Canadian Baby Gear Survival Guide

Everyone who frequents this board, please add links and info about sources of baby gear in Canada, reviews of the products available in Canada, and any other baby bargain (okay, any bargain) that residents of Canada can benefit from.

For Baby Gear:
www.sears.ca
www.toysrus.ca
www.tjskids.com - make sure you change the currency to Cdn$
www.bareware.ca - mostly natural parenting, a source of Fuzzibunz Pocket cloth diapers in canada
www.canadiantire.ca - a source of everything you can imagine, all under one roof

For Mamas:
www.breakoutbras.com - free shipping to the US and Canada, although you do have to deal with customs
www.bravadodesigns.com - the real Canadian nursing bra
www.divacup.com - the Canadian menstrual cup - surprisingly effective, and one $40 cup will last 10 years (!)

Others:
www.save.ca - you can order coupons here, many of which are for Gerber products

Things to know:
Car Seats: You MUST use a car seat purchased in Canada, it is illegal to use one purchased in the States, as the two countries have totally different standards, and many car seat manufacturers opt not to test for Canada since the market base is so small here. Most of the top-rated convertible seats in the Baby Bargains Book are NOT approved for use in Canada.

That's a start - has someone got a link for the Real Canadian Superstore? It has really good deals, and their store brand of disposable diapers is really great, elastic all around the waist, so fewer leaks overnight!

Your turn! :)

More Baby Gear:

http://www.babyproofingplus.com/ - Safety equipment, furniture, and lots more.
http://www.tjskids.com/ - A wide variety of baby gear. They also have several stores in BC.
http://www.macklems.com/ - Fancy strollers and other upscale gear. Their store is in Toronto.
http://www.crocodilebaby.com/ - More fancy strollers, etc. Their store is in Vancouver.

Real Canadian Superstore: http://www.therealcanadiansuperstore.ca/

Also, I've been told that Walmart has a good selection of made-in-Canada baby clothes.

Here are a few more links:

On-line stores that carry baby gear, maternity, etc.:

www.hbc.com - a few online deals for strollers, baby gear etc., plus links to flyers for Zellers and the Bay.
www.londondrugs.com - Avent products and assorted other great deals
www.sierrablue.ca - a great selection of nursing (and non-nursing) bras
www.hipbaby.com - baby gear from BC
www.thebabymarketplace.com - baby gear from Alberta
http://yesbreastfeeding.com:8080/yes...initContext.do - Nursing bras (like Bravado, but better)
http://www.maternalinstincts.ca/onli...scomm/catalog/ - nursing, maternity and baby apparel
http://www.canada.com/shopping/index.html - index of shopping links in Canada:
http://www.canada.com/shopping/brows...spx?cat_id=208 is the baby section
http://www.canada.com/shopping/resul...204&cls_id=281 is the maternity apparel section
http://www.canada.com/shopping/brows...spx?cat_id=226 is the toys section.
www.mec.ca - warm clothes, back carriers, BOB strollers and an "outdoor gear swap" that has lots of used back carriers, etc.
www.ikea.ca - nursery furniture (and furniture for everywhere else)

B&M stores:
www.thymematernity.com - online catalog, but no online store (they are everywhere though)
www.oldnavy.com - they now carry maternity in many stores in Canada

Stores in the US with good shipping policies:
www.hannaandersson.com - beautiful kids clothes, with shipping, duty, etc. calculated right at checkout (be careful, it is an addictive site)
www.landsend.com
www.llbean.com
http://www.landofnod.com/ - will ship to Canada if you call them

Other REALLY cool concepts:
http://www.borderfree.com/consumers/index.jsp - will process orders from a bunch of US stores and will calculate total order amount including duty, shipping, tax, etc. (subsidiary of Canada Post).
www.international-orders.com - same ideas as Borderfree, but operated by a different company (used to be called DoUWantit, but has since changed names)
www.redflagdeals.com - online coupons, instore deals, coupons, etc.
www.buysell.com - Bargain Finder from BC, AB, SK, MB

Other non-baby related stores:
http://caplanduval2000.com/canada/ - housewares, fine china, etc. out of Montreal (I have ordered twice through them and have been very pleased with the product, service, etc.)
www.futureshop.ca - free shipping on electronics, CDs, DVDs, etc.
www.amazon.ca - books, DVDs, CDs
www.chapters.indigo.ca - same as Amazon

I will post more when I find them...

