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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 56 Comments · by

Nursing Tuesday: MAMA Nursing Blouse

Nursing· Recent Recs

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A woman wearing a MAMA Nursing Blouse.I’ve started buying some stuff for my boys at H&M because they have one of the few affordable selections of organic cotton clothing (J has had some issues with eczema, and we’ve noticed a big improvement with organic cotton clothing) — and this nice nursing blouse stood out to me. I like that it has a piece of fabric (“V-neck inner top”) that stays at your neckline, instead of pulling away entirely to give your child access — that always made me feel less exposed when I had to nurse somewhere public. The top is machine washable, $34.99, and available in sizes XS-XL. MAMA Nursing Blouse (L-all)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)

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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Comments

  1. Anon in NOVA says

    I LOVE H&M for my son’s clothes. reasonably priced, decent quality, and cute clothes to boot. I really like that the inner neckline isn’t as high as you see in a lot of nursing tops. Doesn’t scream “nursing blouse” as loudly as many do.

  2. Spirograph says

    Apparently I should have bought some HRC gear, my kids were in the minority at daycare today because they weren’t wearing any. :) Then again, I took them with me to vote, so that probably would have been electioneering…

    • mascot says

      My kid was not happy that the line was too long for me to vote before he needed to be at school. I did get him an extra voting sticker when I went back later.

    • Famouscait says

      My 2yo kept saying “touch it?! touch it?!” about my touch-screen ballot. He did get a “Future Voter” sticker. =)

      • PhilanthropyGirl says

        I could barely keep mine from pushing the Big Red Button on my voting machine before I was done reviewing my ballot. And he raided the coffee station so he could hand out sweet ‘n’ low packets to all the poll workers.

        And he’s now yelling VOTE VOTE VOTE to everyone who will listen.

      • avocado says

        I posted this on the main s i t e already, but the mean pollworker would not give my daughter a sticker! She acted threatened when I asked her for an extra one. My daughter also wanted to put my ballot into the scanner, but I was afraid to let her touch it lest someone accuse me of handling it improperly. The mood at our polling place was very tense, which was sad. It should be a big celebration of democracy.

  3. Annika says

    I have a two-year-old, and I just had a second child recently. #1 seemed to adjust well to #2 initially, but now, as #2 is awake and interactive for longer stretches, #1 is getting jealous and resentful. I think we are handling this reasonably well (based on the articles I’ve read online about dealing with sibling jealousy / rivalry), but it is so hard. I feel like I am not doing right by either child. This is probably a mommy issue more than anything, but I am just so sad about it. Not sure what I am looking for, maybe stories of commiseration (or, even better, reassurance that this will pass)? I’m embarrassed to tell people in real life, although I’m sure we’re going through the same thing everybody else does. Thanks for letting me vent here.

    • NewMomAnon says

      Hugs. I don’t have advice, but I’m pretty sure the fact that you care is proof that you’re doing a great job.

    • Anonymous says

      No specific advice, as I’m not quite there yet, but definite commiseration. I’m due any day now and our 3.5 y.o. just seemed to figure out that there is actually a baby. coming. to her house. and she has been flipping out about it for the past few days. Add in the end of daylight saving time and things are rough. I would not be embarrassed at all about this if I were you. From everything I can tell and have heard, this is totally normal and expected. I’m following to see if others have tips 0r tricks.

    • Anonymous says

      I have been there, for sure. I feel like it’s finally getting better for us. My younger is now ~19 months and is starting to be at an age where he can really play with his big brother (and it’s super cute to see them play). But we still deal with a lot of rivalry / discord (and some hitting…). I did read “Siblings Without Rivalry” and liked it.

      • Anonymous says

        Adding on to my prior comment I also recommend Daniel Tiger “sharing with you is fun for me too” episode.

