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Carriage Suite – East Harlem

When my editor mentioned this Black woman-owned, luxury baby boutique to me, I knew I had to check it out and scrolled through its Instagram in awe. Since launching in August 2021, co-owners Robin and Patricia have devoted themselves to their customer's needs. With a mission to provide a comfortable and convenient shopping experience, parents appreciate their focus on offering quality baby products from brands like Mima, Cybex, Doona, and Thule, plus tons of resources to the Harlem community.

Babesta – Tribeca

This popular Tribeca shop is one of my favorite brick and mortars downtown. Its headphone-adorned baby logo lures you into its shop, where you'll find fun hip-hop and rock and roll onesies and graphic Ts featuring Bowie and Biggie, the best baby gear for city living, and unique gifts for the youngest New Yorkers. Unlike larger chains, Babesta isn't overwhelmingly stocked with items, and it sources from independent designers worldwide. Around the corner, you'll find its sister store, Babesta Cribz, which offers edgy, chic furniture, artistic décor, and toys for little ones from lines like Jonathan Adler and Acme World.

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Mini Jake is packed with hip picks for modern tots. Photo courtesy of the store

Mini Jake – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Parents looking for products that take a modern, functional approach to play should check out Mini Jake. It has everything you need to keep your kiddos entertained (and you sane). Its toy stock includes items from Plan Toys, Haba Toys, PlayMonster, and more that are great for early development. There's a pretty awesome Keith Haring play mat I swear every mini New Yorker needs! As a staple in this Brooklyn neighborhood, it's a popular spot to shop for tots because of its wide selection (strollers, clothes, furniture, bedding, decor, books) and excellent customer service.

Thank Heaven – Forest Hills, Queens

As a Queens resident, I'm going to admit just how disappointed I am that our borough doesn't have a more extensive selection of small businesses to shop from for our toddler. Thank heavens for Thank Heaven! This sweet boutique is a charming little shop with the most precious gifts to make any kid feel special and adorable outfits for everyday play and the holidays.

PiccoliNY – Online

Coming from a long line of small business owners, it only made sense for PiccoliNY store owner Alex Zagami Ng to open a baby store in Little Italy, just around the corner from her grandfather's bakery. Sadly, COVID forced the closure of the physical shop, but you can still purchase bold, hip gifts for the cool kids in your lives online. Her iconic hot dog pretzel NY onesies are a fave, along with versions that feature a bacon egg and cheese on a roll, lady Liberty, and graffiti cans which make you feel like you've got a piece of NYC with you no matter where you go. Need more reason to support this local shop? She's offering Mommy Poppins readers a 20 percent discount with code Mommypoppins20. 

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Lalo Land is a playful paradise for little ones and their parents. Photo by Erin Hardy

Lalo Land – East Village

Greg and Michael are two young dads who founded the Lalo brand and recently launched this flagship store, featuring a play café, a made-to-order play experience, a nursing nook, and various interactive classes hosted by Union Square Play. We were introduced to the Lalo high chair a few weeks before starting our daughter's journey with solid foods. It's a pretty swanky seat for a tiny foodie to enjoy those first bites, comes in gorgeous colors, is made of non-toxic materials, and converts into a chair when kids are older. Anyone with young tots should check out the fabulous space for playtime and book an appointment for a product consultation.

Smoochie Baby – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Named after her now 15-year-old son, Smoochie Baby owner Penelope knew she had to open a boutique to carry the trendiest baby clothes that were just as unique as the child rocking them. Launched in 2006, you can stop by this store to check out its fun collections geared toward newborns through age 10, including brands like Bizz x Siss, Appaman, and more.

Healthynest – Soho

Since selling her popular Happy Family Organics brand a few years ago, founder Shazi Visram has launched Healthybaby. This product line includes diapers, skincare, prenatal nutrition, and environmentally friendly cleaning products. On a mission to protect and enrich the full potential of every child, Visram's parenting journey has taught her that there is so much more than food in a baby's environment to influence their healthy development. During the pandemic, her developmental play space Healthynest opened its doors in Tribeca. With whimsical, fun floating clouds, this is a tranquil space where parents can take a break with their baby (with a private area for breastfeeding and pumping), meet other families during community events, and partake in free 1-on-1 multi-sensory sessions with experts. Its products are available to sample, and you can shop online and pick up in-store the same day.

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Buy Buy Baby is a go-to for all the baby basics—and then some. Photo by the author

Buy Buy Baby – Multiple Locations

If you're looking for a one-stop shop for all the essentials a baby needs at affordable prices, Buy Buy Baby is an obvious destination. Its prices are pretty reasonable, and you can grab a coupon online and pile up your cart either in person or online. We checked out its newer location in Industry City, Brooklyn, because it had a Munchkin swing we desperately needed, and of course, we ended up with cute outfits, snack pouches, and puffs, too!

Little Moony – Chelsea

The story of this Chelsea boutique from a mother-daughter duo is genuinely inspiring. NYC fashion designer and co-owner Thuy had an "aha moment," realizing she should collaborate with her mother (a master tailor for more than 40 years) on an eco-friendly clothing line for children. Believing in slow fashion and sustainability, many customers love that the store has a zero-waste policy, where fabric scraps get transformed into matching headbands, clips, and more.

Bambi Baby – Old Place, Staten Island

Over the last 46 years, the Ortega family has delivered everything but the baby at this family-owned business. To make life easier for new and expecting moms, and even the most experienced parents, families can head to this location for a wide range of furniture, strollers, car seats, clothing, and accessories at affordable prices. If you're looking for top-notch, trendy baby gear, it won't disappoint. We spotted the new Bugaboo Butterfly compact stroller on pre-order, and now I think we need it for summer trips.

The Wild – Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Parenting is a wild ride, and the folks at this Brooklyn baby store are there to support your journey. Whether you're shopping in person or online, it offers a great selection. It also offers classes where you and your mini-me can make new friends. There's prenatal yoga for expectant mothers, music and movement for babies and children, a new dad's survival group, lactation support groups, and a jam-packed calendar full of events.