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This brand is new to me, but they have a number of cocktail party dresses for pregnant or nursing mothers, such as this stretchy jacquard dress. I like that it totally does not look like a nursing dress — the high neckline hides a “special easy zip opening” for nursing. Some of the other pieces from the brand are highly rated — I nearly posted this well-reviewed dress, which I’m sure is lovely in person, but I couldn’t get past the picture of it. This tunic also looks like a great casual sweater. The pictured dress is $79.20 (was $88), and comes in purple and black. Sweet Mommy Stretch Jacquard Nursing Dress If you are (or were) pregnant or nursing at the holidays, did you get a special dress or outfit — or just repurpose your baby shower dress / christening dress (if you had one)?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
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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?
Meg Murry says
Wow, the picture of the one you skipped looks very “teen mom needs a homecoming dress” with the model they used. The picture of the salmon colored one isn’t quite so bad as the model looks slightly less ridiculous. Like you said, probably better in real life – but the photos aren’t helping sell it to me – good thing I don’t need it :-)
KJ says
Does anyone else think it’s weird and impractical how so many things are for “pregnant/nursing” women? Those are two very different things! When I was pregnant, I didn’t need easy access for nursing, but now that I’m not pregnant I’d like a nursing top or dress that doesn’t make me look pregnant with its maternity styling.
Anonymous says
TOTALLY AGREED. Seriously. Manufacturers: pregnant women have very different needs from nursing moms, who have different needs from non-nursing moms! We deserve to look decent through all phases of childbearing, and “mom jeans” shouldn’t be a thing.
-signed, (former) preg 3L because I forgot to put my name in the right place #whoops
EB0220 says
I totally agree. I guess that companies are trying to make items that can be used longer-term. It’s also nice to have some extra room in the stomach in the few weeks/months immediately postpartum. I’m now four months postpartum, though, and the maternity styling is so unflattering – I still have a bit of a belly but nowhere near a pregnant belly! I ordered some of those Old Navy nursing tops that were recommended on this site a few weeks ago, and when they arrived my husband said “Is there something you need to tell me??” since they were labeled maternity. Poor guy about had a panic attack.
Anyway, I agree that it’s odd and slightly annoying.
Katarina says
This is why I don’t own nursing clothing, besides nursing tanks. Maternity clothes are designed to emphasize the belly, which I did not want to do postpartum.
Lyssa says
Agreed. I only wore maternity wear for a pretty short time after having a baby, and maternity tops and dresses looked pretty weird after a couple of weeks pp (pants were needed for a while longer, but those aren’t relevant to nursing).
hoola hoopa says
YES. Nursing clothing should be the exact opposite of maternity clothing. Hide the belly, don’t show it off!
Anonymous says
Yes, totally. “Accommodate a large round belly” and “provide easy boob access” are not related!
KJ says
I need some help figuring out holiday gifts for daycare. This is our first year doing this.
Here is the situation: The baby is in a class with two main teachers, who we love and want to give generous gifts to for the holidays. There are other “helpers”/floaters at the center who help out in the classroom as needed. I don’t know any of their names, and on the infrequent occasions I see one of them with my baby, it’s different people each time. Do we need to give a gift to the floaters? If so, how do we work the logistics of that? My plan for the teachers was to give them each holiday card with the gift inside, but I don’t know how I would give a gift to the floaters. Also, is cash tacky or appreciated for it’s versatility and perhaps its ability to be shared with the floaters? Otherwise I was thinking of doing a Macy’s gift card for $50. Does that seem like a reasonable amount? This is in the DC suburbs. Thanks to anyone who has insight here – this is kind of throwing me for a loop!
EB0220 says
For the floaters, there are usually a few floaters assigned to each room. You could ask the front office for a list and give each of them something small ($5-10 Starbucks gift card, etc.). Another suggestion I have seen is to bring in treats for everyone to share, but I’ve always found the logistics of that difficult. (Do I bring it in the morning? When do they have time? Aren’t they already tired of getting treats?)
I think $50 is fine. I usually do Amazon or Target gift cards so they can buy whatever they want. I try to add on something personalized for them or my kid. One year I did personalized tumblers + gift cards, but I’m not sure I’m on top of things enough to do that this year. Also – you can put a picture of your kid on Amazon gift cards, which is kind of fun! Hope that helps – I need to get on this today as well!
