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Happy Monday! This simple cotton pique navy dress looks great for a summer pregnancy. Sleeves! High neckline! Work-appropriate hem length! Machine washable! No exposed zippers! (It’s an over-the-head style.) The only thing that could make it better might be pockets. It’s $138 at Nordstrom. Rosie Pope ‘Daisy’ Maternity Midi Dress
Here’s a plus-size option.
Building a maternity wardrobe for work? Check out our page with more suggestions along both classic and trendy/seasonal lines.
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Sales of note for 9.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Extra 40% off sale styles
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- Zappos – 26,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 40% off everything
- Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Sleep says
Does the 4-month sleep regression usually resolve on its own or do I need to do something at some point to help my kid learn to sleep longer (I am willing to do about anything at this point). I went from a 3-month-old who I could lay in his crib fully awake at bedtime and he would fall asleep on his own and sleep for 8 hours to a baby who will only fall asleep while being held and wakes up every 2 to 3 hours throughout the night to eat. It started around 3 1/2 months and has been going on for a month now (he’s 4 1/2 months now).
POSITA says
In my experience it got better by 5 months, but sleep still wasn’t as good as it was at 3 months. We didn’t use any interventions. By 6 months she was teething and we had new sleep issues.
Anon MN says
Ours ended on its own at 5months for both kids. I’ve heard stories of earlier endings, but we aren’t willing to do any CIO, so we just wait it out. FWIW my first son (2.5) is a champion sleeper now (STTN and still takes a 2.5 hour nap all in his crib, which I think is pretty amazing). My 5 month old is not at champion status yet, but went from 1-2 wakes at 3 months, to 2-5 during the regression, and is now back to 1-2, which I think is very normal at this stage.
Sleep says
I would LOVE 1-2 night wakings! I’m not opposed to CIO at some point, but I personally wouldn’t consider it before 6 months.
Mom2Pugs says
I’m in the same boat as you. The 4-month sleep regression started about a month ago and now he’s 4 months and 3 weeks. Used to sleep 10, sometimes 12 hours in a row at night. Now wakes up every 2-3 hours. Only requires a feeding two of those times, but still keeping me awake with constant squeaks and grunts. Last night he decided to projectile vomit 3 entire bottles in a row. So that was fun. We all got about 90 minutes of sleep total. Our pediatrician recommended adding rice cereal to his bottles to keep him full longer. We hadn’t tried it until about 5 AM last night when in desperation I added about 3 tsp to a 6 oz bottle for him. It’s a little early to call it, but I think it may have worked? He slept for about 4 hours and woke up in a good mood. I’m cautiously optimistic that this might work. Ugh.
PhilanthropyGirl says
My experience was to not do anything different – but to be super consistent in whatever you choose to do. I think constantly trying new things creates some uncertainty and can exacerbate the problem. There are some great articles on The Baby Sleep Site on the 4 month regression, the whys (if memory serves correctly it has to do with development of REM cycles), and some tips for fixing it.
Good luck!
Potomac Ave SE says
I’d check out the preciouslittlesleep blog.
From what I remember reading – the regression should last a week or two at most. If you’re looking at a full month there’s likely some sort of sleep association at play too.
For mine, it was a combo. of growing out of it herself and slight sleep training. We worked really hard at putting her down 20 minutes after last feeding and then letting her fuss it out for at least 10 minutes when she woke up in the motn. We didn’t fully night wean until 7 months or so.
Anons says
I love precious little sleep blog, but have to disagree that the regression should clear up in a week. The 4-month “regression” is actually a major shift in the brain when the brain starts to develop more mature sleeping patterns. It can last 2 months or so (very normal). Ferber, Weissbluth, and all the sleep experts talk a lot about this sleep development in their books for anyone interested in the science. 6 months is often viewed as a good time to start sleep training because at that point the 4-month regression (which can actuall start in month 3) should be over.
Agree that many kids need a combo of “growing out of it” and sleep training to get good sleeping habits. No one really wants to do sleep training, but some kids need to be given opportunities to figure out sleep on their own.
Anon MN says
Going to have to disagree as well. As stated in my original comment, both of my sons regressed for 1.5 months, then went back to normal sleep habits.
