registry

5 Big Baby Registry Mistakes to Avoid

Bet you didn’t know that it’s really normal to make some big baby registry mistakes or stumble into some common shopping pitfalls if you’re a first time parent. No worries, Gugu Guru’s here to help you steer clear of some common missteps that you can make when building your registry. Since launching Gugu Guru in 2015, we have been fortunate enough to help thousands of families with registering. By learning about big baby registry mistakes to avoid, you can reduce the likelihood of cluttering your home, dissatisfaction with products, and returns or exchanges. So here they are…

Mistake #1: Registering for Way Too Much

One of the most common big baby registry mistakes is putting everything under the sun on your registry. It’s easy to get overwhelmed – especially when you’re selecting products for baby as a first time parent. You’d be surprised by how little baby actually needs and aside from savings and an uncluttered home, another benefit to registering for just the essentials is that you’re reducing your footprint as a consumer. One easy thing to avoid is buying way too much in one size – especially newborn size. Babies grow and they grow quickly. If you purchase tons of newborn size clothes and launder them, you’ll inevitably be stuck with a bunch of unworn clothes in a short amount of time. Same goes with newborn size diapers – definitely register for one jumbo box but register for a box of size 1 as well. If your baby is still in size NB diapers when you’ve gone through that initial box, then you can always buy more. Check out our minimalist registry picks for more tips on building a baby registry of just the bare essentials.

Mistake #2: Thinking It will Cost a Fortune

Luckily for brands like Infantino or Target’s Cat and Jack (check out the new baby subscription box), you definitely do not have to either sacrifice quality nor break the bank when it comes to registering for baby. We are also living the age of local BTS (Buy Trade Sell) groups on sites like Facebook or awesome consignment sites like ThredUp. But buyer beware: while clothing is generally safe to get as hand-me-downs (though make sure to check for loose buttons or other infant hazards), there are certainly some items that you may want to avoid getting second hand such as car seats (they expire!), strollers or cribs. Check out our budget registry picks for more tips on how to build an economical baby registry.

Mistake #3: Underestimating the Value of a Few Investment Pieces

On the flip side, if you are too penny-wise when building your baby registry, it can come back to haunt you. There is nothing more frustrating or more money-wasting than crappy baby gear. If you register for an umbrella stroller that’s priced at just a few dollars – expect to be replacing it probably more than once and also expect to be frustrated when you can’t open it, or when the wheels won’t turn or when a wheel pops off. Trust us when we say that sometimes a cheap price tag isn’t worth the agony nor is it worth a potential safety hazard for baby. Another thing to keep in mind is if you’re planning to have more children close together in age. It may be worth to register for a stroller that will convert to a double now versus having to pay for a double stroller later on. There are other investment items we recommend like a mattress, bouncer and other items that will get lots of use.

Mistake #4: Registering for Too Many Bottles, Pacifiers or Diapers

Newsflash! You will find out that your baby has preferences and that you also have preferences when it comes to products. One big baby registry mistake that you’ll want to avoid is just assuming that your baby will like a product just because it’s popular with mommy Instagrammers or because your best friend’s baby likes it. Sometimes baby will not accept a pacifier – no matter how cute it is or how many brands you try. Other times, you may have to try a few different bottles because baby has a nipple preference or maybe the one you read so many great reviews about doesn’t fit in that formula maker you purchased, has too many parts or it leaks (the worst!) Preferences come into play with diapers too – particular brands can be popular but the fit is just not right for your baby. It may take a few trials of brands and sizes before you find the right diaper for your baby. Play it safe and register for some retailer gift cards just in case you have to do some shopping around with these particular items. If you get it right on the first time with the pacifier / bottle / diaper brand you choose, then the gift cards can go to other necessities as baby grows – of which there will be plenty!

