Essentials

Meet the Team: Which “guru” are you?

Gugu Guru Team Picks

Today we are bringing you our team members’ all-time favorite baby and toddler products. Have fun learning about our team and deciding which “guru” you are most similar to!

Katie is a “working from home” mom of a two-year-old daughter (with a 2nd baby girl due any day!), living in suburban New Jersey, 30 minutes from NYC. She spends her time taking long walks in the summer, at times on the train commuting to the city and putting together activities in her house. She has a french feminine style in baby’s room (check out the image of her nursery at the top of this blog!) but a modern farmhouse style in the home.

Katie’s top 3 must-have products are:

Krysta lives in New Jeresey and is a mama to two – Liliana (4) and Liam (almost 2), with baby #3 on the way – who requires a schedule to keep her running. Side passions include anything Disney related, figuring out skincare products and activities that bring her to the ocean.

Krysta’s top 3 must-have products are:

Chelsea is a mom of two energetic boys, ages 7 and 3, living in California. She enjoys getting outdoors, loves a minimalistic style, and avoids the build-up of “kid clutter”.

Chelsea’s top 3 must-have products are:

Abby is a double twin mom in the Midwest (Chicago) – one set of identical twins (3 years old) and a set of fraternal boy/girl twins. She works from home and loves to cook and watch reality tv. She prefers neutral style with pops of color!

Abby’s top 3 must-have products are:

FridaBaby Products: FeverFrida, NoseFrida, Windi
Easy to use and lightweight bouncer – Baby Bjorn and Bloom are her favorites
A great travel system

Monica is the quintessential suburban “soccer mom” of a 9 year old boy and a 7 year old girl who tries to balance running a business from home and running around like a maniac for all her kiddos’ activities. The products she loves and used the most are versatile, multi-taskers or just plain genius! She appreciates anything that makes her crazy schedule a bit easier to handle.

Monica’s top 3 must-have products are:

Christine is a former military spouse living in Tremonton, Utah. She has a two year old daughter (with her a 2nd due in October) and works from home. She loves to get outside and explore and believes in simplifying life and minimizing clutter, quality over quantity. She prefers a neutral, classic, and minimal style.

Christine’s top 3 must-have products are:

Hatch Baby Rest Plus
Baby Carriers, a wrap and traditional carrier – Baby K’tan Wrap Carrier and LÍLLÉbaby Complete are her favorites
Lovevery Play Mat & Play Kits

Liz is an on-the-go minimalist living in New England. She loves year-round outdoor adventures and has two fur-babies in the mix. She prefers an eclectic, boho, Scandi style.

Liz’s top 3 must-have products are:

So tell us, which “gugu” are you? What are YOUR must-haves? Comment below to let us know!

The Ultimate Target Baby Registry

by Gugu Guru 3 Comments

Today we are bringing you the ultimate Target baby registry. We searched Target for our favorite baby products and collected them for you. The best part of the Target baby registry is the fabulous welcome kit full of goodies for mom and baby that you can pick up at Target Guest Services when you create a registry in-store or online. Target also has an awesome 15% completion discount on everything left on your registry (the only kicker is it’s only good until eight weeks before baby’s expected arrival).

Let’s start with the nursery. Likely a room you will be spending a lot of time in as baby grows, it’s important to make sure this is a functional, comfortable place.

Next up is feeding. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, or a combination of the 3, Target has what you need.

We love to keep it simple for Health & Wellness: a bath tub, bathing essentials, a grooming kit, and simple diaper needs.

Baby Gear is a category that is worth the splurge! These items will help you manage the chaos of life with a newborn, making life simpler and easier.

Clothing is the most fun baby product category and one of our favorites! Target is full of amazing options to fit every stage of babyhood.

So many options for baby Play, it can be hard to narrow it down. We picked some of our favorites, but Target has many more great baby toys.

We can’t forget about the Parents! Target has your needs covered too!

In the baby world, there are many “nice to have” items that aren’t a necessity but can make your life easier. These are some of our favs.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite registry items from Target? Let us know!

More Gugu Picks:
Home Care and Organization Picks
Summer Travel Must Haves
Best Nursing Pillows: Gugu Picks

This post contains affiliate links.

Parenting Wellness-entials

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Whether you’re looking for natural products for yourself or your babe, you’ll definitely want to check these Health & Wellness products out.

