Archive for the ‘Tips & Tricks’ Category
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
It is arguably the stage of pregnancy that the majority of moms-to-be dislike the most: you’re 9 weeks pregnant, and nothing fits. While it would make sense to stock up on maternity clothes, building up your new wardrobe can get pretty expensive and not to mention wasteful—unless you plan on getting preggers once more, you’ll never wear those clothes again. But you need to get by somehow. The trick is to simply invest in some key, essential clothing items. Continue reading to find out what they are.
Maternity Jeans. If you were a jean lover before, chances are you’ll go stir crazy once your favorite pair refuses to zip up. Fortunately, there are tons of stylish and modern maternity jeans available. However, to get a better bang for your buck, it’s best to get a pair of maternity jeans that are designed to fit you throughout all different stages of your pregnancy. These “transition” jeans allow you to adjust the waistband as needed. Also, try to get a pair in dark denim since they’re exceptionally versatile. Perfect for any occasion, you can dress them up or dress them down.
Dress. If on the other hand you are not the type that wants to be constrained in a pair of jeans, then you need to invest in a dress. The type of dress you purchase will vary upon season, but your best bet would be to invest in a breezy, flowy ‘maxi’ dress—something made from jersey or soft cotton for the most comfort. This style of dress is generally sold all year long. Try to get one in a solid color as opposed to a floral print so that you can use it at an array of different occasions and seasons—add some fancy jewelry to dress it up, or pair with a cardigan and some flat boots in the cooler weathers.
Nursing Bra. When your belly grows, so will your breast. But instead of buying a bunch of costly bras to support your new large chest, go ahead and buy a nursing bra—it’ll give your more mileage. Even if you are not planning on nursing, these bras will provide the most comfort before and after your child is born. This is because nursing bras (as opposed to regular bras) are made with more padding, gentle wires, and constructed with a special stretching material that does not constrain the breast tissue. It’s best to find one that promises to adjust to a number of different cup sizes since you don’t know how big your breast will get in the end. Also, get one that is the most versatile—flesh tone or a nude color.
Mama Spanx. Creators of Spanx—the popular slimming body shaper—has recently released a hosiery for expecting mothers and trust when it’s said that it does wonders. This body shaper simultaneously has a special soft yarn to support your growing belly and back, while it shapes and lifts your butt and thighs. You can wear it underneath your jeans or dresses to give you more of a defined shape, or as underwear to remove unwanted panty lines. Mama Spanx is offered in only two colors: nude and black.
Kitty Holman, regularly writes on the topics of nursing colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: kitty.holman20@gmail.com.
Posted in Guest Blog, Tips & Tricks | 1 Comment »
Sunday, January 23rd, 2011
Blissdom ’11 is upon us! We are looking forward to kicking off the conference with a twitter party that begins Monday night 1/24/11, lead by our friend Abbey Fatica at Living My MoMent.
Too soon to start thinking about ’12? Nah! Happy Mama Gifts is excited to kick-start a contest that gives you a chance to WIN A TICKET TO BLISSDOM 2012! Entry is fun, quick and easy. Here are the details:
Answer this question on your blog:
What did you (or your fans, or your sister, etc) do with your newborn’s clothes after he/she outgrew them? Did you make a quilt? Are they in the back of your nursery closet? Happy Mama Gifts wants to know!
Link to our new product:
http://bit.ly/ghqh9P – anchor text Baby Shower Gifts
Tell us about your post:
Use the Mr. Linky below to point us to your post. We can’t wait to see your answers!
Additional Entries:
Let your friends know you just entered via Twitter and Facebook. Be sure to @ mention us so we know about the post. These entries are ONLY VALID if you have also posted your response to your blog.
Win!
1 winner will be selected on November 15, 2011. You can view status updates at www.happymamagifts.com/blissdom Good Luck!
Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter for more contests and special offers.
