babywearing

Babywearing Exercises While Wrapping Holiday Gifts!

Adorable mama Morgan Suarez is back for another fun babywearing workout post. Today’s workout? Babywearing exercises you can do while wrapping holiday gifts!

You can follow Morgan on her blog or Instagram.

PS. We’re sort of obsessed with Morgan’s yoga mat – you can find this ban.do mat here!

It’s no secret that women in general are born multitaskers. So when the holidays come rollin’ in, it’s time to break out those skills tenfold. Sometimes there’s just not enough time in the day for it all, so here are some simple workouts to do while babywearing and wrapping presents!

The Plié Squat:

Start with your legs apart, heels in and toes out, lower down into a squat with the knees tracking straight over the toes, and then lift. Do this 10 times.

Then, lower into your plie and lift and lower in tiny pulses 10 times.

Staying low in your plie, shift your weight to the right, bending the right knee and extended the left leg, then shift to the left. 10 times each side.

Parallel Squat:

Move your feet into parallel, and squat with knees going straight over your toes, then lift 10 times.

Staying low in your squat, alternate the feet, extending them forward and then placing back onto the floor. 10 each foot.

Then, with standing leg slightly bent, bend the working leg into a 90 degree angle and lift to the back, activating your glutes, then lower 10 times.

Then lift the leg up to its highest point and pulse it up and down 10 times.

Lunge:

With toes going straight forward and knees tracking straight over the toes, lower down into a lunge then lift 10 times.

Stay low in your lunge and pulse up and down 10 times. Repeat on the other leg.

Abs:

Stand on your knees with toes touching and knees a little wider than your hips. Keeping the back completely flat, as if in a plank position, recline back then lift 10 times.

Then, twist to the right as you recline, lift, twist to the left as you recline, and lift 10 times each side.

Sit down on the floor with your feet in butterfly position, you may place a pillow behind your lower back for extra support, lean back, and then lift 10 times.

Then, recline twisting to the right, lift in center, and recline twisting to the left 10 times each side.

And that’s it! If you’re feeling extra motivated, repeat the whole process with each gift and you just killed 3 birds with one stone. Baby is asleep. The gifts are wrapped. And you got a killer workout. Way to go, mama!

Babywearing Exercises for Post-Thanksgiving Meal!

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Adorable mama Morgan Suarez is back for another fun babywearing workout post. Today’s workout? Babywearing exercises you can do to work off that post-turkey tummy! You can follow Morgan on her blog or Instagram.

Turkey day, oh, turkey day. We wait for you all year long. You’re filled with lots of laughter, family, memories, and, of course, food galore. You may be feeling stuffed to the brim with stuffing and turkey, so here’s a quick babywearing workout you can do to help you recover.

1. Warm up

Starting in a second position (legs apart, heels in, toes out), plie down with the knees tracking straight over the toes and tailbone in a neutral position (not the same as a squat), then stretch to the right and plie stretch to the left. Repeat this sequence 5 times each side.

Then, plie and twist reaching across the center plane 5 times each side.

Then, plie and reach to your right foot and plie and reach to your left foot. 5 times each side.

Plie and lift, using the arms by crossing the arms in front then opening the arms to the side as your lift.

2. Plie lunges

Using the second position still, plie, lift, then rotate to the right into a lunge. In your lunge make sure the knees are tracking straight over the toes and there’s a 90 degree angle in both knees. Repeat to the left. 5 times each side.

Then, staying in your lunge on the right, lift to a standing position, then lower into your lunge 10 times.

In your lunge, pulse up an inch and down an inch 10 times.

Then, tuck the hips forward and back, activating the glutes and using the abs to pull the hips forward 10 times.

Repeat entire sequence to the left.

3. Cookbook arms

Grab two cookbooks (or a regular book) of about the same weight, and stand with your legs in second position. Squeeze the elbows tight into your sides with palms facing up, and extend and bend the arms, flexing the bicep. Do this 20 times.

Then, extend the arms straight out to the side, then close the arms in front 20 times.

Plie down, the straighten the legs while lifting the book, press the book above your head, then lower and repeat 20 times.

4. Modified crunches

Place your feet flat on the ground with your arms extended out in front, lower back and lift 20 times.

Do the same movement with the right leg extended straight out, foot flexed, 20 times, and repeat with the left leg.