Here is a listing of stores in the Calgary area that carry baby gear, maternity, etc.

Bo Bebe - 3 stores in Calgary (Shawnessy, Market Mall and a big store in Crowfoot). They carry Phil and Ted's, Red Castle, Valco, Mountain Buggy, Peg Perego, Britax, Avent, Bravado and lots of nice kids toys. Some cloth diapering supplies as well. I think they carry Kidco gates and a fair bit of nursery furniture too.

E-Children - on Macleod Trail S. They carry Bugaboo, Phil and Ted's, Peg Perego (including the P3 Pramette), Zooper, Bebecar, possibly Mountain Buggy. They specialise in nursery furniture and kids bedroom furniture.

Kacz' Kids - near south Costco - lots of kids clothes, strollers, car seats, high chairs, nursery furniture, gliders, you name it. They carry many of the more mainstream brands as well as a good selection of Pegs, Zoopers, etc.

Old Navy - Market Mall and Chinook both carry maternity clothes

Baby and Me - 2 stores (Willowpark in the south, Northmount Drive in the north; independently owned). Maternity clothes and consignment. South location carries Petunia Picklebottom diaper bags (and possibly Fleurville).

Once Upon a Child - 2 stores (Macleod Trail S. and Varsity Drive NW). Consignment kids clothes and gear galore. Very nice selection with lots of high quality used clothes.

Growthspurtz - Kensington - new and consignment maternity clothes. Quite high end, with lots of designer items both new and used.

Lullaby Lane - Inglewood - consignment children's and maternity wear

Maternity Cupboard - Fairmount Dr SE - consignment maternity in plus sizes.

Could you please clarify which of the "top-rated convertible seats" are not approved for use in Canada?

In the 5th edition of the Baby Bargains book, the Graco ComfortSport and the Britax Marathon were the top-rated convertible seats. Both are approved for use in Canada. I know this for a fact as I own both of these seats and have purchased them from Canadian retailers.

The only highly-rated convertible seat that isn't rated for Canadian use is the Evenflo Triumph. Various other Britax models aren't approved either, but the Marathon is.

I think there is a good selection of car seats available in Canada. And, from what I've heard, sometimes the US approved ones aren't sold here b/c they have failed the Canadian safety testing -- not because of the size of the market.


Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions...lies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions...milies/dog.gif

http://www.babysfirstsite.org/newtic...9.birthday.png

I was referring to the Evenflo Triumph, and after speaking with their customer service (ha!) people about replacing the one we had when we moved, I decided to boycott Evenflo for the rest of my life. They were really awful and rude.

My major issue with car seats in Canada is that the ones that are highly rated are also really expensive (coming from an American girl shocked by how ridiculous the mark-up is on products sold in both the States and Canada). The only one I've ever seen on sale is the Cosco Alpha Omega, which got a crappy rating in the BBB...ETA: Also, when I refered to the market size in Canada being the reason that the seats weren't used here, that is something I read several months ago. My understanding was that car seat manufacturers pay for all of the testing themselves, which is apparently quite expensive. It pays to do so for the US market because of its size. Even making whatever changes would be required to meet the requirements in both countries isn't worth it to some manufacturers. It's a big pain, if you ask me.

While I'm at at, the website with rules for car seats in Canada is:
www.icbc.com - it takes a little digging to find it, but I think the info is found in the "road safety" section.

Let me attempt to 'correct' the statements on the carseat issue...

