Gear 2014 gear guide

2014
ultimate
gear
guide
carried
away
Gear
Up
Let’s face it: Baby gear can be
overwhelming. With an array of
updates and redesigns for everything
from high-tech strollers to state-ofthe-art baby carriers, the industry is
constantly growing and changing—a
little like those it’s built to serve. But
how do you know what’s best for
you and your customers? Earnshaw’s
is here to help. We sorted through
hundreds of cribs, carriers, car seats
and more, and broke them down into
six leading categories to bring you
our first annual Ultimate Gear Guide,
chock full of the products primed to
make waves with new and expectant
parents in 2014.
B y Ly n d s ay M c G r e g o r
1. Baby Wearing Developed with pediatricians,
the Baby Carrier One by Baby Bjorn is the brand’s
first multifunctional front and back baby carrier
that can be used from birth up to 3 years, providing
the right support for a growing child’s head, back
and hips. The ergonomic carrier retails for $199.95
and features a waist belt and shaped padded shoulder straps to relieve pressure, while a padded seat,
outward seams and adjustable head support offers
comfort for baby. www.babybjorn.com
2. Just Sling It If you love Sakura
Bloom’s bestselling silk slings, good
news: The brand is introducing a
new single-layer version at the lower
wholesale price of $170. Crafted from
specially sourced and eco-friendly wild
tussah, the slings are traditionally woven with hand-dyed threads, resulting
in a strong but soft textile. Available
in a kaleidoscope of colors, each sling
is made to order in Massachusetts and
designed to fit all body shapes. www.
sakurabloom.com
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3. Designer Baby Moby has
teamed up with Scandinavian textile
designer Lotta Jansdotter on a capsule collection of carriers and wraps
inspired by nature and featuring a new
mid-weight cotton and carrier pouch.
Offered in three color choices, the onesize-fits-all design means all caregivers can easily share. Wholesale prices
range from $23 to $39. www.mobywrap.com
4. Wrapped Up For parents looking for
an alternative to the bells and whistles of a
baby carrier, Ergobaby bows the Wrap.
Designed for newborns and infants up to
31lbs, the premium fabric flexes for a perfect
fit and won’t sag throughout the day from
baby’s weight. The wrap (SRP $79.99) can
also be used as a prenatal and postnatal
bellyband. www.ergobaby.com
5. Hot ‘n Cold Mom and baby both can
chill out even on sweltering summer days
thanks to the latest addition to the Stokke
family, MyCarrier Cool. The 3-in-1 carrier
keeps both baby and wearer cool, with 3-D
mesh fabric that wicks away moisture and
allows air to circulate. Adjustable and easy to
use, it grows with the child, and wholesales
for $109.99. www.stokke.com
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grab
bag
1. Seeing Green Looking for options for earthfriendly shoppers? Lassig reprocesses used PET
bottles and crafts them into the fabric of its Green
Label line of diaper bags. All four designs—backpack,
small messenger bag, urban and neckline bag—come
in three color ways and comprise a spacious main
compartment, detachable inner compartments, a waterproof changing mat, a sealed compartment for wet
items as well as a bottle holder and lots of storage space
for diapers and other baby gear. Wholesale prices range
from $40.50 to $80.90. www.lassigusa.com
2. Stow Away Boken breaks into the market with a range of lightweight, convertible
diaper bags. Made from waterproof material
that easily wipes clean and spanning totes
and duffels to hip packs, the unisex bags are
designed to allow the wearer to be handsfree and fold into a small zip pouch for easy
storage and traveling. Wholesale prices range
from $17 to $38. www.bokenessentials.com
sleep
aid
1. Arm’s Reach Halo introduces the BassiNest Swivel
Sleeper, a moving bassinet that allows a newborn to sleep as
close as mom wants. The patented design allows the bassinet
to rotate a full 360 degrees from two different pivot points:
the first swivels elliptically, allowing the bassinet to be pulled
into the bed; the second rotates circularly, making it easy to
angle it as needed. Wholesaling for $120, other features include a nightlight, soothing nature and womb sounds, music
and gentle vibration. www.halosleep.com
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2. Sweet Dreams The Brica Magical Firefly Crib
Soother & Projector (SRP $59.99) combines the magic of
fireflies and natural soothing sounds composed by an Emmy
Award winning artist to help little ones drift into dreamland.
