Postpartum bleeding in the weeks after birth is expected. Thinx, makers of period absorbing underwear, is now offering a Postpartum Set which is specifically dedicated to people who have recently given birth. This set will offer five pairs of underwear designed to absorb postpartum flow.
The set, which will offer two Moderate Hiphuggers, two Super Cotton Briefs, and one Super Hi-Waist, is intended to be used in the 2-6 week postpartum period after giving birth.
“As someone who recently gave birth to my second child, I can speak confidently about the convenience, comfort, and security using Thinx gives after having a baby,” commented Maria Molland, Thinx Inc., CEO. “I’m excited that we are offering this set that makes it easy for new parents, or their loved ones looking for the perfect baby shower gift, to get exactly what they will need for that time in life.”
The innovation of Thinx at their highest absorbency level (Super) can hold up to four regular tampons’ worth and are designed to replace disposable period products, providing leak protection to every new parent.
“I have worked at Thinx for 4 years, and I have been a loyal user of the underwear since that time, but I really gained a new appreciation for them, and how they work, after I gave birth to my daughter last December. They just made me feel like my semi-normal self again!” Daniella Amirian, Director of Growth Marketing.
Wearing a regular pair of underwear with built-in leak protection, like Thinx, are just what parents need. In addition to bleeding right after giving birth, a person’s menstrual cycle — the flow they’ve always known — can change dramatically after having a child. The Thinx Postpartum Set will help new parents manage the unpredictability of their “new” period when it returns, so the set will continue to be a go-to in the underwear drawer.
“I gave birth in January of this year; and as a new parent there are so many things you’re learning and experiencing! I really love that with Thinx, postpartum bleeding was one less thing to worry about as I adjusted to my new routine,” commented Ariela Gittlen, Thinx, Inc. Designer.
Pregnancy comes with its highs (tiny little kicks, that first ultrasound image, growing an awesome human) and its lows (swollen feet, backaches, stretch marks). One thing every pregnant woman needs through it all is support—and not just the kind you get from a mom group. We’re talking gentle, targeted compression garments that help alleviate all of those aches and pains and speed up postpartum recovery: Motif Medical’s Maternity Compression Garments.
Made with moms in mind, these maternity compression garments are are FDA-listed and designed by healthcare professionals to provide comfortable and gentle compression where you need it most. Plus, Motif uses soft, breathable and supportive fabrics that are undetectable under your clothes. Best of all, moms may qualify to receive theirs through insurance. Here are a few of the ways Motif supports mom during pregnancy and after delivery.
Whatever stage of pregnancy you’re in, Motif is ready to lend some support. See if you qualify to get Motif’s Maternity Compression Garments through insurance!
Stay active, comfortable, and supported! The Pregnancy Support Band works by lifting, supporting, and redistributing the weight of the baby. These adjustments relieve pregnancy-related pressure from the lower back, abdomen, hips and pelvis to reduce the aches and pains associated with body changes during pregnancy. The easy-to-use band is adjustable and also improves posture!
Stay comfortable on your feet for longer periods of time and prevent swelling, circulation issues and varicose veins with Compression Socks. These socks provide increased blood flow through your ankles and legs to support your cardiovascular system with a controlled and gradual amount of pressure. Motif’s ultra-stretch fabric makes them easy to put on and stay in place with all-day comfort. And the cute designs guarantee these will not look or feel like your great auntie’s compression socks!
Motif Medical offers two options in their Recovery Support Garment: a Natural Birth Recovery Garment and a C-Section (and Natural) Birth Recovery Garment.
Once baby arrives, you’ve got enough to worry about. Heal and recover quicker after birth by stabilizing joints with Recovery Support Garments. These support garments reduce postpartum swelling, bleeding, aches and pains, while increasing mobility. Thanks to its tightening and toning, the garments also help shape and firm your belly, hips, waist, pelvis and lower back.
The C-Section Birth Recovery Garment also has a side zipper for easy, gentle wear, helping avoid irritation of the c-section incision.
