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Travel

Playard Picks: 2022 Edition

by Abby Ludwig 1 Comment

Playards have become a necessity for many families over the last 10 years. They are the true multi-functional item that you will use again and again as your little one grows. In the newborn days, your playard may be a safe sleep spot for the baby. It takes up a small amount of space next to your bed, keeping the baby close for those middle-of-the-night feeds. Many playards have a bassinet setting, which is also great for naps throughout the day. The changing station (which is included with many playards) is an excellent place to change your little one, especially if the nursery is far from your play area. Plus, the playard will easily fold up for travel and is a great place for your toddler to sleep while on the go. A true must-have, take a look at our best playards for 2022.

Breeze® Plus Playard With Bassinet & Changer | 4moms®

Easiest Fold: 4moms Breeze Plus 

The 4moms breeze plus is a playard, bassinet, and changing table in one. It is easy to move around the house, always giving you a convenient place for the baby to sleep. The Breeze Plus is extremely easy to open/close and is an excellent secondary changing station. The bassinet is compatible with up to 18 pounds while the playard will hold up to 30 pounds. The removable bassinet, changer, and playard are all easy to clean with a simple damp cloth.

Eco-friendly Pick: Lotus Travel Crib from Guava Family

The lightest playard, the Lotus is GreenGuard Gold non-toxic certified (low VOC & no lead, phthalates, PVC, heavy metals, etc.). Full-height mesh guarantees breathable airflow. Plus, parents are just crazy about the side access panel that allows you easy access through the lockable door. Set up is simple and the Lotus playard only weighs 13 lbs packed, making it an excellent choice for travel. The Lotus comes with a backpack carrying case and a thick, soft foam pad approved for overnight sleep (0-3 years old.) They have also launched their Bassinet & Crib Kit.


Budget Pick: Graco Pack n Play Reversible Napper & Changer LX   

The Graco Pack n Play Reversible Napper & Changer includes a newborn napper station for baby to sleep and reverses to a changing table for easy diaper changes. After baby outgrows the removable full-size bassinet, the Graco Pack n Play easily converts to a portable playard. The napper and bassinet can be used for babies up to 15 pounds. This playard also includes a toy bar with plush toys.



Multiples Pick: Romp & Roost

Romp & Roost is the ultimate playard for twins or even just for one baby. This stylish, oversized playard can be used for a play area or sleep space. This play yard includes a patented, removable divider that separates the space into two spacious spaces with an airy mesh fabric. The Romp & Roost features large wheels with brakes and a convenient carry bag making it perfect for trips to grandma’s house.

Modern Pick: Nuna Sena Aire

The Nuna Sena Aire is an easy-to-use playard with an innovative, chic design you won’t mind having out in your home.  Unlike many other playards, the Nuna Sena Aire is easy to open and close with one hand and easily slides into the included travel bag.  You can be sure your baby is comfy with full mesh sides and the included quilted mattress. The mattress can be used in the higher position as a bassinet and easily moves to the lower position for use until your little one is 30 pounds.

Minimalist Pick: Bugaboo Stardust

Looking for something unique that meets your minimalist aesthetic? Bugaboo Stardust unfolds in 1 second and stores easily. Great for that room where you need baby to nap, but want your floor space back each morning! An excellent choice for toddler play in a small space.

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Back To Sleep, Budget, Ecofriendly, Economical Picks, Gugu Picks, Multiples, Sleep, Travel Tagged With: baby essentials, registry, travel

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5 Common Travel Mistakes when Vacationing with Kids

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

The first time you travel with your new baby, you have no idea what to expect. What do you pack? How do you plan your day? When should they sleep? You can learn a lot and plan accordingly by avoiding these five common travel mistakes.

Looking for our exhaustive packing list? Take a look at the items you may need to pack when traveling with your littles.

Making a Strict Itinerary

Photo by hessam nabavi on Unsplash

Planning your schedule on vacation so that you get the most out of your time is a smart thing to do. Planning your schedule so rigidly that you feel stress when your baby sleeps in—or doesn’t sleep at all—will ruin the whole trip. Make a plan but be aware that your baby might act differently out of their normal routine. They might nurse or eat more often out of comfort. Getting them to sleep might be a struggle. Because of all of the fun new activities, they might nap for longer times. Allow for flexibility and your stress level will remain in vacation mode. 