With arms extended to the front, lower back, lift the arms and the torso, the lower back down slowly with arms opening and rounding back in front. Repeat 20 times. The purpose of this exercise is to fight gravity with a slow and controlled movement. Don’t rush through this.

5. Arabesque

Hold onto something sturdy, like a chair or the back of a couch.

With feet in parallel, extend one leg straight back, standing leg slightly bent. Then lift the leg and lower 10 times.

20 tiny pulses.

Cross the leg behind, then lift back to the starting position 10 times.

Bend and extend 10 times. Focus on keeping the thigh lifted, while the bottom half of the leg is the only thing moving, as well as flexing the hamstring.

Flex the foot and pulse the leg up 20 times.

Bring the knees together then lift and lower straight out to the side 10 times.

6. Chair squats

Using a chair or bench, with legs hip distance apart, squat, sit, then stand 15 times.

Repeat with one leg extended out. Do 10 each leg.

And that’s it! You’ll be feeling much less guilty about that 3rd slice of pie after accomplishing this workout. Although, you may need to repeat the whole process every time your reheat those leftovers.

Product Discovery: Lalu Lenders

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that babywearing has become popular for a variety of reasons; it’s great to have your hands free, easy to travel with baby, and a wonderful way to bond with baby and help them feel safe and secure. Baby wraps are the ultimate way to wear a baby because they are incredibly versatile, breathable, and can grow with your child. However, investing in a baby wrap can often be expensive, and if it’s your first time trying a wrap, new moms are often hesitant to invest. This is why we’re so excited to introduce you to Lalu Lenders, an easy and efficient way to try wraps out until you find one which works for you and your baby.

Lalu Wovens are known for their gorgeous wraps featuring modern patterns, available in all different densities. Their patterns and designs are created with specific meanings in mind, for example, their Demoiselle pattern features cranes in flight, which is symbolic of happiness and eternal youth. All of their wraps have textures that provides the perfect amount of stretch, bounce, and support for your baby. Their aim is to introduce wraps to all new moms and make it easy for them to find a wrap which they love.

So, how do they accomplish this? With their Lalu Lenders program! Lalu Lenders is a risk-free way to try a Lalu woven before you buy it. Lalu understands just how important it is to see, touch, and feel a wrap before you buy it. Lalu Lenders allows you to try a Lalu woven for just $10 per week. This includes free shipping and a pre-paid return envelope. You’re simply billed $20 every two weeks for as long as you have the wrap. The lender program allows you to test out a wrap for as long as you’d like. If you decide to buy it, you’ll get full credit for any fees paid towards the purchase of the wrap. It’s a win-win!

As we head into gift giving season, we think this is a wonderful gift for a new mama! Because you don’t have to invest all the money at one time, it’s an affordable, useful, and gorgeous gift for your wife, sister, friend, or yourself. In fact, the perfect stocking stuffer this year is a $20 gift card to try two weeks of a wrap – head to Lalu Lenders to purchase the gift card and Santa can stick it in the stocking this Christmas. Looking to purchase a wrap or try one out? Use the special code 2WEEKSGIFT for 15% off your order. If you’ve been looking to try out a wrap to babywear, head over to Lalu Wovens and pick the weight, pattern, and style perfect for you.

DIY Teething Necklace

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? An adorable and safe silicone teething necklace!

I’m so excited to be here at Gugu Guru sharing another DIY project! This month we partnered will Solly Baby to show off their new fall line! As soon as I saw the Rifle Paper Co collaboration wrap I was in love! This floral print is just so pretty! I love the colors and the floral pattern is beautiful!

We have been using this wrap all the time lately with my third baby. I love how easy it is to put on and how convenient it is to have my hands free, both when we’re out and when we’re at home doing chores. The Wrap has come in handy these last few weeks as we have battled baby’s first cold and endless teething pains!

Teething is the WORST! We’ve relied on the Solly Baby wrap for extra comfort throughout the day and this necklace gives her something to chew while she’s wrapped up with me! This colorful necklace is made of soft silicone beads, which are safe for baby to chew and also look super cute as an accessory!

