My Favorite Maternity Clothes!

Posted on April 16, 2013 by RaddestMom

Dressing yourself when your body suddenly has bulges in places it normally doesn’t can be frustrating. Here are a few ideas for you moms-to-be as far as clothing goes.

1. Side Stretch Maternity Jeans

Much more chic than the traditional elastic/cloth waistband jeans. These jeans are meant to go UNDER the bump, and they secretly stretch on the side, above the pocket. Obviously, J Brand Mama J’s are the best, but if you don’t wanna spend $200 bucks, Forever 21 makes some, as well as Asos.com

2. Maxi Dresses

What’s great about a maxi dress is that you can wear it after you have the baby as well. Even if your ass has gotten 5 times bigger, you won’t be able to tell in these dresses! They are classic, flattering, and always in style.

3. Tight Shirt and a Blazer

One of my favorite maternity looks is a simple, tight shirt & a fun blazer. By accentuating the bump with a clingy shirt, you’re actually making yourself look thinner. You can dress this look up with dark colors, or keep it casual with a fun print.

4. Flowing Top with Tights

Combine any type of flowing caftan or blouse with tight fitting bottoms to create the perfect “I’m definitely pregnant, not fat” look.

5. A-Line Dresses That Cut off ABOVE the Bump

These are perfect for pregnant bellies. You can find these year round for virtually any price range. My favorite maternity store is on Asos.com

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***HERE ARE SOME LOOKS TO AVOID WHILE PREGNANT:***

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1. PEPLUM

Just, no. A frill around the waist of a pregnant woman is less than flattering.

2. High Waisted Things

Covering your bump with tight, unflexible leather is not only uncomfortable, it’s not cute. Stay away from restricting materials such as leather, unless it’s tight in the right places.

3. Outfits that Meet in the Center of Your Belly

Do you see how weird it looks when you try to wear the clothes you normally would wear, only in a bigger size? Most of the clothes you’re used to wearing aren’t meant for pregnant bodies. Avoid outfits that split you in half like this one.

Remember, your body isn’t stuck like this forever! Embrace your curves for the time being and try to feel cute amongst the bloat

Lisa O

My Ideal Hospital Bag

Posted on December 13, 2012 by RaddestMom

If you’re a first time mom, or have previous children, you can still benefit from this post. Most moms are super confused and overwhelmed when packing their “Hospital Bag”….

I can tell you from experience, you don’t need that much. Remember, whatever you bring, you probably will end up only using maybe half of it! Here is my ideal suitcase:

: Bring 3 or 4 warm, comfy onesies for your baby to wear during your stay. It’s VERY hard to change a newborns clothes, so trust me, you’ll want to keep them in the same outfit all day unless they poop or pee on it.

: Bring a going home outfit for baby. Also a hat incase it’s cold out

: I recommend a BLACK robe, since more than likely you will stain anything that comes near your rear end. I slept in a robe for 3 days. It’s crucial.

: Granny Panties! You probably won’t even need these. I wore the mesh underwear from the hospital the whole time….And maybe 2 weeks after..maybe :/

: This is a MUST have! Spray this stuff on your crotch as much as you want and it really helps numb the pain. Hospital usually gives it to you but it’s so important I’d bring my own just incase.

: Belly Bandit! Such a must have. After your baby comes out your stomach will feel VERY weird and gross and give you the sensation of needing to puke or lay down. This thing will bind your stomach so your guts aren’t bouncing around fancy free in all that new room that was just made.

: Phone Charger. Nuff’ said.

: Camera. Don’t forget to charge it and bring extra tape.

: Makeup bag…incase you get an epidural and decide you’re well enough to make yourself presentable for pictures :) I did!

: Excersize Ball. Helped me greatly through labor. Call hospital and ask if they have them in the maternity ward, first! They usually do.

: Throw Away Slippers. Get a pair of crappy slippers you can chuck in the garbage on your way out. Hospitals are filthy and you don’t wanna bring something that’s been wiping the floor home.

