Gugu Guru

Pregnancy Announcement Ideas With Here Comes Baby!

When you pee on a stick and see those two lines, one of the first thoughts many women get are how they are going to tell their loved ones. Pregnancy announcements have become so popular in the last few years – and we’ve even seen an uptick in moms and dads adding pregnancy announcement related attire and props to their baby registries. We’ve rounded up some fun ways to share your pregnancy with family and friends – whether it’s your first, second, or last baby – it’s always fun to announce the pregnancy in a new way!

We’re obsessed with these onesies from Little Faces Apparel; these make wonderful announcements for social media or to surprise friends and family from afar! Having a little guy? Check out this onesie which comes in blue, slate, or white. Don’t know the gender or want to surprise people? We love the “It’s a Baby!” onesie which comes in white or gray. Having a little lady? Loving this adorable pretty-in-pink “it’s a Girl” onesie which also comes in white and gray.

Looking for more gender neutral ideas for onesies? Check out this cute “coming soon” customized onesie from The Little Ham. The “Hello Little One” onesie from Ruby Claire Boutique is so sweet and could even be used for newborn photos (need a bow to style with the onesie? We love the ones from Bow & Anchor Co). Looking to add a date to your onesie? Check out the personalized “Coming Soon” with a due date onesie from Sprinkles and Jam.

We also love the idea of doing something including jewelry for an announcement; for a first time mama, this “mom to be” necklace from Her Silver Lining is so sweet with its hand stamped text. Is baby going to be born to older sisters? Use these big sister/little sister bracelets from Maks Chic Design to announce a new sister!

How did you announce your pregnancy? We’re so excited to introduce you to a new website, Here Comes Baby! Here Comes Baby is an editorial site dedicated to pregnancy announcements and gender reveals! The Here Comes Baby team hopes the stories shared on their site will inspire others to create their own memorable reveal. Got a cute pregnancy announcement or gender reveal and want to share it? Head to this link to visit them and submit!

For all you techie mamas, we’re loving Little Nugget Co, which is an app dedicated to capturing your baby’s sweet moments and milestones – all with fun stickers and designs! It’s so easy to use – simply upload photos from your phone, add personalized text and fun artwork to mark the milestone, and then share privately or across your favorite social network. This is a great way to have fun with your pregnancy announcement on social media.

There are so many fun ways to announce your pregnancy – we love this big sister checklist from Shopaholic & a Baby, and the adoption announcement from Simply Darrling is darling, too. We are tickled by this little sister announcement featuring two big sisters from Gentry California, and this Big, Mid, and Lil announcement from a Monkey and His Mama. We’d love to know how YOU shared your pregnancy – tag us on Instagram (@gugu_guru) and let us know!

*featured photo via A Monkey and His Mama; last image via Pics and Paws Photography

Sleepytime Find: ergoPouch

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-Sponsored Post-

Melbourne, Australia-based ergoPouch was founded in 2009 by Alina Sack. As a mother, Sack drew on her own personal experiences of sleep deprivation to come up with innovative products designed to help babies and kids get a better night’s sleep. The award-winning ergoPouch collection includes premium quality baby swaddles, sleeping bags and sleep suits available from birth to 6 years. All ergoPouch products are made with natural fibers including Organic Cotton, Bamboo and Merino. ergoPouch products offer great functionality and versatility with swaddles that can easily transition to a sleeping bag, and sleep suits that convert from bags to suits with legs for easy use from bassinet to stroller.

You can find ergoPouch on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can buy any of the ergoPouch sleep items at Babies R Us.

The organic natural fibers that make up the ergoPouch are breathable and skin friendly, which keeps baby at an even and controlled temperature, unlike with polyester. ergoPouch offers a range of tog (warmth) ratings available to suit every temperature and every season, so you can pick the suits perfect for your baby at all times of the year. The .2 tog Ergococoon swaddle is designed to be easy to use and difficult to escape from! The simple zip up design will keep baby snug and securely swaddled without the need for complicated wrapping. For babies 0-4 months, the Ergococoon swaddles with arms in to contain natural startle reflex, and at 4-12 months transition from swaddle to sleep bag (arms out) with armhole poppers. The two way zipper makes diaper changes super easy, too!

ergoPouch Baby Sleeping Bags come in a range of fabrics and tog ratings to suit your little one – if you’re transitioning out of your ergoCocoon you might try a jersey sleeping bag. Made with organic cotton they have the same super soft feel as the ergoCocoon and come in size 8-24 months only. For a more luxurious feel, the organic cotton sheeting Sleeping Bags are made with 600+ thread count and organic cotton fillings. They have unique stretch inserts on the sides and shoulders to allow babies to move more freely and comfortably while they sleep.

