HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Pricing depends on the type of service, estimated time, whether it’s a private consultation or a group workshop and workshop locations. For estimated pricing, please go to the Services page. Pricing may change for Private Consultations if additional travel time is required and can vary for Group Workshops due to hosting venue costs.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR A SERVICE OR WORKSHOP?
Contact us to register for your desired service or workshop. For a private service, we will schedule your appointment at your convenience. For a group workshop, we will secure your spot in our next available class. For group workshops we require a 50% deposit to hold your spot.
CAN I GET A DISCOUNT IF I WANT TO HIRE BABY GURU FOR MULTIPLE SERVICES?
Absolutely! We encourage you to have a well-rounded Baby Guru experience and take advantage of our many quality services. If you hire us for more than one service, you receive a 10% discount on your next service or workshop.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL THIS TAKE?
Each service/workshop is different. Please visit our Services page; each service description includes an estimate on time commitment.
ARE YOU AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS?
We understand that many parents work during the weekdays so we are available for certain private services on Saturdays and weekend workshops will also be made available. Please contact us and we will try to accommodate your busy schedule.
can baby guru do a private workshop for me and my mommy friends?
Yes! Group workshops are a fantastic and fun way to learn. Contact us so we can find out what you have in mind so we can customize the workshop for you. We can either host the entire event like a party so you as the hostess can focus on learning and enjoy yourself, or we can simply come in as an educator. We also do private group workshops for childcare settings and schools.
can i buy a gift certificate for a service for my friend?
Giving a gift of education is a fantastic idea. It’s a gift that will keep on giving since you are helping them bond even closer with their baby. We provide a gift certificate so you can present the gift to your friend and they can schedule the workshop at their convenience.
what is your cancellation policy?
For an in-home private consultation or workshop, there is no fee for cancellation if you let us know more than 24 hours in advance and we will gladly reschedule your appointment.
For a group workshop, if you cancel we will simply reschedule you for the next workshop series or you can upgrade to a private workshop. No refunds will be given.
If you have started a workshop series and need to miss one session, we will give our recommendation on whether or not we can easily catch you up to speed so you can attend the next class or if you should wait until the next workshop series to pick up where you left off.No refunds on deposits will be given.
what if my baby needs to be fed or becomes really fussy during a group workshop?
We know babies and we always anticipate the unexpected with them! No class is ever the same! Although we have an agenda for each session, the structure is flexible. Your Baby Guru instructor will be sensitive to your baby’s needs. If you need to take a break to change a diaper, breastfeed, calm down your baby, or for any reason at all, we will make every effort to adapt the class so you do not miss anything. For instance, if a number of babies need a break we will adjust the class schedule, or if one baby needs to have a diaper changed we will slow the pace so that mom can catch up, or if you are feeding, you may just want to observe. In the rare instance where you need to excuse yourself from a session, we will work with you to make up for anything missed.
should i bring my baby to the workshop?
It depends on the workshop. Please visit our Services page and each service description will indicate whether or not we recommend bringing your baby.
We understand that it is often difficult and/or costly to find a sitter to watch your little one, so even if the class is not interactive with your child we typically welcome them to join. Only if a workshop indicates a Parents/Mommy’s Night Out, then we request parents to leave their children at home since part of the benefit of the class is to focus only on the adults.
should i bring my partner?
We highly recommend both parents come together as these services are great tools for both of you. In addition, it provides bonding time during the crazy journey of parenthood.
should i bring my nanny, babysitter or parents?
We encourage any caregiver who spends a lot of time with your baby to join us, but we do not recommend they come in your place as you as parents are primary caregivers.
should i bring my older child?
It depends on the workshop, but in general we recommend that you bring only the baby when necessary as we want you and the other parents to be able to focus on learning the skills.
what makes your staff experts on babies?
