travel

What’s New on Gugu: February 27, 2019

The world of baby/toddler gear is always being inundated with new, cool items! Our job at Gugu Guru is to help you sort through the ‘fluff’ and figure out what items will be a great pick for your lifestyle and taste. Each week I will be sharing some items that we at Gugu Guru think should be at the top of your list to check out. Some of these items are brand new to the market and others are oldies but goodies that you may not know about. For loads of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

crewcuts x Gunner & Lux: A brand new collaboration has hit the market between J.Crew’s, crewcuts, and Gunner & Lux. This father-daughter team, known mainly for their quirky and fun children’s jewelry has developed a line exclusively for J.Crew. We are loving all of the pieces, which arrived just in time for Spring Break! Check out their adorable products before this limited edition collection sells out!

Go Happy Kids Travel Tray: Created by a mom who saw a void in the market, this tray is the perfect addition for any on-the-go family. The no-skid bottom and food grade silicone top make his travel tray your new germ-free go to on the plane! This is an excellent way to keep your kiddos’ entertainment and snacks contained during travel.

Ready, Set, Food!: As a mom of kids with food allergies, I am always on the lookout for new products to help combat this growing trend. Allergist-developed, these daily packets are mixed with breastmilk, formula, or food to help reduce the risk of developing a common food allergy by up to 80%. Plus, their non-GMO and organic ingredients (only milk, egg, and peanut) are introduced based on research from clinical trials and pediatric nutrition guidelines.

Monica + Andy First Foods Nurture Box: We absolutely adore these boxes (see more here!) by Monica + Andy! The gift boxes all include a variety of mix and match pieces that can be customized to meet your needs. These make a perfect baby gift for anyone on your list and come at a number of price points. It’s a perfect way to jumpstart your layette! Sidenote- we can’t stop salivating over this adorable avocado toast pattern!

Lorena Canals New Collections: One of Gugu Guru’s favorite decor lines, Lorena Canals has launched three new collections. Tribute to Cotton, Lobster, and English Gardens are all loaded with new design pieces, perfect for any nursery! Their washable rugs and fun storage baskets continue to keep every bedroom (or playroom) stylish and organized!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: February 6 2019

What’s New on Gugu: February 13, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: February 20, 2019

Cruising With Baby Travel Must-Haves

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Cruising with baby or considering taking a cruise in the near future with your little one in tow? Check out this ultimate guide from Gugu Guru mama and frequent traveler, Denalee, who just came off a 7-day cruise with her one year old son, Mikey. In this post, you’ll hear what products are a must-have for travel in general – but especially for cruising with baby.

Apparel & Accessories

1. SwimZip swimsuits and hat: We LOVE these swimsuits and the hat for travel or cruising with baby, and now for swimming in general. The prints are adorable, they’re really easy to take on and off (even when they’re wet) and they give nice full-body coverage from the sun. I could not find any cons to these bathing suits. I’m looking forward to using these swimsuits all summer. The sun hat (not shown here) is also really nice and lightweight.

2. Bitty Brah Hat: So cute and it fit him so well. The great thing about Bitty Brah is the drawstring that helps them stay on baby’s head. And, even though it was black it was very breathable.

3. pediped shoes: These are easily a favorite. Mikey walks really well in them and they were comfortable enough to wear without socks in the warmer weather. He probably wore these every day of the trip and still wears them in Boston – but with socks :). The velcro makes them really easy on and off, and the ergonomic design helped him keep his “sea legs” sturdy during the cruise.

4. Skip Hop Harness Backpack: This backpack that has a harness for parents to let their tot wander at a safe distance is super cute!!! I loved the idea of this and was so excited to try it. We love it but parents should note that the default position of the clip is on the bottom so if the baby is running away it makes him lean/fall forward. I realized later that you can move the clip to the top, which I think is a better position for it.

5. Ergopouch Layers Sleepwear: Whether cruising with baby on a ship or staying in a standard hotel, one thing that can be unpredictable is the room temperature. I was already a big fan of the ergopouch sleep sack (Mikey uses the winter sack at home and it seems so comfy) so I was excited to try the new Layers pajamas. They did not disappoint. They’re really soft and I love how the feet can be free or you can roll the pjs over them. This is great for walkers because Mikey walks best barefoot but in the warm weather he didn’t necessarily need a sleep sack so it was nice to be able to cover his feet in the night with the pjs. The zipper on the pjs also made it easy on/off and for a quick diaper change.

Feeding

1. b.box Sippy Cup: A sippy cup is a no brainer for travel with toddlers. Mikey liked this cup (read: he didn’t try to throw it across the room) and drank well from it. I like that it has the cover and that you can see how much they’re drinking in ounces. This is a very functional cup for toddlers.

2. Aden + Anais burpy bibs. These are great!! We used them as burp cloths when Mikey and for this trip we used them as a regular feeding bib. They’re cloth so they show dirt quickly but great thing is they cover a lot of his outfit, which is great when we were dressing up for the formal nights / Captain’s Dinners. Mikey has also recently stopped liking the plastic and silicone bibs and often communicates this through the act of tearing them off. The Aden + Anais cloth ones don’t bother him and they wash very well so they were nice to have along on this trip for sure.

3. b.box Snack Pack: this was great for days we were going off of the boat. I used it to pack some of Mikey’s leftovers from dinner and then I didn’t have to worry about the quality (or safety) of food off of the ship. This definitely gave us added peace of mind and the food held up better in it than if we had just used the paper containers the ship gives you at dinner.