Totally Ditching Your Normal Routine

Another of the common travel mistakes is going willy nilly with your schedule. While you don’t want to adhere to a super strict itinerary, you shouldn’t completely ditch your at home routine either. If your baby has been napping for two hours every day for the past four months, skipping their afternoon nap will result in a cranky baby for the rest of the day. Likewise, bumping their mealtimes by too much will leave them feeling hungry and grumpy—and you’ll be the one to pay for your mistake. Try to keep nap times, meal times, and bedtimes approximately the same so as not to confuse your baby.

Leaving Comforts at Home

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Does your baby have a special blanket they like to snuggle with during your nursing sessions? Or maybe a particular cup to drink from during lunch? Perhaps they have always slept with a white noise machine in their bedroom. Or their favorite bear sits with them while they eat their meal. Do yourself and your baby a favor and bring along these items, especially any surrounding eating and sleeping. If they can have their comfort item, they might adapt more easily to being in totally new surroundings.

Bringing Along Absolutely Everything

While it’s smart to bring along a comfort item or two, bringing along their entire toy box and wardrobe is simply unnecessary. Overpacking for baby is definitely a common travel mistake. Yes, your baby will need a few more changes of clothes than you to account for diaper blowouts, slobber, and eating messes. Yes, some toys are smart to bring along to serve as a distraction on the plane or car ride as well as in the stroller and hotel room. But you don’t need it all. Your back will thank you when you don’t have to lug everything and the kitchen sink in and out of the car. 

Not Taking Enough Pictures With You

Common travel mistakes
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

It’s easier for parents nowadays to take pictures thanks to the camera technology in our phones. You will definitely capture their first step in the ocean, a taste of a local treat, and the sunrise they woke you up to see. But are you taking enough pictures of your baby — and you? If you’re traveling with another parent, friend, or family member, ask them to take pictures of the two of you interacting on vacation, and not just posed photos. Candids of playing in the sand, walking on a trail hand in hand, or meeting a character for the first time will be images you will cherish for a lifetime. Having you in the photo means that your baby will also cherish that photo when they are older. You were there; make sure you’re visible in the photos. 

You will have a great time on your baby’s first vacation. Just keep a few of these common travel mistakes in mind as you head off to make memories together.


Filed Under: Baby Travel, Travel Tagged With: travel

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Wanderlust Giveaway

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

We’ve lined up some travel must-haves and are giving one of YOU a chance to win these awesome prizes. 

We’ve partnered with some of our most loved brands to gift you some of the best products for travel and on-the-go! One lucky parent will win this bundle of prizes worth over $600 including:

  • Gladly Family Merritt Portable Playard Suite and Pod Diaper Bag Changing Station & Cot
  • Bizzi Growin Baby Sleeping Bag and Koochicoo Blanket
  • Yogasleep Sweet Dreams for Sleep Baby Sound Machine Bundle

 – a total ARV of $613

Enter for a chance to win below. GOOD LUCK!

Wanderlust Giveaway

One winner will be randomly selected from all entries. Open to US residents only. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM ET on 2/4/22.

Filed Under: Giveaway, Travel Tagged With: giveaway, travel

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On the Go Gear for Eco-friendly Families

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

Your life is busy and full of complicated stuff. Your baby gear should be simple. It should be easy. Most importantly, it should be something you love to use. When we come across excellent products, we need to ‘shout it from the rooftop!’ Bumbleride strollers are our go-to recommendation when working with eco-friendly families. Born in San Diego, Bumbleride’s stroller line can do it all. They are all-terrain strollers, not too heavy, and designed for all of life’s adventures.

While all of this is great, our favorite part about the brand is their dedication to the materials. They put great pride in using recycled materials and production processes that will create the safest strollers for your littles. Pair with some of our other top Eco-Friendly (and Affordable) finds and you’ve got all your basics covered.

Want to learn more? Read about their materials here and their manufacturing processes here. Cheers to Bumbleride for focusing on sustainability!

Bumbleride Era

One of our top recommended strollers at Gugu Guru, Era changed the game for eco-friendly families. With its reversible seat, quick compact fold, and small footprint, this is the perfect stroller choice for city, suburbs, or country! The stroller is newborn compatible (on it’s deepest recline or with a car seat adapter) and has excellent storage. Plus it’s air-filled tires (and included air pump) will help push through anything. This stroller is truly one of a kind!

Don’t take our word for it!

