Safety

JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Safe Sleep Basics

We teamed up with our friends at JPMA to share some safe sleep basics!

Safe Sleep Basics

You have been waiting to meet baby for nine months. You purchased the best baby gear, carefully decorated the nursery, and stocked up on diapers and baby wipes. But, despite all this preparation, you’re feeling a little overwhelmed now that baby is here.

One of the main safety areas most parents are concerned with is a safe sleep environment. After all, this is the one place baby is typically apart from you. Here are a few answers to some common new parent sleep questions to ease the uncertainty:

Can my baby sleep anywhere the first few months? The safest place for an infant to sleep is in a crib that is JPMA certified, which means it meets government AND industry standards. The practice of bed sharing with your infant, is controversial, a personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons, and consider room sharing as a safer alternative.

Is it safe for my baby to sleep on her tummy?

Healthy infants should always sleep on their backs, unless otherwise advised by a pediatrician. Also, baby should always sleep in a full-sized crib that meets Federal and ASTM standards. Make sure baby’s crib is a safe sleep environment by removing all blankets, toys and pillows.

So, what can I do with all the blankets and toys I received as gifts?

Although you should never put extra blankets and toys inside the crib, you can still use them to liven up the nursery. Hang your beautiful blankets on the wall as art until your child can use them in their toddler bed. Use decorative pillows to support your back and legs while using a rocker or glider. Use that blanket for tummy time. Let baby play safely with toys under adult supervision, but keep the toys out of the crib.

How long should my baby sleep?

Infants sleep an average of 16 hours per day, which is a total of 8 hours during the night and another 8 hours spaced out throughout the day. Remember that all babies are different and your child could sleep two hours more or less than the average 16 hours.

Can I use my family’s heirloom crib? Although that heirloom crib holds sentimental value, age is a factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, the CPSC recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Most crib complaints involve secondhand or used cribs misassembled or modified with makeshift hardware. Homemade remedies or fixes to cribs are NOT a safe alternative.

Did you know manufacturers often post or attach instructions to the mattress platform so they are easy to find when the crib is re-assembled for later use? Instructions can also be found on the manufacturer’s website.

JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using the right baby products for your family. Learn more safety tips for cribs and other baby products at www.babysafetmonth.org.

JPMA Tips: Second Hand Baby Items

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We teamed up with our friends at JPMA for helpful tips when it comes to second hand baby gear!

Take A Second Look At Second Hand Products

A new nursery can cost as little or as much as you are willing to spend. Whether by choice or necessity, parents are increasingly buying second hand baby products. From garage sales, auctions, thrift stores or friends and family, parents are finding ways to cut costs on baby gear.

Buying new products that meet current standards is the best option. However, if you are on a tight budget, buying second hand is a good alternative. But don’t ever compromise safety for price!

If you plan to use second hand baby gear, take a second look before you purchase or borrow it and be sure to follow a few guidelines to keep your baby safe and sound:

Ensure all of the manufacturer’s instructions and labeling is still intact and legible. Check to make sure the product hasn’t been recalled BEFORE you take it home. If this means coming back to the store and chancing the product is no longer available, it’s worth it.
Cribs and bassinets are a popular hand-me-down product because they often carry sentimental value if it’s passed down through generations. With the risk of hurting anyone’s feelings, it is really important to check that the crib or bassinet meets current safety standards such as crib slat width and corner post height just to name a few. Hand-me-down cribs and bassinets have a greater chance of missing parts since it’s most likely been reassembled numerous times and traveled.

Do borrow or buy second hand:

Clothes
Books
Maternity clothes
Basic toys that are in “like new” condition and can be easily cleaned

Do NOT borrow or buy second hand:

Car seats- It is impossible to know the car seat’s history and using one that has been involved in a crash could jeopardize its effectiveness. Most car seats expire about 5 or 6 years from the date of manufacture and using a car seat after it has expired could be dangerous.
Cribs- As a general practice, do not use second hand cribs or heirloom cribs handed down from other family members or those purchased at thrift stores or garage sales because they may not meet the most current safety standards or could have missing or broken parts or hardware.
Crib mattresses due to sanitary reasons.
BreastPump accessories due to sanitary reasons.

