Baby Registry

Expecting Multiples? Our Top Must-Haves

I was extremely shocked when I heard that I was expecting my second set of twins. My identical boys were 2 and a half years old and while I knew they would be the best big brothers, I couldn’t believe I was going through this again! As Gugu Guru’s Director of Concierge, my mind immediately went to the products and gear that I would need for our second set (this time, boy/girl twins) who were going to be born in a completely different season than their older bros. Below is my latest list of must-have products for parents of multiples.

Newborn/4^th Trimester Must-Haves

Frida Mom Products: When I had my first set of twins, I had heard so much about this Nose Frida and how wonderful it was. Quickly, I converted to their whole lineup of items and was so excited when they launched their ‘Mom’ line. I am a HUGE fan of their Upside Down Peri bottle and their Disposable Underwear were extremely comfortable, especially after my C-Section.

Belli Skincare: When you have multiples, you don’t always have time for a long skincare routine. Generally, I need to slap on some lotion, rub on sunscreen and I’m out the door! I love Belli’s tinted sunscreen as well as their Stretchmark Minimizing Cream, which helped greatly as I grew.

Simple Clothing: This sounds so silly, but it’s also so practical. Find clothing that holds up to lots of washing, is a style you like, and is easy to put on. With double the diaper changes, zippers or magnetic closures are a must! Some of my favorite brands are Magnetic Me, Little Sleepies, and Monica + Andy.

Love to Dream Swaddles: These have continued to be a favorite for our family. They are so easy to put on and great for midnight diaper changes. They wash easily (important when you’re wearing them twice as fast) and allow your little one to have his or her hands up. Now that my little ones are 3 months old, we’re slowly transitioning to their Swaddle Up Transition Bags.

Twiniversity: Twiniversity strikes again! They continue to be my favorite resource to share with twin parents. The site is full of great blog posts written by twin parents on that multiple mentality! Also, their founder, Nat has written the best book for expectant twin parents – What to Do When You’re Having Two.

Feeding Must-Haves

Easy to Use Bottles: When you have double the mouths to feed, it is important that you have bottles that you can assemble and clean as quickly as possible. I actually use a couple different types of bottles with my little ones, depending on our situation. When my babies are battling reflux, there is no better bottle than Dr. Brown’s Options Plus. They have an excellent venting system, are easy to clean, and are easy to assemble. I have also loved using the food-grade silicone bottles by Olábaby. These have minimal parts, are lightweight, and are also extremely easy to clean. Plus, they have accessories to work with your pump or turn into a sippy cup down the road.

Baby Brezza: From day 1, my twins were receiving a mix of formula and breastmilk. Feeding two babies is not easy, regardless of what you choose to feed. Both the Formula Pro-Advanced and the Formula Mixer Pitcher allowed me to quickly prepare bottles. Nothing better than efficiency when you have to listen to two screaming babes! Side note – they just launched a new diaper bag, as well, which was great for our road trip this summer!

Feeding Accessories: With two babies to take care of, the number of bottles we go through per day is truly fascinating. I have found that surrounding myself with proper accessories makes the cleaning process significantly easier. The Dr. Brown’s Dishwashing Basket, Boon Lawn Drying Rack (with fun extras), and an easy to use pump (like the Motif Luna or Elvie) have dramatically improved our daily feeding experience.

On The Go and Playtime Must-Haves

An Excellent Stroller: My #1 must-have for any parents of multiples is a good stroller! I would even argue that 2 strollers can potentially be a game changer for twins. I love keeping our Joovy Twin Roo + in the car for easy in/out access with our car seats. This is great for running errands, attending doctor’s appointments, and dropping off my older set of twins (when COVID doesn’t keep us at home) at activities.

The Bugaboo Donkey3 has also become our beloved all-terrain stroller. My babies – who are nearly 4 months old – still fit comfortably in the bassinets and my older boys love riding on the glider board to “help push” the babies. I can easily get 3 of my 4 kiddos on this stroller with no worries about lack of storage. It has a huge basket, great wheels, and an easy to fold up frame. I love that I can convert it to a single stroller when I need one (which is rare in our house!) and the side luggage basket is amazing. Plus, the bassinet frame becomes the seat frame, which gives us one less item to store. I always love multifunctional items for twins!

Infant Car Seats: When I am helping expectant parents figure out what car seat makes the most sense for their needs, I often focus on 3 things – weight, safety features/install, and price. Nuna has done an excellent job with their Pipa line creating car seats that are lightweight, have added safety features and are extremely easy to install. Their new relx car seat base is a game changer, allowing you to recline the seat within the base and having an even easier install than the intial base. One great thing to note – all Pipa seats will fit in the relx base (and the new rx seat comes with it)!

