Gugu Guru

JPMA Tips: Second Hand Baby Items

We teamed up with our friends at JPMA for helpful tips when it comes to second hand baby gear!

Take A Second Look At Second Hand Products

A new nursery can cost as little or as much as you are willing to spend. Whether by choice or necessity, parents are increasingly buying second hand baby products. From garage sales, auctions, thrift stores or friends and family, parents are finding ways to cut costs on baby gear.

Buying new products that meet current standards is the best option. However, if you are on a tight budget, buying second hand is a good alternative. But don’t ever compromise safety for price!

If you plan to use second hand baby gear, take a second look before you purchase or borrow it and be sure to follow a few guidelines to keep your baby safe and sound:

Ensure all of the manufacturer’s instructions and labeling is still intact and legible. Check to make sure the product hasn’t been recalled BEFORE you take it home. If this means coming back to the store and chancing the product is no longer available, it’s worth it.
Cribs and bassinets are a popular hand-me-down product because they often carry sentimental value if it’s passed down through generations. With the risk of hurting anyone’s feelings, it is really important to check that the crib or bassinet meets current safety standards such as crib slat width and corner post height just to name a few. Hand-me-down cribs and bassinets have a greater chance of missing parts since it’s most likely been reassembled numerous times and traveled.

Do borrow or buy second hand:

Clothes
Books
Maternity clothes
Basic toys that are in “like new” condition and can be easily cleaned

Do NOT borrow or buy second hand:

Car seats- It is impossible to know the car seat’s history and using one that has been involved in a crash could jeopardize its effectiveness. Most car seats expire about 5 or 6 years from the date of manufacture and using a car seat after it has expired could be dangerous.
Cribs- As a general practice, do not use second hand cribs or heirloom cribs handed down from other family members or those purchased at thrift stores or garage sales because they may not meet the most current safety standards or could have missing or broken parts or hardware.
Crib mattresses due to sanitary reasons.
BreastPump accessories due to sanitary reasons.

If you are considering buying second hand in order to stay on budget, it’s important to prioritize the baby gear you want to buy new. In an effort to be able to splurge on those new items, try keeping to your budget in other areas such as:

Breastfeed vs formula
Cloth diapers vs disposable diapers
Consider making your own baby food vs buying it
Borrow books from the local library vs buying them brand new
Register for those big ticket safety items you definitely want new like a crib, car seat, and stroller
Look for coupons or rebates
Find a car seat assistance program through hospitals or local health departments that sometimes provide car seats to families in need.

The Bottom Line!

Most importantly, err on the side of caution and safety and use your best judgment when buying second hand baby products or borrowing hand-me-downs from friends and family.

This means inspecting the product in detail. Don’t buy any product if it has loose, missing or broken parts, is moldy, rusty or has anything “out of sorts”.

JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using baby products. For more tips, visit www.babysafetmonth.org.

Should You Take Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, or Bradley Childbirth Classes?

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Pregnancy is a time of many questions, especially when it comes to preparing for baby’s arrival. Many parents wonder if they should take Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, or Bradley Childbirth Classes – and what are these classes, anyway?! Today’s post is a guest post from our friends at Arrow Birth. Read on to learn more about all of these classes and a special offer for friends of Gugu Guru on Arrow Birth‘s Virtual Education and Courses.

By Tara Campbell Lussier, Co-Founder of Arrow Birth

Very often one of the first steps after the news of the pregnancy settles in – is to look for a childbirth education class. With so many options available you may feel overwhelmed and not know which class is the right fit. Should you take a class in-person, or online (aka you don’t have to leave the couch)? Should you spend time preparing for a natural birth, or one with an epidural or even a c-section? Unlike our mothers before us, as these questions begin to surface the mothers-to-be of our generation will take to google to figure out which route is best for them. In this blog we’ve done the work for you – and added a new, modern alternative that we’re admittedly biased about. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Lamaze

If your mother (or grandmother) took a childbirth class, chances are it was Lamaze – it’s been around that long. Popularized by a French obstetrician by the same name in the 1950’s, the method prepares families for labor and birth through presentations on massage, breathing, and movement. Lamaze International has grown steadfastly since the 1950’s and is widely recognized when one thinks of childbirth education. The core of Lamaze’s teaching are based on the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices; letting labor begin on its own, movement during labor, continuous labor support, avoiding unnecessary interventions, following mother’s urge to push, and keeping mother and baby together after birth. You can take a Lamaze class in-person, and limited classes are also available online.

Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing has gained popularity in recent years with the uptick in the desire for natural childbirth. There are many hypno-based classes available, and all of them focus on teaching students self-hypnosis which is said to facilitate deep relaxation throughout the labor and birth experience. To create the state of self-hypnosis, the mother uses visualizations, suggestions and affirmations that she has practiced prenatally. Very often in labor the mother will be listening to one of her guided visualizations to aid her in creating her state of self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis during labor is said to reduce the fear and pain of a natural childbirth. Hypno-style classes are available in-person in most areas, and some are available online for self-paced study.

Bradley

The Bradley method was popularized by Dr. Bradley’s book, Husband Coached Childbirth, in the 1960’s, and continues to be a popular way to prepare for a natural childbirth. The premise of Bradley is to empower the husband, (or birth partner) to be able to advocate for his birthing person while in labor. It also relies on the premise that birth is a natural process and mothers should prepare for it through education, diet, and exercise during their pregnancies. Bradley strongly supports having a labor coach throughout labor and birth, and very often this is the birth partner, or husband. Bradley classes are in-person and twelve weeks long.

