New Mom Series

Great Gift Ideas: Foodie Mom Friends

It can be hard to make new mom friends, and often we’ve found that it is easier to bond over something you both like…and who doesn’t like food? We rounded up some great gift ideas for your foodie loving mama friends – and also asked our baby planners where some great places to meet new mom friends are – plus their picks for gifts for foodie moms!

What does a foodie mama need, and where can you find foodie mama friends?

Being a new mom can be super lonely; spending all day with a newborn gets long, real quick – so, we always tell our new moms to get the diaper bag ready and head out into the world. If you’re a foodie fan, there are lots of places to go meet other new moms. We asked our Baby Planners where foodie moms can find new friends, and also what their one must have item for foodie mamas is:

Gugu Guru’s Founder, Monica: When I ask seasoned mamas, especially those who work outside of the home, to share their tips for a work/life balance – “food prep” seems to always come up. In my house, we cannot live without our VeeTee rice. VeeTee tastes like delicious, gourmet rice but it’s ready in just 2 minutes in your microwave. And even though it has no artificial flavors or preservatives, it lasts a whole year in your pantry so you can always have it on-hand.

Jessica Zablan of The Birth and Baby Company: Our must have foodie item is a good Mason Jar. They can be used for food storage, you can drink from them, and it’s easy to take them with you. Join your local Co-Op to meet other parents that love food. Most Co-Ops support local farmers and small businesses.

Kimmie Johnson, Maternity Consultant, Co-Founder at Your Milk Shoppe, Chicago, IL: Every Foodie mama needs a go-to blog for inspo and recipes. Mine are, Skinny Taste, Iowa Girl Eats, and Frugal Foodie Mama. [The Gugu Guru team also loves our friend Ali over at Inspiralized!]

Amber Michels, Maternity Consultant, Founder at Your Milk Shoppe, Greenville, SC: My one must-have would be easy go-to recipes to have on hand for those days that seem to run on forever and also any kind of wine and/or meal delivery service! Just because us moms don’t have time to cook and drink all things amazing doesn’t mean we can’t pay for a service to bring the yummy goodness to our homes. Not to mention, the whole household is extra happy and fed! I suggest juice shops to meet other foodie moms. As far as juice shops, I love Southern Pressed Juicery. There is nothing like their energy bowl, The Green Monstah. Every one of us moms would kill for something that tastes good, is healthy and gives us a boost of energy!

Some of our favorite Foodie Finds:

Junkless Bars: As a new mom, you’ll find that you always need to bring a snack for yourself in the diaper bag. Sometimes you get stuck under a sleeping baby, or strolling a baby to sleep…for a long time, and you get hungry! We’re huge fans of Junkless Bars for many reasons – they come in four delicious flavors, cinnamon roll, strawberry, peanut butter chocolate chip, and chocolate-chip. Why are they called Junkless? Each granola bar is made with just eight or fewer basic, real ingredients – ingredients that are pronounceable and commonly found in most kitchen pantries; plus they are non-GMO. These are also a great snack for toddlers!

Partake Cookies: If you’re breastfeeding, you’re going to probably need to pack some snacks for yourself because you’ll be hungry throughout the day. However, some moms need to steer clear of dairy or gluten when it comes to breastfeeding, which is why we’re loving Partake Cookies. These delicious (totally addictive!) cookies are certified Gluten Free, certified Vegan, OU Kosher, and Non GMO Project Verified! Furthermore, they are also free of the Top 8 Allergens: no peanuts, no tree nuts, no egg, no soy, no milk, no wheat, no fish, no shellfish, no corn, no sesame, no sulfites. If you’re heading to meet a new mom for the first time and unsure if she, or her little one, is allergic, Partake is a great snack choice to bring along; safe for all – and really yummy.

BizyBelle Snack Bags: Need something to pack all of those snacks in and throw in the diaper bag? We’re fans of reusable snack bags, especially the adorable designs from BizyBelle (ahem, these make really cute little gifts for mom friends!). These handy bags are cotton with a velcro closure and easily washable (phew!).

