Baby Registry

Traveling Picks

By Gugu Guru Travel Editor: Mackenzie Dawson
I love to travel. Sometimes I think I feel most like myself when I’m getting my passport stamped or looking up train times on a Departures board. When was pregnant with my son, I worried about all sorts of things — but one of my concerns was that having a baby would “ground” me, clip my wings. A friend with three kids set me straight (this friend once went camping with 3 kids in Iceland, so she isn’t messing around.) “It isn’t going to be the same kind of travel, it’s not as light or spontaneous,” she said. “But you can absolutely keep doing it. It’s all about being strategic and having a plan.” Part of that plan? Lightweight, smart-use baby items that will keep your little one comfortable on the go.

Here are a few of my picks:

DockATot
How cute is this little nest? Use it at home when you want to give your baby a comfortable place to lounge; pack it up for a lightweight lounger when you’re on the go. Comes in 2 different sizes; Deluxe Dock for babies 0-8 months old, and Grand Dock, for 9-36 months. (I’m digging these print covers, but sadly, there is no adult-sized dock.)

BabyZen YoYo Stroller
Any parent/traveler knows you don’t want to be stuck lugging a gigantic, bulky stroller around the airport; it’s not a good look. Super-compact, the YoYo stroller is the first stroller that’s compliant with IATA overhead baggage guidelines for airlines — just fold it up, stick it in the cabin and you’re good to go.

GB Pockit Stroller
For parents with older kids (6 months and older) there’s the GB Pockit Stroller which is the world’s smallest folding stroller available on the market. This stroller is seriously compact — easy to fold up, it folds into a handbag-shaped package (with handle) and only weighs 9.5 lbs. The stroller handles well on streets and sidewalks. Forget having to check your stroller at the gate; this is the kind of thing you can toss into the overhead compartment and be good to go.

TwelveLittle Unisex Courage Backpack
When you’re traveling with a little one, luggage selection is everything — bringing too many bags will not only weigh you down, you’ll spend the whole trip frantically rifling through bags, wondering where you put the wipes. That’s why I’m a fan of this unisex backpack, which includes an interior padded tech sleeve for protecting your laptop, insulated side bottle pockets, nylon changing pad, and a hidden zipper pocket for, um, those clothing items you need to stow away quickly out of sight until you get to a washing machine, stat.

Mackenzie Dawson is a writer and New York Post contributing editor. She also writes for Glamour and Parents.

New Mom Series: Selecting a Crib Mattress

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

This is our fifth post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we provide helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Crib Mattress feature, we have partnered up with new mama Lindsey Bonnice of Live Sweet Photography; leading organic mattress brand Naturepedic and; the Baby Safety Zone powered by the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association). JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry dedicated to the safe manufacturing and usage of products. Lindsey just recently brought home her new son, Baby Finn, and one of the biggest questions that any new parent has is, “Will my new baby be a good sleeper?” Creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for baby is the best thing you can do to ensure the first years are happy and healthy. Most experts will tell you that the safest place for an infant or child to sleep is in a fully functional, properly assembled, JPMA-certified: crib, bassinet, cradle, play yard, or toddler bed. All of these require a mattress – so what should you look for? Babies spend 12 to 16 hours per day on their crib mattress, making the mattress the most prominent object in a child’s environment for the first three years of their life and one of the most important items on your baby registry. Here’s how to ensure you have the best crib mattress for baby. Always use a properly fitting mattress as infants can suffocate in gaps between a poorly fitting mattress and the crib sides or ends. Also key is selecting a mattress with a waterproof surface, which is essential for keeping your baby’s environment hygienic and protected from mold and bacteria growth within the mattress.

Gugu Guru selected Naturepedic’s Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra Breathable Mattress Pad for Finn’s nursery – which meets or exceeds safety and quality standards. The Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad is a 2-stage crib mattress for babies and toddlers. It fits snuggly in baby’s crib and is lightweight (under 12 pounds), comfortable, and functional for your child’s needs from infancy through toddlerhood.

