Parents Save Time, Money and Clutter with Baby Gear Group

by Aubrey Sheretta, for the Shuttle

Parenthood brings With it immense joy and love, but it also comes with a myriad of expenses, decisions and…stuff. From bassinets and highchairs to carriers and strollers, the time that goes into research and the cost of purchasing baby gear can quickly add up.

It doesn’t stop when baby is born. When parents finally use their carefully curated items, it’s inevitable that they will need a different size or version to better suit the needs of their family (we all know someone who laments buying the wrong high-end stroller). And the biggest challenge is that babies grow out of gear in the blink of an eye!

Recognizing the need for a more efficient, costeffective solution, Philadelphia mom Bo Zhao created Baby Gear Group in 2020. It’s a kind of “library” with the most popular items available for long-term rentals.

“My mission is to change the way parents gear up for their babies, to one that prioritizes sustainability and community,” she said.

While preparing for the arrival of her first daughter, Zhao experienced the challenges of what to buy firsthand. She found herself wondering if someone could just tell her what gear she’d need and let her try the items at home without having to expose herself or her baby to germs.

“Can I get the nicer stuff but also not spend an arm and a leg?” she asked. “I'm happy to get preloved items, but are they going to be clean and complete? And can someone get these things out of my home when I'm done so it’s not cluttering up my limited space and I don't have to think about storing or selling them?”

Baby Gear Group allows parents to try instead of buy, keep what works and swap what doesn’t, and give back the items once they’re outgrown. It then finds the next family to love the gear, keeping it out of landfills and reducing the unnecessary manufacturing of new items.

The group won the Philly Family Magazine LOVE Award for Best Baby Gear Resource in 2021 and 2022, and articles about them have appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, GRID magazine and on Parents.com.

In partnership with Weavers Way, the group is offering 50% off their first month of membership. You can sign up for a monthly plan to cover all your gear needs or rent a la carte to test out items at a fair price with no commitment. Use code WEAVERS at babygeargroup.com to get started.