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I always think of these changing pads as “diaper bag clutches,” and they’re great in specific situations — they really come in handy if you’re in a restaurant or other public place and you just want to grab the relevant stuff and whisk your child off to the bathroom to be changed (or ask your partner to do it!). I also like a diaper clutch to throw in the storage basket of a stroller, particularly in the summertime — it’s great to have around and barely adds any weight to the load. This bright stripe clutch is $30 at Zappos. Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station
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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
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- Zappos – 26,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 40% off everything
- Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Noelle says
Sorry to start off Friday morning with some grossness, but is there a thing as too much poop? My 13-month-old has had 4 blowouts in 24 hours. Messy, gross, stinky blowouts. It’s not diarrhea (not runny), but it is on the softer side. Should I be concerned? She’s been eating pretty standard stuff all week (milk, peas, fruit, eggs, etc.), so I don’t think it’s a dietary issue. Insights welcome.
mascot says
My kid is a prolific pooper and always has been. At that age, things were rarely “formed.” If this is unusual for her, perhaps offer more binding foods like bananas and ease up a little on juice. If she will eat yogurt, the probiotics can help keep things balanced. If she’s not acting cranky, running a fever, or otherwise seeming sick, I’d put this in the normal variation of humans category.
Anonyc says
It is was a rare surprise when my kids didn’t come home from daycare with different clothes on than they started their day with at that age. Totally fine, but maybe try working in bananas, yogurt, etc. as mascot suggests.
MomAnon4This says
Actually, yes, there can be too much poop – my daycare provider on occasion sent home my baby/toddler after 3 bowel movements, esp. soft poops, citing state or county regulations.
It’s Friday – please call your pediatrician’s office and at least ask before the weekend! Be sure to ask when to worry.
And go for the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. Keep your kid hydrated. And ask your pediatrician!
RR says
I think it’s a “know your kid” thing. My youngest has always, always been a prolific pooper, and until recently (she’s 19 months now) they were rarely firm at all.
BB says
We just had this with my six month old, (softer, more voluminous, more numerous bms), and it passed in a couple days. We did some Pedialyte for hydration and fed BRAT, which at six months was bananas and applesauce in addition to formula. He had no other symptoms so we didn’t feel the need to call the ped.
Katarina says
My son started pooping a lot more often after I transitioned to whole cows milk, probably 3-6 times a day, up from 1-2 times a day on breast milk. If you recently transitioned, that could be the cause. I was concerned, but my pediatrician said it was normal.
Noelle says
Thanks all! I did end up calling my pediatrician who said that the poop explosion was probably related to the transition to cow’s milk and/or to a mild stomach bug that’s going around. Either way, she said to give my daughter more yogurt, bananas, applesauce, and to switch out some of the cow’s milk with soy milk for a few days (easier on the stomach). She also said not to be too worried because poop varies. So basically, you were all right — thank you!
Philanthropy Girl says
I’m looking to replace my hand cream that I keep at my desk. What I have is a bit too highly scented and a bit too greasy for handling paperwork after I’ve applied it.
What’s your go-to to keep at your desk for dry hands?
Stephanie says
L’Occitane (in the plain silver tube) or Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream
JMDS says
+1 to L’Occitane. Pricey but worth it. I always ask for a bunch for Christmas.
Newly pregnant says
+2. Best hand cream ever.
ETA – the original scent is not overwhelming to me, and the almond scent is also nice and seems light. The lavender is too scented for me.
CPA Lady says
Jergens Ultra Healing– I’m so fancy!
I can’t do the cherry almond because it’s too strong of a scent, but this one is a nice weight and the scent is fairly mild.
mascot says
Aveeno Stress Relief- the scent isn’t overpowering and it absorbs quickly.
Merabella says
Philosophy Hands of Hope. A little goes a long way. A very light almondy scent, I found L’Occitane and other hand creams too fragrant.
KJ says
My skin is super-dry and sensitive, so I use a body lotion from the Whole Foods 365 brand called Maximum Moisture Ultra Emollient for Dry Skin with macadamia oil and shea butter. It’s a good balance of moisturizing and non-greasy and has no discernible scent. Plus, it’s less than $5 for 6 oz at my local WF.
Philanthropy Girl says
Thanks, all! I’ll check them out!
NewMomAnon says
Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Hand Cream. A friend who is nurse working in a nursing home said that’s what they use for the residents. The guys in my office always borrow it because it is as close to “unscented” as you can find in hand lotion. It starts a little greasy but absorbs in within a few seconds.
