Introducing the
PunkinWrap.
Besides having an
adorable name, the
PunkinWrap is the new must-have item every mama or mama-to-be needs to
have on their Baby Registry and Wish List. It's the all-in-one,
life-simplifying answer to so many moms' frustrations regarding the
never-ending baby supplies we must carry around that first year with the
bambino.
Can You Relate to this #TrueStory?: You are driving with your little one safely in the backseat, a blanket draped over her to fend off the chill. Ten minutes into your drive your bundle of joy has successfully kicked off the blanket leaving her little limbs exposed. Or, maybe it has happened when you are out strolling or jogging – one good kick and the blanket is covered in dirt. Enter the PunkinWrap!
Here's the scoop: ThePunkinWrap
is an all-in-one carseat cover, nursing cover, sunshade, strollerblanket, and
tummy time mat. The idea is to have one piece that does it all
rather than carrying separate blankets, nursing cover, car seat covers when on an
outing with baby. The PunkinWrap has a detachable neck strap so you
can use it to nurse the baby and then detach it and leave baby with the wrap
and not worry about strangulation. The included PunkinLinks will attach
the PunkinWrap to your carseat, stroller, or chest baby carrier. 
But FIRST - ENTER
BELOW for a chance to WIN a FREE PunkinWrap for yourself or to give
to that new mama in your life.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
SLM: What
was your AHA moment that you decided "Why doesn't this exist? I NEED
something like this, and so do other moms!"
LG: My daughter was four and a half months when we traveled to
Chicago for the first time. We had to do
the river cruise as that seemed like one of the more enjoyable ways to see the
city’s architecture with a newborn. It
was a short walk from our hotel, a beautiful day, and I was happy to carry
little one in the chest carrier so as to enjoy that newborn smell and also burn
a few extra calories carrying my 13lb bundle of joy around. (You have to get creative when trying to lose
that baby weight!) We were onboard less
than 10 minutes when I realized I was trapped.
We had just pulled away from the shore when I noticed how warm little
ones arms were in the sun. I took great
pride is dressing her appropriately for the weather that morning. It was sunny, 82 degrees with a decent breeze
– a little onesie was perfect. I brought
her sunhat of course – and she was adorable in it! As a first time mom, I was following the new
infant rules to the max – no sunscreen for babies under 6 months I had
read. Silly me, I forgot how much that
reflection from the water can really cook that ivory skin. As my husband settled into his seat and
became fully engrossed in the tour, my mind was racing. What should I have done
differently? Covered her little limbs so
that she was sweating but protected from the evil sun rays? Should we see if anyone on board has sunscreen
and, if they do, would I dare put it on my baby? I get out my smartphone. I’m perusing articles about sunscreen and
infants and scary things and inconclusive studies. I can’t handle the pressure. I look at my outfit and my husbands. We have no clothing to spare. My nursing cover. I have my nursing cover. Bingo.
I was saved. I put the strap on
over my head, carefully tuck the edges of the cover around my daughter’s toasty
limbs, and hope she falls asleep since the cover isn’t very wide and I barely
have her covered. She is asleep within
minutes…and then I start to get awfully toasty myself. My husband commends me on my solution, but
also gives me an odd look when I ask about moving her to his chest. He asked if the nursing cover was part of the
deal. Um, yeah.
As we walked around Chicago, I
slowly, mentally, was discarding items out of my diaper bag. If I could truly create my vision, I would no
longer have to carry the big “first time mommy” diaper bag stuffed with multiple
blankets, a nursing cover, a changing pad, a car seat cover. I could be one of those hip, relaxed-looking
moms who easily puts a few key items in her purse or messenger bag and thinks
nothing of it. The PunkinWrap was
born. I am still far from being a hip,
relaxed mom, but I am carrying a smaller diaper bag and enjoying the ability to
use one item so many different ways…and discovering new uses everyday.
SLM: How
did you take your idea from concept to reality?
LG: I started by sketching the design and trying out some
homemade prototypes. Then as things were
as fine tuned as possible, I met with an attorney to apply for my patent. While that was getting underway, I met with
an engineer to design my plastic links.
I did a lot of research and had a specific baby-safe plastic that I
wanted to use - it was trial-and-error as I tried to find the right design for
this type of plastic. I took a sewing
class so I could make a real prototype.
It was rough, but it worked well enough that I could start meeting with
manufacturers. Over a few months I
interviewed and found two different
manufacturers – one for the plastic links and one for the fabric pieces. I hired a marketing gal and creative team to
help me brand and work on getting my idea to market. I found a web designer and spent several
months bringing the marketing, creatives, and website together. The website went live while I was in labor
with baby #2 in July!
SLM:
Other than the PunkinWrap, what are your FAVORITE creative products for mom and
baby?
LG: I have lots of
favorites! The UppaBaby Vista – maneuvers so well that I
can't live without it!! Booginhead Pacifier Clips, BenbiniWatch, Haba Magica Rattle, Num Num Dips, Think King Mighty Buggy Hook, BabyBanana Training Toothbrush
(we use it primarily as a teether!), Nosefrida NasalAspirator, Nuby Bug-a-Loop Teether
which goes hand in hand with one of my favorite "aha! Why didn't I think
of that?" item: the Baby BuddySecure-a-Toy.