ecofriendly

Back To Sleep Day 3: Naturepedic

Today is all about a premium line of organic crib mattresses for your baby – Naturepedic. Naturepedic uses only U.S. grown and certified organic cotton filling in its crib mattresses. Today we shine a spotlight on the brand’s top of the line Ultra Breathable 2-Stage Organic Crib Mattress.

Naturepedic’s Ultra Breathable’s intelligent organic design is free of flame retardant chemicals and other questionable materials. The combination of organic, breathable, and practical makes the Ultra Breathable 2-Stage a healthier, safer crib mattress than conventional breathable designs.

The Ultra Breathable 2-Stage starts with a firm, flat crib mattress for safety, then a breathable mattress pad is added to keep your baby cool and dry. The patented waterproof surface of the mattress protects the interior from urine, spit-up, and other messes, and it’s easy to wipe clean. Meanwhile, the breathable mattress pad maximizes airflow between the baby and mattress for a cool, comfortable sleep with less risk of overheating.

Naturepedic is proud to offer the very best organic mattresses – made right here in the U.S.A. When you buy a Naturepedic product, you can feel proud of your support for U.S. jobs and industry. You can also be assured that your bed was crafted by people who care.

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 Preschool With Stasher, skip*hop and Rockets of Awesome

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Hey there – it’s Monica, Gugu Guru’s founder. It’s that time of year {sigh} summer is really coming to an end, people. This means it’s time to finish up all the prep for going back to preschool and I’m sharing a few product discovery picks that have made life a little easier in our home this year.

Stasher

Disclaimer: I received Stasher bags for review but all opinions are my own.

I would not describe myself as an “eco mama” by any means, my cupboards are a good mix of organic and the not so organic stuff. However, I would say that my family is really good about recycling. One item that we use a lot and that does make me feel guilty is ziplock bags. We use a TON of them to store just about everything – from leftovers to crayons and more – leaving me constantly rinsing them out in an effort to re-use them and do my part to save our planet from all this trash. Well, my worries have come to an end folks. Enter Stasher – the world’s first—and only—self-sealing, airtight, non-plastic bag!

Why am I loving on Stasher for Back to School? It’s just genius in terms of not being wasteful. I don’t only mean for the environment but also for all the leftovers your picky baby or toddler or kid will be generating over his or her childhood. I cannot tell you how many times, I have had food on the tray of the high chair and pondered, “Is this ziplock worthy?” Now the answer can always be “yes” with Stasher.

These bags are super functional; easily going from the freezer, to the microwave, and to the dishwasher. Also, you’re not limited to storing food, they make great travel bags, organizers and more.

skip*hop Zoo Lunchie Insulated Lunch Bag, Owl

I just love skip*hop; it’s a classic brand with iconic designs. You’ll be met with a lot of choices when you go back to school shopping – especially when it comes to backpacks and lunch boxes. Don’t be fooled into grabbing that cartoon character lunch bag. Smart, high-quality design like skip*hop is always a good investment for parents.

This roomy, insulated PVC-free lunch bag keeps food and drinks cold. The large main compartment is big enough to hold a sandwich, fruit and juice box and it also has an interior mesh pocket for utensils (or snack!) The top handle attaches onto another bag – which is great for kiddos that are new to handling backpacks.

Rockets of Awesome

Full disclosure here: Rockets of Awesome used to be a baby registry site called Cricket’s Circle and I guess you could say Cricket’s Circle was a competitor to Gugu Guru of sorts. So, needless to say I was very intrigued when the company evolved into a kids’ clothing subscription service called Rockets of Awesome and I signed up for my boxes the day the site launched. The first thing I thought was, “Who needs another clothing subscription service?” I am here to say, I do – and you probably do too!

Fiona rocking her first day of school outfit: a striped dress with tulle skirt and matching crown headband from Rockets of Awesome.

To get started with Rockets of Awesome, you take a style quiz for your kid(s). The more information, you give about your child’s style, the better. Then you get a note that the stylist is working on your box and you should receive it within the next few days.

Here’s what I liked:

There is NO FEE to try this subscription. Just pay for what you keep. There are so many subscription boxes out there that charge you a fee just to get a box – even if you don’t keep anything. When I saw this, I felt like Rockets of Awesome did their legwork when it came to researching what parents would appreciate from a box service.
My kids were thrilled to open their boxes and see what was selected for their style. That was the highlight of the experience – the element of surprise.
The clothes are all unique & stylish, mostly well constructed and a very reasonable price.
Very easy to return what we didn’t want to keep, as well as provide feedback to the stylists on why we kept what we did.

