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!
Working Mom
Mompreneur Spotlight: Amanda Cole of Yummy Mummy
Amanda Cole, entrepreneur and blogger, conceived of the idea for Yummy Mummy after the birth of her daughter when like many other new moms, she was looking for help overcoming the challenges of breastfeeding and motherhood. She saw a need for a one-stop-shop for support, services and products to help new moms meet their personal breastfeeding goals and their needs as a new mom. Yummy Mummy is a retail store on the Upper East Side of New York City, and is a company dedicated to All Things Breastfeeding and for moms-to-be! Unlike large big box retailers which sell everything, but specialize in nothing, Yummy Mummy is focused on new and expectant parents. The store prides itself on carrying fashionable and functional maternity and nursing apparel.
Gugu Guru: How and why did you start you Yummy Mummy?
Amanda Cole: After I gave birth to my daughter, Alexa, I struggled with breastfeeding. I was happy to put up with the struggle because it was important to me. But struggling with purchasing breastfeeding products and finding support was not an option. I thought “there must be a better way” and so I set out to create it.
GG: How do you balance work and family?
AC: The balance afforded to me by having my own business is immeasurable. I do the work – and then some – but I don’t miss out on family. It does mean that I’m constantly in “work mode,” but it’s a sacrifice I’m happy to make.
GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?
AC: I love how rewarding I find my job. I remember the days when working meant waiting for the hours to pass and I don’t miss that. When you have your own business you’re all in; if you’re going to be successful, you have no choice! But caring that much can make even the most mundane tasks interesting and exciting.
Mom Style: Staying Stylish When Breastfeeding With Allette
The lovely ladies of Allette are here today to share their tips for dressing chic while breastfeeding! Head to the bottom of the post for an exclusive discount, too! Want to know more about the company? Head to our Product Discovery post on Allette.
Hello new or expectant parent!
This is Celine. My business partner (and fellow Brooklyn mom), Oksana, and I started Allette, a new line of cute clothes to breastfeed in. For you.
If you’ll indulge us a little bit, we’ll tell you a little about us, our brand, why we started it and our fashion tips for making the best out of your nursing journey and beyond. If you’re already nursing, some of this may resonate with you. If you’re planning to nurse when baby comes, take note! Fashion and nursing’s relationships have been on “it’s complicated” status since, well, forever, but we are determined to change that.
We created Allette for moms who love clothes and do not want to compromise their style when they’re breastfeeding. Each unique Brooklyn-made style is comfortable, flattering, easy to care for, and yeah, pretty cute. So about you. Let’s assume you’ve had the baby already (yay – congrats!). Maybe you don’t quite fit into your old clothes yet and you don’t want to spend another day in your maternity wardrobe (made to show off the bump!). That’s where we come in. Our approach is simple; we design and make clothes that we love – and then figure out how to stylishly and conveniently include discreet nursing access. The result is a collection of dresses and tops cool and chic moms actually want to wear. When they’re nursing, and when they’re done nursing.
Making your wardrobe work for breastfeeding is definitely doable. But some days, you have a lunch or party to go to (with baby in tow of course!) and you want something that will look amazing. Something that you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to breastfeed. That’s an Allette day. And once you have just one top or dress that is just right, you’ll be amazed how much easier life gets (ok oversell, dressing gets easier!). Designs made to be dressed up or down, you’ll want to wear your allette piece every day. And now, here are three fashion tips we live by. And because, as we’ve already established, we don’t believe in changing your style to nurse, these apply to whatever life stage you’re at.
1. Know your body and what looks good on it. Sure, those off-the-shoulder tops are adorable and that high-waisted A-line skirt to die for. But does it look good on you? As we get older we have a natural tendency to move away from wearing clothes because they’re trendy and choose styles which actually look good on us. This is a good thing. There are so many designs out there, not all of them are right for us. And when you’ve just had a baby, this is doubly important. Getting to know your new body and what works with it is key. That’s why Allette clothes are designed to be flattering on a postpartum body and still look great when you lose more of the baby weight (because you will – patience!). We test all of our styles on multiple body types to ensure it works across many shapes and sizes.
