Baby Safety Zone

Back to Sleep: Snuza Pico Wearable Monitor

Back to Sleep week is focused on safe and healthy sleep for baby. Today’s post featured the Snuza Pico wearable monitor, which is a must-have for tech-oriented parents, parents of newborns, parents of multiples, parents of toddlers, and great for traveling.

We have highlighted another amazing Snuza product – the Hero – in our past Back to Sleep event. The Snuza Pico wearable monitor is an advanced multi-sensor smart device for infants and children. For the first year of life, the Snuza Pico wearable monitor provides peace-of-mind movement monitoring in addition to sleep analytics, skin temperature and body position monitoring. After one year of age, the movement monitoring function may be turned off, allowing caregivers to primarily monitor their child’s sleep patterns, which has been proven to be a critical aspect of healthy brain development.

The monitor attaches to baby’s diaper and connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone app. The Pico uses a patented contactless sensor, meaning it does not need to be in direct contact with the baby’s skin, which reduces false alarms caused by loss of contact. If there is no abdominal movement detected after 15 seconds, the device will gently vibrate in an effort to rouse the child awake. After 20 seconds of no abdominal movement, the Pico will alarm.

The Snuza Pico wearable monitor is a fantastic investment in safe sleep, because it provides parents with a peace of mind so that everyone in the family can rest easy. Plus, while you can utilize the movement monitoring function for up to one year, you can turn that function off after your baby is over a year and simply monitor your child’s sleep patterns. By monitoring your child’s sleep patterns with the Snuza Pico, it will allow for you to figure out which sleep habits work best for your family, letting everyone rest easier.

The Snuza Pico is available at Best Buy, BabiesRUs.com, Target.com, and Amazon

Baby Safety Month: Strap in for Safety While On the Go with JPMA

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It’s National Baby Safety Month and every Monday we will be sharing tips from the leaders in baby safety knowledge at JPMA. Today is all about Baby Safety on the Go – from strollers to carseats to carriers. Don’t forget to take last week’s Carseat Challenge!

From carriers to car seats to strollers and more, there are a wide variety of products all parents and caregivers need to get baby out and about. With more options available than ever before, there is quite a bit to consider when choosing the product best suited for you and your baby.

But, strollers and carriers are not just for taking your baby from point A to point B, they are a lifestyle choice! A stroller or carrier is a part of your image and a reflection of personal style, parenting style, and lifestyle.

From travel systems and joggers to umbrellas and multiple seats, the possibilities are endless. With so many choices available today, selecting the right stroller can be a daunting task.

A stroller will be one of your most-used items so you must love everything about it. Again, think about what makes the most sense for your lifestyle. Do your research before you even visit the store. Comparison shop and talk to other parents about their recommendations. Manufacturer and retailer Web sites are also a great source of information

Don’t forget about dad! Most moms are the primary baby gear decision maker, but consider dads needs when selecting your stroller. Men focus on certain features like wheel design, steering, suspension, overall stroller height/feel, and sporty fashions, but above all, dad should also feel comfortable pushing your stroller.

Finally, keep in mind that one stroller may not serve all your needs. You may need more than one, especially as your baby grows and your needs and lifestyle changes. Whatever stroller you decide to add to your baby gear repertoire, will be the right one for you and your family and will surely provide many hours of enjoyment for you and your little one when out and about! So be sure to enjoy the ride!

When thinking about baby safety on the go, remember these guidelines for a safe outing:

All strollers come fitted with standard safety harness straps.
Use straps at all times, even if it’s a short trip.
Harness straps stop the child from climbing out of the seat and falling, and protects the child should the stroller tip over.
Safety straps should be used regardless of the child’s age.
Many strollers feature a five-point harness system, which features straps that secure over each shoulder, at both sides of the waist, and in the middle of the legs.
It is important to always use all straps, not just lap straps or shoulder straps alone.
If you use a soft carrier, select one made of a durable, washable fabric with sturdy, adjustable straps.
Read and follow all manufacturer’s instructions for use, age and weight recommendations.
Be sure baby’s weight is evenly distributed in the carrier and all safety straps are secured.
Check for ripped seams, sharp edges, and missing or loose snaps.
Always keep one hand on baby when tightening/loosening straps for any reason or taking baby out or putting baby in.

September is Baby Safety Month. Check out more safety tips at babysafetymonth.org

Amy Chezem is JPMA’s Senior Communications Manager and Baby Safety Month Program Director. Amy has managed the Baby Safety Month program for nearly two decades and helped expand the program creating one of JPMA’s largest consumer education and awareness programs to date.

Baby Safety Month: Strap in For Safety with JPMA

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Did you know September is Baby Safety Month? September is Baby Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This year, JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of properly using straps on all juvenile products.

