health

Webinar: Pumping & Storing Breastmilk on November 15

Whether you’re pumping to boost your supply, to build up a stash of frozen milk, or because you prefer to bottle feed your breastmilk, the thought of pumping can be daunting. Will it hurt, how long should you pump, how do you store the milk? Ease your mind and set yourself up for success by attending the second webinar in our three-part series: Pumping and Storing!

Details
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 | 2-3pm EST
Join us for our 1-hour Pumping and Storing* webinar from the comfort of your own home or workplace, led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and creator of Boobie Bars. From flange size to freezers, this 1-hour class is guaranteed to teach you everything you need to know about pumping and storing your milk. We will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting. Don’t miss out on our early bird pricing!

This a must-attend if you plan to pump!

Key topics to be covered will be:

• How to ensure a good supply from the start

• When to start pumping

• How long to pump

• How to begin to build your freezer stash

• Plus, much, much more!

*Pumping is Part Two of our three-part series, which covers setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding. Part Three covers Returning to Work.

Gugu Village is Gugu Guru’s new educational community for expecting and new moms. Offering both webinars and offline events, Gugu Village provides first time moms with the knowledge that they need to feel prepared and well supported during the prenatal and postpartum period.

Webinar: Advanced Breastfeeding Class on November 5

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

Advanced Breastfeeding Class* is part one of a three-part series on setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding (as well as Pumping & Storing and Returning to Work in the latter parts of our series.) Join us for one or all three* webinars in this informative series designed for expecting and new moms who are planning to nurse and/or pump.

Details:
Wednesday, November 5, 2016 | 3:30-5:30pm EDT
As baby’s due date approaches, all new moms seek peace of mind about the whole process. One of the biggest decisions you will make for your newborn is whether breastfeeding is right for you and your baby. After your baby is here, you will most likely get support and hands-on training at the hospital. However, with our brand new and exciting webinar series, you will get a head start on important breastfeeding basics prior to baby’s arrival from the comfort of your home or workplace. Led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), this 2-hour class is guaranteed to teach you new breastfeeding techniques and facts, as well as go above and beyond what you would learn at the basic class taught at hospitals.

It’s a must-attend if you plan to nurse and/or pump!

Key topics to be covered will be:

What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and when is the right time to seek their help?
Why should you breastfeed?
What is in breastmik?
Common issues with breastfeeding and solutions.
Plus, much, much more!

Nurse Wendy will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting.

*Attendees will be entered for chance to win 1 of 50 pairs of Bamboobies reusable nursing pads!

DIY Burp Cloth Tutorial

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Let’s get crafty! See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. We’re all about nursing in this post co-sponsored by Momsense.

I’m so excited to be here sharing a burp cloth tutorial today! I’ve never really needed burp cloths before, my baby #3 is a little bit of a spitter!

We partnered with Momsense for this tutorial for Breastfeeding Awareness Month! The Momsense Smart Breastfeeding Meter is a new product that tracks how much your baby is eating! The meter has a pair of headphones equipped with a microphone that safely sticks to baby’s neck. The microphone amplifies her sucks and swallows for you to hear. It also has a little animation that goes with it and it translates the swallows to give you a good sense of how much milk your baby is getting!

My older daughter loves to listen in and it’s so fun to involve the kids and dad in the breastfeeding experience. I needed this meter about 6 years ago with my first when I was struggling with milk supply, so I’m so glad it’s on the market now!

My favorite part about the meter is how inspiring it is to a breastfeeding mama! It’s so neat to see and hear how effective your breastfeeding session is and is pushing us to get the best and longest breastfeeding experience possible. Read my full review on SeeKateSew.com to hear all about my struggle with supply and how the Momsense Smart Breastfeeding Meter has been a game changer for us!

Today we’re making burp cloths lined with absorbent towel material! I thought lemon fabric would be cute since we’re talking about eating! The back of the cloths are made from a towel. You can either use a pre-made towel or terry cloth material for the backing. The only other thing you need is the pattern (provided below) and basic sewing supplies.