See what Brittany Littleton (Mom of 3 & Vegan Restauranteur) had to say:
“Over the past few years, sustainability has become trendy. This would be great, except that so much of what is marketed as “eco-friendly” isn’t at all. Especially in the baby market, there is SO MUCH PLASTIC WASTE. If you want something high end AND kind to the planet? Forget about it. Until @bumbleride — they have a true mission of sustainability with documented proof. They are constantly seeking to improve and being transparent about their operations. The fact that this fabric is made fully from recycled plastic water bottles makes my heart happy. I have hope we can create a beautiful future for our little ones.”

Bumbleride Indie

This do it all single stroller is a great choice for families who like to constantly be on the move. Great for unpaved trails, sidewalks, grass, and more, the Indie can push over anything. Its all-wheel suspension, air-filled tires will give you an excellent push and it will hold your little one up to 55 lbs. This stroller can take a car seat and reclines flat enough to be newborn compatible, making it a perfect option from day 1. Great for a day at the beach or a walk to the park!

Eco-friendly Family with multiples? Looking for a great double option for your toddler + baby? Check out the Indie Twin, which offers all of the same great features noted above, but with two seats! And for those twin moms? Yes! It will take 2 car seats!

Bumbleride Speed

Active and eco-minded? Bumbleride has you covered! Their Speed stroller can run, walk, and jog with you through every errand and activity. One of the lightest-weight jogging strollers on the market, the Speed will double as your everyday stroller. With it’s large wheels and huge canopy, this stroller is the perfect choice for your little ones up to 65 lbs. Just make sure not to run with your little one until cleared by your pediatrician and Bumbleride will take care of the rest.

Looking for more active must-haves? Check out some of our favorite Gear for Active Families.

No matter what your day’s activities look like, Bumbleride has a stroller to meet your needs. Thank you so much to Bumbleride for making this sponsored post happen and for creating excellent products to help take care of our babies and our planet.

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Ecofriendly, Essentials, Toddlers, Travel

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On-The-Go Must Have: Baby K’tan Diaper Bag

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Let’s be frank. You already know (and LOVE) the Baby K’tan baby carriers. For years, they have been known as ‘the wrap without the wrap,’ and we can’t stop recommending them. They are simple to use, comfy for mom, and keep baby close. Did you know that your favorite carrier company also makes excellent diaper bags? We had moms from our Gugu Village test them out. Read below to see what they had to say and check them out on our shop for HUGE discounts!

Crystal, Mom of 2 – Sojourn Diaper Bag

So after going through a few diaper bags with my now 4-year-old, I kinda knew what I wanted and what I didn’t want. I knew one of the things I absolutely hated was rummaging through the organized bag to find what I wanted, to then end up with a messy bag. This in turn made me really despise using a diaper bag when my son came along. I love that it has a zipper that allows me to FULLY UNZIP THE BAG!! I can open it and see everything that I packed. It also has 9 POCKETS!! You hear that moms…9, one of which is an insulated pocket for refrigerated snacks and bottles and another dedicated pocket for wipes! I love the removable wet bag, especially during the summer months to just throw the swimsuits in there when we are done for the day. The best thing about all this is that it’s machine washable!!! I can just throw this baby in with the laundry and I’m done! I have to say that Baby K’tan really listened to moms and created a great all-in-one bag for many different lifestyles.

Anais, Mom of 2, Flex Diaper Bag

I am quite literally a mess. I love the idea of being organized and I do try, but my efforts always fall short. I love the Baby K’tan Flex!! It allows me to maintain a bit of my sanity while toting around 2 toddlers (3 & 1). With just the right amount of pockets and compartments, I can carry around essentials and leave them in there for the next time we go out. There’s an interior side mesh pocket that would fit my tumbler perfectly but I throw 2 pouches and a spoon in there for easy feeding.  The bottom has a HUGE compartment for literally everything. I love the Flex because it allows me to carry the right amount of stuff for my kids. My absolute favorite feature of this diaper bag is that it has a soft shell and is super lightweight! I like wearing it messenger style and it just conforms to my body. It’s so comfortable I forget I’m wearing it. Comfort has become key for me. I even use this as a diaper caddy at home! I’ve found so many ways to use this and make it work for my kids and I. 