Strap In For Safety

Keeping your baby safe and well is your number one goal as a parent so it goes without saying that you take every precaution when creating a safe environment. But unfortunately, falls are still the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for all young children in the U.S. In fact, approximately 8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries every day. With these staggering statistics, be confident that you are doing everything right when it comes to your baby’s safety.

What Can You Do?

Direct supervision is a sure-fire way to prevent injury – watch, listen and stay near your child. Strap In For Safety!

Child safety devices, like safety belts and straps, should always be used when available.

Straps and safety belts on baby gear reduce the risk of infant fall injuries.

For the safest product use, be sure to read and follow all manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels.

Whether it’s in the home or on the go, learn how to properly use straps on a variety of products and the importance of correctly using them EVERY time in order to keep baby safe.

Strap In For Safety

Visit www.babysafetymonth.org to learn more about creating the safest environment for your baby!

Nursery Essentials: Crane Penguin Adorable Humidifier

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-Sponsored Post-

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you to Crane for making this sponsored post possible.

Product Discovery: Angelcare Movement Monitor

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-Sponsored Post-

As a new parent, you want to have every opportunity to watch your little one sleep; however, life is busy, and that’s just not possible. Luckily, Angelcare has just released a new movement monitor which is sure to bring peace to many parents’ mind! Angelcare, the worldwide leader in movement monitoring, continues to pk-callout the baby monitoring corner with their new Angelcare AC417 Video Movement Monitor with Wireless Pad. Angelcare is known for their monitors which are designed to sense baby’s slightest movements and sound an alarm if no movement is detected after 20 seconds. However, the new Video Movement Monitor with Wireless Pad takes the act of monitoring to a whole new, and very modern, level.

The new wireless sensor pad goes under the crib mattress and can track subtle movements (like breathing, rolling and kicking) that audio and video monitors can’t detect. This means parents can truly monitor all of baby’s slightest movements. This touchscreen monitor from Angelcare offers the only wireless movement sensor pad in the market and features new data analytics that sense and track baby’s activity level. Imagine being able to track every move your baby makes; very reassuring for a new parent! Furthermore, with this insight into baby’s activity level during sleep, parents are better able to adapt routines and respond to baby’s needs.

The sleek design of the new Angelcare monitor will surely fit into any home decor style. In the nursery, the wireless sensor pad is accompanied by a low profile, wall-mountable video camera with wide-angle lens and color-changing room temperature display. The new parent unit features a large touchscreen display (4.3” inches) which enables parents to check on the baby in real time, and track baby’s activity level with up to two months of data stored. Very cool!

This Angelcare Video Movement Monitor is expandable for up to 4 cameras (sold separately) and has night vision, too. It features adjustable movement sensitivity levels, and you can even tell room temperature display – so baby won’t get too hot or too cold. The wide angle lens has digital zoom, and two way talk means you can sing to baby from another room in the house. This monitor is a must-have item for any new, or seasoned, parent. It’s more than just a baby monitor; this Angelcare Video Movement Monitor is a peace of mind for parents, as it not only monitors every movement of baby’s, but tracks and records all data as well. You can purchase this Angelcare monitor at Target online.

Thank you to Angelcare for making this sponsored post possible.

Introducing: The Owlet 2 Monitor

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We’ve written many times about why we think Owlet is an essential item for every baby registry, and now we’re excited to announce that Owlet has released the Owlet 2 Smart Sock! As part of its vision to transform infant health and safety for every baby, Owlet is revolutionizing the way infant care is handled with the release of this new Smart Sock and the corresponding Connected Care platform.

Building on the award-winning design of the original Owlet Smart Sock, the new Smart Sock 2 is the result of parent feedback and a continued investment in making the product comfortable, safe, and functional. The new and improved Owlet Smart Sock 2 can be worn on both feed, and has updated fabric for baby’s comfort. The Smart Sock 2 also has breathable toes through all sock sizes. The re-design of the actual sock is a more secure fit, which allows for a better reading of baby’s stats. The advancements in firmware and hardware to reduce false notifications, and the improved Bluetooth range means there can now be up to 100 feet between the Smart Sock 2 and the Base Station. Plus, the smartphone app is updated as well, making it an easier user experience overall.

Once you get the sock on your baby’s foot, what kind of information can it relay? Revolutionizing the monitor industry, Owlet has released their Connected Care platform. A first of its kind, the Connected Care platform tracks more data from the Owlet Smart Sock than parents previously had. It allows parents to view trends and use the insights to be proactive about their infant’s health; making decisions based on trends and data, as well as charting a course for development. Connected Care works by visualizing the data collected from your Owlet Smart Sock 2, which uses pulse oximetry to track heart rate and oxygen levels. Parents can view this data via the Connected Care app on their smartphone. The app also allows parents to access their baby’s sleep trends and analytics, a powerful tool to help parents create bedtime routines and develop healthy sleep habits. As Dr. Ken Ward, Owlet’s medical director says, “By making this information accessible to parents, we are striving to improve infant health and to help chart a course for proper development.”

