Dear Johnnies hospital gowns will keep you look stylish while you are in the hospital.

A good nursing tank is ideal for lounging, nursing, and to greet visitors. We offer them in multiple brands such as Bravado and GlamourMom. They both have a built in bra to make nursing easier for new moms.

If you’re planning on nursing, it is essential to find a good, supportive nursing bra. We offer custom fittings in the store to help you find your size. We carry multiple brands such as Bravado, Bella Materna, BelaBumBum, and Elle Macpherson.

Get cozy with a comfortable pair of Juliet Dream soft panel lounge pants. Pair it with a nursing top and cardigan for stylish comfort.

Don’t even think about leaving home without the Bella B Nipple Nuture. We recommend you start using this from day one of nursing to avoid dry or cracked nipples.

We are partial to these Aden + Anais swaddle blankets because they are so cute and multi-functional. Use them as a burp cloth, blanket, swaddle, sheet, and more.

A couple more things you will probably need are toothbrush, toothpaste, cozy slippers, camera, cell phone, and your baby’s coming home outfit. With these essentials packed and ready to go, you’ll be able to focus on the birth of your baby rather than worrying about what you forgot. In the case that you did forget something, we offer free delivery to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. Just give us a call and we will bring you anything you need from our store.

www.XpectingMaternity.com (949)574-2184

(via My Favorite Everything)

*click here to purchase your spot

2 Chix does some cute novelty tee’s that are fun for Pregnant Girl to wear. They do cute sayings such as What’s Kicking (available in gender neutral, blue, and pink footprint), Tickled Pink, Oh Boy, Knocked Up, Does This Baby Make My Butt Look Big?, and My Pod Has Two Peas. This is a great gift to give to Pregnant Girl when she finds out she’s expecting.

Almost every baby we know has this Sophie The Giraffe teething toy.  She is a must-have accessory for every baby while they are teething.  She is made from natural rubber and food paint, so she is safe to chew. Her shape is easy for baby’s hands to grasp and she makes a delightful squeak when her tummy or head are squeezed.

Help make Pregnant Girl’s stay at the hospital a bit more stylish with the Dear Johnnies hospital gown.  This gown buttons down the back and at the shoulders to make it more nursing friendly. She will surely appreciate the soft fabric and loose fitting design as her body heals.

*also available in other prints

We have been going ga-ga over our new line Aden + Anais. This hooded towel and washcloth will make bath time more fun for baby. The four-layer washcloth gets softer after each wash, making it extra gentle on baby’s delicate skin.  Aden + Anais also do a line of swaddle blankets and burpy bibs, available in different patterns.

*available in different colors

We all know Little Giraffe for making the softest must have baby blankets, loveys and towels.  These are the ultimate indulgence for your little one or they make the ideal baby gift.  Don’t miss out on their brand new product, Little G, the stuffed animal that Perez Hilton called the must have gift item this year.

Tell us Pregnant Girl, what is the best baby gift you have received?  What are you swooning over and hoping somebody surprises you with?

]]> http://www.myhormonesmademe.com/2012/so-much-baby-gear/great-gift-items-for-pregnant-girl/feed 0 http://www.myhormonesmademe.com/2012/what-to-wear/fourth-trimester-post-pregnancy-must-haves http://www.myhormonesmademe.com/2012/what-to-wear/fourth-trimester-post-pregnancy-must-haves#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:59:30 +0000 stephani http://www.myhormonesmademe.com/?p=866 This is the last post to our four part guide for Pregnant Girl’s maternity must-haves.  Don’t forget to catch up on parts one, two and three. We like to call the months after you have the baby the “fourth trimester”. Let’s be honest, the baby weight doesn’t exactly come right off after you deliver. Here are some stylish must-haves that will make you feel comfortable while you get use to having a new baby.

One of the first steps of feeling great is to wear something stylish, even if it’s just in bed. This BelaBumBum Chemise will make you feel not only great, but sexy. The easy to access clips makes nursing easy and the loose fit is great for pre and post pregnancy.

A great lounge option is this B*UP Teal lounge cardigan.  This is made for lounging throughout pregnancy and is perfect layered over your favorite nursing tank post baby.  Wear buttoned up or open and pair with the coordinating pant for a comfortable outfit that will leave you feeling fabulous.

Every women needs a good bra and this BelaBumBum Serena Soft Cup Nursing Bra serves just the purpose. This bra combines function and fashion!  Enjoy a little sass with the lace and a lot of comfort and support with a soft molded cup.  The straps have a hook for easy, one handed nursing access.

*also available in black

Glamourmom tanks seem to be all the rage in the nursing community.  This company makes nursing tops stylish and flattering for post partum body coverage. The tank also has a full built-in nursing bra so no need for another added lay underneath.

*also available in solid black and white

Next up is the Susana Monaco Band Pant in black. These pants are super comfortable and great to dress up when you need to leave the house. They are also comfortable enough to lounge around the house in.  They are non-maternity, but work for both pregnancy and afterwards as well.  We guarantee you will live in these.

Last, but certainly not least, we have the Storksak Jools Diaper Bag. What we love about Storksak is that their diaper bags look like purses. Who says you need to give up style just because you keep wet wipes in your bag? It features two large outer pockets including a front zipper pocket, thermo-insulated bottle pocket, padded changing mat and detachable inner sak. All the other moms at the park will wish they had your stylish diaper bag.

There you have it, our favorites for all four trimesters. We hope this guide makes getting dressed in the morning a bit easier for you. When you’re wearing a cute outfit, you’re bound to feel better and have a better day.