The 2-stage feature is fantastic as baby grows; infants require a firm surface for safety but as they get older, it is safe for them and more comfortable to sleep on the softer side. The Naturepedic crib mattress is certified organic to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This ensures that your crib mattress meets a healthy non-toxic standard and is truly organic. The Ultra organic cotton waterproof fabric is durable and acts as a barrier to moisture, dust mites, and bedbugs. The mattress is designed for safety and can be used with or without the Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad. Plus it has been thoroughly tested for chemical emissions and passes all flammability standards without the need for flame retardant chemicals or other barriers. What we really love about this mattress is the Organic Cotton Ultra-Breathable Crib Mattress Pad. The mattress pad is made with certified organic cotton fabric quilted to a unique 3D airflow spacer, and dissipates heat and moisture to reduce sweating and overheating. Soils on the mattress pad won’t penetrate the waterproof mattress core.

Lindsey Bonnice is a NY and PA based portrait and newborn photographer and mother. Follow her and her adventures into new mommyhood on her Instagram at @LiveSweetPhotography. Baby Finn’s nursery is featured on Project Nursery and you can see where to purchase some of the adorable decor here.

Naturepedic Naturepedic specializes in the design and manufacturing of quality organic mattresses for infants, toddlers, children and adults that promote natural and organic materials, a non-toxic design, fire-safety, and overall health & safety. All Naturepedic natural and organic mattresses have been designed with the help of pediatricians, chemists, and engineers. They are constructed by Amish craftsmen in our GOTS certified factory in beautiful Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Research and design is coordinated by G.E.M. Testing & Engineering Labs in Cleveland, Ohio.

Baby Safety Zone The Baby Safety Zone is an information hub and community for parents and caregivers. We’re helping make safety fun, one baby product at a time. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Baby Safety Zone experience and become a part of a circle of parents dedicated to making their child’s first years, happy, safe and sound. The Baby Safety Zone is powered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. Today, JPMA represents 250 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who manufacture, import and/or distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items. Visit the Baby Safety Zone at: https://babysafetyzone.org Learn more helpful tips for proper safe use of bassinets and cradles with Baby Safety Zone’s safety infographic here:

Milk & Baby Mother’s Day Picks

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

1. Covered Goods Multi-Use Nursing Cover in Marble ($34.99) available from milk & baby. Covered Goods™ multi-use nursing covers give you all the benefits that the traditional covers do…and more

2. SWING NURSING & MATERNITY TANK | HEATHER GREY ($45) available from milk & baby. This high neck swing tank is flowy and so chic with the side nursing access. The back of the tank is just the right amount of long length…and the fabric hand feel is so durable yet soft. Take this top from studio to street on an active day, or maybe…try with sleek pants for a night out.

3. LISA TWO PIECE SET ($29.99) available on milk & baby. Super cute unique styles for baby! Who can resist? No scratchy tags, soft on babies skin. Makes Perfect Going Home Outfit! Set includes pants and top.

4. PETITE DOUBLE INFINITY IN ALMOND + BLACK AND WHITE STRIPE • LIMITED EDITION • available from milk & baby. ($30) Perfect for Mamas, Pretty for All. Effortlessly mixing brown and black with a chic stripe. Baby/nursing/mothering friendly! Made by hand with non-toxic, lead free, saliva proof wood beads and soft tuggable jersey.

5. LAGOON BREAST PUMP BAG ($129) available on milk & baby. Stylish and easy access to your plug, motor and tubes – no need to break down your pump between uses.

Christina Vargas Registry Must Haves

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

You may have seen our past post where we helped the ultimate fit mama and professional athlete, Christina Vargas, with her baby registry. If you’re one of those people who regularly uses the #fitfam hashtag on Instagram, you’re probably very familiar with this I.F.B.B. and two time Olympian figure and bikini pro. If not, you can get to know her on Instagram here and follow her postpartum fitness journey.

