Gift Ideas

Back To Sleep Day 5: QuickZip Sheets

We’re finishing off Back to Sleep with one of our founder, Monica’s, must-haves: QuickZip Sheets. A new, improved, easy-to-change crib sheet that zippers on and off, QuickZip Sheets allow for fast changes. They’re included in our safe infant sleep feature because QuickZip wraps all the way around the mattress. This means it’s a safer alternative to traditional crib sheets that can pop off your baby’s mattress, which can pose an entanglement risk.

QuickZip earns Gugu Guru’s “No Fuss” label because its patented, two-piece crib sheet system allows parents to simply drop the mattress in the base just one time and the Zip-On Sheet zips off and on in seconds. This means there’s no more wrestling with mattresses or bumpers.

Plain and simple: when you’re a mom of multiples, you’re going to be looking for the most efficient way to do things around the house (especially since 80% of multiple births are c-section births.) This is especially true when it comes to those middle of the night mishaps. QuickZip sheets delivers that efficiency for parents of multiples – no more lifting up the mattress or removing bumpers.

While parents hail the QuickZip Sheets as lifesavers because they spare so many from the back pain associated with the struggle around changing standard crib sheets, C-Section mamas have something else to cheer about with the product’s ease of use. If you have a c-section, your doctor will tell you that you have to be EXTREMELY careful with household chores due to your stitches and incision for the first 6 weeks of recovery. QuickZip Sheets help you worry less about one thing that you’ll be doing a lot of: changing sheets!

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Note: all sleep tips are independent to all the products featured in Back to Sleep and Kim West is not endorsing these products unless otherwise indicated.

Cause-Driven Registry: UPPAbaby

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Next up on our Cause-Driven Registry with Nicole Ryan, we feature UPPAbaby. UPPAbaby makes high-quality baby products that fit the needs of your new life as a parent, while appealing to the sense of style you’ve always had. UPPAbaby is committed to giving back and supporting worthy causes and organizations that align with the company’s mission and core ethos.

Nicole chose an UPPAbaby Vista stroller and Mesa car seat for her cause-driven registry. The UPPAbaby Vista truly grows with your family and includes a full size front and rear facing toddler seat with a one-handed multi-position recline plus bassinet. It also offers a new, easy one-step fold-with or without seat attached – key for when you have your hands full. The Vista’s large easy access storage basket fits everyday essentials and makes it easier to reach diaper bag and toys. The Vista’s large easy access storage basket fits everyday essentials and makes it easier to reach diaper bag and toys. This performance travel system is totally compatible with the Mesa infant car seat – meaning it’s a direct attachment and no adapters are necessary.

From easy installation to innovative safety features to one-button stroller release, the Mesa infant car seat has taken the guess work and hassle out of infant car seats.

Here’s how UPPA Gives Back:

Committed to giving back to families in need and providing safe transport for families. This includes monetary donations, product donations, and volunteerism
Created the UPPA Gives Back program to lift spirits by partnering with non-profit organizations that share the same mission of providing funds, services, and high quality and essential products to families in need.
Going in to the brand’s 5th year partnering with the TODAY Show Holiday Toy Drive – as of 2015, UPPAbaby will have donated more than a million dollars in strollers and car seats to families nationally. (The 5-year total is $1,000,000!)

Charitable partners include:

Good+ (Formerly Baby Buggy) providing education, essential items and resources to families in need
Safe Kids – dedicated to worldwide children’s safety, child passenger safety focus
National MS Society, Boston Climb to the Top- volunteerism, sponsorship and participation to
raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis

DIY Burp Cloth Tutorial

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Let’s get crafty! See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. We’re all about nursing in this post co-sponsored by Momsense.

I’m so excited to be here sharing a burp cloth tutorial today! I’ve never really needed burp cloths before, my baby #3 is a little bit of a spitter!