Let’s get started!

Materials:
–See Kate Sew Burp Cloth Pattern
-a store-bought towel or terry cloth material
-1/4 yard cotton ( lemon fabric source)

Print out the burp cloth pattern at 100% (do not scale). Cut off the overlap and tape the 3 pages together. It will look like this:

Use the pattern piece to cut out 1 piece from cotton and 1 piece from your towel material.
Put the cotton piece on top of the towel piece with the right sides together.
Pin and sew the front and back together 3/8″ from the edges, leaving a 2-3″ opening on one side.
Turn the burp cloth right side out through the opening you left. Press. Turn the opening edges in.
Topstitch around the cloth 1/4″ from the edge. The opening will be closed as you do this.

You’re done! A little stack of these make a really cute shower gift (maybe paired with a Momsense meter!).

Advanced Breastfeeding Class

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Breastfeeding is natural, but it’s also a learned practice that can sometimes be challenging. Set yourself and baby up for success by being informed on the basics and benefits of breastfeeding before baby arrives by attending the first webinar in our three-part series on breastfeeding and pumping: Advanced Breastfeeding Class!

Details
Join us for our 2-hour Advanced Breastfeeding Class* webinar from the comfort of your own home or workplace, led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC and creator of Boobie Bars. From explaining the components of breastmilk to a proper latch to solutions for common breastfeeding issues, this class goes above and beyond what is taught in a basic hospital class to help you and baby get off to the right start. We will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting. Don’t miss out on our early bird pricing!

*Advanced Breastfeeding Class is part one of a three-part series, which covers setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding with a newborn. Parts Two and Three of this series will cover Pumping and Returning to Work, respectively. We are offering discounted early bird pricing, along with a discounted bundle package for those who wish to attend all three webinars. Those who purchase the bundle package will be entered to win a Lansinoh SmartPump breast pump and a supply of Boobie Bars!

Topic: Advanced Breastfeeding Class (Part I of III)

Date/Time: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM CDT / 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT / 10AM-12PM PDT

Pricing:
Early Bird (first 15 attendees to sign up): $40
Standard Ticket: $45
Early Bird Webinar 3-Series Bundle (first 10 attendees to sign up): $90
Standard Webinar 3-Series Bundle (first 10 attendees to sign up): $100

This class is the first in a 3-part series of breastfeeding webinars brought to you by Gugu Village – Gugu Guru’s new online support community for expecting and new moms.

Advanced Breastfeeding Class
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM CDT / 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT / 10AM-12PM PDT
Tickets can be purchased above or here.

Well Mama Round Up!

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Happy mom, happy baby! With a new baby at home, it’s easy to forget that mom needs care too. Gugu Guru has rounded up a few items to help make it a bit easier.

Sponsored Post

Nesting Days Carrier: Skin-to-skin is a lot more than just having all that newborn deliciousness as close as possible. There are proven emotional and biological benefits for both baby and mom, and who doesn’t want a happier, healthier, less stressed baby? The Nesting Days Carrier makes hands-free skin-to-skin babywearing easy! Created by a postpartum doula and made locally in San Francisco, there are no straps, buckles, harnesses or wrapping techniques involved – and it even provides gentle abdominal support. So strip baby down to a diaper (when at home), slip her into your Nesting Days carrier, and breathe in all that yummy new baby smell!

Fannypants Freedom Plus Set + Maxi SmartPad Underwear: Did baby spend the last few months kickboxing your bladder and now that you’ve given birth, things aren’t quite how they used to be? Don’t worry, Fannypants has you covered! These moisture-wicking, flexible, stretchable panties come with a Maxi SmartPad (a washable, reusable pad that can be used for your period or bladder leaks). Go ahead and laugh and lift, you’ve got eco-friendly protection on your side!

yootoo Bra: As moms, we’re constantly making sure that our baby is as comfy as possible, but you need comfort too! (Hence the name of this awesome bra line.) yootoo nursing bras provide breathable support, clasps that open and close easily with one hand, a plunging neckline for versatility, and patented UGrow technology, which allows the bra to conform to your body. Plus, a portion of every yootoo sale goes to Every Mother Count, a non-profit founded by Christy Turlington Burns that supports maternal health programs around the world!

