Baby Style

Hers and His

1. HERS: ‘Thistle’ Sleeveless Romper in Royal Blue, Magenta and Black on Mint ($78) available from Thief & Bandit. One of our newest designs for Fall/Winter 2015 is our ‘Thistle’ print. It features a variety of hand drawn thistles collected from our cottage in New Brunswick, Canada. This sleeveless royal blue, white, and gold on lavender romper is such a beautiful and unique piece. They wash beautifully and are very comfortable.

2. HIS: Chevron Graphic Romper ($32) available from Tea Collection. Classic chevron and few blue hues give this romper some serious standout style.

Spotlight on Belly Armor

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Earlier this year, we saw that Belly Armor – the definitive resource for expecting mothers and families to protect their children against the harmful effects of everyday radiation – launched a new line of infant hats with radiation shielding fabric. We couldn’t wait to get our hands on this adorable hat (available in either mouse or rabbit styles) and were incredibly impressed by the protecting features of the product, as well as its adorable, soft and snuggly construction.

We knew of the Belly Armor brand from some of their award-winning products like the Belly Blanket but wanted to learn more about the founder and the brand’s overall mission, so we sat down with Aileen Chen Co-Founder & CEO of Belly Armor for this week’s mompreneur spotlight.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Belly Armor.
AC: When I became pregnant with my first child, I was a banking executive who was constantly connected to my various phone devices and laptop. Like most expectant mothers, I researched extensively on how to give my child the best start in life. All sources advised pregnant women to eat healthily, exercise, and avoid toxins like alcohol and certain chemicals – all of which I did diligently. However, one obvious component in my everyday life which concerned me, about which there was little advice, was the radiation-emitting devices that surrounded me at home and at work.

I wondered what their health impacts were. As I researched more into this “everyday radiation” exposure, I was shocked at what I discovered. Increasingly, research was indicating potential health risks from everyday radiation (non-ionizing radiation emitted by sources like cell phones, computers, wireless towers and power lines). Already it was well-accepted that this type of radiation can have a biological impact and there was much confusion and debate around how it impacts our health. The concern is greatest for young children and during pregnancy when DNA replication and cell growth are at their highest rates. Compounding the risk is the exponential growth in wireless technologies over the past decade – today’s children will be exposed to levels of radiation unprecedented in human history. There was an obvious gap between scientific knowledge and public awareness. As the health experts warned, if history is any indication, it can take years and even decades for scientific evidence to conclusively affirm health risks and then translate into policies to safeguard people. Such was the case with tobacco, lead, asbestos, and x-rays.

My co-founder and I started Belly Armor because we felt compelled to raise awareness about this emerging health issue and to design solutions to help people address it. Since then, we have launched products spanning maternity, nursery and fertility, enabling people to reduce their radiation exposure, while educating about the health issue in the US and our international markets. Our products have won several awards (like Pregnancy & Newborn’s Top Products of 2014 and The Bump’s Best of Baby 2012 and 2015), and are sold in more than 30 countries, a testament that many people around the world have similar concerns about everyday radiation. Belly Armor has been featured by The New York Times, The Doctors Show, People.com amongst others, and is a Trusted Partner of Healthy Child Healthy World, a leading non-profit addressing environmental hazards facing children. It’s the best feeling knowing that we are making a positive impact and empowering people with more knowledge and solutions.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
AC: I think work/life balance is very individualistic – everyone defines that balance differently and goes through their own journey to achieve that balance for themselves. But I think what is true for everyone is that striking this balance is a constant work-in-progress as careers evolve, as life happens and priorities shift. I believe a good balance is achievable when one is clear and realistic about what that balance means for them.

One of the benefits of running my own business is having the invaluable flexibility and control over my schedule that I need as a parent of young kids. I am also very blessed to have a husband who is a wonderful hands-on father and a strong supporter of my entrepreneurial pursuits. Day to day, I try to maintain work/life balance with some tactics:

Prioritizing the 3-4 most important things (work and personal) I must complete that day, and getting those squared away early in the day. There is less stress and overhang once those are done.
Clearly separating time for work and time for family, being okay with that designation, and being fully present when I am in either one.
Automating wherever possible and delegating to others the tasks that can be easily or best shared by others so I can dedicate my time for the most important things.
Choosing progress over perfection – It is better to get something to a very good point and move on, than to be stuck making something perfect if that marginal improvement will be insignificant. Basically, knowing when to let it go (it is sometimes still easier said than done!).
Making time for myself to recharge – This has been, by far, the toughest thing to do, but one that I’m finally finding ways that work for me. I learned that my preference for relaxing and clearing my head is not spa time or a walk in the park. It is doing relatively simple but productive tasks in silence – like cleaning or baking – which feel therapeutic, allow me time to think, and give clear results and a sense of accomplishment (even if it’s a small one).

