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I was poking around for totes for yesterday’s Coffee Break and found this tote (not pictured), which is HUGE when you click on the link — if you’re that woman who needs to carry every single thing with you (and want it in a shoulder bag), that tote is for you. But: it got me thinking about the brand Mosey, which makes the convertible backpack that I wore all the time when Harry and Jack were small (it’s a great backpack with some baby carriers), and poked through their offerings — and found the pictured Gatitote. It isn’t huge like the other one, but rather looks to be sized juuust right. All of the brand’s bags are made of repurposed plastic bottles; the bag I own was very durable, lightweight, and easy to clean — perfect for summer. I like the red and light blue version pictured (love those colors together!), but the bag is available in a ton of colors. It’s $106 at Zappos. Mosey Gatitote (L-4)Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- Zappos – 29,000+ 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 – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Sophia says
I actually have the move along tote (the giant not-pictured one) and love it. Before I got laid off I used it to carry my pump, all pump parts and spares, cooler bag, wallet, phone, makeup, and some small files back and forth to the office. It is enormous, but I liked that, as opposed to the pump in style tote, I could get away with carrying just one bag back and forth to work. Now that I’m no longer pumping (or working) I use it as a weekend bag for the baby’s stuff. It has a ton of pockets so it’s easy to organize everything and holds enough for a weekend and then some.
meme says
Oooh, I love this pick. And now I want the big (not pictured) one AND the one Kat featured. How does it clean up?
B says
I completely love my LeSportsac tote, which was recommended on Corporette a while ago. Haven’t used it for baby stuff yet (still pregnant) but hoping to.
KJ says
So, it has become clear to me that my city-dwelling, non-child-having friends are not interested in socializing with suburb-dwelling, baby-having me as frequently as I would like. It is a bummer, but I am trying not to take it personally. It’s just tough with different schedules and not living in the same neighborhoods anymore.
What I am trying to do is make an effort to strengthen ties to acquaintances who live in my area and take steps to, hopefully, make some new friends. To that end, I think there are some ladies on this board who live near me in Silver Spring, MD. If anyone is in the same boat and interested in meeting up for a coffee or a drink without kids or at a park or something with kiddos in tow, please let me know. I have one daughter who is 14 months old and loves the playground, and I’d be happy to meet moms with kids of different ages. I set up an anon email: corpor e t t e mominsilverspring AT gmail DOT com (leave out the spaces). If I get multiple responses I can set up a group email and try to organize a meet-up too.
Long Island meet-up? says
Ditto to everything KJ said except, unfortunately, location.
Any ladies in Long Island (I’m in Nassau) who are interested in a meet-up, please email: katch584 at gmail
JEB says
Has anyone dealt with a post partum prolapse issue? I’m 6 months pp and just noticed some swelling/bulging “down there.” After two heavy doses of antibiotics (thanks daycare germs), I’m currently fighting a yeast infection, which I’ve never had before, so maybe the swelling is related to that? It’s kind of a bulge, almost like a hemorrhoid.
I have an appointment with my OB in two weeks to get my IUD removed because my body apparently hates it (seriously, can’t win these days), but I’m wondering if I should try to push the appointment up? I don’t know what I’m looking for here…advice, past experiences? I’m just a bit freaked out.
Sorry, that’s a whole lotta TMI this early in the morning.
k. says
You might want to check on Mutu Systems. It is a program for diastasis recti, but will also help prolapse. I don’t sell it or anything–just use it. I’ve had pelvic issues for years before even having a child. Luckily never had prolapse, but similiar caused issues.
I’d also recommend seeing a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor or post-partum issues. They can also diagnose your issues well. A doctor will probably recommend surgery first thing, but it is my understanding that surgery can be a temporary fix if you don’t change your alignment and strengthen your muscles.
If you really like to research and understand things, check out the work of Katy Bowman, a biochemist. Her work on alignment and pelvic floor health has been really helpful to me.
JEB says
Great info – thank you!
Maddie Ross says
Definitely talk to your doctor before you freak out. I thought I had a problem like this earlier in the year and it turned out that I was just swollen from an infection. If you already know you have an infection, it could well be that. It might be more – but don’t stress about it yet.