Some minor things to be improved:

A few of the items – just a few – seemed a little lower on the quality side.
My son is very tall but very skinny; some of the pants sent to us fit his waist but looked like floods. Sizing with kids is a tough nut to crack sometimes. We’ll see how it’s handled with the next box.
A glitch with billing that was resolved relatively quickly, but I had to contact Customer Service to point it out.

Could you just hit Old Navy and shop for clothes there? Yes, but this is more fun. However, the real deciding factor of whether I will continue with RoA will be the upcoming boxes. Will update you all in October. In the meantime, if you want to try it out, you can use this link to receive a free item with your first purchase.

How did Rockets of Awesome know that Rory is camouflage-crazed? Not sure. But this outfit in his box was a total winner.

Photography: Sinnerman Photography

Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, you help to support Gugu Guru as we receive a commission on the sale. Thank you in advance!

Cause-Driven Baby Registry: Cuddle + Kind

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Cuddle + Kind is known for their adorable stuffed animals, dolls and prints – all of which have a deeper meaning and give back to the larger community. Each of their dolls are ethically produced by artisans in Peru from premium natural cotton. All the dyes are non-toxic, making them a perfect soft toy for babies and toddlers. Each of their dolls and animals are available in two sizes and comes with a cute backstory and birthday. The detail into each little creature is impeccable, not one stitch was overlooked in the process! Each stuffed doll or animal comes with a signature quote which you can purchase in a gorgeous art print; these would make a perfect baby shower gift or nursery decor! The best part about Cuddle + Kind is that for every purchase of a doll, they will donate 10 meals to children in need. Throw in an inspirational quote print and you’ll be donating another 5 meals, as well! Beyond the meals, all of their hand-knit dolls are ethically produced in Peru where they provide incredible artisans with a sustainable, fair trade income.

Klen Review

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Beauty editor and new mom, Marina Klimasiewfski, shares her experience of using the new Klen line…

In my recent Oilogic review I shared how ingredient conscious I’ve become since the birth of my son. I try to buy personal care products for him with a concise and identifiable ingredient list. In recent months this practice of label-checking has expanded from just those items concerning the baby to everything around the baby – I’m now googling ingredients in the store before buying household and personal care products. Suddenly I’m recommending natural deodorants to friends, and side-stepping my fancily packaged beauty products for a simpler regimen. Becoming a mom is a strange and powerful thing.

The founders of Klen know my struggle – they created their brand after seeing their toddlers grabbing at their lip glosses and lotions, and dousing themselves in chemicals in the process. They wanted something that was effective for moms, but safe for anyone in the family to use. The line started with lip balms and glosses, but now includes candles, bath scrubs and salts, face wash, lotions, and even bug and lice repellents.

Klen has won me over because a) their products come in simple, but not hideous packaging b) their lip balms and lotions work better than fancy counterparts, and c) they know how to make a perfect citrus scent (their pink grapefruit and vanilla orange are just the right mix of tart and sweet).

Products I love:

Klen Balm – is their basic lip balm, available in 7 flavors (pink grapefruit, champagne, vanilla orange, lemon lavender, strawberry mint, lemonade, mint). The pink grapefruit is addictive — except not. The line holds the unnecessary alcohol which is what gives most lip balms their drying/addictive property. While the scent has me reaching for more, my lips actually stay hydrated and never become excessively dry, after use. $2.99 (a steal!)

Klen Gloss – is the dressed up version of the balm, available in the same 7 scents. It manages to be high shine, while not at all sticky or drying. $6.99

Klen Gator Balm – all their products are designed to be safe if kids get their hands on them, but this is the balm meant for kids The formula contains only 4 ingredients, all of which are safe if eaten. Available in 6 childhood friendly flavors (bubble gum, cherry lemonade, strawberry, cherry, candy cane and vanilla). $2.99

Klen Ouch Away – before my son I had no idea that balms to make cuts and scrapes heal faster were “a thing”. Now that I’ve tried a few versions it’s a thing i can’t get enough of! While I’m never totally sure wounds actually heal any quicker with their use, it sometimes feels good to just be doing something about a boo-boo. This particular version has a soft, melts-into-skin, texture. $12.99

Klen Twist – is their twist-up lotion bar. It looks almost like a stick deodorant (product not pictured because I fell so in love with it that I started using it obsessively as soon as it arrived, so by the time I took the picture it had seen better days). I am not exaggerating when I say this is the best lotion I’ve ever used. It hydrates well, goes on easily, and smells amazing (I have honey orange). $9.99

This line is so good and unique it left me wanting to buy and try more, which says a lot coming from a beauty editor. My mailbox is a sea of new products to test weekly, but I’m looking forward to trying some more from Klen Shop. Available through their online store klenshop.com.