Arrow

Arrow is definitely the new kid on the block as far childbirth education goes with their cutting-edge digital platform. Arrow’s Discover Birth Education Course is entirely online and geared towards today’s modern parents. Discover prepares you for any type of birth you may have – natural, medicated and/or cesarean. It was important to the founders to teach every type of birth because experience (as long time doulas) taught them you never know how babies may want or need to be born. Discover is taught by 35+ birth related experts such as OBGYNs, Midwives and doulas on topics they know best so students are always getting information from the correct source. Discover is available exclusively online at arrowbirth.com/learn.

There are many options when it comes to educating yourself for the magical and momentous birth of your baby. Just like we would tell you in labor and birth – explore your options and make an informed decision that’s best for you and your (growing) family. Happy Birthing!

Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)

Best Zip-Up Baby Swaddle

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and that seems to be the case for our top baby swaddle pick, the Love to Dream Swaddle. When founder Hana-Lia Krawchuk had her first child, she quickly realized that he slept better with his arms up, out of the constraint of the baby swaddle; after much research and reading, she found that medical science suggests that babies really can sleep better if they have access to their hands for self-soothing. Using her skills as an experienced fashion designer, Hana spent many hours, days and weeks refining, simplifying, sampling and resampling the very first version of the signature Love to Dream Swaddle UP baby swaddle. By the following year, Swaddle UP hit the stores, and the Love To Dream story had begun.

So, what makes the Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original baby swaddle different than other baby swaddles? Simply put, the Love To Dream Swaddle UP Original is the only zip-up swaddle that allows babies to sleep in the natural position with hands safely up in the wings. Allowing babies to sleep safely with their arms up may actually help babies sleep better – and when babies sleep more soundly, the whole house does! This baby swaddle is revolutionary for helping babies sleep longer and more soundly. For, the way babies settle themselves to sleep is by sucking on their hands and gently rubbing their cheeks; this is called self-soothing, and this helps baby fall back asleep, and makes for a better sleep for parents as well. By having their hands safely out of the swaddle, babies can help themselves self soothe back to sleep.

Love to Dream has recently released their limited edition Swaddle UP Rainbow pattern created to celebrate Rainbow Babies. $5 from every purchase will be donated to First Candle, a charity dedicated to reducing SIDS and providing bereavement support for families.

A baby swaddle is also known for keeping babies feeling snug, as they did in the womb, and the Love to Dream Swaddle UP mimics that feeling as well. The snug fit over the torso makes babies feel secure, as in the womb, and helps to calm their natural startle reflex. From waist down a hip-healthy design allowing hips and legs to flex naturally, so baby can comfortably move around without the worry of anything near baby’s face, such as a blanket. Since their hands are covered, but accessible, the Swaddle UP baby swaddle is ideal for babies with sharp little fingernails since they can soothe themselves by rubbing their cheeks without the worry of scratching themselves. Parents love the Swaddle UP Original because it allows for babies to have access to their little hands and can suck on them, rub their hands on their face, and thus self-soothe.

Love to Dream didn’t just consider parents when creating Swaddle UP baby swaddles, however, they also created it to make life easy on the family, too! The Love to Dream Swaddle UP baby swaddles feature a genius two-way zipper for easy diaper changes; this means you don’t need to take the baby out of the baby swaddle for those dreaded middle of the night diaper changes – simply zipper and you’re good to go back to sleep. Plus, a traditional baby swaddle can be a little tricky to master at times, which means you run the risk of someone swaddling the baby incorrectly; however, the Swaddle UP baby swaddle is easy to put on and off for family members, babysitters and others. There is no learning curve as with traditional swaddling with a blanket, and there are no worries about unraveling when baby sleeps.

Love to Dream not only makes baby swaddles for infants, but can grow with your child as well. The Love To Dream Swaddle UP™ 50/50 (Stage 2) features zip-off wings, so as baby gets older and doesn’t need to be as tightly swaddled, they can have their hands free; and the Love To Dream Sleep Suit and Sleep Bag (Stage 3) of the Love To Dream sleep system are a safe way your toddler can sleep without getting overheated or worry about blankets. If you’re going to be adding swaddle blankets to your baby registry, skip the traditional blanket and opt for the Love to Dream Swaddle UP baby swaddle, as it will not only help baby sleep better, but make your life easier, too!

Find the Love to Dream Swaddle at Target here.

You can find Love to Dream on Instagram and Facebook, too. Looking for the best diaper pail to add to your registry? See why we love the Dékor Diaper Pail.

Target Lovers: Here’s Your Ultimate Baby Checklist from Nanobebe

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to preparing for baby, it makes everyone’s lives a little easier when everything you need for feeding is at one store, so we thought it would be helpful to round up our must-have Nanobebe items from Target, as let’s be honest, who doesn’t stop into Target 4 times a week?

Nanobebe is known for their award-winning innovative baby products, especially their baby bottle. In fact, the nanobébé bottle made the TIME Magazine’s 50 best inventions of the year list and was named “the smartest baby bottle ever made” by Business Insider. The nanobébé bottle is the first and only bottle for your little one specially designed to preserve essential breastmilk nutrients. Many working moms love the nanobebe bottle because it makes transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding easier for both mom and baby.

