Safety

Wanderlust Must-Haves

Whether you’re a frequent flying fam or planning the very first trip with your babe, you’ll want to check out some of these travel must-haves.

WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat: Weighing in at an ultralight 8lbs, WAYB’s Pico car seat is a compact forward-facing car seat made of aerospace-grade aluminum and high-performance mesh. Suitable for children who weigh between 22-50lbs and are 30-45″ tall.

Busy Baby Mat: Finally, mealtime and flights can be peaceful. The Busy Baby Mat tether system allows you to attach almost any toys so they never hit the germ-filled ground! Enjoy 15% OFF thru 3/31 with code GUGUGURU.

Larktale Chit Chat Stroller: A jet-setter’s dream. By using a unique recyclable fiber infused nylon, the chit chat’s SpaceFrame is constructed to be incredibly lightweight allowing for easy maneuverability and fold.

Lasc al m1 Carrier: Lascal’s new m1 Carrier is really the ONLY carrier you will ever need; offering 3 unique carrying positions within an ergonomic design. Suitable for children 8-33lbs.

Thank you to WAYB, Busy Baby Mat, Larktale, and Lascal for making this travel must-haves sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

Check out some of our other favorite travel posts:
Eco-Friendly Toddler Must-Haves for Traveling Families
The Ultimate Travel Registry for Flying with an Infant

Real Mom Review: Clek Foonf

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Sleek. Simple. Modern. Minimal. All that and more can be found in the Clek Foonf car seat. One of our Gugu Guru team members tried this car seat with her 16-month-old-daughter and quickly fell in love. Read what she has to say about it below.

We love the super soft material of this car seat. It’s cushioned in all the right places to hug baby and keep her comfortable. We live in Alaska and the seat material is perfect. It doesn’t get super cold when our cars sit outside like her infant car seat would. The material would be great for warm states too because it won’t get warm sitting in the sun in a hot car either.

It’s not as bulky and wide as some of the other car seats on the market and fits nicely in both of our cars, a Ford Escape and a Ford F-150 Super Crew Cab. Bonus: it was also super easy to install properly!

Two of the most important things I looked for in a car seat were a solid frame build and a nice headrest. The headrest in this seat is amazing and really supports her head when she falls asleep on car rides. Clek says the Foonf is “built like a tank” and it truly is! It’s engineered with a steel and magnesium substructure, energy-absorbing crumple technology, and a rebound bar. The safety of this seat really can’t be beaten.

I would highly recommend this car seat to any family with littles. My only regret? Not buying one sooner! She would have loved it as an infant and will be able to use this car seat for years!

Thanks to Clek for sending a Foonf for testing. The thoughts mentioned in this article are my own.

Learn more or purchase the Clek Foonf on Amazon here.

What’s New on Gugu: January 29, 2020

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

This week we are highlighting a number of multifunctional products for parents and babes alike! Some are great options for the nursery, while others will make feeding and playtime easier. All of these are great gifts for expectant parents and products that we expect to make a huge splash in the baby industry. Check them out today!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Giving Cradle: We love to highlight companies that give back. Giving Cradle’s biggest goal is that all mothers and newborns “have equal access to a healthy start.” They have launched a variety of products and donation opportunities, which help moms in South Asia with access to medical and care items for their newborns. Plus, they are about to launch their beautiful cradle, a safe cradle made of bamboo, breathable mesh, and removable washable fabric. Proceeds from every cradle purchase will benefit these moms and babies.

Unilove 3 in 1 Feed Me Booster: A line of high quality products, we are super excited about Unilove’s Feed Me Booster. This multifunctional 3-in-1 booster can be used on a chair, the floor, or as an armchair. It can also be used with or without the tray! The tray swivels and the seat folds flat for easy storage/travel. Also, the height is adjustable to help reach any table. Check them out today!

Regalo MyPlayMat: The MyPlayMat from Regalo will be your new lightweight and foldable best friend! Great for both indoors and outdoors, this playmat will give your little one ample space to move around for tummy time, early crawling, and beyond! While especially great for small spaces, this mat will find a place in any home. It is also super easy to clean and comes with two different patterns.