Spirograph says
You can put a picture of your kid on Amazon gift cards?! I wish I’d know that sooner… oh well.
We are also in DC suburbs but use an in-home daycare with two main teachers and one part time. We’re going with $75 Amazon gift cards (the ones that come in the pretty, festive boxes) for the two main teachers and $50 for the part time teacher. I figure I’ll make some holiday treats and give each a little bag of cookies, family Christmas card with a nice note, and the gift card. I hope that’s appropriate; this is my first year trying to figure it out, too!
CHJ says
I always do cash for daycare gifts. It is a little bit awkward, like you’re “tipping” the teachers, but I’ve heard through the grapevine that they prefer cash over getting 5-10 gift cards to various places from all the families, which makes a lot of sense to me.
I’m not sure what to advise on the floaters though. At our daycare, all of the parents get together and do a group gift of cash to each teacher, plus the floaters and a couple of other helpers. I highly recommend it if you are in a situation where the parents work well together and are in communication with one another. (We have a parent email list, which makes it easy).
hoola hoopa says
At my kids’ daycare, the floaters also have their own rooms. So I don’t worry about gifting them, since they have their own class.
If they are truly full-time floaters, then I’d do a sharable edible. None of our schools have had parents organized enough to do a group gift, but this seems like an excellent option if yours are.
I think cash is absolutely appropriate and not tacky. I think making one card out to ‘floaters’ and including cash to split seems reasonable.
Carrie M says
Also DC suburb, and our daycare is similar – 2 main teachers, 1 teacher who was supposed to be a substitute but has been in the class for several months, and then floaters to cover for the teachers on their bathroom breaks, days off, etc. We asked our center director, and she said that most people are private about their gifts, but from what she gathers, $50 is a typical amount. We plan on giving cash to the teachers and then cookies or something edible for them to share more widely.
NewMomAnon says
Ok, so this conversation loosely ties into a debate I’m currently having – when I went back to work from maternity leave, I was nowhere near fitting into my prepregnancy clothes so I bought some new ones (seriously, I had been a size 2 and bought size 12 for my hips postpartum). Since then, I’ve reached my prepregnancy weight/size (yay!) and can’t wear the stuff I bought postpartum. I’m torn about whether to alter it so I can keep wearing it, or put it away in case I have another kid/gain weight, or just donate it. It’s all work wear; a couple suits, a couple dresses, and some tops. It’s all in good condition (though wasn’t terribly expensive stuff to start with), I like the styles and would certainly wear the clothes if they fit.
If I don’t alter the clothes, I probably need to buy two new suits and a couple dresses since my other suits are all 4-5 years old and showing their age.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Shayla says
I would slowly buy what you need for the size you are now. If you think there’s a possibility of needing the larger clothes in the *near* future, go ahead and save them. Otherwise, I’d donate. Styles change, and, I will self project here, if you go through another weight flux (pregnancy related or not) you might want the consumer therapy to boost your self esteem.
Do I Have A Right To Be Annoyed says
I saved my postpartum clothes to wear after I had baby number 2. I was so happy I had them, especially the pants! Some styles do change, but you can just get rid of those things when you realize they are no longer in style.
Meg Murry says
I don’t think items would be altered from a 12 back down to a 2 very easily. If you and H are actively planning to get pregnant in the next 1-2 years I’d keep some of it, but otherwise I’d donate it – the suits would be especially nice to go to somewhere like Dress for Success.
K. says
Just in case it helps others, there are a lot of nursing clothes and maternity clothes on a m a z o n right now that are deeply discounted!
Also, completely agree about the idea that maternity vs. nursing clothes are not the same! I wish there was more nursing friendly clothing out there. Add to the fact that nursing friendly clothes are not always pumping friendly!!
Anonymous says
So, I’ve recently gone off of birth control in the hopes of getting pregnant…which is very exciting!
The problem is, I haven’t been off of birth control in years, and I’ve been surprised at the changes in my mood. Like, major hormonal mood swings.
