Camping with a Baby

Ten Tips to Help You and Your Baby Enjoy the Woods

© Sarah Turner

Sep 18, 2007

Sure, camping with a baby is a bit more work. But with these ten tips you'll be well on your way to a successful camping trip.

Ah, a peaceful night in the woods. Campfire's roaring, marshmallows are roasting and – oh yes – the baby is screaming. If you have nightmares about bringing your new baby on those camping trips you used to love, read on.

There are some excellent reference books available for people who want to take their babies along on outdoor adventures, including The Parents' Guide to Hiking & Camping: A Trailside Guide (Turtleback, 1997) by Alice Cary. Below are ten tips that can help you get started.

1. Start out small: A practice camping trip is a good way to test the waters. Go somewhere close to home and stay only a night or two. If you're really nervous, you could try setting up a tent in the backyard and sleeping there for a night.
2. Dress for success: Be prepared for any weather and bring more clothes than you think you'll need. Your baby will get dirty, but that's part of the fun. Don't forget a sunscreen and a good hat. The BC Health Guide says that babies under six months should not wear insect repellent, but a large piece of mosquito netting can be draped over a stroller or crib for protection from bugs.
3. Keep clean: Bring a large plastic tub for baby bath-time. You could use one of the containers you pack supplies in. Empty it and fill with water and voila – instant bathtub! Bring hand sanitizer for yourself and extra wipes.
4. Prepare meals ahead of time: If you're bottle-feeding, think about using bottle liners for the length of your trip and just boiling the nipples over the camp stove. Premixed formula is much easier than powdered – just be sure to keep the cans cool until you use them. If your baby is eating finger foods, think of bringing some that don't need to be refrigerated. Jars of commercial baby food are an easy and sterile way to provide quick meals.
5. Think about safety: A basic first aid kit is a must. Make sure it has a baby thermometer, as well as a baby fever reducer and an antibacterial cream.
6. A good flashlight: A headlamp is not necessary but it can make after-dark chores easier. If your baby uses a night light at home, think about hanging a mini-flashlight in the tent while the baby sleeps.
7. Create a play area: A waterproof blanket or a large tarp under a blanket creates an instant outdoor play area for non-mobile babies. A folding playpen is helpful for a more mobile baby.
8. Keep moving: Take a baby carrier and get out into the woods. A carrier is also useful for wearing the baby while you get camp chores done. Once the kids are mobile, you'll want to find a campground that has things for them to do, like a playground or a kid-friendly swimming area.
9. Stay warm at night: Use a firm air mattress to provide a layer of protection from the cold ground. Bundle your baby in a warm sleepsack and a blanket. A toque can keep baby warmer on cool nights, and socks on the hands can double as mittens. Cuddle up next to your baby and you'll be surprised how well you all sleep.
10. Bring some friends: Having other people along isn't essential, but an extra set of hands can sure be helpful, and might actually give you a chance to relax.

There's no doubt that camping with a baby is hard work. But as you sit by the campfire with your baby cradled in your arms, it will be worth it.

Repreve® is a super soft, premium quality, anti-pill micro-fleece that is made with 30% recycled fibres. Using Repreve® is a baby step in helping the world become a healthier place to live.

Here's how it works:

1. Pre-consumer polyester fibre waste and post-consumer plastics are collected.

2. The collected waste then enters a unique material conversion process where it is chopped, ground, melted and reformulated.

3. Repreve®, a 100% recycled chip, is formed.

4. The chips are melted into molten polymer so they can be extruded through tiny openings in a spinneret, creating continuous filaments that together make the yarn. 

5. Additional processes enchance the texture of Repreve® recycled years, giving them bulk, crimp, and strength. This provides essential properties to fabric like stretch, comfort, and softness.

We hope that one day there will be a 100% recycled option, until then, we offer you the same great style and design, with a great new fabric, at the same great price.

Shop now...  

OK so it's just for the day but I love Whistler so I'm excited! 

This Saturday, August 16th, 11 am to 5 pm, Whistler Creekside Fashion and Lifestyle Market's first ever event kicks off a series of fantastic monthly shopping events through to November.

Say something about yourself by wearing unique, original and locally designed products. We have products for everyone, Men, Women, Kids and Dogs!

Skate, Board, Bike, Urban, high Fashion, bags, eco products, jewelry, and more......

Shop local and support small businesses!

The market is located at the Plaza of Creekside and is FREE to the public. Lots of free parking too!

Shop Milk Factory Designs, Po Po's Ponchos, Mally Bibs, Shirtseed and more...

I'm assuming that other parents get the same response when arriving at a new park...or maybe, as with our boys, any park.

First. The inaugural 'run-as-fast-as-you-can-and-check-everything-out'. It's like a pack of puppies marking their territory. They each ran like gangbusters from the tire swing to the slide to the regular swings to the climbing rock to the empty wadding pool.

Mid-marking, they ran into another friend from daycare that just happened to be there with another friend. Well, if that didn't take the excitement level up 10 notches! At this point I wished that someone would walk up to me, stamp my forehead with 'terrified playground mom' and hand me a blind fold and ear plugs. I simply can't handle the stress of watching my children run...waiting for them to fall. And there is no doubt. They will fall.

This day, however, was a surprise. No major wounds. No crocodile tears. Just a whole lot of fun had by all. The four parents even got to have short, uninterrupted (I said short) adult conversations.

This park is particularily great in my book. There is a huge field for flying a kite. Although, sadly, after much effort, it was decided that there wasn't quite enough of a breeze, and a winded Dad gave up.

