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Real Mom Review: Just for Tots Cactus Baby Teether

Just for Tots is the only manufacturer in the market today of baby teether designs that are CPSC, ASTM, CSPIA compliant without making exceptions or special considerations. A couple of our village mamas tried out the Cactus Baby Teether with their little ones. Check out what they have to say below!

Alison S.

The Just for Tots Cactus Baby Teether held up against my expectations of what a teether should be like. I enjoy the thick silicone material because easily washable and safe for my little one. My 2.5 toddler got ahold of it and did bite/pull off one of the bristles with his teeth, so I did have to discard it. I wouldn’t recommend it for a toddler who is getting molars in! My little one enjoys the shape and size of it as he was able to easily move it around between his hands and he wasn’t able to choke himself on it. Both I and my little one enjoyed the multiple textures that were offered so each arm felt different on his teeth. I will definitely be buying these for friends in the future!

Amy Howard

The Just for Tots Cactus Teether design is GENIUS! It’s so easy for little hands to hold. The toothbrush is amazing for introducing teeth brushing to your Littles. It has different textures to soothe baby’s sore gums. It’s made of silicone so it’s so easy to clean! You can even pop it in the dishwasher.

Thank you to Just for Tots for making this sponsored post possible.

Check out more Village Reviews:
3 Real Moms Tell us Why this Pacifier is a Gamechanger
4 Real Moms Tell Us Why Larktale Strollers are a Gamechanger
Real Moms Tell Why The Boon GRUB is a Gamechanger

The Scoop: Evenflo Feeding

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Evenflo Feeding is on a mission to ensure better care for every baby by providing families with quality, innovative products, at a price that does not break the bank. They strive to make feeding available and accessible to all, regardless of wealth, status, or community. We checked out their products and picked some of our favorites to highlight below.

Evenflo Feeding Advanced Manual Breast Pump

The compact design of the Evenflo Feeding Advanced Manual Breast Pump is travel-friendly and easy to take with you wherever you go. With no power required, you have the flexibility and discretion to pump wherever your day takes you.

Evenflo Feeding Silicone Steam Sanitizing Bag

The durable Evenflo Feeding Silicone Steam Sanitizing Bag is not only great for sanitizing, but can also be used for snacks, storage, and more. Steam sanitization kills harmful germs and bacteria. The bag is designed to sanitize microwave-safe pump parts, bottles, pacifiers, teethers, and more and can be used repeatedly, over and over, to reduce waste created from alternative plastic steam bags. The bag is 100% silicone, non-toxic, and plastic-free.

Evenflo Feeding Balance + Bottle

The unique, naturally-sloped nipple on this bottle promotes a healthy wide latch for your baby by providing a proper resting place for their lips, helping to decrease mouth fatigue. The effective 1-piece integrated vent helps prevent colic, gas, and fussiness with no extra parts to clean or lose. The bottle features a slower flow rate for calm, gulp-free feeding, this is a proven solution for babies alternating between breast and bottle.

Feeding a child is an act of love that looks uniquely different to every family, each creating a story of its own. We love that Evenflo Feeding’s mission is to meet all families where they’re at with affordable, quality products for feeding.

Thank you to Evenflo Feeding for making this sponsored post possible.

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Best Baby Activity Cards

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

After you bring baby home, often you take a seat in the glider or rocking chair and think, “now what?” The days seem endless, and chock full of diapers, naps, spit-up, and maybe a shower or two (depends on that spit-up!) for you. So, what do you do with baby all day? We’re very excited to introduce you to Curious Baby Activity Cards, designed to take the stress out of “what do you do all day” and give you peace of mind that you’re doing what’s best for your baby.

Indoor Activities

If you’re home with baby, especially during the winter or super hot days, Curious Baby Activity Cards is here to make your life easier. They designed the activities to easily work with materials and items you already have in the house! For example, a mirror, pots and pans, pillows – everything you have already! You can skip the trip to Target and quit buying expensive toys, everything you need is in Curious Baby Activity Card Set. Plus, it’s a great way to get older siblings involved in safe play with baby on the floor. Make it a family activity!

