Car Seats

Mom Creator Curations: Best Family Travel Picks

When it comes to family travel, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of things you need to bring and the logistics of any day travelling. The reality is feeling prepared doesn’t mean you need to bring ‘everything but the kitchen sink.’ Let’s focus on the items that will make your travel day seamless.

For the Plane

Whether it’s your baby’s first flight or you’re bringing your toddler on flight number 20, taking 5 minutes to think through your must-haves can help ease any anxiety. To start, make sure you have our First Flight Checklist.

“I use these as snack containers for the plane. Each kid has his/her own and they fit perfectly into a backpack. This keeps snacks easily accessible during the flight and even doubles as an activity. I fill with a mixture of healthy snacks and fun treats to give the kids a fun surprise.” – Abby L.

“I am a Momma to a 3-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy with Autism. I never leave home without their custom water bottles (I make them), sensory toys for my son, baby wipes, and at least 4 snacks. I also bring noise-canceling headphones. We carry it all in a small toddler backpack that we call the “sensory backpack”. Backpack straps can be adjusted so my kids can wear it or hubby or I can use it. We also use our Evenflo all-terrain wagon. That is a must, especially if the kids get tired or my son is overstimulated.” – Dara W.

“Wetbags: You never know when a blowout or other mess will happen and it’s great to keep the mess contained till you can clean/wash. These also double on the plane as a great place to put dirty toys.” – Shannon W.

For the Car (or Plane!)

“My top favorite travel product is the WAYB car seat. It’s a simple fold-and-go travel car seat with an option to carry in a backpack style bag which makes traveling a breeze.” – Selina N.

Taryn S. also LOVES the WAYB Pico car seat.

“Hatch rest plus sound machine: the backup battery allows us to use for road trip car naps and it helps drown out the noise in hotels or grandmas house!”

“Whiskware stacking snack cups. Easy, compact way to pack lots of snack options and hand to the back seat!”

For your destination

“Solar buddies will always be my top travel recommendation when using sunscreen on the go.” – Chelsea A.

“The Busy Baby Mat is an awesome travel tool, especially when eating out or at a family member’s house! I also travel with LL bean zippered boat totes for my kids. They each have one in their own color with their initials on it.” – Samantha F.

For other destination essentials – check out Mom Creator Curations: The Best Baby Travel Gear

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Mom Creator Curations: The Best Baby Travel Gear

by Gugu Guru 4 Comments

Although wild weather and snowstorms seem to be spreading throughout the country, spring travel really is around the corner. We have reached out to our network of mom creators to help us discuss their must-have travel products for baby. See what they had to say below and for extra credit, give them a follow!

Plane Travel with Baby: Comfort

Anytime you head to the airport with baby, there can be a great deal of unpredictability. Flight delays, nap disruptions, and the inability to ‘exit’ can add a layer of stress to any travel day. Our mom creators have so many suggestions for keeping your little one busy on the plane. Take a look!

Feeding schedules can be a logistical nightmare when you’re flying with your little one. If you’re bottle feeding, be sure to bring extra breastmilk or formula in case of delays. Also, load up a few extra bottles in case you aren’t able to clean your bottles as you would at home. We prefer Nanobebe’s Flexy silicone bottles (like Madison C.), which are lightweight and leakproof. Their wide base makes them a great choice for travel as they are much sturdier while filling on the go.

A great carrier will make travel day a cinch. Something that’s comfy to wear and easy to put on is always our go-to recommendation. We also love something that folds up small to take up barely any space in your carry-on (which we know is already filled with TONS of snacks). Check out the Ergobaby Embrace or the Baby Bjorn Mini. As an added bonus, these will double as a nursing cover if you’re breastfeeding on takeoff or landing.

Travel with Baby: Simplicity

Toys to help keep your little one busy are always a hit. Fat Brain Toy Company’s Squigz and Whirly Squigz are a favorite for Shannon W. “They are easy to stick to the window, tray table, or even your own forehead! They are easy to clean and don’t take up much space.”

If you are looking for that great travel stroller with baby, look no further! Doona’s all-in-one car seat/stroller makes travel a breeze. Chelsea A. agrees – “The Doona makes everything easier!” The wheels pop right out from the infant seat, meaning you no longer have to travel with a car seat AND a stroller.

Go-Be Sleeves are also a must when traveling with littles. Keep those germs at bay with the easy-to-use tray table cover. See what Cassy A. has to say about this travel essential.

Looking for a more traditional travel stroller? Take a look at our highlight of Lightweight Travel Strollers.

Destination Essentials

Whether you’re taking that cross-country flight or jumping into the car for your annual road trip, let’s talk about some necessities at your destination.

