Safety

Best Baby Sunscreen

Looking for the best baby sunscreen? Meet the new line of sunscreens from Earth Mama Organics!

What’s IN the sunscreen is just as important as what’s NOT. If an ingredient is available organic, Earth Mama uses it. Each and every ingredient is purposefully sourced with great consideration — and they either boost the sunscreen’s SPF value, moisturize like crazy or make sure it’s safely gentle on uber-sensitive skin. And do you know what’s not in them? Chemicals that are potentially harmful to people and the planet like oxybenzone or octinoxate, artificial fragrance, nano particles or parabens.

Reef friendly: NO chemical sunscreens
Pediatrician and dermatologist tested, clinically tested for irritation
Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Protection
Water Resistant (40 Min)
NSF/ANSI 305 Certified by Oregon Tilth (Contains Organic Shea Butter & Organic Calendula)

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D.R.E.A.M. SAFE Sleep Practices from Colgate Mattress

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Following the D.R.E.A.M. SAFE sleep practices created by our friends at Colgate mattress will help protect your baby from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the JPMA, each year in the United States there are approximately 3,500 Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). These deaths occur among infants less than 1 year old and have no immediately obvious cause. Although the causes of death in many of these infants cannot be explained, statistics show that as many as 80-90 percent are the result of unsafe sleep practices.

D.R.E.A.M. SAFE sleep practices:

D ~ DO place baby on her back to sleep.
Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.
R ~ REMEMBER a FIRM crib mattress is always best.
Firmness aids in development of baby’s muscles and bones. Soft beds naturally give and contour which can impede a babies breathing and trap heat, which can also be dangerous.
E ~ ELIMINATE clutter.
Do not put anything soft, loose or fluffy in your baby’s sleep space. Only a fitted sheet, mattress pad or waterproof pad should be used under baby.
A ~ ALWAYS place baby in the crib to sleep.
Never place your baby to sleep on top of any soft surface. This includes adult beds, couches, pillows, cushions, comforters and sheepskins.
M ~ MONITOR air flow and temperature.
Make sure your baby doesn’t get too warm during sleep. Use lightweight sleep clothing and keep room temperature at what would be comfortable for a lightly-clothed adult. For newborns, consider swaddling.

By integrating these safe sleep habits, you will help ensure the safety of your baby every time they rest. For more safe sleep tips, please visit the JPMA’s Safe Sleep Center.

A Safety Focused Rainbow Registry

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We felt very honored to work with Jordan DeRosier on a safety focused rainbow registry. As you may have read in the media, Jordan is a mother who lost her son, Sloan, at 7 months old due to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in July of 2017. Since Sloan’s death, Jordan has been actively sharing her story to help promote safe sleep practices with new parents.

Gugu Guru worked with Jordan to help her prepare for her rainbow baby girl, Phoenix, born in May. We both worked together to take special consideration for safe sleep products and brands who have made it a core part of their missions to promote baby safety.

Here are just some of the brands and products that we selected for her. You can see Jordan’s full safety focused rainbow registry here.

ergoPouch – ergoPouch is an Australian company, renowned for high quality, innovative and award-winning baby Swaddles, Sleeping Bags, Sleep Suit Bags, Winter Sleep Suits and Layers (PJ’s) to complement the organic and sleep-safe Sleeping Bag range. Safety is at the forefront of mind when designing an ergoPouch product. All ergoPouch sleepwear go through product safety standard testing as required by Australian law and products are designed for safe sleeping according to Australian SIDs guidelines.

MAM – MAM’s number priority is to deliver safety to babies and infants with products that are functional, comfortable and safe. Since MAM developed its first pacifier in Vienna in 1976, the company has evolved to become a globally trusted baby care brand. The market leader for pacifiers in the U.S., each year more than 19 million MAM pacifiers are sold to U.S. consumers. MAM pacifiers are extensively tested undergoing 40 different tests before being made available for sale.

Baby Merlin – As a parent, Maureen Howard’s highest priority is the safety and well being of her children. The Magic Sleepsuit was designed and is manufactured with safety as a top priority. Every shipment of Magic Sleepsuits undergoes extensive safety lab testing and quality control inspection.

Delta Children – Delta Children offers safe, high quality nursery furniture, strollers, bassinets and other baby and toddler products. Safety is Delta Children’s #1 priority. Each Delta Children product is designed and engineered with the highest quality in order to guarantee that it exceeds internationally recognized standards and methods of testing before it hits the sales floor and enters your home.

