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An Avid Runner’s 6 Baby Registry Picks

We connected with running mom, Leah Balentine, on Instagram last year when she was pregnant and we’ve followed her ever since. Now a new mommy to her adorable little running buddy, we find Leah’s posts super inspiring plus she’s a Charity Miles ambassador and that means, every time she gets moving (which is a lot), she earns money for a charity of her choosing. With the theme of healthy living and New Year’s resolutions in mind, we asked Leah to guest blog for Gugu Guru this month and share some of her avid running mama picks. Here’s what she had to say:

I started distance running after college. I ran my first marathon (Marine Corps Marathon) with Team in Training in 2009. One thing led to another and over the last few years I have run 10 marathons. I slowed down but continued to run during pregnancy.

Stroller running brings a whole new level of intensity but it is so fun! We love to run around Honolulu. A great place for stroller running near us is Ala Moana Park. It’s a beautiful, paved park.

Here are some of my top picks for avid running mamas:

Thule Urban Glide is an all-round sports stroller with a sleek and lightweight design making it perfect for urban mobility or jogging on your favorite path.

2. Stability ball for core/pelvic strength.

3. Running journal to keep track of fitness during pregnancy and postpartum progress.

4. A supportive sports bra that allows for breastfeeding. I like the Moving Comforts Juno Sports Bra.

5. A Bao Bei Maternity Sports Band to provide pregnant belly support for workouts.

6. Gabrialla maternity support belt – I found this one works best for belly support specifically during running versus just general workouts.

Vote on Your Favorite Breast Pump Innovation!

by Gugu Guru 4 Comments

From hands-free to cordless to whisper quiet features, there are lots of new developments in the breast pump category right now. Gugu Guru wants to know what you think so vote on your favorite using the thumbs up icon today! (Did we miss an innovation? Comment below to let us know what should be on the list!) Winner gets the Gugu Picks badge!

DIY Fringe Bibs

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See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? Adorable and easy to make fringe bibs for the little ones in your life.

As soon as this little girl hit six months old she was ready to chow! It’s so much fun to see her explore food. So far she loves it all, but especially the vegetables! We partnered with Micuna for this post. They make the cutest modern baby gear and we are loving the Ovo high chair! I love mid-century modern style and this high chair fits right in. I had to go with the pink pad, but it also comes in a few other colors!

I made these modern fringe bibs to go with the chair! These bibs are fun and easy to sew up. You can customize them with your favorite fabrics and different types of trims, lace or pom poms! There are so many possibilities that will work for any sweet baby! Make sure the fringe is washable and you’re good to sew!

Read more about this high chair over at See Kate Sew today and enter to win one on this post!

Materials:

-1/3 yard cotton
-1 yard trim
-1/3 yard soft backing fabric, I’m using double gauze from Raspberry Creek Fabrics
-pattern download

Instructions:

1. Download the pattern and print it out at 100% (do not scale). Trim off excess on the sides and tape together as shown from below. Cut out the bib pattern.

2. Cut out 1 bib from main fabric and one from backing fabric.

3. Pin the trim to the front bib piece, facing the bottom edge of the trim UP. Pin in place.

4. Pivot at the bottom point and finish pinning the trim.

5. Baste trim to bib.

6. Place the backing fabric on top of the main fabric and pin it together. The trim will all be on the inside. Sew all the way around 3/8″ from the edge of the bib. Leave a 2-3″ opening on one of the straight side edges.

7. Clip the corners and turn the bib right side out. Press well and topstitch around the bib 1/8″ from the edge.

And you’re done!

Gift Guide for Traveling Mamas

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As your infant quickly grows, you’ll find yourself wanting to explore the world more and more. Eventually, you’ll even want to go on a vacation and stay someplace overnight! If you’re going to be bringing baby along, we have some handy travel items you don’t want to forget. These make wonderful baby shower gifts or add them to your registry.