The nanobébé Breastmilk Storage Bags & Organizer is the perfect companion for the bottles, especially if you’re pumping and storing milk for later. The leak-free bags feature an innovative design that holds milk in a shallow layer so it can cool quickly and thaw evenly to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. The nanobébé breastmilk storage bags have serious leak-protection with a double zipper that seals securely, so you can pump and save your milk without worrying. The breastmilk organizer helps keep the flat bags stacked, helping you stay organized and easing your mind about heading to work or out for the night, as you can rest easy your milk will be organized and there when needed.

If you’re on the go with or without baby and need to store the breastmilk, the nanobébé Cooler and Travel Bag is designed with your baby’s needs in mind; whether the travel cooler is for storing your breastmilk at daycare with your little one or for family travel, you can be sure that precious breastmilk nutrients are being protected with three layers of insulation. Designed with the modern parent in mind, its sleek style is also convenient, as you can quickly store and go thanks to the stackable shape of nanobébé’s breastmilk bottles! You can pack up to three bottles in this cooler and the included compact ice pack keeps your breastmilk cold for several hours. It also fits extra feeding necessities, like nipples, pacifiers, pump parts, and more.

If it’s easier to buy everything at once, check out the Complete Newborn Baby Bottle Gift Set & Accessories, which includes everything a new parent needs for feeding, such as the award-winning nanobébé Breastmilk Bottles, a non-electric Smart Warming Bowl for quick and even warming of breastmilk, a Microwave Steam Sterilizer (which quickly eliminates household bacteria in under 4 minutes), and a space-saving slim Drying Rack for all of your feeding/pump parts (stores at just a 1/2 inch with removable, adjustable pegs that can be tucked away in the breathable, germ-free base). The set also features essential accessories such as medium flow and slow flow nipples, breast pump adaptors, and extra soft Flexy Pacifiers designed to stay in place and fit perfectly to baby’s face. Or, check out the Starter Set with Warmers & Pacifiers, which includes the bottles, warmer and pacifiers. These make a great baby shower gift!

PS. Use code NANO20 for 20% off Nanobebe sets on Target.com

Creating a Strong Immune System in Infants and Toddlers

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s guest post is from ChildLife Essentials; founded by a father and doctor, ChildLife Essentials wants to ensure all kids get optimal nutrition. Check out this post by Dr. Nicole Avena on creating a strong immune system in infants and toddlers.

All humans are born with an immune system that is able to protect the individual to some degree without previous exposure to external pathogens. This is called innate immunity. However, a major part of the immune system develops after exposure to foreign bodies and particles out in the world. Particularly during childhood does an individual develop and strengthen their immune system. This early period of development is crucial as it can impact an individual’s immune system and even brain functioning into adulthood.

With that in mind, what are some ways parents can help boost their child’s immune system?

Vitamin C

This vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, is thought to play a role in how well white blood cells can fight off infections that enter the body. White blood cells take up and use relatively large amounts of vitamin C when defending the body against pathogens, so it is important to make a consistent supply of vitamin C readily available for the cells. Supplying the body with vitamin C through food choices and supplementation is especially important because the human body is not able to make this crucial nutrient on its own.

Here are some ways to add vitamin C to your diet:

Eat citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits
Other fruits like kiwi and strawberries are also good sources
Eat vegetables like broccoli, red pepper, and brussels sprouts
You can also take a supplement, but it’s better to obtain vitamins directly from food

Vitamin E

This is another vitamin that aids cells so they can defend the body better. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage caused by free-radicals. It also helps in the production of white blood cells in order to more effectively protect against pathogens. Interestingly enough, according to the Annals New York Academy of Sciences, vitamin E is one of the few vitamins that actually increases immune efficiency when taken in doses higher than the daily recommended amount. Of course, this ability has far more sufficient evidence in animals than human subjects, but still speaks to the powerful properties of this vitamin.

Some dietary forms of vitamin E are:

Wheat germ oil
Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Peanut butter

Zinc

Zinc is a vital trace mineral that the body needs to function properly. The importance of zinc to the human body was actually only recognized about 40 years ago, but the role it plays is crucial. Zinc helps to regulate cells associated with the immune system so that they are in balance and can do their job. Zinc is also an antioxidant and helps to fight against oxidative damage to cells. Zinc is especially important for children as it aids in normal growth including the development of the immune system.

Some foods that contain zinc:

Red meat and seafood
Beans and whole grains
Fortified cereals (this is a good option for children that are picky eaters or who do not eat meat)

As you can see, getting the proper nutrients to boost your child’s immune system comes from eating a diverse range of whole foods. As usual, you can never go wrong with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains! Nicole Avena, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Visiting Professor of Health Psychology at Princeton University. She is the author of several books, including What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler, and What to Eat When You’re Pregnant. The post was adapted from What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler.

How Can You Establish Healthy Food Preferences Early In Your Baby’s Life?

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s guest post is from ChildLife Essentials; founded by a father and doctor, ChildLife Essentials wants to ensure all kids get optimal nutrition. Check out this post by Dr. Nicole Avena on establishing healthy food preferences early in your baby’s life.

Feeding a baby for the first time is fun and exciting, for all parties involved. Who doesn’t love to see the video of a baby’s face after trying a new food for the first time? However, amid all the excitement, parents often make one of the biggest mistakes they can when it comes to establishing healthy food preferences in a baby’s diet and probably don’t even realize it: they are trying too many different foods too quickly.

