New trends for babies and kids
The Honest Company, founded by actress Jessica Alba, featuring organic products for babies and kids Credit: Handout
I recently attended an event in Manhattan called "The Biggest Baby Shower Ever," hosted by Big City Moms, a social group that connects moms, moms-to-be and families through events.
Keeping up with the trends in the baby world can be somewhat overwhelming. So I thought I'd give you a snapshot of some of the larger trends I gathered from this event, with a few thoughts from Leslie Venokur, originally from Long Island and cofounder of Big City Moms.
1. Kids' snacks. Gone are the days of animal crackers and teething biscuits. Now, child-inspired snacks have risen to a new level. "Companies are realizing that lots of kids eat snacks on the go," said Venokur. The packaging is convenient, fun and mess-free, appealing to kids and adults alike. Some of my favorites: Little Duck Organics Tiny Fruits, Plum Organics Fiddlesticks and Happy Baby Munchies Rice Cakes.
2. Personal care for baby and mom. From shampoos to diaper rash creams, companies are now creating products for not just a baby but for mom, too. "Moms love anything that's convenient, and many times they wind up using the same products that they use on their children," said Venokur. A few to try: The Honest Company makes a family bundle that includes all shampoos, lotions and soaps; Mama Mio is great for moms-to-be, and Baby Spa tailors products specifically for newborns, crawlers and walkers.
3. Organic everything. While organic foods and beauty products have been around for a while, there are other companies going "green." Orbit is using eco-friendly fabrics on its strollers and other products. BuggyLove is an organic cleaning solution set for your stroller. And BabyGenics has detergents, stain removers, sunscreen and even toy cleaners.