The Good Stuff Botanicals Gypsy Cream: As close to a miracle cream as you can get. From diaper rash to boo-boos to anti-aging, Gypsy Cream is great for all things baby AND mommy. Made with organic or wildcrafted ingredients that are ethically and sustainably sourced. Use Code “Gugu20” to get 20% off your entire order.

Tiny Organics: Healthy, accessible options made fresh and shipped frozen straight to your door! Tiny Organics offers 100% organic baby and toddler meals that are plant-based and free of the Big-8 allergens. Enjoy 20% OFF first order with code TINYGURU20.

Three Lollies Preggie Pops & Drops: The original morning sickness lozenges, Preggie Pops & Drops are the natural way to ease morning sickness. Developed by healthcare professionals and doctor-recommended, Preggie Pops & Drops make a great gift.

Lactation Lab: Essentially a food label for breastmilk, Lactation Lab provides a nutritional analysis of your milk and actionable advice to optimize your child’s nutrition. Use discount code ” GUGU” to receive 20% off any purchase through 6/1/20.

The Bloom Method Studio Bloom: Rooted in evidence-based methodologies, The Bloom Method’s online studio, Studio Bloom, empowers expecting and postnatal mamas with smart, safe and effective education and workouts. Mamas learn how to move from their core; strengthening the pelvic floor and deep core in every exercise. Get 50% OFF your first month of Studio Bloom with promo code FIERCE50.

GranolaMoms Mommy2Me: The drink from GranolaMoms naturally supports colic relief through breast milk to help calm and soothe your precious baby with plant-based organic ingredients. Use GUGUGURU for 15% off any order over $35.

Thank you to The Good Stuff Botanicals, Tiny Organics, Three Lollies, Lactation Lab, The Bloom Method, and GranolaMoms for making this Health & Wellness sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

Check out Gugu Guru’s must-have essentials for Mama Fitness and Wellness here.

What’s New on Gugu: January 29, 2020

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

This week we are highlighting a number of multifunctional products for parents and babes alike! Some are great options for the nursery, while others will make feeding and playtime easier. All of these are great gifts for expectant parents and products that we expect to make a huge splash in the baby industry. Check them out today!

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

Giving Cradle: We love to highlight companies that give back. Giving Cradle’s biggest goal is that all mothers and newborns “have equal access to a healthy start.” They have launched a variety of products and donation opportunities, which help moms in South Asia with access to medical and care items for their newborns. Plus, they are about to launch their beautiful cradle, a safe cradle made of bamboo, breathable mesh, and removable washable fabric. Proceeds from every cradle purchase will benefit these moms and babies.

Unilove 3 in 1 Feed Me Booster: A line of high quality products, we are super excited about Unilove’s Feed Me Booster. This multifunctional 3-in-1 booster can be used on a chair, the floor, or as an armchair. It can also be used with or without the tray! The tray swivels and the seat folds flat for easy storage/travel. Also, the height is adjustable to help reach any table. Check them out today!

Regalo MyPlayMat: The MyPlayMat from Regalo will be your new lightweight and foldable best friend! Great for both indoors and outdoors, this playmat will give your little one ample space to move around for tummy time, early crawling, and beyond! While especially great for small spaces, this mat will find a place in any home. It is also super easy to clean and comes with two different patterns.

The Baby Dream Machine: The Baby Dream Machine is an amazing 5 in 1 product, which serves as a night light, sound machine, cool-mist humidifier, aromatherapy, and red light therapy. All of these modes are designed to help your little one get full nights of peaceful sleep (which means you get peaceful nights of sleep, too!). Plus it is a super cute design and will fit into any nursery!

Novogratz Kids Collection: Late last year Novogratz launched their own Kids + Baby furniture line, perfect for high style budget-friendly parents! Their crib options are simplistic and beautiful. We are also going gaga over their bookcases, which add a huge design pop while adding storage for under $100!

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! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

What’s New on Gugu: December 4, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: December 11. 2019

What’s New on Gugu: January 15, 2020

What’s New on Gugu: January 22, 2020

NEW 2020 Baby Products Guide

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Looking for the best of 2020 baby products? As a new or soon-to-be parent, you’re likely searching for the very best baby products. We’ve got the newest releases of 2020 from trusted brands that are changing the game when it comes to infant safety, sleeping and feeding.