4. Neat Solutions Sili-Stick Table Topper. Mikey is still into throwing plates – ha! Just laying out the silicone placemat so he had a clean place to eat was really convenient and it took up almost zero space. (Editor’s note: this placemat is and always has been a favorite of Gugu Guru.)

5. Babyganics Travel Foam Dish Soap. This is a must-have for travel with kids in general. It made cleaning cups, pacifiers, and everything else really easy in our stateroom.

6. Skip Hop matching snack cup. This dispenser paired with the aforementioned backpack that Mikey loved and he ate puffs from it all week.

7. Baby Food Pouches: It was nice to know that I had something healthy and fast for him on the go when we didn’t know what the cruise would be offering but I was actually pleasantly surprised at the food and the staff’s ability to accommodate Mikey. By the way, organic is very important to us, so for our pouches of choice when cruising with baby we liked Once Upon a Farm.

8. This travel size activity board from etsy. While this may seem odd to put in feeding, we loved that this fun Montessori-style activity board kept Mikey entertained at meals (and on the plane!)

Gear

1. Beco Gemini Baby Carrier. Whether cruising with baby, hopping on a plane or simply going sightseeing, I just could not live without this carrier for any kind of travel that we do. I’ve been using this ergonomic carrier since Mikey was an infant and will continue to do because it grows with your child and offers multiple carrying positions.

2. BABYZEN YOYO+ stroller: This is another piece of travel baby gear that we could never live without. While cruising with baby, it folded up so nicely in our stateroom and was easy to maneuver on board in the narrow hallways. I noticed a lot of parents on board had the Baby Jogger City Mini or City Mini GT (I have a City Mini GT at home) and I could not imagine storing that in the small state room. Though the City Mini folds easily it still takes up a good amount of space. Actually, even when I didn’t feel like folding the BABYZEN YOYO+, it still fit in the room using minimal space, which was really convenient.

3. b.box stroller organizer. We LOVED this new item! It clipped on really well to the YOYO+ or you could just throw it over your shoulder. It is big enough for all the essentials (diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, sippy cup, pouch, sunscreen, and even a toy!) It was nice while on board to not have to bring the big diaper bag around and since there isn’t a lot of storage on the YOYO+ this gave us more space and kept us organized with all essentials within reach. We’re even using this more now upon returning to Boston when we’re going out and about for a short time instead of lugging the whole diaper bag.

Personal Care & Wellness

1. Earth Mama Organics sunscreen: This new line of organic sunscreens is just what I want for my baby: natural, thick, and protective. It was a bit too thick for me (although my very fair skinned husband didn’t have an issue with it.) Heads up! Gugu Guru followers can use coupon code BeamOn to enjoy 20% off regularly priced EarthMamaOrganics.com orders through 2/28/19. (Please note that it cannot be used with any other discounts and is valid for US orders only.)

2. Babo Botanicals: I LOVE these wipes – especially for feeding. They’re really soft to use on Mikey’s face, which was great post meals. I also constantly used these wipes to clean all of our hands and even some surfaces. They smell so nice. For mama, I also enjoyed Babo’s sheer lip tint that has a very mild color but again smells nice and kept my lips hydrated and protected from the sun. I am also now officially addicted to their face stick they sent. It was a tinted spf stick that I used every morning. It just glided on my skin really nicely and gave a nice smooth, glowing look to my skin.

3. PlaneAire. This new all-natural, organic sanitizing spray formulated with essential oils was great for our stateroom and on the ship in general while cruising with baby. It now lives in our diaper bag.

4. Rookie Human Crib Sheets. I’m type A and worried about my son using the sheets that the cruise ship pack n play came with so I brought a sheet from Rookie Humans because it’s so stretchy and actually wound up fitting well over the pack n play mattress. Bonus Tip: the cruise offers two sizes for pack n play. We requested the big one because although the smaller size would have given us more room to walk around the stateroom, I knew Mikey would not sleep as well in such a compact spot so the Rookie Human sheet worked well with the bigger play yard.

Another Bonus Tip: One weird thing that was super helpful to have was duct tape! We used it to cover corners, keep drawers and the mini fridge shut, and even hung a sheet with it so Mikey had a “private room” (he sleeps better when he can’t see us). Such a simple thing to bring but it was a life saver.

Disclaimer: Gugu Guru’s editor received some of these products for this guide, however all opinions expressed are solely those of the editor. This post may contain affiliate links. When purchasing an item through affiliate links, Gugu Guru earns a small commission at no extra cost to the purchaser.

Gugu Gift Guide: Travel With Baby

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Last week we chatted about our top gift guide picks to make travel easier for parents, and this week we’re covering our top picks for gifts when it comes to travel with baby. These make awesome holiday or baby shower gifts for any parents who are looking forward to traveling with their little one.

Ubbi’s On-the-Go Collection: When it comes to practical, functional, and stylish items for travel with baby, Ubbi knows what’s up! We are delighted to introduce you to their on-the-go collection, which includes a changing mat and bag, wipes dispenser and bag dispenser. The changing mat and bag is a great on-the-go diapering solution for quick and easy diaper changes, and it is easy-to-clean, super soft and comfortable changing mat made similar to a standard yoga mat, so it’s comfy for your baby – no more hard floors! The mat bag can hold a few diapers, travel size wipes dispenser, as well as a phone, keys, or whatever else is needed for busy parents on-the-go. The Ubbi portable wipes dispenser is a great solution for quick and easy on-the-go diaper change, the dispenser keeps wipes moist and fresh, is easy to carry around, yet compact and durable while out and about. Plus, it includes an easy-to-use silicone strap that conveniently hangs on strollers and diaper bags. The bags dispenser features a rewind mechanism lets you easily reinsert bags when too many are pulled out, and holds a roll of 12 bags, which includes 2 rolls of lavender-scented bags; plus, it fits easily inside a diaper bag, for on-the-go ease.