Any tips for coping with this? I was really, inexcusably rude and demanding to my husband this morning and I feel so. guilty.
mascot says
Consider it practice for the crazy hormones that are to come. Apologize/warn your husband, practice good self care, and try to remove yourself from the situation when you feel snappish. The post partum hormone drop for me was the worst. I’d be crying for no reason and be powerless to stop it. It was like an out of body experience because logically I knew nothing was wrong. Once I vocalized that to my husband, he was really understanding and didn’t get offended.
Spirograph says
+1. This happened to me when I went off BC, too. Aside from apologizing/explaining to my husband, sleep and exercise were really helpful. Those always improve my mood, regardless, but I felt like my body was going haywire trying to recalibrate, so anything extra I could do to help it be healthy would shorten the duration. (not sure whether that’s true or not, though)
anon says
After a few cycles you’ll figure it out – and then just knowing “OH, I’m at day X, that’s why I’m feeling this way” went a long way, for me, towards helping me feel better. But yeah, the emotional rollercoaster really took me by surprise.
Pogo says
Yep. However, as a consolation, for me it made me more into LGPs (especially depending on the time of the month). So DH is pleasantly surprised by that and willing to put up with other crankiness ;)
However, I’m still waiting for things to “stabilize” which the internet and my doctor both tell me will happen.. .. someday.
Meg Murry says
Any suggestions on something to get a 3 year old for Christmas when your house is already overflowing with toys? I’m feeling like such a mean mom/Grinch, but I really don’t want to buy any more toys for my 3 year old – we have tons of 3 year old appropriate stuff left over from my older son who was the only grandchild on all sides of the family until the younger one came around. But on the other hand, its mean not to give the kid SOMETHING for Christmas, and the older one will definitely notice. We’ve gotten our older son a few small things, and he’s getting a big gift from his uncle, so we don’t need to worry so much about him, but the little one is more difficult. So far the little one has only asked for “2 cars and a truck” which I’ve taken care of, but what else can I give him besides books, which is my other go-to? I’m seriously thinking about cardboard boxes and bubble wrap at this point – any other suggestions along those lines? We already have tons and tons of Duplos, blocks, Lincoln Logs, Thomas trains and track, a play kitchen etc etc
Lyssa says
I’m having the same issue with my two year old (who has very generous grandparents). I’m trying to focus on things that he needs (clothing, etc.) or that we would have to buy anyway. Of course, a three year old might be smart enough to catch on to that.
Spirograph says
What about things that get used up, like fingerpaint and big easel paper? Or, something he “needs” anyway like a new blanket for his bed? I remember my siblings and I got new blankets one Christmas, and much fort-building ensued before they were put to their functional use, so they definitely still counted as fun presents.
hoola hoopa says
+1, especially for art/craft supplies. Similarly, playdough.
I got my almost-3 year old a lunch box and new funtainer. She’s very envious of older sib’s school lunch box, so I think she’ll get a kick out of having her own.
I like to get small, character/figurine sets to supplement duplos. Something to unwrap, doesn’t really add to the ‘stuff’, but they really enjoy the extra animals and people.
rakma says
Wow, this is a problem I’m having this year with my 1 yo– December birthday compounding it–but she’s not going to notice where all the stuff comes from (not mom + dad/santa) so I can still get away with one present and then let’s go play with all the stuff Grandma and Grandpa got…
Is there something practical that he gets excited about? Truck pj’s, some fruit snack he loves? Something he can open and go oh wow I love this, even though it’s really just groceries?
Or is there something his big brother has that he can have a just for him version of? An age appropriate version of something that big brother doesn’t want to share?
Nonny says
I seriously considered actually getting nothing for my almost 1-yr-old, but then decided that would make me a bad mom (but not really….maybe I am just guilt tripping myself). On top of Christmas, her birthday is coming up in early January so that means presents, presents and more presents, especially from her very generous grandparents. But I decided to settle for a set of musical instruments and a new book. Haven’t decided yet if we will actually then get her something separate for her birthday a week later….it kind of seems like overkill this year, even though in future years I know it will be important to differentiate…
EB0220 says
Hah! I got my 4.5 month old a set of 4 board books. And…I think that’s it?I barely got my older daughter anything until this Christmas. Between the grandparents, aunt and uncles, she gets plenty!
