Mom Style

Los Angeles Baby Registry Must Haves

Today’s guest post comes from the crazy talented and hilarious mama and makeup extraordinaire, Jamie Greenberg, of Jamie Makeup. She’s a mama to two littles and one on the way and is here to share what she thinks are must have essentials for Los Angeles mamas. You can find Jamie on her website and Instagram.

Being a working mom of two (almost three!) can be a bit challenging- especially while living in the crazy city of Los Angeles! My name is Jamie Greenberg and I am a celebrity makeup artist to some of the funniest gals in the game (Kaley Cuoco, Rashida Jones, Chelsea Handler to name a few) but my favorite job of all is being the mama to Leni (7) and Simon (3). It has taken some time, but with baby #3 on the way, I can confidently say I have finally found my favorite baby products. They make being a mom in LA a lot easier!

Kirkland Ultra Soft Baby Wipes (Costco!): Living in sunny Los Angeles has one minor downside- dry skin. On top of that, my kiddos have sensitive skin so finding the right baby wipes was important to me. I stumbled up these ultra soft Costco wipes a few years ago and haven’t looked back! They are made without all the bad stuff (dyes, parabens, phthalates, etc.) so I can feel good knowing they aren’t going to cause their bum bums any discomfort!

The Honest Company Bubble Bath: Los Angeles heat=lots of dust and dirt. Bath time is much needed in my house! My favorite bubble bath of all time is by The Honest Company. The bubbles won’t disappear after a few minutes of playing!

The Ollie World Swaddle: Super easy to use- who doesn’t love velcro?!

Project Nursery Sound Machine: Living in a busy city can mean a lot of hustle and bustle right outside your window. My favorite sound machine is by Project Nursery. It is very affordable (only $49) and not only plays soothing sounds for the baby, but is also a projector and a nightlight! We’ve had ours for years!

Kickee Pants-Clothing/Pajamas: Los Angeles is filled with some very fashionable people- why shouldn’t the babies be dressed to the nines as well?! My favorite brand for baby pajamas is KicKee Pants! I love how they wear and they wash very well. I wish they made my size!

Skip Hop Vibrant Village Activity Gym: It’s a great place for baby to play and rest – and pretty rad looking too! Because it is super lightweight, it can travel around the house easily, and even on set or outside in the gorgeous LA weather.

Babywearing Week With BabyBjorn: Denim Baby Carrier One

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-Sponsored Post-

Did you know that October 2nd – 8th is International Babywearing Week? This week we teamed up with BabyBjorn to highlight some of their most popular baby carriers and see how real moms from around the country use their BabyBjorn carriers. Today’s real mama is Jessica Quirk, of the well-known style blog, What I Wore (she’s also an author!). Jessica is here to chat about pairing babywearing with mama style using her Denim BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One. Read on to see why Jessica loves this carrier!

BabyBjorn’s Baby Carrier One is the ergonomic babywearing choice that makes it easy for you to give your child the closeness and security they need, while you keep your hands free. Easy to use and adaptable to the needs of your growing child, it’s BabyBjorn’s most popular baby carrier. Your child sits comfortably and can move their legs freely, thanks to the adjustable seat area. With the Denim Baby Carrier One, it’s easy for you to switch between several front and back babywearing positions. The baby carrier has a sturdy waist belt and padded, form-fitting shoulder straps that relieve pressure on your back and shoulders and make it comfortable for you to carry your child from birth and up to the age of three.

Here’s what Jessica had to say about the Denim BabyBjorn Carrier One:

We’re big fans of baby wearing in our family and we’ve done so with both our kids since they were born! Now that Bea is getting a little heavier, I’ve upgraded to a baby carrier that has enough support for both of us! I’ve been test driving the Denim BabyBjorn Carrier One for a month and a half and I’ve been loving it! I’ve worn born soft cloth baby wraps and carriers with buckles and supports and this particular style has been most comfortable with a larger sized baby (Bea is between 15-20 pounds these days!!). In particular, I really like the adjustable upper back support (it can slide up or down to just the right spot) and the easy to hook and unhook closures, which make getting Bea in and out a literal snap.

I also really like this color way – it’s a blue denim look that goes with just about everything in my closet. When I know I’ll be baby wearing, I like to keep my tops lightweight and with interest on the sleeves versus the front or back. A lightweight striped sweater like I’m wearing in this post is perfect for a cool fall day. As for baby, sometimes I like to go matchy matchy or just complimentary colors.

