The Bump to Baby Show set to bring its health-conscious family event to the east end

Rachel Schwartzman and Mira Heitz, founders of The Bump to Baby Show. Photo: The Bump to Baby Show

Calling all new and expectant parents: It’s time to go shopping au naturel.

The Bump to Baby Show, an event devoted entirely to clean family living, is coming to Toronto's east end for the first time on Oct. 21 at The Riverdale Hub. 

Moms and dads with little kiddos and soon-to-be parents are invited to a fun-filled day for the whole family that introduces small steps and simple solutions to inspire health-conscious living with baby. 

With 40 local health-conscious vendors, the inaugural east end show has an exciting lineup in store including a marketplace of natural, organic and eco-friendly maternity and baby products, free prenatal yoga session, vegan cafe, wellness experts, kids activities and more features to engage families.

On tap for the east end edition is an anchor showcase from health food store The Big Carrot and music for kids being run by Lovenotes. There will be swag bags, tasty samples and a raffle.

Three years running at Wychwood Barns in the city's west end, The Bump to Baby Show was launched by Mira Heitz and Rachel Schwartzman as a way to inspire families to go natural. The organizers say the east end was a natural fit for a second edition.

"The east end has a vibrant community filled with growing families and we thought it was the perfect area to expand our show," Schwartzman says. "The Riverdale Hub is such a lovely space with great community initiatives, it was the perfect fit. The response has been so positive and accepting — it's really exciting."

Rather than a catch-all for all things baby, Heitz and Schwartzman have carved out a niche with The Bump to Baby Show, creating an event that brings together the best health-conscious businesses — dedicated to better choices for family living — under one roof. 

"We are the only event in Toronto that is devoted to bringing better choices to the whole family," she says. "Our show is an amazing fun-filled day, where those expecting and parents with young children can come out to learn, shop, eat, mingle and play.

"There are so many options for families these days, we believe the choice is simple: choose better," Schwartzman continues. "We support brands that are thinking of the environment, that are reducing toxic waste and that are supporting healthy kids. We also love local and handmade items. These businesses work hard, are often run by moms, and are trying to produce high quality items."

The original idea was to throw a party for friends who were expecting or had young children. 

"We wanted to give them a chance to connect with each other in a beautiful and relaxed environment."

Their debut effort brought out 12 vendors with a turnout of more than 200, encouraging the duo to expand the show to include guest speakers, kids activities, swag bags, raffles and a large marketplace with some of the best local brands. 

Best friends for two decades, the duo share a passion for wellness, maternal health and birth practices — and the credentials to match. Having five kids between them — Schwartzman with three, Heitz with two — they know a thing or two about raising healthy children. 

Schwartzman is a naturopathic doctor, focusing on pediatric medicine and women’s health for the last 12 years. She's also a birth doula, licensed acupuncturist, and mom to 3 children. Heitz has two kids of her own and has been an early childhood educactor for 15 years. Together, the two founded West End Naturopathic Doulas, a service that supports families during pregnancy, birth and beyond. 

The Bump to Baby Show runs Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. at The Riverdale Hub, 1326 Gerrard St. E. Tickets are $5 per person in advance, which gurantees a cotton tote bag filled with great swag, or $10 at the door. The show is free for kids and grandparents. 

Visit thebumptobabyshow.com for more details.