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Readers have shouted out these cardigans numerous times over at Corporette, and they look great — affordable, colorful, and easy care (hand wash, lay flat). They come in regular, petite, and plus sizes for $46 full price — but note that Nordstrom comes out in new colors every season so there are always a few colors to be found on sale, some as low as $9.97. Nice! Halogen® Three Quarter Sleeve Cardigan
(L-3)
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Kid/Family Sales
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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?
RDC says
Good morning moms! I’m thinking of trying stitchfix – have you all had luck with it if your wardrobe is mostly work clothes? My office is business formal but I could use help finding tops for under suits, separates for business casual Fridays, and some weekend wear. (And don’t want to put time into shopping.) Also, anyone have a promo code they could share?
Anon says
I tried it and asked for business casual pieces and their definition of business casual was WAYYY too casual. Also the quality was not very good, particularly since the prices were pretty high (ex. they would send me dresses that were over $100 that I would maybe have paid $25 for). I tried it twice and saw the same issues both times so I never used it again.
RDC says
Bummer – good to know.
Same Anon says
They do have feedback tools, so you can tell their stylists what you did or did not like about pieces to help direct their future picks for you. I was too lazy to try this. However I have heard the quality complaints from a ton of people, so I’m not sure it would fix that issue. I think there are similar services offered that have better quality, and some are specifically for business formal clothes. I don’t remember the name of any off the top of my head, but you could try posting it on the main s*te.
TTC - Virtual Hugs needed says
Hi Hive,
We’ve been TTC for over a year now and I’ve finally consulted an Ob/Gyn last week. Everything is looking good, apart from my age (38) and a previous miscarriage at 35. I feel soooooo down and have such regrets about giving my career priority over starting a family. Would love to hear how you dealt with this.
POSITA says
Hugs. Fertility stuff sucks. Has your husband been checked out yet? I wouldn’t waste time with your Ob/Gyn. I’d go straight to an RE. They are the experts in fertility. And don’t be afraid to get a second opinion after you finish a round of testing. You need to feel confident in the plan.
It sounds like there’s no way to know if you would have had identical problems even if you started 5 years ago. All you can do is look forward.
In House Counsel says
I second POSITA’s recommendation to consult with an RE instead. Given your age and the fact that you’ve been TTCing for a year now, its best to jump ahead to the RE (which may have a couple months wait time for more popular practices). In the interim, I’d get together any and all data points you have from TTC (like periods dates, temping, ovulatione etc.) so that it is handy for when you meet with the RE to help them understand your body.
Good luck — fertility is so frustrating esp when you’ve been a planner for all other aspects of your life. Wishing you lots of luck in the journey ahead!
LeChouette says
Keep the faith! The vast majority of women who want to conceive, even in their late 30s, eventually get there, whether through IVF or otherwise. And take it one step at a time – don’t think all the way down the line, start with whatever your RE recommends (prob clomid or shots etc.) and take that step before stressing about ivf etc.
Msj says
I’d echo the previous advice. No to guilt and yes to setting up an appointment with an RE ASAP and getting your husband tested by a urologist. You may also want to try acupuncture. Depending on the cause of infertility, some women have success and it is also shown to improve the success rates of ivf and other procedures. At the very least, it is good with stress and helps you feel like you are ‘doing something’ with the endless waiting the entire process requires
I’ve been there and it really sucks. It helped to have people to confide in even though I had been very private about the whole TTC thing. And lots of long, cry filled runs. In my case the infertility was not connected to age. But IVF worked! Thank goodness for science.
CapHillAnon says
Sending good thoughts your way. Be kind to yourself! I found that the book “It Starts with the Egg” by Rebecca Fett very useful when I was in a similar situation, and it gave me some well-researched, affirmative steps to take at the beginning. It’s about $16 on A m a z o n. Good luck to you.
Legally Brunette says
I really enjoyed reading the advice on the family dinners post yesterday. Does anyone have a recommendation for a menu planning service like Six O Clock Scramble or Fresh20 where there is a vegetarian option and where MOST of the meals can be made in a slow cooker?