Research has shown that regardless of whether infants are breastfed, formula fed, or both, once they transition to solid foods, acceptance of fruits and vegetables increases most when the baby is repeatedly exposed to each one. Most feeding guidelines don’t follow this advice, though. Typically, they suggest trying rice or barley for a few days and then adding a fruit or veggie. Usually, 2 to 3 days of exposure is given before a new food is suggested to be introduced. While 2 to 3 days may be sufficient to alert you to the presence of an allergic reaction, studies show you need more time to establish liking of a food. How much more time? Between 8 and 10 days. That might sound like a lifetime to you (and your baby), but that will give you the best chance of creating a strong preference for these foods (especially vegetables).

Remember, when you feed a baby, she needs to actually taste the food in order to create an experience with it. Often, this feeding is messy, as baby spits it out or fusses at new tastes. Studies show that the more days a baby is exposed to a food, the more likely her facial expressions are to change to suggest she likes it, and the more likely moms are to report that they think the baby likes it.

Young children live in a taste world that’s very different from the adult one. Our brains have been biologically programmed such that early in life our sensory systems detect and prefer calorie-and mineral- rich foods that taste sweet or salty, while rejecting the potentially toxic ones that taste bitter (like cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli). This is because in nature, sweet and salty foods tend to be safe to consume, while bitterness is often a sign that the food has gone bad (think about a fermented piece of fruit that may have fallen from a tree). So there is a biological basis to why kids like candy and don’t like most veggies! Babies naturally prefer sweeter things more than adults do.

But we can capitalize on this. Clinical research has shown that school-aged children like vegetables better if they are sweetened. So even though children have been biologically programmed to be leery of bitter foods, their preference for sweet and salt at a young age can actually trump the dislike of bitter tastes. Similar research conducted in babies showed that repeated exposure to green beans and/or peaches increased intake (as I said earlier, 8 to 10 days of exposure is best), but only the babies who ate the peaches right after green beans appeared to like the taste of the green beans more after the 8 days of exposure. It may be that the sweet taste of peaches masked some of the bitterness of the green beans, increasing their palatability and making it easier for the baby to like.

Newborn Bath Newcomer – Lavelu Lounger

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

There is a newborn bath newcomer in town that we want to tell you about – the Lavelu Lounger. If you have a newborn or a little one on the way, you should definitely check out this newborn bath sink insert. The Lavelu Lounger is an innovative super comfy, ergonomic infant lounger to use in your sink*. It is a universal cushion, which means it is constructed in a flexible and form-fitting design that will be comfortable for baby in almost all kitchen and bathroom sink types. The Lavelu Lounger ensures both a safe and enjoyable newborn bathing experience for your little one.

So why are we loving the Lavelu Lounger? Did you know that some babies hate bath time? This is sometimes because the baby is cold or just plain uncomfortable on the insert. Parents love that the Lavelu lounger is not a stiff, hard sink insert like the other products out there. The mom-invented Lavelu Lounger is the only universal, fully supportive, baby sink bath insert designed to conform to your baby’s body shape, providing ultimate head and neck support in any sink. It will really fit in any sink type – square, round, kitchen or bathroom sink; RV, camper, home or hotel, you can take the Lounger with you wherever you go!

The Lavelu is also a unique newborn bath cushion because it is waterproof. Made with unique (and extra soft!) material, the sink bath Lounger is designed to dry quickly and efficiently by simply hanging from your shower rod or towel rack. Many other sink inserts that we have tried out don’t offer this same ease of cleaning – not the Lavelu Lounger! Simply use it, drain it, squeeze it, hang it!

**It’s important to note that the Lavelu is NOT
intended to be used in anything but a sink.**

By the way, the Lavelu lounger comes with a satisfaction guarantee! We think that Lavelu would make an awesome baby shower gift, especially when paired up with some comfy towels and safe baby skincare.

Check it out: we also feature the Lavelu Lounger in our post about family RV travel with an infant because it is the ultimate sink insert when you’re hitting the road.

Thank you to our partner OA Creative – the makers of the Lavelu Lounger for making this sponsored post possible. Please note that this post uses Amazon affiliate links.

Family RV Travel with a Baby – FAQs

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Family RV trips are increasingly popular right now due to travel restrictions around the world. However, if you have an infant and you’ve never traveled in an RV or camper before – you probably have lots of questions about how to select an RV and what you’ll need to ensure your family is comfortable. Don’t worry – we have you covered! We are so excited to be teaming up with two experts for this piece on family RV travel with your babe: RVshare and RV mama & travel blogger Shannan Panganiban. And, as a bonus, we’re including some of the jaw-droppingly gorgeous RVs available from our friends at RVShare.

Family RV trips or even extended living is totally possible with a little one! In fact, taking an infant in an RV or camper is a great time to do so, because with all the amazing products for small spaces available now, you or your baby won’t ever have to feel uncomfortable while on the road. RV travel is also an affordable and unique experience that will give your whole family memories of a lifetime!