Anons says
Not sure if this helps you, but the Wonder Weeks app had my daughter’s sleep regression pegged almost to the day. Hers lasted from about 3.5 to 5.5 months (right during that “stormy” period shown on the app). It was definitely the worst regression for us.
Help - Constantly Hungry in Second Trimester says
Ladies, I’m 18 weeks along and constantly hungry. An hour or two after a meal that would have kept me in full for 4-5 hours pre-pregnancy, I’m hungry again. I’m less concerned about my ballooning weight (though it certainly is that) than I am irritated by the constant, gnawing, extremely distracting hunger. Any tips on keeping my appetite in check?
Momata says
Are you sure you aren’t thirsty? Your body is making a ton more blood, not to mention fluid, plus it’s summer — I’d head to the water cooler before I headed to the refrigerator. (This is all in the vein of listening to your body — maybe you’re just mishearing the signal.)
Assuming your body IS signaling hunger — try loading up on the proteins that sound good to you. I ate so. much. dairy while I was pregnant, including big glasses of milk which I haven’t had since I was a teen. Edamame, hummus, and other bean proteins will also keep you full, in addition to giving a boost of (at least in my case while pregnant) much-needed fiber.
Otherwise — you’re growing a human, and the growth is at peak right now. Baby will slow down in the third trimester, plus your stomach will be squished up under your ribcage.
Anonymous says
+1 to being thirsty. Drink a TON of water. Then, yes, eat!
H says
Agree and maybe add fruits that are high in water like melons and cucumber and limit salt so you don’t get uncomfortably swollen.
Spirograph says
Ha, all of this. Especially the part about your stomach being squished up under your ribcage and having a small appetite later (this is me, now).
Just eat more. Unless your doctor or midwife is concerned about your weight gain, there is no reason to try to stick to your non-pregnant diet while you’re pregnant. I stocked my desk and the break room fridge with all kinds of snacks: nuts, crackers, popcorn, cheese sticks, yogurt, apples + all the vegetables and peanut butter/hummus to dip them in, and a giant bag of individually wrapped chocolates, and regularly “grazed” almost constantly while at work. I could cut out a few snacks if I ate heavy, “bad” food like a burger and fries or pizza, but if I ate my normal healthy fare, it was in no way satisfying for more than an hour or two.
Full disclosure: I gained at least 50lbs with each pregnancy using this “strategy” (most of it in the first 7 months) but I also threw all my normal moderation about desserts and pasta to the wind, so I’m not convinced it was the snacking that did me in there. My babies and I are all very healthy, though, and I had no problem losing the weight quickly once I wasn’t ravenous all the time.
rakma says
I found constant eating the only thing that keeps me from raiding the fridge/vending machine every hour. Carrot sticks, apple slices, grapes, pretzels with peanut butter–anything that takes a little while to chew and I could pick at.
This was on top of extra protein and enough water to fill a swimming pool, which are also good advice.
Of course, none of this is helping my regular 2am bowl of cereal habit, but I haven’t figured out how to eat and sleep at the same time!
anon says
I just ate every hour from weeks 6-25. It was really annoying to have to remember to have food with me at all times, but it was just necessary. I have never eaten so many almonds in my life.
RDC says
No real tips but commiseration – I’m only 13 weeks but feel the same. I’ve taken to buying two full lunches and saving one to eat around 3-4pm. I figure that’s healthier than empty carbs, which is what I end up with it if I go scrounging for snacks mid-afternoon. I’m trying to avoid sugary snacks but have given myself permission to eat as much “healthy food” as I’m hungry for.
OP says
Ladies, thank you for all the tips and commiseration! My diet during the first trimester was very carb-heavy and low-liquid (I would not be entirely surprised to give birth to a bakers’ dozen of plain toasted bagels…) so I will try to shift back to a more balanced diet.
As others commented, it’s just annoying to have to constantly go in search of more food, but it helps to know others feel the same! Maybe I finally know what teenage boys feel like.
PBD says
Constantly hungry here too! About 10 weeks along. Glad to hear I’m not a weirdo as well!
