baby

Mompreneur Spotlight: Kathy Boyanovich of Petite Vigogne

This week’s Baby Product Mompreneur Feature: Kathy Boyanovich of Petite Vigogne. Petite Vigogne, (who we featured in our trend report on Central and South American Influence), sources the finest materials and partners with boutique factories to craft the highest quality bedding, handmade gifts and accessories in timeless, elegant designs.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Petite Vigogne.
I’ve been in the children’s business for over 10 years and was always passionate about sourcing luxurious fabrics for little ones. Their skin is so sensitive that they should only wear the finest materials available, especially when they are newborns. When my son was born, I wanted him to have the same quality bedding I did, but I couldn’t find it in the U.S. market, so I went to Peru, known for its long staple Pima cotton. Most high-end fashion brands manufacture in Peru. I found high quality linens and a fantastic factory with experience in luxurious baby bedding. When I saw the possibility was real, I decided to offer other parents in the U.S. the opportunity to provide their children with high quality baby bedding and accessories. Babies spend most of their day in bed, so I think they should be the ones with the better sheets at home! Petite Vigogne means little vicuña. Vicuña wool is the finest thread in the world and it’s original from Peru, so we thought the name represented well the concept of our brand.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
I think finding a balance in life after having a baby isn’t easy for a working or a stay-at-home parent. Your life changes and there is obviously less personal time, but the amazing thing is that the “family time” becomes your favorite time. I try to follow a routine, so when I’m with my family I don’t need to be looking at my emails all the time. When you have your own business you need to be available 24/7, but I think that a child deserves 100% attention and love, so keeping a structured day as much as possible is very important for me.

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
I think the best part of being a mompreneur is to have the best of both the business and family worlds. I have the satisfaction and challenge of building a business, which is a dream I’ve always had, and, at the same time, I have the flexibility to organize my daily schedule so that I can be a mom every day and be present in my child’s life. The process has been incredibly difficult, as I continuously work many late hours, but his beautiful face when I put him to bed every night is invaluable. Being present in my child’s life when he needs me the most is my most rewarding achievement.

Obsession: Black and White

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1. I SPY Swaddle ($36) available from Wren & Rumor. Modern designed fabrics for your little ones. Custom designed swaddles printed and manufactured in Los Angeles. We worked hard to improved fabric quality as well as the printing process. Fabrics are screen printed so inks will not fade once laundered. We also use a heavier cotton than most jersey knits so the edges won’t roll once laundered.

2. Rachel Silicone Teething Necklace ($25) available from Mama & Little. The Rachel is the perfect statement necklace you’ve been looking for! Strung in a chic asymmetrical design that your little won’t resist playing with. It’s black & white color palette makes it perfect for any outfit, toss it in your diaper bag to accessorize on-the-go!

3. B&W Stripe Romper ($32) available from from Rad Revolution Kids. Made from a soft knit blend that will let your kids PLAY HARD while still staying stylish and comfy. Full length pant with ability to roll or leave long for all kid shapes and sizes! Don’t forget to customize by adding a pocket!

4. Aztec Pom Reversible Bib ($23.95) available from Billy Bib. A one of a kind bib that is drool worthy! our bibs are made to enhance your little ones outfit. each one comes fully reversible so you can easily style them. the Aztec bib comes with an ethnic black design on one side, a black & white square design on the other. it is trimmed with a cotton pom pom lace and has natural cotton string ties.

5. Emily & Meritt Activity Gym/strong> ($99) available at Pottery Barn. With black, white and gold stars and moons to see, feel and grab, this activity gym entertains and stimulates your baby during playtime. Imagined with fashion designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, it captures their bold aesthetic.

6. Kiss Your Mama Romper ($36.50) available at Storenvy. Black sleeved full length rompers printed with white ink and black cuffs or black and tan stripe cuffs.

7. vector 18″ pillow ($39.95) available at CB2. Surf’s up. Black lines embroider an abstract surfboard pattern on 100% bright white cotton. Designed by Brian Farrell, the idea was born while hanging out on the beach in New Jersey. “I’ve become obsessed with trying to create balance between lines and shapes, the main shapes in this design come from spending time watching surfers.”