If your destination doesn’t include a safe place for baby to sleep, be sure to pack one. We love recommending playards. They fold up and can move with you on the go. Check out the options by Graco, 4moms and Guava Family. Expert tip – Pair with a Slumberpod to create a dark sleep environment even when you’re sleeping in the same room!

A stroller wagon (check out the newest lineup from Larktale!) can be a game-changer when you’re traveling with your baby. Most stroller wagons will give you great push or pull access and they will also double as great storage. When you’re going to be active during the day, a stroller wagon will always fit the bill.

Lastly, travel with baby isn’t complete without your play and entertainment items. First, your playard can easily transform from sleep to play throughout the day. Looking to recreate your playmat? Grab a swaddle blanket, some teethers and stuffed animals and you’ve got an on-the-go activity mat.

If all else fails, Shannon B. swears by the Busy Baby Mat while traveling with her little one. “I have a 2 year old daughter, we are out and about often which often includes a stop for lunch. I never leave the house without our BusyBaby Mat! The bottle leash was super helpful when she was taking a bottle, so she couldn’t throw it!”

Looking for more?

Join our Mom Creator community by signing up for our email list and receive paid and gifted opportunities with your favorite baby and kid brands in your inbox weekly!

Interested in becoming a mom content creator or influencer but don’t know where to start? Join our monthly coaching membership specifically designed for mom creators.

Best Budget Baby Registry Must Haves

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

Is a Budget Baby Registry really possible? There’s no question that having a baby is going to take a little funding. The good news is that, although there are certain items that you really shouldn’t get as hand-me-downs (e.g., car seats) – you don’t have to splurge for high-quality items. There are many budget baby registry finds on the market today, including stylish clothing and gear that won’t break the bank. Here are our picks for your best budget baby registry, keeping your wallet in mind.

Budget Baby Registry: Gear & On The Go

We often recommend babywearing, which has wonderful benefits aside from the hands-free aspect. One of our favorite stylish, yet affordable brands on the market is Infantino. This Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier ($29.99) grows with your child; suitable for babies 8 to 32lbs. It offers four ways to carry: newborn facing in, older baby facing in, facing out, and back carry. For a budget-friendly wrap-style carrier (without the difficulty of a wrap), we also LOVE the Baby K’tan ($59.95) carrier.

Baby Trend Snap N Go EX Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier is one of our top recommendations for families on a budget. The Snap N Go turns your infant car seat (we like Graco’s infant car seats) into a travel stroller so you don’t need to have a whole stroller system. However, when baby grows out of the infant car seat, you’ll need a high-quality lightweight stroller like our favorites – the Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller or the super sleek Larktale chit chat.

Looking for the convenience of a travel system? Graco has you covered!

Lastly, in the early stages of baby, you’re going to have to tote around a lot of stuff. We love the Baby K’tan as our stylish value find. Take a look here to read what some real moms had to say about Baby K’tans hands-free diaper bags.

Budget Baby Registry: Bedroom/Nursery

One of the 2016 safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is for infants to share their parents’ bedroom for at least the first six months and, optimally, for the first year of life, based on the latest evidence. So, it’s likely you’ll need a sleeping arrangement for your bedroom. If you’re looking to adhere to AAP guidelines, the super portable, affordable, and safe-sleep approved BRICA Fold N’ Go Travel Bassinet is a dream for your wallet. Do note, it’s only meant for use up to 6 months and, you’ll likely have to put the bassinet on the floor, which may not be practical for a number of reasons (e.g., frequent night-time nursing, pets, etc.) For something sleep-approved that requires less bending over and also grows with your child, go with the Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard with bassinet.

You’ll need a crib mattress of course and our budget pick is and always has been the Safety 1st Heavenly Dreams White Crib Mattress. Our general go-to brand for high-quality cribs that won’t break the bank is DaVinci. The Jenny Lind crib shown above will add great style to your nursery without breaking the bank. Ikea also has excellent crib options. Cribs are really a blank canvas regardless – and a great crib sheet can add that pizazz you need. We love the multi-packs by Peanutshell or Ely’s & Co.

moonjax® Swaddle Blanket 3-Pack Moon, Stardust, Constellation

For use inside or outside of the nursery, do NOT forget some muslin swaddle blankets, which have multiple uses beyond just swaddling. Parents just rave about these 100% organic swaddle blankets from Moonjax said to be among the softest of their kind out there. While they are on the pricier side, the multi-pack gets you a great deal on something you’ll use all the time.

