Baby Registry

Must Have Essentials: Baby Basics

When it comes to Baby Basics, what are the essentials you need to add to your registry? We asked our seasoned baby planners what their top picks are for Baby Basic Must Have Essentials!

Jessica Zablan, The Birth & Baby Company –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: At The Birth & Baby Company, we make sure every baby registry has the FridaBaby 1st Aid Kit. You can never go wrong with their amazing nose sucker! It might be weird but it WORKS!

Amber Michels of Your Milk Shoppe –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: NoseFrida– this is a must and will contribute to parents and baby’s good night sleeps! It is not only safe, but super effective. Halo Sleepsack Newborn Multi-Way Cotton Swaddle– with so many swaddles, this is one that you can count on to keep your baby comfortable and secure. The Baby Shusher– white noise that works, ensuring your baby is soothed and sleeping!

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: When it comes to basics, there’s one item at the top of my list: swaddle blankets. These can be used to swaddle (duh!), as a soft place for tummy time (ooh!), as burp cloths (nice!)… and the list goes on and on! My favorites are the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Blankets, which are larger than most, soft, and breathable. Plus they come in lots of fun patterns and designs in every color. These are definitely a must have basic for new moms.

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth and Baby –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: I have two (smaller registry items, but still super helpful!) – the Boon grass drying rack which is great to dry bottles and/or breast pump accessories after washing, and the other would definitely be the NoseFrida – it’s the most amazing snot sucker on the market!

Olivia Howell, Gugu Guru’s Editor in Chief –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: I always had to have a super soft baby blanket around; we used them as burp cloths, blankies, even a makeshift diaper once or twice!

Alexa Rubin, Gugu Guru Business Development –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: Baby mittens are a must! Babies tend to scratch themselves and these are a lifesaver.

Need some more help with your registry? Check out these posts from our baby planners:

Adorable photos from Pics and Paws Photography

This post contains affiliate links.

Must Have Essentials: Early Feeding for Babies

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There are two questions we often get from new parents when it comes to building a registry: one, “what will I need to feed my newborn?” And, the follow up, “can I register for items for early feeding of solid foods?” To which we always say, of course! However, there are must have essentials for each of those topics – and we asked our amazing baby planners for their picks for early feeding, when it comes to infants and babies. Don’t forget to add these picks to your registry!

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: My top pick for an early feeding item is the Boppy! As a mom of twins I had two Boppy’s which helped greatly while I was trying to feed my little ones. For those nursing, the My Breast Friend or Twin-Z Pillow are also great pillows to help support you and your children!

Tina Morton, Cloud Nine Birth Services –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: The ezpz Happy Mat for baby is the best for little eaters! This unique placemat sticks to eating surfaces without adhesives and has different compartments for all types of food. Another plus, it’s super easy to clean!

Jessica Zablan, The Birth & Baby Company –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: Baby Led Weaning (BLW) is a great to introduce food to your baby. BLW allows them to play with the food and for them to learn to put food into their own mouths. There website has some great resources.

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth and Baby –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: the Beaba baby food maker for stage 1 foods (steams and purées all in one) and the ezpz Happy Mat all in one mat/bowl combos – super cute and super functional for those first finger foods!

Amber Michels of Your Milk Shoppe –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding:

Your Milk Shoppe’s one “must have” essential for feeding is the Lactalite Breast Pump Device. Lactalite Breast Pump Lights were created out of necessity. Dr. Patrick O’Malley watched as his wife, Kelly, was struggling to see whether or not she was producing milk while pumping. Juggling a breast shield and bottle with one hand and the LED light of her iPhone in the other, they both agreed that there was a better way. They created an easy to use light, attached it to the breast shield, and in Kelly’s words, “This literally changed my breast pumping experience on the spot. I felt that I had to use the Lactalite every time I pumped, day and night, it was that helpful.”

Victoria Zimmerman, Aspen Baby Planners –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: I can’t recommend aden+anais Burpy Bibs enough! Their unique shape keeps them on your shoulder when feeding, burping, and even when bending over to put baby down (there’s nothing worse than a burp cloth that’s constantly falling off and landing on your little ones face!). Pro-tip: stick to the cotton; the bamboo ones shrink up when washed!