Safe Play

We love that you can safely play with baby using all of the activity cards, as each of the activities has been backed with research and reviewed by a medical advisory team to promote one of the five key development areas for babies. These five areas include fine motor and sensory development, gross motor/physical development, cognitive development, speech & language development, and emotional and social development. You can be confident that the activities provided have all been backed by leading childhood education research and reviewed by a medical team.

Easy to follow

We know in your sleep deprived state, it can be difficult to commit to reading books or websites about baby activities, which is why we’re such big fans of the Curious Baby Activity Cards. The activities are organized and color-coded based on the age of your baby. Starting from weeks 0-12 and moving up every three months, you’ll be able to use these cards throughout the ENTIRE first year of your little one’s life. We especially appreciate that there are no extra materials or subscription fees. The suggested activities are appropriate to the stage of development that your baby is going through based on their age in months, so you can feel confident that you are doing the best play you can with baby!

Shop Now >>

More activity ideas for baby:
Natural Baby Products: Start Your Toy Collection on a High Note
Active and Creative Play with Wiwiurka Toys
5 Tips for Selecting the Best Educational Toys for Your Baby

Getting a Breast Pump Through Insurance with Acelleron

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

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 Acelleron, a health and wellness company specializing in helping pregnant and nursing women qualify for their breast pump through insurance and the Affordable Care Act. We highly recommend checking out Acelleron 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 a few months before 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 Acelleron’s website:

The Acelleron website features breast pumps from top brands such as Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Cimilre, and more, even Elvie and Willow! When you visit the website, you will fill out a simple form to view which breast pumps are eligible under your specific insurance plan. If you would like help navigating, Acelleron has a live chat where a specialist is ready to assist you or you their customer care line at 877-932-6327! They do everything they can to help you find the best breast pump for your needs and lifestyle.

Steps to take:

Step 1: Fill out the page below to determine your pump options.

Step 2: View pumps and make your selection. You can filter by brand, price (fully covered or upgrade) or features such as pumps with a rechargeable battery and an LCD screen. This is super helpful for the expectant mom to narrow down her pump options.

We love that Acelleron personalizes the selection process by allowing moms to choose the features that are most important to them! Everything about ordering is hassle-free! Check out this amazing and handy breast pump selection guide to help you better understand the different types of breast pumps, brands, key features, and more!

What Acelleron 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
Unbox Your Pump virtual consult!

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

Thank you to Acelleron for making this sponsored post possible.

Feminine and Whimsical Nursery Reveal

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Today we are featuring a guest post from our favorite nursery e-design service, YouthfulNest!

YouthfulNest is a service that matches you with an expert nursery room designer for an entire custom room design. Their e-design service helps expecting parents find more ease and joy in nesting. Let a YouthfulNest Design BFF de-stress the process of designing a nursery. Taking the guesswork out of choosing the right products for your specific style and budget. All at an affordable price.

You can check out their services on our shop and sign up for your own specialized nursery design package.

Oh girl, here we go! This fresh, feminine nursery designed for a mom of three boys is so ready for her spotlight. It started with a blank canvas and bloomed into a whimsical space full of flirty fauna in pinks and greens.

We started following Megan Sullivan on Instagram a couple years ago. She was already following YouthfulNest and we appreciated her likes and comments on our work. When we learned she was pregnant with her fourth child, her first baby girl, we reached out to her and recommend our eDesign service.

THE GIFT OF TIME

Megan has her hands full with three young boys, is a real estate expert undergoing a huge home remodel, and is also the co-founder of The Local Moms Network. An organized community that strives to give moms the gifts of time in cities across the country, currently in 30 states. Let’s just say she had her hands full. It was our goal to give Megan the gift of time by helping her plan and design her nursery.

It was also all happening during the heart of a global pandemic due to the invasion of covid-19. Megan had worked with a traditional interior design in the past but this time needed a contactless option for the health and safety of her and her family. Our completely virtual series allowed just for that.

YouthfulNest design service Biggie on Gugu Guru

Final floor plan and direction for installation

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Megan was already thinking to purchase our services and landed on the Biggie eDesign package exclusively sold on the Gugu guru website. From there we paired her up with YouthfulNest Design BFF Jolene Fontaine.

Megan already had her eye on a particular wallpaper and the rest of the room sprouted up from its style and color. The Frida print in pink by Pepper Home captured Megan’s heart. And even though there were a couple moments spent considering another style this flirty print stayed on top.