DC Mom anon says
So, my 21 month old has been pooping in the tub everyday for the past three weeks. After her bath water drains, she tells me she needs to poop. I suggest moving to the toilet (i hold her over it, no kid seat yet), she will pee in the toilet, then asks to go back to the tub to poop. Gross, but it is sort of working. Does this mean it is time to potty train? Tips?
anon says
I would totally try potty training – she knows she needs to poop IN ADVANCE – that is key! My son pooped in the tub all the time, but each time he looked as surprised as we did. And he was like 2.5 or 3ish. Sigh. If it doesn’t work you can always try again later.
Anonymous says
Yes, it sounds like she is ready to train. If she wants to go in the tub after the water is drained, then maybe she just isn’t comfortable going while she is being held over the toilet and would be fine if she were sitting in a stable position. I would buy a family toilet seat (way easier and cleaner than a separate kid seat) plus a tall step stool for her feet, and if that doesn’t work try the brilliant suggestion below to put a potty in the tub.
Anonymous says
Could you put a potty *in* the tub? DEFINITELY BUY A POTTY and just let her get used to having it there.
Pogo says
Just wanted to give my sympathies… I babysat for a tub-pooper back in the day. Nothing like evacuating the kiddos and disinfecting everything to make for a fun bath time.
I also hadn’t thought about it until just now, but that tub-pooper would be a teenager now and I am old.
Famouscait says
What is the best way to search the comments of past posts? I believe folks have discussed in the past how to handle discipline for a hitting/scratching/kicking/biting 20 month old? Thanks.
Anonymous says
No advice re: searching, but oh man, don’t even bother trying to discipline. Read Teeth Are Not For Biting and No Biting! every single day; talk to your partner in front of kiddo about, “kiddo went X length of time without biting!” and try to talk up how great it is when kiddo doesn’t bite friends; also check out Hands Are Not For Hitting; remove and disengage when you see the child about to bite; get chew toys for child (specifically the ones you can put in the fridge so that s/he has something in his/her mouth and hand all the time….. you’ll get through it. Your child is likely a month (or six…) away from a language explosion, and that will significantly help the physical aggression.
Jen says
Yes. Before kids I kind of laughed at those books. But the kids totally get it and internalize it. My kid bit ONCE at daycare at about 15 or so months and “teeth are not for biting”‘solved it instantly. We read it 2-3x daily.
We also read books on sharing, new babies…she loves books so this works very well for us.
Famouscait says
Thanks. I think he’s in the middle of a teeth and cognitive growth spurt, because he has been doing all kinds of new tricks within the last few days. But oh man, the scratching and hitting. He only bites at daycare, and so we are reading Teeth Are Not For Biting every night.
Funny story: I just searched for Hands Are Not For Hitting on Amazon, and the category is listed as “Children’s Violence Books” Whaaaat?!??!!?
Pogo says
Kat, is there a way to search comments? I hate asking questions that have been asked before, but when I search I only get POSTS that use those words, not comments.
Anonymous says
I think you have to use g00gle. Search: “thissite dot com + your search terms” — no plus sign though.
Jdubs says
Returning to work next week from maternity leave… need some shopping help. Low maintenance shirts for a business casual environment that can camouflage my giant nursing b**bs and extra baby weight? does such a magical top exist?
(was) due in June says
It’s the Pleione faux wrap top at Nordstrom. There are always some on sale for Anniversary.
GGFM says
Although years ago I told myself I had “graduated” from the store, I’ve lately been pretty happy with tops from LOFT. They are machine washable and both the cuts and patterns are pretty forgiving, though I had to experiment with a few of the cuts to find the ones that worked for my postpartum body type.
anon says
Boden Ravello top. Get the prints – they hide wrinkles and stains better. I machine wash cold and hang dry.