Abby, Mom of 1, Sojourn Diaper Bag

The Baby K’tan Sojourn diaper bag backpack looks very luxurious and has many pockets. One of my favorite things about it is that it is machine washable but make sure to hang it to dry. The zippers are large and easy to grab. I do find that sometimes the zippers catch on the material. There are a couple pockets that are safe for electronics because of the protective cloth. There’s a bonus bag inside that is a removable wet bag. There is a detachable key fob and several pockets. If you look on the back side and unzip all the way, you will find a removable diaper changing pad. In this area is also a wipe holder and another pocket. Unfortunately, there is no space for diapers in this spot so I use the middle zipper area for them. On the side in between the two main zippers is a small insulated pocket. I do wish this pocket went all the way across the bag. I love this style of bags, but I think this would be better for a toddler/preschool age instead of infants unless you’re doing the basics.

Chelsea, Mom of 2, Flex Diaper Bag

As a busy mom with two young boys we pack what I feel like is an abundance of things. I’ve used backpacks to literal small duffle bags to find what works best for us. I’ve found the Baby K’tan Flex diaper bag as a great inbetween alternative. It’s very versatile as it can be carried as a handbag, with the should strap or the shoulder strap converts it into a backpack. It has many pockets for organizing and a great zippered bottom which provides cooler space. I really love the way it was designed, it’s been a perfect diaper bag for us.

Carly, Mom of 1, Sojourn Diaper Bag

The Baby K’tan Sojourn Backpack Diaper Bag is a wonderful option to take on your adventures with your little one(s)! It is extremely lightweight, has very comfortable straps, and is unexpectedly spacious. It fits everything that I need and more for a full day and night out with my toddler, and even has an insulated pouch for his cold food and drinks. Not to mention, it has a built in changing pad that makes diaper changing on-the-go easy to clean up. While it is roomy, it offers a little less organization than I personally would prefer. Since the interior is black, it makes it a little more difficult to see each compartment, making it a little more of a challenge to find all of my items, however, I feel as though the space on the inside is worth the slight inconvenience of not being able to find some items as quickly as preferred. Overall, I would recommend this lightweight and spacious backpack! 

Thank you to Baby K’tan for allowing our moms to test these diaper bags!

Check out more reviews and tips here:

Crane’s Deluxe Cordless Breast Pump: Our Village Weighs In
Gamechanger for Bathtime: Moms Love Bubbsi
5 Moms Pamper their Feet with Barefoot Scientist


Filed Under: Baby Registry, Bath & Diapering, Diapering, Travel Tagged With: review

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To Grandmother’s House, We Go!

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

After the past 20 months, we are all ready for a bit of normalcy. For many of us, this might mean traveling to see Grandparents this holiday season. No matter near or far, there are some products you may want when you bring your little ones for a visit. Check below for our round-up of all the products that may need to “live at Grandmas!”

Also, don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Travel Checklist.

Time to Eat

You’ve finally figured out a routine for your little ones. Baby needs a bottle every 4 hours, while your toddler needs 3 meals and about 45 snacks in between.

Starting with baby, we absolutely adore the bbhugme Nursing Pillow, which is great for both breast and bottle feeders. It is customizable, comfortable, and comes with an excellent carry case, which is great for travel.

If you’re pumping, be sure to grab a Freeze It Flat by MAMMaway. This will allow you to efficiently freeze + store your breastmilk, without taking up valuable space in Grammy’s freezer. Also, be sure to check out some of our travel favorites by Baby’s Brew. Known for their excellent bottle warmers and 2-in-1 Snack Cups.

For your little one starting solids, we love the sets by Green Sprouts. You will have your bibs + dishes ready to go when lunch approaches. Your toddler will also love the GoBe Snack Spinner, making snack time fun and easy!

Time to Run Out and About

While you may travel with your stroller and/or carrier, sometimes it’s nice to show up at your Grandparent’s without any gear. We love leaving a lightweight stroller at Papa’s to throw in the car or run to the park. Larktale has some of our favorites, which also fold up small for easy storage. Check out the Chit Chat or the Autofold, which folds down small with the flip of a handlebar. Looking for a way to carry multiple kiddos? Larktale’s Caravan Wagon is an excellent way to visit the park, beach, zoo, and beyond!

Time to Relax

Sometimes at Granny’s the schedules and routines go out the window. We support that! Vacation is a time when rules are broken. Instead of nap time, your 3-year-old may cozy up on the couch watching football. Bizzi Growin has some of the softest luxury blankets with the cutest patterns. We highly recommend the Koochicoo blanket for your big kids and their adorable sleepsacks for your littles!

Looking for a safe place to sleep? Babymoov’s Naos Crib & Playard is an excellent option. Weighing under 9 lbs, this playard will fold up small for easy storage and easy for Grandpa to move. Mom hack: This is a great place for baby to play, especially in an area that might not be babyproofed as your home. Add some reusable ergoPouch Window Blockouts to ensure a great night of sleep for everyone.