THE THREE NURSERY ESSENTIALS

With the color and style direction set, the designer started pulling in the three essentials; glider, dresser and crib. A few of our favorite brands wanted to contribute to our design and gifted premium pieces to the nursery.

First, we have the Stokke Sleepi crib taking center stage in front of the wallpapered wall. With a Tiktak Design custom crib mobile dangling over this cozy sleep space.

Then we move over to mom’s haven for all things baby, the glider. The Compass Rocker was selected from Project Nursery. The curved body in a creamy plush upholstery is luxurious and supportive. We loved the touch of pink from the rose gold metal legs.

The other top spot any parent looks to be functional and stylish is the changing area. The Schooner dresser was found on Paynes Gray. This piece is a beautiful blend of retro and modern styling, featuring brass metal accents.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

With the three essential nursery spots nailed down, there was one more spot that was important for the family to incorporate in the room. With all the little brothers wanting to get in on welcoming their baby sister to the family we needed a spot for them and other guests to sit. This meant the need for additional seating. Originally we selected the Natural Daybed Boho from CB2. Then it was delivered damaged and a replacement was unavailable for weeks. We quickly sourced a few other styles and it was The Mid-Century Daybed from West Elm was ready to ship and fit the bill for both form and function. A clean line daybed lined with plush pillows from Paynes Gray and One Affirmation.

With all the main functionality covered let’s move on to some fun details! We can almost hear those adorable baby giggles as baby Scout is pushed by those big brothers in her macrame swing from Emma and Finn. When baby Scout is tired of play, it’s time for snuggling up with her new BFF, a plush Narwhal creature, and listening to his story, both from Slumberkins.

BEFORE & AFTER

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

We can’t take all the credit for this fabulous nursery room reveal. The fact is Megan and her install crew are ultimately responsible for taking their designers’ product and styling recommendations and installing it all themselves. As you can see they did an impeccable job.

Our best wishes to this lovely family and welcome to the world Scout Sullivan!
–XOYN

Thank you to YouthfulNest for this guest post and don’t forget to check them out on our shop and follow them on Instagram for even more nursery design inspiration!

25 Gift Ideas for Babies

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

Maybe you’re buying things to help round out your baby’s nursery or layette. Maybe you’re purchasing some gifts for your friend’s new arrival. Whatever the case, we’ve scoured through the options to find the best, trendiest, coolest, and most helpful gifts for new arrivals.

Let’s check them out now!

Baby Gifts for the Nursery

Rookie Humans Enchanted Meadow Standard Size Crib Sheet – $38.00

These crib sheets from Rookie Humans take sleeping baby photo opportunities to the next level. Since the cute factor is printed on the sheet, they keep your baby safe without any added stuff in the crib. They come in a variety of prints, but this meadow print feels earthy and free.

Stamp My Feet – Black Herringbone – $38.00

You’ll want to take this gift with you when your little one is on the way. That way you can dip your newborn’s feet into the non-toxic ink pad and get those fresh footprints as soon as possible. The gender-neutral herringbone design would look great in your baby’s nursery or displayed proudly in your living room.

Rookie Humans Crib Sheet and Swaddle Bundle – Moon’s Birthday – $63.00

This is another crib sheet from Rookie Humans, but it comes bundled with a bamboo swaddling blanket in a coordinating pattern. The moon pattern is… out of this world.

Animal Spots Swaddle from Solly Baby – $23.00

You can never have too many swaddles for your new arrival. We love all of the options from Solly Baby, but this animal print one feels both on trend and next level. It’s both neutral and bold in addition to being comfortable for your baby.

Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System (+ Wall Mount) – $379.00

This baby monitor is unique, offering everything from breathing safety to growth measurements. Combine the included smart sheet with the tools in the mobile app to track your baby’s growth over time. The included breathing band also monitors your baby’s breathing for peace of mind.

Toys & Books to Give As Baby Gifts

Big Little Universe Special Delivery Box (Newborn+) – $69.99

Each box from Big Little Universe comes with an assortment of things your newborn will love, including a surprise. This one has a lion lovey, a pacifier clip, a bath mitt, a bib, and a surprise animal.