Gentle lights behind the mirror and frame mimic fireflies as
twinkling lights illuminate the ceiling. The simple control
panel features a built-in memory allowing the most recent
setting to be played at the touch of a button. www.brica.com
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3. Snug as a Bug Blanket on the Go by Bella Bundles is
a reversible blanket that snaps onto strollers and carriers to
ensure kids are kept super-snug. Better yet, the blankets can
go around mom’s neck for privacy while nursing. Available
in stylish cotton prints like chevron or damask, the blanket
wholesales from $30. www.bellabundles.com
3. Grab ‘n Go JJ Cole’s changing clutch
(wholesale price $10) offers a fashion-forward
solution for moms who want to stay organized
without sacrificing style. With its slim design
and three chic print options, no one would
suspect that it fits a wipes case and three
diapers and unfolds to a 19” by 28” padded
changing area. www.jjcolecollections.com
4. Quick Draw On-the-go diaper changes
are a cinch with A.D. Sutton’s Fisher-Price
clutch featuring its FastFinder Pocket System.
Wholesaling for $10, specially designed pockets labeled for diapers, wipes and disposal bags help
parents find what they need quickly and easily, and the
extra wide changing pad is a must for squirmy babies.
www.adsutton.com
5. Wizard of Oz J.L. Childress brings Australia’s
No. 1 selling diaper bags from nursery brand Ryco
to the U.S. Classic and affordable (with retail prices
averaging $59.99 to $69.99) every bag comes with a
coordinating, detachable pacifier pod, padded changing
pad, pouch for dirty diapers and wipes, internal pacifier
pocket and an insulated bottle pocket. An abundance of
internal and external pockets offer extra organization.
www.jlchildress.com
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4. On the Floor Pello has added a patent-pending oval design to its line of deluxe floor pillows.
Featuring the same raised edges, soft fabric and
padded center as the original, the new shape can
support twins, while still offering a safe place
for tummy time and fun reading spot for older
kids. Available in a kaleidoscope of colors and
prints, the pillows retail for $120, are machinewashable and have handles for easy portability.
www.mypello.com
5. Nap Star Ideal for home or travel, the LullaGo
by Chicco is a portable bassinet (SRP $149) that
can be disassembled and folded in under a minute, and
packed in a matching bag. The lightweight bassinet’s aluminum structure features anti-slip feet for stability, and a soft
fabric mattress and mesh inserts for aeration allow newborns to sleep comfortably. www.chiccousa.com
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strolling
along
1. It Takes Two Distributed in the U.S. by Happy
Kidz, European company Kleine Dreumes introduces the Kid-Sit, an easy-to-attach board and seat
that does exactly what it says on the tin. Using a
series of zip straps, the accessory attaches easily to
the rear of most strollers, creating space for another
child up to 4 years or 40lbs to sit or stand. The
Kid-Sit wholesales for $78. www.happykidssmart
parents.com
tub
time
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2. Baby Bunting The Shell by Imagine Baby
provides added protection for baby in all sorts of
weather. With its seamless fit to any infant car seat,
the water-resistant footmuff (wholesale $15) stays
securely in place—no more blankets falling off—
making it easy to bundle up baby before going out,
and toys or pacifiers can be attached with a strap to
the side elastic. www.imaginebaby.com
3. Luxe Liner Babies will love to snuggle into the
super-soft deep pile of Fareskind’s Cozy Traveler
Collection. Made from 100 percent Australian merino sheepskin, the liners’ natural insulation properties keep little ones dry in the summer and warm in
the winter. Water resistant and machine washable,
the liners are suitable for ages 0 to 36 months and
wholesale for $40. www.fareskind.com
4. Easy Rider With 12-inch pneumatic tires for
navigating bumpy sidewalks, active parents will
love the smooth ride offered by the versatile
Guzzie + Gus Connect +3 (SRP $599.99). The
reclining seat is removable and reversible
and a large canopy provides full coverage.
Other features include secret storage for a
purse or cell phone and a five-point harness.
www.guzzieandgus.com
5. Off-Road Versatile, robust and spacious, the one-piece fold Bugaboo Buffalo (SRP
$1,129) has a high wide seat and an extendable sun
canopy for extra protection against the elements.