Silicone Teething Necklace Tutorial:

Materials –

1. Silicone Teething Beads (light pink, dark pink, white)

2. 1/16″ elastic cord

Instructions –

1. Cut a piece of elastic to 35″.

2. String one white bead on and center it.

3. Tie a knot on each side of the bead to keep it in place.

4. Thread two light pink beads on either side of the center bead.

5. Continue creating a pattern by adding white and pink beads. Tie knots in between each bead.

6. Finish it off with 2 round beads.

7. Tie the ends of the necklace together.

8. All done!

Fun Babywearing Exercises While Trick or Treating

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We are excited to announce that adorable mama Morgan Suarez will be guest blogging all about working out while babywearing – the fun way! She will be here once a month to guide you through very simple and fun exercises which you can do while wearing your little one. Today’s workout? You can do it Trick or Treating! Cool. You can follow Morgan on her blog or Instagram.

Trick or treat!

Yes, lots of treats. It’s that time of year where the sweets are flowin’ and the calories are showin’. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. You might burn some calories walking around and trying to keep up with those sugar-hungry kiddos, but that simply will not compensate for what you’re about to consume by stealing your kids’ Halloween candy while they’re asleep (yes, we all do it). Lucky for you, there is a way to slightly combat the unwanted effects. You may get some confused looks from your neighbors, but joke’s on them because you’re about to kick those calories in the booty and feel less guilty about stealing that candy. You’re on your own for the moral dilemma, however.

Here are some easy baby-wearing workouts you can do while trick or treating.

Lunges

A thigh burner to the max, and easily executed whilst your kids are skipping from house to house.

Calf Raises

If you’re smart and go to the neighborhoods with the best candy, chances are you’re not alone, and there will be lines outside of each door for those king sized candy bars. Wait proactively by doing some calf raises.

Bicep Curls

While walking, or standing and waiting, utilize that heavy bag of candy your kid made you hold by doing some bicep curls. Squeeze your elbow into your side, extend and bend, flexing your bicep as you bend. Do this with hand out to the side and well as directly in front, but make sure to squeeze your elbow in tight.

Arm Raises

Again, while walking or standing, utilizing that heavy bag once again, keep your arm straight and raise it to the side at shoulder level then lower.

Hold your arm at shoulder level and pulse up and down a couple inches.

Keeping the arm at shoulder level, bring it in front of you, then back out to the side.

Battements

While walking, simply kick your legs, alternating each one. Keep your core tight for balance, and hips square. This should get your heart rate up while working your abs and quads.

At the end of your trick-or-treating venture, your muscles will be feeling all sorts of jello-y and you’ll be ready to pig out on some treats. And as the holidays continue, stay tuned for more baby wearing workouts to keep you in tip top shape (literally) throughout the season.

How To: Trick or Treat With an Infant and a Toddler (+ Baby K’Tan and Finn+Emma giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

This month’s Cool Mom Picks Baby Registry Essentials guide features some awesome baby gift ideas for second babies. When you create your personalized registry on Gugu Guru, you’ll know the Cool Mom Pick must-haves in our product recommendations when you see this button:

While Halloween is fun for kids, it can be a juggling act when it’s time to Trick or Treat and you’re balancing an infant in one arm and a wild Halloween toddler in another hand. Today we’re sharing our tips for Trick or Treating with an infant and a toddler and the Cool Mom Picks products to make All Hallow’s Eve night just a little easier on you.

1. Baby K’Tan – This is a must have item for Halloween night! Use this if your baby is a newborn so that you can hold your toddler’s hand while he or she trick-or-treats – major plus – newborn will most likely fall asleep while you’re walking around, so no overtired newborn when you get back home.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5548a31863363658462a0e00

2. Double Stroller – You’ll need a double stroller to push the two kids around in if you’re walking in the neighborhood; we love the UPPAbaby Vista for multiple kiddos.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5548a5376336362244360800

3. Carseat – You’ll need a topnotch carseat, like the Britax Marathon Clicktight – consistently one of the highest (if not THE highest) rated carseats in the market.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57f4d619428ba01c11c3f970

4. Baby Brezza Formula Pro + new feeding essentials – You worry about getting the candy and toddler’s costume ready and let the Brezza get bottles ready for while you walk the neighborhood. Dr. Brown’s bottles are easy to grip if baby is self-feeding (plus glass is truly safe!)

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 55c335956336361868580200

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5. Diaper Bag – It’s going to be a long night out on the town with the toddler (okay, maybe twenty minutes, but it will feel like hours) so don’t forget to bring a diaper bag with stroller hooks, like the Skip Hop Signature Diaper Bag. Believe us, you don’t want to be lugging around a bag full of all the necessities PLUS Halloween goodies on your shoulder or back!

