The Best Pacifiers, Teethers & Lovies to Check Out
Looking for the best teethers, pacifiers, and lovies for your baby? We’ve got you covered. From the budget parent to the minimalist and more, in this guide we’ve rounded up the best teethers, pacifiers, and lovies in 2018 for all types of parents according to Gugu Guru’s experts.
1. Hevea Pacifiers:
Danish designed, Hevea pacifiers are made from 100% all natural rubber latex. These pacifiers are made with a solid design so there is no concern about bacteria building up or pieces breaking off. Hevea pacifiers are soft and gentle on baby’s face thanks to the ergonomic shape and ventilation holes.
Mam works closely with dentists and orthodontist when designing each of their pacifiers to ensure the reduced risk of misaligned teeth. The Perfect pacifier is extra thin and super soft and features Mam’s ultra soft silicone nipple so it is comfy in baby’ mouth. Thanks to the extra large ventilated holes baby’s skin won’t get irritated from use.
These pacifiers are ideal for baby from birth through 3 months and are designed with a baby’s developing mouth in mind. This pacifier is one piece and can be washed in the dishwasher and is safe for sterilization. The Philips Avent Soothie is the pacifier given out at more than 2000 hospitals nationwide.
4. Sophie la Girafe:
The design of this teether has not changed in over 55 years and veteran moms have been trusting it for all those years. Thanks to the contrasting spots, squeaky sound, soft feel and perfect size for their little hands, babies love to stick Sophie against their gums for relief. Sophie is made from 100% natural rubber and foot paint so there is no strong smell or taste.
Thanks to the unique style of the Wubbanub it will help ensure the pacifier stays close to baby and will allow baby help to reposition it into their own mouth. Designed for birth through 6 months the Wubbanub is a one-piece pacifier that is made with medical grade silicone. Baby will love seeing their favorite animal and will be able grasp and manipulate the pacifier.
6. Jellycat Lovey:
These beautiful loveys by Jelly Cat are so unbelievably soft you are going to want one for yourself. Available in almost 20 animals and color varieties, the Jelly Cat Loveys can easily be matched to your nursery design. Suitable from birth these loveys will help keep your baby calm and happy as they soothe themselves against the soft fabric.
Check out more top Gugu Picks:
Dining Out Registry
If you enjoyed dining out before baby, chances are you’re going to want to continue dining out when baby comes along – and you can! We rounded up our must-have baby products for heading out to eat with baby in tow.
Inglesina Fast Table Chair: Inglesina’s Fast Table Chair fits tables up to 3.3″ thick and is perfect for use at home or while traveling. The easy twist-tight coupling is fast and secure and gives your baby a seat at the table. Complete with an integrated travel-friendly carry bag, the Fast Table Chair is easy to pack and always within reach. Ideal for babies & toddlers between 6 and 36 months, and up to 37 pounds, the durable & washable design ensures this product will serve for years.
phil&teds Lobster Clip-On Highchair: Adaptable dining in an ultra portable high chairHave lobster at the table every day! An award winning travel high chair, lobster flat packs into its own compact carry bag, measuring just 14 inch x 13 inch x 3 inch. Clip lobster on to almost any table or bench top at home or on your travel adventure, and keep your baby clean, safe and part of the family sitting right up at the table!
Itzy Ritzy Shopping Cart and High Chair Cover: The Itzy Ritzy shopping cart and highchair cover is designed to fit regular shopping carts or larger warehouse store carts and can fit two children. The cover includes padding for comfort and 2 safety belts to keep your little one(s) secure. Each Itzy Ritzy includes 2 toy loops and 2 pockets that can be used for mom or dad to store keys, phones or toy. The Itzy Ritzy can also be used to cover restaurant high chairs while dining out.
Neat Solutions Reusable Non-Slip Sili-Stick Table Topper: The Neat Solutions Table Topper is designed to provide a clean, sanitary eating surface for the little ones while dining out. Dishwasher safe and rolls up easily for travel. Adhesive strips keep them securely in place on tables because we all know children love to throw their plates and paper placemats on the floor. The engaging designs keep kids occupied so you can enjoy your meal, too. A diaper bag essential for ‘On-the-Go’ protection from germs, dirt & cleaning chemicals on restaurant and food court tables. Our Table Toppers are BPA-Free & PVC-Free.
