Working Mom

Work from Home Gift Guide

Take it from us – the right gear is everything when working from home. Check out these #boss products helping parents achieve more productivity and work/life balance.

Kindred Bravely Angelina Nightgown
Perfect for working from home, this nursing & maternity nightgown is the perfect combination of comfort and function. The double-layered, criss-cross design allows for discreet breastfeeding, while the ultra-soft material makes it comfortable enough to wear all day and night. Use GUGUGURU20 for 20% OFF SHOP NOW >>

Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor
The Nanit offers crystal-clear video streaming and an unparalleled bird’s-eye view of your child while you work. Peek in during naptime or sing to baby with two-way audio while on your break. And when you switch on background audio, you can hear baby at all times, whether you’re in other apps or your screen is locked. Use code GUGU10 for 10% off your next camera purchase. SHOP NOW >>

Baby K’tan
Babywearing can help keep your little one happy and leaves you hands free for working from home, homeschooling and household tasks. The Baby K’tan is a wrap carrier without the complicated wrapping. It will help you get things done while bonding with your babe – a win/win. ALL WRAPS NOW 20% OFF SHOP NOW >>

Nomi High Chair
Now everyone can sit at the table together comfortably. Nomi easily transforms from an infant raised bouncer—to a high chair—to a chair, so your child is positioned in the most comfortable & ergoNOMIc position from newborn all the way to adulthood. SHOP NOW >>

Motif Luna Double Electric Breast Pump
A multi-tasker must have. Pump MORE milk in LESS time with the Luna breast pump. The Luna‘s motor is incredibly quiet – so quiet that it won’t disturb your Zoom meetings, conference calls, or wake up baby during those much-needed afternoon nap times. SHOP NOW >>

Thank you to our sponsors Kindred Bravely and Nanit for making this post possible.

Meet the Team: Which “guru” are you?

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

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!

10 Simple Work From Home Tips from Real WAHMs

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

If you’ve found yourself suddenly working from home, as many of us are, whether pregnant, or with kids, we wanted to help you during the adjustment time by reaching out to some of our favorite work-from-home mom friends with their easy-to-follow tips and tricks!

“My number one tip for working from home with a baby is get yourself a Baby K’tan! Babies love to be close and snuggled, but mama’s still gotta work, so the Baby K’tan solves that WAHM issue. I love that they can be washed with your regular laundry and is seriously as comfortable as wearing a t-shirt. It’s my go-to gift for any new mom!”

– Olivia, Gugu Guru’s Social Media Manager

Baby K’tan is one of our top products for WAHMs, and we’re excited to tell you that all Baby K’tan baby carriers are 20% off through March 31, 2020!

“Working from home can be tricky if you need a large chunk of time uninterrupted. If you can organize some of your big tasks into steps you can do in 5-20 minute increments you will be a lot more productive and a lot less distracted when you’re interrupted that frequently.”

– Kaitlyn Pierce, founder of Pierce Social, and The Binka Bear

“Even if you’re working from home, you’ll need a good baby monitor. Evoz is a top-rated wireless network-based monitor that keeps you connected to your child via apps on iPhone, iPad or Android. Anywhere.”

– Monica Banks, founder of Gugu Guru

Click here to learn more about the Evoz Monitor and why it’s an essential baby product for working from home.

“Leave the mess until later. Try your best to forget about the dishes, to pretend the clean laundry is sitting unfolded, and to ignore the scraps of paper on the floor from craft time. I know it’s hard and annoying to look at, but if you keep going back to household tasks throughout the day, interrupting your workflow (while likely also being interrupted by tiny humans who need things!) you will never get anything done. Ask your kids to help clean while preparing dinner and then try your best to leave a power 20-minutes or half hour after bedtime to clean/tidy the rest. Don’t go longer than a half hour on a regular basis, because you deserve time to relax, too.”

– Colleen Temple, freelance editor + writer

“iPads and ice cream for all!”

– Megan Harper, Head of Marketing for Tiny Beans (and Gugu Guru Urban Mama!)

“Take an actual lunch break. People who work in offices get to to do it! You get to do it, too. Use the time to read an actual book (like, with actual pages) or talk to a friend. No screens, please!”

– Jordan Reid, blogger and author of The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People

“Give yourself grace. This is NOT easy. Don’t compare yourself to other people right now (or ever).”