Featured 2020 Baby Products

1. ergoPouch Organic Butterfly Cardi: Designed to be an aid word over your baby’s swaddle or sleeping bag to help them transition to arms-out with minimal sleep interruptions and maximum sleep comfort. Save 25% off with code ggxergopouch25.

2. Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced: Automatically makes a warm, formula bottle instantly for your baby. Customize the perfect bottle with 3 temperature settings. Save 20% off with code FPA20.

3. Baby Blue Giraffe Super Soft Hairbrush: A natural newborn baby brush made in Germany from ethically sourced beech wood and goat hair. Save 15% off with code 15GUGU2020.

4. One of the most anticipated 2020 Baby Products, the Clek Liing Infant Seat: Designed with best-in-class safety features like a metal load leg, a secure rigid-LATCH installation and 7 different recline positions, the Liing sets the new standard in safety for infant seats.

5. Baby K’tan Original Wrap Carrier: Patented double-loop design slips on like a t-shirt – no hardware! Ergonomic positioning for healthy infant development. Save 10% off with code gugu102020.

Thank you to Baby Blue Giraffe, Baby Brezza, Baby K’tan, Clek and ergoPouch for making this 2020 Baby Products sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

Love new products? Check out some of the previous years’ in this JPMA show recap.

What’s New on Gugu: January 22, 2020

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

This week we’ve got quite the round-up from small companies and big brands. Most of these are newer products, which have entered the market in 2020 as we are all getting ready to welcome our next batch of Gugu Guru babes. Be sure to let us know any of your favorite new product finds in the comments below!

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

Ergobaby Embrace: The newest carrier from our friends at Ergobaby, the Embrace gives you the comfort of a wrap carrier with the added support and structure. Extremely easy to use from 7lbs without an infant insert, stay close to your baby while remaining hands free. The carrier is easily adjustable for multiple caregivers and can fit in a diaper bag when not in use. Check it out today!

Contours Options Elite Sit & Boogie Jump Seat & Platform: For those of us with toddlers who no longer want to sit in a stroller seat, but need the stroller functionality, your wish has been granted! This will instantly turn your Contours Options Elite into a fun riding board (or seat) for your older kiddo while still safely and easily transporting baby. The perfect addition for your growing and aging family!

Boo Boo Balls: Created by a college student, Boo Boo Balls are adorable plush first aid kits meant to help your little ones biggest ouchies! Complete with everything you’d need to make those boo boos go away, this is the perfect thing to have at home and in the car!

Avyn Bras: Another disrupter to the nursing bra market, we love Avyn’s approach to comfort, style, and function. Founded by two women, they are revolutionizing the nursing/pumping game with one-handed machine washable (AND DRYER FRIENDLY) bras. The perfect gift for your friend who’s expecting a little one or two… or three!

Skip Hop Go Envi Eco-Friendly Diaper Backpack: Calling all eco-friendly families! Skip Hop has recently launched their newest bag, created from recycled plastic bottles. We are huge fans of backpacks at Gugu Guru, especially for moms of multiples. This will keep your hands free while holding all of your necessities for the day.

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! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

What’s New on Gugu: November 14, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: December 4, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: December 11. 2019

What’s New on Gugu: January 15, 2020

What’s New on Gugu: December 4, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

Now that we are deep in the holiday season, we are on the lookout for fun new products that would make great gifts for little ones and their caregivers. Check out a round-up below of some new products that will make perfect gifts for your family and friends!

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

Bellifly Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Pillow: This compact pillow will offer excellent belly and hip support for pregnancy, feeding and beyond! It is easy to use and mold into different positions. We also love the adorable ‘Mama’ print, which makes it a great gift!

OctoVie Skincare Brush: Created by a Mom who is a breast cancer survivor, this wet and dry brush will give you a mini spa experience at home. It works easily to cleanse, exfoliate, and massage your skin to reveal baby soft skin. Great for new moms or moms-to-be to help with daily self-care routines!

7AM Enfant Essentials: Winter has arrived in much of the country and this means we have to work to keep baby (and caregivers) warm throughout these brisk months. Look no further than our favorite products from 7AM Enfant. The Cocoon, Warmmuffs, and Blanket 212 are just three great options that will keep everything bundled up. These are great for walking around the city while you’re running holiday errands. Plus they are all 100% vegan and PETA-approved!