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
AC: I love being able to directly grow and drive the direction of a business that makes positive impact, while having the control and flexibility I need for my family life. Being my own boss has different types of stress and challenges than working for someone else, but the plusses have been immeasurably valuable and rewarding. It wasn’t apparent to me before I started the company, but looking at it now, this is the best type of working model for me at this point in my life.

Obsession X’s and O’s

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1. Valentine Set- One Tee and One Onesie ($25) available from LiveStyled on Etsy. Handmade and made to order.

2. Conversation Hoop XO Repeat on Etsy ($15) Wool blend felt, linen fabric, wooden hoop and embroidery thread.

3. XO Wall Décor from PBTeen ($169) Layer on bright design with this unique artwork. With bright pink over clean white, it brings near-neon and lovably chic style to your space.

4. Emily & Meritt XOXO Crib Fitted Sheet ($24) available at Pottery Barn. Transform your baby’s sleep space into a lovably chic, monochromatic destination with this organic cotton percale sheet. Imagined with fashion designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, it captures their adventurous aesthetic.

5. Levtex ‘Tic Tac Toe’ Accent Pillow ($39) available at Nordstrom. Add a playful, festive touch to your décor with a plush accent pillow, or make it a heartwarming gift for your favorite Valentine.

Trend: Central and South American Influence

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We have seen the design and style influences of the Central and South Americas trickling in to the mom & baby category over the past six months and the trend does not seem to be slowing down. Some brands like Land of Nod and Anthropologie offer textiles and decor that hint to the regions – such as the use of the iconic llama. Other brands like Tea Collection were ahead of the curve with their Fall/Winter collection of children’s clothing completely inspired and directed by the respective aesthetics of Bolivia and Argentina.

As the trend continues, we are seeing cause-driven, philanthropic brands that give back to the countries of manufacture, as well as brands that simply draw from the beauty of a Central or South American culture. Here, our trend report on what we’ve been spotting:

Clothing

To inspire Tea’s Fall and Winter 2015 collection, the brand traveled to Argentina and Bolivia. “From the European flavor of Buenos Aires to the indigenous pride of La Paz, our newest collection pays homage to the people of Argentina and Bolivia. The sophisticated style of the gauchos and traditional elegance of Cholitas. The passion of tango musicians to the wild color of las mascaras for Carnaval.”

What we particularly enjoyed about Tea Collection’s approach was the beautiful photography, whimsical illustrations and storytelling that accompanied the line.

One to keep an eye on: Joobles on Fair Indigo is an award-winning collection of beautiful fair trade products like the organic baby booties above. Purchasing Joobles products not only lifts up workers with a living wage and a safe workplace, it also helps support small family-run organic cotton farms in Peru.

Other brands to check-out: Humble Hilo, Nena & Co

Diaper Bags

Brands like Nena & Co and Humble Hilo are sourcing directly from the artisans of Guatemala, while also giving back by giving Guatemalan women the income to work from home with their children. Alejandra Hynek, the founder of Nena & Co, has Guatemalan roots herself and was taught about her Mayan heritage by her mother and grandmother, which ultimately inspired her to start the company. Humble Hilo adds another philanthropic layer by allowing customers to decide which humanitarian project to support with their purchase.

Baby Bedding & Accessories

Petite Vigogne is a new high-end brand that sources its fine textiles from Peru. The founder of Petite Vigogne – a mom and native of Peru herself – was inspired to start the company after her difficulty in finding high thread-count Peruvian Pima cotton bedding for newborns in the US. In addition to luxurious Peruvian Pima cotton, Petite Vigogne sources Vicuña – one of the highest-quality threads in the world – and wonderfully soft baby alpaca, also from Peru, to make perfectly crafted products for lucky newborns worldwide.

Other brands to check out: The Joobles Collection on Fair Indigo

Toys & Other Handcrafts

While not suitable for children under 3 years old, these eco-friendly, finger puppets are perfect for older siblings. Moms on team Gugu Guru have personally enjoyed using them during story time with our toddlers. Each puppet is handmade by a number of artist collectives from the rural areas of the Peruvian high-plains. Finger Puppets Inc. sources ethically, practices fair trade principles and strives to help these artisans extend their products’ reach.

