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When your child is sick it can be difficult, especially during the holiday season. In this cold and flu Q&A session, our Gugu Village Parents were able to ask Dr. Sara DuMond, MD, questions regarding illness, keeping germs at bay and keeping children’s immune systems in tip-top shape while traveling. Dr. DuMond is a member of Dr. Brown’s Baby Medical Expert Panel and a mom of three. Needless to say, she is an expert at keeping kids well and getting them feeling better when they are ill.
Cold and Flu Q&A 1: What are the best practices for keeping my baby and toddler healthy this cold and flu season?
-Lauren R.
As we approach the time of year when we experience an uptick in the number of cold and flu viruses that circulate in our communities, parents often rightfully ask if there are things they can be doing to keep their children healthy. Aside from a flu shot (which doesn’t always prevent the flu, but thankfully does an excellent job of preventing the serious and often life-threatening complications from influenza), simplicity reigns!
Teaching kids to use good handwashing technique (soap and warm water for about 20-30 seconds, or the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song) can go a long way towards keeping kids healthy. Also, things like encouraging some form of physical activity every day, enforcing consistent bedtimes, and encouraging daily fruits and vegetables in our children’s diets, prime their immune system to be in the best shape to fight off germs.
Cold and Flu Q&A 2: What’s the best way to get my whole family’s immune systems as strong as possible in a preventative way? I have a 2.5 year old and I’m super nervous about bringing our newborn home in the beginning of the month! I’m both worried about him staying healthy, and also keeping my toddler as healthy as possible because I am terrified about taking care of him and our newborn. Also, my husband tends to get whatever the toddler gets and that’s no fun either! Any tips on prevention would be super appreciated especially for stomach viruses!
-Samantha K.
We should all be approaching our family’s health from a preventative stance! Bringing a new baby home at any time can be a stressful situation, but especially when it’s during cold and flu season and there are older siblings (i.e. cute little petri dishes) at home! From a holistic standpoint, the entire family can focus on eating whole foods, avoiding processed pre-packed snacks, and always having a ready-supply of seasonally available fruits and vegetables. A general rule of thumb is that vitamins are much more readily available to the body when eating in whole food form, as opposed to taking supplements. Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get fruits and vegetables in everyone’s diet – mom and dad and kids! The dreaded stomach virus is one that no one wants to battle, and good gut immunity starts with diet. Newborns benefit from healthy immune germ-fighting cells from mom for the first 6 months of life, and breastfeeding boosts that immunity as well.
Cold and Flu Q&A 3: Dr. DuMond, should my three children (in three different schools/daycares) be taking vitamins or supplements? How can I prevent germs from spreading at home?
-Christine C.
The #1 question I get asked about is whether or not kids should be taking vitamins and whether there are any natural supplements that are safe and effective for kids that will keep them healthy during cold and flu season. While parents may often hear anecdotal stories about magic-bullet products that have worked well for their friends or family members, there is really no evidence to support any one product or supplement.
The best all-natural prevention starts with the most all-natural approaches, of a healthy family diet heavily weighted with organic fruits and vegetables, prioritizing consolidated 10-12 hours of sleep a night for toddlers and preschoolers, and daily active play.
Another good tip is frequent reminders for toddlers and preschoolers to avoid touching their face, nose, and mouth throughout the day. Germs enter our bodies when we touch a surface that someone has coughed or sneezed on and then touch our own noses, mouths, or eyes. Taking this common-sense approach isn’t a guarantee that siblings won’t share germs and colds, but it sets families up for bouncing back much more quickly!
Cold and Flu Q&A 4: My baby is too young for the flu vaccine and we plan to travel on a very long flight for the holidays, what do you suggest doing to help our baby’s immune system?
-Kelly M.
Babies under 6 months are too little to get a flu vaccine, so it’s essential that others around them get theirs, to surround them with the highest level of protection possible. Travel during holiday times can be stressful and definitely places little ones at increased risk for exposure to cold and flu viruses. Shy of setting a family policy of no travel during a baby’s first cold and flu season (which many of my families choose to do!), there are some tips for navigating air travel this time of year. Pack plenty of individual travel-sized hand sanitizers and keep infants in an infant carrier or sling to minimize well-meaning travelers who are tempted to touch the baby. For older toddlers and children, encourage hydration during the travel day with water in sippy cups and other vessels that travel well, avoid food courts and opt instead for healthier options like bananas (which have their own build-in natural “packaging”) and individual packages of nut butters. For travel across time zones, allow, at minimum, one full day upon arrival to your destination, where you do not have lots of scheduled activities, so that body clocks can re-adjust, naps can be worked in, and little bodies aren’t pushed beyond commonsense limits.
