The following is a look at five trends in baby gear.
The trends change every year, but the one thing that is not changing is that babies need a lot of stuff.
Chairs: It used to be that babies needed a bouncer chair, a high chair, and that was about it.
Today there is the Bumbo, which is a chair designed for kids ages 3-6 months.
It is formed to fit a baby's contours and be extremely supportive of them.
There are more elaborate bouncy chairs, and high chairs that grow with your child.
However, in addition to that one of the big trends is sling chairs.
Instead of a sling that you wear that your baby sits in, it is a sling that goes around a chair, and supports your baby so that they can sit no matter where you are as long as there is a chair around.
Organic cotton clothing: One of the new things in baby gear is that of going organic.
Organic cottons are the trend.
They are supposed to be better for baby's skin, and of course good for the environment, and so you can find manufacturers that sell organic everything for baby, from undershirts and leggings, to crib sheets, and mattress pads.
Stroller systems: A trend in baby gear this year is that of stroller systems.
Stroller systems are basically a stroller and a car seat that go together, and that the car seat can snap into or lock into the stroller so that you can push your baby around the shopping mall, or on a walk while they are still nice and snug in their car seat carrier.
These systems also sometimes convert, or are changeable so that you can adjust them as your child gets older to fit their new needs.
There are sit and stand stroller systems, etc.
In addition, there are stroller systems that come in all colors and designs to fit your needs and wants.
More natural colors: In 2007 the big trend in baby gear color was pink or blue depending on the gender of your baby.
Today the trend has moved away from the pinks and blues and bright primary colors, and is now more earth tones and neutrals.
The natural colors such as greens, browns, and yellows are the new thing for all baby gear.
Infant carriers are often neutral with rich earth tones.
Crib sets are often greens, browns, or browns combined with pinks, turquoise, green, etc.
The more natural the color, and the more mature the color palette, the more trendy it is.
Slings: Because you take your baby with you wherever you go, there is always a baby gear trend that has to do with carrying your baby.
For a long time the trend was the baby bijorn backpacks, but this year the "Sling" is the popular baby carrier of choice.
The reason? It is easy to take with you, easy to set up (as opposed to the many straps and clasps of a baby backpack), and it is washable.
In addition, many women have found that they can nurse while wearing it, and adjust it or their baby as needed.
It can be worn various ways, so if your baby is asleep you can cradle them, if they are awake, you can carry them more like backpack style.