Both garments are cleared and approved by the FDA for the treatment and prevention of postpartum-related issues and discomfort.
Whatever stage of pregnancy you’re in, Motif is ready to lend some support. See if you qualify to get Motif’s Maternity Compression Garments through insurance!
I did not vote in the primary election. Please put your pitchforks down, figurative or not.
I tried. I really, really tried.
Between herding two little kids, ages 8 and 4, running our household, and all the other endless little tasks that make being a stay-at-home mom the most unrecognized superhero of all time, I failed my civic duty.
“It was poor planning,” I texted my husband, then to help express my feelings, I added a sad face emoji. But really the feeling behind the little yellow face with the upside-down smile was a feeling of being an abject failure.
Of all the tasks on my to-do list on Super Tuesday, voting was probably third, behind feeding and connecting with my family. I carried my sample ballot with me in my giant mom purse. It was nestled between the 40 bandages for boo-boos, the emergency granola bars to calm hangry meltdowns, and the book I have been reading for the last year. I am on page 10.
I crammed for the primary election like it was finals week in college. I quickly read the candidates’ statements and the ballot initiatives. Then I looked up endorsement articles like they were Spark Notes telling me how to think. Lastly, when still undecided—I’m just going to put it all out there—I looked at the political party as a tie-breaker.
I did this between school drop-offs, pick-ups, endless errands, appointments, and extracurricular activities. I really wanted to check that box on Super Tuesday.
And I wanted to involve my kids.
My first-born son has been coming to vote with me since he could toddle alongside the little corral in the basketball gymnasium. At our first election experience as a family of three, our little guy was knee-high, shaking the leg of the table while my husband tried to fill out the right dot, then he was waist-high peering over the table while I voted with one hand and held his baby sister in the other.
For the longest time, the “I voted” stickers was the piéce de résistance for my kids, worn like badges of honor while they played in the park after enduring the silence and stillness of the polling place. Now 8 years old, my son passes his sticker to sister’s eager hands. He is more interested in learning about the candidates, the issues, and which way I voted.
So on Super Tuesday, I waited until after I picked them both up from school to go vote.
Our voting center is within walking distance from our house in the suburbs of Los Angeles. It is located in a basketball gymnasium where my son first learned to make a jump shot. Usually, we walk right in and get swallowed up by the 10 poll workers looking for anything to do.
This Super Tuesday, the line of people snaked around the entire perimeter of the gym and out the door.
“Wow,” my 8-year-old exhaled. “This is like Disneyland.”
Except at the end of the line, there is no promise of a thrilling ride. Just a sticker.
The lines symbolized something bigger, right? Voters were galvanized to make their voices heard. Go, democracy!
This is all great unless you have young kids, who ate the emergency granola bars in the first 10 minutes in line. My 4-year-old sang and danced all the songs from “Frozen 2” then we all played “I Spy” until I am sure we ran out of things to spy.
“I don’t know how much longer we can wait here,” I texted my husband, who was stuck at work. “Maybe someone will roll out a TV with cartoons.”
No such luck.
Ahead of me were moms in similar duress. Little kids, whose little bodies were not built to stand in long lines, were falling apart. Threats were hurled. Then slowly, moms started dropping like flies.
One little boy stood on a bench and jumped down on top of his little brother like a professional wrestler. Their mom connected eyes with me as if to say, “That’s it!” And they left.
And after 45 minutes of pretending to be the mysterious voice from the enchanted forest in “Frozen 2,” my daughter said she was hungry and she didn’t care about voting anymore.
We were only halfway to the front of the line, so I called it, too. The voting center was open until 8 pm. We will walk home, have dinner and come back. Surely, the line would be shorter, right?
No such luck.
The line was out the door and down the sidewalk by the time we came back. People were standing with the slumped shoulders posture of defeat. As we walked up, my daughter slapped her brother in the back, yelled, “You’re it!” and ran off full speed until she slipped and fell.
She howled in a way that told me even 40 bandages wouldn’t do. That’s when I knew voting was not going to happen.
