Would Doula Week has arrived and we are thrilled to be able to share some great gifts with you this week. Along with these phenomenal prizes we will be sharing some great tid-bits all about Doulas!
I want to give a HUGE thanks to those companies that donated their prizes for this week - without them we would have no giveaway so please make sure to show them some love on their Social Media channels. And if you don't win but love the look of their products, please support them. They are all small Canadian run businesses, and in doing so you are supporting their dreams and families. Canadian DIY Supply Little Bean Threads MakeMyBellyFit Parker and Posie True North Ring Slings
Day 1: We are starting out with a BANG! And I mean...a big one. You have heard me rave about this company many many times and I have been a huge supporter and cheerleader of hers since discovering them. Little Bean Threads has blown me out of the water with a huge gift for one lucky mama/babe
250$ shop credit! - WINNER! Sarah St Pierre I mean, common! How amazing is that. From Rompers to All Over Covers, to blankets and change mats - she has you and your little one covered Terms & Conditons: 1) Winner pays shipping 2) Must respond to email or Social Media Message within 48 hours to claim 3) Must have followed all steps to qualify 4) Open to Canadian & US residents
Day 2: I discovered this company a few short months back and am SO glad that I did. I had been eyeing up another company, True North Ring Slings, and in doing so a friend pointed me in the direction of Parker & Posie. She uses the scrap linen from True North to make the most darling, upcycled, eco friendly baby shoes with organic cotton and suede! We have ordered a few pairs, so far, but I foresee many more in the future (especially when you see the Spring/Summer colours!)
Jamie has donated one pair of shoes, winners choice! Make sure you head on over to her website and Social Media channels to check out her beautiful work and give her some love. One pair of Parker and Posie Shoes - WINNER! Daina Meakes Terms & Conditions: 1) Winner picks design - can be seen on her website 2) Free Shipping 3) Must have followed all steps to qualify 4) Open to Canadian & US residents
Day 2: A surprise double giveaway! This amazing mama maker surprised me with an addition to today's giveaway for a double-up phenomenal prize! Because what goes better with a pair of Parker & Posie shoes than a $75 shop credit from the company that supplies then linen - True North Ring Slings! I been following this company for a few months, thanks to my own lovely doula who showed me who they were, and fell in love instantaneously. Her colours are like no other linen ring sling I have ever seen and she outdid my expectations of beautiful with her Spring/Summer 2018 launch just the other day! I will be transparent and say that this is the only product in my giveaway that I have not personally tried. but mine is coming - without a doubt! I have no worries that her slings will exceed my expectations and will be a new love of mine, to carry my little one on the way.
$75 Shop Credit - WINNER! - Amanda Weibe Terms & Conditions: 1) Winner picks the ring sling to use the credit towards - can be seen on her website 2) Free Shipping within Canada, 7$ to the US 3) Must have followed all steps to qualify 4) Open to Canadian & US residents
Day 3: MakeMyBellyFit has graciously donated a BellyFit & Warmth Layer! We have had both of these products for a few years now, and it is a must have for both my husband and I. It allows myself to not only keep my coats while pregnant, but the both of us to babywear and keep our littles close while in the outdoors! They also have created this amazing product, and it is on our list for winter 2018/2019! If you are year round outdoor enthusiasts they are a must to keep you active, once again, without having to buy an extra expensive baby item!
The BellyFit turns your own jacket into a maternity jacket. No need to buy a maternity jacket or borrow a XXXL. Feel good in your own jacket. An added bonus while baby-carrying is that it also extends your jacket around you and your baby, for close comfort and warmth while outdoors. Value: $88 CAD. WINNER - Stephanie Halliday Terms and Conditions: 1) Winner will get the option to pick a BellyFit zip adapter for their coat style, if needed 2) Free Shipping 3) Must have followed all steps to qualify 4) Must respond to email or Social Media Message within 48 hours to claim 5) Open to Canadian & US residents
Day 4: Canadian DIY Supply has been my go to for quite a few months now. I have created some lovely pieces for our soon to be babe with their stuff. You may have seen it on my social media channels. They have an insane array of materials to purchase to create whatever your heart desires at fantastic prices. A huge deal, to me, as I seem to be picky! The options are endless.