We partnered with Momsense for this tutorial for Breastfeeding Awareness Month! The Momsense Smart Breastfeeding Meter is a new product that tracks how much your baby is eating! The meter has a pair of headphones equipped with a microphone that safely sticks to baby’s neck. The microphone amplifies her sucks and swallows for you to hear. It also has a little animation that goes with it and it translates the swallows to give you a good sense of how much milk your baby is getting!

My older daughter loves to listen in and it’s so fun to involve the kids and dad in the breastfeeding experience. I needed this meter about 6 years ago with my first when I was struggling with milk supply, so I’m so glad it’s on the market now!

My favorite part about the meter is how inspiring it is to a breastfeeding mama! It’s so neat to see and hear how effective your breastfeeding session is and is pushing us to get the best and longest breastfeeding experience possible. Read my full review on SeeKateSew.com to hear all about my struggle with supply and how the Momsense Smart Breastfeeding Meter has been a game changer for us!

Today we’re making burp cloths lined with absorbent towel material! I thought lemon fabric would be cute since we’re talking about eating! The back of the cloths are made from a towel. You can either use a pre-made towel or terry cloth material for the backing. The only other thing you need is the pattern (provided below) and basic sewing supplies.

Let’s get started!

Materials:
–See Kate Sew Burp Cloth Pattern
-a store-bought towel or terry cloth material
-1/4 yard cotton ( lemon fabric source)

Print out the burp cloth pattern at 100% (do not scale). Cut off the overlap and tape the 3 pages together. It will look like this:

Use the pattern piece to cut out 1 piece from cotton and 1 piece from your towel material.
Put the cotton piece on top of the towel piece with the right sides together.
Pin and sew the front and back together 3/8″ from the edges, leaving a 2-3″ opening on one side.
Turn the burp cloth right side out through the opening you left. Press. Turn the opening edges in.
Topstitch around the cloth 1/4″ from the edge. The opening will be closed as you do this.

You’re done! A little stack of these make a really cute shower gift (maybe paired with a Momsense meter!).

Mini Style: Rockabilly Baby!

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Are you a rockabilly mama like Risky Rae? Check out her picks (and some of ours!) for rockabilly baby style – these would make great baby gifts!

Anchor & Roses Tattoo Charcoal One Piece; 2. Six Bunnies Flash Gift Set; 3. Born to Rock and Roll Onesie; 4. Sourpuss Cherry Mary Janes; 5. Sourpuss Monster Sneakers; 6. Sourpuss Skull Sneakers

Mini Robot Rattle; 2. Johnny Cash Bib; 3. Mom Tattoo Swaddle Blanket; 4. Anchors Footie; 5. Sailor Teething Ring; 6. I Love Mom Teether; 7. Matryoshka Teethers; 8. Retro Robot Teethers

In The Nursery Roundup!

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We love sharing innovative and creative new baby products for the nursery; have you seen any of these yet? They make fantastic baby shower gifts, and if you’re pregnant, don’t forget to add these to your registry!

Nested Bean’s Zen Swaddle: Nested Bean understands that babies tend to sleep better in your embrace or with your palm on their chest. They also understand that this is obviously not always possible! What’s the solution? Nested Bean has created a one of a kind swaddle for babies – their Zen Swaddle. The Zen Swaddle simulates the pressure from your touch with lightly weighted pads on their chest and sides.

There are two options for the Zen Swaddle – The Zen Swaddle Classic is one layer of fabric, which means it is perfect for warmer months. At a very affordable price, you can have many of them, so baby won’t miss one night of sleeping well! The Zen Swaddle Premier has a double layer construction, which makes it perfect for cooler months. The Classic Swaddle features traditional baby light baby colors, while the Premier has more of a modern touch. The Swaddle is longer than most swaddles, making it most cost affective, as it will last your baby well into 6 months. They are 100% cotton and machine washable, and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

But, the best part of the Zen Swaddle? Parents who’ve tried the Zen Swaddle report their babies fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer within 1 to 3 nights. Win win for everyone! (Head over to Nested Bean to purchase a Zen Swaddle and receive 15% off with the code GUGU15.)