“Why is voting so hard?” my 8-year-old asked.
It’s a good question. News stories from the “LA Times” continue to come in about long lines, and glitches in the new voting system. I was not the only one.
Watching the poll results come in without my vote was surreal. It made me wonder if the other mothers who were forced to leave because of the long wait were able to cast their ballots.
I could have voted earlier. I should not have forced the issue of making it an experience with my kids, but in the end, it was not my fault. A voting system that doesn’t make it easy for mothers with young children to vote is a broken system.
The presidential election is eight months away. That’s plenty of time to fix it.
So the next time a mom says she did not vote, spare your judgment. Just give her a hug. Her kid might have body-slammed his little brother in line while she tried her hardest to perform her civic duty.
Lynda is a creative person, a wife, a mom and half a CrossFit athlete. Just half, because rope climbs suck. Despite the shiny veneer, the cracks in her identity make her marginally okay.
Congratulations, Katie Lee! On Wednesday, the Food Network Star announced on Instagram that she is expecting her first baby with husband, Ryan Biegel after a history with infertility. Lee, posted a photo of herself at a kitchen counter, holding up a heaping forkful of spaghetti with her shirt pulled up to reveal her baby bump.
“Eating for two 🍝 Baby Biegel is on the way!” she captioned the post.
In an Instagram post last April, the co-host of The Kitchen chronicled her struggles with infertility. She wrote, “I get multiple messages a day asking me if I’m pregnant or why I am not pregnant yet. I get comments saying I look like I’ve gained weight, so I must be pregnant. After one said that I looked ‘thick in the waist’ I finally responded that it’s not ok to comment on a woman’s body and you never know what someone is going through.”
Planning an Easter celebration to remember just got easier. Get your family excited for springtime with baskets filled with candy and adorable table settings guaranteed to bring the bunny to your door. Childhood memories of reading classic Beatrix Potter tales such as Peter Rabbit will come back to life with these charming collections from Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids.
Beatrix Potter™ Tight Fit Pajama
Pottery Barn
This pajama set featuring the enchanting illustrations of Beatrix Potter. Supremely soft and made of pure cotton, the cozy set includes a pullover top and elastic-waist bottoms. Retails for $39.50.
Beatrix Potter™ Cork Placemat
Pottery Barn
These charming storybook-themed placemats showcase illustrations from the classic tales of Beatrix Potter™.Made without BPA or lead, your family's dining space will be as safe as it is stylish.
Retails for $12.50.
Peter Rabbit™ Easter Basket Liners
This sweet Easter basket liner features Peter Rabbit and friends frolicking in the garden. Have your child’s name embroidered above the sweet storybook scene to create a keepsake your family will enjoy for years to come.
Retails for $19.50-$24.40.
Beatrix Potter™ Ceramic Plate Set
Pottery Barn
This ceramic plate set, features sweet illustrations from the classic tale by Beatrix Potter™. Sturdily crafted from porcelain, they are dishwasher-safe and durable.
Retails for $59.50.
Beatrix Potter™ Gingham Egg Chairbacker
Pottery Barn
This Gingham Egg Chairbacker adds a bit of whimsy to your dining room. Featuring a sweet illustration from the classic tale by Beatrix Potter™, it will make mealtimes more playful and spirited.
Retails for $19.50
Easter Bunny Wreath
Pottery Barn
Made of natural twig woven over iron, with grass, Styrofoam and sisal. This wreath features a bunny peeking through to delight everyone who comes through your door.
Retails for $59.
Pom Pom Bunny Pillow Cover
Pottery Barn
This sherpa pillow cover features an adorable cottontail bunny. The pom-pom adds to its whimsical charm. This pillowcase accommodates a 20" square insert (sold separately).
Can you still call it a postpartum body if your baby is one?
Actually, he’s fifteen months, but I know people don’t like it when you say your child’s age in months.
It has been fifteen months since I had my eight-pound, two-ounce baby via c-section, and I’m still not happy with how I look.
