This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is a simple little top, but I really like it — I think the cowlneck looks flattering and a bit dressy. Wear it with crisp trousers or ankle pants to dress it up even more, perhaps with a great watch or a brooch as an accessory. Great price, too: it was $19, but is now marked to $13.98 at Target. Long Sleeve Cowl Neck Top
(L-3)
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
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
Click here to see our top posts!
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?
Bad-Baths Mom says
Ooh, I like the colour.
Now, on to two baby-bathing questions:
1 – My son has outgrown the sling in his bathtub, so I have started putting him in the tub itself. (Tub is the blue first-years infant-to-toddle sling tub.) He goes on the sloped side since he doesn’t have the greatest head / neck control yet. But he constantly slides down, so his butt rests precariously on the divider in the middle. I end up pushing him back and holding him in place at his hips so that he doesn’t slip off the divider and end up floating on his back…or most likely floundering, as he doesn’t know how to swim. I think he is sliding because he likes to have his legs at the top of the water in order to kick, and the higher up his butt is, the higher up his legs are. But this is only a theory…it could be that he is sliding involuntarily because of the slope of the tub or because he is a bit too small to be sling-less (although he was really getting big for the sling, and he is going on four months). In any case, have other moms faced this and found a solution? Or do you just have to wait until they grow out of this phase?
2 – Now that we have retired the sling, I find it really hard to properly wash my son’s nether region. It’s too far under the water, and any soap on my hands or a washcloth falls away during the plunging, before they reach their target, so to speak. My mother told me she just didn’t worry too much about washing us with soap, figuring that the water (plus wiping during diaper changes) was sufficient. Is that the answer? Or is there some trick to washing a baby effectively in the tub?
Thanks!
Carrie M says
Could you roll a hand towel or burp cloth to put in between the divider and his bum – would that keep him more on the slope? Or would lowering the water level in the tub help?
I have a girl, but I don’t stress too much about washing the nether region. If she had a really big poop explosion, I sometimes would hold her and put her bum under the tub spout and use a soapy wash cloth to really clean her back and bum. But on a regular basis, I just throw her in the tub and hope that’s enough!
Burgher says
We have been laying a hand towel under the baby on the slope. Helps to hold him in place and to keep him warm.
I wouldn’t worry too much about getting actual soap on their bottoms, as long as it looks rinsed and clean. I think the only other option is holing them up out of the water to do it.
Msj says
I had the same problem with the divider in that tub around that age. I ended up getting the euro tub (have to look up the exact name) from Amazon which is basically the same idea without the sling and huge. I was annoyed to have to buy a second tub but it works perfectly. It may be a problem though if you have a small tub
HM says
C-section – what to expect?
I had an emergency c-section last year due to pre-eclampsia. Baby was whisked off to the NICU, and I was hooked up to drugs for the next 24+ hours in L&D. Less than ideal, but a year later, everyone is happy and healthy, and I don’t dwell in the what-ifs of my desired natural labor.
So, I’m now 13 weeks pregnant with #2, and the consensus with my doctors is to have another C-section. (We’re already monitoring BPs, and starting low-dose meds to hopefully lead to a term-delivery). My question is, if I make it to the scheduled c-section date, what should I expect in the delivery room? Anything in particular to plan or ask for to make it a better/more enjoyable experience?
ANP says
I have not had a C-section myself, but have two friends who’ve both experienced emergency C’s with scheduled C’s the next time. They are unanimously agreed that the scheduled C is a “piece of cake” (their exact words) and the emergency is a whole ‘nother beast.
RR says
I had a c-section with my first pregnancy that wasn’t planned, but was very calm and low stress (after a day on pitocin I had not dilated at all or had a contraction, so I hadn’t been laboring). Easy c-section, easy recovery.
With my second pregnancy, I had a scheduled c-section. They had me show up more than two hours before. They had me get into the gown, started an IV, meet with the radiologist, etc., but all of that was done really early. So, I had like an hour and a half to just wait for the c-section and got really anxious–I just wanted to leave, but obviously not having the baby isn’t an option. I got through it, and the c-section was again very easy.
