Feeding

Getting Ready For Feeding Time with Kizingo

-Sponsored Post-

It is always exciting when a baby transitions from eating baby food, to grabbing their own food, and eventually using utensils on their own. However, teaching a child to properly eat with utensils is not always easy. Luckily, Kizingo has come up with a new way to introduce using utensils to toddlers and kids.

Founded by two moms, the mission of Kizingo is to help children learn to love to eat, and therefore, learn to love mealtime, as it is such a special time for families. The name Kizingo means curved in Swahili and honors that time of exploration and discovery. Learning to feed yourself is difficult, but it’s so important and Kizingo believes that kids should have the tools they need to do this, successfully, for themselves.

What makes Kizingo spoons special? Kizingo encourages independence, as their curved form is easy for children to grip and therefore, children will be eager to hold them to eat. The short, wide handles are easy to hold, especially for small hands which are just learning to grasp well. They do not contain BPA, PVC, lead or Phthalates, and they are microwave and dishwasher save. They’re also designed and manufactured in America!

As baby will be learning to feed themselves before you know it, we highly recommend adding Kizingo to your baby registry! The Kizingo products are designed to promote successful self-feeding, giving confidence to parents and children. Babies and toddlers learning to feed themselves can get frustrated and most utensils are not well designed for how toddlers want to hold and use them. As a result, parents often take over feeding which can have unintended consequences. Kizingo spoons are curved to work with the way children hold utensils, making it easer for kids to successfully do it themselves. Help instill a sense of independence in your toddlers with the Kizingo spoon; a little independence goes a long way in toddlerhood, and anything to make meal time a little easier is always a plus in our book.

Thank you to Kizingo for making this sponsored post possible.

Top 5 Must Have Essentials: Starting Solids

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

-Sponsored Post-

It’s always super exciting to enter the world of starting solid food with your baby, isn’t it? However, it’s great to be prepared when you start solids and we’re here to make sure you have everything you need. We know that it can seem overwhelming to register for everything you may need for a baby; so, we’ve broken all the necessities down into your Top 5 Must Have Essentials for every category you may need. Today we’re covering the Top 5 Must Have Essentials for Starting Solids.

1. b.box baby Travel Bib: We know, it’s a little unusual to post a travel bib for starting solids, but you’re going to want to be able to go out to eat with baby, so we love that this bib can do double duty as an at-home staple, and for on the go. This cool travel bib and spoon has baby covered, literally. And there’s no need for zip lock bags – after baby has finished eating, pop the spoon inside, fold the bib into the catcher and zip closed. Then when you get home, just wash and dry it ready for your next adventure. BPA, Phthalates and PVC free. The modern designs are super cute, and we can stand behind this bib, as our team uses it for our own kiddos!

Also seen: Product Discovery, travel bib

2. Micuna OVO High Chair: When it comes to where your baby will spend their time eating, you want the high chair to be comfortable, easy to clean, and also not a total eyesore. We’re huge fans of the Micuna High Chair; we know this chair is on the higher end of prices, but it is a long-term investment into your child’s love of eating. Plus, it converts to a toddler chair! It features a round removable side tray and solid lacquered beechwood, with a seat made from rotation molded plastic. It has a white /natural fabric harness and can be pulled up to the table, so baby can join in on the fun, too.

Also seen: DIY Fringe Bibs with See Kate Sew

3. Little Foodie Club: As much as we want to say we will make all of our baby’s food from scratch, it just isn’t always realistic. Enter, Little Foodie Club! Little Foodie Club is a subscription service that delivers fresh baby food straight to your house! Their baby purees are the real deal: handmade from fresh organic ingredients and free from anything artificial, sugar or salt. The recipes are unlike anything else on the market – and there simply is no other service with a similarly diverse and unique range of flavors that takes care of a baby’s complete dietary needs.

4. Beaba Babycook: For the times when you have an afternoon free to make baby food, we’re big fans of the Beaba Babycook. The Beaba Babycook is a 4 in 1 baby food maker, which will not only make your life infinitely easier but help you save money in the long run, as well. With its patented steam heating system, you can prepare fruits, vegetables, meat or fish from raw to any stage baby and toddler food in 15 minutes. It features a large 4.7 cup bowl with graduation markings for easy measuring and mixing, so you can invent delicious and nutritious purees for your little one.

Also seen: Foodie Finds: Beaba Babycook; Baby Registry Ideas for Adoption; A Foodie Mom’s Registry

5. Real Baby Food: Easy, All-Natural Recipes for Your Baby and Toddler by Jenna Helwig: It’s always great to have a healthy and helpful cookbook ready to go in the house, which is why we are big fans of Jenna Helwig’s Real Baby Food Cookbook. Helwig, the food editor at Parents magazine, makes the art of creating baby food so simple, even for busy moms and dads. She guides you through the early days of simple foods, to adding spices, meats, flavors, and even multi-flavor blends like Salmon, Kale, and Sweet Potato Smash. With over 100 meals in the book, your little one is sure to have a head-start on their culinary palate!