All carseats sold in Canada do meet minimum Canadian safety standards. All of them bear the CMVSS watermark/sticker on the seat shells. The MAIN issue is that carseats are tested to different safety standards in each country. The exact same seat might pass one set of standards but not the others. This, by no mean, implies that one set of standards is better than the other -- they are just differently set/tested and sometimes some carseat doesn't comply to one set of standard but the other.

The other issue is the law. It's 'illegal' to use a non-Canadian seats in Canada. This means you can be fined and receive demerit points ($ amount and # of points depend on the individual provinces).

It has also been said that if you consider using a non-Canadian carseat in Canada, you should check with your insurance company. It might deny liability if unlawfully used. In addition, the carseat manufacture might also void warranty of the carseat because it is technically (and lawfully) used against manufacture's instructions (outside of the region it's intended for).

That's the fact about carseats in Canada. What follows are basically my opinions...

The issue of market-size is probably prevalent enough for some manufactures but not all. Evenflo, Cosco/EB/Safety 1st and Graco has a fair share of the Canadian market (and also the mid-range market). Most of their models are available in Canada as in the US and at 'affordable' Canadian prices. Those that rumoured not to pass Canadian testings have not been modified (eg. Evenflo Triumph) -- It has also rumoured that this is due to cost of remodifying the design and retesting, so Evenflo opted not to offer the Triumph in Canada.

Britax is a bit different kettle altogether. Its seats are expensive and with the small market size, it cannot possible make economic sense for them to penetrate the Canadian market with so many of their seats while the majority feel that they cannot afford a Britax seat. So, I would imagine their marketing research recommend offering the model that would get the most sales and leave it at that.

Trying to not duplicate previous posters. The thread ?where is all the stuff? includes more info on shops in the Vancouver/Lower Mainland region.

Canadian products:
www.beber.org - stroller duvet
www.buggybag.com - stroller foot muff
www.duckundercover.com - all weather stroller blanket
www.kohlrbaby.com - fleece bedding and baby products
www.littlesoulcreations.com - blankets
www.maisonbenoit.com - goose down sleep sacks
www.pookababy.com - baby wearing products
www.toysntreasures.com - baby blankets and bedding

Canadian clothing:
www.bornincanada.com - Canadian themed clothing
www.crawlies.ca - clothes with grippers to help crawlers
www.heybaby.ca - kids clothing
www.jackandlily.com - soft shoes
www.justkidsclothes.com - nice selection: Oink baby, minemotion, Etc., Blu, NoZone, Surf Duk, Wellipets
www.kidletsclothing.com - organic, hemp and fleece baby clothing & products
www.kushies.com - clothing, bedding, diapers
www.liljos.com - soft shoes
www.pleasemum.com - clothing retailer
www.robeez.com - soft shoes
www.roots.ca - clothing retailer
www.softmoc.com - shoes for the family
www.stonz.ca - soft soled outdoor booties
www.weestep.com - soft shoes

web only businesses:
www.behindbaby.com - cloth diapers/books/slings
www.lilhands.ca - kid sized computer gadgets
www.partyinabasket.ca - birthday party supplies
www.wahmcanada.com

B&M stores:
www.absound.ca - has the best price on Raffi cd's that I've found.
www.juniorhomestore.com - upscale kids home store in Vancouver
www.nestingskids.com - stores in Vancouver and Toronto
www.nurseryrhymes.com - Kitchener Ont. store
www.potterybarnkids.ca - 2 stores around Toronto
www.winners.ca

Toy Shops:
www.canada.com/shopping/frame.aspx?id=896 - Grand River Toys - Toronto
www.mastermindtoys.com - 10 locations around Toronto
www.canada.com/shopping/frame.aspx?id=183 - Scholar?s Choice
www.bcplaythings.com - Vancouver area

Canadian magazine/parenting sites:
www.parentscanada.com
www.todaysparent.com

buy & sell / swaps:
www.craigslist.org Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
www.kidswap.ca
www.ebay.ca

