safety

Our Best Travel Tips

Traveling with a babe or kiddo can be stressful and overwhelming. Read through our best tips to make sure traveling is stress-free and enjoyable for all.

Tip #1: For any type of car seat, make sure your car seat is FAA certified; we recommend bringing your seat’s FAA documentation (typically a sticker on the seat or manual) and having the FAA and airline rules printed or bookmarked on your phone.

Tip #2: If you’re concerned about your car seat getting damaged and have the budget for it, consider purchasing an additional inexpensive, lightweight, FAA certified seat specifically for air travel.

Tip #3: A travel bag protects your car seat from both physical and environmental damage: some brands offer straps or wheels for easy transportation. I have loved this car set travel bag from Britax.

Tip #4: Whenever your baby is in his seat, make sure to properly fasten all straps to provide a safe and secure environment.

Tip #5: Babies & Kids feed off of your energy; so if you are calm and confident during travel, they will be too! If possible, try and book flights around nap or bedtime so that if all else fails, everyone can sleep.

Check out this post with our favorite car seat picks for travel: Our Fav Picks: Travel Car Seats

Our Fav Picks: Travel Car Seats

by Christine Swearingen 1 Comment

Traveling with babies and toddlers can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! I went from a mom who swore she would never bring an infant on a plane to flying across the country every 8-12 weeks with a growing newborn (and big sister) in tow! Whether your little one is rear-facing or forward-facing, needs a 5 point harness, or just a booster seat, we have our favorite travel car seat picks for you!

The first question to ask yourself is do you need to bring a car seat? What parts of your trip will be in the air vs. on the road? Most airlines do offer an option for a “Lap Infant”, and you should check with each for their definition and guidelines on what that means. This option is there to save you money, and promote families to fly. However, both the FAA and the NTSB recommend children under 40 lbs to fly in an approved restraint. Once you land, how are you getting to your destination? In some areas, you can find a car service (or even Uber) with a child seat option or upgrade. Will you be traveling around while you are there? This was the defining factor for me (along with the 6-hour flight) to start purchasing a ticket for my child and bringing a car seat along with us. Whether you decide to check one at the ticket counter or curbside, gate check, or buckle up on board, the next step is to select the right type of seat for your child’s height and weight.

Infant Car Seats

Infant Car Seats are already designed to be portable; they are lighter and smaller and most configure to snap directly onto your stroller (which will allow you to push it through the airport and remain hands-free!). When selecting my infant seat, it was important to me to choose an infant car seat with a European belt path feature (which enables you to wrap the shoulder belt around the back of the carrier) to allow you to easily install the car seat without the base.

The Cybex Aton 2 car seat offers outstanding safety and convenience. At 9.5lbs, it is lightweight for easy carrying and installation. It features a linear side-impact protection system (a little piece that extends on the door facing side of the installed car seat) that offers increased safety (it absorbs up to 25% more impact) during a side-impact collision. The extra-large sun canopy can be extended incrementally, offering not only UPF 50+ sun protection but also shield against wind and rain. The largest cons about this seat are that the price is on the higher side compared to other infant car seats and it does not feature a no-rethread adjustment for the harness.

Rear Facing, 5 Point Harness

Once babe exceeds the height and/or weight limit of an infant car seat, it is time to move up to a convertible car seat. The CDC recommends that a rear-facing car seat be used from birth until ages 2–4. They continue, that for the best possible protection, infants and toddlers should be buckled in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat, until they reach the maximum weight and height limits of their car seat. The bummer about this for travel is that for the most part, convertible car seats are enormous, heavy, and not easily transferred from car to plane to car. So it became my mission to find one that was the exception to this rule.

At just under $50 and 7 lbs the Cosco Scenera Next is the perfect, affordable solution to the convertible car seat travel blues. While it doesn’t attach to a stroller, it is so compact that we were able to use ours (sans baby) to maneuver around the airport with ease. The seat pad doesn’t offer a ton of cushion, but it is easy to remove, machine washable, and dryer safe which was a huge comfort for those airplane ickies. The largest con about this seat is that the top harness slots are low, so babe might outgrow the straps before they reach the weight/height limits. It is also rather large, so if you are using it as an extra travel seat, make sure you have a place to stow it in the offseason.

