This article was originally posted on Work & Mother, by Sarah Beth Amini, who is expecting her first child in August 2020.
As a first time mom, there are no words to describe the excitement of this season of preparing for my first child. Coupled with the excitement of this season is also the overwhelming amount of information I have found myself trying to wade through and decide what to consume and what not to consume. From family and friends to the apps I have downloaded to educate myself on pregnancy and more, there are endless possibilities for receiving product recommendations and advice.
Now that I am in my third trimester and the arrival of this sweet baby is on the horizon, I can look back and confidently say what recommendations have actually proven to be life-savers.
Game changer. I have essentially been a self proclaimed brand ambassador for LAKE pajamas since a friend introduced them to me about a year ago. When I got pregnant, the first thing I did was order their maternity pajamas and a robe because I knew I would be living in both of these. And I have. The maternity pajama tops can also be used for nursing as they have buttons down the front so these can last you well past pregnancy.
When I first announced I was pregnant, almost immediately I was warned about stretch marks and told how to prevent them. I decided to go on my own fact finding mission and landed on this amazing belly oil to start using from day one to prepare my skin. It smells amazing and soaks in easily – perfect for morning and night!
I thought I would want to splurge on a nice crib when I started looking, but quickly found myself drawn to this stylish but simple crib from Ikea. Coming in at only $79…yes…I said that right, $79, I couldn’t say no! This allowed me to free up some of my nursery budget to splurge on a nice glider instead. Pro tip: watch this video before attempting to assemble. The assembly instructions are oddly hidden in a spot I would not have known to look. Thankfully a friend who has the same crib sent me this video before we built it.
For a Texas girl having a baby in August, I don’t know how I could make it through the summer heat without these. As soon as I put them on, I texted a friend, who is also pregnant, telling her to purchase them immediately because my bump could finally breathe! They are great for almost all occasions – working out, wearing around the house or throwing on a cute top and sneakers to dress them up when running around town.
I had a sweet friend lend me a couple of her Gap Maternity Breathe tops when my pre-pregnancy tops stopped fitting and I fell in love with them. The cut is perfect and the fabric is soft and breathable. There is nothing better than finally feeling cute in a maternity top after one too many attempts to make your pre-pregnancy apparel fit and feel good.
I actually owned these leggings before getting pregnant and they were already my favorite pair, but little did I know how perfect they would be for pregnancy. The waistband is tall and has a lot of stretch. Being seven months pregnant, I can still wear the same pair and size I had pre-pregnancy which feels like a major win when my belly is now the size of a basketball.
I have never been the girl to follow an Instagram account for advice but when I was told about @ontrackbaby and what their mission was, I quickly took an interest. They are sisters and two pediatric occupational therapists who started researching why babies hit certain milestones at different points. They developed the “NOEL method” which is a simple guide for new moms to help their newborns meet their milestones. I took the NOEL course and loved it but even just following their Instagram account will also give you great tips!
In my second trimester, my back and hips began to ache terribly at night after a long day. The only relief I could find at home was with heating pads, baths and laying down – but these were only temporary fixes and I needed a more sustainable solution. I had heard a lot about chiropractors that specialize in prenatal care, so I decided it was worth trying and I could not be happier with this decision. Through adjustments and specific stretches, my pain has almost completely disappeared! This is the link to my specific chiropractor here in Houston but just do some research and ask around to find the best one in your area.
Walks, walks and more walks. Widely known as the best pregnancy workout to stay active and healthy. With the increase of walks in my weekly schedule, I quickly realized I didn’t want to carry my phone or anything else in hand. I couldn’t just stuff my items into my shorts or leggings anymore now that this large belly was taking up any extra margin I had in my waistbands. I wanted the smallest, most lightweight fanny pack to solve my problem and have not been disappointed with this Patagonia pack I found. It fits everything I need to carry (with room) and is so lightweight, I barely even notice it…partly because I can no longer see it under my belly!
Even before my bump made its grand appearance, my ladies were starting to bulge out of my pre-pregnancy bras and sports bras were all that was comfortable. I still needed a bra other than a sports bra and found this nursing bra that gives all the comfort and support a girl could ask for. Not to mention they are $30 for a three pack and are nursing bras so they can also be used well past pregnancy.
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A Thanks to Our Contributor:
Sarah Beth Amini is the Executive Vice President of Operations for Work & Mother and is currently expecting her first child in August 2020. Work & Mother provides a network of fully equipped lactation facilities that not only supports working mothers but makes it easy for employers to be in compliance with FLSA regulations.