For ages 2 years through six years, the award winning ergoPouch Sleep Suit converts from a Sleeping Bag to a Sleep Suit with legs using zippers – making the transition from crib to stroller or car an easy one. Like the Ergococoon Sleeping bags, ergoPouch Sleep Suit Bags are a safe way to keep baby warm without the need for extra blankets, which can place baby or child at an increase risk of SIDS. This is also a perfect choice for older babies and toddlers who like freedom of movement, with grip pads on the feet for little walkers. The Sleep Suit Bag is made from a skin-friendly organic cotton outer layer with a breathable cotton filling.

Thank you to ergoPouch for making this post possible.

How To: Pick Baby Bedding For Your Registry

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When it comes to designing a nursery for your little one, the bedding you choose is very important – for safety, for design, and for comfort. Today we have the designers from Caden Lane, a gorgeous baby bedding company here to help you pick baby bedding for your registry. You can find Caden Lane on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Baby Bedding is a must have for the nursery, but is it something you put on your gift registry? Definitely! Or at least we think so. Who doesn’t need crib bedding when they’re expecting a baby? Not many. So that makes it a perfect item to add to your baby registry!

We like to say here at Caden Lane that the bedding can help set the tone for the rest of the nursery, or maybe we just think that way because we design all of our nurseries with the bedding in mind. No matter how you start envisioning your dream nursery though, there is going to be bedding on the crib. And what’s better than your friends and family helping to create the perfect space for your baby to grow up in? If you’re still hesitant don’t worry. We’re here to help answer the top 3 questions about adding bedding to your registry.

What Crib Bedding Items Should I Include on a Registry?

Well, like many questions with your child the answer is – it depends. What you should add is going vary based on how you envision the look and feel of the room as well as your personal preference. If you want to go with a sleek modern look it might only include a crib sheet – or five, if we’re being real here. Or if you imagine a more refined and elegant space, it could include everything from the crib skirt, sheet, bumpers and/or crib rail cover, crib bows and a matching blanket. It’s completely up to you and your preference, Mama!

We’re all for adding everything you want to your registry and then being okay with it if not everything was purchased. There’s definitely no reason to not include something that you want for your baby on the registry! Even if you’re not sure that you really need it. Unsure if you’ll use the changing pad cover that matches the crib sheet? Add it. With a baby, especially if it’s your first, it’s best to be over prepared. You never know what might become a savior or what might not work for you until you try it.

How Many Do I Need?

Everyone always wants to know how many they’ll need of something. And it’s a big question for good reason – every baby is different. Your baby might spit up or have diaper explosions every other night – or you could go a week without needing to change a crib sheet. You live and you learn what works for you, but to start out these are our general recommendations

Crib Sheets – we recommend registering for at least 3 crib sheets – you are going to have to change one in the middle of the night and will need a backup. And if you end up needing more you can purchase it when the need arises.

Crib Skirts – just one, if you are using one on your crib. They are great for hiding storage under the crib!

Crib Rail Covers – this depends on your crib. You may just need one for the front of your crib, especially if it has a high back or sides, or you might want 2 if the long sides of the crib are the same, depending on the position of the crib in the room. If both sides are open you may want two, but if one long side is up against the wall there’s less of a chance for baby to start chewing on it.

Bumpers – one set should definitely suffice

What About the Price?

If you are adding the whole shebang to your registry, it’s nice to add the items individually or turn on group gifting, if possible, to avoid a higher than necessary price point for a gift. It helps everyone pick and choose what they want to give and gives you a better chance of receiving all the items you’re hoping for.

