Cool Mom Picks

Montessori Toys Subscription Service: Monti Kids

If you’re not familiar with the ideals of Montessori learning, here’s a little intro into the popular method of teaching. A definition from Wikipedia: It is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children. Its system focuses on natural interests and activities instead of formal teaching methods.

The lessons are typically hands-on. Exploring and learning through discovery, instead of listening and memorizing words from teachers, is a big differentiating factor from traditional schooling. If you take this concept and box it up into a Montessori toys subscription service, you have Monti Kids! And with Monti Kids, learning can start at home from as early as birth, many years prior to the typical entry for preschool.

So, how does it work? Monti Kids is an at-home Montessori toys subscription service for birth to age 3. Every three months, you receive a box of authentic Montessori toys tailored to your child’s age and developmental stage. It also includes videos showing how to use the toys and support your child’s growth.

You also gain access to one-on-one support, online classes and an incredible community including Montessori experts. Founded by Zahra Kassam, internationally certified as a Montessori teacher (with two degrees, in psychology and education, from Harvard and 10+ years of teaching/school administration experience), this program combines the expertise of world-renowned teachers and lets you bring it to life in the comfort of your own home.

As the founder of Monti Kids, Zahra has been nominated for the Dalai Lama Unsung Heroes of Compassion Awards, and recognized by the White House, LEGO, Goldman Sachs and Harvard. That’s because this program is beyond brilliant, and we’re huge fans.

What are some other parents saying about it?

“I would recommend Monti Kids program to all new parents…the advice I have received from Monti Kids has been invaluable.” – Judy

“We love the simplicity and beauty of the Monti Kids toys and we’re absolutely fascinated by watching our now 5-month-old grow with them.” – Vyana

“I’ve become really interested in Montessori, but felt a bit overwhelmed with how to ‘do it right.’ I finally found a really cool subscription service that sends you developmentally appropriate toys every three months!…it’s amazing. I love it!” – Andrea

Learn more by visiting Monti Kids today!

Take a look at Monti Kids toys in action!

Also take a look at our Village Reviews on Monti Kids!

Have you tried it or gifted it? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Thank you to Monti Kids for making this sponsored post possible.

What’s New on Gugu: June 18, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

Last week, Gugu Guru took a trip to the Biggest Baby Shower in Chicago to check out some of the newest products. Below are some top finds from the Biggest Baby Shower from some brands that we know and love.

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

Momkindness Carry-All Tote: Although we featured this in our ‘Diaper Bags to Check Out’ post, I couldn’t help but mention it here as well. Three bags in one, the Momkindness Carry-All Tote is a tote, organizer insert, and a clutch! Great for a big trip to the zoo, or a walk to the park when you just need your essentials, the Momkindness bag is a trendy and stylish accessory. Plus, we love their mission to give back. Momkindness donates a portion of their proceeds to ‘Every Mother Counts,’ an organization that strives to bring quality maternity care to every mother.

Ilado Maternity Jewelry: Dating back to Mayan culture, maternity necklaces were originally used to help sooth newborns. Ilado’s maternity bell necklace creates a serene bell noise, which will soothe both mom and baby. A great gift for that mom-to-be who has ‘everything’ to help signify this special time of her life!

Baby Hearmuffs: Available in a variety of colors, we loved ‘hearing about’ (pun intended) the new line of ear protection from Lucid Audio. Great for sporting events, 4^th of July fireworks, and other loud activities, these will grow with your kids! We also love the soothe button, which allows you to communicate with your child while still offering some sound protection.

Born Free Product Line: We love the new line by Born Free, which includes a number of great products. Born Free believes that parents should be able to include baby in daily family life. They also believe that your products should be high-quality, budget-friendly and stylish! These items are easy to use day-to-day and are all multi-purpose. We love this line!

Bundle of Dreams: These mattresses are an excellent choice for eco-friendly parents. The lightweight mattress, made from recyclable materials also has an organic cotton cover. It is extremely easy to lift (for midnight sheet changes!) and can easily be flipped over to complete your toddler bed. It will truly grow with your little one!

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 15, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: May 22, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: May 29, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: June 5, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: April 3, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

This week I will be highlighting 5 new items to Gugu Guru. You may have seen these already pop up in your product recommendations, because we love them all so much! 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! These are strictly some of our favorite items that I want to share with you! For loads of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Gabri Isle’s Spring Collection: One of our favorite children’s clothing lines makes high-quality European clothing accessible in the US. We love that they focus on highlighting female-driven brands and love the high-quality items they sell. Plus, they offer a wide variety of styles from all different price points. Great addition to any registry!

MiliMili Wearable Blanket: Made in the USA, MiliMili’s wearable blanket is a lightweight sleepsack, which will keep your little one safely bundled up in his/her crib. Utilizing a bamboo jersey fabric, this sleepsack soft, naturally anti-microbial, and great for sensitive skin!

Lalo ‘The Daily’ Stroller: The latest innovation to hit the stroller market, Lalo is a Scandinavian inspired stroller that promises to streamline the stroller game. Minimalist in design and style, this stroller is an excellent choice for urban families. Look out soon for the convertible version, which will be able to accommodate two kiddos!