Now, don’t bombard me with your diet plans people. Thanks. In. Advance.
So here’s the deal. I’ve always been what my mom calls “curvy”. After I had Baby Boy #1, she pretty much told me that I would never get my old body back. And that really lit a fire under me. If someone tells me I can’t do something, I work my booty off just to prove them wrong. So I got into a clean-eating and exercise routine that actually had me looking better than I did before I had my baby. And I was proud of myself. Looking back, I didn’t give myself enough credit.
So I just figured that after having Baby Boy #2, I would jump right back into my clean eating and exercise routine and I would be back in my skinny jeans in no time.
NOPE. Didn’t happen.
What I didn’t realize is that when you have a toddler and a newborn, life gets a hell of a lot more hectic. Add in a full-time job, my blog, my side hustle of doing books, a husband that works full time and coaches a baseball team and a health scare with the baby, and I wasn’t doing much clean eating. What I was doing was cleaning out the fridge and pantry and the local McDonald’s while eating everything.
I did continue my workout routine. It was something that made me feel good. It gave me energy. And it was the only part of my day where I could be ALONE.
But I still look in the mirror and see that ten extra pounds that has settled around my waist like a spare tire. The bags under my eyes can’t even be covered by makeup sometimes. I thought I had running mascara one day and grabbed a makeup remover wipe to realize that it was just the dark bags under my eyes.
I looked at myself in a picture from an event I attended this summer with my husband and a few other couples. All I did was pick apart what was wrong in the picture. The tops of my arms were fat. You could see my belly sticking out. I was pale. My hair was a hot mess. All the other women were skinny and stylish and looked like they could do a makeup tutorial on a real YouTube channel. Why was I being so hard on myself? They were moms too. But I was the only one that looked like she walked to the event five miles in heels in 100-degree heat while herding dirty donkeys.
Why am I so worked up about this?
Because I have spent the last two years being someone that empowers women to be the best they can be. But also reminding them that you can’t be too hard on yourself and that no one is perfect. To not feel bad about themselves for drinking wine, or hiding in the bathroom to get some alone time, or cry in the shower because they just feel defeated because their kid drew on the wall with a Sharpie.
And I think that’s why I am so frustrated with myself now. I know that no one is perfect. But I’m stuck between, “Your body grew two beautiful babies and you are freaking busy so don’t be so hard on yourself” to “Put down the cheeseburger, Jamie. Your a*s is growing by the minute.”
So to narrow it down, I am trying to say that I am mad at myself for being too hard on myself but also mad because I can’t lose ten pounds but also craving a cheeseburger and to “Treat Yo ‘Self.”
So somewhere in the middle, there has to be a happy medium right?
I honestly think this probably encompasses a lot of moms I know. We want to be skinny and beautiful, but we also want to play with our kids in our pajamas with no makeup on, and we want to sleep late and eat a long john donut from the Rolling Pin every chance we can.
But we can’t have it all can we? Because I sure as hell haven’t slept late in the five years.
So for now, I’ll keep working out. I’ll try to be healthy, and I’ll treat myself because my life is crazy and we all need a little down time and a cheeseburger from the Big Dipper. I’ll stop trying to be perfect and just be. Be a mom. Be a wife. Be me.
Even if that mom I am has a spare tire and dark bags under her eyes.
I am a full time working mom with two little boys, Henry and Simon. I write about real life and real life gets messy. Contributor for Motherly, HuffPost Parents, Scary Mommy, Today Parents, Love What Matters and Her View From Home.
Every parent dreams of the ultimate diaper bag: one that has enough space to cram all the extras in and still looks stylish too. JuJuBe’s newest collaboration with tokidoki does just that. The Fantasy Paradise collection features all the functional compartments of a baby bag paired with adorable characters both you and your little ones will love.
This new collection from JuJuBe incorporates all your favorite tokidoki characters. A special two-toned teal interior makes it easy to find what’s inside each bag. A durable metal character-shaped zipper pull has the likeness of the adorable octopus-pirate, Piratako!