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: When it comes to travel, sometimes baby’s sleep cycles can get confused if you’re traveling long hours or in different time zones. We highly recommend traveling with a sleep product baby is used to and reminds them of being home. Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit gives baby a warm, cozy, and comforting feeling to help them fall asleep faster, and stay asleep, too. The Magic Sleepsuit is designed for babies who are ready to transition from the swaddle, yet still need that cozy and contained feeling to aid in their sleep. Made with soft, comforting materials, the Magic Sleepsuit will give your baby the sense of security and warmth they need to sleep well through the night, whether you’re staying at grandma’s house, a hotel, or camping! Plus, it’s ideal for any travel destination because baby won’t get overheated – as it features open feet and hands to help keep baby at a comfortable temperature. Coming in three adorable colors, the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is our one must have item for any baby registry – you can learn more about it in this handy video, too!

Stuck on You Mini Book Bag: When it comes to traveling with a toddler, they love to fill their own travel bags and feel like part of the travel-crew! We’re loving these adorable mini backpacks from Stuck on You which are totally personalized! The Mini Book Bag is perfect for playdates, short excursions or coffee outings with mom. The perfect size to fit in some yummy snacks, paper and pencils and their favorite toy. The Mini Book Bag features a durable poly soft canvas and fully waterproof living. The inside print is fun for kids, and the front zipper pocket is perfect for snacks or toys. The padded shoulder straps ensure comfort on your toddler’s back, as well. But, we really love the Mini Book Bag because you can customize it with your child’s name in a variety of fonts, as well as a fun design. Coming in muted blue or green, this Mini Book Bag is a must-have for traveling with your little kiddo.

B. Box Stroller Organizer: When it comes to traveling with a baby, often times your stroller becomes home base for everything you pick up along the way (including food, jackets, trinkets!). But, travel-sized strollers don’t always have the room or space to hold everything you need, which is why we are so impressed with the B.Box Stroller Organizer which attaches to stroller handle with secure click in clasps. Large fold away mesh bag means essentials are visible and within reach, can also be used for light groceries when doing a quick trip to the shops. Multiple storage compartments for drinks, phone, wallet and snacks keep essentials at your fingertips. BPA, Phthalates, and PVC free. If you need to run inside somewhere and leave the stroller outside, no worries, simply remove the organizer from the stroller to convert to a unisex bag – in a snap, using the handy shoulder strap. A must have travel item for traveling with families, and also for every day use to the park or shopping! This makes a great baby shower must-have gift which mom doesn’t even realize she needs yet.

Hoodini Swaddle: When babies are on-the-go, it often can be tricky to get them to calm down and sleep on their normal schedules, which is why you need a trusted swaddle to help your baby sleep while traveling. Hoodini is the world’s first 3D knit escape-proof baby swaddle. It is engineered with arm tubes to protect against moro reflex and face scratching and has hug technology® built into the chest area to give the sensation of a hug all night long. Baby will feel comforted and snug, even if you’re in a hotel room or grandma’s house. Plus, there is an easy access diaper opening at the bottom so the feet stay warm but you still have easy diaper changing access, which comes in handy for traveling in the car or airplane – easy access is always better! The Hoodini Swaddle is super soft and stretchy, and can fit in any diaper bag, purse or travel bag. It comes in three colors, and is a wonderful addition to any baby shower gift.

Bitty Brah Hats: As a parent, it seems there are 1000+ things to remember when traveling with kids, but one thing we always keep on hand are cute hats for our littles, as it protects them from sun, rain, and wind! When we came across Bitty Brah we had to share them with you – as not only are they beyond cute, but they have a great mission, too. Bitty Brah hats are a functional, surf-inspired hat for the modern family. Playful and stylish, Bitty Brah embraces the California casual lifestyle for the family on the go. Bitty Brah hats are water resistant, so they are ideal for rain or shine, and perfect in any weather. Their water resistant finish makes them durable enough for sand and sticky fingers. They’re ideal for travel, as the Bitty Brah visors bend in any direction, so you can throw them in any bag or stroller and you’re good to go. The foolproof drawstring is guaranteed to stay put. The drawstring is perfect of hat resistant children and action packed days on the water. But, most importantly, Bitty Brah donates the #1 most requested item to children in the U.S., not covered through federal government assistance: diapers. When you buy a Bitty Brah hat, you donate 10 diapers to a U.S. family in need. We can’t think of a better combo: cute and functional hats for baby, and a giving-back component? Sign us up for Bitty Brah hats!

CoziGo: Traveling with babies can be frustrating, because often they are over-stimulated and don’t want to rest, and sometimes, there’s not even a place to have them rest! Keeping consistent sleeping routines can be a challenge for parents when they have to be out and about. We are thrilled to introduce you to CoziGo, which makes flying and being on-the-go with babies carefree. CoziGo blocks 97% of light and distraction, helping to block distractions and provide a consistent dark sleep space for your baby. In tests, sleep improved by up to 400% when CoziGo was in use. Plus, CoziGo has a UV 50+ rating which makes it the ultimate Sun Cover when you are out and about with your baby. The unique dome shape can be fully opened so baby can watch the world go by. It also allows for plenty of kick space and the breathable fabric ensures air permeability allowing safe airflow. CoziGo is made from woven fabric, which means it is air permeable and provides a well-ventilated environment for your baby. It will allow your baby to breathe comfortably and also means your baby will be less likely to overheat while you are out and about. Simply, pop, clip and go in seconds, plus it packs into a small bag quickly, ready to be stored in a bag or in the stroller. CoziGo has a zipper on each side so you can open one or both of the zippers allowing your baby or toddler to see the world go by and still be protected by the sun no matter what direction it’s coming from. You will also have easy access to your precious cargo!