OXO Tot Waterproof Silicone Roll Up Bib with Comfort-Fit Fabric Neck: Bib features unique combination of comfortable fabric and durable silicone which are easy to wipe clean and are machine washable. Wide, soft, food safe silicone pocket effectively catches crumbs and bib length is designed so soft pocket does not interfere with high chair tray or table. Soft fabric conforms to the body and is comfortable around baby’s neck. Strong neck closure keeps bib secure and is adjustable for comfort as baby grows; great for children 6+ months.
OXO Tot Infant Feeding Spoon with Travel Case: Compact Case conveniently stores Feeding Spoon for on-the-go meals and fits neatly into diaper bags and handbags. Soft, food-grade silicone coating feels soft on baby’s mouth, gums, and budding teeth. Each shallow spoonful portions just enough food for a baby’s mouth and prevents feeding too much at once. Soft, silicone edge is great for scraping the last bit of food from bowls or jars and is gentle enough for wiping food from baby’s mouth. Spoon’s contoured handle is angled for comfortable, easy scooping and serving.
Babyganics Hand and Face Wipes: Keep baby clean while dining out with these fragrance-free, natural hand and face wipes from Babyganics.
Need something to do at the table with baby while dining out? Check out our list of must-have baby books to bring along!
Gugu Guru Village Love: Virtual Services
Gugu Guru’s Village Love Registry is our registry of must-have items from our own community of parents. It’s all the necessities for sleep, feeding, baby gear, bathing, lounging, toddlers and more that our community would always recommend to new parents. Today we’re sharing all of the virtual services that are much-loved by the Gugu Guru community. Check out this comprehensive list of virtual services that you can access from the comfort of your couch. Plus, many discounts and special offers for Gugu Guru readers!
Arrow Birth: Virtual education and 1:1 support for every step of the parenthood path. By providing innovative education and highly-tailored support, Arrow Birth empowers families to positively adapt to any modern parenting demand. From contemplating parenthood through chasing toddlers, Arrow has families covered. Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)
Little Crown Interiors: Little Crown Interiors offers virtual child and nursery interior design nationwide. Little Crown Interiors was founded in 2008 by designer and artist, Naomi Alon. She created her design studio with a focus on nurseries and child spaces after seeing this specialized skill missing from other firms. Bringing together beauty, functionality and safety, Naomi believes in creating spaces for her clients that are unique, intentional and curated.
Lori Bregman: Lori Bregman is a renowned doula, life coach, author of Mamaste and The Mindful Mom To Be and co-founder of Seedlyfe Superfoods. With over 19 years of experience, Lori works with moms-to-be and new moms on all aspects of their personal transformation from fertility through pregnancy and into new motherhood. Lori is offering Gugu Guru readers 15% off using code mindfulmom15.
Mahaley Patel: Mahaley is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant that helps families nationwide with virtual sleep consulting. Mahaley is offering 20% off any sleep package for Gugu Guru readers, just mention “Gugu Guru Village Love”.
Momseze: Momseze is here to help new parents 24/7/365 by immediately connecting you with nurses, lactation consultants and baby care experts from the comfort of your home. Momseze is offering Gugu Guru readers 10% off a visit with code guguguru.
The Parent Collective: The Parent Collective offers judgment-free in-person and virtual prenatal and postpartum support to help you find your village. The Parent Collective is offering 10% off a class for Gugu Guru parents using code GUGU10.
The Sleep Lady: For 25 years, sleep coach, family therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mother, Kim West, aka The Sleep Lady, has personally empowered tens of thousands of families to gently find sleep, without letting their children cry it out. Kim has created and trademarked the original gentle, proven method to get a good night’s sleep for your family – The Sleep Lady Shuffle. She has sold over 140,000 copies of her sleep training book, the best-seller The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight. Her new and improved Gentle Sleep Solutions e-course is a method to get your child (ages 6 months – 6 years) to sleep without crying it out. If you only want to sleep train once, Gentle Sleep Solutions is the way to create lasting results. With 25 years of experience backing it up, you can’t go wrong! Bonus, we’re offering a $20 off coupon for Gugu Guru families with code getsleep20.
WebBabyShower: Help everyone join in the fun of a baby shower no matter where they live in the world with WebBabyShower, and celebrate a pregnancy together. Web Baby Shower is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru parents with code GUGUGURU.