The climbing equipment is quite varied and there are two separate sections so that even on a busy Sunday morning, there was room for everyone of all ages. Thankfully, ditto for the swings -- because there are some parents that simply have no playground etiquette and think it's 'cute' when their daughter intentionally crashes into others. Hello! Do you not see the stamp on my forehead?!

The big hits were the empty wadding pool -- because there is no better way to terrify your mother than by jumping into an empty concrete wadding pool and go running back and forth, as fast as you possibly can, with three other boys. And, the climbing rock (pictured right). Oli's friend has no fear. At all. Whereas Oli wouldn't climb back down on his own, nevermind stand up on top. Theo...it may look like he's an uber-climber but really, his left foot never left the ground.

A must for any park -- a water fountain -- I'm sure they guzzled a gallon each. And for the record, we didn't make them wear the matching orange Milk Factory shirts. They picked them themselves.

FREE fun! 

Visit our Shipping page for more details. 

If you're one of the many that covet the SpillProof Blanket, you know that it's temporarily sold out. Our sincere apologies for this. We're expecting new inventory around August 20th. HOWEVER! We hope that you'll be pleased to know that the facelift is a good one. Good for the environment that is.

As is any business or individual these days, here at Milk Factory Designs we are well aware of the toll that the world is taking on the environment and we're working hard to find ways to do what we can to help reduce our eco-footprint.

One relatively easy step for us was to replace the fleece we use in our blankets with Repreve™ Micro-Fleece. Available in the same popular colors, the Repreve™ Micro-Fleece boasts the same high quality, anti-pill finish with a content of 30% recycled fibres. Now before you think we're going around and calling ourselves 'green', note that we're realistic about the baby steps we are taking. In an ideal world, we'd use a fabric woven from 100% recycled yarn but it is far too cost prohibitive to do so. So, unless you'd be willing to pay a bazillion dollars for a blanket, we think you'll be happy with this revision.

The new Repreve™ Micro-Fleece SpillProof Blanket is available in red, smoke blue and dark grey. We still have the ever popular khaki in the regular micro-fleece for now. We also have a limited supply of the uber-plush plaid - first come, first serve - and all at the same price of $80 including the detachable carry strap.

Until August 20th, you can pre-order the SpillProof Blanket and receive FREE Shipping. Visit the SpillProof Blanket product page for more details.

As always, call or e-mail with any questions or use the comment box here. We love to hear the feedback -- good or bad -- let us know what colors you love or what you use the blanket for.

FREE shipping on all Quick Wick Activewear and Accessories...

Visit our Shipping page for more information.

Start shopping... 

The new Milk Factory Stainless Steel Water Bottle is the perfect addition to the Quick Wick Activewear collection to help your little athletes survive these hot summer days!

Safe, non-toxic, BPA free and durable, our water bottle is sure to quench his or her thirst in a snap. The smaller opening means more water in their mouth and less on them. Although, if they're in Quick Wick, you know they'll be dry in no time!

The carabiner makes it easy to keep the bottle handy!

$15

Available exclusively online. 

Some time ago, my husband picked up a couple of sets of golf clubs with the hope that one day our boys would show some interest. Well, that day has come. With many thanks to Tiger Woods, I might add. What little boy doesn't want to club a ball like Tiger?!

Our golf sessions take place in the backyard. Sessions are short. You know the kind. Drag out the clubs. Set-up the clubs. Show him how to use the clubs. "Can we play football now?" Pack up the clubs. Fine with me - fewer injuries with a football. Er, unless you throw a regular football, with perfect aim, and he neglects to move his arms in the usual 'ball catching' motion that would prevent the ball from smashing him in the nose. We learn fast. Now we only play with a foam mini-football.

At the age of five, Oliver is quickly gaining interest in golf so his Dad picked up an instruction video for him to watch. Amazing how they'll listen and learn from a tv but not from us because we are 'parents, not teachers'. Right.

He's getting pretty good. Or at least good enough to pop a ball over our six foot fence. So, it was suggested that we try out the driving range and let him loose. Not sure who was more excited. Daddy, Oliver or 3 year old Theodore. Who happens to be left handed and infinitely stubborn. Theodore and golf is a whole other blog post.

Yesterday morning we promised the boys we'd pick them up from daycare early so we could have an early dinner and go to the driving range. Apologies to the daycare staff for not letting them know we'd be doing this and marking the sign-in sheet with our usual pick up time. ALL day long, the boys insisted that we were picking them up early to go to the range and ALL day long the teachers said we were picking up at the usual time. Lesson learned.

Indeed I picked them up early, prompting many 'see! we weren't lying!'. And, dinner was a huge success (imagine that). The boys, changed from dirty daycare clothes into clean golf shirts (that they REFUSE, with tears, to wear any other time) waited quite patiently while their Dad got their clubs ready to go. You can't really tell because carrying the bag has twisted them around his waist but Oliver is in the new black Quick Wick Sport Short. Don't ask about the socks.

The driving range has a couple of levels and being that the balls weren't going far, we took the boys to the bottom level. A quick lecture on driving range etiquette and the lessons began. Oliver, as hard as he was on himself, did great. Even surprised himself a few times with some longer hits. Theodore? Well, Theodore had more interest in making sure that there were always more balls in his bucket than his brothers.

I highly recommend a family outing to the driving range. It was fun for the boys. And, I know that with enough time, I will become more relaxed about the whole event. I must warn: don't fore-get your water bottle (they get parched quickly) and your patience. Lots and lots of patience.