– Monica, My So Called IVF

“Babysitters! Even just a high school girl for 2 hours helps. Also, pay for the upgraded WiFi. And, don’t forget to get dressed every day – changing out of your pajamas into leggings counts!”

– Emily Ryan, founder of Westfield Creative

“I have found that often when my kids are bugging me, all they need are a few minutes of deep connection and true acknowledgment and then their anxiety lessons and they’ll go do their own thing and let me do mine.”

– Chelsea Long, Content Manager for Whole Mamas Club

“Meditation in the morning is key. Try to protect your morning, even if only 5-15 minutes, or whatever your reality is. I love the Journey Meditation app!”

– Ali Levine, celeb stylist and podcaster (check out her registry)

The Top Double Electric Breast Pump

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Looking for the top electric breast pump? When it comes to pumping, new moms often find themselves at a loss of what pump to use; there are so many options, and many taut great benefits, but none of them are as easy to use, most beneficial, and ready for your lifestyle as the Motif Medical Luna Double Electric Breast Pump. The choice of a breast pump is an intimate one, we understand, as often the breast pump becomes your companion, traveling to work, vacations, and through life by your side. The Motif Luna Breast Pump has one mission in mind: to make your life easier and work for you and your little one.

This is a sponsored post from our friends at Motif Medical.

Time is of the essence as a pumping mama; whether you are pumping in the middle of the night, or pumping at work, no one wants to spend unnecessary time attached to their breast pump. However, in a recent comparison test conducted by C+R Research, 5 out of 6 moms got more milk in less time with the Luna, and 9 out of 10 moms preferred the Luna over their current pump. This means you’ll have more time to shower, shop online, or snuggle your little one, all while pumping more milk! When it comes to pumping in the middle of the night, or pumping behind your office’s closed doors, many women complain that their breast pump makes a lot of noise! However, the Motif Luna Double Electric Breast Pump was built to be as quiet as possible; in fact, the motor’s soft, low purr is just 45 decibels, which is so quiet that it won’t disturb your co-workers, phone calls, or wake up baby. That’s a major win!

One of the major reasons we’re such big fans of the Motif Luna Breast Pump is that the Luna is a closed system pump, so you don’t have to worry about your pump’s motor being exposed to milk, which can expose your baby to mold and virus growth. The Luna’s closed system acts as a hygienic barrier against this ever happening. You can pump in peace knowing your milk will be ready for your little one, no matter where you are using the pump. And, we have heard from countless working moms that the Motif Luna is the preferred pump of choice because it is super lightweight! At just 2 pounds, it’s one of the lightest desktop pumps on the market. The Luna’s sleek, oval shape fits in almost any type of day bag or travel case. That says a lot when you can fit everything you need for your day in one place. Plus, the Motif Luna Double Electric Breast Pump is on most insurance plans, so you can start using it from day one and beyond.

To learn more about the Motif Luna Breast Pump, check out this post, too.

Thank you to Motif Medical for making this sponsored post possible.

What’s New on Gugu: December 11, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

During the holiday season, it is so easy for moms and moms-to-be to forget to stock up on products to treat themselves! Below are some fun new finds from the pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood market. We love these as gifts for expectant moms or as a personal gift to focus on the always-important (and never attainable) self-care! Let us know some of your favorite just for mom products!

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

NYSSA Postpartum Underwear: Called the ‘Fourthwear’ Collection, we love this update to the standard mesh undies you’ll receive in the hospital. They are stretchy and you can easily insert an ice pack or heating pad where it may be needed most. They can also be worn high-waisted or rolled down for maximum comfort no matter what type of delivery. Love these for all moms to be!

Soothing Scents Expecting Personal Inhaler for Morning Sickness: Those dreaded days full of morning sickness (or all-day sickness) can be behind you! Utilizing essential oils, this inhaler works immediately and is 100% natural. Check with your OB before purchase, but we love the idea of combating morning sickness without added medication.

GLOWE Maternity Leggings: These leggings will be supportive and comfortable from first trimester to the postpartum days! They will give you the support of a medical maternity belt without the bulk of wearing one. Plus they are made from a super soft Italian fabric so you will beat that back pain in style!

The Laundress New Mom Kit: It’s absolutely amazing how one (or two in my case) little babes can dramatically increase the amount of laundry you find yourself doing. The Laundress has created their New Mom Kit to help combat those messy spit ups and blow outs without harsh chemicals, petroleum, phosphate, phthalates, or artificial color. Plus I love that this kit comes with stain remover (a must for little ones) as well as all other detergent products you would need!

