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Top 5 Must-Have Essentials: Toddler Diaper Bag

One of the things that no one talks about when you become a new parent is the evolution of the diaper bag. You will start out, a worried and confused new parent, with a packed-to-the-gills diaper bag of infant gear. Over time, as you learn what you actually need for baby, your diaper bag will become less cluttered, and then slowly, as your baby grows to a toddler, all of the items you used to need (burp cloth, pacifier) will slowly disappear and make room for toddler necessities. We rounded up 5 essential toddler diaper bag must haves! What necessities for your toddler do you always carry?

Baby K’tan Smart Gear Diaper Bag: Did you know that Baby K’tan has an amazing diaper bag, too? Coming in chevron (pictured), black, or dandelion print, this diaper bag is a must-have for life with a busy toddler. What makes this bag so different and just so genius is that it includes a built-in wetbag with antibacterial lining and water-tight zipper as well as antibacterial pockets that kill germs and odor causing bacteria. That is perfect for a potty-training toddler, or any kid who loves to “do it my way!” and spills all over themselves (can you hear us sighing from there?). Plus, the K’tan diaper bag has 12 functional pockets to store all your toddler’s toys, snacks, essentials and more.

Also seen: Keeping Your Diaper Bag “Spring Clean”

Junkless Chewy Granola Bars: Speaking of snacks, it is literally a rule of life that you cannot leave home without snacks when you’re out with a toddler. Our team is a big fan of the Junkless Granola bars when it comes to feeding the little ones. Coming in peanut butter, chocolate chip, strawberry, or cinnamon, they have no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, no hydrogenated oils, no high fructose corn syrup, 0g trans fat; and what’s more, they have less sugar than many other leading granola bars – only 5g per 1.1 oz. bar. Our editor’s kids got the chance to try these and loved having them for breakfast, too!

MAM Baby Sports Cup: Another thing about toddlers you should know is that they are always “sooooo thirsty, mommy!” Make sure you’re all ready to go with a MAM Sports Cup full of water. The innovative MAM Sports Cup opens automatically for drinking and does not have to be opened by hand. A patented valve system ensures that the cup remains leak-proof but is always ready for drinking. This cup also features a leak-proof cap that help keep bottles clean when not in use.

Also seen: On the Go Snacks for Busy Moments with Kids

B.Box For Kids Snack Pack: Yes, more snacks. We told you so! Pretty much a toddler diaper bag is 50% snacks and 50% ways to clean up after snack. With two separate compartments that seal separately, you’re able to serve different foods. Also great for crackers and dip, little sandwich shapes and berries. Fab for all ages and stages. Handy spoon stows away in the lid. BPA, Phthalates and PVC free.

Also seen: On the Go Snacks for Busy Moments with Kids

Little Giraffe Plush Toy: Every toddler needs a plush buddy to take on their journeys, and we love the sweet plush animals from Little Giraffe. Made from the same cuddly Luxe Dot fabric Little Giraffe blankets are known for, but this time with squeezable cuteness! The giant ears and curled trunk is sure to delight any toddler boy or girl. Coming in pink and blue, this little elephant, known fondly as Little E, will become the buddy you’re little buddy has always wanted.

Saving Memories with Little Nugget

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As a parent, we know how time can seem to fly and the moments to jot down memories are few and far between. Luckily, we are huge fans of Little Nugget Co, a phone app that makes saving all of your precious memories of your little ones super easy – you could create gorgeous memorabilia with literally just one finger (hello, distraction during feeding time!). Check out why we’re loving Little Nugget Co app and head down to the bottom of the post for a special discount for our readers!

It’s no shock that Little Nugget Co was created by parents, for parents; as they explain, “As new parents ourselves, we know it can feel like the days never end, yet time seems to fly by so quickly. It’s easy to forget your little one’s sweet moments and major milestones. We created the Little Nugget baby photo app to help you easily capture and curate those fleeting moments, big and small, so you can share and save them for years to come.”