Vancouver Links:
www.itsababysworld.com - Coquitlam. Top brands such as Britax, Phil & Ted's, Pegs, Sweet Kyla, Dutailier Gliders, Stokke
http://soothers.xplorex.com - Coquitlam. Mountain Buggy, Pegs, Bebe Confort bedding, Dutailier Gliders
www.kidsbooks.bc.ca - Vancouver & North Van. Excellent selections.
Discount Diapers - 130-3031 Beckman Place, Richmond or 4330 West 10th Ave, Vancouver.
- cloth diapers, Kushies, Robeez and Baby Bjorn items

And for anyone in BC, check BC Parent out. Great list of everything you could want.
www.bcparent.com/resources/retail_services.html

The link for the "Where is the stuff?" thread:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboar...=471&mode=full

here's a few more:

www.peekaboobaby.ca -luxuries for moms and little ones-edmonton
www.e-childrenonline.com -strollers, bedding - baby gear-edmonton
www. itsakidslife.biz -unique keepsakes
www.kidsfurnituregallery.com -high end baby gear-edmonton
www.bosom-babies.com -various baby and mom gear-edmonton



this thread was an excellent idea. thankyou

Two cloth diapering/naturalbaby/mamma gear sites that I haven't seen mentioned yet:

www.jamtots.com - they also do custom embroidery
www.extraordinarybabyshoppe.com - also a B&M shop in Ottawa, and the only place I've found in Canada to carry the Ergo carrier.

I think you all have included virtually every website I've ever looked at for Canadian stuff. :) One more I wanted to add though is for awesome cloth diapers which are made in Canada. The link is www.motherease.com and we've been using the One-Size diapers for the last 11 months and loving them. I've been really impressed that they are very well known to folks who cloth diaper in the US and their resale value is fantastic in the US or Canada.

http://www.CanadianWAHMS.net

I don't think these have been listed

For Peg Perego (even accessories!)
http://www.minicircuit.ca/mi00007.htm

Party Supplies
https://www.allthatstuff.net/

Natalie
(who LOVES this thread)

I know of quite a few Canadian WAHM sites :)

http://www.kidswap.ca
http://www.therealdiaperstore.com
http://www.babyplanet.ca
http://www.themommymarketplace.com
http://www.boobybeads.com
http://www.foreverbaby.ca
http://www.spoilmebaskets.com
http://www.mandyscustomcreations.com/

Baby Sherpa is a great diaper backpack that was invented and is manufactured by a Canadian Mom (from Manitoba actually). The have a website www.babysherpa.com YOu can only order in US dollars but they have links and list many of the retailers that have been listed already where they sell Baby Sherpa. It is the greatest Diaper Backpack for travelling and if you are active. They also just came out with the Short Haul Sherpa a smaller version of the Baby Sherpa.

I think it is pretty cool that this is a Canadian product.

Ami

This is a new site, but I was able to order the Contoured Cushie Tushie for a VERY reasonable price, as well as the Travel CT.

http://www.babybuyme.com/default.php?cPath=27

The owner is Bob and he was very pleasant to deal with.

I like to promote new Canadian baby stores -- the more the merrier!!

Happy shopping!

Melissa

Maya Papaya!
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040411/3/4/1/-8/.png[/img][/url]

My other post is too old, can't edit to add these few more. They're mainly handmade natural toys/dolls.

http://www.jalutoys.com/ - handmade wooden figures, similar to HolzTiger - Sunshine Coast, BC

http://waldorfwoodentoys.ca/index.htm - more wooden toys, dolls - Thornhill ON

http://www.playfulpixie.com/ - handmade wooden toys, rocking horses, vehicles - Alberta
more playful pixie items not seen on their site are sold at: http://www.seasonsoriginals.com/

http://www.maplesplendor.ca/ - toys, dolls, art supplies, craft supplies - Nelson, BC

http://www.beardancecrafts.com/ - craft supplies, dolls, books - Kaslo, BC

http://www.kidletsclothing.com/home.aspx - nice clothing, organic cotton - Vancouver

Hi, this is my second post so far, and I thought I would share some of my Canadian Baby Store finds. Hopefully I am not overlapping.

