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Chadwicks has a line of travel knits that are machine washable, packable (which I read as “wrinkle resistant”), and very affordable. There are skirts, pants, even knit blazers in the line, but my favorite is this faux wrap top with side ruching — it looks like something I’d wear the heck out of on the weekend or to work, with pants, a pencil skirt, jeans… whatever. It’s on sale from $19-$29, and available in six colors, sizes S-XL. Chadwicks Travel Knit Cap Sleeve Wrap Top
Sales of note for 9.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Extra 40% off sale styles
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- Zappos – 26,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 40% off everything
- Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Anonymous says
My sister is pregnant and I’d like to get her a gift card to a store that sells maternity clothes as a “congratulations! you’re having a baby!” gift. However…she’s the first person I know who’s having a baby, so I’m totally clueless as to where she might even purchase maternity clothes.
Does anyone have any recommendations for stores (online or brick and mortar) that sell trendier maternity clothes? I know she’ll need the basics too, but I’d like to give her a little leeway to buy something fun as she’s young and very trendy/stylish.
Tunnel says
Destination Maternity carries designer jeans, some Isabella Oliver, and Pea in the Pod as well as less expensive brands like Motherhood. They have brick and mortar as well as an online store.
pockets says
second Destination Maternity. They have everything from basics to designer jeans to fancy dresses.
KJ says
If your budget is pretty large, you could do Hatch.
OCAssociate says
Seraphine, Isabella Oliver, Asos and Nordstrom are good bets for stylish maternity clothes. Even Gap usually has some decent options.
MomAnon4This says
I just want to say, you’re a great sister and you’ll be a great aunt!
Anonymous says
seraphine, a pea in the pod have great selections. Nordstrom has good things too
Organization Hacks says
Best organization methods for a toddler and an infant? We have had the cube cubbys from Target and they worked but they don’t anymore. (Or I need a better system). The amount of toys is just insane and are strung everywhere. I have no idea how to function in my house, or even to walk across it in low light without endangering life and limb.
JJ says
It ain’t pretty, but right now we throw all toys into big Rubbermaid containers and stack them at the edge of a room. It’s the only way to walk across our upstairs without breaking a toe or receiving a puncture wound. So I’m very interested to hear what other people have done.
ANP says
We use a combination of bins/baskets and the IKEA Expedit (which they’ve now replaced with something similar, but I can’t remember the new name). Built-in cabinets are also your friend, but I realize not every living space has those.
My key takeaway after two kids is to have a bin/basket in every room so you don’t have to walk toys back “home,” but instead you can achieve reasonable tidiness in just a few minutes by shoving everything in the basket in each respective room.
I would also say: purge. Purge ruthlessly! Our kids have tons of toys they never play with and I’ve never once regretted making a Goodwill run. Or if you want to keep stuff, put it in bins in a basement/garage/storage unit by age and bring it out when your next kid is at a spot where s/he will want to play with the stuff. “New” toys are the best!
Meg Murry says
I have friends that have used drawstring playmats like this and like it for Legos, trains etc. We don’t have any right now, but I’m considering getting them for Christmas. My concern is where to put the bags once they are closed, since I imagine they could get heavy, and getting my husband to hang up hooks has been like pulling teeth lately (and yes, I know, I’m an empowered woman with tools, I could just hang it myself – but if its hung crooked or not perfectly in a stud then we argue about that and …. gah, lets just not go down that path)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Toyzbag
But yeah, for us the only thing that works is to scoop everything into big containers (with only occasional sorting of the objects) and/or confine toys to certain corners of the house.
Anonyc says
Many folks, including us, have the Ikea Trofast system (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49819508/) in some iteration–you can mix and match the bins, both in terms of color and size, and it comes in pine, white, and black options. We have four (!) of the kind I linked to (two for my daughters’ room, two for my son’s) and they are ALL FULL.
I feel like a maxim of parenting is even when you try your hardest, crap multiplies.
Maddie Ross says
I like the look of those, but – serious question – how do you keep your child from climbing something that appears to be a natural set of stairs???
Anonyc says
Easy–even more junk is piled on top of the steps. Someday I will have less stuff…
Nonny says
We have this too. Admittedly, right now we don’t have too many toys because my daughter is only 11 months, but the system seems to be working pretty well for the time being.
Except for the fact that my SO has commandeered one of the bins for his childproofing equipment. That needs to end PDQ because I suspect we will need that bin after the Christmas gift giving frenzy. #lovegrandparents #giftscausingproblems
mascot says
1) We confine toys to the playroom. Some creep out to be sure, but having a designated room with a door that can be closed helps. I realize that this isn’t possible for every house. Having basket for toys in other rooms helps contain the clutter.