Christina had her beautiful baby girl, Isabella, earlier this year and is excited to share with us some of her favorite registry picks from Gugu Guru:

Animal Kingdom 3pc Bedding Set from Just Born for Baby
Christina made it clear from the start, she hates pink. She wanted something neutral and sophisticated for Bella’s nursery and selected the Animal Kingdom 3pc Bedding Set from Just Born for Baby.

Mom paired the gender neutral gray and white palette of the set with a lilac paint color and finished the whole look off with the mobile.

TWELVElittle Unisex Courage Tote
Christina is always on the move to or from the gym. She wanted a sleek diaper bag that didn’t look like a diaper bag and was roomie enough to carry some of mom’s essentials. Gugu Guru recommended the TWELVElittle Unisex Courage Tote to keep Christina looking stylish and feeling organized for her on-the-go lifestyle. There’s an interior large padded tech sleeve for all gadget protection. The bag has a waterproof lining and lots of pockets for storage. It fits an iPad, which is a perk when Christina is creating her postpartum work-out program for moms. The hidden zipper pocket on bottom of back side for dirty item quick storage is especially useful for both mom and Bella.

Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump
As for a pump, Gugu Guru suggested something small but powerful – just like Christina – and that is the Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump. This pump is really amazing for the cost and is absolutely ideal for a mom on the move due to its compact size and light weight. First time pumpers seems to be especially thrilled with how gentle the Lansinoh pump is on the breasts, compared to other products in the market. It also boasts easy to assemble and clean parts, three customizable pumping styles and eight adjustable suction levels.

City Living Registry Picks with Nikki Dinki

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Here at Gugu Guru, we’ve found that while suburban-living moms and city-dwelling moms seem to need a lot of the same baby products on their registry, there are a few items which city moms seem to gravitate towards over and over. Because space is limited in apartment living, there are a few products which just stand out for city-moms as must-haves! Nikki Dinki, TV host of Junk Food Flip on the Cooking Channel, cookbook author, radio host, and voiceover artist, shared her must-have items for a foodie mom recently, and now she’s back to share her must-haves for a city-mama who is always on the go!

The Owlet Smart Sock is a bootie which your infant wears, and uses hospital technology called pulse oximetry to monitor your baby’s breathing. The Owlet monitor relays the information and connects to your smartphone, so even if you’re on date night, you can check on your baby’s breathing. As a mother whose first baby, Willa, tragically passed away, Nikki was on the hunt for a product which would put her mind and heart at ease all hours of the day. Even if Nikki runs around the block to the deli, she can check on her phone that her baby is doing well! P.S. Owlet is offering $20 off the Owlet Monitor for Gugu Guru readers. Click this link and the offer will be automatically applied to your purchase.

The Halo Bassinet Luxe Plus Series is a one of a kind item for parents living in an apartment. With mesh sides, so baby can breathe easy, the Halo Luxe Plus also has a side wall which lowers down, making it especially perfect for post c-section mamas to pick up the baby without straining. The Luxe Plus features a nightlight, 3 lullabies, 3 nature and womb sounds, 2 levels of vibration and nursing timer with auto shut off. It also has two generous storage pockets for diapers and essentials – it’s basically an on-the-go nursery which you can move around your apartment! Its smaller size makes it perfect for smaller homes, and the most amazing feature is that it can swivel 360 degrees! No longer do apartment-dwelling parents need to worry about where to fit a crib or bassinet; the Halo Bassinet will fit wherever you need it because it can swivel, and get right up next to the bed.

For moms on-the-go in a city, babywearing is key! Nikki picked out a Baby Bjorn’s Baby Carrier One to take her new little one on adventures around Manhattan and beyond. The Carrier One has ergonomic leg position for with a wide seat area for the baby, and extra padding in the shoulder straps as well as good stability in the waist belt, making it easy to tote the baby around on you for hours, without feeling any strain or pain! The Carrier One can be worn in the front or back, and from infant stage and beyond – no infant insert needed!