Melange Collection Crochet Llama – $18.00

Every baby needs a lovey. Why not get a little creative with their first option? This llama from Melange Collection is not only adorable and unique, but was handmade in Armenia with seed money from Save the Children to create jobs and help promote Armenian crafts.

Mouse Loves Pig Crinkle Baby Toy – Mandala – $18.00

This crinkle toy checks off multiple boxes for baby toys. The black and white design is good for your baby’s brain development. They’ll enjoy the sound as they learn to play with their hands. The organic teething ring can also be removed so both pieces can be washed separately.

Workman Publishing – Boyton Favorites Book Set – $23.85

Books always make a great baby gift, but there’s nothing better than Sandra Boynton’s books. These three–Barnyard Dance, Belly Button Book, and Snuggle Puppy–are three of her most beloved classics. A warning: You may refer to all belly button’s as “Bee Bo” for eternity. Just go with it!

The Looker Play Kit from LOVEVERY – $80.00 per play kit

Play kits from LOVEVERY bring unique toys to your home every two months. Start your newborn off with The Looker play kit which focuses on building new brain connections with high contrast designs.

Great Clothing Options for Baby Gifts

ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag 0.2 TOG – $29.99

Help your baby get to sleep with this cocoon swaddle bag. We love that it’s both easy to use and difficult to escape from while sleeping. The TOG rating means that it can be used on its own in rooms with temperatures from 75°F + with no extra blankets, making it a safe sleeping option.

ergoPouch Arm Warmer Cardigan – $26.99

Worried about the temperature for your little sleeper? Want something to keep them a little warmer when you wake up early on cool fall mornings? Grab one of these cute arm warmer cardigans to throw over their sleeveless swaddle bag.

Gabri Isle Mustard Muslin Romper – $45.00

Every baby needs some bibs. Make it fashion by adding some fall color and brown buttons. They would be cute over a floral, striped, or solid top.

Baby Says Black Baby Moccasins and 8-pack Marker Set – $39.99

What makes cute baby shoes even cuter? Personalizing them with your own message. Whether your little one is Dad’s #1 Fan or you’re in the mood to recreate the message on Woody’s cowboy boot, these moccasins will be a hit. The best part is that the messages wipe off with liquid dish soap, allowing you to keep creating for months to come.

Zippered Footie from Kyte Baby – $33.00

These footie pajamas are made from bamboo rayon and feel as soft as butter. Your little one will love sleeping and playing in this comfy set. They also come in a variety of colors, but this bold emerald works year round.

Baby Gifts for Health, Wellness & Feeding

Babymoov Hygro Plus Humidifier – $79.99

This humidifier is smart. It shuts off when the room reaches the desired humidity level. It also displays the temperature in the room, so you’ll know your baby will be comfortable all around.

Dr Noze Best Noze Bot Baby Nasal Aspirator – $119.00

While this particular gift might not be your baby’s favorite, it is a handy tool that will help keep them breathing well. It offers three levels of hospital-grade suction and is easy to clean. As an added bonus, it is HSA/FSA eligible.

Earth Mama A Little Something For Baby – $25.99

This gift pack includes organic diaper balm, sweet orange baby lotion and baby wash, calendula baby oil, and an organic baby face, nose, and cheek balm. Your little one will smell fantastic with these safe products.

Kiss Kiss Goodnight Baby Essentials Bundle – $74.00

This three step process will help you create a bedtime routine with your baby, sending both mama and baby off to dreamland in peace. It comes with a melting balm cleanser, a hydrating face and body lotion, and a protective balm.

Lavelu Lounger Baby Sink Bath Insert – $38.00

Help your little one learn to love bath time with this insert. This lounger is made of waterproof material which keeps it from becoming waterlogged and heavy. It fits in any type of sink, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Hooded Towel Set from LouLou Lollipop – $35.00

There’s nothing quite like wrapping a baby up in a hooded towel, all fresh and clean after a bath. The hooded towel and washcloth sets from LouLou Lollipop add an extra level of cute with prints that will make you smile. This avocado print definitely tops the chart on the cute factor.

The Essentials Gift Set from Tubby Todd – $62.00

This gift set has four essential bath and bedtime products. You’ll get a hair and body wash, all over ointment, everyday lotion, and even a bubble bath. The products range from fragrance free (the ointment) to soft, soothing scents sure to help your baby drift off to dreamland after their evening bath.

