Baby Bin puts the Trunk Club model in motion for new parents

According to a survey conducted by BabyCenter.com, new parents should expect to spend an average of $10,000 on a baby’s first year of life. If that's not stressful enough, in the first 24 months he or she will transform every two to four weeks. Clothes will only last a few weeks, they will need more and more toys, and once they start to crawl and walk, safety becomes an issue. 

 

For Brian Feldkamp this was a problem that needed solving, fast. His sister had recently given birth to her son Brody, and it felt overwhelming. "It is amazing how many consumables babies go through. They can use 20 diapers a day in the first weeks," he said. "I had a 'Eureka' moment. What if moms didn't have to do the shopping? What if someone else did it, and shipped it for free?"

 

Feldkamp took the idea to Kevin and Kristina Bourke, parents of a 21-month-old girl and a seven-month-old boy. They told him he was on to something, and just like that, the three of them founded Baby Bin.

 

 

The first step after signing up for Baby Bin is a 15 minute phone interview with a mommy advocate. They want to know the baby's due date, gender, size percentile, other siblings and information relevant to development.

 

"A big part of the consultation is what you want to use the bin for," explains Feldkamp. 

 

With this data, Baby Bin customizes a monthly shipment. Included items can be everything from diapers, wipes and creams to formula and bibs to outlet covers and foam protectors. Bins can even include products for moms like stretch-mark lotions and nursing gear.

 

“We want to be partners to the parents," Feldkamp said. “We are not asking parents to spend more money. We want them to spend the same they would have spent without Baby Bin, but we want to make it easier.”

 

The bin is shipped on the first of the month and parents then have 30 days to use the products, and anything they decide not to use can be shipped back at no cost. Customers only pay for products they use and keep — no shipping, no handling. Prices are competitive with those found in other retail locations.

 

 

Baby Bin follows Chicago-based Trunk Club's business model, but instead of men in need of fashion, they help babies in need of all sorts of stuff. The difference is that a man's style does not (or should not) change as much as a baby's needs. A big part of the business is anticipating the next step of the infant's life. And yes, the bins can be customized and curated to surprise parents. 

 

To illustrate this point Feldkamp uses the example of the Snotsucker, a funky tool for dealing with boogers that, if found at a store, might be intimidating. On the other hand, if the kid is having a mucus attack, and the bin has a Snotsucker, parents will be comfortable trying it out. This way you get what you need, and then some. 

 

 

"In the last three weeks the response has been so positive that we are now signing more mommy advocates, increasing affiliate partners, and aggressively promoting the service, " says Feldkamp. "As soon as the customers come in, we are ready to go."

 

Baby Bin officially launched in February. They plan on launching iOS and Android apps in around four months, where the consultation will become automated. They also hope to add a baby registry soon. 

 

"We realized that parents get most of the products before the baby is even born,” explains Feldkamp. "We want people to help these parents with the cost of raising a baby, but instead of having to receive everything all at once, we send them the gifts on a monthly basis, when it is truly needed."