If you are considering buying second hand in order to stay on budget, it’s important to prioritize the baby gear you want to buy new. In an effort to be able to splurge on those new items, try keeping to your budget in other areas such as:

Breastfeed vs formula
Cloth diapers vs disposable diapers
Consider making your own baby food vs buying it
Borrow books from the local library vs buying them brand new
Register for those big ticket safety items you definitely want new like a crib, car seat, and stroller
Look for coupons or rebates
Find a car seat assistance program through hospitals or local health departments that sometimes provide car seats to families in need.

The Bottom Line!

Most importantly, err on the side of caution and safety and use your best judgment when buying second hand baby products or borrowing hand-me-downs from friends and family.

This means inspecting the product in detail. Don’t buy any product if it has loose, missing or broken parts, is moldy, rusty or has anything “out of sorts”.

JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using baby products. For more tips, visit www.babysafetmonth.org.

JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Using the Right Car Seat For Your Child

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We’re sharing some super helpful tips from our friends at JPMA – today’s post is all about using the right car seat for your baby or child.

Use the Right Car Seat for your Child!

One of the most common questions parents ask is, “What’s the best car seat?” The correct answer is quite subjective. The best car seat fits your child, fits your vehicle, and has features that will allow you to use it correctly and consistently. Many models have extra safety features, but these basic criteria need to be met first. Here are some basic selection guidelines:

Rear-Facing

Rear-facing car seats are the most protective way to restrain young children. They support the head, neck and back throughout the entire crash. Rear-facing only car seats are designed for the youngest passengers, and most include removable bases that can remain in the vehicle while the carrier portion is removed. Convertible car seats face the rear and then have a forward-facing harness mode for older kids. All-in-one car seats face the rear, then face the front, and later convert to booster seats.

Children should ride in rear-facing car seats until they are at least age 1 and as long as allowed by the manufacturer. Some instructions and state laws require children to ride rear-facing until at least age 2. Convertible or all-in-one models typically allow extended rear-facing use with higher weight and height limits for larger kids.

Forward-Facing with Harnesses

Once children outgrow the rear-facing weight or height limits, they should use forward-facing car seats with harnesses. Forward-facing seats spread crash forces across children’s thighs, hips, torsos and shoulders, and all current models include tether straps that connect to vehicle anchors. Tethers are safety features that many parents neglect to use, reducing crash performance. Convertible and all-in-one seats are still options, and combination seats offer forward-facing harness and booster modes.

Children should ride in forward-facing car seats from the time they outgrow rear-facing limits until they outgrow the weight or height limits of forward-facing harnesses. Most current models can be used forward-facing until children weigh between 50 and 65 pounds, and some models have even higher weight and height limits.

Belt-Positioning Booster Seats

When children first outgrow forward-facing harness limits, seat belts alone rarely fit. Lap belts end up on abdomens, shoulder belts on necks, and children tend to slouch more. Poor belt placement makes injury more likely and more severe. With booster seats, lap belts are guided to the strong upper thighs and lower hips, and shoulder belts cross the center of the chest and collarbone. Many models also allow children to bend their knees more naturally – minimizing slouching and maintaining good belt fit. Highback and backless models are available, and combination seats and all-in-one seats have booster modes.

Children should ride in belt-positioning boosters from the time they outgrow forward-facing harness limits until vehicle belts alone fit correctly (usually between ages 9 and 12). When children sit all the way back on vehicle seats, they should still be able to bend their knees naturally over the front edge. Lap belts should fit snugly across the upper thighs – touching the pelvic bones. Shoulder belts should cross children’s chests and collarbones.

Vehicle Seat Belts

When seat belts alone fit correctly, children should use lap and shoulder belts. Lap belts should fit snugly across the upper thighs and touch the pelvic bones, shoulder belts should cross the center of chests and collarbones, and knees should bend naturally while sitting all the way back. If any of these fit items are not met, children still need to be using boosters.

Children should ride in vehicle lap and shoulder belts when they fit correctly, and should continue using them through adulthood.

Regardless of the car seat you choose, it is important to read and follow car seat and vehicle instructions. Research shows that 50%-75% of car seats are not used according to the instructions, placing children at greater risk.

September is Baby Safety Month and this year, JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using the right baby products for your family. Play our fun, interactive hidden hazards game and visit www.babysafetmonth.org for more tips and giveaways.

Check out our car seat quiz: [QUIZ]: What Infant Car Seat is Best for You?