Cool Mom Picks’ New Parent Must-Haves: Eco Mom

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

Welcome all Cool Mom Picks and Gugu Guru fans alike! We are so incredibly excited to be partnering with Cool Mom Picks on a Baby Registry Must-Haves series over the next year. Each month, the famously on-trend editors at Cool Mom Picks will be curating a list of essentials from Gugu Guru for new parents based on a theme. This month the theme is Eco Mom and includes some of our top picks for ecofriendly and organic-minded parenting.

When you create your personalized registry on Gugu Guru, you’ll know the Cool Mom Pick must-haves in our product recommendations when you see this button:

Scroll on to see the top picks with links to buy now.

Must-Have Spotlight: The NEW Babyganics Bundle of Love (Diaper Tote)

aden+anais’ organic swaddle ($20.00)

Coyuchi’s Fair Trade Certified™ Factory baby blanket ($48)

Mii Glass Nurser Bottles ($12.50)

Matimati Baby Gold & Gray unisex bandana drool bibs ($16.95)

Cupcake organic nursing pads ($17.00)

wellmom™ All-Natural Coconut Nipple Balm ($9.99)

Earth Mama Body Butter ($8.00)

Bebe au Lait 100% Organic Cotton Nursing Cover ($40.00)

PACT 2-piece set ($29.99)

LuckyPalmTree Organic yellow eyes dress bodysuit ($59.00)

KaBoogie Reclaimed Leather Baby Shoes Moccasins Soft Sole ($32.00)

Ergobaby Rose Harmony Organic baby carrier ($140.00)

BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft ($229.95)

Nuna Leaf Baby Seat Lounger Twilight and Swing ($229.95)

Under the Nile Scrappys ($9.00)

Finn+Emma stroller toys ($29.00)

LexyPexy teethers ($25.00)

Lassig Green Label Neckline ($179.99) style diaper bag “Ecoya”

Skylar Luna 100% organic cotton baby footed bodysuits ($24.00)

The ergoCocoon Autumn/Spring Swaddle and Sleep Bag ($39.99)

Bamboobino Baby Washcloths / Reusable Wipes ($15.45)

Bamboobino hooded towel ($35.00)

Puj Tub ($44.99)

Cause-Driven Baby Registry: Lorena Canals (+ giveaway!)

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Continuing with our cause-driven registry picks: Lorena Canals rugs, already a favorite, staple brand of European mothers and fathers, are carefully handmade from 100% cotton, safe for any baby’s room. The dyes used are also non-toxic, which is important when you consider you’ll be laying your infant on the rug for tummy-time and as they grow they’ll be crawling around everywhere. The rugs are of the utmost softness, making it comfortable for parents to sit on the floor and little feet to jump and dance.

The best part about Lorena Canals rugs is that you can wash these rugs right at home in your regular laundry machine. Lorena Canals understands that babies and kids can be messy, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style and ease! Not only are these rugs practical and safe, they’re also beyond stylish. They come in a plethora of colors and styles; these rugs will match any nursery theme, from polka dots, skulls, angel wings, butterflies, numbers, letters, clouds, stars, flags and more. Lorena Canals rugs will accent your child’s room now, and are guaranteed to become a family heirloom which you use for many, many years.

What’s even more wonderful is that with the purchase of a Lorena Canals rug, a customer helps a child attend school in Northern India through the company’s Sakula project. Lorena Canals believes that education is the key to mobility and vital in breaking the poverty cycle. Their customers not only help children to get an education but also the opportunity to live a better life.

Cause-Driven Baby Registry: Finn + Emma

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

We continue our cause-driven registry campaign this week with Finn+Emma.

Finn + Emma, is a 100% organic baby clothing, toys, play gyms, and accessories one-stop-shop. Finn + Emma is a blend of classic and contemporary, modern and whimsical, stylish and utilitarian baby items, all of which are free from any toxic chemicals. Finn + Emma believes that beautiful and healthy baby items can be both sustainable and stylish; there is no need to sacrifice style to keep your baby safe from chemicals!

