Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat
Installing a car seat can be a frustrating task but not with the new Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat. Britax’s One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat has changed car seat installation forever. Gone are the days of blindly threading the seat belt through a car seat and hoping the installation was correct. Click Tight technology allows you to easily pinch open the seat, insert the seatbelt through the seat and click the seat closed. It is as easy as buckling a seatbelt!
At Gugu Guru we love the long lifespan of the One4Life. It can be used from birth (5 pounds) to 120 pounds. The One4Life can be used both rear and forward-facing and has a 10-year expiration, eliminating the need to purchase multiple car seats.
In addition to a long list of the great safety features, Britax has kept your child’s comfort a top priority. The One4Life has nine different recline positions, stay-put comfort pads to prevent neck rub and ventilated mesh for maximum happiness during car trips.
If you are registering for your little one or want easier car seat installation, consider the Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat. Thanks to Britax for sending a One4Life for testing. The thoughts mentioned in this article are my own.
Learn more or purchase the Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat on Amazon here.
Like this review? Check out the Larktale Strollers Review by The Gugu Village.
Wrap Star: Meet the Best Active Baby Carrier Wrap
Hands-free parenting is essential—and magical. Whether you’re grocery shopping or calming down your babe, a wearable carrier is a total must-have that should be on your registry—and radar. Since it’s that important, we scoured the market for the best baby carrier wrap, and we’re so excited to share the details behind the amazing Baby K’tan Active Carrier.
Comfort for both babe and wearer is this baby carrier wrap’s number one priority. Fashioned from a high-tech performance fabric, the Active Carrier is not your typical option. It offers temperature control, a quick-drying finish and blocks over 90% UVA and UVB rays. This is THE best baby carrier wrap for summer and the great outdoors. You and your babe will love how the fabric wicks away moisture and sweat while cooling you both down.
Baby K’tan’s ergonomic build evenly distributes your little one’s weight using a patented double-loop design. You can easily adjust babe’s position by pulling down on the back loop. It also offers five different positions from birth up to 35 lbs. Your body will thank you during those out-and-about adventures. And, bonus, it’s super simple to wear.
Unlike other carriers that require buckles and complicated snaps, the Baby K’tan Active Carrier goes on like a t-shirt. Literally. You will LOVE the simplicity—and even more so in the middle of the night.
As you can see, the Baby K’tan Active Carrier really is the best baby carrier wrap with its unique and innovative design. Enjoy workouts, walks, working and more—all while carrying babe. You can easily put it on yourself, adjust it and feel ultra-cozy as it cools both of your bodies down. The performance fabric is a total game-changer.
Have you tried the Baby K’tan Active Carrier—a.k.a. the best baby carrier wrap? If so, we’d love to know what you think in the comments section below!
Thank you to Baby K’tan for making this sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!
A Zero Waste Baby Registry: Gugu Guru Favorites
Today we’re talking all things zero waste baby registry! We all know that creating a baby registry is a daunting process. You have friends, family members, and even Instagram influencers telling you what you need. When you add all these things together, your list will probably be very long and overwhelming.
Aside from the anxiety-causing aspect of having way too much baby stuff in your house and the financial aspect of simply buying all this stuff, we think it’s really important for the well-being of this planet that you consider your footprint and think about a zero waste baby registry. Adding the requirement that the items you select for your baby registry have a small environmental footprint may seem like too much, but it’s helpful in so many ways.
So what’s a zero waste baby registry and why is it important? First, our children will inherit the world we leave for them. They will also learn many of their views about possessions and the environment from their parents. Why not set a good example from the start? Whether you’ve been meaning to Marie Kondo your life and spark some joy or just get more serious about your purchasing choices and how they impact our planet, becoming a parent is the perfect time.
In addition to being better for the environment, zero waste baby registry items will save you in some way or be safer for your child. What’s not to love?
NEW! Skip Hop’s Go Envi Eco-Friendly Diaper Backpack
Talk about eco-friendly! This stylish, durable and lightweight diaper backpack is made from recycled bottles. Plus it includes an eco-friendly reusable food tower for snacks & more.
Finnbin Cardboard Box Bassinets
Though it may seem odd, Finnish mothers have been using cardboard boxes as bassinets since the 1930s, and the country of Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. Instead of buying a bassinet that will only last for six months and then take up space in your garage or a landfill, choose a Finnbin. After the baby outgrows the Finnbin, it can be used as a storage box for baby’s keepsakes or you can recycle it.
Dékor Diaper Pails
Once you are done with diaper duty, Dékor Diaper Pails don’t go out with the trash. Just pop out the diaper insert and use it in the bathroom, kitchen or garage as a standard garbage can.