Dert Bags: It seems as though farmer’s market shopping is a very popular past-time for mom friends, so make sure you’re prepared with Dert Bags. Why are we obsessed with Dert? These eco-friendly bags are sturdy and easy to clean…and fold up into adorable little animals! Stuff the bag back into the holder and it forms an animal shape – super easy to throw into your stroller or diaper bag.

Little Teether: Foodie fun can be had with babies too, especially when it comes to cute teething items. Little Teether is your one-stop-shop for teething toys and necklaces. Check out how adorable those donut teething rings are! They are 100% silicone and BPA free; feel free to freeze them, too. They’re easily washable and lightweight for little hands.

Party at Your Door: It may be a Monday afternoon, but you and your mom friends should celebrate being awesome with Party at Your Door. This adorable shop creates everything you’d need to throw a fun bash, including custom confetti – how cool is that!

Little Spoon: Little Spoon’s motto is, “it’s fresh, baby,” and they mean it – Little Spoon creates baby food which is not only super fresh and shipped to your door, but chock full of healthy ingredients and enticing flavors. With their signature baby spoons built into their packaging, their BabyBlends take your little one through the process of trying new foods, with flavors such as Beet Tahini Chickpea Apple Brown Rice Cardamom, Blueberry Chickpea Spinach Pear Rosemary, and Quinoa Raspberry Pear Coconut Milk Vanilla Date Wheat Germ Oil. Let’s be honest, you and your mama friends will most likely dig in before baby gets a chance, but as long as you share, we’re okay with it!

Little Nugget Co.: We’ve written about why we’re fans of Little Nugget before, and when it comes to food time for baby, you want to make sure the Little Nugget app is downloaded on your phone. Little Nugget uses artwork overlays to perfectly mark your baby’s exciting milestones and sweet moments! Select from beautiful fonts to add your little one’s name, measurements and memories you never want to forget. Easily edit your baby photo with a selection of over 15 beautiful photo filters. And, when you’re done, have the photos sent to your for the baby book or share with family and friends.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Cover image via Extra On Top

Introducing Our New Monthly Social Series: Your Best Bundle

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We’ve been working Whitney Port and the Bundle Organics team to launch a new series. Your Best Bundle will be a new expert series where each month we’ll tackle a different topic related to achieving your best and healthiest life as a parent, from pregnancy to birth and beyond.

We plan to cover a wide range of mom essentials in the Your Best Bundle series, from fit pregnancy tips to clean eating, home care, sleep strategies for babies and parents and more. We’re open to your suggestions too! If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, feel free to email yourbestbundle@bundleorganics.com.

When and where: Series 1: Your Best Bundle with Victoria Facelli, IBCLC: Breastfeeding Basics streamed live on the Bundle Organics Instagram Thursday, October 5th at 9PM ET (6PM PT.)

Episode 1: Your Best Bundle with Victoria Facelli, IBCLC: Breastfeeding Basics

First up in our series is “Breastfeeding Basics” with Victoria Facelli, IBCLC. Victoria Facelli is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), DONA International Certified Postpartum Doula, and part of Gugu Guru’s Concierge network of industry experts that provide a range of services to new and expectant parents. She’s also the owner of Durham Lactation, which is a goals-based lactation consulting service in North Carolina.

In this Instagram Live event, Victoria will share tips on setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding and she’ll also take your questions. If you’re expecting, get a headstart on important breastfeeding advice – and if your baby is already here, get some insights that you may not have gotten at the hospital.

Do you have a specific question about breastfeeding basics that you’d like us to cover in the Q&A? We’d love to know so Victoria can come prepared! Submit your questions in advance by sending an email to yourbestbundle@bundleorganics.com with the subject “Breastfeeding Question”.

Getting a Breast Pump Through Insurance with Aeroflow Breastpumps

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-Sponsored Post-

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

Insurance eligibility:

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

Navigating Aeroflow’s website:

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

Steps to take:

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

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

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

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

Thank you to Aeroflow for making this sponsored post possible.