Ubbi Tweat Snack Container: Another must have for traveling with toddlers is the Ubbi Tweat Snack Container. It has a large enough opening for easy snack access and a soft spill guard with attached lid. The interactive weighted base leans and wobbles, and the rubber seal helps keeps everything fresh! If you’re traveling with kids, it is ALL about the snacks, but you definitley don’t want those snacks all over the car – just hand your little one the Ubbi Tweat Snack Container and they can access all the snacks they need, without spilling them out all over the place. It’s easy to throw into any diaper or travel bag and you’re good to go!

Thank you to, CoziGo, B.Box. Stuck on You, Bitty Brah, Hoodini Swaddle, Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit, and Ubbi for making this sponsored post possible!

Gugu Gift Guide: Travel Picks for Mom

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With the busiest travel season coming right around the bend of the year, we wanted to share some of our top travel picks for you, mama – these are must have items to make your travel experience as a mom just a little easier and in style, too. Check out our top picks for travel gifts for moms, these make fantastic baby shower gifts for any new mom who loves to travel! Check below for exclusive Gugu Guru discounts, as well!

Sofia Fima Handbags: When it comes to travel as a mom, it seems as though there is never enough room to hold all of baby’s travel gear, all of your mama necessities, not to mention any work items you may need! Enter, the Sofia Fima Handbags, which help you effortlessly go from office to off-duty. Created by moms for moms, this handbag is your ultimate utility bag, which also happens to be made of gorgeous leather – ideal for work, mom-life, and of course, traveling! We’ve written about Sofia Fima in our Mom Style Gift Guide, but today we wanted to explain why they’re a must-have bag for travel, too. What makes Sofia Fima bags completely unique and ideal for travel are their one-of-a-kind organizers; these organizers, are made exactly for your different life needs, work, mom-life, and a mix-of-both – and easily snap in and out of the Main Squeeze Tote, making it easy to shift gears in your life in a cinch! The three different organizers, The Chief of Staff Organizer, the Momager Organizer, and the Senior Associate Organizer, are all made from super luxurious 100% wipe clean nylon handcrafted in the United States. These are ideal for travel, since each organizer has a different set of functions to help you stay organized. Whether you are traveling for work solo, or baby in tow, you’ll love having the essential organizational help from your Sofia Fima Main Squeeze Tote and organizer (or organizers) of choice! If you’re traveling for work with your family, bring the Momager and Chief of Staff organizer with you, and simply snap one out for the other when you’re off duty for the day – no worry about spilling formula on your work papers that way! The Sofia Fima Main Squeeze Tote is a truly special baby shower gift for a mom-on-the-go in your life. Use Coupon Code GuGuGuru for 15% off everything in your cart.

Teat & Cosset: When it comes to travel style for breastfeeding moms, we’ve found the ultimate must-have clothing item for any nursing mama. Is there anything more necessary for travel than a comfy sweatshirt? The Teat & Cosset Gemma Sweatshirt has everything you need for a perfect travel style accessory; made from 100% cotton, the sweatshirt features natural fibers which are gentle and safe on baby’s delicate skin. But, the coolest part of these stylish sweatshirts are their two hidden zippers which provide discrete, easy, and fast breastfeeding access anywhere including buses, trains, planes, and boats! The Gemma sweatshirt is comfy and cozy – with a relaxed fit and cotton fleece for keeping you warm during your travels. Each piece in the Teat & Cosset collection is made in Italy, Extremely innovative when it comes to yarns, fabrics and machinery, Italians have adopted the best of garment engineering and combined it with the highest hand tailoring skills to create quality garments. As a hard working mama, you deserve the best in style and comfort, but at a price point you can afford; the Gemma Sweatshirt is under $100, which makes it a perfect gift for your favorite mama friend or yourself! Available with stylish snaps or zippers, and in a variety of modern colors, the Teat & Cosset Gemma Sweatshirt is a must-have travel item for breastfeeding mamas. Use code GUGU15 for 15% off at Teat & Cosset.

Marama Naturals Calendula Spray: When you’re traveling with baby, it seems as though everything is always sticky, sweaty, dirty, or prime time for dry-skin! We have the the perfect travel companion for both baby and mama – the multi-purpose Calming Calendula Spray from Marama Naturals. Calendula is touted for its anti-inflammatory properties, ability to improve and hydrate skin, and for speeding healing. It restores and cleanses. Marama Naturals has made calendula even easier to use with this convenient spray, which you can throw into your diaper bag. Combined with other therapeutic oils, this powerful, but gentle, spray is perfect to cleanse baby’s diaper area, and keep baby feeling clean in a natural way. If you’re traveling, this is a must-have item for both mom and baby; you can spray directly on the baby’s diaper area, or even use a baby cloth or wipe to apply the comforting liquid. Need hydration or a facial toner? This is great for that, too! You can even skip the baby’s drying bath and use the spray as a quick baby wash. If you’re on the road sans bath, it doubles as a no-rinse wash for baby, and keeps your skin feeling hydrated and clean, as well. Plus, who doesn’t need an extra reason to de-stress? The natural ingredients with soothing qualities of Calendula help to de-stress and reduce redness in your skin, so if you’re stuck in the car with many miles to go, simply spray this convenient bottle from Marama Naturals and feel at ease, clean, and refreshed!