A Great Diaper Bag with Lots of Storage: I have tried out loads of diaper bags with my kiddos. I do think certain diaper bags are best for certain situations. Unfortunately, many of the ‘twin’ diaper bags fell short in my opinion, as they are just too big. I strongly believe that I will fill any diaper bag I use, no matter how big or small. To me, a diaper bag must have enough pockets (but not so many that they take up valuable inner space), great open storage, and easy to access bottle spots. If it’s a backpack, that’s just a plus! Baby K’tan recently launched their diaper bags and I am a huge fan! They are easy to wipe down, easy to fill, and have inner storage that makes sense.

A great playmat for 2 babies: As a mom of two sets of twins, I try to keep some sort of control on the amount of stuff in our house. I am not a minimalist, but I try to maintain a level of simplicity. One way I do this is by focusing on items that can function for both babies instead of one at a time. The Lovevery play mat is a large playmat that will hold both babies for play, tummy time, and when I need to get tasks done around the house. It is extremely high-quality, easy to wash, and comes with excellent accessories that grow with your little one. I also love their Play Kits as well as Toys that provide all of my kiddos with age-appropriate developmentally based manipulatives.

Easy to Store Gear: Gear that is easy to store is essential with multiple babes. I love bouncers that fold flat, swings with small footprints and loungers that help with playtime. Check out some of my top choices by Baby Björn, 4moms, and Boppy.

An easy-to-use Carrier: I love wearing my babies. With 4 kiddos to take care of, it’s nice to have a hands-free way to hold one baby while tending to one of the others. Plus, it counts as tummy time anytime that little one is off of his/her back. I have tested out a number of carriers over the years and with my very short torso, I have a hard time finding a good fit. The Baby K’tan is great for the early days. I love the kangaroo carry and this helps keep my little ones snuggled close. The Boppy ComfyFit and ComfyChic carriers are super comfy and great from 8lbs on. They are easy to put on and are extremely adjustable and are great for wearing around the house or short walks around the neighborhood. I also love the Lascal m1 Carrier. Providing excellent ergonomic support for both parent and baby, this carrier is made of high-quality, breathable fabric and is great for all activities.

Nursery Must-Haves

Great Diaper Changing Products: I am a huge fan of all fragrance-free diapers. My littles all suffer from eczema so keeping parabens, fragrance, and dyes away is incredibly important to me. Some of my favorites are Eco Pea, Coterie, and Pampers Pure. Fragrance-free wipes are also so wonderful in those early days. Look for wipes that are 99% water initially. I love Water Wipes, Noleo, and Huggies Natural Care.

Crane Humidifier: My little ones always end up with a case of the sniffles right around 3 months. With a dry bedroom, I’m always looking for ways to moisten up the air. This will instantly help my little ones breathe and sleep, which means I get more shut-eye each night! Crane has the best line of cool mist humidifiers for your nursery and beyond! I keep one in each of my twins’ bedrooms every night!

Simple Swaddles: The Ollie Swaddle was great for us in the early days! This gave my little ones that tight swaddled feeling, ensuring longer stretches of safe sleep each night. I also love the swaddle blankets by Copper Pearl. They are buttery soft, stretchy, and a great size for long-term swaddling and beyond.

Great Crib Sheets: I am a HUGE fan of having loads of crib sheets for twinnies. There will inevitably be loads of messes in those cribs and the last thing you want to do is run out of clean sheets. I always have 4-5 sets for each baby on hand and my favorite sheets are by Carousel Designs. They have loads of organic options in fun patterns and you can even personalize your own bedding!

Bath/Teething Musts: My favorite hooded bath towels must be soft, cozy, and the right size for longterm use. I love the towels by Loulou Lollipop, which come as a set with a matching washcloth. They are adorable and so soft for that precious skin!

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that Gugu Guru receives a small commission should you purchase via any of the retail links.

Toki Mats: The Softest Playmat. Ever.

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As with most fantastic ideas, necessity is the mother of invention, and quite literally when it comes to Toki Mats. Founded by a mama while on maternity leave with her second child, she realized there was no place to get down on the floor and safely play with her newborn and toddler. At least, she didn’t have one that was both comfortable and modern. Toki Mats was created for the modern parent to have a functional, stylish, and most importantly, super soft place to get down and play with your crew.