Cold and Flu Q&A 5: What advice do you have for when my baby DOES start to come down with something? Is there anything I can do to lessen symptoms?
-Kate E.
For infants who are breastfeeding, continue breastfeeding! (This advice applies even if mom comes down with sickness herself!) Watch for any evidence of fever (rectal temperatures are the only reliable way to check a baby’s temperature), changes in feeding pattern, or changes in color. Those symptoms would always warrant a call to the pediatrician’s office. If it seems like baby is struggling with the sniffles, but is otherwise well, invest in a cool-mist humidifier and run that in the room where baby sleeps. Infant nasal saline drops or sprays that come over the counter will help thin the mucous and make it easier to suction out of their noses.
Remember, cold and flu viruses enter the body most often times through the nose, so frequent nasal suctioning, while sometimes stressful because of protests and tears from little ones, can be key to preventing a simple cold from progressing into something more serious. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for babies.
We would like to thank Dr. DuMond for these amazing tips! We hope you are able to implement these suggestions and enjoy a healthy Holiday season.
Now that we are deep in the holiday season, we are on the lookout for fun new products that would make great gifts for little ones and their caregivers. Check out a round-up below of some new products that will make perfect gifts for your family and friends!
For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!
Bellifly Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Pillow: This compact pillow will offer excellent belly and hip support for pregnancy, feeding and beyond! It is easy to use and mold into different positions. We also love the adorable ‘Mama’ print, which makes it a great gift!
OctoVie Skincare Brush: Created by a Mom who is a breast cancer survivor, this wet and dry brush will give you a mini spa experience at home. It works easily to cleanse, exfoliate, and massage your skin to reveal baby soft skin. Great for new moms or moms-to-be to help with daily self-care routines!
7AM Enfant Essentials: Winter has arrived in much of the country and this means we have to work to keep baby (and caregivers) warm throughout these brisk months. Look no further than our favorite products from 7AM Enfant. The Cocoon, Warmmuffs, and Blanket 212 are just three great options that will keep everything bundled up. These are great for walking around the city while you’re running holiday errands. Plus they are all 100% vegan and PETA-approved!
Pump It Up Bars: Looking for a nutritious snack that would nourish both mom and baby, grab a Pump it Up Bar! They promote healthy milk supply and stable blood sugar for consistent energy and regularity. Plus they are made with organic ingredients, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free and vegan with no preservatives, “natural” flavors, food coloring, or additives. Try them out today and use code ‘gugu20’ for 20% off your first order of 12 bars!
Hooter Holster: The answer to hands-free pumping is here! Check out the Hooter Holster’s line of fun pumping bras, which come in many styles to fit your needs. Some will even keep your postpartum belly covered, hard to find in today’s pumping bras. Give that new mom the gift of easy pumping today!
Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!
Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:
What’s New on Gugu: October 25, 2019
What’s New on Gugu: October 30, 2019
We’re so excited about Jazmyn Simon Hill’s baby top picks and must-haves! Gugu Guru has recently had the pleasure of working with the lovely and beautiful actress and new mama Jazmyn Simon Hill. You may know Jazmyn from the TV-Series Ballers and the movies Acrimony and Ed. We are excited to have her on the blog today sharing some wise words on her baby must-haves. Jazmyn has rounded up her top picks for bath, health, diapering, baby gear, and sleep that have helped her as a new mom. You can follow Jazmyn and her pregnancy journey on Instagram.
Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks – Bath, Health, and Diapering:
Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks – Baby Gear:
Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks – Sleep:
This post includes affiliate links.
You are a miracle worker, mama. Caring for a babe, working AND producing milk are not easy jobs—especially without a full night’s sleep. We know that each day requires the energy of a superhero, so we assembled a list of tried-and-true tips that can hopefully give you many more minutes and moments with your little one.
Pumping Tips for Working Moms #1: A great bottle with a high acceptance rate
When your caretaker is home with your precious babe, having peace of mind is…everything. You want to know your babe is calmly drinking the breastmilk you work so hard to produce.
Gugu Guru loves: The award-winning bottle from nanobébé and could not recommend it more for working mamas. Designed to preserve breastmilk nutrients, this all-in-one bottle feeds your little one, while letting you pump, store and warm as well! Its special mom-like shape keeps feedings comfortable for babe and prevents nipple confusion, while easing the transition from breast to bottle.
Pumping Tips for Working Moms #2: Convenient, travel-ready transport / storage products
Since your pumping may occur in the car, office or bathroom, convenient, travel-ready products come in quite handy.