JEB says
Any advice for the “mine, mine, mines?” My daughter is 19 months, and she started grabbing items and yelling “mine” this weekend. I know it’s completely age appropriate, but I’m hoping to find a good way to respond. Last night, my husband was holding a toy, and she grabbed it and yelled “mine” and wouldn’t hand it back to him. When he asked if he could have it, she stomped her little feet and yelled “no, mine, mine, mine” over and over again. I eventually took the toy away and explained that if she couldn’t share, then she couldn’t play with the toy. She threw a little fit – I let her cry for approximately a minute and then redirected her to another toy. Is that the best approach for a 1.5 year old? You guys have been such a great source of advice in the past, so thanks in advance!
Anonymous says
When my LO was that age, I would just disengage. “Oh, it’s yours? Oh, bummer, mommy can’t play with a selfish kiddo who doesn’t want to share.” and walk away. If kiddo is playing with something dangerous, obviously take it away. But if she’s just taking things, don’t play with her (briefly — long enough so she starts to connect the dots of ‘taking something out of your hand’ and ‘playing together’).
I’ve been told that any time I respond with anger, it adds 2 weeks to the child’s negative behavior — meaning, my reactions have to be calm and even-keeled in order for kiddo to learn anything from me.
LSC says
Ugh, I hate the MINEs!! We have tried to address it through a lot of communication and talk of “taking turns.”
“Isn’t that a nice toy? You are taking your turn with it. After your turn it will be my turn.” Hand her a new toy. “Okay, now it’s your turn with this toy and my turn with the toy you have. Thank you for giving me a turn. It makes me feel so happy to share with you.” Play for a bit. Return the first toy. “Yay! Now it’s your turn with this toy again! Doesn’t it feel good to share? You can always have your turn again! But these toys are for everyone to share. You are so kind and good at taking turns. Thank you!!”
Not a magic trick, but it seems to be sinking in now at 21 months.
NewMomAnon says
My daughter is older, and I don’t remember whether I did it when she was younger, but fwiw – find an opportunity to praise the h*ck out of a good sharing episode. Then remind kiddo of that awesome sharing episode the next time kiddo needs to share. Remind her how proud you were, and how much fun she had sharing.
It’s not foolproof, but it’s been helpful.
CPA Lady says
There is a book called “The Mine-o-saur” that is about a dinosaur that is such a selfish a-hole that none of the other dinos want to play with him. His refrain throughout the book is “mine! mine! mine!” I’ve been reading this book my my kiddo, who is also going through the “mine” stage. Who knows if it’ll help or not, but it’s cute and has a happy ending.
Another BigLaw Parent says
We have a very similar approach to LSC. We focused on the concept of taking turns, rather than “sharing.” Based on adult regulating of “sharing”, we saw a lot of small children treat the word “share” as “someone will take this away from me before I’m ready and give it to someone else.” If that’s there working understanding, of course they wouldn’t want to “share!” So we say things like, “Can Friend have a turn when you’re done with toy?” etc. We also made sure to label some items as HERS and some items as ours so that we appropriately use the label “mine.” So when she grabs my phone and says, “MINE!” we say, “who’s phone is that?” she usually acquiesces and says “Mommy’s.” “That’s right. Mommy is letting you have a turn with her phone.” When I’m using her markers to color with her and she says, “No, Mine!” I say, “yes, they’re your markers. Can I have a turn?” etc. Hope that helps!
Compression Socks says
I will be flying cross country at 24 weeks and would like to buy compression socks or stockings. I haven’t started swelling yet, but would like to have them just in case. Are knee highs sufficient or do I need full stockings? Any preferred brands or fabrics, or other tips? TIA!
ChiSquared says
I was happy with Truform brand from Amazon. Thigh high open toe. I tried Joest, but the thigh highs had an irritating seam around the elastic.
Compression Socks says
thank you!
Katala says
I just used knee-high compression socks marketed to runners. They seemed fine, I ordered whatever shipped fast enough from Amazon.
NewMomAnon says
Had a rough weekend with kiddo. The silver lining was that I did an epic ponytail this morning and everyone at school wanted to compliment kiddo on it. How do you all cope when you feel like you’re failing at parenting?
Maddie Ross says
No advice, but serious commiseration. I am right there with you. It was the worst weekend, that finally ended in me in tears last night after bedtime as I felt like I had used up every last drop of patience. I’m still feeling the emotional hangover today. I am vacillating between telling myself I can’t be that bad a mom if I care that much, and just trying to acknowledge that this sh*t is hard.