Finn + Emma’s play gyms are made from a 100% birch wood frame finished with non-toxic stains and lacquers (free of lead, phthalate, nickel, mercury, and VOC’s). All of the attached wooden toys are non-toxic, made from all natural untreated indian hardwood buffed with vegetable seed wax. The knit dolls were made with phthalate-free rattles inside and hand knit from organic cotton. All of their clothing is 100% organic cotton and uses eco-friendly dyes, safe for your baby’s skin.

Do–goodies (pictured above) 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.

Dadpreneur Spotlight: Michael Rothbard of Newton

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With June being the month that we celebrate fathers, we wanted to highlight one more Dadpreneur: Michael Rothbard is the founder of Newton – the brand behind the award-winning Newton Wovenaire Crib Mattress. Newton’s Wovenaire Crib Mattress features Wovenaire technology; the Wovenaire mattress core is 90% air and 10% food-grade polymer and provides the comfort of foam and latex without any of the drawbacks. These mattresses are highly breathable and don’t have any of the foam, latex, flame retardants, springs and glue common in other crib mattresses, which means no off gassing, toxic chemicals or allergens. What’s more, Newton’s Wovenaire Crib Mattresses are easily washable in your bath or shower, which means you can simply wash away allergens, dirt, liquids, and dust to help prevent mold from growing. Your baby will not only rest easy on these 100% recyclable mattresses, but you can rest easy knowing that they are breathing safely and in a completely clean environment.

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

MR: I’ve been an entrepreneur in the specialty sleep category for the majority of my career. However, until I became a Father, I never realized the importance of providing better sleep for babies. As first time parents, my wife and I experienced firsthand the fear and exhaustion that almost every parent faces with trying to get our son to sleep well.

I decided there must be a better way. To me the problem was obvious, we expect babies to sleep on sweaty, rock hard surfaces that we would never be comfortable on. I used to look at my son lying on his crib mattress and think he must be so uncomfortable, no wonder he’s not sleeping! My wife and I also lost sleep ourselves, as most parents do, when the rollover stage started. This was a stage for me that safety and breathability were more important than ever.

I discovered that crib mattresses haven’t changed a bit over the years, they’re waterproof because they can’t be washed and they are stiff because you can’t have a baby’s face sinking into an airtight, waterproof surface. So it occurred to me if you could make a crib mattress both breathable and washable it would be both safer and more comfortable. When I discovered the Japanese technology, we call Wovenaire, I knew I had the answer.

Five years later my son, now a budding young scientist, was teaching me what he learned about Newton’s laws of rest and motion and I knew what the name of our new company should be. Newton is dedicated to providing families with better living through better rest.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

It’s not easy to grow a business and a family at the same time. Both are very demanding, but my priority is to be present for my children. This means not just being there for an adequate amount of time, but being present in the moment and not allowing my mind to drift off to my to do list, etc. I try to take at least one skiing trip a year with my oldest boy for some father/son time. These trips are the most precious moments for me and I look forward to doing the same with my younger twins when they’re old enough.

GG: What’s the best part of being an dadpreneur?

Being on my own schedule and being able to pass along my family’s heritage as small business owners to my children. I also know my children are now understanding daddy works on sleep products to make sure all families are comfortable and safe. They were all excited to attend the Newton 1^stbirthday party a few weeks back and demonstrate how comfortable and safe our Wovenaire crib mattress truly is. Little innovators and safe sleep ambassadors in the making!

You can follow Newton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

New Mom Series: Selecting a Crib Mattress

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This is our fifth post in Gugu Guru’s New Mom Series, where we provide helpful information for new and expecting moms about preparing and registering for baby. For this Crib Mattress feature, we have partnered up with new mama Lindsey Bonnice of Live Sweet Photography; leading organic mattress brand Naturepedic and; the Baby Safety Zone powered by the JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association). JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry dedicated to the safe manufacturing and usage of products. Lindsey just recently brought home her new son, Baby Finn, and one of the biggest questions that any new parent has is, “Will my new baby be a good sleeper?” Creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for baby is the best thing you can do to ensure the first years are happy and healthy. Most experts will tell you that the safest place for an infant or child to sleep is in a fully functional, properly assembled, JPMA-certified: crib, bassinet, cradle, play yard, or toddler bed. All of these require a mattress – so what should you look for? Babies spend 12 to 16 hours per day on their crib mattress, making the mattress the most prominent object in a child’s environment for the first three years of their life and one of the most important items on your baby registry. Here’s how to ensure you have the best crib mattress for baby. Always use a properly fitting mattress as infants can suffocate in gaps between a poorly fitting mattress and the crib sides or ends. Also key is selecting a mattress with a waterproof surface, which is essential for keeping your baby’s environment hygienic and protected from mold and bacteria growth within the mattress.