The Baby Dream Machine: The Baby Dream Machine is an amazing 5 in 1 product, which serves as a night light, sound machine, cool-mist humidifier, aromatherapy, and red light therapy. All of these modes are designed to help your little one get full nights of peaceful sleep (which means you get peaceful nights of sleep, too!). Plus it is a super cute design and will fit into any nursery!

Novogratz Kids Collection: Late last year Novogratz launched their own Kids + Baby furniture line, perfect for high style budget-friendly parents! Their crib options are simplistic and beautiful. We are also going gaga over their bookcases, which add a huge design pop while adding storage for under $100!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: December 4, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: December 11. 2019

What’s New on Gugu: January 15, 2020

What’s New on Gugu: January 22, 2020

Cold and Flu Q&A by Dr. DuMond

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When your child is sick it can be difficult, especially during the holiday season. In this cold and flu Q&A session, our Gugu Village Parents were able to ask Dr. Sara DuMond, MD, questions regarding illness, keeping germs at bay and keeping children’s immune systems in tip-top shape while traveling. Dr. DuMond is a member of Dr. Brown’s Baby Medical Expert Panel and a mom of three. Needless to say, she is an expert at keeping kids well and getting them feeling better when they are ill.

Cold and Flu Q&A 1: What are the best practices for keeping my baby and toddler healthy this cold and flu season?
-Lauren R.

As we approach the time of year when we experience an uptick in the number of cold and flu viruses that circulate in our communities, parents often rightfully ask if there are things they can be doing to keep their children healthy. Aside from a flu shot (which doesn’t always prevent the flu, but thankfully does an excellent job of preventing the serious and often life-threatening complications from influenza), simplicity reigns!

Teaching kids to use good handwashing technique (soap and warm water for about 20-30 seconds, or the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song) can go a long way towards keeping kids healthy. Also, things like encouraging some form of physical activity every day, enforcing consistent bedtimes, and encouraging daily fruits and vegetables in our children’s diets, prime their immune system to be in the best shape to fight off germs.

Cold and Flu Q&A 2: What’s the best way to get my whole family’s immune systems as strong as possible in a preventative way? I have a 2.5 year old and I’m super nervous about bringing our newborn home in the beginning of the month! I’m both worried about him staying healthy, and also keeping my toddler as healthy as possible because I am terrified about taking care of him and our newborn. Also, my husband tends to get whatever the toddler gets and that’s no fun either! Any tips on prevention would be super appreciated especially for stomach viruses!
-Samantha K.

We should all be approaching our family’s health from a preventative stance! Bringing a new baby home at any time can be a stressful situation, but especially when it’s during cold and flu season and there are older siblings (i.e. cute little petri dishes) at home! From a holistic standpoint, the entire family can focus on eating whole foods, avoiding processed pre-packed snacks, and always having a ready-supply of seasonally available fruits and vegetables. A general rule of thumb is that vitamins are much more readily available to the body when eating in whole food form, as opposed to taking supplements. Smoothies are a quick and easy way to get fruits and vegetables in everyone’s diet – mom and dad and kids! The dreaded stomach virus is one that no one wants to battle, and good gut immunity starts with diet. Newborns benefit from healthy immune germ-fighting cells from mom for the first 6 months of life, and breastfeeding boosts that immunity as well.

Cold and Flu Q&A 3: Dr. DuMond, should my three children (in three different schools/daycares) be taking vitamins or supplements? How can I prevent germs from spreading at home?
-Christine C.

The #1 question I get asked about is whether or not kids should be taking vitamins and whether there are any natural supplements that are safe and effective for kids that will keep them healthy during cold and flu season. While parents may often hear anecdotal stories about magic-bullet products that have worked well for their friends or family members, there is really no evidence to support any one product or supplement.

The best all-natural prevention starts with the most all-natural approaches, of a healthy family diet heavily weighted with organic fruits and vegetables, prioritizing consolidated 10-12 hours of sleep a night for toddlers and preschoolers, and daily active play.

