Gift Ideas

Product Discovery: The Starling

When you hold a new baby in your arms, sometimes it feels as though you’re chatting away and they aren’t understanding you…after a while, you start to wonder, “does my chatting help?” We are here to tell you, yes it does! How do we know? We are excited to introduce you to The Starling, a wearable word counter, that helps parents set goals and stay on track to make sure their children are hearing enough words each day.

Inspired by over 30 years of university research, The Starling was inspired by three decades of research showing the importance of verbal engagement on a child’s language development. Though it may not seem like it makes a big difference, all of the chit-chat you make with your baby helps their long term language development. But, how do you know you’re saying enough words? That’s where the Starling comes into play. The Starling, which is made from medical grade plastic (BPA free), clips on to baby and tracks (not records) how many words you’re speaking around baby a day. It determines what is speech, and what is not speech and filters for speech within 4-6 feet from baby. It can filter out background noises and you can even calibrate it to accommodate loud talkers and whisperers.

So, how does The Starling work? Check out this handy link for all the scientific info. The Starling is water and drool proof, and has a four day battery life, so you don’t need to charge it every night. It also hooks up to an SmartPhone app so you can track your progress. It can understand a variety of languages, and even has age specific activities to follow along with as well! For more info and to purchase, check out The Starling here.

Toddler Tuesday: Ubbi Tweat

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By: Shana, Gugu Guru Director of Content Marketing

Our next installation of Toddler Tuesday – our new feature that helps moms navigate the transition from infant mom to toddler mom – highlights the Ubbi Tweat, a spill-proof snack container.

*Enter toddler stage left dumping her snacks from a bowl and stomping them with glee.*

While there are many snack containers on the market, most are either spill-proof, but not sealable to keep snacks fresh on the go or they are sealable, but not spill-proof. The Ubbi Tweat – shaped like a little birdie, hence the name – promises to handle both issues.

When I first handed the Tweat to my toddler, filled with Organic Bunny-Shaped Graham Crackers, I wasn’t sure if her little hands would be dexterous enough to hold the Tweat and fish out the bunnies through the spill-proof lid. In about 5 seconds flat, she had bunny grahams in her mouth. The handles are large enough for little hands to grip and the no-spill top ensures that with all the rummaging around and tilting that nothing falls out. Plus, when snack time is over, you can flip the attached lid closed and save the rest for later.

The Tweat is durable enough to toss into your diaper bag and is top rack dishwasher-safe (they recommend that you avoid heat drying it, so I just hand wash it). The Tweat is PVC, BPA & Phthalate-free and comes in 5 vibrant colors.

Head over to ubbiworld.com and get 15% off your purchase of a Tweat now through April 8 with code: GUGUGURU15

Lovely Laura Ashley Baby Gear!

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If you grew up anytime in the 1980s, you probably wore a Laura Ashley headband, dress, or bow in your hair. Our editor in chief’s bedroom was swathed in Laura Ashley, from the curtains to the wallpaper, to the quilt on the bed! Laura Ashley is a quintessential English lifestyle brand, and has evolved seamlessly into the modern day. We are overjoyed and honored to be introducing you to the Laura Ashley baby line today; combining their classic floral patterns with updated baby essentials, we are sure you’ll be swooning for this lovely baby gear.

This gorgeous Laura Ashley diaper bag is a handy backpack, with padded straps for added comfort for mama, and it even has adjustable stroller straps, too. This floral printed roomy top zip backpack is made from microfiber that easily wipes clean. There are 2 side pockets, one that holds a pop-up wipes case and one that is large enough to hold a baby bottle or bottle of water. On top of the side pocket is a second pocket with a magnetic closure for even more storage, and there are another two pockets on the front of this bag as well. The large front pocket allows for easy access to your keys, cell phone or other necessities while the smaller top pocket is great for smaller items. The main compartment has a contrast pink lining with 3 easily accessible internal pockets and an additional back zip pocket to help with organization. The bag comes with a cushioned changing pad and a wet pack for wet or dirty diapers or clothes.

Laura Ashley 4-in-1 Black Zip Around Floral Backpack Diaper Bag; Laura Ashley 6-in-1 Floral Tote Diaper Bag, Gray and Pink

If the diaper bags aren’t adorable enough for you, check out their truly lovely bottles and sippy cups! They offer bottles 5, 9, and 11 ounces and even have an angled bottle. Their sippy cups are double insulated and have the sweetest little designs on them. Everything is BPA free and easily washable. Finishing up the layette is their accessories, including a classic bottle brush which would look wonderful in any kitchen, and makes washing those bottles (almost) joyful. And, of course, a lovely little pink pacifier featuring a butterfly (also BPA free).

