New store for the 'natural baby'

COSTA MESA — When Giselle Baturay decided to give all-natural mothering a try with her first child almost six years ago, there was no one-stop-shop that met her needs.

"I wanted to choose products that were more natural, that would increase her imagination, and were safe for her," Baturay said of her daughter, Lora, who is now 5.

Baturay opened Granola Babies, which caters to "everything you need for your natural baby," on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa in August.

For years, Baturay sold cloth diapers and baby carries, organic soaps, wooden toys and other products online. She reviewed the products after having used them with Lora and her two younger children, Okhan and Euren.

Her 750-square-foot shop, which houses more than 100 brands — 15 of which are reusable cloth diapers alone — Baturay's shop has the right product with the right fit for every parent and baby, she said.

While some parents may be off put by the costs normally associated with organic or natural products, everything in Granola Babies is hand picked for affordability and quality, Baturay said.

A parent can actually save thousands of dollars a year in diaper costs alone by going all-natural, she said.

"All of the cloth diapers I bought for my first I used on my second," Baturay said. "And many of those I am still using on my third."

The total, one-one time cost for diapering a baby with cloth diapers runs between $100 and $500, compared with the $2,000 to $3,000 each year for disposable diapers, she said.

Plus, coming in every color of the rainbow and each hue in-between, the petal-soft cotton cloth diapers are a lot more fun for both Mom and baby, she said.

In addition to selling all-natural products, Granola Babies hosts workshops, support groups and "Mommy and me" playgroups.

The parking lot behind Granola Babies will be transformed into a Holiday bazaar on Dec. 4, with almost 20 local vendors, food and treats, live music and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

The event will also raise funds for Project Hope School, an Orange County nonprofit that helps homeless children receive a stable education.

"I wanted something that I would have wanted when I had my first child," Baturay said. "…I wanted to create a community of natural moms and have that support system available."

If You Go

What: Granola Babies Holiday Bazaar

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4

Where: 2346 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa

Information: http://www.granolababies.com