Another good tip is frequent reminders for toddlers and preschoolers to avoid touching their face, nose, and mouth throughout the day. Germs enter our bodies when we touch a surface that someone has coughed or sneezed on and then touch our own noses, mouths, or eyes. Taking this common-sense approach isn’t a guarantee that siblings won’t share germs and colds, but it sets families up for bouncing back much more quickly!

Cold and Flu Q&A 4: My baby is too young for the flu vaccine and we plan to travel on a very long flight for the holidays, what do you suggest doing to help our baby’s immune system?
-Kelly M.

Babies under 6 months are too little to get a flu vaccine, so it’s essential that others around them get theirs, to surround them with the highest level of protection possible. Travel during holiday times can be stressful and definitely places little ones at increased risk for exposure to cold and flu viruses. Shy of setting a family policy of no travel during a baby’s first cold and flu season (which many of my families choose to do!), there are some tips for navigating air travel this time of year. Pack plenty of individual travel-sized hand sanitizers and keep infants in an infant carrier or sling to minimize well-meaning travelers who are tempted to touch the baby. For older toddlers and children, encourage hydration during the travel day with water in sippy cups and other vessels that travel well, avoid food courts and opt instead for healthier options like bananas (which have their own build-in natural “packaging”) and individual packages of nut butters. For travel across time zones, allow, at minimum, one full day upon arrival to your destination, where you do not have lots of scheduled activities, so that body clocks can re-adjust, naps can be worked in, and little bodies aren’t pushed beyond commonsense limits.

Cold and Flu Q&A 5: What advice do you have for when my baby DOES start to come down with something? Is there anything I can do to lessen symptoms?
-Kate E.

For infants who are breastfeeding, continue breastfeeding! (This advice applies even if mom comes down with sickness herself!) Watch for any evidence of fever (rectal temperatures are the only reliable way to check a baby’s temperature), changes in feeding pattern, or changes in color. Those symptoms would always warrant a call to the pediatrician’s office. If it seems like baby is struggling with the sniffles, but is otherwise well, invest in a cool-mist humidifier and run that in the room where baby sleeps. Infant nasal saline drops or sprays that come over the counter will help thin the mucous and make it easier to suction out of their noses.

Remember, cold and flu viruses enter the body most often times through the nose, so frequent nasal suctioning, while sometimes stressful because of protests and tears from little ones, can be key to preventing a simple cold from progressing into something more serious. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not recommended for babies.

We would like to thank Dr. DuMond for these amazing tips! We hope you are able to implement these suggestions and enjoy a healthy Holiday season.

Best Cool Mist Humidifier: Crane

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

Why do you need the best cool mist humidifier? Three words: that first cold. Oy. Poor little babe is sniffling, coughing, being introduced to devices that go up their nose—it’s not really fun. For either of you. But, the amazing part of that first cold? You learn about a laundry list of items that become your go-to sniffle staples.

One of these essentials is a cool mist humidifier, and luckily, we found the best one. Say hello to the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier—the genius, filter-free option that is the key to peaceful Zzz’s.

Moist air is essential for stuffed baby nostrils (and adult nostrils for that matter). It makes it easier to breathe, especially when you’re congested and not enjoying that new-to-you annoying feeling. It helps babes sleep better and eat with a little less frustration. Humidity also makes it easier to clean mucus-filled noses—anything to make that job easier, we’ll take it.

Since the goal is to promote sweet snoozes, the Crane’s quiet-as-a-whisper sound doesn’t interrupt babe’s favorite lullaby. Plus, unlike many other humidifiers that require a great deal of cleaning to prevent bacteria build-up, the anti-microbial material reduces mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%. It also shuts off automatically when the water level gets low—one less thing to worry about at 4 a.m.

We love the incredible range of colors and styles that beautifully complement its aesthetically pleasing design (a next-level stylish option that outdoes the bulky tank). In addition to the rainbow of awesomeness available, you can also choose from Hello Kitty, an elephant, frog, monkey and more.

Crane just released their top fill humidifier, which is easy to fill, dishwasher safe and super easy to clean. It comes with an aroma diffuser and optional color changing nightlight.