JEB says
I’m so glad to hear your situation turned out okay. Gives me hope that it’s just the infection!
PT says
Second the PT recommendation. I had a muscle knot. Didn’t know it was possible. There is a practicioner directory on Herman & Wallace’s website. You may need a referral from your OB for an eval, but they should be willing to phone it in
JEB says
Thank you – there’s a provider very close by. I appreciate the information.
Lyssa says
I would love some tips on managing the transition to big brother with my little guy. He’s 2.5, and my MIL (who is super-fun for him) will be coming to take care of him while we’re in the hospital for a planned c-section in a little over a week (yikes!). I had a c-section with him, too, and it went really well, so I’m not really worried about that part. What I’m wondering is when he should visit and how many times (likely to stay at the hospital about 3 days), and for how long? We were thinking that maybe MIL could bring him and get him some ice cream to eat there, so he has something fun, too, and I was thinking that maybe he can be put in the bed with me a little and I can read to him or let him play with the i-pad there. Should I try to facetime with him too, like maybe read a story to him at bedtime (this is our usual ritual)? Or maybe just try to let him have fun with Gramma like it’s not a big deal? Also, when we bring the baby home, do you think it would make more sense to him if 1) we have MIL or husband take him to the hospital so that we can all ride home together, 2) have MIL at home with him when we arrive, or 3) have MIL take him out somewhere fun, like the park, and have us be home and settled when they get back? How is the c-section recovery with a toddler – i.e., can he sit on your lap, etc. while healing, that sort of thing? Any other tips? We’ve been talking about the baby a lot and reading books on it, but I’m not sure how much he really “gets” about it.
Maddie Ross says
I only have one, so no help on the introduction to the new baby stuff, but can help with the generally being away from your child part. Have you been away for a night or two before? How did you handle? For us, I have always made a point of not facetiming my daughter. It gets her more upset to see me and realize I’m gone and it’s better for her to just enjoy being with daddy or g-ma. I know other kids though love the facetiming thing. So I think that part of it really depends on your own child.
stc says
My nearly 3 year old just spent three days in another state with grandparents (after only being away from us for one night-I mean, I’ve been away from him, but my husband’s always been with him). It went great and I think it was partially because I didn’t talk to him. We chatted once when I called my mom, but in general it was nice for him to just be distracted. He cried for us a little, but my mom just comforted and distracted and he was fine. Your situation is a little different because of new baby and visiting, but I wouldn’t initiate contact outside of visits unless she asks to call or facetime. Good luck and congrats!!! Also, aren’t good grandparents just the best?
Lyssa says
We’re extremely lucky that our kids have good grandparents as well as some great aunts and uncles! Reading some of these and similar boards really drives that home to me!
When he’s been away before, he’s usually good but gets upset around bedtime if I’m not there. He’s adamant about me doing bedtime (he objects if my husband even tries to pick him up – obviously will be an issue, as I can’t carry him upstairs to bed post-op). But you guys are right that it may make it worse if he facetimes with me.
Meg Murry says
Can you do a couple of dry runs of “mommy’s not there at bedtime” this week? Even if you just go sit in the car in the garage or drive around the block, just for you to be out of the house and let daddy handle bedtime? Or switch something up like doing stories on the couch in the living room instead of in his room. That way if things have to change a little once the baby is born (for instance, if baby is mid-marathon nursing session at bedtime or you crash out and take a nap during what would be his bedtime) there is a slightly better chance he would be willing to let daddy handle it or adjust to slight changes (like stories in the living room, or daddy handling bathtime/toothbrushing instead of you, etc) – and he won’t immediately associate “Mommy used to do bedtime but now that there is a new baby she doesn’t”
Lyssa says
That’s a really good idea. I think that I might cry myself to not get to to them, but it does sound like a really good idea. I’ll give it a shot.
mascot says
We don’t facetime our child either when we/he is away. We may talk on the phone a few times (and get regular text/phone updates from the grands). He’s perfectly happy with the grandparents and doesn’t seem to get homesick. He’s been spending the night/week with them since he was tiny so that may be part of it.