And these related car seat posts:

The Best Travel Car Seat for Infants and Toddlers
Baby Safety Month: Strap in for Safety While On the Go with JPMA
Choosing the Best Car Seat Stroller Combo for You

Creating a Safe and Sleep-Friendly Nursery

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Ready to create a safe and sleep-friendly nursery for your baby? Today’s guest post is by Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady; read on to learn how to create a safe and sleep-friendly nursery for your little one.

When I was expecting my first child I began to dream of making our extra bedroom into a nursery for our firstborn. I thought about the color of the walls, the fabrics I preferred, and where to position the furniture. My initial thoughts were not about creating a safe and sleep-friendly nursery, to be honest with you! That came later. But really, it is far more important than where the dresser goes!

There are a few key ways you can make your baby’s nursery safe AND sleep-enhancing. Safety always comes first, so let’s start there.

Safety Tips

● Choose a firm mattress, topped with a snugly-fitted, smooth sheet. Avoid bumpers as they can be a safety hazard.

● Maintain an uncluttered sleep surface: no pillows, loose blankets or toys in the sleep space.

● Insist on a non-smoking environment for your child’s sleep space.

● Check that there are no cords, hanging picture frames or art, house plants, or other items within 3 feet of your child’s crib or sleep space.

Making a Sleep-Friendly Environment

● Keep it Dark: Consider adding blackout curtains or blinds to your child’s windows. A newborn’s internal clock is not developed yet so we have to be their external clock by making their room dark when it’s time to sleep. Along with following a soothing bedtime routine, a dark room will help your newborn’s body to secrete melatonin, the drowsy making hormone, and get ready for sleep.

● Use a White-Noise Machine: White noise is very soothing and helpful for babies because it is similar to the noise they hear for months inside the womb. It also drowns out outside noises such as toddlers playing or activity outside the home. When shopping for a device consider one with multiple sound options and that works continuously throughout the night.

● Set a Comfortable Temperature: Often we overlook the nursery’s temperature but this is an important factor for your child’s sleep. In general, we all sleep better in cool temps and, because babies are unable to regulate their body temperature entirely, they are dependent on us to set the environment for them. This includes their clothing as well. The thermostat should be between 68-72 degrees. If needed, utilize a fan or AC unit in the summer as well as keeping the curtains closed during the day to block the hot sun from warming up the room. Instead of a blanket, use a wearable blanket or sleep bag to keep your baby warm and safe.

Soothing Surroundings for Easier Sleep
Go ahead and enjoy making your nursery as lovely as possible. But, remember the main point of the nursery is for your baby’s sleep!

● Use Soft Colors: Choose soft, neutral, or pale colors for the decor.

● Dim the Lights: A night-light may come in handy for a late-night check-in and installing a dimmer on a lamp may help while nursing or for changing a diaper as unobtrusively as possible.

● Remove Toys: While mobiles are beautiful to look at over a crib, they can be overly stimulating, particularly when done in bright colors. Consider using one over a pack-n-play or bassinet when your child is awake. Also, keeping the room tidy and uncluttered will help keep distractions down once your baby becomes alert of his surroundings. With this in mind, keep exciting and favorite toys out of his line of sight while in his sleep space.

Setting up a safe and sleep-friendly nursery is not too hard to do and it goes a long way toward helping your child get the sleep he needs.

Giving Birth in a Pandemic: What You Need to Know

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With regulations and rules in hospitals changing daily due to the Coronavirus, we thought it would be helpful to have an overview of what you need to know if you’re giving birth in a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic; this is a guest post from our friends at Arrow Birth. Read on to learn more about giving birth during this unprecedented time and a special offer for friends of Gugu Guru on Arrow Birth‘s Virtual Education and Courses.

What you need to know if you’re giving birth in a hospital during the coronavirus pandemic:

By Mari Stutzman Smith, Co-founder of Arrow Birth

If you’ve clicked on this blog post, you’re probably pregnant and facing giving birth in this crazy, unprecedented time. First off, I want to say we feel you. Everything is so upside down right now and everyone is worried and trying to do the best thing for the collective and for themselves. I want to encourage you to stop… and take a deep breath. It’s ok to feel all the feelings we have right now. This is a challenging time. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to just sit in what we’re feeling.

But, if you’re like me, when I’m done with acknowledging my feelings, I’m ready to make a plan. So the Arrow team got together to compile what we thought you might need to know before heading into your hospital birth in the wake of COVID-19.