Mom Sleep Essentials

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When you have a baby, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll hear this sage advice from a friend or relative, “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” When your little one is snoozing, it can be so darn tempting to attend to some of the mundane tasks that are piling up like paying bills, laundry or – heck – even showering! Our advice? Sleep. It’s not just because you don’t want to be a disheveled zombie walking around the house, it’s because it’s critical to your wellness and postpartum recovery, as well as helping you to think clearly and generally function in life.

So instead of focusing on essentials for baby sleep today – because we’ve covered that topic a lot – we’re focusing on essentials for you, mama. And these aren’t your run of the mill products either…

RECLINER Sleepwear

Developed by a fashion industry executive who was frustrated by the lack of options in sleepwear, RECLINER is luxurious and stylish, yes, but we’re talking about it today as an essential because it’s truly functional and may even help you sleep better. Their featherweight Japanese satins are machine-washable; the bamboo jersey incredibly soft and comfortable. It’s also temperature-regulating so you can wear it year round. We also love that because bamboo is more absorbent than cotton, it helps prevent sweat from pooling on the skin. For those of us mamas who had crazy postpartum sweats, this is definitely a plus. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, you’re going to be lounging a lot those first few weeks so why not look cute while doing it?

The Queen Rose Pillow

This U-shaped total body pillow provides side sleepers with the ideal alignment of the spine reducing strain on the lower back, helping to alleviate back pain. The pillow’s unique filling provides comfort for side sleeping and retains fluffiness for better performance and longer use (and there is no chemical-y smell.) By the way, if you haven’t had your babe just yet, the Queen Rose is also ideal for pregnant women, in fact one Amazon reviewer says, “any husband whose wife is expecting should buy this now!”

Venta Kuube

The Venta Kuube is a powerful yet compact 2-in-1 humidifier and purifier. Incorporating a “Cold-Water Evaporation technology”, the Kuube operates with a whisper-quiet multi-speed motor to put the perfect amount of humidity into the air, never over-humidifying and never creating white dust or mold. Simultaneously, the Kuube removes airborne pollutants like odors, allergens, dust and dander from the air without the use of filters. The Kuube’s dual purpose coupled with its size make it perfect for small spaces and minimalist parents alike. Perfectly humidified and pure air means moisturized and rejuvenated skin, more restful sleep and increased concentration – three things that every new parent needs. Bonus: crafted air also helps with many of the breathing problems that cause snoring.

basq Lavender Calming Oil

Due to its pregnancy- and breastfeeding-safe formulations, basq has always been a favorite brand of the team at Gugu Guru. Monica, Gugu Guru’s founder, swears by the brand’s Lavender Calming Oil for the amazing benefits it provides in her personal care routine. Lavender, after all, is shown in sleep studies to help both infants and adults sleep longer and deeper. Plus the Lavender Calming Oil is also dual purpose for mama + baby; moms can use it on their skin as a relaxing essential oil, while also using it on their babies for infant massage. Basq’s Lavender Calming Oil is free of parabens and phthalates and clinically tested for ZERO skin allergens. Note: as a little extra refresher, Monica also likes to balance her skin and mind throughout the day with Naturopathica’s Lavender Honey Balancing Mist.

Dirty Lemon [sleep]

While we believe it’s important for new moms to get as much sleep as possible, we caution about getting too drowsy, especially if you’re nursing or co-sleeping with your baby. Therefore, we 100% recommend consulting your doctor about Dirty Lemon [sleep] (or really any thing you ingest) before you try this product. The [sleep] drink, best taken before bed time, supports a restful night’s sleep by way of its proprietary herb blend, along with Magnesium and rose water. Dirty Lemon’s [sleep] ingredients include filtered water, cold pressed lemon juice, pure rose water, lemon balm, passionflower, chamomile and magnesium glycerinate chelate. Again, check with your physician or Lactation Consultant but all of these ingredients seem fine for nursing (in fact, many experts recommend that nursing mamas take more magnesium) though, according to Kelly Mom, some research suggests that consuming heavy, heavy amounts of lemon balm could affect breastmilk supply – though this is not proven and this may be a plus if you currently experience over-supply.

