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total and I love meeting people. MINI: As the go-to expert in the baby gear field, tell us what is important to keep in mind when shopping for baby gear. JG: SUPPORT LOCAL RETAIL. They train employees better and you will get better support from stores when you support local or specialty retail. Amazon certainly doesn’t have Child Passenger Safety Technicians on staff to help you test car seats. You don’t deliver your baby online, why would you buy all your baby things that way? Go play with things! Also keep your lifestyle and budget at the forefront. There are a few categories where investing really is worth it. MINI: We adore following your role as Uncle Jamie on social media! How were you able to help your sister with all things baby when the time came? JG: I’m obsessed with my family. Companies were, and are, incredibly generous with her and us. Aside from gear, I had top experts in their fields in my phone and email, so if Jennifer had questions, I had access to crazy resources. Resources I still go to when I have questions people bring up on Facebook. MINI: You must love being an uncle! What are your favorite aspects of being involved with your nieces and nephew? JG: Love isn’t strong enough. Those kids are my heart. When their little arms hug me, or they dogpile on me, or we sit and watch movies... there’s nothing better. I love them so much I am worried my heart might explode when I have kids of my own. MINI: You’ve been busy lately! Talk to us about your new series on Ulive.
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M I N I h o l i d a y ‘13
JG: Scripps found me in the Fall of last year—
on Instagram—they [were] launching a lot of parenting and healthy-living content. They had been monitoring me for a bit and studying how I operated... and they liked me. So I said “yes.” MINI: What would you say is the most rewarding part of your job? Does any one moment stand out from your career thus far? JG: As my social media following goes up (hopefully it continues) and I travel all over the country again next year with events every month, I feel very fortunate that I can educate people on safety and products in an entertaining way. I recently spoke at an event in NYC and after I walked a mom through how to use her car seat; she realized she’d been doing it wrong. That is what is rewarding. If one person feels more confident in what they are doing, all the travel and crazy hours I keep are worth it. MINI: SO much baby gear will be purchased this holiday season. What do you want people to know? JG: Don’t use buntings in car seats. You can’t get the harnesses tight enough. NOTHING goes between your kid’s back and the car seat. Find other options, and there are PLENTY, to keep your kid warm in their car seat. MINI: When it comes to new parents, they love to be informed. What must they learn how to do? JG: Learn how to use your car seat and stroller before the baby is born— it will ease your mind. Also, get the number of a great IBCLC and have it on-hand at all times. It will help with your breastfeeding success and we all want that. ■