Spotlight on Belly Armor

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Earlier this year, we saw that Belly Armor – the definitive resource for expecting mothers and families to protect their children against the harmful effects of everyday radiation – launched a new line of infant hats with radiation shielding fabric. We couldn’t wait to get our hands on this adorable hat (available in either mouse or rabbit styles) and were incredibly impressed by the protecting features of the product, as well as its adorable, soft and snuggly construction.

We knew of the Belly Armor brand from some of their award-winning products like the Belly Blanket but wanted to learn more about the founder and the brand’s overall mission, so we sat down with Aileen Chen Co-Founder & CEO of Belly Armor for this week’s mompreneur spotlight.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Belly Armor.
AC: When I became pregnant with my first child, I was a banking executive who was constantly connected to my various phone devices and laptop. Like most expectant mothers, I researched extensively on how to give my child the best start in life. All sources advised pregnant women to eat healthily, exercise, and avoid toxins like alcohol and certain chemicals – all of which I did diligently. However, one obvious component in my everyday life which concerned me, about which there was little advice, was the radiation-emitting devices that surrounded me at home and at work.

I wondered what their health impacts were. As I researched more into this “everyday radiation” exposure, I was shocked at what I discovered. Increasingly, research was indicating potential health risks from everyday radiation (non-ionizing radiation emitted by sources like cell phones, computers, wireless towers and power lines). Already it was well-accepted that this type of radiation can have a biological impact and there was much confusion and debate around how it impacts our health. The concern is greatest for young children and during pregnancy when DNA replication and cell growth are at their highest rates. Compounding the risk is the exponential growth in wireless technologies over the past decade – today’s children will be exposed to levels of radiation unprecedented in human history. There was an obvious gap between scientific knowledge and public awareness. As the health experts warned, if history is any indication, it can take years and even decades for scientific evidence to conclusively affirm health risks and then translate into policies to safeguard people. Such was the case with tobacco, lead, asbestos, and x-rays.

My co-founder and I started Belly Armor because we felt compelled to raise awareness about this emerging health issue and to design solutions to help people address it. Since then, we have launched products spanning maternity, nursery and fertility, enabling people to reduce their radiation exposure, while educating about the health issue in the US and our international markets. Our products have won several awards (like Pregnancy & Newborn’s Top Products of 2014 and The Bump’s Best of Baby 2012 and 2015), and are sold in more than 30 countries, a testament that many people around the world have similar concerns about everyday radiation. Belly Armor has been featured by The New York Times, The Doctors Show, People.com amongst others, and is a Trusted Partner of Healthy Child Healthy World, a leading non-profit addressing environmental hazards facing children. It’s the best feeling knowing that we are making a positive impact and empowering people with more knowledge and solutions.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
AC: I think work/life balance is very individualistic – everyone defines that balance differently and goes through their own journey to achieve that balance for themselves. But I think what is true for everyone is that striking this balance is a constant work-in-progress as careers evolve, as life happens and priorities shift. I believe a good balance is achievable when one is clear and realistic about what that balance means for them.

One of the benefits of running my own business is having the invaluable flexibility and control over my schedule that I need as a parent of young kids. I am also very blessed to have a husband who is a wonderful hands-on father and a strong supporter of my entrepreneurial pursuits. Day to day, I try to maintain work/life balance with some tactics:

Prioritizing the 3-4 most important things (work and personal) I must complete that day, and getting those squared away early in the day. There is less stress and overhang once those are done.
Clearly separating time for work and time for family, being okay with that designation, and being fully present when I am in either one.
Automating wherever possible and delegating to others the tasks that can be easily or best shared by others so I can dedicate my time for the most important things.
Choosing progress over perfection – It is better to get something to a very good point and move on, than to be stuck making something perfect if that marginal improvement will be insignificant. Basically, knowing when to let it go (it is sometimes still easier said than done!).
Making time for myself to recharge – This has been, by far, the toughest thing to do, but one that I’m finally finding ways that work for me. I learned that my preference for relaxing and clearing my head is not spa time or a walk in the park. It is doing relatively simple but productive tasks in silence – like cleaning or baking – which feel therapeutic, allow me time to think, and give clear results and a sense of accomplishment (even if it’s a small one).

