Nursing &amp; Feeding

Back to School season is in full gear and today we are bringing you new items that will make your BTS lives significantly easier!! Please check out our list below and let us know some of your favorite back to school products too!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Lunch Gear from ZoLi: Some great new options from ZoLi, which will make school lunch instantly easier to pack! The POW DINE will help keep your kiddos lunch hot or cold for hours, making lunch time instantly more delicious. When you want to pack both a hot and cold item (or two different items in either category) the THIS + THAT will be your must-have! A perfect way to have a home cooked and well-balanced meal. Finish up with the POW SQUEAK, the perfect water bottle for keeping your little ones hydrated throughout the day!

Líllébaby Serenity Carrier: For those parents and caregivers trying to maneuver school drop off with a baby, this new carrier is sure to be a must-have! We love the adjustability of the seat, which makes this carrier perfect for infancy through toddlerhood (7-45 lbs) and the lumbar support will help keep away any back pain. We also love the breathable mesh panel, which will help keep you and baby comfortable during warm weather even while waiting for the bus!

PLAE Tab Designer: Head back to school in style, created by your little one! We love PLAE shoes, especially because they are so easy for your toddler or school-aged little one to get on/off independently! Now, they have added one more customizable step to the shopping process. Create your own tabs to rock on any of your PLAE shoes! Perfect for highlighting their favorite team or their latest artwork these will truly be one of a kind!

Bugaboo Lynx: The newest addition to the Bugaboo family, the Lynx is an excellent all-terrain, yet lightweight stroller choice! Perfect for the walk to school or daycare, it’s huge basket can hold all of the backpacks while it’s suspension makes it a dream to push. Plus, you can fold it without having to take off the seat! A huge plus when you’re trying to run in/out of drop-off with multiple kids! Available in October or for pre-order now.

Stuck On You Back to School Essentials: We LOVE Stuck on You at Gugu Guru, because they provide our kiddos with easy to use (and extremely functional) labels, bento boxes, backpacks and more! Great for daycare or school, Stuck On You’s products will hold up to daily use from your little ones. Plus, each item can be personalized meaning no more losing that lunchbox or water bottle!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 21, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: Chicago Baby Show Edition

Breastfeeding and Pumping: The All-In-One, Award-Winning System

Transitioning baby from breast to bottle can be exhausting and disheartening at times, so we were seriously pumped to learn about nanobébé’s award-winning breastfeeding and pumping system. This all-in-one feeding solution, named ‘Smartest Baby Bottle Ever Made’ by Business Insider and the ‘Best Bottle for Breastfed Babies’ by the Bump, has a plethora of mama and baby-focused benefits—and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Firstly, the thoughtful design assures babe that their beloved food source didn’t go anywhere. Shaped like a smooth breast, the nanobébé bottle can help with the difficult transition—for both of you!

Another amazing benefit is its extensive capabilities. As a new parent, we already have 18 million things either on us, around us, or surrounding our sink—if we can eliminate something, let’s. This breastfeeding and pumping phenomenon can be used to pump, store, warm AND feed your babe. A breast pump adaptor is included, and a little storage bonus: the bottles are stackable.

And now, for the info that many of us do not know about: When you warm breastmilk without proper temperature tracking, you can unknowingly remove some of the essential nutrients. This breastfeeding and pumping solution warms the milk up to two times faster than standard bottles—at safe temperatures—to retain the nutrients. It is the first and only bottle designed to protect the nutrients in breastmilk. The perfect addition to compliment your breastfeeding journey.

When you’re trying to calm your babe in the middle of the night, it’s soothing to know that you can heat the milk quickly without worrying about warming it unevenly or overheating (and having to wait for it to cool down). And then during your milk sesh, when your adoring eyes watch your babe in ecstasy, you can smile knowing that the nutrients you’re working hard to produce are being delivered to their growing bodies.

Recognized by TIME, CNN and DailyMail UK, the nanobébé bottle truly is “feeding reinvented.” We love it and think you will too.

Have you tried it? If so, please share your experience in the comments below! We’d love to hear about it.

Thank you to nanobébé for making this sponsored post possible!

