To help you shop for your baby, we not only created this diverse list of local stores, we also pressed their owners, managers, and buyers to give us the scoop on new trends and products they really love. There’s a lot of good finds in this bundle. Enjoy.
Albee Baby
Interview with store manager Peter Roberge
What are the store’s core offerings?
We run the gamut of children’s products, from strollers to cribs to nursery furniture, and bedding and décor, diaper bags, toys, and feeding items. We have also expanded our layette and clothing offerings.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery?
People are spending less money on crib decoration (especially on bumpers) and more on other aspects of the nursery like sheets, blankets, and wall art.
How long has Albee Baby been in business?
This is our 80th year, owned and operated by our founder’s children and grandchildren.
Any advice for parents shopping for a nursery?
Everyone wants a nursery that’s special and comfortable, but make sure it’s comfortable for the parent as well as the baby. And don’t be afraid of colors. Just don’t overdo it.
What’s one product you love right now?
I love Best Chair gliders because they’re wonderful and also affordable.
715 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-662-7337; albeebaby.com
Babies“R”Us
What are the store’s core offerings?
Babies”R”Us offers an unparalleled assortment of apparel, gear, and furniture for little ones, as well as all of the necessary essentials for baby. Plus, our registry is the top choice for expectant parents everywhere.
How long has the store been in business?
The Toys“R”Us family gave birth to us in 1996.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery?
Kids’ favorite characters are popping up everywhere, including on furniture and bedding!
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
The more functional the baby’s room, the better off you’ll be—so consider a convertible crib.
What’s one product you love right now?
The Truly Scrumptious What Do You See Blanket. Available for both boys and girls, it’s reversible and it’ll have your little one laughing, learning, and exploring two sides of fun.
4-30 Union Square East, 212-798-9905; babiesrus.com
Behr’s Superstore
Interview with co-owner Jared Behr
What are your store’s core offerings?
Behr’s has the largest display of fine baby and kids’ furniture and accessories in the Tri-Sate area (housed in over 30,000 square feet).
How long has the store been in business?
107 years! We’re now in the fifth generation.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery?
Whether it’s a light gray or a brownish-gray (greige), moms are loving gray as a great gender-neutral color.
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
Don’t even think about a used crib as it’s unlikely to meet the current safety standards.
What’s one product you love right now?
Romina’s Venice Crib in the Argenton D’Oro finish. It’s stunning, Greenguard certified, and made using 100% solid beechwood. The crib is treated with real gold in the finishing process to give it a stunning, shimmering look.
1220 Hicksville Road, Seaford, Long Island, 516-541-2347; behrsfurniture.com
Bellini
Interview with co-owner Michelle Freedberg
What are your store’s core offerings?
Our signature collection of nursery and juvenile furniture, including cribs, beds, dressers, bookcases, armoires, and gliders. We have the Bellini collection as well as other custom lines.
How long has the store been in business?
30 years.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery?
In furniture and textiles, metallic is a huge trend with geometric bold patterns; we’re also seeing a combination of traditional with a more modern edge.
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
I tell all my clients to make the room personal. Incorporate your own sense of style instead of buying something “prepackaged.”
What’s one product you love right now?
My favorite crib in our collection is definitely the Mercedes. I love the spindle details and elegant carvings.
Several locations in metro area, including 1305 Second Avenue, 212-517-9233; bellini.com
Boing Boing
Interview with owner Karen Paperno
What are your store’s core offerings?
As the country’s first breastfeeding boutique, we are proud to offer the widest selection of nursing bras in the Tri-State area. We also have a great selection of nursing clothing and breast pumps (to rent or buy).
How long has the store been in business?
At your cervix since 1996.
Notice any interesting trends in feeding gear?
There has been a big increase in the use of Moby Wraps, which are soft wraps to carry your baby.
Please share some breastfeeding advice.
Skin-to-skin contact calms the baby while encouraging breastfeeding. You should carry your baby, not your car seat.
What’s one product you love right now?
I love Hatch Things’ Cold Snap. This coat extension cover keeps baby wrapped up warm and dry when you’re wearing your infant in an Ergo or a wrap.
204 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-398-0251; boingboingmaternity.com
BuyBuy Baby
What are the store’s core offerings?
We offer a full assortment of merchandise for children from birth to 4 years, including strollers, car seats, bouncers, bassinets, cribs, clothing, bottles, breast pumps, monitors, and various personal care items.
How long has the store been in business?
buybuy BABY has been open for business since 1996.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery lately?
Storage and organization is hugely important these days! The double dresser has become a key piece in the nursery because of the extra drawer space.
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
Find things that fit your space and your design aesthetic that will grow with your child.
What’s one product you loves right now?
The Ubbi Diaper Pail. It’s a stainless steel diaper pail that doesn’t absorb odors!
Several stores in metro area, including 270 Seventh Avenue, 917-344-1555; buybuybaby.com
Caribou Baby
Interview with owner Adriane Stare
What are your store’s core offerings?
Caribou Baby offers eco-friendly maternity and baby products and educational classes for new and expectant families. We’re especially known for our selection of baby carriers and cloth diapers.
How long has the store been in business?
Almost 2 years.
Notice any interesting trends in pre- or post-natal clothes?