If you have a crib in the nursery, it might be difficult to wait and not just purchase this yourself to get the room looking more polished, but if you can wait a while it might just be worth it! So keep that vision of your dream nursery in your head and pick out your favorite bedding that makes the room perfect – and then put it on your registry. The absolute worst thing that will happen is that no one purchases it for you and then you buy it yourself anyways, but might as well give them the chance, right? Right.

Baby Style Find: Softsie

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The Gugu Guru team first fell in love with Softsie when Live Sweet Photography included them in the registry ideas for adoption mamas. When our team got our hands on some to try, we fell head over heels for their modern designs, adorable fit, but most of all – how incredibly soft they are – hence the name! Why are Softsie pajamas, hats, and bibs SO soft? Read on to find out!

You can find Softsie on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Natalie started Softsie after her daughter was suffering from itchy eczema and dry skin; after struggling to reapply lotion on a squirmy baby all day long, Natalie stumbled upon a brilliant idea – why not infuse her pajamas with lotions and oils to help moisturize and hydrate her baby’s skin all night long? And from there, Softsie was born!

Infused into the Softsie Footie are Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, and Vitamin E. These ingredients are infused into our fabric through a capsulation process. Microscopic, airtight and waterproof capsules are applied by immersing or “dipping” knitted fabric in a controlled laboratory setting. The fabric is then laid out to dry, and as the fabric dries, the infusion becomes deeply embedded into the yarns of the fabric. The capsules open to release the treatment only when the fabric is touched or rubbed by human skin. Essentially, every time an infused garment is worn, the capsules break open and the materials are released gently.

The Softsie clothing is made of a cotton jersey fleece with the following properties (47% modal, 47% cotton, and 6% lycra). Their fabric is of medium weight and incredibly, super-duper, buttery soft. The fabric is cozy yet breathable, and can be worn comfortably all year round. The infused products are organic, all-natural, hypoallergenic, Fragrance-free, Nut-free, Dairy-free, and Vegan – plus everything is machine washable! Softsie is made in the United States and offers gender neutral, modern colors and prints that are fun and stylish. These would make a wonderful baby shower gift!

Nursery Essentials: Crane Penguin Adorable Humidifier

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-Sponsored Post-

It’s no secret that we think Crane USA Humidifiers are a must-have for any nursery, especially when it comes to a healthy nursery for baby and preventing congestion for tiny noses. Today we’re excited to introduce you to the Crane Penguin Adorable Humidifier, which is a must-have essential for any nursery or child’s room. Featuring award winning, child-friendly animal designs and top rated performance, Crane’s Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers provide up to 24 hours of soothing moisture to help relieve the effects of dryness and congestion, helping you and your Family to breathe easy and sleep through the night peacefully.

Puffington the Penguin is an adorable way to add humidity and wellness to your baby’s room. Did you know that humidifiers are a recommended non-medicated alternative to over the counter cough and cold medicine? The Crane Penguin Adorable Humidifier is the perfect size for any nursery and the removable 1 gallon tank easily fits under most bathroom sinks. Plus, it runs whisper quiet up to 24 hours, so it won’t wake even the fussiest of sleepers. The ultrasonic cool mist increases moisture in the air for easier breathing and a good night’s sleep.

Humidifiers are especially important for Newborns because they are Obligate Nasal Breathers, breathing only through their tiny noses for their first 4 – 6 months. Any congestion can make breathing, feeding, and sleeping incredibly difficult for your little one. Not only that, but many pediatricians recommend the use of a humidifier as a safe, non medicated, all natural alternative to help relieve congestion from the common cold and flu instead of potentially harmful over-the-counter cough and cold medicine. Did you know humidifiers are an ideal choice for relieving the discomforts of nasal congestion, dry itchy skin and hair, chapped lips, nose bleeds, and dry throats?

Crane’s cheerful designs complement any children’s bedroom decor. Not only are Crane humidifiers adorable, but they are easy to use, whisper quiet, and feature Antimicrobial Material in the Base to help reduce mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%*. This compact, BPA Free unit uses ultrasonic technology to add humidity to the air, is more efficient than a household light bulb, and includes a built-in auto-shut-off feature that engages when the water tank is empty to ensure safety.