As parents ourselves, our consultants understand that all babies are different. We are not the expert on your baby, you are! We have been trained and/or certified in a variety of specialties to provide services to help you get even closer to your baby and gain more confidence as a parent. We combine our experience as parents with this formal training to serve as a parental coach for other parents. We are “gurus” in these baby services and are honored to be a part of your journey. For more information on the certifications and organizations our consultants are affiliated with, please visit our About Us page. Also, please look to our Resources page for many of our partners in the community who can offer additional quality services for you and your keiki.
there are other classes offered for these baby specialties, why should i sign up for baby guru’s services?
It is exciting that the benefits of baby sign language, infant massage and other baby specialties are now becoming well known by new parents. Whether with Baby Guru or through another source, we encourage you to learn, bond with your child and keep your baby safe by hiring a professional. However, we do recommend that you research the other individuals or companies to make sure they are trained, received the proper certification and are insured. For more information on our consultants, please visit our About Us page.
my baby has colic, what services will help?
There is no known cure for colic as the causes for it have yet to be determined. However, learning infant massage can often reduce the symptoms of colic. We recommend if you have a colicky baby to schedule a private workshop so we can focus on you and your baby with special strokes for colic.
do you offer birthing classes?
Baby Guru does not offer birthing classes, but we highly recommend the ones offered at Kapiolani Medical Center. We encourage parents to take both the Prepared Childbirth and Infant Care classes as they are great overviews to get you ready for childbirth and being parents.
do you offer doulas or lactation consultants?
Baby Guru currently does not have anyone on staff who is a doula or lactation consultant, but being in the business of parent/child consulting we are fortunate to work with many talented individuals in the field. Please look to our Resources page for our referral(s) for a qualified doula or lactation consultant.
what methods of payment do you accept?
As of right now, we accept only checks and cash, but we will accept Visa credit card payments shortly. Thanks for your patience.
Since the pricing is “per couple” can I bring a friend with her baby?
Pricing per couple is within a household so you can bring your spouse, partner, grandparent or any caregiver for your child at no additional charge. We would be thrilled to have your friend and her baby join the workshop, but they will have to pay their own fee.
Since the pricing is “per couple” is it less if I don’t bring my spouse?
The pricing is set up so that you can bring someone from your household at no additional charge. It will not cost less if you come alone.
when should i hire you to babyproof our home?
We recommend you hire us before your baby is crawling since once they are in motion, they are ready to explore!
how long does a safety assessment take?
A safety assessment typically takes 1-hour, but it can be less or more depending on the size of the residence or business.
how long does a babyproofing installation take?
It can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours depending on the size of the residence or business and your babyproofing needs. Our licensed contractors and babyproofing professionals are very organized and efficient so we will do our best to inconvenience you as little as possible.
once a room has been babyproofed, can we relax if our child is playing in that childsafe room alone?
Babyproofing can give you peace of mind that you are taking all of the proper steps to safeguard your children. However, nothing replaces supervision. An accident can happen very quickly so it is important not to use babyproofing as a babysitter.
when do babies outgrow the need for babyproofing?
Every baby develops at a different rate. We will assess both your present and future needs at our in-home consultation and provide a thorough recommendation of how to safeguard your home. If you prefer to babyproof for only the present or upcoming stage, we would be happy to come back to reassess your safety needs in the future. Keep in mind that as a parent you will always have to be aware that as your baby grows, the risks will change and nothing replaces supervision.
can i just buy the products from baby guru and install them ourselves?
Yes! Many of the products can be purchased at the time of your safety assessment. Some of the products are simple to install, others are not and for safety products to be effective they need to be installed properly. We recommend you let us do the work for certain items so we can save you time, possible damage to your home and ineffective installation.
can i have our contractor install the products?
Yes, but a licensed Baby Guru contractor is familiar with the safety products so they can install them properly. Since our contractors’ specialty is babyproofing, they can do an installation quickly and keep the costs down. Also, we cannot guarantee the quality of installation if we do not do it ourselves.
will you install products we already purchased?
If the items you purchased are products we carry or meet our safety standards, we will be happy to install them. However, if it is not a quality product or one we are not familiar with, we will not install it because we cannot guarantee its safety. We only use products that we have tested to make sure they meet national babyproofing quality standards.
do you have insurance?