Thank you to BabyBjorn for making this sponsored post possible.

Urban Style for the Suburban Mama

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Did you know that Gugu Guru was started because Monica Banks was living in New York City and realized that city mamas have different needs than suburban moms? Many young couples start their life in an urban environment and move out to the suburbs when they start a family – but how does this affect your personal mom style? Today’s post is by musician and model, Cassie Taylor; she is known for her mod-urban style, but as the mom of a 2 year old boy, she needs to make sure she can run around and keep up with her toddler as a suburban mama. Cassie is sharing her favorite ways to transition you and your kiddo’s style from super urban to suburban mama – all while still feeling hip and modern. You can find Cassie on her Instagram or Facebook.

Mom Life Must Haves’ Permanently Exhausted Shirt; Rowdy Sprout’s Nirvana Shirt

I was a size 10 before I got pregnant, and after I had my son, Woods I was a size 20. It was emotionally painful for me to get dressed every morning and my entire closet just hung there and made me feel pathetic. Rebuilding my life and wardrobe postpartum has been a struggle, but also a pleasure. I have found a new standard of beauty and embraced my curves, with a new easy styles that work for me as a mom, business woman, artist and wife. I love Mom Life Must Have T-Shirts! The shirt is so soft and they are versatile. I can combine it with leggings and a jacket for a cool and easy look for a toddler play date or jazz it up with a leather skirt and rock it for a mompreneur outing. I love this tank, it pretty much sums up my existence. My son is an adorable happy toddler but a terrible sleeper, despite my husband’s and my efforts. I am in a constant state of exhaustion which is fueled by my love of caffeine. (Check out some gifts for coffee loving parents!)

Mom Life Must Haves’ Mom Life shirt

I have had the pleasure of living in Chicago, Denver and Memphis and spent months at a time traveling abroad in Europe with when music was my full time gig. But when I met my husband we moved across the plains to the Missouri countryside. After our son was born we knew we needed to meet in the middle somewhere. He’s an avid outdoorsman who hunts, fishes and rock limbs on the weekends and I’m a gal who wants to dine out, shop and see live music. It was a compromise on both of our parts but in the end it’s been a wonderful place for the both of us and a safe place to grow up for our son.

When it comes to urban style for the suburban mama, it’s all about looking rad while staying comfortable. Old Navy is a staple for the suburban mama, with their Rockstar jeans that you can easily bend, stretch, run and jump in.

I love to have fun styling my little guy, which is why I turn to super comfortable children’s clothing with a modern twist! I’m a huge fan of Mitz Accessories; their clothing promotes education, creativity, and empowers kids to make their own decisions about what they wear. Blade and Rose has a huge assortment of funky leggings for both boys and girls. And, as a musician, I’m a personal fan of Rowdy Sprout, because, let’s face it – every little guy needs an assortment of rocker tees! And, really, what’s a toddler without a bow-tie? Exactly. Lillabarn is my go-to for rad bow-ties for my son.

Lillabarn Bow-Tie; Mitz Accessories Rainbow Shirt; Rowdy Sprout ACDC shirt

And, as any urban turned suburban mama knows, babywearing is the way to go! I’m a huge fan of Lillebaby – not only because they have the most awesome designs on their carriers, but because I can wear my son on the front or back. It’s ideal for weekend trips, errands, or just hanging out at home with a grumpy toddler.

Breastfeeding Must Have: Bravado’s Original Nursing Bra

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It’s no surprise that the Gugu Guru team is a big fan of Bravado bras; their bras are the ultimate for pregnancy, and breastfeeding, but most of our Bravado mamas love them so much that they keep wearing them post-breastfeeding days, too! We’ve sang the praises of Bravado’s plus size nursing bras, as well as their Petal Soft collection, and their clip + pump hands free nursing bra is a favorite of many of our nursing moms. Today, we’re throwing it back to older times with Bravado and helping them celebrate the 25th anniversary of the brand’s very first nursing bra style with the relaunch of their Original Nursing Bra.