Forward Facing, 5 Point Harness

The AAP advises that all children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their manufacturer. While some children may reach the minimum weight for a booster seat or high back booster, they are still safest in a 5 point harness.

I cannot say enough good things about the WAYB Pico car seat. We were initially planning on only bringing one with us, but immediately went and purchased a second. Made from aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, it is light (just 8 lbs), strong (it absorbs energy forces in a crash), and foldable (making it super easy to carry and store). Their ASTROKNIT™ fabric is breathable and ergonomic, keeping little travelers comfortable and it can be installed either with a one-click LATCH connection or a car/airplane belt. The price point is high, and it can only be used forward-facing, but if you are a frequent traveler or in/out of taxis often this is an excellent choice for you.

High Back Boosters

When babe is mature enough to move on from their 5 point harness, but not yet tall enough that the vehicle seat belt fits properly, they should use a belt-positioning booster seat (typically until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age). Previously, there was a gap in the travel market to support kids in this size range (there are many options for your day in and day out use), which is what makes the “the world’s most portable booster” so smart.

The mifold hifold fit-and-fold booster is an adjustable highback booster with unique “multi-fit” technology that can be adjusted to 243 individual settings. This means that it grows with the child to ensure optimal seat belt fit and comfort. Weighing just under 10 pounds, its lightweight design and handy carry strap make the hifold great for travel or moving from car to car. The hifold is not suited for use on aircraft (as it requires the use of both a lap and a shoulder belt system), however, it folds small enough to fit underneath an airplane seat (resulting in 1 less thing to check!). At the absolute smallest settings, my petite 4.5-year-old felt comfortable and confident and her only complaint was that she couldn’t see out the window! My last note is that this seat cannot be attached with a Latch system, so remember to buckle it in (or fold it up!) when your child is not with you.

Whether your travels are by land or air, these travel car seats have you covered! These car seats are our favorite picks for traveling safely.

Your Road Trip Essentials from Summer®

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Going on a road trip with your little one? Grab these gadgets from Summer® before you hit the road to make sure it’s a safe and happy trip for everyone.

The Pop ‘N Sit® Booster: Activity Floor and Booster Seat in One

The Summer® Pop ‘N Sit® Booster is the perfect booster seat to keep your little one comfy the whole road trip. This infant seat beats boredom with its built-in activities to keep your kid happy and smiling. Plus, it has super functional features for you and all the other adults tagging along.

Built for both indoor and outdoor use, the Summer® Pop ‘N Sit® Booster is suitable for kids ages 6 months to 4 years, with a capacity to support up to 37 pounds. It’s fast and easy to assemble and, when you don’t need it anymore, it folds up to be super compact and totable. The Summer® Pop ‘N Sit® Booster even comes with a carrying bag.

When in use, you can utilize The Summer® Pop ‘N Sit® Booster’s storage pockets while your baby rides safely in the chair’s car seat mode. You can set this car seat to be facing you or the world, while they sit cozy inside the 3-point safety harness. The adjustable recline adds to the comfort and functionality.

The Myria™ Travel System: Go Everywhere Essentials

If you find yourself travelling often or if you’re in for a long-haul and want to be sure your little one will be safe and cozy, you should opt for the all-in-one Summer® Myria Modular Travel System with the Affirm TM 335 Rear Facing Infant Car Seat.

When out and about, you can turn the Summer® Myria Modular Travel System to its infant carriage mode, too, with the stroller seat easily transforming into a hand carrier. Meanwhile, the extra-large canopy means you can use it to keep baby protected no matter the weather.

In carrier mode, a peek-a-boo window allows for silent check ups while the breathable mesh fabric gives your child plenty of airflow to keep them comfortable. It works for toddlers as well, proving that this multifunctional product is one your family is going to grow with!

In the car, or on a road trip, you’ll also enjoy its large storage basket, which allows you to access any and all of your belongings or the snacks and toys you’re carrying for your kiddos while on the road. What’s more, the bumper bar features a snack tray and cup holder for your little one, plus a removable cup holder for you, too!

Mess-Free Travel Companions

The Summer® Pop ‘N Sit® Booster or Myria Modular Travel System may just be your best friend on your next road trip, but they’re not just multifunctional — they’re also super durable, allowing them to last for years within your family and beyond.