We are seeing woolen nursing tops and bras, baby clothing and diaper covers, and even some wool woven wrap baby carriers.
Please share one piece of babywearing advice.
Start slowly with babywearing. Being able to get a fussy baby in quickly, nurse easily and be totally comfortable in a carrier are all learned skills. If you’re struggling, get some pointers from an experienced friend, local babywearing group, or a certified instructor.
What’s one product you love right now?
I am totally in love with my M coat right now! This is a no-fuss, stylish and super easy-to-use maternity and babywearing jacket.
272 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, 347-460-2229; cariboubaby.com
giggle
Interview with owner Ali Wing
What are your store’s core offerings?
Nursery, gear and gifts. This encompasses cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs, décor, bedding, layette, keepsakes, and more, including giggle’s own line of baby products, giggle Better Basics and giggle’s Best Baby Registry.
How long has the store been in business?
The first concept store opened fall of 2003, and the flagship and first NY store opened fall of 2005.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery?
A neutral color palette never goes out of style, and right now there is a gorgeous array of grays around. When you lay a foundation with neutrals, you can swap out accent colors to keep the look fresh.
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
Go slow with your choices, and try some on for size before you commit to too many products—whether it’s a stroller, carrier, or even diapers.
What’s one product you love right now?
Super adorable, made with healthy materials, and tons of fun to ride on, the giggle Lion Rocker is an entertaining toy and sweet décor piece all in one.
1033 Lexington Avenue, 212-249-4249; 352 Amsterdam Avenue, 212-362-8680; 120 Wooster Street, 212-334-5817; giggle.com
J & R Jr.
Interview with Executive VP Jason Friedman
What are your store’s core offerings?
Baby Gear: strollers and car seats along with feeding and an assortment of baby accessories. Also, a toy department focusing on newborn through 8 years old.
How long have you been in business?
One year! Our big 1st Birthday Party celebration is scheduled for March 7-10.
Notice any interesting trends lately in nursery furnishings or accessories?
I’d say the purchase of multiple strollers for different uses: this one for walking around the city, this one for when I know I will be getting in and out of cabs, etc.
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
Do your research. Recommendations from friends are nice, but just because they like something does not mean it will work for you.
What’s one nursery product you love right now?
Some products we love right now include the City Mini stroller by Baby Jogger, the Leaf swing by Nuna, the 7AM Enfant foot muffs, and, always the staple of our store, the Britax convertible car seats.
23 Park Row, 212-238-9000; jr.com
NessaLee Baby
Interview with owner Vanessa Antonelli
What are your store’s core offerings?
We feature luxury strollers, gear, layette, clothing, modern furniture, and custom nursery design services.
How long has the store been in business?
Our Freehold, NJ store opened almost 3 years ago, and our second location in Livingston, NJ is opening this spring.
Notice any interesting trends in the nursery?
Focal walls are all the rage. Wallpaper, stencils, and decals are still popular, but parents-to-be are getting even more creative with the materials. I’ve seen everything from brick to driftwood and even a vintage barn door.
Please share one piece of great advice for parents shopping for a nursery.
I always suggest that you find photos of other nurseries that inspire you, print them out, and bring them along when you shop. Pinterest is a great resource.
What’s one nursery product that you just love right now?
I love Spi Baby’s Beckett Dresser! It has a unique Hollywood Regency feel, is available in beautiful candy colors, and would be a show piece in any room.
Freehold (346 Mounts Corner Drive, 732-431-0008); Livingston (coming soon, 973-200-2422)
Upper Breast Side
Interview with owner Felina Rakowski-Gallagher
What are your store’s core offerings?
We’re a full service lactation resource center. We rent hospital-grade and personal use breast pumps. We fit women for supportive nursing bras and beautiful, accessible nursing clothing. And we’re experts at troubleshooting nursing challenges.
How long has the store been in business?
Since 1999.
Please share one piece of breastfeeding advice.
If you are having trouble, run, don’t walk, to the phone and call a board-certified lactation consultant. (They can be found at nylca.org.) Then you can immediately begin protecting your milk supply until you and the baby regain momentum.
What’s one product you love right now?
We have a nursing tank top right now from Australia that our moms can’t live without! The brand is Ripe.
135 West 70th Street, Suite 1L; 212-873-2653; upperbreastside.com
Yummy Mummy
Interview with owner Amanda Cole
What are your store’s core offerings?
All of our offerings are geared towards making breastfeeding easier and more comfortable—and we sell tons of nursing bras, nursing tops, and breast pumps.
How long has the store been in business?
We opened in May of 2009.
Notice any interesting trends in maternity clothes?
Just a few years ago, clothing was designed either for an expectant mom or a mom who was breastfeeding. Today, tops and dresses are made to be worn both during pregnancy and after pregnancy for breastfeeding. We are also seeing a lot more organic fabrics.
Please share one piece of breastfeeding advice.
It’s really important to be your own advocate. If you’re determined to breastfeed, educate yourself with a prenatal class. Speak up in the hospital to ensure you’re seen by the lactation consultant. Tell your partner to protect you from anyone who isn’t in support of your breastfeeding goals.
What’s one product you love right now?
The pregnancy label, NOM, recently launched a nursing line. It is flying off our shelves.
1201 Lexington Avenue, 212-879-8669; yummymummystore.com