Also featured: Peekaboo Beans, Simply Baby, Agoo Clothing, Parade, Milkshaxs, Fig Organics and Beba Bean

We've been receiving lots of photos and kudos from Milk Factory fans around the world. We love to see our gear in action...especially when it's on someone this adorable!

Here is Charlotte 'the mouse' (aka 'the bunny' in Kid on the Go, 'delivered fresh' November 2007) showing off her new ears and Milk Factory Quick Wick bodysuit.
 

 says Charlotte's mom:

Just wanted to quickly send you a picture of Charlotte with her Mickey ears! We had a blast at Disneyland. The trip confirmed my love of Milk Factory shirts!! They were amazing, honestly the only shirts I packed for the kids. All of Charlottes clothes for a 9 day trip fit into a Ziplock bag (except for sleepers)! It was really hot while we were there but the kids were kept cool and protected from the sun, and when they got wet in the water parks they quickly dried off before it got uncomfortable. I washed them in the sink at the end of the day and they were ready to go again in the morning! Thank you for making such an amazing product! Any chance you'd think of expanding the line to include larger sizes?? I'll be so sad when they no longer fit my kids! They are prefect for travelling!

It's pretty wonderful to hear that a customer enjoys our products as much as we do. Thanks for sharing Kelly!

I couldn't leave out big brother Westin...he loves his new beanie so much, it's all he wanted to wear!
 

Just back from a 4-month trip to India and South-East Asia, Lisa is offering a few fab specials to get back into the swing of things:

1. $395 for a photo session at a location of your choice. This package includes a $150 credit towards your print order and 15 high resolution images on a disc.

2. Group Booking Special - organize a group of 3 families and you get 25% off the price of the $395 special and a free collage

3. Portrait Party - organize a portrait party with 6 families and you get your photo shoot for free and a percentage of the sales to apply to your print purchase.

Of course, you can still book a regular photo session with Lisa for $225, including a free 8x10 print, and if you provide her with a booked referral she will create a free collage for you.

 

View more of Lisa's work online at Nunuboo.com. Contact Lisa at lisa@nunuboo.com.

 

 

See more of Lisa's work at www.milkfactory.com or click the Facebook logo to go to our Facebook page.

Leading the pack in social networking is, of course, Facebook. Some say you don't exist if you aren't on Facebook. Hmpf. I say you have too much time on your hands! I carefully restrict my Facebook time so as to avoid being sucked into its powerful vortex.

I admit it is fun. Catching up with old friends. Throwing sheep. Sending flowers. The poking. Playing Scrabulous. Ok - truth be told, the ONE game I tried to play resulted in a forced loss because I took too long to make a move...sorry T. I will play again, and play well!

Like any business with an online presence, one has to be on the ball and stay ahead of the mainstream. So...now you can find Milk Factory on Facebook. Given my aforementioned fear of the Facebook vortex, it took a few weeks to get it up. But now that it's there, I hope you will check it out and become a fan! I'd love to hear what you love about our products and invite you to share stories on the wall and post pics of your little athletes in Milk Factory gear...

We all do it from time to time. Easy to do with all the rain of late. This past weekend, I found myself travelling the ends of the earth on Google Earth, daydreaming about the perfect vacation to a warm, sunny climate with winter white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters. Dubai. Bahamas. Bermuda. Australia. Grand Cayman. Ahhhhhh! Can't you just feel the warm sun hugging you?

*pop!*

Back to reality! Well, for most of us anyway. Wil, pictured here, lives in Bermuda and recently celebrated his first Bermuda Days holiday. Sporty little Wil has been a fan of Milk Factory's Quick Wick Activewear for a few months now.
 

Says Mom, Rebecca: I love these suits because they offer sun protection as well as keeping him dry.  Now he is crawling around in nursery I notice the suits don't bobble on his tummy or make him hot and sticky like his cotton ones. I often get comments about them as he looks so cool, too! His dad loves them because they make him look sporty. :)

Our Quick Wick receives raving reviews from moms and dads who love to travel. It's lightweight and easy to pack. Give it a quick wash in the hotel room, hang it on a towel rack and it's like new within hours. The high-performance fabric is soft, breathable and offers UPF 40 sun protection. At the beach or the pool, the quick-dry fabric means one outfit all day long. In fact, some parents have loved Quick Wick so much that they've shopped while still on vacation!

We love to hear from our customers and share their stories with other families. If you have a 'kid on the go', send us a photo in their favorite Quick Wick outfit and we'll add it to our 'kids on the go' photo gallery.

Our sale! stock is getting down to slim pickings so if you've been thinking about giving Quick Wick a try, now is the time! 

Ridley Havok!

Ok. Really, the winner is Erin. And yes, I know I said it was going to be a random draw. However, I think that the other commentors will agree, how could that name NOT win?!

And, yes, for those of you that are dying to know...it is a real name, for a real child, in the real world.

Erin has won a special color printed edition of the Fresh Baby Names book.

Happy name hunting!

We were on an unexpected 'break' this past weekend. The hosting centre in Texas that our web company uses had a transformer explode in their headquarters which caused a fire and major electrical issues. Luckily, no one was injured and the company had the man power to move quickly and restore 9,000 servers back into service early this morning.

It is possible that there will be intermittent outages over the next few hours. We appreciate your patience!

Most of the reviews I do are on products I use myself or with/on my boys. This one gets an instant 'two thumbs up', since I suspect that, besides the pretty pink bottle, the only difference between this new KINeSYS sunscreen and the original fragrance-free, is the green tea and vanilla scent.

