Gugu Guru simplifies collaborations with mom creators.
Teaching brands how to build mom creator communities.
Life is peachy! In honor of National Peach Month (bet you didn’t know that was even a thing!), we’ve gathered some fun peach-themed baby items.
Clockwise from Top Left:
Sweet Peach Organic Nursing Pillow Cover from By George Baby Boutique on Etsy (starting at $45)
Crocheted Peach from Rainbow Happiness on Etsy ($4)
Crib Sheet from West & Arrow on Etsy ($44)
Sweet as a Peach Print from Bellberry Lane on Etsy ($5)
Custom Allman Brothers “Eat a Peach” Onesie from Fawn & Birdie on Etsy ($18)
Continuing with our Cause-Driven Registry with Nicole Ryan, this week we feature 4moms, whose aim is to make dramatically better baby gear by leveraging robotics, technology, and innovative design to solve parents’ problems. You may have heard of 4moms before, as they are the brain behind amazingly popular baby items such as the mamaRoo, bounceRoo, and breeze playard.
The mamaRoo, one of their most famously known baby products has been a lifesaver for parents worldwide ever since it debuted on the market. The mamaRoo is unique (and much loved) because it bounces up and down and sways from side to side, just like parents do when comforting their babies. The mamaRoo features five unique motions and five speed options. Soothe your baby with one of the four built-in sounds, or connect any MP3 device to the mamaRoo. The mamaRoo seat offers full recline to allow baby to lie back and relax or sit up and play.
4moms Cares is the charitable arm of 4moms. Their mission is to dramatically impact the lives of children and families in need through meaningful product donations, hospital discounts, and by supporting our local communities.
Over 300 maternity wards, NICUs, and pediatric units across the U.S. use the 4moms mamaRoo to comfort newborns. Doctors and nurses have found it transformational in caring for preemies and babies with severe conditions such as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. 4moms Cares offers a product discount to hospitals and health care centers.
In addition to helping individual families and non-profits on a monthly basis, 4moms Cares supports organizations like Operation Shower, The Good + Foundation and Project Sweet Peas with larger product donations.
The first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week, so we wanted to share some helpful nursing essentials which you could add to your registry or gift to a new mama friend!
Sponsored Post
Bamboobies Nursing Pads: Bamboobies Nursing Pads are made of ultra-soft and soothing bamboo rayon velour, an absorbent inner layer of hemp and cotton with an outer milk-proof liner to help prevent embarrassing leaks! These nursing pads are super absorbent and eco-friendly. Bamboobies washable nursing pads come in two varieties. The ultra-thin, heart-shaped regular nursing pads are made for light leaking and are designed to be less visible through clothing. The round shaped overnight nursing pads are not only ultra-soft, but larger, thicker and super absorbent for heavy leaking and newborn nursing.
Milkies Milk-Savers: Any breastfeeding mom will tell you that they absolutely hate wasting even one drop of breast milk! Luckily, Milk-Savers by Milkies save the day! Easy to use, simply slip the Milk-Saver into your bra-cup on the non-nursing side before you breastfeed. The Milk-Saver collects the milk that is leaked when your breast milk lets down. Once you’ve finished your breastfeeding session, simply transfer the collected milk into storage containers and keep it in the refrigerator or freezer to feed your baby at a later time. Slim, durable, and portable, the patented Milk-Saver is comfortable to wear, holds a little more than 2 ounces of breast milk, and includes a protective lid to prevent milk from spilling out of the Milk-Saver during normal use. And with its stylish, durable case, your Milk-Saver will stay safe and clean when you’re on the go.
Bamboobies Nursing BRAHHH!: Bamboobies Nursing Brahhh combines the popular seamless nursing bra style with super-soft rayon from bamboo fabric. Wire-free comfort and soft support will make this bra your everyday favorite. Bamboo rayon is more breathable, softer and eco-friendly than cotton or nylon. Bamboobies Nursing Brahhh now has clasps for easy access nursing.
Beaugen Breast Pump Nipple Cushion: These breast pump nipple cushions are a universal fit, soft and stretchy which add comfort to your breast pump. Each package includes 2 nipple cushions which fit breast shield sizes 19mm-36mm. Make your time pumping more comfortable with these soft and helpful cushions!