Cold-Fix For Children: While traveling can be a true joy and a lovely experience, doesn’t it always seem like someone picks up some sort of sickness while traveling? We’re big fans of Cold-Fix for Children – formulated to help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Cold-Fix was brought to the U.S. by Dr. Shahram Jacobs, a father of 3, after nearly 20 years of popularity and success in Europe and Asia. It is a physician-formulated and doctor-approved remedy that helps to temporarily relieve cold and flu symptoms (congestion, cough and fever) and works to strengthen the immune system to help prevent sickness in the first place! It’s safe for kids six months and older and is a non-drowsy, homeopathic formula free of artificial dyes, gluten, and sugar. Plus, it has no reported side effects or interactions with other medications. Cold-Fix for Children is the choice for parents who are ready to help their children make it through cold and flu season – happy and healthy! For anyone who loves to travel – this is a great gift they can take with them to help their little one feel his/her best on every adventure! Use code cfguguguru for 25% of your order (expires 1/1/2019).

ToteSavvy: The key to being able to travel with a baby is organization – so, how does one stay so organized with a baby in tow? ToteSavvy! The ToteSavvy Deluxe transforms your regular totes into an organized masterpiece, chock full of spaces, pockets, and more to hold everything you need in exactly the right place. We love that the ToteSavvy Deluxe works with all of your totes from pre-baby life, so you can still use them, even when they’re full of diapers and bottles! Having everything organized will keep you feeling less stressed on your flight or travels, and everything is super easily accessible as well. ToteSavvy Deluxe holds unique features no other bag organizer has including a laptop sleeve, zip-top insulated cooler pocket, and rose gold hardware. We love that the ToteSavvy has eleven total multi use pockets, so if you’re traveling with baby, traveling solo, heading to the gym, work, or for fun – there is a pocket for everything you need, and you can switch your ToteSavvy from one tote to another without any muss or fuss! Use code GUGU for 20% off your order.

LugBug Handle: If you’re traveling with a baby, it can get very heavy, very fast carrying the carseat with the baby around from place to place. We came across the LugBug Handle years ago and it is still one of our very favorite must-haves for traveling parents. Baby carriers can be tough on the arms – so tough that daily lugging can put parents at rick of strain-related injuries, chronic pain, and even accidental drops. In fact, nearly half of parents experience shoulder, back, and neck pain due to the strain of lugging a baby carrier. The LugBug handle is a helpful device which attaches to you baby carrier and offers a range of better, more comfortable (and enjoyable) carrying positions that support your arm and wrist. The creator of LugBug, a first time dad, set out to design a sturdy and easy-to-use handle designed to keep parents comfortable and kids safe. The handle’s innovative and ergonomic design reduces tension on the shoulders and arms for a more comfortable lugging position. If you’re out and about with a baby carrier, the LugBug is a must have necessity for your family!

Unbuckle Me: One of the most frustrating parts of travel is getting the kids in and out of the car seat – but, we found a way to ease up the whole production of the carseat drama with the new Unbuckle Me. UnbuckleMe is the award winning solution for anyone who struggles with car seat buckles! So, how does the Unbuckle Me work? It easily slips around the buckle and uses leverage to make it 50% easier to unbuckle. Does not attach to the car seat & works on ANY car seat buckle. The Unbuckle Me was invented by a Grandma with arthritis (who is also an Occupational Therapist) and her daughter (a mom of 2 toddlers!). UnbuckleMe is intended to be used under adult supervision, which means it should remain out of reach of children while the vehicle is in motion. It is recommended that you store in a convenient location that is easily accessible, like the side door pocket of your car. UnbuckleMe includes a small loop on the “neck” that can be used to attach it to a convenient location, such as a key chain or diaper bag. This would make a perfect stocking stuffer or new mom gift – keep one in every car and make travel just a little easier on yourself! Head to their website and use code ‘guru’ for 15% off.

Travel Tray: When it comes to traveling with kids, it seems like there is always a toddler in the backseat asking for a snack! How can you solve this snacky problem? With Travel Tray! Travel Tray extends your current cup holder to hold your cup PLUS a tray to hold food or toys. Travel Tray fits into car seats, strollers, outdoor chairs; anywhere a standard cup holder is utilized! Made in the USA, easy to clean with a wipe and dishwasher friendly! Travel Tray are made in the USA, easy to clean with a wipe and dishwasher friendly, making it easier on parents. Plus, the Travel Tray is BPA, PHT, and PVC-free so it’s safe for your little snacker in the backseat. You won’t want to leave home without your Travel Tray, perfect for all trips, whether just down the block or across the country. Use code GURU for 20% off and free shipping on any order through 12/31/18.

Earth Mama Mini Deodorant 4-Pack: It’s no surprise we are huge fans of Earth Mama, their products are ideal for pregnant moms, post-partum, breastfeeding and beyond. So, when it comes to travel, no one should be without their Earth Mama Mini Deodorants! Four flavors in one box! Earth Mama’s mini deodorants are travel-savvy and squee-cute. Pop one in your purse, the diaper bag, your gym bag or keep one in your travel bag – they are the perfect size for road trips or flights! You get all four flavors in one fun-filled box! Refreshing ginger-lime Ginger Fresh Deodorant, tangerine-y Bright Citrus Deodorant, unscented Non-Scents Deodorant, and fresh, soothing Calming Lavender Deodorant. Think you’re too sensitive for deodorants with baking soda? You got another thing comin’! This formula was made for extra sensitive skin with the perfect balance of baking soda and magnesium. Just enough to work, not enough to hurt.

