Baby Gear Group Jenkintown is a gear and toy rental library & a play and community space. We aim to support families and foster a community of sharing. 

We started in 2024 by Adriane Thomas. Adriane is a proud mom, aunt, friend, wife, postpartum doula and owner of Doula Adriane and Baby Gear Group Jenkintown. 

She was inspired for this career path because of her experience as a mom. She understands first hand how confusing and isolating early postpartum can be and how our consumerism culture preys on those feelings. When her son was born, she was overwhelmed by  consumption, comparison and consumerism. She was sold the idea that having an aesthetic nursery or the popular sensory toy is the “right” way to be a parent. She quickly learned how to make her own path and that included rest, support and community. As a postpartum doula, she tries to model what she learned in her own journey by leading with empathy and non-judgemental support. 

Baby Gear Group Jenkintown is a natural fit with her mission. It further allows her to address the culture of overconsumption and individualism in parenting by building community and resource networks and offering sustainable options to support families. She loves that families can save money and time by renting gear and toys in addition to the environmental impact of renting instead of buying. Fewer strollers, bassinets, slumberpods, toys and other gear are bought and quickly discarded because they are shared amongst Baby Gear Group Jenkintown members. 

Adriane also loves connecting families with community resources and peer support. She is so proud to open up the play and community space in Glenside. She hosts regular new parent meetups, toddler playgroups and baby and toddler clothing swaps. These events give parents the opportunity to learn from each other, give and support one another, encourage sustainable parenting practices and normalize the joys and struggles of parenthood.

Adriane is a native Philadelphian and recently moved back to the area after 11 years in Baltimore. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Maryland Baltimore and 15 years experience as a social worker, community organizer, researcher and project manager for programs with individuals, families, schools and communities in Philadelphia and Baltimore. She lives in Jenkintown borough with her family and enjoy libraries, second hand shopping, farmers markets, local book stores, reading, hiking, exploring new coffee shops and spontaneous dance parties with her son.