Tags: blissdom ticket, blogger contest, Giveaway
Posted in Contests/Special Offers, Tips & Tricks | 58 Comments »
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
The holidays are always a fun and exciting time to break the news that you are expecting a baby. It is especially convenient because so many of your family members are around to share in the joy, face-to-face. We have compiled our favorites to help you get your creative juices flowing:
Place a bowl at the door and offer note cards for your guests to include a note about what they are thankful for. Enter your own note about the baby, like “I am thankful for our new baby, joining our family on X date”. Have guests randomly draw a card at the dinner table and read it aloud. The excitement will stir as everyone takes a minute to figure out who is pregnant! OR Give everyone a place card at the table. Fill each one with a quote to be read aloud. Use one of the cards to quote yourself expressing the fabulous news!
 Give a Save-the-Date party favor. Use metal napkin holders and place save-the-date magnets on them. It ensures everyone is sitting together when the news is broken and even Martha Stuart would be proud of this creative and appealing table setting!
Going to another home for Thanksgiving? Bring your hostess a gift and include a card that requests “an extra seat at the table in 2011”. The news, believe us, will spread like wild-fire.
Decorate the pumpkin pie (or even the turkey) with booties, pacifiers and rattles.
OR Create an inventive centerpiece. Fill a cornucopia with the traditional items, and carefully place rattles, small bottles and small gift boxes wrapped in baby themed paper.
Leak the news slowly. Place your ultrasound picture on the refrigerator and see who notices first. Convince them to keep it hush-hush for a while as other guests start noticing too!
Congratulations on your upcoming baby, Happy Holidays and if you aren’t ready to share the news just yet, look out for our upcoming Creative Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy at Christmas!
Posted in Gift Ideas, Tips & Tricks | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
We have compiled a list of items YOU NEED to pack for D-Day. The hospital, as much as many try, is not a spa and doesn’t always provide top-notch “amenities”.
 Feminine Pads: No tampons allowed after birth! Although they provide pads at the hospital for post-birth bleeding, they are bulky and lack the absorbant power many of us are used to. We recommend Always Infinity Pads.
Breast Pads: These will come in handy whether you have decided to breastfeed or not (Your body won’t know that yet!).
“Throw-Away” Panties: Don’t even consider heading to the hospital without these! Hospital issue undergarments are made of a mesh material and only vaguely resemble underwear. Anything you take will take a beating, so a large pack of cheap panties that you can toss after use will do the trick.
Heat Wraps: If you didn’t already get the Earth Mama Angel Baby labor sock, Thermacare Heatwraps will tuck, and stick, nicely to your undergarments and allow you to rest without waking up in pan because that warming comfort has fallen somewhere on the floor!
Extra T-Shirts: This will be for yourself, your coach or other participants that didn’t expect a long haul!
Nausea Aides: Preggie Pops or Psi Bands will help you battle in-labor tummy troubles. Take it from us, nothing is worse than being expected to push while your coach holds a pan for you to throw up in!
Power Bars: Your doctor may not allow you to take part in these life-savers (ask ahead of time) but your support team will likely need nourishment and may not have time to head to the cafeteria.
Toiletries: Included in the Happy Mama Birth Bag
Disposable Camera: Running out of batteries in your digital would be a disaster, so have a back-up. Also included in the Happy Mama Birth Bag.
Champagne: Need we say more? Your hospital or birth center likely has a refrigerator handy and would love to help you and your family have a post-”war” celebration.
Tags: labor, morning sickness relief, what to pack for the hospital
Posted in Tips & Tricks | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
I am a mom of two, both under the age of 2. I know that weaning your child from a bottle is a tough job and can often be made more difficult with multiple children in the mix. Our son was born just as we were finally able to wean our daughter. Jealousy over the new baby raged and erased much of our hard work. And so the battle began, we lost and she ended up with a two (bottle) a day habit.
Out of frustration came a great idea to solve the problem. I was thrilled to think that I would have a bottle weaned toddler and a new business venture. After doing some internet research, I found a product that did just what I needed. I hadn’t heard of it because it wasn’t being marketed as a solution to my (and many other mom’s) problem. Although I am disappointed that I won’t be launching my own baby bottle line anytime soon, I am please to share a solution that works!
As promised, here are the three easy steps to getting your toddler weaned from the bottle:
 ThinkBaby bottles are designed as an eco-friendly bottle that will last through the toddler years. You can easily turn your baby bottle into a sippy cup with a simple conversion kit that contains a spout and handles. More importantly, you can painlessly wean your child.