Milk Street Cribs
Milk Street Cribs are beautiful and the absolute best in quality, but the perks don’t stop there. Their cribs can be converted to toddler or even full size adult beds with a footboard, so it’s a piece of furniture that your child will actually never outgrow.
Larktale Chit Chat Stroller
Our number one pick for a zero waste baby registry stroller, the Larktale Chit Chat Stroller is designed to be recyclable and meets international safety standards. It is lightweight, features an ergonomic design, and folds up smaller than other strollers. It’s a great choice for you and the environment.
Pura Kiki Bottles
Plastic bottles can have chemicals that are a concern for many parents. Pura Kiki stainless steel bottles are completely safe and non-toxic. They are designed to last for many years as they grow with your child. Simply change the lids and you can go from a bottle, to a sippy cup, to a sport bottle. This is much better for the environment than tossing bottles when your baby outgrows them.
NOLEO Diaper Cleanser and Wipes
When it comes to a zero waste baby registry, the NOLEO diaper cleanser and moisturizer is a great pick. The lotion cleans and moisturizes, eliminating the need for traditional baby wipes and diaper cream. Standard baby wipes are nonbiodegradeable, so this is a big savings for the environment. You can choose to use the diaper cleanser with reusable cloth wipes, or choose their organic cotton disposable wipes that are fully biodegradable.
Start your little one’s life in an environmentally friendly and safe way by including these zero waste baby registry products on your list. Your kiddos deserve the best – both in terms of quality products and the Earth they will someday inherit.
Interested in more eco-friendly items, check out these affordable eco-friendly baby registry picks.
Classic Blue Pantone Color of 2020: Trend Report
Classic Blue is the hue of our latest trend report. Did you hear? Pantone’s color of the year 2020 has been announced and it’s the tried and true Classic Blue. But don’t get it twisted! Though the word “classic” can feel a little flat, Classic Blue absolutely does not have to mean boring or expected. In this report, we’re sharing some of our favorite products that sport this beautiful color, in cool combinations and prints.
Seen here in Blue Steel, the B.F.F. Diaper Bag from Ju-Ju-Be is the busy parent’s best friend for style and organization. Multiple interior and exterior pockets hold all essential gear, while removable straps let you wear it as a messenger bag, tote bag, or backpack.
Ideal for everything from tummy time to swaddling to a privacy throw, the Loulou Lollipop Dinoland Swaddle Blanket speckled with classic blue triceratops is ultra cozy and features a chic allover print. Its muslin fabric provides airflow and is machine washable for easy care.
Perfect for trying out the swing for the first time or running around in the backyard or at the park across the street, these blue gorilla-print pants are soft and comfortable! These lightweight pants feature multiple shades of blue, including Classic Blue and are made from the highest cotton standard, the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (= no harsh substances.)
The exotic flair of this NoJo Indigo Hues Elephant Crib Bedding Set brings unique style to your baby’s nursery. The beautiful set’s geometric, diamond and elephant patterns are detailed with embroidery, playful tassel, and pom pom trim.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that Gugu Guru receives a small commission should you purchase via any of the retail links.
Other trend reports you may love:
Nursery Trend Report: Minimalism
Nursery Trend Report: Gender Neutral Nurseries
Grow Välling Vanilla Review by The Gugu Village
Välling has been used in Sweden for centuries to wean babies from formula or breastmilk. Grow Välling contains nutrients and vitamins that help soothe children and even help them sleep. Our Gugu Village was able to test Grow Välling Vanilla and provided us with their thoughts.
I’m always looking for new ways to get our kids to eat healthy foods and the vanilla-flavored Grow Välling is so easy to mix into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt and a lot of other kid-approved staples in our house to give a nutritional boost – I love the clean, wholesome ingredients and the fact that there are no added sugars. So many products that are marketed to provide great nutritional value for kids are also loaded with added sweeteners, and we try to avoid that as much as possible. I was not at all familiar with Välling prior to trying this product, but have since done some research and I think that once parents learn about it, they’ll love it – it really does provide a great, healthy addition to the diet of a growing child.
Christine C.
Pros: I love the ingredients in Grow Välling. My son likes Grow Välling in a smoothie, even though he doesn’t enjoy milk. It is a good way to get some extra calories and nutrients in his diet.
Cons: My son does not like the powder mixed in liquid and only enjoys Grow Välling in a smoothie. He is now two and has strong opinions so maybe if we introduced this when he was closer to one he would be more interested in it generally but for now I’ll keep adding it to smoothies.
As an aside, I usually share his smoothies and also think it tastes delicious.