Innovative Sleep Products Round Up!

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To say that newborns sleep a lot is an understatement, so Gugu Guru has rounded up a few products to help your little one get the best sleep possible.

Sponsored Post

Harlow’s Earth Crib Mattress Cover: Do nightmares about the ickies that might be lurking in your baby’s crib mattress like allergens and chemical off-gassing keep you up at night? Sleep more soundly knowing that your little one is protected! This waterproof, BPA and phthalate free mattress cover from Harlow’s Earth directs gases down and away from your baby, allowing the mattress – and baby – to breathe freely. Just slip in your mattress and secure the Velcro tabs. It wipes down easily with warm water and soap, so maintenance is a breeze. Now go to bed, mama!

Venta Airwasher Air Purifier and Humidifier: A good humidifier is an absolute must-have for teeny noses. The Venta Airwasher does double duty as an air filter and a humidifier and is super low maintenance. No more sputtering, drippy humidifiers and worrying about moldy basins, plus there are no filters to clean. Not only does it maintain the ideal moisture in the air and filter out things like pet dander and pollen – it even cleans common cold germs from the air! Yes! (Bonus: they even have their own line of aromatherapy oils that you can add to your Airwasher.)

Colgate EverTrue Diamond Mattress: Colgate has been handcrafting mattresses right here in the US since 1955, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff! With innovative features like SecureCore Technology™, a breathable honeycomb mesh core that allows for optimal air circulation, gel grooves that prevent air stagnation, and a cover crafted from Celliant, a biologically responsive fabric that helps regulate body temperature and increase oxygenation, the EverTrue Diamond is at the forefront of safe sleep technology. The dual-firmness mattress (extra support for infants, added cushiness for toddlers) is GREENGUARD® Gold certified, so no nasty off-gassing. Plus, it’s waterproof, stain/odor resistant, and hypoallergenic. What more could you need? Oh, yes, it’s available only at specialty stores, so it’s also a great reason to shop local!

Get MORE Fit After Baby with Sara Haley

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Sara, a mother of two and pre and postnatal fitness specialist, is back with us to share some key moves to do after baby to regain core strength, increase cardio endurance and tone the areas that are most affected by pregnancy. All of the exercises mentioned below can be found in Haley’s postnatal workout program, Expecting MORE: The 4th Trimester Workout.

1. CORE: This is the area that is most affected by pregnancy and an area you need to be strong — your abs and low back will help support you in functional every day activities, from cooking and cleaning to lifting and carrying for your baby. It’s so important that you avoid crunch like moves and instead do stability exercises to strengthen your core and tighten your abs so you can maintain good posture, live pain-free, and get your abs back after baby!

Key Move: Resistance Fight (works core): Lie on your back and lift one leg up to tabletop so that your knee is in line with your hip. Take your opposite hand and push against your thigh. As you try to push your leg away with your hand, resist by pushing your leg into your hand in opposition. While all this is happening you should be focusing on pulling your navel towards your spine and closing your rib cage. You may feel your body start to shake. Begin by holding for 15 sec on each side and gradually increase to 45 sec.

2. ARMS & BACK: As a new parent, you are constantly picking up and carrying your little ones (and all of their stuff), which means your arm and back muscles are needed more than ever before. Key moves like the Towel Tighteners will help you begin to ignite your back muscles and tone the back of the arms. When you’re ready, trade out the towel for some free weights.

Key Move: Towel Tighteners (tightens your triceps and back): You will need a towel to assist you (or light hand weights when you are ready). Hold your towel behind your back, stand shoulder width apart, soften your knees, and hinge forward at the hips. Pull your navel to your spine, as you lift your hands up behind your back. Lower back down and repeat anywhere from 15-30 reps (eventually you might even be able to do more). Your goal is to work to fatigue.