Spills and messes are inevitable when you have little kids in the car, but you don’t need to worry about them here. These Summer® products feature removable and machine washable fabric along with a removable, dishwasher-safe tray so that messes never have the chance to impact your road trip fun.

Summer® offers the ultimate travel seats for any adventurous family who wants to include their little ones in the most effortless, enjoyable way possible. So, which one are you getting?

Thank you to Summer® for making this sponsored post possible.

JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Babyproofing 101

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We teamed up with our friends at JPMA for some helpful babyproofing tips!

Babyproofing: 12 tips for the first 12 months

Most injuries can be prevented! Parents and caregivers play a huge role in protecting children from injuries. Choosing the right baby products for your family can be overwhelming, but safety should never be compromised. These 12 tips will get you started in the right direction for the first 12 months:

Ideally, the best time to babyproof is early in your pregnancy before you register so you can include needed safety items on your registry list.
The best way to babyproof? Get down on your hands and knees and think like a baby! This is a great activity for both mom and dad since males and females tend to look and inspect different aspects of the home and safety measures in general.
Take care of all the obvious hazards such as exposed electrical sockets and blind cords, but be on the lookout for those not-so-obvious items like empty dishwashers, hanging tablecloths that can be easily pulled down, and poisonous plants.
Babies at any age are curious and want to touch, feel, lick, smell, and listen to everything and anything they can get their little hands on. Your job is to make him or her part of your home as much as possible. After all, this new addition is not a temporary guest and should be able to safely explore every room in your home.
Consider child-proofing an ongoing process. Monitor your child’s growth and development and always try to stay one step ahead. For example, don’t wait until your baby starts crawling to put up stairway gates. Install them in advance so the entire family gets used to them and baby doesn’t associate his new found milestone with barriers.
If you are preparing for baby #2 or #3, don’t underestimate your “seasoned” approach to babyproofing from the first time around. In fact, having an older sibling creates additional hazards you should be aware of like small parts from toys and your toddlers ability to open doors, potty lids, and cabinets now.
Safest Option – Keep in mind that new products meeting current safety standards are the safest option.
Second-Hand Products – It is recommended secondhand products should not be used for baby. However, if it is necessary to use older products, make sure all parts are available, the product is fully functional, not broken, and has not been recalled.
Register your products- Through product registration, parents can establish a direct line of communication with the manufacturer should a problem arise with a product purchased. This information is NOT used for marketing purposes.
For the safest product use, be sure to always read and follow all manufacturers’ instructions and follow age and weight/height limitations.
Actively supervise- watch, listen and stay near your child.
Frequently inspect products for missing hardware, loose screws, threads and strings, holes, and tears.

JPMA is helps educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using the right baby products for your family. Play our fun, interactive hidden hazards game and visit www.babysafetymonth.org for more tips and giveaways.

Child Restraint Systems Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The Child Restraint Systems finalists for the JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards have arrived – in style! These child restraint systems are the best of the best to ensure baby is safe and sound on all of your adventures.

WINNER! CYBEX Sirona S CYBEX’s new Sirona S is the first convertible car seat in the U.S. to feature an innovative 360° rotatable seat with a load leg. Its innovative rotating feature makes switching between rear-facing and forward-facing positions quicker and easier than ever by eliminating the need for re-installation and providing a convenient entry/exit position that reduces uncomfortable lifting for the parent. The Sirona S load leg stabilizes the seat and can significantly reduce crash forces. The Sirona S also features SensorSafe™ technology that syncs with a caregiver’s smartphone to provide alerts when a child is left unattended after the car turns off, a child unbuckles themselves, or the ambient temperature around the child becomes too hot or too cold. Get it here>>

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Carfoldio hifold the fit-and-fold booster The hifold fit-and-fold car booster seat is the world’s most adjustable and portable booster seat. The unique “”multi-fit”” technology adjusts independently for height, head width, body width and seat width to 243 individual settings. This ensures optimal belt fit and comfort for children of all body shapes and as they grow. hifold is also the world’s most portable highback booster. The “multi-fold” system allows hifold to easily fold down for portability and storage. hifold comes with a built-in carry strap and at only 10 lbs is easy to carry around. hifold is regulated in the US (NHTSA standard FMVSS 213) and in every country worldwide (Australia is still pending), so it is ideal for taking anywhere on vacation. Get it here>>