Feeding Baby Gifts

Babymoov Mom & B Pillow – $39.99

Help make feeding time easier and more comfortable for both parents and baby with this feeding pillow. It will help keep baby in place as you spend time together.

Green Sprouts Stay-dry Newborn Bib & Burp Set – $37.99

These bibs and burp cloths have a waterproof inner layer to help keep moisture away from your baby’s skin. As your baby grows into eating solid foods, you can move from using the burp cloths to the handy bibs. We like that this gift set covers multiple stages.

First Foods Set from ezpz – $34.99

Playing off of the last gift, as your baby grows into solid foods, you’ll definitely want to grab this first foods set. You’ll help your baby learn independence as they eat with a little less mess than other options.

More gift choices:
25 Gift Ideas for a 2-Year-Old
Ultimate Gift Guide: Ages 2-5
Ultimate Gift Guide: Ages 0-2

Why Expectant Moms Love this Brand

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a mix of both, nanobebe offers great feeding gear for all moms and babies. You’ll love how easy they make feeding, with everything from bottles to warmers to storage to diaper bags. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites to help you get started.

Nanobebe Bottles

Nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle – $10.99

If you’re breastfeeding, the Banobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle is definitely one you want to have on hand. It’s the only bottle specifically designed for the breastfeeding baby. It encourages smooth transitions between breast and bottle due to its unique shape. Additionally, it boasts an anti-colic nipple, reduces hot spots in warmed milk, and even comes with a breast pump adapter to pump directly into the bottle. As an added bonus, the bottles are stackable for easy storage.

Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle – $12.99

Coming in at the largest size, the Flexy Silicone Bottle still offers that anti-colic nipple. It features three vents to keep the nipple from collapsing while your baby is eating. This bottle has a stable base and handles, which are sold separately, so your baby can learn to feed on their own. You can read more about the Flexy here.

Feeding Gear

Nanobebe Breast Milk Storage Bags – $9.99

We mentioned these in our round-up of items for National Breastfeeding Month, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t remind you about them. Flat breastmilk storage bags are genius enough, but these stack so well in the organizer. Anything that makes organizing easier is something we can champion!

Nanobebe Microwave Steam Sterilizer – $24.99

Parents of newborns are justly concerned about sterilizing their babies’ feeding items. Nanobebe made it easy with this microwave sterilizer. It helps eliminate 99.9% of all household germs in less than four minutes. If you leave the lid on after sterilizing in the microwave, items under the bubble will stay sterilized for up to 24 hours. This piece of gear will help save time and give you peace of mind.

Nanobebe Diaper Bags

nanobebe Bebe Backpack – $39.99

This backpack style of diaper bag from Nanobebe offers many benefits to parents. The gender neutral aspect of the backpack makes it easy for any parent to carry. Additionally, as the weight is distributed evenly across your shoulders, you won’t be thrown off balance to one side or the other like with a traditional strap style diaper bag. That way you can chase your toddler, carry your baby, and not worry about your diaper bag. This one is roomy, with lots of outer and inner pockets for easy organization on the go.

Nanobebe Travel Cooler – $10.99

While not a full diaper bag, the Nanobebe Travel Cooler is definitely a bag you want to have on hand. It features three layers of insulation to keep milk either cool or warm while you’re out and about. You can stack three of the Nanobebe Breastmilk Bottles in the bag along with a few extra accessories like pacifiers in the extra room. We love that you can connect the strap to your stroller or even your Nanobebe Bebe Backpack.

We have many other Nanobebe products in our marketplace, so be sure to check them out.

Thank you to Nanobebe for making this sponsored post possible.

More we love from Nanobebe:
3 Real Moms Tell us Why this Pacifier is a Gamechanger
Add to Your Registry: NEW! Nanobebe Complete Feeding Set
Marketplace Brand Spotlight: Nanobebe
5 products that have parents talking about Nanobebe

Must-Have Baby Safety Products

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

It’s Baby Safety Month and we know how important safety is for all families with little ones. As new and expectant parents, the worry to pick the safest products for your new babe can be overwhelming. We’re here to make it a little easier with our must-have baby safety products.