Pump It Up Bars: Looking for a nutritious snack that would nourish both mom and baby, grab a Pump it Up Bar! They promote healthy milk supply and stable blood sugar for consistent energy and regularity. Plus they are made with organic ingredients, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free and vegan with no preservatives, “natural” flavors, food coloring, or additives. Try them out today and use code ‘gugu20’ for 20% off your first order of 12 bars!

Hooter Holster: The answer to hands-free pumping is here! Check out the Hooter Holster’s line of fun pumping bras, which come in many styles to fit your needs. Some will even keep your postpartum belly covered, hard to find in today’s pumping bras. Give that new mom the gift of easy pumping today!

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: October 25, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: October 30, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 6, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 14, 2019

Top Natural Baby Picks from a Fit Mama

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Looking for natural baby products? You may have seen our last post with popular fitness influencer, Dasha Anderson (founder of Kettlebell Kickboxing) and her husband Dan where they talked about their favorite products for active parents! Dasha and Dan also love all-natural products that are safe for both Mom & Baby and below are some of their top baby picks.

Natural Baby Mattress Pick: Colgate Natural I Mattress: The Colgate Natural Mattress is our go-to mattress! Baby will rest easy on this all-natural hypoallergenic mattress with a certified organic cotton cover. We love that parents can rest easy knowing this mattress is GreenGuard Gold certified for zero harmful emissions and chemicals.

Natural Baby Feeding Pick: Dr. Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Wide-Neck Glass Bottles:

Say goodbye to colic with Dr. Brown’s bottles! This special system offers a flow that supports breastfeeding and decreases the frequency of spit-ups and gas. The amazing, soft silicone nipple will help breastfed babies latch naturally and is shown to preserve nutrients in both breastmilk and formula. Plus all of the bottle’s plastic parts are made of thermoplastic polypropylene and are BPA, PVC, Lead and Phthalate free.

Natural Baby Monitor Pick: Evoz Vision Wi-Fi Video Baby Monitor: We love the Evoz Monitor Camera for the sustainability factor! If you’re anything like us, you probably have a spare iPad or smartphone lying around your home. What’s great about the Evoz is that it can leverage your old device as a monitor so there’s no need for extra equipment. The Evoz camera connects directly to the free Evoz Baby app, allowing you to view your little one anytime with Wi-Fi, directly on your smartphone or tablet. As a special bonus, sleep help is built right into the Evoz Baby app with The Sleep Lady®!

Natural Baby Toy & Teether Pick: Mochi Toys Maraca, Teething Ring, Blocks, and Teething Plate: We love that Mochi Toys are both fun and functional! Mochi makes the most adorable toys that are not only cute but 100% safe for little ones to chew and drool all over. These teething soothers are made from rice and bring soothing textures to playtime.

Natural Baby Skincare Pick: Matrescence Rose Glow Trio: With the combination of hydrating, protecting and revitalizing, the all natural Matrescence Rose Glow Trio is a must! This three-step skincare system nurtures the skin from bump to beyond, providing a high-performance skincare routine in a simple 3-step system that is safe for Mom AND Baby.

Natural Baby Stroller Pick: BOB Gear Revolution 3.0 Jogging Stroller: The BOB Jogging Stroller is a classic favorite! The amazing design of the stroller adapts to provide the smoothest and safest ride for baby while you run, jog, or even walk, on almost any terrain. It’s lightweight and the 2-step fold system that makes it easy to transport and take your little one along on your adventures out into the world. The cherry on top is that the manufacturers of the BOB stroller do not treat the strollers with any harmful chemical flame retardants.

Natural Baby Bedding Pick: Carousel Crib Sheets: The amazing Carousel Crib sheets are 100% organic and so lovely with their incredible softness and adorable designs that can be created to match any nursery. Carousel went the extra step and add extra deep pockets, which makes it easier to change sheets but also eliminates the fear of sheets slipping off in the night. Did we mention how absolutely soft these sheets are?!

This post contains affiliate links.