I see that Six O Clock Scramble has the slow cooker option for some meals, which is awesome. Just curious if there are others where the majority/all of the meals can be made in the slow cooker.
Thanks!
woes says
Does it ever get better, the missing the baby while you’re at work? I’ve been back three months and it is just getting harder and harder every day. Crying multiple times a week. Part time isn’t an option and neither is switching jobs, at least for the next year. Please tell me this improves.
NewMomAnon says
It got easier for me when my kiddo started having a more predictable schedule, so I knew I would have awake time with her in the morning and evening (but not middle of the night). Can you ask whoever is watching your kiddo to send pictures, videos, etc? And hugs, that is very hard.
As a mom of a 20 month old – I have days that are hard still, especially Mondays after a really good weekend. But I know my kiddo loves her daycare (which was hard to tell with an infant), and that she looks forward to school. And I make it a point of reminding myself of the reasons I look forward to work as well.
MSJ says
Yes, although there are still hard days. Especially as they age and get more fun. But for me, it got a lot better once I stopped pumping and was better at work and felt more myself. It’s also helpful to reread past threads here about why women work to remind yourself it has a purpose.
Can you take a random day off to spend with the baby? Now I make sure to take all of my annual leave, even if it’s not a true vacation.
And it is so much more difficult if you have long hours or don’t like your job so if you are in this situation, start drafting an exit plan even if you can’t leave until next year. Where would you want to go and what needs to happen to get there (skills/networking)
And most of all, hugs.
PregLawyer says
I’m in the same boat. I try to keep telling myself that staying home with the baby is not an option for me (it really isn’t, for a number of reasons), so being sad about not seeing him is essentially pointless. My approach works sometimes. It’s more about repressing the sadness and trying not to think about it, or logicking (a word?) my way out of it, so, eh. But I’m just trying to remind myself that THIS is my new normal – not the months I had on leave where I got to see my baby all the time. I need to adjust and embrace the positives of this life, because this is the amount of time I will have for my kid for the foreseeable future.
Woes says
This is my husband’s approach, and I am trying it but not having a lot of success yet!
RDC says
I’ve been feeling a bit better lately (been back about 6 months). A couple things helped – I got busier at work and work felt more fulfilling, so more “worth it.” I also started to think in terms of “this is what is best for us” and trying to appreciate what I like about daycare. DS does more development activities at daycare than I manage to do at home – drawing, painting, etc. I like the fact that I am not solely responsible for his development and socialization. Also, in practical terms, I would be bored / exhausted at home in trying to keep him entertained. I get worn out on the weekends and wouldn’t want to do that full time.
Not sure what my point is, except that yes, it does improve, and maybe try thinking about what you do like about being a working mom. It takes some time to get there, though, which is ok.
Woes says
Thank you VERY much for these thoughtful responses. We have a lot to be thankful for — all of us love baby’s daycare, job is often interesting and employer is fairly flexible on leaving for appointments, etc., we do see the baby daily (if only 45 minutes in the morning and 30-45 at night), etc. I do think it is good to have other adults involved in baby’s care. I am reminding myself of all of these things a lot, and it does help to some degree. It’s definitely worse when work is slow, which it has been; hopefully that’ll pick up shortly.
We are hoping to make a big move next year, so part of it is feeling stuck until then — and also not knowing if things will be better, worse, or just different after that. I’m working on the steps it takes to make that move. Thought this would make it easier, but maybe is making it harder! Baby is just so CUTE, you know?
CHJ says
For me, it’s much much harder when work is slow! I had a busy August and September, and felt fulfilled at work and the workday flew by. Now October is slow, and the days are boring and drag on forever, and I wish I could be spending the time with my toddler. But I know that when things are interesting and engaging, I’m a lot more satisfied, and happier on all fronts.
