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You Need This on Your Baby Registry in 2024

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Being a new parent can be scary. Even after you read every eBook and watch all the how-to’s, you still don’t feel prepared. 

Once you bring your bundle of joy home, it’s up to you to get it all figured out. 

Sometimes, you need a little help to boost your confidence and give you the peace of mind you need. 

Enter, Aura. 

Aura is your perfect parent assistant and is here to help day or night. 

“The Aura monitor has been a life saver for me. I have been able to take care of tasks that seemed impossible before, thanks to this monitor.” – Kelsea H. 12/12/2023

Read on to see how Aura can simplify your life and let you breathe easy.

Non-wearable Breathing Motion Monitoring

A sleeping baby should be your cue for rest and relaxation, right? For most parents, that is completely wrong!

A sleeping baby triggers overwhelming anxiety. 

  • Are they breathing?
  • Are they comfortable?
  • What if they roll over – can they still breathe?

These are all legitimate concerns and your natural instinct to keep your baby safe. 

But with Aura, you CAN take time to rest while your baby’s asleep. You don’t have to give in to the flood of anxiety anymore. 

“The app measures the baby’s breathing rate when they are not actively moving, giving comfort that a quiet sleeping baby is healthy and happy.” – Donald W. 12/19/2023

Aura uses AI vision technology to monitor your baby’s breathing so you don’t have to. 

This breakthrough technology replaces the need to strap your baby into uncomfortable monitors. You don’t have to struggle between having peace and the fear of sensors connected to your developing newborn. Aura gives you trusted breathing detection without any wearable monitors or sensors – the best of both worlds.

“Not having to attach any wearable device or “tracking” clothing is so convenient and you don’t have to worry about anything harming your child.” – Karen R. 10/17/2023

Forget checking on them every few minutes. Gone are the days of waking up in a panic to make sure they’re still breathing. 

Aura works all the time, giving you a well-deserved moment of rest. 

Wake-up Call

Once your newborn hits three months, you’ll want to develop a sleep schedule. But no matter what the latest and greatest books say, babies don’t conform to a pre-set schedule. 

You have to learn your baby’s individual sleep patterns and create a schedule that works for them. 

Of course, you can encourage your little one to sleep longer and have less overnight waking. But following a rigid timeline of exactly when your little one should nap, eat, and sleep isn’t going to happen. 

When it’s time to create a sleep schedule for your baby, the first step is monitoring their natural sleep habits. Do they fall asleep after eating? Do they wake and self-soothe? Do they need you as soon as they wake up?

Trying to keep track of your little one’s sleep patterns on an overtired, busy brain can be impossible.

Log sleep and receive notifications from Aura when your baby falls asleep or wakes up.  You can monitor your little one from afar and log the wake-up information in the in-app diary. 

“Has a great notification system that lets you know when your baby is asleep or awake, but also when they are waking up! This great feature gives you a little time to finish up what you are doing instead of having to abruptly stop.” – Peter B. 12/11/2023

Wake-up notifications give you the liberty to decide what you want to do while your baby sleeps. Whether you want to sleep, eat, do laundry, or binge-watch your favorite show, you know Aura will alert you the moment your babe needs you.

Gentle Soothing Is Just a Click Away

Often when babies wake up, they don’t need anything but a little comfort to drift back to sleep. Fusses, squirms, and screams don’t always mean they’re hungry or need a change. 

Newborns are used to the comforting sounds of the womb. Now they’re in a world that can sometimes be loud or scary. 

When your baby wakes, easily soothe them back into peaceful sleep through Aura’s built-in sound machine. With access right at your fingertips, Aura’s in-app playlist transports even the toughest sleepers into a land of tranquility. 

You’ll find calming melodies, gentle white noise, relaxing nature sounds, and comfortable shushing. The sweet sounds will help your sleepy baby give up the battle and drift into dreamland. 

And what baby doesn’t love the mom’s voice? Give your baby reassurance that you’re still with them through Aura’s two-way-talk feature. Hearing your familiar voice will help them settle back down into calm slumber. 

With the touch of a button, you’ll both feel at ease in no time. 

Crystal Clear Streaming From All Angles

The perfect parent assistant gives you confidence. Resume your normal life knowing you can check on your baby anytime, anywhere. 

Aura’s crystal-clear streaming allows you to see your little one perfectly. No fuzz. No blur. A perfect picture of your perfect babe. 

And at night, Aura’s HD clarity truly shines. You won’t miss a thing just because the lights are out. From sleepy smiles to adorable yawns to wide-open eyes, Aura captures it all even in pitch-black darkness. 