Photo: @d_lillian

Toki Mats are completely unique in their structure, as they consist of one fabric cover with two side zip openings, and two natural latex foam inserts. Their unique foam is the perfect blend of squish and firmness, to pad baby’s falls and help support them as they develop critical movement skills. The outer cover is 100% super soft cotton fabric, and the waterproof covers are 100% bamboo jersey fabric. Parents love the optional waterproof covers, as they are easily washable. As an added fun bonus, the outer covers can be swapped out for a different design in no time flat. And, as Toki Mats was created by a mom, all materials are certified non-toxic and chemical free.

photo: @kaleekilgrow.photo

Toki Mats are an essential baby item for the house, as they are light enough to carry from room to room, and make getting down on the floor with your baby comfortable for you! Whether it’s tummy time, playing with the baby and toddler, reading books, or simply lounging, you too will enjoy the comfort and softness of the playmat. Heading out to grandma’s house? No worry, the mats easily fold into the travel case to take anywhere, in the car, train, or plane.

photo: @carriehuseman

The mats come in a ton of modern styles and in two convenient sizes, their regular size, and a mega size – ideal for baby and a toddler! The Toki Mat would make an awesome baby shower gift, and a gift for your own family, too. We can’t pick a favorite style, so we say get all of your favorite styles!

Cover photo: @megankawaharaphotography

The Best Pacifiers, Teethers & Lovies to Check Out

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Looking for the best teethers, pacifiers, and lovies for your baby? We’ve got you covered. From the budget parent to the minimalist and more, in this guide we’ve rounded up the best teethers, pacifiers, and lovies in 2018 for all types of parents according to Gugu Guru’s experts.

1. Hevea Pacifiers:

Danish designed, Hevea pacifiers are made from 100% all natural rubber latex. These pacifiers are made with a solid design so there is no concern about bacteria building up or pieces breaking off. Hevea pacifiers are soft and gentle on baby’s face thanks to the ergonomic shape and ventilation holes.

2. Mam Perfect Pacifiers:

Mam works closely with dentists and orthodontist when designing each of their pacifiers to ensure the reduced risk of misaligned teeth. The Perfect pacifier is extra thin and super soft and features Mam’s ultra soft silicone nipple so it is comfy in baby’ mouth. Thanks to the extra large ventilated holes baby’s skin won’t get irritated from use.

3. Philips Avent Soothie:

These pacifiers are ideal for baby from birth through 3 months and are designed with a baby’s developing mouth in mind. This pacifier is one piece and can be washed in the dishwasher and is safe for sterilization. The Philips Avent Soothie is the pacifier given out at more than 2000 hospitals nationwide.

4. Sophie la Girafe:

The design of this teether has not changed in over 55 years and veteran moms have been trusting it for all those years. Thanks to the contrasting spots, squeaky sound, soft feel and perfect size for their little hands, babies love to stick Sophie against their gums for relief. Sophie is made from 100% natural rubber and foot paint so there is no strong smell or taste.

5. Wubbanub Pacifiers:

Thanks to the unique style of the Wubbanub it will help ensure the pacifier stays close to baby and will allow baby help to reposition it into their own mouth. Designed for birth through 6 months the Wubbanub is a one-piece pacifier that is made with medical grade silicone. Baby will love seeing their favorite animal and will be able grasp and manipulate the pacifier.

6. Jellycat Lovey:

These beautiful loveys by Jelly Cat are so unbelievably soft you are going to want one for yourself. Available in almost 20 animals and color varieties, the Jelly Cat Loveys can easily be matched to your nursery design. Suitable from birth these loveys will help keep your baby calm and happy as they soothe themselves against the soft fabric.

Check out more top Gugu Picks:

Gugu Guru Village Love: Virtual Services

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Gugu Guru’s Village Love Registry is our registry of must-have items from our own community of parents. It’s all the necessities for sleep, feeding, baby gear, bathing, lounging, toddlers and more that our community would always recommend to new parents. Today we’re sharing all of the virtual services that are much-loved by the Gugu Guru community. Check out this comprehensive list of virtual services that you can access from the comfort of your couch. Plus, many discounts and special offers for Gugu Guru readers!

Arrow Birth: Virtual education and 1:1 support for every step of the parenthood path. By providing innovative education and highly-tailored support, Arrow Birth empowers families to positively adapt to any modern parenting demand. From contemplating parenthood through chasing toddlers, Arrow has families covered. Special Discount for Gugu Guru readers: head to Arrow Birth and use code GUGUGURU to purchase Arrow Birth’s Discover Course for $149 (normally $349)

Little Crown Interiors: Little Crown Interiors offers virtual child and nursery interior design nationwide. Little Crown Interiors was founded in 2008 by designer and artist, Naomi Alon. She created her design studio with a focus on nurseries and child spaces after seeing this specialized skill missing from other firms. Bringing together beauty, functionality and safety, Naomi believes in creating spaces for her clients that are unique, intentional and curated.