HATCH Mama Must-Haves Kit: An excellent set for pregnant and new moms, HATCH has put together a set of three top selling products. Their Belly Oil is excellent for your moisturizing your growing belly. Down, Girl is great for relieving swelling in your legs and feet. Nipple + Lip helps keep those special parts (your nipples and lips) hydrated during pregnancy and while nursing. Plus it all comes wrapped in the cutest gift box!

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 30, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 6, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: November 14, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: December 4, 2019

The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook Review

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

Check out our The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook review and what we think of Jenna Helwig’s latest cookbook that is ideal for the busy parent.

Time. The whole idea of it changes form when you’re a parent. It becomes a seemingly unattainable, highly-desired luxury. Your appreciation for it grows to new dimensions. When you have time to finish that book, or catch up on that TV show, or do your nails, it’s kind of…magical.

For the reasons listed above, we couldn’t be happier to stumble upon THE cookbook for parents who have 25 hours of their day booked AND cherish quick-and-easy, nutritious and delicious meals for their kiddos. Here’s our The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook review of the latest masterpiece written by Jenna Helwig, Food Editor at Parents and Health magazines. This is her fourth family-focused cookbook; you may have heard of her others: Real Baby Food: Easy All-Natural Recipes for Your Baby, which remains one of the most popular items on Gugu Guru, and Toddler, Smoothie-licious: Power-Packed Smoothies and Juices the Whole Family Will Love and Baby-Led Feeding.

So, why do we love this one over the many other parenting cookbooks available in the market? First, the all-inclusive recipes in this book provide options—so many options, which we depend on to keep things interesting for our ever-changing, opinionated eaters. From pressure-cooked veggies to slow-cooked meats, your kiddos will never get bored, while you get the opportunity to introduce new, healthy meals on a regular basis. Speaking of healthy, an amazing bonus: the recipes are vetted by a registered dietician and include all nutritional information.

Next, we love how it neatly fits into the lifestyles of parents whose juggles are real. Whether you prefer the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of a slow cooker or a quick pressure-cooker experience, all 100 recipes are easy to prepare and offer that much-needed flexibility. When the clock ticks dinner time, it’s hard to imagine standing over your stove with multiple pots and pans. Jenna’s ideas remove that time-consuming act entirely and gift you more time to spend with your babe…and your book (possibly).

And lastly, the ingredient we love the most: minimal effort. You can slide The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook into your routine, and after a few weeks, it’ll feel like you’ve been cooking quick and healthy meals for your family your whole parenting life. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for making this sponsored post possible.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms + Giveaway!

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

You are a miracle worker, mama. Caring for a babe, working AND producing milk are not easy jobs—especially without a full night’s sleep. We know that each day requires the energy of a superhero, so we assembled a list of tried-and-true tips that can hopefully give you many more minutes and moments with your little one.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #1: A great bottle with a high acceptance rate

When your caretaker is home with your precious babe, having peace of mind is…everything. You want to know your babe is calmly drinking the breastmilk you work so hard to produce.

Gugu Guru loves: The award-winning bottle from nan obébé and could not recommend it more for working mamas. Designed to preserve breastmilk nutrients, this all-in-one bottle feeds your little one, while letting you pump, store and warm as well! Its special mom-like shape keeps feedings comfortable for babe and prevents nipple confusion, while easing the transition from breast to bottle.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #2: Convenient, travel-ready transport / storage products

Since your pumping may occur in the car, office or bathroom, convenient, travel-ready products come in quite handy.

Gugu Guru loves: Nanobébé’s Breastmilk Storage System is a game-changer for mamas on the go. Its leak-free bags with a cutting-edge design enable quick cooling and even thawing to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. It comes with an organizer that lets you easily stack and manage your first-in, first-out method from work to home. Plus, the double zipper keeps every drop of your liquid gold secure.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #3: Reliable, on-the-go refrigeration source

Speaking of liquid gold, transporting it requires a reliable cooler—and we found one you’ll love.

Gugu Guru loves: Nanobébé’s sleek cooler. Featuring three layers of insulation, it has space for up to three bottles and includes a compact ice pack to keep your milk cold for hours. You can also fit nipples, pacifiers, pump parts and more. Did we mention it’s also machine washable?

