Gugu Picks

Spring Cleaning Baby Must-Haves

It’s the first week of Spring and we will be honest: we thought it would never come. Though the “spring forward” time change can be challenging for parents, the sunny longer days to spend outside with your babe are welcome. Spring is also the season for cleaning, of course. When you become a parent, you’ll see that the amount of cleaning you have to do is directly proportionate to the age of your baby. Newborns not so much but by the time your child is a toddler, get ready for sticky finger prints, artwork in every crevice of your home and just general messes. Don’t be scared though – we are listing some of our favorite Spring Cleaning practical finds here:

Lorena Canals Machine Washable Rugs and Cushions

It’s no secret that Gugu Guru loves Lorena Canals‘ gorgeous, eco-friendly and totally MACHINE WASHABLE rugs and cushions. They’re available in a plethora of styles and colors to complement any decor but our favorite thing about these rugs hands-down is that from sippy cups spills to muddy prints and more, you can just throw Lorena Canals rugs and cushions in the washing machine for a spin and they’ll be good as new.

Lorena Canals products are super versatile for your wedding registry AND your baby registry. Our founder, Monica, explains why here:

Be sure to check out Lorena Canals’s new styles for Spring 2017.

Venta Airwasher 2-in-1 Humidifier & Air Purifier

We’ve talked about how the Venta Airwasher is great for sleep but it is also an essential for all around the year cleaning. The Airwasher humidifies dry room air while simultaneously purifying it by removing dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. Clean air makes not only for better sleep but also a happy, healthy home.

UviCube

UviCube eliminates 99.9% of harmful bacteria on surfaces exposed to UV light so you can conveniently sanitize toys, mobile phones, remote controls, electronics and more. It also pulls double duty as storage, which is key for keeping an organized home. With the UviCube, you can dry and store baby bottles, pacifiers, cups and utensils in one convenient place.

Molly’s Suds

For baby’s laundry, we are huge fans of Molly’s Suds. Molly’s Suds offers Laundry Powder and other household products that are truly safe for humans. The company uses the purest of ingredients to formulate products without carcinogens or known human toxins.

Ubbi Diaper Pails

Spring Cleaning involves the sense of smell too – you want your home smelling fresh. That can often be no minor feat when you have a little one in your home. We find that Ubbi Diaper Pails are a preemptive strike against unwanted smells; they’re constructed with powder coated steel and rubber seals to lock odors in.

Vote on Your Favorite Breast Pump Innovation!

by Gugu Guru 4 Comments

From hands-free to cordless to whisper quiet features, there are lots of new developments in the breast pump category right now. Gugu Guru wants to know what you think so vote on your favorite using the thumbs up icon today! (Did we miss an innovation? Comment below to let us know what should be on the list!) Winner gets the Gugu Picks badge!

Vote on Your Favorite Diaper Bag

by Gugu Guru 3 Comments

Gugu Guru surveyed some of the most stylish moms and bloggers we know and asked them about their absolute favorite diaper bags. Take a look at the top ones named and give a thumbs up to the ones you like the most. Did we miss a diaper bag? Comment below to let us know which one should be on the list! Winner gets the Gugu Picks badge in the registry!

Daycare Must Haves Roundup!

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The transition from baby being home to daycare can be perplexing: what are you supposed to bring? What does your baby need for the day? Gugu Guru interviewed many moms and daycare experts to find out exactly what your baby will need, and today we’re sharing our roundup of the must have products for daycare as well as sharing some tips to make the transition smoother.

Before you go back to work full time, we recommend that you do a test run for at least a couple weeks so you can get comfortable putting your baby in daycare. Dropping your baby off for a day or two in the weeks leading up to returning to work will help you establish a routine and feel more prepared mentally and emotionally.

Product Suggestions

A “Safe” Lovie: Often times daycares don’t allow for lovies or blankies during naptime, as they can be a sleeping hazard; which is why we’re big fans of the BittaSack from Bitta Kidda! This 100% natural cotton sleepsack has two cotton velour lovies sewn onto the sleep sack, so baby can hold something soft while they are sleeping. These lovies will never get close to baby’s face, which means they are safe for even the smallest of babies to self-soothe with. If your baby loves to hold on to something while they sleep (which most do!), this is the perfect daycare accompaniment because it will help them get a great nap!

Sunscreen: Lots of daycares are wonderful about taking the babies and kids outside as much as possible! However, we got this great tip from mom Nicole F., “Don’t forget to bring sunscreen. Kids aren’t supposed to share!” Furthermore, as mom Beth K. said, “some of these daycares simply won’t apply the sunscreen,” and prefer the parents apply the sunscreen before the day begins. We’re big fans of Babo Botanicals sunscreen which is safe for baby’s skin and made without dairy, soy, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, SLS, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, fragrances, dyes, sodium chloride, formaldehyde, MEA, DEA, TEA, or most common allergens.