Also seen: A Foodie Mom’s Registry

Thank you to Micuna and b.box baby for making this sponsored post possible

Getting a Breast Pump Through Insurance with Aeroflow Breastpumps

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

-Sponsored Post-

One of the most common questions we often receive is, “How do I pick a breast pump, and is it covered under insurance?” As a new parent, or pregnant parent, the task of figuring out not only which breast pump to get, but how to go through your insurance, can be incredibly daunting. This is why we’re excited to introduce you to Aeroflow Breastpumps, a provider specializing in helping pregnant and nursing women qualify for their breastpump through insurance and the Affordable Care Act. We highly recommend checking out Aeroflow and letting them take you by the hand through this often confusing process!

Insurance eligibility:

In most cases, new mothers are covered for a free breast pump through insurance anywhere from as soon as the baby is born up to 1 year after birth (i.e. throughout their breastfeeding journey). This is a good rule of thumb to go by; however the exact time period depends on your particular insurance plan.

Navigating Aeroflow’s website:

The Aeroflow website features breast pumps from top brands such as Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Evenflo and many more. Keep in mind that when you visit the website, you will first need to fill out the Qualify through Insurance form before you can shop for breast pumps that are eligible under your specific insurance plan. While shopping as a guest, you might notice that certain items are not available for purchase. These items are only applicable to specific insurance plans and require the user to first fill out the Qualify form before they are eligible for certain breast pumps through insurance. Upon completing the form, you will be able to log in to the site and shop a curated selection specific to your insurance benefits. If you would like help navigating the store, our Breastpump Specialists are here to assist you! We do everything we can to help you find the best breast pump for your needs and lifestyle.

Steps to take:

Once you fill out the Qualify form, a dedicated Breastpump Specialist will work to verify your coverage and will contact you via phone or email within 3-5 business days to discuss your options and help you select a breast pump. Check out this amazing and handy breast pump comparison chart to look at all of your options! You can also refer friends and receive discounts on Aeroflow’s website.

What our Aeroflow’s Breastpump Specialists can do for you:

Verify your eligibility for a breast pump through your insurance plan
Contact your physician for a prescription
Recommend the best breast pump for your lifestyle and breastfeeding goals
Recommend supplies and accessories that will benefit your pumping experience
Determine whether select supplies and accessories could also be available under your plan
Bill your insurance provider for your breast pump
Ship your breast pump to your door, free of charge

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

Thank you to Aeroflow for making this sponsored post possible.

Bottle Feeding Find: MAM Anti-Colic Bottles

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baby photo via Can1Love

Product Discovery: Freemie Collection Cups

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

It’s hard to imagine something being a game changer when it comes to pumping, but Freemie Collection Cups are indeed a game changer. Imagine the freedom of hands-free pumping, while wearing most any bra you want and keeping your shirt on! The cups each hold 8 oz and are designed to slip right into your bra. Once securely in your bra, you just insert the tube into the top of the cup and start pumping!

We won’t go so far as to say that no one will know, but the cups do allow for discreet pumping. They also allow you to go about your day while pumping – hold your little one in your arms, do your makeup, work at your desk, or entertain everyone who has come to ooh and ahh over your new arrival instead of hiding out in another room to pump.

The cups are designed for easy pouring – leaving the cups intact, simply take the tubing out and easily pour right into a storage bag or bottle. It is recommended that you hand wash them in hot, soapy water, so no waiting for a dishwasher cycle!

Freemie Hands Free Collection Cups are included with all Freemie pumps, but can be purchased separately and are compatible with many of the most popular pumps. The Freemie Collection Cups Deluxe Set comes with two 8-ounce collections cups and two sets of breast funnels (25 mm and 28 mm).

Toddler Tuesday: Ubbi Tweat

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

By: Shana, Gugu Guru Director of Content Marketing

Our next installation of Toddler Tuesday – our new feature that helps moms navigate the transition from infant mom to toddler mom – highlights the Ubbi Tweat, a spill-proof snack container.

*Enter toddler stage left dumping her snacks from a bowl and stomping them with glee.*

While there are many snack containers on the market, most are either spill-proof, but not sealable to keep snacks fresh on the go or they are sealable, but not spill-proof. The Ubbi Tweat – shaped like a little birdie, hence the name – promises to handle both issues.