Whether you’re visiting Grandparents by plane or car, we know you’ll be fully prepared to enjoy time with your loved ones!

Looking for More Travel Tips & Tricks?

Travel Must Have: Slumberpod Review
The Best Travel Gear for Baby
5 Best Lightweight Travel Strollers


Filed Under: Baby Registry, Baby Travel, Gear, Strollers, Travel Tagged With: gifts, registry, travel

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Travel Must Have: Slumberpod Review

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

About the author:

Denalee is a frequent traveler with her 18 month old. She tested the Slumberpod for us in both a hotel room and at a vacation house. Check out what she had to say below!

Traveling with baby or considering taking a trip in the near future with your little one in tow? If you’re sharing a room with your babe, a stickler for scheduled sleep times or perhaps traveling to another time zone, check out this review of the SlumberPod from Gugu Guide and frequent traveler, Denalee, who just came back from a vacation with her 18 month old son, Mikey.

What is the SlumberPod?

The SlumberPod is a portable blackout solution for peaceful sleep on-the-go. It is a quick-assembly privacy pod that helps babies/toddlers get a good night’s sleep — especially important when sharing a room with others or when napping conditions are not ideal. It completely encloses a playard (travel crib), mini-crib, or select toddler cots. SlumberPod makes it easy to create the perfect sleep environment at home and while traveling.

I used the SlumberPod in two different situations; a vacation house and then a hotel room. I am covering both scenarios in this review of the SlumberPod.

Vacation House Review

Pros:

  • The room was not very dark at all so it was really helpful to have the SlumberPod, especially at nap time!
  • The room also does not have AC, I was a little concerned with the lack of airflow since the room is warm and the air from the room’s fans can’t really penetrate the tent when it is sealed.  However, I opened the windows a little and kept the zipper partially open and the temperature was fine (I stuck my son’s monitor in there with him so it measured the temperature and it was completely fine!)
review of the SlumberPod in a house

Cons:

  • The bedroom was a normal size bedroom and I didn’t realize how big the SlumberPod was.  It feels huge over our small travel crib but after I used the SlumberPod again I think it was just a combination of the room size and the furniture in it. As you’ll see in the next scenario, when you’re using the SlumberPod in a hotel environment I don’t think this is an issue.  We still made it work with the vacation home bedroom, it was just a tight space to move around and with so many people doing Airbnb in lieu of hotels these days, I thought it would be good to call this out.
review of the SlumberPod

Hotel Room Review

Here we used the SlumberPod with a traditional play yard. The SlumberPod was clutch on our recent vacation to Chicago. In a hotel setting, there is plenty of open space for the SlumberPod and we didn’t even notice the size. We were traveling for a wedding and had a babysitter set to watch my son one night. It was really nice to be able to let her use her phone/iPad in the room and not worry about the light.  Additionally, the bathroom had a glass wall to the bedroom so anytime the bathroom light was on you could see it in the bedroom.  The SlumberPod allows my son to nap while others are doing things in the hotel room that require light, e.g., getting ready for the wedding, and helps him sleep more soundly at night away from home.  I was still concerned with putting the TV on while he slept in the SlumberPod but it was more a concern for noise than for light.

review of the SlumberPod portability

Overall, I highly recommend the SlumberPod. I do wish I had started using the SlumberPod when my son was younger.  Although he was excited to hang out in it when he first saw it set up he was hesitant to go in at bed time and I had to climb in with him to get him to calm down (normally he goes down easily on his own).  Also, I would highly recommend practicing setting it up.  It took me a few tries at home to get it right and I was so happy to tested it first.  The instructions are a little bit confusing but they suggest you watch the video and the video was very helpful to set it up.  At first I was concerned it would be one more thing to lug around when traveling but it fit right in our car seat bag without an issue so we hardly noticed we were bringing it. It folds into its travel bag really easily too so taking it down is a breeze.

Grab your SlumberPod now to join you on any holiday travel!

Enjoy this post? Check out more travel posts:
Cruising with Baby
Our Best Travel Tips
Our Fav Picks: Travel Car Seats
Gugu Gift Guide: Travel Picks for Mom

Filed Under: Sleep, Travel Tagged With: sleep, travel

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The Only Travel Checklist You’ll Ever Need

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

The 2021 holidays will be here before we know it and along with everything else on our plate, we also have to decide if we’ll be traveling with our little ones this holiday season. No matter what you choose for your family, Gugu Guru is going to have your back, recommending the best products to keep things stress-free.