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #4: Cute and practical nursing clothes

Since pumping happens when your body asks for it, it’s helpful to be prepared with a cover you feel comfortable in.

Gugu Guru loves: Milk Snob’s breathable and stretchy nursing cover—that also moonlights as a car seat cover! It’s cozy, stylish and easy. The Larken X Bra is also a comfortable addition to pumping on the go. A completely hands-free pumping bra that doubles for everyday use and support is a must!

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #5: A bag to carry it all

And lastly, this is for the mama who wants one bag to carry-it-all.

Gugu Guru loves: The jay elle Breast Pump Bag by J.L. Childress. This is the best bag to carry your breast pump, spare parts, and work necessities. With great storage pockets, you’ll easily be able to tote everything to and from the office.

These expertly-crafted items truly change the life of a busy, working mama. They give you the gifts of time, organization and peace of mind. Truly priceless—especially at this time in your life. Enjoy those extra moments, unforgettable hugs and dreamy cuddles.

Feeding & Nutrition Giveaway

Top Mama Must-Haves from Soma

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

As mamas, we’re superheroes 24/7. We never clock out and always have to be ready to respond. So, how can make our always-on-call lifestyles easier? By owning quick and cozy gear that’s versatile and functional: essentials we can turn to at a moment’s notice. We scoped out the soft and stylish scene by Soma, and found game-changing items that can help you master this heroic task.

Around-the-clock comfort starts with ultra-cozy undergarments. If you’re nursing, Soma’s selection of bras is the breast. Designed with a one-handed release cup for easy access, these nursing bras make it super simple to feed babe without any extra stress. Our favorites are the Wireless Unlined Nursing Bra, the Embraceable Full Coverage Contour Nursing Bra, and the Embraceable Wireless Nursing Bra. If you’re interested in barely-there bras that offer the ultimate support, check out Soma’s Enbliss Bralettes. Their second-skin feel is epic—you’ll forget they’re even on.

Since our bodies transform and stretch during all stages of pregnancy and beyond, you might want to try the SOMAINNOFIT Bra to find your new perfect fit. Designed for fit purposes only (not as an everyday bra), this innovative measuring bra provides your exact measurements through your smartphone!

Speaking of the perfect fit, easy, go-to leggings are always essential during a mama’s journey. These two-for-one Reversible Leggings are the most convenient solution when an outfit change is needed—but there’s no time to think about your next ensemble. For a slimming option, try these leggings on for size. They’re designed to take up to 1” or more off your waist.

Top off your can’t-live-without leggings with one of these ultra-soft tunics. Their wear-everywhere silhouettes, with a cloud-like feel, are perfect for layering. Throw on a denim jacket, a blazer or sweater to get through the colder seasons without effort.

When you’re not out and about, relax. And take a deep breath with the help of Soma’s Cool Nights Pajamas and Robes. Instead of dreaming about sweet Zzz’s, make them happen. With long sleeves, short sleeves, and colors and patterns galore, you can easily find sleepwear to live in, season after season.

The most amazing thing about our Soma finds? The price points. These day-to-night luxuries come without the price tag you’d expect. Treat yourself, mama. You deserve it all.

Time Saving Tips for Working Moms

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

It’s no shock that working moms have a million plates to juggle on a daily basis; never is this more true than when a breastfeeding mama returns to the workplace and has to also juggle pumping, too! We asked out team for their best time saving tips for working moms to share, what are your best time saving tips for working moms?