Colgate Mattress – Founded in 1955, Colgate produces some of the highest quality crib mattresses anywhere. The company has made the health and safety of babies their primary focus and have worked tirelessly to earn the trust of parents. Colgate mattresses are made with the finest, non-toxic materials in the marketplace and have been awarded the GREENGUARD Gold certification. Find out more about how Colgate makes the safest crib mattresses here.

QuickZip – Your baby spends up to 15 hours a day sleeping. His crib sheet should be as safe as his car seat. QuickZip has reinvented the crib sheet; enclosing the entire mattress so that it can’t be pulled off and won’t pop off accidentally becoming a hazard that could interfere with your baby’s breathing.

Owlet – Check on baby without disturbing his or her sleep. The Owlet Smart Sock tracks heart and oxygen levels and sends real-time insights to your phone. It also includes a base station which glows green to reassure you baby is okay but will notify you if heart rate and oxygen levels leave preset zones.

UPPAbaby – UPPAbaby products meet the most stringent industry standards required by the Juvenile Product Manufacturing Association (JPMA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The UPPAbaby VISTA bassinet turns the stroller into a baby buggy. With just one hand, you can detach the Bassinet and carry your sleeping infant anywhere. The flat, firm surface meets AAP safe sleep standards. Plus, the Bassinet converts into a perfect overnight sleep solution with the stand.

Molly’s Suds – Molly’s Suds was founded after the stillbirth of founder Monica’s daughter Molly. Monica, a pediatric nurse, yearned to know what could have caused her daughter’s stillbirth. During her research, she uncovered a disturbing fact: in the United States alone 80,000 chemicals were approved for use by the Toxic Substances Control Act and yet only 200 of the toxins were tested for human safety. All Molly’s Suds products are formulated with a ‘no compromise’ attitude when it comes to using pure, safe ingredients. The brand uses earth and plant-derived ingredients to enhance efficiency and cut down on cleaning time without compromising your family’s health through exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and carcinogens.

BreathableBaby – At BreathableBaby, safety is the company’s top priority. Safety is the starting point for product design, and the brand takes extra steps (like consulting with doctors and rigorously testing our products) to make sure all of their safer sleep solutions are dependable enough for your family. The company is proud to not only meet but also exceed all relevant product safety standards. BreathableBaby’s research is helping to make products safer across the board, too.

Micuna – Spain-based Micuna is a global leader in the manufacturing of furniture and accessories for babies and children. Recognized for their commitment to design, quality and safety of its products, Micuna was one of the first Spanish companies to comply with the high standards of European quality and safety. Micuna products are crafted with eco-friendly practices and materials including wood obtained from sustainable forests.

bblüv – bblüv believes in quality products that are safe, durable, attractive and make life easier. The company puts a great deal of effort in the design of our products so you can be assured that what enters your home will make your and your baby’s life simpler.

Finn + Emma – Finn + Emma offers modern, high quality and 100% organic clothes and toys for baby. Boring designs and toxic chemicals are a thing of the past while modern colors, fresh prints and heirloom quality construction are abundant.

Lorena Canals – At Lorena Canals, quality and safety start at the source, in their manufacturing process. The products are constructed with natural fibers, are anti-allergic, eco friendly, use natural dyes and 100% Cotton textiles. The brand prides itself on quality in every aspect of production, from the best raw materials to socially responsible labor practices. Its rugs and accessories are available in a wide variety of designs, colors and sizes, making them suitable for any room.

Solly Baby – At Solly Baby, closeness is what matters. The power of touch, the strength in being together, the comfort given just by being near, and that the most enduring relationships are not only in love but in experiencing life together. Solly Baby wraps seamlessly and luxuriously integrate all of the benefits of baby wearing while holding baby wearing safety above all else. Their on-staff baby wearing educator is readily available to offer one-one-one advice via email and you can also find her every week on FB Live sharing tips and tutorials.

aden + anais – Safety is top of mind when developing the aden + anais product range. Each and every product goes through a rigorous course of testing before hitting the market. Whether it’s through eliminating loose blankets in the crib with sleeping bags, knowing the correct way to swaddle or removing all harsh ingredients from our skin care collection, aden + anais strives to make sure the brand influences families to build the safest environments for their babies.

Learn more about Jordan DeRosier and her journey on her blog Life of DeRosiers.