2) We have several of the large strapping bins from Land of Nod. Well-priced, hold a lot of stuff, very durable/crushproof. Plus they fit under the train table. Clean-up goes really fast. Trains go in blue, legos in green, etc.
Anonymous says
We confine toys to the bedroom and the basement family room. Kids’ bedroom is on the first floor and our house is small, so any toys that migrate to the living room/dining room are only a couple steps away from being back where they belong. We have a stuffed animal net and Ikea Kallax shelves (about half of which have the cubes in them) in the bedroom. Anything that doesn’t fit in one of those gets donated or stashed in the basement storage space until the next time I feel like rotating toys. We are lucky to have a big closet in the family room — there’s a rubbermaid tub for duplos in there, a set of plastic drawers for art supplies, and enough space left over for a couple bigger toys. The small stuff gets thrown on the shelf of the coffee table – which is, of course, pushed against the wall so there’s more room to play (and so the toys can only fall off one side of it). It doesn’t look great, but it’s the basement anyway, and at least everything is consolidated.
Kat G says
We broke down and bought a bunch of shelves on the Montessori-like idea that kids need to be able to see everything. I noticed that my son would never play with stuff that was in bins, so the goal was to get it onto shelves so he could see it. We bought a bunch of cheap shelves from Walmart to go across an entire wall in our living room… many of these were shoe storage shelves. This turned out to be handy when he started accumulating little toys (matchbox cars, magnatiles, etc) — we’ve now added clear, open shoeboxes for single collections of toys. One for cars, one for magnatiles, one for wooden blocks, etc. It still feels crazy (and I always make a joke about the Griffin Toy Store when people come over) but it does bring order to the chaos and let him see what he’s got, which at least helps me feel like the toys aren’t going to waste.
EB0220 says
We have a bunch of decorative bins. Downstairs, we have one bin for books and one for toys. My daughter likes “parking” her larger toys in the “garage” (aka a corner of the living room) so that seems to work to keep the bigger stuff corralled downstairs. Upstairs, it’s a bit worse but not terrible. We have a toy bin, an art stuff bin, a puzzle bin, a book bin, etc. And any small things like blocks, we have just kept the box/bag they came in and just put everything back in there when done. It’s not great but it’s good enough. My toddler has a book bin in her room but no toys…and all of the stuffed animals live on her bed.
Anon says
I have been struggling with breastfeeding ever since my son was born in October. At this point, I am still pumping primarily. Even when he does latch on and suckle (which I find to be more painful than pumping), he seems just as hungry when he is done as when he started, so I still have to give him a full bottle. Has anyone dealt with something like this? Did things ultimately improve? Did you make any adjustments to make your life easier? How did you know if / when to throw in the towel, and did that mean (for you) pumping exclusively or formula feeding exclusively? I am totally drained and feeling like a failure. Thanks in advance.
Meg Murry says
My computer ate my longer reply – but get yourself to a lactation consultant ASAP. And/or your pediatrician to check for a tongue tie. Have you done any transfer weight checks (weigh baby, nurse, reweigh to see how much he actually took in at that nursing session)
And if it hurts to nurse and you are still pumping anyway, there is no shame in exclusively pumping (and filling in the gaps with formula). After 3 weeks of trying and trying to nurse my son (who had medical reasons why he couldn’t nurse effectively), the most relieved day I ever had was the day a lactation consultant handed me a bottle and said “have your husband give him a bottle. You pump for 15 minutes. Then go out to dinner.” It was the first time in those 3 weeks I actually relaxed, and it was so freeing. Yes, switching to exclusive pumping sucked, and it was a PITA, but far less so than trying to nurse AND still pump and bottle feed after every feeding.
Meg Murry says
And you are NOT a failure. Rule #1 is “feed the baby, by whatever means necessary”. Are you doing that? Then you are not a failure. Repeat. And take a nap – sleep makes that drained feeling slightly less bad.
Is it weeks 6-8? Those are the hardest weeks in bf due to a growth spurt. You can get past this. But see a doctor or LC.
JJ says
I’m going to write a very long reply, but I wanted to let you know that you are not a failure. I went through something VERY similar with my first. My best advice is to use a nipple shield.
Anonyc says
Most important is too realize that you are not a failure at all. Full stop. You’re awesome to have kept up exclusive pumping for so long, because pumping is the dumps. Kids are going to do what they are going to do on many fronts, despite what you want/try/hope for, so don’t internalize this as something you’ve done. It’s just one of those things.