Other brands to check out: The Joobles Collection on Fair Indigo

Bitta Kidda Lovie Sack

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New parents are told so many rules: put the baby to sleep on their back, don’t put anything in the crib with them, especially no blankets or toys! But…babies tend to sleep better when they’re secure and warm, and often when holding onto something, so what’s a new parent to do? Enter the holy grail of sleep sacks: The Bitta Kidda LovieSack! The owners of Bitta Kidda, parents themselves, quickly realized that in order for their son to sleep better as an infant, he needed something soft to hold onto; toys and stuffed animals were out of the question, as well as blankies. So, they came up with the “Wearable Lovie” – a patch of soft natural 100% cotton velour, which provides a safe way for a baby to grasp something as they sleep. The Wearable Lovie cannot come off of the sleep sack, and can reach a baby’s face but never cover it, so there’s no risk of suffocation or strangulation – it’s simply a soft place for a baby’s hands to land.

Why else is the Bitta Kidda LovieSack the top of the line sleep sack for tired parents? If there’s one thing new parents (and seasoned parents) know it’s that changing a diaper in the middle of the night is pretty much the worst thing ever – the baby gets cold and wakes up and no one sleeps. But, not anymore! With the innovative diagonal zipper design, you can unzip the bottom of the Bitta Kidda (and no zipper ends to figure out how to match together – Hallelujah!), open internal (and adjustable) diaper cover, change the diaper, refasten the diaper cover, zipper back up, and put baby back to bed. The baby stays warm on top the whole time, as well as has the Wearable Lovie to hold, so your little one may not even make a peep during their 3AM diaper change any more. Thanks to the internal diaper cover, the LovieSack doesn’t get twisted around the baby, making it safe for infants as young as 3-4 months until 24 months. The LovieSack has snaps for easy on and off, and is made from 100% natural cotton – so your baby can rest healthy, safe, and easy!

We had a Gugu Guru mom, test out the LovieSack with her baby girl and here’s what she had to say:

By the time I received the Bitta Kidda LovieSack, I was in desperate need of a new pajama solution for my “mobile crib standing and rough sleeping” little one. I loved the idea of the lovie attached and the fact that it is a sack design keeps her warm and safe. Construction wise, I couldn’t be happier; everything looks to be stitched nicely and the design is adorable.

The zipper zips up easily and smoothly and the fact that that it is diagonal and ends near the armpit is a smart idea. It doesn’t end up irritating her under her chin or ride up or down and get unzipped. The internal diaper cover is a nice feature. At first I thought it would be a hindrance, but having it in place keeps this sleepsuit more in place than any others I have tried. My baby is an explorer and went straight for the lovie attached; it is a lovely way to have a toy with them in a safe way.

Babesta and aden + anais Collaboration

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One of the thrills of finding out you’re having a baby is dreaming about all the adorable clothing, blankies, and accessories you’re going to swath your baby in – however, long gone are the days of drab pastel baby blankets and boring plain crib sheets! For those new parents who wish to dress and wrap their little one in something other than the same-old-same-old baby stuff, check out Babesta – a website for the “trendier tot” and their parents. Focusing on the rock-star, yoga, urban baby, Babesta features invite-only designers and artists to help give your babe some personality in what they wear (or should we say rock).And now, we’re so excited because Babesta has partnered up with one of our favorite baby lines, aden + anais for a new, exclusive collection of New York City themed baby items! aden + anais is known for their 100% cotton muslin swaddles, blankets, crib sheets, and sleepers – which are just as soft as a parent’s touch. And now, you can deck out your tiny ones in some super cool prints based on the city that never sleeps, thanks to this wonderful collaboration between Babesta and aden + anais!

With whimsical illustrations of NYC taxi cabs and street food, this line of goodies is sure to become a favorite of yours whether you call the Big Apple home or not. Why not outfit your baby’s crib with a pretzel and hot dog crib sheet?

Transportation-themed nursery? Try the changing table pad in a yellow cab print. Swaddle your infant in a taxi cab or pretzel! Baby too old for a swaddle? No fret, there’s a hot dog and pretzel sleeping bag, as well! And, of course, burp cloths with taxis and street food. Looking for the perfect baby shower gift? Look no further than aden + anais’ famously popular dream blanket full of taxis and pretzels!