What to expect (you know some of this from your first, but I think you are more aware of it when it’s all calm and schedule): They shave you, wheel you back or have you walk back depending on distance, you climb up on the table, and they give you an epidural or spinal or combo. They didn’t restrain my arms in any way for either c-section. The anesthesiologist sits right at your head. My first, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, because I was so numb. He pointed out that I was, in fact, still breathing, and I was fine. The second, I got nauseated. I told the guy, and he pushed some anti-nausea medicine, told me I’d be fine in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and I was. The cutting, and getting baby out part is super quick, and then you are very distracted for the longer sewing up part (because there’s a baby in the room being tested and measured and shown to you and held by daddy, etc.). There’s a harrowing (for me) part at the end where they move you to a rolling bed, and I am always worried they are going to drop my numb body on the floor (they didn’t). Immediate recovery for me both times was just lovely. Back to the pre-surgery room, hold the baby, give the baby a bath, all warm and fuzzy. Then to your room. They give you so much meds that you feel nothing–no pain–for 12-18 hours afterward. They’ll get you up 12ish hours after the c-section and you’ll have a really up close and personal bathroom visit with the nurses. Otherwise, recovery is probably very similar to your first time.
JJ says
I agree with all of this. Unplanned c-section for my first, scheduled c-section for my second. The scheduled c-section was great. No stress for me and I liked knowing what was going to happen and when. My only issue was that one of the painkillers they gave me the following day made my blood pressure spike and I didn’t feel like “myself.” Other than that, they had me walking the night after the surgery and showering two days later before I went home. Just walk when you in the hospital. Walk as many (slow) laps as you can.
ETA – my doc also had my husband bring in our camera and told him when she would be pulling the baby out of me. The hospital normally has a very strict “no cameras in the OR policy.” At the point when she pulled the baby out, my husband stood up and was able to get some great pictures of our sons being born. I would ask if that’s an option if it’s important to you.
Milk says
Same!
I agree with the other advice to try to get the first appointment of the day. We had to get to the hospital early, but we didn’t have to worry about other backed-up surgeries or delays. There was also less anticipation that day. We left our house at 5:45, had a baby at 7:30, and were resting in a comfortable room by like 9.
Also, I appreciated that the anesthesia was out of my system by nighttime. I have a hard time sleeping under the effects of the drugs, and was able to get a (relatively) good night of sleep b/w the worst of the drugs wearing off and sending baby to the nursery. This helped everything get off to a great start. Conversely, my first section happened at night, and I had a really hard time bouncing back.
Finally, we were able to keep life as calm as possible for my older child. There was no sudden, unexplained absence, and we had great resources in place for him before, during and after the second baby’s arrival. With no local family, this was unexpectedly fantastic.
I’ve always been a little sad that I missed experiencing labor, but if I’m being totally honest, the planned section was wonderful for a variety of practical and emotional reasons.
Lyssa says
I had a planned c-section for my first (breech), and it was a really simple and positive experience. I’ve been scratching my head over why anyone would want to go the other route. :)
For me, I checked into the hospital, waited around a while, changed into a gown, was put on a rolling bed and wheeled into the OR. They did the epidural or nerve block in my back and I had to wait around to let it work (uncomfortable to slowly lose sensation everywhere below the waist!), then they let my husband in and draped the area. He sat at my side and held my hand, and there was a big sheet hanging down vertically over my chest, so I couldn’t see anything. One of the techs told my hubby that he would let him know when they were about to get the baby out so that he could peak, but he was really supposed to stay down.
Then they started pressing on my stomach for what felt like forever. I finally said to husband “Why are they still pressing on my stomach?” He looked and said that I was wide open – it really just felt like they were sort of lightly mushing at it the whole time; I did not feel the baby coming out or being sewed up much at all. They brought the baby over around the sheet so that I could see him for a minute, then took him off to clean up. On the whole, I think that I was in the OR for around 45 minutes, but I’m really not sure at all. It was really smooth and easy, though.