If you don’t yet have a cool mist humidifier, you might want to purchase one ahead of the first cold—to avoid that midnight trip to the pharmacy. Good luck! Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks: Part I

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

We’re so excited about Jazmyn Simon Hill’s baby top picks and must-haves! Gugu Guru has recently had the pleasure of working with the lovely and beautiful actress and new mama Jazmyn Simon Hill. You may know Jazmyn from the TV-Series Ballers and the movies Acrimony and Ed. We are excited to have her on the blog today sharing some wise words on her baby must-haves. Jazmyn has rounded up her top picks for bath, health, diapering, baby gear, and sleep that have helped her as a new mom. You can follow Jazmyn and her pregnancy journey on Instagram.

Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks – Bath, Health, and Diapering:

Boon Naked Tub: “I just love the design and simplicity of the boon tub. I love baby items that are simplistic. You may hear that from me a few times but it’s true!”
Puj Tub: “The puj tub is great because as a full-time actress married to a full-time actor, we travel a lot- and the puj is perfect for when we need a tub that can be packed. And I mean, how cute is a baby in a sink!!!”
Crane Humidifier: “I suffer from bad seasonal allergies and personally use a crane humidifier. So to keep babies room moist and comfy, I went with a trusted favorite, a Crane humidifier.”
Fridababy Bundle: “Omg. I am obsessed with Frida Baby. When I went to my baby 101 class with my husband, the instructors would not stop raving about all their products. I’m especially excited about the Nose Frida and the Fridet. Hehe. They have baby and mommy covered.”
Matimati Washcloths: “Two words: Eco. Friendly.”
Diaper Dekor Plus: “I love that this can hold up to 60 diapers. Babies go through a LOT of diapers at first. And there’s no bending and twisting. Just step on the pedal and drop and go. Anything that saves time wins!”
Skip Hop Pronto: “Let’s face it, there will be times when you have to improvise a diaper change. This skip hop pronto makes it easier!!!”
b.box Caddy: “Again, sometimes…a lot of times… diaper changes happen on the go. This portable caddy makes diaper changes all around the house easier!”

Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks – Baby Gear:

Nuna Pipa: “We LOVE our Nuna Pipa. Stylish, sleek and SO SAFE! Took only minutes to install and has multiple features that show you if it’s installed correctly!!! Love!”
Bugaboo Fox: “The poshest stroller I’ve ever seen and I feel so fortunate to own it. Matches my style and lifestyle and is a breeze to get in and out of my trunk. LOVE!!!!”
Solly Baby: “The softest, sweetest baby wrap. My favorite part about the newborn phase is baby carrying. Solly has made that easy with the softest, most beautiful fabrics.”
Toki Mats: “Tummy time essential. These make tummy time safer because they are NON-TOXIC. Can we all say thank you!!!!”
Bannor Toys Blocks: “I cried when I received my banner name rattle and blocks. It said Baby Hill and it made everything feel so real. Plus it’s made in the USA from wood. We now want every Nannie rattle and toy because they not only are so sleek looking- but they promote creativity and imagination. That’s exactly what we desire for our baby boy.”

Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Baby Top Picks – Sleep:

Love to Dream Swaddles: “So smart. I didn’t know a lot about the Moro reflex and how it can startle your baby awake. These swaddles keep them safely snug and sleeping. Plus as they get older, you can release one or both arms. Love.”
Snoo: “Can. We. Say. Game. Changer. Smartest bassinet ever. It will swaddle, sway and shush (white noise) your baby to sleep. It’s basically a night nurse for a lot less money. A dream saver. See what I did there?”
Bebe Au Lait Swaddles: “Who doesn’t love a muslin swaddle blanket?! Great for home or on the go. Use it in your stroller or as a car seat blanket without overheating the precious cargo!!!!”

This post includes affiliate links.