Safe Sleep Guardians Program – Check It Out

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September is Baby Safety Month and Gugu Guru is so proud to be a part of First Candle’s new Safe Sleep Guardians program. As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words and unfortunately there are way too many unsafe baby sleep images out there. Recently, Gugu Guru’s founder, Monica, had the pleasure of speaking with celeb mama-to-be, Shenae Grimes about safe sleep environments and images on the web and social media that depict unsafe and confusing imagery.

We are so excited about the new Safe Sleep Guardian program because it highlights brands and influencers that are committed to showing babies in safe sleep environments. You can see guidelines for baby sleep images here.

Look for the badge!
Any bloggers/influencers/companies that commit to only showing babies in safe sleep environments will be designated as one of First Candle’s Safe Sleep Guardians, which entitles them to use the above badge on the website site be recognized by First Candle on social media.

Check out other the brands and influencers designated here (spoiler alert: our friends at Baby Merlin, Love To Dream and Twiniversity are included.)

Best Natural Deodorant – Earth Mama Review

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Best Natural Deodorant – Review of Earth Mama’s New Travel Size Deodorants (Just in Time for Summer!)

Hey everyone! Monica here – founder of Gugu Guru. I distinctly remember a conversation that I had with another mom about ingredient safety when I was pregnant with my first baby. She said to me, “You know what keeps me up at night when it comes to personal care during pregnancy? Anti-perspirant – there’s so much toxic stuff in there.” I hadn’t really thought about it until that moment but it made sense. Clearly there is something in anti-perspirant that represses perspiration, which seems unnatural altogether. In case you didn’t know – aluminum compounds found in many popular anti-perspirant products actually clog the pores of your armpits so that you don’t sweat. So generally, we advise sticking with deodorants and not anti-perspirants because of this. (If you want to learn more about why you should think about toxins lurking in your anti-perspirants, check out this article from Don’t Mess With Mama.)

It was because of this conversation that I started my journey to find the best natural deodorant out there, which leads me to this review of Earth Mama® Organics’ Mini Deodorant 4-pack.

What I Loved:

The variety. You get four different “flavors” to try out: Refreshing ginger-lime GingerAid Deodorant, tangerine-y Bright Citrus Deodorant, unscented Non-Scents Deodorant, and fresh, soothing Calming Lavender Deodorant. If you’re like me and can be picky about the scents you wear (I was once haunted on a business trip by a “powder fresh” fragranced antiperspirant I had accidentally purchased), then being able to give different scents a test-drive is a must.
The ingredients. When you read the list of all-natural ingredients, you can see why the organic formulations are totally safe for pregnant & nursing mamas (and also humankind in general!)
The beneficial scents. When I opened the box, the first thing that struck me is that these deodorants are like the benefits of essential oils for pregnant and nursing mamas + non-toxic deodorants all in one stick. If you feel a little nauseous, try the GingerAid. Tossing and turning at night? Calming Lavender has your back.
The size. These are travel-sized, which means that they’re compact enough to throw in your weekender for getaways, gym bag, beach bag and even your diaper bag. As it’s currently the month of July as I am writing this review – and a scorcher at that – it’s always nice to tote around one of these sticks just in case I need it.

What I Didn’t Love:

Note: I think that the two things that I didn’t love about the Earth Mama® Organics’ Mini Deodorant 4-pack are probably due to user error.

The residue. When you look at the sticks, they look transparent so I figured that these deodorants are invisible once applied. I think I may have applied way too much but when I put on a black t-shirt, I did have streaks on the side. This is not a big deal because the next time I threw something black on, I just more carefully put it on to avoid any streaks.
The volume. Again, I think I may have applied way too much but these did seem to go somewhat quickly. I took the unscented stick on a recent trip to Florida and found that all-in-all the stick lasted me about 6 or 7 days. Since these aren’t full size and I was doing multiple applications each day due to swimming, showering, etc., I am not sure what I was expecting.

UPDATE: In response to our review, our contact at Earth Mama had this to say, “Since the texture is soft, we recommend keeping the amount out of the tube somewhat low, to reduce the amount of waste. Personally, I take the extra off the side of the tube and rub that in too! When I first started using our deodorants, I piled it on – I find now that I don’t need that much.”

Overall, I give the Earth Mama® Organics’ Mini Deodorant 4-pack a big A+ and will now be referring to it as Gugu Guru’s pick for best natural deodorant. (Psst: Pick it up with their organic herbal sitz bath – another must have for prenatal and postpartum mamas.)

Baby Monitor Best Pick: The Evoz Vision

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The baby monitor best pick for your nursery is one that can work with your lifestyle and grow with your family. The Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is the Gugu Pick for baby monitor best in class for all families, whether living in a house or apartment, minimalist or not, the Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor helps your stay connected to your baby, and bring peace of mind to your life.