So, how does it work? Super simple – even the most sleep deprived parent can manage to do this! Simply, upload your pregnancy and baby photos (we know you have a million on your phone). Add personalized text and fun artwork to mark the milestone, and then share privately or across your favorite social network. You can even choose from 400+ artwork overlays to perfectly mark your baby’s exciting milestones and sweet moments! Select from beautiful fonts to add your little one’s name, measurements and memories you never want to forget. Easily edit your baby photo with a selection of over 15 beautiful photo filters.

Want to save all of those memories into your baby book? Little Nugget Co offers free shipping on all prints, photo books, phone cases and more. We’re big fans of Polka Dot Print Shop for gorgeous and easy to use baby books (pictured above). Don’t have Little Nugget Co yet? Use code GuGuGuru15 for a 15% off! And use the hashtag #LittleNuggetGG so we can see your adorable photos on Instagram!

Some similar posts you may have missed:

On the Go Snacks for Busy Moments with Kids

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Our editor in chief is a huge fan of the Whole30 program as a wonderful way to reset your mind and body; a few months back we posted about doing a Whole30 with the whole family. We also had the chance to interview the mama behind the Whole 30’s Healthy Mama, Happy Baby program, Stephanie Greunke – the Healthy Mama, Happy Baby program and Instagram is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all topics breastfeeding, pregnancy, eating clean, and even mental health. We are so excited to have teamed up with the Whole30 Mamas again – and this time all about healthy snacks for busy families!

Summer is winding down, which means you’re probably gearing up for back to school. We know how busy things can get in the frenzy of packing lunches, school pick ups, and work deadlines. Today we’ve partnered with our friends at Whole30 Healthy Mama, Happy Baby to bring you some healthy snack ideas for on the go!

Pre-made snacks:

Epic bites: think beef jerky, but with clean ingredients and in bite-sized form
RX bar kids: clean ingredients and 7 grams of protein in kid-friendly sizes and flavors
Serenity Kids pouches: purees that include protein, veggies, and healthy fats in easy-to-grab pouches

Easy whole foods:

Mini cucumbers
Mini peppers
Baby carrots (Serve any veggies with Wholly guacamole snack packs or a pre-filled tupperware of Tessemae’s ranch dressing)
Raw nuts (toddler-friendly, but not so baby friendly!)

Minimal prep snacks:

Lunch meat roll ups (clean lunch meat – we like Applegate Farms – + cheese + condiment if you like, rolled up and held together with a toothpick)
Cut up fruit and add a small tupperware of natural almond butter + honey
Hard boiled eggs dipped in Primal Kitchen mayo

Interested in hearing even more advice recommendations from the Whole30 Healthy Mama, Happy Baby team? This month they are focusing on all things baby and toddler feeding! Recently they wrote about their personal experiences with introducing solids and how their now toddlers eat. They’ve also compiled a list of their favorites plus recommendations from their community on Instagram for baby and toddler feeding over on their blog: HMHB Loves: Baby and Toddler Feeding.

Lansinoh Ultimate Protection Nursing Pads

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We are so excited to talk about Lansinoh Ultimate Protection Nursing Pads. Though this post is sponsored, we stand behind our statements about these nursing pads being among the best or THE best disposable nursing pads on the market today. The Lansinoh Ultimate Protection Nursing Pads are the only disposable nursing pads that have a unique combination of features that address several of mom’s challenges when it comes to a standard nursing pad. Here’s what our founder, Monica, has to say:

When developing the Ultimate Protection Nursing Pads, Lansinoh listened to the challenges that moms faced. They heard that other pads on the market leak through, or the pads are visible through clothes, when it gets wet, it gets clumpy and after a while uncomfortably soggy – especially at night.

Thus, the combination of the features in this Lansinoh Ultimate Protection Nursing Pad, tackles all these challenges at once. How?

