Online shopping holds its rightful place in the lives of busy parents, but there is something quite magical about visiting boutiques, talking to their staff and sharing their passion for good quality products for the newest arrivals to our planet. Here we’ve selected some of the best boutique baby services you’ll find in Madrid.
CLOTHES SHOPS
Madrid is a mecca for parents & grandparents from across Spain seeking traditional attire for the newborn members of their family. Take a wander around the central neighbourhood of Salamanca, especially along streets such as Lagasca and Núñez de Balboa, to find an astonishing array of boutiques catering to the seemingly insatiable demand. The jewel of the crown is Bonnet à Pompon, whose flagship store on calle Lagasca has recently been complemented with outlets at El Corte Inglés stores across Madrid.
Bonnet à Pompon
Bonnet à Pompon despite its French name is actually a Spanish label, with collections designed and created in Spain. Inspired by French elegance, the beauty of these clothes is that they are designed for kids who get into mischief, who aren’t always on their best behaviour despite being dressed in their Sunday best! There is a practicality to their clothes which parents appreciate. All fabrics used are 100% natural. Their aim is “bohemian chic”; the result is Castilian sleek.
Where: Bonnet à Pompon, Calle Lagasca, 88, Madrid Spain (also in the following El Corte Inglés stores: Castellana, Goya, Serrano and Pozuelo)
Tel: +34 910 609 915
Sueños Polares
Off the beaten track, in the trendy Chueca neighbourhood, is a dreamy boutique that also deserves a mention. Sueños Polares includes collections from start-up designers who use organically-produced fabrics for their clothes and well-established brands such as Waddler who make clothes from alpaca wool. Sueños Polares also have clothes for babies with especially sensitive skin. Their ranges of shoes are both practical and beautiful, made for children who like to explore. With a selection of clothes for children aged 0-16 years, this remarkable boutique is reference point for families wishing to discover those alternative labels that survive and thrive despite competition from high-street disposable fashion megastores.
Where: Sueños Polares. C/ Regueros 10, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 308 66 75
ORGANIC FOOD
Eateries
Alopeke
Whilst in the Salamanca area of Madrid you must pop into Alopeke (opposite the Retiro Park) to enjoy an organic snack in their cafeteria. It is worth contacting them in advance to find out what children’s activities are scheduled that day so that you can combine a nice bite to eat with entertainment for the youngsters.
Where: Alopeke, Calle de Alcalá 91, Madrid
Tel: +34 620 629 632
Mama Campo
In centre of the family-friendly neighbourhood of Chamberi is Mamá Campo, a cute restaurant with a play area onsite for restless children, that serves delicious traditional meals using only locally-produced organic ingredients. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Where: Mama Campo, Calle de Trafalgar, 22, 28010 Madrid
Tel: +34 914 47 41 38
Food stores
Once again within the Salamanca district of Madrid, apart from boutique clothing stores there are a surprising number of organic supermarkets too (Bio c’ Bon and Veritas are on Lagasca and Supersano is on Hermosilla). Our favorite organic poultry butcher is Julio who has a small stall within the indoor market “El Mercado de Torijos”. Our favourite farm foods shop – which also has a kid-friendly cafeteria – is Garten True Food.
| Where: Polleria Julio, General Diaz Porlier 8 (stall 51 inside the Mercado de Torijos indoor market), 28001 Madrid | Where: Garten True Food, Calle Castellí 3, 28001 Madrid |
| Tel: +34 91 5758437 | Tel: + 34 91 5776668 |
Organic brands to look out for
And now to a shout out from Kids in Madrid to two Madrid-based organic food startups that make us proud to be madrileños. Firstly to Smileat whose organic food for children uses only seasonal Spanish fruit and vegetables. Within two years of entering the Spanish food market, Smileat can now be found in all major supermarket chains as well as independent health food stores. Secondly to organic caterers Pleneat who lay on the best children’s party food for conscientious parents seeking an alternative to hotdogs and pizza that can be found in Madrid. Furthermore, Pleneat cater for allergies, vegans and paleo diets.
Ecologically-friendly nappies, detergents & other necessities
Culitos de Tela
Although many excellent cloth nappy systems are available on-line, sometimes it is easier to get advice from those in the know in person. Spanish cloth nappy experts Culitos de Tela are in the easily accessible satellite town of Alcorcón, towards the south of Madrid. There is little they don’t know about cloth diapers. It is important to book an appointment or to visit off-peak if going unannounced because they are incredibly popular.
Where: Calle Parque Bujaruelo, 4, 28924 Alcorcón, Madrid
Tel: + 34 91 1551700
Jabon a Granel
And if you are looking for chemical-free, natural cleaning products, most of which made from purely organic ingredients, why not visit the tiny but spectacular Jabon a Granel shop in Embajadores? As part of a bid to reduce the amount of plastic waste created by frequent use domestic articles, this shop sells everything loose so that you can bring your own container to fill with the products you need.
Where: Calle Tribulete, 20 (on the corner of Calle Embajadores), Madrid
Tel: + 34 663 910717
Together these companies in Madrid are doing their bit to create a better world for next generations. Do you have any more recommendations to add to this list? We’d love to hear from you here or on Facebook!