Victoria Facelli, Durham Lactation –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: I love a sturdy flat breastfeeding pillow like My Breast Friend as you learn to feed your wiggly new baby. I think a water bottle with a straw is essential because breastfeeding makes you so thirsty!

Olivia Howell, Gugu Guru’s Editor in Chief –

Must Have Essential for Early Feeding: I formula fed all my boys and found the Dr. Brown’s Formula mixing pitcher was so helpful for middle of the night feeding.

See also: Dr Brown’s for Formula Feeding

Photos via Pics and Paws Photography

Colgate Mattress: Must Have Baby Registry Pick

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-Sponsored Post-

There is nothing more valuable to a parent than peace of mind, so when it comes to adding products to your registry, the top product pick to consider should always be the crib mattress. Why the crib mattress? Well, simply put, not only is that where baby will spend the majority of their time, but the crib has to be a safe and soothing place for baby to rest, play, grow, and learn. When it comes to crib mattresses, our must have baby registry pick is Colgate Mattress. We believe your baby’s nursery needs to include a quality product from Colgate, a third generation, family-owned and operated company of craftsmen has been selling crib mattresses for over 60 years. Colgate is not only known for their top selling mattresses, but their accessories as well.

We’ve featured Colgate for Back to Sleep, Innovative Sleep Products, and as a Nursery Essential for Mother’s Day, plus Meet the Makers Behind the Mattresses

There are many reasons that Colgate Mattresses are a must have baby registry pick for your little one. Did you know that Colgate Mattresses are made in America? It’s true! And, better yet, they’re a family owned business, so you can feel good about supporting a family when you purchase from them. Colgate also keeps parents in mind and wants to make your life a little easier – so they designed their mattresses with the utmost attention to form and function. Did you know Colgate are pioneers in crib-mattress making? Colgate was the first to create light weight mattresses, which makes lifting the mattress to change the sheets a much easier task than traditional mattresses. Colgate mattresses are cleverly designed to accommodate baby as she transitions to the toddler phase with a simple flip of the mattress. One side is firm and supportive for infants while the other is slightly softer for toddler comfort; safe sleep at all ages.

For the eco-conscious parent, Colgate has always chosen to use non-toxic barrier fabrics instead of harsh fire retardant chemicals to give parents peace of mind while not only meeting, but exceeding federal flammability standards. Colgate takes your baby’s safety incredibly seriously and they are the first mattress company to use natural coir fiber made from coconuts shell husks. And, you can rest easy knowing that all of Colgate’s crib mattresses carry the Greenguard GOLD certification.

Colgate’s safety and concern for baby doesn’t end at crib mattresses, either. They have a full line of accessories to help keep your baby calm and safe, including bassinet mattresses, organic crib mattress covers, and contoured changing pads complete with natural changing pad covers, too. Colgate products are designed with rich and natural textures to provide your baby with a calming and cozy environment. With Colgate Mattresses, quality and function strike a harmonious balance to help baby sleep safely and peacefully, all while providing parents with peace of mind.

Thank you to Colgate for making this sponsored post possible.

Photos via Pics and Paws Photography

The Village Reviews: Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack

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Our Gugu Village reviews this new Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack from the Gunamuna company.

The Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack is constructed of super soft fabric made from eco-friendly hypoallergenic thermal regulating bamboo fibers, perfect for protecting sensitive skin. It is filled with premium fill to feel like a down comforter. The Gunapod mimics a caregiver’s hug with all over channel-stitched soft pressure points, so baby feels ultra comfortable + sleeps longer. All of that with the brand’s WONDERZiP® technology for the easiest diaper changes and a temperature control zip to further customize the cozy.

Here’s what our village had to say:

-Shelby S.-
I got the Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack before my infant was born because he is a winter baby and I wanted to try some different wearable blankets to keep him warm. I was nervous when it arrived because it was so large. I thought he wouldn’t be able to use it until he was much older but I was wrong! It fits just fine for my 9lb, 20in little guy and is the softest and warmest thing he owns!! As an infant I swaddle him at night and then put the gunapod over his swaddle. During the day I let his arms out when he is swinging or just lying around. When he gets older I’ll let his arms out the slots. I’m very pleased with this sleep sack and it is the only one I am currently using.