For letting baby rest, anywhere and at anytime, Nikki chose the popular DockATot, a multi-functional dock which baby can use to lounge, play, or snuggle, and you can easily take anywhere! The DockATot is bound to be SUPER handy for Nikki’s summer trips to Fire Island – a popular NYC summer respite. Made from breathable and washable materials, including a 100% cotton cover, the DockATot is hypoallergenic, anti-microbial and safe for infants and babies with sensitive skin. The DockATot is also free from phthalates and heavy metals, ensuring your little one breathes easily while they rest in the DockATot. The DockATot is perfect for small houses, as you can carry it from room to room and it doesn’t take up much space at all!

Product Discovery: Finn + Emma

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

When registering for baby items, and here at Gugu Guru, we often look for products which are not only safe on baby’s skin, but stylish too! Which is why we’re big fans of Finn + Emma, a 100% organic baby clothing, toys, play gyms, and accessories one-stop-shop. Finn + Emma is a blend of classic and contemporary, modern and whimsical, stylish and utilitarian baby items, all of which are free from any toxic chemicals. Finn + Emma believes that beautiful and healthy baby items can be both sustainable and stylish; there is no need to sacrifice style to keep your baby safe from chemicals!

As baby spends a lot of time rolling around on the floor, Finn + Emma has designed a play gym which will follow your little one into toddlerhood. Made from a 100% birch wood frame finished with non-toxic stains and lacquers (free of lead, phthalate, nickel, mercury, and VOC’s), the play gym is both helpful for baby to learn motor skills as well as stylish for any room in your house. All of the attached wooden toys, beyond being adorable, are non-toxic, made from all natural untreated indian hardwood buffed with vegetable seed wax. The knit dolls were made with phthalate-free rattles inside and hand knit from organic cotton. All of the toys from any of the gyms are interchangeable and can also be used on your stroller bar or a high chair!

As a perfect companion to the play gym, baby will love spending tummy time and beyond on the colorful and non-toxic play mat. Finn + Emma’s play mats are made from super soft organic cotton and non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes. The light padding makes it also a perfect changing mat or stroller liner; as an added plus, the play mats are easily washed in your regular washing machine.

The new Robot Collection is a modern twist on classic apparel and baby toys. Adorable for both boys and girls, this collection features clothing, bandanas, teethers, play gyms, play mats, and toys – all with a fun robot and space theme!

Using a more subtle pink-toned palette, the new Hipster Collection, chock full of toys, clothing, rattles, blankets, and more, is perfect for the baby girl in your life. Full of adorable little dolls, bikes, and geometric shapes, this stylish collection would make a perfect baby shower gift. Both the Hipster and Robot collections feature dolls, teethers and rattles which have loops on them, and will attach to any of Finn + Emma’s play gyms or mats.

Trend Spotter: Just For You

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

1. Limited Edition Personalized Mint & Salmon Headwraps ($20) available from Jennifer Ann Put your little girl’s name on one of our headwraps and she’ll have a truly one-of-a-kind and unique headwrap! Great for babies and toddlers.

2. Organic Personalized Baby Blanket and Hat Set ($17.50+) available from Petunia on Etsy. Super soft and stretchy organic interlock knit fabric printed with my digital designs. They look so cute tightly wrapped around your little one. It makes a brilliant baby gift and looks wonderful in pictures. It is sure to be an instant favorite.

3. Personalized Pacifier clip ($16.422) available from Boiteadoudou on Etsy.Handmade with wooden beads and acrylic or wooden letters, the pacifier-clip measure 8 inches to avoid any risk of strangulation of the child. The cord used is a 100% Polyester.

4. Custom Wooden Name Sign available from lucysletters123 on Etsy. (Starting at $50) Our name signs are 100% customized just for you and make wonderful keepsakes for your homes and nurseries. Each custom sign is hand-cut, hand-sanded and painted by me.

5. St. Tropez Stroller Blanket ($12) available from Pottery Barn Kids. This soft design keeps little ones comfortable and stylish with its tile-inspired pattern.

6. CUSTOM ‘STANDARD BANNER’ ($9) available from Daydreams and Dandelions. All custom banners are hand painted and custom made to suit your wishes.

