baby essentials

Bitta Kidda Lovie Sack

New parents are told so many rules: put the baby to sleep on their back, don’t put anything in the crib with them, especially no blankets or toys! But…babies tend to sleep better when they’re secure and warm, and often when holding onto something, so what’s a new parent to do? Enter the holy grail of sleep sacks: The Bitta Kidda LovieSack! The owners of Bitta Kidda, parents themselves, quickly realized that in order for their son to sleep better as an infant, he needed something soft to hold onto; toys and stuffed animals were out of the question, as well as blankies. So, they came up with the “Wearable Lovie” – a patch of soft natural 100% cotton velour, which provides a safe way for a baby to grasp something as they sleep. The Wearable Lovie cannot come off of the sleep sack, and can reach a baby’s face but never cover it, so there’s no risk of suffocation or strangulation – it’s simply a soft place for a baby’s hands to land.

Why else is the Bitta Kidda LovieSack the top of the line sleep sack for tired parents? If there’s one thing new parents (and seasoned parents) know it’s that changing a diaper in the middle of the night is pretty much the worst thing ever – the baby gets cold and wakes up and no one sleeps. But, not anymore! With the innovative diagonal zipper design, you can unzip the bottom of the Bitta Kidda (and no zipper ends to figure out how to match together – Hallelujah!), open internal (and adjustable) diaper cover, change the diaper, refasten the diaper cover, zipper back up, and put baby back to bed. The baby stays warm on top the whole time, as well as has the Wearable Lovie to hold, so your little one may not even make a peep during their 3AM diaper change any more. Thanks to the internal diaper cover, the LovieSack doesn’t get twisted around the baby, making it safe for infants as young as 3-4 months until 24 months. The LovieSack has snaps for easy on and off, and is made from 100% natural cotton – so your baby can rest healthy, safe, and easy!

We had a Gugu Guru mom, test out the LovieSack with her baby girl and here’s what she had to say:

By the time I received the Bitta Kidda LovieSack, I was in desperate need of a new pajama solution for my “mobile crib standing and rough sleeping” little one. I loved the idea of the lovie attached and the fact that it is a sack design keeps her warm and safe. Construction wise, I couldn’t be happier; everything looks to be stitched nicely and the design is adorable.

The zipper zips up easily and smoothly and the fact that that it is diagonal and ends near the armpit is a smart idea. It doesn’t end up irritating her under her chin or ride up or down and get unzipped. The internal diaper cover is a nice feature. At first I thought it would be a hindrance, but having it in place keeps this sleepsuit more in place than any others I have tried. My baby is an explorer and went straight for the lovie attached; it is a lovely way to have a toy with them in a safe way.

Product Discovery: b.box

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As a parent, the key word is always “convenience” – any item you carry on you has to be easy to reach, easy to clean, safe for the baby, and double points if the item can be used as two items in one! As your baby grows into the early stages of eating solid foods, you’re going to find yourself having to remember to pack not only the food in the diaper bag, but also a spoon, bib (or 2), plastic baggies, paper towels, wipes, and still, at the end of the day, you’ll probably be shoving a dirty bib into the diaper bag (and, let’s be honest, forget that it’s there and find a sweet potato crusted bib three weeks later). Well, now, thanks to the folks over at b.box, there is a much better way!

b.box, started by two moms, features fun and, most importantly, functional products for babies and young children. Having endured the mess of dirty-bibs-on-the-go themselves, the ladies at b.box invented this innovative travel bib and spoon, which not only is adorable for your little one, but amazingly efficient as well. How does it work so well? Well, this BPA-, Phthalates- and PVC-free bib features a standard bib structure, however, on the bottom of the bib is a pouch to catch all the food which drops – but, that’s not all!

When your darling one is done with their messy lunch-on-the-go, all you do is fold the bib up into the pouch attached on the bottom, throw in the spoon, zip up – and voila! Throw it into your diaper bag, clean as a whistle, and you won’t have any more crusty potato flakes wandering around the bottom of your bag.Once you get home, simply un-zip the pouch, wash the bib and spoon by hand with your regular dish soap, let dry, and you’re ready to zip it back up for your next adventure with your babe.

The pouch features a handy looped handle, so you can easily strap it to the outside of your diaper bag, wear it on your hand, or throw it on your stroller’s handle.

The flexible soft-bite spoon is perfect for early eaters, all the way down to children who can feed themselves. The bib is made from polyester and comfortable for your baby, without being too rigid and making it uncomfortable for them to eat. With an adjustable strap on the neck of the bib, this efficient and functional mealtime accessory will last your little one many months! This one-of-a-kind product is perfect for any mom-on-the-go who loves to leave for adventures at the last minute! You’ll never have to worry about packing towels, plastic baggies, and multiple bibs again – when it comes to convenience, the b.box travel bib has it all – not to mention the modern and cool graphics on it!

