C-Section Moms Must Haves

Before having Luke, I scoured the web looking for the best list of things that would help me through the first few weeks postpartum. Most of these I luckily already had, but some I purchased later and am so glad I did! With the exception of two of these items, I feel that this list is essential for every new mom!

1. C-Panty by UpSpring Baby- My c-section recovery was rough to put it mildly. Everything hurt.. Sitting up, walking, even rolling over in bed brought on tears. I asked some other c-section moms what helped them and they all came back with the same answer: C-Panty! It has a layer of medical grade silicon over the incision site that really helps with healing and the compression helps with the pain, and helped a little with beginning to suck my tummy back in, think of them as post partum Spanx!

2. Infinity Nursing Scarf- this is my new go-to present for moms-to-be who plan on nursing. I have about 5 different colored/patterned ones that I bought off Etsy! Personally, the scarves were much easier for me to maneuver than other nursing covers. I happen to be a more modest when it comes to public nursing (in fact I wasn't sure I would ever be able to when I first had Luke!) and these scarves are perfect. Not only can I feel comfortable nursing in public, but I can add a pop of color to my outfits!

3. Belly Bandit- I totally doubled up with this and the C-Panty to help shrink down my post baby belly. It worked great, but within 3 weeks of wearing the small it was loose on me and I needed to go back and grab an extra small (which I'm not complaining about!)

4. CamelBak Eddy Water Bottle- this water bottle went everywhere with me the first few months. I loved the fact that it had a straw which made staying hydrated while nursing so much easier (because thirst ALWAYS hits you as soon as you start nursing.)

5. Boppy Nursing Pillow (with at least one spare cover)- I still use my Boppy every day not only to nurse, but also to put behind Luke when he's sitting up so he doesn't constantly knock his head on the ground!

6. Lanisoh Soothies Gel Pads- along with lanolin cream and a homemade mixture of neosporin, clomitrosol, and cortisone creams (recommended by a friend), these pads really provided a lot of relief during the first few weeks of soreness.

7. Fold Over Yoga Pants- with most pants cutting off right where the incision was, I basically lived in inexpensive yoga pants and maternity leggings for the first month or so post partum.

8. Gilligan & O'Malley Nursing Tanks- if you come to my house most days, you will find me in one of these tanks. They're super comfy and make nursing a breeze!

Third Trimester Wardrobe Essentials

So, I'm not great about posting a ton of photos of myself other than the bump updates while I'm pregnant just because I'm self conscious, but I figured I would write about the clothes that I have been living in, especially through my last trimester. As you can imagine, things aren't fitting the way they used to and being comfortable is becoming a daunting task as waistbands get tighter and shirts become belly shirts, so I thought I would share some of my go-to items to slip on and not feel like a complete mess.

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1. Wrap and Tie Headbands: I have always been a huge fan of headbands, and recently have discovered that I love the 50's style that you can tie in knots or bows. It brightens up a messy bun kind of day and keeps the hair out of my face when I wear my hair down at work... I'm sure I will continue to love them after birth too so I can keep my hair from being pulled out by little fingers! My favorite shops to get them are Oh Sweet Joy! and Mint and Arrows.

2. I got a pair of Old Navy Ankle Boots a year or two ago and didn't wear them all that much... I basically wear them every day now. They have a zipper going up the side which make them super easy to slip on and the little wedge heel on the back gives me a little lift that makes me stand with the correct posture... and helps me see over people's shoulders! I'm considering getting a pair in another color since they still make them!

3. I'm loving open cardigans lately because I can purchase the size I normally wear and will be able to continue wearing them after birth! They're great for wearing over dresses, with leggings and a t-shirt or just with jeans. I especially love the long knit one in the photo that I just picked up from Target! 

4. I thought that maternity leggings were stupid until I went shopping with my mom while we were in Connecticut. I was just wearing my regular leggings and slouching them under my belly... When I tried the maternity ones on, I couldn't believe how comfortable they were and had to buy some. Now I feel like I wear them every single day and am always contemplating going to purchase a few more pairs!

5. When I was home for my shower, my grandmother handed me a vintage red trench coat. She had bought it probably over 15 years ago when her and my grandfather used to travel a lot so she could layer underneath it. It's pretty big on me, but will button over my belly and still looks stylish, and I love the color so much, I plan on buying one in my size once I'm done being pregnant!

6. I love pashmina scarves in every single color. They add something to outfits and somehow make me feel like my they're drawing people away from my belly and causing them to speak to me instead of my stomach.

7. When I'm not wearing my ankle boots, I'm usually wearing one of the 4 pairs of riding boots that I own or my Hunter rain boots. On chilly days I like to wear boot socks with leggings underneath them to keep my feet and calf a little extra warm! They're also great for wearing around the house with Brendan's shorts and t-shirts since I have ceased fitting in my own. Some people insist on buying super expensive boot socks, but I find that the $5 Target ones work just fine.

8. So, I worked at American Eagle for about 5 years through high school and college. While I was there, I obviously made several purchases. One of the best purchases I ever made was a pair of slippers that have some sort of faux sheepskin stuff on the inside. When we are at home, I wear them all.the.time. They're the only shoes that I will actually get down on my hands and knees to look for if I think they've fallen under the bed.

9. Let me give you a bit of advice: as soon as you become pregnant, go to Target and get Liz Lange ruched maternity shirts in every color. I know you think you will be wearing medium instead of small regular shirts for your entire pregnancy... but you're wrong. Eventually they will just look funny. Get these shirts, they're inexpensive and will be the only t-shirt that doesn't either turn into a belly shirt or look like a tent after 30 weeks.

So there you have it. This is basically my uniform for the next 2 months! I've also had pretty good luck with sweater dresses and long sweaters as long as they're thin. I thought I would be able to wear chunky pull over sweaters, but was quickly proven wrong after looking at several photographs of me wearing those mistakes. I'd love to know what other things mommy-to-be's live in. :)