-Emily F.-
My initial thoughts on the Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack are: I love the soft material, the adorable pattern and that the velcro is the non-sticky type, so hair and clothes don’t immediately stick to it. Little Mallary seems to love the comfort of the fabric and hold of the internal swaddle and sack too. We’re not sure if she sleeps longer in it, yet – but we’re hoping to test this more on our upcoming weekend trips.

I love the options to have one, two or no arms out. The baby prefers both arms out, so far! I like the idea that it’s easy to change the diaper but I’m also paranoid that it will get dirty unless I use a cloth diaper or burp cloth under her while changing her. I also like that the company is conscious of hip dysplasia prevention and that her legs are not restricted.

Overall, we love this Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack and it helps with naps in the Pack n Play! We are looking forward to using this swaddle sack more when we travel, especially when we go to Walla Walla next month as our first overnight away from home!

See other Village reviews here:

Real Mom Reviews: SNOO Smart Sleeper System

Real Mom Reviews: Moba Bassinet

Real Mom Reviews: HALO Bassinest

Real Mom Reviews: 4moms moxi + car seat

The One Essential Baby Registry Must Have

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Often when moms start building their registries, they seem overwhelmed with the amount of products they seemingly need to take care of a baby – rest easy, mama – we have a special list for you today. We reached out to our amazing baby planners and posed the question, “what ONE baby product is a must have essential?” It’s not easy to pair down a must have baby item to only one essential product pick – but, read on and see what our planners say is the must have one item for your baby registry. Want to see their one piece of advice for new parents? You’ve got to head to our Instagram for that info!

Don’t forget to check out the baby planners’ picks for preparing for multiples and items to help you get through Newborn Lockdown.

Jessica Zablan of The Birth and Baby Company:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Nose Frida! Or the whole Frida Baby kit.

Amber Michel of Your Milk Shoppe:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Aden + Anais muslin swaddling blankets. These blankets will be EVERYTHING to you from birth and beyond. The perfect swaddling blanket, you can also use as a breastfeeding cover or a light layer during walks. You will use these well into toddlerhood and beyond. Highly recommend these blankets as a must-have on every registry!

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: The FridaBaby Windi! There will be times when your little one is backed up. They are uncomfortable and as a parent you feel helpless! When your babe is having trouble getting those gas pains out, there is only one product you need! The Fridababy Windi is an absolute must have for new parents. Think of the Windi as the updated version of the “thermometer trick.” When your baby is in pain, it is a safe and quick way to help relieve the gas and colic pain they may be experiencing.

Tina Morton of Cloud Nine Births:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: DockAtot! The one just have I would say is the DockATot! It’s a life saver at night, during the day, and in every location. It just gives baby a nice, secure, comfy hug!

Seen also: Minimalist Baby Registry Must Haves

Victoria Facelli of Durham Lactation:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: An exercise ball to bounce on.

Lauren Daylami, Maternity Consultant in Charleston, SC Territory of Your Milk Shoppe:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: My number one item for a new parent is the HoMedics Sound Machine. White noise will help associate your baby with sleep time and will also block out any loud background noises so that they can sleep longer and more soundly. This is a lifesaver for overtired new parents!

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth and Baby:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Infant car seat! The one product new parents must have – an infant car seat! I’ve worked with people who think it’s better to get a convertible car seat, as it will grow with their child, but I explain to people that an infant seat (if your budget allows you to purchase both) is fantastic, because transferring the baby from the car into a stroller or into the house makes life so much easier when they’re in an infant seat. I usually recommend the Britax B-Safe or the Chicco KeyFit 30 – they both have excellent safety ratings, easy to install and carry, and they’re compatible with so many different stroller brands, so you can still use them with some of the top of the line strollers on the market.

Sarah Slazyk, Maternity Consultant in Columbia, SC & Charlotte, NC of Your Milk Shoppe:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Ergobaby Carriers! They are amazing. So comfortable, easy to use, and a life saver for getting things done around the house, running errands, or just needing to give those tired arms a break. The newest one, the Ergobaby 360, is fabulous and can hold baby in all different positions (infant insert needed for newborns). They also JUST came out with a new wrap that is great too, less stretchy than other brands so baby doesn’t sag (because let’s be real, mamas have other sagging issues to worry about, ha) and cozy, breathable fabric.