Making It Work at Work — Six Tips On How To Successfully Return To Work After Maternity Leave

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We had the pleasure of meeting Gina Ciagne, Global Vice President, Healthcare Relations at Lansinoh & Certified Lactation Counselor at the ABC Kids Expo and we love her dedication to supporting breastfeeding moms. Obviously, aside from being a lactation specialist, by working at one of the leading manufacturers of breastfeeding products, Gina knows a lot about pumping. And, as a business woman, she has great advice about making it all work when going back to work. Here, her six tips on how to successfully return to work when pumping:

Congratulations! You’re a mom who packs up her pump when you head to work, so your baby can continue to have the very best nourishment. You’re also ensuring breastfeeding security when the two of you are together by maintaining your supply while you are apart.

Whether you’re just returning to work or simply need a refresher, here are some tips to make it a win-win-win: for you, your baby and your employer.

Tip 1: Make a connection.

Every breastfeeding mother has a story about what worked for her when she returned to work. If you know other women who have pumped at work, talk to them about their experiences and solutions to any challenges they may have had.

You can also connect with other mothers on breastfeeding message boards.

Tip 2: Find time to pump.

Plan your pumping schedule to replicate your baby’s nursing times, so that your body gets the necessary signals to continue producing milk.

Avoid skipping sessions as this signals your body to produce less milk. Make sure you have regularly scheduled pumping sessions.

Tip 3: Be flexible, but don’t neglect your breasts.

Consider your employer’s needs, as well as your own.

Even if you only have a few minutes, still pump and don’t skip a session, if at all possible.

It will be uncomfortable as your breasts fill with milk, and regular stimulation is more important for your body’s response than pumping time.

However, a drained breast will replenish more milk, so ideally pump until your breasts are noticeably less full.

Set aside time if your schedule is unpredictable, or be creative about when you pump.

For instance, it’s possible to read or eat lunch while pumping especially when using a hands-free pumping bra.

Tip 4: Find a private place to pump.

It’s important to pump without disruption, so that the necessary hormones are released for let-down.

Having a lactation room at work is ideal, but other options are a private office or storage room that can lock.

Avoid using the bathroom, as it’s not a sanitary place to pump.

Tip 5: Discuss the situation with your employer.

It’s important to explain your need to have regularly scheduled pumping sessions to your employer.

And remember, The Affordable Care Act is on your side!

This healthcare law stipulates that an employer must provide the time and space for pumping moms. And, by the way, it specifically points out that the “space” should not be a bathroom.

For more details, you can visit The Department of Labor’s website.

Tip 6: Know your facts.

Hopefully you won’t run into any obstacles with your employer. But if you do, the following facts can help you make a convincing argument to gain support.

A study published by the United States Breastfeeding Committee states:

• Lactation programs are cost-effective, showing a $3:1 return on investment.

• One-day absences to care for sick children occur more than twice as often for mothers of formula-fed infants.

• Breastfeeding lowers insurance claims for businesses. One study showed that for every 1,000 babies not breastfed, there were over 2,000 extra physician visits, 212 extra hospitalization days, and 609 extra prescriptions to treat just three common childhood illnesses.

Overall, by supporting lactation at work, employers can:

o Reduce turnover
o Lower recruitment and training costs
o Cut rates of absenteeism
o Boost morale and productivity
o Decrease health care costs

We know that pumping takes extra effort, especially at work. But it’s worth it for your baby, for you and even for your employer. For more information or breastfeeding support, please go to www.lansinoh.com.

Gina Ciagne

Gina Ciagne, Lansinoh’s Global Vice President, Healthcare Relations is a nationally recognized expert on breastfeeding.

As a Certified Lactation Counselor and La Leche League International-trained breastfeeding peer counselor, she has worked with and provided advice and support to thousands of breastfeeding mothers around the world.

A sought-after speaker and media resource, Ms. Ciagne is a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post, and has appeared on The Bump, CNN, Fox News and many other TV and radio news programs.

In her role as Global Vice President, Healthcare Relations for Lansinoh, Ms. Ciagne oversees the company’s outreach to and engagement with healthcare communities.

She also is the mother of two breastfed children, whom she pumped for when she returned to work, so she knows the juggle!

