MamaCare Spotlight: Dr. Erica Weste of My Petite Coco
The transition into motherhood is often portrayed as a “pivot”, but for Dr. Erica Weste (MD, CCFP, DABFM), it was what she described as a “high-speed recalibration”. As a physician, founder of My Petite Coco, and a mother, Erica has navigated the complexities of balancing medical practice with the launch of Canada’s first baby skincare line formulated by a physician-mom.
We at MamaCare were grateful to have the opportunity to speak with Erica to discuss her personal journey, how she’s managing the mental load of modern motherhood, and why she believes science-backed formulas are the key to caring for your baby’s skin.
From Dr. Weste to “Mom-Inventor”
While Erica has prior experience in entrepreneurship within the skincare space, the jump into motherhood truly changed the stakes for her.
“It’s been a steep learning curve”, Erica shares. “In medicine, you’re constantly adjusting and recalibrating. Motherhood just turns it up by a thousand notches”.
Erica’s idea for My Petite Coco (a name that pays homage to her bilingual French background and her daughter's nickname, “Coco”) began in 2020 as a personalized baby shower gift for a friend. However, it wasn’t until Erica found out she was expecting that she discovered a significant gap in the Canadian baby skincare market—no existing product seemed to carefully consider the unique needs of all babies’ skin types and conditions/sensitivities. Drawing on her academic and professional background, as well as over 20 years of experience perfecting her own skincare routine, she revamped her original baby shower formulas to meet this noticeable gap in the market.
How My Petite Coco is Solving the “Decision Fatigue” of New Motherhood
Erica observed in her medical practice that approximately 50% of babies in Canada experience skin symptoms and sensitivities such as dryness or itching. Yet, when parents walk down the baby aisle, the sheer volume of choices can contribute to the “overwhelm” that many feel.
“I kept the product line tight on purpose”, says Erica. “I wanted to take one decision off their plate. Less is more—you don’t need a million products in your diaper bag”.
This intentional simplicity can be seen as a form of self-care for parents. At MamaCare, we understand how these small, routine choices add up to a heavy “mental load” that can lead to unexpected emotions. It’s important to remember that experiencing intense feelings or "mom rage" doesn’t define who you are as a parent.
Clean Ingredients & Inclusive Care
One of Erica’s main drivers for creating My Petite Coco was the need for inclusive skincare. Her formulas—which include a Baby Balm, Baby Cream, Baby Wash & Shampoo, and a Baby Oil—are formulated for all skin types, with a focus on delivering intense hydration, which is incredibly important for babies with more melanin.
My Petite Coco relies on clean ingredients and science-backed formulations, meaning that every product is:
Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, & non-irritating
Free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
Clinically tested & cruelty-free
Why Support is the Ultimate Business Strategy
As a hyper-independent, ‘can-do’ person, Erica’s transition into motherhood taught her a humbling lesson: you cannot do it all alone. “I didn’t fully appreciate it when people said it takes a village,” she admits.
To protect her mental health, Erica utilizes block-scheduling—strictly separating time for her career as a physician, her business, and her daughter. This mirrors our belief at MamaCare: every mother needs a professional and personal support system or “village” to thrive. Taking the time to build your support network is one of the most proactive steps you can take to protect your mental health and reduce the risk of PPD throughout your motherhood journey.
Erica’s Secrets for Grounding at the End of the Day
When wearing the hats of a physician, business owner, and mom feels too heavy, Erica’s ritual is simple: she stops. “I clear my calendar. I cancel things. I just stop. Whether that’s at the spa or winding down with a Netflix show, I step away until I can think clearly again.”
Support Local & Woman-Owned
You can support Erica and the My Petite Coco mission by sharing her story and exploring her intentional, physician-formulated products made with love.