8 great Brooklyn baby shops

Where you’ve got babies, you’ve got baby shops. And in the baby-friendly borough of Brooklyn, you’ve got some of the best. In the age of online shopping, these neighborhood stores are a diamond in the rough. The owners patiently answer all of your pressing baby questions. They provide a place for the community to convene. They help build long-lasting mommy friendships. And they know every member of your family’s name.

While we know we can’t possibly mention all of them, here’s a few of our favorites from across this great borough we at Well Rounded call home. (Check out our Manhattan picks here!)

1. Acorn

It’s been more than 10 years since Diane Crespo and Karin Schaefer set up shop on Atlantic Street, and moms have been flocking to their green strorefront ever since. No matter which heirloom-quality toy, doll, artwork or piece of nursery decor you decide on, your Acorn gift will make you the star of any baby shower. And with the amazing selection of toddler toys–from teepees to tutus, arts & crafts to hand-crafted wooden animals–you won’t be able to leave this magical shop without a gift for baby’s big sib too. Acorn, 323 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Brooklyn.

2. Wild Was Mama

People from all over New York make special trips to Brooklyn for Wild Was Mama’s (formerly Caribou Baby) baby-wearing expertise.The store is stocked with everything a green mama could want, from cloth diapers to wooden toys, holistic teething remedies, and of course the wrap or carrier you originally went in there for. They also have a calendar full of activities and classes for preggers and new moms that will lead you there most days of the week. You might even leave with a friend. Wild Was Mama, 272 Driggs Ave., Greenpoint

3. Norman & Jules

Owners Courtney Ebner and Avi Kravitz have created an imaginative wonderland, filled with beautiful, handcrafted and sustainably sourced toys, as well as a kid-friendly artwork collection of one-of-a-kind gems. The lush backyard, which opened as a play space this summer, is a city mama’s dream…it’s so comfy-cozy, we sometimes wish we could go there without our kids to soak in the urban zen. Don’t tell anyone. Norman & Jules, 158 7th Ave., Park Slope.

4. Pipsqueak Children’s Shoppe

As those flocking to snatch up brownstones in this beautiful neighborhood have already discovered, Bedford-Stuyvesant is a great place to have kids. At the center of this family-friendly universe is Pipsqueak Children’s Shoppe, an enchanting boutique filled with affordable goodies for babies and kids. It’s also a great place to start your new mommy network, with classes, workshops, yoga and sing-alongs for every stage of NYC parenting. Pipsqueak, 1124 Bedford Ave., Bed-Stuy.

5. Matt & Juliette

Matt & Juliette is a toy store that makes you feel like you are traveling back in time, when plastic wasn’t reigning over our little ones’ universe. It also carries books, arts & crafts supplies, DIY goodies, clothes and room decor; and it’s got a serious(ly elaborated) collection of toy dinosaurs. The store is a treasure trove of wooden toys that will look good in your living room, and a lot of them are made in Europe, where production standards are higher and stricter. Something to think about when you’re buying a toy that you know will end up in your little one’s mouth. Matt & Juliette, 196 N 9th Street Williamsburg

6. Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel is a treasure trove of kid paraphernalia and a dream playroom for babies and big kids alike. That’s partly because the store moonlights as a second-hand store enabling you to trade in bulky baby gear and children’s clothes. Don’t dread the crowded racks and shelves — the shop is full gems, from board games to puzzles, rockers, scooters, books, strollers, infant car seats and more. And if you’re looking for clothes, it yields many a discovery from both mainstream brands, like Zara Kid and Baby Gap, and local independent designers. Not too shabby for your Brooklyn baby. Flying Squirrel, 87 Oak Street, Greenpoint.

7. Mini Jake

The staff and products at Mini Jake aim to put the “fun” back in functional. They have great modern furniture for both the nursery and the playroom and basically all of the gear that you will need for baby. Yep, that’s right — from stroller to car seat to high chair to bouncer. Toys? Yep, they have that too… From scooters to legos to more educational options and books. And whenever you’re there to shop, your kids get to play, which makes them feel right at home. Plus, you can build your registry there with a stand that knows — really knows — about what they’re talking about, which is a nice touch in the world of online shopping. Mini Jake, 178 N. 9th St. Williamsburg

8. Lullaby Baby

We love a good Amazon order that comes right to our door. But why turn to online shopping when you have a place like this in your neighborhood? Nestled in Park Slope, Lullaby’s the gear go-to for Brooklyn’s newest, tiniest residents. Lullaby’s selection of baby goods — from travel systems to swaddles to nursery decor and more — is chic and modern, and the shop provides personalized services like furniture assembly and home deliveries. So if you’re looking for a place to register, this Brooklyn location is it — plus, if shopping for baby means supporting your local businesses, what’s not to like? Lullaby Baby, 488 5th Ave, Park Slope.

Got a favorite Brooklyn Baby shop? Tell us in the comments below!

Check out our 8 Great Brooklyn Baby Shops from 2013.

Homepage image source.

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