10 Must-Have Survival Items For Moms On The Go

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As a new mother I felt overwhelmed by all of the stuff I was told I needed to lug around. Between the alcohol wipes, boogie wipes, pacifier wipes, wipe wipes…It seemed like I had to pack an entire suitcase just to take a simple trip to the store. And, being a person, who in my former life never, had more than five items (lipstick, ID, phone, money and keys) in my purse, it seemed crazy to me that I would have to haul an overstuffed diaper bag with me everywhere I went. Let’s be honest, it’s hard enough to remember what I ate for breakfast, and now I had what seemed like 4726 “need to survive” items on me at all times, just so I could go to Target! (And, I usually was running out just to pick up a few more of these “need to survive” items).

Over the course of the first few months of being a new mom, I realized that carrying all this crap was ridiculous. So I made a list of the essential 10 items that I need with me at all times. These are the things I keep in my car, so even if I forget my diaper bag it’s all there.

1. Plastic bags – These are a must! They come in handy to hold dirty diapers, wipes – and like I learned the hard way… if your baby throws up, mounds and mounds of paper towels (not to mention for actually throwing up into, if you win the lottery and catch it in time.) Plastic bags are also fantastic for toting around wet or dirty clothes, whether it’s from the baby or yourself.

2. Diapers – Never leave home without at least five extra diapers in an accessible place – a bag in the car, or your diaper bag. Don’t forget – babies poop a lot! More than you can imagine. I went on an overnight trip to my sister’s and I put three diapers in my diaper bag (I had the rest of the diapers in my overnight bag). I didn’t even get 10 minutes away from my house, when we went through all three diapers and I had to rip into my luggage to get out more. Like I said: babies poop A LOT.

3. Wipes – Always have a big pack of them. Remember…babies poop A LOT! (Did I say that already?) Plus wipes are wonderful because babies are known to spit up, drop pacifiers and bottles, and have runny noses. Wipes wipe away any and all grossness that comes with having a baby – whether you’re wiping them up, the seat up, or even your own hands and face.

4. Paper towels – This is one item that never occurred to me until I needed it. My mother-in-law decided it would be a good idea to read to Mason (my son) while we were running errands; well within 10 minutes, breakfast, lunch and remnants of the previous night’s dinner were all over him, her, his car seat, and my backseat. It looked like he had a rough night out at the bar. And note to self, wet wipes (see above) do not clean-up throw-up.5. Change of clothes –It took me too long to realize that you should have keep a change of clothes for the baby in the car, and for yourself! Baby throw-up can reach places you never imagined!

6. Coat – Always carry an extra jacket or coat for the baby in the car; you never know if you’re going to have to stop someplace or your car has trouble – better to be warm than sorry!

7. Toys – As my story mentioned above, for some children, you may want to bypass the books in the car and stick with toys only! Get yourself a cloth bin and keep it in the backseat with some special car toys – preferably soft items, nothing sharp or heavy!

8. Pacifier (if you use them) – I try not to use pacifiers as an all-day treat but there are two times I find I need them; when he’s sleeping and in the car. It makes both of our lives easier.

9. First aid kit – Hopefully you’ll never use it, but as they get older, scratches, cuts and bruises are inevitable. Believe me, if your kiddo skins his knee on the playground, you’ll be thanking your past-self for stocking the car with band-aids!

10. Snacks – I make sure I keep snacks handy at all times. Just make sure you keep them fresh and safe for your little one. I make sure they are the first item I put in the car and take out of everyday. You can always keep non-perishables, like crackers or cookies in plastic bags (don’t forget a snack for mama too!)

I hope sharing my momma mistakes will help you! Good luck!

What do you think of Michelle’s survival items? Did she miss any? Let us know in the comments below!

About Michelle Wright

Michelle Wright is a freelance writer; with a 15-month-old delicious son, and a self-proclaimed pessimistic husband. She has a contagious laugh, a love of B-rated horror movies and crime-drama TV. She is currently a stay-at-home domestic engineer, who was a restaurant owner in her former life.

After she got pregnant she sold her restaurant to start a new life of changing diapers, continuously cleaning up toys, and reinventing herself.

When she realized that working in her yoga pants, going braless and bringing your baby to the office, were shunned in the workforce, she decided to go back to her real passions: writing, creating and story-telling.

Take this journey with her on twitter at @ABCsOfPregnancy

Naptime to Nighttime Safety Tips

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New Mom Series: Car Seat Installation

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This is our first post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we will be providing helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Infant Car Seat feature, we have partnered up with expecting mama Terra LaRock, the leading brand in infant safety Britax and, the Baby Safety Zone powered by the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association). JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry dedicated to the safe manufacturing and usage of products.