QuickZip Sheets

If you’ve been following Gugu Guru for awhile, you may know that we are big fans of QuickZip crib sheets, but you may not know that we love this brand for us grown ups too. That’s right! We need easy changing bedding as well. As we mention above, new moms can sweat a lot, especially when nursing. And, if you’re breastfeeding, your boobs can leak on the sheets when you sleep. To top all of this off, sometimes babies have accidents when they’re in your bed – spit up, urine and the occasional diaper blow-out (hey – it happens!) So all of this means that you’re going to have to change your sheets a lot more often than usual and maybe even in the wee hours of the night. Make it easy on yourself and go with QuickZip sheets for your adult bed – you can just zip off the top layer without fuss or, more importantly if you’ve had a c-section, without pain. Plus they didn’t sacrifice quality with the functionality, the sheets are 400-thread-count luxurious sateen cotton – soft and smooth against your skin for a great night’s sleep.

Webinar: Encouraging Language Development from the Start

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Did you know?

Your baby begins their language development in utero.
The more you talk to your baby right from the start, the more language she will have when she eventually starts talking and having conversations.
Talking to your baby teaches many elements of language…from vocabulary, adjectives, and parts of speech, to math and even science!

Details
Tuesday, January 17, 2017 | 1-2pm EST
Join us for our 1-hour webinar from the comfort of your own home or workplace, with New York State licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Elise Duryea, MA, CCC-SLP who will help you understand how your baby learns and develops his babble! Elise will share the most up-to-date research, background, tips, tricks and techniques to support your child’s development and mastery of language and communication.

We will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting.

Gugu Village is Gugu Guru’s new educational community for expecting and new moms. Offering both webinars and offline events, Gugu Village provides first time moms with the knowledge that they need to feel prepared and well supported during the prenatal and postpartum period.

Cora’s Nursery

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We absolutely fell in love with Lindsay Wilkins of Hello Hue Blog, when we came across her Instagram. Then pregnant with her now 4 month old beautiful daughter, Cora, we love Lindsay’s sense of style. The decor that she selected for Cora’s nursery is so special and eclectic; we find it the intersection of sophistication and simplicity. The room is not overly designed and has lots of eye-catching gorgeous touches. We’re excited to share it with you today. Follow along as Lindsay lets us know about her choices to decorate this unique nursery.

First up – the crib mattress. Safety is of utmost importance when it comes to selecting a crib mattress. You may ask, “Can a crib mattress be a nursery accent?” Our answer is an emphatic YES!

Gugu Guru recommended Lullaby Earth Breeze crib mattress as a perfect fit for Cora’s nursery because, not only is it safe and breathable, it comes in a gorgeous array of colors as seen above – like this pink hue that Lindsay selected for Cora’s sleeping space.

We’re all about personalization on Gugu Guru and it’s also a huge trend in nursery. On Etsy shop, Lucy’s Letters, you’ll find wooden name signs available in a rainbow of gorgeous colors. The signs are all lightweight and perfect for personalizing a space.

Next up – a key nursery accent: bedding. We love us an heirloom quilt over here at Gugu Guru. Lindsay selected Etsy shop The Feather and Arrow‘s beautiful quilt work for the nursery. Lindsay says that she loves the brand for its maker but also because the product is high quality, “Megan has a heart of gold and her quilts are not only lovely but so durable too ( believe me- we’ve washed ours several times already thanks to our little Poopy McGee).”

One of our favorite touches to Cora’s gorgeous nursery is these absolutely stunning paper flowers from Amaranthus Paper Flora on the wall. Not only are these flowers beautiful, but they’re perfectly lightweight for hanging above baby’s head. This company is run by mother-daughter duo Meredith and Cherie, which makes it even more heartwarming.

Thank you to our brand partners at Lullaby Earth for sponsoring this post.