Here are some of my best tips for family RV tripping with babies:

When it comes to gear and baby products, always think about any additions to the space before bringing something new in. Does this product fit your space well? Does it serve multiple purposes? In a small space like an RV, making sure that everything is a necessity and can transform to your area is huge.
Have a mindset of “I get to travel!” versus “I can’t have this.” AKA have an attitude of gratitude. Living and traveling tiny – for however long you decide to do so – is an awesome experience and instead of focusing on what won’t work in your family RV space, changing your mindset to be “I GET to take this adventure” can really help remind you why you are doing this and the incredible memories that will come with it.
Get a comfortable car seat for your baby! With all the time that you will be spending driving, having a car seat that is cozy and comfortable for baby will make everyone’s life just that much easier. Remember: if you are traveling in a tow behind camper, then the family will be in your towing vehicle just like any drive. Also, if in a motorhome, the car seat can NEVER be in a front seat. Most RV’s have seats with latches to secure a car seat in the back.
Make sure that there are no loose objects when you travel. For everyone’s safety, but especially for the safety of your baby, make sure that there is nothing that could be a projectile when you are on the road. This is one of the most important steps – securing your family RV for travel – to ensure safety along the way.
Use a white noise machine. You are in a small space & you will get to hear just about every sound in your RV. Turning on a white noise machine for baby while they sleep will help drown out the sounds from the rest of the camper. Living and traveling in an RV is unique, but you can keep a schedule just like you normally would. Most RV’s have a door to the bedroom or a curtain of some kind. Dividing the space and creating a bed time routine as normal can help babies feel comfortable and secure in order to fall asleep just as they would in their own room at home.
Choose campsites wisely! Finding places that are family friendly and rated for a safe environment are important factors to look into when choosing new family RV destinations to camp at safely.

And what about baby must-have products for family RV travel?

The Lavalu Lounger is perfect for RVs. Photo courtesy of Karissa Ries.

An adjustable bath is a must for a baby! Not only will it make bath time easier to have a tub that they really fit in, but you can flatten it out for easy storage when it is not in use. Gugu Guru loves the Lavelu Lounger universal sink bathing insert.
As far as a comfortable car seat that exceeds safety standards goes, Gugu Guru loves the revolutionary Clek Liingo – an infant car seat that does not require a base.
A small white noise machine will be a great investment to drown out any sounds from the rest of the RV while baby naps! Gugu Guru loves the Yogasleep Travel Mini.
A high chair that attaches to the table will allow you to have a safe place for baby to sit and eat without having to take up extra space with a free standing chair. Also, you can remove it and bring it outside to attach to a picnic table. Gugu Guru loves the Chicco QuickSeat Hook-on Chai r.
A portable bottle warmer is key if your babe is used to receiving warmed milk. Gugu Guru loves the battery operated bottle warmer from The Baby’s Brew.

Your Family RV Travel Frequently Asked Questions Answered by RVShare

What’s the biggest mistake first-time RV renters make?
The most important thing a first time RVer can do is get a thorough walk-through of the unit from the owner. Things like operating the generator, electrical hookups and dumping the water tanks are all crucial to using the RV, and need to be done properly. A common rookie mistake is not knowing how to operate the awning if the RV you’re staying in has one. Even things that seem simple might be a little tricky, and it’s important to read any manuals provided by the owner carefully, and ask as many questions as you have.

What kind of RV should I rent? What are the types and differences between them? How much room will I need for a family of four?
You do not need a special driver’s license to drive an RV. The two biggest things to consider when choosing an RV is whether you want to tow or drive it and how many people will be sleeping inside. If you prefer to drive it, you need to decide your comfort level, we compare mid-sized options to driving a truck, and large options to driving a bus. If you want to tow, you need to make sure your tow vehicle can accommodate the trailer. Finally, consider the amenities that are important to you. You can find full functioning kitchens and bathrooms, a fun outdoor space, or a unit that allows pets.

You’ll be surprised how comfortable a family of four can fit into even the smaller RVs! Many RVs have creative layouts that optimize space and comfort. This typically includes bunk beds for kids and slide-outs for the kitchen and living room spaces. Each family is unique, but Class C’s are a great place to begin your search for a family of four.

Can I give my rental a test-drive? Or have a look first?
Yes, you’ll be able to spend time with the owner before you drive off in the RV. Most owners will go on a test-drive with you, as well as walk you through electrical and water hook-ups to make sure you are comfortable with everything. They are also very helpful with answering any questions that come up once you hit the road.

I realize the cost varies with style and size, but what can I expect to pay on average, per night?
Yes, it does vary. The average rental is about $150 including all fees and taxes.

Besides a per night fee, are there other costs to consider?
Yes, there are other fees to consider. However, since each RV rentals on RVshare are independently owned, fees can vary and are at the owner’s discretion. Potential fees can be for cleaning, dumping waste and used water, insurance, or other service charges. The owners can optionally charge for excess mileage and excess generator usage. All charges will be listed out on your quote prior to booking.

Are kitchen supplies, bedding, grills included? Can you bring your own or rent from the RV rental company? Are these usually included in RVShare rentals?
Included amenities also can vary between listings, but you will typically find all that you’ll need for your trip, including kitchen supplies and linens are provided. We always recommend checking with the RV owner prior to booking to see what is included if it does not say in the listing.

What other amenities might be available?
Listings on RVshare also include options for deliverable and stationary RVs. For delivery, the RV can either be delivered to the final destination, meaning no driving for the renter, or the owner can meet somewhere along the renter’s journey.

For stationary rentals, the RV is already parked, set up, and ready to go. This means no driving for the renter, as the RV is typically parked permanently at a campsite or on the owner’s property.

There are also options to instantly book, too. You don’t have to wait 24-48 hours for the owner to confirm.