What’s New on Gugu: Chicago Baby Show Edition

We were off to the Chicago Baby Show this week to see what’s new in the baby world! The Gugu Guru team loved learning all about the latest and greatest items for babies and toddlers. Below is our wrap up of some of our favorite new finds. Some of these are brand new to the market and some may be familiar faces. We LOVE hearing about new products, so please never hesitate to send our way!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

CoralUV Sanitizer and Dryer: We have been so excited about the launch of the CoralUV since we met one of the Co-founders last year at the Chicago Baby Show! You will fall in love with this machine while sanitizing and drying bottles, pacifiers, and teethers but it won’t end there! Continue to fall in love over and over again as you sanitize small toys, sippy cups, remotes, and anything else that comes in contact with your little ones. It’s also great for Mom’s makeup brushes! Now that they have formally launched, we know this will be a favorite appliance of parents for years to come!

Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon: We mentioned this new stroller wagon by Evenflo earlier this year when it was announced. It has now launched and is gaining fame by the minute! This is the perfect solution to older toddlers and young children who no longer want to ride in the stroller. Each seat will hold up to 55 lbs and there are both car seat adapters and toddler seats available. We also love the fact that this can have either a wagon ‘pull’ or a stroller ‘push.’

Larktale Strollers – chit chat and coast: Launching earlier this year, Larktale brings two new strollers to the US market! The chit chat is a great lightweight option, perfect for travel or that everyday on-the-go family. The frame is also made from recyclable fiber-infused nylon, which is both eco-friendly and incredibly strong. The coast is Larktale’s all-terrain stroller, which is newborn compatible and has great all-wheel suspension. It even folds up small enough to fit in any trunk. Great compact, well made strollers!

M1 Carrier by Lascal: A new fantastic find by one of our favorite companies, Regal Lager. The M1 Carrier is truly an adaptable carrier that has been designed with both baby and parent in mind. Made of completely breathable fabric, you will also be able to use this with one hand. No more struggling to get your little one in/out of the carrier alone! Newborn compatible (without an insert!), the seat will also change based on your little one’s needs. Plus it will provide ample lumbar support for anyone carrying baby!

Olábaby Transitional Sippy Lid: Olábaby bottles remain some of our top recommendations, especially for parents who want eco-friendly without the weight of glass. When we stopped by their booth at the Chicago Baby Show, they had lots of fun things to show us. We were most excited about their Transitional Sippy Lid, which will attach to your current Olábaby bottles and help ease your babe’s transition. No more struggling with new spoutless cups or straw cups for months. This is a great, budget-friendly investment!

Lalo: The brains behind both ‘The Daily’ (stroller) and ‘The Chair’ were showcasing all of their products’ features this year. We loved taking a stroll with the Daily and seeing how much we could really stuff in that large (adjustable) basket. We also were so intrigued at how easy ‘The Chair’ is to clean. Plus we love that it adjusts to a toddler size chair. We can’t wait to see what else comes out of the Lalo team this next year! Lalo has also partnered with BabyQuest to assist couples and individuals with the cost of fertility treatments. Apply for the grant by Sept 5 by clicking here.

bets & emy Baby Wipes: These wipes will change your baby’s life if s/he suffers from sensitive skin! Made of 99.9% water and 0.1% citrus extract, these wipes will keep your little one free of painful diaper rash. However, different than other natural wipes on the market, these are textured and large, meaning you can actually use less wipes to clean up all of lifes ‘big’ messes! They are even soft enough to use on your face AND (fun fact from the owner) they will take off makeup!

Nuna Exec: Although this seat isn’t expected to launch in October, we loved seeing it this past weekend! Exclusive to Nordstrom, this seat will truly be the only seat you’ll ever need. Starting as a rear facing infant-compatible car seat, it features a built in anti-rebound bar, infant insert, and easy to install capabilities. When you’re ready to forward face, simply turn the seat around for your little one. As your kiddo gets older, this will even turn into a seat belt booster, with easy-to-store panels for the harness.