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Safe Traffic System, Inc. Ride Safer Travel Vest The Ride Safer Travel Vest is an alternative to child seats and booster seats for children 3 years old and up. Very light, portable, easy to use and convenient, Ride Safer Travel Vests offer an alternative to heavy and bulky car seats and booster seats for parents and caregivers on-the-go. Taxi, Uber public transportation and air travel is made much easier. It is certified as a Harness under FMVSS 213 so it can be used with a lap-only seat belt with a tether or with a lap and shoulder belt with, or without, the tether legally in all 50 states plus many countries worldwide. Get it here>>

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Maxi-Cosi Coral XP Infant Car Seat Designed for giving you an extra hand. Carry your baby with ease, comfort and convenience. The Coral XP is the first-ever integrated car seat and carrier system and was built for helping parents move about with ease. The Coral’s revolutionary Lightweight Inner Carrier can be seamlessly removed from the car seat’s Outer Shell. And, with a specially designed, first-of-its-kind cross body flex-strap, the Coral lets you go through your day with ease, so you can get things done, and pinch those cheeks every chance you get. Watch the Maxi-Cosi website for a launch!

Child Restraint Systems Finalist: Britax® B-Free Premium Travel System with Endeavours Infant Car Seat (Clean Comfort) Travel in luxury, wherever you go with the B-Free Premium Travel System. The stroller is made with a stain-resistant, Nanotex-treated fabric, and a wicking seat liner that’s removable for easy cleaning. Plus, the leatherette handlebar is stylish & adjustable. The expandable canopy is ventilated for a cooler ride, and the no-rethread harness easily adjusts as your child grows. When you’re ready to roll, fold the stroller in seconds with one hand. The Endeavours Infant Car Seat combines trusted Britax Safety with stain-resistant Nanotex technology, wicking fabric and extra padding for a clean, cool, comfortable ride. SafeCenter LATCH makes it easy to secure & tighten the base. When you’re on the go without the base, securely install the seat using the European Belt Guide. Get it here>>

Technology Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The finalists for the JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards for Technology are in! We love that these innovative products have all been designed to keep your precious little one safe and sound.

WINNER! TotTech ForgetMeNot Over 50 children died from being left in hot cars in 2019, TotTech aims to change that. With the launch of our inaugural product, the ForgetMeNot, we hope to bring that number down to zero. The ForgetMeNot is compatible with any car seat and will alert the parent if they are about to leave their child in the car. The ForgetMeNot is a sensor that is easily added to any car seat. Once added to a car seat the ForgetMeNot is able to sense if a child is in the car seat and then automatically turns on and connects to the TotTech app on the parent’s phone. If the phone then ventures too far from the ForgetMeNot it will trigger an alert letting the parent know that they may be leaving their child in the car. If the alert persists for more than ten minutes the parent’s emergency contacts will receive a text informing them of the situation. Pre-order now>>

Technology Finalist: Miku Miku Smart Baby MonitorThe Miku Smart Baby Monitor is the only contactless monitor to track breathing, sound, and sleeping patterns in real time. Technology combines multiple sensor modalities and AI to see breathing in total darkness, under a thick swaddle, and in any body position or location in the crib. Designed to fit seamlessly into a new parent lifestyle and ease anxieties, Miku is packed with upgraded, unique, and easy-to-use features. Using their Miku app, parents can customize alerts for movement, breathing, sound, room temperature, and humidity as well as awake/asleep notifications. With Miku’s internal processor, alerts are delivered in real time. Parents can also securely view, save, and share 1080p video and audio, play MikuMusic sleep sounds and lullabies, or whisper “I love you” via two-way talk. Plus, our new Stand and Travel Case give parents peace of mind on-the-go. Shop now>>