PregLawyer says
It was a bit shocking to me when I came back to work how short my time actually is with my baby each day. His bedtime is slowly inching earlier and earlier (he’s almost 4 months) and last night he went down for his pre-bedtime nap at 6:30, woke up briefly at 7:00 to eat, and in bed for good at 7:15. I was lucky to get home at 6:00. That gave me a half-hour of time with him in the evening. Today he slept past his usual wake up time and got up at 7:15. I leave the house no later than 7:45. He ate from about 7:15 until 7:30 (bottle fed by my husband while I got ready). Sooooo, 45 minutes–total–in a 24-hour period. It isn’t enough. I totally feel you on that.
Woes says
Yep. Lucky to have the hour in the morning. All of us get home at 6:45 and bedtime routine starts by 7:20 – with dinner in there (for all of us, because us parents have to work again after bedtime). And when the baby finally drops that third nap I am sure bedtime will be earlier. Eek.
Lyssa says
Will baby sleep on your shoulder? Mine is a great sleeper (so lucky!), and we usually let her fall asleep around the time that we’re winding down, and I can pick her up and let her snuggle-sleep on me while we watch our shows, which is really nice. I’m not sure that that would work with all babies, but it’s great.
Woes says
Nope! He is all-crib, all the time. Usually that’s a good thing but sometimes inconvenient.
MDMom says
Right there with you. I’m on my 3rd week back, baby is almost 5 months. I have such mixed feelings. I haven’t cried since week 1 and I do enjoy being back at work and feeling more like myself again. I like our daycare and he seems to do well there. But I miss him a lot and I never feel like I have enough time with him. His bedtime is also moving earlier and it makes me sad.
Lorelai Gilmore says
How old is your baby?
For me, I found that I was pretty much a disaster until my baby was at least nine months and maybe a year old. It took a long time for me to be happy being back at work. But I eventually got there. I think that the recovery period and adjustment to working parenthood is really, really hard.
Would it be possible for you to flex your day so that you get home earlier? For example, leave the office at 3 instead of 5, pick up baby a little earlier, then work after baby is in bed? I found that to be really helpful when I was in your shoes. And if you are truly despondent, maybe it’s worth reassessing a part time schedule. It sounds like you’re working on the big move in the future, which is great, but don’t let preparations for the big move steal your joy in the life you have now.
Finally, have you gotten checked for PPD? It’s totally normal to struggle with this adjustment – but the fact that you’re feeling worse and crying multiple times per week is concerning to me. PPD doesn’t just happen after the baby is born and can surprise you.
Woes says
These are good points. Thank you. Baby is 7 mo. Because of the daycare’s location and our transportation possibilities (too complicated to get into), only my husband can do daycare pickup, sadly. Based on part-time not working for people at my firm in the past, I don’t think the firm would consider it — and we need the money, anyway. I might decide to ask if things really don’t improve, though. And yes, I have my husband on notice that if things don’t improve emotionally in few weeks, he is to insist I go to the doctor. I don’t think it’s there, yet, though, because I’m still able to enjoy life and all other than really missing the baby.
PregLawyer says
Oh hey – one more note on the PPD front: I got on prozac pretty early after I delivered. It’s pretty great. I feel like myself–my happy, well-adjusted, rational self–all the time now. I don’t get irrational anxiety, and I don’t randomly get the blues. I also don’t feel at all *not* like myself, if that makes sense.
Just know that if you do end up going that route, meds can be pretty great.
sfg says
I’m looking for a hair product recommendation for my lovely postpartum hair. My hair is colored and curly/frizzy, so tends toward dry when at full volume. With all of the hair loss, my prior products don’t work well for blowdrying because they are too heavy, and my hair is looking oily much sooner after washing. Any thoughts are welcome!
NewMomAnon says
Question: do you wear your hair curly, or blow dry it straight? I have curly/frizzy/limp hair and switched to the DevaCurl products postpartum, and my hair looks better than it maybe ever has in my life. If you are thinking about that switch, I would suggest finding a nearby DevaCurl salon and having them teach you how to do their method.
For straight hair – I got nothing. Cut it short until everything evens out?