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
AC: I love being able to directly grow and drive the direction of a business that makes positive impact, while having the control and flexibility I need for my family life. Being my own boss has different types of stress and challenges than working for someone else, but the plusses have been immeasurably valuable and rewarding. It wasn’t apparent to me before I started the company, but looking at it now, this is the best type of working model for me at this point in my life.

Obsession X’s and O’s

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1. Valentine Set- One Tee and One Onesie ($25) available from LiveStyled on Etsy. Handmade and made to order.

2. Conversation Hoop XO Repeat on Etsy ($15) Wool blend felt, linen fabric, wooden hoop and embroidery thread.

3. XO Wall Décor from PBTeen ($169) Layer on bright design with this unique artwork. With bright pink over clean white, it brings near-neon and lovably chic style to your space.

4. Emily & Meritt XOXO Crib Fitted Sheet ($24) available at Pottery Barn. Transform your baby’s sleep space into a lovably chic, monochromatic destination with this organic cotton percale sheet. Imagined with fashion designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, it captures their adventurous aesthetic.

5. Levtex ‘Tic Tac Toe’ Accent Pillow ($39) available at Nordstrom. Add a playful, festive touch to your décor with a plush accent pillow, or make it a heartwarming gift for your favorite Valentine.

New Mom Series: Preventing Infant Congestion

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This is our third post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we provide helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Preventing Infant Congestion feature (or in layman’s terms – “how to unstuff a baby’s stuffy nose”), we have partnered up with new mama Ciera Hudson, Crane USA and Jennifer Bright Reich of Mommy MD Guides. MommyMDGuides.com and the Mommy MD Guides book series are filled with tips that doctors who are also mothers use for their own families.

Why Do Babies Get Stuffy Noses? Babies can get congested for a number of reasons, but this time of year the most likely culprit is a cold. There’s good reason we call it the “common cold.” In the first year of life, most babies have up to seven colds. This means that Mom is likely to have up to seven colds this year as well. “Babies’ immune systems aren’t mature yet, plus most babies spend a lot of time in the company of other babies and kids, who aren’t always so good about washing their hands,” says Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, a family physician, mom of three, and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year. A cold is simply an infection of the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. Colds are caused by viruses. In babies, the most common signs of a cold are a runny nose and nasal congestion. Of these, the more troublesome symptom for babies is congestion—because they have to breathe through their noses. Babies are obligate nasal breathers meaning they breathe through their nose for the first 4-6 months. Here’s how you can help your baby breathe easier:

Run a humidifier. Moist air is easier to breathe. Humidity also makes it easier to get the mucus out of your baby’s nose. It’s an effective, natural alternative to medications for cold. The Crane Ultrasonic Humidifier is both quiet and effective. The extra humidity helps them to breathe easier, meaning they can sleep better and eat with less frustration helping them to be better equipped to fight off a cold. Babies also do not have the ability to clear their noses on their own so the humidifier helps with this as well.

New mom to her beautiful baby girl Marloe, Ciera Hudson selected the Crane Adorables Humidifier in the polar bear design for her daughter’s nursery. It fits right in with the on-trend pastel color palette and décor (we also spy a Lorena Canals machine washable rug in Hippy Mint in this chic nursery!)

What Other Things Can I Do To Help My Baby With Congestion?

Use a bulb suctioner to clean out your baby’s nose. She won’t like it, and neither will you, but it will help.
Spritz saline in your baby’s nose. “In my babies’ first years, I didn’t give them any drugs for a cold,” says Hana Solomon, MD, a pediatrician and author of Clearing The Air One Nose At A Time: Caring For Your Personal Filter. “To help to ease their nasal congestion, I’d mix up a saltwater solution in a clean glass. Then I’d gently and slowly insert 10 to 20 drops of the salty water into the baby’s nostrils while she’s in an upright position, let it sit for a few minutes, and then suck the mucus out really well with a nasal aspirator. After that, my babies would nurse better, sleep better, and feel better.”
Or you can buy an over-the-counter nasal saline spray. The devices with a quick squirt action are best because it’s over and done with before your baby has time to get upset about it.
Elevate the head of her crib but putting books or blocks under the crib’s legs. Do NOT put pillows or blankets or toys in your baby’s crib.
Give your baby lots of extra love! Cut yourself some slack too. It’s not easy to have a baby with a cold.