Tot Squad: From pregnancy to the playground, Tot Squad connects you to experts in the parenting space, because every parent needs a squad. Whether you’re newly pregnant or already have little ones at home, Tot Squad delivers the providers you need to answer your pressing parenting questions. Connect today for peace of mind.
Boober: New parenthood can be challenging but you don’t have to do it alone. Boober connects you to the right maternal care providers for you. Boober is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru families using code GUGUGURU.
Birth Day Presence: The days of the one-size-fits-all birth are done. Run by mothers and experienced doulas, Birth Day Presence hand-selects the best ideas and techniques from a range of practices to provide smart, non-judgmental childbirth education, doula, and lactation-support services. Birth Day Presence is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru readers with code GUGUGURU.
Monica + Andy: Monica + Andy is a one-stop-shop for your growing family, including everything from nursery, baby gifts, baby clothing, mom clothing, and more. They are committed to bringing parents the highest quality items for their growing family.
Tinyhood: Tinyhood is deeply rooted in building a better way forward for parents, everywhere. Their virtual courses in baby care, feeding, nutrition, breastfeeding, and sleeping are taught by experts, giving parents the tools they need to feel confident in their parenting journey. Tinyhood is offering 15% off a course to Gugu Guru parents with code GUGU15 (expires 12/31/2020).
Gugu Guru: Of course we have to plug ourselves here. Need baby product or baby registry help? Get personalized, unbiased product recommendations tailored to meet your lifestyle needs & wants with Gugu Guru. It’s free to get started! Upgrade for additional one-on-one help and enjoy 15% OFF with code VILLAGELOVE at check out.
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Babyproofing 101
We teamed up with our friends at JPMA for some helpful babyproofing tips!
Babyproofing: 12 tips for the first 12 months
Most injuries can be prevented! Parents and caregivers play a huge role in protecting children from injuries. Choosing the right baby products for your family can be overwhelming, but safety should never be compromised. These 12 tips will get you started in the right direction for the first 12 months:
- Ideally, the best time to babyproof is early in your pregnancy before you register so you can include needed safety items on your registry list.
- The best way to babyproof? Get down on your hands and knees and think like a baby! This is a great activity for both mom and dad since males and females tend to look and inspect different aspects of the home and safety measures in general.
- Take care of all the obvious hazards such as exposed electrical sockets and blind cords, but be on the lookout for those not-so-obvious items like empty dishwashers, hanging tablecloths that can be easily pulled down, and poisonous plants.
- Babies at any age are curious and want to touch, feel, lick, smell, and listen to everything and anything they can get their little hands on. Your job is to make him or her part of your home as much as possible. After all, this new addition is not a temporary guest and should be able to safely explore every room in your home.
- Consider child-proofing an ongoing process. Monitor your child’s growth and development and always try to stay one step ahead. For example, don’t wait until your baby starts crawling to put up stairway gates. Install them in advance so the entire family gets used to them and baby doesn’t associate his new found milestone with barriers.
- If you are preparing for baby #2 or #3, don’t underestimate your “seasoned” approach to babyproofing from the first time around. In fact, having an older sibling creates additional hazards you should be aware of like small parts from toys and your toddlers ability to open doors, potty lids, and cabinets now.
- Safest Option – Keep in mind that new products meeting current safety standards are the safest option.
- Second-Hand Products – It is recommended secondhand products should not be used for baby. However, if it is necessary to use older products, make sure all parts are available, the product is fully functional, not broken, and has not been recalled.
- Register your products- Through product registration, parents can establish a direct line of communication with the manufacturer should a problem arise with a product purchased. This information is NOT used for marketing purposes.
- For the safest product use, be sure to always read and follow all manufacturers’ instructions and follow age and weight/height limitations.
- Actively supervise- watch, listen and stay near your child.
- Frequently inspect products for missing hardware, loose screws, threads and strings, holes, and tears.
JPMA is helps educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using the right baby products for your family. Play our fun, interactive hidden hazards game and visit www.babysafetymonth.org for more tips and giveaways.
Best Cool Mist Humidifier: The Crane USA Humidifier
That first cold. Oy. Poor little babe is sniffling, coughing, being introduced to devices that go up their nose—it’s not really fun. For either of you. But, the amazing part of that first cold? You learn about a laundry list of items that become your go-to sniffle staples.