Crafted at a kitchen table of the brand’s two founders in 1992, Bravado’s Original Nursing Bra was born out of a desire to produce a great fitting, comfortable nursing bra that didn’t skimp on style. Like the first ONB, the new sleek styles give moms the support she needs and the comfort she craves with super soft fabrics that make this bra a must-have for expectant and breastfeeding mothers. Bravado’s commitment to quality continues to be the key to the brand’s success.

Bravado’s Original Nursing Bra is available in four fabulous colors—Black, White, Dove Heather, and limited-edition Snow Leopard and in two styles — the Original Nursing Bra and Original Full Cup Nursing Bra. Some of the features we particuarly love, are the proprietary, easy to open and close one-handed Bravado ‘B’ nursing clips (seriously, these are awesome), and the flat racerback that comfortably sits shoulders. Plus the modern styling with a rounded v-neckline, and comfortable wide-bottom band – and the fact that it is made from a cotton-modal blend – makes this bra so comfortable, even for postpartum mamas! And, for breastfeeding or new mamas, we especially love the full drop away bra cup design for maximum skin-to-skin contact. You can find the Original Nursing Bra on Bravado’s website, as well as an Original Full Cup Nursing Bra, too!

8 Childcare Options For When You Need a Break!

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It’s no secret that parenting can be exhausting, but finding childcare can take time and money – today’s guest blogger, Cassie Taylor, rounded up 8 childcare options for when you desperately need to drive around drinking a PSL without a baby in the backseat.

1. Grandparents: If you are lucky enough to live by family, don’t hesitate to ask for a helping hand! Most likely grandparents are happy to take your baby, or come over and hold them while you relax, do the laundry or binge watch GOT.

2. Gym Facility: Most gyms have a child care center that will takes you kiddo while you exercise (for a small fee). Get back your post baby body while you start your mom empire on the stationary bike, meet new friends in a Zumba class or just use the time to sit in peace in the sauna and take a long hot shower. (Looking for maternity fitness attire?)

3. IKEA: If you kid is potty trained you can get a good 2 hours of child care while you grab some lunch, buy towels or plan out your next kitchen renovation. Bonus, they have free wifi in the Cafe! (We love Ikea!)

4. Hourly child care: Some centers offer hourly child care, so you only have to pay per hour. You can easily find them through parent websites or google them on Yelp. Make sure they are certified with a good reputation. There are also plenty of Mother’s Day out programs run through local churches that allow you a good chunk of time to drop you kid off. (Check out some of our suggestions for daycare essential items)

5. Trade With Other Parents: Ask another trusted mom to watch you kid for an hour or two; trade with her back and forth and you will both get child free time to grocery shop or get a facial. We stumbled across the Komae app and had to share it with all of our families looking for childcare options! Komae is the only app which helps parents build their village and trade childcare; you can join for free, and have trusted people in your village watch your child so you can get a break – in the meantime, they receive points for helping out, which they can in turn use to have you help watch their kids! Modern day village parenting for the win. Instead of giving away your hard earned cash to your local teenage babysitter, how about swapping Komae points with other moms? Spend your money on dinner, not on a sitter! So how does it work? All Komae accounts start with 20 points in the bank. Spend points when your friends babysit your children. Earn points when you babysit for friends. It’s really that simple! Download the app for free today.

6. TV/ Toys and a Baby gate: As much as we don’t want to admit it, TV is a great way to keep your child’s attention occupied if you need a break to catch your mom-breath.

7. Mother’s Helpers: Ask around in your community if anyone knows a responsible young gal willing to help out. If you plan to stay home while the babysitter is there, you may consider a girl in her early teens to watch your little dude/gal while you get things done around the house.

8. University and College campuses: Many college campus offer childcare options for students at a cheaper rate than other centers and can offer part time childcare. Discover a new passion or finish a degree while your child is in good hands.

Featured photo products: SoundBub by WAVHello; Permanently Exhausted Tank by Mom Life Must Haves

Cassie Taylor is an artist who lives with her husband and 2.5 year old son. You can find her on her website (feature photo by Cassie, featuring Mom Life Must Have’s Permanently Exhausted tank), and on Instagram.

Must Have NYC Mom Essentials

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One of the reasons mamas love Gugu Guru is that our style quizzes give personal recommendations based on where you live – because we understand that suburban mamas need different items than urban mamas! Today’s guest post is from a NYC mama who takes her two littles all over the five boroughs and back again, without even breaking a sweat. Megan is the mama to two kids under four years old, and has some great tips for surviving NYC life with little kids. You can find Megan on Instagram – and let us know in the comments what your favorite products for urban parenting are!