Second, if the latch is consistently painful, than that’s not right. Have you gone to BFing workshops or worked with a lactation consultant? Friends of mine who struggled with nursing had good results doing one or both of those things. Your pediatrician should be able to make recommendations on both fronts; our ped group has a regular meet-up with a lactation consultant in their offices, I believe. Is your son gaining weight and have you discussed this with his doctor? I imagine he is, and that you have; I hope they were helpful to you because it’s in everyone’s interest to try to improve.
Finally, and if this were some other kind of parenting board I’m sure this would cause riots from the nursing nuts (my term, TM): if you’ve tried all available options, and it’s just not your son’s thing to nurse, it’s okay to be done with it and switch to formula. I really believe this. The agita, the stress, the lack of self-confidence as a mother is just not worth it. Formula is fine: kids have it all the time for any number of reasons and they do great. If you are a loving, caring mother (yes!), your son will thrive whether you feed him formula or bmilk. And it’s not your fault; it’s nothing you did; it’s just that it wasn’t his bag to nurse. Basta. If you want something to read that might help you think about this, an article by Hanna Rosin on BFing from a few years ago really resonated with me. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/04/the-case-against-breast-feeding/307311/
mascot says
We did combo feeding exclusively until the time I stopped nursing and then we did formula exclusively. Nursing was painful for me too, even with a good latch, and my pump sessions were the opposite of bountiful. My LC was really supportive. She reminded me that even a little bit of breast milk works for immune purposes so I didn’t need to feel like I had to produce X ounces or it was all for naught. Like everyone else said, do what works for you and block out the guilt inducing noise as much as you can.
JJ says
Ok. Here’s my long reply. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, I know how terrible and isolating it can be when you want to BF and have issues. My first son simply refused to latch well. When he did, it was incredibly painful. I worked with the lactation consultant and started pumping almost exclusively, like you’re doing. It was so much work to pump and attempt to BF at almost every feeding. Finally, another LC suggested using a nipple shield (about 7 weeks after my son was born). It took a few more days, but with the shield, my son started nursing like a champ. I know a lot of consultants frown on the nipple shield (and so does Kellymom), but I figure it allowed me to nurse when I otherwise would not have been able to. We just used it for every feeding until I weaned at 7 months. And bought about 6 to keep in different rooms in the house, in the diaper bag, etc.
Before I used the shield, though, I would just cry and cry because I felt like such a failure because I could not “feed” my child. So I know exactly what you are going through. And that feeling is so unnecessary – you’re loving and feeding your child and giving him/her a wonderful life! Do what works for you and don’t feel guilty about it. If you want to keep trying to BF, then find people who will happily support you with that. If formula is a better option, there is no shame in that. If anyone tells you otherwise, ignore the noise. You are an awesome mom and the fact that you care so much about this is proof.
blueridge29 says
Nipple guards were the key for my son. A kind night nurse slipped me one at the hospital and my son suddenly figured out how to latch. Took about a month to phase out, but once he was older he transitioned no problem. Be warned though lactation consults aren’t always fans, although thankfully our pediatrician supported them as long as it worked. I supplemented with formula when I went back to work in addition to pumping and it really saved my sanity. Do whatever works for you and don’t let anyone else make you feel bad. Best wishes
CC says
We went through something similar and only made it one month, so major kudos to you!! Our situations sound a little different because I had mainly a supply problem. My son would bf, then need a bottle, then I would pump to try and boost supply. It was exhausting! Ultimately we switched to formula exclusively and even though the first couple of weeks I felt sad and guilty about not being able to bf, it was a huge relief. I actually started to enjoy feeding time instead of dreading it and had so much more time to interact with my son instead of constantly worrying if he was getting enough to eat. I second the recommendations to check for a tounge tie and to get an appointment with a lactation consultant. At the end of the day you have to do what’s right for you, but give yourself permission to go a new route, whether it be exclusive pumping or formula. The happier you are, the happier your child will be. Breastfeeding is wonderful but it does not define good parenting, as others here have said more eloquently!
Ciao, pues says
You are not a failure, you are AWESOME. What incredible dedication to your baby! Whether nursing, or bottle-feeding, pumping or formula, that is one lucky kid to have a caring mom like you.
I echo the recommendation on visiting a lactation consultant (I got a referral from the midwife practice; if your ped doesn’t know, try your obgyn or pcp).
But most of all I encourage you to remind yourself that you are more to your baby than breastfeeding/ not breastfeeding. You are gentle touches and warm snuggles, you are long deep stares and rhythmic rocking, you are soothing whispers and joyful laughter. You are awesome, mama!