Lori Bregman: Lori Bregman is a renowned doula, life coach, author of Mamaste and The Mindful Mom To Be and co-founder of Seedlyfe Superfoods. With over 19 years of experience, Lori works with moms-to-be and new moms on all aspects of their personal transformation from fertility through pregnancy and into new motherhood. Lori is offering Gugu Guru readers 15% off using code mindfulmom15.

Mahaley Patel: Mahaley is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant that helps families nationwide with virtual sleep consulting. Mahaley is offering 20% off any sleep package for Gugu Guru readers, just mention “Gugu Guru Village Love”.

Momseze: Momseze is here to help new parents 24/7/365 by immediately connecting you with nurses, lactation consultants and baby care experts from the comfort of your home. Momseze is offering Gugu Guru readers 10% off a visit with code guguguru.

The Parent Collective: The Parent Collective offers judgment-free in-person and virtual prenatal and postpartum support to help you find your village. The Parent Collective is offering 10% off a class for Gugu Guru parents using code GUGU10.

The Sleep Lady: For 25 years, sleep coach, family therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mother, Kim West, aka The Sleep Lady, has personally empowered tens of thousands of families to gently find sleep, without letting their children cry it out. Kim has created and trademarked the original gentle, proven method to get a good night’s sleep for your family – The Sleep Lady Shuffle. She has sold over 140,000 copies of her sleep training book, the best-seller The Sleep Lady’s Good Night, Sleep Tight. Her new and improved Gentle Sleep Solutions e-course is a method to get your child (ages 6 months – 6 years) to sleep without crying it out. If you only want to sleep train once, Gentle Sleep Solutions is the way to create lasting results. With 25 years of experience backing it up, you can’t go wrong! Bonus, we’re offering a $20 off coupon for Gugu Guru families with code getsleep20.

WebBabyShower: Help everyone join in the fun of a baby shower no matter where they live in the world with WebBabyShower, and celebrate a pregnancy together. Web Baby Shower is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru parents with code GUGUGURU.

Tot Squad: From pregnancy to the playground, Tot Squad connects you to experts in the parenting space, because every parent needs a squad. Whether you’re newly pregnant or already have little ones at home, Tot Squad delivers the providers you need to answer your pressing parenting questions. Connect today for peace of mind.

Boober: New parenthood can be challenging but you don’t have to do it alone. Boober connects you to the right maternal care providers for you. Boober is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru families using code GUGUGURU.

Birth Day Presence: The days of the one-size-fits-all birth are done. Run by mothers and experienced doulas, Birth Day Presence hand-selects the best ideas and techniques from a range of practices to provide smart, non-judgmental childbirth education, doula, and lactation-support services. Birth Day Presence is offering 10% off for Gugu Guru readers with code GUGUGURU.

Monica + Andy: Monica + Andy is a one-stop-shop for your growing family, including everything from nursery, baby gifts, baby clothing, mom clothing, and more. They are committed to bringing parents the highest quality items for their growing family.

Tinyhood: Tinyhood is deeply rooted in building a better way forward for parents, everywhere. Their virtual courses in baby care, feeding, nutrition, breastfeeding, and sleeping are taught by experts, giving parents the tools they need to feel confident in their parenting journey. Tinyhood is offering 15% off a course to Gugu Guru parents with code GUGU15 (expires 12/31/2020).

Gugu Guru: Of course we have to plug ourselves here. Need baby product or baby registry help? Get personalized, unbiased product recommendations tailored to meet your lifestyle needs & wants with Gugu Guru. It’s free to get started! Upgrade for additional one-on-one help and enjoy 15% OFF with code VILLAGELOVE at check out.

10 Best Baby Books & Music To Check Out

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Our Gugu Concierge expert, covers some of our favorite baby books and music that you should definitely check out for your registry. Plus they make great gift ideas too.

BabyLit: For any parent who is a fan of classic Literature, BabyLit is a must have to start off the nursery book shelf. From Pride & Prejudice to Romeo & Juliet to Moby these beautifully illustrated board books will keep you and your little one entertained with their simple but clever text.