3. ENDURANCE: Life moves fast once baby arrives and before you know it your little ones will be crawling, walking, and eventually running! Cardio exercise is key to helping increase your endurance so you can keep up with your little one. Interval drills like Go Time paired with active recovery help burn fat even after the workout is complete.

Key Move: Go Time! (works your heart, legs & butt): As a mom, I always feel like no matter how organized you think you are, when it’s time to get out the door all chaos hits. (Hence the title of this move). 3 options for this move (You can progress as you get stronger). Begin by doing a football run (GoTimePic1), count to four, and then walk your feet together into a squat (picture 2) and then back out wide into a squat, or scoot your feet together so that you are on your toes (picture 3) and back out into a squat, or when you are ready, jump up into the air and back into a squat (picture 4). Do this exercise for 15 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat 4 more times. If you’re not exhausted after 15 seconds, add more time or more intensity to the movement.

4. RECOVERY: As a mom, your body is put through the ringer, which is why it’s so important to incorporate dynamic stretching into your workout routine to help your muscles recover and give relief to your overused muscles.

Key Move: Baby Back Relief (stretches your back): After nine months of pregnancy, potentially nursing, and carrying your baby everywhere, your back and posture suffers dramatically. I promise this exercise will help so do it as often as needed. You will need a towel to assist you. Begin seated on the floor with your legs in front of you. Place the towel under the arches of your feet. Bend your knees as much as you need to, tuck your chin to your chest, engage your core, and pull on the towel as you round your back. You should feel an immediate stretch in your back. Hold this position for a count of four. Release and then repeat 4-6 times as needed.

Get ready for postpartum fitness with this giveaway bundle! Enter to win Sara Haley’s The 4th Trimester Workout DVDs, Sara Haley’s Sweat Unlimted DVD, a Sara Haley towel, an Asana Tote from Six Pack Bags (this bag can hold your yoga mat and has an insulated meal core which keeps food fresh for 8+ hours!), and this adorable outfit (Room to Flow Cami in Black and Convertible Capri in Heather Lilac) from Belabumbum, perfect for working out before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after (even for nursing moms!).

About Sara Haley: Sara is an LA-based pre and postnatal fitness specialist and creator of three award-winning programs; the excuse-proof workout, Sweat UNLIMITED, the prenatal workout, Expecting MORE and the new postnatal program, Expecting More®:The 4th Trimester Workout. With over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry and 7 years as a Reebok Master Trainer, Sara has a passion for helping people stay fit, healthy and strong in the safest and most effective ways possible. For more from Sara, follow her @SaraHaleyFit on all social channels.

Dadpreneur Spotlight: Michael Rothbard of Newton

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With June being the month that we celebrate fathers, we wanted to highlight one more Dadpreneur: Michael Rothbard is the founder of Newton – the brand behind the award-winning Newton Wovenaire Crib Mattress. Newton’s Wovenaire Crib Mattress features Wovenaire technology; the Wovenaire mattress core is 90% air and 10% food-grade polymer and provides the comfort of foam and latex without any of the drawbacks. These mattresses are highly breathable and don’t have any of the foam, latex, flame retardants, springs and glue common in other crib mattresses, which means no off gassing, toxic chemicals or allergens. What’s more, Newton’s Wovenaire Crib Mattresses are easily washable in your bath or shower, which means you can simply wash away allergens, dirt, liquids, and dust to help prevent mold from growing. Your baby will not only rest easy on these 100% recyclable mattresses, but you can rest easy knowing that they are breathing safely and in a completely clean environment.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Newton.

MR: I’ve been an entrepreneur in the specialty sleep category for the majority of my career. However, until I became a Father, I never realized the importance of providing better sleep for babies. As first time parents, my wife and I experienced firsthand the fear and exhaustion that almost every parent faces with trying to get our son to sleep well.