Featured photo from Lunch Pails and Lipstick

Well Home: Crane Humidifiers

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–Sponsored Post–

When thinking about Spring Cleaning, we often overlook the most important aspect in the house: the air we breathe. When it comes to keeping a Well Home with babies, it’s significant to keep the air clean and humidified, to prevent tiny nasal passages from getting clogged up. Crane USA Humidifiers are the perfect way to keep the air in your home just the way you want it; with their line of drop humidifiers in a huge variety of colors, you are sure to find a color which matches every room in your house.

The drop humidifiers feature a ultrasonic cool mist which increases moisture in the air for easier breathing and a good night’s sleep; whether it is in your bedroom, the living room, or baby’s room, wherever the family will spend time, or sleep, is a wonderful place to have a Drop Humidifier. It’s so important to have the right amount of humidity in bedrooms, as proper humidity relieves cough, cold, and flu symptoms, as well as nasal congestion, dry cough, sinus irritation, nose bleeds, and dry skin and hair. Furthermore, the clean control antimicrobial material in the base is proven to help reduce mold and bacteria growth up to 99.96%.

Plus, these Crane Drop Humidifiers are super easy to have around! The removable 1 gallon tank easily fits under most bathroom sinks, and they don’t even require a filter. How easy is that?! They run whisper quiet up to 24 hours, providing your house the proper humidity it needs. One Drop Humidifier effectively humidifies small and medium rooms up to 250 square feet, and the auto-Off function activates when water tank is empty. Additionally, these humidifiers are more energy efficient than a household light bulb – up to 45W. There’s simply no reason to not have at least one of these Drop Humidifiers in your house!

The Gugu Guru team loves products which overlap wedding and baby registries, If you’re getting married, the Drop Humidifiers make the perfect wedding gift, as they have a sleek and modern design, a full line of colors to chose from, and most importantly, will keep you healthy year round; plus, if you have any musical instruments which need humidity, Crane has you covered with these easy to use Drop Humidifiers. Any pregnant woman can tell you how important humid air is, as sinus pressure and dry skin are #pregnancyproblems for many women; the Drop Humidifier makes the ultimate baby shower gift, so don’t forget to add it to your registry today.

Use special promo code GUGU17 for $10 off your next Crane purchase!

Product Discovery: Snuza Pico Movement Monitor

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–Sponsored Post–

As a new parent, when you’re handed a tiny infant to take care of, it can feel very overwhelming! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a way to monitor your new little one while they’re sleeping, so you can rest easy and sleep too? Snuza, known for spearheading the innovation in one of the biggest trends in the marketplace right now, wearable tech for infants, has just released their Snuza Pico Movement Monitor, which is unlike anything else on the market. While some of the newer baby movement monitors are fitted beneath the baby’s mattress, Snuza monitors attach directly to a baby’s diaper and alarms if no abdominal movement is detected. This early detection provided by Snuza monitors offers a solution to help bring peace of mind to parents.

However, Snuza has recently revolutionized the monitor market with their Snuza Pico. The revolutionary new Snuza Pico is the first wearable baby movement monitor in the line that allows parents to directly connect to a smartphone or tablet via a Bluetooth App! The Pico attaches to your baby’s diaper and using a patented contactless sensor, monitors abdominal movement of your baby. By using this contactless sensor, the Pico does not need to touch your baby’s skin, which in turn reduces the amount of false alarms caused by loss of contact. If there is no abdominal movement detected after 15 seconds, the device will vibrate in an effort to rouse the child awake. After 20 seconds of no abdominal movement, the Pico will alarm. Parents can also select an optional movement rate warning, which alerts parents if baby’s abdomen moves less than eight times per minute.

The App, which is Apple and Android compatible, also monitors a baby’s abdominal movement, skin temperature, sleeping position (side, face-down, face up) and fall detector. It also features an on/off button and alerts parents if they become out of range. The Pico unit can be accessed by multiple smartphones so that parents and/or caregivers can monitor multiple Pico units from one or more smartphones. Snuza wearable movement monitors are made with hypo-allergenic, medical grade plastics and do not send or receive radio frequency signals. There are NO wires, cords, cables or sensor pads that could potentially harm baby. Weighing only 1oz, these monitors are the lightest of their kind on the market today.

For more information, check out the Snuza website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you to Snuza for making great products to keep our babies safe and for also making this post possible.