Safe Nursery

Our favorite monitor for safe sleep is the Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System. The full set with the smart crib sheet and breathing wear with the safe sleep angle feature will put any parents’ sleep worries at ease. We love that there’s a wall-mount and floor stand option too so it fits in any nursery or sleep setting.

An air purifier is a must for any home, but especially the nursery. The Crane Air Purifier includes a pre-filter, true HEPA filter, and UV lamp to remove bacteria and germs from the air. Keep your baby’s nursery clean and clear and be comfortable knowing the air quality is purified.

A Hygro Plus Humidifier from Babymoov allows you to select an ideal humidity level, between 30% and 90%, and will turn off when the desired level is reached. Fancy! It also displays the room temperature and you can also add essential oils to the built-in essential oil diffuser.

Another must-have for any nursery, or the entire home really, is an outlet protector. The Child Be Safe Electrical Outlet Protector is easy to install and fits rectangular wall outlets and rectangle switches to keep little ones from gaining access to wall outlets or dangerous electrical switches. This one item alone is essential for baby safety in the home.

Safe Feeding

Sterilizing is a must to ensure that your baby’s bottles and feeding accessories are safe, clean, and germ-free. Our top choice is the nanobebe microwave sterilizer! With a closed lid, its contents remain sterile for 24 hours, so you can sterilize before bed and wake up to sterilized bottles ready for use.

This may be “just” a magnet, but this MAMMaway magnet with breastmilk storage guidelines is top notch! Don’t try to remember how long milk is good for, stick it on your freezer so you’ll never forget and don’t have to worry if your milk is safe for baby.

Baby Safety On the Go

The Clek Liing is a great infant car seat all around and sets the bar high for infant car seat safety. Simple, secure installation ensures that baby is always at the perfect angle for safe, open airways. Its lightweight design and convenient one-handed quick-release make it easy to remove from the base or from one of the many compatible strollers. Also check out the Clek Foonf as a great convertible car seat option.

One of our top recommended on-the-go safety must-haves is hand sanitizer of course! Kibou Sanitizer slips right inside your Kibou bag, pocket, or other diaper bag, without taking up an extra inch of precious space or adding more than an ounce of extra weight. This ultra-slim sanitizer spray is the perfect companion wherever your day takes you.

For more baby safety tips, check out these posts:
Baby Safety Month with JPMA
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Safe Sleep Basics
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Babyproofing 101
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Using the Right Car Seat For Your Child

Baby Safety Month with JPMA

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

September is Baby Safety Month and we are partnering with JPMA to bring you our best tips and tricks to help keep your little ones safe. JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) exists to ensure that products on the market are high-quality and safe for babies, toddlers, and young children. You can rest assured that products marked with the JPMA Certification Seal meet certain standards, ensuring their safety when used properly. In conjunction with JPMA, there are some general guidelines that parents should follow to keep their little ones safe.

THE JPMA Certification seaL YOU’LL WANT TO LOOK FOR!

Do a Daily Check-In

No matter how old your kiddo is, it’s important to take a quick minute to check in with the current gear and toy selections. Toys should be age-appropriate, especially important when your little one starts putting things in his/her mouth. Gear should be in good working order, without any broken straps, harnesses, or clasps. There should not be any missing hardware, loose threads/strings, or holes. If any of your items aren’t working the right way, please be sure to discontinue use and find a safe replacement, when needed.

Baby Björn has excellent JPMA Certified products. We love their baby bouncers!

The Manufacturer’s Information isn’t a Suggestion

When you open new products, it can feel overwhelming to see all of the warning labels, manuals, and instructions for use. However, these are the most important resources for every piece of baby gear you bring into your home. While a JPMA Certification Seal can give you peace of mind, it’s important to note that it is still necessary to use the product as determined by the manufacturer’s information. Here you will find proper height and weight requirements (if applicable), age requirements, and proper use instructions. Gugu Guru Hack – Find a folder – or file folders – that you use for all of these manuals. Alphabetize them by brand name or group them by developmental stage for easy reference down the road.

Check out some of our favorites from Nuna (JPMA Certified strollers, carriers, etc. that come with easy-to-follow manuals).