Sponsored Post

Smockingbirds Pajamas: Anytime you go on vacation, it’s always fun to have a new set of pajamas to rock in a hotel room. We’re big fans of Smockingbird’s pajamas because not only are they super soft, but incredibly personalized! The pajamas can be personalized and you get to pick the color of the thread and which font you like (they have 16 to choose from). Not only are these pajamas super adorable, but the long sleeves will keep your little one (the smallest size is 3 months) warm in cool hotel rooms – or a cool house in summertime. They make a wonderful baby shower gift for second or third time mamas, because you can get baby’s name on it!

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 586b943859841f2d4e37a13e

Babymel’s Robyn Diaper Bag Backpack: If you’re thinking about traveling with baby, we highly recommend the Robyn bag from Babymel. It’s an incredibly versatile bag and can be worn four different ways – wear it as a backpack, shoulder bag, cross body or hand held with our easy to use convertible strap. The Robyn bag is both lightweight and durable, and features plenty of pockets to organize all baby’s essentials. The Robyn includes an Easy-Wipes pocket which has a dispenser slot for pulling wipes through, so you can easily grab a wipe without having to undo zips or dig through your bag – perfect for quick clean- ups on the go, especially while traveling. It’s a very roomy bag, so there is enough space for a change of clothes and snack for mama – plus, it also comes with an insulated bottle bag for baby. If you’re looking for utility and lots of style, this Babymel Robyn bag is the way to go.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 586ec6300452725f5ce5c562

Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding Relief Packs: If you’re a traveling mama who also breastfeeds, you need to check out Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding Relief Packs. Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding Relief Packs are the only FDA-cleared moist-heat and cooling relief packs that conveniently slip into any bra and can help increase milk supply, and relieve and prevent mastitis, clogged ducts, nipple pain, engorgement and more. Moist heat is one of the most highly recommended and effective ways to help increase milk supply and relieve common breastfeeding discomforts. No more dripping wet washcloths! Now women can get relief effectively, conveniently and discreetly. Rachel’s Remedy helps moms reach their breastfeeding goals. If you’re heading on a trip, make sure to throw some of the packs in your luggage!

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5840121a59841f110c45d742

Chewbeads Baby Gramercy Stroller Toy/Car Seat Attachment: When traveling, it’s always best to have something to distract baby! Chewbeads are 100% silicone and safe for your teething baby. The soft and flexible design adds a great distraction for curious babies who like to touch, tug, and chew on the go. This is small enough so you can easily throw in your diaper bag and use on the stroller, on a plane, in the carseat, or in a highchair! The bright colors are stimulating for little eyes and this toy is a great way to teach dexterity and grabbing objects as well.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 586b97190452725f5ae5bdce

Thank you to Babymel, Chewbeads, Rachel’s Remedy and Smockingbird for making this sponsored post possible.

Trend Spotter: Fairy and Magical Gardens

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We’re smitten for fairy and magical gardens for baby and nursery style; here are some of our favorite picks for fairy and magical garden style.

Rose Fairy Lights in Magenta Lilac and Apple White Rambling Rose String Garland Flower Lights, $30: A decorative string of mixed rambling roses in magenta purple , lilac and apple white with warm white LED lights. The fairy lights are powered by battery which means they are very versatile – use to decorate a table (birthday, baby shower, dinner parties or your craft fair table!) or around your home.
Crochet Fairy Doll, $30: The precious “Pearl Fairy” is created from 100% cotton of a high quality yarn. Her clothes are made from 100% yarn / felt fabric and tulle. Also her hair are made from 100% wool felt. As crochet doll her measurements are approximately 11.81inches (30cm) tall.
Needle Felted Fairy Doll, green, $54: The little Dorimu needle felted dolls are made of wire, thread and wool. The details, such as shoes, hairclips and dress accessories are made of pearls and the swings are made of driftwood collected on a small sea island.
Peter Pan Quote Printable Art, $5: This digital design features a Peter Pan quote, “All You Need is Faith, Trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust”. Perfect for playroom decor, nurseries, and little girls rooms!
Birch Shelf, $149: With an element of forested fantasy, our woodsy, birch-inspired shelf is finished in a pretty white wash and looks great tucked in a corner of their playroom filled with their favorite tales, toys and treasures.
Felt Flower Magical Crown, $40: This soft and feminine crown is perfect for your wild + free flower child. Because this item is handmade, each crown is one of a kind and your flower arrangement may vary slightly. Each felt flower is hand-picked just for you! A soft and stretchy foldover elastic finishes the band.
Crown Ceiling Light, $300: Our exclusive crown ceiling light will delight the king, queen or princess in your life! With our special antiqued burnished metallic gold finish and dainty chains, this fixture throws a star shaped pattern of light on your ceiling and softened light down into the room. The white acrylic diffuser makes changing the bulbs easy!
Peter Pan Printed Wood Sign, $35: This wood Peter Pan sign would be the perfect addition to a child’s bedroom or playroom. What a sweet saying to have in a baby’s room. Sign measures 5.5″ by 16″