Wearable swaddles like the Swaddle Me Original swaddles are also a great, budget-conscious option. Swaddles create a cozy, womb-like feeling for baby and prevent the startle reflex that can wake your newborn infant. A three pack of these costs around $35 or less

While the wildly popular Wubbanub may be described by some as pricey and hardly fit for a budget baby registry, we’ve added it for two reasons: 1. it’s a 2-in-1 product (pacifier + lovie) so we feel that this justifies a higher price tag and 2. if you’re having a shower, it’s great to register for this item as a gift. An important thing to note about Wubbanubs, due to safe sleep recommendations, reserve the Wubbanub for supervised snoozing only.

Nanobebe flexy pacifiers are an excellent choice for sleep!

Since the launch of Gugu Guru in 2015, the VTech DM221 Safe & Sound Digital Audio Baby Monitor has remained our leading budget baby monitor recommendation across the board. If you’re looking for a video monitor, we would recommend the Summer Infant Glimpse Video Baby Monitor as our budget video monitor pick coming in at less than $100.

You’ll need a cool mist humidifier for your home. It will help immensely when baby catches the sniffles and even when breastfeeding! We have always been huge fans of Crane USA and their excellent humidifiers .

Budget Baby Registry: Layette

Generally people love to gift clothing, so try to register for specific items that you know you’ll love. We always recommend adding pajamas in a variety of sizes and some basics that you know you’ll use. Check out our post on newborn clothing necessities Clothing is also something that you can easily score as hand-me-downs or from BST (Buy/Sell/ Trade) groups on Facebook. You’ll want to get lots of onesies and zippered pajamas (snaps are terrible in the middle of the night.) To make sure you have some of the basics covered, you can also register for an economical layette set like this Essential Newborn Baby Layette Set from SpaSilk. Here’s a budget tip – go gender neutral for clothes. If you plan to have more babies, you can re-use what you have and if you don’t plan on having another, you can trade or sell gender-neutral items more easily.

Budget Baby Registry: Feeding

Regardless of how you plan to feed your baby, you’ll definitely need some burp cloths. One of the most popular burp cloths is actually labeled as a diaper! The Gerber Birdseye 3-Ply Prefold Cloth Diaper. A pack of 10 will cost you less than $20.

Though it’s certainly not the least expensive pillow on the market, nursing moms love the My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow, which comes in a variety of colors and styles. You’ll also want to pick up some nursing pads as well. For mothers who are not exclusively breastfeeding, the Evenflo Balance + Bottles are an excellent high-quality budget choice. Parents love the angled bottle for reducing gas and ease of use. Don’t forget a bottle brush too.

As baby starts solids and graduates to self-feeding, the Fisher-Price Spacesaver High Chair is our top budget choice. In fact, Gugu Guru’s founder, Monica, used this chair for her two babes. For baby’s adventures dining in, you’ll also need soft-tip infant spoons, suction bowls and bibs (note: there are drool bibs and there are feeding bibs, we’re speaking of the latter.)

Budget Baby Registry: Bath & Potty

Here’s the truth about diapers: you may have to try a few brands before you figure out what works best. It’s not unusual that one diaper brand is deemed as superior and leak proof by one parent, and that same brand is labeled as inferior by another. It’s also not unusual to switch along the way.

Huggies Little Snugglers, Pampers Swaddlers, and Luvs are often loved by many parents. Also, don’t look past your bulk buy stores (Costco and Sam’s Club both have excellent diaper options). Target also has an excellent line of diapers, which many parents swear by! took the cake. Budget hint: try Amazon’s Subscribe & Save service for 5% off diapers and also wipes.

Earth Mama Organics Simply Non-Scents Castile Baby Wash

Even though this post is about saving money on baby products, Gugu Guru would encourage our readers not to skimp too much on products you put on baby’s skin, e.g., hair & body wash or lotion. Luckily, we found Earth Mama’s line of safe baby wash, perfect for those newborn suds.

For infant bath tubs, Summer’s Splish ‘n Splash Newborn Tub has always reigned supreme among parents for a best budget find. Shown here, this tub will grow with your little one all the way to toddlerhood!

For adorable and budget-friendly hooded towels and washcloths, look no further than Luvable friends.

Budget-minded parents will be happy to know that you can get all of your health and grooming essentials in one fell swoop with the Safety 1st Deluxe Kit

Budget Baby Registry: Play Time

For our favorite budget play mat, the beloved Infantino brand comes in again with some amazing options.

Fisher Price consistently has some great play options. You can find some exceptional toys, bouncers, and seats for baby to use throughout the house.

Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on baby cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs and much, much more

For more tips on how to save on anything and everything baby, arm yourself with the bible of budget parenting: Baby Bargains.

