Gugu Guru

Gugu Concierge: Baby Planner Spotlight

Julie McCaffrey
BabyNav Baby Planners
New York, NY
Service Area: New York Tri-State Area

How did you get into maternity consulting/baby planning?
I founded BabyNav after being a full time working mom in a demanding environment through both my pregnancies (including one set of twins) and experiencing the overwhelming load that can bring. My previous career had been based on research, organization and project management and when I applied those qualities to my pregnancies I felt much more at ease and prepared. Being able to take those qualities and apply them to baby planning and to helping new parents is a dream come true and fuels me to learn more and provide better service to each family that I have the pleasure of working with. At BabyNav, we have a true love and passion for everything maternity and baby related. We look forward to sharing our knowledge, experience and expertise with expecting parents while they navigate the process of selecting the right baby gear for their family and preparing for their new arrival.

What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
The absolute most rewarding thing about my job is when we start working with new parents and you can see their shoulders relax, hear their laughter and know that they are less stressed and able to enjoy the journey of pregnancy. It is a very special time for the families that we work with and I feel privileged that they let us play such an integrated role in that.

Are there any local businesses or individuals who offer services for new parents that you’d like to give a shout-out to?
If new parents are expecting twins, Natalie Diaz is the expert to turn to. Her online and NYC classes are filled with information for those expecting parents to get ready to bring multiple babies home. Twiniversity is a great resource and support system for twin parents.

What is one essential product that you find yourself recommending to almost all parents for their baby registries? Why do you love it?
The Skip Hop Pronto seems to go right onto every registry that I create. It is a simple product but the extra wide, always clean place to change baby can be a real saver for parents on the go. I love that it is easy to clean, holds what parents need for a few diaper changes and both mom dad are happy to use it !

Top Product Picks
1. NoseFrida Snot Sucker
2. aden & anais Serenity Star
3. Skip Hop Pronto
4. Boon Grass and Stem
5. Boba Wrap

Mompreneur Spotlight: Samantha Rudolph of Babyation

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Samantha Rudolph actually came up with the idea for Babyation before she ever had a baby. She was reading a New York Times article that was lamenting the current state of breast pumps, and she was appalled at how little they’d changed over the years. She turned to her engineer husband and asked if he thought he could build something better. And from there, Babyation was born. Samantha is here today to discuss how she runs her own business and balances motherhood; she has a little one of her own now, Exton, and is so excited to bring a better breast pump to the market! You can follow Babyation on their website, Instagram, or Facebook.

GG: How and why did you start Babyation?

SR: I certainly never saw this one coming! They say necessity is the mother of all inventions, and in my case, it was the prospect of being a mother that prompted this business. A few years ago, I stumbled upon an article that highlighted the shortcomings of breast pumps. Even though a family wasn’t yet on our radar, I knew at some point I wanted to a) be a mother, b) continue working, and c) feed my hypothetical baby breast milk. I had zero knowledge of breast pumps prior to reading this piece, and I was horrified by what my future would look like. Lucky for me, I’m married to a gifted engineer who immediately said, “I can build something better.” And thus, Babyation was born!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

SR: Well, it helps that I absolutely love what I’m doing — both personally and professionally. I wouldn’t trade my baby or Babyation for anything. Co–founding this company is a privilege, and I am acutely aware of how fortunate I am. But, starting a business isn’t for the faint of heart — especially if you have a family. The pressure to succeed is extraordinary.

I do think there’s this misperception that often comes with being a mompreneur or running a business. Yes, I have a ton of flexibility in my schedule, and yes, I get to spend more time with my son than I would if I had a more traditional office job. I don’t ever take that for granted. Exton is the best thing I have ever done, and the title I am most proud of is Mom. I very clearly have that priority established in my life, and I make no apologies for it.

I also know that I don’t feel like myself unless I’m working and creating something from scratch. That is a very personal decision, and I completely support a woman doing whatever is right for her and her family. But for me, I’m a better mom because I work, and the flip side of a flexible schedule is that every second I’m not working on Babyation is a second I get behind in something. That’s just the reality. So for me, I make other trade offs. I refuse to shortchange my son or my startup. That means that I sleep very little. I no longer work out. I don’t see my friends as much as I would like. Laundry piles up, and the cleaning doesn’t get done. There are only 24 hours in each day, and I have to prioritize.