Here’s what our chief Baby Planner, Julie, has to say about the Evoz Smart Baby Monitor:

The Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is the baby monitor best equipped to help parents stay connected to their baby from virtually anywhere! The Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is very compact in size, which means it is super easy to install and set up. Plus, it is the baby monitor best for travel, as you simply have to carry the one device, as it syncs up to your phone app to act as your personal monitor screen.

The Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is also the baby monitor pick best for high-tech parents, as the monitor helps you stay connected to you baby from virtually anywhere with unlimited range, crystal clear video and audio directly on your iOS and Android devices. The Evoz Baby app features sleep help with The Sleep Lady® including sample sleep schedules, videos, sleep articles, and sleep tracking log. And, it has all-in-one baby data tracking within in the Evoz Baby app including crying, sleeping, nursing, bottles, solids, diapers, height/weight, and body temperature with the option to easily export and share with your sleep coach or pediatrician. Help from the Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor goes way beyond being the baby monitor best in clarity and connection; the Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor and its associated app help parents stay organized, remember special moments, and connect with sleep coaches and pediatricians. It also features patented cry alert technology notifies you when your baby cries based on personalized settings, the Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is the baby monitor best to adapt to your lifestyle and work well for your family.

The Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is also the baby monitor best for working parents, as you can connect to the monitor from your Android or iOS device. Plus, you can share baby monitor access safely and securely with caregivers and family members, so you can have your eye on your baby all of the time, which brings a peace of mind to your world.

Check out what our Gugu Concierge expert, Amber Michels of Your Milk Shoppe, had to say about the Evoz monitor here.

When it comes to the baby monitor best for your family, the Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor seems to exceed the needs any new parent may have, all while remaining high-tech, easy to travel with, and providing parents the peace of mind, whether at home, work, or on the go. The Evoz Vision WiFi Baby Monitor is the baby monitor best for both new and seasoned parents, from babyhood and beyond.

You can find Evoz on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Baby Humidifier Pick for Your Nursery: Crane Humidifier

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One of the most often overlooked aspects of a baby’s nursery is the air that they breathe, which is why it’s imperative to add a baby humidifier to your baby registry. The baby humidifier Gugu Guru is always recommending to add to your baby registry is Crane USA’s Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, as it not only is easy to use, but comes in a huge variety of colors and styles, so you are sure to find one which fits with your home’s aesthetic. A baby humidifier will also help baby sleep better, and actually help keep the air healthy, clean, which helps baby from getting congested and sick. A baby humidifier is an essential necessity for any baby’s nursery for so many reasons!

When it comes to a baby humidifier, the drop humidifier by Crane USA is your ultimate choice, as it does not require a filter and is super easy to clean – meaning you don’t have to remember to buy anything else, just simply clean and you’re good to go. The drop humidifier by Crane USA features an easy to clean 360° mist nozzle, so you can keep the humidifier clean and working properly, which in turn will help baby sleep better. Many parents are concerned about mold and mildew with a baby humidifier, however the drop humidifiers have an anti-microbial base to reduce mold and mildew, so there is no need to worry about mold or mildew in your baby humidifier.

Since it is a baby humidifier, we appreciate that Crane USA’s Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers are whisper quiet; they feature whisper quiet voltage, as low as a light bulb. No loud noises or beeps to wake the baby up in the middle of the night. The drop humidifier can run for up to 24 hours and has an auto shut off, so if you’re in a sleep deprived state, it’s just one less thing to worry about.

But, the real reason a baby humidifier is an essential part of a nursery is that when babies breathe easier, they will sleep easier too! More sleep for baby means more sleep for everyone, right? Baby humidifiers are especially important for newborns because they are Obligate Nasal Breathers, which means they breathe only through their noses for their first 4 – 6 months. Any congestion can make breathing, feeding, and sleeping incredibly difficult for your little one, which is why it is crucial to have a baby humidifier in the nursery, such as Crane USA’s drop humidifier. And, as we always talk about investment, Crane USA’s Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier will grow with your child, as even toddlers and kids need humidifiers! In fact, many pediatricians recommend the use of a humidifier as a safe, non medicated, all natural alternative to help relieve congestion from the common cold and flu instead of potentially harmful over-the-counter cough and cold medicine.

The Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Crane USA is a must-have on your baby registry, as it will help baby stay healthy, sleep better, and is super simple to maintain – we think you’re going to want a baby humidifier in every room of the house!