Adorable dinosaur clothing from Mitz Accessories

Being a new mom is hard. Being a new mom in NYC is borderline insane. As hard as navigating the trains with a stroller can be at rush hour, living in a space that is the size of most Americans living rooms, and paying what many people consider a mortgage on preschool but it has it’s perks too. Your kids can literally sleep through anything. After a few licks on the subway their immune systems are made of steel that no suburban kid could even dream of. Their palates have tasted the finer things of life since we have access to the best restaurants in the world and my three-year-old son might not know what a lawnmower is but can navigate the MTA without batting an eye.

I’m Megan @girlgonechildnyc, I’ve birthed two babies in this concrete jungle and I’m currently still keeping alive a 3 and 1-year-old here. So here are my top 10 registry items from a NYC Mom.

1. Original Ergo Carrier: I’ve tried a lot of different baby carries and I always go back to the original Ergo. It’s the one carrier I can wear seven hours straight and doesn’t hurt my back. I also can nurse discreetly on the train in this carrier with out a flashing my boob to the entire subway car.

2. phil&teds Lobster High Chair: You’re meeting friends in a tiny restaurant in the West Village and they don’t have high chairs? Boom! The Lobster has you covered.

3. A Noise Machine: While yes, most NYC babies can sleep through about anything, why risk it? You want your baby to still be asleep when that fire truck goes by at 4am.

4. The Pello: As my husband and I used to joke “Praise be to the Pello,” since our daughter had a pretty bad case of colic and this is the one place we could sit her as an infant and it was so ridiculously soft she wouldn’t cry. It acts similarly to a DockATot, and you can also set it up anywhere in the apartment.

5. NYC Décor: Almost every kids room in NYC I’ve been in has at least on piece that reminds you they’re a NYC baby. We’re proud of our New York Babies’, as it’s not easy raising kids here. It’s something they will be able to tell people the rest of their lives that they were born here. My favorite pieces are the interactive wall art by local NYC mom Kate Durkin.

6. Zoe Stroller: Strollers with infant seats are great, but they’re heavy and to be honest, I never used them because hauling a bulky stroller up two flights of subway stairs just wasn’t something I found fun just a few months shy of having a baby. You’re way more likely to wear your baby around NYC and get a decent umbrella stroller at 6 months. The Zoe stroller is perfect for commuting up and down subway stairs at just 10 lbs and still tons of storage.

7. Skip Hop Changing Pad: I’m not saying I’ve never had to change my kids diaper on a subway bench when poop literally hit the fan but I’m not saying I haven’t.

8. Stroller Bunting: Because as much as I wish I lived in 60 degree year round weather, I don’t, and if you think your sweet little 6-month-old baby will sit there with a blanket over him without throwing it on the street, he won’t.

9. Buggy Hooks: The one good thing about strolling around NYC with a stroller is you have a place to actually store all your bags. Think King Mighty Buggy Hook for Strollers lets you ad these on to your stroller and you can hang your stuff. Amazing.

10. Taga Bike 2.0: The best and safest family bike out there. It’s pretty cool looking too. Perfect for neighborhood rides or commuting with the kids when the MTA poops the bucket.

Not a NYC mama? Don’t worry, we have you covered:

Maternity Jeans for Every Budget

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When it comes to dressing your bump, a good pair of maternity jeans is key! Our editor polled one of her online mama groups and asked what their favorite maternity jeans were – for every budget! Here’s the top two picks for every different wallet size.

Budget-Friendly Maternity Jeans:

Left: Maternity Crossover Panel® Bootcut Jeans – Isabel Maternity, $25 – Hands down, when it comes to affordable maternity wear, Target is the lowest price. While H+M and Old Navy were also super popular, their maternity jeans were actually higher priced than any of Target’s options. These cute jeans have a little straight-leg to them, for the mamas who don’t love the super skinny look.

Right: Maternity Crossover Panel® Jeggings – Isabel Maternity, $25 – many moms we talked to sang the praises of jeggings for pregnancy! These Target jeggings with a full belly panel look chic and comfy.

Mid-Price Range Maternity Jeans:

Left: Motherhood Secret Fit Belly Stitched Pocket Boot Cut Maternity Jeans, $50 – these were our editor’s favorite jeans for pregnancy; she wore them throughout both pregnancies, and her husband even said they looked better on her than her non-maternity jeans!