Julie McCaffrey of Babynav Baby Planners:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: I actually have three: the Skip Hop Pronto changing station, a Crane Drop Humidifier and an aden + anais Serenity Star. For any mom or dad on the go, the Skip Hop Pronto is a must have to ensure you always have a clean place to change baby. The Pronto folds up small enough to carry on your wrist or toss under your stroller but unfolds into a clean extra-large space to change baby with pockets to hold and easily access all the essentials. A humidifier in the nursery can help keep sniffles away for baby and the Crane Drop humidifier is my go to because it looks stylish in just about any nursery design thanks to the many color options and it is super easy to use. Not only is it whisper quiet but it requires no filter so there are no extra parts for parents to worry about keeping track of! This 5-in-1 piece of gear for the nursery is great for the smallest or biggest spaces. The Serenity Star is a stylish clock, nightlight, room temperature indicator, feeding diary and sound machine all in one so parents don’t to have find places for multiple devices in the nursery.

Gugu Guru Team:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit! Transitioning from the comfort of a swaddle to a sleep sack can be a rough transition for some babies, as they miss the secure feeling of a swaddle. One of the most popular items on countless registries we see is the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit. Made with soft, comforting materials, the Magic Sleepsuit will give your baby the sense of security and warmth they need to sleep well through the night. We highly recommend this one essential item, as it is a necessary aid to help your little one sleep safely on their own.

Looking for more registry ideas? Check these out!

Adorable photos from Pics and Paws Photography

This post contains affiliate links.

Newborn Lockdown Must Haves

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The days after a baby is born are so jam packed with emotion, that it’s vital to have everything you need ready and prepared for when the baby comes home. We call those early weeks with a newborn, “Newborn Lockdown,” it’s all about feeding, sleeping, and getting adjusted to life with a baby. We asked our baby planners what their number one products are for Newborn Lockdown – did you use any of these items? What would you add to the list?

For our baby planners’ best tips and tricks for getting through the Newborn Lockdown time, check out our Instagram stories. And, don’t forget to check out their tips and product picks for preparing for multiples!

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth & Baby:

Product Pick for Newborn Lockdown: For breastfeeding mommas – Lanolin! It’s SO important to stock up on a few tubes of lanolin and keep it near your regular breastfeeding locations (the nursery, next to your bed, the couch, etc. – there will be many times your baby will fall asleep after nursing and you won’t feel like getting up to retrieve it, so get a few tubes!) I always recommend Lansinoh HPA Lanolin – it’s the #1 recommended nipple cream in the United States. A pea-sized amount usually does the trick and is safe for both mom and baby – no need to wipe it off of your sensitive nipples prior to feeding!

Victoria Zimmerman of Aspen Baby Planners:

Product Pick for Newborn Lockdown: The first month or two home are all about recovering from birth – for both mom and baby! – so we suggest lots of rest, love, and coziness! Get a smart watch – it’s worth the financial investment mamas! – for all those times your phone is just out of reach but your baby has finally fallen asleep on your chest and you’re desperate to text your best friend! Consider a baby seat like the Skip Hop Uplift Bouncer – it’s up off the ground so your baby will be able to see you more clearly while her vision is still developing and you won’t be straining your back as your body is recovering! Use the Owlet Baby monitor for night time sleep so you can both get optimal rest. It’ll help you feel confident your little one is breathing safely without checking on her every few minutes (we seriously love this product!).

Jessica of The Birth & Baby Company:

Product Pick for Newborn Lockdown: Order in – food subscription boxes (blue apron, hello fresh, etc…). This way you get a healthy meal and it helps with keeping the routine of having to make dinner. Grocery delivery! Many places with deliver right to your door. You can add just about anything to your order that you would typically buy from that store. If doorstep delivery isn’t an option, you could have a friend or family member pick everything up with their pick up service. Amazon! You can buy pretty much everything on Amazon and it’s shipped right to your door. They even have a subscribe and save for diapers. They will mail out a box of diapers every week or however often you need. Hulu/ Netflix. Hang out of the couch and binge watch a whole season of your favorite show. A postpartum doula. A trained professional to help assist your family transition into parenthood.

Lauren Daylami, Charleston, SC, Your Milk Shoppe Consultant:

Product Pick for Newborn Lockdown: My #1 has to be the Guava Lotus Bassinet/Travel Crib. Once the baby outgrows the bassinet it converts into a crib. The whole thing is super compact and fits easily into small places. So easy to travel with!

