Newborns

Celebration of Feeding: Feeding Twins with Twiniversity and BabyBjorn

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.

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

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

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

New On Gugu This Week: November 14, 2016

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Welcome to the first installment of New on Gugu! Did you know that we add new products to Gugu Guru‘s personalized baby registry database on almost a daily basis? New products are curated and added by our in-the-know team of baby experts, as well as by other parents like you. And, as always, we don’t accept payment to be added to Gugu Guru; all of our product picks are totally unbiased.

Newborn Lockdown – Our product picks for your first 6-8 weeks postpartum when you’re mostly in your home getting to know the newest addition to your family. (This week, we are loving on these innovative, safe and portable Moba moses baskets.)

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Back to the Grind – Once you emerge from your postpartum haze, it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Whether you’re a stay at home mom or going back to work, this category will give you some suggested life hacks to make your new life with baby easier and so much more productive.

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Pack It Up – Whether down the street to your in-laws’ house or a flight across the pond for an adventure, our Pack It Up category gives you suggestions for portable, packable finds for your travels.

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And remember, if you don’t see something you want on Gugu Guru, you can add any product from any website. Simply click the link under the “Add To Registry” button”:

or below the Publish button on the Registry Manager page:

Each week, we will be posting some of our favorite picks from Gugu Guru’s unique registry categories so be sure to check back with us regularly so you don’t miss any of these cool finds for your family!

Webinar: Pumping & Storing Breastmilk on November 15

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Whether you’re pumping to boost your supply, to build up a stash of frozen milk, or because you prefer to bottle feed your breastmilk, the thought of pumping can be daunting. Will it hurt, how long should you pump, how do you store the milk? Ease your mind and set yourself up for success by attending the second webinar in our three-part series: Pumping and Storing!

Details
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 | 2-3pm EST
Join us for our 1-hour Pumping and Storing* webinar from the comfort of your own home or workplace, led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and creator of Boobie Bars. From flange size to freezers, this 1-hour class is guaranteed to teach you everything you need to know about pumping and storing your milk. We will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting. Don’t miss out on our early bird pricing!

This a must-attend if you plan to pump!

Key topics to be covered will be:

• How to ensure a good supply from the start

• When to start pumping

• How long to pump

• How to begin to build your freezer stash

• Plus, much, much more!

*Pumping is Part Two of our three-part series, which covers setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding. Part Three covers Returning to Work.

Gugu Village is Gugu Guru’s new educational community for expecting and new moms. Offering both webinars and offline events, Gugu Village provides first time moms with the knowledge that they need to feel prepared and well supported during the prenatal and postpartum period.

Webinar: Advanced Breastfeeding Class on November 5

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

Advanced Breastfeeding Class* is part one of a three-part series on setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding (as well as Pumping & Storing and Returning to Work in the latter parts of our series.) Join us for one or all three* webinars in this informative series designed for expecting and new moms who are planning to nurse and/or pump.

Details:
Wednesday, November 5, 2016 | 3:30-5:30pm EDT
As baby’s due date approaches, all new moms seek peace of mind about the whole process. One of the biggest decisions you will make for your newborn is whether breastfeeding is right for you and your baby. After your baby is here, you will most likely get support and hands-on training at the hospital. However, with our brand new and exciting webinar series, you will get a head start on important breastfeeding basics prior to baby’s arrival from the comfort of your home or workplace. Led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), this 2-hour class is guaranteed to teach you new breastfeeding techniques and facts, as well as go above and beyond what you would learn at the basic class taught at hospitals.

It’s a must-attend if you plan to nurse and/or pump!

Key topics to be covered will be:

What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and when is the right time to seek their help?
Why should you breastfeed?
What is in breastmik?
Common issues with breastfeeding and solutions.
Plus, much, much more!

Nurse Wendy will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting.

*Attendees will be entered for chance to win 1 of 50 pairs of Bamboobies reusable nursing pads!

How To: Trick or Treat With an Infant and a Toddler (+ Baby K’Tan and Finn+Emma giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

This month’s Cool Mom Picks Baby Registry Essentials guide features some awesome baby gift ideas for second babies. When you create your personalized registry on Gugu Guru, you’ll know the Cool Mom Pick must-haves in our product recommendations when you see this button:

While Halloween is fun for kids, it can be a juggling act when it’s time to Trick or Treat and you’re balancing an infant in one arm and a wild Halloween toddler in another hand. Today we’re sharing our tips for Trick or Treating with an infant and a toddler and the Cool Mom Picks products to make All Hallow’s Eve night just a little easier on you.

1. Baby K’Tan – This is a must have item for Halloween night! Use this if your baby is a newborn so that you can hold your toddler’s hand while he or she trick-or-treats – major plus – newborn will most likely fall asleep while you’re walking around, so no overtired newborn when you get back home.