Right: Three Seasons Maternity Women’s Maternity Bootcut Denim with Neutral Belly Band, $40 – The Three Seasons brand keep coming up in the group as a go-to brand for maternity; one mama said, “I bought and wore these for almost 2 years with back-to-back pregnancies and they still look new!!!“

High-Priced Maternity Jeans:

Left: Ag Jeans Secret Fit Belly Maternity Jeans, $200 – $300 – these came up time and again from the mamas, at a higher price range, they surely aren’t for every budget, but as one mama said, “pricey, but three pairs lasted me through two (and counting) pregnancies without stretching, losing shape or fading.”

Right: Joe’s Secret Fit Belly Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans. $200 – $250 – another popular maternity jean in the higher price range, a mama fan of Joe’s says, “I’ve always found Joe’s denim to be soft, extremely comfortable, and have a good amount of stretch, which worked out fantastically well for a growing belly. I’m a big comfort person but I also love fashion and designers so the two lined up nicely as well. I remember trying on other maternity designer jeans and those not fitting as well or as comfortable as Joe’s.”

Check out some more maternity style inspiration:

Maternity Fashion FAQs: Finally Answered by Le Tote

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Standing in front of a closet full of clothes that don’t fit anymore, mornings can get quite frustrating. It’s hard enough dressing right for your body type; add a growing bump to the mix and things can get overwhelming.

Contrary to how easy our favorite fashionistas make it look, transitioning to maternity fashion is not always that seamless.

Enter Le Tote Maternity. A fashion rental service that lets you borrow unlimited clothes and accessories, starting at $49 a month. Don’t forget to use code GUGU for 50% OFF your first month! (Expires 09/30/2017)

Here is a list of the most frequently-asked Maternity Fashion FAQs: Finally Answered by Le Tote to help you bump up your style.

What should I look for when buying maternity jeans?

While the style depends on your personal taste — skinny, boyfriend or classic straight leg, the key is adjustability. Whether you are an over or under the belly kind of girl, always look for jeans with elastic panels to accommodate your growing bump.

What is the best way to flatter my baby bump?

The one word answer is a belt. Use it to accessorize as well as accentuate your curves. Belt above your bump to avoid the parachute look. Find belts that are thin or stretchy or better still, both!

Do I have to avoid bright colors?

Not at all! Take advantage of your natural glow and rock colors that you normally wouldn’t. Deep oranges, hot pinks and vibrant blues… Enjoy this judgement-free time!

What kind of prints can I pull off?

Any and every kind of print! Pick an iconic statement if you are feeling bold, or a vibrant graphic print if you are in the mood for some fashion fun. A subtle micro print is great for work or weekend.

Which trimester calls for true maternity wear?

The second trimester. You can get away with wearing your own clothes in the first trimester because the bump isn’t visible yet. Once you start showing, it’s time to build your maternity wardrobe with essentials like easy knit dresses, work blouses and classic denim.

What are some closet essentials I should look out for?

These five pieces are essentials you will wear well beyond your term. Made to adapt to your changing body and versatile enough to be dressed up or down, think of these as your maternity closet MVPs, pieces that you can wear during AND after.

Go-To Skinny Jeans: You will love the comfort of your stretchy maternity skinny jeans long after the baby comes.

The Wrap Dress: No other silhouette accommodates a growing bump AND hides a less than perfect post-baby belly quite like a wrap dress.

Easy Draped Nursing Wrap: Drape style nursing wraps metamorphose into a chic third piece, aka the easiest way to elevate the simplest of looks.

Basic T-shirt Dress: An easy T-shirt dress that will rescue the I-don’t-have-anything-to-wear days during the pregnancy and much after.

Essential White Top: A basic white top — dressed up or down — has to be our number 1 building block of any weekend wardrobe.

Metropolitan Mom Style

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When it comes to maternity style, sometimes it can be difficult to pull-together a chic look; whether it is for work or play, sometimes a mama just wants to feel swank and Metropolitan. The Metropolitan Mom style is all about a streamlined look, lots of black staples, and colorful accessories. We rounded up some style finds for the Metropolitan Mom Style, maternity edition.