From what we know so far, pregnant women and their babies are not considered a high risk population.

As you’re probably aware, due to your endless Google searches, there’s not a lot known about how COVID-19 affects pregnancy and newborns. This virus is new to the world so a lot of data just isn’t there yet. The World Health Organization states, “Data are limited, but at present there is no evidence that they [pregnant people] are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population.” That being said, it is important to remember that those people who are pregnant can be more susceptible to respiratory illnesses due to changes in hormones and the immune system. Newborns also don’t seem to be in a high risk population. As of March, the CDC has not reported any COVID-19 positive infants born to mothers sick with the virus. There is more data as the days move on, so this obviously might change with the release of additional studies.

Here’s what we do know – no age group is immune to COVID-19, so the most effective precautions to avoid the virus include washing your hands (the right way), practicing social distancing and avoiding touching your face, eyes and mouth.

Laboring at home for as long as possible can decrease the amount of time spent at the hospital.

I’m sure you’ve heard this in your childbirth class or talked about this with your doula – aiming to labor at home as long as possible has some real benefits during the coronavirus pandemic. It will reduce your time spent in the hospital and therefore reduce your exposure to people. This not only benefits you, your baby and your partner, it also benefits the numerous healthcare professionals you will come into contact with during your hospital stay.

Ideally, you would head to the hospital during active labor. Active labor is when your cervix is 6+ centimeters dilated and you’re having strong, powerful contractions every 3-4 minutes. But since you will be at home and not checking your cervix, it can sometimes be hard to know when to leave for the hospital. If you haven’t taken a childbirth class yet or if you want to learn more, consider taking Arrow Birth’s Discover course where you’ll hear from midwives, doctors and many other professionals about: the signs of labor; the stages of labor; when to head to the hospital; and so much more.

Bottom line – get comfy in early labor, reach out to your provider to let them know your status, and let your labor advance prior to heading into the hospital.

Visitor restrictions will most likely be in place at your hospital.

Recently, a few hospitals in New York City started only allowing the person in labor upon arrival, but New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo swiftly announced an executive order to allow women to have one support person with them at all times. My guess is that this will set the precedent among other hospitals throughout the country as we continue to be impacted by this pandemic.

Almost certainly your hospital will have visitor restrictions in place. Most likely, the birthing person will be allowed a designated support person to remain with them throughout the hospital stay. That means no switching between your partner, doula, mom, etc, and your support person should be prepared to be with you the entire stay.

COVID-19 tests might be administered upon admission.

In hotspots where the virus has spread rapidly, hospitals have been administering COVID-19 tests upon admission. In areas that are not experiencing an increase in cases, hospitals will likely only administer tests with the presence of symptoms or known contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive. What’s certain is that hospital staff will screen you prior to admission, oftentimes in the popup tents placed in front of the hospital’s entrance. They will measure your temperature and ask if you have been experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.

Consider wearing personal protective equipment.

If you’re birthing in an area where there is a large number of COVID-19 cases, personal protective gear will probably be given to you and your support person at the hospital. Otherwise, you may want to locate masks, preferably N95 masks, prior to going to the hospital. If you weren’t able to score any recently before they all disappeared from Amazon, check your garage from that past painting project, text your neighbors or even post on social media asking if anyone can spare two masks. You might be surprised how kind people can be. If you can’t get ahold of N95 masks, surgical masks are the next best thing. A surgical mask is best at protecting those in contact with you, whereas an N95 mask is best at protecting you from others.

Additionally, wearing gloves prior to entering the hospital can protect your hands from picking up germs on items such as door handles, elevator buttons, and in public restrooms. Make sure to remove them once you’re in your labor room or, better yet, exchange them for a fresh pair and try to remember not to touch your face.

Virtual birth support is now a thing.

You don’t have to tackle your birth without the support you need. Doulas around the country have swiftly shifted their services to make available virtual birth support. Whether or not you’ve hired a doula for your upcoming birth or are just considering it now, you’ll benefit from the extra support. Doulas can help you know your options, provide suggestions for comfort measures, encourage you as you tackle each contraction, and advocate for you. Although physical support can’t happen virtually, you will surely benefit from their labor coaching, practical counsel and emotional support as you transition to becoming a parent. This is where we all say a collective thank you to the creators of FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Hangouts and all the other virtual connection tools we have available these days.

Consider an early discharge.