Celebration of Feeding: Feeding Twins with Twiniversity and BabyBjorn

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

For today’s Celebration of Feeding post, Natalie Diaz, the founder of Twiniversity, is here to share her tips for feeding twins!

There are MANY options when it comes to feeding your twins. This week we are celebrating formula feeding and in my expert opinion, bottle feeding in bouncers is the best way to go. The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is incredible. Not only will your baby be comfortable, but it can hold him/her until their 2^nd birthday! My only problem with this bouncer is that they don’t make one I can buy in my size. So let’s get down to business. How are we going to bouncer feed twins?

Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Set up your situation! Get your “home base” ready to feed those hungry babies. You should have: Full bottles with the correct amount (maybe a little extra for that morning feed!), burp cloths, wipes (for cleaning up small spills) and the remote to turn on some tunes. Hey, why not? Ever go to a restaurant that was silent? Yeah, it was uncomfortable, right? Well, set the mood for fine dining even if it’s just in your living room. Suggestions: Harry Belafonte, REM, Trace Atkins (those were my twins’ favorites!)

Step 2: CHANGE your babies. You should never begin a feed — breast or bottle — without first changing the babies. That way if they are fussy you at least know it’s not because they are wet. Once they are changed, bring them to their bouncers and strap them in safely. SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS! If they are little and having a hard time with neck support, buy a head positioner, or just use a rolled up receiving blanket behind the neck to help prop them up into place.

Step 3: Go to the bathroom yourself! Same as the babies, no one should be uncomfortable during a feed if you can avoid it.

Step 4: Sit on the floor with your back against a chair or couch, stretch your legs out in front of you, get your supplies within arms’ reach and settle in — you’re going to be here a minute. Once you are all adjusted, place a bouncer on each side of you so that your arms can comfortably reach the babies.

Step 5: Feed those babies! Hold each bottle in one hand and let your hungry babies go to town. Remember to make sure that the nipple is filled 100% of the time with the milk! Our suggestion would be to use the Dr. Brown’s Options bottles. Start off with a level 1 nipple but move to a level 2 nipple once your doctor gives you the green light. If you are doing a combo of breast and bottle feeding, STICK WITH LEVEL 1! That is closest to the actual flow of your nipple and the baby will be most comfortable with that.

Step 6: Halfway through the bottle, stop for a quick burp. I’m sending successful burping vibes your way! Start with the easier burper first and move over to the one that’s a bit more challenging. Make sure you take advantage of that burp cloth. If you end up getting some formula on your clothing, or theirs, try the Dapple Stain Remover which we find works like a charm to get those stains right out. Then go back to feeding as usual but still make sure that the nipple is full 100%!

When the feed is done, feel free to give ‘em one final burp. Then, PUT YOUR BOTTLES IN THE SINK! Make sure that after each feed you get some fresh water into those bottles. By the days end, even if it’s a ¼ oz, it might be tough to get out. Keep a large basin in the sink prefilled with sudsy water for those bottles to go right into.

Make sure that every night you do a final tally of your bottles. If you used 16 bottles, make sure they are all accounted for in the dishwasher! You don’t want to have a rogue bottle floating around your house. In a few days’ time, if you don’t find it….you will. You can just track the scent! Yuck!