“The hi-definition of the camera is truly out of this world. The nursery room is very dark, however with a small LED light and fantastic camera, the video on the monitor is crystal clear. The options through the app are very helpful and easy to use. Best investment for a nursery!” – Jessica A. 10/16/2023

Once your baby becomes mobile, traditional baby monitors can’t keep up. Aura’s 360-degree viewing capability allows you to pan the camera around the nursery remotely. 

Keep track of every roll, flop, and crawl during resting time. Outside of the crib, watch your little one play and explore. Stay connected to them no matter where their curious mind takes them. 

Here for You From Newborn Through Childhood

Your desire to keep a close watch on your little one starts with the first look. But just because your baby outgrows the infant stage doesn’t mean you stop checking on them. 

As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, Aura’s smart features continue to help you keep a watchful eye on them. 

  • Look in as they toddle throughout the room.
  • Watch them play and interact with toys.
  •  Check-in to keep track of safe sleep practices. 

The in-app diary empowers you to be prepared for well-check doctor visits. Log diaper changes, bottle-feeding volumes, breastfeeding duration, weight, and more.  You’ll feel confident stepping into the doctor’s office knowing you’ve kept track of everything. 

As your little one outgrows the infancy stage, they’ll spend more time outside of the nursery. As your perfect parent assistant, Aura goes where your baby goes. Thanks to the floor stand, you’re free to keep eyes on your little one no matter which room they’re in. 

Embrace your flexibility while confidently knowing you can check on your little one at any time. Since the Aura’s here for you no matter the time of day or place, traveling with a baby becomes much easier. Pack Aura on your trip to see the grandparents or a far-off getaway. You’ll have peace of mind no matter where you are.

Ready to bring Aura into your family as your perfect parent assistant? 

Click here to grab one for yourself. 

Aura is now available to add to your registry on Babylist and Target.

Enjoy the comfort and tranquility of having an extra set of eyes on your baby anytime, anywhere.

Filed Under: Nursery Tagged With: registry, safety, sleep

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Valentine’s Day: Mom Creator Round Up

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

I’m not sure how we’ve arrived here, but Valentine’s Day is around the corner. While some of us may feel that Hallmark has taken the holiday way over the top, the reality is that many of us try to make it special for our loved ones – including our kids! I asked our Mom Creators this simple question – “What do you really want for Valentine’s Day? A gift? An experience? Time away from the hustle and bustle? If you can request anything, what would it be?”

See what our Mom Creators REALLY want?

After looking at the requests it became very clear to me that these items fall into a few categories. Something at home, some time away, and some time together.

Something at home

“A house that stays clean longer than 5 minutes. That’s all, nothing crazy” – Alex

“One night of everyone sleeping through the night.” – Tanya

“I would love to spend time with my baby and my husband. Not worried about food or cleaning up.” – Ankita

Some time away

“A staycation in a hotel by myself with room service, a massage, and a binge-worthy show!” – Peyton

“A day of kid-free self-care ending with a delicious steak.” – Tiffany

“A massage!” – Bailee

“Just a few hours and some money to get my nails done and grab lunch alone.” – Kayla

“A haircut!” – Samantha

“Hands down, quiet time to getaway with my sisters and scrapbook.” – Nus

“A night in a hotel, room service, spa service, etc… all by myself.” – Kaitlyn

“A girls’ day with a friend and coming home to a clean house.” – Clarice

Some time together

“ Sleeping in and a date night” – Annie

“Just sleeping all night and sleeping in. Maybe a nice meal on top of it.” – Ainsley

“I would love some time away in the woods to not worry about food or cleaning.” – Veronica

“A weekend with my kids and husband doing something super fun, where we didn’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, etc. “ – Elizabeth

“An overnight trip with my family. Nothing crazy, just us and the kids – having fun, making memories. Life gets so crazy after holiday season that we don’t take a step back to remember to make memories.” – Ashleigh

“A trip to Disney World with my little man. And we live nearby!” – Amanda

Looking to join Mom Creators?

Join our Mom Creator community by signing up for our email list and receive paid and gifted opportunities with your favorite baby and kid brands in your inbox weekly!

Interested in becoming a mom content creator or influencer but don’t know where to start? Join our monthly coaching membership specifically designed for mom creators.

Filed Under: For Mama Tagged With: mom creators, mom style, sleep

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Top 5 Must-Have Essentials: First Night Home With Baby

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

What do you really need when bringing baby home from the hospital? Obviously, you won’t need your high chair, convertible car seat, or even the bulk of your little one’s clothing. But there are a few things that you’ll want to have on hand to make your transition to parenthood seamless for you and baby.