Denalee M.
My daughter enjoyed the Grow Välling Vanilla. She seemed to take it better mixed with her toddler formula. I would love for this to be part of her every day. She’s been extra picky these days!
Crystal B.
Thank you to Grow for providing our testers with Vanilla Välling to test. We appreciate our Village parents for providing us with their honest thoughts. For more information or to purchase Grow Välling, click here.
Larktale Strollers Review by The Gugu Village
The Village Reviews: Beautycounter Winter Favorites
The Village Reviews: Frida Baby DermaFrida Silicone Bath Mitt
Cold and Flu Q&A by Dr. DuMond
When your child is sick it can be difficult, especially during the holiday season. In this cold and flu Q&A session, our Gugu Village Parents were able to ask Dr. Sara DuMond, MD, questions regarding illness, keeping germs at bay and keeping children’s immune systems in tip-top shape while traveling. Dr. DuMond is a member of Dr. Brown’s Baby Medical Expert Panel and a mom of three. Needless to say, she is an expert at keeping kids well and getting them feeling better when they are ill.
Cold and Flu Q&A 1: What are the best practices for keeping my baby and toddler healthy this cold and flu season?
-Lauren R.
As we approach the time of year when we experience an uptick in the number of cold and flu viruses that circulate in our communities, parents often rightfully ask if there are things they can be doing to keep their children healthy. Aside from a flu shot (which doesn’t always prevent the flu, but thankfully does an excellent job of preventing the serious and often life-threatening complications from influenza), simplicity reigns!
Teaching kids to use good handwashing technique (soap and warm water for about 20-30 seconds, or the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song) can go a long way towards keeping kids healthy. Also, things like encouraging some form of physical activity every day, enforcing consistent bedtimes, and encouraging daily fruits and vegetables in our children’s diets, prime their immune system to be in the best shape to fight off germs.
Cold and Flu Q&A 2: What’s the best way to get my whole family’s immune systems as strong as possible in a preventative way? I have a 2.5 year old and I’m super nervous about bringing our newborn home in the beginning of the month! I’m both worried about him staying healthy, and also keeping my toddler as healthy as possible because I am terrified about taking care of him and our newborn. Also, my husband tends to get whatever the toddler gets and that’s no fun either! Any tips on prevention would be super appreciated especially for stomach viruses!
-Samantha K.
We should all be approaching our family’s health from a preventative stance! Bringing a new baby home at any time can be a stressful situation, but especially when it’s during cold and flu season and there are older siblings (i.e. cute little petri dishes) at home! From a holistic standpoint, the entire family can focus on eating whole foods, avoiding processed pre-packed snacks, and always having a ready-supply of seasonally available fruits and vegetables. A general rule of thumb is that vitamins are much more readily available to the body when eating in whole food form, as opposed to taking supplements. Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get fruits and vegetables in everyone’s diet – mom and dad and kids! The dreaded stomach virus is one that no one wants to battle, and good gut immunity starts with diet. Newborns benefit from healthy immune germ-fighting cells from mom for the first 6 months of life, and breastfeeding boosts that immunity as well.
Cold and Flu Q&A 3: Dr. DuMond, should my three children (in three different schools/daycares) be taking vitamins or supplements? How can I prevent germs from spreading at home?
-Christine C.
The #1 question I get asked about is whether or not kids should be taking vitamins and whether there are any natural supplements that are safe and effective for kids that will keep them healthy during cold and flu season. While parents may often hear anecdotal stories about magic-bullet products that have worked well for their friends or family members, there is really no evidence to support any one product or supplement.
The best all-natural prevention starts with the most all-natural approaches, of a healthy family diet heavily weighted with organic fruits and vegetables, prioritizing consolidated 10-12 hours of sleep a night for toddlers and preschoolers, and daily active play.
Another good tip is frequent reminders for toddlers and preschoolers to avoid touching their face, nose, and mouth throughout the day. Germs enter our bodies when we touch a surface that someone has coughed or sneezed on and then touch our own noses, mouths, or eyes. Taking this common-sense approach isn’t a guarantee that siblings won’t share germs and colds, but it sets families up for bouncing back much more quickly!
Cold and Flu Q&A 4: My baby is too young for the flu vaccine and we plan to travel on a very long flight for the holidays, what do you suggest doing to help our baby’s immune system?
-Kelly M.