They have donated enough material for three finished pieces for mama/babe to enjoy! That means there will be three winners! Value: $60. WINNERS! Vannessa Morris, Chelsey Mann, Stephanie Hillyard Terms & Conditions 1) Prize may vary by size and colour 2) Winner pays shipping if not local to Maternal Oak Doula 3) Must have followed all steps to qualify 4) Open to Canadian & US residents
Two projects I have made, so far, for our fourth baby
Day 5: MakeMyBellyFit is back! This time they are donating an amazing BellyFit BabyCover! We have yet to purchase this item off of them, but I can see it being on the list for the Fall of this year once our little man is here. A unique feature on the front of this baby-carrier cover allows you to attach each side of your jacket giving you the ultimate comfort-control and protection in just about any weather. Take your jacket off and your the cover stays in place keeping your baby protected at all times.
Value: 90$. WINNER! Sammy Merritt Terms & Conditions: 1) Free Shipping 2) Must have followed all steps to qualify 3) Must respond to email or Social Media Message within 48 hours to claim 3) Open to Canadian & US residents
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 Happy Spring! We are so so glad to finally say goodbye to winter - though we are still knee deep in snow here! World Doula Week was started back in March 2011. The purpose was to empower doulas all over the world to improve the physiological, social, emotional, and psychological health of women, newborns and families in birth and in the postpartum period. This year's theme is "Doulas Help Make It Happen"! Doulas are there to support, inform, encourage, and facilitate the beginnings of happy and healthy families everywhere. This year, here at Maternal Oak Doula, we have some HUGE giveaways in store for you throughout the week! Even though we are no longer taking clients for the remainder of 2018 due to our own little babe on the way in early July, we will still be active in the community - pushing for change, education, support, guidance and love for pregnant and/or postpartum mothers & their families. We also stand by every single one of these products that we have teamed up with to give away. We personally use them and adore them, which is why they were selected for this collaboration! So stayed tuned... Every day we will be posting a new prize, and you will have the remainder of the week to enter. Head on over to our blog, here, to enter daily starting March 22, 2018 & and don't forget to tell your friends! We won't be telling you exactly WHAT we will be giving away, but we will spill the beans on what companies have donated! Canadian DIY Supply Little Bean Threads MakeMyBellyFit Parker and Posie True North Ring Slings Make sure you head on over to their websites and check out all their amazing products so you know what may be in store! I'd also love to add that all these shops are small Canadian mama/papa shops that I love and support myself! It was very important to me to support local & Canadian retailers as much as possible with this giveaway - because when you shop local you make a mama/papa makers dreams come true & put food on their tables for their families!
 One of my weekend tasks was to dig out my ToteSavvy by Life In Play! It is probably one of my all time favorite purchases & most used items, in the last few years. It has stood to the test of time and I do not see it failing me anytime soon as we embark on baby #4. Endless options for diaper bags was a huge struggle for me and one that left me with far too many diaper bags that served me no other purpose, than to hold my kids items. I am a major bag/backpack/purse lover and the ToteSavvy makes it possible to not only have something that can carry my boys stuff, but just mine too when I want it - it's a win-win! I am able to fill my ToteSavvy up with everything needed for a busy day out or just a short trip to the store. I can then toss it any bag I want, leaving the options for pairing with an outfit endless. But also making it so my husband doesn't have to carry around a super girly bag when he goes out on his own - which was fantastic for him. He almost always opted to toss it into one of his backpacks, and was off and running. I am able to fit SO much into this little (okay, not that little. It's 14" L x 10" H x 4" D) thing. Varying on bag or backpack, I am able to make a long day out with just one bag to tote around, not 2 or 3. From diapers & wipes to snacks, blankets, baby carriers and toys - we get it all in there. The book-like design holds 7 inner pockets (including one insulated pocket), an outer flat pocket (for paperwork or a tablet), 3 additional multi-size outer pockets, a key clasp, and washable changing mat. It comes in 7 stunning colourways AND there is even a mini version for those smaller bags! Below, are just a few things pictured above in my personal bag that will be must haves ones baby gets here. Hevea Pacifier - A must. I am a soothie/suckie/binky mama, through and through, With 4 littles, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to get through a few moments! We love this brand because of the natural rubber they are made out of and their non-toxic approach to their items This one hangs off a natural soother clip that I made myself out of wooden & silicone beads. Another must, this time around - keeping the plastic down as much as we can with sustainable items. Little Bean Threads All Over Cover - a must have for any season baby! Use this cover to keep your little one shaded from any sort of weather, a nursing cover, a cart cover for your quick shops or even a scarf! Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling - I will admit I haven't used this brand or sling yet but I am excited to give it a whirl for our July baby. The thinness of linen is going to be so cool with the hot summer days, even though it's black! A carrier is always a must, for me, especially with soon to be 4! Little Unicorn Muslin Swaddles - Another huge must around here. Great for swaddling those cranky babes, a sun shade on those hot days, or laying them down at the park or beach for a place to rest even. The options are endless Over time I will pick out some more must haves, including our favourite brand of diapers, wipes, sippy cups and snack holders - but I have a few months to go yet so will work on selecting my most loved items for babe #4! One of my next purchases is a new bag, by Herschel, to toss this into! What was in your diaper bag? Did you have a favourite brand of bag? Credit to ToteSavvy for the video on how to pack your insert just right!