      • Spirograph says

        +1, it’s hard, but gets better. My 3.5 and almost-2 year old are best friends, and it’s adorable. We had a rough few months in the first year or so, but now they’re great 90% or the time. My son gave his sister one of his m&ms last night because she was crying when she didn’t get candy (because she didn’t eat her dinner), and she said thank you and gave him a big hug and it was just the cutest. It’s far more likely they’ll gang up against me than turn on each other at this point.

        Try to do things with them together. Eg, we read bedtime stories all together and sing songs together instead of separate routines. The more they associate positive things with being around the other, rather than just taking turns, the better.

    • EB0220 says

      Yes. I have felt the same since my 2nd was born. I liked Siblings Without Rivalry and it’s helped some. But it can’t erase those times when both legitimately need something at the same time. It’s still really tough for me sometimes, and mine are 2 and 4.

    • Katala says

      No advice, as #2 is due this winter, but I’m worried about this too because from what I hear it happens to all siblings at some point. It’s normal for people who live together to have conflict, and it’s also normal for little people to experience conflict as they learn to navigate social interactions. So how could there not be conflict?!

      But, hugs. It sounds hard to watch and to deal with, even if you know objectively it’s normal.

    • In House Lobbyist says

      We tried to make our son the helper for his sister and would tell the baby things like “Mommy is helping brother so you have to wait your turn”. That seemed to help that the baby had to wait too.

    • Anon for This says

      I (gently) scolded younger son (1.5) for throwing his dinner plate on the floor. He cried because he hates being scolded. Older son (almost 3) saw his younger bro in tears and said Mama help. Brother need binkie.

      Yesterday, the older one was trying to watch a movie and the younger one wouldn’t stop kissing him and saying his name.

      Jealousy happens and can be a good learning tool (sharing, patience, etc), but beautiful moments between siblings will also happen for you and that is what you can carry with you day to day.

  4. Anonymous says

    Thanks to the Canadian poster yesterday with the mitten suggestions for kids!

  5. PBD says

    Recos for birthday gifts for a 2-year-old? He’s a boy but I would love to get him something that isn’t super-gendered. Thx!

    • Anonymous says

      Play kitchen? Super popular in my house with that age group. Ikea one was heavily recommended here a few days ago.

      If you want a doll, Corelle has a small one that’s washable so it can go in the bath with them and generally stand up well to toddlers. It comes in a ‘boy ‘ version that my 2 year old has and likes.

      • Anonymous says

        adding that if you get the doll, get a toy stroller as well. Driving dolly around in the stroller is very popular.

        • Spirograph says

          Or just the stroller. We don’t have any dolls, but both my son and daughter like pushing the stroller. Empty, or with a ball, blocks, or stuffed animals as passengers. It is one of the best-loved gifts from last Christmas!

    • H says

      board books, puppets, stickers, bubbles, balls, the toy version of things grown ups use (kitchen tools, rake, broom, dustpan, vacuum, tools, etc). Not sure how big your budget is but I was just at a 2 year old bday party last weekend and there were tons of toys for the kids to ride that seemed to be a hit. Clothes might also be an option if you know the size.

    • PhilanthropyGirl says

      My 2yo boy is cars, trucks and trains – the Melissa & Doug car loader (magnetic) is his favorite thing.

      For less gendered items, my little guy likes his Melissa & Doug housekeeping set (the only one I could find that wasn’t pink….) and the Melissa & Doug Switch & Spin Magnetic Gear Board.

      Yes… his second birthday was brought courtesy of M&D.

      • PhilanthropyGirl says

        Oh – and Haba has a great collection of “My First Games.” The Fishing Game is very popular for my son, and my nephew really liked First Orchard. The quality is lovely, and they are good for open play as well as for learning how to play board games.

      • In House Lobbyist says

        My kids are 3 and 6 and plays with Magna tiles almost daily or at least every few days. I have had them for 4 years now. They are pricy but a great toy that even grownups love. The farm or car dupelo set is also a favorite at our house.