EB0220 says
Yes, definitely have your baby checked for tongue and/or lip tie. My baby (born in July) had this and it made nursing very painful. If nursing hurts beyond just surface nipple discomfort, there is something going on. It’s NOT your fault – you and your baby have to learn this skill and it’s different for everyone. I would never have known to have my baby checked for tongue/lip tie if I hadn’t been a second time nursing mom – I knew that baby #2’s painful latch wasn’t right.
Carrie M says
I am also so sorry you’re dealing with this, but it sounds like you are doing an AWESOME job. Seriously. You are not a failure. You are (1) feeding the baby and (2) protecting your supply by pumping. That is amazing.
My daughter struggled to latch. A great LC really helped us. Definitely get one to come to you if you can. I have a fabulous recommendation if you’re in the DC area. A good LC will help you with the latch issues, because there could be any number of root causes, like: lip or tongue tie, acid reflux, torticollis, supply issues, thrush or other infection, etc. Does he do better on one side versus the other? Morning versus night? Does one side hurt less than the other? Is the n–ple pinched or blanched? The LC will ask you these types of questions to help understand what’s going on.
Some things that worked for us: tons of skin to skin, bouncing lightly on an exercise ball while nursing (it sounds harder than it is!), trying different positions (I could never get comfortable side-lying but we did like if I leaned really far back (almost flat) and snuggled in for naps/nursing sessions); giving her a bit of milk (like 15ml) from the bottle first (to take the edge off) and then nursing; latching when she was sleepy.
Several mom friends have told me the following, and I think it’s good advice: Don’t give up on a bad day. If you decide that nursing just isn’t working for your family, then that’s fine. But don’t stop on a day full of tears and frustration. Pick a day to stop, stick with it, and be proud of all you’ve done.
I was in a very similar boat: nursing plus supplementing with pumped milk plus pumping to get the milk to use to supplement plus using formula if I didn’t have enough pumped milk. It is an exhausting process. So I think you’re amazing for even trying to make it all work.
Ways I found to make pumping easier: a good hands-free bra (like simple wishes); pumping on the floor with my knees bent so I could have her lie on my thighs and move my legs back and forth in almost-swing-like motion; washing my pump parts 1x a day and just sticking them in the fridge the rest of the time; using a hospital grade pump that I rented.
My girl had silent acid reflux (no spitting up), and nursing was just uncomfortable for her. We nursed for about 4 months, supplementing most of that time with pumped milk because she did not transfer milk well, and some days were great. But a lot of the time, we would only have one or two really good nursing sessions a day. Eventually, she refused the br–st entirely, and I became an exclusive pumper. She’s now 10 months and has been on pumped breast milk and, when I can’t pump enough, formula. She is happy and healthy and in the 90th percentile for weight (a FAR cry from where she was when we brought her home from the NICU). I did not set out to be an exclusive pumper, but it has ended up working well for us.
If you think it might be supply-related, then you could try to pump 8-10 times a day, if you can, to increase your supply. I know it sounds like a lot, but you’re still in the golden window where you can affect/increase your supply. You won’t have to pump that often forever. You could also try galactagogues like fenugreek, blessed thistle, oatmeal, almonds, almond milk, etc. Kelly Mom has more info on these. I take fenugreek and Gaia lactation support pills, and they have really helped me.
Sorry this was so long. One last thing I’ve come to appreciate over the last 10 months: The most important thing is to feed your baby, whether by nursing, by bottle of pumped milk, or by bottle of formula. And it doesn’t have to be “exclusive”. You can do a little of each, if that’s what works for you and your baby. The important thing is to find a path that you’re both comfortable with and that’s sustainable for you.
Anon (OP) says
To everyone who has responded, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m tearing up reading all the supportive comments, and I will definitely keep them in mind. i am already following much of the practical advice (I only use a nipple shield, and I have a lactation consultant and hospital grade pump, for example), but it is so reassuring to know that I’m basically doing what there is to do, and also that I’m not the only one who has faced this challenge. Truly, thank you all.
MomAnon4This says
Do you know about the PumpMoms group listserve on Yahoo! Groups? I am not sure if it is still active – I will need it again in a few months – but it was a godsend/lifesaver/best friend for me 2008-2009.
Newly pregnant says
Would any of you accept a used car seat? I’ve read that you should never get a used car seat, and my husband is not in favor of it due to safety concerns (I understand his concern and share it). I’m just wondering if I’m buying too much into first-time-parent fears. My friend has generously offered to give us a bunch of baby stuff that she has from her two kids. Some of it is great (pack n play, clothes) and some of it I won’t take or have doubts about (really old crib that doesn’t conform to current safety standards, used car seat). The car seat has never been in an accident, is known for its safety ratings, and is about 3 years old.
greenie says
If you trust that it has never been in an accident, it is not expired (which after 3 years it wouldn’t have been), and it’s a model that works for your family I would without any hesitation.
