GoGo Squeez

Last night after Lilly was fast asleep and Guy was doing his homework I went out of the house to pick up some ingredients to make Sheperd's Pie for one of Guy's classmates that just had a baby.  If you have never tried Sheperd's Pie before, check the recipe out here, it is delicious!

While at the grocery store, which is newly renovated and about 100 times better, I decided to check their "natural" section.  I am sure glad I did.  I picked up a new product called GoGo Squeez by Materne.

GoGo Squeez is a pouch of  100% fruit squeezable applesauce.  It comes in 5 different flavors (applesauce, apple peach, apple banana, apple strawberry, and apple cinnamon) and is great for moms on the go.

I am so glad I bought the GoGo Squeez.  Today at the doctors it was easy to throw one in my diaper bag and take out when Lilly got hungry.  The applesauce easily squeezes out of the pouch so all you need is a spoon (bigger babies can eat directly from the pouch).  The bag also reseals which is perfect if you have little babies that won't finish the 3.4 ounces.

Unfortunately for Lilly, mom was hungry too so I ate her leftovers.  It was so yummy!  Don't let the all natural 100% fruit with no artificial flavors or preservatives fool you, this stuff is tasty.  Plus it is gluten and dairy free and Kosher certified.  

Thank you France for sharing one of your favorite snack brands with us here in the states.  

Pura Kiki

Looking for an alternative to plastic or glass bottles?  Ever think about a stainless steel baby bottles?

I didn't until I came across Pura Kiki.  Seriously how cool are these?!

There are many reasons that you should consider using stainless steel:

• no worries of leaching chemicals, these bottles are 100% BPA-free, 100% phthalate-free, 100% lead-free, 100% PVC free
• won't break or chip
• anti-bacteria 
• reusable and good for the environment
• dishwasher safe

Stainless steel is great; both my husband and I have stainless steel water bottles so it is only expected that our daughter would one day have her own too.   We love the fact that they are nearly indestructible and don't pickup the flavors of liquids in your bottle like plastic does.

The Pura Kiki also converts to a sippy cup when your baby gets older so there is no confusion on a new bottle shape and you don't have to buy a bunch of extra sippy cups, trying to find one your kiddo likes.  Plus Pura Kiki offers a lifetime warrenty on the stainless components.  Bonus!

The ProGrade Health Gentle Vibes Nail Filer

Every once in a while you will come across an item and you will think to yourself, where was this all those other times I needed it?  For my family it was the The ProGrade Health Gentle Vibes Nail Filer. You are probably thinking to yourself that I am crazy, this is just a nail file, but for a family that made their daughter wear mittens for 4 weeks, this nail file was a savior.  Unfortunately we didn't find this item until Lilly was 6 months old, but as soon as we started using it, we were hooked!  

The The ProGrade Health Gentle Vibes Nail Filer is the perfect alternative to nail clipping, which with a wiggling baby should be an Olympic sport.  Okay, slight exaggeration, but it is really hard to get those nails short without inadvertently cutting too short! 

This nail file is easy to hold and makes the nail trimming process go much faster.  And the nail file head never needs to be replaced.

Leachco Cuddle-U Nursing Pillow

Lilly loved cuddling up on her boppy pillow for an afternoon snooze fest.  But after she keep wiggling down and ended up with her face in the sides of the pillow, a very compromising position, I decided it was time to look for a new product.  But why reinvent the wheel?  Lilly loved the boppy.  What I needed was something similar...   


I promptly did some internet browsing and ventured upon the Leachco Cuddle-U Nursing Pillow.  It has the same shape as the boppy and therefore doubles as a nursing pillow but also has straps!  That's right, I can attach my baby to the pillow!  Eliminating said suffocation hazard and allowing my baby to sleep comfortably.  Score!!  
  

• Seat wrap prevents sliding out and "hugs" pillow sides inward for extra support, and it adjusts to meet the needs of both newborns and growing infants.
• Enhances digestion, helps reduce reflux, and provides that essential "cuddle me" feeling.
• Doubles as a nursing pillow, sit-up support, and tummy time aid.

Word of advice, the cover doesn't come off like the boppy so if your baby is prone to spitting up, place a burp cloth/ cloth diaper under their head. 