I like the idea of gifts between the siblings. The first time he meets the baby is going to be special and photo-worthy regardless of where it is. As for coming home, I’d do whatever is easiest and keeps your son on his regular schedule. If he is going to want your attn the second you walk in the house it may be easier to have him at the park so you can at least get inside and settled.
TBK says
I made the mistake of trying to facetime my sons while I was away on business this week. One of them had a TOTAL meltdown the second he saw me! I felt terrible, both for him and for the au pair who then had a screamy toddler on her hands!
Meg Murry says
I agree that with Maddie that it may make things worse to facetime at bedtime, because it might remind kiddo (who is otherwise having a fun time with grandma) that Mommy isn’t there. Maybe a mid-day facetime (if he isn’t coming to the hospital that day) would be better?
I know one friend had a present at the hospital for big brother “from the baby” that was something to play with there, like a duplo set to put together. My son was also excited to give a present to the baby – we ordered a version of his favorite lovey in a different color as a gift for the baby, which he gave to the baby in the hospital.
I would NOT recommend having him come to the hospital to all go home together, because it can take hours to actually get discharged from the hospital, especially if they have a rule that you have to be taken to the front door in a wheelchair – we waited 2 hours from the time we were told “it all looks good, we’ll discharge you” until the paperwork was all actually signed, and then another hour after that before the wheelchair showed up.
Momata says
Seconding this request but for a 20 month old.
Spirograph says
Congrats Lyssa and Momata! My older child was 20 months when the baby was born. He did not come see us in the hospital because of flu season rules, and I think I probably missed him more than he missed me. Grandma and Auntie came to visit and were there by the time my son got home from daycare the first day I was gone… he was so excited to see them that I’m pretty sure he didn’t care that I wasn’t around. My husband went home for dinner/bedtime and sent me a video of my son waving and saying “night night mama!” but we didn’t facetime. Grandma was home with my son when husband and I came home with the baby, and it went really well. My son lost interest in the baby after a few minutes; we brought a balloon “for him” home from the hospital and balloons are way more interesting than babies. No advice on C-section recovery, since I didn’t have one.
The first few weeks were rough. My 20 month old was not very verbal yet. He acted out in frustration a lot, and was just kind of emotionally on edge for a few weeks — the smallest things would set him off crying, which was atypical for him. He also was a lot clingier and didn’t sleep well. You can imagine that all this made me really sad, too, on top of postpartum hormones. Things got a -lot- better after about 2 months, though. And now the baby is 5 months and she and big brother adore each other (I just constantly have to remind him to play gently).
Momata says
Thank you!
Anonymous says
Grandma and grampa took care of my 2 y/o when DD was born, and I swear he had one of the best weekends of his life with all that unfettered grandparent attention.
DS came for short visits a few times. He met DD after his nap and spent maybe an hour with us. Our hospital had a little food station, so when he came to visit, I would take him there for chocolate milk, which was a major treat. We had a little pizza party one night. We didn’t facetime or talk on the phone. I think bedtime goes better if grandma has total control and can do it her way. DS “helped” us bring DD home. He strapped a stuffed animal into DD car seat at home to make sure it would work. Discharge does take forever, but the nurse gave me an approximate discharge time, and DH and DS arrived as I was finishing packing/paperwork. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It was a wonderful experience for him, and I had total peace of mind knowing he had excellent care.
And they totally don’t get it until the newborn is there. In fact, neither did I. It was a bittersweet time b/c I was so happy to have DD, but I didn’t have the same time to spend with DS. Then came the tantrums (at least in my experience), but they passed and now it’s really, really great. GOOD LUCK!!!
(And holla to all the wonderful grandparents out there. I feel like I hit the grandparent lotto.)
ANP says
Congrats, Lyssa, on the impending birth of your little one! Our daughter was 3 when her baby brother arrived, but here’s what worked for us:
+ I would just let him have Fun Grandma Time and not FaceTime or anything like that. My daughter looooooves Grandma and Grandpa’s house, so she was basically on her dream vacation while she stayed with them during my stint in the hospital.