Webinar: Pumping & Storing Breastmilk on November 15

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Whether you’re pumping to boost your supply, to build up a stash of frozen milk, or because you prefer to bottle feed your breastmilk, the thought of pumping can be daunting. Will it hurt, how long should you pump, how do you store the milk? Ease your mind and set yourself up for success by attending the second webinar in our three-part series: Pumping and Storing!

Details
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 | 2-3pm EST
Join us for our 1-hour Pumping and Storing* webinar from the comfort of your own home or workplace, led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and creator of Boobie Bars. From flange size to freezers, this 1-hour class is guaranteed to teach you everything you need to know about pumping and storing your milk. We will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting. Don’t miss out on our early bird pricing!

This a must-attend if you plan to pump!

Key topics to be covered will be:

• How to ensure a good supply from the start

• When to start pumping

• How long to pump

• How to begin to build your freezer stash

• Plus, much, much more!

*Pumping is Part Two of our three-part series, which covers setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding. Part Three covers Returning to Work.

Webinar: Advanced Breastfeeding Class on November 5

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Advanced Breastfeeding Class* is part one of a three-part series on setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding (as well as Pumping & Storing and Returning to Work in the latter parts of our series.) Join us for one or all three* webinars in this informative series designed for expecting and new moms who are planning to nurse and/or pump.

Details:
Wednesday, November 5, 2016 | 3:30-5:30pm EDT
As baby’s due date approaches, all new moms seek peace of mind about the whole process. One of the biggest decisions you will make for your newborn is whether breastfeeding is right for you and your baby. After your baby is here, you will most likely get support and hands-on training at the hospital. However, with our brand new and exciting webinar series, you will get a head start on important breastfeeding basics prior to baby’s arrival from the comfort of your home or workplace. Led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), this 2-hour class is guaranteed to teach you new breastfeeding techniques and facts, as well as go above and beyond what you would learn at the basic class taught at hospitals.

It’s a must-attend if you plan to nurse and/or pump!

Key topics to be covered will be:

What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and when is the right time to seek their help?
Why should you breastfeed?
What is in breastmik?
Common issues with breastfeeding and solutions.
Plus, much, much more!

Nurse Wendy will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting.

*Attendees will be entered for chance to win 1 of 50 pairs of Bamboobies reusable nursing pads!

New Mom Series: A Baby Carrier for Hikes and Active Lifestyles

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This is our sixth post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we provide helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Baby Carrier for Hikes feature, we have partnered up with one of our favorite active and yogi mamas – Cristina Meloy; leading baby gear brand BABYBJÖRN and; the Baby Safety Zone powered by the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association). JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry dedicated to the safe manufacturing and usage of products. Read on to learn about the new BABYBJÖRN Carrier One Outdoors and enter to win one for your own adventures with baby.

Not all carriers are built the same and depending on your lifestyle, you may want to have more than one carrier. Some parents wear a structured carrier when they leave the house but in their home, may wear a softer wrap-style carrier. What’s important to remember is that whether you tend to like to enjoy the comforts of home or are the type of person that finds thrills in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, there’s a carrier for you. Baby gear has evolved to fit all types of lifestyles and you can rest assured that there are ways to enjoy your current lifestyle with your new baby.

Because everyone has their own unique lifestyle and parenting style, no carrier fits all when it comes to baby wearing and you should definitely try your carrier on before buying. There are some basic best practices when you’re trying out carriers, regardless of the type of carrier per Linnea Catalan, Executive Director of the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) who guest blogged for the JPMA Baby Safety Zone. Here are a few guidelines she shares:

A baby carrier can keep your baby in the safest place possible – on your chest and in an upright position.
Baby carriers are meant to mimic in-arms carrying positions – your baby should be in the same position in which you would hold him in your arms. Check your baby by embracing them in the carrier- your baby’s position should not shift significantly in your embrace.
Whether your carrier of choice is a sling, wrap, mei tai or buckle carrier, ensure baby always has a clear and open airway. Your baby’s head and neck should be completely supported, with their chin off their chest. Chin to chest positioning can restrict your baby’s airway, especially with babies under 4 months of age. Make sure you can slip a finger between their chin and chest.