For this week’s mompreneur spotlight, we sit down with Ericka N. Perry, CEO/Founder of The Stork Bag – the first ever reusable pregnancy subscription bag, curated with 8-12 products to meet your trimester and postpartum needs.
GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about The Stork Bag.
EP: I launched The Stork Bag in 2014 after my best friend found out she was pregnant for the first time. I remember searching for the perfect care package to send her but coming up short. During that time I discovered there was no product out there that matched my needs so after about 4 weeks of planning, The Stork Bag was born and it has been history ever since. Having the opportunity to do what I absolutely love and serve a population that I am passionate about has been the most amazing part of my journey thus far.
GG: How do you balance work and family?
I have a schedule for everything! My kids know when its snack time, bedtime, quiet/reading time, etc. I use schedules to maintain sanity but more than that, I am a person who works well with deadlines. Scheduling helps me keep everything in focus and prioritize to get things done efficiently and effectively. I also am not afraid to seek help when things start getting too busy, which is why I rely on my team to help me maintain a comfortable balance and prevent me from work-overload.
GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
The flexibility to have time to spend with my family. Although, I work harder now as a mompreneur than I ever did working outside the home, the best part is being able to somewhat dictate my own schedule. I also have a passion for motherhood and take pride in being able to help promote other women-owned brands. Being a mompreneur gives me the platform to help promote, encourage and inspire and that is what I intend to do before it’s all said and done.
See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? A DIY baby hat and personalized fabric! Read on to get the details…
I’ve never been a huge fan of the hospital hats so these are a cuter way to keep baby’s head warm! There’s a cute little knot at the top and it’s stretchy and cute! And if you make it personalized, they are also a unique and adorable way to announce your baby’s name!
We have been using the DockATot every night since we’ve been home from the hospital! Baby Mae sleeps in it and she always falls asleep really well. We swaddle her and stick her in the DockATot inside her crib. The firm cushions all around the DockATot keep her nice and cozy. I think it helps her to feel secure as she sleeps and I’m not complaining about 5-6 hour stretches of sleep!
She’s been such a great sleeper so far, I’m giving some of the credit to this thing! I also love how cute they look in it! One of the best parts about the DockATot is the removable, washable cover! There are a bunch of color options and you can buy extra covers separately! I definitely recommend getting a second cover, we had a spit up episode the first or second night and a pee episode on another day. It’s nice to not have the pressure of keeping it nice when you can just throw it in the wash!
And this baby lounger is the only place baby Mae can get a decent nap! It’s really hard for her to nap with two other crazy wild kids around. We use the DockATot also as a way to keep the baby safe on the bed or floor when other kids are around. It’s lightweight enough to tote around the house and is probably perfect for traveling, though we haven’t traveled with the new baby yet!
These knotted baby hats are SUPER easy and fast to make! It’s a great first sewing project if you’ve never sewn and I always love a good quick sewing project that you can finish while baby is napping (maybe in her DockATot, ha!).
First I’ll show you how to make the hat, then I’ll show you how to personalize solid fabric!
Materials:
-1/4 yard knit fabric
–knot hat pattern download (this will fit about newborn to 2/3 months!)
–stretch needle
Instructions:
Print the pattern at 100% (do not scale) and trim off the edges. Tape the pattern piece together and cut out the hat pattern.
Pin the pattern to 2 layers of fabric and cut out 2 pieces.
Pin the pieces together with right sides together.
Sew around the hat with a 3/8″ seam allowance
Turn the hat right side out.
Finish the bottom edge of the hat with a zig zag stitch or a serger. Press under 1/2″ at the bottom of the hat. Sew to finish hem.
Tie a knot in the top of that, leaving about an inch or so at the top.
All done!
Personalize it! To make a name hat we’ll start with the fabric before you turn it into a hat. You can either use a square of fabric 12″ by 12″ or cut the pattern pieces out and just put names on the fabric you need.