When Should I Call the Doctor? Besides being uncomfortable for babies, stuffy noses can pose more serious problems. Congestion can make it hard for babies to nurse or drink from a bottle, so watch your baby closely for signs of dehydration, including dry mouth, crying with few or no tears, fewer than four wet diapers per day, going four to six hours without urinating, or if the soft spot on your baby’s head looks sunken or flatter than usual. Whenever your baby is sick, keep a close eye for signs of infection, such as a fever or crankiness. These warrant a call to your pediatrician’s office.

Bios Jennifer Bright Reich is a mom of two sons and coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years, in Allentown, PA.

Ciera Hudson is a lifestyle and style blogger. Follow her and her adventures into new mommy hood on her Instagram at @YoursTrulyCiera

{Disclaimer: The information provided here by Mommy MD Guides or on MommyMDGuides.com is not intended to replace the diagnosis, treatment, and services of a physician. Always consult your physician or child care expert if you have any questions concerning your family’s health. For severe or life-threatening conditions, seek immediate medical attention.}

Prenatal Yoga Poses For Your Heart, Mind and Self Esteem

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Glowing mama Cristina Meloy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. Here she shares the pre- and postnatal poses that “remind women of how glorious they are. How sexy they are even with a big belly. And, once baby arrives, these are poses they can return to with baby (which also comes in handy when time is limited.)” Disclaimer: It is important to note that Cristina is not a yoga instructor nor is she a physician. Consult your doctor before trying these poses or before any physical activity before, during or after pregnancy.

The truth is that when you are pregnant people expect you to glow and feel happy all of the time and when you’re a yogi people think you go through your days sprinkling fairy dust everywhere – the combination of the two creates a lot of pressure! I can tell you ladies that squatting and hip openers are good during pregnancy, but that’s a little boring. So, why not keep it more real? The below are yoga poses that are good for the heart, mind and self esteem while “big” with baby. I hope you enjoy!

Goddess Pose:

This pose honors the sacred feminine through embracing wholeness and the many life-giving aspects of the divine. In my opinion this pose will make you feel beautiful and strong! It allows you to hold your baby bump with both hands and feel the life inside of you; or you can extend your arms up in a spirit of gratitude and spreading (onto the universe) the amazing energy of the life growing inside of you.

Once the baby is born, you can hold your baby and get into the pose. It’ll help strengthen your lower body and find balance.

Benefits: against a wall it can help you rest and relax, strengthen legs and thighs and help you learn to find balance between opposites.

How to: Stand with your feet slightly wider that your hips. Inhale. As you exhale, bend your knees and lower yourself so that your thighs are straight and parrallel to the ground. Keep your heels on the ground and your tailbone down.

Tree Pose:

During pregnancy, balance shifts and you feel more or less “out of it” a lot. Tree pose really helps me feel rooted, beautiful and strong. I like to imagine myself as a tree, spreading my toes to firmly grip the earth like roots. When I was pregnant, I would rub my belly in tree and visualize transferring that sense of grandness and stability to the baby, taking deep breaths and finding calm.

Once baby is born, this is a great pose to practice pretty much anywhere. I like to get in tree while drinking tea in the morning or while changing a diaper. It’s great for busy moms!

Benefits: Tree Pose can also work to stretch and open the hips, and can help with pain and discomfort in the hips.

How to: begin standing, feet flat on the floor, with arms by your side. Inhale; stand tall, stretch the spine and straighten the back. Lift the right foot and position the sole of your foot on your left leg. Exhale. Stretch the spine and straighten the back, repeat using the opposite leg.