2. Mix and match. Who can afford a designer wardrobe? The key is to pair inexpensive mass retail items (think H&M or Zara) with one or more unique pieces from designers you love. The result is effortless chic without breaking the bank. So maybe it’s a Forever 21 tank top paired with Sandro jeans and cute flats you got in a flea market. Or an Allette dress with a pair of cool Urban Outfitters loafers you got on sale and a H&M tote. Invest in a few items you love and play around with your wardrobe.
3. Take good care of your clothes. So, this one often gets overlooked but so true. How many time have you seen a girl wearing a super cute top but it’s so wrinkled it looks like she pulled it out of a bin at the Salvation Army and threw it on? If you don’t take care of your clothes, they won’t take care of you. Obv you’ve just had a baby and the last thing you feel like doing is ironing your top which will just have to be washed again in a few hours once baby feeds. At Allette, all of our clothes are easy care so you don’t have to worry. Machine washable and almost always dryer-friendly to take a load off the laundry load (puns are awesome!). If you look good, you’ll feel good. And if you feel good, baby will also feel good. It’s science.
To find out more about Allette and visit our latest collection, visit www.alletteboutique.com. Use discount code GUGUGURU to get 15% off your entire purchase. Because, you know, congrats!
Love, Allette
Product Discovery: Allette Nursing-Friendly Clothing
Today we’re beyond excited to introduce you to Allette Boutique – a gorgeous line of nursing-friendly clothing, created for the most stylish of mamas. Started by two friends who decided to create clothing they love, and then make it nursing-friendly, Allette is the ultimate line for any mama who wants to look and feel her best. Co-Founders, Celine Cohen and Oksana Pavlowsky are out to prove that even when having just had a baby and nursing, women do not have to compromise on their sense of style. If you like what you see in this post, head over to Allette and use Gugu Guru’s exclusive code GUGUGURU for 15% off!
Having just launched this year, Allette has taken the style-world by storm with their brilliant and innovative designs. Their fashion forward designs are created in small quantities in Brooklyn, and feature easy access for breastfeeding, and finely-crafted silhouettes perfectly designed to flatter the post-partum body. Their clothing features high-quality, yet easy to care for fabrics, for they understand the messiness of life, but don’t believe a mama shouldn’t look her best just because she may get spit up on!
We love the concept behind Allette; a woman is still a woman when she has children, and should be able to look and feel her best. In this busy world, sometimes a mama is hopping from playdate to premiere or snuggles to soiree; Allette is changing the face of “mom style” with their confident and feminine designs. As Co-Founder, Oksana Pavlowsky says, “we basically just design clothes we love and then figure out how to make them nursing accessible. That way she can wear them when she’s nursing but will still want to wear them when she’s done nursing.”
Some of our favorite looks:
1. Black Denyse Dress – Loose and lovely, this ultra modern double v-neck dress features a gathered skirt that truly compliments, literally, everyone. Detailed with cuffed sleeves, this all in-one dress is feminine and edgy. The perfect (nursing) little black dress.
2. Jacquard Esther Top – Say hello to your new favorite sweater. The one that meets any and all criteria of awesomeness. Texture, shape, contrast, style, color, oh, looks nothing like a nursing top. But it is! Discrete and integrated side nursing access are there when you need them. You’ll be wearing this one for years to come.
3. Indigo Sasha Dress – The dress that does it all. Deep front pockets with faux-suede trims and an exposed back zipper are just some of the details that accentuate this one-stop nursing dress. The vintage-looking denim peppered with a classic damask print creates a timeless and contemporary look. The sexy double V-neck serves as discrete nursing access.
New On Gugu This Week: November 14, 2016
Welcome to the first installment of New on Gugu! Did you know that we add new products to Gugu Guru‘s personalized baby registry database on almost a daily basis? New products are curated and added by our in-the-know team of baby experts, as well as by other parents like you. And, as always, we don’t accept payment to be added to Gugu Guru; all of our product picks are totally unbiased.
Newborn Lockdown – Our product picks for your first 6-8 weeks postpartum when you’re mostly in your home getting to know the newest addition to your family. (This week, we are loving on these innovative, safe and portable Moba moses baskets.)