A Safe Place to Sleep + Swaddle

It’s easy to forget about setting up a safe place to sleep, as it’s both so obvious and necessary. We look to the AAP when discussing safe sleep recommendations, and follow the ABC’s of safe sleep.

A- Alone : Baby should sleep in his/her sleep environment on their own.
B- Back: Put baby down to sleep on his/her back.
C- Crib: On a firm, flat environment, like a crib (or bassinet/playard) without any extra blankets, stuffed animals, or bumpers.

Baby should also be swaddled tightly with a swaddle blanket or a wearable swaddle.

Easy Clothing Options

It is so hard to avoid buying clothes for your little one. But, the reality is that it’s best to hold off on purchasing too much. Once you know how your little one is growing, it’ll be easier to buy clothes for the right size and season. Stick with onesies and PJs that are easy to get on/off. Check out our full overview of Newborn Clothing here.

Diapers, Wipes, Ointment

Diapers, wipes, and ointment may seem obvious, but sometimes they’re the easiest items to forget. Stock up on one box of newborn diapers and a box of size one. While you may need to order more newborn diapers, all diaper sizing will overlap and you don’t want to end up with too many extras. One container of ointment is great for the start, but stock up on wipes. You will use them for years!

Feeding Supplies

Larken The Signature Tank

No matter how you are planning to feed your little one, you will want to be stocked with the right supplies. Like every other category, be careful not to overbuy. You won’t need breastmilk storage on day one, but you will want to have your nursing bras/tanks if breastfeeding. If you’re bottle-feeding, you may want to buy bottles in both small and large sizes. However, you really only need large bottles. You can always fill with a small amount of breastmilk or formula! And, make sure to purchase slow flow nipples if your large bottle doesn’t come with them. If you’re going to pump, plan on securing your breast pump before your little one arrives.

Postpartum Care for Mama

It’s easy to spend all of our time and energy putting together the necessities for our little ones, but don’t forget about yourself! You have just delivered a new baby (or possibly babies) and you will need to have some postpartum necessities to make yourself a bit more comfortable. Disposable Underwear, Perineal Spray (or Balm), and Organic Cotton Pads will make you feel just a bit closer to normal.

If you’re recovering from a C-Section, take a look at our Recovery Must-Haves.

Filed Under: Essentials, Newborns, Sleep Tagged With: baby essentials, newborn, preemie, sleep

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Sleep Hacks for Every Age

by Abby Ludwig 1 Comment

Are you having a hard time getting comfortable in bed throughout your third trimester? Struggling with a nap routine for your 3-month-old? Looking for help through another toddler sleep regression? We’ve asked our Gugu Guides for their favorite sleep hacks. Take a look below to see what they recommend!

For Pregnancy & Little Ones

Elina’s Review of Crane Humidifer & Mookabee Swaddle

Crane’s humidifier is great for stuffy noses for Mom and baby. This cool-mist humidifier is a must-have in any sleep environment that gets dry. Elina also loves the Mookabee Swaddle with the power of scent technology. A great sleep hack for new moms.

For Newborns

Dominique’s Review of the Love to Dream Swaddle Up

Domi loves the Love to Dream Swaddle Up as a way to ensure good sleep from day 1. Allows baby to catch some zzz’s all while learning how to self-soothe.

From the Newborn Stage

Larissa’s Review of the Dohm Noise Machine

“This thing is amazing. As soon as it’s time for bed, I turn this on and my baby knows it’s time to calm down and go to sleep.” – Larissa

From Infancy – Early Childhood (and beyond!)

Haley’s Review of the Hatch Sound Machine (and nightlight!)

This sound machine and nightlight in one is so easy to use and great for middle-of-the-night feedings. You can control it from both the machine and also an app. While the original version has to stay plugged in, the newer Hatch Rest + has a backup battery. Both versions will also give you okay to wake functionality for older kiddos. Great sleep hacks, Haley!

For Toddlers and Young Kids

Erin’s Review of the Dreamland Baby Weighted Blanket

“I was a little nervous about a weighted blanket… but this is the perfect weight. If I’m being honest, I also use it for myself when I’m cozying up on the couch.” Please do note that this weighted blanket is recommended for little ones ages 3+ and 30 lbs or larger.

Need more guidance?

Jen’s Review of the 30-Minute Sleep Support Consult

Looking for more guidance? Check out Tot Squad’s Sleep Support Virtual course. Full of sleep hacks for moms of little ones trying to create a great routine.

Our Gugu Guides are here to be your eyes and ears throughout the parenting and pregnancy journey. They have so many tips and tricks that will work with every child and product imaginable! Want to become a Gugu Guide? Apply here!

Check out more Mom Hacks from other Gugu Guides!