Mistake #5: Asking a Friend or Family Member What to Register For

This is the queen mother of all big baby registry mistakes – asking your friend or family member what to register for. We say this all the time at Gugu Guru: the products that work for – even those products considered as “can’t live without” by – your bff or your sister may not be the right products for YOU. As much as you have in common with your besties, your respective home décor and wardrobes probably look a lot different and that will be the same for the products you choose for parenting. Even more so, a year in the baby gear market is like dog years. New products and up-and-coming brands are a constant, and if you’re not staying on top of things and only going for what your friend used for her baby she delivered 6 months ago, you may just miss the perfect products for you. This is why we came up with Gugu Guru, which delivers free, personalized recommendations and then ultimately Gugu Concierge – our “white glove” service that gives you the MOST personalized help preparing for baby. Gugu Concierge helps you with baby registry and beyond so you can avoid all these mistakes, cut through the noise and get things right on your very first try. P.S. Get 10% OFF any Concierge Package using code GUGUGUIDE10 at check-out (valid on Concierge Packages only.)

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Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.
Cover photo copyright: aidman / 123RF Stock Photo

Do-Over Baby Registry with Heather Brooker

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We are so excited to have Heather Brooker, from Motherhood in Hollywood, back on the blog; now that Heather’s daughter is older, she is looking back on the baby items she would have and should have added to her baby registry.

My baby girl will turn 5 years old in a just a few months. And like most moms, I’ve been taking a trip down memory lane, trying to remember as much as I can about her tiny toes, her bald head, and her first glorious giggle.

I also remember a lot of the tools that helped along the way. Some were from my registry, others were recommendations from my mommy and me friends. If I’m being honest, and why wouldn’t I be, I remember registering for a lot of things that I just thought were cute or I’d seen in a magazine but that I ultimately didn’t really need. I’m a planner, so I always thought it would be better to have something and not use it, than need it and not have it.

So much has changed in terms of what’s available in clothes and products since I had my daughter that I thought it would be fun to come up with a do-over baby registry, including my favorites from 5 years ago with some new faves. I also feel like I’ve been introduced to so many incredible products since launching my podcast and website, Motherhood in Hollywood, that I want to share some of those items with new moms who might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start.

Heather’s top 10 essential baby registry items:

Diapers

What I had: Huggies Newborn Diapers

What I would have now: Huggies Newborn Diapers

I know this seems obvious but I’m including it because we tried a bunch of diapers and I want to recommend my fave. These were the only diapers that fit her little tushy and never leaked. Some of you might be curious about cloth diapers and to that I say, God invented disposable diapers for a reason. Let’s not let God down.

Sound Machine

What I had: myBaby Soundspa Lullaby Sound Machine and Projector

What I would have now: myBaby Soundspa Lullaby Sound Machine and Projector

I promise this not going to be a list of all the same things I loved then and now but I can’t ignore the fact that I loved this little sound machine. I spent hours under the projector lights looking at the cow chasing the mood and stars while nursing my baby. It has a dreamy heartbeat sound as well as white noise and some lullabies. It also has a handy timer for those times you want it to turn off and not last throughout the night.

Baby Carrier

What I had: Baby Bjorn

What I would have now: Baby K’Tan & Kinderpack

Truthfully I was a bit of a carrier addict once I realized how beneficial they were. I didn’t carry my baby in a carrier at all until she was about 2 months old because she was too small for the Bjorn. But once I discovered the incredible feeling of baby wearing I started trying them all. The K’Tan, which is like the Moby wrap but with less fabric, was hands down my favorite. I just wished I had discovered it sooner. As my daughter grew I moved to the Kinderpack which thousands of moms swear by. It has a huge resale value too because so moms are fans and collect different patterns.

Onesies

What I had: Target Onesies

What I would have now: Cotton On Kids & Olen Organic

Listen, there is a bevy of baby onesie options. You really can’t go wrong here. Just know that unless you are an Instagram mom who wants to get your baby into fashion, then you really don’t need that many onesies. That being said when the Cotton On Kids opened by our house my daughter was well out of onesies so I was bummed we never got to use their cute patterns and stylish onesies. If you like clothes that aren’t gender specific and are all natural, check out Olen Organic.

Breast Pump

What I had: Platex Breast Pump

What I would have now: Medela Symphony & Pump In Style Backpack

I was very naive about breast pumping. I had no idea it would make me feel like a giant cow having my utters milked. Add to that the grinding noise of a breast pump machine and it’s hard not to imagine you’re on a milk farm and curl up in a ball of tears. I found out 3 months into my breast pumping journey that the state of California actually GIVES new moms a breast pump. What the what? Once I got my my hands on the Medela suddenly pumping was easier, and less awkward. I highly encourage new moms to check out their family medical benefits through insurance or the state to see if they are given a breast pump allowance.