Looking for more help! Check out our shop today for many of our favorite budget finds.

Must-Haves for the Modern Parent

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We know it can be overwhelming to figure out what baby products you need, which is why we’re such a huge fan of these brands and their must-have baby products designed specifically with the modern parent in mind. Read on below to see why we always recommend Diaper Dékor Diaper Pails, Love to Dream Swaddle UP, Lascal m1 Baby Carrier, and Nomi High Chair.

The Diaper Dékor is a must-have for any nursery! Unlike other traditional diaper disposal systems where you have to bend over, operate a lid, or even shove a soiled diaper inside the diaper pail, Dékor diaper pails are 100% hands-free. Dékor considered what real life with a baby or toddler really looks like, and designed the Dékor diaper pail to make your life easier. After a diaper change, modern parents are likely to have the baby in one arm and the soiled diaper in the other. Shockingly, no one has a third hand to operate the diaper pail, so what do you do? Well, when it comes to the Dékor diaper pail, simply just STEP on the foot pedal, DROP the soiled diaper through the trap door, and you’re DONE! Coming in a variety of colors, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your baby’s nursery. Plus, they come in different sizes, so you can have them all over the house – and they have a Cloth Diaper Liner as well, which works perfectly in their Plus-sized diaper pail!

Sleep is imperative as a new parent, but can be hard to come by! As a modern mama, you take any chance you can to catch some winks, and Love to Dream’s Swaddle Up is here to help. Love to Dream realized that traditional swaddling is often difficult for new parents to master, and often the swaddle unravels throughout the night, which leads to baby “escaping” and waking up! Babies sleep better and longer with their arms up in the natural position. Love To Dream has revolutionized swaddling so that everyone can swaddle correctly, every time, so babies will have a safer, more comfortable sleep. Love To Dream’s Swaddle UP is the only zip-up swaddle that allows the baby to sleep in a more natural position with arms UP.

Love to Dream also considered families while creating the Swaddle UP and wanted to make the sleep time experience as stress-free as possible. The Swaddle UP helps parents swaddle their baby quickly and safely every time and eliminates excess loose fabric in the crib. Plus, the genius two-way zipper for easy diaper changes and hip-healthy design allows hips and legs to flex naturally. Coming in a variety of colors, the Love to Dream Swaddle UP is a sleep-time must-have for babies!

Any working mom knows how important it is to get as much done as you can in your free time, which is why it’s so important to be able to comfortably wear baby, so you can have two hands! We’re loving the Lascal m1 Baby Carrier for so many reasons. Parents love the Lascal m1 Baby Carrier because it is extremely comfortable and easy-to-use. Whether you’re running errands, traveling, or simply bopping around the house, the Lascal m1 Baby Carrier has everything you need. Keep baby snuggled in close to you, safe and shielded from germs. Offering 3 unique carrying positions within an ergonomic design, this supportive accessory carries your child in optimal comfort. The Lascal m1 Baby Carrier is ideal for infants because the Infant M-Seat allows babies weighing 8-12 lbs. to always sit in the most ergonomic hip-friendly “M-Position” with knees higher than the hip. In fact, parents can rest easy knowing that the m1 Carrier is acknowledged by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) as hip-healthy by giving correct support for your baby’s legs, hips, and spine.

The adjustable lumbar support provides lower back comfort and a wide padded waist belt and shoulder straps relieve stress on the wearer’s shoulders and neck. The m1 fits all shapes and sizes with just a few quick adjustments using the intuitive and easy-to-use buckles, making it a breeze to put on and take off. Plus, their Strap-Tidies keep all loose straps neatly folded for a clean and nice look.

When it comes to high chairs, we’re pretty much obsessed with the sleek and modern design from Nomi. There are just so many reasons to be in love with the Nomi High Chair! Nomi is the next generation high chair that seamlessly adjusts without tools, and evolves with children’s changing needs from birth all the way through the teenage years! The Nomi can be used before baby can even sit on his/her own. You can actually start using this amazing high chair right away from birth with the addition of the Nomi Baby raised bouncer attachment (sold separately). Having baby at the same height of the table from birth means you can enjoy your special meal time moments with every member of the family. This means less standing up and sitting down for you, and more time to eat! Plus, the Nomi is modern and chic, and doesn’t take up a ton of space, so it’s ideal for small space living.

Thank you to Dékor, Love to Dream, Lascal, and Nomi for making this sponsored post possible!