    • hoola hoopa says

      Magnatiles or magformers,
      Dyson vacuum and grocery cart are very popular with my 2 year old boy.
      Little People barn/farm.
      Thomas trains or toy cars (we bought many for his older sisters, so I’m calling them gender neutral)
      Play dough.
      Pad of paper and Crayola Pip-Squeaks Washable Markers, Telescoping Marker Tower
      Duplos

  6. Cranky Mom says

    Unreasonable expectations? My husband and I split childcare, so I take care of the kids in the morning until the nanny comes, then I work late. He leaves early for work and comes home to relieve the nanny. We are both in demanding jobs. I basically ignore my emails until I get into the office to focus on getting everyone ready; since I am coming in later, I hit the ground running at work, catching up on the mornings emails plus the ones that are coming in (I am also feeling exhausted from fighting toddlers about clothes, breakfast, leaving for school). By the time I get home at night, I am done mentally.

    So while I feel like I try and run a tight ship in the morning with the kids, paying attention to them instead of my blackberry, I feel like when I walk in at night it is chaos. My husband usually is logged on and working. He doesn’t enforce a routine with the kids, he does whatever will quiet them down so he can work. Which means they are sometimes awake, sometimes asleep in their clothes on the floor, my bed, etc. So even though I am tired and hungry, I need to get kids ready for bed, or into bed before I can really eat or relax.

    I am tired of stressing to my husband the importance of structure with kids — on the nights when our schedules require him to work late, I come home early, get everyone ready for bed and into bed, then I go back online to work. I make sure they have done what they need to do to be ready for the day (clothes picked out, school bags packed) so it is easier in the morning. When he doesn’t do it, it just makes my mornings more stressful. And I hate having them sleep in the germy clothes they wore to school and the playground.

    He doesn’t understand why I am so irritated when I walk in to this at night, and I don’t understand why it is so difficult for him to try and follow a nighttime routine. Am I crazy unreasonable? Tips? I’ve threatened to reverse our schedules (he does mornings, I do nights) but the few times we’ve had to do it, he basically lets them sit in PJs in front of the TV while he works until the nanny comes and gets them ready. And I still wind up making lunches for everyone. So hardly seems worth it.

    • Spirograph says

      I’m confused why the nanny can’t make lunch, and why you feel like you need to get the kids ready before she gets there if it’s stressing you out, but leaving that aside…

      I think you and your husband have different parenting styles, and that’s ok. I totally get the frustration, but if your kids are safe, fed and not screaming because they’ve been ignored, your husband has done his job as a parent. In the interest of your sanity, let this go! Tell your husband that it is his job to get dinner, make sure teeth are brushed, and get kids in bed, even if that just means he carries them from wherever else they fell asleep. He can lay out clothes for the next day, too, if that would make you happy. But by micromanaging HOW he parents instead of just requiring that he does it, you’re making yourself miserable. Your kids will be ok without exact routines all the time, and they’ll probably pick up on the fact that you do things one way and dad does them another, and adapt their behavior accordingly. We have a very similar dynamic in my house, and my life improved dramatically when I gave up on trying to impose my methods on my husband and just let him do his thing as long as a few objectives are met.

      • Anonymous says

        not wanting your kids to fall asleep in their clothes on the floor is not micromanaging.

        • Anon says

          +1. Or eat dinner?

          Does he objectively not see a problem with this? Have you discussed when you aren’t just walking in? Also, how old are they? You can slide a lot more responsibility on the kids if they are 6 and 8, but if they are 2 and 4, this seems harmful.

          • Katala says

            Maybe I misread, but I don’t think he’s regularly not feeding them dinner. If they’re getting enough sleep overall I don’t think it’s actually harmful for them to fall asleep in clothes/not in their beds (though annoying and causing extra work for OP).

