Babies by the Sea: How to Grow a Kid Naturally

The first thing I usually notice upon entering Babies by the Sea Boutique in Cardiff Towne Center is the towering “Tree of Life” sculpture watching gently over the store’s toy testing area. With its hand-carved trunk made of reclaimed wood and hundreds of glistening, multicolored hand-blown recycled glass leaves, the tree provides the perfect setting for children’s story time, which is regularly enjoyed as one of the boutique’s many well-attended community offerings.

The tree is designed to represent diversity, but it could also be seen as a symbol of the store’s core values: supporting a healthy and natural birth, baby, mama and environment. In kind, a sign outside the store declares, "Growing Kids Naturally."

Thoughtfully designed and based upon sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, the boutique evokes feelings of comfort and warmth for all who enter. Rich browns and vibrant green hues of non-VOC paint envelop patrons, while eco-conscious materials are given new life in the form of bamboo shelving, recycled pallets for display tables, burlap coffee sacks for wall coverings, reclaimed and salvaged urban wood for beams and recycled glass countertops.

“As a mother of a toddler, it is important for me to walk the talk,” says Laura Fairchild, co-owner and former proprietor of the award-winning L.A. Fairchild Boutique and Denim Bar.  “I try many of the products we carry … at home first.  I want to make sure that we are providing families the opportunity to purchase unique and healthy products that deliver what they promise and, just as importantly, are a hit with the kids … and what better gift can we give our children than a supportive, healthy and fun learning and growing experience?”

I’ve shopped at Babies by the Sea since they opened last year because I am ever-fond of toys and clothes that are not only healthy for kids and the environment, but also last much longer than the plastic, poorly made junk.

Another way the store is unique is the fact that Fairchild’s co-owner is Dr. Robert Biter, a local OB/GYN who believes wholeheartedly in birth as a natural process.

“I believe that childbirth is transformative and natural,” he says. “It is a normal process that should empower women and not make them fearful. For that reason, the books represented in the store address the transformation of birth and the power of women, not the scary rare complications of abnormal childbirth.

"Because I also believe that as health care providers we should also address the health of our environment," he added, "we have chosen to offer the Hygiea breastfeeding line, a local company who creates breast pumps and supplies that are more ecologically friendly and that also support at-risk women shelters.”

Dr. Biter also helps choose products that support women staying holistically connected to her birth process, and those that do the same for parents once the baby comes along. Natural skin care lines, nursing bras, BPA-free plastic bottles, baby carriers and adorable organic clothes up to size four fill the shelves. If you don’t live nearby, you can also shop them online.

Lately, I’ve been in love with a hand-knit cap we got there for my 1-year-old by Bla Bla Kids. Ours is a kitty (who can resist the knitted-on ears and whiskers?) but they come in many other varieties as well. I also really like the hand sanitizer they carry by Clean Well, made from patented, plant-based Ingenium. It’s the only one I’ve found that’s all natural, with no alcohol, but kills 99.99 percent of germs.

In addition to the products they sell, Babies by the Sea furthers its commitment to support the local birth community at large by offering lectures and classes for pregnant couples as well as new parents and kids. Upcoming classes include lectures on the terrible twos and reproductive acupuncture, plus classes on hypnobirthing, baby/toddler music and postpartum yoga with baby.

It surprises me that Babies by the Sea is currently celebrating its first anniversary, as it already seems so entrenched in the community. I look forward to seeing what the next year will bring. With such talented leadership at the helm, and strong vision to boot, I can only imagine it will be impressive.

Babies by the Sea Boutique is located at 2007 San Elijo Ave. in Cardiff by the Sea. For more information, visit babiesbytheseaboutique.com.