They took me to the recovery room on the wheeled bed, and I rested there and let the anesthesia wear off. I was hungry and thirsty, and they finally agreed to give me some 7up and saltines, which made me feel a little sick. When they were ready to move me to the actual room I would stay in (maybe 2 hours later? I don’t have a very good memory of time post-op), the nurse said that I could ride a stretcher or she could help me into a wheelchair – I felt pretty good and opted for the wheelchair, which wound up being a mistake – trying to get up made me feel awful and I threw up not to long after.
I didn’t sleep much that night, with the nurses coming in regularly and all, but I really was never in pain. I did get itchy from the medications, and they put some benedryl into my IV at some point, which helped and helped me relax. I don’t remember a whole lot, particularly on times, though I know that I had time with my baby, and that my mom was around for some of it.
The next day, they took the cath out and told me that I should shower around noon (surgery had been around 4 the day before), which I did. I needed some help getting out of bed that day and had to take it slowly, but could pretty much get around, and could get up on my own by the day after. I did not have much pain, and only needed the extra-strength ibprofen every 6 hours. I mostly watched TV and napped.
Surgery was on Monday, and they said we could go home on Wed, but recommended Thursday morning for some extra rest and observation, which we did. By Thursday, I was basically just a little sore and tired – I could get up and down, pack up our room, handle the baby, etc., slowly but pretty easily.
Overall, I don’t think that there’s much you can do to plan; just try to relax and listen to the doctors and nurses. I’ve never had an emergency one done, but based on my experience, I agree that it must be completely different. I’m having a repeat done in June, and overall looking forward to it. Good luck to you! Ask me any questions if you have them.
CHJ says
I had a scheduled C and it was easy as can be. If you can, ask to be the first case of the day — less likely to be delays. We showed up at 6:30 a.m. and had a baby in our arms by 9 a.m.
For what to ask for in the delivery room itself, having my husband there was key. My hospital also offered that we could do skin-to-skin right away, before the baby was cleaned up, but I’m squeamish and asked them to go ahead with the weight/APGAR stuff first. Also, ask if you can take a photo in the OR. We have a photo of the three of us right after DS was born, still in the OR, and it is one of my favorite photos of the day. All in we found our doctors and nurses to be really upbeat and positive throughout the whole experience.
In House Lobbyist says
I had emergency c-section for the first and the way they cut me required a second one. I was really out of it and throwing up for the first day after that. I did not want to go through that again but didn’t have a choice. My water broke about 4 hours before my planned c-section so things were probably hurried up in my case but the planned one was so much better. I wasn’t sick and I didn’t feel as out of it. And my recovery was much easier and the doctor seemed to make the scar better this time. I was terrified of another one so bad it really weighted on whether I wanted a second baby but it was so much better. Good luck!
Carrie M says
Anyone deal with De Quervain syndrome (aka mommy thumb)? I’ve been trying not to pick up my daughter under her armpits, but my thumbs are constantly hurting now and even small tasks are annoying (drinking coffee, driving, working out with weights…so many things that I do with my hand in an L shape that I’ve never thought about before!). Not sure if I should try a splint? Other ideas? TIA!
CHJ says
Oh yes, ouch! How old is your baby? I had it for the first 2-3 months or so, especially from bf’ing, and it eventually went away on its own. My sister used wrist splints (just the ACE ones from the drug store) and those helped a lot. Another one of my friends had to go to physical therapy for a few weeks, but that also made a big difference. Good luck!
EB0220 says
Yes, I got that with my first. I tried a splint and it didn’t help at all. I just had to consciously pick up my kiddo differently. Also, I found that using a boppy during nursing (to support her weight) and babywearing have really helped, and I haven’t gotten it with my second.
JJ says
Yes! It was incredibly painful. I think I got it from holding the baby upright while he nursed. I bought one of the carpal tunnel wrist braces and that seemed to help some. Eventually, once the baby was able to hold his head well while he nursed, it went away.
noob says
I had it as well, and pretty bad carpel tunnel issues the last 3-4 months of my pregnancy. It hasn’t gone away completely (she’s almost 6 months old), but it’s been significantly better in the last month or two. Most likely a combination of her starting daycare, so I’m not picking her up as much, and her having better neck control.
I tried to wear splints that immobilized my thumbs when sleeping, but they didn’t help much and were honestly a PITA. I had to take them off to deal with her in the middle of the night and they were hard to get on and off when I was exhausted and clammy.