There’s no reason swaddles and blankies have to be boring, so have some fun with this new collection – and hey, if you’re up at 3am rocking a baby to sleep, at least you’ll have delicious hot soft pretzels to think about.

Product Discovery: b.box

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As a parent, the key word is always “convenience” – any item you carry on you has to be easy to reach, easy to clean, safe for the baby, and double points if the item can be used as two items in one! As your baby grows into the early stages of eating solid foods, you’re going to find yourself having to remember to pack not only the food in the diaper bag, but also a spoon, bib (or 2), plastic baggies, paper towels, wipes, and still, at the end of the day, you’ll probably be shoving a dirty bib into the diaper bag (and, let’s be honest, forget that it’s there and find a sweet potato crusted bib three weeks later). Well, now, thanks to the folks over at b.box, there is a much better way!

b.box, started by two moms, features fun and, most importantly, functional products for babies and young children. Having endured the mess of dirty-bibs-on-the-go themselves, the ladies at b.box invented this innovative travel bib and spoon, which not only is adorable for your little one, but amazingly efficient as well. How does it work so well? Well, this BPA-, Phthalates- and PVC-free bib features a standard bib structure, however, on the bottom of the bib is a pouch to catch all the food which drops – but, that’s not all!

When your darling one is done with their messy lunch-on-the-go, all you do is fold the bib up into the pouch attached on the bottom, throw in the spoon, zip up – and voila! Throw it into your diaper bag, clean as a whistle, and you won’t have any more crusty potato flakes wandering around the bottom of your bag.Once you get home, simply un-zip the pouch, wash the bib and spoon by hand with your regular dish soap, let dry, and you’re ready to zip it back up for your next adventure with your babe.

The pouch features a handy looped handle, so you can easily strap it to the outside of your diaper bag, wear it on your hand, or throw it on your stroller’s handle.

The flexible soft-bite spoon is perfect for early eaters, all the way down to children who can feed themselves. The bib is made from polyester and comfortable for your baby, without being too rigid and making it uncomfortable for them to eat. With an adjustable strap on the neck of the bib, this efficient and functional mealtime accessory will last your little one many months! This one-of-a-kind product is perfect for any mom-on-the-go who loves to leave for adventures at the last minute! You’ll never have to worry about packing towels, plastic baggies, and multiple bibs again – when it comes to convenience, the b.box travel bib has it all – not to mention the modern and cool graphics on it!

Funny Onesies

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We just couldn’t resist sharing some of the rompers that made us “LOL” this week. These funny baby onesies make great gifts and are sure to be the talk at any baby shower. Comment below to let us know which one is your favorite.

I Just Did 9 Months on The Inside by Sarah Kety
We’re especially loving this for Orange Is the New Black fans. Consider giving this onesie with a OITNB box set so mom can catch up on the hilarious Netflix comedy while she’s on what we at Gugu Guru call “Newborn Lockdown”. By the way, Sarah Kety Baby & Kids calls its line the funniest snap suits on the planet and from Party Tonight in My Crib to Is There a Napp for That, we are thinking that’s not far from the truth.

They See Me Strollin’ They Hatin by Doozy Designs
This bodysuit is one of our all time favorite funny pieces for baby. A spoof on the catchy hit from the artist Chamillionaire. Good luck not having this stuck in your head all day as you push your baby’s pram. Be sure to check out some of the other awesomely funny onesies from Doozy Designs (including another Gugu Guru favorite with the lyrics from Rapper’s Delight for all you 80’s fans.)

“Turnt Up” from Wry Baby
Wry Baby is the fabulously funny couple that put together the best-selling Safe Baby Handling Tips (which makes a laugh out loud baby shower gift by the way.) Check out more of their hilarious products here.

#TBT from KiddieCo
The illustration on this Throwback Thursday onesie for baby says it all. Sure you can only put this on baby one day a week, but it’s guaranteed to get smiles when you do. This is the ideal gift for any hashtag loving parent.

I Woke Up Like This by Sexy Girl Rock
The perfect onesie for the glam girl in your life. No make-up required.

Double Strollers: Side-By-Side or Tandem

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Here’s a hint from the team at Gugu Guru. If you’re pregnant with numero uno and you think you’ll have another baby in the next two years, select a stroller that allows you to add a second seat and converts to a tandem double. Our favorite is the Baby Jogger City Select. Is the City Select inexpensive? No. But it will make up for that extra investment later on when you don’t have to buy a double stroller in the future and only need to get a second seat.