Goodnight Moon: Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon is simply a classic for any nursery. This ode to bedtime is soothing and gentle and the perfect way to end the day with baby.

Guess How Much I Love You: Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney is a gorgeous story of love and the bond between a parent and child. This warm, soft story and its illustrations are the perfect addition to any nursery design.

Sandra Boynton’s Greatest Hits: Volume II: But Not the Hippopotamus, The Going to Bed Book, Horns to Toes and Opposites by Sandra Boynton are all perfectly cheery and full of simple illustrations that will delight baby. The simple rhymes of these books can be perfect for playtime or bedtime.

On the Night You Were Born: On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman is a beautiful story of magic and unconditional love. This book may just leave you in tears as it you walk down memory lane sharing it with baby.

Look, Look: Look, Look by Lienthal is a high contrast black and white book that even the youngest babies can see and appreciate. This board book which just has a few words on the page introduces baby to the world around them in a super stylish way.

We’re Going On a Bear Hunt: We’re Going On a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen is a beautiful story of a brave family’s adventure. This simple, repetitive rhyme has been loved by kids for more than 30 years and the soft illustrations keeps baby and parents wanting more.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition: The Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition is a great way to ensure you always have music at the ready for your little one. Whether you want to have a dance party on a tough night or have lullabies ready for bedtime, the Echo Dot will easily play thousands of songs. As your baby grows, the Echo Dot Kids Edition will allow you to put on parental controls for daily time limits and review activity.

Spotify “New Baby” Playlist: You can play sweet, soothing music for your baby straight from your phone using Spotify. Using playlists such as “New Baby” will give you hours of classical music and lullabies that will fill the nursery with music perfect for baby.

Rockabye Baby: Rockabye Baby makes rock music baby-friendly and kids music adult-friendly by taking the rock music parents love and transforming it into soothing instrumental lullabies. Available in CD or MP3 versions parents can choose from everything from Tom Petty to Laga Gaga to Johnny Cash.

Real Mom Review: Zoe XLC Single Stroller

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Our Real Mom Reviewer, Shawna, is crazy about the Zoe XLC Single Stroller! Shawna tried the Babyzen Yoyo and the Mountain Buggy Nano V2, but feels the Zoe is superior to the competition. Read her thoughts and details about the Zoe XLC below.

Shawna W.: “Not only is the Zoe sleek looking but it is the easiest umbrella stroller to use by far. With one simple movement, you can open and close it. It also folds up to be extremely compact with a strap that allows for easy carrying. I have tried two other popular brands and the Zoe has exceeded both in appearance and practicality. For a mom on the go, I would highly recommend this product!”

What you need to know about the Zoe Stroller:

The Zoe Stroller is great for travel and everyday use.
It only weighs 11 pounds, accommodates a child up to 50 pounds and features an amazing canopy.
When folded, the stroller fits in a small trunk or overhead compartment of an airplane.

Click here to add the Zoe XLC Stroller to your registry.

Best Zip-Up Baby Swaddle

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and that seems to be the case for our top baby swaddle pick, the Love to Dream Swaddle. When founder Hana-Lia Krawchuk had her first child, she quickly realized that he slept better with his arms up, out of the constraint of the baby swaddle; after much research and reading, she found that medical science suggests that babies really can sleep better if they have access to their hands for self-soothing. Using her skills as an experienced fashion designer, Hana spent many hours, days and weeks refining, simplifying, sampling and resampling the very first version of the signature Love to Dream Swaddle UP baby swaddle. By the following year, Swaddle UP hit the stores, and the Love To Dream story had begun.

So, what makes the Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original baby swaddle different than other baby swaddles? Simply put, the Love To Dream Swaddle UP Original is the only zip-up swaddle that allows babies to sleep in the natural position with hands safely up in the wings. Allowing babies to sleep safely with their arms up may actually help babies sleep better – and when babies sleep more soundly, the whole house does! This baby swaddle is revolutionary for helping babies sleep longer and more soundly. For, the way babies settle themselves to sleep is by sucking on their hands and gently rubbing their cheeks; this is called self-soothing, and this helps baby fall back asleep, and makes for a better sleep for parents as well. By having their hands safely out of the swaddle, babies can help themselves self soothe back to sleep.

Love to Dream has recently released their limited edition Swaddle UP Rainbow pattern created to celebrate Rainbow Babies. $5 from every purchase will be donated to First Candle, a charity dedicated to reducing SIDS and providing bereavement support for families.