I reviewed the original fragrance-free version last year and still use it on our boys. It's GREAT! No more sunSCREAM matches in the morning! And, for the past year, our brown leather couch has stayed brown - no more white streaks and hand prints.

All of the KINeSYS sprays dry fast. I use the yummy mango scented one myself but like the kids one for my face. I do recommend that you spray it on outside - it never fails, just as you press, they move and, well, something or someone else gets sprayed...cats don't have much need for sunscreen.

Don't forget that our Quick Wick Activewear is great for added sun-protectionfor kids from baby to 5 years! 

Visit KINeSYS.com for some great information on sunprotection tips for kids.

Be safe and enjoy the outdoors! 

And to celebrate, they're offering FREE SHIPPING in North America until June 30th!

New to the site is a monthly contest. Submit a testimonial and photo for their gallery to contests to enter their draw for a free bib of your choice!

Designed to be the only baby bib you will ever need, this clever, modern and fashionable bib is sure to make you gush everytime your little one puts it on. From the stain-resistant leather to the adjustable magnetic clasp (that sticks to your fridge so you always know where it is!), founder and designer Nicole Garza has thought of everything! It's even reversible with a pocket to catch crumbs or place snacks for little fingers to grab on their own.

Mally Bibs make a great gift and you can even pick up a matching art card while you're at it. If you're looking for a really uniqe gift, pop into the custom design studios and design your own custom bib and custom art card today! Visit Mally Bibs to see for yourself!

Sign up for Mally Mail, their quartely newsletter and be the first to hear about Mally Bibs news, events & promotions. I have the inside track on the summer issue, featuring a Milk Factory giveway - sign up now and you could win!

For those in the blogging world, this name needs no introduction. Dooce. aka Heather B. Armstrong. aka my blog heroine. 

For those that don't know her. Have a read.

I've followed Heather for a number of years now and find her to be inspiring, quirky, full of humour and wit, stylish, talented, loving, silly and down right real.

And she was here. Here in Vancouver. And I missed her. I usually read her blog on a daily basis but found recently that an inability to turn my brain off at night was causing the sleep phase of my day to suffer. So, off went Google Reader. And Messenger.

It's been a couple of weeks now so after a great sleep last night, I thought I would take a little peek and catch up on my faves. I hit Dooce first and saw a photo of Vancouver. Yup. She came to Vancouver. And I missed her. Doh.

Luckily, back here in the real world, Gina Allen, has come to the rescue of the soon-to-be-named with her 'Fresh Baby Names ' e-book. In her search for a name for her son, Beckam Tao (pictured right - Vancouver Sun, May 10, 2008 - note the head to toe Milk Factory gear - that was a fun surprise for us!), Gina found browsing books with sometimes over 10,000 names overwhelming. Her research for a name turned into a business idea and a condensed version of the stacks of books that are already out there. Over 1500 names (including some wacky celebrity picks) are beautifully presented in a download-able e-book.

Bonus material includes an Astrology Section ~ see your baby's personality traits, according to their sign; 100 most popular names for 2006 and 2007; a Workbook Section ~ designed to keep track of all your picks and narrow down your favorites, while keeping it FUN; and some helpful tips.

:: CONTEST ::

For all you moms/dad-to-be and anyone that has or likes kids...

Visit Fresh Baby Names to check out the sample page and have a read of the Vancouver Sun article online to get inspired!

Leave a comment here with your fave name(s) - maybe one you have used, heard at a playdate or have in the family tree but aren't brave enough to use.

We'll do a random drawing on May 31st and the winner will receive a special color printed edition of Fresh Baby Names. Good luck!

::

Fresh Baby Names is on Facebook!

From today through Monday, May 19th...

The Children's Festival brings you a world of imagination with captivating theatre, enchanting puppetry, storytelling, music and dance to put you in motion, and much, much more.

This year’s zany cornucopia of circus and comedy acts will keep folks of all ages giggling and gasping in delight with the rock-and-roll circus of The Perfect Unknowns/Les Parfaits Inconnus, the mind-blowing visual and musical extravaganza of BIG NAZO Intergalactic Creature Show, and James Campbell's brand of stand-up comedy in Comedy 4 Kids.

We bring you some of the world’s best music, from the King of Zydeco, Terrance Simien in Creole for Kidz, Canadian folk music legend Connie Kaldor, African American musical powerhouse Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir and Vancouver’s own Sam’s Rot’n Pot’n Pan Band.  

As always our showcase of theatre and puppetry is the best from around the world. From Germany comes an interpretation of Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth.  Also from Germany, veteran puppeteer Matthias Kuchta brings Hansel and Gretel to life.  Everyday objects become musical instruments in Kling Klang, and don't miss the touching puppetry of The Little Old Man.  Staccato spins a wonderful theatrical confection of humour, music and visual antics.

And there’s much more. Check out dance traditions from Alberta’s First Nations in People of the Plains or the stunning spectacle of Spectacular Korea. Bestselling author Kenneth Oppel will present his latest book, "Darkwing", and our annual Variety Show will blow your socks off with the best taste of the Fest on Friday night.
 

Get your tickets at Ticketmaster or charge-by-phone 604-280-3311. 

SITE ACTIVITY HOURS
Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Friday 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday, Victoria Day 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

So we had a sale in January...a kick a** one at that. And it was great. Great for people new to Milk Factory. Great for loyal customers that wanted to grab a couple of their old faves before they were gone (10 bucks a shirt? Are you kidding?!). Great for us to make room on the shelves for something new. No complaints.