          • Spirograph says

            Thank you Katala, I was starting to wonder if I’m insane. I have fallen asleep on the floor or couch in my clothes lots of times, and aside from a crick in my neck, it really doesn’t harm me at all. I stand by my statement that this is a parenting style difference. My kids have a bedtime routine that includes PJs and beds when I’m in charge. But if they fall asleep watching TV with my husband because I was out of the house…better that I got a break than that everything happened just so. And better for me to let it go than stress out or fight with my husband about something that, in the grand scheme of things, is nbd. Different people have different deal-breakers, but for me, safety, food and sleep are the only non-negotiables and it sounds like those are met. I’m just saying that I’ve found it better for me to say “kids need lights out by 8:30, and please clean up the kitchen before I get home” and let my husband work out the details rather than anything more specific. Obviously YMMV.

        • Anon in NOVA says

          Agreed. Micromanaging is “He fed the kids mac and cheese and broccoli for dinner but I think it should have been quinoa and kale” or “He let my daughter wear non-matching PJs to bed”. This is a bit past that, at least it would be in my household. Everyone has different priorities of course and I recognize that.

    • Anonymous says

      You’re not unreasonable.

      Honestly? I’d be so mad I’d change the Wifi password so he can’t work.

      • Anonymous says

        I would too. I would be absolutely livid. I’d tell him that I’m sleeping in a hotel and coming home at 6am, to do morning duty with the kids. And then I’d do it.

        There is absolutely no excuse for this sort of half-@$$ parenting. If he cannot handle kid duty in the evenings, something needs to change. If this were my house, there would be a come-to-jesus discussion about “acceptable” parenting, because this evening chaos is TERRIBLE for everybody.

    • Katala says

      A couple of thoughts – it sounds like you may not be taking full advantage of having a nanny. why do the kids need to be dressed before she arrives? Can she make lunch? Change them into PJs before she leaves?

      It sounds like some of the frustration comes from your husband not prepping for the next day. Would it be possible to split mornings and nights, rather than switch completely? If you had the night before your morning, it could help because lunch would be ready etc. without expecting your husband to do it. And he’d have to figure out lunch on his mornings or nights. Might not work for your schedule, but something to consider.

      What do you tell your husband when he asks why you’re so upset? If you could boil it down to a (short) list of specific things, he may feel better able to help vs. if you’re more general. Like, I will feel less stressed when I get home if kids are [fed, in PJs, bathed, etc.]. If you can agree on a few things that must be done, it might help you let go of responsibility for the rest.

    • H says

      It sounds like the biggest issue is that your husband is working when he’s on kid duty (which isn’t fair to the kids, you, or the people he’s working with). Does he need more dedicated time to work? If so, maybe see if the nanny can work more hours and do those things you would like done?

    • POSITA says

      I have similar frustrations with my husband. He’ll get the kids ready for bed, but none of their towels are hung up, none of their dirty clothes are in the hamper, and coats and other papers are scattered wildly throughout the house. He tells me he’s busy taking care of the kids and that he doesn’t have time to clean up. I keep telling him that he needs to be teaching the kids to clean up as they go.

      I hate scrambling to find lost shoes the next morning because the house is a disaster. I don’t have any advice, but full commiseration. He needs to step it up. I’m sick of coming home to a mess.

      • Cranky Mom says

        OP here. Regarding the morning routine and shifting responsibilities to the nanny – I already give her a lot of responsibility: she handles lunch for the little guy not in school, she does dinner for the kids, she arranges playdates and activities, even does grocery shopping. I get home so late from work that my morning time is the only time to feel engaged with my kids life and do mom things. To let the nanny get them dressed and fed would feel like abdication of all my mom duties. The purpose of my post was to get a feel of whether I am justified in feeling annoyed that I come home to a disaster every night or whether I am being unreasonable. Sounds like I need to take a breather.

        • Anonymous says

          I get that you want to do the ‘mom’ duties. But, in your current situation, I’d pick the ones that truly bring you and the kids joy – singing songs or building train tracks or playing store. Whatever makes you all happy. Do food and clothes if that’s fun. If not, don’t worry about it and let the Nanny handle it.

          They are clearly not getting a lot of quality time with Dad. Don’t feel guilty about making that a priority when they are with you.