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6. Finn + Emma Stroller Toy – Little one waiting in the stroller for the toddler to slowly walk up to someone’s house for candy? The Finn + Emma Stroller Toy is the perfect way to keep baby distracted. They’re organic – so safe to chew on – and come in fun characters for Halloween like Jack the Pirate.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57861efdf3e6910c53451fc2

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7. Primary onesies – Preparing for Halloween costumes can be totally overwhelming as a parent of two, so make it easy on yourself and head to Primary where you can pick any solid color onesie and make it a quick costume for the infant – like, a blush pink onesie makes a perfect little piggy!

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 569d65f6633636329ba80300

8. Baby socks – Speaking of quick costume ideas, Trumpette socks also are easy costume pieces for baby and reusable like the onesies – since it’s a waste to spend money on an infant costume that they’ll quickly outgrow or – worse – be uncomfortable in, and cry through the night when you’re trying to trick or treat with your tot.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 55cb2e516336361f602d0c00

9. Baby book – Don’t forget to record all the exciting events of the night in a baby book – like this one from Lucy Darling.

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10. Miracle blanket – Your toddler might be on a sugar high so get baby to get a good night sleep with the miracle blanket swaddle, which is proven to extend baby’s sleep time. Later you can attack that candy.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57f4e1b0f3e69104735f1a1c

Like what you see? Enter to win a $60 gift card to Baby K’Tan and $150 gift card to Finn+Emma:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Photos from: Mama Bee, Rae Gun Ramblings, and Little Baby Garvin

Lisa Frank Inspired Baby Registry

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

If you were a child growing up in the nineties, there’s a good chance you had a Lisa Frank binder or two, possibly some stickers, and for sure some pencils. Her iconic rainbow-ed animals and images were all the rage for middle school kids everywhere – and now, it’s back! Today we rounded up our favorite baby registry items inspired by Lisa Frank’s designs.

This Unicorn Over the Rainbows LilleBaby carrier is way too hip and way too cute!

Loving the unicorn garland to hang in a nursery (unicorn theme, fairytale theme, muted colors); and can’t get over how cute that rainbow unicorn mobile is!

This rad rainbow unicorn skirt comes in all sizes from baby to kid! Looking for a perfect Lisa Frank hair bow for your baby girl? This one comes in baby to adult sizes (mama + mini!).

Don’t want to be over the top with your homage to Lisa Frank? Snatch up this paci from Booginhead.

Lisa Frank used all sort of rainbow animals and mammals in her designs, like dolphins – the rainbow dolphins on the simple white onesie makes an adorable statement piece. Hello, how cute is that Lisa Frank inspired cloth diaper? Love!

How to Dress While Wearing a Ring Sling (+ giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s guest post is from Keila of Mommy in Milwaukee – she’s sharing her tips for styling up while babywearing using a Wildbird Ring Sling.

As someone who has been a huge fan of babywearing since my first son’s birth, I’ve had to learn to be creative when it comes to styling this helpful baby gear. If you babywear, then you probably already know that it’s much more than keeping your baby close; it becomes a way of life. In the beginning, it was really difficult for me to find ways to stay true to my style while babywearing. I loved trying out different ways to wear my babies using wraps, carriers and slings. Among these options, I’ve found that slings tend to be the most outfit-friendly. They’re easy to put on and have various ways to be worn. I love the side-carry because it feels like I’m holding my babe on my hip and I don’t have as much strain on my back.

Throughout the years I’ve found a few key pieces that I gravitate towards more often. These pieces are comfortable, stylish and look great with your Wildbird sling! I have to say, though, that the cutest accessory is always my little babe 😉 All of these items are also nursing-friendly and great as layered pieces now with the cooler fall weather!

The shirt dress: A shirt dress is such a versatile piece in every mama’s closet. They work well with leggings, booties and layered with a thin sweater or jacket on cooler days. (Dress on the left; dress on the right)

The open cardigan: This one comes in burgundy and tan! Cardigans are great for layering over a sling especially when it’s cooler outside. What’s great about an open-cardigan is that they usually have a bit more material and you can comfortably wrap it around your baby when worn. It’s also a great way to add a bit of cozy and cute to any outfit.

The go-to legging: If you don’t already own a good pair of leggings, then now is the time to make that happen! Leggings can be layered & are comfy. These also cover your tummy, and that provides extra coverage if you’re nursing. That’s always a plus for me!

