Oh, Baby!

I’ve been a journalist my entire career, but most of my experience has been in the womenswear industry. Since I’ve worked at Earnshaw’s, I’ve learned a great many new things. Children’s fashion shows, for example, are quite different from their adult counterparts. It’s a bit like herding cats; you’re lucky if the child walks to the end of the runway  or doesn’t run off to play with a balloon. Working with babies poses an even greater challenge. One of our editors explained to me how indicative a photo shoot’s outcome is depending on the mood of its mini models. If the baby is cranky, the shoot stops for a nap. If an infant is hungry, the crew has to wait. To that end, an extra level of appreciation is called for when turning to cherubic fashion spread “Welcome to the Jungle,” on page 22.

In regard to keeping our baby community as happy as can be, the October issue—the infant issue—profiles some of the best gear on the market, from tech-forward music devices for babies in utero to the latest in baby strollers, slings and sleep aids. For top market picks for 2017, check out “Gear Up,” our comprehensive gear guide found on page 10. In addition, this month’s Q&A, on page 16, talks baby gear with Balboa Baby Founder Noel Pepys, highlighting his journey in the business since he was, ahem, a baby. And, to be as thorough as possible, we’ve also explored the maternity market, on page 8, noting that expectant women are increasingly calling for fashion-forward items they can wear long after their pregnancy.

In brief, one thing parents, manufacturers and retailers alike strive for is to provide the best experience for babies. As we’ve all come to discover, when we were babies (though we may not consciously remember it), we were little sponges. Up until a child turns 3-years-old, his or her brain is making 700 new connections every second, according to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Those connections mean a child is rapidly learning, second by second, all facets of skills needed to navigate their lives. They are soaking up their new world and, consequently, the gear, toys and clothing parents expose them to matters.