Some hospitals might already be suggesting or implementing early discharge but you can ask your provider if it’s an option for you. The usual hospital stay is 2 days for a vaginal birth and 3 days with a cesarean but you might be able to leave between 24 or 48 hours if all is well with you and your baby. This would minimize your exposure to additional healthcare professionals, benefiting everyone. Of course, if you or you baby need to stay for a medical reason, it is best to remain where care is easily accessible.

Prepare your postpartum support plan prior to your birth.

This is something you can do right now to be proactive and prepared. Think about your at-home support system and line up the necessary professionals to ensure a smooth postpartum transition. I suggest you hang your support team contacts on the fridge. Of course, you will have your doctor or midwife’s number but also consider Arrow’s network of professionals: midwives, lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, counselors, sleep coaches, back-to-work coaches and many more. They’re experts in helping you tackle the problems you will inevitably encounter. As a company, we’re designed and optimized for remote support which keeps everyone safe.

Another thing to tackle is your nutritional plan during the postpartum time. Consider ordering from your local grocery store for pickup or delivery which limits your face-to-face encounters. Due to the high demand, many stores offer dates only a couple days out, so order well in advance of your need. You can also call your favorite go-to restaurants prior to your birth to confirm they are still open for food pickup. Add this to the fridge list! I highly suggest meal planning prior to delivery so you and your partner don’t need to ask the age-old question of, “what’s for dinner?” during the already stressful first weeks’ postpartum.

Your emotional and mental health are important at this time.

While it’s very important to stay abreast of the situation in the world today, it’s also important to reduce your stress level. Consider limiting your news exposure and decreasing the time spent talking with people who stress you out (we all have our “worrier friends”).

DO find the time to move your body. Go for a walk outside. Take that online prenatal yoga class. If you find yourself needing more support, we have yoga teachers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers in our network ready to meet with you.

I think it’s best to break things into categories- the things you can control and the things you can’t. A few examples of the things you can control: your attitude, ability to turn off the news, exercise, filling your time with fun activities, decreasing social media time (it’s become like the news, hasn’t it), social distancing… and many more. Some things that are outside your control: the spread of COVID-19, knowing how long this will last, the impact the current situation has on future plans, new teleworking setup, others choices (to social distance or not), the availability of toilet paper, lol. Knowing what’s in your control can help you channel your energy towards those things.

The hospital isn’t the only place you can give birth.

If you are planning a birth without the use of an epidural and you are having a low-risk pregnancy, there are two other options you could consider to avoid the hospital setting; a birth center and a home birth. Google to find local centers/providers in your area and call to talk further. Given the increase in demand for these type of birth settings, they could fill up fast so, even if you’re due in a couple months, it’s good to call soon.

While we all are doing our part to #flattenthecurve, the Arrow team is here for you. Reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns or just need someone to talk to.

Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)

Sleep Time Essential: The Love To Dream™ Swaddle UP

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It’s no secret that babies love to be swaddled, as it helps them feel snug, as if they’re still in the womb. The Love to Dream Swaddle UP was invented by a mother who couldn’t find the perfect swaddle blanket on the market, so she took to creating one herself. The Swaddle UP is a totally unique design, and parents love it for so many reasons. Its features are lengthy, and Love to Dream considered not only the baby’s sleepytime needs, but the needs of the entire family, as well. Read on to learn more about the Love to Dream Swaddle UP and why it’s a sleep time essential item.

Love to Dream realized that traditional swaddling is often difficult for new parents to master, and often the swaddle unravels throughout the night, which leads to baby “escaping” and waking up! Love To Dream™ has revolutionized swaddling so that everyone can swaddle correctly, every time, so babies will have a safer, more comfortable sleep. Love To Dream’s Swaddle UP is the only zip-up swaddle that allows the baby to sleep in a more natural position with arms UP.

Babies naturally want to sleep with their arms up near their faces for self-soothing (sucking on their hands and touching their faces, which helps babies to sleep better and longer), however traditional blanket swaddling forces their arms down or across their chest. To conquer this, Love To Dream™ created one-of-a-kind sleep products for every chapter of a young child’s life. The snug fit makes your baby feel secure & helps to calm their natural startle reflex.