That is until the sale ended. Sheesh. You bargain hunters aren't shy are you?! A month later, and we're still getting 'any chance you still have a ____ left over from the sale?'

Well, who are we to say no? We're happy to pass on these great savings to you and hope that you'll share the love and tell a few friends. We're really excited about the new stuff we have coming in late spring so we'll have the sale on until then!

This contest had people picking up the jar, spinning it this way and that. Using the display beanie to make invisible stacks the size of the jar. Asking for hints. Silly people. Surprisingly, there were four people that guessed the correct number. 

We did a random draw from those four. Congratulations to Claude R. of Vancouver, BC! Claude has won a $25 Milk Factory gift certificate!

Equally surprising was the number of entries without a guess...you have to work for our contests...heh heh. 

This weekend is the perfect opportunity. Head down to the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show at BC Place and stop by booth #327 to say 'hi'. We're there in all our galvanized steel glory! It's not very often that we drag out our spectacular tradeshow booth but I think this time it was worth the back-breaking effort.

Already a show-stopper during set-up, our Performance Gear for Kids on the Go sparkles on its silver backdrop. We've got everything on hand for you to check out!

Here's a 2 for 1 coupon to get you started on your adventure...right click on image to view, the print.

Photos here. 

Jill N. of Delta, BC

Jill has won a $25 Milk Factory Gift Certificate that she may use towards purchasing Milk Factory gear online at www.milkfactory.com!

Happy shopping Jill! 

Be sure to sign up for 'delivered fresh' and read our blog (more regular posts to come, we promise!) if you want to be the first to hear about exclusive specials and contests!

There's a lot of monkey business going on at Mally Bibs these days! Their top selling monkey leather bib is sporting 10 colors and 2 sizes but only until March 31st. Get them while you can!

Due to technical difficulties beyond our control, our site was down for most of the day yesterday. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Many thanks to those that phoned in their orders - it was great fun chatting with you all!

For those that missed the last chance to shop our season clearance sale!, we have extended these amazing deals to Sunday, January 20th at midnight!

If ever you encounter technical difficulties of any kind on our site, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (778) 371-8201 in Greater Vancouver or toll free at 1 (866) 480-MILK (6455). Not only are we more than happy to answer any questions or take your order by phone, we'd love the opportunity to get to know you!

Seriously though, not complaining. Not only have you helped make room for new stuff this year, it's been a chance to meet so many more fabulous, fun people! Kind of makes it not really like 'work' at all. I love to hear the stories (with squacking children in the background, of course) and listen to all of the positive and useful feedback. Getting to know you really helps to make our products better. I'm also happy that this has helped some people try out Milk Factory at VERY affordable prices too...heehee...you'll be hooked now!

So, on that note, as I mentioned in the January issue of 'delivered fresh' yesterday, I've got 5 FREE passes to The Vancouver Outdoor Show to giveaway. The first 5 customers to send in a testimonial (and a photo for our photo gallery and future featured 'kid on the go'!, if you like) telling us your favorite outdoor activity with your little athlete using Milk Factory gear, will receive a pass ($10 value) in the mail in time for the show!

We've also got a handful of 2 for 1 passes so drop us a line and we'll send you one!

Blogging to resume next week...ish. 

Shannon, super cool mom of four, also writes a personal (and hilarious-I-can-so-relate-to-that) blog at Rocks In My Dryer. A good read when you're at the end of your rope and about to strangle your children with it. Shannon helps you snap back to reality and see that life can be fun no matter what it throws at you. Sometimes, it just takes a taste of someone else's life to make you see the humour in yours. Happy reading and good luck!

We're starting out the year with an early 'spring cleaning'...check out our sale! page and keep checking back because we'll be adding more items as the week progresses!

Our discontinued Quick Wick is now priced at an amazing $10! If you haven't yet, now is the time to give it a try. If you're already a big fan, I'm sure you're not even reading this anymore!

Help us spread the word about our sale and you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate! Simply send an email to all of your friends*, including us at info(at)milkfactory.com so we can enter you in the contest. We will add your name to the draw AND if any of your friends sign up for our monthly newsletter, 'delivered fresh', or forward your message to their friends (and us at info(at)milkfactory.com), you'll get another entry and they'll get one too!

All shoppers between now and January 18th will automatically entered into the draw. 

The sale ends midnight Friday, January 18th so get your entries in before then! The winner will be announced (first name only) in the February issue of 'delivered fresh'. 

*Because we're sticklers for privacy, we will only use the email addresses to contact the winner. We do not share or sell our list and we only add names to our newsletter list by request. That's a promise!

Gift certifcate may only be used on regular priced merchandise and is redeemable only at www.milkfactory.com. 

Now you don't have to enter your life story before we tell you how much shipping is!

A note about how our shipping works: we use Canada Post's integrated shipping module which calculates pretty accurately what we actually pay for shipping...sometimes we pay more, but we don't mind! 

Select SpillProof Change Pad colors are available for an unbelievable $15 (regular $35) -- only until Friday, December 21st!

Designed as an extra large change pad for extra squirmy kids, this fully machine washable pad is made of high-quality anti-pill fleece and durable nylon.

Use it for changing diapers, sitting on a cold and damp park bench, or on the soccer field sidelines. Accident in the car seat? The change pad makes a great emergency liner until you get home and clean it.

Fits perfectly in a Grab 'n Go Bag with loads of room for spare clothes, toys and diapers.