Follow BabyBjorn on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Dr. Brown’s for Formula Feeding

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Designed by a doctor in the mid-nineties, Dr. Brown’s has become a leading standard for baby bottles and accessories for all parents. Dr. Brown’s is known for their Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® bottle, which is the only bottle “to feature an internal vent system that helps reduce colic, spit-up, burping and gas by eliminating negative pressure and air bubbles, helps preserve vitamins C, A, & E by minimizing oxidation of breastmilk and formula, and provides vacuum-free feeding similar to breastfeeding.” Whether you’re breastfeeding, supplementing, pumping and feeding or formula feeding, Dr. Brown’s makes it easy for parents with their well-thought out products designed to make baby fed and happy. Today we’re sharing some products that make life easier on all parents – because no matter what, we can all agree that washing bottles and preparing formula is time consuming, but Dr. Brown’s aims to make it as simple as possible for all families!

When we chatted with formula feeding parents in preparation for the Celebration of Feeding, the number one essential which came up over and over again was the Dr. Brown’s Formula Pitcher. Using the pitcher, a parent can prepare up to four 8 oz/250 ml bottles at once in this pitcher with a spill-free locking lid, no drip spout and soft-grip handle. It’s easy to use and BPA free, but most importantly, it mixes formula quickly without clumping and dissolves formula quickly with no clumping, which helps limit the amount of air in the formula. The less air in the formula, the less air in your baby’s tummy, and less gas and colic to contend with. The pitcher makes those middle of the night feedings so much easier – no need to spill powdered formula all over your counters as you sleepily make a new bottle!

Like we said before, Dr. Brown’s is known for their bottles with a special venting system to keep air out of your baby’s stomach; and now, for the first time, they have introduced the Options Bottle, the market’s first convertible bottle that can be used with or without the vent system. The new vent system is designed to grow with baby, and it is recommended to use this system in order to experience all the health benefits of the Options Bottle. The vent system helps reduce feeding problems, helps digestion and helps preserve vitamins. However, some parents find removing the vent system a convenient option as their baby’s feeding becomes more developed. The nipple venting creates a paced flow, and provides a feeding experience similar to most nipple-vented bottles. Options bottles also fit most breast pumps, and are BPA-free. Dr. Brown’s believes in letting parents choose what’s best for their baby, which is why they’re so proud of the Options bottles, which will allow the bottles to grow with the baby.

And, lastly, we all know how tedious and time consuming it can be to wash all of those bottles (Twiniversity mentioned washing 16 bottles a day for twins in their post!), but Dr. Brown’s is here to help with their handy Deluxe Bottle Brush. The bottle brush is perfect for any kitchen, as it has a suction cup on the bottom to keep it upright and away from any dishes or food. It’s compact and efficient, as the tiny nipple brush is located within the handle of the bottle brush, so you’ll never lose the nipple brush! The brush features combination sponge and bristles for thorough cleaning of bottles, and chevron channels at the base for cleaning nipples. This is a must-have for any parent who will be washing bottles, whether formula or breastmilk.

Celebrate Feeding with the Earth’s Best Organic Formula! (+ giveaway!)

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As parents, we want the best for our babies; whether it’s where they sleep, what they wear, or what they eat – we strive to make sure that we are providing them with the right resources to keep them healthy and help them thrive.

We’re so excited to team up with the Earth’s Best Organic® brand to Celebrate Feeding! We understand how emotional, exciting, and sometimes confusing deciding how to feed your baby can be, especially for first time parents. While it’s generally known that “breast is best,” breastfeeding might not be an option, such as with adoption. Or, some moms need to supplement when they go back to work. For a host of reasons many moms turn to formula. Through celebrating feeding, we want to give formula-feeding moms the help they need cutting through the noise and learning about what best-in-class products are available to them.

We’re here to share some of our favorite feeding products, helpful tips for bottle feeding, travel tips, fun baby and mama feeding style, and more! Each day this week we will be sharing a new post to Celebrate Feeding; we will be providing resources, product recommendations, and many mama lifestyle hacks!