Stroller

What I had: UPPAbaby Cruz

What I would have now: UPPAbaby Cruz

I stalked this stroller for months before my baby was born. I test drove it, and many others to make sure it had the features I needed. I wanted something that could lay flat so my baby could sleep in the stroller. I’m tall and I wanted an adjustable handle. And I wanted something lightweight because I have the upper arm strength of a newborn. The Cruz matched all of these plus the added benefit of a large basket, and it’s very stylish. I still use my UPPAbaby to this day, although my daughter doesn’t really need it anymore.

Photography

What I had: A friend

What I would have now: A professional

I don’t know if people do this or not, but I would register for a professional photographer for your infant pics. I had an amazing friend volunteer to do it, but she had never photographed infants before and honestly, it’s a special skill. I wish I would have put this on a registry or had my baby shower host let my guests know that this was something important for me. After all you never get a chance to re-do those pictures when they’re that little.

Nursery Furniture

What I had: Target mix

What I would have now: Pottery Barn Kids

We bought our own crib and furniture rather than relying on shower guests or family to buy it. And honestly, I think I settled for what was cheap and not what would bring warmth and joy into her room. Unfortunately cost is a big factor in decided how and what to spend on things like this. Maybe it’s my inner prep girl coming out, but I love the look of everything at Pottery Barn Kids. They have such classic styles that I think would have added a beautiful element to her room. I also wouldn’t have been so scared to try other colors. We went with brown because we thought it would be easy to grow with her. I would have chosen more color had I know what a colorful girl I’d have! Something in pink, green or light grey would have been lovely. I also would have picked a chair to grow with her. We bought a brown recliner, and while it was comfortable, we had to get rid of it after a few years because it just didn’t fit her personality or her room. But bottom line, pick out your dream furniture and maybe your friends can go all in together if it’s something they know you really want.

Breastfeeding Pillow

What I had: The Boppy

What I would have now: My Brest Friend

The Boppy is widely known as the go-to for breast feeding support. But it just didn’t work for me. I’m a bigger gal, and my baby wasn’t feeling the stiffness of this pillow. Several months into breast feeding someone recommended a My Brest Friend pillow and it was a game changer for us. My daughter seemed more relaxed during feedings and because of it’s extenders I was able to expand it around my waist.

Nursing Apparel

What I had: Old tank tops

What I would have now: Rosie Pope Nursing Line

I wish I could go back and tell my new mom self that there are clothes out there that look nice and let you feed your baby at the same time. It honestly never dawned on me that you could still have style while nursing. More and more lines are popping up like the Rosie Pope Nursing Line that make it easier for moms who want to look nice and feed their baby. H&M and GAP also have beautiful, functional clothes for nursing moms that I wish I’d had in my closet.

Video Review Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller

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Check out our latest Video Review Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller. We were so excited to review the new Ergobaby 180 Reversible Stroller and – spoiler alert – we give it two very big thumbs up. If you’re looking for a practical, lightweight stroller that can be forward-facing or world-facing, look no further. See what our Chief Gugu Concierge baby planner, Julie has to say here:

Check out or buy Ergobaby’s 180 Reversible Stroller here.

Please note: While Ergobaby did send us the stroller for review, this video is not sponsored and all opinions are our own.

Check out other video reviews and video overviews here:

The Play Gym from Lovevery

nanobébé Overview Video

Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit

Video Overview: The Play Gym from Lovevery

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We are so excited to be introducing The Play Gym from Lovevery to Gugu Guru’s audience! This activity gym will provide so much enrichment for your baby, including a full year’s worth of developmental play ideas. Plus, it grows with your child. Check out Gugu Guru founder Monica’s video overview here:

Thank you to Lovevery for making this video possible.