Babies under 6 months are too little to get a flu vaccine, so it’s essential that others around them get theirs, to surround them with the highest level of protection possible. Travel during holiday times can be stressful and definitely places little ones at increased risk for exposure to cold and flu viruses. Shy of setting a family policy of no travel during a baby’s first cold and flu season (which many of my families choose to do!), there are some tips for navigating air travel this time of year. Pack plenty of individual travel-sized hand sanitizers and keep infants in an infant carrier or sling to minimize well-meaning travelers who are tempted to touch the baby. For older toddlers and children, encourage hydration during the travel day with water in sippy cups and other vessels that travel well, avoid food courts and opt instead for healthier options like bananas (which have their own build-in natural “packaging”) and individual packages of nut butters. For travel across time zones, allow, at minimum, one full day upon arrival to your destination, where you do not have lots of scheduled activities, so that body clocks can re-adjust, naps can be worked in, and little bodies aren’t pushed beyond commonsense limits.
Cold and Flu Q&A 5: What advice do you have for when my baby DOES start to come down with something? Is there anything I can do to lessen symptoms?
-Kate E.
For infants who are breastfeeding, continue breastfeeding! (This advice applies even if mom comes down with sickness herself!) Watch for any evidence of fever (rectal temperatures are the only reliable way to check a baby’s temperature), changes in feeding pattern, or changes in color. Those symptoms would always warrant a call to the pediatrician’s office. If it seems like baby is struggling with the sniffles, but is otherwise well, invest in a cool-mist humidifier and run that in the room where baby sleeps. Infant nasal saline drops or sprays that come over the counter will help thin the mucous and make it easier to suction out of their noses.
Remember, cold and flu viruses enter the body most often times through the nose, so frequent nasal suctioning, while sometimes stressful because of protests and tears from little ones, can be key to preventing a simple cold from progressing into something more serious. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for babies.
We would like to thank Dr. DuMond for these amazing tips! We hope you are able to implement these suggestions and enjoy a healthy Holiday season.
BABYZEN YOYO+ Travel Stroller: Real Mom Review
There is absolutely no question that Gugu Guru’s number one travel stroller pick is the BABYZEN YOYO+ Travel Stroller. Even though we typically recommend this stroller for frequent flyers due to the fact that it can be stored in most airplane overhead compartments, we also really love the BABYZEN YOYO+ for every day use. We asked our Gugu Guru mama, Shawna, to talk about a day in the life with her BABYZEN YOYO+ Stroller with her adorable 20-month old daughter.
The BABYZEN YOYO+ Travel Stroller is in the back of my car at ALL TIMES. The reasons I love it for every day use? Quite simply it is just wonderful for a mom on the go. It is very lightweight and compact – the size it folds into it so it’s really perfect for any kind of travel, not just the airplane kind.
Easy open and close is just as important for when you’re running around town as it is when you’re boarding a flight, and the BABYZEN YOYO+ delivers here.
I love the sun shade and the basket on the bottom is a perfect size. There is also a little pouch for my keys and phone which is awesome and convenient.
But above all else, it is comfortable for the baby. If you’re going for a walk around the neighborhood or hitting the farmer’s market, there’s nothing worse than when your child is just wanting OUT of the stroller. We just don’t have that problem with the BABYZEN YOYO+ Stroller.
The BABYZEN YOYO+ has some pretty cool accessories that you may want to try out too (they also make terrific gifts for parents who already own the stroller.)
- To keep your babe warm and snuggly while on the go during the chillier months, we are loving the new footmuff.
- The new convenient hanging stroller bag is not only stylish but extremely useful as it holds toys, shopping goodies (hello, holiday gift shopping!), and more.
To see more of the BABYZEN YOYO+ in action, check out these posts:
- Travel Essential: BABYZEN YOYO+ Stroller
- Cruising With Baby Travel Must-Haves
- Wanderlust Must: BabyZen YOYO+
Disclaimer: While Shawna did receive the BABYZEN YOYO+ Travel Stroller for review, all opinions are her own and Gugu Guru nor Shawna were compensated for this post.
Claire Holt’s Baby Survival Guide: Newborn Phase
We’re thrilled to share Claire Holt’s baby survival guide for surviving the newborn phase! Gugu Guru has recently had the pleasure of working with the beautiful actress and new mama Claire Holt. You may know Claire from the TV series The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars. Check out our recommendations for Claire here and be sure to follow Claire and her motherhood journey on Instagram.
Claire Holt’s Baby Picks: In the Nursery & Around the Home
- Diaper Dékor Plus Diaper Pail – Escape terrible smells with this fabulous diaper pail. It can be conveniently located next to the changing table without lingering diaper smells.
- Love to Dream Swaddle – These swaddles are adorable and sleep savers! Baby will sleep the night away feeling cozy and snug while you rest for the next day’s adventures.