Gas mileage: what’s the average?
Gas mileage varies on the type of RV. You can expect about 6-8 mpg with a large Class A, 18-25 mpg for a Class B, 8-13 mpg for a Class C, and 10-18 mpg for a fifth wheel travel trailer.

What about insurance: is it included? Will I have to purchase extra? What’s your recommendation?
Standard insurance coverage will be automatically included in the quote when booking an RV that is covered by RVshare Rental Insurance. Standard coverage includes up to $200,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as free 24/7 roadside assistance. Renters have the opportunity to pay for upgraded coverage at the time of booking.

I’m worried about driving and parking an RV. Any advice?
That’s understandable – a lot of people are nervous to drive an RV at first! But most RVs are not much different than driving a large truck. Keep in mind these tips when driving and parking your RV:

Familiarize yourself with controls before driving
Start slow and allow yourself to get used to the new perspective. You’re probably not used to sitting up that high!
Re-calibrate your brakes and turns
When in doubt, stop and get out to check your surroundings

What happens if I breakdown? Should I buy an extra roadside assistance policy?
Every RV rented through RVshare includes 24/7 emergency roadside assistance. This includes services for: towing service, tire service, emergency supply delivery, battery service, lockout service, and extraction and winching service.

Planning: how much should I plan out my trip? Should I make reservations in advance?
It’s appealing to hop in an RV and see where you end up, but we definitely recommend making reservations in advance, especially if you’re new to RVing. And actually, in the current climate, that is pretty much required by campgrounds across the country. Having reservations planned ahead of time also takes stress out of needing to find somewhere to park at the end of the day. Along this same line, we’d recommend making sure you get checked into your site before dusk, that way you’re not rushing to get the RV set up when it gets dark.

Will most campgrounds be able to handle my RV?
Yes, most campgrounds have sites specifically for RVs. These sites tend to include electrical and water hookups.

Any other tips you’d offer first-timers?
While we just shared some of our favorite planning tips, I’d also say to keep an open mind! You never know what can come up in your journey, from weather changes to construction. So do your best to have some flexibility with your planning and don’t let any speed bumps (pun intended!) ruin your vacation!

Check out these family RV rentals that we love from RVShare. All of these RVs sleep at least a family of four and are insanely stylish!

Luxury Adventure Campervan

Farmhouse Chic on Wheels (pet friendly!)

2019 Airstream Sport

Bambi in Wanderland

About Shannan Panganiban
Shannan is the author of the blog Faithfully Beautiful – a space to inspire the love and adventure of traveling with kids as well as simplifying and creating a happier mom life. As a mama of 3 little boys, Shannan shares her journey of creating a life she loves and encourages other mothers to find their passion and live it well. Learn more at https://faithfullybeautiful.com and follow Shannon on Instagram at @faithfullyshannan

About RVshare
RVshare is the first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. With more than 100,000 vehicles available, RVshare’s diverse inventory ranges from affordable travel trailers to luxury motorhomes and can accommodate any outdoor adventure, whether it’s a weekend of camping or a cross-country tour of national parks. If a renter wants the comforts of home while getting up close and personal with the beautiful world around them, an RV rental is the best place to start. With thousands of satisfied customers and a broad inventory ranging from travel trailers to luxury motorhomes, we have the perfect RV for any vacation, tailgate, or temporary lodging needs.

In addition to offering a unique travel experience, RVshare provides RV owners in North America the opportunity to turn their RV into a second income. We’re here to bring RV renters and RV owners together. RVshare allows for RV owners to generate revenue on an otherwise unused vehicle. Most RVs are used only 2 weeks out of the year.

Renter Benefits

RVshare offers a worry free rental guarantee that offers payment and fraud protection, 24-hour customer service and roadside assistance
Wide-ranging Inventory: From affordable pop-ups to luxury motorhomes
Largest RV Rental Marketplace: 60,000 five star reviews from happy customers
Safest And Most Trusted: 24/7 Emergency roadside assistance on every booking
Pet-friendly options
Delivery and stationary options
One-way rentals available
Comprehensive Nationwide Protection: RVshare Rental Insurance covers both domestic and international renters and provides collision and comprehensive coverage

Learn more at https://rvshare.com

Pride Feature: LezBeDovas

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Gugu Guru was so excited to interview influencer couple Mel & Neg Cordova as our Pride Month feature. In this interview, the two moms share with us what Pride means to them, what it’s been like preparing for the much anticipated arrival of their daughter, favorite products and so much more!

GG: Thanks so much for sitting down with us, Mel & Neg! As you are well aware, June is Pride – yay! So, our first question is what does Pride mean to you as expecting parents?
M&N: Pride has always been the time for us to celebrate equality, diversity, visibility and inclusion. A time to continue to live fearlessly in our diversity and maintain the authenticity of who we are and what makes us happy. As expecting parents, we couldn’t be more blessed to live in a time where LGBT families are more accepted than before. While we have a ways to go in our society, it‘s comforting to know we have a fantastic community to lean on, learn from and grow within the years to come. We can’t wait to be a part of the growing number of same sex parents paving the path to normality. As mommas-to-be, we are excited, blessed and honored to add to those growing numbers of LGBT families. We will always strive to teach our kids the same values we have always lived by with the hope they will grow up in a world that will be more tolerant and accepting of all types of families.