Lilly napped on the cuddle-U pillow for months.  As soon as she was able to sit up on her own, it was time to say goodbye.   Since it's been gone she hasn't napped nearly as well.    

     




 

GoCrib

A portable, inflatable, crib that folds into a backpack?  Hmmm, I am intrigued.  Skeptics, meet the GoCrib.

The GoCrib was created by Guava Family, a company that has roots in the kiteboarding industry.  They have utilized much of the same technology on the GoCrib to ensure it is safe, sturdy, redundant, and durable.

Who says good things can't come in small packages?  The GoCrib weighs less than 11 pounds (including crib, mattress, backpack and pump).

Plus there are no hinges and no mechanisms.  Its rounded structure is soft, strong, and safe.

• PVC Free, Phthalate Free, Lead Free non-toxic materials.
• Curved sidewalls eliminate hard edges and corners to prevent unintended bonks and bumps.
• Breathable ClearView Mesh allows for full airflow and an unobstructed view of your child, even when the side is zipped up.
• 2 independent air struts fill each leg for stength and redundancy.
• Dual-seal valves for extra safety also make inflation a snap. The air stays in as you pump.
• Anti-Puncture materials improve strength, stiffness, and prevent leaks.  

The price is steep, but due to its light weight and portability, it might just be a the best option for traveling, camping, or spending time outdoors.  Plus it is duel functioning- the GoCrib's sides can be unzipped to become a fort when the child gets older.  I love when a product has a long life :)           

Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, is a phenomenal resource for new parents.  This book was right smack in the middle of our coffee table for about 3 months after we bought Lilly home for the hospital.  


Written by two pediatricians and moms, Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality, contains everything you need to prepare for the first few months of your baby's life.  It covers it all.   Health concerns, baby's appearance, feeding, diapering, sleeping habits, dressing, traveling, sickness, and more.  This is a one stop shop for answers that you WILL have.  


It is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics so the information is up-to-date and inline with your doctor's recommendation.  

Medical Cabinet Checklist

Medical and first-aid supplies

Infants:

• Digital thermometer 
• Make sure you have one that can be used both rectally or under the armpit.
• If taken under the armpit, the rule of thumb is to add 1 degree Fahrenheit to temperature to get more accurate reading (ie if temperature under armpit is 99 degrees Fahrenheit, actual temperature is probably 99 degrees Fahrenheit).  
• Babies' non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen).
• For babies 6 months and under.
• Ibuprofen.
• For babies 6 months or older.
• Rubbing alcohol.
•  Used for disinfecting instruments (thermometer) and drying out umbilical cord stump.  
• Petroleum jelly or a water-soluble lubricant. 
• Saline drops to loosen mucus.
• Bulb syringe for removing mucus from noise.
• Note: you can request one before you leave the hospital.
•  Electrolyte solution for hydration after vomiting.
• Pedialyte was suggested by our nurse. 
• Cotton balls.
• Cotton swab.
• Nail clipper.
• Nail file.
• Mild liquid soap.
• For cleaning any cuts or abrasions.
• Hand sanitizer.
• For you!  Keep those puppies clean. 
• Gripe water, anti-gas drops, or other gas or colic remedy.
• Sunscreen.
• Try California Baby Sunscreen.
• Insect Repellent. 
• Try California Baby Natural Bug Blend Repellent.
• Shampoo or body wash.
• Lotion.
• Diaper Rash cream.
• Try Boudreaux's Butt Paste.
• Teething pain relief.
• Try Hyland's Teething Tablets.
• Toothbrush.
• Works great to as a brush to break up cradle cap.
• Baby oil or olive oil
• Softens dry skin associated with cradle cap.
• Apply 15 minutes before bath; rub into scalp to loosen dry skin. 

Children:

• Tweezers.
• Antibacterial ointment.
• Bandages.
• Adhesive tape.
• Gauze rolls (1/2 to 2 inches wide) for making bandages.
• Gauze pads (2 x 2 and 4 x 4 inches) for making bandages or applying pressure to cuts to stop bleeding.
• A pair of sharp scissors for cutting gauze and tape.
• Topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream for insect bites and rashes.
• Heating pad.
• Cold compresses.
• First-aid manual such as the American Red Cross's First Aid & Emergency Preparedness Quick Reference Guide.

The above information was featured on babycenter.