Filed Under: Essentials, Gugu Guide Feature, Sleep Tagged With: sleep

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The CuddleSnooze™ Crib Mattress

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

When it comes to picking a safe, comfortable place for your baby to sleep, a crib mattress is the most important decision you’ll make. Why? Because a crib mattress is more than simply a sleep surface. It’s a growth and development center. Your baby will be spending 70% of his or her time sleeping during that first year.

Who better to trust your family to than Colgate Mattress, a third generation, family-owned and operated company. For over 65 years, they have provided babies with the most restful and safest night’s sleep.

Handcrafted with the finest materials to give parents peace of mind, Colgate’s crib mattresses are designed to enhance your baby’s growth and development. The safest crib mattresses, made here in the USA, you can trust your baby will sleep both safely and soundly on the eco-friendlier surface.

Mattresses for cribs

Beyond being safe and eco-friendly, the main reason you’ll love the CuddleSnooze™ mattresses from Colgate Mattress is because they grow with your baby. One side features a firmer surface, perfect for your newborn baby. They do a lot of growing while sleeping, and the firm surface helps to maximize their development. Additionally, they need a firm spot as they learn to push up, roll over, and eventually stand. Once they’re a moving and grooving toddler, you can flip the mattress over to give them a little more cushion. This will ensure they feel comfortable at night, thus giving you both a better chance at getting a full night’s sleep. 

Colgate Mattress offers a wide array of crib mattresses. We’re looking at the CuddleSnooze™ Grand line which offers your baby the best in dual-firmness and comfort.

CuddleSnooze™ crib mattress

CuddleSnooze™ Foam Grand

The Foam Grand crib mattress offers appropriate firmness, breathability, and comfort for the infant stage through the toddler years. The infant side of the mattress features high-density EcoFoam™ that provides the proper firmness needed for their growth and development. Flip the mattress over and your toddler will delight in the less-firm EcoFoam™  side, offering up a little extra comfort. This lightweight foam mattress is a smart selection for your little one’s development.

CuddleSnooze™ Innerspring Grand

Colgate Mattress

The Innerspring Grand still offers the dual-firmness to benefit both your infant and toddler. The infant side of the crib mattress features 104 coils of extra thick 13.5-gauge steel coils and 9.0-gauge steel border rods for recommended firmness and edge support. Additionally, it also boasts an insulator pad of coir fiber which is derived from natural coconut shell husks as well as a breathable honeycomb mesh spacer to promote airflow. The other side of the mattress features a less-firm foam to offer more pressure relief and comfort for your growing toddler. 

CuddleSnooze™ Hybrid Grand

CuddleSnooze™ crib mattress

The Hybrid Grand crib mattress features the highest quality components available for baby. The infant side features the firmer, high-density EcoFoam™ while the other side offers toddlers a foam panel and durable microcoils for added pressure relief and breathability. It’s the best of both worlds for your youngest sleeper. 

Benefits of All the CuddleSnooze™ Grand Crib Mattress Options

Colgate mattress

No matter which versatile CuddleSnooze™ crib mattress you choose, each of the options offer some important benefits that you and your baby will love. First and foremost, each of these mattresses fit all standard cribs. That takes the guesswork out of sizing. Additionally, each mattress is waterproof for easy cleaning- a benefit that every parent can appreciate. When you factor in that these mattresses are breathable and eco-friendly, you can’t go wrong picking CuddleSnooze™ for your baby. 

CuddleSnooze™ crib mattress

Thank you to Colgate Mattress for making this sponsored post possible.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ecofriendly, sleep

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Bedtime Snacks from ChildLife Essentials

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to sleep, all parents want their kids to get the best possible sleep every single night. However, some children struggle with sleep for a variety of reasons. That’s where ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential can help.

The Sleep Essential comes in a handy liquid form featuring a natural berry flavor. Intended to help children ages three and older get a restful night’s sleep, it helps relax your little one’s body and calm their mind. When they get a good night’s sleep, they’ll feel more like themselves, ready to learn, eat, and have a great day with you.

ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential is made from a blend of natural, herbal ingredients that can help facilitate that good night’s sleep. It combines everything from Lemon Balm to Valerian Root to help your child achieve sleep each night. We know you’re a parent who is aware of and concerned about the ingredients and safety of all food and products you bring into your home. You’ll be happy to know this product is non-GMO, gluten-free, and allergen-free, so you can feel good about the safety of helping your kid get their best sleep yet. Plus it’s sugar-free and melatonin-free.

Here are some great recipes you can use with Sleep Essential.