Gear

  • Car Seat – Our post on Travel Car Seats is a great place to start.
    • The Clek Liing: designed with a European belt path allowing you to securely install the car seat without the base. It is also aircraft-approved. Bonus: the lightweight polyester-spandex blend interior fabric feels like pjs, giving your little one a cozy place to snuggle up.
    • The Wayb Pico is ultralight, super strong, and absorbs energy forces in a crash while being 8lbs! It folds compactly for easy storage and installs safely in seconds with LATCH or a seatbelt.
  • Stroller -No matter where you have to fit your stroller, we have the best Lightweight Travel Strollers to meet your needs. Here’s two of our favorites:
    • The Larktale chit chat™ is constructed from recycled nylon fiber for a lightweight and incredibly strong design. Built in suspension, quick fold, and a carrying strap makes travel with littles a breeze.
    • The Mountain Buggy Nano is a hidden gem. It’s car seat compatible, has a carry strap, and a travel bag while meeting carry-on requirements for most aircrafts.
  • Carrier – Great for the airport, discreet nursing, and naptime. Some parents actually prefer a carrier to a stroller for travel! Either way, take our Baby Carrier quiz or check out 2 of our picks:
    •  The Baby K’tan Original carrier is especially nice for travel as the included sash converts to a carry bag when needed! Known as the “wrap without wrapping”, it offers a hands-free, buckle-free experience for parents! The new Active Oasis style has antimicrobial properties for a little extra peace of mind. 
    • If you prefer something with a little more structure, the BabyBjorn Mini is made of soft cozy fabrics. It has an adjustable seat and head support to make it ergonomic. 
  • Changing Pad/Diaper Bag – We recently surveyed our Gugu Village for the most inconvenient place they have ever had to change a diaper. Topping the list was an airplane bathroom. Having a hands-free bag like the TWELVElittle Diaper Clutch 3.0 or the Kibou bag makes it so much better. 
  • Travel Gear Bags –J.L. Childress has some excellent options. The bright colors make your bags easy to spot and they have Disney options, too! 

Sleep

  • Travel Crib – To continue following Safe Sleep Guidelines, we recommend a playard or travel crib at your destination.  Looking for something more compact?:
    • The Babymoov Travelnest is a portable bassinet that can be used as a diaper bag, napper, or changer. It converts within seconds and has a removable foam mattress plus sturdy edges to keep newborns, infants, and toddlers comfortable.
    • Pro-Tip: If your stroller system came with a detachable bassinet (that is approved for sleep) this is a great option for your baby in a hotel or family home as well!
  • Sound Machine – whether you are trying to mimic your baby’s home environment or drown out other guests, the Yogasleep Hushh Portable White Noise Machine is excellent. It’s compact, clips onto your stroller/carseat/bassinet and lasts 6+ hours on a single charge.
  • Blackout Curtains – Need a way to keep baby’s room dark? Amazon Basics Blackout Curtain Shade with Suction Cup saved all of our sanity.  The Slumberpod is another great option that may be a perfect fix for your sleeping sanity! 
  • Toddler Options – Looking for a solution for your toddler?  The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed Portable Inflatable is an excellent airbed choice. It’s made with built-in guard rails, fits a standard crib sheet, and includes a compact pump and carrying bag. For durability, check out the Regalo My Cot Pals is lightweight, holds up to 75lbs, and requires no setup. 
  • Pregnancy Pillow – Expecting Mamas, don’t forget about yourself! I recently drove from NJ to FL at 7 months pregnant and bringing my bbhugme® Pregnancy Pillow was a lifesaver. I used it in the car, the hotel, and for elevating my swollen feet.  My pregnancy travel must have!