Here’s what our Chief Baby Planner, Julie, has to say about the Crane Humidifier:

Check out this review of the Adorables line along with our real mom review of another Gugu Guru favorite: the Crane Travel Humidifier.

You can find Crane USA on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Creating a Safe and Sleep-Friendly Nursery with The Sleep Lady

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Kim West, LCSW-C, also known as The Sleep Lady, is our go-to guru when it comes to anything safety and sleep related. She’s here today to share her super helpful tips for creating a safe and sleep-friendly nursery.

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.

You can find Kim West on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Colgate Mattress: Must Have Baby Registry Pick

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-Sponsored Post-

There is nothing more valuable to a parent than peace of mind, so when it comes to adding products to your registry, the top product pick to consider should always be the crib mattress. Why the crib mattress? Well, simply put, not only is that where baby will spend the majority of their time, but the crib has to be a safe and soothing place for baby to rest, play, grow, and learn. When it comes to crib mattresses, our must have baby registry pick is Colgate Mattress. We believe your baby’s nursery needs to include a quality product from Colgate, a third generation, family-owned and operated company of craftsmen has been selling crib mattresses for over 60 years. Colgate is not only known for their top selling mattresses, but their accessories as well.

We’ve featured Colgate for Back to Sleep, Innovative Sleep Products, and as a Nursery Essential for Mother’s Day, plus Meet the Makers Behind the Mattresses

There are many reasons that Colgate Mattresses are a must have baby registry pick for your little one. Did you know that Colgate Mattresses are made in America? It’s true! And, better yet, they’re a family owned business, so you can feel good about supporting a family when you purchase from them. Colgate also keeps parents in mind and wants to make your life a little easier – so they designed their mattresses with the utmost attention to form and function. Did you know Colgate are pioneers in crib-mattress making? Colgate was the first to create light weight mattresses, which makes lifting the mattress to change the sheets a much easier task than traditional mattresses. Colgate mattresses are cleverly designed to accommodate baby as she transitions to the toddler phase with a simple flip of the mattress. One side is firm and supportive for infants while the other is slightly softer for toddler comfort; safe sleep at all ages.

For the eco-conscious parent, Colgate has always chosen to use non-toxic barrier fabrics instead of harsh fire retardant chemicals to give parents peace of mind while not only meeting, but exceeding federal flammability standards. Colgate takes your baby’s safety incredibly seriously and they are the first mattress company to use natural coir fiber made from coconuts shell husks. And, you can rest easy knowing that all of Colgate’s crib mattresses carry the Greenguard GOLD certification.

Colgate’s safety and concern for baby doesn’t end at crib mattresses, either. They have a full line of accessories to help keep your baby calm and safe, including bassinet mattresses, organic crib mattress covers, and contoured changing pads complete with natural changing pad covers, too. Colgate products are designed with rich and natural textures to provide your baby with a calming and cozy environment. With Colgate Mattresses, quality and function strike a harmonious balance to help baby sleep safely and peacefully, all while providing parents with peace of mind.

Thank you to Colgate for making this sponsored post possible.

Photos via Pics and Paws Photography

Cord Blood Banking 101

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In the last few years, there has been a lot of chatter in the parent world about “cord blood banking.” While it seems like a smart idea on the surface, many parents can be overwhelmed by the concept, all the steps involved, the scary “what if’s” that are at the premise of cord blood banking and, the price tag. The team at Gugu Guru knows that when you’re expecting a baby, you’re likely already feeling “decision fatigue” and a high sense of skepticism around what is necessary for your family versus just a nice to have, so we wanted to break cord blood banking down to help you understand if it’s right for you. Below find our Cord Blood Banking 101 overview in an easy to digest Q&A format, including the pros and cons of this offering. Read on to learn more about cord blood banking for your new baby from LifeBankUSA.

So, what is cord blood banking?

In a nutshell, cord blood banking is the act of saving your baby’s umbilical cord blood and its stem cells at birth in case you may need them in the future. The stem cells are harvested, processed and then “cryopreserved” (a fancy word for freezing) at a bank for your potential future medical use. A baby’s umbilical cord is rich in stem cells that can be used to treat a variety of life threatening disorders and diseases. The idea is that when you store your baby’s cord blood, you are investing in your baby’s future in the event that he or she may need his or her own stem cells. And, not necessarily just that particular child of yours, but often siblings are a match for each other too – though not always.

Why harvest from the umbilical cord blood?