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 21, 2019

MadeGood Foods: Village Reviews

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Summer is coming to an end and students are heading back to school. MadeGood Foods takes the guesswork out of selecting healthy and satisfying snacks for your child. MadeGood products contain the highest quality organic ingredients and have nutrients equivalent to a serving of vegetables. The MadeGood facility is completely nut-free, making their foods school-safe. Keep reading to see what our Village Parents thought of these delicious snacks.

I’m always delighted to find allergy-friendly treats that are safe to send to school. The petite-size of these snacks is perfect for toddlers and younger kids. I was also impressed that the MadeGood Mixed Berry Granola Bar has way less sugar than my 2-year old’s other favorite granola bar. When my daughter tasted the Chocolate Chip Crispy Square she exclaimed, “that’s really yummy!” I’m glad we found a new line of snacks that are #toddlerapproved and will be on regular rotation in our house!
-Alyssa N.

My kids have loved the MadeGood bars! My daughter (3.5, no allergies) is obsessed with the chocolate chip ones, and I feel good about it because of the relatively low sugar content! She also really liked the Crispie Rice Squares, which I use in a “less mess needed” situation like the car.

My son (15-months, dairy and tree nut allergy) absolutely loves the bar with dried fruit. He literally murmurs “mmmmm” while he’s eating them. Also, it’s really nice that texturally he can take bites directly from the bar (supervised) without needing me to rip it in tiny pieces first!

I will for sure continue to buy these products!
-Naomi P.

BUY THEM ALL! My kids (ages 5.5, 3.5 and 1.5) gobbled every single one of these up – and I felt good giving them a healthier snack/treat option – so we all won. Both the granola bars and the crispy squares have the nutrients of a full serving of vegetables (don’t ask me where they’re hiding, you’d never know there was any kind of vegetable in there). My kids asked me for one every single day until we ran out so I will definitely be keeping them on hand in the future. And don’t be fooled, these are definitely not just for kids, I enjoyed them as well and like having one of the granola bars with me for a quick snack at work. I also love that their products are organic, non-GMO and allergy-friendly (free from the 8 most common allergens – peanut, tree nut, soy, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, gluten, and sesame). And if you value a company’s mission and standards as much as I do, this one also passes that test with flying colors – they are a certified B corp and a Zero Waste facility, are transparent about their ingredient selection/production process, and use a third-party auditor to monitor food safety and supply chain management. Definitely a company and a product I can get behind!
-Christine C.

Snacks! Anyone else’s kids want a snack all the time or just wants to graze while playing? It appears my boys are always hungry and finding quick and handy snacks that are healthy can sometimes be a challenge. The MadeGood Granola Bars and Crispy Squares are healthy, organic, non-GMO, and nut-free! My boys love the chocolate chip flavor and I’m all about the mixed berry. These bars are so quick and easy to throw in your bag and go. My favorite thing about these bars is that they are nut-free! I must be honest for a second, I was one of those moms who would roll my eyes every time I would hear that I couldn’t put any nut products in my sons’ lunch. One kid with an allergy had to make it inconvenient for all the other parents. Boy, was that inconsiderate of me! My dear friend’s son has a very severe peanut allergy and I have seen firsthand what she has to go through to ensure the safety of her son. My eyes have sure been opened and I am now much more aware of the snacks I buy for my kids. I love that I don’t have to worry about the MadeGood products and that they are a safe snack for our friends with allergies. Also, my kids love them, and they are husband approved as well! All around winning in my opinion.
-Anne E.

The MadeGood products are AMAZING! I cannot say enough good things about them. The fact that the crispy square bars contain the same nutrients as a serving of vegetables, come in Chocolate AND are dairy-free is mind-blowing! I struggle with snacks sometimes, because my 20 MO has a dairy allergy & she gets upset when her brother is able to eat things she cannot. We are definitely switching to MadeGood granola bars and crispy squares! It’s so nice not to have to compromise on taste for quality, natural snacks!
-Heather L.