View more of our video overviews here:

A Day in the Life of Mom with Neat Solutions

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Neat Solutions – have you heard of them? That’s the brand name but “neat” is the perfect word to describe this innovative portfolio of products that have been designed to help parents out throughout the day. These products are truly “neat” because they’re neat-o, cool and “that’s exactly what I need” kind of “neat.” And also “neat” as in the other meaning of the word: simply keeping it nice and clean. In this post, we’re pretty excited to show you how five real moms from the Gugu Village community use Neat Solutions and share how these products make life with baby much easier. Once you learn more, you’ll see why these might be better named as “Lifesaver Solutions.” From feedings to on-the-go to bath time, here’s a round the clock round-up of Neat Solutions products. (Spoiler alert: our Gugu Village moms say that the Sili-Stick Table Topper is now the one product that they can’t live without.)

7am Feeding Time

Mom of twins, Abby L., tries Neat Solutions’ Paw Patrol Bibs – These are an adorable way to keep your little ones clean while letting them “wear” their favorite characters. They clean up well with just warm water, but you can throw them in the washing machine as well. Also, my little ones have extremely sensitive skin and they did not seem to be too tight around the neck/chin area, which often causes rashes for us. We also tried a toddler bib, which has an extended covering on top of each shoulder. It is a bit longer also, which helped keep our laps clean during lunch. After we were done eating, it was really easy to wipe this bib clean and it dried within minutes.

Mom of 2-year old, Shana S., tries Neat Solutions’ Sesame Street Bibs – Like most 2-year-olds, my daughter is currently obsessed with Elmo and Abby Cadabby. She also isn’t very keen on wearing bibs anymore either, even though mealtimes can still get pretty messy. This bib solves both problems – it goes over her head, so it can’t be pulled off like her velcro closure bibs and it has very wide coverage, so it helps keep her clean better than smaller bibs. The best part, since it has her favorite characters, I don’t have to convince her to put it on!

Mom of 10-month-old, Lori W., tries Neat Solutions’ Bib & Burp Products – My initial thought when I unpacked it was that it is quite small in size. However after using it I actually like how compact it is without extra fabric, which my baby usually paws at. The pocket is great too.

Mom of 1-year-old, Alyssa J., tries Neat Solutions’ Printed Coverall Easywipe Bib With Clear Crumbcatcher – This is super cute and generously-sized to cover more of my baby’s clothes while she is eating. I appreciate the extra coverage for my messy eater! The clear crumbcatcher is really useful for seeing right away what has been caught in the pocket so that I can clear it out after the meal without finding any squishy surprises later. I love how easy it really is to wipe the bib down, and the hook and loop closure is a lot easier than tying string too.

Mom of 3-month-old and 1-year-old, Sunny L., tries Neat Solutions’ Bib & Burp Products – The biggest positive for me is the velcro fastener behind the neck. It doesn’t have any of the scratchy, coarse velcro, keeping my daughter from grabbing/itching at the back.

12pm and On The Go

Mom of twins, Abby L., tries Neat Solutions’ Sili-Stick Table Topper – The Sili-Stick Table Topper is hands down my favorite new product! I have never seen a silicone table mat like this, and it stays put on every surface I tried! My boys could not lift it up and it was so easy to clean. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe for big messes! I am definitely going to add this table topper to my new list of must-haves for parents with toddlers who like to eat away from home.

Mom of 3-month-old and 1-year-old, Sunny L., tries Neat Solutions’ Sili-Stick Table Topper – My favorite item from this bunch! It’s super sticky and says put. At home, it keeps my tabletop clean, because my older child is really into smearing things around. I love the size of this mat, and after meals I just peel it up and dump in the sink. So great for eating out, too. It rolls up pretty small, and could also be folded to make it more packable. I am always scrubbing restaurant tables when I get there to try to get them cleaner for her food to sit on, and this makes the process so much easier. It’s big enough to cover any area in public her little hands could reach and keep her food germ-free.

Mom of 1-year-old, Alyssa J., tries the Neat Solutions’ Sili-Stick Table Topper – This is my new best friend for meals out of the house with baby. I don’t have to worry about the cleanliness of our dining table when I can make sure the Sili-Stick is a clean surface for baby to eat off of. I also don’t have to feel guilty about baby making too much of a mess at the restaurant. All I need to do is wipe it down at the end of the meal and be on our way!