Baby Says Chalkboard Shoes: This brand new adorable line of infant footwear was created by a mom who wanted to help older children interact with their new baby siblings. Baby Says shoes have a chalkboard bottom and are available in both moccasin and sneaker style. Each shoe purchase comes with one white chalkboard marker, which will easily erase from your little one’s shoes. Purchase today and let the bonding through artwork commence!

Trend Lab Galaxy Caddy: This ginormous diaper caddy is a perfect addition to any changing station. We love this minimalist caddy, which is lightweight and easy to carry around the house. Plus the Galaxy pattern is gender neutral and will blend in with any nursery décor.

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

What’s New on Gugu: March 6, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: March 13, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: March 20, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: March 27, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

I have some great new products to share this week! At Gugu Guru, we are always looking for the latest new baby/parent items to help make your lives easier. This week I am focusing on some new items that will be highlighted at the upcoming JPMA show. JPMA, or Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, is the industry’s authority on baby product quality and safety. Plus, our very own Monica Banks, Gugu Guru’s Founder/CEO will be presenting at this year’s JPMA Trade Show!

For loads of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page! (Also, these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!)

Slumberpod: Imagine this – you are traveling with your infant or toddler and sharing a room for sleep (i.e. hotel room, grandparent’s house, etc.). When your baby first wakes up, they look across the room and can see you instantly. Instead of the full night of sleep you are all used to, your little one is up and ready to start the day. Slumberpod was created for this exact situation. A perfect solution to create a privacy pod over travel cribs or playards. This is a must-have for traveling families!

Dr. Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Bottle: One of our favorite bottle brands has done it again! The new Options+ Bottle utilizes a special venting system that you can use to help with symptoms of Colic and Reflux. As your baby grows, and no longer needs the extra vent, you have the ‘option’ to remove it. They have made a few other great upgrades to the new bottles, too! We love the one-handed cap removal and new nipple design. These are truly a go-to bottle for any babies with tummy issues!

NOONI’s: NOONI’s is the first all-in-one leak resistant nursing sleep bra. With a patent-pending 4 layer solution, you will no longer wake up to find yourself in a cold and damp top (or worse, bedsheet). Plus, their inside layer is made of a thin fleece material, staying warm and soft on the skin. An extremely comfortable solution to such a frustrating problem!

Cybex Stroller Upgrades: We love Cybex strollers at Gugu Guru! The Priam (class all-terrain) and Mios (travel), have recently received excellent upgrades. They have upgraded colors, stroller suspension, and the Lux Carrycot. These strollers are excellent options for moms looking for a sleek, modern stroller that functions well for everyday use.

Chicco Nextfit Zip Max Air: Chicco’s Nextfit convertible car seat has received quite the upgrade. Now with multiple recline positions, this seat fits infants starting at 4 pounds (rear facing) and converts to a forward facing seat for children up to 65 lbs. It is easy to install and has added safety features. We also love the ability to unzip the fabric, making cleaning a breeze!

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

What’s New on Gugu: February 27, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: March 6, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: March 13, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: March 20, 2019

How To: Trick or Treat With an Infant and a Toddler (+ Baby K’Tan and Finn+Emma giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

This month’s Cool Mom Picks Baby Registry Essentials guide features some awesome baby gift ideas for second babies. When you create your personalized registry on Gugu Guru, you’ll know the Cool Mom Pick must-haves in our product recommendations when you see this button:

While Halloween is fun for kids, it can be a juggling act when it’s time to Trick or Treat and you’re balancing an infant in one arm and a wild Halloween toddler in another hand. Today we’re sharing our tips for Trick or Treating with an infant and a toddler and the Cool Mom Picks products to make All Hallow’s Eve night just a little easier on you.

1. Baby K’Tan – This is a must have item for Halloween night! Use this if your baby is a newborn so that you can hold your toddler’s hand while he or she trick-or-treats – major plus – newborn will most likely fall asleep while you’re walking around, so no overtired newborn when you get back home.

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2. Double Stroller – You’ll need a double stroller to push the two kids around in if you’re walking in the neighborhood; we love the UPPAbaby Vista for multiple kiddos.

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3. Carseat – You’ll need a topnotch carseat, like the Britax Marathon Clicktight – consistently one of the highest (if not THE highest) rated carseats in the market.

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4. Baby Brezza Formula Pro + new feeding essentials – You worry about getting the candy and toddler’s costume ready and let the Brezza get bottles ready for while you walk the neighborhood. Dr. Brown’s bottles are easy to grip if baby is self-feeding (plus glass is truly safe!)

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5. Diaper Bag – It’s going to be a long night out on the town with the toddler (okay, maybe twenty minutes, but it will feel like hours) so don’t forget to bring a diaper bag with stroller hooks, like the Skip Hop Signature Diaper Bag. Believe us, you don’t want to be lugging around a bag full of all the necessities PLUS Halloween goodies on your shoulder or back!