I’m well aware that this delicate balance only works because of the people around me. My husband, who is also my business partner, is an amazing dad. I can leave town on a business trip and not for one second worry about Exton. We moved in with my parents when we got serious about making Babyation a success. It allowed us to both commit to the company full-time without worrying about keeping a roof over our heads, and it gave us two more sets of hands to help with the baby. There is absolutely no way we could do this without them. When we’re successful, it will be in no small part due to them.

GG: What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

SR: I have the best and worst boss in the world!

Kidding aside, the best thing about running THIS business is the incredible moms I have encountered. I am inspired by every single interaction I have. I can have the worst day ever, and then I read an email or a Facebook message about how this will change someone’s life. That’s just humbling. Something I’m doing can have a tangible impact for someone. She might be able to feed her baby breast milk longer. She may have the tool she needs to grow in her career. She might be able to feel like herself by getting out of the house. I don’t for one second forget who I am doing this for. And that makes every sacrifice, every setback, and every tradeoff worth it.

Mom Stories with Laura Novak Meyer, Founder of Little Nest Portraits

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Today we are so excited to have a guest blogger, Laura Novak Meyer, the founder and CEO of Little Nest Portraits. Laura’s here today to talk about her struggle with infertility and her journey to where she is today. We especially love her message to any women out there who are struggling with infertility this Mother’s Day. Little Nest Portraits is a boutique photography studio that offers stellar imagery in a relaxed atmosphere, where families have the chance to slow down and enjoy the experience.

Becoming a mother was a long journey for my family, as I know it has been for so many people. For years we celebrated with others as pregnancy announcements appeared, waiting patiently for our time to come. As a children’s photographer, the reminder that we were struggling with fertility was daily and stinging.

Today, with our happy-surprise-three-year-old and our angel-baby-four-year-old, struggling with infertility seems like a lifetime ago – something that happened to someone else. Grief and sadness have since been replaced with the the happy challenges of dinnertime chaos, temper tantrums, and toy cleanup. When I am asked about my own struggle, I grieve for the moms-to-be whose hearts are heavy with the hole of yearning to be a mother.

The time is dark and lonely and a rollercoaster of emotions– hope, loss, grief, worry, hope again… After several losses, surgeries, and treatments, my husband and I felt (and still feel) so fortunate for the amazing medical care and caring doctors who have helped us along our journey and supported us through such an emotional process. When we finally entered into the second trimester with our first child (now three and a half!) we felt an overwhelming feeling or relief that I still struggle to describe. It was a milestone we’d hoped and prayed together for many months.

During fertility treatments I worried constantly. I worried if we would ever get pregnant again or if it was just a fluke. I worried about other options for our family and how hard that might be, how long that could take. My mind was a constant swirling bowl of worry.

But then, a friend who went through IVF gave me some amazing advice:

“For us, we worried about getting pregnant. And then during your pregnancy you will worry… when your child is born you will worry, when your child goes to school you will worry. So it’s best to learn how to cope with the worry now because it is the reality of being a mother.”

Now that my two children are off to preschool and without me many days of the week, I deeply understand this amazing lesson. And I also get how hard it is to grasp when you are in pain and dealing with the ups and downs of infertility. I can’t help but wonder why I (and so many others) was given this journey. In a way, I truly believe it was to teach me that some things are completely out of my control. To let life lead me, rather than the other way around.

Mother’s Day can be particularly painful for those who are still longing for a complete family of their own. It’s hard to know how to support someone who is struggling with infertility if you haven’t experienced it yourself. Friends who are most helpful tend to be those who don’t make suggestions, don’t make value statements, and don’t try to offer solutions. They just listen and offer compassion. If you have someone in your life who is struggling with infertility, letting them talk while you listen and say “I’m so sorry you are going through this” is so helpful. Even a simple “what can I do?” means so much.