What’s New on Gugu: October 25, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

While we took a brief hiatus due to our Working Mother Registry + Giveaways (if you haven’t checked them out, there are some AWESOME giveaways on our blog), we are back at it in full swing this week for What’s New on Gugu. Instead of highlighting 5 new items this week, I’m back with 10 items that have launched (or will be launching) in the baby market. From strollers to nursery gear and everything in between, take a look at some of our newest finds!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Gooselings: Gooselings was inspired by ‘Hygge,’ the Scandinavian lifestyle leading to feeling calm and content. All of Gooselings products have been created to help add calm to our hectic daily lives with kids. These high-quality duvets and duvet covers are the perfect thing to bring your family together during playtime and add that sense of calm to the end of any work day. Plus they are easily packed for plane or car travel.

4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet: The newest product to hit the market from 4moms will launch early next year and moves like you do! With movement patterns similar to the mamaRoo, this sleep situation will be perfect for keeping your little one close for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes.

Nuna Triv Stroller: Triv is the newest stroller option from our friends at Nuna! This lightweight, easy-to-push stroller allows you to easily change between seat and car seat. It has a large storage basket and spring suspension, giving you a smooth push. Plus it’s one-handed fold can’t be beat!

FORMERLY YAN: We love this new maternity clothing line, which is designed specifically for changing silhouettes. Check out their Little Black Dress with Side Zippers or their Jogger Style Trousers, two of our favorites! These pieces are great for a day in the office or a night out on the town!

UPPAbaby Vista V2 and Cruz V2: UPPAbaby has updated their classic Cruz (single) and Vista (convertible) strollers for 2020! Both strollers are getting updated suspension –hello easier push!—as well as new colors/fabric options. The Cruz is also getting bigger wheels, a downsized fold, and a larger seat while the Vista will be seeing a no rethread harness and a larger canopy. These are expected to be released in February 2020!

Skip Hop Feeding Line and Convertible High Chair: Skip Hop has launched both their feeding line and their Sit-to-Step High Chair! Great for infants and toddlers alike, this high chair reclines for easy bottle feeding, slides right up to the table, and turns into a toddler step stool. The feeding line is full of must have essentials, great for feeding at home or on the go.

Tranquilo Products: Looking for a solution to help soothe baby when nothing seems to be working?! Look no further than Tranquilo! Their portable vibrating mat helps mimic the sounds from mom’s womb, instantly helping calm baby. The baby soothe massager is also great for use at home or on the go. All of these products are perfect for travel!

Finnbin: In Finland, parents are actually given a free cardboard baby box, which will provide their little ones with a safe sleeping environment from day one. Finnbin has stepped up this theory, providing high-quality Baby Boxes filled with all sorts of newborn necessities. Easy to move around the house and much more affordable than today’s standard bassinet, the Finnbin can definitely be your go-to baby gift!

Crawligator: Make tummy time fun with this JPMA Innovation Award Winner! The Crawligator helps your little one strengthen all of those muscles needed to begin crawling. Simply place your babe on top of the Crawligator and begin to move them forward slowly. A great way for parents and little ones to complete play time together!

Drinking for Two: A great gift for your girlfriend who just announced she is pregnant, Drinking for Two, is an adorable mocktail book aimed at combating pregnancy-related symptoms. Featuring 45+ non-alcoholic, plant-based mocktail recipes that are high in nutrients and low in sugar, this is the perfect coffee table book throughout pregnancy and beyond!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 21, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: Chicago Baby Show Edition

What’s New on Gugu: September 12, 2019

Back to School Car Safety Tips for Working Moms (+ giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We’re excited today to have this guest post by the Evenflo Baby team all about back to school car safety tips for working moms! Plus, head to the bottom of the post for an “on-the-go” giveaway!

School is back in full swing, and as parents, most of us are running around trying to get to different school and activity drop-offs and picks-up and often-times carpooling different children in our vehicles of different weights and heights. As a seasoned mom of 2 who has installed a myriad of car seats, I thought I knew it all (spoiler alert, I had a lot to learn!)

I recently had the opportunity to become a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. When I started this 4 day training, I was skeptical of what knowledge I would gain, but by the end I was really blown away by what I learned and also to discover that I was making several common mistakes when it came to both car seat usage and installation. I am sharing with you some of these very common mishaps that occur to help you keep your little ones (and their friends) safe this fall while on the road!