A baby swaddle is also known for keeping babies feeling snug, as they did in the womb, and the Love to Dream Swaddle UP mimics that feeling as well. The snug fit over the torso makes babies feel secure, as in the womb, and helps to calm their natural startle reflex. From waist down a hip-healthy design allowing hips and legs to flex naturally, so baby can comfortably move around without the worry of anything near baby’s face, such as a blanket. Since their hands are covered, but accessible, the Swaddle UP baby swaddle is ideal for babies with sharp little fingernails since they can soothe themselves by rubbing their cheeks without the worry of scratching themselves. Parents love the Swaddle UP Original because it allows for babies to have access to their little hands and can suck on them, rub their hands on their face, and thus self-soothe.

Love to Dream didn’t just consider parents when creating Swaddle UP baby swaddles, however, they also created it to make life easy on the family, too! The Love to Dream Swaddle UP baby swaddles feature a genius two-way zipper for easy diaper changes; this means you don’t need to take the baby out of the baby swaddle for those dreaded middle of the night diaper changes – simply zipper and you’re good to go back to sleep. Plus, a traditional baby swaddle can be a little tricky to master at times, which means you run the risk of someone swaddling the baby incorrectly; however, the Swaddle UP baby swaddle is easy to put on and off for family members, babysitters and others. There is no learning curve as with traditional swaddling with a blanket, and there are no worries about unraveling when baby sleeps.

Love to Dream not only makes baby swaddles for infants, but can grow with your child as well. The Love To Dream Swaddle UP™ 50/50 (Stage 2) features zip-off wings, so as baby gets older and doesn’t need to be as tightly swaddled, they can have their hands free; and the Love To Dream Sleep Suit and Sleep Bag (Stage 3) of the Love To Dream sleep system are a safe way your toddler can sleep without getting overheated or worry about blankets. If you’re going to be adding swaddle blankets to your baby registry, skip the traditional blanket and opt for the Love to Dream Swaddle UP baby swaddle, as it will not only help baby sleep better, but make your life easier, too!

Find the Love to Dream Swaddle at Target here.

You can find Love to Dream on Instagram and Facebook, too. Looking for the best diaper pail to add to your registry? See why we love the Dékor Diaper Pail.

Claire Holt’s Motherhood Must-Haves

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

We are so excited to have teamed up with Claire Holt again to highlight her favorite products now that her little guy has turned one! In the blink of an eye, her cutie has gone from infancy to rolling over, then eating and is now on the move! Here are some of Claire’s top must-haves that have helped her throughout her first year and beyond as a new mom! Plus, we love Claire’s social media posts about motherhood, especially as she gets ready to welcome baby #2– be sure to follow her on Instagram!

Fourth Trimester Must-Haves

Baby K’tan: I really loved using this wrap when James was a newborn. He instantly calmed when I wore him and it allowed me to actually get things done! It was so easy to put on (which was very important to me as I struggled with some of the other ‘rubix cube’ wraps), and I was able to pop it in the washing machine to keep it clean. Highly recommend!

Magnetic Me Onesies: These are a MUST!!! We tried many different types of onesies and these are the clear winners. They are so easy to snap, which is crucial for middle of the night changing and bath time fussiness. I love love love love this brand.

aden + anais Swaddles/Blankets: SO beautiful, soft, and very high quality. We really love these and they make great gifts!

Diaper Dékor Plus: The best part about this pail is how easy it is to empty. You simply cut the continuous liner on the side of the pail, tie a knot, and you’re good to go. It’s handsfree and really effective at trapping odors.

Travel Must-Haves

Doona Car Seat/Stroller: This is my absolute favorite baby product. We traveled with James from a very young age and this car seat/stroller made our lives so much easier. It’s lightweight, durable, very comfortable, and switches easily between the two modes. My only wish is that it came in a bigger size, as James grew out of it by 6 months. This is a MUST HAVE if you plan on traveling or just want to save a little space in your home!

Hatch Baby Sound Machine: Awesome product for home or on-the-go. It has such a wide variety of sound options and also works as a night light. We travel with it everywhere – it really helps to keep him in a deep sleep

4moms Breeze Playard: Really great for travel – so easy to set up and pack away. The mattress is super comfortable. We use this for sleep and for playtime.

Skip Hop Pronto Portable Changer: Really great for those times when you don’t want to lug around a large diaper bag. I found it very useful when I had to change him in places with limited space (like a plane bathroom!).

Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier– I really love this carrier! It’s so easy to use and James loves facing both inward and outward. It was invaluable on my recent trip to Australia – I walked up and down the plane aisle wearing him for many hours. It saved my back and my sanity. While I love the Baby K’tan for newborns, this worked better for me once James got a little bigger.

