health

New Mom Series: Selecting a Crib Mattress

This is our fifth 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 Crib Mattress feature, we have partnered up with new mama Lindsey Bonnice of Live Sweet Photography; leading organic mattress brand Naturepedic 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. Lindsey just recently brought home her new son, Baby Finn, and one of the biggest questions that any new parent has is, “Will my new baby be a good sleeper?” Creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for baby is the best thing you can do to ensure the first years are happy and healthy. Most experts will tell you that the safest place for an infant or child to sleep is in a fully functional, properly assembled, JPMA-certified: crib, bassinet, cradle, play yard, or toddler bed. All of these require a mattress – so what should you look for? Babies spend 12 to 16 hours per day on their crib mattress, making the mattress the most prominent object in a child’s environment for the first three years of their life and one of the most important items on your baby registry. Here’s how to ensure you have the best crib mattress for baby. Always use a properly fitting mattress as infants can suffocate in gaps between a poorly fitting mattress and the crib sides or ends. Also key is selecting a mattress with a waterproof surface, which is essential for keeping your baby’s environment hygienic and protected from mold and bacteria growth within the mattress.

Gugu Guru selected Naturepedic’s Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra Breathable Mattress Pad for Finn’s nursery – which meets or exceeds safety and quality standards. The Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad is a 2-stage crib mattress for babies and toddlers. It fits snuggly in baby’s crib and is lightweight (under 12 pounds), comfortable, and functional for your child’s needs from infancy through toddlerhood.

The 2-stage feature is fantastic as baby grows; infants require a firm surface for safety but as they get older, it is safe for them and more comfortable to sleep on the softer side. The Naturepedic crib mattress is certified organic to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This ensures that your crib mattress meets a healthy non-toxic standard and is truly organic. The Ultra organic cotton waterproof fabric is durable and acts as a barrier to moisture, dust mites, and bedbugs. The mattress is designed for safety and can be used with or without the Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad. Plus it has been thoroughly tested for chemical emissions and passes all flammability standards without the need for flame retardant chemicals or other barriers. What we really love about this mattress is the Organic Cotton Ultra-Breathable Crib Mattress Pad. The mattress pad is made with certified organic cotton fabric quilted to a unique 3D airflow spacer, and dissipates heat and moisture to reduce sweating and overheating. Soils on the mattress pad won’t penetrate the waterproof mattress core.

Lindsey Bonnice is a NY and PA based portrait and newborn photographer and mother. Follow her and her adventures into new mommyhood on her Instagram at @LiveSweetPhotography. Baby Finn’s nursery is featured on Project Nursery and you can see where to purchase some of the adorable decor here.

Naturepedic Naturepedic specializes in the design and manufacturing of quality organic mattresses for infants, toddlers, children and adults that promote natural and organic materials, a non-toxic design, fire-safety, and overall health & safety. All Naturepedic natural and organic mattresses have been designed with the help of pediatricians, chemists, and engineers. They are constructed by Amish craftsmen in our GOTS certified factory in beautiful Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Research and design is coordinated by G.E.M. Testing & Engineering Labs in Cleveland, Ohio.

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 more helpful tips for proper safe use of bassinets and cradles with Baby Safety Zone’s safety infographic here:

Product Discovery: bambu kids

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When new parents think about feeding their babies and toddlers, most of the time they think about what they are going to feed their little ones. However, parents often forget that what they put baby’s food in, and how they feed them is just as important! bambu kids features bowls, utensils, and even straws, which are all made from organic bamboo. As a wonderful and safe alternative to plastic, these products are all BPA free and finished with organic flax seed oil. Bambu Kids’ bowls, spoons, and bibs would make a perfect addition to any baby shower gift, especially for a mom who loves to cook!

The baby feeding spoons are designed as baby’s first foray into utensils; with a handle long enough for mom or dad, but a spoon-part small enough for baby’s mouth, these spoons are designed for ages 6 months and up. The spoons are made from a single piece of USDA certified organic bamboo and finished with a food safe oil derived from the flax seed. They are a safe and healthy alternative to plastic, free of phthalates and BPA.

