Baby Octopi - A Labour of Love

Baby with Crochet Octopus

Every baby is special and it was this universal truth that led Lisa Siemens on a journey that would see her start a wildly successful business, Baby Octopi, in just a few months’ time.

Lisa had always had a special place in her heart for pregnant and parenting young women and for newborn babies. Her background in child and youth care, her time spent working overseas at an orphanage in the Ukraine, and her work at a pregnancy centre further instilled a passion for protecting those in vulnerable positions.

Lisa is the mother of three young boys herself and after having her children, she wanted a way to help support her family while staying home with her children. She wanted the control and flexibility of being her own boss while still being able to give back to organizations that support babies and young mothers.  Lisa, with her graphic designer/photographer husband Eric by her side, began Baby Octopi as a way to spread the message that all children are precious regardless of their circumstances and to provide families with high quality baby products at an affordable price.

Her first products and her business’ name sakes are hand-crocheted baby octopi that she began to make out of her home in St. Thomas and sell to an online market. These toys were designed to act as a comfort to newborn babies by providing them with a tactile reminder of life inside their mothers’ wombs. Each tentacle on the octopus is designed to mimic the shape and size of the umbilical cord that surrounds every baby as it grows in utero. Holding onto the octopus and feeling these tentacles helps a baby to feel at ease in a world where so much is new. With the purchase of each octopus Lisa makes a donation to an organization that supports babies locally and internationally.

The product was an instant hit with parents and the demand became so high that Lisa was unable to fill the orders herself. It was at this moment that she realized that she had created something truly special and that she could help other young mothers by providing them with the opportunity to earn an income while staying at home with their children. Lisa now employs other stay at home mothers across Elgin County who are skilled in sewing and crocheting to help her fill Baby Octopi’s orders. These women are now able to customize their work schedules to fit with their family lives.

Baby Octopi has expanded its product line to include organic cotton swaddle blankets imprinted with inspirational messages, newborn gowns in a variety of colours and patterns, stretch swaddle blankets, and newborn hats. All of these products use premium quality fabrics and are designed by Eric and Lisa to be modern and beautiful.  

Baby Octopi products can be purchased online at https://babyoctopi.com/ or at Cheeky Monkey in London Ontario.