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2. Double Stroller – You’ll need a double stroller to push the two kids around in if you’re walking in the neighborhood; we love the UPPAbaby Vista for multiple kiddos.

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3. Carseat – You’ll need a topnotch carseat, like the Britax Marathon Clicktight – consistently one of the highest (if not THE highest) rated carseats in the market.

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4. Baby Brezza Formula Pro + new feeding essentials – You worry about getting the candy and toddler’s costume ready and let the Brezza get bottles ready for while you walk the neighborhood. Dr. Brown’s bottles are easy to grip if baby is self-feeding (plus glass is truly safe!)

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5. Diaper Bag – It’s going to be a long night out on the town with the toddler (okay, maybe twenty minutes, but it will feel like hours) so don’t forget to bring a diaper bag with stroller hooks, like the Skip Hop Signature Diaper Bag. Believe us, you don’t want to be lugging around a bag full of all the necessities PLUS Halloween goodies on your shoulder or back!

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6. Finn + Emma Stroller Toy – Little one waiting in the stroller for the toddler to slowly walk up to someone’s house for candy? The Finn + Emma Stroller Toy is the perfect way to keep baby distracted. They’re organic – so safe to chew on – and come in fun characters for Halloween like Jack the Pirate.

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7. Primary onesies – Preparing for Halloween costumes can be totally overwhelming as a parent of two, so make it easy on yourself and head to Primary where you can pick any solid color onesie and make it a quick costume for the infant – like, a blush pink onesie makes a perfect little piggy!

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8. Baby socks – Speaking of quick costume ideas, Trumpette socks also are easy costume pieces for baby and reusable like the onesies – since it’s a waste to spend money on an infant costume that they’ll quickly outgrow or – worse – be uncomfortable in, and cry through the night when you’re trying to trick or treat with your tot.

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9. Baby book – Don’t forget to record all the exciting events of the night in a baby book – like this one from Lucy Darling.

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10. Miracle blanket – Your toddler might be on a sugar high so get baby to get a good night sleep with the miracle blanket swaddle, which is proven to extend baby’s sleep time. Later you can attack that candy.

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Like what you see? Enter to win a $60 gift card to Baby K’Tan and $150 gift card to Finn+Emma:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Photos from: Mama Bee, Rae Gun Ramblings, and Little Baby Garvin

Endless Summer Registry Picks

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s the official last day of summer and first day of autumn. Is it just us or does summer seem to have just flown by? Whether it’s colors or materials or scents, we like to surround ourselves with products that give us all the feels of summer, sans the humidity. Here we feature some of our summer inspired baby registry picks.

Gathre

We highly recommend getting outside as much as possible when you’re newly postpartum to give your energy and attitude a boost – and you’ll need a mat for that. We’ve been slightly obsessed with the chic simplicity of Gathre‘s bonded leather mats since we discovered them a few months back. Inspired by a tradition of dining al fresco with her family, the co-founder of Gathre came up with the concept of stylish leather blanket that wipes clean and you don’t have to wash.

Solly Baby Wraps

There are so many things that make us feel summery with Solly Baby, which is no surprise since the brand is based in Southern California and likely gets much of its inspiration from the colors and patterns of the coastal state. We are drawn in to colors from its collection like the Baltic, presumably inspired by the eponymous sea. The product itself also lends itself to summer, with its incredibly lightweight and breathable Lenzing Modal fabric.

Birchrose + Co.

What attracted us to this mom-founded skincare line initially is the fact that it uses 100% natural ingredients in its formulations, and all of them are safe for pregnancy and new / nursing moms. From wildcrafted Botanicals to Plant Based Cold Pressed Carrier Oils to high grade clays, Birchrose + Co. products are top of the line and luxurious for mamas. With scents like Coconut + Hibiscus, this Portsmouth, NH based brand transports us.

Bumbleride

We just love brands that make us want to get outside and Bumbleride is one of them. Though we’re not entirely sure, there is a rumor going around that this brand is founded and run by avid surfers – hence even more reason that the line makes our Endless Summer registry. Bumbleride’s strollers with its air-filled tires are made to handle any outdoor terrain. Plus the UPF/SPF 45+ canopies to protect baby from sun year-round (since we know those harmful rays are not season-specific).

Lorena Canals

Sometimes just simple décor can bring warmth to a home and give us those yummy, beach vibes. This (machine washable!) eco-friendly and non-toxic Pineapple Rug from Lorena Canals is the perfect touch to your baby’s nursery, kid’s room or play room and is sure to extend those summer days as they drift away.