Mom of 2-year old, Shana S., tries Neat Solutions’ Potty Toppers – If you’re like me, the thought of your little one sitting on a public toilet makes you a bit squeamish, to say the least. The Potty Topper is the perfect solution! These plastic liners adhere to the seat, keeping wetness and germs away. Plus, they’re oversized so little bottoms and hands stay well protected from any yuckies that might be lurking. (Editor’s note: we love that these Potty Toppers are eco-friendly too!)

Mom of 10-month-old, Lori W., tries the Neat Solutions’ Neatnik Saucer – This thing came out of my dreams. We had lunch with a friend and her baby this weekend and I used this with the high chair the restaurant provided and it fit perfectly. We are a baby led weaning family so things typically get very messy at mealtime and I loved being able to contain everything. It was also easy to fold up and clean when we were finished. I love love love it. My friend asked for the link so there’s another fan too!

6pm Bathtime (and bedtime prep!)

Mom of 3-month-old and 1-year-old, Sunny L., tries Neat Solutions’ Bath Robe – in the picture, my daughter is petting the robe and was thrilled to put on something soooo soft after her bath! She would pat/pet it and then smile at me. It’s so cozy and warm, and perfect for wrapping her up to get from the bathroom upstairs to her room downstairs, rather than carrying her in a damp towel. The design and color is very cute and dark blue suits her! It had enough fabric to cross in front and tie without leaving a drafty space.

Mom of twins, Abby L., tries Neat Solutions’ Bath Robes – We tried on our bathrobes both before and after bath time. They were super soft and added in a warm change of routine after bath time. Plus the adorable animals/patterns just added to the cute factor.

Mom of 2-year old, Shana S., tries Neat Solutions’ Bath Robe – There’s nothing cozier post-bath for your little one than a snuggly hooded towel – until they hit toddlerhood. When my little one kept sprinting from the bathroom wearing her hooded towel like a superhero cap, I knew it was time to switch to bath robes. I love the Fleece Bath Robe. It’s super soft, cozy, and comes in four different designs. Plus, there are also coordinating washcloths, hooded towels, and bath wraps.

Mom of 1-year-old, Alyssa J., tries the Neat Solutions’ Whale Applique/Print Coral Fleece Bath Robe. This is super cute for both boys and girls. It’s very soft and fluffy! It kept my baby nice and warm after her bath. The robe is generously sized for younger infants, so they won’t be growing out of it too quickly!

Mom of 10-month-old, Lori W., tries Neat Solutions’ Hooded Towel in Friendly Elephant – This hooded towel is so cute and does the job.

Want to discover more must-have products? Be sure to check out these other Gugu Village reviews:
The Village Reviews: bloom BABY All Natural Wipes
The Village Reviews: Gunapod Bamboo Duvet Sack

Thank you to Neat Solutions for making this sponsored post possible. Although the Gugu Village moms received products in exchange for their respective feedback, all opinions are their own.
Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Must Have Essentials: Baby Basics

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When it comes to Baby Basics, what are the essentials you need to add to your registry? We asked our seasoned baby planners what their top picks are for Baby Basic Must Have Essentials!

Jessica Zablan, The Birth & Baby Company –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: At The Birth & Baby Company, we make sure every baby registry has the FridaBaby 1st Aid Kit. You can never go wrong with their amazing nose sucker! It might be weird but it WORKS!

Amber Michels of Your Milk Shoppe –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: NoseFrida– this is a must and will contribute to parents and baby’s good night sleeps! It is not only safe, but super effective. Halo Sleepsack Newborn Multi-Way Cotton Swaddle– with so many swaddles, this is one that you can count on to keep your baby comfortable and secure. The Baby Shusher– white noise that works, ensuring your baby is soothed and sleeping!

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: When it comes to basics, there’s one item at the top of my list: swaddle blankets. These can be used to swaddle (duh!), as a soft place for tummy time (ooh!), as burp cloths (nice!)… and the list goes on and on! My favorites are the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Blankets, which are larger than most, soft, and breathable. Plus they come in lots of fun patterns and designs in every color. These are definitely a must have basic for new moms.

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth and Baby –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: I have two (smaller registry items, but still super helpful!) – the Boon grass drying rack which is great to dry bottles and/or breast pump accessories after washing, and the other would definitely be the NoseFrida – it’s the most amazing snot sucker on the market!