Oatmeal & Bananas

Take your favorite oatmeal (we highly recommend the Quick 1-minute oats) and prepare according to the package instructions. Add the proper dose of ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential for your child’s age and stir. Slice up 1/2 of a banana and place it on top. This warm snack is an excellent way to calm your little one before bedtime.

Homemade Applesauce

Peel and slice fresh apples – generally, we use at least 4-6 apples. Combine with 3/4 C. of water (you may find you need more water as the apples begin to cook) and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon. Place over medium heat for about 20 minutes until apples are soft. As they start to cool, use a potato masher or immersion blender to smooth as you prefer. Before bed, make a bowl for your kiddo with the appropriate dose of ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential. We like serving this warm, but it can be eaten cold as well.

Fruit Smoothie

This one is super easy! Pick whatever fruit you like, throw it in a blender with some milk or water, and blend it up. We love using frozen fruit so we don’t need any ice and we even sneak in some spinach for an extra boost of nutrition! Once you’ve blended, pour into a glass with the correct dose of ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential, and cheers!

Homemade Granola Bars

For this one, we used inspiration from Easy Budget Recipes. You can create these into granola bars, balls, or even break into loose granola. We like using loose granola as a yogurt topping when mixing with our ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential before bed as a quick treat.

Yogurt Parfait

The last recipe will even become a fun activity for your little one before bedtime. Layer yogurt, berries, and some granola from the last recipe. We like to mix the ChildLife Essentials Sleep Essential directly into the yogurt before we start eating our creation!

Thank you to ChildLife Essentials for helping create a sponsored post full of great snack ideas for our littles!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: sleep

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Travel Must Have: Slumberpod Review

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

About the author:

Denalee is a frequent traveler with her 18 month old. She tested the Slumberpod for us in both a hotel room and at a vacation house. Check out what she had to say below!

Traveling with baby or considering taking a trip in the near future with your little one in tow? If you’re sharing a room with your babe, a stickler for scheduled sleep times or perhaps traveling to another time zone, check out this review of the SlumberPod from Gugu Guide and frequent traveler, Denalee, who just came back from a vacation with her 18 month old son, Mikey.

What is the SlumberPod?

The SlumberPod is a portable blackout solution for peaceful sleep on-the-go. It is a quick-assembly privacy pod that helps babies/toddlers get a good night’s sleep — especially important when sharing a room with others or when napping conditions are not ideal. It completely encloses a playard (travel crib), mini-crib, or select toddler cots. SlumberPod makes it easy to create the perfect sleep environment at home and while traveling.

I used the SlumberPod in two different situations; a vacation house and then a hotel room. I am covering both scenarios in this review of the SlumberPod.

Vacation House Review

Pros:

  • The room was not very dark at all so it was really helpful to have the SlumberPod, especially at nap time!
  • The room also does not have AC, I was a little concerned with the lack of airflow since the room is warm and the air from the room’s fans can’t really penetrate the tent when it is sealed.  However, I opened the windows a little and kept the zipper partially open and the temperature was fine (I stuck my son’s monitor in there with him so it measured the temperature and it was completely fine!)
review of the SlumberPod in a house

Cons:

  • The bedroom was a normal size bedroom and I didn’t realize how big the SlumberPod was.  It feels huge over our small travel crib but after I used the SlumberPod again I think it was just a combination of the room size and the furniture in it. As you’ll see in the next scenario, when you’re using the SlumberPod in a hotel environment I don’t think this is an issue.  We still made it work with the vacation home bedroom, it was just a tight space to move around and with so many people doing Airbnb in lieu of hotels these days, I thought it would be good to call this out.
review of the SlumberPod

Hotel Room Review

Here we used the SlumberPod with a traditional play yard. The SlumberPod was clutch on our recent vacation to Chicago. In a hotel setting, there is plenty of open space for the SlumberPod and we didn’t even notice the size. We were traveling for a wedding and had a babysitter set to watch my son one night. It was really nice to be able to let her use her phone/iPad in the room and not worry about the light.  Additionally, the bathroom had a glass wall to the bedroom so anytime the bathroom light was on you could see it in the bedroom.  The SlumberPod allows my son to nap while others are doing things in the hotel room that require light, e.g., getting ready for the wedding, and helps him sleep more soundly at night away from home.  I was still concerned with putting the TV on while he slept in the SlumberPod but it was more a concern for noise than for light.

review of the SlumberPod portability

Overall, I highly recommend the SlumberPod. I do wish I had started using the SlumberPod when my son was younger.  Although he was excited to hang out in it when he first saw it set up he was hesitant to go in at bed time and I had to climb in with him to get him to calm down (normally he goes down easily on his own).  Also, I would highly recommend practicing setting it up.  It took me a few tries at home to get it right and I was so happy to tested it first.  The instructions are a little bit confusing but they suggest you watch the video and the video was very helpful to set it up.  At first I was concerned it would be one more thing to lug around when traveling but it fit right in our car seat bag without an issue so we hardly noticed we were bringing it. It folds into its travel bag really easily too so taking it down is a breeze.

