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Babywearing

8 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Baby Carrier

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

On the market for a baby carrier? You’ll want to read this post brought to us by Priscilla Parra, Certified Babywearing Educator and Community Manager at our friends Baby Tula.

Whether you’re welcoming your first baby or your tenth, deciding what baby carrier you will be getting may be a tough choice with all of the options that are available to you. There is not one perfect choice for everyone and it’s important to find a carrier that fits you and your lifestyle needs. Here are my top eight questions to ask yourself when purchasing a carrier:

  1. What type of carrier are you looking for?

There are basically three popular carrier types: a wrap, a ring sling, and a soft structured carrier. Within those three types of carriers there are different features and brands that make them distinct or more catered towards your specific wants or needs. Simply defined: a wrap is a long piece of fabric designed to be be tied around your body to carry an infant; a ring sling is a smaller piece of fabric with two rings on one side that secure the fabric to create a sling for you to carry your baby; a soft structured carrier has a center panel and straps that create a backpack style of carrier for baby, they can have a structured waistband and many have straps that are secured with buckles. When buying a baby carrier, it can be helpful to focus your search on one type of carrier at a time. The following questions might help you decide what type of carrier you want to focus on.

  1. What is your budget?

Price range is an important factor to consider when comparing baby carriers. There are a variety of carriers to fit every budget. You want to be sure that you are not over-extending your budget; however, be sure to consider the quality of the carrier and the amount of time you’ll be using the carrier. For instance, a carrier that can be used from infancy through toddlerhood might be more cost effective than buying a carrier for each stage of your child’s growth.

  1. What are the weight limits?

It may be tempting to purchase from the baby carrier brand that is having a sale, but make sure you’re purchasing a carrier that will fit you and your baby. Be sure to look at the weight ranges supported by the carrier and if you need any newborn accessories to use the carrier safely. Different types of carriers will have weight recommendations for use, and sometimes different ones for different carrying positions.

  1. Is it easy to adjust?

Will you have multiple people wearing the carrier? You’ll want to make sure that 1) the carrier will fit each user, and 2) it is easy to adjust for each of the users. If you’re purchasing a soft-structured carrier, take a look at the length of the shoulder straps and the hip belt. The webbing should be long enough to fit all wearers. If you are in the market for a ring sling or wrap, make sure the length of fabric will still fit comfortably for each wearer. In addition to fit capabilities, you’ll want to find a carrier that can conveniently and easily adjust between different wearers. Be sure you know the steps necessary to adjust the carrier and if it will be suitable for your day-to-day needs. At Baby Tula, we make a variety of carriers that are fully adjustable and fit all body types while making it easy to adjust to fit your baby at different stages while they grow.

  1. Are you planning to breastfeed in your carrier?

Breastfeeding while babywearing can serve multiple purposes! It not only allows you to breastfeed on the go, but it also allows you to be hands free. If you are hoping to breastfeed, make sure the carrier you choose has the flexibility and ability to adjust for breastfeeding your little one. Some carriers come with a convenient hood that provides some additional privacy while breastfeeding if you would prefer. A longer ring sling ‘tail’ can also provide you with some extra coverage.

  1. What activities will you be using it for?

Do you have an active lifestyle? Other kids to chase after? Are you planning to use the carrier while traveling? These are all questions you’ll want to consider because there are several different carrier types that will better serve your needs. For example, there are carriers with a breathable mesh panel to keep you and baby cool during hot months or while out hiking. Ring Slings are one of the fastest to adjust, once you have had some practice, and they are compact carriers making quick trips to the store much easier!

  1. How do you want to carry your baby?

Different types of carriers will offer different ways to carry your baby. While looking for a carrier that fits your needs, abilities, and desires, the carrying positions that particular carrier offers could be an important feature to note. Beyond carrying your baby on your front, facing you, do you want your carrier to also allow you to carry your baby on your front, facing out, or on your back, or on your hip?

  1. Have you tried other carriers?

Do you have experience with other carriers? Not all carriers fit alike! Just because one carrier didn’t work, don’t count out baby carriers all together. You might think you want a certain type of carrier until you try it on. Was your baby not content in the carrier? Did you feel confident putting it on? You might even find that you have a preference for the feel of the different fabric. For instance, at Baby Tula, we make soft-structured carriers with canvas material; however, there are also Coast mesh carriers and woven wrap conversion carriers. A great way to start your search for a carrier is by finding your local babywearing group or babywearing educator. They can assist you with hands on comparisons and fit.