As baby eats more and more solids, they’ll need a bowl to hold their food! This Bambu Kids’ bowl is made from USDA certified organic bamboo and finished with a food safe oil derived from the flax seed. Its rounded edges are easy for little hands to grasp and it is shaped to help avoid spills. As a healthy alternative to plastic bowls, your baby can knock this bowl on the ground and you won’t have to worry about shattering or breaking!

When it comes to keeping your baby clean during feedings, the Hemp Denim Baby Bib is a wonderful and safe alternative to vinyl or plastic bibs. This reversible bib is machine washable and accented with cotton piping to make it comfortable for baby. Made from a blend of hemp and certified organic cotton, this bib will surely last from babyhood to toddlerhood and even beyond.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Wendy Colson of Boobie Bar

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This week’s Mompreneur Feature: Wendy Colson of Boobie Bar – a convenient herbal lactation bar with the “right” herbs in the “right” dose. It contains an entire daily dose of milk-making ingredients in a single bar – saving nursing mamas from having to pop pills or brew tea all day.

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

From my direct experience as an IBCLC working with moms who struggled with low milk supply, I hand selected each milk-making ingredient known as a galactagogue. This patent-pending proprietary blend of herbs, the Boobie Blend™, is what sets our bars apart from any other lactation product currently on the market. I wanted to create something which could replace moms having to brew teas or pop 6-15 pills a day. Now you can get your entire daily dose of galactagogues (milk-making ingredients) in a convenient health food bar which you can take with you on the go.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

I found balance when I learned to let go. Before I became a mother, I was a planner extremist. I not only planned all three of my pregnancies, but even chose each one of my kid’s birthdays. Conflict arose after the birth of my first daughter because I was trying to be the same person, but with a newborn! It just wasn’t working. I began feeling a sense hopelessness if I couldn’t keep the house clean enough, prepare daily meals made from scratch, run simple errands in a timely manner, and check off my never ending “to do” list. My husband put no added pressure on me (He’s a saint). I was my worst enemy. I wish I could tell you I found balance with work and family soon after the my first daughter was born, but it wasn’t until the birth of my second daughter, 22 months later, when I realized I had to change my old ways of doing things or I was headed for a self-induced breakdown.

I took a much needed inventory of my life and decided that I needed to accept this was the new norm. I set new goals for myself each day which were now attainable. Taking a shower before 2pm became my new goal and on most days I actually reached it!

The changes I made to find more balance didn’t just stop at home. I decided after just two months of being back to work after maternity leave, I would be a happier mom and wife if I resigned from my hospital nursing position. I commuted an hour and half with two babies under the age of two which was insane. As they say, “When one door closes, another one opens”. My “retirement” lasted only nine months because I love what I do. I was offered a nursing job only three miles from home and job shared with another mom who didn’t want to work twelve hour shifts either. I chose work by its flexibility, not for its money. As my three babies got older, the more work I picked up. I started a private practice for lactation consultations the week my youngest went to kindergarten. For both my private-practice and at Boobie Bar I had to set boundaries with my hours. I make it a point to be home each day at 2 o’clock and cook and eat dinner with them. When they go to bed, I go back to work to make up the time.

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

Most kids have a hard time explaining what their parents do at work. Whereas, my three daughters got to see their mom take an idea, use her education and evolve it into a product which benefits moms and babies everywhere. It’s the best feeling to be that kind of role model for my girls.

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.

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

Overcoming Obstacles

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By Guest Blogger: Heather Brooker, Host of Motherhood in Hollywood Podcast

First let me say I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on getting healthy with the mamas of Gugu Guru! I hope your new year is off to a good start. Now here’s why I’ve called this meeting. Can we get honest about dieting and getting fit for a second? It’s freakin’ hard! As moms we are facing overwhelming obstacles that pose a potential problem in our plan to lose weight and get healthy everyday. No time for lunch? Grab a burger. Trying to get to the gym? It’s toddler tantrum time. Want to go for an evening walk to reach your 10,000 steps? El Niño.