Anonymama says
I have straight to barely wavy hair and I used a friend’s devacurl shampoo once and then towel-dried, put hair in a bun, and took a nap, and when I woke up and let my hair down it magically looked like I had spent hours blowing it out and curling it with a curling iron. It goes on my list of 4-5 magically, inexplicably amazing hair days in my life.
PregLawyer says
I have curly hair that I wear curly. After using expensive products that never seemed to work well for many years, I finally just started buying cheapo grocery store stuff. Surprisingly, Garnier’s Curl Construct mousse works very well. It leaves my hair pretty lightweight and not crunchy.
Lyssa says
I wish that they had these in long sleeves.
Question – how do you evaluate a potential babysitter? We’re trying to find our first one who’s not grandma, and a neighbor (who we don’t really know personally – the recommendation came through the neighborhood online network) volunteered her college-student daughter. What questions should I ask her and what should I try to learn about her before hiring her? As far as I can remember, I’m pretty sure my parents just left us with whoever they found – I don’t think that it was a rigorous selection (it was the 80’s; people didn’t care about kids that much). Is this something that you would be super-careful about, or just kind of make sure she’s not showing up drunk or something? (We’re talking about an evening out every few months, not something daily or all-day. I have a 4 month old and an almost 3 year old.)
BTW, another neighbor suggested her 12 year old. Does that seem crazy-young to you? Apparently, she’s been through a training class and is certified (through the Y or something) to care for infants. She wasn’t available when we needed her, but I’m just curious whether that seems too young.
Maddie Ross says
Eek, yes, a 12 y.o. does seem crazy young for your infant. I wouldn’t even leave my 2 y.o. with someone that young. I might use her as a mother’s helper though (i.e., while I was still home) and maybe work up to short periods of time during the day. But definitely would not trust with dinner and bedtime routine, etc.
Woes says
My sister in law recently told me that she used to babysit infants at age 12, and says she would never, ever let a 12 year old babysit an infant.
I’m sure it depends on the 12 year old, though, because some of them ARE moms.
mascot says
I started babysitting at 12 I think (took the red cross class, etc). But, I babysat for neighbors and my mom was at home in case I needed backup. I think it was little kids at that age, not infants. Maybe try her for an afternoon.
For an evening out when our child was little, we would have him basically ready for bed. I felt like bathtime was more risk than I liked so we either bathed him ahead of time or skipped the bath.
We also leave a detailed note for sitters with all the numbers (including poison control, 911 for emergencies), child and pet names/ages, address to the house, steps to the nighttime routine, wi-fi/tv instructions and house rules.
rakma says
12 years old seems young for an infant–I babysat toddlers around age 14, but no infants until I was 16-17, and then my parents were only down the block if needed. I took a training course too, and while it was helpful, it’s not hands on supervised experience with an actual baby. I think it might be different if the 12-year old had much younger siblings, and had experience helping out with them. I agree she might be a better mother’s helper candidate.
We left 5 month old DD with a ~17 year old for my sisters wedding. Her parents were neighbors of my mom’s co-worker, we had a quick chat with her before we made the arrangements, I asked her about her babysitting experience, how comfortable she was with diaper changes (poor thing had to deal with a massive blow out, handled it like a champ) asked her about school (all AP classes, drama club, sports, I have no idea how she had time to babysit) and basically just had a gut feeling that she was a responsible kid (who’s parents were a few blocks away if anything went upside down)
EB0220 says
12 is definitely young for a baby, but I have a 15 year old babysitter who has been fantastic with my infant. A few years makes a big difference.
I usually ask what experience they have with other kids the same age as mine – particularly since I still have one in diapers. When my youngest was still taking bottles, it was good to have someone who was familiar with heating and feeding bottles. I usually either ask for a reference or have them help with me at home the first time (or both), just to get a feel of how they are with the kids.
anon says
I’d definitely ask for referrals
Lorelai Gilmore says
1) Get references. (This is hands down the most important thing.) Actually make the calls and talk to people.