A baby carrier is bound to be one of your most-used baby gear purchases so it is important to find a product that will work well for your family. We have created a comparison chart that shows the benefits and functionalities of different carrier types to help you narrow down your search! We also have babywearing experts on hand who would be more than happy to help you answer fit or Baby Tula product questions – please do not hesitate to email us at help@babytula.com.

baby carrier expertAbout the Author

Priscilla Parra is the Community and Social Media Manager at Baby Tula and a Volunteer Babywearing Educator with the Portland, Oregon chapter of Babywearing.

 

Filed Under: Babywearing Tagged With: babywearing

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Why Babywear?

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Why babywear? Why not! This post on all the benefits and perks to hands-free babywearing is brought to us by Linnea Catalan the Executive Director of the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance.

Think of a baby carrier as one of the most versatile tools in your caregiver/parenting toolbox. What kinds of things could you do more easily if you could keep your hands free while attending to your baby? There’s no absolute right or wrong way to practice babywearing- the goal is to find a carrier that makes life just a bit easier for you, your family and your baby.

Here are some of the common ways that caregivers use their carriers:

  • Physical activity, hiking, dog-walking, travel. A baby carrier lets you carry on with life slightly off the beaten path with ease.
  • Bonding, attachment and feeding. Close contact between you and your baby facilitates bonding, helps promote breastfeeding and can give the non-feeding parent a comforting way to connect with baby and give the feeding parent a break.
  • Special needs. Whether it’s the baby or the caregiver with a condition that needs accommodation, a baby carrier can be an extra set of arms to lend support.
  • Caring for other children. While we would all like to give our kids undivided attention, with other kids in the house, everyone needs to share a bit. A baby carrier lets you keep baby close while still keeping up with the older ones, whether you’re packing lunches, juggling extracurricular activities or giving baby a place to nap on the go.
  • Sleeping and soothing. We don’t know the exact science behind it (though we think it’s the all over ‘hug’ feeling of the carrier plus the caregiver movement), but bouncing, walking and shushing in a baby carrier often soothes even the fussiest baby whether they are ill, teething or fighting much needed sleep.

Babywearing puts your baby in the safest possible place – on your body. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind for everyone’s safety.

Safety Considerations

  • Your baby must be Visible & Kissable® to you at all times. This means that you can see his or her face and s/he is high enough on your chest so that you can easily kiss the top of his or her head.
  • Clear and unobstructed airway. Your baby should be chin slightly up and breathing easily. Never cover your baby’s face or let baby slump over into a chin to chest curled position.
  • If you nurse your baby in a carrier, always reposition your baby back to snug and upright after feeding.
  • The safest position is upright and tight against the caregiver’s chest. The carrier should mimic the way you hold your baby in arms. If you feel like you need to hold onto your baby in the carrier, tighten and adjust the carrier until it feels secure.
  • Be mindful of tripping and fall hazards, especially if you can’t see what is under your feet. Bend at the knees, not the waist while your baby is in the carrier.

If you could tend to your baby while still having the freedom to use your hands and go where you want- where would you go? What would you do next? 

Linnea Catalan is the Executive Director of the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance. The BCIA is a non profit trade organization that promotes the baby carrier industry, works on the carrier safety standards that protect consumers, and assists manufacturers, educators and retailers with compliance and best practices. Learn more at www.babycarrierindustryalliance.org

 

Filed Under: Babywearing Tagged With: babywearing

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Video Overview: Tula Explore

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Meet the NEW Tula Explore, which just won our Gugu Pick for Best All Around Soft Structured Carrier. See what our Chief Baby Planner, Julie, has to say about this awesome soft structured baby carrier that might just be your baby registry must-have.

Filed Under: Babywearing Tagged With: babywearing

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Best Baby Carrier Option – Tula Explore

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Looking for the best baby carrier option for soft structured baby carriers?  We know that each one of our mamas is completely unique, BUT we also know that this new Tula Explore carrier is ideal for a minimalist mama.

best baby carrier tula explore blue

Here’s why:

The Tula Explore offers every carry position your baby will need, including front facing out, facing in, and back carry. Each position provides a natural, ergonomic position best for comfortable carrying that promotes healthy hip and spine development for baby.  Another reason that Explore is a minimalist best baby carrier option is  that it adjusts in three width settings to find a perfect fit for babywearing as baby grows from newborn to early toddlerhood. It also will work for both parents; the padded shoulder straps provide optimal neck & shoulder comfort and offers quick adjustments for multiple wearers.