Sustainable Nursery – Save Vs. Splurge

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Having a baby in the age of environmental guilt is a daunting task. You want to buy all the right things to create the safest, healthiest, and most planet-friendly environment for your newborn. But can you afford it? From the author of Spit That Out! The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy Kids in the Age of Environmental Guilt, here is Paige Wolf’s advice on when to splurge and how to save.

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Photo from Live Sweet Photography

SPLURGE: Mattress

With the growing knowledge of phthalates, VOCs, and toxic flame retardants in conventional mattresses, new parents are increasingly interested in organic mattresses for their babies and children. After all, babies and young children spend at least half their time in bed! Unfortunately, without proper knowledge, you might find yourself buying a fake organic mattress. Since greenwashing knows no limits –and no government agency regulates the labeling of mattresses as “organic” or “natural” several companies label their mattresses ‘organic’ when they are technically not. Look for certifications by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and GREENGUARD®.

Gugu Recommended: Naturepedic Mattresses

SAVE: Bedding

Organic cotton sheets and pillowcases are more accessible and affordable than ever. Big box stores like Target sell 100% organic cotton bedding for as low as $9.99 for a crib sheet.

Gugu Recommended: Burt’s Bees Organic Crib Sheets

SPLURGE: Crib

Due to changing safety standards, cribs are often not a safe secondhand bet. New crib safety standards took effect in June 2011 and made most cribs sold before that date technically unsafe. And cheap cribs made from pressed wood products such as particle board, plywood and fiberboard (or MDF) typically contain VOCs as well as formaldehyde in the glues and adhesives used to bond the particles together. Though hard wood is more expensive, it’s usually durable, making it a solid investment (bearing of course crib standards don’t change again!)

Gugu Recommended: Micuna Cribs

SAVE: Bed, Dresser, and Other Furnishings

When it comes to other nursery furnishings, secondhand can be a fantastic way to save money and reduce consumption. Parents are constantly selling – and even giving away – gently used furnishings on CraigsList, local parent message boards, and even Buy Nothing Project Facebook Groups. We got our son’s convertible IKEA twin bed for $20 on Craigslist and a beautifully made wooden bed for our daughter for a steal from a neighborhood group. Just keep an eye out for anything too vintage, which could be a lead paint hazard. If you are unsure, pick up a lead testing kit for about $7.

SPLURGE: Paint

This really isn’t too much of a splurge, because no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint is now available from most major brands with a minimal premium – especially if you are just doing one room. VOC vapors can continue to leak into the air long after the paint is dry, so it’s not something you want a baby or pregnant woman exposed to.

Gugu Recommended: Lullaby Paints

SAVE: Clothing/Layette

I don’t care how precious that designer onesie is. It will get one-to-two wears at best before it is completely destroyed. In fact, you will be lucky if it lasts an hour. Take advantage of your community and accept all the hand-me-downs you can get. While it may not always be organic, hand-me-down clothing that has been washed several times has less residue from dyes and flame retardants. If you don’t have easy access to hand-me-downs from a close family member, explore online community groups where parents offer up gently used clothing for cheap and even for free!

Gugu Recommended: Finn + Emma

Paige is the author of Spit That Out! The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy Kids in the Age of Environmental Guilt and the owner of Paige Wolf Media and Public Relations, a B Corporation certified eco-friendly PR firm focused on sustainable clientele. Visit www.spitthatoutthebook.com for her blog on making green living practical, manageable, and affordable.

The Brown Crayon Project

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By: Shana, Gugu Guru Director of Content Marketing

Say you’re the crunchy mom of a brown baby, who will do no slathering or spraying unless you can identify every ingredient on the label. And you’re breastfeeding and know that even if a product is all natural, there are some herbs that you need to avoid. And you know that as a brown baby, your little one’s skin and hair need a little extra moisture. What do you do? Stockpile Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and resign yourself to having a baby that perpetually smells like a macaroon? No!

I’m absolutely in love with The Brown Crayon Project – a line of products made specifically for babies (and kids) of color. It is a certified-organic, all-natural line of skin and hair care products and is pregnancy- and breastfeeding-safe. The products smell great and are good for a year after opening (so no bottles of rancid smelling hair oil after only a few months).

My favorite products from the line are the Wake Up Mist, which is perfect for reviving kinks and curls and I use it almost daily on my biracial daughter’s very fine curls (the Sunday Oil is too heavy for her, but perfect for my own hair); the Everyday Hair Food, which I use on her every few days for an extra kick of moisture; and the Hair + Skin bath, which is super gentle, super moisturizing and can even be used as a leave-in (I’ll definitely try that when she’s older).

Take a look at the complete line and also read the inspiring story of how Selma Idris, Founder + CEO + Mom created The Brown Crayon Story with her sons in mind.

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