Close-toed shoes: While less of an infant consideration, mama Emalee G. reminded us that “The kids need to have close-toed shoes and sandals, as well as sandals with backs on them!” With all the toddling and running around at daycare, often the daycares recommend close-toed shoes and sandals, and almost certainly no flip-flops! Lori M. added, “No slip-on shoes. The shoes must have laces or Velcro; slip-ons fall off too easily.” Looking for the perfect baby and toddler shoe for daycare? We recommend pediped shoes, which have a ton of styles to chose from, all with closed toes, safe straps, and are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development.

Diapers: While cloth diapering is becoming very popular for many parents, many daycares don’t allow for cloth diapers. Here’s a hint: remind them about a reduction in trash with cloth and that could make them reconsider. If you’re unable to talk the facility into cloth diapering and looking for an eco-friendly, allergen-free, safe alternative to cloth diapers, we love Bambo Nature diapers. Made to fit your baby’s growing body, these diapers are free from chlorine, perfumes, optical brighteners and lotions, as well as phthalates, latex, and gluten. Bambo Nature diapers feature a breathable back-sheet, which ensures that the skin can breathe, keeping the skin drier and less prone to rash or infection. Bambo Nature also features hypoallergenic baby wipes and training pants for older toddlers.

Labels: How are you going to label all of these items for your baby? We are huge fans of Inchbug labels – which happened to be one of the most common brands named as a “must-have” by daycare moms! Their 3D custom Orbit labels are engraved with your baby’s name on them (in braille too!) and can fit on any sippy-cup, bottle, or cup – they are colorful and will ensure that your baby is drinking from the right container. Inchbug also sells adhesive labels, clothing labels, allergy labels and alerts, and even labels which can go in shoes! Put your baby’s name on everything with Inchbug labels.

Some final tips…

Besides the actual items which your baby will need, finding a daycare which fits all of your family’s needs can sometimes be overwhelming. We asked Lindsay Bliss, the owner of Kidspiration for some questions parents can ask when they tour a daycare. Her top five questions she said parents should ask as they tour a daycare, 1. What are the ratios of children to teachers? 2. What’s your sick policy? 3. What are the fees? Late fees? Early hour fees? 4. How can I communicate with you? 5. What materials do I need to bring and what do you provide?

Although the transition can be hard, here are some testimonials from other mamas: Vicki M. said, “My daughter is in kindergarten this year and I truly believe the curriculum she learned in daycare over the past three years has made her so bright and ready to be in the school setting! She knows how to sit, listen, pay attention, take turns, share. All things she learned by going to daycare!” As Trish N. exclaimed, “I am a full time working mom and both my kids have been in full time day care since three months old. It has been a great experience for me. They’re both very smart, they can sit still, listen to directions, use good manners. They are outgoing and are kind to other children.” Even though it’s a tough change for some parents, daycare can a wonderful place your baby can thrive, make friends, and learn social skills – as long as you’re prepared with all the necessary items, the transition can be smoother for both mama and baby!

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One of My Top Baby Registry Picks: QuickZip Sheets

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Hey Everyone – it’s Monica here, founder of Gugu Guru, and today I am taking to the blog because I want to write about a product that every new and expectant mom should know about (in my opinion) and that is QuickZip Sheets. Let me give you a little background before I dig into the details on why this product is a must-have for your baby registry.

Here’s the thing about baby registries and registries in general, a lot of people will tell you that it’s poor etiquette to purchase a gift that is not listed on the registry. I disagree with this notion and that’s because sometimes – as the old adage goes – you don’t know what you don’t know. Which brings me to QuickZip. My friend and at the time more seasoned new mom, Debra, sent me a set of QuickZip crib sheets after I had my first baby. I remember initially thinking, “Why would she send me sheets? I have a whole theme for my bedding picked out already.” She affixed a note to the package that read, “These sheets are the most genius thing that I have ever purchased. They’re a lifesaver.” How could crib sheets be a life saver? I was intrigued.

Now, at the time, I had already had my son and he was a couple weeks old. I was already discovering what many new moms don’t know but find out very quickly after having a baby – crib sheets are a complete pain in the… ahem…”rear” to change. You have to bend deep down over the railing, lifting up a heavy mattress (if you didn’t happen to register for a lightweight one) and then you have to do a square dance around the crib as you try to get all the corners to stay put. On top of this, if you are a mom who needs to recover from a c-section (like I was), this type of chore isn’t just a hassle – it’s actually not even remotely doable for the first 6 weeks. Given that babies spit up, have diaper explosions and are just generally babies – skip changing the crib sheet? Not an option.

