All baby carriers offer two main advantages: your hands are free and your baby is close to you. Putting your baby in a carrier can make many everyday tasks (like grocery shopping) much easier. In cold weather, keeping your baby close to your body helps her stay warm. Here’s an overview of the types of baby carriers available today.

Once they’ve had kids, many moms crave a strong circle of support: People who are familiar with the changes in your lifestyle; women who can give tips on where the best child friendly restaurants are; and also just another adult to sit and talk or laugh with! The Lulu Ladies and Babies Group is all this and more. Starting out in 2006, they have now grown into a 200-plus strong group of women from all over Richmond who meet together for fitness, community and to have fun with other moms.

For heavy use, you’ll need a baby carrier that can stand up easily to your chosen activities. For long walks or hikes, it’s usually easiest to carry your baby on your back. However, most everyday child carriers offer a front carry position only.

Saw us on Breakfast Television this morning? VancouverMom.ca asked Active Baby, a baby store focused on promoting a active lifestyle for parents and their babies, to name their Favourite Baby Backpack Carriers. Here’s what they said.

Looking for some terrific mom and baby fitness activities? Want to get moving with your baby but don’t know where to start? Here are five activities that can grow with your baby from infancy to school age.

This June, we’re putting together a series of guides and articles to help you and your baby and kids get active in Vancouver. We’ll also be showcasing some local entrepreneurs, businesses and groups that are all about being fit and fun with your children. We’ll be updating this list as we publish more and more articles throughout the coming weeks.

Whether it’s hiking with baby, mom and baby yoga, or stroller fitness, here are some fun activities that will bring you closer to your baby and fitness goals.

Who says being pregnant means that you need to sacrifice taste? Certainly not Leah Douglas, author of the recently released book The Gourmet Pregnancy. Leah couldn’t believe that there were no great food options for the pregnant foodie – and sought to create her own. The result? A beautifully laid out volume of tasty recipes sure to delight the senses of any expecting mom.

Many moms know the benefits of a soothing pedicure or hydrating body rub to chase away stress. Nowadays, treatments for kids are starting to pop up on the menus of many spas. While there have been questions raised about the safety and propriety of bringing kids as young as five to get pampered just like mom, spa treatments that are specially customized for children, rather than adult-size services, may be a great way to get in some bonding time and R-and-R.