Maxi-Cosi Tayla™ XP Travel System

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Every parent needs a helping hand from time to time and the Maxi-Cosi Tayla™ XP Travel System provides exactly that. This travel system is designed primarily with versatility, innovation, and safety in mind. The innovative design allows you to carry your baby around safely in any of its four modes of carrying: Standard, Handle, Crossbody, Tayla Stroller. The Coral™ XP car seat has a lightweight, removable inner carrier with a crossbody carry flexi-strap option. Alternatively, the carrier can be clipped into the Tayla Stroller, giving your arms the freedom to do all the other things we know come with parenthood and juggling a baby.

We love that the Coral™ XP car seat innovatively integrates car seat and carrier nesting system in a way that’s built to help parents move around seamlessly. The car seat base has built-in an anti-rotation stability leg, self-retracting LATCH connectors, integrated belt lock-off for easy and secure belt installation. We hear from so many parents how stressful that first install is, wanting to make sure baby is safe and sound. Maxi-Cosi makes it easy with indicators to provide visual confirmation of accurate installation so parents can rest assured that baby is as safe as can be.

A few other key design features of the entire Maxi-Cosi Tayla™ XP Travel System with the Coral™ XP Infant Car Seat:

unique 3-part modular nesting system with car seat base, car seat and removable inner-carrier
modular stroller with parent-facing and world-facing seating options
multiple recline and leg adjustment options for optimal comfort
360° MaxShade privacy shade covers the whole seat
all-wheel suspension for smooth transitions while on the move

In terms of safety, Maxi-Cosi has been setting and exceeding global safety standards for over 35 years, and the Maxi-Cosi Tayla™ XP Travel System is no different. It’s compliant with government safety standards and it features Pure Cosi materials, that make it free from additive fire-retardant chemicals. It’s obvious why parents have grown to know and trust this brand.

Maxi-Cosi Travel System with Coral™ XP Infant Car Seat and Tayla Stroller is no ordinary travel system. The versatility, innovation, and safety it brings are completely revolutionizing how we carry our children, literally.

Thank you to Maxi-Cosi for making this sponsored post possible.

Real Mom Review by Minnelle K: Maxi-Cosi Coral XP

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

A special thank you to Minnelle K for reviewing this car seat.

I’ve been using the new Coral XP infant car seat from Maxi-Cosi. In my opinion, this is the most important thing for the baby’s safety. The infant car seat comes in three colors, and I chose cobalt blue. I love taking him around in style and really enjoying the convenience of this seat.

The outer shell of this chair actually is the car seat. It has an inner shell that you can remove to take into stores quickly and conveniently. There’s a button inside the inner shell that you push, and it pops right out. Once the shell is out of the carrying base, baby is on-the-go! The inner shell only weighs about 5 pounds, so even with a baby, it’s still lightweight for carrying.

There’s a couple of ways that you can carry this once it’s out of the shell, either with the side handles or also cross-body. In any of the carrying modes, it’s very convenient and comfortable for mom. If you choose to, you can also carry it traditionally as an entire unit. It’s even compatible with a lot of strollers on the market!

This car seat really amazing and so easy to use. There’s just so many different ways you can use it during the baby’s infant stages. I highly recommend this seat!

Thank you to Maxi-Cosi for making this sponsored post possible.

Changing the Car Seat Game Completely – The Super Easy-to-Carry Maxi-Cosi Coral XP!

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Thank you to Liz Elliott for reviewing this product – Liz is a home & style guru and blogger of Franc and Eli.

We recently upgraded our car seat to the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP and I wish we’d done it sooner!

The Maxi-Cosi Coral XP is a new type of car seat that is totally changing the car seat game by making it so much easier to carry your baby. Even though a lot of traditional car seats are “light weight,” they’re still pretty bulky and awkward to carry and can get heavy once you add a baby!

I was struggling to carry our old car seat – I often found myself carrying it using some weird arm positions and essentially holding one arm with the other and still struggling. In one of our first outings with Wren, we took her to the beach. I was carrying Wren in her old car seat by the big handle, and some drinks in the other. I only made it about halfway down the walkway to the beach before I couldn’t carry everything anymore! I needed my other hand to hold up the arm that was carrying the car seat, so I had to stop and wait for my husband to come back and grab the rest of the stuff from me! I remember thinking “I thought this thing was supposed to be lightweird / easy to carry?”

And then we got the Coral XP and now carrying Wren is a breeze!

The Coral XP has 3 parts, an inner carrier, an outer carrier shell, and a base. When you’re carrying your baby in the car seat, you can carry just the super lightweight inner carrier! It only weighs about five pounds. There are two ways to carry the inner carrier (and both are so much easier than wrangling the handle of a traditional car seat):

First, you can carry it using the two side handles. Second, you can carry it across your body using the cross-body strap. This is my favorite way – it distributes the weight to your back and is really comfortable to wear! You can also carry the outer carrier shell (with the inner carrier inside) like a “traditional” car seat.