For those who love escaping the city’s bustle on the
weekends, the Buffalo offers multiple luggage
options and is the first stroller with an official
safety certification to be able to hang up to
13lbs on the handlebar. www.bugaboo.com
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1. Toilet Training Intelligent Potty
makes potty training easier with a re-recordable sound module that allows parents to record a personalized message for their child.
When little ones begins to use the potty,
they will hear the sound of running water
after two seconds, which encourages them to
carry on. When they finish they will hear the
custom message, followed by a pleasant tune.
The potty retails for $59.99 and comes in 10
colors. www.intelligentpotty.com
2. Bath Buddies Lather away in style
with Little Twig’s fun and functional cotton
terry bath mitts. Gentle on baby’s delicate
skin, the scrubbers give skin a fresh glow by
washing away dead skin cells and surface impurities, leaving it perfectly nourished and
radiant. The bath mitts come in bumblebee
and ladybug options and retail for $4.49.
www.littletwig.com
3. Sharing Size Noodle & Boo’s
Newborn 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash (SRP $18)
is now available in a 16 oz. “sibling size” bottle. Soap-free and tearless, the high-moisture
formula does double duty, nourishing and
conditioning delicate skin and hair without
stripping natural moisture. Mild enough for
daily use, it can be used on newborns and
babies with sensitive skin. www.noodle
andboo.com
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4. Porta Potty My Carry Potty is a
line of 100 percent leak-proof potties that
allows kids to go anywhere. Assembly-free,
lightweight and easy to carry, the childproof clip-close lid and rubber seal ensures
that contents remain inside the potty until
parents can find a restroom to empty it. And
no disposable bags mean it’s better for the
environment. My Carry Potty retails for $30.
www.mycarrypotty.com
5. Au Naturel From shampoo to lotion,
each Wash with Water product is 100
percent vegan and cruelty free, made in the
U.S.A. from all natural and organic ingredients. The newest addition to the line is A
Star is Born, an after-bath collection (SRP
$22.60) comprising massage cream and
unscented baby lotion. The combination
of argan oil, roman chamomile and orange
blossom hydrates and protects sensitive skin
without harmful chemicals. www.washwith
water.me
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value
meal
1. Leak-Free Bébé Confort’s no-leak Easy Clip
bottle closes in just one clip, meaning no more
leaks and fussing at feeding time. And with its
super-smooth thread-free neck and wide opening, cleaning is a cinch. Easy Clip is also compatible with the brand’s new Natural Comfort teat,
which mimics the shape of mother’s breast and
reduces colic and regurgitation. Retailing for
$8.99 and $9.99, the bottle comes in 5oz., 9oz. and
12oz. options. www.bebeconfort.com
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2. Eco-Friendly Dishes Fantastic Dishes
by Zoë B Organic is the world’s first line of
dishwasher safe dinnerware made from corn.
The American-made bowls, plates and tumblers
look, feel and hold up just like ordinary plastic,
but don’t contain any toxic chemicals like BPA
or phthalates, meaning they’re safer for kids and
the environment. Available in five colors, each set
wholesales for $10. www.zoeborganictrade.com
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3. Start Early The latest line of dinnerware
from Good Seeds is specifically designed to
help teach kids lifelong healthy eating habits
that will last into adulthood. The plastic-, BPA-,
melamine- and phthalate-free plate, bowl and
cup feature fun illustrations representing the different food groups so kids become aware of what
they’re putting into their bodies. The set includes
kid-size cutlery and wholesales for $16. www.
goodseeds.co
4. Shaping Dinner Lollaland is complementing its flagship product, the Lollacup, with
a colorful—and educational—mealtime set.
Wholesaling for $20, the three-piece set includes
a square plate and circular bowl, perfectly sized
for toddler portions, and a triangular dipping cup
that keeps condiments from running onto food.
Made-in-the-U.S.A. with safe materials that have
been FDA-approved for use by young children,
the stackable dinnerware is easy to store and
dishwasher safe. www.lollaland.com
5. Safe Sipping Green Sprouts introduces the
Sip ‘n Straw Cup, a 2-in-1 cup with interchangeable tops that offers a non-toxic alternative to traditional sippy cups. Made of tempered glass lined
with a plastic shell, the design ensures liquids
only touch silicone and glass, preventing possible
chemical leeching and keeping liquids tasting
fresh. Wholesaling for $10, each cup includes a
no-drop silicone sippy top and a silicone straw
top. www.iplaybaby.com
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