+ We had a gift waiting for her “from the baby” at the hospital when she first came to visit. I thought it was a good thing in terms of making her feel happy that the baby had arrived. She and Grandma actually went out together to buy a present for the baby, which was also fun for her. She came once a day and I delivered vag*nally, so I was there for less time than I would have been with a C-section.
+ I would keep your toddler at home while you, your husband and newborn go through the discharge process. If your son and his Grandma are waiting for you, they can make a big deal out of you coming home (balloons/cake, maybe? A handmade banner or sign? In my experience, toddlers love anything that feels like a party) and you can have your son show the baby around the house (i.e. you or your husband carry baby from room to room while your elder one shows him/her their big boy room, the baby’s room, etc.).
Also, there’s a chance your big guy won’t be all that interested in the baby — we saw that from time to time in our daughter. Babies don’t do much at first so often toddlers are all, “Hmmmm, that’s interesting, I’m going to go play toys now.”
kc esq says
On Cup of Jo, she did a post about this (not C-section specific, though). One tip was to have the baby in the bassinet when the older child comes into the hospital room so that your arms are free to hug him.
Anony Law Mom says
My son was 2.5 when my daughter was born. I ended up staying in the hospital alone with the baby after she was born, and my husband stayed at home with our son and my parents. My son had a cold, so he only came to the hospital once, and that was a good idea. He had no interest in the baby and wanted to jump, run, push all of the buttons, pull all of the wires, etc. in the hospital room. He is a very active and tactile kid. Ice cream to keep him occupied in the room is a great idea. Having a gift from the baby for him there was nice (a new stuffy). I would say the best thing for him was having my husband available to be home with him. He loves my parents and has seen them twice a week since he was born, but he still needed dad at home. I’d suggest that if it’s possible. I didn’t have a c-section, so I don’t know how much more difficult that will make things for you alone in the hospital.
As far as getting home, I’d suggest making the focus on him. You are so excited to see him, want to see his toys, art projects, etc.
Good luck! I found 2.5 years to be a great age gap so far. They are close enough to play together but the older is old enough to be somewhat independent when you need to focus on the baby.
In House Lobbyist says
Our son had just turned 3 when we had a planned c-section. Grandparents brought him to the hospital on day 2 (I wanted to have a little time to recover) and he had a gift from the baby. I got him a “Big Brother” tote bag from Amazon with some coloring books, books, and a Big Brother tshirt. He was a little freaked out and wouldn’t look at or hold his new baby sister. He just wanted to sit with Grandpa. He stayed about 30 minutes and then went home with grandparents to their house. He came home the next day after I went home from the hosptial and was super excited then.
One thing he really seemed to like was that I made the snapfish baby announcements from him – “B is now a Big Brother and wants to introduce his baby sister ” and included a pic of him holding her. He asked to have his pic in the card when I was working on them so I changed it around and he was really proud. He still talks about it on the fridge. Another thing I did that seemed to help was to tell the new baby that she would have to wait while I finished getting big brother his drink/helping him/reading to him. That way when I had to tell him the same thing, he didn’t get upset.
They are almost 5 and 2 now and it is a great age difference. He was really helpful from day 1 and is still a big help and plays good with her.
CHL says
We had my second the week my first turned 2 and he spent the whole weekend with his grandparents, having the time of his life. They did not come visit us in the hospital which was really great for us. We focused on bonding with the baby and getting a lot of rest before we went home and I think it would have been more difficult for him to come see us and then get pissed off that he had to leave. We were home before he was, and he was pretty uninterested in the baby (much more interested in a truck that someone had dropped off for him). I’ve heard you should do it the other way around but our schedule didn’t work.
blueridge29 says
My kids are 20 months apart, both c-sections. Hardest part was not being able to pick up my son for about two weeks after the surgery. We snuggled a lot in chairs and on the floor though which helped.
My husband went home and picked up our son to visit. He visited at the hospital on day two once the iv was out and I could get out of bed. We showed him his sister, but he was more excited about the buttons on the bed. We didn’t push any interaction and just let him play.
My husband went home for bedtime and my mom came to the hospital the first night for the hour or so my husband was gone. We live close to the hospital. The second night the grandparents put him to bed.