Grab your SlumberPod now to join you on any holiday travel!

Enjoy this post? Check out more travel posts:
Cruising with Baby
Our Best Travel Tips
Our Fav Picks: Travel Car Seats
Gugu Gift Guide: Travel Picks for Mom

Filed Under: Sleep, Travel Tagged With: sleep, travel

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Registry Dilemma: Swaddle Blankets? Wearable Swaddles? Sleepsacks?

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

When it comes to sleeping and babies, parents want a tried and true way to get baby to sleep–and to stay there. Swaddling has long been a safe and proven method for helping baby drift off to dream. As a new parent, you might feel overwhelmed by the swaddling options, variations, and stages.

We will walk you through some ages and stages, sharing some of our favorite options in each category.

Swaddle Blankets

The options for simple swaddle blankets are endless, and chances are your baby will be rolled up like a burrito in one if they are born in a hospital. That’s because doctors and nurses know that swaddling helps newborns transition to life outside the womb. The swaddle can help babies soothe and sleep more easily. 

Most swaddle blankets are made of cotton, sometimes referred to as muslin, because the fabric is soft and breathable. A regular swaddle blanket works for your baby until they can break out of the blanket on their own. Once they start doing this, it’s time to move to another type of swaddle that we’ll discuss in just a bit. Make this change to keep your baby safe, avoiding any loose blankets in their crib. 

Here are a few of our favorite swaddle blankets. 

Rookie Humans Moon and Stars Bamboo Swaddle – $25.00

Rookie Humans makes their swaddle blankets from viscose and bamboo. They’re incredibly soft, and the prints are picture-perfect.

Aden + Anais Cotton Muslin Swaddle – $16.95

Aden + Anais swaddle blankets are made of muslin and come in a variety of adorable prints as well. They also offer a number of variety packs.

Copper Pearl Knit Swaddle Blanket – $26.95

The knit swaddle blankets from Copper Pearl are made with baby’s sensitive skin in mind. We chose to highlight their adorable Trick print just in case you have a brand new fall baby. 

Wearable Swaddles

Once your swaddle-loving sleeper starts breaking out of traditional swaddle blankets, it’s time to move to the wearable swaddle. For some babies, this may happen as early as 1-2 weeks. Wearable swaddles are a little easier to put on, sometimes employing zippers or velcro. You can use this middle version of a swaddle blanket until your baby starts rolling from back to tummy. Wearable swaddles are also safe to use from Day 1, but they may not keep baby as snug as a swaddle blanket.

Here are some great options in this category.

Love To Dream Swaddle Up – $34.95

If you have a swaddle-lover who also prefers the arms up sleeping position, this is the wearable swaddle you want. The fabric allows baby to self-soothe and the zipper makes midnight diaper changes super simple.

ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag – $49.99

The ergoPouch cocoon is “easy to use and hard to escape from,” allowing your baby—and you—some extra sleep time! It also converts to a sleepsack, making this multi-functional.

SwaddleMe Original Swaddle – $34.99

The SwaddleMe uses velcro to wrap around baby and is incredibly easy to use. 

The Ollie Swaddle – $59.00

The Ollie Swaddle is made from moisture-wicking fabric to help avoid overheating. If you’ve got a little heater at night, this might be a great swaddle to try. It also transitions well to an arms-out position when baby is ready.

Sleepsacks

Once your growing baby is rolling from back to tummy (generally around 3/4 months, but every baby is different), it’s time to graduate to a sleep sack. They come in a variety of styles and are called a number of different names: sleep sacks, sleep bags, and wearable blankets are some of the most common ones we see. They allow for your increasingly mobile baby’s arms to be out while providing them with some extra coverage without an unsafe extra blanket in the crib. 

We love these sleep sacks.

Kyte Baby Sleep Bag – $56.00

Kyte Baby’s Sleep Bag is made from bamboo as well, so it feels incredibly soft while also being very breathable. We love the jewel tone colors as well as this seasonal shade of olive green. 

ergoPouch Jersey Sleeping Bag – $49.99

If your little one loved a swaddle, they might love the slim fit of the ergoPouch sleeping bag. Their arms will be out, but the mid-section still fits close to their skin. 

Love To Dream Sleep Bag – $54.95 

swaddle up

This is a perfect transition from wearable swaddle to sleepsack. Both wings can be unzipped allowing for an easy move from a swaddle your little one already loves. The inverted zipper will also make middle of the night diaper changes a breeze.