We found a yum yum yummy new snack, that everyone in our house likes! The crispy squares and granola bars are delicious! It’s an easy decision to continue to buy this product. I personally love the granola bars, knowing that they are a better choice compared to a lot of the other granola bars out there. Being a teacher, I can appreciate the fact that they are “free from nuts & safe for schools”. Too many times do I see an issue with student’s snacks, or even when it comes to a students birthday and them wanting to bring in a special treat, and it then being approved by the school. This is an all-around yummy and smart option for snacks for my family!
-Danielle C.

My daughter loves these (the Vanilla Crisp Squares are her fave)! They remind me of a rice crispy treat. I love that they are healthy for my growing toddler and have vegetable nutrients. She wasn’t a huge fan of the mixed berry granola bars but hopefully, that will change soon!
-Crystal B.

Thank you to MadeGood Foods for sending these snacks to our Gugu Village Testers. We appreciate our Gugu Village Parents for providing us with their honest thoughts. For more information on purchasing MadeGood Foods, click here!

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What’s New on Gugu: August 21, 2019

This week I have found some fun new products for both mom and baby! For mom, I am highlighting three new maternity/nursing apparel options. Two of these are great options for working moms and one is great for active families! I also have a new combination car seat (harness to booster) that will be great for school carpools! Also, an excellent set by one of our favorite eco-friendly toy companies.

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Britax Grow with You Clicktight and Grow with you Clicktight Plus: The two new Harness-2-Booster options from Britax are great for back to school and carpool! We love Britax’s Clicktight installation, which gets you a perfectly tight fit in a matter of seconds. These seats will keep your forward facing kiddo in a harness until 65 pounds, and safely in a booster up to 120 pounds. Clicktight Plus also features naturally flame-retardant fabrics that you can easily wash and dry!

The Dress by leSolstice: This pregnancy and nursing friendly dress is the new ‘must have’ in any mama’s wardrobe! The slight compression waist stays up on your growing tummy while the dual wrap top easily opens for nursing and/or pumping. Plus, the magnetic closure will keep one side closed, even if you need to open the other!

Rose and Rex Calm Mind Kit: Looking to introduce mindfulness and meditation to your little one in a developmentally appropriate way? Look no further! Created by childhood development and wellness experts, these will help you get through the dog days of summer! Each set contains three toys as well as a set of calm mind activity cards. Plus, every purchase gives back toys to children in need!

Cadenshae Activewear: A full line of maternity (and nursing-friendly) activewear for pregnancy and beyond! Created to look just like your pre-baby wardrobe, every Mom and Mom-to-be will find something high-quality and super comfortable! Once baby arrives, these items will continue to be some of your favorite go-to pieces!

J. Crew x HATCH Collection: Another fun collaboration has recently launched! J. Crew’s entrance into the maternity world is paired brilliantly with HATCH, creating many new (and adorable!) pieces for the working mom. Comfortable for the growing belly, these pieces will help you feel confident in the work place throughout all three trimesters and beyond!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: June 18, 2019

This week I have found some great products for mom! Some items will help with pregnancy while others will help with the fourth trimester and beyond! We can’t take care of our babes without taking care of ourselves (easier said than done!). I also found some items for said babes – a new high chair that is taking on the style game and a great new eco-friendly toy company!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Frida Mom: The newest line of products from our friends at Fridababy and all for mom! These products were created to help with recovery after birth and throughout the fourth trimester. Known for their honest approach to baby products, the Frida Mom line helps immensely with one of life’s messiest times. Available for purchase as individual items or as a set!

Mouse Loves Pig: Simplifying the toy game, Mouse Loves Pig has created high-quality, organic toys that kids will want to play with! These toys will easily become your child’s go-to playthings whether at home or on the go. Great for the car, plane, or while trying to pass the time!

The Chair by Lalo: ‘The Chair’ as they call it, is lightweight, easy to clean, and beautiful! We love the high quality materials they used to create ‘The Chair,’ and that it converts to a toddler seat! Plus, this chair won’t feel like an eyesore when you leave it out in your kitchen. Lalo has also partnered with BabyQuest to assist couples and individuals with the cost of fertility treatments. Apply for the grant by Sept 5 by clicking here.