RDC says
I didn’t realize this was a thing, so I probably didn’t really have it, but I did have terrible pain in my thumb and wrist for about a week. I realized I had been using my iPhone a lot more with my left hand while nursing, and stretching to operate it with my thumb. I made an effort to cut back (using my first finger instead and laying the iPhone on a pillow instead of holding it) and it really helped.
I have no idea if this might be helpful and don’t mean to downplay the seriousness of the medical condition at all, but just thought I’d mention it as something to consider.
Merabella says
Any suggestions for third trimester heartburn? I’ve never had heartburn before, and it really is just miserable. Is this just what it is going to be like for the foreseeable future? Tums don’t really seem to cut it.
I also had food poisoning this past weekend, all was fine, but I wonder if this is also residual from that, as I didn’t really have it before. Yuck, just yuck.
CHJ says
Yes! Zantac! It is the best. If you are a Costco member, Costco carries it as a generic for a ridiculously cheap price (like $10 for a 200 pill bottle). I would not have survived the third tri without it.
JJ says
Yes – Kirkland brand Zantac is amazing. You can take one of the 150 mg pills per day, according to my OB. I would not have made it through both pregnancies without it.
Tunnel says
Ditto Zantac, twice a day. Even if you don’t feel the burn one day, just take it or else you will regret it. Chewing gum can also help give you some immediate relief (like a spot-treater) due to acid in the saliva or something like that.
anon says
It might go away — I got really upset when I had a bad week and a half of it with eight weeks still to go, but then it just up and disappeared. Zantac is good though.
anon says
I had pre-existing acid reflux and Zantac never worked for me. I’m on Pantoprazole and it really helps (scrip only).
CPA Lady says
Regular tums didn’t work for me, but the “chewy delights ultra strength” tums worked pretty well.
Anonymous says
I agree with the zantac suggestion. Also, take a swig of Mylanta for faster relief if it’s really bad.
OCAssociate says
Liquid Gaviscon is amazing, but you can’t eat or drink anything after you take it.
Jen says
I just chewed Tums, all the time. Only the minty kind. :)
LLC says
Any ideas on a gift for someone expecting twins as their third and fourth babies? I expect they have lots of the necessary items already, but I’d like to give a friend something thoughtful and useful, particularly since these two were a bit of a surprise.
Meg Murry says
Is she planning to bf? My friend with twins said the “My Brest Friend Twin Nursing Pillow” was a lifesaver for her to be able to tandem nurse both kids at once – and from my experience, the Brest friend pillows are way better than Boppy, even if they do have a stupid name.
Otherwise ask her what she only has one of that she wants 2 and get her the second, even if it is borrowed or hand me down? I’m thinking crib, pack and play, swing, infant car seat etc -anything that she would only have one of now.
Depending on the ages of her older kids, consider getting together a a group to buy her a stroller that could carry 3 kids (or 2 plus a standing attachment)? I dont know what brands hold 3, but I’ve seen parents with them at the zoo.
Some areas have a “mothers of multiples” or twin club that has re-sales – I know there is one in our area, so offering to go with her to that or watch the older 2 so she could go would probably be a big helpm
BKDC says
+ 1 on the Breastfriend. Far more suitable for breastfeeding than the Boppy!
Msj says
Twin specific – tandem bf pillow if nursing or table for two if bottle feeding, double snap N go (get used)
Things she may need a second of – rock n play, crib, bouncer, car seat
Things she will need tons of : Diapers! Formula (if relevant)
Milk says
I know this very recently came out – but does anyone plan to change feeding patterns based on the new research published this week in the New England Journal of Med re: peanut allergies? In short, findings strongly indicate that early exposure of infants to peanuts helps prevent kiddos in the high risk pool (family history, eczema) from developing the allergy.
My second child has pretty severe eczema, and I’ve been wondering whether it is a warning sign for food allergies (which do not run in my family). I plan to confer with the doctor, but the findings seem more logical to me than the past theories of total abstention.