When Terra LaRock, who is expecting her first baby, was researching car seats the most important factor was safety. Terra is 36 weeks along and most experts will tell you that installing your car seat 4-6 weeks before your due date is a smart idea, just in case you go into labor early. As you may or may not know, most hospitals won’t let you leave without an installed car seat.

Based on her lifestyle and budget, Gugu Guru recommended the Britax B-Safe 35 Elite Infant Car Seat for her registry. The B-Safe car seat is engineered to exceed the highest safety standards out there. Aside from the B-Safe being built to last, parents and caregivers love that the seat is easy to adjust and comfortable for your child as s/he grows. In Terra’s words:

“We settled on the Britax car seat because it got rave reviews for safety and it is much lighter to carry than many of the other car seats we tried out. We also love how easy it is to click in and out of the base and the fabric appears super easy to maintain and keep clean. The extra bonus of this Britax car seat happens to be the color and pattern choices—they are so fun!”

Terra loved the perfectly unisex Cactus Green color (Baby LaRock’s gender is a surprise!)

The next step? Reading up on Car Seat Safety on Baby Safety Zone‘s website. The Baby Safety Zone is an information hub and community for parents and caregivers. Baby Safety Zone helps make safety fun, one baby product at a time. It’s very important for new parents to check resources like this because the unfortunate fact is that *most* car seats are installed incorrectly.

Tip: Some parents will tell you that you can go to the your local fire department for installation. We see this as a “checking your work” step and don’t recommend you have a safety technician or fire department personnel install the seat from the start. While these are great resources, it’s important that YOU know how to install it yourself.

For example, did you know that a properly installed car seat should not move more than an inch in any direction? Learn more helpful tips for proper safe use and installation of a child’s car seat with Baby Safety Zone’s informative car seat safety infographic. (Find it here or scroll down to the bottom of this post.)

Featured in this week’s New Mom Series:

Terra LaRock
Terra is an educator who lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her husband, Perry, and their husky named Rio. She enjoys gardening, floral design, bluegrass music and getting their home ready for baby’s arrival. Terra is expecting their first baby at the end of October and the gender is a surprise!
Follow Terra on Instagram at @LoveAndLaRock

Britax
Britax has been leading the way in child safety technology for more than 70 years. Always innovating, always focusing on what’s best for the child, always going beyond ‘good enough’. From Europe’s best-selling car seat brand, Britax has become one of the brands most trusted by American families since they launched here in 1996.

Since then, Britax has revolutionized side impact protection, transformed safe seat installation, and introduced a range of smart strollers designed around the changing needs of today’s families.
Visit Britax at: https://us.britax.com/

Baby Safety Zone
The Baby Safety Zone is an information hub and community for parents and caregivers. We’re helping make safety fun, one baby product at a time. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Baby Safety Zone experience and become a part of a circle of parents dedicated to making their child’s first years, happy, safe and sound.

The Baby Safety Zone is powered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. Today, JPMA represents 250 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who manufacture, import and/or distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items.
Visit the Baby Safety Zone at: https://babysafetyzone.org

Learn helpful tips for proper safe use and installation of a child’s car seat with Baby Safety Zone’s informative car seat safety info graphic here:

DockATot

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today we feature DockATot – a completely unique, versatile and chicly designed product developed in Europe.

Why Gugu Guru loves the super stylish DockATot:

Careful consideration given to the overall design, functionality and safety.
Unique shape and design allow babies to comfortably lounge, play, snuggle and log in some tummy time.
Little one feels snuggled in a safe haven that feels a lot like the womb.
Bumpers made with a special air-permeable fabric that makes DockATot particularly worry-free.
Lightweight and perfect for travel.

Don’t just take it from us, here’s what certified baby and child sleep consultant Jenni June has to say:

10 Essential Items for Your Baby Registry

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[By Guest Blogger Serena Norr]

After the excitement of announcing your baby comes the surmounting task of figuring out exactly what you need. With all of the products and gimmicks on the market, there is something terribly daunting about a baby registry where it can be challenging to decipher the best brands as well as what products are actually necessary. As a mom of three, I vividly remember adding in so much random stuff when I had my first daughter. I didn’t have the context of knowing what was useful where I ended up with items that were never used (hello, bottle warmer!) as well as others like play gyms that I didn’t need right away. To decipher the junk from the must-haves, we have rounded up our favorite essentials that every new mama-to-be should have.