Halo Wearable Blanket – $24.99

While you’re waiting for your little one’s letter to Hogwarts, you can put them in the Harry Potter wearable blanket from Halo, keeping them safe in their crib and warm at the same time.

There are so many options from newborn to older baby when it comes to sleep garments. The important thing is to find one that works for your baby’s age and stage as well as their own unique sleeping needs. 

See more top sleep tips:
*Infant Sleep Garment Picks
*Books and Bedtime for Baby

Filed Under: Sleep Tagged With: sleep

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Books and Bedtime for Baby

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

You’ve spent the day engaging your little one in play, feeding him, and attending to his needs. Now it’s time to wind down and get ready for bed. Creating a routine with a bath, a comfy sleeper and reading provides you both with lasting memories and soothing moments. But where to start?

We’ve got you covered with a list of books and some other great sleep routine options.

Bedtime Books for Baby

Workman Publishing – Bedtime Board Books Set by Sandra Boynton – $23.85

No bedtime books for babies list would be complete without at least one pick from Sandra Boynton. Why not three? Dinosnores, Jungle Night, and Pajama Time will delight your little one for years to come. As your baby becomes a toddler, you can sing, “Jama, jama, jama, PJ,” as they work on dressing themselves in their pajamas. For now, you can create a soothing but fun routine that will help lull your little one to sleep. You may also want to grab our other three-pack of Boynton books solely for Snuggle Puppy, because what says bedtime more than snuggling?

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown – $14.99

Goodnight Moon is a children’s classic for a reason: Children and parents alike have loved it for years. The rhythm of the words combined with the illustrations will soothe your baby. The book also grows with your little one as you can ask them to say goodnight to things in their room. You can start that with them as babies by pointing out things after you read the book together. It will become a beloved routine for years to come. 

The Goodnight Train by June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith – $7.99

The Goodnight Train features illustrations and beautiful word imagery that will please both you and baby. You could look at all of the artwork on each page for endless hours. Your little one will enjoy the words and sounds as you create your own rock-a, rock-a rhythm. 

Goodnight, I Love You by Caroline Jayne Church – $7.99

Goodnight, I Love You falls on the shorter side of bedtime storybooks—which you sometimes need! Maybe your little one is five seconds from falling asleep, but you don’t want to fall out of your beloved routine. Maybe you have some work to get done after bedtime. Whatever the case, this short book about bedtime routines and love fits in as a last read in a longer routine or a quick pre-nap read. Either way, you’ll both love it.

Llama Llama Nighty-Night by Anna Dewdney – $7.99

Last but not least, Llama Llama Nighty-Night might be the perfect introduction into the world of Llama Llama for your little llama. It focuses on bedtime routine offering a great way to teach your little listener about the steps to get ready for bed. Add in a stuffed llama from Melange Collection and you’ll be sending yours off to dreamland with ease. 

Bedtime Routine Helpers

Earth Mama Organics Calming Lavender Baby Lotion ($18.99) and Body Wash ($9.99)

If you’re using an evening bath as part of your baby’s routine, you’ll want to check out Earth Mama Organics. Lather and massage the Calming Lavender Castile Baby Wash into their skin during bath time. After bath, use the Calming Lavender Baby Lotion to relax your little one, adding in some Baby Face nose & cheek balm for any dry skin spots. Your baby will associate these steps with relaxation and winding down for the night. Then you can get dressed in something comfy (that’s next!), read, and head to bed with ease.

Love to Dream Swaddle UP – $29.95

As for bedtime clothing that’s comfortable for baby, you’ll want to get a Love to Dream Swaddle UP. This is not a typical, conventional swaddle. It does not keep baby’s arms down along the side or crossed over the chest, as with traditional swaddling. Instead, it has “wings”, allowing baby to sleep in a more natural Arms UP position. The snug fit and Arms UP positioning help relax baby’s startle reflex, and encourages babies to self-soothe by giving them this access to their hands. Self-soothing means more sleep.

Mookabee Baby Swaddle Bundle – $52.99

Some babies might prefer a slightly more fitted swaddle. Go with the Mookabee Baby Swaddle if that’s the case. It will keep your little one snug and secure while also offering zippered access for night time diaper changes. That’s a game changer!

When you read these baby bedtime books and employ a routine with your little one, you should both enjoy your evening time together.

Check out more bedtime posts:
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Safe Sleep Basics
Nanit Pro Baby Monitor Video Review
The Importance of Mom’s Sleep

Filed Under: Sleep Tagged With: bathtime, books, sleep

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Sleep Regressions at All Ages — What to Do When Sleep Stops

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Thank you to Kim West “The Sleep Lady” for sharing this guest post with Gugu Guru.