One of these essentials is a cool mist humidifier, and luckily, we found the best one. Say hello to the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier—the genius, filter-free option that is the key to peaceful Zzz’s.
Moist air is essential for stuffed baby nostrils (and adult nostrils for that matter). It makes it easier to breathe, especially when you’re congested and not enjoying that new-to-you annoying feeling. It helps babes sleep better and eat with a little less frustration. Humidity also makes it easier to clean mucus-filled noses—anything to make that job easier, we’ll take it.
Since the goal is to promote sweet snoozes, the Crane’s quiet-as-a-whisper sound doesn’t interrupt babe’s favorite lullaby. Plus, unlike many other humidifiers that require a great deal of cleaning to prevent bacteria build-up, the anti-microbial material reduces mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%. It also shuts off automatically when the water level gets low—one less thing to worry about at 4 a.m.
We love the incredible range of colors and styles that beautifully complement its aesthetically pleasing design (a next-level stylish option that outdoes the bulky tank). In addition to the rainbow of awesomeness available, you can also choose from Hello Kitty, an elephant, frog, monkey and more.
If you don’t yet have a cool mist humidifier, you might want to purchase one ahead of the first cold—to avoid that midnight trip to the pharmacy. Good luck! Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Check out some of our favorite posts here:
Nursery Essentials: Crane Penguin Adorable Humidifier
Social Distancing Gift Guide AKA Virtual Hugs
Baby Keeps Getting Stuffy Nose? Try These Tips!
An At Home Sonogram Is Actually a “Thing”
Looking for an at home sonogram? If you’re in the NY Metro area, Andrea Costanzo is a registered OBGYN and founder of WOMB (stands for Wonders Of My Belly), a company that offers sonograms within your own home, servicing families across Long Island, NY*. She first started this unique service to give parents the opportunity to see and connect with their growing baby in the intimate and personal setting of their own home. Setting up in a comfy area of her clients home, she live streams the sonograms straight to their smart TV.
This at home sonogram service has been used for gender reveal parties, baby showers, Mother’s / Father’s Day gifts, personal sonogram sessions between baby and family and nursing home visits so grandparents and great grandparents can be a part of these memories. She offers discounts for military families and through the use of Facetime, brings together fathers/partners and other family member’s that cannot be present.
This at home sonogram service is needed now more than ever. Being pregnant during a pandemic obviously presents many challenges. Most doctors are not allowing any family member to present during sonograms. This means fathers/partners/siblings and other family members are missing out on these precious moments. WOMB allows these loved ones to fully experience the joys of having a baby right in the safety and comfort of their own living room with an at home sonogram!
Andrea understands the importance of connection between baby and family. As a mother and revered professional in her field, her ultimate goal is to provide an informative, intimate and relaxed environment for each of her clients by discovering and sharing the joy of having a baby!
*Currently servicing families across Long Island, NY.
Visit the WOMB website to learn more: https://www.wondersofmybelly.com
Call (631) 495-3359 or email to set up your next at home sonogram!
Follow WOMB on Instagram to learn more about Andrea’s services! @w.o.m.b_andrea
10 Best Baby Books & Music To Check Out
Our Gugu Concierge expert, covers some of our favorite baby books and music that you should definitely check out for your registry. Plus they make great gift ideas too.
BabyLit: For any parent who is a fan of classic Literature, BabyLit is a must have to start off the nursery book shelf. From Pride & Prejudice to Romeo & Juliet to Moby these beautifully illustrated board books will keep you and your little one entertained with their simple but clever text.
Goodnight Moon: Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon is simply a classic for any nursery. This ode to bedtime is soothing and gentle and the perfect way to end the day with baby.
Guess How Much I Love You: Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney is a gorgeous story of love and the bond between a parent and child. This warm, soft story and its illustrations are the perfect addition to any nursery design.
Sandra Boynton’s Greatest Hits: Volume II: But Not the Hippopotamus, The Going to Bed Book, Horns to Toes and Opposites by Sandra Boynton are all perfectly cheery and full of simple illustrations that will delight baby. The simple rhymes of these books can be perfect for playtime or bedtime.
On the Night You Were Born: On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman is a beautiful story of magic and unconditional love. This book may just leave you in tears as it you walk down memory lane sharing it with baby.
Look, Look: Look, Look by Lienthal is a high contrast black and white book that even the youngest babies can see and appreciate. This board book which just has a few words on the page introduces baby to the world around them in a super stylish way.
