Home & Family

Juju Band Creators Bring Baby Belly Binding Tradition to New Generation

Cash for your car

Julio Guerra and Julie Acevedo know the importance of the long-time Latin tradition belly binding and have created Juju Band, a modern version with cute designs for those looking to carry on the practice on with their babies.

What is Belly Binding?

Belly binding has been used by many cultures around the world for more than 100 years and is still used today for newborns and infants. The Juju Band gives newborns a covering, allowing some relief from that constant contact from diapers and clothing, helping decrease the chance of infection and irritation. To help your baby achieve an “innie” belly button and heal after birth, one can employ Juju’s Newborn Navel Protector as well.

“Belly binding is something that we have practiced in my family for generations,” JuJu Band Co-­Founder Julie Acevedo explained, “but it wasn’t until recently that we felt like we truly perfected the art, and now we’re excited to share what we recreated!”

The belly binding is complete with an adjustable Velcro strap ,which is specially approved for cancer and burn patients, meaning it is extremely safe to use; making it convenient and easy for any family to use. The piece is handcrafted and simple, perfect for the on-the-go and busy family dynamics seen today. Juju Bands also have a cotton layer that is machine washable. The snugness of this protection also helps soothe colicky babies and those who fuss.

“It is critically important to keep the navel well protected and secure as the ‘stub’ prepares to fall off,” Acevedo said. “Even as it falls off, the JuJu Band is still helpful in reducing the risk of infection or irritation in newborns. And the infant belly binder offers immeasurable benefits when it comes to relieving colic.”

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvVt5b-4sr8[/youtube]

Juju Band’s Available Products

Made from the highest quality material in the U.S., Juju Band is bringing this tradition to the modern family. The Juju Binder (priced from $10.50 – $15.50) comes in a variety of styles and sizes: a Boys Collection (0-3 months), Girls Collection (0-3 months), Melrose Collection (0-3 months) and a Unisex Collection (0-3 months).

Juju also carries a Bib line ($9.50) with six styles, all made of cotton and machine washable. The Juju Blankie ($34.50) gives babies a nice and soft security blanket with available matching bib—six styles in the Blankies too. Nighttime means babies need a matching soft and fuzzy Juju Comforter ($34.50), and for the Juju babies that need everything, gift sets ($53 – $78) are available, mixing the 100 percent machine washable items into one collection.

Giving Your Baby the Gift of Juju Band

In three steps the signature, 100 percent eco-friendly Juju Bands can be put on your baby. First, place the Juju Band under the child. Next, bring both of the ends together to fasten securely. Finally, the fit should be snug, but not too tight for the baby.

Juju Band creators Julie Acevedo and Julio Guerra.

Juju Band creators Julie Acevedo and Julio Guerra.

In Culver City, Calif.-based Juju Band’s official website, customer testimonials explain the impact these cotton pieces have had on their children, including customer Bobby Murrietta from San Fernando, Calif. He says, “I had heard of [JuJu Band] from my family members and decided to try it…it gave me comfort in knowing my son’s belly stump would be protected from germs and particles in the air. I continued to use this when he was an infant for his colic. Two uses in one? That was convenient for me!”

Luis Figureroa from Moreles, Mexico said, “When I grew up my grandparents used marbles to hold our navel in to create an innie belly button. My parents started to use a binder instead and all of the children have innie belly buttons. That is the main reason my parents used it, and that is the main reason my wife and I used it. It did help with the baby gas—that was an extra.”

They Put the ‘Ju’ ‘Ju’ in Juju

Julie Avecedo and Julio Guerra are the co-founders of Juju Concepts LLC, the parent company for Juju Band. Julie wanted to share the important family tradition with others and keep the practice alive in Central America. President of Juju Concepts Julio Guerra first worked in the fashion industry before working in entertainment and television. They each saw the Juju Band as a way to bring back “the forgotten age-old tradition, viewing the endless possibilities.”

For more information and to purchase the Juju Band products, visit www.Juju.com. The products also are available on Sears.com.

About the author

Mandy Rodgers