You can find Crane USA on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you to Crane for making this sponsored post possible.

New Mom Review: 4moms moxi + car seat

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Theresa – Gugu Guru’s head of design and new mommy to adorable Robbie – was so excited to be able to try out the moxi stroller and self-installing car seat from 4moms. If you don’t know 4moms, we think of them as Apple computer-like innovators for parents. 4moms’ gear is thoughtfully designed with some of the coolest tech around. Read what Theresa calls out as the pros and cons for the stroller and car seat below (and although Theresa received these products for review from 4moms, all opinions are her own.)

moxi stroller ($699.99)

Pro: Just Downright Cool Technology
This carriage has a cell phone charger port – totally handy! It will also tell you how fast you are going, distance, etc. I really love that the stroller features lights if you are out walking at dusk (trying to get baby to snooze) – super neat!

Pro: Self Charging! (most of the time)
The carriage has a generator in it so it does not require batteries for any of its awesome features! (Caveat: the generator will only last if the carriage is used frequently, if not, you have to plug it in and charge it to use all its cool technology.)

Pro: Easy to Open and Close
It was so easy to open and close the carriage for travel.

Con: Little Pouch for Belongings
The little pouch for your belongings is open. I didn’t totally love this because if my phone or wallet is in it I felt uncomfortable walking away from the carriage, even a little, while out in public. Editor’s note: 4moms really designed this to make your phone easily accessible, hence no zipper.

Con: Converting The Seat To Accommodate An Older Child
The infant carrier and the regular seat for older baby are two separate pieces (separate from the carriage base itself). Even though the regular seat is not hard to attach, it has to be completely converted to work. So if you have two kids, one older one infant, you can only use the carriage exclusively for one or the other in a single outing. Editors note: We spoke to 4moms about this and they said that their test parents have found this process to be very easy – clicking/unclicking two belts on the backside of the seat and turning the seat around. The three configurations are meant to grow with the child – so normally, you wouldn’t be switching back and forth regularly for two different children – although you certainly could.

Self-Installing Car Seat ($499.99)

Pro: Extra AWESOME Technology
The 4moms app will not only self-install the car seat as promised, it will also adjust positioning and tension as your baby grows. It will let you know if carrier is in correctly and it will also alert you if you leave the carrier (and baby) in the car. Pretty cool! Plus the software that runs the car seat base can regularly be updated with new features and functionality right through your smartphone.

Pro: Infant Fit
The car seat comes with an additional infant insert to be used for 4-11 pounds and really helps baby sit comfortably and securely – especially when baby is on the smaller side. Also, the bottom buckle is more rigid, verses just a fabric piece, so it makes it very easy to get baby in the seat (without them sitting on it.)

Con: Requires Eight (8) D Batteries
All the the extra technology that you get with the 4moms app will only work with the addition of the batteries in the base. When baby was only 6 weeks, the batteries died. (Who has time to run outside and change batteries in the carseat once a month?!) Editor’s Note: According to 4moms, this may have been an issue in some of the first units, but today, that issue has been resolved. By downloading the new update (version 4.16), the battery life will be significantly extended. The battery life should last the life cycle of one baby in the car seat. New baby, new batteries.

Con: A Couple Technology Fails
A couple of times the base alerted that the car seat carrier was not in correctly when it was. One of the times we were an hour from home and listened to it ding and false alarm the whole way home. We couldn’t fix this until we could take it out and reinstall which we couldn’t do being an hour away – a little annoying. Editor’s Note: We spoke to 4moms and they said if the carrier is not detected, as described, the issue can often be resolved just by lifting the carrier out, and placing it back in the base. Typically, a re-installation of the base is not needed. 4moms is launching another software update that will further improve the user experience and reduce the occurrence of false alarms, such as this one.