Clothing

www.elephantshoe.ca
(deux par deux, blabla, zutano,etc.)

www.123soleil.ca
(deux par deux, mexx, marese etc.)

www.buddieskidswear.ca
(Kate Mack, Le top etc.)

http://65.61.171.198/
(deux par deux, mexx, catimini etc.)

http://www.smartipants.ca/Default.aspx
(little mass, deux par deux, alphabet etc.)


Cloth Diapers

http://www.diaperingdecisions.com/index.htm

http://www.forbabywithlove.ca/store/...f411a844c81593

http://www.jamtots.com/catalog/

http://www.parentingbynature.com/

http://appleblossombottoms.wahmweb.com/Store/index.asp

I have more, I will post them when I get a chance.

http://www.babyproofingplus.com/

I believe they also have physical stores located in Ontario.

Here is a great site for baby carriers and slings. Also a lot of nursing wear. Local to Ottawa, you can actually go and try on or order on-line.
http://www.milkface.com/

A whole bunch more Canadian on-line retailers;

Baby related "stuff";
http://shop.bellybumpsandbabies.com/mm5/merchant.mvc high end strollers, see kai run shoes, Richmond Hill, On

www.countessina.com - baby/kids clothing. deux par deux, goody goody shoes, etc Dollard-des-Ormeaux Quebec

http://homepage.mac.com/funkybabyinc/PhotoAlbum4.html - Oeuf, Stroll-Air strollers, baby lulu. Toronto

www.funkymonkeybaby.com - love n care strollers, lots of other interesting things. London

www.getreadyforbaby.com - everything baby under the sun. Toronto

www.goneshopping.ca - lots of stuff. Baby, dog, house, makeup, pretty much you name it, they got it. Toronto

www.hello-sunshine.com - Pretty site, reminds me of babystyle. Toronto

www.pinkyandcompany.com - diaper bags, Vancouver

www.trendytomato.com - skiphop bags, adult accessories; bracelets, earrings, etc. Vaughan

www.tummiestotots.com - high end strollers and tons of other items. London

www.theweeboutique.com - diaper bags, peanut shells, oink and more. Dundas ON


Diapers;
www.diaper-eez.com - Cloth diapers, nursing accessories. Toronto

www.smallplanetinc.com - diaper service and diaper composting - Toronto


Maternity stores;
www.bloommaternity.ca - Montreal

www.lamamamaternity.com - Victoria


Toy stores;
www.wowyzowytoys.com - toy store. Mississauga


And I have to add this; chocolate (who can resist buying Canadian chocolate??) :-)

www.rogerschocolates.com

www.purdys.com mmm, purdy's! :9

www.laurasecord.ca

OK I haven't gone through all the posts on this thread for fear of finding MORE places to shop ;), but I thought I would mention my favourite place to shop for stuff for DD. It is a chain of second hand clothing/equipment/toy stores called Once Upon A Child. I've bought all kinds of stuff there from bibs to slings to shoes... and the prices are great. All the locations are independently owned, so I can't speak for all of them, but my location has both used and some new stuff. Plus you can take your used stuff in there and they will buy it from you on the spot. You don't get a tonne of money for the stuff but it's not bad - I took in a diaper box full of stuff and got $26 for it and what they don't buy they give to charity. I love this place. I do find it to be a bit like shopping at Winners - you gotta be willing to look through the racks to find the real bargains but it is worth it when you do. I recently found a gorgeous pink cotton Ralph Lauren sweater for DD for $10. Sweet deal!

Happy shopping!!

www.maternitycorner.com

Good to know the list keeps getting longer and longer!