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 582750722505ed6ca0909b52
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5827534daf09b12650e6a6d9
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 582753abaf09b12652e6a6c4
Back to the Grind – Once you emerge from your postpartum haze, it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Whether you’re a stay at home mom or going back to work, this category will give you some suggested life hacks to make your new life with baby easier and so much more productive.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 56d4738b63363624f7210200
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 582233de428ba05dc4e3290b
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5824b3b52505ed655dccde95
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 582236760452727543abb477
Pack It Up – Whether down the street to your in-laws’ house or a flight across the pond for an adventure, our Pack It Up category gives you suggestions for portable, packable finds for your travels.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5827094f045272626dfe91b4
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 58285894af09b12652e6aa7e
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 5828d6cd428ba0637bf28db0
And remember, if you don’t see something you want on Gugu Guru, you can add any product from any website. Simply click the link under the “Add To Registry” button”:
or below the Publish button on the Registry Manager page:
Each week, we will be posting some of our favorite picks from Gugu Guru’s unique registry categories so be sure to check back with us regularly so you don’t miss any of these cool finds for your family!
Gift Roundup for the Mama Who's Heading Back to Work
Around this time of year many mamas are heading back to work after a maternity leave, especially teachers. Looking for some great gifts for a mama who’s heading back to work? We’ve rounded up some practical, and stylish, gifts for a working mama – these gifts are sure to make her feel confident and put-together, even when she’s working on very little sleep. These would make wonderful baby shower gifts, or add them to your registry.
Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado: If you’re looking for the ultimate nursing bra which is functional, but also stylish, soft, and feminine, look no further – the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado is your perfect back to work under garment. The Body Silk Seamless nursing bra is super comfortable, putting you at ease and helping you feel confident when you head back to work. It is the perfect everyday, at home, on-the-go, anytime nursing bra. The luxuriously soft fabric molds to your changing shape, so that you can wear it throughout pregnancy, post-partum, nursing and beyond. Plus, it includes a bra conversion kit so you can convert your nursing bra to a ‘regular bra’ once your nursing journey is complete – no need to spend money on a bra you’ll only wear a few years, the Bravado Nursing Bra will last many years helping you feel put-together and beautiful inside and out.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57ef85032505ed1c625cd72e
The Multitasking Cardigan from goodbodygoodmommy: When the Gugu Guru team came across this multitasking cardigan, we knew we had to share it with you all – especially mamas heading back to work. This made in the USA cardigan is a blend of 90% modal and 10% spandex with 2 on-seam pockets, perfect for storing pacifiers, or nursing pads. The cardigan is the perfect addition to you wardrobe at the start of pregnancy and after you meet you baby, it can continue to be a wardrobe staple as it transitions to both a nursing cover and baby wearing cover (seriously cool!). Dress it up or dress it down, the multitasking cardigan can go with you to the gym, back to work, to a night out, or anywhere your mom-life takes you.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57ef87f8428ba01c11c3f633
Wiley Black Sweater from Loyal Hana: Looking for a wardrobe staple to head back to work? We can’t say enough good things about the Wiley Sweater from Loyal Hana. Made from 100% cotton, this sweater features a waffle texture front and discrete side zipper for breastfeeding or pumping. This sweater is the perfect Fall clothing staple for transitioning from dropping baby off at daycare, to working mama, to out to dinner with a client. You’ll feel modern, stylish, and able to easily pump and feed in the Wiley.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57ef843f0452727ba81b0d42
Beaugen Breast Pump Nipple Cushion: These breast pump nipple cushions are a universal fit, soft and stretchy which add comfort to your breast pump. Each package includes 2 nipple cushions which fit breast shield sizes 19mm-36mm. Make your time pumping more comfortable with these soft and helpful cushions!
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 579f24b9af09b16d386ff715
Gift Roundup for the Mama Who’s Heading Back to Work
Around this time of year many mamas are heading back to work after a maternity leave, especially teachers. Looking for some great gifts for a mama who’s heading back to work? We’ve rounded up some practical, and stylish, gifts for a working mama – these gifts are sure to make her feel confident and put-together, even when she’s working on very little sleep. These would make wonderful baby shower gifts, or add them to your registry.
Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado: If you’re looking for the ultimate nursing bra which is functional, but also stylish, soft, and feminine, look no further – the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado is your perfect back to work under garment. The Body Silk Seamless nursing bra is super comfortable, putting you at ease and helping you feel confident when you head back to work. It is the perfect everyday, at home, on-the-go, anytime nursing bra. The luxuriously soft fabric molds to your changing shape, so that you can wear it throughout pregnancy, post-partum, nursing and beyond. Plus, it includes a bra conversion kit so you can convert your nursing bra to a ‘regular bra’ once your nursing journey is complete – no need to spend money on a bra you’ll only wear a few years, the Bravado Nursing Bra will last many years helping you feel put-together and beautiful inside and out.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57ef85032505ed1c625cd72e
The Multitasking Cardigan from goodbodygoodmommy: When the Gugu Guru team came across this multitasking cardigan, we knew we had to share it with you all – especially mamas heading back to work. This made in the USA cardigan is a blend of 90% modal and 10% spandex with 2 on-seam pockets, perfect for storing pacifiers, or nursing pads. The cardigan is the perfect addition to you wardrobe at the start of pregnancy and after you meet you baby, it can continue to be a wardrobe staple as it transitions to both a nursing cover and baby wearing cover (seriously cool!). Dress it up or dress it down, the multitasking cardigan can go with you to the gym, back to work, to a night out, or anywhere your mom-life takes you.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57ef87f8428ba01c11c3f633
Wiley Black Sweater from Loyal Hana: Looking for a wardrobe staple to head back to work? We can’t say enough good things about the Wiley Sweater from Loyal Hana. Made from 100% cotton, this sweater features a waffle texture front and discrete side zipper for breastfeeding or pumping. This sweater is the perfect Fall clothing staple for transitioning from dropping baby off at daycare, to working mama, to out to dinner with a client. You’ll feel modern, stylish, and able to easily pump and feed in the Wiley.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 57ef843f0452727ba81b0d42
Beaugen Breast Pump Nipple Cushion: These breast pump nipple cushions are a universal fit, soft and stretchy which add comfort to your breast pump. Each package includes 2 nipple cushions which fit breast shield sizes 19mm-36mm. Make your time pumping more comfortable with these soft and helpful cushions!
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 579f24b9af09b16d386ff715
Mompreneur Spotlight: Shelley Suh of Loyal Hana
It’s no surprise that Gugu Guru is a huge fan of Loyal Hana, so we are thrilled that today’s Mompreneur spotlight is on Loyal Hana’s founder, Shelley Suh.
GG: How and why did you start Loyal Hana?
SS: Having worked in the fashion industry for over 18 years, I understand how having pieces in your wardrobe that look good and fit well can have the power to make women feel confident, capable and beautiful. It wasn’t until the birth of my children that I realized that this could be readily applied to solve an unmet need for tailored designs that flatter the bump and the boob.
When I had my daughter Cybelle in 2009, I returned to work and discovered a missing market in pregnancy and postpartum friendly clothing for women returning to their daily lives. About four or five months after my son Mason was born, I knew that I was not feeling like myself. I started getting the baby blues and on top of this, my father was diagnosed with his second cancer. I decided I needed to put all of my energy into something creative and with purpose.
I had the opportunity to introduce women to my collection in 2014 when Loyal Hana was born. More than just a collection of maternity and nursing garments, Loyal Hana is a reliable friend during a crucial time when the pressure is on to provide it all. The label represents a helping hand when circumstances make it difficult to be discreet; it’s a universal “thank you” and a way for new moms to feel confident and beautiful every day.
For me, Loyal Hana has been a success because it pulled me through a very hard time in my life and brought me back to serve a purpose by making things easier for other women out there.
GG: How do you balance work and family?
SS: Balancing work and life is a constant evolution each year. I am lucky to be the mother of two amazing children, Cybelle, who is seven and Mason, who is three.
