The road to motherhood can be an exciting one. Many new moms experience a range of emotions from pride to anticipation to nervousness. Fortunately, there are several companies that offer pregnancy products to help support women on their new journey.
Because there are so many companies to choose from, many young mothers are choosing to support brands with values that they identify with. Reports show that millennial and Gen-Z buyers are more likely to purchase from businesses with practices that are inclusive, environmentally responsible and socially aware. Still, for women who want to support local or small businesses, wading through the many big name brands and large corporations can be frustrating.
Often, larger name-brand corporations can afford robust marketing teams with strategies that push many small or Black-owned businesses out of the competition. It’s no secret that the majority of small businesses struggle to stay afloat. According to a report from CNBC, 70 percent of small businesses close shop after only a decade of operation. What’s worse, 80 percent of Black businesses fail within their first 18 months.
There are plenty of reasons why so many Black businesses fail. In a report from Black Business Boost, a lack of funding, failure to plan, and too much overhead are all parts of the problem. Still, when Black businesses fail, we all do.
Supporting Black-owned businesses helps promote the Black community’s economic advancement. Purchasing Black-owned pregnancy products goes a long way in the fight for financial equality. It allows businesses to grow, creating more career opportunities for Black people who are often overlooked for higher-level positions at other companies. It also aids in closing the racial wealth gap and helps level the playing field when it comes to representation in marketing and advertisement.
When Black-owned businesses win, it’s a win for the Black community as a whole. Here is a list of Black-owned pregnancy products that you can purchase to support Black companies:
1.
Crunchy Boutique
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The Crunchy Boutique is a Godsend for expectant mothers who prefer a more natural approach to parenting. The Black-owned and family-owned business provides safe, quality baby products that parents can feel good about purchasing.
In 2018, they created their popular West Coast Dipes, an affordable line of quality cloth diapers. The diapers pay homage to the owners’ home state of California with designs incorporating popular California city names and area codes.
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Although they have a storefront located in Mansfield, Texas, Crunchy Boutique products are also available online. At Crunchy Boutique, parents can purchase anything from breast milk freezer trays to wristbands that combat morning sickness.
2.
Sweet Blackberry
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Karyn Parsons played the character Hilary Banks in the cult-classic television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Aside from that, she’s also a mother of two, a boy and a girl.
Following her role in one of the biggest Black television series ever, she founded Sweet Blackberry. Sweet Blackberry provides educational children’s books about little-known achievements in African American history. Recognizing that Black children aren’t being taught about their great ancestral accomplishments in school, she thought to do it herself.
From stories about Janet Collins, a historic Black ballerina to Garrett Morgan, the Black man who invented the traffic stop, Black children will love reading about a history they can be proud of.
3.
Sun and Lace
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Sun and Lace is a Black-owned business that sells adorable footwear for babies. As a mother of three and founder of the company, Briana’s goal to create handcrafted baby shoes that are stylish and comfortable became a success. Recognizing a lack of footwear options for baby boys, she worked to channel her frustration into a booming business.
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Her line of footwear ranges from boots and Oxfords to moccasins. And each pair of shoes is expertly-crafted with sustainable leather for the environmentally-friendly shopper. There’s even a line of fashion accessories that complement the shoes. She offers a wide selection of leather purses, fashionable scarves, and hair accessories like scrunchies and barrettes.
4.
Happy Mango
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Catering to a wide variety of pregnancy needs, Happy Mango is a one-stop shop for many Black mothers. The company was founded by owner Phnewfula Frederikse, a Black woman with a mission. By offering eco-friendly products for both mother and child, expecting families can feel good about their purchase, knowing that had a positive impact on the environment.
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From postpartum underwear to car seats, Happy Mango has it all. They even provide consultations, extend curbside services for busy parents, and offer help with baby shower registries. And to help Moms of multiples, the company offers a discount when they purchase two of the same product.
5.
Yinibini Baby
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Started by a young Afro-Latina, Yinibini Baby is a store that carries affordable, high-quality baby clothing with unique designs. The owner, Soyini takes her craft seriously. Using her original illustrations, she screen-prints organic cotton fabric by hand to create t-shirts, onesies, and gowns for infants. When making her handsewn bibs, she follows the same process.
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The store offers other essential items that support your baby’s health and wellness as well. Some items include baby sunglasses that protect your child’s eyes or silicon toothbrushes designed to help train your child how to safely brush their teeth and gums.
6.
STINA & MAE
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STINA & MAE is a Black-owned and operated store with a desire to support mothers. Its founder, Mishell, was inspired by the strength of “two bad a** mamas”, her grandmother and great-grandmother. Building off of the legacy they left behind, STINA & MAE was created to foster that same strength in other moms all over the country.
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They sell quality comfort items including baby blankets and nursing pads. And because its founder is a former fashion journalist, customers can appreciate the many adorable designs to choose from. Even better, the feel-good company donates 2 percent of its revenue to charities and organizations that fight childhood hunger.