Love to Dream also considered families while creating the Swaddle UP and wanted to make the sleep time experience as stress-free as possible. The Swaddle UP helps parents swaddle their baby quickly and safely every time and eliminates excess loose fabric in the crib. Plus, the genius two-way zipper for easy diaper changes and hip-healthy design allows hips and legs to flex naturally.

From the waist down, a hip-healthy design allowing hips and legs to flex naturally, so baby can comfortably move around without the worry of anything near baby’s face, such as a blanket. Since their hands are covered, but accessible, the Swaddle UP baby swaddle is ideal for babies with sharp little fingernails since they can soothe themselves by rubbing their cheeks without the worry of scratching themselves.

When your baby begins to outgrow the Swaddle UP and is ready to move on to the next phase, its time for the Swaddle UP 50/50 Transition Swaddle. This style is designed to gently help babies adapt from a swaddle towards the arms-free independence of a sleep bag – and it is the perfect transition from any type of swaddle, not just the Love To Dream. The Love to Dream Swaddle UP and Transition Bag are must-have sleep time essentials for any baby; with a ton of patterns and colors, they are a perfect baby shower gift, too!

Thank you to Love to Dream for making this sponsored post possible!

Child Restraint Systems Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The Child Restraint Systems finalists for the JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards have arrived – in style! These child restraint systems are the best of the best to ensure baby is safe and sound on all of your adventures.

WINNER! CYBEX Sirona S CYBEX’s new Sirona S is the first convertible car seat in the U.S. to feature an innovative 360° rotatable seat with a load leg. Its innovative rotating feature makes switching between rear-facing and forward-facing positions quicker and easier than ever by eliminating the need for re-installation and providing a convenient entry/exit position that reduces uncomfortable lifting for the parent. The Sirona S load leg stabilizes the seat and can significantly reduce crash forces. The Sirona S also features SensorSafe™ technology that syncs with a caregiver’s smartphone to provide alerts when a child is left unattended after the car turns off, a child unbuckles themselves, or the ambient temperature around the child becomes too hot or too cold. Get it here>>

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Carfoldio hifold the fit-and-fold booster The hifold fit-and-fold car booster seat is the world’s most adjustable and portable booster seat. The unique “”multi-fit”” technology adjusts independently for height, head width, body width and seat width to 243 individual settings. This ensures optimal belt fit and comfort for children of all body shapes and as they grow. hifold is also the world’s most portable highback booster. The “multi-fold” system allows hifold to easily fold down for portability and storage. hifold comes with a built-in carry strap and at only 10 lbs is easy to carry around. hifold is regulated in the US (NHTSA standard FMVSS 213) and in every country worldwide (Australia is still pending), so it is ideal for taking anywhere on vacation. Get it here>>

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Safe Traffic System, Inc. Ride Safer Travel Vest The Ride Safer Travel Vest is an alternative to child seats and booster seats for children 3 years old and up. Very light, portable, easy to use and convenient, Ride Safer Travel Vests offer an alternative to heavy and bulky car seats and booster seats for parents and caregivers on-the-go. Taxi, Uber public transportation and air travel is made much easier. It is certified as a Harness under FMVSS 213 so it can be used with a lap-only seat belt with a tether or with a lap and shoulder belt with, or without, the tether legally in all 50 states plus many countries worldwide. Get it here>>

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Maxi-Cosi Coral XP Infant Car Seat Designed for giving you an extra hand. Carry your baby with ease, comfort and convenience. The Coral XP is the first-ever integrated car seat and carrier system and was built for helping parents move about with ease. The Coral’s revolutionary Lightweight Inner Carrier can be seamlessly removed from the car seat’s Outer Shell. And, with a specially designed, first-of-its-kind cross body flex-strap, the Coral lets you go through your day with ease, so you can get things done, and pinch those cheeks every chance you get. Watch the Maxi-Cosi website for a launch!

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Britax® B-Free Premium Travel System with Endeavours Infant Car Seat (Clean Comfort) Travel in luxury, wherever you go with the B-Free Premium Travel System. The stroller is made with a stain-resistant, Nanotex-treated fabric, and a wicking seat liner that’s removable for easy cleaning. Plus, the leatherette handlebar is stylish & adjustable. The expandable canopy is ventilated for a cooler ride, and the no-rethread harness easily adjusts as your child grows. When you’re ready to roll, fold the stroller in seconds with one hand. The Endeavours Infant Car Seat combines trusted Britax Safety with stain-resistant Nanotex technology, wicking fabric and extra padding for a clean, cool, comfortable ride. SafeCenter LATCH makes it easy to secure & tighten the base. When you’re on the go without the base, securely install the seat using the European Belt Guide. Get it here>>

Technology Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The finalists for the JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards for Technology are in! We love that these innovative products have all been designed to keep your precious little one safe and sound.