I decided there must be a better way. To me the problem was obvious, we expect babies to sleep on sweaty, rock hard surfaces that we would never be comfortable on. I used to look at my son lying on his crib mattress and think he must be so uncomfortable, no wonder he’s not sleeping! My wife and I also lost sleep ourselves, as most parents do, when the rollover stage started. This was a stage for me that safety and breathability were more important than ever.

I discovered that crib mattresses haven’t changed a bit over the years, they’re waterproof because they can’t be washed and they are stiff because you can’t have a baby’s face sinking into an airtight, waterproof surface. So it occurred to me if you could make a crib mattress both breathable and washable it would be both safer and more comfortable. When I discovered the Japanese technology, we call Wovenaire, I knew I had the answer.

Five years later my son, now a budding young scientist, was teaching me what he learned about Newton’s laws of rest and motion and I knew what the name of our new company should be. Newton is dedicated to providing families with better living through better rest.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

It’s not easy to grow a business and a family at the same time. Both are very demanding, but my priority is to be present for my children. This means not just being there for an adequate amount of time, but being present in the moment and not allowing my mind to drift off to my to do list, etc. I try to take at least one skiing trip a year with my oldest boy for some father/son time. These trips are the most precious moments for me and I look forward to doing the same with my younger twins when they’re old enough.

GG: What’s the best part of being an dadpreneur?

Being on my own schedule and being able to pass along my family’s heritage as small business owners to my children. I also know my children are now understanding daddy works on sleep products to make sure all families are comfortable and safe. They were all excited to attend the Newton 1^stbirthday party a few weeks back and demonstrate how comfortable and safe our Wovenaire crib mattress truly is. Little innovators and safe sleep ambassadors in the making!

You can follow Newton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Oilogic Review

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Beauty editor and new mom, Marina Klimasiewfski, shares her experience of using the new Oilogic line…

Before I became a mom my ideal outing would be to a place that both serves crafty cocktails and paints elaborate designs on nails at the same time. Essentially, double-fisting poison. This is actually still how I’d prefer to spend an afternoon. Yet hypocritical as it may seem, a baby line with words like “organic”, “natural”, and “OTC-certified FDA approved plants” appeals to me. Even if I’m not 100% sure what all those things mean.

Since my son is so tiny (14 pounds 13 ounces now!) and seemingly pure, every single new thing that touches his body feels like a major life decision. Meanwhile, each day he changes. I’m constantly adjusting to what he needs to be comfortable and happy, all while avoiding gratuitous chemicals.

Oilogic is a line based on using natural remedies, particularly essential oils, to cure the many minor maladies of infancy and early childhood. I’m particularly into the fact that I can pronounce and identify the ingredients (I know what sunflower oil is!). I’ve been using some of their products on my son for the past month, and here’s my experience:

Ouchies & Boo Boos Essential Oil Ointment – my son has discovered that he has hands. And he wants those hands in his mouth all. the. time. Except sometimes he misses his mouth. So in the past two weeks he’s gotten a new scratch on his face every day (and yes, we cut his nails, thank you, strangers in the grocery store for asking!). This salve helps scrapes heal faster. A blend of essential oils like sunflower, olive and coconut with vitamin E, and free from artificial color or dye, I felt very comfortable putting it on my son, even his face. I was also very happy to find it did help his little cuts heal within a day or two. This a definite re-buy for me, as I suspect we will be using it through toddler-hood. $9.99.

Slumber & Sleep Bundle of Joy – is a trio including Slumber & Sleep Essential Oil Vapor Bath, Calming Cream, and Roll-on Oil. The products have a slightly heady, earthy-minty scent, likely from the rosemary oil, that I happen to love. It’s a welcome switch from the typical “baby” scented bath products. If my husband and I come home from work to a particularly boisterous baby we bathe him in the vapor bath (a light oil), give him quick rub with the cream, and dab his inner wrists and behind his ears with the oil. It’s not a miracle cure, but this ritual does seem to calm him down. $24.99.