Best baby carrier Baby Tula Explore

Its design is also supportive and super comfortable for even the newest of babes, which is vital for any babywearing parent – minimalist or not (because if baby isn’t comfy, he or she is sure to let you know.) The padded, adjustable neck support pillow can be used in multiple positions to provide head and neck support for newborns and sleeping babies. It also offers padded leg openings.

Best baby carrier Baby Tula Explore

One factor that we love about the Tula brand in general is that regardless of your personal aesthetic, you are sure to find a color and/or style that suits you, an important consideration when looking for the best baby carrier to fit your life. The Explore carrier comes in all sorts of cool designs like Everblue, Sleepy Dust, Forever and Bloom. The carrier is responsibly designed and made with care from soft and breathable 100% cotton that’s easy to clean and machine washable.

If you’re still not absolutely sure that the Explore is the best baby carrier for your style and lifestyle, Tula offers a great comparison chart of all the brand’s carriers (like the Gugu favorite Free-to-Grow) so that you can see the different options and compare features.

Filed Under: Babywearing Tagged With: babywearing

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Video Overview: Baby K’tan Breeze Wrap

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We are so excited to be sharing the Baby K’tan Breeze wrap carrier with Gugu Guru’s audience! From machine washability to the multiple carrying positions, there are just so many things to love about the Baby K’tan Breeze wrap-style carrier. Oh, and did we mention that it’s the perfect wrap for summer? Check out Gugu Guru Chief Baby Planner, Julie McCaffrey’s, video overview here:

Note: The Baby K’tan Breeze new weight limit is birth-35lbs rather than 8-35lbs mentioned in the video.  

 

Baby K'tan Breeze Wrap Baby K'tan Breeze Wrap

View more of our video overviews here:

  • Baby Merlin Magic Sleep Suit
  • nanobébé Feeding System
  • Gugu Pick: MAM Perfect Pacifier

 

 

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Babywearing Tagged With: babywearing

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Best Wrap Carrier for Active Mamas

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When a new baby comes along, it’s tempting to stay put in the Newborn Lockdown stage and hunker down with Netflix, but often times there are other kids to tend to, dinner to be made, and maybe even those evening walks with your favorite dog as the sun goes down. With a wrap carrier for baby, you can resume your active lifestyle postpartum and keep baby close in the wrap carrier! The Baby K’tan Active Carrier is a wrap carrier essential for baby registries of all lifestyles, whether suburban or urban, working mom or stay-at-home, the Baby K’tan Active wrap carrier is your ticket to keeping up with all of your favorite activities and events, whatever your active style.

wrap carrier

One of the reasons we’re such big fans of the Baby K’tan Active wrap carrier is that it is incredibly easy to use. The Baby K’tan Wrap Carrier has a patented double-loop design that’s quick and simple to put on and take off with no buckling and no fussing with rings or snaps. Just slip it on like a t-shirt and comfortably carry baby from birth to toddlerhood in 5 different wearing positions. Plus, it is washable and very easy to travel with; no giant pieces of fabric or buckles to tuck into your diaper bag; it’s basically like packing an extra t-shirt!

The Baby K’tan Active wrap carrier is ideal for parents who love to get outside and stay active; it may seem that you would get overheated while carrying baby in a wrap carrier, but not with the Baby K’tan Active wrap carrier. The Baby K’tan Active carrier is made from a hi-tech performance fabric that wicks away moisture and sweat while blocking over 90% of the suns UVA and UVB rays – keeping baby and mom extra cool and protected when out and about. Furthermore, the Baby K’tan Original carrier is made from 100% all-natural cotton fabric, so you will stay cool and baby won’t get overheated in the wrap carrier. Each carrier type is available in a variety of lovely colors and patterns, so you are sure to find something which fits your personal style!

Baby K’tan Weekender Diaper Bag, Baby K’tan Newborn Swaddle, Baby K’tan Diaper Bag

We’re big fans of Baby K’tan because their mission is to make life easy for parents, whether it is with their simple wrap carrier which feels like a t-shirt, their Weekender Diaper Bag which holds pretty much everything you may need (and the kitchen sink), their Baby K’tan Diaper Bag which features 2 antibacterial pockets, 2 insulated bottle pockets, exterior water bottle and cell phone pockets, built-in antibacterial wet bag, and more, or their Newborn Swaddle, made of an innovative breathable stretch fabric – when it comes to essentials for your baby, Baby K’tan truly has you covered.