Finding a hip healthy carrier is also important when you’re evaluating products for your baby registry. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) is a great resource for products recognized for encouraging healthy hip development, specifically products and devices used during the first six months of life that may affect hip positioning or hip motor development.

Once you have the basic guidelines down and identify carriers that are hip healthy, it’s time to find the right carrier for your lifestyle. During the summer months or if you’re traveling to warmer climates, breathability is key. If you’re the active, outdoorsy type and you want to continue this lifestyle – even with a new baby in tow – you may want to consider carriers that are engineered specifically for an active lifestyle. A new carrier on the market that is ideal for hiking is the BABYBJÖRN Carrier One Outdoors.

Here are the key features of the Carrier One Outdoors, making it ideal for outdoor adventures with your family:

Designed to be the perfect hiking baby carrier, constructed with functional materials for the outdoors like water-repellent, moisture-wicking textiles that are easy to clean.
Just like your favorite hiking or camping backpack, the Carrier One Outdoors has great features to enable active exploring with your family such as a detachable pocket on the waist belt for your cell phone, keys, pacifiers or other small items you need for your child on family days out. Several loops on the shoulder straps allow you to attach essentials like a water bottle and keep items like a security blanket or teddy conveniently close.
This carrier will grow with your child with its 4-way front and back carrying*, ideal for outdoor activities. It’s perfect from newborn to 3 years, with built-in infant position and extra support for toddlers. Baby Carrier One Outdoors allows you to continue to enjoy an active lifestyle as a parent and still be comfortable, whether you’re carrying a little child on your front or a toddler on your back. The Carrier One Outdoors has padded, form-fitting shoulder straps and a sturdy waist belt, which provide excellent support and pressure relief, especially when carrying a toddler.
Hip-healthy baby carrier, with ergonomic wide leg position for the child. The baby carrier has a 12.6 in (32 cm) seat area, which gives your child a proper ergonomic, wide-leg position when they sit facing in on your front or back. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute has tested Baby Carrier One Outdoors and acknowledges it to be a “hip-healthy baby carrier.”
Comes with a practical bag for storing and transporting the baby carrier.

*Note: front-facing should not be done until after 5 months and back carrying after 12+ months.

Gugu Guru mama Cristina Meloy took the Carrier One Outdoors to her homeland of Costa Rica, where there is no shortage of beautiful, lush locales to hike and explore. Here’s what she had to say:

“It’s so freaking cool how nowadays we can include our children in all our day-to-day activities, while providing comfort and nurturing them. Outdoor time is extremely important to me. To raise my children unplugged from TV and computer games is something I consider very valuable. Sometimes, however it is really difficult to do, especially with multiple children and/or infants. Out of all the parenting gadgets out there, a good carrier is essential. BABYBJÖRN is safe for them, comfortable for me and good looking, too! I mean, just cause we’re parents doesn’t mean we have to look boring, right?”

“I love the ability to be hands free for my eldest, too!”

The Carrier One Outdoors is available exclusively at Giggle and Right Start through October.

Featured in this week’s New Mom Series:

Cristina Meloy
Mother of two, Cristina Meloy, is one half of the couple behind the supper club PushStart Kitchen in Atlanta, Georgia. BETTER HALF is a place where family is the inspiration and connecting over food is the focus.
Follow Cristina on Instagram at @crismeloy

BABYBJÖRN
A member of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), BABYBJÖRN’s concept has always been to make day-to-day life easier for parents of small children by developing safe and innovative products of the highest quality for children up to three years old. The company strives to make the most important years of life even more fun. BABYBJÖRN products are now found around the world, in over 50 countries, and the assortment consists of baby carriers, bouncers, travel cribs, cradles, potty chairs, high chairs and kitchen products. BABYBJÖRN’s attitude is that you shouldn’t need to buy a bunch of products when your children are little. Instead, just a few that really work and last a long time in good condition. Safety, quality and style are the brand’s core principles and a lot of thought and care is put into every product!
Visit BABYBJÖRN at: https://babybjorn.com/