The Bravado Bliss Bra is hands-down one of the best nursing bras that we’ve come across. It offers the full support of an underwire bra, without the underwire.  The seamless foam cups hide nipples and breast pads while giving you a beautiful shape.  The flexible under-breast support channel that offers remarkable shape and lift while maintaining comfort and good breast health. There is also a gentle stretch feature in the cups that grow and contract with your changing shape while maintaining support.

*also available in black

Another Bravado item that moms love is the Essential Nursing Tank.  It’s a basic nursing tank top with a built in full support bra.  It is perfect to wear in the hospital as people are walking in and out, nursing in public, around the house, or even to sleep. You’ll look terrific, feel great and it is easy to nurse in public because it provides tummy coverage where you need it.

*also available in white and chocolate brown

My Brest Friend really is your best friend when it comes down to nursing time. The wrap around design secures to the body helping mom and baby maintain positioning and latch-on.  Back rest helps you maintain good posture during feeding and prevents sore back and neck. This pillow is full of features that moms love.

*also available in pink and blue

The Hooter Hider helps you nurse discreetly and in style.  The unique rigid neckline allows for ventilation, as well as direct eye contact with the baby.  Generous sizing keeps mommy completely covered during breastfeeding. Don’t leave home without this useful nursing item.

*available in different prints

Don’t even think about trying to nurse without grabbing some Bella B Nipple Nurture. Use the cream before and after breastfeeding to help prevent and soothe sore or cracked nipples. Their plant-based ingredients are food-grade and 100% safe for mother and baby. Bella B uses the very best natural ingredients including cocoa, shea and mango butter butter that are combined and specially-blended to provide excellent soothing and healing properties without using animal by-products.

There you have it, our top pick nursing essentials for moms-to-be.  All these items have been tried and loved by friends and clients.

Question: What was your must-have nursing item that you recommend to all expectant moms?

This dress fits true to size so order your pre-pregnancy size.

If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (949)574-2156 or email at info@xpectingmaternity.com.

Under $50

Hanky Panky- These panties come in various colors in low rise thongs or lace V-kinis (translation: full bottom panties that grandma would NEVER wear). There are even some that say ‘mom to be’, ‘it’s a girl’, and ‘it’s a boy’.

Ingrid & Isabel Weightless Tee’s -  Available in tank tops, short sleeves and long sleeves. They are soft and perfect for everyday layering. In fact, these tees should be considered the ideal stocking stuffer!

Under $100

Michael Stars - Just like his non-maternity line, these tees are ‘one size fits most’.  They are available in various styles and colors and will add to any Pregnant Girl’s stylish wardrobe.

Dear Johnnies’ –  This hospital gown will be great while Pregnant Girl is in the hospital. Dear Johnnies can be worn during labor, after delivery and even at home. There are snaps on the shoulder for easy breast feeding access.

BelaBumBum – A cute set of pajamas can keep Pregnant Girl from feeling frumpy. This set can be used for nursing as well as maternity.

Under $150

Beco Baby Carrier- These come in two different styles; the Butterfly 2 and Gemini.  Both are made to carry your baby from birth through the toddler years without straining your back.

Olian Wrap Sweater – This sweater comes in black (Pregnant Girl can’t help loving black and more black) and is a great staple during pregnancy and ideal for layering over tanks and tees while nursing.

Under $200

Diaper Bag- This will be Pregnant Girl’s purse so get her one that is both stylish and practical. We recommend both Storksak and Petunia Pickle Bottom

JBrand Jeans- Every Pregnant Girl needs a good pair of jeans to get her through her pregnancy. We are loving JBrand jeggings because they are so soft and can be worn with flats, boots, sandals or heels and dressed up or down.  Holy smokes, they just paid for themselves!

We hope this gift guide helps you find Pregnant Girl the perfect gift.

First off, we highly recommend that your first maternity purchase be the Bella Band. Ditch the rubber band trick as that can get pretty uncomfortable throughout the day and invest in a Bella Band. When your pants are getting a bit too tight, slip the Bella Band over the unbuttoned and/or unzipped waistband. VOILA! This will allow you to wear your normal pants for a little longer prior to transitioning into the world of maternity bottoms.

*Offered in white, black, and lace

Our second suggestion would have to be a good stretch mark prevention cream by Bella B.  Some people say that stretch marks are luck of the draw, but honestly, I’d rather be safe than sorry.  A good prevention cream is the Tummy Honey Butter, but if you already have stretch marks we suggest the Tummy Honey Cream for stretch mark fading. Don’t forget to grab the Silk & Honey to moisturize the rest of your body.

Our third suggestion is a cute thong by Hanky Panky that says “MOM TO BE”. This would be a great way to tell hubby that you are expecting.  If you’ve never worn a pair of Hanky Panky panties before, we highly suggest you try a pair. They are comfortable, cute, and don’t ride up like other thongs.

Our fourth suggestion is a good bra. Not only will your tummy be growing, but so will your breasts. We cannot express how important it is to invest in a good bra. We’re loving the BelaBumBum Serena Soft Cup Bras because of the flexibility offered in the sizing. They will transition into nursing bras and the lace adds a nice feminine touch.

*Offered in black and nude

Last, but certainly not least we have the Ingrid & Isabel camis. These camis are the perfect layering piece to wear throughout your pregnancy. They are great for the first trimester when your non-maternity tops are getting a bit too short.  As your belly grows, they will stretch over your bump without riding up. As we said, they are the perfect piece for everyday wear under your shirts and we are guessing you won’t want to give them up post pregnancy.

*Offered in black, white, pink, and brown

This concludes our first trimester must-haves for your growing bump.  Check back with us next Monday for our second trimester must-haves. We hope this series will be helpful to you while building your maternity wardrobe.

Feel free to email us at info@xpectingmaternity.com if you have any additional questions.

Question: What was your maternity ‘must-have’ item that you couldn’t live without?