Step One:Use the ThinkBaby bottles. I recommend the cross-cut nipples (included in the gift set pictured). Make sure that every baby in the house is using the same bottle and all other bottles have been put away. This is an easy step, because the bottles are so great; they are BPA free, anti-colic and truly non-drip. Plus, if you already use the bottles, you have a head start on this bottle weaning plan.
Step Two:Start using the soft spout instead of the nipple (without the handles) when you feel that the bottles have been successfully integrated. It looks like the same bottle they are used to, and in the case of younger babies in the house, feels like the same bottle the baby is using. Nothing to be jealous of! The only thing you are asking of your toddler at this point is to get used to a new “nipple”. Also, you are already taking advantage of the orthodontic benefit of moving to a sippy cup and can feel free to take your time moving to the next step.
Step Three:Simply add the handles when you and your toddler are ready. You might even start by adding the handles only during the day and removing them at night. Your child will soon be ready to interchangeably use any sippy cup you offer him/her.
The key to this plan is to take a lesson from Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction and “Stay Cool”. Don’t rush and don’t stress. It will happen effortlessly and your friends will all envy your pain free success. Happy weaning!
Tags: bottle feeding, bottle weaning
Posted in Tips & Tricks | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
 Pregnancy takes a toll on our bodies. Regardless of how much weight you gain during pregnancy, after giving birth, you will almost always have to deal with a few (or with many) extra pounds and with natural changes to your body.
The most important thing, in my opinion, is that you take your time. It took you nine months to gain the weight, and it will take you about nine months to take it off – if you do it right. You should also accept that some changes in your body will likely be permanent – and that’s OK.
You will eat well and work out and take care of yourself, and nine months from now you will look amazing – but your body won’t look exactly like it looked before you became pregnant. You will likely have a few stretch marks, the skin on your belly will be a little lax, your hips might always stay a bit wider than they used to be, and your boobs – well, let’s just say they won’t ever be perky again. Try not to worry about it though: your body did an amazing thing – growing and nurturing a new life. Try to be proud of what your body is capable of instead of worrying about how it looks.
Accepting that your body has changed and taking it easy does not mean that you don’t want to be fit, though. Being fit and strong is healthy and feels wonderful. While having a new baby may change your fitness routine, it need not eliminate it. Here are a few simple ways to get back in shape after having a baby:
1. Exercise with your baby. If you can get an hour each day to work out at the gym that’s great, but for most new moms this is impossible. Instead, work out WITH your baby: you can jog while pushing her in a jogging stroller; you can lie down on your back and lift her little body up in the air repeatedly – a great workout for your upper arms AND lots of fun for the baby; and you can strap her in the baby carrier and dance around the house. Whatever you do, get moving and be active every day.
2. Work out with a friend. A friend can help you stay motivated and accountable. If you have a weekly fitness date with a friend, you will probably tend to keep it. A fitness date with yourself is so much easier to break.
3. Try to get enough sleep. Easier said than done, for sure, but there ARE ways to maximize your sleep even when you have a baby, including napping with her, going to bed early at night, splitting the night into shifts and sharing diaper duty with your partner, and training yourself to go back to sleep immediately after taking care of your baby at night. The more well rested you are, the more energy you will have for working out. In addition, sleep deprivation leads to overeating, so that’s another good reason to get as much sleep as you can.
4. Don’t starve yourself! Eat five small meals a day and focus on health instead of on calories. If you eat moderate portions of healthy foods, drink plenty of water, avoid processed foods (except for an occasional treat) and stop eating when you’re not hungry anymore, you will slowly reach the ideal weight for your body.
5. Ignore the tabloids. Those “post baby body” spreads in the tabloids? Ignore them. They’re heavily retouched. Those “I gave birth two days ago and am back on the catwalk looking as fabulous as ever” articles? Throw them in the trash. Those messages that we get from the media about the “need” to look amazing right after giving birth are insane. Take your time, focus on your baby and on your health, and in a few months, you WILL look fabulous.
Photo credit: Ed Yourdon
Tags: mom exercise tips
Posted in Tips & Tricks | No Comments »
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