I don’t know about you but sometimes it feels like the world is against me when I try to get healthy. So I’m challenging myself to overcome obstacles that get in the way of my weight loss success. I recently made the announcement of my plans on my podcast, Motherhood in Hollywood. I’m calling it the #MIH15by15. I plan to lose at least 15 pounds by my 15th wedding anniversary in May. I purposely set a smaller, more attainable goal in the hopes that I will smash it. I’m getting outside my comfort zone and trying new workouts in my city, and creative, fun ways to eat healthy that fit my schedule as a stay-at-home mom. That’s the #MIH15by15! And here are the obstacles I find most challenging and how I plan to overcome them.

1. Willpower
What is this word and why does it get bandied about whenever anyone talks about dieting and exercise? Because it’s important that’s why. And this is probably one of my biggest obstacles. I am weak when it comes to food. I love to eat. It’s like a party in my mouth every time I have a piece of cheese, or anything laced with butter. Donuts? Fughettaboutit! So in the coming months I will have to dig deep to come up with some willpower to resist excessively eating the foods I love so much. Here’s my trick: I’m going to try visualizing the raw ingredients of whatever I’m eating. Like a donut for example. The basic ingredients are milk, eggs, butter, sugar, unbleached flour and several different -fates and -iacins. When I think about all of the unhealthy ingredients that go into making my favorite foods, I suddenly don’t want a donut anymore. Or maybe, only half a donut. Ya feel me? And with any bad habit once you break the cycle of addiction (which sugar is for me) then it has less and less control over you. Then bam! That willpower gets stronger and stronger.

2. Exhaustion

Nothing is the enemy of getting healthy like being tired. In fact, I’m up way too late right now writing this article and I’m sure I will pay for it tomorrow. All the experts say your body needs rest to function properly. So, aside from right now, I am vowing to get as much rest as possible, whenever I can. That whole thing about napping while the baby naps? Yes please! My daughter is 2 and she (thankfully) still takes some healthy naps. I’ve realized that it’s okay for me to skip the laundry, or the dishes, or a blog post… if it means I can get some sleep. I’m less irritable, more patient and I make better food choices. Rest mamas. It is the key to your well-being.

3. Temptation

My friends with no kids always want to go out to eat. Or meet for a drink. Sometimes it’s my only way to socialize so I agree to go. And when I’m sitting at the Cheesecake Factory for the umpteenth time staring at all those yummy sounding dishes, I can’t help but order something I know I’ll love. Usually a pasta of some sort, with a white sauce. It’s literally the worst thing I could possibly order but it’s comfortable and it’s a habit. I’m thinking in order to break that habit, I need to limit myself on eating out during the week. I’m going to come up with more creative ways to hang out with my childless friends that don’t involve food. Maybe go for walk, visit the zoo, grab coffee even. Something to remove the temptation from my view. This is my goal anyway. Feel free to keep track of me and keep me honest if you see I’m eating out a lot. I also feel like this is something my wallet will thank me for.

4. Soda

I’m listing soda as an obstacle for me because it really is. I drink pop, soda, coke whatever you want to call it, almost every single day. It is one of the worst poisons I’m putting in my body and it tastes so good that I don’t think I can ween myself off of it. For this obstacle I’m going to have to go cold turkey. I’m not buying it at the grocery store so it’s not even in the house to tempt me. I’m going to order ice tea with any of the convenient combo meals that I admittedly order from time to time. I will leave it out of my rum and cokes and just have rum from now on. Kidding of course. I’m a microbrew gal. But this truly is a weakness of mine and it will be a tough nut to crack. That’s why I hope to build a strong community around me who also wants to get healthy in a fun, effective way-soda pop free!

Do you face any of these obstacles? Tell me what obstacles you’re up against in your journey to get healthy and how will you overcome them? To keep track of my progress during the #MIH15by15 and to keep me honest, go to motherhoodinhollywood.com.

Bio
Heather Brooker is a mom, actress, Emmy Award-winning writer, and host of the popular podcast, Motherhood in Hollywood. She’s appeared on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, The Middle, Fresh Off The Boat, The Mindy Project and more. On her podcast, Heather discusses her two passions — parenting and acting — and has a hilarious and addicting, tell-it-like-it-is personality.

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.