Thank you to Sofia Fima, Teat & Cosset, Unbuckle Me, LugBug, Earth Mama, Cold Fix, Travel Tray, Marama Naturals, and ToteSavvy for making this sponsored post possible!

Video Tutorial: Packing Your Diaper Bag for a Flight

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Expert traveler, Mary, from The Mom Friend and Gugu Guru’s travel mama shares her tips for packing your diaper bag for a flight.

Tips For Easier Travel With Your Little Ones

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More than 75% of traveling families recently surveyed said simply getting through the airport, enduring a potentially grueling flight with young children, and not having the right gear at their vacation accommodations are the most stressful challenges of family travel.

Every day at BabyQuip we think about how to solve these challenges and lighten the load for traveling families. Here are a few tips for easier travel with babies and toddlers.

When Booking Your Flight

Timing – Consider a time of day that works for your baby. Is she grouchy in the afternoon but bubbly most mornings? Book a morning flight.

Sit up front – It’s a quieter ride and gets you in and out a lot faster.

Grab a window – The window area keeps your baby’s head away from the aisle, which can actually be dangerous. A window seat provides more privacy for nursing, and even offers a fun distraction for little ones who many enjoy playing with the shade.

Consider booking a seat for your children under age 2 – Even though they can fly free as a lap baby, it’s often worth the extra cost to have more space and freedom to stretch out and relax. The FAA also says babies in car seats approved for flights are safer than lap babies during unexpected turbulence.

Dress kids comfortably AND adorably – Your fellow passengers will forgive super cute children for noisiness or other minor misbehaving.

Avoid TSA Meltdowns

Explain the process to kids old enough to understand – Make it casual and positive. “They keep us safe. We put our belongings down and they go through a machine that takes a picture of them.”

You can bring formula, breast milk and juice in greater than 3.4 ounce bottles through screening – Inform the TSA officer you are carrying them and be ready to remove them from your carry-on bag for separate screening. Ice packs are OK too.

Ask to be put in a special line for families – This often moves you to the front of the line.

Encourage toddlers to walk through on their own – If you are holding a toddler when you go through screening and the alarm beeps, you are both subject to additional search.

Smart Carry-On List

Must haves – Diapers, wipes, plastic bags, a change of clothing for everyone (parents too).

Ear gear – Pacifiers for those who use them, or gum for older kids to help equalize pressure. Noise cancelling headphones may be helpful for some children.

Happy neighbor gear – Bring ear plugs to pass out to those sitting close to you. Candy or chocolate is helpful too. These are easy ways to keep the peace when your baby is cranky and extra loud about it.

Bring a tray table cover – Tray tables can be breeding grounds for all sorts of germs you don’t want your little ones exposed to. No one wants a sick baby on vacation. Bring disinfectant wipes or a tray table cover.

Extra baby food, snacks, drinks and formula – Always pack for a major delay.

Books and toys – Bring new toys, or toys from the bottom of the toy box so they seem new. Put them in a special package your child can open or unwrap. Nothing noisy though. Favorite books can be comforting on long flights.

Get Some Sleep

Use a full-size wooden crib – When babies sleep well, everyone is more relaxed. Do your best to replicate your little one’s sleep environment at home. Generally, this means renting a full-size wooden crib.

Bring the sheet your baby last slept on at home – Don’t wash it either, so that even if your baby is in a new environment, their sheet smells and feels like home.

Address jet lag – If you’ll be changing time zones, consider nudging your baby’s sleep schedule closer to your destination’s time zone the week prior to your trip.

Stick to your routine – If bedtime at home is always preceded by a bath and a story, maintain this ritual when on the road. Familiar routines are calming.

While family travel can have its stressful moments, the payoff for these adventures is lifelong memories. Traveling smarter and lighter, sleeping better on the road, and starting off your vacation with an easier airport experience opens you up to magical moments with your family.

Happy travels!

Want to ensure a home-like experience during your upcoming family vacation?
BabyQuip delivers exceptionally clean cribs, car seats, strollers, books, toys and a lot more to your hotel or vacation rental.

This post is a guest post from our friends at Babyquip the family travel experts. Here they’re sharing tips for getting to your destination stress-free, especially if you’ll be navigating busy airports and long flights with your little ones. Traveling this holiday season? Save the stress and skip hauling all your gear and baby stuff – just rent from BabyQuip. Looking for a side gig? Make extra income from home by signing up to be a trusted partner with BabyQuip.

This New Travel Car Seat is a Total Game Changer

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Looking for the best travel car seat for your toddler to use on planes, trains and automobiles? We’ve got you, boo.

Every once in awhile, we get really, really excited about a new piece of baby gear and this is definitely one of those times. (Plus we are even more excited to share that we have a 40% OFF limited offer for our readers but more on that in a second.)

Meet the Pico travel car seat from WAYB (rhymes with “baby”.) Here at Gugu Guru we think the Pico from WAYB is kind of a big deal and we bet you will too. This innovative and totally game-changing travel car seat is intended for 2-5 year olds and designed to make any on-the-go parent’s life a heck of a lot easier.