Now, if this is not your first baby OR you’re having twins, this means you’re probably ready to shop doubles now. When selecting a double stroller, you will have a choice between a side-by-side or tandem. Which one is right for you and your children? Here are our unbiased pros and cons for both styles from the team at Gugu Guru:

Side-By-Side

Pros

Pushes and turns very easily because the weight of your two children is very centered between the two side-by-side seats.
Easy access to both kids in case you need to give bottles or snacks.
A side-by-side stroller is easier than a tandem to “jack up” to get up over curbs, etc., when babies get bigger/heavier.
Side-by-side strollers are more agile in terms of quick turns because they are less wide vertically. You can worry less about smacking into someone with the front seat of your stroller.
The side-by-side position gives an equal vantage point to both kids. There is no argument between them about who gets to sit in front or on the top.
Many side-by-side strollers are only about 4” wider than a tandem and most are ADA compliant, meaning they will fit wherever a wheel chair would need to fit.

Cons

Children will always be side-by-side so it’s less likely that they’ll engage with each other in the same way they would if they were facing each other.
They’re heavier and wider, making it much harder to navigate narrow passageways or any tight spaces.
They don’t fold up very easily, making travel and storage more difficult.
It’s harder to find a side-by-side model that will allow car seats to interchange with the seats.

Tandem

Pros

If you live in a small apartment or have limited storage space, the tandem will always be the way to go. Tandem strollers are narrower, making it much easier to navigate smaller elevators and doorways. They also fold more compactly than a double and take up less storage space.
If you want your children to interact with each other, certain models of tandems that allow reversal of the front seat – like the Baby Jogger City Select – are the best choice. Babies can face each other to talk or play patty cake.
Alternatively, if you don’t want your children to interact with each other, you can have them both face forward.
Some tandem models can also work as a travel system and will accommodate infant car seats in both seats.

Cons

You won’t be able to access the baby in the first seat easily, especially while you’re walking. You’ll have to stop what you’re doing and walk to the front of the stroller.
Baby in the front can feel like an eternity away. (However, there are some models of strollers – like the Baby Jogger City Select – that allow you to turn baby to face you, allowing mom a better vantage point and more security.)
Hard to “jack up” a tandem stroller to get up over curbs, etc., as babies grow and get heavier.
Turns are very wide vertically. If you have to make a quick turn onto a sidewalk or around a corner, you need to be incredibly careful not to smack into someone with the front stroller seat.
Be prepared for arguing about who gets to sit where when they get older.

Baby Shower Gift Ideas: Gender Neutral

by Gugu Guru 4 Comments

It’s shower season–and by that we mean it’s raining babies–not cats and dogs. Baby showers are a blast, but don’t let the stress of figuring out what to get your mom-to-be friend or relative put a damper on the festivities. We’ve rounded up some of the best baby shower gifts for moms-to-be who are waiting to find out the gender.

Best Gender Neutral Baby Shower Gifts

Real Baby Food: Easy, All-Natural Recipes for Your Baby and Toddler
Moms will be logging countless hours feeding their little ones. This new baby food cook book, written by the food editor of Parents magazine, is chock full of easy, peasy yummy recipes good for the whole family.

Rockabye Baby Lullaby Renditions of Maroon 5
If these soothing rock tunes don’t help to usher baby into some much needed sleep, at least they’ll provide some nice background noise to the sound of crying.

Aden+Anais Organic Cotton Lovey
It doesn’t get much cuter–or much more worry-free–than this line of super-cute lovies from beloved baby brand Aden +Anais. These cuddly lovies are machine washable, handmade from 100% cotton muslin and sure to be baby’s favorite thing to snuggle up to.

Baby Aspen Five Little Monkeys Gift Set
This all-in-one gift basket is packed with mom-to-be essentials, including a rattle, blankie, door hanger that alerts others of a sleeping baby and a plush stuffed animal, all in a cute five little monkeys theme.

Matimati Baby Bandana Drool Bibs
These unisex bandana bibs are a cool way to keep baby’s clothes free from drool and milk that will inevitably drip from his mouth. Made from 100% organic cotton and super-absorbent fleece with easy snaps to adjust the size.

Sophie the Giraffe Teether
Sure she maybe ubiquitous, but Sophie the Giraffe has become something of an icon for the modern mom set. Made from 100% natural rubber and totally adorable, Sophie is a must-have teething toy for every baby. This new rendition of Sophie comes with two teething rings of different textures attached, to help babies at different teething stages.

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