Feeding

  • Formula Container – Figuring out formula logistics on vacation can be its own stressor. You may want to ship ahead to ensure formula will be waiting at your destination. To help carry small amounts, the Baby’s Brew Formula Dispenser Pro is mess-free, easy, and fast. It holds 150 grams of powdered formula, and one push equals 1 scoop of formula – that’s it!.  If you prefer pre-measured, Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Milk Powder Dispensers fit inside most bottles for travel.
  • Bottle Brush – to clean and reuse your bottles, the Boon TRIP Travel Drying Rack is compact and includes everything you need – the drying rack and 2 brushes. Just add soap. 
  • Cooler – from breast milk to sippy cups, baby food to snack containers, water bottles to flasks (oops how did that one get in there) you may need to keep things cold. PackIt’s Freezable Classic Lunch Boxes is the first and only lunchbox with freezable non-toxic gel built in to keep food and drinks chilled for hours. The Luli Bebé Monaco Snack Bag can be worn either as a backpack or over-the-shoulder and fits large 16oz beverages. Finally, the YETI Hopper Portable Cooler is the perfect size for long road trips, holds temperature extremely well, and can fit 6 bottles or cans with ice.  
  • Snack Container – toddlers + snacks will keep tantrums at bay.  For airplane days, we choose to lighten up on many rules – you want goldfish for breakfast, great! The GoBe Kids Snack Spinner is easy to pack and allows you space for 5 different snacks. We also love the Baby’s Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cups that can be used as a collapsible cup for on-the-go drinks or snacks. Best of all, both are dishwasher safe! 

Organization

  • Diaper Bag – when flying with baby, you get to bring 1 extra diaper bag – even if you don’t purchase an extra seat! Take advantage of this with a weekender-style travel bag that is made just for baby.  The Babymoov Traveller Diaper Bag has a large storage capacity, 11 different pockets, and 6 accessories to keep everything contained. The Skip Hop Diaper Bag: Iconic Duo Weekender slides easily over rolling luggage handles and fits the PackIt’s Freezable Classic Lunch Boxes perfectly inside. 
  • Packing Cubes – to an over-packer, trying to fit 14 days of clothes for 4 people into 2 suitcases sounds like a nightmare.  This is where the Shacke Pak Packing Cubes Set comes in. Separate by person or color to make packing a breeze. Pro-tip: Put them in your suitcase standing up (with the handles on top) for maximum fit and easy access.
  • Extra Bags – this one is a bit of a Pro Tip, but bring extra bags with you! We never leave home without a BAGGU Reusable Shopping Bag or two. These come in hand for souvenirs, snacks and drinks, wet/dirty clothes, unexpected accidents, and so much more.  Other options are Wet/Dry bags like these from Bumkins, Diaper Sacks, or even just large freezer bags. 
  • Passport Holder – for international travel, keeping everyone’s identifications is key so that you are not digging through bags at the gate.  You could use one of the extra bags mentioned above, a Reusable Mesh Zipper Pouch Document Bag or an RFID Blocking Family Passport Zip Wallet. 

Apparel & Accessories

  • Pajamas – Sometimes having a jammie day makes everything easier. Plus, when siblings are dressed in matching prints or colors, it is much easier to keep track in airports or rest stops.  A few favorites include Clover Baby & Kids, ergoPouch, and Little Sleepies.
  • Socks – no one wants to worry about finding missing socks. Squid Socks feature 100% skin-safe tested silicone dots on the inside cuff to gently hold the socks in place. They are also moisture-wicking, have temperature control properties, are buttery soft, and naturally antibacterial. 
  • Pacifier Clips – the last thing traveling parents need is a dropped and dirty (or worse yet, lost) binky, paci, or baby soothing device. Prevention tips from – Little BaeBae RetractaClips, Loulou Lollipop Binky Holders, or Little BaeBae Pacifier Travel Case.
  • Toys – How to keep your little one occupied when traveling? Mouse Loves Pig Travel Shape Toys, Busy Baby Placemat, and Fat Brain Toys Suction Kupz are some of our top favorites. 
  • Hand Sanitizer – my final words to you.  Stock up.  Put one in every bag.  Always keep it nearby.  We love the travel shape of Kibou Sanitizer Stash, the scent of Baby Bum Hand Sanitizer, and the individual packets of Yoobi Hand Sanitizer Wipes. 

Filed Under: Baby Travel, Travel Tagged With: travel

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The Best Travel Gear for Baby

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

Whether you lived a travel-heavy lifestyle before baby or not, you’ll want to check out some of our suggestions for traveling with baby. We’ve rounded up some smart pieces to add to your packing list before you hit the road or the skies on your next trip. You’ll definitely have the best gear for your littlest jet-setter.

Travel Gear for Baby

Baby Bum Shower – $39.95

This handy product will help keep messy situations at bay when you’re on the go. It carries enough water–and soap–for up to ten diaper changes. Not only can you use this ergonomic, hand-held device to help clean your baby’s bottom, you can also use it to clean dirty hands on the playground, and more. If we’ve learned anything over the past year, having soap on hand is a must.