Olivia Howell, Gugu Guru’s Editor in Chief –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: I always had to have a super soft baby blanket around; we used them as burp cloths, blankies, even a makeshift diaper once or twice!

Alexa Rubin, Gugu Guru Business Development –

Must Have Essential, Baby Basics: Baby mittens are a must! Babies tend to scratch themselves and these are a lifesaver.

Need some more help with your registry? Check out these posts from our baby planners:

Adorable photos from Pics and Paws Photography

This post contains affiliate links.

Colgate Mattress: Must Have Baby Registry Pick

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-Sponsored Post-

There is nothing more valuable to a parent than peace of mind, so when it comes to adding products to your registry, the top product pick to consider should always be the crib mattress. Why the crib mattress? Well, simply put, not only is that where baby will spend the majority of their time, but the crib has to be a safe and soothing place for baby to rest, play, grow, and learn. When it comes to crib mattresses, our must have baby registry pick is Colgate Mattress. We believe your baby’s nursery needs to include a quality product from Colgate, a third generation, family-owned and operated company of craftsmen has been selling crib mattresses for over 60 years. Colgate is not only known for their top selling mattresses, but their accessories as well.

We’ve featured Colgate for Back to Sleep, Innovative Sleep Products, and as a Nursery Essential for Mother’s Day, plus Meet the Makers Behind the Mattresses

There are many reasons that Colgate Mattresses are a must have baby registry pick for your little one. Did you know that Colgate Mattresses are made in America? It’s true! And, better yet, they’re a family owned business, so you can feel good about supporting a family when you purchase from them. Colgate also keeps parents in mind and wants to make your life a little easier – so they designed their mattresses with the utmost attention to form and function. Did you know Colgate are pioneers in crib-mattress making? Colgate was the first to create light weight mattresses, which makes lifting the mattress to change the sheets a much easier task than traditional mattresses. Colgate mattresses are cleverly designed to accommodate baby as she transitions to the toddler phase with a simple flip of the mattress. One side is firm and supportive for infants while the other is slightly softer for toddler comfort; safe sleep at all ages.

For the eco-conscious parent, Colgate has always chosen to use non-toxic barrier fabrics instead of harsh fire retardant chemicals to give parents peace of mind while not only meeting, but exceeding federal flammability standards. Colgate takes your baby’s safety incredibly seriously and they are the first mattress company to use natural coir fiber made from coconuts shell husks. And, you can rest easy knowing that all of Colgate’s crib mattresses carry the Greenguard GOLD certification.

Colgate’s safety and concern for baby doesn’t end at crib mattresses, either. They have a full line of accessories to help keep your baby calm and safe, including bassinet mattresses, organic crib mattress covers, and contoured changing pads complete with natural changing pad covers, too. Colgate products are designed with rich and natural textures to provide your baby with a calming and cozy environment. With Colgate Mattresses, quality and function strike a harmonious balance to help baby sleep safely and peacefully, all while providing parents with peace of mind.

Thank you to Colgate for making this sponsored post possible.

Photos via Pics and Paws Photography

The One Essential Baby Registry Must Have

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Often when moms start building their registries, they seem overwhelmed with the amount of products they seemingly need to take care of a baby – rest easy, mama – we have a special list for you today. We reached out to our amazing baby planners and posed the question, “what ONE baby product is a must have essential?” It’s not easy to pair down a must have baby item to only one essential product pick – but, read on and see what our planners say is the must have one item for your baby registry. Want to see their one piece of advice for new parents? You’ve got to head to our Instagram for that info!

Don’t forget to check out the baby planners’ picks for preparing for multiples and items to help you get through Newborn Lockdown.

Jessica Zablan of The Birth and Baby Company:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Nose Frida! Or the whole Frida Baby kit.

Amber Michel of Your Milk Shoppe:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Aden + Anais muslin swaddling blankets. These blankets will be EVERYTHING to you from birth and beyond. The perfect swaddling blanket, you can also use as a breastfeeding cover or a light layer during walks. You will use these well into toddlerhood and beyond. Highly recommend these blankets as a must-have on every registry!