Check out some of our other posts featuring Baby K’tan:

New Year, New You with Baby K’tan
Top 5 Must Have Essentials: Baby’s First Airplane Flight

 

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Babywearing, Chic And On The Go, Comfort Is King, Essentials, Gear, Newborns Tagged With: babywearing

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Newborn and Kangaroo Care Must Haves

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

What is kangaroo care? Think of it as a mama kangaroo putting her baby in her pocket. There are two things it seems that most newborn babies love: skin-to-skin contact with mom and being swaddled to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends daily skin-to-skin sessions throughout the first three months of a baby’s life; they make an evidence-based claim that to receive all the benefits, mom and baby need to stay skin-to-skin for 60 uninterrupted minutes…but, who has that much time to sit with a baby on her chest? While we’d love to stay on the couch or bed all day with a new baby, there are often dishes to wash, work to be done, and oh – other kids to tend to, also! When it comes to swaddles, swaddling is known to calm a baby’s Moro Reflex, which is an involuntary response to excessive sensual stimulus, in which the baby feels like he or she is falling; this reflex can wake a baby up out of sleep, so swaddling comforts baby, and almost feels like he or she is back in the womb – snug and sound. This is why the Gugu Guru team is so passionate about NuRoo Baby and their innovative NuRoo Pocket shirt and NuRoo Swaddler.

kangaroo care

The NuRoo Pocket Shirt, which comes both in short sleeve and long sleeve, is revolutionary kangaroo care in that it’s designed for hands-free skin-to-skin contact. Created using NuRoo’s signature fabric, the NuRoo Pocket allows you to spend more time skin-to-skin, as you can keep baby close and still use your hands! Designed to go on like a shirt, the NuRoo Pocket carrier eliminates wrapping, tying and knotting to make babywearing simple as can be. Their signature fabric is incredibly soft for even the most sensitive of baby’s skin, and the NuRoo uses flat lock stitching to make the design feel seamless so there aren’t any big chunky, uncomfortable seams chafing you and your peanut.

Another reason we suggest all moms register for the NuRoo Pocket Carrier is that as your postpartum body changes and your baby grows, the adjustable closures give you the perfect fit every time. The technical properties of the fabric keep you and baby cozy, so you can spend more time skin-to-skin. NuRoo also recognized that postpartum hormones can make mamas hot all the time, so the breathable, moisture-wicking fabric keeps you and baby cool and dry. With kangaroo care, you’ll naturally build heat wearing baby skin-to-skin, but the moisture is pulled out and released from the fabric, so your carrier won’t feel sweaty or wet.

kangaroo care

The NuRoo Pocket Carrier is machine washable, so you can simply throw it in with your regular laundry. And, it’s great to know that the NuRoo Pocket is the first and only skin-to-skin kangaroo care carrier to adhere to the sling/carrier standards, passing retention testing up to 45 pounds. Furthermore, The NuRoo Pocket has been acknowledged as a “hip healthy” product by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, meaning that baby is in the proper M position making it ergonomic, and safe for baby’s hips. We think the NuRoo Pocket is a total must-have essential for Newborn Lockdown; just think: you can still have your hands for an iced tea in one hand, your phone in the other, and a your baby snug on your chest!

We’ve written about how much we love the NuRoo Swaddler before, and we highly recommend it to anyone building a Gugu Guru baby registry. Designed by two moms who wanted to innovate the traditional swaddle into a more functional baby product, the NuRoo Swaddler is a must-have newborn essential for so many reasons! It can be confusing to learn to swaddle a baby, especially when you’re exhausted and running on little sleep. However, with a pocket for baby and velcro wings, the NuRoo Swaddler takes user error and confusion out of swaddling. Simply place baby in pocket, position arms as desired, and secure velcro across baby’s chest. When baby starts to want their arms out, you can do that too, as a way to slowly transition out of the swaddler.

The NuRoo swaddler is also the only one with three distinct sizes built into one swaddle so that every stage of baby’s growth, the swaddle fits perfectly, without any excess material – a suffocation hazard. Plus, using the same innovative fabric as the Pocket Shirt, the Swaddler 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, which means they will hopefully sleep better. The breathable, moisture wicking properties help regulate baby’s body temperature. Another reason the signature fabric makes a huge difference is that it offers compression; the compression fabric recreates the familiar comforting snug feeling of being in utero and therefore, eases baby’s transition from the womb. The compression fabric also decreases irritability and promotes self-soothing and enhances quality of sleep to improve rest and sleep cycle regulation.