We met our son at home which worked fine. Discharge takes forever and I can’t imagine wrangling a toddler during that time.
Best of luck!
anon says
+1 to the gifts (toddler brings baby a gift, baby brings toddler a gift).
One thing I read (but I can’t actually remember if I implemented) was that DH carries the baby in, so you are free to give hugs or whatever to the toddler – that way his first memory of the baby at home isn’t you scolding him to be careful.
My kids are 2.5 and 2 years apart. I thought the third baby would be really hard on DS2 (who is not a particularly easy child), but it turned out fine. And we broke all the rules – on the day DD came home, we moved DS2 out of the crib in the nursery onto a big boy (trundle) bed in his brother’s room, and starting that day I stopped sitting with him at bedtime. And it was OK.
sfg says
Yet another pumping question – so I have stockpiled extra parts for my impending return to work (and a car adapter, so I can be a modern woman and pump while I drive, ugh), but now I am thinking about getting a second pump, as I am petrified that I will leave it either at home or at work and I am fairly certain that I will at least pump my first session at home in the mornings. Going to wait a few days to see how everything works out once our nanny starts and I get into some semblance of a morning schedule, but really, is this crazy? I am so sleep deprived that I can, sadly, easily see leaving my pump somewhere. And I have invested so much money into nursing at this point that really, what is another $130? (Never has it been more clear that the “breastfeeding is free” argument is B.S.) Don’t know what I am asking, really – I guess just permission to make my life easier? Sigh.
happy Friday!
ANP says
I had one pump when we only had one kid, but thanks to the Affordable Care Act I was able to get a second at no cost with #2. I left the new one at work (where I did the majority of my pumping) and had the old one at home for backup. It was amazingly convenient! I don’t think anything that makes you more sane is in any way crazy. Do you pump a lot in places away from the office? Will you have more kids and use the pump/s again? I would consider these questions but honestly I think that whatever gives you peace of mind is a good investment. Also, you could consider purchasing a less-top-of-the-line pump as your backup, too, if the $130 price tag is giving you heartburn.
RDC says
Yes – get two. I have one at work and one at home, although I’ve ended up rarely using the one at home. I’m so glad not to have to carry another (heavy) thing back and forth – I just brings the bottles and parts each day.
I got my second one used from a mom in my neighborhood group, if you’re willing to consider that. I think I paid $25. It’s older and definitely not as “strong” as the new pump, but works in a pinch. (ETA – I keep the new one at work, where I pump more.)
dl says
Get another one. The additional peace of mind is worth the cost. Also, free advice from experience, If you’ll be pumping in the car, (1) don’t wear the shirt you intend to wear at work because milk gets everywhere, and (2) have a towel on your lap while you drive. I cut slits in a sports bra that held the cones in place while I drove, then I changed once I got to work / court, etc.
Momata says
How did the timing of car pumping work for you? I have a long commute and would love to use that time better for kid no. 2. But for kid no. 1, I nursed no more than an hour before I left in the morning, so I can’t imagine pumping on the ride in would be very productive — and I nursed as soon as I got home, so I wouldn’t want to empty out on my way home.
sfg says
Thanks for the car pumping pointers!
Momata says
I had two, as a hedge against forgetting to bring it home on Fridays or back to work on Mondays. It was so nice to have one less thing to cart back and forth. My home pump was also used – I was comfortable with it because the prior owner was a friend whose health status I was comfortable with, and because no fluids get into anything that can’t be sterilized. I also inherited some used hand pumps which I kept at home and in the car – great for just snagging a couple ounces for the stash if baby didn’t eat both sides, or for alleviating pressure while out and about if baby wasn’t hungry or I had brought a bottle.
blueridge29 says
Stashing a hand pump in the car is a great idea.
Meg Murry says
Highly recommended. If possible, get one that either goes with your bottles or with your electric pump. If you have a Medela PIS/PISA, the Harmony hand pump flanges, membrane and bottle are the same as the the electric pump, so you can use those parts as a backup if you lose or forget them.