But fear not, new moms! Enter QuickZip AKA “Crib Sheets Reinvented”. QuickZip is a patented, two-piece crib sheet system. You simply drop the mattress in the base just one time and the Zip-On Sheet zips off and on in seconds so there’s no more wrestling with mattresses or bumpers. The QuickZip Sheets line is exactly what Debra described when I received her gift six years ago: a total lifesaver. Not only are these sheets quick to change, they’re also much safer than standard crib sheets because they wrap securely around the mattress – which means no loose bedding. Bonus!

And, by the way, I recently discovered that QuickZip Sheets come in standard bed sizes. We got one for our master bed (arguably as annoying to change as a crib because of the pillow top) and we are now hooked on these high-quality sheets for the grown up members of our family too. My daughter loves her minky sheets on her twin-size big girl bed.

QuickZip Sheets are available on Amazon.com among other retailers. There are lots of colors and styles to choose from, including an organic set for you eco mamas out there. We personally love the gray dot, gray cotton and white mink set.

Of course, you can also add QuickZip to your Gugu Guru favorites along with anything else you’d like too! Here’s a great video that shows you why you need these sheets too:

Nicole Ryan's Cause-Driven Baby Registry

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Gugu Guru is so excited to announce the launch of a baby registry which is close to our hearts. Gugu Guru and popular, nationally renowned Sirius XM Radio Hits 1 Morning Mashup host Nicole Ryan have partnered on a campaign to make thoughtful product choices for Nicole’s second baby due in September 2016. Gugu Guru has handpicked select baby companies and products that are tied to a charitable cause and/or are mission-driven for her Cause Driven Baby Registry.

Each Tuesday on the Sirius XM Radio Hits 1 Morning Mash-Up, tune in to “Tell Us Something Good” segment, where Nicole will introduce a brand on this registry for good and discuss how the company gives back. Gugu Guru is teaming up with Nicole to highlight each of these socially conscious brands over here on our blog, along with a giveaway each week!

Here’s a full list of companies which we’ll be highlighting:

Finn + Emma: Creates baby clothes, toys and gifts made from organic cotton and wood with modern stylish prints and colors. Do-goodies are lovies made from upcycled scraps of Finn + Emma products that are soft, hand-sewn in the U.S.A, and best of all — a portion of the purchase will be donated directly to KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids the childhood they deserve, filled with balanced and active play.

Loyal Hana is a collection of stylish comfortable garments that enables the modern woman to transition from the bump, the boob and beyond. Loyal Hana hearts baby2baby, which helps over 67,000 children a year in the greater Los Angeles area by distributing new and gently used items to over 50 organizations including homeless and domestic violence shelters, Head Start programs and hospitals.

Lorena Canals: Handmade machine-washable rugs that are stylish and practical. With the purchase of a Lorena Canals rug, a customer helps a child attend school in Nothern India through the company’s Sakula project.

Cuddle + Kind: Ethically produced, hand-knit dolls that help feed children in need. With the purchase of one doll, 10 meals are provided to children in need.

Owlet: The occurrences of healthy infants passing away at home in the crib due to breathing issues is far too high, and many of these deaths are preventable. Owlet hopes for a future where far fewer tragedies are happening to the infants we love so much. The ability to integrate medical technology in a baby sock is going to change that.

4Moms: Makes dramatically better baby gear by leveraging robotics, technology, and innovative design to solve parents’ problems. 4moms Cares is the charitable arm of 4moms. Our mission is to dramatically impact the lives of children and families in need through meaningful product donations, hospital discounts, and by supporting our local communities.

Naturepedic: Naturepedic handcrafts certified organic mattresses without questionable chemicals, providing a healthier night’s sleep for the whole family. Naturepedic supports dozens of organizations like the Environmental Working Group and One Percent for the Planet, promoting environmental stewardship and healthful wellbeing.

DockATot: DockATot is a multi-functional lounging, playing, and resting dock for baby and tots 0-36 months that was created with love in Sweden. DockATot will be donating $1 for each DockATot sold on our site during the months of June and July to Project Night Night, an organization that helps homeless children (ages 0-12).

TWELVElittle: TWELVElittle creates fashionable and functional diaper bags for the moms and dads who need it all. TWELVElittle dedicated one of their bestsellers – Carry Love Tote to Every Mother Counts, and for every bag sold, are donating 5%. For special occasions and holidays, they dedicate a month to a specific non profit organization for every product sold, donate 5% to the organization.

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 our mission and core company ethos.