Materials:
-baby hat fabric
-vinyl cutting machine, I used a Cricut Explore Air
-vinyl + transfer tape
-fabric paint
-foam brush
Create a vinyl stencil with your cutting machine. You’ll need 2 if you’re using a standard 12″ by 12″ mat. Use transfer tape to transfer it from the vinyl’s backing to the fabric. Stick it on, making sure to press well around letter edges.
Use foam brush to dab paint into spaces.
Let dry. Peel vinyl off and make sure you get all the middles from letters like “a” and “e”. Then use your fabric to sew the hat!
That’s it!
Breastfeeding is natural, but it’s also a learned practice that can sometimes be challenging. Set yourself and baby up for success by being informed on the basics and benefits of breastfeeding before baby arrives by attending the first webinar in our three-part series on breastfeeding and pumping: Advanced Breastfeeding Class!
Details
Join us for our 2-hour Advanced Breastfeeding Class* webinar from the comfort of your own home or workplace, led by Wendy Colson, RN, IBCLC and creator of Boobie Bars. From explaining the components of breastmilk to a proper latch to solutions for common breastfeeding issues, this class goes above and beyond what is taught in a basic hospital class to help you and baby get off to the right start. We will also offer time for Q/A at the end of the class, time-permitting. Don’t miss out on our early bird pricing!
*Advanced Breastfeeding Class is part one of a three-part series, which covers setting yourself up for successful breastfeeding with a newborn. Parts Two and Three of this series will cover Pumping and Returning to Work, respectively. We are offering discounted early bird pricing, along with a discounted bundle package for those who wish to attend all three webinars. Those who purchase the bundle package will be entered to win a Lansinoh SmartPump breast pump and a supply of Boobie Bars!
Topic: Advanced Breastfeeding Class (Part I of III)
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM CDT / 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT / 10AM-12PM PDT
Pricing:
Early Bird (first 15 attendees to sign up): $40
Standard Ticket: $45
Early Bird Webinar 3-Series Bundle (first 10 attendees to sign up): $90
Standard Webinar 3-Series Bundle (first 10 attendees to sign up): $100
This class is the first in a 3-part series of breastfeeding webinars brought to you by Gugu Village – Gugu Guru’s new online support community for expecting and new moms.
Advanced Breastfeeding Class
Tuesday, August 9, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM CDT / 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM MDT / 10AM-12PM PDT
Tickets can be purchased above or here.
Continuing with our Cause-Driven Registry with Nicole Ryan, this week we feature a different kind of mission with Owlet baby monitors. Owlet aims to create the highest quality product for the value, and ultimately envisions a day where every baby goes home from the hospital with a monitor like Owlet. It’s what they call the “car seat effect”…
40 years ago, nobody used a car seat when driving with their baby. Babies were held in laps. 40 years ago, about 400 babies died each year in car crashes. Obviously, that has totally changed today. You can’t leave the hospital without a car seat. Somebody came up with the idea of an infant safety seat, something convenient that also kept your baby safe.
When we look at babies who pass away due to breathing problems, it’s about 4,000 infants per year. This is 10x more of a problem than car seats ever solved. The occurrences of healthy infants passing away at home in the crib due to breathing issues is far too high, and many of these deaths are preventable.
Owlet is working toward a future where far fewer tragedies are happening to the infants we love so much. The ability to integrate medical technology in a baby sock is going to change that. Owlet wants to create a world where every baby comes home from the hospital with a health monitor like the Owlet sock. It just makes sense. Infant health monitoring will become standard, and Owlet will be a leader in that. Owlet can provide a platform that gathers and collects data of health in the home.
Looking for a unique baby gift, or something different to add to your own baby registry? Look no further, we have some great ideas for you!
Sponsored Post
Personalized Birth Announcement Pillow from Finch and Cotter: Looking for the perfect, unique gift to celebrate a new baby? We’re loving this personalized pillow from Finch and Cotter. This pillow is totally customizable – from picking the fabric you want, to the color of the text, and obviously all the information. The pillow cover comes with a faux down insert, making this the ultimate personalized baby gift.