When you’re taking it in and out of your car, you can pop out just the inner carrier (leaving the outer carrier shell and base in the car), or you can pop out the inner carrier and outer carrier shell together as one unit. Both are super simple!

I’m so happy we upgraded our car seat to the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP – I feel so much more coordinated when I’m carrying Wren! Honestly, felt so awkward previously that it didn’t seem entirely safe. Now I feel so much more confident and comfortable carrying her around. Plus, I always have a completely free second hand!

The Coral XP is made using Maxi-Cosi’s “Pure-Cosi” fabrics, made without wool or added fire retardant treatment, that are machine washable and dryer safe! Wren loves it too – and it’s easy to get her in and out of it.

Thank you to Maxi-Cosi for making this sponsored post possible.

Your Get Outdoors Guide from Summer™

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Feeling cooped up indoors? Getting out and about with your little ones is an opportunity for learning, bonding, and creating lifelong memories. But, let’s face it: It’s not always as easy or stress-free as we’d like it to be.

While plenty of families make believe perfect, effortless trips on social media, if we’re being real, orchestrating a family gathering is tough. Luckily, these gadgets are here to make things go just a tad bit smoother.

Gadgets for On-The-Go

Forget old-fashioned car seats. The Summer™ Myria Travel System is an all-in-one solution to your growing child’s travel needs. It starts with the Affirm 335 Rear-Facing Car Seat, which ensures the best in safety and peace of mind while you’re on the go. However, this travel system is built to come with you from car to store to anywhere you choose to travel.

With the carrier conversion mode, this car seat easily turns into a stroller or infant carriage so you can bring baby with you everywhere. Meanwhile, with the one-hand fold, you’ll never have to worry when your hands are full. As they grow older, the rear-facing car seat is also convertible into a toddler seat, with reversible seating options allow them to face you or outwards.

When you’re out and about, keep your baby safe from the sun and weather with the extra-large canopy, which features the perfectly sized peekaboo window so you can check on your little one without ever disturbing them. Meanwhile, the large storage basket, adjustable recline, parent cupholder, child cupholder, and snack tray for your little one all go to show that Summer has thought of it all, once again.

Tools for When You’re Out-and-About

Looking to setup a picnic, enjoy a game, or just spend some time at the park? The The Summer™ Pop ‘N Sit® Booster gives your little one a comfy seat while helping to keep them entertained while you make memories with your spouse, friends, and older children, too!

The Summer™ Pop ‘N Sit® Booster is designed for indoor and outdoor use, accommodating children from 6 months up to 4 years. It supports up to 37 pounds and with its fast, easy, and compact fold, you’ll be inclined to take it everywhere so that your little one is never left bored.

This activity floor and booster seat all-in-one will give your kid plenty to do while keeping ease of setup (and cleanup) in mind. The removable and machine washable fabric makes cleanup a breeze when playtime is over and the removable and dishwasher-safe tray ensures your child always has a hygienic surface to enjoy their snacks where they can’t make a mess.

Additional features, including a 3-point safety harness, chair straps, a storage pocket, and a carry bag, make the Summer™ Pop ‘N Sit® Booster the perfect gadget for when you’re out-and-about or entertaining at home.

Thank you to Summer™ for making this sponsored post possible!

The Scoop: The NEW Maxi-Cosi Coral XP

by Christine Swearingen 2 Comments

When we were preparing for our baby’s arrival, we tried to keep in mind what we did on a daily basis. We live in the city, but frequently visit family in the suburbs, and wanted baby gear that could work well in both locations. The Maxi-Cosi Coral XP has been a perfect fit for our lifestyle.

The four different carrying options allow me to keep my baby close to me no matter where I’m going. When I make quick stops to pick up take out, grab a few things at the market, or run errands, I only have to take the lightweight inner carrier of the Coral XP and carry my baby using either the handles or cross-body strap. I’ve found these to be way more comfortable than the traditional handle found on other infant car seats, too.

When we visit our family, we simply attach the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP to our stroller and take long walks. At home, we have to climb a few flights of stairs to get to our apartment, so being able to wear the lightweight carrier while having another hand free to bring up our bags or groceries is super helpful. I really appreciate the super soft PureCosi fabrics the Coral XP has since I prefer not to have added flame retardant chemicals on my baby gear. In general, the fabrics are easy to clean and retain their original color and softness even after a couple post-blow out washes. The canopy is a breathable material and provides ample sun protection.