Fourth Trimester Wellness Beauty Guide

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True that May is the month of Mother’s Day but it is also National Mental Health Awareness Month. We believe that creating a self care routine is truly key to a mother’s health and wellness. Gugu Guru has partnered with new mom and founder of Solly Baby, Elle Rowley, on a fourth trimester wellness beauty guide rounding up some of our favorite products to help a new mother pamper herself in the early stages of motherhood and keep herself feeling well. Read on for Elle’s picks…

She will be engrossed in her newborn but a new mother should never underestimate the emotional impact of putting even the tiniest bit of effort into her appearance and well-being. Feeling even somewhat put-together can make one feel more productive and confident, and those are feelings every new mom needs in the first few weeks following delivery.

ARROW Hydrate Deodorant
Its formulation is both aluminum- and alcohol-free making it safe for breastfeeding mothers and, more importantly, it works. (Birchbox, $9)

goop Discovery Set
Essential to self-care routine; especially ideal for moisturizing and refreshing a mother’s skin when dehydrated from nursing. (goop, $125)

goop The Mother Load
Packed with beneficial ingredients like sardine oil, which is shown in studies to defend against mood disorders including anxiety & depression, and coconut oil for increasing the levels of lauric acid and capric acid in breast milk, creating milk rich in health-promoting nutrients. (goop, $90)

Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask and Mega Greens Galaxy Pack
Offers cleaning, rejuvenating and moisturizing for slackened skin. (Glossier, $40)

BIRCHROSE+ Co Body Polish Dry Brush and Dry Brushing Oil
Exfoliates, improves lymphatic drainage, increases the release of toxins, promotes softer and lighter skin and generally encourages new cell renewal.All of these benefits are amazing in the 4th trimester when you won’t yet have the clearance to work out and you’re movement is limited. (BIRCHROSE + CO, $28)

Shiva Rose Rose Moon Sea Salt
The best treat for your first bath post baby – so beautiful and smells amazing! (Shiva Rose, $60)

CONTEXT Come Clean Lipstick
A mix between a hydrating chapstick and a lipstick; offers full coverage without the dryness of standard lipsticks. (CONTEXT, $20)

Tubby Todd Mama Bundle
Bundle of three essential, natural products: hand cream, balm and refreshing spray, are essential for nourishing skin during early motherhood. (Tubby Todd, $49)

Moon Juice Spirit Dust
Edible beauty for re-balancing your energy. Great to add to your favorite hearty smoothie recipe in the morning. (Moon Juice, $30)

Function of Beauty Haircare
Developed using custom ingredients for your often fickle and unpredictable postpartum hair. (Function of Beauty, $36)

Elle’s Picks

Feels the best: Glossier feels like a splurge

Use the most: Tubby Todd

Easiest: Arrow Hydrate Deodorant -if you do nothing else

Treat Yourself: goop Discovery set

Mompreneur Spotlight: Haylie Duff + Jessica Frank of Little Moon Society

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Little Moon Society is the labor of love between two lifelong friends, actress and lifestyle expert, Haylie Duff and veteran children’s clothing designer, Jessica Frank. The moment these two became mothers, they knew they wanted to raise thoughtful and unique children; Little Moon Society was born from that ideal. Each piece in the Little Moon Society collection is handmade in Los Angeles, California, using only the highest quality materials. Children express themselves through play, so wearability and durability are at the heart of each article. Like the constantly changing phases of the moon, children are always evolving. Haylie Duff and Jessica Frank are here to chat about being mom-bosses and how and why they started Little Moon Society.

You can find Little Moon Society on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

How and why did you start Little Moon Society?

Haylie and I have been best friends since we were teenagers. Haylie is such an incredible business woman, having her hand in so many different ventures: Real Girls Kitchen, acting, blogging, being an author – that design was just a natural next step for her. I have a lot of experience in design and have been in the kids clothing space for a decade now. Before we started Little Moon Society, I gave Ryan, Haylie’s 2 year old little girl, some clothing from my last brand. Haylie fell in love, and felt inspired to see where a joint partnership could take us, and the rest is history.

Where did you come up with the name?

Choosing our name was a true collaboration. We were hanging out one evening, talking about our love for all things moon and stars. We kept going back and forth, and thus Little Moon Society was born. We really wanted a name that would reflect all the phases of a child’s personality and the moon has always reflected that feeling for us.

How do you balance work and family?