Forward facing using LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) – there are 2 common mistakes in this scenario:

Using both the lower anchors and seat belt for a car seat installation. You may think that 2 ways of securing the child and car seat are better than one, but in fact the performance of the car seat in the event of a crash may be negatively affected by using both the lower anchors and the seat belt at the same time. NOTE: You always want to use the upper tether when possible for forward-facing installation, whether the installation is with the lower anchors or the seat belt.
Keeping a child secured in the 5 point harness and using the LATCH system past the weight allowed. There are LATCH weight limits so be sure to check the manual of your car seat manufacturer to see what these weight limits are.

Moving your child to a booster seat: Your child may be ready to move into a belt-positioning booster seat once they have outgrown their forward facing harnessed car seat. Your child must meet the minimum height, weight and age requirements – but, (and this is what many parents forget about) they also must be mature enough to keep the seat belt properly positioned for your entire car ride. If they are moving frequently and the belt isn’t staying in place, then you should consider keeping them in a harnessed car seat that has a higher weight limit until they are really ready!

Carpooling and extra car seats: Most busy parents who are frequently carpooling other kids around will keep an extra car seat or booster seat in their car. I, for one, never thought about the importance of keeping these extra car seats secure when not in use. A 10lb booster seat can become a dangerous projectile inside the vehicle in a crash or sudden stop. So make sure you secure all car seats even when not in use! You can buckle them in with an unused seat belt or store them in the trunk of the vehicle.

The Gugu Guru team is a huge fan of Evenflo Baby’s SensorSafe technology to make life a little easier and whole lot safer. Evenflo’s patented SensorSafe™ technology connects you to your little one the entire time, in real time. It’s built into the clip of their car seats and strollers and alerts you, through the app, if babe gets unbuckled or if the temperature is too warm. When verbal communication doesn’t yet exist, this connectivity to babe’s needs is invaluable—and it is found in the products below. To learn more about their SensorSafe technology and products, check out this post.

On the Go Giveaway

3 Reasons Why You’ll Love the Maxi-Cosi Coral Infant Car Seat

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Car seats have evolved a lot over the years, but nothing has ever been made quite like the Maxi-Cosi Coral Infant Car Seat. The innovative new design of this car seat makes the Coral the first-ever integrated car seat and carrier system. If this exciting new design isn’t enough to hook you on the new Maxi-Cosi car seat, below are three more reasons you’ll love this car seat.

1. It will keep your baby safe
The most important aspect of a car seat is safety. You need a brand and product you can trust to keep your precious child safe and secure. The Maxi-Cosi car seat base is designed to the highest safety standards, with anti-rotation stability leg, self-retracting latch connectors, integrated belt lock-off, and indicators to provide visual confirmation of accurate installation.

2. It can easily transition from car to street
The car seat comes with a removable inner shell so you can easily transition from the car to the street. No more attempting to carefully remove your baby’s arms from the seat straps so you can put them in the stroller. The Maxi-Cosi Coral Infant Car Seat helps you smoothly remove your baby from the car already in a convenient carrier.

3. It has four carrying modes
Not only can you remove the seat’s inner shell to carry your child, but you have four different carrying options. You can choose from over the shoulder, handle carry, standard carry, or even stroller style. The carrier is compatible with Maxi-Cosi strollers and a few other premium strollers so you can move your baby from the car to the stroller with ease.

Thank you to Maxi-Cosi for making this sponsored post possible.

Baby Safety Month Tips

by Abby Ludwig 8 Comments

Baby Safety Month is here! As parents, safety is our number one priority, especially as it relates to the world of baby products and gear. We are always looking to find products that will help enrich our children’s lives while making things just a little bit easier! In honor of Baby Safety Month, we have partnered with MAM as well as other brands that join us in keeping our babes and tots safe! These brands all keep safety at the top of their priority list, even as they create and update their product lines. Take a look at some of their favorite safety tips here:

Tip 1: Safe Sleep ABC’s

2016 was the last time the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their safe sleep recommendations. Many parents are unknowingly putting their little one’s down without following the safe sleep ABC’s: Alone. Back. Crib (or bassinet). We recommend an easy to use swaddle, like Love To Dream’s Swaddle UP^TM from birth so you don’t have to worry about baby breaking out of a swaddle blanket. Choose size according to baby’s weight, not age. Stop swaddling as soon as baby shows signs of rolling and transition to arms-free sleep, like the Swaddle UP^TM 50/50 Transition Bag. Check out our favorite swaddle, Love to Dream’s safe sleep page, for more safe sleep tips!