It is by far Lansinoh’s most absorbent pad, holding up to 20x its weight in liquid.
The high absorbency level makes it ideal for nighttime use and heavy flows. Especially when a mom experiences several let-downs through the night or for women who are heavy leakers – there is no wetness, no soaked feeling – these pads keep you (and your pj’s and bedding!) dry.
Its blue InvisiLock™ core instantly captures and disperses moisture. This helps by keeping the skin dry and eliminating that wetness feeling. It also helps the pad to not get clumpy or bulky.
For being so absorbent, it is also a thin pad that will conform to the breast and be discreet, even when wet.

You can find the Ultimate Protection Nursing Pads directly on Lansinoh.com and they’re also available at major retail and online stores such as Target, Wal-Mart and Amazon.

Learn more about Lansinoh and other nursing products we love here:

Breastfeeding: Increasing Breastmilk Supply and Storage Tips

Nursing Mama Travel Must Haves

Nursing Essentials Roundup

Plus Size Nursing Bras with Bravado

Maternity Jeans for Every Budget

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When it comes to dressing your bump, a good pair of maternity jeans is key! Our editor polled one of her online mama groups and asked what their favorite maternity jeans were – for every budget! Here’s the top two picks for every different wallet size.

Budget-Friendly Maternity Jeans:

Left: Maternity Crossover Panel® Bootcut Jeans – Isabel Maternity, $25 – Hands down, when it comes to affordable maternity wear, Target is the lowest price. While H+M and Old Navy were also super popular, their maternity jeans were actually higher priced than any of Target’s options. These cute jeans have a little straight-leg to them, for the mamas who don’t love the super skinny look.

Right: Maternity Crossover Panel® Jeggings – Isabel Maternity, $25 – many moms we talked to sang the praises of jeggings for pregnancy! These Target jeggings with a full belly panel look chic and comfy.

Mid-Price Range Maternity Jeans:

Left: Motherhood Secret Fit Belly Stitched Pocket Boot Cut Maternity Jeans, $50 – these were our editor’s favorite jeans for pregnancy; she wore them throughout both pregnancies, and her husband even said they looked better on her than her non-maternity jeans!

Right: Three Seasons Maternity Women’s Maternity Bootcut Denim with Neutral Belly Band, $40 – The Three Seasons brand keep coming up in the group as a go-to brand for maternity; one mama said, “I bought and wore these for almost 2 years with back-to-back pregnancies and they still look new!!!“

High-Priced Maternity Jeans:

Left: Ag Jeans Secret Fit Belly Maternity Jeans, $200 – $300 – these came up time and again from the mamas, at a higher price range, they surely aren’t for every budget, but as one mama said, “pricey, but three pairs lasted me through two (and counting) pregnancies without stretching, losing shape or fading.”

Right: Joe’s Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans. $200 – $250 – another popular maternity jean in the higher price range, a mama fan of Joe’s says, “I’ve always found Joe’s denim to be soft, extremely comfortable, and have a good amount of stretch, which worked out fantastically well for a growing belly. I’m a big comfort person but I also love fashion and designers so the two lined up nicely as well. I remember trying on other maternity designer jeans and those not fitting as well or as comfortable as Joe’s.”

Check out some more maternity style inspiration:

Natural Products for Mama with Trainer Nancy Anderson

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The lovely mama-to-be, Nancy Anderson is back sharing her top natural products for pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond! Check out her last post on why it’s tricky to loose weight while breastfeeding.

What you put in your body is something that most women are becoming aware of during pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. What we put in your body goes to your baby. It’s filtered through your placenta but essentially the placenta can’t catch all the bad so if there are chemicals of toxins in your foods, your baby will end up getting some of that. For this reason we are all more aware of what we are eating and drinking during pregnant and breastfeeding. Caffeine intake, supplements, alcohol food and so on. Just like what we put in our bodies, what we put ON our bodies can still make it’s way into our pores, into our blood stream and again can get to the baby if you’re pregnant or get to our milk supply which then goes to the baby.