Yes, as a member of the International Association for Child Safety we are required to carry insurance to cover our babyproofing services. It is also important to us that our clients feel confident and comfortable hiring us. As parents ourselves, when it comes to our children, only the highest standards are acceptable. Babyproofing does not replace parental supervision and Baby Guru is not liable for injury due to misuse of our services and/or products. Once hired, we will provide you with an agreement which will cover the terms of our coverage.
what is the warranty coverage on the products?
Our safety products are covered by each manufacturer’s warranties for normal use. However, we strive for complete client satisfaction and if any product fails to meet your expectations within a 30-day period, you may return it for a replacement or a full refund, excluding shipping costs. If an item is obviously damaged for reasons out of our control, then we will not refund or exchange the item.
Please keep in mind that our babies grow and develop quickly, both physically and cognitively. The U.S. Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission advocate for safety products to target children between 6 and 24 months of age. We recommend you remove safety products as your child outgrows them to avoid breakage or an unnecessary injury. You can contact us to remove your safety items and reassess your safety needs for each stage of development.
do you offer safety tips for traveling?
When you schedule your safety assessment, let our staff know what you are interested in learning so we can customize your consultation. We have tips for keeping children safe outside the home, such as for traveling, going to the beach and more.
what age is best to start?
A person is never too young or too old for a massage! As soon as your baby is born it is important to introduce positive touch. It is easiest to learn infant massage before they start rolling over or crawling so they do not wiggle away as you learn the technique. But if your little one is already moving, don’t hesitate to learn as you will both benefit so much from it.
For newborn babies, premature babies and babies with special needs, we recommend a private workshop at your home so you are comfortable and we can focus our attention solely on you. As soon as you feel ready, we encourage you to join our classes so you can socialize with other new parents.
my baby was premature, so how long should we wait until we start infant massage?
Don’t wait! Even if your baby is still in the hospital, ask your nurses if they know infant massage, and use lots of positive touch during this time. And call us to schedule a private workshop! There are many benefits for a premature infant to receive infant massage, such as increased weight gain (47% after 6 consecutive days of massage), better scores on the Bayley and Brazelton Scales, more time in the quiet alert state, allowing increased receptivity for social interaction and decreased length of hospital stays.
should i bring my partner?
Definitely! Massage is such a great way for a dad to have intimate time with their baby. Moms get so many opportunities, especially with breastfeeding, so doing infant massage may become dad’s special time with their baby. You can also bring a grandparent or a caregiver if you want them to use massage while your baby is in their care.
my baby does not seem to like being touched, will infant massage help?
If your baby is extremely sensitive to touch, we will adapt the technique to their needs and work with you so you are comfortable doing infant massage. We encourage you to schedule a private workshop so we can customize the session for you. We may even teach you the strokes using a doll first or intermittently throughout the process so we do not overstimulate your sweet pea.
Even if your baby is not sensitive overall, babies often have areas that might be too sensitive to touch. You will get to know their favorite spots for infant massage through this process. Although we will teach you specific strokes as part of a routine, we encourage you to take what you learn and adapt it to your baby’s likes and dislikes.
what age is best to learn?
Babies as early as 9 months can use sign language to communicate with you. We recommend you take the interactive Sign, Say and Play™ classes when your baby is at least 6 months old so you will be able to see the benefits of the teachings shortly thereafter. A baby at 1 year of age will be able to quickly learn and use baby sign language to communicate with you.
can baby sign language hinder my baby’s language development?
Actually, research has proven that babies who learn sign language have advanced verbal skills. We encourage caregivers to speak out the word as they sign it, so the baby is learning two languages at once. As they experience the benefit of being able to communicate with you, it will only increase their interest in talking.
are the signs difficult to learn?
If your baby can learn it easily, so can you! The introductory course will teach you simple hand shapes and motions that represent basic words to communicate with your child. Your baby may develop their own cute adaptations of the signs, but as long as you are communicating, it’s a success!
should my caregiver learn baby sign language too?