When I first handed the Tweat to my toddler, filled with Organic Bunny-Shaped Graham Crackers, I wasn’t sure if her little hands would be dexterous enough to hold the Tweat and fish out the bunnies through the spill-proof lid. In about 5 seconds flat, she had bunny grahams in her mouth. The handles are large enough for little hands to grip and the no-spill top ensures that with all the rummaging around and tilting that nothing falls out. Plus, when snack time is over, you can flip the attached lid closed and save the rest for later.

The Tweat is durable enough to toss into your diaper bag and is top rack dishwasher-safe (they recommend that you avoid heat drying it, so I just hand wash it). The Tweat is PVC, BPA & Phthalate-free and comes in 5 vibrant colors.

Head over to ubbiworld.com and get 15% off your purchase of a Tweat now through April 8 with code: GUGUGURU15

Lovely Laura Ashley Baby Gear!

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

If you grew up anytime in the 1980s, you probably wore a Laura Ashley headband, dress, or bow in your hair. Our editor in chief’s bedroom was swathed in Laura Ashley, from the curtains to the wallpaper, to the quilt on the bed! Laura Ashley is a quintessential English lifestyle brand, and has evolved seamlessly into the modern day. We are overjoyed and honored to be introducing you to the Laura Ashley baby line today; combining their classic floral patterns with updated baby essentials, we are sure you’ll be swooning for this lovely baby gear.

This gorgeous Laura Ashley diaper bag is a handy backpack, with padded straps for added comfort for mama, and it even has adjustable stroller straps, too. This floral printed roomy top zip backpack is made from microfiber that easily wipes clean. There are 2 side pockets, one that holds a pop-up wipes case and one that is large enough to hold a baby bottle or bottle of water. On top of the side pocket is a second pocket with a magnetic closure for even more storage, and there are another two pockets on the front of this bag as well. The large front pocket allows for easy access to your keys, cell phone or other necessities while the smaller top pocket is great for smaller items. The main compartment has a contrast pink lining with 3 easily accessible internal pockets and an additional back zip pocket to help with organization. The bag comes with a cushioned changing pad and a wet pack for wet or dirty diapers or clothes.

Laura Ashley 4-in-1 Black Zip Around Floral Backpack Diaper Bag; Laura Ashley 6-in-1 Floral Tote Diaper Bag, Gray and Pink

If the diaper bags aren’t adorable enough for you, check out their truly lovely bottles and sippy cups! They offer bottles 5, 9, and 11 ounces and even have an angled bottle. Their sippy cups are double insulated and have the sweetest little designs on them. Everything is BPA free and easily washable. Finishing up the layette is their accessories, including a classic bottle brush which would look wonderful in any kitchen, and makes washing those bottles (almost) joyful. And, of course, a lovely little pink pacifier featuring a butterfly (also BPA free).

Laura Ashley combines elegance, style, and functionality with their new baby line. Don’t forget to check out their oh-so-sweet baby clothes, too! You can find Laura Ashley on their website, Facebook, Instagram, Blog, and Twitter.

Baby Food Cubes With Nikki Dinki

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

The wonderful chef, TV star, cookbook author and mama, Nikki Dinki, is back to share some baby food tips with us!

I’m a chef who loves her veggies—you will always find veggies as the entrée portion of my plate. In fact, my cookbook is titled Meat On The Side, and it’s all about vegetable-focused cooking.

However I didn’t always love my veggies. I didn’t even like my veggies. This might sound like an exaggeration, but I actually didn’t even eat a single veggie until I was 20 years old. Fittingly, I spent most of my life infamously known as “Picky Nikki”, a name my sister still teases me with.

So when it came to my daughter, Ivy, I wanted to make her own food as nutritious as possible, and at the same time empower her to hopefully never be called “Picky Ivy.”

In order to do this, I knew making my own baby food would be a step in the right direction. But with time flying faster than ever I didn’t want making my own baby food to be something that took over my life.

So after some thought and experimentation, I devised my Baby Cubes system.

Baby Cubes works like this: I freeze 1 ounce portions of different pureed fruits and veggies, such as broccoli, apples, or carrots. I also freeze 1 ounce portions of other healthy grains and proteins like oats, quinoa, edamame or ground chicken. Then when it’s time for Ivy to eat a nutritious meal, I combine four different cubes to create a perfectly balanced meal.

And because everything is frozen, I can vary the foods that are part of every meal. This means that at the end of the day, Ivy has not just eaten her veggies, but she’s eaten a variety of veggies—which is something I am always preaching as a chef and is key for Baby’s nutrition.

And speaking of Mommy, I have gotten into the habit of “stealing” her cubes to add nutrition and flavor to leftovers or store-bought meals of my own.

They also make for great smoothies! May I recommend combining a cube each of mango, raspberries, spinach and quinoa with a little yogurt? Yum!