This is why I really try to help my clients see that it’s also important to make good choices about the things you are putting on your skin as well. I’m kind of a basic Mom, in a non Mom jean kinda way. I like to look fit and stylish but in a very minimalistic way. I am all about yoga pants, light makeup, and sneaks. So these suggestions are going to be like me – basic. The essentials, if you will. Here are a few must haves that I use in my routine during pregnancy and beyond:

1. Organic Coconut Oil: Yup, straight from Amazon or Costco. This is my ‘body lotion’. I buy a huge tub of this and plop it right in my shower. After I am done my shower, I shut the water off and put coconut oil all over my body just like lotion. Here is why I love it: Coconut oil has a texture similar to plain petroleum jelly, but it does not feel sticky or greasy on your skin like other lotions or ‘jellies’. It easily socks into my pores (especially after a fresh shave) and moisturizes deep within my skin. Plus it goes on smooth and smells delish!

Tip: On the 3 times a year I actually put eye makeup on (the few and far between date nights!) coconut oil also works as an AWESOME makeup remover. I just take a 1/3 tablespoon or so and wipe it on my eye lid, even lashes (keep your eyes shut) and on my face or eyebrows (where ever there is makeup) and then grab a towel and BAM all the makeup wipes right off. So easy! For those wondering if it could make you break out- the verdict says no: See coconut oil has antibacterial properties that protect the skin from potential pathogens. More importantly to most of you, it can reduce the risk of bacterial infections worsening acne – nice!

2. Juice Beauty: Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Overnight Cream: Let’s be honest, I’m not 25 anymore and my forehead has been feeling the wrath of that for quite a few years now. It was time for me to invest a little in preventing all these ever worsening wrinkles on my face. I have been using this product before bed and have to say I do notice a difference. I still have wrinkles but they aren’t as aggressive and my skin is smoother and brighter. My clients have noticed – so I’m not confident it’s not just the placebo effect.

Here is why I love it: There isn’t any junk and it actually works. So many times there will be brands that claim to be natural and well they just are not. This is a product that I can use on my skin and feel good about the ingredients potentially going into my blood stream while being pregnant on breastfeeding. While also getting some real results from using it.

3. Juice Beauty: Organic Facial Wash: I knew it was time to stop washing my face with my organic body wash when I hit 30, ha. “Ok”, I thought, “I need to take my skin care more seriously without falling into the trap of putting a bunch of chemicals on my skin.” I started using this Juice Beauty face wash a while back and it’s been my go-to ever since. My skin is naturally very dry so I needed a wash that didn’t dry out my skin. JB seems to have done the trick.

Here is why I love it: I have found that fatty acids in skin care products really are a natural ingredient that can do big things for your skin. This face wash nourishes with linseed, borage & primrose essential fatty acids. Best of all it’s ‘formulated without parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances.’ A win for Mama!

Nancy Anderson (M.S.) is a certified fitness trainer, nutrition consultant, pre & post natal specialist and one of the most sought after celebrity Trainers in Orange County CA. She is a Trainer for the Pear Sports fitness app and a Master Trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp. Nancy was named one of the top 10 Trainers to follow by Self Magazine and recently just published her first ebook on her nutritional plan ‘Nancy’s bible diet’. Nancy’s extensive education in health and fitness, combined with her passion for working with people to help them live their best and healthiest lives, continues to take her career to new heights. Most recently, after experiencing pregnancy and motherhood firsthand, Nancy has found a deep passion for working with fellow fit Mom’s who also do-it-all. In addition to being a certified pre- and post-natal trainer, Nancy also created a full pregnancy workout program (for all trimesters) that is featured on the Pear Sports App. Nancy has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science (with a concentration in Nutrition). Her fitness resume includes working with big brands such as Target and Under Armour as their trainer-on- set for fitness shoots and managing and implementing wellness programs at similarly large companies.