If this is your journey – I have no great pieces of advice–just a desire to share my own story with you, my compassion and my love to you. And a final hope that anything I have shared here is at all helpful this coming Mother’s Day.

April Showers Style for Rainy Days

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April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, we rounded up our favorite April showers style picks for mama and baby. You don’t have to stay inside on rainy days, as long as you’re prepared, have fun jumping in the puddles with your little one!

3-in-1 Maternity Parka, Seraphine: This ingenious maternity coat is faux-fur lined throughout the body, with drawstring ties at the hemline and empire waist for a fit that’s flattering, flexible and fully adjustable throughout your nine months. The soft cotton outer is treated with a water-resistant coating to keep you and your bump warm and dry whatever the weather. After baby is born, simply zip on the kangaroo panel at the front to fit easily over your baby sling or front carrier. Also lined in soft faux-fur, the baby wearing insert features a section for baby’s feet, and can be worn open or zipped all the way up to protect baby from the elements.

Color Changing Raincoat, Holly and Beau: This toddler raincoat is not only adorable (they have a variety of ridiculously cute designs), but get this – it changes color when it’s wet! This pack away kids raincoat magically changes color when it comes into contact with water, returning to the original color once dry. This exciting process is repeated each time. It provides great lightweight protection against the elements and can be neatly stowed away in a convenient bag attached to the back of the coat.

Baby Rainboots, Bogs: Bogs is known for their sturdy footwear with adorable designs. Their baby boots come in a plethora of cool designs. They are 100% waterproof and made from 3mm Neo-Tech™ insulation with a plush cozy lining. They’re also machine washable and feature easy pull-on handles.

What’s a rainy day without some cute onesies? We love this umbrella onesie and rain cloud one, too.

Infants’ and Toddlers’ Discovery Rain Jacket, LL Bean: Every baby and toddler must have a classic LL Bean rain slicker! Isn’t that written in to some sort of baby law somewhere? This rain jacket, which runs from 6 months through 4T comes in 4 bright colors and is perfect for rainy day adventures.

Stroll + Go On-Call Hand Muff, Skip Hop: No need to worry about getting your hands and phone wet if you get trapped in the rain! Baby may be covered in the stroller, but now your phone and hands can be covered too. Talk, text and stay toasty with this fleece-lined, water-resistant stroller hand muff. It features an innovative clear zip pocket that lets you see and operate your phone through the window, with a special port for headphones. Securely attach it to any stroller with the snap-together tabs so you can stay warm and “on call” as you stroll.

Product Discovery: Milk Street Cribs

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-Sponsored Post-

Milk Street understands very well that a crib is one of the most important purchases a parent can ever make. As they say, “It’s the only place where you will leave your baby unattended for up to 8 hours at a time. You want that place to be a haven; safe, comfortable, and beautiful.” This is why Milk Street’s mission is to create beautiful nursery furniture that doesn’t sacrifice safety for design.

It’s not surprising that Milk Street was created by a mother; when founder Julie Knisley became a mother she realized that the crib would be the only place her baby would be left unattended. Julie set out to create a crib line with the utmost of safety standards and the high-end designer look. Julie first began sketching cribs in a park in downtown Boston off of Milk Street and this is how Milk Street Baby earned its name. Milk Street allows Julie to bring her two passions together, crib safety and high-quality designs.

All of their furniture is hand-built just for you! As they say, “Just like pregnancy, all good things take time!” Once you place your order for Milk Street cribs and furniture, it will take about 12-16 weeks to build. However, they will be in constant communication throughout the process and inspections. Milk Street takes pride in the materials they utilize and safety tests their products endure. Raw materials are scrutinized and rigorously tested, more than 20 sets of hands will touch your crib during its hand finishing process.

Milk Street has a variety of crib and furniture styles, for nurseries of all design concepts, whether traditional, modern, casual, or contemporary. And, as most parents know, any baby related purchase seems like throwing money away because you use it for such a small amount of time in the larger scheme of your child’s life, however, Milk Street cribs are an amazing investment. Why? Milk Street creates furniture that is truly transitional and can follow your child from birth to teenage years. All of their cribs can convert from crib, to toddler bed to daybed and then double bed! As Milk Street says, “We blur the lines, giving you the ultimate freedom to design the nursery of your dreams.”