Technology Finalist: Cradlewise Inc. Cradlewise Smart Crib The Cradlewise smart crib is the first product to learn from babies’ sleep patterns, spot early signs of wake-up and bounce the baby to sleep along with soothing music. The crib has an integrated baby monitoring system. Our patented monitor can detect changes in breath-rate, movements and baby sounds and predict a wake-up. The crib keeps track of the baby’s weekly sleep patterns to judge if it’s an unscheduled wake-up. And if it’s still sleeping time, it bounces and plays soothing music to get the baby back to sleep. Rather than reacting when the baby has already woken up crying, the smart crib predicts a baby wake-up early on and acts to help maintain baby sleep. Parents get a helping hand that saves up to 2 hours every day. The product is a sleep coach through the baby’s journey from a new-born to a 2-yr old. The crib even comes with a sleep training mode that helps parents transition from co-sleeping to putting the baby in its own nursery. Shop now>>

Technology Finalist: Lumi by Pampers Lumi by Pampers™ Lumi by Pampers™ is a quantum leap in baby monitoring. Combining a state of the art Video Monitor with a Sleep Sensor, it’s an all-in-one Baby Monitor System that lets parents see their baby in HD, and seamlessly blend real tracking data with their own intuition in a frictionless way as they find their rhythm as a family. All the information comes together in the Lumi App to help parents: See and know at a glance how baby is doing; Anticipate baby’s needs; Build a routine that works; Share access between caregivers. Multi-caregiver access secured with 2FA and state of the art encryption and security standards to provide a quick snapshot. Shop now>>

Technology Finalist: CYBEX ePriam The e-PRIAM is CYBEX’s first contribution to e-mobility in the juvenile industry and uniquely combines the luxurious design and functionality of the new PRIAM stroller, with the electronic power of smart technology. These intelligent functions paired together make everyday life easier for modern parents and turn uneven terrain and hills into child’s play. The e-PRIAM has three main functions. Once activated, the Uphill Support monitors pushing effort and powers the stroller’s ascent, making a steep climb feel like strolling along a level sidewalk. The second function is Uneven Surface Support— helping on rough terrain such as sandy beaches, country paths and snowy winter streets. And the third function is the Downhill Support which detects pulling pressure on the handlebar and slows the stroller’s descent accordingly. Shop now>>

Safety Finalist List: JPMA 2020

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

The safety finalist list from the JPMA 2020 Innovation Awards is here! JPMA featured the top safety products for baby. We are highlighting them below, starting with the winner for 2020!

WINNER! Yun Yun AI Baby Monitor Corporation Cubo AI Baby Monitor Cubo AI is a smart baby monitor with artificial intelligence that safeguards babies and toddlers with a design detecting and alerting parents if their little one’s face is covered so that parents can step in to help. Cubo AI was co-created with a pediatrician with over 15 years of experience and various experts in artificial intelligence. The most popular innovative features include: Proactive Covered Face, Cry-Detection, and Rollover Alert; Danger Zone Alert for both babies and toddlers; Automatic Photo Capture for Baby’s First Moments; In-App Digital Scrapbook. Cubo also has a 1080pHD camera for both daylight and night vision, 18-hour playback, two-way audio, three camera stands to grow with your baby, a night light, and temperature and humidity detection. Get it here>>

Safety Finalist: Smart Beat Smart Beat is the video baby monitor with breath detection, featuring camera-based Biovision™ monitoring. Smart Beat’s ultra-HD camera can identify more than 16 million individual shades of color. It can track small movements like the inhale and exhale of a swaddled newborn. Smart Beat alerts parents if: breathing is too fast or too slow or stops. …all without any invasive technologies. Smart Beat is as safe as taking a picture. Real-time and historical breathing rate charts, and a chart displaying a waveform of every inhale and exhale. Any time breathing becomes irregular, video is automatically recorded. Smart Beat pans and tilts, giving parents a 355-degree view of the room. It also features two-way audio and remote access. Smart Beat also offers parents’ Lock Down mode, which takes the video feed off the grid, accessible only to users physically in the home. Get it here>>

Safety Finalist: Malarkey Kids Crib Chomper Teething Rail Crib Guard Is your baby in beaver mode? If your little one is making a meal of you crib then look no further. The Malarkey Kids Crib Chomper is the smart crib rail guard. It protects your baby from ingesting paint, wood as well as from damaging little teeth. The Crib Chomper features soft, padded, drool absorbent fabric + a layer of textured, chewy food-grade silicone to protect both baby and crib. Fits most standard and convertible crib rails. Simply fold fabric over with silicone side facing up & secure hook and loop around crib rails. Watch the Malarkey website for the launch!