- DockaTot – Absolutely must-have for baby lounging, a safe space to place baby and free your hands for a few minutes.
- Joeyband by Sleepbelt – Skin to skin is essential for newborns and Joeyband makes it easy, comfortable and safe to relax while getting in your snuggles.
- Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine/Night Light – This programmable sound machine and nightlight is an item that will grow with your baby for years. It will soothe your newborn to sleep, and when older, it will let your toddler know when it is time to rise.
- Puj Tub – Bathtubs are too big and sinks are just too slippery. The Puj Tub has the perfect incline to keep baby safe and keep you comfortable while you make bathtime memories.
Claire Holt’s Baby Picks: Feeding
- Nanobébé Gift Set – Everything from bottles that preserve breastmilk nutrients, a non-electric bottle warmer and a microwave sterilizer… this gift set is really incredible.
- Boon Lawn – Avoid the avalanche of bottles with a trendy Boon Lawn drying rack. Plus, the add ons are absolutely adorable.
Claire Holt’s Baby Picks: On the Go
- Nuna Pipa car seat and extra base – We absolutely love the PIPA car seat and base because they not only exceed safety standards but they take it to the next level by ensuring all materials used are chemical-free. The perfect combination of style and safety! And, an extra car seat base is a must-have to save yourself from having to reinstall your baby’s car seat if you use to use a different vehicle.
- Skip Hop Portable Changer – Cute and handy, the Skip Hop portable changer slips right into your diaper bag and can be used anywhere, making on-the-go diaper changes quick and easy.
- Baby K’ Tan Carrier – Baby K’ Tan carrier keeps baby snug and close while allowing you the flexibility to be up and on the move.
- Silver Cross Wave Stroller – The Silver cross wave stroller is extravagant, in both style and function. The marvelous perk to the wave stroller? It adapts to a 2 seat stroller!
Claire Holt’s Baby Picks: For Mama
- Belli Skincare – Belli Skincare products are the masterminds behind making luxury pampering in the shower a breeze. The fresh scents and all-natural ingredients are invigorating and will have you at your best to take on the day.
Heads up – this post contains affiliate links. This means we may get a small commission from the retailer if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Gugu Guru!
Practical and Adorable Holiday Baby Gifts
Let’s face it, holiday gifts for babies are mostly just fun for the grown-ups to pick out, because, well, babies don’t fully understand the holidays yet. This is why we always love giving gifts that are both practical and adorable when it comes to baby’s first gifts for the holidays. We rounded up our top picks for holiday baby gifts for any baby in your life. These would also make fantastic baby shower gifts!
MAM Baby Brush: Toothbrushes are a fantastic stocking stuffer, and baby doesn’t need to be left out this year; we’re excited to introduce you to the toothbrush for babies from MAM. Babies can start to learn to brush their teeth as early as 6 months old, and these brushes are a wonderful way to begin the toothbrushing journey with your little one. This BPA free toothbrush has bristles that are extra soft and rounded to remove plaque and bacteria from their little growing teeth. And, the handle is short and compact for small hands with non-slip material and ergonomic shape for a sure hold, even for little hands. Developed with dentists, the smart MAM oral care products ensure that babies get used to regular oral hygiene step by step. Coming in a few cute colors, these MAM Baby Brushes are a must have holiday baby gift pick this holiday season.
Bibito Baby Bib: Along the lines of a functional and stylish baby gift, we love the Bibito Bibs for babies for so many reasons. Featuring a outfit-saving food catcher and waterproof surface, the Bibito silicone bib makes mealtime less messy and more fun. They’re made of lightweight, flexible, stain-resistant, eco-friendly, food-grade silicone, and they are very easy to clean, even on-the-go. They’re also adjustable to fit infants and toddlers, so you can use for a long time. We love all of the modern colors they come in, and a set of them would be a perfect gift for baby or a baby shower. They would especially make a perfect holiday baby gift guide pick because each bib purchase provides one meal to combat hunger.
Binka Bear: Sure, you can get your little one a teddy bear for the holidays, but wouldn’t it be fantastic to gift a teddy bear with a purpose? Enter, the Binka Bear! Binka Bear, designed by a mom of two, was created to help toddlers ditch the pacifier, using the bear’s special design and associated book. Each Binka Bear comes with a beautifully illustrated rhyming storybook and includes a lovable plush stuffed bear with 2 hidden pockets, one in each hand, that allow your child to give their pacifiers to Binka Bear PERMANENTLY when the parent seals them inside with the easy to use laces. The Binka Bear is a perfect gift for any baby or toddler in your life who needs to ditch the paci in a loving way.
Thank you to MAM Baby for making this sponsored post possible.