Keep a calendar: When it comes to time saving tips for working moms, our top tip is to keep everything on a calendar; it may seem time consuming at the outset to put all of your important dates in a calendar setting, but believe us, it will save you time down the line. It takes way longer to look for the email invite to the birthday party than to simply peep into your Google calendar – double time saving if you share the Google calendar with your signifiant other or sitter! If you’re more of an old school calendar working mom, we love the personalized calendars from Parabo Press (which also make a great gift).
Plan your clothing for the work week: one of the daily hassles working moms encounter is figuring out what to wear for work every day! We recommend planning your outfits for the week ahead of time. Make a mom-uniform for yourself and stick to your favorite colors and what feels comfortable. If you’re pumping at work, make sure your outfits are pumping friendly.
Pump with Ease: Speaking of pumping, make sure you choose a breast pump that is easy to use and can help you multitask at the same time! We’re big fans of the Motif Luna Breast Pump for working moms. We love the Luna Breast Pump for many reasons, but one is that you can totally multitask while pumping with the Motif Luna Pump, as it features a soft, low purr that doesn’t disturb co-workers, phone calls or sleeping kiddos. Plus, It’s also one of the lightest pumps on the market, which means it is easy to commute with and can fit into any bag. We’re also fans of their Motif Breastmilk Storage bags; having stored breastmilk is a huge time saver, and these bags help get the job done. They feature an easy-pour spout, leak-proof double zippers, and the self-stand design makes it easy for refrigerator storage. Plus, they can also lay flat in your freezer to maximize space.
Outsource, outsource, outsource: Working mamas simply do not have time to do it all, and that’s simply okay! We’re huge fans of outsourcing everything we need – from grocery delivery to diaper delivery and more. We’re big fans of Abby + Finn diaper delivery, as it is super easy to customize your needs and the diapers are top notch quality. KIDBOX is another fave of ours to make your life a little easier, as they will handpick clothing for your kiddos and send it straight to you – no need to head to the shops or even spend time online shopping!
Meal Plan: Again, it seems counterproductive to sit down and meal plan for the week, but believe us, when you go into the week knowing what dinner is every night, it will save you so much time later on! Check out this post for helpful meal planning tips (and don’t forget to stock up on VeeTee rice for work lunches and dinnertime, too).

Thank you to Motif Medical for making this sponsored post possible!

Back to School Car Safety Tips for Working Moms (+ giveaway!)

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We’re excited today to have this guest post by the Evenflo Baby team all about back to school car safety tips for working moms! Plus, head to the bottom of the post for an “on-the-go” giveaway!

School is back in full swing, and as parents, most of us are running around trying to get to different school and activity drop-offs and picks-up and often-times carpooling different children in our vehicles of different weights and heights. As a seasoned mom of 2 who has installed a myriad of car seats, I thought I knew it all (spoiler alert, I had a lot to learn!)

I recently had the opportunity to become a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. When I started this 4 day training, I was skeptical of what knowledge I would gain, but by the end I was really blown away by what I learned and also to discover that I was making several common mistakes when it came to both car seat usage and installation. I am sharing with you some of these very common mishaps that occur to help you keep your little ones (and their friends) safe this fall while on the road!

Forward facing using LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) – there are 2 common mistakes in this scenario:

Using both the lower anchors and seat belt for a car seat installation. You may think that 2 ways of securing the child and car seat are better than one, but in fact the performance of the car seat in the event of a crash may be negatively affected by using both the lower anchors and the seat belt at the same time. NOTE: You always want to use the upper tether when possible for forward-facing installation, whether the installation is with the lower anchors or the seat belt.
Keeping a child secured in the 5 point harness and using the LATCH system past the weight allowed. There are LATCH weight limits so be sure to check the manual of your car seat manufacturer to see what these weight limits are.

Moving your child to a booster seat: Your child may be ready to move into a belt-positioning booster seat once they have outgrown their forward facing harnessed car seat. Your child must meet the minimum height, weight and age requirements – but, (and this is what many parents forget about) they also must be mature enough to keep the seat belt properly positioned for your entire car ride. If they are moving frequently and the belt isn’t staying in place, then you should consider keeping them in a harnessed car seat that has a higher weight limit until they are really ready!

Carpooling and extra car seats: Most busy parents who are frequently carpooling other kids around will keep an extra car seat or booster seat in their car. I, for one, never thought about the importance of keeping these extra car seats secure when not in use. A 10lb booster seat can become a dangerous projectile inside the vehicle in a crash or sudden stop. So make sure you secure all car seats even when not in use! You can buckle them in with an unused seat belt or store them in the trunk of the vehicle.

The Gugu Guru team is a huge fan of Evenflo Baby’s SensorSafe technology to make life a little easier and whole lot safer. Evenflo’s patented SensorSafe™ technology connects you to your little one the entire time, in real time. It’s built into the clip of their car seats and strollers and alerts you, through the app, if babe gets unbuckled or if the temperature is too warm. When verbal communication doesn’t yet exist, this connectivity to babe’s needs is invaluable—and it is found in the products below. To learn more about their SensorSafe technology and products, check out this post.

On the Go Giveaway

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