RR says
I love Ahava hand cream. It’s just the perfect combination of really moisturizing, not too greasy feeling, and little to no smell for me.
ANP says
If you’re looking for both non-greasy and non-smelly, my husband (a CPA) swears by Working Hands lotion. It comes in a green tub and you can get it at Home Depot and Walgreens. I love it too, but he stole mine for his office!
Nonny says
Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector. I’ve totally abandoned Body Shop for everything except this, which I’ve now been using for about 10 years.
Anonymama says
The trader joe’s hand cream, in a little white and yellow tube. Unscented, moisturizing, not too greasy.
Burgher says
Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream is my favorite.
POSITA says
Anyone do the DC lotto this year? We’re not up until next year, but we have a lot of unhappy friends this morning. If so, I hope the lotto gods smiled on you. I sense that it was a tough year with an ongoing baby boom in DC proper.
BKDC says
My child is still an infant, but the whole prospect makes me nervous. I’m hoping I can send him to a Pre-K 3 when the time comes!
PEN says
My 11 month old has been so fussy, sensitive and clingy for the past week. He still loves to get to daycare, but the caregivers report that he is crying and clingy for most of the day, sometimes refusing (by throwing) his bottles. He has cried more in the past 5 days than in the past 5 weeks combined. Was sleeping consistently 630pm-7am, but this week has woke up at 4 or 5 every morning, hysterical. My gut tells me teething, but I can’t see any new teeth popping up (he has 6 already). Any thoughts? Maybe just a phase? Or is it time for a developmental leap?
Meg Murry says
Teeth or low grade ear infection? Anything else painful like diaper rash?
If teeth, try offering a wet washcloth to chew on.
CPA Lady says
Thanks everyone for the weaning support yesterday– I’m on day two and so far so good. I even got to sleep “late”, to 6:30(!!!) because my husband got our daughter up and gave her a bottle. Glorious.
I posted this late yesterday, but I always used to joke with my husband that I was quitting nursing as soon as my daughter got teeth, and her first tooth cut through the gum yesterday afternoon. A funny little coincidence.
Mommy brain? says
Is mommy brain a real thing? If so, when does it improve? I’m finding it so much more difficult to concentrate and put in real mental effort at work. I definitely feel like my IQ has taken a hit since motherhood. I’m 7 months post partum and generally sleeping 8hrs at night, so can’t use sleep deprivation as an excuse although I had a huge deficit for the first 4 months. I am still nursing twins full time and havent yet gotten my period back. Things improved a bit when I started up my prenatals and fish oil again last month. I haven’t gotten into an exercise routine yet and typically am only able to run once a week. Hope things get better and I can be more active once this awful winter ends
Someone please tell me it gets better and I can be smart again!
PEN says
It does get better! I didn’t feel like I was working even close to pre-maternity leave levels until 10 months post partum–and I only had one. I went down to pumping once a day at 10 months and eliminated pumping at 11 months and that seems to make a big difference to me. I also have a really great sleeper, so I beat myself up for not “getting it together.” Don’t do that to yourself. Nursing is exhausting. Parenting is exhausting. You are smart now and you will feel smart again.
BKDC says
See my post below. I’m even incapable of replying properly!
Carrie M says
It gets better! I am 13 months postpartum, and I still have days where I feel like I can’t think. But that is far less frequent than when I first returned to work (9 months ago now!). I find it’s easier/better when I am really busy at work. It’s like my brain kicks into overdrive.
One thing that helps me on days I’m struggling: I write things down, either in a list or a flow chart. I don’t usually consider myself a visual person, but that process helps me focus and work through an argument. It’s been especially helpful for a case where plaintiffs are pleading in the alternative and their various theories keep getting me all jumbled up. I’ve also found it rewarding to work through an argument on paper so that once I’ve put all my thoughts together, I can look at it and say, yes, I still can think / reason – I do have a functioning brain!
Of course, that isn’t possible when a partner just pops into your office to discuss an issue. If I feel like I’m blanking, I try to fake it during that initial conversation, then spend time thinking it through on my own, and then later will say to the partner – hey, I’ve been thinking more about X and here are my (now well-reasoned and easier-to-articulate) thoughts.
Good luck! Hang in there!
CHJ says
Yes! Write everything down. Everything. Did you ever see that movie Memento? That was me for the first year (and a half) postpartum. The combination of bad sleep (even if you’re “only” woken up once a night, it still does a number on you), the physical toll of nursing, and the exhaustion of taking care of a baby will all wipe you out.
I also recently read an article on sleep deprivation that said that your mind will physically run more slowly if you don’t get enough sleep. Sounds familiar….
