Mommy Matters: Postpartum

I'm getting ready to head into 35 weeks here in a couple days and I'm contemplating my postpartum days and weeks ahead.

I know I've read numerous great ideas and tips over the years, but for the life of me cannot remember a whole lot of them.

How about you, dear reader? I'm betting you've got a lot of input in this department.

What are you postpartum must-haves? Products you find beneficial to ease into post-baby days; soothing relief for breastfeeding moms; invaluable suggestions/recommendations you'd love to pass along...

You name it, I'll take it!! Share the good and the bad. The hits and the misses in all-things-postpartum.

I'm all ears!

Mommy Matters: Diapers

Today I'm wondering about all things DIAPERS!!

In the past we've used disposables all the way and never questioned further. While not a fan of pricey designs, styles and brands, we always opted for something inexpensive from Target or Walmart. I mean, c'mon, these things hold bodily fluids from priceless little people, but really I'm not crazy enough to spend a fortune!!

As we progressed into quite a number of years without diaper wearers at our house, we're now preparing to be thrown back into full-on diapering routines again. While contemplating and waiting for this baby over the years, we've heard and read about gDiapers, FuzziBunz, Bum Genius and the like. We really thought that was the route we'd go when a baby arrived again. It seemed like a lot of work, but expense-wise even with the initial sticker shock prices we'd still come out way ahead.

BUT, now we're sitting almost 10 weeks away from EDD and we're still undecided. We've gone back and forth in this area. In fact, I've already starting stocking up on the disposables. But, that's also because I've heard that either way, disposables are the way to go in the beginning because the reusable, washable, eco-friendly types are just plain difficult to get to fit just right on those newborns.

It's crunch time ladies and we've got a decision to make!!

I'm looking for pros and cons and any input on the eco-friendly types. I'm looking for deals. I need to know how you save on disposables. Where do you find great prices or coupons? I'll take any and all of your suggestions you're willing to pass on.

I know there are a bunch of you frugal, moms of many out there who have done your homework. Would you mind sharing your tips?

Mommy Matters: Infant Car Seats

We're in the market for a new infant car seat for baby. We had a Graco Snugride with our other two children and I saved it because it was in such good condition. I then found out that due to our lengthy wait on baby news, it was far beyond the suggested time for upgrading.

So, we've got some car seat shopping to do. It's not exactly the most fun thing to do in the grand scheme of baby preparation shopping, but it does come down to my child's safety so it's kind of important, right? Except, that when I'm looking at car seats it goes beyond safety. It becomes about carrying comfort, color, style and fabric. Oh, and price. We are talking about putting precious cargo in this little thing, but seriously I'm not gonna pay $300 for one of these! I'm more in the less than $125 range.

I'm also finding it difficult to find neutral/unisex fabrics in these car seats. Does everyone find out baby's gender before birth and buy a gender specific car seat?? Good gracious. And then there are just plain ones that have black or gray, but I'd like to have a little bit of color/style in the fabric. And of course there are themed ones (jungle, Pooh, animals, etc.) which I personally just don't care for. I also want to like (no, I don't need to LOVE it) the thing since I will be lugging it around for a while and hope to use it again for another child.

I think we've narrowed it down to either another Graco Snugride or the Baby Trend brand since they seem to fit all of my criteria.

Here are a couple I've found online that I kind of like, but am not particularly attached to:

Graco Snugride in Lively Dots


Baby Trend in Mesa



Hubby doesn't really have a preference in this sort of thing and will be fine with whatever I choose. I could use your suggestions.

I'm wondering if you have a favorite brand? What's worked for you? Any current deals out there you're aware of and can share?

Mommy Matters: Intimates

Finally back with a Mommy Matters post. Somehow they got lost in the shuffle of things around here, but rest assured I've still got a number of questions that need answering before this baby arrives!

So yes, today I decided to focus on 'intimates'. Specifically, bras. I just didn't want that word sitting up there hanging out on the top post. You never know who might get here with that word up there.

I'm going to lay it out there and be honest, so please don't blush. I promise, it won't be THAT detailed.

Let's just say that I've grown in more areas than my belly during this pregnancy already and honestly I'm getting a little worried. At this rate, things are gonna be awfully large before baby arrives and if nursing is in my future (which I'm hoping it is) then we're gonna really be gettin' big. Yikes. Here again, since it's been some time that I've been this abundant, perhaps I've forgotten that I was this large before. It's hard to say.