2) Have the babysitter come over and hang out with your kids for an hour or so while you work. Pay her for this time. See how it goes and how you feel.
Anonymous says
I would think a 12 year old is too young for a 4 month old, even without the 3 year old in the mix. I think the 12 year old could be a FANTASTIC monther’s helper type, or if you’re at home for snow days/ school closures she could take the kids out of your hair. then as your little one gets older, perhaps start leaving her home with the kids alone.
For an infant that young, I’d actually look for someone that has or had kids (or has worked in a daycare/had extensive exposure to ones that young). As soon as they are slightly less fragile (8months on?) I’d explore high school/college kids, especially if it’s mostly evening sitting.
For our 18 month old, a high school/college kid was totally fine, as long as they were clear on how often to change her diaper. One sheepishly told me that she kept asking our daughter if she needed a new diaper but she never said yes…oops. “Check every 2 hours and/or if you smell something” was what I told her, and she was perfect afterward.
EP-er says
When I was in 5th grade — 11? 12? — I watched an infant, a toddler, and a 2nd grader every Saturday night so that their parents could go bowling. What were they thinking! No disasters and I did it for a couple of years. Have you discreetly asked around the daycare center? Technically, our teachers aren’t supposed to babysit, but many of them do.
We needed someone in a pinch for about a month. We found a college student and had her come over for an afternoon. The first day she watched my daughter, I worked from home. She was really good about bringing crafts and sending me pictures during the day, although she wasn’t terribly reliable in the snow.
Clementine says
I know I was babysitting by myself for children in diapers at 10 or 11! My husband was babysitting a 6 month old when he was 10- granted, the mom and his parents were at church 500 yards away, but part of me thinks the 90’s were this magical time of lax parenting…
Baby Products says
What was your favorite baby product? Which one did you think was the biggest waste or you never used?
Anon in NYC says
I have a 4 month old so I’m still very new at this but the things that I have loved so far are:
Miracle Blanket – baby straitjacket. The first time we used this my daughter slept 4+ hours. We used it until she sized out of it. Really, this applies to all swaddles. She loved them but apparently not all babies do. We’ve switched to sleep sacks now.
Gerber cloth diapers as burp cloths – absorbent and inexpensive, so you can buy a bunch of them. My daughter was a “happy spitter” so there were days we went through a ton of them.
Nose Frida & saline drops – gross but very effective
White noise machine – we have a basic one and it seems to lull her to sleep.
Rock n’ play with vibration – in the early weeks this was the only place she would nap. The vibration was key for her – as soon as you shut it off she would wake up!
4Moms infant tub – we’ve been using it in the sink and I love the thermometer feature. It’s reassuring to know the water temp.
There aren’t too many things that I have that I wouldn’t use or buy for someone else (at least so far), but I would say: nail files. Just use nail clippers (or get baby clippers). Her nails are so soft and thin that filing them was awful. Also, lotion. I was trying to use lotion on her post-bath and her skin still seemed so dry. I switched to coconut oil and she doesn’t have dry skin anymore.
PregLawyer says
I could have written this. +1 to Miracle Blankets (then Halo sleep sacks), lots and lots and lots of burp cloths, white noise, rock n’ play with vibration, nail clippers instead of file, and no lotion.
I’d also add large Aden + Anais muslin blankets in case you have a Houdini baby that can escape even the toughest of swaddles. We had to double-swaddle our little guy by using an extra blanket swaddle on top of the Miracle Blanket.
Absolutely best thing we have – our Keekaroo Peanut changing pad. It’s silicone, so you just wipe it off. No changing pad covers to wash. You can also carry it around the house easily.
Anonymous says
Absolutely to the keekaroo! Best invention ever!
rakma says
We have more vasaline/aquaphor than we could use over the lifetime of 5 babies–my sister swore by the stuff, but it wasn’t as useful to us as it was to her.
The more useful recommendation from same sister was the Dapple dishwashing soap–it cleans up milk/formula better than my regular soap.