See Also: Guava Lotus Crib on our Affordable Eco-Friendly Baby Registry Picks

Ginny Lawler, Atlanta, GA, Your Milk Shoppe Consultant:

Product Pick for Newborn Lockdown: Hatch Nursery changing table. It weighs newborns every time they’re changed to help moms keep track on their weight, and can also track all of the diaper changes. They also have a nightlight/sound machine that can be a great breastfeeding light.

Gugu Guru Team:

Product Pick for Newborn Lockdown: Netflix! Don’t have a Netflix account? You need one now – you’ll be spending many, many long hours rocking, feeding, and shushing a baby, the least you can do is binge watch The Gilmore Girls while you do it! (We highly recommend Dawson’s Creek and Felicity, too!). A Netflix account makes a wonderful baby shower gift, as well – mama can even watch on her phone late at night!

Baby photos from Pics and Paws Photography

This post includes affiliate links.

Inside Cameran Wimberly’s Baby Registry

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Amber Michels co-founder of Your Milk Shoppe talks about working with Cameran Wimberly to prep for the arrival of Baby Palmer. See Cameran’s baby registry here.

I so enjoyed meeting with Cameran Wimberly and assisting her with preparing for baby! Some main factors that played into her registry wants and needs were that she is a first time mom and she really was looking for gear that will be easy and straightforward. Although Cameran doesn’t think that she will be traveling a lot with her little girl, we took into consideration even the slightest bit of travel – such as a car ride to the grocery store or the baby’s regular check-ups with her pediatrician. Although they are not long, intensive trips, they can often feel like a daunting task to first time moms.

Some Cameran Wimberly must haves are: a good, reliable, easy to travel with diaper bag (she preferred a backpack that zips open and has adequate storage), an easy to use baby carrier (she was open to a wrap-style carrier and/or a soft structured carrier), an infant wearable monitor (this was huge for her as she was hoping it would bring her piece of mind when the baby was sleeping), and in the event breastfeeding didn’t work out, she really was in need of good go-to bottle and formula mixing and warming machine. The idea of bathing her little girl was semi-terrifying, as it is for most new parents, and we suggested the Puj Tub as a great product to have in her mommy tool box- not only does it set up easily in the sink (which is great because it is at waist level with mom), but it can easily fold up and hang on the back of your door to dry. As many first time parents are, Cam is very concerned with the baby’s safety and will have the baby sleep next to her bed in a bassinet for the first few months.

Bottomline is that Cam- like most first time parents we meet- is just plain nervous about all of the unknowns. However, as much as she is a bit anxious, we also love that Cam has come to peace with the fact that parenting may send her some curve balls. For example, she is absolutely wanting to breastfeed, but she is also totally ok if that doesn’t work out.

About Your Milk Shoppe
A Gugu Concierge network partner, Your Milk Shoppe is a group of certified Maternity Consultants and Child Prep Educators. They affordable services to moms such as Parenting Classes, Baby Planning, Product Recommendation, Local Referral Partner Lists and Nanny Placement. The goal is to support and empower moms, while ensuring a seamless transition into their new life that is parenthood. Your Milk Shoppe is the milk that keeps the moms alive throughout their parenting journey – because moms need milk, too!

Check out these other posts from the ladies of Your Milk Shoppe:

Preparing for Multiples: Product Picks and Tips
Affordable Eco-Friendly Baby Registry Picks
Minimalist Baby Registry Must Haves

Preparing for Multiples: Product Picks and Tips

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One of the most asked questions on our social media is “how can I prepare for twins/triplets?! What do I need?!” Don’t worry, mama – we have your back! We rounded up some of our favorite items for moms of twins, and polled our baby planners to see what they always recommend for new families of multiples, too. Anything here you recommend and don’t see? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page. We asked our Instagram moms and dads what twin products they suggested, you can check out their answers here.

So, what do our baby planners suggest parents of multiples add to their registry? And, what tips do they have for new parents of multiples?

Amber + Kimmie of Your Milk Shoppe:

Product must have: Our number one rec for twin moms is the Weego Baby Carrier. We have a strong relationship with the local Moms of Multiples chapters in the Upstate and this product continues to come up as “the life saver.”
Best tip: Their needs will constantly compete, but you’re only one person. Some days you’ll feel like a total rockstar, and other days you won’t ever find your rhythm… and that’s OK. Be easy on yourself. The essentials: baby carrier, stroller, car seat – make sure they’re lightweight and make your life easier, not harder!