: 2 or 3 comfy big shirts. Screw a nursing top…you’ll be so frustrated with breastfeeding you’ll probably end up naked most of the time anyway shoving your nipple into a pea sized mouth. Don’t bother with nursing pajamas, those are for mom’s who have the hang of nursing. I don’t recommend bringing tights or other pants because you’ll be pissing hawaiian punch for several days, and you won’t want to wear pants.

: Motherlove more milk special blend (with goat rue). Helps your milk supply come in faster and healthier! Def. a must have for breastfeeders

: A comfy,warm blanket for the baby. They have swaddling blankets at the hospital, I recommend using those till you get home.

: You need a few pair of socks.

: Sports bra for the birth, and after

: Comfy going home outfit for you. Nothing tight or cute, loose and comfy.

Things the hospital will give you:

1. Diapers

Hospital will provide you diapers

The hospital will give your baby diapers. Ask for extra on your way out. They usually will give you more.

2. Gauze Underwear and Giant Maxi Pads

Not sexy, but you WILL need that much protection.

The gauze underwear are awesome. They are like mesh boy shorts that you can just stick one of the giant maxi pads in and sit on your hospital bed on one of those puppy pads after you’ve given birth.

3. A Glove Filled with Ice

It’s like a frozen hand to cool down your crotch

If one of the nurses asks you if you want an ice pack, don’t be surprised if she comes back with a rubber glove filled with ice. It’s pretty standard nowadays. TAKE IT. Ask for a rag to wrap it in, or paper towels, then put it on the crotch. Trust me, this and a little spray of Dermoplast will be your best friend.

4. Peribottle

You will love the peri bottle, so don’t be surprised if you want to use it well after you need it.

A simple little squirt bottle to clean yourself off after bathroom trips. You’ll be too sensitive to wipe, trust me.

Here’s a tip: Eat before you go to the hospital, because once you’re there, they won’t let you eat during labor! So that’s pretty much it. I won’t tell you exactly what happens after childbirth, that’s for you to find out for yourself!

Lisa O

My Pregnancy Sickness Remedies

Posted on December 2, 2012 by RaddestMom

So everyone knows the standard ginger tea and sea bands routine for pregnancy nausea ( I refuse to call it morning sickness because that’s just an insult to pregnant women everywhere who suffer 24 hrs from this). Here are some things you may not know about that helped me SO much with my nausea that lasted pretty much through my entire pregnancy! I couldn’t put anything in my mouth without gagging. Yes, that includes a toothbrush, a sip of water, a piece of gum, etc.

1. Club Soda with Lime

Anytime I feel heart-burny, or gaggy, pregnant or not, a great refresher for your tummy is club soda over ice with plenty of lime squeezed in it. Drink it ice cold. This works WONDERS.

2. Sniffing a Lemon

Something about lemon zest really mellows out the intensity of nausea. I would carry a lemon in my purse, scratch the surface of it with my nails to stir up the good oils, and give it a few sniffs when I felt barfy.

3. EAT even when you feel sick or are throwing up

One of the most torturous things I endured during my pregnancy was having to force down food WHILE gagging. It is cruel and unusual punishment. There is this myth that everyone believes: all pregnant women are hungry and love to eat. FALSE. I hated eating and could barely hold anything down. EAT EAT EAT even when you feel sick. It can sometimes instantly alleviate nausea.

4. ALWAYS have a snack in your purse

This is a very important rule for all pregnant women. If you go longer than a couple hours without food, you will be SICK (most people). Always have a bag of nuts, an apple, or a granola bar in your purse for when those ”I HAVE TO EAT NOW, OR ELSE” moments occur. I can recall handing my pregnant sister and apple out of her purse while she was dry heaving and driving at the same time. Watching her eat that apple and gag at the same time was traumatizing. What was even crazier was that as soon as she got like 3 bites down she stopped gagging and acted like this was totally normal.

5. Consider taking your pre-natal vitamin at night

If you take it at night after a big dinner, your tummy has been well adjusted to food all day, thus making a better cushion for that vitamin. This is just my theory with no scientific evidence to back it up, but it worked for me. Also, consider switching to NEW CHAPTER PRE-NATALS because they are awesome. Order them online or get them at Whole Foods. They are full of AWESOME stuff that your body needs! As soon as I started taking them I felt at least 1/3 better than I did before. True Story.