The base is easy to install: the retractable LATCH connectors hooked right onto the anchors in my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I love how you can hear the LATCH tighten as you push the base down! We’ve installed the base using the seatbelt instead, and it was simple to do. The Coral XP’s belt path feature has been especially convenient for when we use a rideshare service to get around. The color-changing safety indicators around the base make me feel confident that it’s installed properly every time. There’s plenty of room between the passenger seat and the Coral XP and we’ll be able to comfortably fit another car seat when the time comes for baby #2. The load leg is an added safety feature that we’ve used from the start: we really wanted an infant car seat that offered this!

Overall, the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP has been the perfect choice for our family and has made our day-to-day life so much easier. We absolutely love it and will definitely recommend it to our family and friends!

Thank you to Maxi-Cosi for making this sponsored post possible.

Expecting Multiples? Our Top Must-Haves

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

I was extremely shocked when I heard that I was expecting my second set of twins. My identical boys were 2 and a half years old and while I knew they would be the best big brothers, I couldn’t believe I was going through this again! As Gugu Guru’s Director of Concierge, my mind immediately went to the products and gear that I would need for our second set (this time, boy/girl twins) who were going to be born in a completely different season than their older bros. Below is my latest list of must-have products for parents of multiples.

Newborn/4^th Trimester Must-Haves

Frida Mom Products: When I had my first set of twins, I had heard so much about this Nose Frida and how wonderful it was. Quickly, I converted to their whole lineup of items and was so excited when they launched their ‘Mom’ line. I am a HUGE fan of their Upside Down Peri bottle and their Disposable Underwear were extremely comfortable, especially after my C-Section.

Belli Skincare: When you have multiples, you don’t always have time for a long skincare routine. Generally, I need to slap on some lotion, rub on sunscreen and I’m out the door! I love Belli’s tinted sunscreen as well as their Stretchmark Minimizing Cream, which helped greatly as I grew.

Simple Clothing: This sounds so silly, but it’s also so practical. Find clothing that holds up to lots of washing, is a style you like, and is easy to put on. With double the diaper changes, zippers or magnetic closures are a must! Some of my favorite brands are Magnetic Me, Little Sleepies, and Monica + Andy.

Love to Dream Swaddles: These have continued to be a favorite for our family. They are so easy to put on and great for midnight diaper changes. They wash easily (important when you’re wearing them twice as fast) and allow your little one to have his or her hands up. Now that my little ones are 3 months old, we’re slowly transitioning to their Swaddle Up Transition Bags.

Twiniversity: Twiniversity strikes again! They continue to be my favorite resource to share with twin parents. The site is full of great blog posts written by twin parents on that multiple mentality! Also, their founder, Nat has written the best book for expectant twin parents – What to Do When You’re Having Two.

Feeding Must-Haves

Easy to Use Bottles: When you have double the mouths to feed, it is important that you have bottles that you can assemble and clean as quickly as possible. I actually use a couple different types of bottles with my little ones, depending on our situation. When my babies are battling reflux, there is no better bottle than Dr. Brown’s Options Plus. They have an excellent venting system, are easy to clean, and are easy to assemble. I have also loved using the food-grade silicone bottles by Olábaby. These have minimal parts, are lightweight, and are also extremely easy to clean. Plus, they have accessories to work with your pump or turn into a sippy cup down the road.

Baby Brezza: From day 1, my twins were receiving a mix of formula and breastmilk. Feeding two babies is not easy, regardless of what you choose to feed. Both the Formula Pro-Advanced and the Formula Mixer Pitcher allowed me to quickly prepare bottles. Nothing better than efficiency when you have to listen to two screaming babes! Side note – they just launched a new diaper bag, as well, which was great for our road trip this summer!

Feeding Accessories: With two babies to take care of, the number of bottles we go through per day is truly fascinating. I have found that surrounding myself with proper accessories makes the cleaning process significantly easier. The Dr. Brown’s Dishwashing Basket, Boon Lawn Drying Rack (with fun extras), and an easy to use pump (like the Motif Luna or Elvie) have dramatically improved our daily feeding experience.

On The Go and Playtime Must-Haves

An Excellent Stroller: My #1 must-have for any parents of multiples is a good stroller! I would even argue that 2 strollers can potentially be a game changer for twins. I love keeping our Joovy Twin Roo + in the car for easy in/out access with our car seats. This is great for running errands, attending doctor’s appointments, and dropping off my older set of twins (when COVID doesn’t keep us at home) at activities.

