"I'll get the baby.
You get the bag," was my husband's favorite statement after our first child was born.
I wasn't about to argue; after all, I threw the 2 lb pastel diaper bag over my shoulder while he lugged around the 20lb car seat.
I decided that he felt manly by carrying the baby, or possibly he thought I bounced the baby around too much when holding the car seat.
It wasn't until recently when trends started changing did it occur to me that my husband wasn't basking in his manhood by showing his strength when carrying around a heavy car seat, he was merely avoiding feeling feminine by carrying around a pastel diaper bag.
In the last few years, diaper bag trends have begun changing.
The fabric and color choices appealed to a more masculine crowd making it more acceptable for men to carry a diaper bag for their children.
Recently, it has become a trend for not only women to stay home with their children but Dads have began stepping into the 'homemaker' role as well.
In today's world, fathers are expected to take a bigger role in their children's life and ultimately this has brought a whole new, more masculine line of products onto the baby gear scene.
These new products include functional, stylish gear designed especially for dads! Companies have begun catering to dads by offering not only a traditional diaper bag but also: tote's, wipe cases, and even diaper vests and jackets! Great for dads on the go! Not only is it stylish, these trendy items are practical and handy for dads and moms alike! Most of these new trendy dad bags include refillable wipes containers that are accessible by only lifting a flat or undoing a zipper.
This allows one to grab a wipe quickly and nearly hands free! Bottle pouches on many new bags are accessible from the outside of the bag eliminating shuffling through the bag to find what one is looking for! However, the most intriguing new item for dads is the new diaper vest! The slim design is full of hidden pockets that expand to fit ones needs.
This hot new item not only has storage compartments on the front, side, and back of the vest, compartments are also located on the inner liner of the vest to maximize storage space.
Not only is the vest stylish it also is up to date with its technologies, for it has a front pocket that opens up on the outside allowing headphones that connect to an Ipod, MP3 player, or cell phone comfortably to ones ear.
Changing times means changing products.
Adhering to the needs of today's fathers' has not only proved profitable but stylish as well.
As a mother, I'm almost jealous of the new trends the baby industry is making towards its products for new dads!