The NuRoo Swaddler comes in three styles, and is approved for use with preterm and full-term babies! 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 institutions and approved for use in the NICU with pre-term infants.

You can learn more about the NuRoo Pocket Shirt kangaroo care and Swaddler on NuRoo’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Gugu Guru is so appreciative of our sponsors, thank you to NuRoo for making this sponsored post possible. 

Thank you to Diedre Anthony and Alyssa Dawson for the adorable photos. 

Filed Under: Babywearing, Essentials, Newborns, Preemies, Sleep Tagged With: newborn

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New Year, New You with Baby K’tan

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

January is a month of new beginnings, and when you’re a new mama, there are oh so many new beginnings! As a new mom, it can often be difficult to find time to focus on yourself in the New Year, so we’ve partnered with our friends at Baby K’tan to show you how easy it is to find time for yourself when it comes to self care, even when you’re the mom of a tiny baby. We’re sharing our top tips with Baby K’tan today for making the most of your self-care in the New Year with #MyBKJourney – all the different ways Baby K’tan can help you find your zen in the New Year!

The Gugu Guru team are huge fans of Baby K’tan for many reasons; one of the main reasons is that it is super easy to use! If you’re looking for the feel of a baby-wrap, without any hassle, Baby K’tan is your answer. Soft and stretchy, like your favorite t-shirt, the Baby K’tan carrier keeps baby close to you without hurting your back or shoulders. For many moms in those newborn hazy days, it can be overwhelming to learn to use a new carrier, but the Baby K’tan literally goes on like your favorite t-shirt!

Baby K’tan has 5 different versions – the Original, Breeze, Active, Organic and Print – all of them are machine washable, can be used from newborn to 35 pounds, and have five different positions for baby. Plus, the Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is approved as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Baby is worn in the natural seated position, with knees bent and hips spread, promoting healthy development.

Work it Out, Mama!

Part of the New Year, New You is taking time to move your body – whether it is hiking, walking, taking a stroll around the block, or even walking around the mall on a cold day. It is so important for new moms to have time to get their circulation moving, as exercise is known to lower stress levels and help a new mama find her center again. If you’re looking to combine a mind-body experience as self-care, Baby K’tan parents love using their K’tan to do yoga while holding baby close. Yoga is a fantastic way to transition from pre-natal movement and meditation to taking time for yourself and working out with baby in tow.

We recommend: the Baby K’tan Active Wrap; The Baby K’tan ACTIVE Baby Carrier is made of a breathable hi-tech performance fabric that wicks away moisture and sweat, blocks over 90% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, is quick-dry, and provides a unique temperature control. This makes it super comfortable for both parent and baby to move, sweat, and take a little time on your #MyBKJourney.

Check out the Baby K’tan on the Ultimate Fitness Baby Registry and Must Haves for Mama Fitness and Wellness 

Multitasking Mama:

Maybe your goal for the New Year is to finally write that book, start that company, or begin that podcast? If you’re on a #MyBKjourney to learn how to effectively and efficiently multitask, a Baby K’tan is a must have! Baby K’tan knows that even though you’re a parent, you still have goals and dreams, and when it comes to a New You for the New Year, they’re here to help you achieve all of your dreams. How can they help? Well, new babies want to be held all the time, and especially want to be close to your heartbeat…but, you have to do things like type, plan, draw, paint, and design – how can you do it all? By keeping baby close to your heart in your Baby K’tan! The Baby K’tan is a must have for working from home, as you can get all of your tasks done while baby sleeps comfortably on you.

We recommend: the Baby K’tan Original (pictured above); coming in 5 colors, this super comfortable and washable carrier is ideal for a work at home mom because you can comfortably wear all day long, wash and wear the next day, too! Plus, it’s as lightweight as a t-shirt, so you can easily travel with it in your diaper bag.

Check out the Baby K’tan in our Comfort is King Must Haves and Baby’s First Flight Must Haves

Take a Moment, Mama!

