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Many of the parents we’ve talked to told us that they will go “China-free” this Christmas, refusing to purchase toys constructed in China. This, in large part, is due to the massive number of Chinese-made recalled toys this year (like those beads that turn into GHB when ingested). Toxic toys and poor oversight is a company issue and not necessarily a country-specific one, but patronizing local small businesses, regardless of impetus, should be applauded. For the next couple of weeks, we’ll be posting about some of our favorite places to buy kid gifts this season.
We love Be By Baby on Roscoe and Lincoln. With their large stock of slings, cloth diapers and plastic-free sippy cups, they’re like the anti-Babies-R-Us. Started by two mamas who are into attachment parenting, this store has everything you need if you are baby-wearing, co-sleeping, nursing or just in the market for some organic onesies. They’ve also stocked up on some snazzy (read: expensive) maternity clothes. Not one of the toys they offer is battery operated or plastic.
But our favorite thing about Be By Baby isn’t even their merchandise. The store offers free weekly playgroups where you can bring your kid and enjoy the company of other parents in their muraled back room. Interested in meeting other parents whose primary language is Spanish? Want to connect with other same-sex parents, or families of multiples? Just need somewhere inside to play while it’s bitter cold? Check out their website for these themed get-togethers (scheduled to start up again in January), as well as their (also occasionally free) classes covering topics from CPR to cloth diapering.
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OK, I've walked past this place many times and I just have to ask: What is up with this store's name? I get that it's a pun on "Be My Baby," but what's the pun? It's not just that it's syntactically weird (although that isn't helping matters) -- it's like, what does "by" even mean in this context? Because even it were something equally nonsensical like Be Buy Baby, I could at least be like, "'Buy'? ... Oh, I get it, cuz it's a store, they have baby things for you to buy." This just makes me think that a baby made everything in the store.
Wait, is it like "be near to your baby"? I just got that.
Be By Baby is referring to attachment parenting, meaning be by your baby. I love this store and have been going in there since it opened. Courtney and Kathy are so helpful and the products they sell are GREAT!! I have purchased 2 slings from them as well and numerous nursing supplies. The playgroups and story times are also really fun especially during the winter time. They have a great selection of toys and puzzles as well. I think the best part of the store is the commitment from the owners to helping new moms.
ahhh, thank you! I live right by this store and the name has been driving me crazy since it opened.
Many of the parents we’ve talked to told us that they will go “China-free” this Christmas, refusing to purchase toys constructed in China.
Wouldn't it be great if moral outrage was directed at companies that exploit the developing world not because they poisoned our children, but because they employ the children of the poor?
Had American consumers taken their disposable income elsewhere a decade ago, I doubt that the toxic toy debacle would have ever happened in the first place.
yes, I do see how this is the American consumers fault. (I'm rolling my eyes right now) Parents around the world, not only in America will buy their children toys or at least a toy whether they have disposable income or not. Parents rely on the toy maker, regardless of where the toys are made, to use non toxic dyes and chemicals in those toys. And they rely on the toymaker NOT to poison children. This page is not a political forum but a place where local parents can go to see reviews for baby friendly places. I agree that child labor is bad, very very bad. But I don't think that has anything to do with this post.
And just for shits and grins, where would you like the American consumer to spend all this disposable income you speak of?
Papyrus is quickly becoming the new Comic Sans. Bleh.
China free chirstmas must be why I keep seeing Mattel commercials that feature old toys like I grew up with along side the newer versions. It is either really cutting in to profits or the buzz about the possiblity of China free christmas got their marketing depertment going.
As for Be by Baby don't get your schedule messed up and show up at a story time that you were not invited to unless you wanted to be treated like garbage. I won't set foot in that place again.