The Bugaboo Donkey3 has also become our beloved all-terrain stroller. My babies – who are nearly 4 months old – still fit comfortably in the bassinets and my older boys love riding on the glider board to “help push” the babies. I can easily get 3 of my 4 kiddos on this stroller with no worries about lack of storage. It has a huge basket, great wheels, and an easy to fold up frame. I love that I can convert it to a single stroller when I need one (which is rare in our house!) and the side luggage basket is amazing. Plus, the bassinet frame becomes the seat frame, which gives us one less item to store. I always love multifunctional items for twins!

Infant Car Seats: When I am helping expectant parents figure out what car seat makes the most sense for their needs, I often focus on 3 things – weight, safety features/install, and price. Nuna has done an excellent job with their Pipa line creating car seats that are lightweight, have added safety features and are extremely easy to install. Their new relx car seat base is a game changer, allowing you to recline the seat within the base and having an even easier install than the intial base. One great thing to note – all Pipa seats will fit in the relx base (and the new rx seat comes with it)!

A Great Diaper Bag with Lots of Storage: I have tried out loads of diaper bags with my kiddos. I do think certain diaper bags are best for certain situations. Unfortunately, many of the ‘twin’ diaper bags fell short in my opinion, as they are just too big. I strongly believe that I will fill any diaper bag I use, no matter how big or small. To me, a diaper bag must have enough pockets (but not so many that they take up valuable inner space), great open storage, and easy to access bottle spots. If it’s a backpack, that’s just a plus! Baby K’tan recently launched their diaper bags and I am a huge fan! They are easy to wipe down, easy to fill, and have inner storage that makes sense.

A great playmat for 2 babies: As a mom of two sets of twins, I try to keep some sort of control on the amount of stuff in our house. I am not a minimalist, but I try to maintain a level of simplicity. One way I do this is by focusing on items that can function for both babies instead of one at a time. The Lovevery play mat is a large playmat that will hold both babies for play, tummy time, and when I need to get tasks done around the house. It is extremely high-quality, easy to wash, and comes with excellent accessories that grow with your little one. I also love their Play Kits as well as Toys that provide all of my kiddos with age-appropriate developmentally based manipulatives.

Easy to Store Gear: Gear that is easy to store is essential with multiple babes. I love bouncers that fold flat, swings with small footprints and loungers that help with playtime. Check out some of my top choices by Baby Björn, 4moms, and Boppy.

An easy-to-use Carrier: I love wearing my babies. With 4 kiddos to take care of, it’s nice to have a hands-free way to hold one baby while tending to one of the others. Plus, it counts as tummy time anytime that little one is off of his/her back. I have tested out a number of carriers over the years and with my very short torso, I have a hard time finding a good fit. The Baby K’tan is great for the early days. I love the kangaroo carry and this helps keep my little ones snuggled close. The Boppy ComfyFit and ComfyChic carriers are super comfy and great from 8lbs on. They are easy to put on and are extremely adjustable and are great for wearing around the house or short walks around the neighborhood. I also love the Lascal m1 Carrier. Providing excellent ergonomic support for both parent and baby, this carrier is made of high-quality, breathable fabric and is great for all activities.

Nursery Must-Haves

Great Diaper Changing Products: I am a huge fan of all fragrance-free diapers. My littles all suffer from eczema so keeping parabens, fragrance, and dyes away is incredibly important to me. Some of my favorites are Eco Pea, Coterie, and Pampers Pure. Fragrance-free wipes are also so wonderful in those early days. Look for wipes that are 99% water initially. I love Water Wipes, Noleo, and Huggies Natural Care.

Crane Humidifier: My little ones always end up with a case of the sniffles right around 3 months. With a dry bedroom, I’m always looking for ways to moisten up the air. This will instantly help my little ones breathe and sleep, which means I get more shut-eye each night! Crane has the best line of cool mist humidifiers for your nursery and beyond! I keep one in each of my twins’ bedrooms every night!

Simple Swaddles: The Ollie Swaddle was great for us in the early days! This gave my little ones that tight swaddled feeling, ensuring longer stretches of safe sleep each night. I also love the swaddle blankets by Copper Pearl. They are buttery soft, stretchy, and a great size for long-term swaddling and beyond.

Great Crib Sheets: I am a HUGE fan of having loads of crib sheets for twinnies. There will inevitably be loads of messes in those cribs and the last thing you want to do is run out of clean sheets. I always have 4-5 sets for each baby on hand and my favorite sheets are by Carousel Designs. They have loads of organic options in fun patterns and you can even personalize your own bedding!

Bath/Teething Musts: My favorite hooded bath towels must be soft, cozy, and the right size for longterm use. I love the towels by Loulou Lollipop, which come as a set with a matching washcloth. They are adorable and so soft for that precious skin!

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that Gugu Guru receives a small commission should you purchase via any of the retail links.

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