The Baby Box Co.: Inspired by the Finnish tradition of using a box for a baby bed, The Baby Box Co. has created a simple way for babies to sleep soundly, and most importantly, safely. The Bed Box serves primarily as a safe, comfortable place for infants to sleep, similar to a bassinet. Some parents keep the box next to their bed, while others use it in all rooms of the house to keep baby in while they clean, cook, or work. Once baby outgrows the box, it can easily be repurposed for clothing or toy storage! The Baby Box Co. has teamed up with some amazing baby brands, so when you order your box, you’ll get fun samples, clothing, and goodies from all sorts of wonderful companies!

Personalized Birth Announcement Pillow from Finch and Cotter: Looking for the perfect, unique gift to celebrate a new baby? We’re loving this personalized pillow from Finch and Cotter. Pick either 16×20 or 12×18, in natural or white canvas. This pillow is totally customizable – from picking the fabric you want, to the color of the text, and obviously all the information. The pillow cover comes with a faux down insert, making this the ultimate personalized baby gift.

Thank you to our friends at Nested Bean, The Baby Box Co., and Finch & Cotter for making this sponsored post possible.

Gift Idea: Unconventional Teething Picks

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By: Shana, Gugu Guru Director of Content Marketing

This teething round up comes just as my 8-month-old is cutting three top teeth at once. We managed to survive the bottom two coming in with the help of a French giraffe with cult status. Since those first two teeth, my little one has been pretty finicky, preferring objects of the non-teething variety. Luckily, these four products delivered…and then some!

Teething Egg
Made with FDA grade materials and lead/phalate/BPA/PVC free, this egg-shaped teether is the perfect size and shape for little mouths and hands. I love that it comes with an attachable clip, since my little one is also at the “throw it on the floor and watch Mommy pick it up” stage. Side note: after chewing on it, she also likes to toss around the Teething Egg and watch it wobble. The Teething Egg has held up remarkably well!

Sweet Tooth
This is the CUTEST teething toy and it smells yummy too. (Yes, I’ve found myself sniffing it more than once, which my daughter finds hysterical.) Made in the USA out of medical/food grade silicone, it is free of nasties and easy to clean. The two textures accommodate different teething stages, plus it can have a second life as a toy once teething is over. When it comes to baby things, longevity is definitely a bonus!

Mama & Little Sofia Soothing Teething Necklace
My daughter’s favorite place is in my arms, so having a great teething necklace is a given. She also loves tugging on my long hair, so the necklace does double duty: she can chew on it or keep her hands busy and out of mama’s hair (the breakaway safety clasp ensures that if she tugs a little too hard on the necklace it will safely come off). Made of non-toxic food-grade silicone it’s one way I don’t have to sacrifice style or worry about what my little one is chewing on.

Kleynimals

While not technically a teething toy, Kleynimals are perfect for teething babies who want to put everything into their mouths – including mommy and daddy’s dirty keys. (Many people don’t know that keys contain toxins like lead, nevermind the sharp edges and grime.) What I immediately noticed about Kleynimals is that they are nice and solid. These are NOT cheaply made, chintzy toy keys. They’re made of stainless steel and can even be engraved. After weeks of fixating on my jingly house keys, my daughter loves having her own animal-shaped set.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Monica Leonard of Molly’s Suds

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Today’s Mompreneur Spotlight is on Monica Leonard, the founder of Molly’s Suds. Molly’s Suds create soaps, detergents, cleaners and more which are all safe for both the environment and your skin and body, both on the outside and inside. Molly’s Suds products are made with earth and plant derived ingredients. If there’s something which needs to be cleaned, Molly’s Suds has a healthy solution for it!

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Molly Suds.

ML: We launched Molly’s Suds in 2008, 3 years after the loss of our daughter, Molly. I was a nurse and mom to 3 at the time she was born, and never would have expected a stillbirth. Though I have a faith in God, I wondered why she was not breathing, no life at birth, what did my body do different. As a pediatric nurse, lactation counselor, and mom to 3 other healthy children, I was struggling for answers. After a few months passed, we were pregnant again, and I started doing research about stillbirths. I came across a study that would change the course of our lives forever.