Low Lunge:

I don’t think there is anything more empowering during pregnancy, really. It allows you to open your hips and legs while relaxing and not have to use too much leg strength. If balance is tricky, you’re close enough to the ground to keep one or both hands on the ground. In this pose, the baby bump “pops” out and you have space to rub and feel how beautiful you are! You can also extend your arms up to the sun and again, spread your beautiful mommy energy to the universe. It’s empowering and sexy! Once baby is born, you can get into this pose while nursing or holding your baby.

Benefits: hip-opener, helps strengthen the lower back and abdomens. When practiced with arms up, it gives a deep stretch in the shoulders and back. Some say that during labor it can help with dialation.

How to: Begin on hands and knees. Inhale; bring your right leg forward and place your foot on the outside of your right hand, to allow more space for your belly (or in between your hands if you’re in the first trimester). Your knee should not extend past your ankle. Stretch your torso up and extend your spine. Repeat the lunge using the opposite leg.
Bio: Born and raised in Costa Rica, Cristina Meloy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and has loved her yoga journey during pregnancy and motherhood. Follow her on Instagram at @Cristica_Yogi

Spotlight on Christina Vargas + Bumbleride Indie

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Gugu Guru was so excited to be able to help the ultimate fit mama-to-be and professional athlete, Christina Vargas, with her baby registry. If you’re one of those people who regularly uses the #fitfam hashtag on Instagram, you’re probably very familiar with this I.F.B.B. and two time Olympian figure and bikini pro. If not, you can get to know her on Instagram here and follow her pregnancy and soon her postpartum fitness journey.

Here we talk about why the Bumbleride Indie is the perfect match stroller for Christina’s active lifestyle and her baby registry.

Christina was looking for a gorgeous, high quality, all-terrain jogging stroller to fit within her fitness-focused lifestyle that is also suitable for everyday use. Chock-full of must have features like air filled tires, a large canopy and more, Gugu Guru recommended the Bumbleride Indie for Christina’s registry.

Air-Filled Tires

Indie is equipped with 12″ air-inflated tires, including a lockable swiveling front wheel. The air filled tires make it perfect for on or off road strolls and the lockable swiveling wheel makes it appropriate for jogging or a trip to the supermarket. Christina lives in Las Vegas, which has various terrains from the city’s famous strip to Nevada’s beautiful national parks. She needed a stroller that can handle them all and Indie fits the bill.

Oversized SPF 45 Canopy
Indie’s large, SPF 45 sun canopy extends to protect baby from harmful UV sun rays. Seeing that Vegas is known for its sunny, desert climate, a large sun canopy is certainly a must for Christina’s baby’s ride.

Ample Storage
Indie’s over-sized cargo basket can store all of Christina’s essentials. Since Christina is on the move a lot, especially back and forth from her home to her second home (AKA the gym), ample storage – to carry her clothes, personal items and soon baby’s items – is a necessity.

Safety Harness
Top safety features are a must have for any stroller and are crucial for joggers, where baby is traveling at a faster speed than normal. Indie’s 5-point breakaway harness keeps baby safe and secure without tangling up their little arms.

Easy, Compact Fold
Indie folds easily and compactly, weighing only 20 lbs (not that Christina has to worry about heavy lifting.)

Eco Fabrics
Ever committed to reducing the environmental impact of their manufacturing processes, each Bumbleride stroller is made with post consumer plastic bottles blended into the exterior of the seat fabric (rPET) along with bamboo charcoal blended into the interior, offering temperature regulation, moisture wicking and an ultra soft touch for baby. Bumbleride makes gear for families to get out and do what they love, while doing their best to preserve the planet.

BYOBfit™’s Favorite Babywearing Exercises for the Home

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Here, certified personal training mamas, Missy and Anja of BYOBfit™, share their favorite babywearing exercises for the home.

Let’s be honest – even though us new moms and dads may have the best intentions to go to the gym for a workout or for a run outside, sometimes we simply do not have the time or the ambition to do so. Life happens, winter happens, sh*t happens. WE GET IT!! This is why we have come up with four simple, yet very effective exercises you can do with your child in the carrier in the comfort of your own home. It simply does not get better than this! Are you ready to get toned and entertain your baby at the same time? Here we go:

1. Deep Squats
Simply place your hands on your hips (or around the carrier if you like that extra snuggle and support for your baby), stand hip-width apart and point your toes slightly outward. Proceed to sink your butt back and down towards the floor as if you were sitting down in a chair. Once you have reached a point which you feel like is the lowest you can go, press back up through yout heels. Squeeze your glutes when you are standing up tall. Repeat 20x for 3 rounds.