Jessica of The Birth & Baby Company:

Product must have: Baby Jogger City Select Stroller
Best tip: If you can afford to hire a postpartum doula, do it. Or ask friends and family to help out by creating a sign up sheet for things you need help with.

Victoria Zimmerman of Aspen Baby Planners:

Product must have: Baby Bjorn Soft or Bliss Bouncer with Googly Eye Toy Bar – this bouncy seat is great for soothing fussy babies and a must have for feeding more than one baby at once (and with its simple and adjustable recline options, you can easily go from a more upright feeding position straight into a reclined resting position without having to take baby out!). Added bonus: it folds flat in an instant making it ideal for slipping under the couch when your house feels over run with 2x the baby gear! (See more below on the Bouncer Bliss!)
Best tip: Just because you have 2 hands doesn’t mean you should always be able to handle 2 babies at once. It’s okay if one is fussing while you’re taking care of their sibling. They’ll learn each others noises, learn to sleep through one another’s fussing, and even learn to be patient and trust that you’ll always meet their needs – even if it takes a few minutes longer (this is especially true if you have MORE than two babies!). Take deep belly breaths when you feel overwhelmed and remind yourself that there is no such thing as a perfect parent – your job is just to be good and kind and to love your babies, whatever that looks like!

Victoria Facelli of Durham Lactation:

Product must have: My Breast Friend Pillow; there is just no better twin nursing pillow. It is nice and firm so you can set two babies on it and latch them one at a time. I joke that it is the worlds largest fanny pack.
Best tips: 1. Reach out for help. A prenatal lactation visit can help you make a plan for feeding your babies. In addition to there being more babies to feed they are usually born preterm. Even if they are considered term for twins, babies born before 38 weeks have a hard time getting started with feedings. 2. Get a postpartum doula. A postpartum doula is a step above a night nurse or family and neighbor help because they can help set up systems and teach you tricks of the trade like: how to set up 2 babies for bath time, how to pick up two crying babies at once, how to set up your van to accommodate your twins and older child. All things I did for families back when I was a postpartum doula. Even if you can only afford a few sessions, put a link to a local postpartum doula on your Gugu Guru registry and ask for it as a gift from family and friends. The things you will learn and the extra set of hands is just so valuable.
Check out Victoria’s latest Instagram live all about breastfeeding!

Valerie Trumbrower of Nurturing Doula:

Product must have: My number one product recommendation for twin parents to be (if they plan to breastfeed) is the My Breast Friend twins nursing pillow. I love that it is stable and large enough to comfortably hold a baby on each side. Getting the hang of nursing twins definitely takes time but this pillow is a great tool in making things a lot easier.
Best tip: My #1 piece of advice for twin parents is this: There will be a lot of times when someone is crying. Maybe just one baby, maybe both, perhaps an older sibling or even you. Just remind yourself that you are doing the very best you can at that moment! You only have two hands, you can only be in one place at a time, so that often means that someone has to be patient. Sometimes that means that one baby cries while you are changing another baby, or that an older child cries while you are getting both babies to sleep so you can read to him/her. Whatever the case try not to let yourself get too upset, you are doing the very best you can!!!

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth & Baby:

Product must haves: Twin Z Pillow – I usually suggest this pillow over the BreastFriend because it’s a multi-purpose pillow. You can use it for breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and it can be more comfortable for moms who may have had a c-section. Additionally, the pillow grows with the babies – it can be used to prop the babies up, for tummy time, allows the babies to be close to one another, and can be used as a floor pillow for movies or cuddle time as the babies grow into childhood. Baby Relax Hadley Double Rocker – I love this and suggest this as a purchase for the nursery, especially for families with multiples or who already have older children. It’s great because it’s 1 1/2 times the size of a regular glider which makes feedings and cuddle time so much easier with two or more babies (more room = more comfort!) In addition, the rocker is big enough to fit a toddler or an older sibling so everyone can comfortably enjoy story time. There is also a matching ottoman which is great for storage.
Best tips: 1. Always have your major purchases (car seats, cribs, strollers, nursery fully stocked, etc.) by 28 weeks MAX. Many women can be put on bed rest when they are expecting multiples, so it’s important to have everything done and set up well before that time! 2. Invest in two strollers that can grow with the family and have different configurations – one in which car seats can clip into for the quick errands (no one wants to lug 2+ car seats around or bring out a heavy stroller for a quick trip into the supermarket) and another sturdy double stroller which can be used for walks and longer trips.