Discontinued products or colors. Misfits. Overstock. Or just beacuse.

Our BOGO sale has been pumped up with some new (old!) colors that we are discontinuing to make room for new and exciting things in the spring. Get the goods while supplies last, 'cause when they're gone...they're GONE!

BOGO sale ends Sunday, December 9th. 

Plus we have some great deals on misfits and discontinued beanie hats! 

If you haven't already, sign up for 'delivered fresh' - our new newsletter and be the first to hear about sales and exclusive promotions.

The holidays are just about here...happy shopping!

FREE!

Join Milk Factory, our friends at Kohlr Baby, ZooLids and Metropolitan Aromatherapy (Baby Ocean Wear), and over 30 more vendors for a one-stop Christmas shopping extravaganza at the Lower Mainland Annual Toy and Product Fair.

Offering a range of unique gifts for children of all ages and abilities, the Langley Child Development Centre's annual shopping event is FREE to the public. There are many door prizes offered by sponsors and exhibitors!

Child-minding is provided by donation. All proceeds will benefit the Langley Child Development Centre.

Hope to see you there...oh, there WILL be Milk Factory deals to be had. But you have to be there to get them!

Sponsors...
Langley Golf Centre
Style Kid
Discovery Toys
JRFM
Savvymom Media
Bug A Boo/Infant Possibilities
Insight Developmental Learning
Plato Games
Mini Miracles
Costco
Inspirus
Clearstream Premium Water

I don't think I'm asking for much. I have a family with two young children. I have a business. My husband has his business. And, all four of us have social activities...some together and some not. To organize this, I need a month at a glance with boxes to summarize the events. A week at a glance to enter detail in a way that keeps home and work separate but in the same place. A place for notes. Projects. Lists. Contacts. Meal planning. Year at a glance - both current and next. Oh, and that part after December so that you can put next year's stuff in a safe place before you find time to buy a new calendar.

FINALLY! I've found that exact calendar! And, it's only been around for forever. And, at $16, it's more affordable than most I've tried to use.

Polestar Calendars was created 25 years ago by a Julian Ross and his wife Ruth Porter. Julian was a university student and unhappy with traditional student agendas. So he designed his own - The Original Student Calendar. Eventually, a busy family life and booming business made them realize that they needed something to organize both in one calendar (see, I'm not the only one). The Family Calendar was born! And then, came The Business Calendar, designed for those that want to separate home and work...but not really. Followed by the Polestar Planner, a lite version of the two.

I've been using The Family Calendar for a couple of weeks now and will be moving all of my work related events to The Business Calendar in 2008, which comes in hardcover and loose leaf versions. Wouldn't change a thing about them! Both calendars allow little bits of the other part of your life to say 'hey! don't forget about me when your planning over here!'. Every inch of the 8"x10", spiral bound book offers maximized usage and is fully loaded with everything from pockets and perforated corners to reference and contact pages.

I love that Julian and Ruth have listened to their customers over the years to help them refine and improve their calendars, making them work for those that use them. And, they listen to their hearts, making the switch in 2004 to 100% post-consumer recycled text paper, processed chlorine- and acid-free, using vegetable-based inks. Supporting fellow Canadians in business is icing on the cake.

Visit www.polestarcalendars.com and get your 2008 Family or Business Calendar so you too, can be organized!

With all of these new interactive and educational children's television shows, cartoons as I know them are becoming a thing of the past. Not really a bad thing if you think about it. 'Tom and Jerry'...cat tries to kill mouse but skins himself alive instead. 'Bugs Bunny'...hunter tries to kill rabbit but repeatedly blows beak off duck instead. 'The RoadRunner Show'...coyote tries to kill road runner but flattens himself into a pancake instead. Perhaps a little to literal but certainly much less friendly and educational than this new wave of shows.

Super WHY! recently caught the attention of my four year old who is right into spelling and reading. Of course, anything he likes, his brother is right there too...just a bit louder.

Super WHY! is fun and interactively teaches basic reading education to the preschool group that is already oh-so-fond-of classic super heroes. These colorful and empowering Super Readers help children learn the fundamentals of reading through interactive storybook adventures with catchy little tunes and dance moves. The Super Readers (literally) jump into a book in search of answers to everyday preschool challenges and play interactive reading games to do what all super heroes do...save the day!

In my world, Super Readers save me 30 minutes of sanity!

Unique High Performance Clothes For Infants & Toddlers - Penny Seto Of Milk Factory