So that’s all I got for now. Post in the comments section all of your best remedies!!!

Lisa O

Newborn Must Haves

Posted on November 12, 2012 by RaddestMom

Having your first baby can be scary and exciting all at the same time. Here are a few of my favorite products that will help you make it through those first few, tough months!

1. Aden and Anais swaddle blankets

Aden and Anais swaddle blankets

If you are a new mom, these are crucial. They are by far the best blankets for swaddling. So soft, thin, and breathable, so YOU can relax and breath knowing your baby is safe sleeping with them. Check out my swaddling tutorial video!

2. SwaddleMe Swaddling Jacket

Pearl, snug as a bug in a rug in her SwaddleMe

Yes, these are different than swaddling blankets, and you will need both. When your baby is strong enough to bust out of the swaddling blanket at night, these are sure to keep those crazy arms down! It’s a bodysuit that velcroes, and it totally saved my life!

3. MAM pacifiers

After trying 7 different types of pacifiers, Pearl finally was able to keep the MAM pacifier in her mouth. The way it is shaped makes it easy for a tiny mouth to hold on to. I’m 3 for 3 with recommendations on this one, meaning anyone who I’ve suggested them to says it’s worked for them! Worth a try, I say.

4. Pacifier Clip

This is such a must have if your baby takes a pacifier. If and when they drop it, it doesn’t ever touch the ground meaning less rinsing and sterilizing for mommy. YAY! My favorite brand is “bumkins” because they make theirs out of WATERPROOF FABRIC which is important when baby starts drooling a lot. Pearl used to use Booginhead brand, but frankly after 10 minutes of wearing them, they’re drenched and smell sour. Much better to go with a waterproof fabric!

Bumkins brand waterproof pacifier clip

5. Dr. Brown’s Bottles

Don’t even get me started on how awesome Dr. Brown’s products are. Check out my blog entry review on these great bottles HERE

6. Soothies by Lansinoh

These puppies will be your nipples’ new best friend (next to the cute baby sucking on them)….These are great because they’re reusable. After baby nurses and you’re in teeth gritting pain, slap these on your nipples for instant cooling relief. And while you’re at it, get some of THESE nursing pads so your boobs don’t leak through your shirt!

Gel nipple pads

Lansinoh ultra soft nursing pads

7. Sound Machine

I love these. Any brand will do. Great for creating white noise so baby will sleep better. Remember, it’s noisy in the womb, so when baby comes out, he or she will be comforted by these types of sounds. I use a Homedics brand lullaby soother. It stays on ALL the time.

8. Exercise Ball

This will absolutely blow your mind. If your baby is crying, wrap him up, cradle him, and bounce on an exercise ball. It is truly an instant mute button that has never failed me. Try it!

9. Gripe Water

I just wrote a whole blog entry on different types of gripe water. Read it HERE. My favorite brand is Mommy’s Bliss

10. My Brest Friend

Crucial if you are planning on breastfeeding. This thing blows the boppy out of the water. It straps around you so you can walk around with it. I practically never took mine off. It works much better than the boppy, and you’ll be so glad you bought it!

So, those are my top 10 for NEWBORNS. Buy them or put them on your gift registry! So worth it.

Lisa O

Inspiring Story

Posted on November 3, 2012 by RaddestMom

HERE is my good friend Kimberly Van Der Beek’s at home breech birth story.

Such a brave, incredible woman. SO inspiring! As her due date approached, her son Joshua was still in a breech position. Determined not to have a routine C-section, she went against the grain and did her research! The results were fantastic!

Lisa O

Kimberly, her husband James, and their daughter Olivia

A Motherhood, Fashion, and Health Perspective from a 25 Year old Mama Living in Los Angeles

Category Archives: Pregnancy

My Favorite Maternity Clothes!

My Ideal Hospital Bag

My Pregnancy Sickness Remedies

Newborn Must Haves

Inspiring Story