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant:

Product Must Have: Without a doubt, my number one suggested product for moms of multiples is a good stroller. Your stroller instantly becomes your lifeline to the outside world, and makes it possible to leave your home when it feels like the walls are caving in.
Best tips: (Read Abby’s post on how to survive the first few months with twins on Twiniversity!) Organization is your BEST friend! Bringing two new munchkins home for the first time can be just *slightly* overwhelming. Okay, who am I kidding? It can be downright terrifying. Between the napping, the nursing, the pumping, and the pooping it can be nearly impossible to keep everything straight. Taking a few minutes throughout the day to keep things organized will greatly save your sanity. Sidenote for solely bottle feeders: Make all of your bottles first thing in the morning and store them in the fridge for easy feedings throughout the rest of the day! This helps do away with the stress of the instant baby screams the moment hunger pangs hit.
You can see space saving tips for parents of multiples by Abby here, too!

Gugu Guru recommends:

Stuck on You Name Labels: When it comes to twins, there are a lot of things to label – you want to make sure everything from clothing to bottles to formula containers are labeled properly. We’re huge fans of Stuck on You Labels to make YOUR life easier! Stuck On You Name Labels are safe in the microwave, dishwasher and freezer, plus they come with a scratch resistant coating making them waterproof and super long lasting. If you’re little ones are heading to daycare, we recommend using the labels on blankets, lovies, shoes, clothes, food, and more. Plus, Stuck on You Name Labels are super easy to customize – you can do coordinating colors for twins with the same font, or switch it up and do two totally different labels to ease any confusion. No matter which design you pick, you’re going to need something to label all of those bottles and toys, especially when other people are watching your kids!

BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss: When Gugu Guru teamed up with Noelle from Oh Happy Play to help prepare her room for twin baby boys, we highly recommended the BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss – they are one of our all-time favorite baby items, whether you’re having one, two, or three! The BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss is wonderfully safe and supportive space for baby to relax while in the same room as the rest of the family. It’s lightweight, so you can carry it from room-to-room, too. Parents of multiples say that the BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss is a must-have for feeding time, even as the babies transition to baby food. The gentle rocking creates a sense of bliss and tranquility, not just at the beginning of a baby’s life, but later on as well. By having a safe space for baby to recline on the floor, it promotes interaction with other family members, especially siblings. Baby can sit face-to-face with their siblings for baby games and play time. The soft and natural rocking, completely powered by the baby, requires no batteries or cords. This encourages babies’ interaction with their sense of balance and motor skills, by rocking in response to their own movements. If you’re a minimalist mama, or want to keep baby-tech at a minimum, these are ideal for your twin nursery. Plus, they fold up super easily in case you need extra room.

Need more help to prep for twins or triplets? Check out these posts:

Real Mom Reviews Moba Bassinet

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Gugu Guru registrant and new mama Kenzi reviews Moba bassinet.

When we were making sure we had all the essentials for baby boy, I was really stressing over getting the right bassinet for him. I think it’s very important to have baby sleep in the room with mom and dad for the first 6 months, and I wanted him right by my side, but we aren’t cosleepers. I searched but everything I found in stores had so much padding on the sides and lots of frill, which is just not safe. The handwoven baskets are beautiful (and great for Instagram photos), but are they truly safe for overnight sleeping?? I reached out to the baby product experts at Gugu Guru (who I registered with this time around) and they told me about the Moba bassinet. I read up on it and it sounded like everything I was looking for, so I wanted to give it a try.

We’ve used it since the day we brought our baby boy home (above), and now I’m not sure what I would do without it. The Moba Bassinet checks every box and even some I didn’t consider:

Safety

Obviously, #1 on the list was safety. I’m that mom who wakes up multiple times in the night, even if baby doesn’t wake, to just feel my babies. This basket is created with hundreds of breathable holes for maximum airflow, which helps mama sleep a little easier at night. The liner has no frills or padding. The mattress is nice and firm for baby. Apparently it’s super comfortable because he prefers his bassinet over his crib.