Gugu Guru loves: Nanobébé’s Breastmilk Storage System is a game-changer for mamas on the go. Its leak-free bags with a cutting-edge design enable quick cooling and even thawing to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. It comes with an organizer that lets you easily stack and manage your first-in, first-out method from work to home. Plus, the double zipper keeps every drop of your liquid gold secure.
Pumping Tips for Working Moms #3: Reliable, on-the-go refrigeration source
Speaking of liquid gold, transporting it requires a reliable cooler—and we found one you’ll love.
Gugu Guru loves: Nanobébé’s sleek cooler. Featuring three layers of insulation, it has space for up to three bottles and includes a compact ice pack to keep your milk cold for hours. You can also fit nipples, pacifiers, pump parts and more. Did we mention it’s also machine washable?
Pumping Tips for Working Moms #4: Cute and practical nursing clothes
Since pumping happens when your body asks for it, it’s helpful to be prepared with a cover you feel comfortable in.
Gugu Guru loves: Milk Snob’s breathable and stretchy nursing cover—that also moonlights as a car seat cover! It’s cozy, stylish and easy. The Larken X Bra is also a comfortable addition to pumping on the go. A completely hands-free pumping bra that doubles for everyday use and support is a must!
Pumping Tips for Working Moms #5: A bag to carry it all
And lastly, this is for the mama who wants one bag to carry-it-all.
Gugu Guru loves: The jay elle Breast Pump Bag by J.L. Childress. This is the best bag to carry your breast pump, spare parts, and work necessities. With great storage pockets, you’ll easily be able to tote everything to and from the office.
These expertly-crafted items truly change the life of a busy, working mama. They give you the gifts of time, organization and peace of mind. Truly priceless—especially at this time in your life. Enjoy those extra moments, unforgettable hugs and dreamy cuddles.
As mamas, we’re superheroes 24/7. We never clock out and always have to be ready to respond. So, how can make our always-on-call lifestyles easier? By owning quick and cozy gear that’s versatile and functional: essentials we can turn to at a moment’s notice. We scoped out the soft and stylish scene by Soma, and found game-changing items that can help you master this heroic task.
Around-the-clock comfort starts with ultra-cozy undergarments. If you’re nursing, Soma’s selection of bras is the breast. Designed with a one-handed release cup for easy access, these nursing bras make it super simple to feed babe without any extra stress. Our favorites are the Wireless Unlined Nursing Bra, the Embraceable Full Coverage Contour Nursing Bra, and the Embraceable Wireless Nursing Bra. If you’re interested in barely-there bras that offer the ultimate support, check out Soma’s Enbliss Bralettes. Their second-skin feel is epic—you’ll forget they’re even on.
Since our bodies transform and stretch during all stages of pregnancy and beyond, you might want to try the SOMAINNOFIT Bra to find your new perfect fit. Designed for fit purposes only (not as an everyday bra), this innovative measuring bra provides your exact measurements through your smartphone!
Speaking of the perfect fit, easy, go-to leggings are always essential during a mama’s journey. These two-for-one Reversible Leggings are the most convenient solution when an outfit change is needed—but there’s no time to think about your next ensemble. For a slimming option, try these leggings on for size. They’re designed to take up to 1” or more off your waist.
Top off your can’t-live-without leggings with one of these ultra-soft tunics. Their wear-everywhere silhouettes, with a cloud-like feel, are perfect for layering. Throw on a denim jacket, a blazer or sweater to get through the colder seasons without effort.
When you’re not out and about, relax. And take a deep breath with the help of Soma’s Cool Nights Pajamas and Robes. Instead of dreaming about sweet Zzz’s, make them happen. With long sleeves, short sleeves, and colors and patterns galore, you can easily find sleepwear to live in, season after season.
The most amazing thing about our Soma finds? The price points. These day-to-night luxuries come without the price tag you’d expect. Treat yourself, mama. You deserve it all.
When it comes to feeding your baby, it’s super important to plan in advance for going back to work. When we were compiling our must-haves for the Working Mother Registry, we knew we had to include nanobébé, which are on the forefront of bottle design for so many reasons, and have thought of everything a working mama may need to make her transition back to work as seamless as possible when it comes to feeding baby. We rounded up our favorite nanobébé must-haves, including their innovative bottle system; if you’re a working mom, you’re going to want to add all of these to your registry!