Stuffy Nose & Cough Essential Oil Roll-On – while we thankfully haven’t suffered any full-on colds yet, periodic sneezing and coughing do occur, especially now that the flowering plants are in full bloom outside. This fragrant oil helps to clear up my sinuses, so it’s become more of a whole family remedy than exclusive to baby. $9.99.

The line also includes an Essential Oil Roll-on Bundle of Joy (set of 5), Itchy Eyes & Sneezes Roll-on, Bug Bites & Itches Roll-on (which I plan to test this summer), Relax & Calm Roll-on, and Stuffy Nose & Cough Bath Vapor. All products available at Oilogiccare.com.

UpSpring Baby: Health & Wellness Improvement for Mom

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This is more of a momprenuers (plural) feature. We speak with Lisa Williamson Rowe, co-founder and CEO of UpSpring Baby – a brand that creates first-of-their-kind products for today’s modern family. UpSpring’s mission is to improve the lives of moms and babies alike and create products that promote health, wellness, and safety. With Mother’s Day around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to sit down and speak with Lisa about UpSpring’s dedication to health and wellness improvement for mom.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about UpSpring.
LR: We [along with fellow co-founders Julie Jumonville and Dede Woodman] were three mom entrepreneurs that saw unmet needs in the mom & baby market. In 2005, we decided to partner up and create products that met those needs. Our first two products were Milkscreen, an at-home alcohol detection kit for breast milk, and Walking Wings, a unique tool for babies learning to take their first steps.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
LR: In my home, we definitely have family focus time, like dinner time. However, UpSpring has really just become part of our daily life and my family is likewise so much a part of UpSpring. My children and family life have inspired the UpSpring brand in many ways, and have given input and feedback all along the way as we’ve built the company.

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
LR: It is just so rewarding partnering with other mom entrepreneurs and sharing products. We are now a village and that village includes other mom inventors, pediatricians and medical experts all sharing our dedication to promote wellness.

Some of Gugu Guru’s favorite products from the UpSpring catalog:

Milkscreen is an easy-to-use at home test that detects alcohol in breast milk. Because everyone metabolizes alcohol differently, the amount of time it takes for alcohol to leave your breast milk also varies. Now you may never have to pump and dump breast milk again.
Milkflow is a concentrated blend of natural herbal extracts including fenugreek and blessed thistle. This powdered drink mix helps you stay hydrated, promotes a healthy breast milk supply and is far more exciting to take than pills.
The Wellmom Breast Pillow is designed specifically to support the mother’s breast while breastfeeding. UpSpring’s new pillow is the first of its kind to provide optimal breast placement while nursing, which resolves the tiresome and painful-to-the-wrist act of physically holding the breast. The pillow lifts and comfortably supports the breast, and its stay-in-place cover holds the breast in position for hands-free nursing.
C-Panty: C Section Recovery Underwear: C-Panty after cesarean-section panty speeds recovery and slims post baby belly. Compression reduces pain and increases mobility. C-Panty takes care of you so you can take care of baby in comfort.
MS Panty: Postpartum Recovery Underwear: Designed for vaginal deliveries, MS-Panty is an after baby panty to speed up getting your pre-body back with just the right amount of compression.
Wellmom’s Organic Coconut Nipple Balm expedites healing and moisturizes tender skin with all natural ingredients that are okay for baby to ingest. Wellmom Coconut Nipple Balm does not contain lanolin, petrolatum, or parabens so you don’t have to remove the balm before breastfeeding baby.
Shrinkx Hips Ultra is the first and only wrap clinically proven to narrow hips after delivery. Shrinkx Hips works thanks to the hormone Relaxin which loosens pelvic joints and ligaments for childbirth. Relaxin stays in your system up to 8 weeks after delivery. Wearing Shrinkx Hips during this time gently guides hips back to their pre-pregnancy position, or smaller.
Shrinkx Belly Postpartum Belly Wrap helps you lose inches faster off your belly and waist after delivery. Triple compression customizes fit so you can look and feel better sooner.

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