In House Lobbyist says
I had 2 and it was a life saver. I had a friends Pump in Style that I left at home and the Freestyle that I carried back and forth to work and for traveling.
Meg Murry says
If you are going to pump and drive, you’ll be hauling the pump back and forth with you anyway. I guess you could have one as the home/car pump and one as the work pump. My concern with having 2 and 2 sets of parts is that I would be more likely to forget what was going on and end up with 2 at home and none at work or vice versa, or all the spare parts in the bag of the pump that isn’t with you. I forgot to pack some of the parts sometimes, but I never forgot my pump – although I had the kind that physically couldn’t come out of the bag, so that probably helped – I knew as long as I had all of my bags, I had the pump.
I had one bag for the pump, power cords (car, wall and battery), bustier (Made by Moms – I liked that it was velcro and went on around me, not over my head) and spare little parts like membranes and the horns that were just a touch too big but could be used in a pinch, and backup milk storage bags (useful the days I forgot bottles and/or caps). Then I had a second bag (large lunchbag sized) that held my parts (2 sets or 1 set + freemies, in quart or gallon ziplocs), bottles, caps and ice pack that got shoved in the fridge once I got to work. I used a carbiner clip to attach the lunchbag to the pump bag when I needed a spare hand. I didn’t need to carry much back and forth to work, so I would only have a small purse or grocery bag with my lunch in it. Yes, I felt kind of like a bag lady sometimes, but only for the walk from the parking lot to my car and back, so do-able.
As for pumping in the car – I had a one hour commute, so I would nurse in the mornings, then hookup in the car in the driveway and turn on the pump once I got on the highway (so I wasn’t worrying about knocking over bottles of milk while merging). I usually wore a fleece thrown backward over my chest so no one could see me pumping while on the road. It was much easier once I got freemies to pump and drive. After 20 minutes or so I would just yank out the power cord to turn it off (or if I got in a traffic situation where I wanted it off NOW), and stay setup until I got to work, where I would go park in the far corner and un-hookup.
I usually got 2-4 ounces during that morning drive, because I basically trained my body to produce more in the mornings by pumping every day after that morning nursing session either during the drive or at home on the weekends – at home when not driving I could get 4-6 oz that session, even after nursing, unless my son had been nursing all night. I have friends who managed to nurse only on one side in the mornings while pumping the other every day, but I wasn’t that coordinated, and I tended to do the first morning feed in bed or in the baby’s room, not downstairs where my pump “lived”. If you plan to pump at home as well as at work, I suggest finding a “home” for your pump where you always use it, so you can scan that corner before you walk out the door.
Will you be pumping in your own office or a lactation room? If lactation room, find out if anyone else is using the same pump as you so you could hit each other up for backup parts if necessary, and consider sharing spares. For instance, when I was using a lactation room, there were 4 of us there all using Medelas, so we bought an extra power cord to just leave plugged into the wall, and a couple packs of new membranes (because those are the easiest parts to rip, lose or forget) and milk storage bags.
Katarina says
I only had one, and that was fine, but I rarely pumped at home after I went back to work, I almost always nursed at home. For an extra pump to be useful, I would need to have a full set of parts at work, along with bottles. I never forgot my pump, although I did forget pump parts, and I kept a stash of likely to be forgotten pump parts at work. My pump was so small compared the pump parts and bottles, it was really no extra work to bring it back and forth (I had an Ameda Purely Yours, which I think is smaller than the more popular pump in style). I will probably get a second pump next time, but only because it is free.
AEK says
I’m in my second week back to work, and I got a second pump. I already am taking bottles and pump parts back and forth; didn’t want the hassle of one more thing to remember and pack / unpack twice per day. I think it’s easier this way, so I am happy to enable you. I need to pump at least once a day (i.e. overnight) at home because my daytime yields aren’t great.
hoola hoopa says
Medela Harmony for home! Leave the double electric at work and just transport bottles/parts. I don’t pump while driving.