Storq New Mama Care Kit: Three all-natural products meant to help you through pregnancy, fourth trimester, and motherhood! This set helps ease the stigma associated with postnatal life (think cracked nipples and sore vaginas!). They are easy to use and feel luxurious on your new mom bod! Pair with the set by Frida Mom and you will be good to go!

Reebok Maternity Collection: Trying to find for comfortable active wear that will fit your growing belly? Look no further! Reebok recently launched a line of maternity active wear that will be a perfect addition to your wardrobe. Great for running errands or heading to yoga, these neutral and classic pieces all come in both black and navy.

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: May 29, 2019

As we kick of World Breastfeeding Week, I wanted to bring you a few of our newest products that will help create a successful nursing environment. While we firmly believe that fed is best, we love these products to aid all of our moms who choose to nurse/pump. Take a look below and let us know some of your nursing faves!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Earth Mama Nipple Butter: This continues to be one of our favorite organic nipple creams on the market! It is lanolin-free, botanical rich, and smooth! No more sticky residue, this soaks into your skin and helps heal any of those chaps and cracks. Plus, there is no need to wash it off before nursing.

Larken X Bra: Although we have featured the Larken Bra before, we cannot stop singing its praises! Made of moisture-wicking, ultrasoft fabric, this nursing/pumping bra is truly the most comfortable on the market! No snaps, zippers, or tags, it allows you to pump hands-free without having to undress or change.

Lactation Lab: A revolutionary way to test the nutrients in your breastmilk! Simply collect a sample of your breastmilk throughout the day and send it in to Lactation Lab to be tested. You will receive your results in as little as a week. Plus, they will make dietary recommendations to help boost the nutrition of your breast milk. You can easily share this report with any doctor, lactation consultant, or doula.

Kindred Bravely Nursing/Pumping Clothes: Looking for comfortable, high-quality, nursing-friendly options to wear postpartum? Look no further than our fave finds at Kindred Bravely. Full of soft tanks, pjs, bras, and cardigans, you will love slipping into these pieces. Easy to pair together and wear on the go, these will become staples in your wardrobe!

The Tit Kit: Every breatfeeding/pumping/feeding story is different. The Tit Kit is here to help alleviate any pain and discomfort that may be associated with feeding. Combining all of your premium breastfeeding must haves, this is truly a one stop shop! Plus, they donate a portion of all profits to organizations that help parents suffering from postpartum mental illness. A perfect gift for any mom planning to nurse or pump!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: June 5, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: June 18, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: May 29, 2019

I have found a great lineup of products this week. A couple new pieces of technology, which will help with both feeding and sleep are new finds. We also took a look at the newest travel stroller to hit the market. Plus, there are some excellent accessories to help make breastfeeding more efficient.

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Mammaway Freeze It Flat: An innovative way to freeze your breastmilk stash! Using breastmilk storage bags, simply pump your milk, place into the Freeze it Flat, and stick in the freezer. Once frozen, your stored milk will take up significantly less space. Great for working moms who have to pump at the office!

BlueSmart Mia2: A new baby gift for your technologically saavy friend. The BlueSmart Mia2 will automatically record what your baby eats (and for how long) at each feeding. Pairing with an app via Bluetooth, you will no longer have to manually keep track of each feeding. Plus, it is compatible with most baby bottles!

Hatch Baby Rest Plus: One of our favorite sound machine/nightlights has now received an upgrade. Pair with their app to create a truly essential product for sleep that will grow with your little one. Now an audio monitor as well as a digital clock, this is a must have for any nursery.

Larken X Bra: Made of moisture-wicking, ultrasoft fabric, this nursing/pumping bra will be a great addition to your wardrobe. It allows you to pump hands-free without having to undress or change and is comfy enough to keep on all day long. There are also no snaps, zippers, or tags, making it far more comfortable as your size fluctuates.

Bugaboo Ant Travel Stroller: Bugaboo has entered the carry-on travel stroller game! The Ant is the only reversible seat travel stroller on the market and it offers great suspension. It has a height adjustable handle, a near-flat recline for newborns, and an adjustable seat height for taller kids. Available for pre-order now!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: June 5, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: June 18, 2019