons of great booties out there, but I recently found these locally made ones from Mimitens and absolutely love them for little babes who aren't walking yet. They're thinsulate, water resistant, and have a leg warmer attached. This is key for me, because they are less likely to fall off and be lost on treacherous winter walks. It's never fun to realize you've lost one bootie from your favourite pair. I think these might actually survive a whole season!

The real winter weather has yet to arrive, but I know when it does Penny and I will be ready. I hope I've given you some winter babywearing inspiration. If you prep now you can enjoy a winter with your cozy babe in tow. *Don't forget to use code WITHCARE10 for 10% off Bridge The Bump.

- Care

 *This is a sponsored post which means I was provided compensation and/or products/services for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. I only partner with companies, services and institutions that I genuinely love and want to recommend.