What can you tell me about maternity bras? Nursing bras? What I'm finding online is an acknowledgment that there is indeed a difference between the two, but in my searching I'm also finding that it is almost impossible to find maternity bras and every site only shows nursing bras. I don't remember having a problem wearing a normal bra during my pregnancies before, but I'm wondering if opting for a maternity bra (if I can locate one) would be a better choice.

Do you mind sharing? What do you do/wear at the later portion of your pregnancy? Where do you shop for your bras? Brands? Stores? Any other suggestions or recommendations? They are appreciated.



**Note: I promise I won't giggle if you start to blush while commenting.

Mommy Matters: Maternity Clothing

Since maternity clothes are inevitably around the corner, I thought I'd ask for your assistance in maternity wear dilemmas. Well, not dilemmas really, but I could use all of the input you care to send my way!

I saved a few things, but when I went through my spring purge I did get rid of a number of clothing items that I knew I'd never wear because either a)they were a bit dated; b)I didn't really like them the first or second time around; c)because unless I was carrying triplets I would still never be THAT big again while pregnant. Yes, I'm joking on the last one and I never was HUGE while preggers, but considering the amount of weight I've lost over time it just wouldn't be possible.

Pants are a major concern since mine either seem to shrink while pregnant in the past or I have issues with them not being long enough. I've also found that the over the belly styles or the ones with a panel are just not for me. I'm looking for low-rise, under the belly type.

Shirts I have some, but would like to add a couple more to the closet. I could probably use a dress or skirt or two as well.

Anyone heard of or used the Bella Band? Worth it or no?

So, I'm looking for brand names, store names, anything here. A good deal? All the better. Do I want to pay a fortune on clothes that last a few months? Um, no. Quality, but inexpensive.


All suggestions are welcome and VERY appreciated!!

Mommy Matters: Pregnancy Workouts

(Find out more about the purpose of my Mommy Matters feature over here)

I chose to start Mommy Matters with a pregnancy related quandary. Now that I'm feeling much better and can begin to contemplate some extent of exercise beyond walking from the kitchen to the couch, I'm wondering about pregnancy workouts.

In past pregnancies I've walked several days each week outdoors and called that good. I've also done a pregnancy workout video regularly during the week. And the fact that I just wrote 'video' and not 'DVD' should pretty much tell you from what era that was produced (read: 1990's).

So, now we're at 2010 with all of its new ideas and options and I'm left stumped. I do now have Wii as an option and I have started hopping on there for some strength exercises as well as about 20 minutes of free-step (step aerobics). I did also slip in that beloved video and while it proved to be a fairly good workout, it was more of an entertainment value and I just couldn't get my mind off of their leggings and leotards (Jillian Michaels they are not, that's for sure).

In searching online and in stores, what I've found is that most of the pregnancy workouts are either Pilates or Yoga. Can I even begin to share with you how much I haven't cared for either in the past??


What have you used? What have you found that was inexpensive and effective? Feel free to leave a comment with pros/cons of a certain workout routine, specific names of DVD's or a link. Thank You!

Coming Soon!

A new feature, Mommy Matters, will post here starting next week. I cannot predict whether this addition will earn a weekly or more unpredictable schedule in posting.

What is Mommy Matters you ask?

Well, due to getting back into baby mode at our house and taking inventory, I realize that I could use some help. Several factors here, but mostly 1. since I've given a number of items away to those who really needed them when I did not and 2. because it's been five years since my last baby was born, I'm realizing I've got a lot of questions this time around.

Not that I've forgotten anything, it's just that there are SO MANY really neat products out there that have come out in the last five years and also that there were some things I would've done differently or purchased if I knew how much I'd appreciate them.

Okay, so you see that Mommy Matters will be a forum for me to throw out either questions on certain baby products or guidance in choosing between products. I know that I've got a lot of mom's who read here and a number of you are even mom's of many, so there have got to be some really smart women who'd love to share their input. Remember though, in order for this to work I'm going to need you to comment and give me your honest opinion.

I do realize that there is a A LOT of stuff out there that mom and baby really do not need and I think using my common sense will weed those items out of my shopping cart. However, I like hearing how others do things. Maybe you're an organic mama who has some products you'd love to enlighten me on. Or maybe you are a frugal mama who could really teach me a thing or two about cutting corners and coupons to get the most for my buck. Either way, when I post Mommy Matters, please chime right in and let me know your opinion. Maybe even link on over here from your blog if you think your readers can help me out. I'd appreciate it!

Looking forward to next week!

PS...and perhaps, just maybe, next week I'll also post a baby bump photo. Only because you've asked so nicely.