We are proud to join the Earth’s Best Organic® brand to celebrate feeding because for over 30 years Earth’s Best has been committed to providing better-for-baby products that are pure, safe and sustainable. As the creators of the first complete line of organic infant nutrition and care products, Earth’s Best Organic® infant formulas are produced with milk from cows that are humanely raised and not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. Earth’s Best is also known for providing parents, no matter how they’re feeding their little one, with amazing resources and information. Their Infant Feeding Schedule provides a comprehensible chart for new parents on how much, and how often, a baby should eat, including resources for both breastfeeding and formula feeding. For parents who choose formula (or supplement with formula), their video on organic formula explains all of the wonderful benefits of choosing and organic formula. Confused on whether your baby needs milk, soy, or low lactose sensitive formulas? Earth’s Best provides resources for navigating the formulas and picking the right one for your baby.

There does not need to be a one-size-fits-all method to feeding your baby. Every baby is different, and even…every baby is different at every stage! Breastfeeding, known for its many healthful benefits, is a wonderfully natural way for your baby to get a boost of immunity from their first feeding onward. Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and an OB-GYN states that “the incidences of pneumonia, colds and viruses are reduced among breastfed babies.” Breastmilk is known to be a cure-all for ear infections, pink-eye, and even helps prevent your baby from getting sick! Breastfeeding also has benefits for the mama, such as leading to a lower risk for ovarian and breast cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes.

Formula feeding, especially with an organic formula, also has some wonderful benefits for babies and moms. It’s much easier to document how much a baby formula a baby is drinking, and when mama gets tired of feeding, she can share the responsibility with others – it does take a village! Formula provides all of the vitamins and iron a baby needs in perfectly measured doses, so you never need to worry that they’re not getting the nutrition they need.

Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, both methods are nutritionally fulfilling for babies, and no matter how you feed your baby, as long as you’re cuddling their sweet little warm body next to yours, they will feel loved and safe.

We are excited for you to join us and Celebrate Feeding with the Earth’s Best Organic® brand this week!

Follow Earth’s Best on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Enter below to win a three month’s supply of the Earth’s Best Organic Formula, a Comotomo Bottle Starter Pack, a BabyBjorn Bouncer, $125 to Finn + Emma and a Newlie Louise Bag!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top photo by Molly Leon Studios

Third Photo by Amy Buelow Photography

Whole30 Tips and Tricks for Moms

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Gugu Guru’s editor in chief is a big fan of January Whole30’s to reset for the year; when she came across the Happy Family Organic Superfoods Cookbook for Baby and Toddler, and saw that some of the recipes were Whole30 compliant, she knew she wanted to share the book and some Whole30 tips with all of you! Read on for a description of the Whole30, as well as tips for completing a Whole30 with a baby and toddler in tow.

Doesn’t every January feel like a total mental reset? Along with organizing my bank statements and computer files, I also gravitate towards doing a Whole30 program. What is this Whole30 that seems to be popping up everywhere now? Essentially, the Whole30 is a total reset of your awareness of food; by eliminating sugar, grains, alcohol, legumes, and dairy, you can give your body a chance to reset the system and see how these foods affect you mentally and physically. Initially, I started eating paleo and doing Whole30s back before I had kids, as I found that sticking to a paleo diet helped cure my lifelong cystic acne! However, I’ve stuck with it because I’m a huge fan, and I love that I can involve my kids in eating healthy too.

When I received the Happy Family cookbook, I was in awe – it is gorgeous! My three year old even came and read it with me; the colors are bold and bright, and I love that the recipes are kid-friendly, but also super sophisticated. A bunch of their recipes are paleo, and even Whole30 compliant, but two of them stuck out to me as sounding amazing. The Coconut Milk Chicken with Broccoli and Snow Peas (just sub out the vegetable oil for coconut oil!) on page 70, introduces children to a new palette with mint and basil, as well as providing healthy fats and veggies. I couldn’t stop salivating over the recipe on page 77 for Orange-y Beef and Carrot Burgers (again, sub in another oil for the vegetable oil to make it Whole30 compliant). I love that these burgers have so many veggies and fruits high in vitamin C – perfect for a wintertime dinner! These meals, while created for children, would be wonderful for anyone, even at your most chic dinner party! Colorful, healthy, and completely full of flavor.