Preserving Summer Memories with Pearhead

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It’s getting to that time of year when kids are slowly trickling back into school, but it’s still hot out…the pool is still open, but yes, summer is on it’s way out. Before summer leaves for good, while all of those summer memories are fresh in your head, is a great time to start preserving all of the summer memories from the entire summer. You know that as soon as school is in full swing, and it becomes holiday season before you know it, those summer memories will seem so distant. We teamed up with Pearhead, known for their eclectic mix of memory making items, to share some of our top picks of ways we can make summer last forever…even if it is only in our minds!

Pictures Frames: We know that you’ve taken countless photos throughout the summer of your little ones with every family member that has come to visit, why not commemorate those special pictures with picture frames chock full of sweet sentiment? We happen to be a bit biased towards the “me & my mommy” frame, but you can also get one for daddy, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers – and give a gift to the grandparents, with a “my grandkids” frame of a special summer memory.

Family Handprint Frame: We all know how quickly kids grow up, so we’re absolutely loving the idea of this Family Handprint Frame to remember a special summer. You can use a great summer photo from the beach, a picnic, or park and then put everyone’s handprints in the frame to commemorate this specific time in your life.

Baby Book: Pearhead is known for their huge selection of gorgeous baby books! Don’t forget to snag one and write down all of the exciting events from the summer; even if it is as simple as, “baby’s first time eating watermelon,” we know you’re going to want to write it all down to remember all of those precious moments.

Clothespin Collage Frame: We love the idea of decorating the house year round with summer memories, and this Clothespin Collage Frame is the perfect way to do that. This precious frame features white ribbon with mini clothespins for hanging up to 9 favorite 3.25″ x 3.25″ photos of your child. Ribbon and clothespins add a special touch to this frame. Includes frame with space to hang 9 photos, mat for displaying, and hanger for easy wall mounting.

Siblings Collage Frame: Since summer is all about getting together and enjoying the weather, beach, and pool, we love this Siblings frame as a way to commemorate time with aunts, uncles, cousins, and family. A cute description is printed in the center of the frame in gray and Pearhead blue colors saying; “brothers & sisters, partners in crime, siblings, birds of a feather, and friends forever.” Large plastic frame is lightweight and perfect for hanging on any wall with included hanger.

Plus, don’t forget to start thinking ahead to Halloween with this “Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch” picture frame!

Don’t miss these other Pearhead items:

Maternity Fashion FAQs: Finally Answered by Le Tote

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Standing in front of a closet full of clothes that don’t fit anymore, mornings can get quite frustrating. It’s hard enough dressing right for your body type; add a growing bump to the mix and things can get overwhelming.

Contrary to how easy our favorite fashionistas make it look, transitioning to maternity fashion is not always that seamless.

Enter Le Tote Maternity. A fashion rental service that lets you borrow unlimited clothes and accessories, starting at $49 a month. Don’t forget to use code GUGU for 50% OFF your first month! (Expires 09/30/2017)

Here is a list of the most frequently-asked Maternity Fashion FAQs: Finally Answered by Le Tote to help you bump up your style.

What should I look for when buying maternity jeans?

While the style depends on your personal taste — skinny, boyfriend or classic straight leg, the key is adjustability. Whether you are an over or under the belly kind of girl, always look for jeans with elastic panels to accommodate your growing bump.

What is the best way to flatter my baby bump?

The one word answer is a belt. Use it to accessorize as well as accentuate your curves. Belt above your bump to avoid the parachute look. Find belts that are thin or stretchy or better still, both!

Do I have to avoid bright colors?

Not at all! Take advantage of your natural glow and rock colors that you normally wouldn’t. Deep oranges, hot pinks and vibrant blues… Enjoy this judgement-free time!

What kind of prints can I pull off?

Any and every kind of print! Pick an iconic statement if you are feeling bold, or a vibrant graphic print if you are in the mood for some fashion fun. A subtle micro print is great for work or weekend.

Which trimester calls for true maternity wear?

The second trimester. You can get away with wearing your own clothes in the first trimester because the bump isn’t visible yet. Once you start showing, it’s time to build your maternity wardrobe with essentials like easy knit dresses, work blouses and classic denim.