 I have been seeing this question a lot lately. "My car seat is expired, what do I do with it?" "My car seat is missing parts, where do I take it?" "My car seat was in an accident and ICBC is replacing my seat - what should I do with the crashed one?" "Why can't I just put it in the recycling?"
In general, the easy answer is take it to the garbage dump, sadly. Where we live, we do not have many close recycling locations, which is really too bad. A lot of the times, as a tech, I find car seats at the dump sitting in the 'reuse' shed and I panic! What if someone thinks these are safe to use and they make their way back onto the streets and into cars? Ack! If you live in the Greater Vancouver area, there are a few other options. Or in another Province. More about those locations later in the post. 1) "My car seat is expired, what do I do with it?" - Take the seat apart, as best you can. If you have the same seat in a new and non expired version you can save the fabric from the cover if it is not damaged. - Write EXPIRED on the front & back in a sharpie - Cut all the straps - Take it to your local garbage dump, and dispose of it in a garbage bin (not the recycle or reuse shed) The goal is to make it 100% unusable, should someone come across it 2) "My car seat is missing parts, where do I take it?" - Is it expired? If so, follow the steps in 1 - Not expired - did you contact the company who manufacturers your seat to see if the parts are replaceable? If they are, discontinue use of seat until they arrive. If they aren't, follow step 1. 3) "I was in an accident and ICBC is replacing my seat - what should I do with the crashed one?" - Almost always ICBC will require proof & photos of destroyed seat to receive your reimbursement for a new one, should you have been approved. If they do not, follow above and destroy/dispose of it yourself. ICBC does no longer take your crashed seats nor your broken or expired ones (at most locations). To find out more, head here 4) "Why can't I just put it in the recycling?" - Metal and plastic and likely internal Styrofoam cannot go in one individual recycle bin so it would go to the dump or into a dumpster. If you were really keen you could dissemble the entire seat to recycle the parts. If you live in one of the cities below, recycle! I wish more towns and cities had a program in place so these seats did not end up in dumps: Gibsons Gibsons Recycling (604) 740-1425 1018 Venture Way Gibsons, BC V0N 1V7 Special Instructions: Cost is $5 per seat. Drop off hours are 8 am to 5 pm every day. New Westminster Queensborough Landing Return-It (604) 540-4467 Unit A - 409 Boyne Street New Westminster, BC V3M 5K2 Special Instructions: Cost is $10 per seat. Depot open Monday – Saturday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Vancouver PMD Recycling Services (250) 893-3851 Special Instructions: See website for mobile locations on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 9 am to noon. Cost is $9 if you fully dismantle it (fabric, metal, foam, and plastic separated). Cost is $15 if they dismantle it for you. Victoria PMD Recycling Services (250) 893-3851 6215 Marilyn Rd (off Sooke River Rd) Sooke, BC V9Z 0X6 Special instructions: Depot is open Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm, Friday 9 am to 1 pm, and 2nd and 4th Saturdays 9 am to 4 pm. See website for additional mobile locations with monthly collection around Victoria. Cost is $9 if you fully dismantle it (fabric, metal, foam, and plastic separated). Cost is $15 if they dismantle it for you. If you have any question or would like to book your own car seat check, please do no hesitate to contact a CPSAC technician! You can find a map of them, here  |