Jazmyn Simon Hill’s Top Picks for Baby: Part II

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Did you see part 1 of the lovely and beautiful actress and new mama Jazmyn Simon Hill’s baby picks? We are excited to have her on the blog today sharing part two of her baby must-haves. Jazmyn has rounded up her top picks for bath, health, diapering, baby gear, and sleep that have helped her as a new mom. You can follow Jazmyn and her pregnancy journey on Instagram.

Feeding Must Haves:

Boppy Nursing Pillow: “A tried and true favorite. From breastfeeding to helping baby learn to sit up- Boppy is my go-to!!”
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Bottles: “Can we say anti-colic. Does it have a lot of parts? Yes. Is it worth it to not have a baby in pain and screaming all night? ABSOLUTELY “
Nomi High Chair: “Stylish. Sleek. Grows with the baby. Who can ask for anything more?!!”
Bebe Au Lait burp cloths: “Burps and spit up happen. These burp cloths are so soft yet so durable!”
aden + anais: “The best swaddle blankets and bibs. Hands down. So many designs. I keep ordering more!!!!! So soft. We have thick blankets. Thin blankets. We love them allllll.”
Kiinde System: “I use these EVERY DAY! I pump directly into the Kiinde bags (there’s an attachment that fits my Medela) and I pop them in the freezer! Easy breezy. Exactly what I nursing momma needs.”

Nursery Must Haves:

Colgate Crib Mattress: “We love our Colgate mattress. It is sturdy and firm and we never worry about Levi sleeping.”
Carousel Crib Sheets: “Can we say Fun Fun Fun! Levi is starting to realize his sheets have prints on them and he just loves the colorful print. I love that they are strong enough to wash regularly, but delicate enough for his baby soft skin.”
Evoz: “The thing I love most about Evoz is that I can have the audio playing in the background on my phone. No need to have the app open! Game changer!”

Clothing Picks:

June & January: “We love our cozy June & January jammies. We have a few of the gowns and they are so comfy and easy. Two things that are a must with a little baby.”

Making Memories:

Mochi: “Levi has his Mochi rattle in one hand and his Mochi teether in the other. Next up- the building blocks!”

This post contains affiliate links.

What’s New on Gugu: November 14, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

I wanted to highlight some fun picks from brands/retailers we love that you may not have heard of before. Some of the following brands even have fun Black Friday deals that they wanted to share with the Gugu Guru audience. Come back next week to see our highlight of upcoming Black Friday specials and let us know your favorites!

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

Mockingbird Matte Black: Matte black is in right now, and Mockingbird, our favorite budget-friendly all-terrain stroller is highlighting this trend for Black Friday. Available only from November 27-December 2, grab your Matte Black Mockingbird before they sell out! Featuring a 30 day risk-free trial and lifetime warranty, Mockingbird’s features will not disappoint.
Birdies Mini-Me Styles: A favorite hospital slipper amongst the Gugu Guru family, we mini-me line, which launches today! Perfect for kids 5-12 (sizes 13-4), you can match with your little one in these trendy flats. Now we can continue to keep our fingers crossed for a toddler line!

buybuy BABY’s Marmalade: The latest in décor for your little ones comes straight from buy buy BABY. We adore the store’s first private label, which highlights trendy and budget-friendly items from wall art to furniture. Plus, all of the items are designed to grow with your little one, meaning you won’t have to ‘re-do’ that bedroom every few years.
Skip Hop YETI: A fun new toy from our friends at Skip Hop! This interactive sort & spin toy will keep your toddler entertained for hours. We also love that this grows with your little one, from shape identifier to movement game. Great gift for the holidays!

Baby Brezza One Step Instant Warmer: The new budget-friendly addition to the Baby Brezza family is here! We could not be more excited to see its sleek design, small footprint (great for leaving out on the counter) and simple settings. Plus it fills on-demand leading to the fastest bottles when your little one (or ones) are hungry!

Cybex e-PRIAM– The latest from fashion-forward Cybex is their e-PRIAM. This smart e-stroller is battery-powered to help you navigate hills and daily walks with ease. Plus it adapts to uneven surfaces, giving you a truly smooth ride. No more having to navigate snowy city streets or slushy suburban parking lots with your stroller on the loose! Available in a number of stylish fabric sets. Check out loads of Cybex Black Friday Deals 11/27-12/2 too!

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: September 12, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: October 25, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: October 30, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 6, 2019

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