Absolutely! Bring anyone who regularly interacts with your baby. If they cannot make the class, you should review the signs you learn in the class with them. You should also display the Baby Signs ® Quick Reference Guide or Flip Guide in a visible area in your home so your caregivers can easily respond to your baby’s signs. Regardless, your baby will quickly teach any caregiver the signs they know; it’s remarkable how easy it is for them to communicate using sign language!
when should i learn?
As soon as possible! We recommend learning while you are expecting your baby since an unforeseen emergency can happen at any time. Plus, it will be more difficult to learn after the baby is born. Learning how to respond to your child when it is choking, unresponsive or injured is critical. Whether through us or somewhere else, we highly recommend you take a class so you are prepared in case a situation arises.
i took an infant care class at a hospital that included an overview of infant cpr, so do i need to take a more detailed class?
It all depends on your comfort level with the skills you learned. If you have taken a class that has current training for Infant/Child CPR and you feel confident that you will be prepared in case of an unfortunate situation, then you are all set. This is a preparation course similar to one a hospital would conduct. There is also a shorter, review session if you just want to refresh your skills.
If you prefer to go to a more detailed class where you can get certified, then we recommend contacting the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross. We want you to be confident in your skills so take the course that makes you the most comfortable.
i took a class with my first child, is there any reason why i should take the class again?
It depends on when you took the course. A group of doctors review the science of CPR and determine if changes would save more lives. In 2005 they streamlined the guidelines so it is easier to remember. If you took a course before 2005, we definitely recommend you take a class again. We also encourage you to take the course again if it has been awhile since you took your original class and you are not feeling confident about your CPR or First Aid skills. Or perhaps you just need our abbreviated, review session if you just need a refresher course.
how do i know which car seat to buy?
It can be overwhelming to figure out which car seat to purchase. The type and/or brand you will want to purchase will depend on your child’s size. For example, the expecting parent will be looking for an infant seat. It also depends on the type of vehicle you have, as you will want to make sure it fits correctly and secures safely. There are a lot of other features available on car seats that you will want to take into consideration as you shop. A Baby Guru consultant can give you advice on what car seat to buy and where to purchase it through the Mommy’s Personal Shopper service. We will take your personal needs and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations’ (NHTSA) ratings into consideration.
do i need to learn how to install each car seat as they grow into a new one?
Yes, you need to know how to install each car seat properly for it to keep your child safe. Every car seat brand, model and age-level can have different nuances for installation. You may have different car seats in each caregiver’s vehicle so you should be comfortable installing each one and confident that they are all installed correctly. Your child will also go through several car seats and booster seats as they grow. A certified child passenger safety consultant will show you how to install your specific car seat correctly, which will give you general guidelines for installation that can translate to other car seats. However, please take advantage of Baby Guru and/or car seat inspection stations to make sure each one is installed properly. It’s free and only 30 minutes of your time!
can i reuse my first child’s carseat or my friend’s to save money?
Not necessarily. Secondhand (i.e. used) or car seats purchased more than a few years ago may have been designed to meet standards that are now outdated. Also, perhaps your friend’s car seat was damaged or recalled and you are not aware of it. If your car seat is not very old, never underwent an accident and you have the same or similar car, then it should be perfectly safe for you to use for your next child, but please double-check that it meets current safety standards. If your car seat is still on the market, then it meets the U.S. government's stringent safety standards. You can also check the NHTSA’s ratings. We want to reiterate that the safest car seat is the one that best fits your child and your car. And of course, without proper installation even the best car seat is not safe so contact us or go to an inspection station to get it done correctly!
when should i start feeding my baby solids?
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. However, its committee on nutrition also states that solids can be introduced between 4 and 6 months, but not any earlier. Baby Guru recommends you speak with your pediatrician to help you determine what is right for your baby. You will want your baby to be able to control their head/neck well and be able to show a signal when they do not want food or are full (i.e. turning their face away from you). When they are ready for solids, they will also likely show interest in your grown-up food.