It’s not surprise that nanobébé’s bottle feature an award-winning design for so many reasons. In fact, the nanobébé bottle made the TIME Magazine’s 50 best inventions of the year list and was named “the smartest baby bottle ever made” by Business Insider. The nanobébé bottle is the first and only bottle for your little one specially designed to preserve essential breastmilk nutrients. Many moms worry about ensuring their babies will take their breast milk while they are at work, and the nanobébé bottles are designed to not only help ease the transition from nipple to bottle, but they are literally the only bottle that also helps your breastmilk work at full capacity. The breast-like shape of the bottle helps prevent nipple confusion, and more easily allows for others to feed the baby. Furthermore, the concave shape prevents harmful bacterial growth with quick cooling and quick warming (2x faster than standard bottles). We know how busy you can be prepping for work and parenting, which is why we love that the bottles are stackable enabling you to save space in the fridge or freezer. But the best part of the nanobébé bottle? It’s an all-in-one game changer bottle that you can pump, store, warm, and feed from! No wonder it’s award-winning, right?
Speaking of pumping, often moms get overwhelmed with the organization of all the breastmilk, but nanobébé is here to help with their nanobébé Breastmilk Storage System. If you’re looking for a sleek and easy way to store your breastmilk, this is it. The leak-free bags feature an innovative design that holds milk in a shallow layer so it can cool quickly and thaw evenly to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. The bags have serious leak-protection with a double zipper that seals securely, so you can pump and save your milk without worrying. The breastmilk organizer helps keep the flat bags stacked, helping you stay organized and easing your mind about heading to work or out for the night, as you can rest easy your milk will be organized and there when needed.
Life as a working mama means you are on the run a lot, so you need a quick and easy way to transport your breastmilk and bottles, which is why we love the nanobébé Travel Cooler! This machine washable travel cooler is designed with your baby’s needs in mind; whether the travel cooler is for storing your breastmilk at daycare with your little one or for family travel, you can be sure that precious breastmilk nutrients are being protected with three layers of insulation. Designed with the modern parent in mind, its sleek style is also convenient, as you can quickly store and go thanks to the stackable shape of nanobébé’s breastmilk bottles! You can pack up to three bottles in this cooler and the included compact ice pack keeps your breastmilk cold for several hours. It also fits extra feeding necessities, like nipples, pacifiers, pump parts, and more.
If you like everything you read about here, don’t forget to check out the nanobébé Newborn Gift Set, which includes even more! If you are registering for your own baby, or perhaps you are giving a baby shower gift, we suggest checking out the the nanobébé Newborn Gift Set. This gift set includes the most innovative infant feeding products that provide everything a breastfeeding new mom needs heading back to work: the award-winning nanobébé Breastmilk Bottles, a non-electric Smart Warming Bowl for quick and even warming of breastmilk, a Microwave Steam Sterilizer (which quickly eliminates household bacteria in under 4 minutes), and a space-saving slim Drying Rack for all of your feeding/pump parts (stores at just a 1/2 inch with removable, adjustable pegs that can be tucked away in the breathable, germ-free base). The set also features essential accessories such as medium flow and slow flow nipples, breast pump adaptors, and extra soft Flexy Pacifiers designed to stay in place and fit perfectly to baby’s face. Everything you will need to get a great head-start on feeding your little one while heading back to work!
Thank you to nanobébé for making this sponsored post possible!
Give yourself a huge hug today. You deserve that extra moment of self-love more than ever. You’re mom’ing, creating food for your babe with your body, AND instilling your child(ren) with everlasting values about working hard and making a living. Brava!
Returning to work with a little one is difficult beyond words, so we’d like to take one thing off your plate: which breast pump to choose. Whether you have an office, or pump in the break room or in the bathroom, a reliable machine is necessary—and a quiet one is a lovely luxury.
A favorite of mamas, experienced and new, the Motif Luna Breast Pump delivers across a spectrum of needs and desires. When you’re on the clock at work, every minute of pumping time counts. Working mamas who use Motif’s Luna Breast Pump appreciate the amount of milk that flows out in the short window of time. More milk in less time is a dream for a mom in between meetings.
Speaking of meetings, we know many moms who need to participate on conference calls while they pump, and Luna’s quiet motor takes care of any sound concerns. It features a soft, low purr that doesn’t disturb co-workers, phone calls or sleeping babes. It’s also one of the lightest pumps on the market. At just 2 lbs., its sleek shape can easily fit into almost any type of bag—making it easy for daily commutes.
Lastly, and very importantly, it is safe for your precious babe. We know you’re juggling a lot, so when we found the Luna, a closed-system pump, we knew it was a winner. There’s no need for you to worry about your pump’s motor being exposed to milk, which can open up your babe to mold and viruses. The closed system acts as a hygienic barrier and prevents this from occurring.