2. Dips
Place your hands on a bench or the edge of your couch with your fingers pointing downwards. Step your feet out so you are in a table-top position (knees 90 degrees bent) and keep your butt close to the bench. (For a more advanced option, fully extend your legs.) Bend your elbows and sink your butt down towards the floor; with an exhale press back up and fully extend your arms. Repeat 10x for 3 rounds.

3. V-sits
Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you and your hands on the floor behind you. Lean your upperbody back and elevate your legs (you can slightly bend your knees). Hold this position for 30 seconds. Repeat 3x.

4. Lunges
Step your right leg forward a lot and bend the knee to a 90 degree angle. At the same time sink your left knee towards the ground. If you have a big home, opt for walking lunges, which means you will step your back leg towards your front leg and then step forward with the opposite leg. If you have a smaller space, simply bring the leg back that you just stepped forward with. Now step forward with the other leg. Keep alternating. 20x each side for 3x.

BYOBfit™ -Friendly Workout Clothes

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Melissa “Missy” Paris and Anja Pierre are two certified personal trainers and new mothers. Shortly after they had their babies, they would casually meet up for walks (and talks) with their new babies, and pretty soon they realized how invigorating it was to combine these walks with strength exercises while wearing their babies and exchanging “new mom stories”. Onlooking mothers would stop and ask them if they could join in, and pretty soon the “BYOBfit™” baby-wearing classes were born. Here, the ladies of BYOBfit™ share their favorite clothes to exercise in.

When it comes to our unique babywearing strength training program, one thing is for sure: we are always on the hunt for high-quality workout clothes that will not only be suitable for a BYOBfit™ training but that will also look cute and fashionable- because, let’s admit it, you just feel better when you look good! 😉

Here are our top 5 choices for BYOBfit-friendly workout clothes:

1) High-waisted Leggings
Aside from the comfort factor, we like high-waisted leggings. They are very functional for our type of classes. On top of being fashionable and cute, high-waisted leggings are so great because they will simply never fall below our hips, which means there’s no trying to pull up pants underneath a babycarrier. WIN WIN!
Brands to check out: Lululemon, Old Navy

2) High Quality Sportsbra
Obviously, nobody wants to worry about their boobs staying in place while exercising, but at the same time nobody wants to feel like they are being suffocated by a sportsbra. We look for soft, fun to wear bras that keep everything in place so we can just focus on the workout and not on sportsbra malfunctions. We especially love Lululemon sportsbras because they are designed for RUN. Like lulu says…”keeps the bounce at bay.”
Brands to check out: Lululemon, Old Navy

3) Nursing Sportsbra
Since a lot of moms who are taking our class are still nursing, it is important to them that they have a high-quality, durable sportsbra, which will also double as a nursing bra. Our favorite ones are by Motherhood Maternity since they are durable, cute and very affordable.
Brand to check out: Motherhood Maternity

4) Stylish sneakers
Our favorite sneakers to wear during our classes are super light and support most foot types. We especially love the Nike Free but we will vary between models (let’s just be honest- we love them all!)
Brand to check out: Nike

5) Zip-up Jackets
When we teach our classes outdoors and the weather happens to be chillier, our zip-up jackets come in very handy. We love the form-fitting look of the the lulu define jacket. It’s warm but breathable; and has a slightly longer fit so everything stays covered- even when we wear our babies!
Brands to check out: Lululemon, Old Navy

Top 5 Jogging Stroller Features: VOTE on Your Fave!

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Leading baby gear expert Hollie Schultz of Baby Gizmo shares her top five must-have features for jogging strollers with Gugu Guru and we’ve listed them here. Help us understand what’s key to our readers by selecting the thumbs up button next to the jogging stroller feature that is most important to YOU.

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