The most valuable gift you can give yourself is the gift of time and being present in the present; of course, this isn’t easy with a new baby, but it can be done on your #MyBKJourney! Finding your moment of zen in the wild word of baby-life can be done when you and baby are both comfortable and relaxed – with the super soft and stretchy material of the Baby K’tan, you can happily wear baby while taking a few moments to breathe during the day. Part of the New Year, New You mindset is making sure you take time for yourself – whether you’re meditating, doing yoga, focusing on your mandala, or simply reading your favorite book, you can (and will!) do it all with your little one in the Baby K’tan.

We recommend: Baby K’tan Print Wrap; why not babywear in style with the Baby K’tan Print Carrier? We love the different designs you can choose from; these gender-neutral designs are modern and fresh. PS. the nautical stripe carrier pictured above is on sale, too.

Want to join in on the #MyBKJourney? Enter below to win a Baby K’tan Active Baby Carrier! 

Baby K’tan Active Giveaway

Thank you to Baby K’tan for making this sponsored post possible. 

Filed Under: Babywearing, Comfort Is King, Health & Fitness, Health & Wellness, Mama Wellness, Nutrition and Health Tagged With: babywearing

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Must Haves for Breastfeeding on the Go

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

With the holiday season upon us, many families will be traveling to see loved ones; our urban mama, Megan, is back today sharing tips on breastfeeding while on-the-go, and in random places – read on to hear her helpful travel tips and learn all of the interesting places she’s breastfed! Where is the most interesting place you’ve breastfed or pumped? 

See Megan’s NYC Mom Essentials, and her review of the BabyBjorn Carrier One Air. You can find mama Megan over on her Instagram, @GirlGoneChildinNYC and her blog, Girl Gone Child in NYC.

Just last month I nursed my daughter while we were on a tug boat racing down the Hudson River. The water was not smooth that day and trying to get my balance while standing on the bridge of the boat was hilarious. I’ve nursed on over 50 flights. I nurse riding the NYC subway on the daily, no one cares. When my youngest had colic I once nursed her all the way from NYC to West Virginia with a boob dangling over her car seat for 9 hours. Let’s just say when your kid refuses a bottle it forces you to nurse in some strange places.

Nursing is hard it takes a toll on your body, your social life, your sanity sometimes. It can be tough when your baby eats every four hours, but your boobs fill up in three. The timing feedings alone can make any woman insane. All these little things I never even thought about. Oh, sorry I can’t go to your wedding and stay 6 hours without considering if my boobs will explode. Once on our first outing six weeks after our first born arrived my husband wanted to go for drinks after dinner and I had to break it to him that unless he wanted to partake in a little Le Leche in the bathroom we had to go. Needless to say, he called it any early night.

To be honest I didn’t think much about nursing while I was pregnant. Yes, I planned on doing it.  Yes, I bought all the accessories the internet told me I needed.  I had no idea how hard it could be. In the end, I convinced myself it was part of nature and would come easy.  Just like natural birth…  Well, guess who had an emergency C-section.  It’s like some General said, “Even the best laid plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy” or in this case my beautiful, hungry baby.  I spent the first few weeks pumping because my son and I couldn’t get in sync.  Eventually, after many frustratingly fruitless attempts, a lactation consultant verified what my husband had been cautiously mumbling all along, “Girl you need to chill! That baby isn’t going to take your boob when you’re a stressed-out mess.”   I took a few deep breaths, got to my happy place and he latched right on.

I junked half the gimmicky crap I bought and focused on a realistic problem-solving approach.  I realized that breastfeeding is different for every mother and I had to stop trying to solve problems that weren’t there to find what worked for me. Of course, there were a few bumps in the road, a clogged duct or two here and there, but I still look back on that time as one of the more rewarding aspects of parenting in those early years.

Enough about me. Back to nursing on the go. Here are my top traveling breastfeeding products.

H&M’s MAMA Line Nursing Bras: Nothing can make your life easier as a breastfeeding new mom than a decent Nursing Bra. H&M’s latest nursing friendly line MAMA is super soft and they have everything from comfy nursing bras and tops to even a Lace Nursing Dress.

Milk Snob Nursing Covers: It’s worth to stress you can breastfeed anyway you want too. It’s your boobs, your body and your baby. If you do choose to cover up I’m in love with these beautiful covers that also can be used for car seat covers, highchairs, shopping carts infant swings and more. They’re light weight, super soft and made of breathable rayon blend fabric. They have super cute designs too.