Meg Murry says
FYI, for both my kids first birthdays their favorite gift was a mylar helium balloon tied to their wrists – they played with the baloon for hours! Easy, cheap way to get her a “gift” and some cute photo ops. Even for 2nd and 3rd birthdays, when asked what they wanted, both kids said a variation on “cake, cupcakes and balloons”
Nonny says
Brilliant. Birthday balloon coming right up.
Jen says
I have a 2 and a 4 year old and this is the first year I’m getting them presents and it’s actually only stocking stuffers from Santa. They get so much from both sets of grandparents and my siblings that it’s over whelming and in the past we’ve even spaced out gifts so that they get 1-2 for Christmas and then donate the others or give them throughout the year.
Stacey says
I have a similar dilemma. I’m getting my 3 year old girl hooded animal towels I found at target, a bath book, and her favorite snack for her stocking. I’m leaving the rest to the relatives, who have gotten her plenty. Is there anything you might buy even if it wasn’t Christmas? I purchased a brightly colored plastic placemat the other day that she loved, or you could get a lunchbox, small backpack, fun clothes/pjs. Another great option would be an experience gift- a day at the zoo with mom without big brother. Although at 3 an experience is not as much fun on Christmas morning.
Midwest Mom says
I’m having a similar problem coming up with ideas for my 3 year old. I second Spirograph above re: things that can be used up or that he needs anyway. New crayons/markers/coloring books? Kid scissors or other art supplies? Toothbrush and/or toothpaste? Kiddie silverware? New (sippy-type) cup? Favorite snacks? PJs? Winter gear like snow boots or snow pants? Alternatively, what about an experience? Last year we got our then 2-year old tickets to see Sesame Street Live. Tickets to a kid play or movie or show or museum or something like that would be fun.
mascot says
Hmm, bike or scooter? Experience gift like a zoo membership with his favorite animal attached? Playdough or paint or other art item that gets used up? Outside toy like an orbit swing or slackline? My child is only “meh” about his easel, but loves dress up clothes and anything for pretend play. I found some cool light up Star Wars toothbrushes at Walgreens for stocking stuffers.
EB0220 says
This is a problem for us, too. I think I’ve mostly limited the Christmas list to the following:
1) Kid-sized furniture/household items (Chair for her room and shelves for organizing her books)
2) Stuff we would buy anyway (new winter coat and raincoat)
3) Outside toys (big wheels)
4) Experience Gifts (museum membership)
Meg Murry says
Thanks everyone, this is a good list. I think my main concern is actually that big brother will notice and ask “why didn’t Santa get little brother any toys this year – wasn’t he good enough”? I have an answer already prepared for him for why HE didn’t get much (because mommy wrote to Santa and told him uncle was giving you this awesome hand-me-down present) but no good answer for little brother – and big brother is already on the edge of Santa doubting, so I don’t want to push him into disbeliever status. I’ll probably go with ” because he just got such awesome toys for his birthday this year I told Santa to focus on other kids” and hope that works, we shall see.
hoola hoopa says
Just say that Santa usually brings less to very little kids. I wouldn’t worry because at those ages I think the only comparison that your oldest will make is that his gifts were better and all is right in the world.
FWIW, it wouldn’t be an issue at our house because Santa only brings one gift (or in your situation, “2 cars and a truck”), so the Santa gifts would be equal.
Anonymous says
I’m primarily expanding on things we have, e.g. new pieces for brio track, new pieces to add to hot wheels track, new matchbox cars, etc. my theory is that we already have storage bins for these things, so it won’t create a storage issue for me. The only problem item is the bruder dump truck, which is the only thing my son asked Santa for. And the giant toys that aunts/uncles/grandparents buy without asking, even though we have no storage space.
Lorelai Gilmore says
Do you have a toddler-sized shopping cart? Melissa and Doug makes a great one that has been beloved by my children. Another good idea for a three-year-old is Dusty the Toy Vaccuum Cleaner – my kids loved it. Those make great Christmas presents because they’re big – think impact under the tree – but aren’t made up of all those infernal little pieces.