The new tokidoki x JuJuBe collection, includes over 20 pieces including two new bags for adults who don’t need diaper changing pads or insulated bottle pockets. While JuJuBe mainstays such as the Hobo Be and Be Right Back are a part of the Fantasy Paradise collection, two new bags, the All That tote and the Hipster are joining the popular line.
All That Tote
This new lightweight and durable design is perfect for storing shoes at the gym, doubling as a wet bag, or functioning as compartmentalized reusable shopping bag for groceries.
Hipster
This mid-sized fanny pack is perfect for those times you need to carry more than will fit in your pockets, but don’t want to lug a shoulder bag. It features a hidden pocket, two side zip pockets, and a large front pocket with credit card slots. An adjustable strap allows you to wear it around your waist or cross-body style.
The new collection launches at select retail locations on January 29 and online on January 30 at 4 pm PST. The collection includes pieces ranging from $15 up to $175.
There’s a special place in our heart for moms that travel: whether it’s with baby (or tot, or tween) in tow on a long car ride or a solo flight for a work trip, moms are always on the lookout for low-fuss, practical items that simplify their lives (and packing time). As frequent travelers ourselves, our team of mom-editors put a few products to the test. Read on to get their recommendations.
Unbound Merino Women's Black V-Neck T
Unbound Merino
This shirt had a big promise: the only shirt you'll need. As parents we know that there's a ton of little things (peanut-butter finger smears, leaking milk, spit-up, strange shiny stains we can't account for) that can ruin a shirt quick, so the concept of one shirt travel seemed a little ambitious.
So, our Managing Editor put it to the test. Literally. The claim? This Unbound's Merino Black Mernio V-Neck t-shirt was wicking, odor resistant, light weight, fast drying and nice enough that it can go from pick-up to date night, with the right accessories.
"I was skeptical, I'm not going to lie. That's a lot to claim, but I love to travel as light as possible so I decided I'd give it a try. This shirt actually gets better with every wash, but I've only had to wash it twice in a month (and the second time was in a bathroom sink with...hand soap!) It dried in about two hours just hanging there, and was as fresh as ever. Also, it doesn't wrinkle. I don't really like t-shirts, but this one, I love and will willingly throw out all of my others."
The price tag may seem steep for a single shirt, but it's probably the closest thing you'll find to a miracle in clothing form. It actually does resist odors, and it's better after the 3rd day. If you pack a blouse or two, this really would be the only t-shirt you need. For all you moms out there, get yourself a two-pack and you'll be set for a week.
Compression socks are not what they used to be (prescription only, for example). Dr. Segals offer a lightweight compression sock that are designed to combat muscle and leg fatigue and discomfort brought on by long car rides, air travel or even everyday life (aka pregnancy and postpartum).
Because of an injury, our editor suffers from frequent leg cramps while traveling, so she was eager to try these out. "They felt great, not too tight, and I did feel less strain on my feet, especially. But the real test was to whether or not I'd get leg cramps on a flight. I am happy to say that on a recent two-and-a-half hour flight I did not get a foot or leg cramp, which is unusual for me."
These socks are not overly-constricting so while they are not medical grade, they would definitely work for pregnant women as well. The best part? They are adorable! They come in a variety of styles from stripes, to patterns to solids, so they don't have that orthopedic look.
These compression leggings aren't like the rest; yes they hold it all in, including your tummy, thanks to the fabric and the high stretchy waist. But unlike other compression fabrics, Belly Bandit's are remarkably comfortable. You could easily wear these all day! (buh-bye, zippers!)
Our editor said, "Even though I'm vertically challenged—aka short—the high waist still worked fine for me and they weren't super long. I felt sucked in but not too sucked in, so felt good wearing these on a flight. The added 'moto' element made them look a little fancier than your average legging. Also, they dry fast if you need to spot clean."