Laura Ashley combines elegance, style, and functionality with their new baby line. Don’t forget to check out their oh-so-sweet baby clothes, too! You can find Laura Ashley on their website, Facebook, Instagram, Blog, and Twitter.

Making Mama’s Life Easier With BabyBjorn’s Bouncer Bliss

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We are so excited to announce that BabyBjorn, the Swedish family-owned company, has launched a new version of the beloved classic bouncer design from 1961 with a new look and style – Bouncer Bliss. Created as a tribute to the 1961 version, BabyBjorn realized how immensely popular and essential their bouncer was to families everywhere and wanted to update the style and design of the ever-popular baby bouncer.

As a new parent, we wish we could sit and stare at our sweet little baby all day, but there are bills to pay, dishes to do, and food to cook! The Bouncer Bliss makes a wonderfully safe and supportive space for baby to relax while in the same room as the rest of the family. It’s lightweight, so you can carry it from room-to-room, too.

Bouncer Bliss is available in three new looks – a luxurious, quilted cotton in several lavish colors, a soft, cozy 3D jersey, and a lightweight, comfortable mesh in lots of fresh, modern colors. The gentle rocking creates a sense of bliss and tranquility, not just at the beginning of a baby’s life, but later on as well. By having a safe space for baby to recline on the floor, it promotes interaction with other family members, especially siblings. Baby can sit face-to-face with their siblings for baby games and playtime.

The soft and natural rocking, completely powered by the baby, requires no batteries or cords. This encourages babies’ interaction with their sense of balance and motor skills, by rocking in response to their own movements. Because it doesn’t need to be plugged in, you can bring the bouncer all over the house easily, while traveling, or even just in the front yard for some sunshine. The BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss makes a wonderful baby shower gift and is an essential item for every baby registry too.

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Unique and Wonderful Baby Shower Gifts!

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Let’s be honest, when you bring a gift to a baby shower, you’re going to want it to be the one gift where everyone stops and “ooohhhs” and “ahhhs” for just a little longer than everyone else’s gift. We understand, we get it. That’s why we rounded up some of our favorite baby shower gifts which are sure to impress.

-Sponsored Post-

Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding Relief Packs:

As a mom, you know how tricky breastfeeding can be sometimes, so why not bring along a gift which is sure to bring some peace to another new mama’s life? While breastfeeding is a wonderful journey, often it can be full of clogged ducts, mastitis, and soreness, so gift a new mom with Rachel’s Remedy Breastfeeding Relief Packs. Rachel’s Remedy breastfeeding relief packs are a brand new way to treat, soothe and relieve breastfeeding conditions. They offer FDA cleared, moist heat or cooling therapy.

Goodbody Goodmommy Multitasking Cardigan:

Looking for a perfect gift for a new mom? Give her the gift of style with the Goodbody Goodmommy Multitasking Cardigan! The beauty of this cardigan lies in the simplicity of its multi-functional design. Remembering an extra, bulky nursing cover can be an inconvenience. Slip this ultra soft modal jersey cardigan over any outfit, and have a nursing cover with you at all times. With it’s comfortable and very breathable fabric, and fitted arms, this cardigan covers everything you want or need it to, but still makes you feel put together and stylish. The cardigan is designed to be paired with everything from workout clothes to jeans or even a dress!

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit:

Another amazing baby shower gift to give would be the gift of sleep – oh wait, since you can’t technically give sleep as a gift, why not gift mama-to-be with a way for baby to sleep better – with the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit! The Magic Sleepsuit is designed for babies who are ready to transition from the swaddle, yet still need that cozy and contained feeling to aid in their sleep. Made with soft, comforting materials, the Magic Sleepsuit will give your baby the sense of security and warmth they need to sleep well through the night.

Baby Baazaar Nursery Items:

It’s always fun to give the gift of home decor, especially when it’s for decorating the nursery! If the mama-to-be is into global chic aesthetic and favors eco-friendly, fair trade practices – look no further than one of our latest discoveries: Baby Baazaar. Baby Baazaar’s aim is to bring hard-to find, eco-friendly children’s products to parents everywhere. The founder is originally from India, and she continues to be inspired by the unique aesthetics and handcrafting abilities of the artisans back home. Pictured above: Cotton giraffe quilt, canvas toy storage bins, wooden toy, tiger grip toy.