You have followed all the steps, and maybe done the Shuffle for a week here and there. You have a baby who sleeps well. Then it happens. The dreaded sleep regression. Common at many ages and for many reasons, sleep regression is the single most popular baby sleep topic at Sleeplady.com. We have put together a handy list of articles with great advice about sleep regressions at all ages. If you’re struggling with a sudden setback, scroll through for an article that is age-appropriate now. If things are going well, bookmark this page for later — there’s bound to be a moment in the future where you need a little extra help getting back your restful nights. Find out:

  • What’s a sleep regression?
  • When will it end?
  • Sleep regressions at all ages

sleep regressions at all ages

SLEEP REGRESSIONS AT ALL AGES: JUST A PHASE?

We’ve all been there. Baby has been peacefully sleeping through the night, and, consequently, so is everyone else. Hooray! And then, out of the blue, your sweet baby is up at all hours, wanting to be soothed, fed, and crying. What happened? Many refer to these short episodes as a Sleep Regression.

Want to read more about sleep regressions?
Read: Sleep Regressions — What Are They, and When Will They End?

WHEN WILL MY BABY’S SLEEP REGRESSION END?

If you’re asking yourself this question, chances are that you’ve been short on sleep, and so has your very cranky, sleep-fighting baby. Sleep regressions at all ages are difficult, but thankfully most children (not all, but most) don’t experience every sleep regression. If they did, no one would sleep during the first two years!

Want to get back to bed?
Read: Sleep Regression: When, Why, and How to Solve It!

4 MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION

You’ve got the schedule down. Baby is FINALLY sleeping more… and then, WHAM! Suddenly she’s not. Welcome to what is commonly referred to as the 4 month sleep regression. Some may refer to this phase as increased wakefulness, but it all amounts to the same thing — you and baby have newly found your groove, and now baby just isn’t acting like herself.

Here’s some more about the 4 month sleep regression:
Read: 4 Month Sleep Regression – Tips To Soothe Your Baby

Get the sleep help your family need with one-on-one help with a certified, trained Gentle Sleep Coach.

GET THE COURSE

PRE-TODDLER SLEEP REGRESSION

I’m not going to claim that all babies experience a sleep regression (or two), but most do. And if there is one sleep regression period that seems to be abundantly common, it’s when babies learn to crawl and/or pull themselves to a standing position. This is a huge step in their gross motor development, and opens an entirely unexplored world. Of course they don’t want to sleep, and therefore, parents experience some very common baby sleep problems.

The pre-toddler sleep regression happens somewhere around 9 months-old. 
Read: The 9 Month Sleep Regression — When Your Baby Stops Sleeping

THE 18 MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION

You were sleeping peacefully…and then you hear your toddler. He’s not just rustling around resettling. He’s screaming mad. Literally. As you drag yourself out of bed, you wonder to yourself what’s wrong? What could be causing your toddler sleep problems? Could this be two-year molars? An ear infection? Is he gassy from eating too much broccoli at dinner? Is his newfound walking (or running!) causing this?

The answer: It could truly be any of the above. But it could also be yet another sleep regression.

Are you dealing with the 18-month sleep regression?
Read: 18 Month Sleep Regression: How To Get Your Toddler Back To Sleep

sleep regressions at all ages
Periods of interrupted sleep are common. Breathe and read up on how you can soothe your child to get through sleep regressions at all ages.

THE 2-YEAR SLEEP REGRESSION

Many parents breathe a sigh of relief once their child hits the toddler years. But then you’re dealing with molars, budding independence, and (for some) potty training. Logically, we think that development keeps moving forward, but when it comes to two-year-olds, you’ll notice that there’s a bit of backsliding as they learn new skills and grow up a bit, which includes the potential for another sleep regression.

Wondering about the 2 year sleep regression?
Read: The 2-Year Sleep Regression – How to Get Your Child Back to Sleep

Whether you have an infant who has suddenly gone back to waking every two hours, or a toddler who is frequently up at night, sleep is on the horizon. Once you hit the six-month mark, consistent gentle coaching can help you get on a schedule that works for the whole family.

SLEEP REGRESSIONS AT ALL AGES? USE THE SHUFFLE!

If you have already mastered The Shuffle, you can return to a shortened version to get back on track. If you haven’t done any sleep coaching, and would now like to address your child’s sleep, consider using The Shuffle after the regression. You can find help at The Sleep Lady through books, our courses, or a Certified Gentle Sleep coach online or near you.

Filed Under: Back To Sleep, Sleep Tagged With: sleep

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