I also use a lot of Babyganics hand and face wipes, I prefer to use them to baby wipes on hands and faces, and are great for getting snot off skin.
NewMomAnon says
Anything that saved me time and/or freed up my hands was useful. The Ergo, a fake grass drying rack on the counter for bottle parts, Gerber cloth diapers used as burp rags (have stashes of these everywhere). Sweatshirts or cardigans WITH POCKETS for you, so you can carry baby and your phone/a snack/a pacifier and still open doors, etc.
I think I could have done without:
– the nursing pillow; I preferred to have an array of small pillows to prop my elbow, head, hips or whatever so I could nurse in whatever position I wanted.
– the mobile over the crib (but maybe put it over the diaper changing area). My kiddo was so fascinated by the mobile that she wouldn’t sleep.
– the formal changing pad (we had one strapped to a dresser); I prefer to change diapers with baby laying on a towel on the bed or sofa, or the floor. It feels safer.
– the bassinette; I would get a rock and play. More portable, easier to store, easier to clean.
– the pack and play; my kiddo refuses to sleep in them, so she sleeps with me when we travel.
Lkl says
Necessities: For birth-3 months, hands down the Baby K’tan. Also totally necessary for us: rock n play for daytime newborn lounging.. Swaddles (wish we could have swaddled forever.) Ergo. Universal mosquito net cover that works for the rock n play, playpen, etc. Cloth diapers as burp cloths. Sleep sacks don’t really work for us either – we just use warm PJs. Ice cube trays for baby food. That green grass bottle drying rack.
Wouldn’t use again: Diaper bag branded as such – a random old black purse is working better. Infant car seat — for our baby, who couldn’t be transferred sleeping from the car, the only benefit was that we could use it with the snap n go (where he still wouldn’t sleep). We used it with the snap n go only about 10 times — mostly just used the K’tan or Ergo and now a regular stroller sometimes. Probably wouldn’t get a play gym/mat, which we used less than 10 times during month 2. Ours was a hand me down we have already given away; next time, if anything, we’d use the very simple Ikea one that is just a hoop with danglies. We used a co-sleeper and probably wouldn’t next time– rock-n-play if the baby was in our room, otherwise crib. This baby did not require a swing and I was really glad not to have it taking up space, but a bouncy seat was very very useful when he was big enough that he wanted to look around (so the rock n play didn’t work) but wasn’t able to sit on the floor yet — about months 2.5-5. We were given a “crib soother” and I still don’t know what to do with it.
Lkl says
re: nail scissors — we are finding a swiss army knife’s scissors to be the easiest.
SC says
I have a 5-month-old. Necessities for us in the first few months were Rock N Play, Baby K’Tan, and the sound machine. Necessities now are the play mat, the pack n play (we take it over to friends or grandparents’ houses, and baby will go to sleep after dinner), and zip-up footie pjs. We also use the Aden + Anais muslin blankets all the time. Oh, and black-out curtains in baby’s room, which otherwise gets a ton of light.
There aren’t too many things I would do without. Even if something only works for a couple of months, it’s great to be able to sleep, shower, or whatever during that time. The biggest item is probably the rocking chair. Baby really doesn’t like to be rocked that much and prefers being swayed or bounced while I’m standing up. Fortunately, the chair we bought converts to a regular arm chair, so we can use it beyond infancy, but I’m not sure I would have spent the money. Along the same lines, we have a formal changing area, but it’s a tv stand we were no longer using with a changing pad strapped to the top. I like using it, but I am glad I didn’t spend a lot on new furniture.
Anon in NYC says
How do people find last minute childcare for a work day that isn’t you/a family member/close friend? Do you just go on care.com or sittercity and hope for the best?
sfg says
In my city we have a couple of services that pre-vet sitters – one of them, Sensible Sitters, looks like it’s available in NYC. Costs a little more but I’ve had success when in a pinch.
Anon in NYC says
Thanks! This was very helpful. I didn’t even know that these kinds of services existed.