Eyes On Play

It’s amazing when you find a toy that will hold your little one’s attention. In today’s world, it’s so hard not to be distracted by our other kids, work, and the biggest culprit of them all – the cell phone. When your little ones are playing, keep your eyes up and on them. You will often stop accidents from happening simply by keeping your eyes on the play space.

Some of our favorite toys for baby and toddler come from our friends at Fisher-Price. We especially love the Kick n’ Play Piano.

Hacks for Safe Play

As we know, you will receive advice from everyone when it comes to baby products, gear, and toys. Many family members and friends may want to even donate second-hand products to you for use with baby. JPMA does not recommend using second-hand products as new products meet the current safety standards for your new addition. Also, register your products to create your direct line of communication with the baby brands you use. This is not used for marketing purposes, but instead will inform you of any safety recalls or if there is any information you need to know regarding your products. Lastly, as we mentioned above, the JPMA Certification Seal will give you the added assurance that your baby products meet the highest safety standards.

Thank you to JPMA for partnering with us to bring these safety guidelines to the forefront for our network of parents!

Check out more posts featuring safety tips & tricks:
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Babyproofing 101
Play/Entertainment Finalis List: JPMA 2020
Baby Safety Month Tips

Best Baby Registry Items for Working Moms

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

For moms planning on returning to work after the birth of their baby, planning ahead when making your registry is vitally important. Beyond cute outfits for your bundle of joy, it’s important to have a variety of things on hand that will make your life easier when it’s time to transition back to work.

We’ve put together a list of items that everyone from expectant working moms to those actively preparing to head back to the office can use.

For Expectant Working Moms

Blisslets Sofia + Cecilia Nausea Relief Bracelets – $29.99

You’ve heard of acupressure bracelets providing nausea relief for travel, right? That’s what these deliver–but with style! You’ll get relief from morning (or all day) sickness with these beautiful bracelets without any side effects. They’ll add a little extra something to any outfit you wear to work during pregnancy.

Belly Bandit Upsie Belly® Belly Wrap – $69.95

As your baby grows, you might find yourself needing a little extra support throughout your work day. This belly support band works for working moms during their pregnancies, helping to support the extra weight whether sitting at a desk or walking around all day.

For Working Moms Who Pump

Nanobebe Milk Storage Bags & Organizer – $9.99

Working moms have to stay organized in order to get everything done. We love how the flat nanobebe breastmilk bags fit in this organizer for your freezer. Put the oldest milk at the top and remove the guessing game from opening the freezer. We also have some pumping tips for working moms.

The Larken X – $48.00

The perfect nursing bra for working moms

This comfortable bra is the perfect selection for working moms who need to pump during the day. It’s wire free and comfortable, complete with hands free pumping in a snap-free, zipper-free, clip-free, patent-pending design. It’s a must-have, for sure!

For Work-At-Home Moms

DockATot Deluxe+ Dock – $195.99

Keep your baby nearby with this adorable marble patterned Dockatot. Your baby will be safe at an arm’s reach while you’re on your next conference call. Then you can hang out and get some tummy time in between meetings. Additionally, if you’re working from home, you may want to check out some advice for working moms; it was written in 2020 and still applies today.

Babymoov Travelnest Portable Bassinet – $89.99

Then when it’s time for a nap, you can move your little sleeper over to the Babymoov bassinet. Instead of running them back to their nursery and risk waking them up, you can simply set them down right next to you. You’ll be able to keep working while they take a restful nap. It would fit in just right in the ultimate work-at-home mom office.

For All Working Moms

Belly Bandit MT Moto Leggings – $89.95

Black leggings are a must. These moto leggings from Belly Bandit offer compression that keeps your postpartum belly firmly in place. The moto detailing will pair well with just about anything. However, they also have some solid black leggings without the moto effect, too.

Kibou Bag – $89.00

It’s described as a “deliberately minimal diaper bag,” but it’s so much more than that. It may look small, but looks are deceiving. You can wear it in a variety of ways, including crossbody and as a fanny pack. It’s got hidden card slots and holds more than you might imagine. It even has a detachable changing pad that unfolds from the back flap.

These are just a few of the must-have baby registry items for working moms. What items did you have on your registry that have proven to be your favorite as you’ve returned to work?

More for mom:
Working Mom Must-Haves: Kindred Bravely Brands
Time Saving Tips for Working Moms

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