For those of you who don’t know, this lady recently became a proud mama of two!! Six weeks ago, we welcomed another beautiful baby boy into the world! With dirty diapers to change, middle of the night feedings, and a body that just went through birth, there are a few things that have helped me to get by each day. These Mom “Must Haves” are some of my favorite items that make life a little easier and more enjoyable!
Being a mom is an amazing thing, but your needs can easily be pushed to the wayside….with the baby often being at the forefront! Remember, it’s really important that you take care of yourself and find products that help you navigate the challenges of motherhood. From nursing your little one every couple of hours to taking your first trip to the store with two kiddos in stowe, daily stresses can AND WILL wear you out! Come check out four of my favorite items that have helped me feel confident and capable as a mom! I’m certain they will be useful to you, too!
The Belly Bandit Company has so many wonderful products for before, during, and after pregnancy. For moms who are busy like me, we don’t always have time in our day to workout and lose the dreaded baby weight! Having gone through pregnancy two times now in my thirties, my metabolism just isn’t as fast acting as it once was….sadly (wipe away tear). Let’s be honest….it takes a lot more effort to stay in shape these days!
Because time is limited, AND because I have a family wedding to attend in September (hoping to fit into a fun, little black dress), I’ve needed something to help minimize the “belly” without being uncomfortable. Trust me, recovery was already uncomfortable enough! ENTER…..the Belly Shield and Belly Bandit, folks. As the say, these will help to, “Shrink, Tighten, and Control”. The thing is…they are comfy and easy to put on and wear. The pictures above show me wearing the Belly Shield four weeks post partum. This little gem is extremely soft, helps minimize stretch marks, and helps to keep your skin hydrated. I wear this underneath my Belly Bandit….
The nice part about the Belly Bandit is that it’s different from other compression aides, like girdles with snaps at the bottom. I know I wouldn’t be able to wear one of those when my lady parts just went through war! Can you say, OUCH! It is a lot simpler and less complicated, which is a huge plus in my book. Here are just a few of the many ways that the Belly Bandit helps moms during post pregnancy:
– Helps you lose inches on your waist
– Accelerates healing through compression
– Supports back, leg, and core muscles
– Adds support while breast feeding
I can wear my Belly Bandit with most tops, but prefer them to be just a little more loose fitting, as the velcro part sometimes is visible with tight fitting tanks. Other than this, it can and should be worn throughout the day, even while you are sleeping! A couple other pieces I plan to get next is their nursing bra or tank since I will be breastfeeding for a good while! Convenience and comfort is key. Did I mention their fabulous Mother Tucker Leggings?! With Fall soon approaching, I need to get my hands on a pair of these. I practically live in leggings and long sweaters from September through May. These are simply fabulous for so many reasons:
– Tummy flattening center with layer of compression
– 3 targeted compression zones shape your body, belly, butt, & thighs
– 360 degrees of compression
– Smoothes “muffin top”
– Seamless, breathable knit
– holds its shape wash after wash
Now, another item that I use EVERY day is my Covered Goods multi-use nursing cover. While this has come in handy while I breastfeed my son, it most certainly can be used my moms who aren’t nursing, as a scarf, grocery cart and car seat cover! I particularly love that I can use it as an infinity scarf. These are super soft and stylish! I have two of them and they coordinate great with outfits I wear.
With my first son, I tried different kinds of nursing covers and they all left me exposed at some point, feeling stressed as I try to nurse in public or in front of other people. I was always terrified that I would flash everyone around me. When you have a hungry, crying baby…..time is of the essence. Instead of having to dig into the bottom of my diaper bag to search for my cover and get it on in a hurried manner, I just wear this all day and simply slip it over my little babe when it’s time for him to eat.
I truly like wearing it as a scarf, regardless of breast feeding. It’s nice to know that I don’t have to pack it away once I’m done nursing. Plus, this piece provides great coverage for all of the spit up stains that accumulate throughout the day. Aint nobody got time to change an outfit when you’ve got a toddler and a newborn to tend to.
Next up, are my all-time favorite tank tops…and they sell them at my favorite store…TARGET! They were just meant to be! These tank tops are fabulous because they are LONG. When you are pregnant, no one wants the big ole belly hangin out…and trust me, once you get to the end, it’s hard for this not to happen (yikes!).
The thing is, they are insanely comfortable, wash and keep their shape well, and don’t shrink in length! I wear these tanks ALL. THE. TIME….even after pregnancy. Although they are part of Liz Lange’s maternity line, I ignore the label and wear them even when I’m not pregnant. They are perfect for layering and I own more than I can count on both of my hands. Yup, I guess you can say I like them.
And now for something that every mom with an infant MUST HAVE. You know how you sit back sometimes at an invention and say to yourself, “Why didn’t I think of that?!”. Well, this was one of those moments for me. With my first son, I only had a thick, wool car seat cover for the winter. In the summer, I had to use a swaddle blanket and tie it to the handle, finagling a way to keep it attached to the sides. Every time I took a walk on a windy day, the blanket would fly open
and I would have to stop and put it back on again. SO FRUSTRATING.
Well, look no further. DRUM ROLL PLEASE. Welcome the Milk Snob car seat cover!! This little beauty comes in many different styles. I have the black and white striped cover and LOVE it! This totally eliminates the issues I had with blankets flying off. This cover helps to protect my son from the bright sun and intense heat on a hot summer day or from the rain on a gloomy day. It also serves as a great barrier to those onlookers who want to poke and prod at your lovely, little newborn
(typically from the germy hands of excited young children!)
Whether you are a first-time mom or one with loads of experience, we can all use these helpful items to get us through the more trying times! Don’t make life any more complicating than it needs to be. Simplify your life with these awesome products and free up yourself from worry and stress!
I sure hope you feel more capable in your role of motherhood and confident while raising those perfect little humans! Enjoy 🙂
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