We can’t wait to showcase our growing family over the years and continue to take pride in that. We plan to leverage our platform(s) to visibly represent and teach others that families come in different shapes, sizes, colors, races and orientations. We’re excited to share our diverse journey as two moms and contribute to neutralizing any apprehensions or concerns others may have and create a space of normalcy.

GG: What has it been like preparing for your daughter and selecting products? Have there been any special product considerations with a two mom family?
M&N: Preparing for our little girl has been quite the rollercoaster during this crazy, unexpected time. We are both new mothers-to-be with little to no experience raising a child of our own, so we are in for quite the ride. Earlier this year – around January – we started shopping around local stores to begin familiarizing ourselves with all the ‘baby stuff’. Needless to say, it was very overwhelming and we didn’t know where to start, so we started the research process. Soon after, the pandemic hit and we were forced to stay home and prepare as much as we could virtually, which wasn’t an easy task. It was quite challenging at first and again, we didn’t know where to start. We asked around to friends and family to both new and experienced moms, but we were given suggestions and advice in so many directions, we weren’t sure it was helping us or confusing us more. So we were back to square one.

Very soon after – we truly believe it was complete fate – we came in contact with Gugu Guru – the Premiere Baby Product Concierge Service – What timing! They were pretty much a life saver and couldn’t have come up at a more opportune time. Gugu Guru was able to guide us in the right direction, which was what we were looking for all along. We provided them information about our lifestyle, personality traits, styles, likes and dislikes, our vision as parents-to-be, baby nursery theme/vision, etc. and they were able to take our input and derive a slew of advice, recommendations and products specifically fit for us, finally giving us a starting point. It was perfect timing! Since then, we were able to finally sit down, organize, look through products, options and reviews and narrow down our choices. Whether that was brand-specific products or general items to consider – we were able to prioritize the items we needed. Such as nursery items, breast pumps, strollers, car seats, carriers, bassinet(s), etc. Just in time for our baby to arrive. With only a few weeks away from our due date, we are feeling more ready now than we have in the last 8 months.

In regards to product considerations for two moms – we loved the idea of sharable and versatile products. We tend to both be very neutral in our styles and luckily we have similar taste and are very close in size – so items such as diaper bags or baby carriers are easily shared between the two of us. In addition, we always to consider the fact that we plan to grow our family in the near future, so we also took into account the longevity of product reusability between the two of us – since we’re taking turns as the carrying mother. Therefore we like to consider the product options we choose to be of good quality with the intention to be re-used as the primary caretaker – such as breast pumps, baby carriers, bassinets, boppy’s, rocking chair, etc. Making sure we both agree on the product(s) are important and key to a two-mom household.

GG: What types of products would you recommend for two mom-driven households?
M&N: Off the top of mind, we would recommend purchasing LGBT related books for the baby room. Stocking up on educational, yet relatable material that exposes your baby to the diversity of your family we think is important in relation to any other product out there. We already have a few books in our nursery and think it would be a good place to start. Here are a few of our suggestions we’ve started with and we plan to grow this even more:

Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
My Family and Me by Cara J Stevens
Mommy, Mama and Me by Leslea Newman
And many more we have in the queue…

As for other specific products that are directly recommended for a ‘two-mom driven household’ (per se) – we are not sure if we have encountered specific products geared to target two moms at this point, other than the points mentioned previously. We love the versatility, applicability and longevity of the products that we, as two moms, can use together and/or at different stages of being the birth mother. Whether that’s in the next few months or next few years. Finding products that we agree we would both like is important and ensuring you’re both part of the decision making process is important. At the end of the day, we want to be sure our baby is comfortable, and we anticipate our little girl will be the choosy one when it comes to products. So, we may have more to share following her arrival.

GG: What products are you most excited to try out when your daughter arrives?
M&N: We are excited to use a lot of our products! We feel like we have a bunch of new ‘toys’ to break in when our little one comes and we’ll be able to get a better sense of what we like and don’t like – and most importantly, what she might gravitate to or not. Should be interesting and fun!

One product we’re excited to try out specifically is the 4moms mamaRoo automatic swing set. That was actually our very first official baby gift a friend of ours surprised us with a few months back. So we’re excited to try it out. We opened it up, assembled it and put our little ‘human’ doggie in there to test it out – she loved it and it was adorable – I guess we all need a little practice! We just hope it works out because we have heard mixed reviews on the product, since every baby’s likes and dislikes are different, but we’re hoping our baby girl will love it just as much as our little doggie did – fingers crossed! We’ve included a few pictures of our fur-babies posing with the mamaRoo. They can’t wait to welcome their little human sister!

GG: What has been the best gift you’ve received so far?
M&N: At this point, we’ve received so many different gifts from friends, families and various companies so it’s hard to really narrow down to a single gift. But if we were to choose one, we think the best gift so far is the new UPPAbaby VISTA Stroller and Bassinet combo! We were beyond excited when we received that gift! When we were first looking for products, the VISTA was one of the first items we looked at and ‘test drove’ in the stores and we were in awe with the ease of use and versatility of the stroller. So we were ecstatic, to say the least, that this was one of our gifts and we can’t wait to use it. We both love to go on walks around our neighborhood with our dogs and just go out and about (when it’s safe to do so), and we don’t typically pack ‘light’, even for a daily stroll. So it works out that the sizes and capacity of the stroller will fit right into our everyday needs. On top of that – we’re happy there are different uses with this combination. Since it comes with an infant bassinet, we feel like it’s going to be very useful for not only our strolls out and about, but being able to use the bassinet at home as well. We have a two story home, so needless to say, we may have to double up on some products – and having that bassinet for downstairs will be absolutely perfect!