Clothing pictured: Black + White Contrast Maternity Top & Maternity Ankle Drawstring Pants; Little Black Maternity Dress; Double Keyhole Maternity Top

Stowaway Collection: When co-founder, Stephanie’s belly grew too big for non-maternity wear, she and her mom went on a girl’s day shopping for maternity clothing and came home empty handed! They decided to start their own line of fashion forward maternity clothing, and Stowaway was born. Stowaway Collection was founded on the premise that the maternity clothing should take you from desk to dinner, and could easily be dressed up or down – whether for hanging around the house or date night, Stowaway will help you feel chic and sleek. Stowaway Collection is made in the USA from luxurious fabrics designed to keep you in style long past pregnancy. Stowaway understands that your bump can be hard to dress sometimes, so they have free returns back with their shipping label (woohoo!). Plus, they offer free shipping anywhere in the United States including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. It’s a win-win! We also love their assortment of dresses which are perfect for your baby shower. Stowaway Collection is perfect for the Metropolitan Mom style with their clean lines, modern styles, and easy to wear clothing. You can find Stowaway on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

charlotte+asher Diaper Bags: charlotte+asher was founded by two friends who were frustrated by the lack of attractive baby bags so they decided to make their own! As they say, “Even though the inside of baby bags mostly hold baby’s things, we know that the outside is really for mom–the woman whose desire for fashion doesn’t change upon entering motherhood. We were inspired to create a bag where fashion meets function for the everyday, busy, chic, incredible mom. And because the bag doesn’t scream ‘baby!’ it can be carried stylishly for work and travel, too.” We’re not only big fans of the chic style of charlotte+asher’s bags, but they are a company founded on the premise of giving back, too. With every bag sold, charlotte+asher provides five vaccinations to children in need through Shot@Life. charlotte+asher bags come in a diaper bag style (we would seriously never know this was a diaper bag, it looks like a sexy briefcase!) and a tote bag style. These bags have everything you need to stay organized, efficient and elegant – lots of pockets, room for water bottles, zip-closures and more! You can find charlotte+asher on Facebook and Instagram.

Maison Miru: When it comes to accessories for mama, we are loving Maison Miru for fun and affordable accessories for the Metropolitan Mom. Their streamlined jewelry features modern designs such as their fun superhero collection, which is a a grown up take on the friendship jewelry you exchanged with your friends on the schoolyard playground. Maison Miru has a fantastic collection of rings, earrings, ear bars, necklaces, and bracelets. Traditional enough for a work environment, with a modern flair, these pieces will surely be the sparkle you need for your Metropolitan Mom style look – all without breaking the bank! You can find Maison Miru on their Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you to Stowaway Collection for sponsoring this post.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Leche Libre Plus Size Nursing Clothing Line

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When Andrea Newberry started breastfeeding her baby, she quickly realized that she was compromising her personal style when it came to nursing-friendly attire. She took it upon herself to create Leche Libre, which makes stylish quality clothing for easy discrete nursing wherever, whenever you and your baby want. The unique design provides zippers down the bust seams to allow you to easily access and control the amount of exposure during nursing. And, we’re super excited to announce that in honor of Breastfeeding Month, Leche Libre has just started a Kickstarter to create a plus size nursing clothing line that’s friendly and very hip. As one mama says, “Leche Libre combines function and form, structure and style and allows nursing mamas something to wear that can be professional, casual, or dressy. A truly versatile and indispensable part of any breastfeeding woman’s wardrobe.” We interviewed Andrea about why and how she developed Leche Libre – check out how she balances mom-life and entrepreneur life below.

You can find Leche Libre on Instagram, and Facebook. Plus, check out their plus size nursing friendly attire Kickstarter and all of the awesome rewards!

How and why did you start Leche Libre?

I was inspired to start Leche Libre after the birth of my two children. I found it really hard to find clothing it was easy to breastfeed in. After having kids, I felt like my whole life changed and I felt really resentful that my personal style had to change as well just to accommodate easy breastfeeding. I saw women everywhere struggling with breastfeeding in public and I felt that the lack of stylish BF specific clothing was directly tied to this problem.

I decided something needed to be done about this. I had just started learning sewing so I started experimenting with altering patterns and making my own clothes. While wearing my dresses, I would often have long conversations with people at parties or on mass transit where they had no idea I was nursing the whole time. I got such positive feedback on my dresses that I decided to go for it and teach myself fashion design and how to start a fashion line! I started small and made 25 dresses, sold out, then made 100 dresses, sold out, made 200 dresses, sold out and just kept going.