What are some closet essentials I should look out for?

These five pieces are essentials you will wear well beyond your term. Made to adapt to your changing body and versatile enough to be dressed up or down, think of these as your maternity closet MVPs, pieces that you can wear during AND after.

Go-To Skinny Jeans: You will love the comfort of your stretchy maternity skinny jeans long after the baby comes.

The Wrap Dress: No other silhouette accommodates a growing bump AND hides a less than perfect post-baby belly quite like a wrap dress.

Easy Draped Nursing Wrap: Drape style nursing wraps metamorphose into a chic third piece, aka the easiest way to elevate the simplest of looks.

Basic T-shirt Dress: An easy T-shirt dress that will rescue the I-don’t-have-anything-to-wear days during the pregnancy and much after.

Essential White Top: A basic white top — dressed up or down — has to be our number 1 building block of any weekend wardrobe.

4 New Nursery Trends for Millennial Parents

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When it comes to designing a nursery, it seems as though the days of “blue or pink?” or “jungle animals or zoo animals?” are long gone! Nowadays, there are new nursery trends for millennial parents; it’s all about pattern, texture, and design elements – palm trees or flamingos? Gold polka dots or navy stripes? Whatever your style is, designing a nursery should be fun, so we rounded up some gorgeous nurseries for inspiration.

1. Black and White Nurseries: keep it chic and cool with these black and white styled nurseries – perfect for gender neutral rooms or when you don’t want to find out which sex you’re having. (Photo: Project Nursery)

Black and white isn’t your thing? Check out these red, white, and blue nurseries.

2. Gender Neutral Nurseries: This nursery inspiration from Lot801 has so many elements which are popular right now for nursery trends: the animal print on the wall, little gold animals, palm print, and even fresh plants in the nursery.

3. Gray nurseries: Gray nurseries are super popular for nursery trends right now, as they are gender neutral, grow easily with your baby’s style and complement so many other colors, so you can add pops of any color you want to the room! (Photo: Little Adi)

4. Botanical Style Nurseries: Palm trees, succulents, plants, oh my! Going for a crisp and cool look, many parents are opting for one of the most popular nursery trends, with botanical style nurseries – you can go palm and succulent, or you can always go floral, too! (Photo: Alissandra B)

Looking for even more nursery trends inspiration? Check out some of our nursery posts!

Project4: Help 4Moms Bring the mamaRoo to Every NICU

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It’s no surprise that babies and parents alike love the 4Moms mamaRoo; it is one of the most popular registry items on Gugu Guru’s database! But, did you also know that when you buy a mamaRoo4 from 4Moms, you can help a baby in the NICU? It’s true. Through Project 4, 4% of mamaRoo4 sales (from July – December) will be donated to Project Sweet Peas, a non-profit that helps NICU babies.

Over 350 maternity wards, NICUs, and pediatric units across the U.S. use the mamaRoo to comfort newborns. Doctors and nurses have found it transformational in caring for preemies and babies with severe conditions. As Debbie Deedy-Dazzi, from the NICU at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in Connecticut says, “The mamaRoo is invaluable to our tiniest of patients. The mamaRoo snuggles our preemies as if they were being held by their own mom or dad.”

For the last three years, Project Sweet Peas has worked closely with 4moms to provide the mamaRoo to hospitals and families in need across the country. Doctors and nurses have found the mamaRoo to be transformational in caring for preemies and babies with severe conditions. Through the program, 4Moms has been able to donate mamaRoos to families who may not be able to afford one, making the transition from hospital to home easier. As a mama to twins in the NICU stated, “Very few things comforted me and my NICU baby, except for the mamaRoo; it was his happy place. There should be mamaRoo in every room in every NICU around the world.”

How can you help? It’s simple. Go to the 4Moms website, and purchase your new 4Moms mamaRoo4 before December, 2017 – 4% of your purchase will go towards Project Sweet Peas and help a NICU family get a mamaRoo for themselves.

Some more on 4Moms:

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