We’re super grateful for all the gifts we’ve received thus far and can’t wait to try them all out. We’re stepping into a whole new realm and about to learn and experience more than we know.

GG: Any special themes, e.g., for the nursery, that you can share with us?
M&N: Yes! We have finally decided on a theme – better late than never. We decided on going for a Boho Chic vibe for our little girl’s nursery room. The color pallet will be a neutral mix of greys, browns and light beiges with a pop of color of ash (dusty) rose. We love the idea of having calming, spiritual vibes with some nature type aspects where the themes will include natural greenery, natural woods, bohemian florals, wicker baskets, dream catchers, canopies, teepees, etc. We feel this vibe is fitting to our nature and can’t wait to create that comforting ambiance for our little girl. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Check out other Pride feature of Donovan Tatum and Santini Reali and see the Love Inc Mag feature too!

Sensory Experiences for Babies with Down’s Syndrome

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Here at Gugu Guru we are all about celebrating all types of families, so when we came across the blog Coraline and Us, we knew we wanted to have Liz, the mama behind the blog, come and share her story. Liz started her blog upon the birth of her adorable little Coraline, when it was “discovered unexpectedly within hours, that she has Down’s syndrome and two holes in the heart. We did not know anything about Down’s syndrome when she was born. This blog is about our journey of growth.” Read on for more about Liz, Coraline, and Kevin and stay tuned for more blog posts from Liz on helpful baby products, toys, and more for babies with Down’s syndrome. You can find Liz on her blog, Facebook, and Instagram. You can check out Liz’s first post on Gugu Guru here, and Coraline’s love for Ewan the Dream Sheep here. Today Liz is sharing about Coraline’s ball pit and the importance of it for her sensory experiences.

We have some beautiful memories around Coraline’s ballpit. Coraline’s godmother gave it to her for her first Christmas, December 2017, when she was four months old. It’s still going strong today and Coraline is almost three years old.

Coraline sat up for the first time in June 2018, at ten months old.

You can see in the photo taken when Coraline was ten months old, how she is lying down in the ballpit with the balls all around her and she can pick them up and look at them. Sensory experiences are really important for babies with Down’s syndrome to stimulate and also to get them moving too (due to having hypotonia i.e. low muscle tone, hence sitting up later). It’s great that Coraline would put her hands out amongst the balls.

I remember our first time at Baby Sensory when Coraline was ten months old. We hadn’t been able to take Coraline to any baby classes for the first nine months of her life, so as to keep her well, on the advice of her Cardiology team.

Coraline required open heart surgery, and in the time before this her body might not have been able to cope if she got ill (she would have had to go into hospital). But they gave us the go ahead to get out and mix for a number of months when they felt she was strong enough, though we were still careful to not sit next to anyone directly unwell. Coraline loved going into the ballpit at Baby Sensory, during her very first session there. Coraline ended up having her open-heart surgery at 15 months old. They were waiting for the optimum time when she was strong enough to have it and as old as possible, so her heart was a little bigger. It went so well, and she was home within the week.

Our ballpit has a flimsy type base which works great and makes it really easy to have either indoors, or take outside, or fold down and pack away. The wonderful thing was watching her develop from being able to sit, to being able to crawl (she began in February 2019 aged one and a half, and by May 2019 she was crawling between rooms and by September 2019 she was a speedy crawler). Coraline is now not yet walking but she is an accomplished crawler and she can get up onto the sofa and turn around on it to get down again, and she can crawl up the stairs which happened just a couple of months ago.

As the crawling developed it was amazing to see Coraline actually pulling herself into the ballpit over the side of it. These moments are wonderful, and I remember how big it felt! She is now in and out of the ballpit all the time. She loves to pull all her books into it and read them there.

During this time of lockdown in Spring and Summer 2020, where we have been at home for 13 weeks, the ballpit has been brilliant. We can take it outside into the garden. We go to a great weekly development group (Digbies stands for “developing individual growth by imaginative play, education and speech”). Coraline is not yet talking. We are working on the Makaton sign language for colours at Digbies (red, blue, green and yellow) so in play, as often as possible, we say and sign the colours. The ballpit is brilliant for this. I say to Coraline, “let’s take all the red balls out” and then I will say “red balls in” as we put them back in. Coraline does not yet know what I mean when I say let’s choose all the red balls, but she does have a sense of signing the colours. She can definitely sign blue and has a go at signing the other colours. I have moved on to more colours as well as these four.

But the ballpit is great practise for colours as children with Down’s syndrome learn by a lot of repetition and also visually. I have laminated the word “red” on a red piece of card in big lowercase letters and then often I will have that on the ground next to the pile of red balls, and the same for the other colours.

I remember in lockdown beginning by trying to do all the recommended toddler online zoom sessions or online groups but they just did not sit right for her developmental level and I quickly learned this. I came back to the trusty items we have at home which she loves, and which can really teach so much through play.

Coraline can currently say an approximation of one word which is “cat” and her second word which she is having a go at is “ball”. Having flash cards like this is all part of visual learning.

« Previous Page

Gugu Guru

Vitamin C

Here are some ways to add vitamin C to your diet:

Vitamin E

Some dietary forms of vitamin E are:

Zinc

Some foods that contain zinc:

Footer

Follow Us:

COME AND GET IT!