Portability

I was drawn to the idea of a Moses basket for its light weight and portability. Not only can I easily transport it through the house, it travels everywhere with us! I like to it call it my Mobile Moba… not really, but it sounds catchy. We’ve even taken it to the beach with us. The basket is super lightweight and sturdy. It’s molded into one piece so there’s no need to worry about it unraveling anywhere or the handles coming off.

Longevity

Many moses baskets seem to have a pretty low weight limit of 15 pounds, but the Moba goes up to 20 pounds. Call it a hunch, but I had a strong feeling my boy would be on the higher end of the birth weight spectrum (coming in at 10.4 lbs) and would surely hit 15 pounds before 6 months. We’re still a few months away from that, but at 2 months, he was already over 14 pounds, so I’m glad he still has plenty of time to stay right next to mommy.

The Stand

The stand that goes with the basket is made to hug the bassinet securely. Most bassinet stands rock front to back, which I’ve never understood because I feel like I’m rocking the baby back on their head. The Moba stand rocks smoothly side to side. When he starts tossing and turning, his weight allows it to gently rock on its own, which soothes him back to sleep. However, if you don’t want it to rock, it becomes stationary with one simple swivel of a small wooden piece at the base.

Care

Did I mention we’ve brought it to the beach? We can do that because all the parts are so easy to clean! I love a clean crisp white all day long, but I’m always so afraid it’s going to get dingy, so I hardly ever allow myself to get white in anything… Like why in the world did I think we could have a white living room rug?! But with the material this is made of I felt comfortable going with white and after almost 3 months of use it’s still just as beautiful as it was the day we got it.

Style

All of the safety features I could ask for and didn’t have to sacrifice style. The Moba is a very sleek, contemporary design with 8 unique color options for the basket and just as many for the sheets, which also come in an organic option.

Needless to say, I’m a fan – I actually tried to think of a con and couldn’t come up with one. If you’re looking for a bassinet and aren’t worried about all the frills, but a simple, safe design, this one’s for you.

Written by Kenzi – Mommy to three and voice behind Two Shades of Kraze. Follow along her journey on her Instagram at @twoshadesofkraze.

For more info on the Moba, check out New On Gugu This Week: November 14, 2016.

UPPAbaby VISTA Stroller for New Mamas

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Why did we recommend the UPPAbaby VISTA stroller to Angelique Cabral? When she started working with the Gugu Guru team on her registry, she made it clear that she needed a stroller that would be great for travel, long walks around the neighborhood, and most importantly, really functional!

We knew the ultimate stroller for her would be the UPPAbaby VISTA! We have sung the praises of the UPPAbaby VISTA before – it’s a featured baby gear item in our Cause Driven Registry. It’s also one of our favorite strollers for families who plan to have more than one child. When See Kate Sew got the chance to test it out, she said, “We love this stroller and it is pretty special that my 3-year-old gets the front seat. She loves peeking on her little sister and I think it makes her feel good that this stroller is really for both of them! I take this UPPAbaby VISTA stroller everywhere, including the grocery store and walks. It’s super easy to set up, everything clicks into place! And the basket underneath is big enough for a whole load of groceries (I never get carts anymore!) It’s such a great single stroller and an amazing double! I recommend it to everyone!“

The UPPAbaby VISTA also comes with a bassinet attachment, which is ideal for newborns. Angelique has been using it as a make-shift sleeping quarter for baby Adelaide when she’s on set on CBS’ Life In Pieces. Parents also tell us that they love the large basket under the UPPAbaby VISTA stroller – it’s perfect for stocking up on things like diapers, wipes… and wine (we kid! Kind of.)

And, for all of you eco-conscious parents, we named the UPPAbaby VISTA one of our best choice for eco-conscious moms. Heading for a walk in the afternoon sun? No worry! The UPPAbaby VISTA features a UPF 50 drop down sunshade to keep UV rays off baby’s precious skin. And, no need to worry about a flat tire ever with the VISTA, as the wheels are made of foam and rubber – with just the right amount of jiggle to lull baby to sleep, and smooth enough to help baby stay fast asleep.

Want to see more from Angelique?

Why Angelique Cabral thinks all parents should take a babymoon (and not for the reasons you think!)
Angelique’s starry nursery…swoon.
What does a TV star wear to work out when she’s 9 months pregnant?

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