WINNER! TotTech ForgetMeNot Over 50 children died from being left in hot cars in 2019, TotTech aims to change that. With the launch of our inaugural product, the ForgetMeNot, we hope to bring that number down to zero. The ForgetMeNot is compatible with any car seat and will alert the parent if they are about to leave their child in the car. The ForgetMeNot is a sensor that is easily added to any car seat. Once added to a car seat the ForgetMeNot is able to sense if a child is in the car seat and then automatically turns on and connects to the TotTech app on the parent’s phone. If the phone then ventures too far from the ForgetMeNot it will trigger an alert letting the parent know that they may be leaving their child in the car. If the alert persists for more than ten minutes the parent’s emergency contacts will receive a text informing them of the situation. Pre-order now>>

Technology Finalist: Miku Miku Smart Baby MonitorThe Miku Smart Baby Monitor is the only contactless monitor to track breathing, sound, and sleeping patterns in real time. Technology combines multiple sensor modalities and AI to see breathing in total darkness, under a thick swaddle, and in any body position or location in the crib. Designed to fit seamlessly into a new parent lifestyle and ease anxieties, Miku is packed with upgraded, unique, and easy-to-use features. Using their Miku app, parents can customize alerts for movement, breathing, sound, room temperature, and humidity as well as awake/asleep notifications. With Miku’s internal processor, alerts are delivered in real time. Parents can also securely view, save, and share 1080p video and audio, play MikuMusic sleep sounds and lullabies, or whisper “I love you” via two-way talk. Plus, our new Stand and Travel Case give parents peace of mind on-the-go. Shop now>>

Technology Finalist: Cradlewise Inc. Cradlewise Smart Crib The Cradlewise smart crib is the first product to learn from babies’ sleep patterns, spot early signs of wake-up and bounce the baby to sleep along with soothing music. The crib has an integrated baby monitoring system. Our patented monitor can detect changes in breath-rate, movements and baby sounds and predict a wake-up. The crib keeps track of the baby’s weekly sleep patterns to judge if it’s an unscheduled wake-up. And if it’s still sleeping time, it bounces and plays soothing music to get the baby back to sleep. Rather than reacting when the baby has already woken up crying, the smart crib predicts a baby wake-up early on and acts to help maintain baby sleep. Parents get a helping hand that saves up to 2 hours every day. The product is a sleep coach through the baby’s journey from a new-born to a 2-yr old. The crib even comes with a sleep training mode that helps parents transition from co-sleeping to putting the baby in its own nursery. Shop now>>

Technology Finalist: Lumi by Pampers Lumi by Pampers™ Lumi by Pampers™ is a quantum leap in baby monitoring. Combining a state of the art Video Monitor with a Sleep Sensor, it’s an all-in-one Baby Monitor System that lets parents see their baby in HD, and seamlessly blend real tracking data with their own intuition in a frictionless way as they find their rhythm as a family. All the information comes together in the Lumi App to help parents: See and know at a glance how baby is doing; Anticipate baby’s needs; Build a routine that works; Share access between caregivers. Multi-caregiver access secured with 2FA and state of the art encryption and security standards to provide a quick snapshot. Shop now>>

Technology Finalist: CYBEX ePriam The e-PRIAM is CYBEX’s first contribution to e-mobility in the juvenile industry and uniquely combines the luxurious design and functionality of the new PRIAM stroller, with the electronic power of smart technology. These intelligent functions paired together make everyday life easier for modern parents and turn uneven terrain and hills into child’s play. The e-PRIAM has three main functions. Once activated, the Uphill Support monitors pushing effort and powers the stroller’s ascent, making a steep climb feel like strolling along a level sidewalk. The second function is Uneven Surface Support— helping on rough terrain such as sandy beaches, country paths and snowy winter streets. And the third function is the Downhill Support which detects pulling pressure on the handlebar and slows the stroller’s descent accordingly. Shop now>>

Safety Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The safety finalist list from the JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards is here! JPMA featured the top safety products for baby. We are highlighting them below, starting with the winner for 2020!