Abby Ludwig, Gugu Guru Registry Consultant:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: The FridaBaby Windi! There will be times when your little one is backed up. They are uncomfortable and as a parent you feel helpless! When your babe is having trouble getting those gas pains out, there is only one product you need! The Fridababy Windi is an absolute must have for new parents. Think of the Windi as the updated version of the “thermometer trick.” When your baby is in pain, it is a safe and quick way to help relieve the gas and colic pain they may be experiencing.

Tina Morton of Cloud Nine Births:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: DockAtot! The one just have I would say is the DockATot! It’s a life saver at night, during the day, and in every location. It just gives baby a nice, secure, comfy hug!

Seen also: Minimalist Baby Registry Must Haves

Victoria Facelli of Durham Lactation:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: An exercise ball to bounce on.

Lauren Daylami, Maternity Consultant in Charleston, SC Territory of Your Milk Shoppe:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: My number one item for a new parent is the HoMedics Sound Machine. White noise will help associate your baby with sleep time and will also block out any loud background noises so that they can sleep longer and more soundly. This is a lifesaver for overtired new parents!

Ashley Akselband of Wellsprings Birth and Baby:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Infant car seat! The one product new parents must have – an infant car seat! I’ve worked with people who think it’s better to get a convertible car seat, as it will grow with their child, but I explain to people that an infant seat (if your budget allows you to purchase both) is fantastic, because transferring the baby from the car into a stroller or into the house makes life so much easier when they’re in an infant seat. I usually recommend the Britax B-Safe or the Chicco KeyFit 30 – they both have excellent safety ratings, easy to install and carry, and they’re compatible with so many different stroller brands, so you can still use them with some of the top of the line strollers on the market.

Sarah Slazyk, Maternity Consultant in Columbia, SC & Charlotte, NC of Your Milk Shoppe:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Ergobaby Carriers! They are amazing. So comfortable, easy to use, and a life saver for getting things done around the house, running errands, or just needing to give those tired arms a break. The newest one, the Ergobaby 360, is fabulous and can hold baby in all different positions (infant insert needed for newborns). They also JUST came out with a new wrap that is great too, less stretchy than other brands so baby doesn’t sag (because let’s be real, mamas have other sagging issues to worry about, ha) and cozy, breathable fabric.

Julie McCaffrey of Babynav Baby Planners:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: I actually have three: the Skip Hop Pronto changing station, a Crane Drop Humidifier and an aden + anais Serenity Star. For any mom or dad on the go, the Skip Hop Pronto is a must have to ensure you always have a clean place to change baby. The Pronto folds up small enough to carry on your wrist or toss under your stroller but unfolds into a clean extra-large space to change baby with pockets to hold and easily access all the essentials. A humidifier in the nursery can help keep sniffles away for baby and the Crane Drop humidifier is my go to because it looks stylish in just about any nursery design thanks to the many color options and it is super easy to use. Not only is it whisper quiet but it requires no filter so there are no extra parts for parents to worry about keeping track of! This 5-in-1 piece of gear for the nursery is great for the smallest or biggest spaces. The Serenity Star is a stylish clock, nightlight, room temperature indicator, feeding diary and sound machine all in one so parents don’t to have find places for multiple devices in the nursery.

Gugu Guru Team:

One Essential Baby Registry Must Have: Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit! Transitioning from the comfort of a swaddle to a sleep sack can be a rough transition for some babies, as they miss the secure feeling of a swaddle. One of the most popular items on countless registries we see is the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit. Made with soft, comforting materials, the Magic Sleepsuit will give your baby the sense of security and warmth they need to sleep well through the night. We highly recommend this one essential item, as it is a necessary aid to help your little one sleep safely on their own.

Looking for more registry ideas? Check these out!

Adorable photos from Pics and Paws Photography

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Inside Cameran Wimberly’s Baby Registry

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Amber Michels co-founder of Your Milk Shoppe talks about working with Cameran Wimberly to prep for the arrival of Baby Palmer. See Cameran’s baby registry here.