The button-down: With the cooler temps, I love wearing warmer button-downs. They’re perfect for the season and layer really well under a sling. An added bonus is that they’re forgiving when it comes to wrinkles!

The jumpsuit: As a mama of 3 under 3, I tend to gravitate towards easy pieces that aren’t a hassle to put together. Enter the jumpsuit. With this piece, you have a chic ensemble that can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.

I hope this little list is helpful. Leave a comment for your go-to and must-have pieces. Happy babywearing!

Like what you see? Enter to win a Wildbird ring sling here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back To Sleep Day 9: Solly Baby

by Gugu Guru 3 Comments

One of the most popular carriers on Gugu Guru’s registry is featured in today’s Back To Sleep – Solly Baby. Solly Baby offers some of the most beautiful and functional wrap style baby carriers in the market today. Solly Baby wraps reflect your personal aesthetic; seamlessly & luxuriously integrating all of the benefits of babywearing and the beauty of still being YOU! Read on to see if this product is a fit for your lifestyle and baby registry, then enter today for a chance to win a wrap from the new FW16 collection. Can’t wait to see if you win one? Solly Baby wraps are made of 100% Certified Lenzing Modal, sourced from the pulp of Austrian Beechwood trees. Lenzing Modal, a modal fiber from Lenzing, is naturally soft on the skin and exceptionally ecological. The fiber is produced using Edelweiss technology. Edelweiss stands for a “symbiotic” production process – pulp, the raw material, is produced at the same site as the Modal fiber itself. Thus production can be done while going easy on energy and other resources.

Moms love traveling with their Solly Baby wrap because it’s a lifesaver! It gives you your hands back while keeping your baby close. A Solly Baby wrap helps to calm even the fussiest babies, especially babies with reflux or gas. (A Pediatric study found that wearing your infant 3 hours a day reduces infant crying by 43% – that’s something everyone on your flight will cheer about with you!) Solly Baby Wraps provide a womb-like environment for baby when you’re on the go that makes them feel secure, safe, and comfortable.

Because they are constructed with Certified Lenzing Modal, Solly Baby wraps are incredibly lightweight, cool to the touch and get softer with each wash all while being strong enough to be dried in a conventional dryer on low heat without wearing down.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 55ca5f076336361f60610900

Note: all sleep tips are independent to all the products featured in Back to Sleep and Kim West is not endorsing these products unless otherwise indicated.

Something Unique: Roundup!

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Looking for a unique baby gift, or something different to add to your own baby registry? Look no further, we have some great ideas for you!

Sponsored Post

Personalized Birth Announcement Pillow from Finch and Cotter: Looking for the perfect, unique gift to celebrate a new baby? We’re loving this personalized pillow from Finch and Cotter. This pillow is totally customizable – from picking the fabric you want, to the color of the text, and obviously all the information. The pillow cover comes with a faux down insert, making this the ultimate personalized baby gift.

Lalu Wovens: If you’re a fan of baby wearing, you’re going to want to check out Lalu Wovens. These 100% cotton, breathable wraps are heirloom quality and provide the perfect amount of stretch, bounce, and support. Coming in gorgeous patterns and textures, Lalu Wovens are dedicated to giving back to the babywearing community; for every wrap purchased, they donate a portion of the proceeds to Lift Me Up, a non-profit program dedicated to providing ergonomic babywearing carriers to families who have children with special needs.

The Baby Box Co.: Inspired by the Finnish tradition of using a box for a baby bed, The Baby Box Co. has created a simple way for babies to sleep soundly, and most importantly, safely. The Bed Box serves primarily as a safe, comfortable place for infants to sleep, similar to a bassinet. Some parents keep the box next to their bed, while others use it in all rooms of the house to keep baby in while they clean, cook, or work. Once baby outgrows the box, it can easily be repurposed for clothing or toy storage!

QuickZip Crib Sheets: What’s worse than having to change crib sheets? Not much! Now, with QuickZip, all of your sheet-changing problems are gone for good! Simply drop the mattress in the base one time and never lift the mattress again. QuickZip is a patented two-piece fitted sheet with a base that stays on the mattress and a sheet that zips off and on in seconds. It is safer than traditional crib sheets because it always stays in place – no need to worry about it coming off while baby is sleeping! These would make a perfect baby shower gift for a new mama!

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