You can find Milk Street on their Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Thank you to Milk Street for making this sponsored post possible.

A Darling First Birthday Party Registry

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While Gugu Guru is known for being a baby registry, one of the benefits of being able to add products from anywhere on the internet, is using Gugu Guru as registry beyond pregnancy. The lovely and talented Christine Lakin, known for her delightful and sassy character Al on Step by Step is all grown up and a mama to the gorgeous Georgia James. When time came to plan for Georgia’s first birthday party, Christine worked with Gugu Guru on creating a first birthday party registry. We wanted to make sure that the gifts Georgia got for her birthday would last long beyond the party, so we searched high and low for both fun, and evergreen baby toys. Plus, we helped Christine find amazing party decor and it was so easy to add it to her registry, even the fun Etsy finds!

Want to see more of Christine? Check out the premier of her new show Hollywood Darlings, with Beverly Mitchell and Jodie Sweetin, premiering on POP TV, Wednesday April 12th at 8PM EST. Very excited to see our favorite childhood stars together for this unscripted look at Hollywood life and parenthood.

The theme of Georgia’s party was Owls, so Gugu Guru looked for pretty owl party decor! Georgia had two lovely cakes, one of which was topped by an owl from KrisKropMemories, and the banner is from one of our favorite Etsy shops, Kiss Me Kate Studio. The high chair banner was also from KrisKrop Studios. We wanted to make sure the birthday girl had something she could really drink out of, and Tervis happened to have lovely owl themed sippy cups and tumblers for mom and dad, too!

The birthday girl wore a personalized outfit from Sweet Family Crafts, and a sweet little crown headband from Mosey Handmade.

We worked with Christine on picking out gifts for Georgia which she could grow, grow, grow with! Little Bee Books sent over an awesome assortment of toddler books, and Raffi sent over his Owl Singalong CD (perfect, right?) – books and music are two things which never get old with kids! Melissa and Doug were kind enough to gift Georgia the ultimate pink kitchen, and Skip Hop sent over a ton of owl themed kid-life necessities, backpack, thermos, dishes and more. A wonderful way to commemorate an owl of a party!

Real Mom Review: Meddy Teddy

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Glowing mama Cristina Meloy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. Here she shares her thoughts on the addition of Meddy Teddy to her yoga-loving family. Disclaimer: It is important to note that Cristina is not a yoga instructor nor is she a physician. Consult your doctor before trying these poses or before any physical activity before, during or after pregnancy.

When we received our Meddy Teddy it was the first time my Julianita voluntarily did a yoga pose with me. She was so excited about her new teddy so I showed her how he could do some yoga. I was sooo excited about her doing this that I forgot to do the pose myself! This is one overjoyed mama!

Meddy Teddy is a fun way to teach yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. He is a role model and cOMpassionate buddy for young ones, helping them lead healthier, more mindful lives.

Meddy has an internal frame allowing him to bend into lots of yoga positions. He is happy doing yoga with a room full of kids or sitting in lotus on your desk.

Meddy is here to make yoga, meditation, and mindfulness cool and fun. A great teaching tool and supremely soft.

I can’t say enough about this bear. It’s been one of the greatest additions to our yoga family. First off, he’s so so sweet, he just inspires love. Second, the girls absolutely adore sitting on the mat with him and coming up with poses they can all do.

He’s really helped with involving them in my practice and perhaps with the beginning of their own practice. We’re in love!

Bio: Born and raised in Costa Rica, Cristina Meloy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and has loved her yoga journey during pregnancy and motherhood. Follow her on Instagram at @crismeloy

Mom Style: goodbody goodmommy Multitasking Cardigan

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If there’s one thing any parent knows it’s that multitasking is the key to survival with a baby! When it comes to mom-style, it’s not always easy to find postpartum clothing which not only makes mom feel and look great, but is functional too. However, the dynamic duo of a mom and midwife teamed up to create the goodbody goodmommy Multitasking Cardigan. With a unique point of view, designing the cardigan from all perspectives, this stylish piece of clothing is a must-have for any woman.