ANP says
Hi gang — I know one of the very first discussions on C-Moms had to do with wearing a corset or binder postpartum. I’m less than four weeks out from delivering baby #3 (LAST ONE PLEASE AND THANK YOU) and am curious to know if anyone has something to add to this discussion. For reference, my first two kids were delivered vag*inally and I really, really struggle with a majorly bloated/inflated belly just generally in life and definitely post-baby. I would love something that makes me feel like myself in a shorter amount of time and am wondering if the corset is worth it. Thanks!
dl says
Totally worth it. Helps push everything back into shape while ligaments are still soft from pregnancy / birth, and I actually found the binding pressure of a BelleFit felt good over the bloat. I did have some trouble latching the crotch part for about 10 days due to pain, but I just left it open (had to change all the pads etc so often anyway). Good luck, and congrats!
JJ says
Unrelated, but I cannot believe you are so close to delivering! I remember when you first found out you were pregnant with this one.
If that makes me a creepy stalker- sorry!
ANP says
Hahaha! I think of myself as an infrequent poster (even though I read the comments religiously) so I actually love that you recognized me from before. Thanks for making my day :)
buckeyeesq says
I thought the BelleFit corset was fantastic. I ended up going into labor before my planned c-section, so I didn’t have it right after I had the babies. Instead I asked the nurses for a surgical binder. That was nice because (a) it didn’t have the crotch portion so no worries about latching it, bleeding on it, etc., (b) it wrapped around and velcroed, unlike the corset that you kind of need to squeeze into and then clasp a bunch of latches–both of those things would have been difficult following my c-section, but might not be after a regular birth, and (c) it was free. I think Kat said the nurses gave her one even though she didn’t have a c-section, so maybe worth trying as a back up if you find the BelleFit too cumbersome at first.
Congrats!
hoola hoopa says
I also have used a surgical binder immediately post partum for #2 and #3. (V births – I bought at the hospital’s pharmacy for $8.50). With #3, I switched to regular shapewear after the initial bloating was reduced.
TBK says
Kat — quick thought. My kids are still on the little little side, but this site seems to skew very early years, like pregnancy through toddler. Have you thought about doing maybe one post a week on “big kid” stuff (thinking more in the 5-10 yr old age range)? Maybe have an item that you post that would be suitable for that age, which would also encourage people with older kids to be part of the comments. I figure it’s a different, but still challenging, ballgame when you’re juggling work with school, homework, and, yes, ballgames. Just a thought.
Lyssa says
Great idea!
Noelle says
That’s a great idea. I’m a mom of a 15-month old, and even I’d be interested in seeing what’s in store for me.
Nonny says
Yes, and a great learning opportunity for those of us still with toddlers, too!
anonyc says
Please! One thing that I’ve noticed is that after years of really living (wallowing, if I’m honest) in the pregnancy/birth/baby realm, the further away I get from it, the less I’m interested in pregnancy/birth/infant stuff. I’m still reading it all, still have thoughts, but as it recedes in my life, the more I’m looking ahead. My questions and thoughts are now more on elementary/preschool topics. I’d love to hear from fellow moms who are, for example, freaking about surviving June as a working parent, aka the worst month (half days! days off! special school events every other day and night! gah!!).
hoola hoopa says
Girl/Boy scouts, backpacks/lunch boxes that last, aftercare options, home lunch solutions, volunteering as a working parent, how to meet other school parents when you aren’t picking up when school gets out…
But don’t lose Washable Wednesday. I love Washable Wednesday.
anonyc says
Exactly!! My quandaries these days: camp/summer care, reading recs for older kids and emerging readers, gear for big kids (scooters, shoes, etc.), choosing sports and other extracurriculars (which ones? when?), wading into or staying out of parent issues (like the 5,000 emails about an end-of-year elementary school party I’ve been pointedly ignoring today).
I will note: maybe everyone just relaxes more, but these choices often feel less fraught than those made in the earlier stages. (Notable exceptions: school choices, addressing learning/emotional issues.) I think people have just chilled out and realized that even if you don’t do X (put your kid in rec soccer by age 5 or whatever), it’s gonna be okay. Probably because we’ve developed more parenting confidence, but it’s nice to not feel so anxious as I did about things the first time around (sleep training, gear selection, etc.). Also: less people telling you that your kid will die if you don’t make the right choice helps.