On-The-Go Must-Haves

Nuna Pipa: We brought James home from this hospital in this car seat and I used this when we weren’t traveling until he was around 6 months old. The Nuna Pipa is a great design and James always seemed very comfortable in it. Safety is obviously the main priority and I always felt confident that he was safe and secure.

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible Car Seat– Obsessed with this seat. Now that James is bigger he is much more comfortable in this style. It’s beautifully made, very secure, and easy to clean. Huge fan.

Artipoppe Carrier: Another of my favorite carriers. This carrier is SO gorgeous. The quality is incredible, the patterns are really unique, and when I’m wearing it, strangers always ask about it!

Silver Cross Jet: LOVE this travel stroller. It’s so simple to fold, becomes incredibly compact, and most importantly is super comfortable. It also looks really stylish. James even prefers this stroller over the larger version. So glad silver cross released this model!

Sleep Must-Haves

Colgate Natural I Crib Mattress: Love that this mattress is eco-friendly and all natural. It’s hypoallergenic, very safe, and very comfortable.

Magic Merlin Sleepsuit: This suit was really helpful when we transitioned James from the swaddle. He slept really well and most importantly was safe in his crib. We didn’t use it for long but it was a very valuable tool when we needed it.

Crane Humidifer: We use this in the winter months. I like that it dispenses a cool mist making it safe for infants. The design is stylish and it’s easy to use.

Breathable Crib Liners: This liner stops James from getting his arms and legs caught in the crib bars. Love that it doesn’t restrict airflow and is a safer alternative to crib bumpers.

Playtime Must-Haves

4moms mamaRoo4: An excellent infant seat option starting right at the newborn stage. This seat has multiple movement patterns and is a great way to keep baby calm during playtime!

Monti Kids: I am a huge fan of Montessori and love that this is an age-appropriate subscription service. The wooden toys are beautifully made and specifically designed for development. The subscription provides parents/caregivers with access to the Monti Kids Learning Centre, which gives instructions and shares research. I did have an issue with the Level 1 mobile. I couldn’t collapse it and took up a large amount of space. Upon checking their website, it seems that they’ve addressed this and the new mobile is adjustable! All of the other toys are really great.

Toki Play Mat: Really great for newborns, it’s made of very soft organic material and has a machine washable cover. It’s portable and comes in lots of great prints.

People Toy Company- Mochi blocks: James is obsessed with these toys! I love that they’re free of harmful chemicals and made from rice – makes me feel better when they spend most of the time in his mouth!

DockATot: The DockATot does an amazing job at keeping the baby cozy. Great for supervised lounging and playtime. Plus it is super portable.

Feeding Must-Haves

Comotomo Bottles: These bottles are the best! We tried glass at first, but they were heavy and I was always worried about dropping them. I love that the Comotomo is made of food-grade silicone, easy to clean, and the nipple mound is quite large, which resembles a breast. By far James’ favorite type of bottle.

Boon Lawn Drying Rack: Large, easy to clean, and keeps the bottles in place as they dry. It seems very simple but I tried a number of different racks and this was the best.

Inglesina Fast Table chair: This is so great for travel! He does much better in this than a traditional restaurant high chair. Easy to clean and very comfortable.

Wabi Baby UV Sterilizer: Another of my must-have items. Great design, highly effective, and easy to use. Sterilizes and dries toys and bottles very quickly. We love it so much that despite the size, we packed it in the back of the car and brought it on vacation with us. (Side note – the Wabi Baby UV Sterilizer is currently

Beaba Babycook: We make our own organic food for James when we can (it’s a little more difficult when traveling), and this product makes it very easy. It steams AND purees the food, which means less equipment and fewer dishes! We have transitioned to more textures so don’t use the puree function as much anymore, but we still use it to steam fruits/veggies.

Clothing Must-Haves

Saint Haven Clothing: I am in love with these clothes. They are so soft yet incredibly durable. James lives in the one-pieces.

Little Crowns NYC Hats: The most adorable little hats. Super stylish and adjustable as they grow. Most importantly, he never tries to rip them off!

Thank you SO much to Claire for all of her insight and photos of her little guy and his favorite items.

Target Lovers: Here’s Your Ultimate Baby Checklist from Nanobebe

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

When it comes to preparing for baby, it makes everyone’s lives a little easier when everything you need for feeding is at one store, so we thought it would be helpful to round up our must-have Nanobebe items from Target, as let’s be honest, who doesn’t stop into Target 4 times a week?