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6. Finn + Emma Stroller Toy – Little one waiting in the stroller for the toddler to slowly walk up to someone’s house for candy? The Finn + Emma Stroller Toy is the perfect way to keep baby distracted. They’re organic – so safe to chew on – and come in fun characters for Halloween like Jack the Pirate.

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7. Primary onesies – Preparing for Halloween costumes can be totally overwhelming as a parent of two, so make it easy on yourself and head to Primary where you can pick any solid color onesie and make it a quick costume for the infant – like, a blush pink onesie makes a perfect little piggy!

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8. Baby socks – Speaking of quick costume ideas, Trumpette socks also are easy costume pieces for baby and reusable like the onesies – since it’s a waste to spend money on an infant costume that they’ll quickly outgrow or – worse – be uncomfortable in, and cry through the night when you’re trying to trick or treat with your tot.

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9. Baby book – Don’t forget to record all the exciting events of the night in a baby book – like this one from Lucy Darling.

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10. Miracle blanket – Your toddler might be on a sugar high so get baby to get a good night sleep with the miracle blanket swaddle, which is proven to extend baby’s sleep time. Later you can attack that candy.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57f4e1b0f3e69104735f1a1c

Like what you see? Enter to win a $60 gift card to Baby K’Tan and $150 gift card to Finn+Emma:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Photos from: Mama Bee, Rae Gun Ramblings, and Little Baby Garvin

Gender Neutral Nursery Inspiration

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

As Zoolander might say, Gender Neutral is “so hot right now” and today we have some tips to create your most stylish and functional gender neutral nursery, along with some product suggestions and inspiration along the way.

Step 1a. Start with a focal point, like a crib or an eye-catching mirror. We love this Dream On Me 5-in-1 Convertible Crib.

Step 1b. Select your crib mattress. Bet you didn’t know that crib mattresses could come in different colors? Well the Lullaby Earth Breeze breathable 2-stage crib mattress does and for our gender neutral nursery pleasure, we love the gray.

Step 2. Build around your focal point with complementary but functional items. Don’t just add to add – trust us, you will regret filling your nursery with too much “stuff” later on. Your nursery should be as serene and uncluttered as possible. For storage and hampers, we love the whimsical bins from 3Sprouts.

Step 3. Choose non-toxic, high quality products that are built to last like a non-toxic, machine-washable rug from Lorena Canals. We are digging this gray ombre for gender neutral nurseries.

Step 4. Make sure you have a comfortable place to sit for those late night feedings. We are huge fans of the Nurseryworks Sleepytime Rocker – another high quality piece that will last.

Step 5. Invest in some good tech to ease your mind when both you’re present and not in the nursery. We’re big fans of the new Project Nursery baby monitor, which boasts the world’s smallest 1.5” audio and video Mini Monitor; perfect for taking with you around the house to keep a constant watch on the little one. Talk about multi-functional – the aden+anais Serenity Star includes a feeding diary, sound machine, room temperature indicator, night light and clock. If you’re a music lover, adding some modern lullabies and rhythms to the nursery helps to create ambience. We dig the VAVA Voom Bluetooth speakers that provide 360 degree surround sound. Lastly, air quality is key and Crane’s smartDROP Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a high tech humidifier that increases air moisture for easier breathing and a good night’s sleep.

Step 6. Keep in mind that diapering can now be stylish too. With brands like Ubbi, a diapering station in the nursery no longer has to be a disorganized, plastic eye sore! We love their sleek diaper pails (including the awesome black triangles featured above that’s coming soon) and caddy. Plus cover up a diaper changing pad – like this one from Munchkin – with a gorgeous cover from aden+anais and that corner may just be the chicest in the room!

Cool Mom Picks’ New Parent Must-Haves: Eco Mom

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

Welcome all Cool Mom Picks and Gugu Guru fans alike! We are so incredibly excited to be partnering with Cool Mom Picks on a Baby Registry Must-Haves series over the next year. Each month, the famously on-trend editors at Cool Mom Picks will be curating a list of essentials from Gugu Guru for new parents based on a theme. This month the theme is Eco Mom and includes some of our top picks for ecofriendly and organic-minded parenting.

When you create your personalized registry on Gugu Guru, you’ll know the Cool Mom Pick must-haves in our product recommendations when you see this button:

Scroll on to see the top picks with links to buy now.

Must-Have Spotlight: The NEW Babyganics Bundle of Love (Diaper Tote)

aden+anais’ organic swaddle ($20.00)

Coyuchi’s Fair Trade Certified™ Factory baby blanket ($48)

Mii Glass Nurser Bottles ($12.50)

Matimati Baby Gold & Gray unisex bandana drool bibs ($16.95)

Cupcake organic nursing pads ($17.00)

wellmom™ All-Natural Coconut Nipple Balm ($9.99)

Earth Mama Body Butter ($8.00)

Bebe au Lait 100% Organic Cotton Nursing Cover ($40.00)

PACT 2-piece set ($29.99)

LuckyPalmTree Organic yellow eyes dress bodysuit ($59.00)