It was my moment… I felt duped by the system, fooled, defeated. I found out the chemicals that we come into contact with every day are not really regulated, alter our endocrine systems, are found in the cord blood of newborns, and are passed on for generations via DNA. It was outrageous. And who knew? No one knew including my obstetrician, coworkers, and family.

I felt like I needed to educate myself more on the chemicals my family and I were being exposed on a daily basis, and see where it took me.

I started small by filling a big black trash bag with all of the toxic products we had after researching the ingredients and discovering the negative effects they have on human health.

We were not left with much on the shelves. I started to learn more about ingredient integrity, and talked to people that were on the same quest for safer products. I talked to people in the environmental science, healthcare, alternative medicine, and chemical industries; and I didn’t stop there.

I really talked about it to anyone who would listen; a lot of family and friends thought I was nuts. They believed the products on grocery shelves were all completely safe, and that the household names we all came to know and trust were just fine.

At this point, I had given birth to a healthy baby boy following Molly’s stillbirth, and I was able to find better organic or natural alternatives to use in place of the conventional brands we had been using…except when it came to laundry detergent. It was the only product I could not seem to replace comfortably. We decided to work with an organic facility to help us perfect a product I worked on for a couple years. I ultimately found my audience at farmer’s markets, mom groups, La Leche League, and other similar places, and in late 2008, at a farmer’s market in Buford, GA we sold our first bucket of Molly’s Suds – the rest is history!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

ML: Work life balance is very important to me. It can be done – we just have to set limits. I’ve had a pretty experienced journey at the game of life, and realize that we don’t get these years back. I’m manufacturing and selling laundry detergent, and so I have to remind myself, it’s not heart surgery. Emails and calls can wait. After work hours, I spend time with my family, which in turn keeps me less stressed and more productive when I am working. I also have an extremely supportive and loving husband, whom I think is the key to my success in our family business.

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?

ML: I love being a mompreneur because nobody can tell me I have to miss a field trip or performance, or find someone to watch my sick child. When I was a nurse, I missed a lot when it came to kids and family, because my shift always had to be covered. So I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to be there when I need to be. It’s hard work owning a company, and after the house winds down, I still may send out a few emails or sit on the patio with my husband to strategize. It’s good for the kids to see me working out of passion, making a difference, and allowing Molly’s little life make the world a better place one wash at a time!

Cause-Driven Registry: DockATot (+giveaway)

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Continuing our Cause-Driven Registry with Nicole Ryan, today we feature DockATot, the portable infant lounger designed with baby’s safety and comfort in mind.

Originally created in Europe, the DockATot is a completely unique, versatile and chicly designed product for babies to lounge, snuggle, or play in. What makes DockATot stand out from the crowd is the careful consideration the founder (a mom of two young boys) has given to the overall design, functionality and safety of the dock. The unique shape and design allow babies to comfortably lounge, play, snuggle and log in some tummy time. The idea is that your little one feels snuggled in a safe haven that feels a lot like the womb. The bumpers are made with a special air-permeable fabric that makes DockATot particularly worry-free. The DockATot is very lightweight and perfect for families who travel!

For the duration of June and July, DockATot has donated $1 for each DockATot sold to Project Night Night, an organization that helps homeless children (ages 0-12). Project Night Night donates over 25,000 Night Night Packages each year to homeless children 12 and under who need our childhood essentials to have a concrete and predictable source of security and an increased exposure to high-quality literacy materials during their time of upheaval.

Like what you see here? Enter to win a DockATot below!
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Mompreneur Spotlight: Lindsey Laurain of ezpz

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Here at Gugu Guru, we’re proponents of any products and ideas which make mealtime easier for the family; which is why we’re so excited to introduce Lindsey Laurain of ezpz! ezpz features placemats, bowls, and mealtime tools which are not only healthy and safe for babies and kids, but promote self-feeding skills and independence in young children.

GG: How and why did you start ezpz?