We do not recommend you try out baby’s first solids at our cooking workshops, although you can take the class before your baby is eating solids since you can freeze the batches of baby food. We will also go over the transition of trying new foods, how much your baby needs and some tips on feeding your baby in our Intro Workshops.
Source: Sara Dumond, MD
is it expensive to make homemade baby food?
Making homemade baby food sounds expensive, but actually it will save you money compared to buying commercial baby food.
is it difficult to make a variety of baby foods when produce is seasonal?
We aim to use fresh, organic, local produce for our recipes but some ingredients are seasonal and may not be available. At times you will use frozen fruits and vegetables, which is perfectly safe and healthy as long as you avoid those that have been pre-cooked or have added salt and sugars. You can even freeze these batches of food; it is perfectly safe to freeze food that has been previously frozen and then cooked.
how do i know if my baby is allergic to the foods we will make in the class?
One of the reasons why we do not recommend trying out baby’s first solid foods at this workshop is because you should introduce each new food at home and observe for allergies. Your pediatrician will recommend his/her philosophy for introducing solid foods so please discuss with your doctor prior to joining the class.
Typically after your baby has mastered cereal, you will introduce each new puréed vegetable or fruit individually and wait 2 to 3 days before introducing new foods. This way, you can pinpoint the cause if a rash develops, swelling occurs or your baby’s stomach gets upset. If these symptoms occur, your pediatrician will discuss what you should do regarding this temporary intolerance or possible allergy.
By the time you are introducing some of our Baby Chef with Aloha recipes to your baby, you will be confident and comfortable feeding your baby the ingredients. If you have not introduced one of the ingredients to your baby yet, we will recommend you introduce that food individually at home and freeze the batch for later.
is there a certain order i should follow to introduce solid foods?
You might hear from many people that you should follow a certain order when introducing solid foods. We recommend you discuss this with your pediatrician, but studies have shown the order does not matter. Do what feels comfortable for you, as there is no right or wrong way. What Baby Guru will provide for you is an introduction to a variety of recipes with new tastes and textures that will get your baby interested in trying new foods and hopefully become a less picky eater in the long run!
how long does homemade baby food stay fresh for my baby to eat?
We recommend keeping fresh, puréed homemade baby food in the refrigerator for no longer than 48 hours. For frozen baby food cubes, we recommend storing it in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.
do i need to buy special equipment to make homemade baby food?
There is some nifty equipment out there specific for making homemade baby food, but you do not need special equipment to make fantastic fresh food for your little one. You will need a blender of some sort to make it quick and easy, such as a food processor, blender or our favorite, the Magic Bullet!
what makes your recipes different from the cookbooks that are available?
There are lots of great cookbooks out there to inspire you to make homemade baby food. Many of the recipes will appear similar to ours; however, we use organic and local products when possible. Moreover, many of our recipes come from local celebrity chefs who want to encourage our families to eat healthy from the start and to use products that are locally grown. Our workshops will also cover feeding tips and preparation safety so you will walk away with more than just delicious recipes.
why should i hire a personal shopper for baby items?
An expecting or new parent can be overwhelmed by all the options for baby gear. What are the absolute essentials? What’s safe? What fits in my budget? What fits in my house? What do I need to buy now and what can I buy later?
Baby Guru wants your experience preparing for your baby to be as carefree, fun and exciting as possible! The shopping should be one of the most enjoyable parts. If you have family or friends who have children, we encourage you to ask them for advice and take them with you as you shop or sign up for registries. You can also use online shopping resources if you have the time to research them. But if you would like someone who can help you assess your baby shopping list according to your budget, home, personal comfort and other needs, let Baby Guru help you! Your Personal Shopper is also a parent, someone who has worked with many other parents and most importantly, a professional in baby safety and overall wellness.
Pricing can vary for Private Consultations if additional travel time is required.
Pricing can vary for Group Workshops due to hosting venue costs.