The come in steel, black and army. Get yours at bellybandit.com for $89.95
Lissom Flyte Shoes in Python
Lissom
Whether you're heading from pilates to playground or having lunch with clients, the Lissom Flyte shoes are so lightweight it's almost like going barefoot (but with all the support you need). They mold right to your foot, too, so you can't beat the comfort and they come in a ton of colors, though our fave this year is the Python. They're like a ballet flat meets a running shoe.
Our Managing Editor put them to the runway test—as in running to catch a flight. "I thought they wouldn't have enough support to run in, and I wouldn't do a workout in these, but if you need to dash after a toddler or grab your flight, treat yourself to these. They also weigh next to nothing and are pretty flat so they work great as a second shoe in your carry-on."
Travelambo Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Slim Wallet RFID Blocking Medium Size
Amazon
With over 1500 5-star reviews on Amazon, this slim little wallet is as popular as it is sleek. Not only is it small enough to slide into the pocket of your skinny jeans, it's RFID blocking and comes in 42 different colors. And did we mention the price tag? From as little as $6.79.
Our editor says, "My college-aged niece wanted a wallet that she could 'put in her pocket' but it was hard to find something that was both attractive and fit the bill. Since most of the colors of this wallet were under $8 we took a chance. She loved it so much we got one for her mom and one for me, too!"
A headband from SugarSky is the perfect addition to a busy mom’s arsenal. With over 37 different prints (see the latest collection here), each one can be worn four different ways! The bands are also handsewn in the U.S. and are made from 79% recycled water bottles. Now, that’s a fashion-forward idea we can get behind.
Our Sr. Editor swears by these for good hair days, bad hair days and all the in-between days. She never travels without them.
This grown-up bag for moms has a high-end look with a moderate price tag. It's roomy enough to hold your laptop, a change of clothes, plenty of snacks, a book, charging cords and more, all without looking overstuffed. It zips on the top, so you don't have to worry about stuff spilling out. It comes with a removable small clutch with a cute chain strap, which fits perfectly right in the outside pocket, so you have something evening-ready without having to pack two purses.
"My favorite feature of this bag," says our Managing Editor, "is the pockets. There's an inner zip pocket, and the outside one that fits the clutch, but there's also two very deep hidden pockets that held my giant iPhone, a notebook, and the headphones with room to spare. I even had room for a water bottle in the other one. The whole bag doesn't feel overly heavy either, even when you load up all your mom stuff."
Get ready to write out your holiday wish list. Freshly Picked recently added more “picks” to the Disney collection of diaper bags and moccasins!
If you’re just not into the pink and blue ducky designs that pop up on most diaper bags, Freshly Picked’s new Hey Mickey! line is for you—especially if you’re a major Disney fan.
The new bags, which are in pre-order mode until May 2020, include plenty of options. The Classic Bag ($199) is 100 percent wipeable, has plenty of pockets, a magnetic front flap closure and metal feet on the bottom. The Mini version (that is, smaller, not Minnie as in Mouse) retails for $115 and is made from spill-proof vegan leather, has matte gold luxe hardware, eight pockets and a grab-and-go handle. The Mickey Mouse Classic City Pack ($199) is a backpack-style bag with oodles of storage.
Mamas who want something that’s a smaller size can check out the Classic Park Pack ($65). This vegan leather pack has an adjustable clip-on waist-belt, a front flap and four interior card slots. The Classic Zip Pouch ($55) comes with a removable wrist strap, two sections and a hidden pocket.
Along with the sweet Disney-inspired bags, Freshly Picked also has new Mickey Moccs for your kiddo!
Forget about designer duds! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby Archie wears H&M!
During a Wednesday morning trip to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town, Markle reportedly wore a blue and white Club Monaco dress. Her little one, four-month-old Archie, also wore a blue and white ensemble—striped H&M bib overalls.
While Markle’s fab frock retails for $289 (which is practically a bargain for a celeb of royal status), young Archie’s outfit sells for the low, low price of $19.99.
According to the H&M website, the bib overalls are made from organic cotton and have an elasticized waist and hems. The item is only available online from H&M, and is currently sold out in all sizes from zero to four months.