Philanthropy Girl says
How much fish oil are you taking? My mommy brain was at its worst when I was pregnant, and so I upped my fish oil intake to the maximum levels and it really helped so much. Not enough, evidently, because all I remember is I take 3 capsules now, instead of one, but I can’t remember the dosages. But I can spell my own name now, which is a definite plus.
And yes – exercise and improved weather will also make a difference. But I feel like you get a huge pass because TWINS. Even if you are getting 8 hours a night, I’m sure your brain is full of keeping two little schedules instead of one.
Spirograph says
I think Science has proven mommy brain to be a real thing, so don’t feel bad! I remember thinking I was functioning normally again right around the time my son turned one. But then I got pregnant again and began another slide into mental decrepitude. When I first came back to work, I tried to look at a memo about something that happened while I was away, and my brain felt like it was full of siezed gears. I must have read it 3 times before I finally processed it. Ugh. The most frustrating thing is that I just don’t retain information like I used to — I was always one of those people that only needed to read or hear something once to learn it, and I am just not anymore. I also have no short term memory. My day planner lives in my purse and I write absolutely everything down immediately.
JMDS says
Have you had your thyroid levels checked? I would maybe consider having this done. I was having many of the same issues, and just recently found out that my thryoid was out of wack and my medications needed to be changed. I think this can be pretty common post-pregnancy and can be an easy fix. That, and writing everything down. I keep a hardcover moleskin book with all my work tasks in the front, and everything for home at the back. It really helps.
BKDC says
Nursing a 7-month-old who still gets up at least 3x a night, and I’m pretty sure that Mommy Brain is indeed a real thing. I was able to escape the “pregnancy brain,” but I feel that I’m making up for it now. I need to constantly carry a To Do list or I forget the most basic of things (like my pumped milk in the work fridge at the end of the day). No exercise routine for me yet, but I’ve been trying to focus on eating better (including actual meals!).
No advice to provide – just commiseration!
Yes! says
As I lose the postpartum weight, I’m looking for an inexpensive but flattering pair of skinny jeans. My maternity jeans don’t look good on me anymore but I’m not small enough to fit into my normal size jeans. Any recommendations?
JJ says
Congrats! I just had to do the same thing (“bridge” jeans, I call them). I’m wearing the Gap Resolution True Skinny jeans and like them. They have a good bit of stretch to them, but don’t get “stretched out” like some skinny jeans do. And they’re soft and don’t give me a muffin top. No complaints.
Anonymous says
I’ve heard good things about LOFT jeans. I don’t know the price, but I know they often have promotions.
Yes! says
Thanks ladies! I really appreciate it.
RDC says
Hi ladies – any tips on dealing with a plugged duct while at work? Everything I read online says hot compress and then stay in bed the rest of the day nursing (I exaggerate, but only a little). Any suggestions for how to deal with this with just a pump?
Stephanie says
Massage while you’re pumping. If you can, use hot water and paper towels as a compress beforehand.
D. Meagle says
Massage really hard. My ducts plugged at least once a week when I was nursing, so when it happened, I would apply a hot compress, then pump, and while I pumped, my husband would knead my br*@St. Not massage, knead. Really helped. It was the most unromantic kind of touch, but the fact that he would willing handle me like dough was kind of sweet and romantic.
RDC says
Haha – love your last line. And thanks – some massage combined with turning up the pump to a higher setting seems to have helped.
Anonyc says
Yes, yes, yes, but I think it’s more because of extreme sleep deprivation. Not to say that hormones, vitamin/mineral imbalances are not a part of it, but I think we discount how hard it is to suddenly and severely cut back on sleep, with no respite for months. And I think it takes a very long time–years and years–to get back to a well-rested state. To say nothing of doing it all over again with a successive child. I can definitely tell you that 2011 after my second kid was born is mostly a fog, and to this day I regularly forget something I need each day (phone, usually).
A quick search on sleep deprivation yielded this (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21075236), whose abstract says:
“Emerging evidence suggests that some aspects of higher level cognitive capacities remain degraded by sleep deprivation despite restoration of alertness and vigilance with stimulant countermeasures, suggesting that sleep loss may affect specific cognitive systems above and beyond the effects produced by global cognitive declines or impaired attentional processes. Finally, the role of emotion as a critical facet of cognition has received increasing attention in recent years and mounting evidence suggests that sleep deprivation may particularly affect cognitive systems that rely on emotional data.”
Ed: see also my inability to reply properly…
BKDC says
There’s a reason that sleep deprivation is a torture device!