I don’t know if it’s as much of a balance as it is a juggling act. Our kids are our #1 priority, and everything else comes second. We’re lucky because our kids are also best of friends, so we can get together and have the kids play while we work. It’s amazing what mamas can get done in an hour or two!

What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

The best part about being a mompreneur is making our own rules and our own schedule. We don’t feel that there is a separation between our business and parenting our girls. Our children inspire every aspect of our business. Our designs come from what we wish for in their closets. Our fabrics come from what they feel is most comfortable and cozy on their little bodies. Our manufacturing decisions come from our love of supporting local businesses (our manufacturer is a family owned and operated business!). My 3 month old daughter Sloan comes with us to every meeting and appointment. It’s such a blessing for me to work and still be able to be with her full-time. Haylie’s daughter Ryan was a big inspiration for our summer collection and one of our models. She wears the pieces from our collection every day and we love how comfortable she looks playing and running around in them.

Little Moon Society is a reflection of our personal passions and beliefs. It’s important to us to give our children the best of everything – love, food, clothing, and so on. LMS was founded on this philosophy – the highest quality materials, made with love and care in Los Angeles, with pieces kids will love to wear and moms will love to dress them in

Babywearing Essential: Baby K’tan Nautical Print

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It’s no secret that we’re big fans of babywearing, and when it comes to carriers, we can’t say enough great things about Baby K’tan. With its patented double-loop design, the Baby K’tan slips on like a t-shirt – no fuss, from the baby or yourself – the K’tan makes babywearing as simple as can be. K’tan recently released their print collection, and the nautical print carrier is your perfect summer accessory.

The Baby K’tan nautical print (and all of their prints) is made of a 100% natural cotton patterned with beautiful vibrant prints. The carrier’s unique one-way stretch and soft fabric offer you and your little a wonderfully cozy hold. The Baby K’tan is known for their ergonomic positioning for healthy infant development and comfort for parents, as it evenly distributes weight across back and shoulders.

The Baby K’tan can be used from 8 to 35 pounds, and comes with a sash, so you can utilize all 6 possible babywearing positions. We love the Baby K’tan, especially for c-section mamas, as you can wear your infant high above your c-section incision. Plus the material is super soft, and it could not be easier to put on, and take off, the carrier. And, most importantly, it’s washable!

You can find Baby K’tan on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thank you to Baby K’tan for making this sponsored post possible.

Bottle Feeding Find: MAM Anti-Colic Bottles

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When it comes to bottle feeding, it seems that there are a million bottles to choose from. However, MAM, the leading designer brand of award-winning, medically sound and innovative baby products, recently introduced a new double-sided design for its award winning Anti-Colic bottles. Designed to prevent colic, gas and reflux, the bottles’ new double-sided design features adorable themed graphics on one side and a large, graduated scale on the other.

Ideal for newborns, the innovative MAM Anti-Colic Bottle makes the transition between breast and bottle feeding easy. The patented Anti-Colic vented base ensures babies can drink calmly and relaxed while ventilation holes regulate the pressure balance. This allows for the milk to flow evenly without bubbles or foaming. The nipple’s SkinSoft textured surface and unique flat shape fits perfectly in the baby’s mouth making the switch between breast and bottle easy. MAM Anti-Colic bottles feature a leak-proof cap, wide openings and removable base for easy cleaning.

MAM Anti-Colic Bottles are BPA-free, BPS-free, PVC-free, lead-free and CPSIA-compliant. In addition, the bottles are dishwasher safe and specially formulated to withstand steam sterilization in the microwave. Available in a 5 ounce or 9 ounce size; recommended for newborns and up. Available in Nature Meadows Blue, Pink and Cream designs. Suggested retail price: $6.99 for single pack, $16.99 for triple pack and $37.99 for the Infant Basics set.

MAM Anti-Colic Bottles have won numerous awards and accolades including New York Family Magazine “Best Bottles”, National Parenting Publication Awards, The Bump Best of Baby Award, What to Expect Love it Award and the NCW Eco-Excellence Award to name a few.

The new MAM Anti-Colic bottles with double sided design are now available at select Target stores nationwide and online.

You can find MAM on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Baby photo via Can1Love

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