You got to know when to fold 'em.

The City of Ottawa and OC Transpo will start enforcing a rule that requires you to fold strollers on the bus starting April 2010.( http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/11/14/11748021.html )

A year ago the city was left in distress when a transit strike forced us all to seek alternative ways to get around this great city - or stay home. In fall they eliminated a number of popular routes forcing riders to transfer when they used to ride direct. Recently they threatened to remove the student savings benefit from those who were too old - you know, those who lost their jobs and were looking to better themselves by improving their education. Just weeks ago they announced a rate increase for all riders. Now they want to make it harder for new moms. Were OC Transpo not a monopoly, their treatment of their customers would put them out of business.

While we advocate the use of carriers we recognize the value of strollers in certain situations. We'll let OC Transpo know how we feel about their planned treatment of new moms and so should you.

What's New?

What's new in the ages old practice of breastfeeding and babywearing? Surprisingly, quite a bit. We've recently returned from The All Baby and Child (ABC) Expo in Las Vegas, North America's largest convention of all things baby and child. We met with many of our existing suppliers (Boob, Medela, Bravado, Ergo, Beco, Nummies and more) and we're happy to see your favourite products will still be offered and some new products are coming soon as well. Some even shared some secret products that are in prototype development and we've been asked to comment and possibly test these products before they come to market and no, we can't talk about them!

In addition to new items from old friends, we came across some new items that we're excited to be bringing to milkface and you. Larrivo offers a great line of nursing camisoles and chemises that are being worn but some A-List celeb moms. You'll love the simple design and attractive prints offered by Larrivo. Watch the website for the arrival date. The Sleepy Wrap caught our eye too! Some might see it as just another stretchy wrap but it's use of french terry fabric makes it different and worthy of standing beside our other carriers. Lastly, a new portable nursing pillow from Huggabees will make nursing on the go easier for every mom. This purse-sized pillow slips over your hand, resting on your forearm giving your babe a comfortable place for a quick snack or a marathon feeding. It will take pressure off mom's arm too.

We're anxiously waiting for deliveries to arrive and will let you know about it when they do. Visit www.milkface.com often.

Back to School - Ottawa Parents Beware

In Ottawa, Your Child is a Speedbump

Renovations are ongoing at the property next to the milkface Westboro store at 385 Danforth Ave. The owners are converting a century home into a daycare facility. To maximize their use of the land they applied to the city of Ottawa to provide less parking than is standard for such a use in this area. The owners hope to have 25-40 kids in this building based on conversations with the owner.

Any such application allows the public to object before a decision is made. Well, Mr. Milkface wrote to the city suggesting the morning and late afternoon traffic during drop-off and pick-up would be an excessive strain on a street that is barely adequate for the existing businesses. The lack of adequate parking would only exacerbate the problem as inconsiderate parents park illegally "just for a second". After a few weeks a response was received.

Seems we were the only objection to the application. Our points were are rebuked and the application was granted. The city gets a cash in lieu of parking fee of about $8000 and likely increased tax revenues given the extra square footage of the new property.

In the justification for the decision, one sentence stood out as particularly outrageous. "Having additional parents with children (walking) in the area could have the beneficial effect of further calming driver behaviour as they navigate across an area that already has significant pedestrian flows."

A speed bump is a traffic calming feature. A speed trap fulfills the same function. A child walking on a street without sidewalks is not and should never been seen as such.

As a parent of three who make the walk to and from school more days than not, I think this view of pedestrians as traffic calming features is unacceptable and extremely dangerous. Too often we say "How many have to die or be hurt before a (specific) change is made?" In this case, we never wanted a change. We only asked that the situation for us, our customers and the users of Danforth Ave. not get worse. I guess the City of Ottawa sees the risk as acceptable and worth $8,547.

Mr. Milkface Reports: Babywearing for Dads

I spend a couple days in each of our stores each week. More and more I see dads coming in (most often with moms) and looking into this "babywearing thing". Some are bored and want to leave quikly. Some are thrifty and can't see the value in a carrier (odd that they have no problem pushing a $700 stroller that only carries a diaper bag while mom carries the baby in her arms). But there are those who have a genuine interest in babywearing.

It's great to see dads trying on slings, mei tais, and soft structured carriers in our store. With an incredible selection of styles, fabrics, colours, prints and organics, we have something for everyone. Personally, I think it's cool when dad chooses the pink Ergo because that what his new little princess would look good in.

Even more encouraging is that we're seeing it more and more on the street. Dads are pround to be seen with their babies. Even more, they're proud to be seen as physically attached and involved with their children via a carrier.

Go dads! Have a Happy Father's Day later this month.

PimpMy Biz Diary - Submission #2

The contest was to be open for about 3 weeks. The morning crew, the Live 88.5 Start Up with Katfish and Kornicky, were to be the guys dealing with the finalists and announcing the winner. But for weeks after our submission I heard no mention of the contest on the morning show (maybe they talked about it from 5:30am-7:00am while I slept). I heard spots for the contest at all other times but in the morning - strange. The radio station website mentioned the contest but details on what the prize was, other than a $50,000 business marketing makeover, was unclear. Equally unclear was how the submissions would be judged.

We now know what the prize entails and that our submission alone would be the basis of selecting the prize winner. We did do a spot on the radio introducing ourselves to the the crew and the listeners but nothing new came out of that session. I'll detail that visit in a later post.

The contest close was coming up and the day before we had still not been mentioned as a contestant (no company had) and I had no real confirmation that our submission was received. I feared that maybe they hadn't got our submission. Oddly, on that night that I sent in our submission I also emailed Britt the details of our submission so she would be aware of it - she never received it. Not in SPAM folder (did the word "pimp" scare the filter?), not in inbox, not anywhere. With that in mind I questioned if LIVE 88.5 even received our submission. This contest was too good an opportunity to miss so I resubmitted using the contest form and also sent a separate email to the contest email address. I slept well that night knowing that they now, for sure, know about Milfkace Nursingwear and why we should be considered for the contest.

More to come...