Thank you to Rachel’s Remedy, Goodbody Goodmommy, Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit and Baby Baazaar for making this sponsored post possible

Prairie Mama’s Baby Registry

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We’re so excited to be featuring a Prairie Mama’s Registry curated by the amazingly lovely Stephanie Janz (@pocketfulofacorns). This Canadian mama of five lives life simply in the Canadian prairies and is here to share her top baby picks for a prairie mama and baby.

As a mother of five you learn a few things on the way. One lesson I have learned is that it is easier to get by with less. Less clothes, less stuff in general. With your first you can be bombarded by all the “must have lists”. And most of them have way too many things on them. When I got pregnant with my fifth, I really wanted to keep things simple. I bought him a simple wardrobe. Actually, everything he owns fits into one drawer. Despite keeping his clothes simple I love baby shoes! Sweet N Swag have adorable shoes that are adorable, affordable, and stay on! I also have a weakness for bonnets. I have a beautiful linen one for him from @aibileenandbabygirl. It’s light weight, but keeps his head warm too.

I partnered up with Gugu Guru to come up with my “simple prairie life” registry. Let me break it down for you.

First you need a place to sleep your baby. Whether or not you co-sleep, you need somewhere to sleep your baby during the day. I have a simple Moses basket where he sleeps during the day, when he lets me put him down! At night he starts out in his bassinet, then usually end up with me. Later when he grows out of it, I have a super simple crib from IKEA. You really don’t need the fanciest crib. For sleeping I have always swaddled my babies. They feel secure and sleep better. So some great muslin swaddles are a must! Lulujo Baby have super soft muslin swaddles. I love them.

Second you need some way of transporting your baby. I use a Graco car seat that goes up to 35lbs. I like to rear face my babies as long as I can. In the prairies you need a stroller with big wheels. There aren’t many paved roads around where I live and you need to have something that you can actually push around. So a good jogging stroller is a must for our family.

I also love baby wearing. It’s a life saver when out and about. Also great for at home. I can get little jobs done and he will often nap on me too. Win win. On my ring sling, I usually have a soother clip attached to keep it handy, and clean for when he needs it. I have a leather braided one from @madelines.box.

So there you have it! It really is possible to live simply with babies and children. I have found that it makes life a more simpler and easier to keep up with. And I need all the time I can get spending it with my family!

Cozy Baby Find: Stitches By Natalie

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One of the ways we come across exciting and wonderful new stores is by asking for what real mamas love on our Instagram page; we comb through every single store and sometimes we just fall in love with what we find! Today is one of those adorable shops – Stitches By Natalie – which sells lovely and whimsical towels and stuffed toys for kids.

Natalie founded her shop started 6 years ago when she left a full time job and became a full time mom to her oldest son. Since then, not only has her family grown to three boys, but Stitches By Natalie has become popular with mamas all over the globe. Natalie began sewing a child with her mother and grandmother, she said, “I knew when my son was born that I wanted to be able to stay home and be a mom first, but help pay the bills too, so I started to sew teddy bears and baby items.” From there, Natalie’s Memory Bears were born. The bears are made from clothing or a blanket that once belonged to someone special. She takes those items and transforms them into a lasting keepsake. Often these bears help ease the loss of a family member or friend a little bit easier. As Natalie says, “the bears are so much more than just a bear…they are a piece of your loved one.”

Natalie added the hooded towels to the shop three years ago when her son’s love for bathtime became an obsession. It was hard getting him out of the bath so she needed to make it easier, and the birth of the Superhero hooded towel came to life. Now, Natalie offers 35+ custom hooded towels in the shop. They are oversized and so comfortable to wrap up in. Each one is embroidered with their new owners name on the back. Each towel has two little handles to help little hands hold up their towels too. The towels are perfect to use for beach and pool time too. We happen to love the adult unicorn towel – it would make a fun gift for a mom friend! She has so many styles for children, you’re bound to find the perfect towel for your little one.

You can find Natalie at Stitches By Natalie, Instagram, and Facebook.

Introducing the NEW Gugu Concierge (+ We're Hiring!)

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Introducing the NEW Gugu Concierge!
Gugu Concierge offers the convenience of online complemented with the highest level of personal service from your very own local Maternity Consultant to help you along the way. Let our staff of professionals kick-start your registry with an experience unlike any other.

Launching this week in:

Greater New York Metro (NYC/ Westchester /CT / NJ)
Chicago, IL
Washington DC / N. Virginia / Maryland
Phoenix, AZ
Boise, ID
Dallas, TX
Seattle, WA
…with more cities rolling out in the upcoming weeks!