7. Little Miss – Little Mister($19)available from Newborn Must Haves. The onesies are made of 100% cotton and will be made every friday. All orders before thursday 11:00 AM are made and send on Friday. Newborn Musthaves print the onesies themselves, with professional equipment (no iron).

Spring Cleaning with Well Rounded

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We have partnered up with the awesome ladies of Well Rounded again – this time for the “season of cleaning”. In Well Rounded’s latest post, three parents share their experts tips and spring cleaning registry picks for Gugu Guru. After reading the post, find their list of picks here and add them to your registry:

Jenny Greenstein of Your Soul Style, personal stylist, style coach and mom
Closet Cleaning Registry Picks:

1. Loyal Hana Marni Jumpsuit: This style works both during pregnancy and beyond with both enough room to flex with your changing shape and with hidden zippers that accommodate breastfeeding. This jumpsuit can also be dressed up with heels or down with sneakers and can be worn as-is in warmer temperatures and with a chunky sweater or blazer during colder months.

2. B&Me Booker Coat: If you’re into baby-wearing, the booker coat is a must, allowing you to be out and about while keeping baby cozy and warm. The coat can be worn as-is or underneath a heavier style like shown here.

3. MZ Wallace Bag (available at Bloomingdale’s): Both the Sutton Oxford tote and Metro Backpack are key “diaper” bags for new mamas. Super lightweight, functional, durable, water-resistant, these carry-alls will hold all of your baby essentials while keeping style on point.

Gunnar Larson, NYC Interior Designer and dad
Simple Nursery Registry Picks:

1. When it comes to toy storage, I love baskets. They can easily be moved around from room to room and be gathered in a corner out of the way while looking good together in a grouping. I love Eliza Gran’s baskets as they add a pop of color and look good anywhere in the house, especially the nursery. These Eliza Gran Venice-pom-pom-baskets can be easily paired with, cb2 Parkay Hamper for more toy storage.

2. A coat rack might seem like a good fit in the hallway but this CB2 Hidden Channel Wall Mounted Coat Rack works great in the kids room. Display cute books on hidden track and use the hooks for their bath towel, diaper bag and for displaying the cute outfit on a hanger that you can’t wait for them to wear. This allows for display and organization.

3. We all know that a perfectly clean Pinterest nursery can be hard to maintain. Sometimes we just need a place to throw all the excess. This is when 3 Sprouts Wall Organizer comes in handy. Whether it is for toys, wipes, books or socks; this wall organizer can be the perfect hiding place mounted on the wall behind the door or get a couple of them and hang them on the inside of the closet door. This helps keep all the small clutter off the floor or any other flat space in the room and keeps it hidden out of sight, but when you do see it, it’s cute.

Spirit Demerson, founder of Spirit Beauty Lounge and mom
Non-toxic Beauty Bag Registry Picks:

1. The only thing proven effective in preventing or reducing stretch marks is not cocoa butter but Vitamin E. I used this combo on my belly and tush every morning and night and even though I have always been stretch mark-prone, I didn’t get a single one.

2. I used this serum for my hair, nails, face and everything before baby arrived. Now I use it for his everything.

3. A lot of women are afraid they have to stop using anything effective when they switch to pregnancy-safe beauty. On the contrary! I would never give up my anti-aging skin care or my signature lipstick color! These non-toxic beauty heroes are even better than conventional because they’re high-performance and nourishing at the same time.

New Mom Series: Disposable Diapering

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

This is our fourth post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we provide helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Disposable Diapering feature, we have partnered up with new mama Lindsey Bonnice of Live Sweet Photography and Bambo Nature.

You may remember Bambo Nature from our allergen-free round-up post. Why do we place such a high importance on allergen free specifically when it comes to diapering? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an allergy to diaper material is a common cause of diaper rash. But there are lots of other reasons we dig this diaper brand. Here’s a breakdown:

Per the brand’s website Bambo Nature “is produced from high quality, certified, safe and eco-friendly materials that safeguard the health of your child and the sustainability of the raw materials used in production.” You really can’t get more responsible than that. Plus they fully disclose all of the materials used to produce the diapers on their site.