Doing a Whole30 with kids at home isn’t always easy; there’s lots of cooking and cleaning up, meal planning, and thinking about food. By resetting your system and not eating sugar, often times, you’ll find yourself sleeping better at night…that is, unless you’re a mother whose two kids wake up every hour (sleep, what was that again?) Luckily, you can still have your coffee in the morning; though dairy isn’t allowed on the Whole30, we have a wonderful solution: Nutpods! I have to say, when a friend told me about these genius little pods, it was a total life changer. Did you know a lot of coffee creamers have added ingredients which aren’t good for you? Nutpods are made from purified water, coconut cream, almonds, and natural flavors. They are totally Whole30 approved and delicious! They come in original, hazelnut, and french vanilla (I even cook with the original sometimes!). They surely perk up my coffee after a long night of not sleeping. It absolutely makes the Whole30 easier to have these on hand (we suggest adding them to your baby registry, as they’re great even when you’re not on the Whole30).

There are many amazing resources for staying strong during a Whole30 – especially for pregnant and breastfeeding moms! Healthy Mama happy baby is a Whole30 website dedicated to all of the women currently on the Whole30 whom are breastfeeding, pregnant or post-partum. Anyone else doing a Whole30 this month (or have you done one?) leave a comment and let us know!

All photos by Molly Leon Studios

Gifts for a Cozy Baby

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It’s the time of year when all a mama wants to do is hunker down with her little ones and stay cozy! We rounded up some cozy and adorable baby products – these would make wonderful baby shower gifts or add them to your registry.

Sponsored Post

Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit: Transitioning from being swaddled to not being swaddled can be difficult on some baby’s sleep; Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit gives baby a warm, cozy, and comforting feeling to help them fall asleep faster, and stay asleep, too! The Magic Sleepsuit is designed for babies who are ready to transition from the swaddle, yet still need that cozy and contained feeling to aid in their sleep. Made with soft, comforting materials, the Magic Sleepsuit will give your baby the sense of security and warmth they need to sleep well through the night. This is a wonderful piece of baby gear for traveling because it keeps baby feeling secure wherever they are sleeping. Use in Winter months with a simple onesie and you’ll never have to worry about baby being cold at night! Use code GUGUGURU15% for 15% off!

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 58187b42f3e6915391d70092

Nook Niche Feeding Pillow: This 100% organic, luxuriously soft, and breathable pillow is the perfect accompaniment for breastfeeding and bottlefeeding to keep you and your baby cool and cozy. Made from non-toxic and sustainable materials, this pillow has a plethora of uses and will last well beyond baby years. The Nook Niche Pillow makes a great sitting prop for baby while he’s learning to sit on his own and is works wonderfully for elevated tummy time. For the older kids, it acts as a comfy body pillow, and mom and dad can even use it for side-sleeping. Baby’s not the only one who can cozy up to this pillow, as it makes a wonderful armrest for knitting, sewing, or reading. The pillow cover is liquid and stain resistant and easily washable.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 586b9641428ba05a419d86a5

Big Bee Little Bee’s Snow Angel Cushioned Baby Bath Towel: Big Bee Little Bee has solved an age old problem – where do you put a cold, wet, and slippery baby just from the bath? The solution: the cushioned baby bath towel! Made from 100% cotton, and machine washable, this helpful towel features padded back panel to protect baby from hard surfaces. The more you wash the towel, the softer it gets! The adjustable-length hood grows with your baby, and the super soft terry-velour wings allow for easy drying of arms, legs and all the bits in between. This towel takes the stress out of bathtime – simply have it on the floor ready to go and when you take baby out of the bath, lay them down and wrap them up! Because the back of the towel is super cushioned, baby will be comfortable getting dried off and oh so cozy.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 586b9519f3e6916aa210b603

Thank you to Big Bee Little Bee, Nook and Baby Merlin for making this sponsored post possible.

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