To make this experience even better, you might want to try the Motif Breastmilk Storage bags. These 8 oz. bags master the art of breastmilk storage, making it ultra-simple for moms on the go. They feature an easy-pour spout, leak-proof double zippers, and the self-stand design makes it easy for refrigerator storage. Plus, they can also lay flat in your freezer to maximize space.
It’s not easy carrying the world on your shoulders 24/7 (sometimes that seems literal). Let this tried-and-true system lighten your load—and bring some extra joy to your everyday.
A mama’s to-do list scrolls. And scrolls. And scrolls. Sometimes, it’s seemingly impossible to take on one more thing.
We’ve been there, but we know just how amazing it feels when we open up our hearts and give back. To make it as easy as possible for you, we scoped out the mama-brand-scene and found our favorite companies with huge hearts. We’re excited to share philanthropic brands that contribute to our local communities, mamas and more.
If you haven’t heard of KIDBOX yet, its heart and generous hand can be felt across the globe. A subscription-with-styling-service clothing box (think Stitch Fix, but for kids), KIDBOX donates new clothing to the charity of your choice when you keep your box. This cutting-edge company donated over $12.5 million in new clothing to date, and seems to want to do more. Their passionate community is ever-growing, and their pioneering, change-making strategy is one that deserves the spotlight.
Plus, just when you think it can’t get any better, you shop the site! KIDBOX partners with major global brands you’d want to shop anyway: Adidas, Splendid, 7 for all Mankind, Disney, Sketchers and many more. Doing good is rarely this much fun.
While you’re clicking and tapping away, you might want to check out these other brands too: Abby & Finn is an affordable, eco-friendly diaper-and-wipe subscription service. As seen in PopSugar and Red Tricycle, Abby & Finn donates 30 diapers to families in need for each monthly box purchased.
For an ultra-stylish and versatile diaper bag that donates to an amazing cause, visit Momkindness. For each bag purchased, Momkindness donates a portion of the proceeds to Every Mother Counts, an organization that helps “bring safe and respectful maternity care to mothers everywhere.”
Another company to note: Mommy Matters. Their innovative, portable pillow features a hot/cold insert to heal aches and pains. Named one of the top 10 pregnancy pillows in 2019 by Verywell Family, Mommy Matters donates proceeds to Saving Mothers, “a global non-profit working to reduce maternal mortality and help mothers thrive around the world.”
Lastly, if you’re in search of a chic, office-friendly breast pump bag, check out JL Childress. For every Jay Elle Pump Bag sold, $1 is donated to a non-profit organization to support breastfeeding.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to give back during this beautiful time (when you also have no time). Wishing you fun and fulfilling shopping moments, Mama.
Transitioning baby from breast to bottle can be exhausting and disheartening at times, so we were seriously pumped to learn about nanobébé’s award-winning breastfeeding and pumping system. This all-in-one feeding solution, named ‘Smartest Baby Bottle Ever Made’ by Business Insider and the ‘Best Bottle for Breastfed Babies’ by the Bump, has a plethora of mama and baby-focused benefits—and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Firstly, the thoughtful design assures babe that their beloved food source didn’t go anywhere. Shaped like a smooth breast, the nanobébé bottle can help with the difficult transition—for both of you!
Another amazing benefit is its extensive capabilities. As a new parent, we already have 18 million things either on us, around us, or surrounding our sink—if we can eliminate something, let’s. This breastfeeding and pumping phenomenon can be used to pump, store, warm AND feed your babe. A breast pump adaptor is included, and a little storage bonus: the bottles are stackable.
And now, for the info that many of us do not know about: When you warm breastmilk without proper temperature tracking, you can unknowingly remove some of the essential nutrients. This breastfeeding and pumping solution warms the milk up to two times faster than standard bottles—at safe temperatures—to retain the nutrients. It is the first and only bottle designed to protect the nutrients in breastmilk. The perfect addition to compliment your breastfeeding journey.
When you’re trying to calm your babe in the middle of the night, it’s soothing to know that you can heat the milk quickly without worrying about warming it unevenly or overheating (and having to wait for it to cool down). And then during your milk sesh, when your adoring eyes watch your babe in ecstasy, you can smile knowing that the nutrients you’re working hard to produce are being delivered to their growing bodies.
Recognized by TIME, CNN and DailyMail UK, the nanobébé bottle truly is “feeding reinvented.” We love it and think you will too.
Have you tried it? If so, please share your experience in the comments below! We’d love to hear about it.
Thank you to nanobébé for making this sponsored post possible!