Babymoov Travelnest Portable Bassinet – $89.99

If you’re traveling with baby, you’re going to want a quick and easy place for your little one to nap. The sturdy edges help keep baby in place on the firm foam mattress. It folds up into a compact, easy-to-carry bag when it’s time to head to your next destination.

Ceres Chill Breastmilk Chiller – $86.50

If you’re pumping on the go, you’ll want to bring along the Breastmilk Chiller from Ceres Chill. The chiller will keep breastmilk cool for up to 20 hours. If you need some additional time, you can add ice. It’s also compatible with most major breast pumps. Additionally, you can use the lid as a bottle for your little one. Just pop on your baby’s favorite nipple and you’re good to go!

wipebandit (set of 3) – $26.97

The wipebandit is a must-have for any family on the go. It helps keep the wipes from pouring out when your hands are already full, and prevents an even messier diaper situation. You just slip it on the end of a package of wipes, tighten it up, and you’re good to go.

Larktale Chit Chat Stroller – $199.99

The Larktale Chit Chat is a must-have travel stroller. It folds down into a carry-on size, perfect for air travel, complete with a carrying strap. You’ll love the six color options as well. It’s lightweight, spins on a dime, and holds up to your on-the-go lifestyle. Additionally, we have some other travel strollers for you to review.

See more top travel tips:

Baby’s First Flight Checklist
Travel with Baby: Gift Guide
Baby’s First Roadtrip Checklist

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: travel

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The Scoop: Aden + Anais Weighted Blanket

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Did you know that they make weighted blankets for babies and toddlers? They do! And when it comes to helping your little one get the best possible sleep, many parents find themselves willing to try different methods or employ new techniques. Enter Aden + Anais with their stylish weighted blanket options.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of weighted blankets, they are proven in clinical studies to both help alleviate stress and help promote longer, deeper sleep. They can promote happiness and reduce stress by releasing those happy-making hormones while simultaneously reducing the ones that cause stress. It makes sense that while a weighted blanket will help an adult sleep, it can do the same for the littlest among us. Just note that sleep experts do not recommend weighted blankets for babies under 20 lbs. 

Aden + Anais created the embrace collection to help babies get their best possible sleep. They combine unique weight placement with 100% natural cotton, allowing you to use the weighted blanket all year long. Additionally, they make three different weights and sizes to accommodate babies of different ages and stages. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.

On-the-Go Blanket

$59.95
Weight: 2 pounds
Recommended Baby Weight: 20+ pounds

This is the smallest of the weighted blankets from Aden + Anais, fitting easily into strollers to keep baby both calm and warm on your morning or evening walks. This blanket is for babies who weigh 20 pounds or more, meeting the weighted blanket guidelines of no more than 10% of the baby’s body weight. It comes in two neutral, modern prints that will look great tucked into your favorite stroller. A safety note: Babies should never sleep with a blanket. Keep this handy for your stroller rides and other outings.

Toddler Bed Weighted Blanket

$99.95
Weight: 2.65 pounds
Recommended Toddler Weight: 26.5 pounds

The next size up fits your toddler’s bed just perfectly. This weighted blanket will help your growing little one adjust to their new bed, soothing their anxieties and helping them drift off to dream with ease. Using this blanket as part of your sleep routine could make bedtime easier for your whole family. It’s made for toddlers who weigh 26.5 pounds or more. This blanket comes in three prints with colors that feel perfect for a growing toddler who wants to have a say.

Lounge Blanket

$119.95
Weight: 4.4 pounds
Recommended Toddler Weight: 44 pounds

Sure to become a favorite for the whole family, the lounge blanket is the largest option from Aden + Anais and feels perfect for snuggling together. You can throw it on your own bed for a joint naptime or cuddle under it for family naptime. It weighs in at 4.4 pounds, which means you could also use it as a solo option for kiddos who weigh 44 pounds or more. This weighted blanket comes in one classy, neutral print to complement your decor. 

If you’re looking for an easy way to help your baby with sleep, starting with an Aden + Anais embrace collection weighted blanket seems like the perfect choice. You’ll be offering them a gentle hug when you can’t be there to hold them, calming their anxieties with ease.

Check out more must-haves for sleep:
Why You Need Natural Fiber Sleepwear for Your Baby
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Safe Sleep Basics
Sleep Must Have: Weighted Blankets for Baby & Parents

Filed Under: Baby Registry, Sleep, Toddlers, Travel Tagged With: registry

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