1. Onesies: Your newborn will most likely go through numerous outfit changes in a day. For a newborn you want clothing that is soft, comfortable, and easy to change. In between diapers and spit up, you are bound to have multiple onesie changings in a day. Also, consider the season when your baby is due to add on leggings, a baby bundle coat, socks, hats, and more, if necessary. For no fuss onesies we like everyday essentials from Carter’s, Gap, and Rabbit Skins with a mix of “stylish” ones from brands like PACT baby, Zutano, Burt’s Bees Baby and Jacadi. Other clothing items to put on your registry will depend on the season (such as winter coats). We also recommend hats, socks, pants and a light sweater.

2. Swaddles: Sleep becomes elusive when you have a baby, but the best way to promote a restful sleep for your baby is to swaddle them. A gently wrapped baby provides both warmth and security that also promotes a restful sleep. Swaddling can also keep your baby warm as it provides a tightness that is similar to the womb. For a traditional swaddle, we love the gorgeous collection from Aden and Anais, and for help we love the soft and knit terry from Baby Swaddle Wrap from Ergobaby.

3. Baby Carrier: As you venture outside with your baby, you will want to help keep them snug and secure. Babywearing provides a great way to transition your baby to the outside world while also maintaining skin-to-skin contact that they crave. Our favorite is the Ergobaby 360, a front and back facing carrier, that allows your baby to rest in a ergonomic frog-leg seated position (C position). This carrier also evenly distributes your baby’s weight and is super comfortable thanks to its wide velcro waistband and padded shoulder strap.

4. Diapers: Think practical when you set up a baby registry. The super cute stuff has its place but you want to make your life as easy as possible, especially during the first few days. One of the easiest essentials to add onto any registry is diapers. Your newborn will go through around 10-12 dirty diapers a day so we suggest loading up your registry with boxes of newborn (or size 1) diapers. A personal favorite is Pampers whose yellow tab turns blue to indicate that your baby’s diaper needs to be changed.

5. Bassinet: During the first few months your baby will be feeding on demand. To keep your baby close for feeding and sleeping, we recommend starting out with a bassinet in your room. One of our favorites is the HALO Bassinet Swivel Sleeper that has a 360 degree swivel so that you can keep your baby close by your bed. It also has a stable base to fit to most beds – providing you with a way to keep your baby at eye level. as Additional features include mesh walls for breathability and gentle lullabies and vibrations to ease your baby to sleep.

6. Car Seat: A car seat is a must-have when you leave the hospital. It is also essential for any adventures that you will have with your baby – both in a car and as an attachment for your stroller attachment. For babies, we love the B-SAFE Car Seat that includes a padded and supportive seat as well as a 5-point harness system where you won’t have to rethread or unhook any straps.

7. Stroller: You will be ready to stroll around to get your baby out and to explore your area. For ease of use, we recommend a stroller that can easily attach to your car seat. We recommend the B-Agile stroller, which thanks to the BRITAX CLICK & GO system, allows your car seat to attach with ease. When your baby is six months old, you can remove the car seat attachment and use the stroller. City dwellers will love its ample storage and those who use a car regularly will appreciate how quick and easy it folds up.

8. Baby Seat: While you will want to nestle with your new baby as much as possible, you will also need a break, to say, shower! A baby seat provides an ease in which you could put your baby down while also gently stimulating them. Our favorite is the Baby Bjorn Bouncer Balance Soft, a classic bouncer, that provides natural movement to your baby without the use of any batteries. It also provides support to their head and neck and can be used from the newborn age through age two.

9. Bath Needs: Bathtime will soon become a ritual that both you and your baby treasure. For newborns, we love the My First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn to Toddler Tub. This multi-use tub includes a removable sling, a padded headrest, and a compartment that can easily hold your bath supplies. For bath care, we like the non-toxic baby shampoos from The Honest Company and hooded towels from 3 Sprouts.

10. Nursing/Feeding: If you plan on nursing, you will need a comfortable pillow like the Boppy so your baby can lay and you can rest your hands. You will also need a breast pump like those from Medela, which will help you to increase your milk supply – enabling to to have enough bottled milk when you return to work and/or need a break. Another essential is a comfortable nursing bra, like those from Bravado Designs and breast pads to soak in any leakage.

Other registry favorites: a first aid kit complete with a thermometer and a Nose Frida, a humidifier, a play yard for travel, a comfortable glider for breastfeeding, video monitor if your baby goes right in the crib, bedding, laundry basket, and a diaper bag.

About Serena Norr

A writer and mom of three, Serena Norr is the Editorial Director of Little Swappies a company whose mission is to make it easy and fun for families to reduce, reuse, and recycle. As the former Managing Editor of Momtrends, she has covered a variety of topics within the parenting space such as gear, theatre, beauty, fashion, family travel, and more! She is also the creator of Seriously Soupy, a website devoted to soup making, a freelance social media manager, and writer living in Brooklyn.

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