LL: Our life can be pretty chaotic, especially at mealtime, and my husband and I were fed up with the messiness and cleanup time dedicated to each meal. One night (in the midst of his frustration) my husband said, “Someone needs to create something kids can’t toss or throw at meals!” The next day I hopped online and, low and behold, nothing exists. From that day on I was committed to creating products that made meals with kids ezpz – and that is how the Happy Mat came to be!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

Balancing work and family is a constant challenge, but I do my best! I try to shut down my computer when the kids get home from school and spend some time giving each one of my three boys the attention they deserve. One thing I love about starting ezpz from scratch has been teaching the boys about what you can achieve with hard work, a positive attitude and teamwork.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

The best part of being an entrepreneur is having an amazing team and community! I have the pleasure of working with my best friends, husband and brother! Our community (ezpz fans and supporters) are also phenomenal; they keep us motivated and upbeat even when times are tough.

Newborn Lockdown!

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One of the reasons pregnant mamas love registering on Gugu Guru is that we simplify every product into a very real life scenario and category. We know that registering can be overwhelming, which is why we are here to hold your (possibly swollen) hand and walk you through all the different categories when it comes to new-parenthood. The first stop in newborn land is what we like to call “Newborn Lockdown” – Newborn Lockdown describes those very early few weeks when you literally don’t leave the house, whether it’s because you’re healing, breastfeeding, exhausted, or simply too nervous to take that tiny baby into the giant world! We’ve gathered together some of our favorite products for surviving those first few weeks on lockdown – and if you’re not registering or pregnant, we highly recommend buying some of these items for your new mama friend (you can thank us later!).

For Mama –

Nesting Days Carrier: In those very early days of newborn-hood, it seems like baby never wants to be put down! The Nesting Days Carrier is unique in that it can be worn two ways – wear it at home (and get a chance to use your hands again!) for skin-to-skin time with baby; it also helps pull in your stomach muscles and provide tummy support. Or, use it out and about over your clothing for a hands-free way to carry baby close to you.

Victoria’s Secret Hoodie and Sweats: We know all you want to do is lie around with the baby, so why not look adorable doing it? We are loving these super soft “Boyfriend Pants” and hoodie from Victoria’s Secret – plus, the hoodie makes whipping your boobs out for breastfeeding all day long so much easier!

Netflix: Don’t have a Netflix account? You need one now – you’ll be spending many, many long hours rocking, feeding, and shushing a baby, the least you can do is binge watch The Gilmore Girls while you do it! (We highly recommend Dawson’s Creek and Felicity, too!). A Netflix account makes a wonderful baby shower gift, as well – mama can even watch on her phone late at night!

Silverette Nursing Cups: Are you breastfeeding your newborn? Check out Silverette Nursing Cups, which are small nursing cups made out of 925 silver to help protect the nipples while breastfeeding. Silver is a natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory element and it heals and prevents cuts, wounds, cracks, soreness and infections. These cups are essential for anyone who is having problems with painful nipples or want to use them as a precautionary measure. They are completely easy to use and no creams or lotion are needed.

For Baby –

Owlet Baby Monitor: It’s nerve-wracking to bring home a newborn baby, especially for first time parents! It seems as though many parents are even too nervous to fall asleep because the baby seems so tiny and new – but, Owlet Smart Sock is here to help. The Owlet Smart Sock is a bootie which your infant wears, and uses hospital technology called “pulse oximetry” to monitor your baby’s breathing. The Owlet monitor relays the information and connects to your smartphone, so even if you’re cooking dinner downstairs, you can check on your baby’s breathing.

DockATot: The DockATot is a completely unique and versatile product for babies to lounge, relax, or play in. The unique shape and design allow babies to comfortably rest, play, snuggle and log in some tummy time. The idea is that your little one feels snuggled in a safe haven that feels a lot like the womb. The bumpers are made with a special air-permeable fabric that makes DockATot particularly worry-free. The DockATot is very lightweight and perfect for families who travel!

To register for these items, head over to our registry page and add them (and many, many other must-have items) to your personalized registry!

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