The Baby Safety Zone is powered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. Today, JPMA represents 250 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who manufacture, import and/or distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items.
Visit the Baby Safety Zone at: https://babysafetyzone.org

New Mom Series: Selecting a Crib Mattress

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This is our fifth post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we provide helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Crib Mattress feature, we have partnered up with new mama Lindsey Bonnice of Live Sweet Photography; leading organic mattress brand Naturepedic and; the Baby Safety Zone powered by the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association). JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry dedicated to the safe manufacturing and usage of products. Lindsey just recently brought home her new son, Baby Finn, and one of the biggest questions that any new parent has is, “Will my new baby be a good sleeper?” Creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for baby is the best thing you can do to ensure the first years are happy and healthy. Most experts will tell you that the safest place for an infant or child to sleep is in a fully functional, properly assembled, JPMA-certified: crib, bassinet, cradle, play yard, or toddler bed. All of these require a mattress – so what should you look for? Babies spend 12 to 16 hours per day on their crib mattress, making the mattress the most prominent object in a child’s environment for the first three years of their life and one of the most important items on your baby registry. Here’s how to ensure you have the best crib mattress for baby. Always use a properly fitting mattress as infants can suffocate in gaps between a poorly fitting mattress and the crib sides or ends. Also key is selecting a mattress with a waterproof surface, which is essential for keeping your baby’s environment hygienic and protected from mold and bacteria growth within the mattress.

Gugu Guru selected Naturepedic’s Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra Breathable Mattress Pad for Finn’s nursery – which meets or exceeds safety and quality standards. The Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad is a 2-stage crib mattress for babies and toddlers. It fits snuggly in baby’s crib and is lightweight (under 12 pounds), comfortable, and functional for your child’s needs from infancy through toddlerhood.

The 2-stage feature is fantastic as baby grows; infants require a firm surface for safety but as they get older, it is safe for them and more comfortable to sleep on the softer side. The Naturepedic crib mattress is certified organic to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This ensures that your crib mattress meets a healthy non-toxic standard and is truly organic. The Ultra organic cotton waterproof fabric is durable and acts as a barrier to moisture, dust mites, and bedbugs. The mattress is designed for safety and can be used with or without the Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad. Plus it has been thoroughly tested for chemical emissions and passes all flammability standards without the need for flame retardant chemicals or other barriers. What we really love about this mattress is the Organic Cotton Ultra-Breathable Crib Mattress Pad. The mattress pad is made with certified organic cotton fabric quilted to a unique 3D airflow spacer, and dissipates heat and moisture to reduce sweating and overheating. Soils on the mattress pad won’t penetrate the waterproof mattress core.

Lindsey Bonnice is a NY and PA based portrait and newborn photographer and mother. Follow her and her adventures into new mommyhood on her Instagram at @LiveSweetPhotography. Baby Finn’s nursery is featured on Project Nursery and you can see where to purchase some of the adorable decor here.

Naturepedic Naturepedic specializes in the design and manufacturing of quality organic mattresses for infants, toddlers, children and adults that promote natural and organic materials, a non-toxic design, fire-safety, and overall health & safety. All Naturepedic natural and organic mattresses have been designed with the help of pediatricians, chemists, and engineers. They are constructed by Amish craftsmen in our GOTS certified factory in beautiful Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Research and design is coordinated by G.E.M. Testing & Engineering Labs in Cleveland, Ohio.

Baby Safety Zone The Baby Safety Zone is an information hub and community for parents and caregivers. We’re helping make safety fun, one baby product at a time. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Baby Safety Zone experience and become a part of a circle of parents dedicated to making their child’s first years, happy, safe and sound. The Baby Safety Zone is powered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. Today, JPMA represents 250 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who manufacture, import and/or distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items. Visit the Baby Safety Zone at: https://babysafetyzone.org Learn more helpful tips for proper safe use of bassinets and cradles with Baby Safety Zone’s safety infographic here:

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