We’re Going On a Bear Hunt: We’re Going On a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen is a beautiful story of a brave family’s adventure. This simple, repetitive rhyme has been loved by kids for more than 30 years and the soft illustrations keeps baby and parents wanting more.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition: The Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition is a great way to ensure you always have music at the ready for your little one. Whether you want to have a dance party on a tough night or have lullabies ready for bedtime, the Echo Dot will easily play thousands of songs. As your baby grows, the Echo Dot Kids Edition will allow you to put on parental controls for daily time limits and review activity.
Spotify “New Baby” Playlist: You can play sweet, soothing music for your baby straight from your phone using Spotify. Using playlists such as “New Baby” will give you hours of classical music and lullabies that will fill the nursery with music perfect for baby.
Rockabye Baby: Rockabye Baby makes rock music baby-friendly and kids music adult-friendly by taking the rock music parents love and transforming it into soothing instrumental lullabies. Available in CD or MP3 versions parents can choose from everything from Tom Petty to Laga Gaga to Johnny Cash.
Real Mom Review: Zoe XLC Single Stroller
Our Real Mom Reviewer, Shawna, is crazy about the Zoe XLC Single Stroller! Shawna tried the Babyzen Yoyo and the Mountain Buggy Nano V2, but feels the Zoe is superior to the competition. Read her thoughts and details about the Zoe XLC below.
Shawna W.: “Not only is the Zoe sleek looking but it is the easiest umbrella stroller to use by far. With one simple movement, you can open and close it. It also folds up to be extremely compact with a strap that allows for easy carrying. I have tried two other popular brands and the Zoe has exceeded both in appearance and practicality. For a mom on the go, I would highly recommend this product!”
What you need to know about the Zoe Stroller:
- The Zoe Stroller is great for travel and everyday use.
- It only weighs 11 pounds, accommodates a child up to 50 pounds and features an amazing canopy.
- When folded, the stroller fits in a small trunk or overhead compartment of an airplane.
Click here to add the Zoe XLC Stroller to your registry.
JPMA Baby Safety Tips: Safe Sleep Basics
We teamed up with our friends at JPMA to share some safe sleep basics!
Safe Sleep Basics
You have been waiting to meet baby for nine months. You purchased the best baby gear, carefully decorated the nursery, and stocked up on diapers and baby wipes. But, despite all this preparation, you’re feeling a little overwhelmed now that baby is here.
One of the main safety areas most parents are concerned with is a safe sleep environment. After all, this is the one place baby is typically apart from you. Here are a few answers to some common new parent sleep questions to ease the uncertainty:
Can my baby sleep anywhere the first few months? The safest place for an infant to sleep is in a crib that is JPMA certified, which means it meets government AND industry standards. The practice of bed sharing with your infant, is controversial, a personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons, and consider room sharing as a safer alternative.
Is it safe for my baby to sleep on her tummy?
Healthy infants should always sleep on their backs, unless otherwise advised by a pediatrician. Also, baby should always sleep in a full-sized crib that meets Federal and ASTM standards. Make sure baby’s crib is a safe sleep environment by removing all blankets, toys and pillows.
So, what can I do with all the blankets and toys I received as gifts?
Although you should never put extra blankets and toys inside the crib, you can still use them to liven up the nursery. Hang your beautiful blankets on the wall as art until your child can use them in their toddler bed. Use decorative pillows to support your back and legs while using a rocker or glider. Use that blanket for tummy time. Let baby play safely with toys under adult supervision, but keep the toys out of the crib.
How long should my baby sleep?
Infants sleep an average of 16 hours per day, which is a total of 8 hours during the night and another 8 hours spaced out throughout the day. Remember that all babies are different and your child could sleep two hours more or less than the average 16 hours.
Can I use my family’s heirloom crib? Although that heirloom crib holds sentimental value, age is a factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, the CPSC recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Most crib complaints involve secondhand or used cribs misassembled or modified with makeshift hardware. Homemade remedies or fixes to cribs are NOT a safe alternative.
Did you know manufacturers often post or attach instructions to the mattress platform so they are easy to find when the crib is re-assembled for later use? Instructions can also be found on the manufacturer’s website.
JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using the right baby products for your family. Learn more safety tips for cribs and other baby products at www.babysafetmonth.org.