You are Not Failing at Parenting says
Perspective. I can count on my fingers the number of times my dad spent time with me or my sister during the entirety of our childhood. He spent every weekend openly cheating on my mom and all the evenings he was at home getting so drunk he’d pass out on the floor. He would smoke in the house even when I was sick and asked him not to.
I still sometimes count myself a failure as a mother when I get frustrated with my toddler. But then I remember what, in the big picture, my kid needs from me, and I realize that there is so much more to a relationship than an individual response during a moment (or weekend) of frustration. I have job to support her. I read books to help me improve where I feel like I have shortcomings. I work on my marriage to try to provide a good example to her. I’m a generally stable person who loves her very much. I have put her in a good daycare and will someday put her in a good school. When I get mad I try my best to remain calm and when I don’t succeed, I apologize to her. I feed her delicious foods. I read her multiple books every day. I dress her in clean clothes.
So the fact that by the end of the day yesterday I had shut myself in my bedroom for a “mommy time out” because she was tap-dancing all over my last nerve with her third consecutive tantrum… I felt like a bad mom, but also like someone who recognized her limits and has the perspective to know what being a bad parent looks like, and to know I’m not it. Having small children is insanely frustrating and it’s normal to feel pushed beyond your limits sometimes. I bet you are doing just fine.
NewMomAnon says
Thanks. My parents went through bouts of being decent and then less-than-decent parents. Every time I have a rough patch of more than a few hours, I worry that my daughter is experiencing the same inconsistency and wondering what she did to “deserve” my mood swing….even though I know intellectually that my “bad patches” are nowhere near the semi-violent rages my dad exhibited or the icy cruelty my mom pulled out when she was upset.
I just hate feeling like I’m white-knuckling this whole parenting business.
Anonymous says
Any chance your LO has an ear infection? I had one AWFUL weekend a few months ago, and after a few hours at work, the lightbulb went on — took her to the doctor that night, was diagnosed with one of the worst ear infections the doc had “ever” seen, and she was better in a few days.
NewMomAnon says
It wasn’t ear infection bad – just a lot of “I do it!” when we were already running late (and generally running late for everything, including meals and naps, all weekend), and then a tantrum would ensue when I would either pressure her to follow through with the task or do it myself. And some new fears from my previously fearless kiddo, which made life challenging (scared of the playground, scared of her stroller, scared of every shoe that went on the left foot, scared of the potty, scared of her pull-ups, scared of forks, etc).
It took so much creativity and flexibility and patience just to accomplish a simple thing, like getting buckled into the car seat or physically moving snack foods from table to mouth, that the big difficult things (nap time, bed time, tooth brushing) left me absolutely drained.
JayJay says
My husband and I never threw tantrums as kids. My oldest son’s tantrums consist of pouting and telling me he’s “NOT going to be a helper!” (Which is the worst thing my sweet first born can think of). My second child, who will be 3 in August, throws tantrums that shake the house – screaming, pounding doors, crying, limbs flailing, you name it. He did that three times yesterday. I was exhausted and was DONE with him.
Hugs. It’s so hard.
Edna Mazur says
After feeling similarly this weekend I capped Sunday night off with a delicious blended strawberry margarita. I highly recommend.
But seriously, I try to tell myself that if I am being conscientious enough to worry that I’m not being a good enough parent, that tells me a lot. If you care enough that you worry you aren’t enough, you are probably way ahead of the curve.
An also margaritas…
pockets says
I think I need to hear more about this epic ponytail?
Anonymous says
Can’t reply to your comment where you actually described your weekend. I’m 100% sure that you are an awesome mom and this IS hard and there’s no reason to not negotiate with a little kid when you’re running late. But fighting with your kid over “I do it!”s may be why she’s got new fears. She’s trying to show you that she’s capable and you’re telling her she’s not. It’s not surprising they go hand in hand. (Tho I may be over thinking it, my mother is a serious underminer and I don’t think I’m capable of anything. But yeah, I had an infinitely better childhood than either of my parents. Or my mother’s parents.)