Baby’s choice

The inspiration for your company came from your children – how and why? Talk us through your business story from concept, please.

Oh yes, it was definitely a personal experience for me. Both my kids suffered from eczema when they were little. It was so difficult to find natural products that didn’t cause them additional skin irritation. All we want as new parents is to protect our babies, so I found this incredibly disappointing. At the same time, I was concerned for the environment and the impact made by my everyday choices as a new mum. I knew I wasn’t alone in this, so I wanted to find a solution for other parents like myself. Once I was introduced to my co-founder Chris Money through a mutual friend, that was it and the idea of Kit & Kin was born. We use gentle, natural and sustainable materials and ingredients across all our products to make sure they are kind on even the most sensitive skin. Giving back is at the heart of Kit & Kin and every product we sell makes a difference through the Kit & Kin Foundation. It protects acres of rainforest and supports those living in the nearby communities, as well donating nappies locally.

Please can you give us an overview of your current range of products?

We’re all about making baby essentials that are better for babies and better for our world. Our range includes all the gentle, sustainable products that new parents need for their little ones. We’re probably best known for our hypoallergenic nappies. Did you know they’re the most accredited eco nappies on the planet? Our nappy sacks are biodegradable, so are our 99% water baby wipes. Alongside our eco nappy range we also have a complete range of reusable nappies, wipes and boosters. Other brands choose to provide either one or the other but many of our parents mix our eco nappies and cloth nappies, which I think is amazing.

Oh, and I could go on about our skincare all day. We have eight products for baby and for mum and they’re all certified natural by the Soil Association. The Bubble Bath and Baby Shampoo & Body Wash are firm favourites at our house – popular with the kids and the grown-ups. They are so gentle and leave our skin and hair feeling gorgeous. But my number one secret is our Magic Salve. It’s such a clever balm that calms, moisturises, and helps clear up skin irritation anywhere on the body. It’s a miracle worker on dry lips! And finally, there’s our super soft and stylish baby wear. It’s all made from 100% organic cotton! We put a lot of thought into the design of our onesies and included clever features to make them versatile pieces so babies can continue to wear them as they grow. And have you seen our bunny hat? I am obsessed with it!

The Kit & Kin factory has been carbon neutral since 2020 – why was this so important to you? And what carbon saving figures are you proud of?

We are always trying to minimise our impact on the environment even more. So, becoming carbon neutral was the logical next step. We’ve already saved over 400 tonnes of greenhouse gases this way – the equivalent of driving a car around the world over 57 times! I’m so proud of this achievement. But we are not going to stop there. We’re now working hard towards becoming carbon negative.

Tell us more about your eco credentials across the range?

We use plant-based and sustainably sourced materials across our entire range. On top of being produced in a carbon-neutral factory, our nappies are also made using chlorine-free wood pulp from sustainably managed forests and water-based inks. The beautiful thing about using natural materials and ingredients is that they’re also extra-gentle. This means that our nappies are hypoallergenic, Dermatest-certified and approved by dermatologists. All our skincare is naturally nourishing, certified by the Soil Association and our clothing is made from 100% organic cotton. And of course, everything in our range is cruelty-free.

I think that using sustainable production methods and natural ingredients is fantastic, but giving back to the planet is even better. That’s why every Kit & Kin product helps protect acres of rainforest through the Kit & Kin Foundation.

The designs across your range are eye-catching and adorable – what made you choose certain characters, colours etc?

The animal prints reflect the fact that at Kit & Kin we care for not only your little world but also for the natural world around us, through our giving back programme. We wanted to create a nappy that not only provides premium performance, is sustainable and kind on sensitive skin but also one that stands out and is super cute! We played around with many different designs but as soon as we saw the animal faces on the bottom, we knew. They’re just so unique and really help our nappies stand out. Nappies might be an everyday necessity but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun and stylish.

Are you proud of the brand’s achievements thus far? And what is your goal for the brand?

I’m extremely proud of the 42 industry awards we have won but for me it’s always all about the giving back. When we turned five-years old, we worked out that we had protected thousands of acres of land and tens of thousands of trees through the Kit & Kin Foundation. I was just blown away when I heard these figures. This area will now be protected forever. It has already created millions of litres of water and locked in hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon and it’s home to some of the world’s most endangered species. I feel very protective of it. We’re now approaching our sixth birthday so I can’t wait to hear the updated figures.

We also help provide healthcare to the people in remote areas and as you can probably guess, I am all about empowerment. So it was important to me to play our part in making education more accessible. That’s why the Kit & Kin Foundation runs a scholarship scheme. We donate uniforms, materials, food and transport to kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend school.

If we continue to grow at our current rate, our positive impact on the planet will multiply. We’re already sold in over 30 countries, so we’re on the right path.

How will proceeds from sales in the UAE go towards giving back?

Gulf for Good is partnering with Little Birdy Group to raise funds for Kisoro Children’s Foundation, a Ugandan charity that supports mothers and babies in need. This fundraising initiative will be organised through the launch of Kit & Kin in the Middle East in early November. The funds raised will be used by Kisoro to pay for diapers that are purchased locally for babies at the foundation. Businesses and individuals will be invited to donate to the foundation during the event via YallaGive.