Safety Finalist: iBaby Labs iBaby i2 iBaby i2 is an adorably designed smart baby monitor that is jam-packed with leading features and technology. This includes contact-free real-time breathing detection that measures your baby’s BPM at a fraction of the cost of breathing devices. Using an app-based subscription model, iBaby i2 allows parents the freedom to choose breathing detection as needed. Also included is the newest H.265 chip that compresses file size and bandwidth to provide the highest quality video and audio in the industry without lags or delays. Designed with flexible baby-safe silicone, i2 gives parents countless versatile placement options like mounting on a wall, wrapping on a lamp or placing on any flat surface. And with the addition of an external battery, i2 is portable and travel-friendly. Watch the iBaby Labs website for the launch!

Real Mom Review: Clek Foonf

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Sleek. Simple. Modern. Minimal. All that and more can be found in the Clek Foonf car seat. One of our Gugu Guru team members tried this car seat with her 16-month-old-daughter and quickly fell in love. Read what she has to say about it below.

We love the super soft material of this car seat. It’s cushioned in all the right places to hug baby and keep her comfortable. We live in Alaska and the seat material is perfect. It doesn’t get super cold when our cars sit outside like her infant car seat would. The material would be great for warm states too because it won’t get warm sitting in the sun in a hot car either.

It’s not as bulky and wide as some of the other car seats on the market and fits nicely in both of our cars, a Ford Escape and a Ford F-150 Super Crew Cab. Bonus: it was also super easy to install properly!

Two of the most important things I looked for in a car seat were a solid frame build and a nice headrest. The headrest in this seat is amazing and really supports her head when she falls asleep on car rides. Clek says the Foonf is “built like a tank” and it truly is! It’s engineered with a steel and magnesium substructure, energy-absorbing crumple technology, and a rebound bar. The safety of this seat really can’t be beaten.

I would highly recommend this car seat to any family with littles. My only regret? Not buying one sooner! She would have loved it as an infant and will be able to use this car seat for years!

Thanks to Clek for sending a Foonf for testing. The thoughts mentioned in this article are my own.

Learn more or purchase the Clek Foonf on Amazon here.

3 Reasons Why You’ll Love the Maxi-Cosi Coral Infant Car Seat

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Car seats have evolved a lot over the years, but nothing has ever been made quite like the Maxi-Cosi Coral Infant Car Seat. The innovative new design of this car seat makes the Coral the first-ever integrated car seat and carrier system. If this exciting new design isn’t enough to hook you on the new Maxi-Cosi car seat, below are three more reasons you’ll love this car seat.

1. It will keep your baby safe
The most important aspect of a car seat is safety. You need a brand and product you can trust to keep your precious child safe and secure. The Maxi-Cosi car seat base is designed to the highest safety standards, with anti-rotation stability leg, self-retracting latch connectors, integrated belt lock-off, and indicators to provide visual confirmation of accurate installation.

2. It can easily transition from car to street
The car seat comes with a removable inner shell so you can easily transition from the car to the street. No more attempting to carefully remove your baby’s arms from the seat straps so you can put them in the stroller. The Maxi-Cosi Coral Infant Car Seat helps you smoothly remove your baby from the car already in a convenient carrier.

3. It has four carrying modes
Not only can you remove the seat’s inner shell to carry your child, but you have four different carrying options. You can choose from over the shoulder, handle carry, standard carry, or even stroller style. The carrier is compatible with Maxi-Cosi strollers and a few other premium strollers so you can move your baby from the car to the stroller with ease.

Thank you to Maxi-Cosi for making this sponsored post possible.