Nanobebe is known for their award-winning innovative baby products, especially their baby bottle. In fact, the nanobébé bottle made the TIME Magazine’s 50 best inventions of the year list and was named “the smartest baby bottle ever made” by Business Insider. The nanobébé bottle is the first and only bottle for your little one specially designed to preserve essential breastmilk nutrients. Many working moms love the nanobebe bottle because it makes transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding easier for both mom and baby.

The nanobébé Breastmilk Storage Bags & Organizer is the perfect companion for the bottles, especially if you’re pumping and storing milk for later. The leak-free bags feature an innovative design that holds milk in a shallow layer so it can cool quickly and thaw evenly to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. The nanobébé breastmilk storage bags have serious leak-protection with a double zipper that seals securely, so you can pump and save your milk without worrying. The breastmilk organizer helps keep the flat bags stacked, helping you stay organized and easing your mind about heading to work or out for the night, as you can rest easy your milk will be organized and there when needed.

If you’re on the go with or without baby and need to store the breastmilk, the nanobébé Cooler and Travel Bag is designed with your baby’s needs in mind; whether the travel cooler is for storing your breastmilk at daycare with your little one or for family travel, you can be sure that precious breastmilk nutrients are being protected with three layers of insulation. Designed with the modern parent in mind, its sleek style is also convenient, as you can quickly store and go thanks to the stackable shape of nanobébé’s breastmilk bottles! You can pack up to three bottles in this cooler and the included compact ice pack keeps your breastmilk cold for several hours. It also fits extra feeding necessities, like nipples, pacifiers, pump parts, and more.

If it’s easier to buy everything at once, check out the Complete Newborn Baby Bottle Gift Set & Accessories, which includes everything a new parent needs for feeding, such as the award-winning nanobébé Breastmilk Bottles, a non-electric Smart Warming Bowl for quick and even warming of breastmilk, a Microwave Steam Sterilizer (which quickly eliminates household bacteria in under 4 minutes), and a space-saving slim Drying Rack for all of your feeding/pump parts (stores at just a 1/2 inch with removable, adjustable pegs that can be tucked away in the breathable, germ-free base). The set also features essential accessories such as medium flow and slow flow nipples, breast pump adaptors, and extra soft Flexy Pacifiers designed to stay in place and fit perfectly to baby’s face. Or, check out the Starter Set with Warmers & Pacifiers, which includes the bottles, warmer and pacifiers. These make a great baby shower gift!

PS. Use code NANO20 for 20% off Nanobebe sets on Target.com

Newborn Bath Newcomer – Lavelu Lounger

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

There is a newborn bath newcomer in town that we want to tell you about – the Lavelu Lounger. If you have a newborn or a little one on the way, you should definitely check out this newborn bath sink insert. The Lavelu Lounger is an innovative super comfy, ergonomic infant lounger to use in your sink*. It is a universal cushion, which means it is constructed in a flexible and form-fitting design that will be comfortable for baby in almost all kitchen and bathroom sink types. The Lavelu Lounger ensures both a safe and enjoyable newborn bathing experience for your little one.

So why are we loving the Lavelu Lounger? Did you know that some babies hate bath time? This is sometimes because the baby is cold or just plain uncomfortable on the insert. Parents love that the Lavelu lounger is not a stiff, hard sink insert like the other products out there. The mom-invented Lavelu Lounger is the only universal, fully supportive, baby sink bath insert designed to conform to your baby’s body shape, providing ultimate head and neck support in any sink. It will really fit in any sink type – square, round, kitchen or bathroom sink; RV, camper, home or hotel, you can take the Lounger with you wherever you go!

The Lavelu is also a unique newborn bath cushion because it is waterproof. Made with unique (and extra soft!) material, the sink bath Lounger is designed to dry quickly and efficiently by simply hanging from your shower rod or towel rack. Many other sink inserts that we have tried out don’t offer this same ease of cleaning – not the Lavelu Lounger! Simply use it, drain it, squeeze it, hang it!

**It’s important to note that the Lavelu is NOT
intended to be used in anything but a sink.**

By the way, the Lavelu lounger comes with a satisfaction guarantee! We think that Lavelu would make an awesome baby shower gift, especially when paired up with some comfy towels and safe baby skincare.

Check it out: we also feature the Lavelu Lounger in our post about family RV travel with an infant because it is the ultimate sink insert when you’re hitting the road.

Thank you to our partner OA Creative – the makers of the Lavelu Lounger for making this sponsored post possible. Please note that this post uses Amazon affiliate links.

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