The beauty of this cardigan lies in the simplicity of its multi-functional design; made from 90% modal and 10% spandex, this cardigan isn’t just functional, but feels amazingly soft on your skin as well. This made in the United States cardigan is a brilliant investment as a wardrobe staple, as it will transition smoothly through all the journeys in a woman’s life. What woman doesn’t have a black cardigan as a staple piece of clothing? Exactly! However, this cardigan does it all.

As a maternity piece, you’ll feel sleek and chic, even with your belly popping out, as the arms are fitted and long, to contribute to a sleek silhouette. If you’re cold, you can simply wrap the cardigan around your baby bump – and many moms find this is a perfect accompaniment to gym attire, as it doesn’t wrinkle!

Once you have the baby, we love the fact that the cardigan has two giant pockets! Perfect for holding a pacifier, nursing pads, chapstick, or even a snack. Time to feed baby? No worries, goodbody goodmommy has you covered. Simply find the loop under the shoulder and fasten it to the button on the opposite side to create a discrete and comfortable cover. Whether you’re breast or bottle feeding, it’s a wonderful way to have a little extra coverage and warmth for your little one. Babywearing? Don’t forget your goodbody goodmommy cardigan, as it’s light enough to comfortably wear while wearing baby, and can easily wrap around your little one as you wear them. Spouse surprise you with date night? Grandma’s got baby, and you have a comfortable and sexy cardigan to head out in – with its well designed cut, you’ll feel put together and stylish all night long!

The cardigan is designed to be paired with everything from workout clothes to jeans or even a dress. Some moms even bring it to the hospital to deliver in! Just like you’ve waited forever to meet your baby, now you can meet your forever-cardigan with goodbody goodmommy’s multitasking cardigan.

You can find goodbody goodmommy on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Product Discovery: Freemie Collection Cups

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It’s hard to imagine something being a game changer when it comes to pumping, but Freemie Collection Cups are indeed a game changer. Imagine the freedom of hands-free pumping, while wearing most any bra you want and keeping your shirt on! The cups each hold 8 oz and are designed to slip right into your bra. Once securely in your bra, you just insert the tube into the top of the cup and start pumping!

We won’t go so far as to say that no one will know, but the cups do allow for discreet pumping. They also allow you to go about your day while pumping – hold your little one in your arms, do your makeup, work at your desk, or entertain everyone who has come to ooh and ahh over your new arrival instead of hiding out in another room to pump.

The cups are designed for easy pouring – leaving the cups intact, simply take the tubing out and easily pour right into a storage bag or bottle. It is recommended that you hand wash them in hot, soapy water, so no waiting for a dishwasher cycle!

Freemie Hands Free Collection Cups are included with all Freemie pumps, but can be purchased separately and are compatible with many of the most popular pumps. The Freemie Collection Cups Deluxe Set comes with two 8-ounce collections cups and two sets of breast funnels (25 mm and 28 mm).

Pumping & Storing Webinar

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Pumping & Storing Webinar | Wednesday, April 26th | 6-7pm ET | FREE

Join us for our Pumping & Storing webinar with Victoria Facelli, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and DONA International Certified Postpartum Doula!

Whether you’re pumping to boost your supply, to build up a stash of frozen milk, or because you prefer to bottle feed your breastmilk, the thought of pumping can be daunting. Will it hurt, how long should you pump, how do you store the milk? From flange size to freezers, the webinar will help ease your mind and teach you what you need to know about pumping and storing your milk. There will be Q/A, time permitting.

This webinar is sponsored by jay elle by J.L. Childress.

Attendees will be entered to win the following:

Breast Pump Bag of her choice from jay elle by J.L. Childress
Bamboobies prize pack: nursing shawl, nursing pads and nipple balm
(5) Bamboobies combo packs: nursing pads and boob♥ease™ organic pumping lubricant

Click here to register:

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