While the umbilical cord blood is not the only source of stem cells in your body, it is very quick and easy to collect and bank stem cells from cord blood. On the other hand, it currently requires lengthy, invasive procedures to tap into the body’s other sources (e.g., bone marrow) if you were to need your stem cells – and this is why it is recommended by many experts and physicians to harvest from the umbilical cord at birth.

Is there an expiration date on stem cells and how long they can be frozen for?

According to AABB, there is not enough scientific data to quantify the shelf life of frozen stem cells since the act of cord blood banking hasn’t been around that long. However, researchers and scientists say that stem cells frozen over 20 years ago are still as fresh today as they were when harvested.

What can cord blood or stem cells be used for in the future?

From cancers to blood disorders to genetic diseases – cord blood stem cells can be used in the treatment of nearly 80 diseases today such as leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, and some metabolic disorders (source: Moise K Jr. Umbilical cord stem cells. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;106(6):1393-1407.) Privately storing your baby’s cord blood is a way to ensure that this resource is available for your family if ever needed for current applications, experimental uses and for any treatments that may arise in the future. Cord blood is also being used experimentally right now in clinical trials to treat children with cerebral palsy and autism through Duke University Medical Center.

When do you actually “bank” the cells?

Cord blood banking can only be done at birth with the help of a doctor or midwife, using the kit provided through the cord blood banking company the parents have selected. It is important to remember that cord blood banking can only be performed by a doctor or midwife, and only at the moments of birth – you cannot go back and bank cord blood later. Therefore, we highly recommend researching cord blood banking companies while pregnant and having a plan in place well beforehand. Here’s a helpful resource from Parents.com on Comparing Cord Blood Banking Companies.

What is the biggest benefit to cord blood banking?

Perhaps the greatest benefit is that storing your child’s stem cells is a once in a lifetime opportunity and an investment in the safety and security of your family’s future. By storing your baby’s stem cells privately, it means they will be available if you should ever need them. Without stem cells privately stored, your family would need to undergo other procedures (e.g., harvesting from bone marrow) to extract stem cells or search through public registries which can be extremely time consuming if a viable unit is even found. The long term investment of making sure your baby has his or her own stem cells banked can be considered priceless by many.

OK, so what is the biggest risk with cord blood banking?

Think of cord blood banking like any voluntary insurance plan you might carry. You may never need to use life insurance, for example, and if not – then you are out that investment. That is a financial risk and one that may need to be considered heavily if the cost would qualify as a large investment for your family. However, some of the payment plans that are offered by private cord blood banks may help to mitigate that risk by allowing you to pay over time versus in one lump sum. Of course, even if the stem cells are not used for treatment you will still have the added piece of mind that they are there for your family.

I am giving birth soon! How do I bank my baby’s cord blood? What if I am giving birth at home?

When you work with a cord blood banking company, the company sends you a compact collection kit that contains all of the necessary materials for the collection to be performed. Simply bring this kit to the hospital in your labor and delivery bag. The cord blood banking company will subsequently send a medical courier that will come to the hospital to get the kit from you after delivery. If you’re giving birth at home, the process is the same – you would receive a kit and your midwife would perform the collection, and a courier comes to pick up the cells. It’s all a very quick and simple process.

How much does it cost normally? Is there a payment plan?

According to Babycenter, cord blood banks can charge a first-year processing fee that ranges from about $1,500 to $3,000, plus annual storage costs of about $90 to $175. The banks typically offer payment plans, ranging from no-interest installments paid over a few months to longer-term financing with interest.

Thank you to LifebankUSA for making this sponsored post possible. A little on LifebankUSA:

LifebankUSA is a stem cell banking company that is truly committed to research to advance the field of stem cell uses, ultimately helping to increase the value of your family’s investment. LifebankUSA is able to provide the most comprehensive stem cell banking options for new parents and is an expert in not just storing your baby’s precious stem cells but also in guiding your family in the use of them. After your baby’s stem cells are stored your relationship with LifebankUSA does not end. LifebankUSA is all about research and advancements; so, they will continue to update you on treatment advances using stem cells. Plus, LifebankUSA prides itself on their customer relationships and are always available to support to your family with any questions. Furthermore, if the case happens where you do need the cells, LifebankUSA will assist and support you in ensuring all pre-release testing and documentation is completed and coordinating the release of the stem cells.

Lifebank also has amazing discounts for veterans; contact Lifebank to learn more about their Veteran’s Discount!

Photos by Pics and Paws Photography

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