My guest today is Penny Seto of Milk Factory. Milk Factory sells unique kids and infants clothes. The clothes stay dry all day long - no matter where the kids have been jumping up and down. Penny says - “Our Performance Gear keeps kids dry and comfortable all day long, no matter where they are—the park, the playground, the mall, or the mountain. Functional and fashionable, our gear is built to last under everyday or extreme conditions.” They also sell blankets, active wear, and accessories and these are also made out of high performance fabric. Not only are these clothes and accessories perfect for active kids they also look very attractive. Read and be inspired by Penny’s story….
I visited your website and browsed through all the various products you have on there. I think your products are very innovative. Can you tell us a bit about what makes Milk Factory’s outfits different and unique?
In a day where health and wellness is vital, we are happy to be able to provide a collection of high-performance gear that is functional and fashionable, and is built to last under everyday or extreme conditions - that is, life with ‘kids on the go’. Our Quick Wick Activewear is made from a quick-drying fabric that, unlike cotton, draws moisture away from sensitive skin, and keeps kids cool and comfortable. Lightweight and breathable, Quick Wick offers excellent sun-protection (UPF 40) in the summer, and provides a layer of warmth in the winter (like thermal underwear). Quick Wick Activewear is designed with no-itch, flat-lock stitching, is wrinkle and stain resistant, and machine washable. All Milk Factory products are made in Canada.
How did you come up with idea for this business?
While on maternity leave in 2003, I met my co-founding partner, Tomi, at the local community centre’s baby group drop-in. Afterward, we’d head out for a walk but wouldn’t get very far before one of the babies had to be changed or fed. It was while we were sitting on our damp fleece blankets in the park that Tomi said she wished she could find a bigger blanket with nylon on the back, that hers was barely big enough for her and her baby. I wished for clothing for my son that would dry quickly and help protect his skin from the drool and spit-up soaked bibs and cotton onesies that would leave rashes on his chest.
What was the next step after you had the idea? I mean what were the next few steps you took to convert this idea into a business?
Having connections in the manufacturing industry made the process a little quicker than for most but everything else took some learning. We knew what we liked and what we didn’t and used a basic design approach - simple, clean and fresh lines and sporty, fashion-forward colors. The clothes had to be unisex in sizing and long-wearing so that families could feel that, not only were they were getting a great product, but also great value.I took our ideas to a local factory and had samples made. We tested on the best testers we could find - our very own baby group. We gathered feedback and used the prototypes ourselves. During this time, we both went back to work full-time. It didn’t take long for us to see that working for someone else, limited the flexibility that we both wanted for our young families. We dove in head first, split the responsibilities and got the business set-up including financing by way of a line of credit, quit our jobs and launched a month later with a full collection of gear and an online shopping site. To make the biggest impression we could afford, we exhibited at a popular local consumer baby fair and found ourselves overwhelmed by the response.
Can you give us some tips on running a successful online store?
Having just relaunched our site to include a full e-commerce shopping experience, I will be the first to admit, I am not an expert on the web! Running an online store has been a huge learning experience in an area that was quite new to me. The biggest success in the launch was in the trust that I had with my designer. Communication is key if you want an end result that you will be happy with. Ask questions and make sure that you are clear about what you are getting. I was very focused about what I wanted the site to represent and it all came back to the original focus we used for our product designs - simple, clean and fresh lines and sporty, fashion-forward colors. Be clear about what you are selling, answer customer’s questions before they ask by providing accurate and clear information, and make it easy for customers to get what they want with as little effort as possible. A little extra effort on the customer service end goes a really long way! A blog is an invaluable tool that will help drive traffic to your site, increase interest in your business and offer a well rounded shopping experience. I hear on a regular basis from customers that they love shopping on the site and come back just to see what’s fresh and new.
What is your most popular product?
Overall, the performance features of the Quick Wick Activewear are providing amazing results for infants and toddlers and this is showing especially true in our infant styles with an almost even split across the hat, bodysuit and pant. A large number of our sales are co-ordinating outfits and often in the form of a gift pack. With sun-protection being so important these days, the UPF 40 rating gives parents the peace of mind of added protection that a long sleeve onesie provides for their baby. And, the wicking properties keep baby’s skin cool and dry, helping to eliminate heat and drool rashes. The easy-on, easy-off infant leisure pants have proven to be an indispensable pant for easy diaper changes and potty training. People have a hard time resisting the adorable beanie hat, often buying it in a variety of colors that all the kids in the family can share.
If you had a chance to do it all over again (in business) is there anything you would do differently?
I try to live without regret because everything I have done has gotten me where I am today. Staying focused on my goals has always been a challenge and I am working harder at keeping them finely tuned and in the forefront of my mind.
Finally, your five keys to success?
Set a goal/business plan and STAY FOCUSED. Believe in your products and stay true to your brand - don’t try to be everything to everyone. Ask questions and share with others - networking and sharing opens a world of knowledge and support that will boggle your mind. Trust yourself. LOVE what you do!
Sites Of Interest
http://www.milkfactory.com/
Visit Penny’s website to get more information about her high performance kids clothing range…
This interview was published on 6th November 2007

If you put a child, of any age, on a raised surface - bed, chair, table, couch, stool, stair - there is an expectation that they could, even will, be injured if they were to fall to the floor or ground. Children are wiggly. They can't/don't/won't listen. They have no fear. They will do whatever they can to get where they want to go. At any age.

FACT the Bumbo Baby seat is NOT defective

FACT the INSTRUCTIONS for the Bumbo Baby seat are being recalled "in order to ensure the safe use of the product"

FACT the Bumbo Baby seat you have is SAFE for your baby

Kudos to Bumbo International for taking this concern to the extreme. All Bumbo Baby Seats have been pulled from store shelves to be repackaged with more clarity on safe uses of the product. 

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IMPORTANT LINKS

The latest word from Bumbo International

Product Features and FAQs

FREE downloads of the altered leaflet and warnings at Bumbo Safety

Bumbo Canada

Bumboseat.com (USA)

Other countries

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I also feel bad for the parents or caregivers that make a bad choice that results in injury to their child. I'm human. I've made less than perfect decisions that have resulted in injury to my young children. It makes me feel like the worst parent in the world when it happens. I think we've all been there. We don't live in a perfect world therefore we can't expect perfection. We can't expect that our children will go through life uninjured. Put a toddler in shorts and surely he will fall and scrape his knees raw (and never want to wear shorts again!). Help an infant learning to stand hold onto a wooden stool and watch her slip in your hands and split open a lip. Fingers in drawers and doors. A bite from another child. It happens. As a parent or caregiver our responsibility is to do our best to prevent injury and learn from our own, and others', mistakes.