Bamboobies Milk- Proof Regular & Overnight Washable Nursing Bra Pads: Nothing sucks (ha) more than being out and hearing even another baby cry and next thing you know you’re soaked. As my oldest son put it one day “Mom why are your boobies crying” These Bra pads keep you from the embarrassment of crying boobs and keeps you dry.

Swing Breast Pump by Medela: This on the go battery powered pump is a traveling moms best friend. Which means you can still pump without an outlet in site. It’s small compact and fits easily into the diaper bag.

Ergo Original Carrier: I love this carrier, I’ve tried a lot and I always come back to this guy. I can wear it all day without it hurting my back and it’s so easy to nurse in this carrier. They even has a hood so you can nurse discreetly.

Medela Quick Clean Wipes: These Wipes allow you to clean your pump parts quickly on the go. They also work in highchairs and changing tables!

Milkmakers Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies: Who doesn’t like cookies? These little guys help new moms boost their milk. They’re perfect to grab on the go and delicious.

Nurgo Traveling Nursing Pillow: Tired of killing your back while traveling on the plane or train while nursing your baby with out a boppy or nursing pillow. No problem, the Nurgo’s compact design allows mothers to feed on the go anywhere. The pillow is non-toxic, odor free, Eco-friendly, antibacterial, and hypo-allergenic. The unique carrying case is attached and allows the pillow to compress to it’s ultra portable size making it perfect for travel. The handle while carrying doubles as a Bottle Band to hold your water, coffee, wine, whatever.

See more on traveling:

  • The Ultimate Travel Registry for Flying With an Infant
  • Travel Tips for Flying Domestically with the Littles
  • Sleek & Chic Travel Picks
  • Nursing Mama Travel Must-Haves

This post may contain affiliate links.

All photos courtesy of Megan Harper. 

Filed Under: Babywearing, Breastfeeding, Chic And On The Go, Essentials, Travel Tagged With: breastfeeding, travel

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Babywearing Month: LilleBaby Baby Carriers

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

October is International Babywearing Month and today we’re sharing about one of our favorite and very versatile baby carriers, the LilleBaby Carrier. Plus, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and LilleBaby has a commitment to support breast cancer research. Our urban-turned-suburban mama, Cassie Taylor, is a huge fan of LilleBaby and both her and her husband love it for all of their travels. Check out all the reasons why parents love the LilleBaby below. You can find Cassie on her Instagram or Facebook.

When it comes to babywearing, parents are all about versatility and longitivtiy of the carrier. Since many carriers can be on the pricier end of the spectrum, it’s important to find a carrier which is not only versatile and will last a long time, but really comfortable for parents, too. LilleBaby’s 6-in-1 Original Carrier is the ultimate carrier for parents who want to be able to change up how they wear the baby in 6 different ways! The 100% cotton fabric carrier featutes six carrying positions, hood, two pockets, lumbar support, neck support, 2-way straps, and best of all, is machine washable. The 6-in-1 Original Carrier includes every carrying position without the need for an infant insert: Front-fetal, Front-infant, Front-outward, Front- toddler, Hip and Back carry. The COMPLETE grows with your child through all the baby wearing years, from 7 lbs to 45 lbs. The patented cupped seat adjusts to keep baby ergonomically seated in all six carry positions through every development stage. The wide padded straps and waist belt evenly distribute baby’s weight  for maximized comfort.

The Original 6-in-1 Carrier has increased lumbar support, which in turn, increases comfort, maintains healthy posture and alignment, and prevents lower back strain. Combined with an extra sturdy waist belt to maximize parent’s comfort. There are two ways to wear the strap; this enables the wearer to carry “backpack style” or with straps crossed in the back. Dual adjustment buckles simplify breastfeeding and adjusting straps on the go. The extra tall, extendable torso is so comfortable your baby will fall asleep. Provides extra neck and back support and keeps taller babies secure in the carrier. The adjustable width gently cradles baby’s head. Elastic straps provide support while allowing for movement and easy adjustment. This is ideal for traveling! We’ve also had many parents tell us that the LilleBaby is super comfortable for tall parents.

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LilleBaby is making a commitment to support breast cancer research. 10% of every sale of the LilleBaby Complete Complete Embossed LUXE in Pink will go to breast cancer research. 10% of each sale of this beautiful baby carrier will be benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, whose mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research.

Want to see more about LilleBaby? Check out these posts:

  • Urban Style for the Suburban Mama
  • Baby Registry for two-dad families

 

Filed Under: Babywearing, Chic And On The Go, Travel Tagged With: babywearing

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