Lalu Wovens: If you’re a fan of baby wearing, you’re going to want to check out Lalu Wovens. These 100% cotton, breathable wraps are heirloom quality and provide the perfect amount of stretch, bounce, and support. Coming in gorgeous patterns and textures, Lalu Wovens are dedicated to giving back to the babywearing community; for every wrap purchased, they donate a portion of the proceeds to Lift Me Up, a non-profit program dedicated to providing ergonomic babywearing carriers to families who have children with special needs.
The Baby Box Co.: Inspired by the Finnish tradition of using a box for a baby bed, The Baby Box Co. has created a simple way for babies to sleep soundly, and most importantly, safely. The Bed Box serves primarily as a safe, comfortable place for infants to sleep, similar to a bassinet. Some parents keep the box next to their bed, while others use it in all rooms of the house to keep baby in while they clean, cook, or work. Once baby outgrows the box, it can easily be repurposed for clothing or toy storage!
QuickZip Crib Sheets: What’s worse than having to change crib sheets? Not much! Now, with QuickZip, all of your sheet-changing problems are gone for good! Simply drop the mattress in the base one time and never lift the mattress again. QuickZip is a patented two-piece fitted sheet with a base that stays on the mattress and a sheet that zips off and on in seconds. It is safer than traditional crib sheets because it always stays in place – no need to worry about it coming off while baby is sleeping! These would make a perfect baby shower gift for a new mama!
Are you a family who loves to travel together? You’ll want to add these functional and very stylish travel items to your baby registry! Know a new mama who is ready to take on the globe with her baby? Any one of these on-the-go items makes a wonderful baby shower gift, too!
Sponsored Post
BabyHearts Car Seat Cover: This beautiful car seat cover was designed with delicate babies in mind. It features a front panel that opens and closes with velcro tabs so you can sneak a peek at your baby whenever you want. It is fully elasticized on the bottom so it won’t flap up from the wind. The fabric is ultra lightweight, yet highly breathable, and most importantly – UPF-50 coated for sun protection! This ensures your baby is protected from the sun, bugs, wind, light rain and prying eyes at all times. This cover is perfect for travel, as it comes with a travel mesh bag for storage when not in use that fits easily in your diaper bag, pocket book or shopping bag.
guzzie+Guss Perch Chair: Perfect for families on the go, the guzzie + Guss Perch Hanging Chair is the ultimate travel companion. The Perch chair, which hangs onto any table, is wonderful because it allows for the baby to have a special place at the table with the family! This easy to clean chair attaches to most tables and folds for easy storage. A handy travel bag is included, which you’ll be able to store under the seat when not in use. It comes in a variety of colors, too!
Babymoov The Style Bag: For the chic mom who likes to make a style statement, the Babymoov Style Bag is the answer to both function and glam! The bag comes in bold patterns and bright colors, while still maintaining its practicality thanks to many storage areas, pockets and its large opening. With six different patterns which meet a variety of styles, every mama is sure to find her perfect fit.
Babymoov Glober Bag: The Babymoov Glober bag is a large backpack back with tons of storage – perfect for holding all of baby’s gear as well as your own! With two ways to carry this bag, both mom and dad will be able to travel easily with baby, whether to music class, or around the globe. It features include changing pad, insulated section, and transparent pocket, stroller harness, pacifier pocket, and more. The bag is available in three colors: black, grey, or cherry. If you’re the type of parent who loves to adventure with your little one – whether strolling in the city or hiking mountains – this bag is perfect for you!
Cuddle + Kind is known for their adorable stuffed animals, dolls and prints – all of which have a deeper meaning and give back to the larger community. Each of their dolls are ethically produced by artisans in Peru from premium natural cotton. All the dyes are non-toxic, making them a perfect soft toy for babies and toddlers. Each of their dolls and animals are available in two sizes and comes with a cute backstory and birthday. The detail into each little creature is impeccable, not one stitch was overlooked in the process! 
Each stuffed doll or animal comes with a signature quote which you can purchase in a gorgeous art print; these would make a perfect baby shower gift or nursery decor! 
The best part about Cuddle + Kind is that for every purchase of a doll, they will donate 10 meals to children in need. Throw in an inspirational quote print and you’ll be donating another 5 meals, as well! Beyond the meals, all of their hand-knit dolls are ethically produced in Peru where they provide incredible artisans with a sustainable, fair trade income.