I so enjoyed meeting with Cameran Wimberly and assisting her with preparing for baby! Some main factors that played into her registry wants and needs were that she is a first time mom and she really was looking for gear that will be easy and straightforward. Although Cameran doesn’t think that she will be traveling a lot with her little girl, we took into consideration even the slightest bit of travel – such as a car ride to the grocery store or the baby’s regular check-ups with her pediatrician. Although they are not long, intensive trips, they can often feel like a daunting task to first time moms.

Some Cameran Wimberly must haves are: a good, reliable, easy to travel with diaper bag (she preferred a backpack that zips open and has adequate storage), an easy to use baby carrier (she was open to a wrap-style carrier and/or a soft structured carrier), an infant wearable monitor (this was huge for her as she was hoping it would bring her piece of mind when the baby was sleeping), and in the event breastfeeding didn’t work out, she really was in need of good go-to bottle and formula mixing and warming machine. The idea of bathing her little girl was semi-terrifying, as it is for most new parents, and we suggested the Puj Tub as a great product to have in her mommy tool box- not only does it set up easily in the sink (which is great because it is at waist level with mom), but it can easily fold up and hang on the back of your door to dry. As many first time parents are, Cam is very concerned with the baby’s safety and will have the baby sleep next to her bed in a bassinet for the first few months.

Bottomline is that Cam- like most first time parents we meet- is just plain nervous about all of the unknowns. However, as much as she is a bit anxious, we also love that Cam has come to peace with the fact that parenting may send her some curve balls. For example, she is absolutely wanting to breastfeed, but she is also totally ok if that doesn’t work out.

About Your Milk Shoppe
A Gugu Concierge network partner, Your Milk Shoppe is a group of certified Maternity Consultants and Child Prep Educators. They affordable services to moms such as Parenting Classes, Baby Planning, Product Recommendation, Local Referral Partner Lists and Nanny Placement. The goal is to support and empower moms, while ensuring a seamless transition into their new life that is parenthood. Your Milk Shoppe is the milk that keeps the moms alive throughout their parenting journey – because moms need milk, too!

Check out these other posts from the ladies of Your Milk Shoppe:

Preparing for Multiples: Product Picks and Tips
Affordable Eco-Friendly Baby Registry Picks
Minimalist Baby Registry Must Haves

UPPAbaby VISTA Stroller for New Mamas

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Why did we recommend the UPPAbaby VISTA stroller to Angelique Cabral? When she started working with the Gugu Guru team on her registry, she made it clear that she needed a stroller that would be great for travel, long walks around the neighborhood, and most importantly, really functional!

We knew the ultimate stroller for her would be the UPPAbaby VISTA! We have sung the praises of the UPPAbaby VISTA before – it’s a featured baby gear item in our Cause Driven Registry. It’s also one of our favorite strollers for families who plan to have more than one child. When See Kate Sew got the chance to test it out, she said, “We love this stroller and it is pretty special that my 3-year-old gets the front seat. She loves peeking on her little sister and I think it makes her feel good that this stroller is really for both of them! I take this UPPAbaby VISTA stroller everywhere, including the grocery store and walks. It’s super easy to set up, everything clicks into place! And the basket underneath is big enough for a whole load of groceries (I never get carts anymore!) It’s such a great single stroller and an amazing double! I recommend it to everyone!“

The UPPAbaby VISTA also comes with a bassinet attachment, which is ideal for newborns. Angelique has been using it as a make-shift sleeping quarter for baby Adelaide when she’s on set on CBS’ Life In Pieces. Parents also tell us that they love the large basket under the UPPAbaby VISTA stroller – it’s perfect for stocking up on things like diapers, wipes… and wine (we kid! Kind of.)

And, for all of you eco-conscious parents, we named the UPPAbaby VISTA one of our best choice for eco-conscious moms. Heading for a walk in the afternoon sun? No worry! The UPPAbaby VISTA features a UPF 50 drop down sunshade to keep UV rays off baby’s precious skin. And, no need to worry about a flat tire ever with the VISTA, as the wheels are made of foam and rubber – with just the right amount of jiggle to lull baby to sleep, and smooth enough to help baby stay fast asleep.

Want to see more from Angelique?

Why Angelique Cabral thinks all parents should take a babymoon (and not for the reasons you think!)
Angelique’s starry nursery…swoon.
What does a TV star wear to work out when she’s 9 months pregnant?

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