When you are planning for a baby’s arrival – especially your first baby- one of the questions that you will likely have to ask yourself is: “cloth or disposable?” There are some moms who feel that living a natural and organic life is very important to them but they don’t want to cloth diaper. This can present a bit of a parenting dilemma and we’re here to help. It is the moms who fit this profile, whom Gugu Guru is likely to recommend an eco-friendlier solution to disposable diapering like Bambo Nature. Bambo Nature may also be recommended to you if you’re looking for a high quality, premium disposable diaper.

Lindsey Bonnice of Live Sweet Photography was preparing for an incredibly exciting time – she was about to fly to Florida to bring her new son home. According to mom.me‘s recent article about best methods for preventing diaper rash, one of the simplest ways to keep baby rash-free is to just keep him or her dry. Sounds easy right? Anyone who has traveled with an infant – especially a newborn – knows that keeping a baby consistently dry is often a futile exercise. We’ve mentioned this before – babies pee and poop. A lot. A whole lot.

We recommended that Lindsey try out Bambo Nature diapers because we knew that these premium diapers were up to even an air travel challenge. Unlike many other diaper brands, Bambo Nature diapers are super soft, breathable and skin-friendly. And, really, does anyone want anything but the softest and safest diapers against a newborn’s sensitive skin?

Bambo Nature is constructed with a super breathable textile and its top dry layer ensures a fast absorption by quickly wicking away wetness, helping to keep the child’s skin dry. The side guards also offer leak protection, while not restricting movement and the diaper’s flexible side panels offer a perfect fit every time.

Want to find out if Bambo Nature are the right diapers for your lifestyle? Enter to win a case of Bambo Nature diapers in this week’s giveaway:

Lindsey Bonnice is a NY and PA based portrait and newborn photographer and mother. Follow her beautiful family (including a bunny and a pig!) and their adventures on her Instagram at @LiveSweetPhotography

Trend Spotter: Sweet Tooth

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

1. Silicone Teether for Baby ($24.00) available from Shop Glitter and Spice on Etsy. Oreo cookie lovers unite! These fabulous teethers are deliciously amazing for any teething babe!

2. The Collette ($25) available from LexyPexy. Oui, oui, this buttery biscuit is safe from all chemicals and toxins! It’s made from all- natural, sustainable rock-hard maple wood which is naturally antibacterial and non-splintering. The intricate design is permanently etched into the wood, featuring both the front and back details of the cookie. Each piece is hand-finished, sanded smooth, and stamped with the LexyPexy logo and the words ‘Made in NYC’. For little gourmands in the making.

3. Kawaii C’est Bon Macaron T-shirt($33 CAN) available on Whistle & Flute Clothing. C’est Bon! Our 6 colour Macaron design is super soft, super kawaii and goes with everything!

4. Felt macarons garland available from Macaroniz on Etsy. ($149.37 Israeli)Sweeten your room with a Macaroniz garland. This sweet light blue macarons with blue filling garland can add the perfect touch to your nursery, kids room, playroom, baby showers, parties and as a decoration piece that would make a great addition to any home.

5. Organic Reversible Baby Snap Bib Bandana – Milk and Cookies ($8.50) available from KEWE Clothing on Etsy. Don’t be fooled, these trendy organic bandanas aren’t just to keep the little one in your life looking fly! Declutter linen closets, diaper bags (and laundry baskets) with KEWE’s unique reversible bandana bibs!

6. Sweetie by Stacey Meacham (Starting at $24) available on Minted. Acid and lignin-free paper, deluxe pigment print

7. Adorable Baby Cupcake Hat($21.95+) available from Skye Knits for Baby on Etsy. This cute little cupcake beanie is perfect for precious newborn photos. Made of a very soft acrylic yarn with an adorable little cherry on top. YUMMY!!!!

8. Sorry I DONUT Do Naps T-shirt ($17) available from TDOT Kids.

« Previous Page

Baby Registry

Footer

Follow Us:

COME AND GET IT!