Besides providing Ivy with great nutrition I love my Baby Cubes system because it allows you to make baby food only once a month. I do big batches and then freeze it all. Because I’m storing the food in the freezer instead of the fridge I don’t have to worry about the food going bad or the nutritional content slowly depleting as much over time.

Pictured: the BBox Snack Pack

And let’s all take a step back and remember that you don’t have to do it all. Seriously, moms need to give themselves a break. You don’t have to feed your baby homemade food at every meal, serving up some Baby Cubes for even just one meal a day is awesome! Or maybe start small by just freezing cubes of fruit to mix into their yogurt.

Whatever you can do is fantastic and another step in the right direction when it comes to helping your baby grow strong and healthy—and not having the word “Picky” attached to his or her name.

You can follow Nikki’s food adventures on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Toddler Tuesday: Re-Play Recycled (+giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

By: Shana, Gugu Guru Director of Content Marketing

The transition from infant mom to toddler mom is a special one (hello, little Miss Independent), but not without its challenges (um… hello, Little Miss Independent). Toddlers have their own unique needs and oftentimes finding the right products and gear can be just as challenging as when they were newborns. In our new Toddler Tuesday feature, we will highlight all of our great finds for your toddler. First up is Re-Play Recycle, an eco-friendly brand of children’s tableware.

I first learned about Re-Play Recycled during “Moldy Sippy Cup Valve Gate.” My daughter was only a few months old at the time and had no need for a sippy cup, but being the Type A mom that I am, I wanted to be prepared for when the time came, so I made a mental note of the brand. I happened up Re-Play Recycled with their wonderfully colorful line of crafted in the USA feeding sets made from FDA-approved, food safe recycled plastic – specifically, milk jugs! They’re free of the things that make you go “ew,” like BPA, phthalates and PVC, and their sippy cups feature a single-piece silicone valve that is easy to clean and spill proof.

I was recently able to try out Re-Play Recycled and much to my delight, my daughter loves her new dishes and I love the bright color palette and durability. (I may or may not sometimes coordinate the plate color with her food.) The sippy cups are truly no-spill and can withstand being pounded repeatedly on the floor (don’t ask me how I know this). The plates survive the inevitable tumbles from high chair to floor and the utensils are the perfect size for little hands, with room to grow.

Re-Play Recycled is fun and functional and above all, it feels good to know that even the dishes that we use are helping to take care of the Earth for future generations.

Want to win a Toddler Feeding Set of your own, in your choice of color? Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Lunch Bag Tutorial

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? A cute lunchbag for baby, toddler or even mama.

I’m so excited to be here today with a fun lunch bag pattern for you! This little pouch is perfect for stashing baby food containers, fruit and more! It’s also super easy to make! We had a blast making baby food with the Beaba Babycook. It was my first time making baby food and it was so easy! I guess I’ve been scared of making it myself before but now I’m excited to try all sorts of new flavor combinations for my 9-month-old!

Click over to SeeKateSew.com to read my review of the Beaba Babycook! I’m also sharing 4 baby food recipes that I made in the Babycook!

Ready to sew?

This cute little bag is perfect for stashing in your purse or diaper bag as you head out the door. The thick velvet fabric will give it a bit of insulation (as well as a luxe feel!) and the strawberries on the other side are just too cute! This project is great for an advanced beginner, there’s a zipper but it’s not too hard to install!

Materials:
1/3 yard velvet
1/3 yard quilting cotton, I’m using Cotton + Steel Yours Truly
1/3 yard fusible interfacing
one 12″ zipper

Instructions:

This is a basic zipper pouch pattern with a little twist!

1. Cut out 2 pattern pieces from the velvet and two from the strawberry fabric. Then cut 4 from the fusible interfacing.

2. Fuse the interfacing to the back of each fabric piece.

3. Lay the zipper face down on a strawberry fabric.

4. Place a velvet piece on top of the zipper, face down. Sew where line is shown below.

5. Fold pieces back and press well.

6. Lay the other side of the zipper on the second strawberry fabric piece face up. Then place the other velvet piece on top face down.

7. Stitch along the top.

8. Fold back and press.

9. Open the zipper and fold the fabrics over so all right sides are facing inward. Sew all the way around, leaving a 3″ opening in the lining. Clip the corners.

10. Turn the bag inside out and pinch the bottom corners, perpendicular to the side seam. Measure up 2.5″ and mark it. I used a pen, which is really a sewing “no-no”. Shh, don’t tell! 😉 Stitch over the line you created and repeat on the other side. This big pinch will give it the shape on the bottom to hold lots of baby food! Clip off the excess fabric and sew up the bottom opening with a ladder stitch.

« Previous Page

Feeding

Footer

Follow Us:

COME AND GET IT!