I am fortunate to have support from my husband to create this line and co-parent the way we do, where we do. I think that when I started my family, I was challenged to redefine how to juggle my time between becoming a mother, being the best wife I can be, and maintaining my identity to have a career. With all this said, when you create something with purpose and passion you find balance and time to make it all exist. One precedes the next and without the birth of my kids, I would have never found my passion or personal challenge to start this collection. With every piece we make at Loyal Hana, I hope that it helps make the process easier for other women and makes them feel beautiful and confident.
GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?
SS: Every mompreneur has a voice or platform to create something with purpose. Loyal Hana is my platform to share something, inspire someone, facilitate a process and simply to express who I am. This company has so much meaning to me because it pulled me through a very dark time in my life. This creative outlet inspired me to give back to the other moms that are having a similar struggle and want to return to their lives. The best part of starting this business is when I hear from another mom who loves my clothing and I hear it has helped her feel “beautiful.“
Back to Sleep Day 12: Owlet
With unintentional suffocation the leading cause of injury death among U.S. children under the age of one, it’s no wonder parents often have trouble getting a good night’s sleep during baby’s first year. So, on the twelfth day of Back To Sleep, we are featuring a company that has an amazing mission when it comes to safe sleep: Owlet. Owlet is a device worn like a sock on your baby’s foot designed to alert you if your baby stops breathing. With the Owlet monitor, parents and caregivers can rest easy knowing there is an extra set of eyes watching over baby. 
While Owlet is certainly cutting edge, this is actually a “smart” device you don’t really need to be a gadget geek to appreciate. The Owlet device uses hospital technology called pulse oximetry, miniaturized into a snuggly Smart Sock that your little one wears to bed at night. The base station collects vitals data from the Smart Sock via bluetooth to the base station located on the parents’ night stand. Then parents can remotely monitor vitals within the smart phone app.
If you’re a working parent and especially one that may leave baby at daycare, you can have peace of mind that Owlet is monitoring baby, providing peace of mind. Owlet is the only monitor that uses hospital technology designed to alert if your baby’s heart rate or oxygen fall outside of range. Plus if both parents work both of you can access your child’s information on the Owlet app from your respective smartphones.
Owlet was founded by a team of passionate parents who wanted to bring themselves—and other parents around the globe—peace of mind. The co-founders of Owlet, all of whom are young fathers, have learned firsthand what it is like to lose sleep worrying about their babies. As parents, the team at Owlet feels that they are their own target market – all have young children and all have experienced the stress of coming home that first night and the hundreds of the feelings and emotions that come with it. The Owlet team is built around this knowledge and passion for helping others.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 56608c746336361092420500
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.
Back to Sleep Day 8: Bitta Kidda
On this eighth day of Back to Sleep, we highlight the BittaSack from Bitta Kidda – one of the most thoughtfully designed and safest sacks that we’ve ever discovered. The BittaSack is mostly known for its two strategically placed wearable lovies for baby to grab for self-soothing during the night. These lovies cannot twist around baby or cover baby’s face, making the BittaSack the only sleep garment of its kind to safely provide a lovie in the crib. Plus, because the lovie is attached, it can’t be lost in the crib or tossed out of the crib – bonus! But, wait, there’s more! Read on to find out what else is so great about this sleep sack… 
The BittaSack definitely helps with baby fussing but also soothes mom & dad! Late night diaper changes are now not a problem. We give the BittaSack our No Fuss stamp because its genius diagonal zipper is easier to zip and also allows baby to stay comfortable while you easily change diapers. Just unzip diagonal zipper while leaving shoulder snapped, open internal diaper cover and change baby’s diaper. Once you’re done, refasten diaper cover and zip baby back up. The whole time your baby stays cozy with lovie in hand.
Oftentimes daycares don’t allow for lovies or blankies during naptime, as they can be a sleeping hazard. 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!
Bitta Kidda also offers BittaDaytime – a small cotton velour Lovie that clips directly to clothing, which is perfect for traveling. The lovie is always in reach when baby needs to self soothe and provides comfort (and entertainment!) when you are out and about in unfamiliar settings. We also love that we can now enjoy stroller walks knowing that the lovie can’t fall to the ground – or worse – get tossed out of the stroller and lost forever.
PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 55e360e66336364329d40a00
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.