Natalie

I haven't actually ordered from this place but it seems to have a good selection of baby stuff/diapers etc. Also they offer free shipping in Calgary!

www.tinygem.ca

a lot of people have listed some great sites..... but what about cribs???
I'm having the toughest time choosing a crib for our first child because
a -- top brands like Natart, Pali and Morrigeau are way out of our price range
b -- other brands that I CAN find in stores (I'm in Toronto) are ones with mediocre to bad reviews... like Simplicity or Storkcraft
c -- I can't find crib by the other good names.... like Baby's Dream

where are all the good cribs in this city? I mean, the ones that don't cost over 1000-bucks!!

P

I found a nice crib at Baby Furniture Warehouse on 2671 Steeles Ave West....
They had a bunch that seemed quite nice, sturdy, avail in several finishes, etc.

The one I chose is by Lil Angels (no idea if this is good/bad brand) #8000 converts to a double bed in dark cherry finish. They are listed on Toronto Life.

http://www.modernkid.com

Lots of high end (and obviously) modern stuff. Nice and easy to navigate website. Free shipping in Canada over $250

Located in downtown Vancouver (Gastown)

Canadian-made (Calgary) nursing pillows. I bought one of these and have LOVED it. It is probably the best purchase I made - made nursing a newborn VERY easy and now acts as a support for 1-year-old DD. Nice fabrics, too.

www.thebabybuddy.ca

For Calgary moms - I bought mine through the pharmacy that is across the street from Foothills Hospital - Kenron Pharmacy. I just checked the site and there are actually a number of retailers in Calgary and area.

http://www.munchskins.com/ - really nice baby skin care products

http://mountainbaby.com/ - everything outdoors, Sigg bottles, tons of carriers and packs and carries Baby Jogger strollers

http://littleblessings.ca/ - 2 stores in Vancouver, plenty of stuff, Valco strollers too.

http://www.babywearboutique.com/ -- Stephanie was so helpful, even when I didn't order from her (I needed a carrier urgently) she found me a local source. She also sells Klean Kanteens.

http://www.thebabyslingshop.com/ -- this is the local (Lower Mainland BC) source I purchased from. Deanna was also very helpful, even letting me pick up my purchase instead of shipping.

I highly recommend both of these sites!


Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: 01/2007

http://www.coastalsling.com/V3/index.php

Local to Surrey, BC (Lower Mainland). Beautiful pouches.

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: 01/2007

This thread is 2.5 years old, do you think it's time for a new one? I'm finding it harder and harder to find what I need on the thread, plus some links and expired, etc. I will compile what's here into one post if you think we should. Some new sites I found.

www.gingerbreadmonkeys.com

www.bebeplus.ca

www.babyohmy.com

www.chloeinstyle.com

www.babyguru.ca

www.9boutique.com

www.modernbabybarn.com

www.peekababy.ca

www.pinkyblue.ca

www.blueblankie.com

www.grandrivertoys.com

Here are a few new clothing sites :)

DICKANDJANE.CA
http://www.dickandjane.ca/shop/cart.php
(Newborn, Bedding, Unique items etc.)

WEST END KIDS
http://www.westendkids.ca/
(Outdoor gear for toddler/kids - Columbia, Deux per Deux)

Here are a few new toy stores :)

APE TO ZEBRA
http://www.ape2zebra.ca/
(Toys, Haba, European Toys)

HOT TOAD TOYS
http://www.hottoads.com/
(Unique toys, kaloo, brio, luckson, schylling)

WOWY ZOWY TOYS
http://www.wowyzowytoys.com/c237696.2.html
(Variety, unique brands from UK)

One more :)

STYLE KID
http://www.stylekid.ca/store/home.php
(Unique Clothes, Oopsy Daisy Art, etc.)

You can join their mailing list, and they will also send you their specials.

Found these looking for See Kai Run retailers

chickenlittle.ca
adlankids.com

www.catertot.ca
www.babynaturopathics.com/shop/pc/home.asp