        • Anonymous says

          I think if it’s possible you should go to work earlier and come home earlier. Kids aren’t getting quality time with dad, or structure (or dinner!). It sounds like the nanny can handle the mornings. So make the evening routine your quality mom time! Read books and do wacky voices! Have races to pack their bags/do evening checklists. Have them all help make lunches. Husband clearly doesn’t care, so take the evenings back for you and your kids.

    • Anon in NOVA says

      What I’m “hearing” (reading) is that you’re frustrated because you feel like you’re putting in more work at home. It’s not about the hours of being “on kid duty”- but the actual work being put in during that time. Is that right?
      FWIW I seem to be in the minority but I would be very irritated to. Structure IS important for children.

      It sounds like the altered work schedules were aimed at having more time with a parent in the house, but if he’s not putting quality time in, is it really worth it? Can you afford to have the nanny stay later and he can just stay at work later? It sounds like your children won’t really be missing quality dad time.

      As others suggested, it seems like the nanny is OK getting the kids ready for school in the mornings he is responsible. Is that something that would help you out? Or was the point of the altered work schedule to get to be involved in their morning routine etc?

      I’m sorry. This sounds very frustrating and I hope you two can come to a solution or at least an understanding.

    • Navy Attorney says

      What are their ages? If above 6, yes, expect more. He seems to be thinking of getting work done, not the long game of having children who pick up and follow routines. Maybe another person can deliver this message? FWIW me and DH are like yours in style, but when the lack of routine impacted his time (grad school), then he got on board.

    • BTanon says

      We have a similar division of schedules/labor, and I really feel your frustration. I do mornings and most of the evening prep for the next day. We we split tasks, he often pushes things off due to work demands – like leaving the dishes only half finished after agreeing to do them. Not that big a deal, until he doesn’t finish them in the AM like he intends, and the next evening is busy too…. and then I just end up doing 1.5 days of dishes the next night or risk them continuing to pile.

      I’m trying to let some of it go and outsource some more, in line with some of the suggestions from the other posters. Maybe we’ll eventually figure out a good system before things change again. Or not. Kid is happy so we’ll manage. Hugs.

  7. Sleepy Anon says

    How do you get through the first trimester exhaustion at work?! The idea of coffee makes me want to vomit, but I’ve always needed caffeine to be productive. I’m not entirely opposed to it during pregnancy for myself in moderation. Any tips outside of coffee? I feel like I’m just faking productivity. I feel bad that I’ll be faking productivity the next 7 months, out for 3 months, then presumably faking productivity for a bit when I return. uggghhhh

    • Anonymous says

      Honestly, a lot of the first tri is white knuckling thru, doing the bare minimum, and cutting everything else out (for me, socializing and cutting back on extracurriculars). I focused solely on getting thru the workday and doing what absolutely had to be done each day, and that was it. Beyond that, both times it was like I was in a dream state for about a month or six weeks. I have said, totally seriously, that I have no memory of an entire month of my first pregnancy. Most likely, it will get better. And most likely you’ll be back to near normal productivity for the rest of the pregnancy beyond week 12/13 or so. In fact, at least for me, I usually hit the afterburners between weeks 20 or so and 35 as I get really paranoid about getting work done and getting things ready for my leave.

      • Half baked says

        Yup. Just try to survive. If you’re in the majority it will get significantly better.

      • Katala says

        Yep. And naps, if you can. Go to your car/put down a yoga mat/go to the wellness room, set your alarm for 30 mins and have a catnap. And go to bed super early. You had a nap today and still want to turn in at 6:30pm? Do it. It will get better.

        I (thankfully) could handle coffee but I’ve heard chocolate covered espresso beans might be more palatable for some (less smelly, get them down quick, good if you’re liking sweet that day). Good luck!

    • H says

      Getting up and walking around helped me. Getting fresh air helped with the nausea too.

    • Anonymous says

      I found iced coffee was more palatable than hot. I found a hot tea with extra caffeine. I also had a lot of soda. I also found that a brief walk in the middle of the day would help me up productivity.

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