Congratulations ladies!

Top three winners, Mabel's Labels, Name Your Tune and Wee Piggies & Paws were on Canada Am yesterday morning for the live announcement. To learn more about the team at Mabel's Labels and their grand prize, read the press release at SavvyMom.

Congratulations also to the top 10 finalists:

• ABA Educational Resources (www.abaresources.com) – educational materials for children with autism
• Fit4Two (www.fit4two.ca) – prenatal and postnatal fitness programs
• FitMom (www.fitmomcanada.com) – prenatal and postnatal fitness programs
• Mally Bibs (www.mallybibs.com) – leather bibs
• Name Your Tune (www.nyt.ca) – personalized children’s CD’s
• Sensational Suppers (www.sensationalsuppers.ca) – meal assembly service,
• Smiles Made Easy (www.smilesmadeeasy.com) – note-writing kits and stationery
• Wee Hands (www.weehands.com) – infant and toddler sign language program
• Wee Piggies and Paws (www.weepiggies.com) – keepsake castings of children’s hands and feet

The hot show on our tube these days is the new kids' CBC program, 'Bo on the GO!' The boys love blue-pigtailed, Bo, and her little dragon friend Dezadore. Bo is a sporty, cheerful young 'un with uber-energy, not unlike my own children! She and Dezzy love to get up and go and infectiously encourage her 'Bo-Buddies' to join in on their adventures.

I love that this cartoon promotes physical activity with Bo interacting with the kids, getting them to do what she and Dezzy do. They clear a big space, safe from toys, and run on the spot to rev up Bo's power band...MAXIMUM BO POWER! Throughout the cartoon, she asks questions to help her solve problems - it's fun to watch the boys 'on the go!' as they chirp out answers. 

Not that the kids notice, or maybe they do, since they chat along with Bo - each show is pretty much a carbon copy of the first, starting with a mystery, followed by movements to help her on the adventure through three doors, solving puzzles to the end of the journey, where they inevitably make a whacky critter happy.

It's cute. It's fun. There is NO fighting. It makes my boys belt out endless deep-from-the-gut-giggles. 

Hmmmmm...with all of this 'on the GO!' action, I'm thinkin' Bo would make for a fab Milk Factory spokeskid!

Featuring the DJs at Beyond Sound and magician Bobby Loonie, Plush nighclub was invaded by a couple hundred people, ranging from very newborn to adult. Applause to all of the dads and moms that got out on the dance floor (and in the dance cages!) and boogied the afternoon away!

I was really impressed with the talent behind Beyond Sound as they cranked out child-friendly 70's, 80's and 90's classic dance tunes...sorry, no 'Mary had a little lamb' here! I didn't catch the guy's name but he was up there on the stage, belting out dance moves and singing along with the kids. Very interactive and entertaining!

The highlight, as reported to Daddy later that evening, was the red balloon snake that the magician turned into a live bunny rabbit! Really. I was there.

The stroller-friendly event is carefully planned to accommodate parents' every need...lots of toys to entertain the non-dancers, change tables, playpens, high chairs (all provided by Wee Travel), fresh baby food (provided by BoBoBaby)...even hand sanitizer! You can also have your photo taken with your kids or they can goof it up on their own while Jenny Slinn snaps away. You can opt to purchase after the event.

The $16/person (FREE under 2) entrance fee gets you snacks (fruit trays, bagels and cream cheese, tortilla chips and salsa and a seemingly endless supply of Gold Fish crackers), tunes, dance, glow sticks, magic, a designated play area for the little ones, and door prizes by Babylegs.

Given that this highly stimulating event was scheduled at our exact nap time, I'm happy to say that we (read: I) came out alive and returned home with only one meltdown! Sleep demons were fought with replays of the afternoon...and more Gold Fish...what is in those things?!

If your children are at all on the shy side, convince a friend to come along with her brood. It was a lot of fun! The next event is Sunday, November 25th - get your tickets here.

Yesterday's Dance Generationz event donated a portion of ticket sales to Kids Up Front. Across Canada, Kids Up Front uses tickets for healing, by creating magical experiences through your unused tickets. If you Can't Use Your Tickets, donate them to Kids Up Front and they'll make sure they reach the thousands of kids who could really benefit from them.

Check out Kelley's review of the event at The Stay At Home Mother. Visit Enterprising Moms Network to find all of the details and bonuses that come with your membership - while you're there, take the plunge and sign-up!

There is an unbelievable power that comes with networking with other women in business that is difficult, if not impossible, to find on your own.

Find answers to nagging and burning questions. Get constructive and valuable feedback on your products, services and branding. Share tips and experiences. Learn the right way from someone that found out the hard way. The possibilities are endless.

Whether you are new to business or an old hat, networking will empower you to inspire and be inspired!

Our new sale! page will have short term, ever changing offers that just can't be refused! Check back often...the page will disappear while it's being refreshed with the new items.

If you haven't already, sign up for 'delivered fresh' - our new newsletter and be the first to hear about sales and exclusive promotions.

The holidays are just around the corner...happy shopping! 

It occured to me later that 'stacking' is an activity that he loves and will occupy him for more than five minutes. Whether it's classic blocks, books or nesting boxes, he gets a kick out of building them up and knocking them down. My friend likes modern finds so I thought it would be fun to find something different for her. And safe. With all of the recalls out there these days...oy!

I was immediately drawn to the colourful Dado Cubes by