Meg Murry says
I would, but check to make sure it hasn’t been recalled and look on the bottom for an expiration date (they usually are 6 or 7 years after manufacture date?)
If you really aren’t sure, and it wouldn’t be insulting the friend (and you have the storage space), you can also just save the seat, and wait until Babies R Us has their car seat trade in event, where you get a discount for bringing in an old seat.
ANP says
My understanding is that Babies R Us no longer hosts their carseat trade-in event.
I have two kids and a third on the way and while I consider myself a relatively laid-back parent, I’m pretty @n@l about carseat safety. Carseats are cheap enough that I’d get my own. For example, you’re not supposed to soak/submerge the straps in water or liquid, so her seat might have never been in an accident but she might have wet down the straps at some point. Why risk it?
Lyssa says
I agree with Greenie and Meg – as long as you trust the source, it hasn’t been recalled, and isn’t expired, it should be fine. I did accept one from my brother and sister-in-law, and I’m likely to take another one of theirs (from a subsequent child, since the first one is past expiration now) for my next one. I wouldn’t pick one up at a garage sale or goodwill or anything, but a trusted friend or relative is fine.
FVNC says
We accepted a used car seat from a friend, and installed it in my mother’s car (so Grandma can pick up baby when necessary). It was four years old, so we will dispose of it when baby outgrows the infant seat. I agree with the other replies – if it hasn’t been in an accident and has not expired, I would be comfortable using it. FWIW, my husband is more cautious about accepting used items than me. If your husband continues to have concerns, and you have the budget for a new one, just buy a new one — it’s important he feel his baby is safe.
EB0220 says
We have shared an infant seat with my BIL/SIL since they had their first baby. It’s now on baby #4. I had to get a new infant insert this time around and I may replace the straps, but as long as it’s in good shape and you trust that it hasn’t been in ANY accident, however minor, then I think it’s great.
Carrie M says
We took a used car seat from our neighbor because we knew it hadn’t been in accident, it wasn’t recalled, and it had not yet expired. It worked great! We also brought it to our local police to have them check that we installed it correctly.
hoola hoopa says
I accepted one from my brother. I 100% trust my brother and SIL to be honest, and they are familiar with appropriate carseat usage.
I have bought way more baby/kid gear used (consignment and CL) than most people are comfortable, but even I would never ever buy a carseat off craigslist/consignment.
sigh says
Ever have those days when you’re working long hours for a crazy client, tired and then your child is being extra whiny and annoying and you’re running late, and then you feel guilty because the child is being annoying because of lack of attention because you’re too busy? (And I’m getting sick from child’s school germs, and 7 months pregnant too.) That is all – just venting.
JJ says
Yes! Feel free to vent away. I have just emerged from both my kids, me, and now my husband having the flu (yes, we got the shot…), which then turned in to a double ear infection for my toddler and pink eye for my baby. They’re both back to daycare today for the first time in a week, and I almost ran into my office in gratitude that I escaped my hot-zone-infected-house.
CPA Lady says
Speaking of venting… I am so sick of people who tell me “just wait” whenever I express the slightest bit of happiness or gratitude about my baby. Seriously. If someone asks how it’s going and I say anything positive, I get “oh, well [insert horrifying warning of what’s to come here]”. Yeah, I know that in two years she’ll be a tantruming nightmare and in twelve years she’ll be injecting heroin into her eyeballs and screaming that she hates me before trying to burn down the house, but can people just not let me be happy and be happy for me? Grumble. /end rant.
KJ says
These are the same people who like to regale pregnant women with all of the most horrifying labor and delivery stories they know.
hoola hoopa says
Yes, so annoying.
Although I must confess that I once caught myself being that person. ::shame::
Commiseration says
That’s my MIL. Except she does it via email whenever she’s annoyed at my husband (as in, you didn’t return my phone call and I was worried sick all night–just wait until you have your baby and you’ll see how it feels).
MomAnon4This says
I cut them off – yes, he’s been a wonderful baby, sleeping through the night, couldn’t ask for a better eater, but I’m sure he’ll steal the family car when he’s 14, so we’re enjoying it now.
Now he’s 6 and guess what – he’s semi-wonderful, semi-not. Me, too! AND my husband! Who knew people were so well-rounded?!