For more of Love to Dream’s products, take a look here!

Tip 2: Crib Safety

Piggy-backing off of the Safe Sleep ABC’s, your crib set up is also extremely important in creating a safe sleep space. Keep it clean and simple. Remove any stuffed animals, blankets, or anyting with soft surfaces that could possibly block baby’s airway during sleep. Provide a firm mattress – like those from our friends at Colgate – with a fitted sheet. Do not put a blanket on the baby or in the crib and again, be sure to lay your baby on his/her back.

Tip 3: Pacifier Safety

Consider pacifier usage when placing baby down for sleep and remember that the pacifier may not be reinserted once baby falls asleep. Pacifier use is shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. MAM supports the AAP published guidelines for pacifier usage. Check them out here: https://bit.ly/AAPInfantSleepSafety

For more information about pacifiers and how they reduce the risk of SIDS, visit https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/5/1245

Tip 4: Wifi/Monitor Usage

Many parents use a monitor, which gives them peace of mind as their little one adjusts to his/her new surroundings. When setting up your monitor, be mindful of all cords! Keep them more than 3ft away from your child. As wifi monitors/nursery products become more popular, it is also important to keep the wifi products in your nursery secure from web intruders. Do NOT use wifi products that have default credentials or that run extra programs, otherwise known as “backdoors.” And only use wifi products with secure encryption. For more information on wifi monitor safety, check out the features on the Nanit Pro!

Tip 5: Helping Baby Sleep

The dreaded first cold often pops up at some point in the first year. Unfortunately, there aren’t so many ways you can help your little one feel better. However, cool-mist humidifiers are a safe and natural way to thin baby’s mucus when congested. They also alleviate symptoms that may be preventing your little one from getting a good night’s rest such as dry skin, bloody noses, sore throat and dry cough.

For some great humidifier and air purifier options, check out our friends at Crane-USA!

Tip 6: Out and About with your Carrier

Carriers are extremely helpful for new (and/or experienced) parents. They provide you with the option to be close to baby but still have your hands-free. This is especially helpful when you have an older child –i.e. toddler—running around the house. To ensure that you are using your carrier safely, keep baby visible and kissable! By keeping your little one’s head at a kissable height when in the carrier, you can easily monitor baby’s airway. Plus, the snuggles are LIFE!

Check out carriers by Baby K’tan here.

Tip 7: Toy Safety

When your little one is up and ready to play, it’s important to keep a close eye on his/her activities. Watch out for small parts as little ones tend to explore first with their mouths. Always double check the seams of soft toys to make sure no stitches have popped loose. Stuffing is a choking hazard. Opt for high-quality, well-made toys that will hold up to hours of daily use.

We love the toy selections from our friends at Mouse Loves Pig.

Tip 8: Car Seat Safety

While all car seats have to pass certain safety tests and standards, there are two main components to car seat safety: fitting the seat into your vehicle and fitting your child into the seat. A correctly installed car seat should not move more than 1” in any direction when testing tightness at the belt path. Always make sure you have the right seat for your child’s age and measurements, and ensure the harness is snugly tightened so that you cannot pinch the material over the child’s shoulders. For more information on car seat safety and for help with car seat installation, visit our friends at Tot Squad!

General Baby Safety

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) sponsors Baby Safety Month to help educate parents and caregivers as they go through product selection for their children. Always remember to read product labels and warnings before using any product. Continue to inspect your children’s items as they experience wear and tear over time and look out for any product recalls. Visit JPMA’s Baby Safety Month Page for even more tips and tricks!

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