Gugu Guru selected Naturepedic’s Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra Breathable Mattress Pad for Finn’s nursery – which meets or exceeds safety and quality standards. The Lightweight Organic Cotton Crib Mattress with Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad is a 2-stage crib mattress for babies and toddlers. It fits snuggly in baby’s crib and is lightweight (under 12 pounds), comfortable, and functional for your child’s needs from infancy through toddlerhood.

The 2-stage feature is fantastic as baby grows; infants require a firm surface for safety but as they get older, it is safe for them and more comfortable to sleep on the softer side. The Naturepedic crib mattress is certified organic to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This ensures that your crib mattress meets a healthy non-toxic standard and is truly organic. The Ultra organic cotton waterproof fabric is durable and acts as a barrier to moisture, dust mites, and bedbugs. The mattress is designed for safety and can be used with or without the Ultra-Breathable Mattress Pad. Plus it has been thoroughly tested for chemical emissions and passes all flammability standards without the need for flame retardant chemicals or other barriers. What we really love about this mattress is the Organic Cotton Ultra-Breathable Crib Mattress Pad. The mattress pad is made with certified organic cotton fabric quilted to a unique 3D airflow spacer, and dissipates heat and moisture to reduce sweating and overheating. Soils on the mattress pad won’t penetrate the waterproof mattress core.

Lindsey Bonnice is a NY and PA based portrait and newborn photographer and mother. Follow her and her adventures into new mommyhood on her Instagram at @LiveSweetPhotography. Baby Finn’s nursery is featured on Project Nursery and you can see where to purchase some of the adorable decor here.

Naturepedic Naturepedic specializes in the design and manufacturing of quality organic mattresses for infants, toddlers, children and adults that promote natural and organic materials, a non-toxic design, fire-safety, and overall health & safety. All Naturepedic natural and organic mattresses have been designed with the help of pediatricians, chemists, and engineers. They are constructed by Amish craftsmen in our GOTS certified factory in beautiful Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Research and design is coordinated by G.E.M. Testing & Engineering Labs in Cleveland, Ohio.

Baby Safety Zone The Baby Safety Zone is an information hub and community for parents and caregivers. We’re helping make safety fun, one baby product at a time. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Baby Safety Zone experience and become a part of a circle of parents dedicated to making their child’s first years, happy, safe and sound. The Baby Safety Zone is powered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. JPMA is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. Today, JPMA represents 250 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who manufacture, import and/or distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items. Visit the Baby Safety Zone at: https://babysafetyzone.org Learn more helpful tips for proper safe use of bassinets and cradles with Baby Safety Zone’s safety infographic here:

Say Goodbye To Dirty Rugs and Big Dry Cleaning Bills

by Gugu Guru 2 Comments

Saying goodbye to dirt and clutter is an incredibly liberating experience. However, even if you do a weekly house cleaning, chances are you’ve neglected some of the smaller details in your home that don’t get scrubbed as often like ceiling fans, windows, TV screens, ceiling corners, ovens and, of course, rugs.

Months of winter and indoor play dates mean your rugs could really use a good cleaning. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on professional cleaners, Lorena Canals beautiful, hand made, all natural non-toxic rugs and cushions have made cleaning easy-peasy and affordable.

Simply throw your Lorena Canals rugs and cushions in the washer and voila, they’re as good as new! Let’s face it, kids can be messy so Lorena Canals decided to make the clean up just a little easier by launching their innovative, washable rugs and cushions. Moms and dads everywhere are jumping for joy!

The spring season is also the perfect time to refresh your house by rearranging the furniture and updating a few home decor items to help brighten up the mood. Lorena Canals’ rugs and cushions can help in that area as well. They are beautifully handmade, all-natural, good for the environment and great for your kids! Their designs are fun and happy which kids love, but executed with a contemporary flair so they will style up any room.

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