Back to Sleep Day 19: HALO Bassinest

by Gugu Guru 3 Comments

On our final day of Back to Sleep, we present the HALO® Bassinest® – one of THE most popular products on Gugu Guru registries. The HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper is the only bassinet that swivels to bring baby to you for close and safe sleep. This means your little one can sleep as close to you as you want – even right next to you in bed – and still sleep safely in his own separate space. Read on to find out if this product is a fit for your lifestyle and/or baby registry.

From the 360 degree swivel to the retractable side wall with lock, the HALO Bassinest is chock-full of smart features that make tending to baby in bed easy (score for nursing mamas!) Other features for gadget geeks include its Soothing Center that offers 3 lullabies, 3 soothing sounds, 2 levels of vibration, nightlight and a nursing timer (yes, you read that right.) Also handy? The floor light to help you see without disturbing your baby and the storage caddy to keep baby’s essentials organized.

Breathability is of the utmost importance when it comes to baby’s sleeping arrangements for both temperature regulation and also for reducing suffocation risk. The sidewall panels of the HALO Bassinest are constructed of mesh fabric for maximum visibility and breathability. This means that it’s not only easy to keep an eye on baby, but you can also rest assured that if baby rolls, the panels of the sidewalls are fully breathable.

Recovery from c/s surgery can make any movement painful and difficult – including lifting your baby, or having to get in and out of bed to take care of him. Unlike stationary and attached bassinets, the Bassinest Swivel Sleeper’s 360-degree range of motion allows mom to tend to many of her baby’s needs without having to get out of bed. And when she does have to get in or out of bed, the swivel design allows mom to gently reposition it to accommodate her – so getting in or out of bed can be done easily and with minimal discomfort.

Note: all sleep tips are independent to all the products featured in Back to Sleep and Kim West is not endorsing these products unless otherwise indicated.

Back to Sleep Day 18: NüRoo Swaddle

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We just love the innovative, practical (grows with baby!) swaddle from NüRoo that we are featuring in today’s Back to Sleep product spotlight. There is SO much to love about this three-in-one swaddler that grows with your baby, but what we love the most? Its compression fabric recreates the familiar, comforting in utero snugness and eases your baby’s transition from the womb. Pretty cool, huh? Read on to find out if this swaddle is a good fit for your lifestyle and baby registry then enter to win one.

With a pocket for baby and velcro wings, the NüRoo Swaddler takes user error out of swaddling. Place baby in pocket, position arms as desired, secure velcro across baby’s chest.You can even use as an arms out transitioner. Simple, safe and no challenging wrapping to figure out. The NüRoo swaddle is also the only one with three distinct sizes built into one swaddle so that every stage of baby’s growth, the swaddle fits them perfectly, without any excess material – a suffocation hazard.

You can use the NuRoo Swaddle the day your baby is born, so be sure to wash and pack it in your hospital bag. It supports the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, is used by leading instutitions and approved for use in the NICU with pre-term infants.

The NuRoo’s swaddle signature fabric has the ability to pull sweat and moisture off baby’s skin, passing it through the material and releasing into the air to keep baby comfortable and dry. The breathable, moisture wicking properties help regulate baby’s body temperature. This assists in weight gain by limiting brown fat stored in baby burns by working to cool down or stay warm.

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Note: all sleep tips are independent to all the products featured in Back to Sleep and Kim West is not endorsing these products unless otherwise indicated.

Back to Sleep Day 15: Cloud b

by Gugu Guru 4 Comments

We have lots of heart for today’s Back to Sleep sponsor: Cloud b – and that might be because the brand’s adorable, award-winning Sleep Sheep has a lot of heart for newborns (heartbeats, that is). Sleep Sheep is the ultimate sleep-aid for your babe. It is a cute, cuddly, little lamb with a hidden sound machine that plays white noise to soothe your child into a restful, relaxing sleep.

If you’re on the go with baby a lot, whether it’s down the street or “across the pond”, it’s important to create a familiar, comfortable sleep environment for your baby to promote good sleep habits. Whether it’s at home or on a travel crib, Sleep Sheep’s velcro tab allows for easy attachment. Also important for travel is that Sleep Sheep is easy to clean – just remove the soundbox and through in the washing machine and dryer.

To an infant, there’s nothing as comforting as a mother’s heartbeat and the Cloud b Sleep Sheep is the perfect stand-in, especially when baby is at daycare. Sleep Sheep features a heartbeat setting that mimics the comforting sounds of the womb in addition to three white noise options.

The Sleep Sheep is scientifically proven to promote sleep. This is important for all babies but especially premature babies, who spend a fraction of time in deep sleep compared to their full-term counterparts. A study of 20 newborns found that infants were more likely to fall asleep within five minutes in response to white noise. And, preemie or not, little ears are more sensitive, so Cloud b products are kept within recommended sound levels.

Note: all sleep tips are independent to all the products featured in Back to Sleep and Kim West is not endorsing these products unless otherwise indicated.

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