Over 800,000 mothers run their own businesses part-time in the UK according to the Office of National Statistics, with many more no doubt working hard behind the scenes to pursue their own dreams of entrepreneurship too. We want to celebrate and support those who have launched their own brands, as well as provide inspiration to business-minded mums, across all sectors including baby essentials, beauty treats, and fashion. Here are 11 fabulous baby and kids’ brands created by mums that you’ll love…
Etta Loves
After seeing firsthand the captivating effect black and white patterns have on babies after the birth of her daughter Etta, new mum Jen had the idea to create baby essentials that stimulate and aid visual development as well as being practical. She used the science about what babies can and can’t see to launch Etta Loves, a brand featuring everything from muslins to play mats that are equally loved by babies and parents alike. Shop the collection at ettaloves.com.
playHOORAY!
Claire Russell was a new mum trying to find ways to stimulate and entertain her baby boy when she launched her business, playHOORAY!, five years ago. Along with her original Play Prompts cards for babies through to young children, she now offers courses, resources for children who are starting school, and her book – The playHOORAY! Handbook.
MORE: playHOORAY! Founder Claire Russell shares the secrets to her business success
Mabel and Fox
Making nursery essentials like changing mats and play mats a lot more stylish, Mabel & Fox was originally launched as a maternity leave project and has developed into a site loved by style savvy mums thanks to the original designs alongside pieces from brands like Little Dutch. Check out mabelandfox.com for more.
Hallie and Harlow
Mum-of-two Christy Bryant launched her business to fill a gap in the market she spotted following the birth of her daughters, Hallie and Harlow. She struggled to find beautiful muslins for the girls so decided to make her own, and the resulting collections include pretty florals, colourful fruits and botanicals that look way too good for babies to spit up on! Shop the collection at hallieandharlow.com.
Month of Sundays
If you’re looking for the ultimate new baby gift or special keepsake for your own child, it doesn’t get much better than a Month of Sundays Childhood Journal. Recognising that many mums want to document special memories about their children beyond the first year, it features pages for each year from 0-18, with sections to log details on first holidays, days at school and more. Buy yours at Monthofsundaysjournal.com.
Mabel’s Playroom
Get simple yet educational and fun play ideas for little ones at Mabel’s Playroom, a subscription service launched by Katie Shaw. As well as showcasing ideas for babies, toddlers and young children, Katie also shares play-based learning printables, expert tips and the reasoning of why play is so beneficial to little ones. Sign up at mabelsplayroom.co.uk.
Mama Designs
As the name indicates, Mama Designs offers pieces designed for mums, by mums, and was founded by Keira during her maternity leave 13 years ago. After struggling to find a breastfeeding cover she made one herself, followed by the Babasac sleeping bag that features zip out layers so it can be used all year round. Now the site features everything from bibs to bamboo makeup remover pads, all featuring clever designs that mums will love. Shop online at mamadesigns.co.uk.
The Little Sensory Box
Want to buy toys to aid your baby’s development but not sure what to get or how to use it? This is where The Little Sensory Box and it’s subscription package comes in. You can sign up for quarterly boxes filled with carefully picked sensory toys and tips of how to use them for your baby’s first year, or shop a range of other educational and eco-friendly toys for babies and toddlers in the Sensory Play Shop. Shop now at thelittlesensorybox.com.
RELATED: The Little Sensory Box founder Dee reveals how her baby inspired her to launch her business
Gummee
Jodine Boothby’s son was only ten weeks old when he started teething, and when he kept gnawing on his hands but struggled to use traditional teething toys, she designed the world’s first teething mitten. The Gummee teething glove is designed to securely stay on baby’s hand offering them something to chew on without making their skin sore, and now the range has expanded to include teethers for children at all stages of their teething journey. See more at gummee.life.
SnoozeShade
A game changer for getting little ones to nap on the go, SnoozeShade is your very own portable black out blind that can safely be used to cover your baby’s pram or pushchair for sleep, while providing them with the ventilation and UV protection they need to stay safe. No wonder it’s won over 70 awards since it was invented by mum Cara in 2010. Shop the collection at Snoozeshade.com or on Amazon.
RELATED: Mum-owned health and beauty businesses you’ll love
Bibado
There’s no doubt about it, weaning is messy business, especially if you’re a mum of twins! After tiring of the havoc mealtimes was causing to her daughters’ clothes, high chairs and kitchen floor, British mum Rachel cut up an old umbrella to keep the mess at bay, sparking the idea for Bibado. Her bibs fasten underneath the highchair tray meaning they catch any dropped food while allowing babies to eat and explore new textures and tastes. The idea is such a hit they are now estimated to help one in six families in the UK. Buy yours at bibado.co.uk.
What’s your favourite mum-owned brand, or have you started one of your own? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch to share your story.