Matimati Baby: Matimati Baby designs and makes stylish yet functional baby bandana bibs for all little ones. Through Matimati Baby’s “drooling for a purpose” campaign our brand donates a percentage of all sales to Chain Reaction, a non-profit organization that fights human trafficking in Asia.

Babies4Babies: Creates swaddle blankets with fashion forward prints and colors, made in America. Babies4Babies works with Saving Mothers to help prevent infant deaths in developing countries.

Follow Along!

To follow along week-by-week as Nicole introduces these products and companies, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook – and, as always, Gugu Guru will be posting on our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, too!

Nicole Ryan’s Cause-Driven Baby Registry

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Here’s a full list of companies which we’ll be highlighting:

Cuddle + Kind: Ethically produced, hand-knit dolls that help feed children in need. With the purchase of one doll, 10 meals are provided to children in need.

DockATot: DockATot is a multi-functional lounging, playing, and snuggling dock for baby and tots 0-36 months that was created with love in Sweden. DockATot will be donating $1 for each DockATot sold on our site during the months of June and July to Project Night Night, an organization that helps homeless children (ages 0-12).

Babies4Babies: Creates swaddle blankets with fashion forward prints and colors, made in America. Babies4Babies works with Saving Mothers to help prevent infant deaths in developing countries.

Follow Along!

Summer Travel Must Haves

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Now that summer is in full swing, it seems families are out and about every chance they can get! Gugu Guru has rounded up some of the best travel must haves for summertime. These also make excellent summer baby shower gifts for a new parent!

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Covered Goods Multi Use Nursing Cover, Bouquet: These multipurpose breastfeeding covers are perfect for travel; they’re lightweight and, as with any functional travel accessory, serve multiple uses! You can use these stylish covers to nurse your baby under, they’re stretchy, breathable, and cover mama in all the right places. Not nursing? These covers make a gorgeous scarf for mama when the weather turns chilly at night, as well as a grocery seat cover, and an infant seat cover. The Bouquet design is colorful for summer days on the beach and the perfect pop of color as a scarf for date nights on vacation! (Use code GUGUGURU15 for 15% off your purchase).

Babymoov Traveler Bag, Heather Grey: Looking for an all-purpose travel baby bag? The Babymoov Traveler Bag, designed in the heart of France, is a carry-all diaper/hospital/travel bag specifically designed with functionality and style in mind. The neutral color of the bag makes it perfect for either mom or dad to carry, and it features a changing mat, pacifier holder, insulated bottle pocket, and storage pocket. The changing pad is stored on the outside of the bag, which makes a quick change in a beach bathroom or airport a breeze. This lightweight bag is perfect for all of your summer adventures.

The Stair Barrier: Heading to a beach house or family vacation this summer? What do you do about all those steps in the house? The Stair Barrier has a solution! The stair barrier is an entirely new brand of safety gate product that is designed specifically for the bottom of the stairs. Made from high quality upholstery fabric, and super easy to install (no drilling!) the barrier is lightweight and easy to travel with. If you’re headed to a new location, simply roll up the Stair Barrier and carry it with you – installation at a new location is super easy, and protects both babies and pets from crawling up the stairs!

GoTo 2in1 Portable Travel High Chair, black: The GoTo 2in1 Portable Travel High Chair is the perfect companion for parents who love to take their baby out to restaurants when they travel. This chair holds an infant car seat at the perfect feeding height, as well as having leg room for a secure and effective highchair. Take it with you on vacation, camping or just use it around the house. The GoTo travel chair also has storage pockets for your baby’s silverware, bibs, napkins and pacifier. It comes with a handy carrying case that neatly fits your foldable high chair. It has a strap for easy carrying and you can haul it on your shoulder like a small duffle bag. It stows unassumingly in the closet or trunk so you can access it whenever you need.

Babyhome’s Emotion Stroller: Looking for a perfect travel stroller? With it’s large basket for trinkets and souvenirs, the Babyhome Emotion Stroller is the ultimate travel companion. With its large seat recline, babies as young as 3 months can use the stroller, which fits easily through all door ways and rides smoothly on even the bumpiest of streets. Most importantly, it is incredibly easy to fold up and stands up right, and out of the way when not in use. With its waterproof canopy, this stroller is wonderful for music festivals, picnics, and the beach!

b.box diaper wallet, mellow lellow: When traveling, quick diaper changes are a must! We’re big fans of the b.box diaper wallet because it is the only diaper wallet with a built in wipes compartment and dual access to wipes. Wipes can be accessed inside when it’s change time, or if you need to quickly clean little fingers, grab a wipe from the external hatch. The wallet comes with an easy to clean changing pad and plenty of room for storage for two disposable diapers or even a spare change of clothes.

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