WINNER! Yun Yun AI Baby Monitor Corporation Cubo AI Baby Monitor Cubo AI is a smart baby monitor with artificial intelligence that safeguards babies and toddlers with a design detecting and alerting parents if their little one’s face is covered so that parents can step in to help. Cubo AI was co-created with a pediatrician with over 15 years of experience and various experts in artificial intelligence. The most popular innovative features include: Proactive Covered Face, Cry-Detection, and Rollover Alert; Danger Zone Alert for both babies and toddlers; Automatic Photo Capture for Baby’s First Moments; In-App Digital Scrapbook. Cubo also has a 1080pHD camera for both daylight and night vision, 18-hour playback, two-way audio, three camera stands to grow with your baby, a night light, and temperature and humidity detection. Get it here>>

Safety Finalist: Smart Beat Smart Beat is the video baby monitor with breath detection, featuring camera-based Biovision™ monitoring. Smart Beat’s ultra-HD camera can identify more than 16 million individual shades of color. It can track small movements like the inhale and exhale of a swaddled newborn. Smart Beat alerts parents if: breathing is too fast or too slow or stops. …all without any invasive technologies. Smart Beat is as safe as taking a picture. Real-time and historical breathing rate charts, and a chart displaying a waveform of every inhale and exhale. Any time breathing becomes irregular, video is automatically recorded. Smart Beat pans and tilts, giving parents a 355-degree view of the room. It also features two-way audio and remote access. Smart Beat also offers parents’ Lock Down mode, which takes the video feed off the grid, accessible only to users physically in the home. Get it here>>

Safety Finalist: Malarkey Kids Crib Chomper Teething Rail Crib Guard Is your baby in beaver mode? If your little one is making a meal of you crib then look no further. The Malarkey Kids Crib Chomper is the smart crib rail guard. It protects your baby from ingesting paint, wood as well as from damaging little teeth. The Crib Chomper features soft, padded, drool absorbent fabric + a layer of textured, chewy food-grade silicone to protect both baby and crib. Fits most standard and convertible crib rails. Simply fold fabric over with silicone side facing up & secure hook and loop around crib rails. Watch the Malarkey website for the launch!

Safety Finalist: iBaby Labs iBaby i2 iBaby i2 is an adorably designed smart baby monitor that is jam-packed with leading features and technology. This includes contact-free real-time breathing detection that measures your baby’s BPM at a fraction of the cost of breathing devices. Using an app-based subscription model, iBaby i2 allows parents the freedom to choose breathing detection as needed. Also included is the newest H.265 chip that compresses file size and bandwidth to provide the highest quality video and audio in the industry without lags or delays. Designed with flexible baby-safe silicone, i2 gives parents countless versatile placement options like mounting on a wall, wrapping on a lamp or placing on any flat surface. And with the addition of an external battery, i2 is portable and travel-friendly. Watch the iBaby Labs website for the launch!

The Ultimate Target Baby Registry

by Gugu Guru 3 Comments

Today we are bringing you the ultimate Target baby registry. We searched Target for our favorite baby products and collected them for you. The best part of the Target baby registry is the fabulous welcome kit full of goodies for mom and baby that you can pick up at Target Guest Services when you create a registry in-store or online. Target also has an awesome 15% completion discount on everything left on your registry (the only kicker is it’s only good until eight weeks before baby’s expected arrival).

Let’s start with the nursery. Likely a room you will be spending a lot of time in as baby grows, it’s important to make sure this is a functional, comfortable place.

Next up is feeding. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, or a combination of the 3, Target has what you need.

We love to keep it simple for Health & Wellness: a bath tub, bathing essentials, a grooming kit, and simple diaper needs.

Baby Gear is a category that is worth the splurge! These items will help you manage the chaos of life with a newborn, making life simpler and easier.

Clothing is the most fun baby product category and one of our favorites! Target is full of amazing options to fit every stage of babyhood.

So many options for baby Play, it can be hard to narrow it down. We picked some of our favorites, but Target has many more great baby toys.

We can’t forget about the Parents! Target has your needs covered too!

In the baby world, there are many “nice to have” items that aren’t a necessity but can make your life easier. These are some of our favs.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite registry items from Target? Let us know!

More Gugu Picks:
Home Care and Organization Picks
Summer Travel Must Haves
Best Nursing Pillows: Gugu Picks

This post contains affiliate links.

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