What first struck us as super cool about the WAYB brand is that it was co-founded by the former CEO of Patagonia. When you think about the fact that parents and caregivers need durable, high-quality gear for navigating life with baby – it makes total sense that someone with experience in outdoor gear can probably help in that department, especially if he or she is a parent. What we also love is that Patagonia is a brand known for its commitment to our planet and those values have clearly transferred over to the WAYB brand.

Aside from their experience with gear, the entire WAYB team is comprised of parents who love to travel and who have a mission to reimagine and improve on the baby gear that’s out there. They want to make it more durable, lightweight, sustainable and just easier for caregivers all-around and we are pretty pumped about that.

The company’s first product, the WAYB Pico, was actually inspired by watching parents struggling in the airport. We’re intimately familiar with that struggle at Gugu Guru because many of us have experienced lugging a heavy car seat around to either check with our luggage in a giant, oversized bag or, worse, dragging it through security with all the other kid stuff you need to bring on the plane from diapers to snacks to ensure your flight goes smoothly.

To make life easier, the WAYB Pico travel car seat was designed to be easy to carry, stow, fold and take wherever parents or caregivers go – and we love that. However, that’s not the reason why we consider this car seat a game-changer. It’s how the Pico is constructed that makes all the difference. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame makes it ultralight at under 8lbs and instead of using typical car seat foams that can be full of toxins, WAYB made the Pico with a high-performance, comfortable mesh fabric instead.

What’s more is that Pico passes the same U.S. safety standards for cars and planes as big, heavy car seats, but it’s way better for people and the planet. ‘Nuff said.

With the holidays right around the corner, if you have a toddler age 2 to 5 years old and you’re looking for a travel car seat that breaks the mold with its lightweight features and sustainable, eco-friendly construction – look no further than the WAYB Pico. Go to this link to get your limited offer 40% discount for Gugu Guru readers of $209 (but hurry up because there are only limited quantities available at this price. Otherwise the non-discounted MSRP is $350.) You can learn more about WAYB on their website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you to our partners at WAYB for making this sponsored post possible.

Introducing: Gugu Guru’s Mom Styles!

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One of the unique features of Gugu Guru is that we are personalized for every single family; we take great pride in making sure each family has baby gear that is ideal and unique for them. Parents often identify with lifestyles like urban living, frequent traveler, fitness, career, etc. (and almost always a combination of two or more of these types.) So, we thought it would be fun to have real life moms that self-identify with some of these lifestyles try out real life baby & kid gear and show you how it really works in the real world! We are thrilled to introduce you to all of our Gugu Guru mama styles – you can head to our Instagram page to learn even more about them – and check out each highlight for more behind the scenes, reviews, videos, and photos.

Meet our Urban Mama, Megan:

Megan is a mama of two with one on the way (check out her adorable announcement). She’s been a long time mama over here on Gugu Guru – you can see her NYC Mom Essentials, date night at home tips, breastfeeding on-the-go items, and wine pairings for kids’ TV shows. You can also find Megan on her website and Instagram.

Meet our rural mama, Kerry:

Kerry is a mama of two littles and says she is a rural mom because “We live out in the country on a 20 acre farm surrounded by family and seven cows, a bunch of chickens and a donkey! The city is only about an hour away but I’m living my best country girl life. My babies are always barefoot and usually half naked. Our tiny farmhouse is constantly a work in progress but it’s definitely my happy place.” You can find Kerry on Instagram and her blog.

Meet our natural mama, Sophie:

We’ve actually featured Sophie on the blog before and we are thrilled to call her a Gugu Guru mom now! Sophie is the mom to two girls: 6 years old and newborn, and a 16 year old stepson. She says she is a natural mama because, “I love natural, non-toxic and organic products. We try to do the best we can in raising our kids in a more holistic environment. So many goods available these days, be it food, toys, clothes are coated in harmful toxins. I opt for items that are made with love, created by parents themselves and try to shop local when ever we can. However, sometimes there are things as a mother you just need for your babe that don’t fit within your guidelines, so it is about the balance I always say.” You can find Sophie and Roseview LA on Instagram and its website.

Meet our mom of multiples, Aly:

Aly is a mama to two little girls and has twin baby girls on the way! We’re so excited to see all of her multiple mama picks. You can find Aly on her Instagram.

Meet our work-from-home mom, Alex:

Alex is a mom to three littles with one on the way (we shared her announcement because…it’s awesome) ! Alex is a WAHM because, “I literally do that! I teach a few online high school technology classes (from home!) and then my primary job is a photographer, which allows me to have a lot of flexibility in making my schedule and being able to be home with my kiddos but also still work.” She will be sharing her top picks for moms who are both full time mom and full time business mom too. You can find Alex on her blog and Instagram.

Meet our stay-at-home mom, Andrea:

Andrea is a mama to a little toddler and a brand new baby boy. She will be sharing all of her stay at home mom tips and multi-tasking picks! Because what parent doesn’t need an extra pair of hands? You can find Andrea on her Instagram.

Meet our fit mama, Kristina:

Kristina is a girl mom of two with a little boy on the way! She says she is a fit mom because, “I’ve always prioritized being active. Whatever that may look like. I may be getting up at 4:30am to get to the yoga studio or I may be running behind my double BOB after nap time in 90 degree heat (that one isn’t my favorite). Whatever it is, though, I try to move my body a little every day. We’re big fans of going on family walks to involve the girls. I try to tell them how good exercise is for their bones, and that it’ll make them grow big and strong! It’s so funny to see both of them (3.5 and 1.5 years old) trying to do lunges and squats. It’s just play time for them!” You can find Kristina (and her gorgeous photography) on her Instagram and website.