KJ says
OP, try googling “backup day care” or “emergency nanny” and see what comes up. I’m sure there must be plenty in NYC.
I know of a couple of back-up nanny services here in DC*, but I have never been able to bring myself to use one. I have considered it, but then I can’t bring myself to leave my kid with a strange caregiver when she isn’t feeling well. There might come a time, though, when my partner and I both have absolutely unmissable commitments, and we have to use a service. For people who have done this, what is it like? Does your kiddo balk at the strange person?
*The ones I know of are Metro Parent Relief and White House Nannies. If anyone has experience with either, I’d love to hear it.
sfg says
My nanny went AWOL and so I had to scramble for care for a week. Different person almost every day. LO did balk, but when I was able to have the same person two days in a row, things were always better the second day. My spouse was traveling, so I ended up working from home a lot because I was not comfortable with a complete stranger on the first day with my kid (even vetted). Thankfully my schedule was pretty flexible that week.
KJ says
Oh man, that really sucks. I’m glad it worked out for you.
Anon in NYC says
I know, I struggle with it too. She has her first cold and my husband is staying with her today but I have an unmissable commitment tomorrow, he’s having work issues that might only be resolved by going to the office, and all grandparents have conflicts. It’s a perfect storm of events.
KJ says
We don’t have any family in town, so we have been very lucky so far that we’ve always been able to make it work with our work schedules, especially since my spouse travels regularly. It’s a tough situation, and I know our luck will run out eventually!
RDC says
In DC and fortunately my office offers backup care through “WorkLife4You” which sub-contacts to Bright star in Arlington. we’ve used it three times now and the nannies we got were just ok, in my opinion, and I was not super comfortable leaving the baby alone with her. But it was a lifesaver because it allows me to at least work from home while they entertain him.
Anon S says
I got the bellefit and loved it. Who knows how I would have been without it, but my stomach was flat 3 weeks post partum – crazy. I had a c section. I wore it all the time except I took it off at night. I also thought they had great customer service.
Girdles says
Did anyone use a post-partum girdle after giving birth? If so, would you recommend using or avoiding any specific brands. I am leaning toward buying the cheapo Babiesrus one because I’m not sure how dedicated I will be to wearing it and don’t want to waste a bunch of money.
Famouscait says
I used the Bellefit that Kat did a post on here a while back. I thought it was actually comfortably supportive and bonus if it did anything else. I’m glad I used it and saved it for future use.
TK says
Can’t compare with / without because I’ve only had one kid but I had a great experience with Bellefit. C section, gained 50 lbs with pregnancy, nearly 10 lb baby, used Bellefit ‘small’ from day 2 PP to 1.5 weeks PP before switching to size ‘extra small,’ back to pre-preg clothes (if not weight) within 3 weeks. I found it comfortable even with C scar, wore it round the clock, only took it off to wash every 3 or 4 days or so.
CPA Lady says
Also had the Bellefit. It was like $100, but it helped me get back in my pre-preg clothes within a month post-partum. I also had a c section and found it very comfortable and supportive when my abdominal muscles felt shot. I surprised myself by how much I liked it because I don’t typically like or wear shapewear.
(was) due in june says
I also got the bellefit. Gained 40, 6 lb baby. I didn’t start wearing it until about 4w because I felt so awful after the csection, but it was comfortable after about day 3 of wear. The support felt good, and I probably would have appreciated wearing it much sooner. I never wore it more than 10 hours a day, usually more like 8. It doesn’t make you lose weight, of course, but I do think it helped smoosh everything back closer together internally after having so much space. I thought of it like an interior designer than fit all my furniture into my now much smaller apartment after having it all spaced out in a house for months. It was worth the price.
Anon says
A physical therapist I know who specializes in women’s issues, including DR really likes the ‘taut wrap’. She mentioned that their effectiveness was tied to how likely women were to wear them and this was the wrap that women wore the most.
I’m actually considering getting both the taut wrap and a bellefit just so I have two options-