5 Simple Prenatal Cardio & Strength Moves (+ Expecting More DVD Collection Giveaway!)

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Sara Haley is a pre and postnatal fitness specialist and creator of the award winning prenatal program, Expecting MORE and postnatal program, Expecting More®:The 4th Trimester Workout. Here she shares 5 Simple Prenatal Cardio & Strength Moves You Can Do at Home in Less Than 20 minutes PLUS offers a chance to win her signature pre- and postnatal workout DVD collections!

Please consult your doctor or midwife before trying this or any other exercise program during pregnancy.

For this workout you’ll need a supportive chair, medium sized weights (an amount at least equal to the weight of a healthy newborn baby) and a timer. Run the circuit 3 times through with one minute of rest between each rounds.

Busy Bee: You think you are busy now, but just wait until baby comes. That’s why it’s so important to keep your cardiovascular endurance strong. Stand next to your chair. Reach up and away from it as if you were trying to put something high up on a shelf. Then, rotating from your feet, to turn your body towards the chair, tap the chair. Repeat this for 30 seconds before walking to the other side of the chair and repeating it for another 30 seconds. You want to move quick enough that you feel your body getting warm. Just avoid going breathless. Also if this is not enough for you, you can always reach down to touch the floor, until your belly no longer allows you too.

Carseat Rows (weights needed): A strong back means less backache during pregnancy and post. You need strong back muscles to lift and carry your baby, along with everything else that comes with it (car seats, strollers, diaper bags,etc.). For this exercise, stand facing your chair. Bend your knees and hinge at the hips. Hug your baby to your spine to help keep your back flat. Leave one hand on the chair. With the other arm, row it back so that your arm comes right to your bra line. Keep it very close to your body. Return and repeat for 30 seconds before switching to the other side. Again, before you’re showing, you may be able to perform this movement without the chair. Use it for support as soon as you need it.

Baby Burpees: I bet you were thinking you get out of doing burpees, just because you’re pregnant, right? Wrong! Baby Burpees are a great way to get your heart rate up and train your core at the same time. Stand facing your chair. Walk one foot at a time away from the chair so you are in an elevated plank. Walk your feet back in. Continue alternating the leading foot for 60 seconds, or if you’ve done burpees in the past (before you were pregnant) and can land light on your feet, hop your feet out and walk them back in. The farther you walk your feet away from the chair, the more challenging this will be. If you need more modifications, just walk your feet away from the chair so they are right underneath your hips and back in (so your legs will never straighten).

So Big Shoulder Press (weights needed): Strong shoulders will allow you to do so much with your baby, but especially fun games like “So Big!” “How big are you? Soo big!” as you lift them up high. So let’s practice with weights. Stand in front of your chair. Squat down with your weight in your heels (not shown in picture). You can allow your butt to touch the chair, or just hover slightly above. Keep your weights at shoulder level. As you stand up press them high over head. Repeat for 60 seconds.

Baby Butt Lift: Most women feel and see a change in the way their butt looks during pregnancy. Let’s create less work for your postnatal recovery and keep that butt as lifted as we can, yes? Stand facing your chair. Use the chair to support your upper body as you lift one leg up so that it creates a straight line. You can put one hand on the back of the chair, both on the chair, or take one hand off to test your balance. Do whatever feels good to you that day. It doesn’t matter if your leg is high, just that the back is long and straight. Do this by thinking of hugging your baby closer to your spine. Pulse the leg up for 30 seconds before switching to the other side.

Like what you see? Enter to win Sarah’s DVD collection of Expecting MORE® and her postnatal program, Expecting More®:The 4th Trimester Workout here:

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*** All exercises are taken from Sara’s prenatal workout program Expecting MORE, available as downloads or on DVD on her website.

About Sara Haley: Sara is an LA-based pre and postnatal fitness specialist and creator of the award winning prenatal program, Expecting MORE and postnatal program, Expecting More®:The 4th Trimester Workout, which is geared towards all moms whether they had a baby 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years ago. With over 15 years of experience as a fitness specialist, 7 years as a Reebok Master Trainer, Sara has a passion for educating women about staying fit, healthy and strong during pregnancy and beyond, in the safest and most effective ways possible. You can catch Sara at @SaraHaleyFit on social channels or SaraHaley.com.

BYOBfit™’s Favorite Babywearing Exercises for the Home

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

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.

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