Get started at: https://blog.guguguru.com/concierge

Are you the person that everyone comes to for baby registry help? Do you enjoy helping new and expecting parents find the right products for their families and would like to earn income doing it? Or maybe you’re already a Baby Planner, Doula or Maternity Consultant who would like to expand your client base. If you fit the bill, come join the Gugu Concierge team! [Apply HERE.]

Perfect Gift Ideas

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At Gugu Guru, we just love gifts that keep on giving. Whether they’re smart, practical finds, heirloom quality or cause-driven, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gift ideas for growing families. These make wonderful baby shower gifts or add them to your registry.

-Sponsored Post-

Cause-Driven Fashion

We would be crazy about the adorable and affordable fashions from Smockingbird anyway, but the fact that the brand gives back to a different cause each month makes us love them even more. Started by two best friends (who also happen to be sisters-in-law), Smockingbird offers really cute clothes for children at unbeatable prices.

Smart Finds

Self-care is so important when you’re a new mama and, let’s be honest, breastfeeding can be hard. You can get clogged ducts, pain from mastitis, milk blebs and other discomforts associated with breastfeeding. Of course it’s all worth it to give your babe the best, but you don’t have to suffer through it. Rachel’s Remedy breastfeeding relief packs are a brand new way to treat, soothe and relieve breastfeeding conditions. They offer FDA cleared, moist heat or cooling therapy.

Speaking of comfort or discomfort for that matter, pumping can sometimes be painful for moms, especially those who are exclusively pumping. BeauGen wants to help moms have a more positive, more comfortable breast-pumping experience. BeauGen nipple cushions are a soft, stretchy, and convenient solution that can significantly reduce the pain and discomfort of breast pumping.

One of the things we love the most about the Baby K’Tan Diaper Bag is its built-in wetbag with antibacterial lining – making it a super smart find for parents. This very stylish diaper bag is made of a unique medical-grade FDA approved nylon, the built-in wet bag pocket is resistant against the growth of germs and odor-causing bacteria, and is completely washable and food safe.

Adorable & Eco-Friendly Accents

One of our favorite gift ideas, is the personalized birth announcement pillow from our friends at Finch & Cotter. Just provide them with the baby’s stats and they’ll create a custom birth announcement pillow. Aside from being such a special, personalized gift, we love that Finch & Cotter is made in the USA from eco-friendly inks and organic cotton canvas so it’s safe for any nursery.

If you’re into global chic aesthetic and favor eco-friendly, fair trade practices – look no further than one of our latest discoveries: Baby Baazaar. Baby Baazaar’s aim is to bring hard-to find, eco-friendly children’s products to parents everywhere. The founder is originally from India, and she continues to be inspired by the unique aesthetics and handcrafting abilities of the artisans back home.

Thank you to Smockingbird, Finch & Cotter, Rachel’s Remedy, BeauGen, Baby Baazaar and Baby K’Tan for making this sponsored post possible.

Mom Find: Daisy Bee Subscription Box

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It’s no surprise that we’re fans of subscription box services; interesting and fun subscription boxes don’t just brighten up your day, but also expose you to all sorts of new and exciting companies. Today we’re highlighting a new find of ours, the Daisy Bee Box for mamas – full of special, handpicked items just for you, mama!

Daisy Bee Box is the creation of a wise mama, Jennifer, who wanted to “bring happiness to the “hives” of these tired, hard working women!” The message behind Daisy Bee is so simple and sweet; they believe moms deserve treats, too! Their goal is to send you something other than bills in the mail every month. Because Daisy Bee was founded by a busy mama, she wants to help all mms remember to take some time for themselves.

The Daisy Bee team spends all month testing products safe for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and babies. They offer many different options for boxes; if you choose to subscribe to a box, there are three options. The Mommy-2-Bee box is specifically for pregnant women, this box will include goods to pamper you, treat you, and satisfy those cravings (seriously, they ask your cravings when you sign up!). The products included in this box are safe for pregnant mamas. The Mommy Only box is is tailored just for you, mom! Enjoy hand selected goods to treat yourself each month, without having to share. Lastly, there is the Mommy and Me box which is designed for moms with children infant through toddler age; this subscription will include products for both mommy and baby.

If you’re not ready to commit to a subscription box, Daisy Bee also offers a “one and done” program to try out a box; there is an option for pregnant mamas and new moms. Daisy Bee knows that moms often put themselves last, so they strive to make you smile with handpicked new items every month.

You can follow Daisy Bee on their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

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