Baby Safety Month Tips

by Abby Ludwig 8 Comments

Baby Safety Month is here! As parents, safety is our number one priority, especially as it relates to the world of baby products and gear. We are always looking to find products that will help enrich our children’s lives while making things just a little bit easier! In honor of Baby Safety Month, we have partnered with MAM as well as other brands that join us in keeping our babes and tots safe! These brands all keep safety at the top of their priority list, even as they create and update their product lines. Take a look at some of their favorite safety tips here:

Tip 1: Safe Sleep ABC’s

2016 was the last time the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their safe sleep recommendations. Many parents are unknowingly putting their little one’s down without following the safe sleep ABC’s: Alone. Back. Crib (or bassinet). We recommend an easy to use swaddle, like Love To Dream’s Swaddle UP^TM from birth so you don’t have to worry about baby breaking out of a swaddle blanket. Choose size according to baby’s weight, not age. Stop swaddling as soon as baby shows signs of rolling and transition to arms-free sleep, like the Swaddle UP^TM 50/50 Transition Bag. Check out our favorite swaddle, Love to Dream’s safe sleep page, for more safe sleep tips!

For more of Love to Dream’s products, take a look here!

Tip 2: Crib Safety

Piggy-backing off of the Safe Sleep ABC’s, your crib set up is also extremely important in creating a safe sleep space. Keep it clean and simple. Remove any stuffed animals, blankets, or anyting with soft surfaces that could possibly block baby’s airway during sleep. Provide a firm mattress – like those from our friends at Colgate – with a fitted sheet. Do not put a blanket on the baby or in the crib and again, be sure to lay your baby on his/her back.

Tip 3: Pacifier Safety

Consider pacifier usage when placing baby down for sleep and remember that the pacifier may not be reinserted once baby falls asleep. Pacifier use is shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. MAM supports the AAP published guidelines for pacifier usage. Check them out here: https://bit.ly/AAPInfantSleepSafety

For more information about pacifiers and how they reduce the risk of SIDS, visit https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/5/1245

Tip 4: Wifi/Monitor Usage

Many parents use a monitor, which gives them peace of mind as their little one adjusts to his/her new surroundings. When setting up your monitor, be mindful of all cords! Keep them more than 3ft away from your child. As wifi monitors/nursery products become more popular, it is also important to keep the wifi products in your nursery secure from web intruders. Do NOT use wifi products that have default credentials or that run extra programs, otherwise known as “backdoors.” And only use wifi products with secure encryption. For more information on wifi monitor safety, check out the features on the Nanit Pro!

Tip 5: Helping Baby Sleep

The dreaded first cold often pops up at some point in the first year. Unfortunately, there aren’t so many ways you can help your little one feel better. However, cool-mist humidifiers are a safe and natural way to thin baby’s mucus when congested. They also alleviate symptoms that may be preventing your little one from getting a good night’s rest such as dry skin, bloody noses, sore throat and dry cough.

For some great humidifier and air purifier options, check out our friends at Crane-USA!

Tip 6: Out and About with your Carrier

Carriers are extremely helpful for new (and/or experienced) parents. They provide you with the option to be close to baby but still have your hands-free. This is especially helpful when you have an older child –i.e. toddler—running around the house. To ensure that you are using your carrier safely, keep baby visible and kissable! By keeping your little one’s head at a kissable height when in the carrier, you can easily monitor baby’s airway. Plus, the snuggles are LIFE!

Check out carriers by Baby K’tan here.

Tip 7: Toy Safety

When your little one is up and ready to play, it’s important to keep a close eye on his/her activities. Watch out for small parts as little ones tend to explore first with their mouths. Always double check the seams of soft toys to make sure no stitches have popped loose. Stuffing is a choking hazard. Opt for high-quality, well-made toys that will hold up to hours of daily use.

We love the toy selections from our friends at Mouse Loves Pig.

Tip 8: Car Seat Safety

While all car seats have to pass certain safety tests and standards, there are two main components to car seat safety: fitting the seat into your vehicle and fitting your child into the seat. A correctly installed car seat should not move more than 1” in any direction when testing tightness at the belt path. Always make sure you have the right seat for your child’s age and measurements, and ensure the harness is snugly tightened so that you cannot pinch the material over the child’s shoulders. For more information on car seat safety and for help with car seat installation, visit our friends at Tot Squad!

General Baby Safety

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) sponsors Baby Safety Month to help educate parents and caregivers as they go through product selection for their children. Always remember to read product labels and warnings before using any product. Continue to inspect your children’s items as they experience wear and tear over time and look out for any product recalls. Visit JPMA’s Baby Safety Month Page for even more tips and tricks!

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