Now six sold out runs later and last summer’s successful Kickstarter ($50K raised, 250% of $20K goal) Leche Libre has customers on 6 out of 7 continents. And this summer I’ll be launching via Kickstarter again, the World’s FIRST EVER breastfeeding collection for Plus size women. The average american woman is now size 18 so over half of American women have zero options for breastfeeding apparel. Leche Libre is a mission of passion to empower women to own our bodies

Leche Libre makes clothing which connects women to their inner power and confidence. New moms just did the most powerful thing a human being can do and they deserve to channel that power through awesome fashion. My plus collection will be the fulfillment of Leche Libre’s mission to be body positive. I can now say, if you’re a breastfeeding woman, I’ve got a dress for you, in sizes 0-26.

Where did you come up with the name?

When it came to picking out a name, I was originally stumped. So I gathered up a group of women friends to help me come up with a name. We were playing around with different names. A friend was joking around and mixed La Leche League together with Lucha Libre and got Leche Libre. We thought it was funny, and in a very non-serious way, added it to the list of names.

The more I thought about it, though, the more I loved it. Libre has strong connotations of activism and the fight for liberty and freedom which is very in line with the activism involving promoting breastfeeding especially breastfeeding in public. I feel like Leche Libre is a name which inspires standing up for one’s rights and go out and be a powerful mom. I love that. The name also literally translates as free milk, which is also great. Because breastmilk is free!

A good name should have meaning and when it is layered with meaning, it’s even better. The more I thought of the name, I just knew it was perfect. Its powerful while still being super fun. It has literal meaning as well as sounds cool. So, that’s the name.

How do you balance work and family?

Being a Mom in business, I’ve got to work to keep my priorities straight! Work-a-holism runs in my family, so I work very hard to keep that in check and prioritize my life with my kids first. Both last summer and this summer, I’ve been working on Kickstarter campaigns while having my kids home from school all day. So I’m working REAL HARD on work life balance. I have no additional childcare so I’m hustling to make this work. Basically, I’ve been working in the morning on stuff I have to be home to do and then anything I can do on my phone or with pen and paper, I pack up in the afternoon and take my kids to the pool. I’m the crazy lady at the pool on her phone. People probably think I’m snapchatting or something, but I’m actually following up on emails and exciting things like that. But throughout the day, I take time to go swimming with them and ride bikes. We eat every meal together sitting down. I put them to bed and read them a story almost every night. So I’m around and they know it.

On days when I need to hunker down and get work done, I explain to my kids that this is really important to me and they need to give me my space. I’ve started this business all while being the sole child care provider for my two kids. Next year will be the first year that both kids will be in school all day but for most of the time, I’ve been developing and launching this company with them at home with me 24/7. It’s been incredibly difficult but I’m really proud of doing it. I’ve always been the nutso person bringing my kids to networking meetings with me. People often comment on how independent my kids are and I believe it comes from them constantly seeing my working at my dream and understanding clearly that it’s OK for me to set boundaries for my time for me as well as my time with them. I know my growth in business is slower than it would be if I didn’t have kids. But if I didn’t have kids, not only would I not have this business, but I wouldn’t be living the life I want. So it all goes together. I take the good with the bad and roll with it.

What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

The best part is that I can make all my own rules. I’m REALLY BAD at following the rules others set. So my favorite part is that I’m the boss of my business AND I’m the boss of my kids. Mwa ha ha! Really though, like I said above, I want to live an integrated life, where I have control and work my business into my life with my family and work my family into my business life. I can take an afternoon to volunteer in my daughter’s class and then work at night or I can work at the pool while my kids play. Anyone who is doing it will tell you that the “mompreneur” life is not easy, but in the end it is worth it. I can spend the time with my kids while also doing something meaningful for me. The main thing I have to do is not compare myself to other women who are not at home with the kids. My output will never be as much as if I had 9-5, 5 days a week to work undisturbed by my crazy kiddos. But I know that when I look back on my life, I’ll know the time I spent with my family was the most valuable time of my life and I was there for them in a meaningful way, and I was there for myself in a meaningful way by honoring my creating and intellectual need to do meaningful work.

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