JoyLet: Making Early Parenthood Easier and More Sustainable

Introduction

Hello! I'm Alli, one of the proud owners of JoyLet, a baby gear rental service that serves the greater DMV area, Baltimore and everywhere in between. We’re on a mission to make early parenthood easier by and less stressful by offering top-of-the-line baby gear and toys at a fraction of the cost. Parents love renting because they can use and swap all the gear they need without cluttering up their homes. 

The Birth of JoyLet

JoyLet was born from a desire to approach parenthood mindfully - to avoid the overwhelm caused by all the physical stuff that comes along with having a baby. When my husband and I were considering starting a family, we noticed a common theme among our friends who were already parents. They were drowning in gear and toys that their babies quickly outgrew, and they were constantly stressed out - thanks to the clutter in their homes and the near constant research for what they baby needed next.

I noticed I was buying the same gear repeatedly for friends’ baby showers and then realized that 3-6 months later, the babies had already outgrown the gear. I also kept hearing frustrating stories about parents who registered for expensive items that we’re supposed to be “lifesavers.” Instead, their baby didn’t like these items and their parents were heading back to the store to buy a replacement version. So this expensive stuff wasn’t getting used and sitting around the home. The inefficiency and waste in this system were evident and I knew there had to be a better way. Our solution was JoyLet!

The JoyLet Solution

Our approach at JoyLet is simple and practical. We offer parents the opportunity to rent the high-end baby gear that is designed for short-term use - think 3-6 months, allowing them to access different items they need without the commitment and waste of ownership. This way, parents can avoid the hassle of extensive research, the cost of buying new gear, and the challenge of storing or reselling it once it's no longer needed. We want to provide flexibility and peace of mind to parents, allowing them to change their minds and swap out gear as their child's needs evolve. 

Plus, we do all the research so a new parent doesn’t have to. We attend trade shows, work directly with manufacturers to learn about new products, consult safety experts, and test with our own families to ensure that we are only stocking the best products on the market. 

Similar to the goals of other maternal care services, like our friends at the Doulas of Capitol Hill, we aim to make early parenthood a bit easier and more joyful for local families.

The Newborn Bundle of Joy

One of our most popular offerings among expecting families is the Newborn Bundle of Joy. This bundle includes nine essential pieces of gear that we deliver and pick up at various points during the baby's first year, based on their developmental milestones. 

For example, just before birth - typically around 38 weeks pregnant, we deliver a bassinet, swing, bouncer, lounger, play gym, and carrier. At the six-month mark, when the baby becomes more active, we swap these items, with the exception of the baby carrier, for play gates, an activity chair, and a push walker. This way, parents always have age-appropriate gear on hand without the gear that baby outgrew cluttering up their space.

As a first-time mom myself, I can personally attest to the relief that the Newborn Bundle of Joy offers. Delegating the gear sourcing to JoyLet through the Newborn Bundle freed up mental space for me to focus on learning about other essential aspects of pregnancy and parenthood, like labor, breastfeeding, and newborn care. 

Also, baby gear is typically the most expensive part of a parent’s baby registry. But because of the cost savings the Newborn Bundle provides, I had space on my registry to register for services that would make the transition into parenthood smoother, such as a postpartum doula, newborn care class, and meal delivery services. 

Many of our expecting parents add JoyLet gift cards to their registries to put toward the Newborn Bundle or other pieces of gear they might need. We integrate with universal registries like Babylsit and MyRegistry! 

Conclusion

JoyLet is more than just a baby gear rental service; we’re a partner for parents on their journey through early parenthood. We're here to make your life easier, more joyful, and more sustainable by providing you with the right gear at the right time. Whether you're a first-time parent or experienced, we believe that everyone can benefit from simplifying the baby gear experience. Visit JoyLet to explore our offerings and join us in making early parenthood a little less stressful and a lot more joyful. Doulas of Capitol Hill clients can save $10 off their first month’s rental with the code DCH10.