Meet our traveling mom, Mary:

Mary is the mom of two girls, a toddler and newborn, and a self-professed traveler, “Traveling is my favorite thing ever—I have lived & worked abroad, have visited 17 countries (with plenty more on my bucket list), live across the country from family we love to visit, and I am hungry to experience culture and food from all over. Traveling with kids is something I strongly encourage other moms to do, as adventures do not need to stop after having children—they make it all the more fun! I love sharing tips and product recommendations to make journeys easier, and letting other moms know that while it isn’t always easy, it is so worth it!” You can find Mary on her Instagram or blog.

Summer Travel Must Haves with Baby K’tan

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Summer is the season for fun getaways but for some new parents, traveling with a babe – whether by car, air or rail – can seem daunting. However, if you equip yourself with the right gear, summer travel can be a snap. In this post, we’ve partnered with our friends at Baby K’tan to feature some of our favorite products for summer travel.

Top Summer Travel Pick: The Baby K’tan Active Baby Carrier

Regardless of season, there is arguably nothing that is more necessary for travel than a great baby carrier. For air travel, it is an absolute must because you’re likely going to have to at least gate check your stroller and a carrier gives you the vital capability of keeping baby safe, hands-free.

However, for summer travel and hot weather in general, not all carriers are made the same. The Baby K’tan Active Baby Carrier is the ideal carrier for warmer days. Why? The Baby K’tan Active Baby Carrier is constructed with a high-tech sport mesh performance fabric that wicks away moisture and sweat – keeping both parent and baby cool even on the most sticky and humid days. Moreover, since pediatricians don’t recommend applying sunscreen on infants under 6 months, this carrier will help protect baby’s sensitive skin. How so? In addition to acting as a sun shade for baby, the unique fabric blocks over 90% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Here are some other products we love for summer travel with baby(s) in tow:

Of course, you first need a bag to pack. We love the Baby K’tan Weekender, which is roomy enough to fit all your essentials but compact enough to throw in the overhead bin.
For pregnant or nursing moms, we absolutely LOVE this easy essential from Belabumbum: the Reversible Maternity & Nursing Dress. (Hint: use code GUGUGURU for 10% OFF plus FREE shipping.)
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or not, when you travel with a baby you will be exposing him or her to new germs and also generally disrupting your routine. The Fridababy Baby Basics Kit has everything you will need for baby care in a wristlet style silicone carrying case.
If flying, the TSA does allow you to carry formula, breast milk and juice in excess of 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag but you’ll have to let them know before you start the security screening process. We are big fans of Dr. Brown’s bottles and sippy cups for feeding on-the-go. Plus Baby K’tan’s awesome diaper bag offers two insulated bottle pockets for storage.
Once you get to your destination, some essentials for sleep include a compact and wireless monitor such as our favorite the Evoz, a Crane travel humidifier (read why this is a must for traveling while breastfeeding), some swaddles or a sleep suit if baby is out of the swaddle and a safe, portable sleep space such as the 4moms Breeze GO (that also offers a super quick one-push set up and convenient carrying bag.)
Lastly, a great travel system that includes a car seat and a stroller is an absolute must for most types of summer travel with an infant. We are huge fans of the Britax B-Free & Endeavours Travel System for a number of reasons. First and foremost, in our opinion, it is the top of the line brand when it comes to next-level safety. For summer travel, we love that it boasts an expandable canopy on the Britax stroller protects your baby from the sun. It also has seven pockets and an extra-large storage basket offering plenty of room for baby’s gear, and yours.

Must Have Gear: B-Lively / B-Safe 35 Travel System

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When it comes to strollers, parents are often overwhelmed not only by picking a stroller that will work well for baby, but also picking the correct stroller for their lifestyle. However, the Gugu Guru team has found that the B-Lively/B-Safe 35 Travel System is a great fit for most parents; there are so many reasons that this Britax stroller system will help so many new parents get out of the house and travel comfortably with baby.

The complete B-Lively/B-Safe 35 Travel System, featuring the Britax stroller and B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat combo will help a new parent feel free and ready to explore with baby and beyond.

What makes the B-Lively system with the Britax stroller and B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat different than other travel systems? For one, this Britax stroller has an extra-large storage basket which offers plenty of room for baby’s gear, and yours, plus it has access through the front of the stoller. With more pockets for everything you need, it means you can stroll longer without worrying about running out of anything you need. A stroller becomes a second home, of sorts, your home-away-from-home, and this Britax stroller’s storage basket has all the room you will need and more. We love that Britax eliminates certain chemical flame retardants containing bromine, chlorine or other halogens, from all components used in its car seats and all other products — while still ensuring their ability to pass federal government standards for flammability. Additionally, Britax strollers are not treated with any chemical flame retardants.

Plus, the expandable canopy on the Britax stroller protects your baby from the sun, which means you can head to festivals, run errands or stop for coffee without worrying about the sun being too strong on baby. The B-Lively Britax Stroller is suitable for newborns and children up to 55 lbs. With its lightweight design for everyday strolling, and one-hand, quick fold, this stroller makes it easy to store and go. The B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat has the next-level Britax safety technologies that protect your little one beyond standards, plus an easy and secure installation with or without the base.

The B-Lively & B-Safe 35 Travel System combines the safety of the B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat with the flexibility of the B-Lively Britax stroller. They work together to help you navigate family life safely and smoothly. Whether you’re an urban parent, suburban dweller, or a little of both, the B-Lively travel system featuring the Britax stroller is your must have choice for easy and comfortable strolling, both for you and baby.

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