Sarabeth says
We’re past this now, but there were similar (but not as well designed) studies on gluten and eggs that came out last year. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology also changed its recommendations in 2013. Based on that rec, we decided to introduce all the major categories of allergens before 6 months. Our daughter has eczema, but not a particularly bad case, but no other risk factors for any food allergies.
Milk says
Do you mind sharing what foods you introduced to include the major food groups at the infant stage? I have always felt like the oft-cited recommendation to serve oatmeal or cereal didn’t really make sense, as these foods don’t provide much nutritionally or taste like much.
Nonny says
You may know this already, but according to everything I’ve read and was told by my doctor, the main point of introducing solids at 6 months is to ensure the baby’s iron intake is sufficient – the store of iron that babies build up before birth is pretty much depleted by 6 months. That is why the foods that doctors and nutritionists recommend as first foods are all high in iron. All other nutrition is meant to be provided by breast milk or formula at that stage….
RR says
I feel like there were articles about this when my first was born 7 years ago–that you see fewer peanut allergies in countries where it’s common to give babies peanut products. I gave all my three peanut-containing foods by like 9 months. The only allergy any of the three had was a milk protein allergy that she grew out of by a year. I’m not a scientist or doctor by any stretch, but it always made sense to me that early exposure could assist in lessening allergies.
anonymom says
Yep–my kid is 8 years old and I ignored the pediatrician’s admonitions to avoid peanut products while nursing. I remember reading some of the same things about kids in countries where early exposure to peanuts is the norm having fewer allergies, and it made sense to me. I held off on actually feeding her peanut butter until she was around a year old because I was concerned about choking.
There was a researcher on NPR today (Diane Rehm show, maybe?) who attributed the dramatic rise in peanut allergies to two factors: 1) parents not feeding young kids peanuts, and 2) an increase in the rate of eczema among babies under 6 months, which weakens the skin so that peanut particles they encounter in the environment are absorbed through the skin and treated by the body as a parasitic invasion, sensitizing the immune system to peanut proteins.
Jen says
I just decided to eat a lot of peanut butter while pregannt and nursing. when baby was old enough to have it, i lter her try some peanut butter. then i gave her a ltitle more. now she’s 17 month and likes PB&Js.
We have no peanut allergy history in my family, but I am generally in the camp of exposure helps. I am also anti-purell sanitizer.
KJ says
I thought this had already been established, or at least theorized about a few years back? In any case, I never worried about it. I ate peanut products while pregnant and breastfeeding and introduced peanut butter on rice cakes when she started eating finger foods. My baby and I both have eczema, but the pediatrician said that it’s rarely caused by food allergies and didn’t think we needed to take any special precautions.
Ciao, pues says
Does anyone know if there have been any updates/changes in the Ergo Original in the last 5-6 years? I’m thinking of buying a used one but don’t want to miss any upgrades. Any resource to find this kind of info?
CC says
Yes, the new Ergo 360 allows you to have your baby forward facing, which I believe the original Ergo’s did not.
Ciao, pues says
Oh, yes, I know about the 360. I’m talking about the Original, which is still in production and on its third generation, I think. I’m just trying to understand what changed from one generation to the next, and when.
OCAssociate says
Does anyone have tips on how to give a toddler an enema? We’re in the middle of a terrible p**p hoarding episode, and it looks like we’re going to have to do an enema tonight. The current plan is to have him over my lap, with the ipad, and hope he doesn’t fight it too hard. Any other tips/suggestions? I’m worried that this is going to be a nightmare.
JJ says
Ugh. I’m sorry you’re going through this and good luck. Any chance a glycerin suppository would work, as opposed to an enema? We had to use those when my son was 1ish, and it definitely made things start flowing within minutes.
OCAssociate says
He’s managed to hold it in after 2 separate glycerin suppositories. Ugh. But thanks for the suggestion.
JJ says
Ugh. Isn’t parenting glamorous? Good luck.
Midwest Mom says
We had to do this for our 3 year old a couple months ago. The first time I had her lay on her side in the fetal position and that sorta worked. The second time she sat on DH’s lap facing him and straddling him. He kind of lifted her up and I did it quickly (with lots of towels under and around her). That seemed to work a little better because he could kind of hold her still. I don’t think there is any good or easy way to do it. Good luck!