I recently returned to work after being gone for three months on maternity leave. While it hasn’t been easy, it’s been a hell of a lot smoother of a process than it was when I had my first child (I have two boys) in 2020. In addition to dealing with the pandemic at its most frantic time, there was so much I didn’t know and a lot I didn’t have at my disposal to make things easy for me and my child. But the second time around, I stocked up on a wide variety of items that could help me and my baby boy with everything from maintaining my hair to keeping my baby active and fed. Here are just a few products I’d recommend to all the moms out there getting ready to navigate the complicated but beautiful time that is maternity leave, whether it lasts a few weeks or a number of months.
In addition to their night pacifiers, which glow in the dark, our baby became fond of the brand’s bottles. The nipple with its Skinsoft silicone surface and flat shape was comfortable for my kiddo, so he could easily switch from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and back and forth. It’s also equipped with a spill-proof dust cap, wide bottle opening for pouring and filling and a vented base to curb air bubbles and colic.
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Traditional mats for tummy time are cool, but nothing has kept my infant son more engaged and entertained then this giraffe pillow from VTech. The pillow props the baby up in a way that’s comfortable for them and works neck muscles, while the toys are attached all around. The toy is also useful when a child is learning to sit on their own. Other great VTech toys to try for little ones include the Kick & Score play gym and the brand’s Animal Rhymes book.
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After losing a lot of my hair after giving birth to my first child, I couldn’t play about my edges with the second baby. Recommended by the hairdresser who does my Sisterlocs, the Nutrafol Postpartum supplements have kept shedding to a minimum and are breastfeeding friendly. I still have my edges!
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Once you finally start hitting the streets with your baby, and your breast milk, try the Baby’s Brew portable bottle warmer. Within 10 minutes you can warm up your milk on the go, controlling the temperature so it never gets too hot for the baby or so as to have a negative impact on the milk’s nutrients. Opt to try it with an adaptor (sold separately) if your bottle of choice doesn’t automatically fit in the warmer.
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Nobody is beating the luxurious sleeper playsuits from Loulou Lollipop. They not only grow with your baby (the feet, which fold over, can be untucked once baby grows), but they come in super cute designs and feel amazing on delicate skin thanks to TENCEL Lyocell and organic cotton fabric.
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For the mama who has errands to run and no time to fiddle with laces or tight shoes, these Crocs were a game changer for my feet, shrinking back to size after delivery. They are cozy thanks to the chunky, tall heel and faux-shearling lined interior, and they’re easy to quickly slip on to get moving.
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Clip the monitor, which has a neck that bends to put the camera wherever you need it to be on your baby (hence the name), near your child’s bassinet or crib and with help from the monitor and app, keep an eye of how they’re doing during nap time. You can also communicate with your child using the mic and speaker and use the app to access motion-activated recordings, sleep analysis and more.
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Once you get the go ahead from your doctor, it’s good to get moving postpartum. Something that helped me stay on top of my steps was trying out a new Fitbit. I opted for the Sense 2, which in addition to step tracking, aided me in managing my stress levels and in tracking how I was sleeping too.
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Frida Mom has a number of really great products to help moms and moms-to-be adapt to their changing bodies (I’m obsessed with their saline spray for sore nips). One of my favorites is their pregnancy body skincare relief set, which includes nourishing in-shower lotion, a stretch prep balm utilizing vitamin E, a no-friction stick, and leg and foot swell spray.
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While your baby likely won’t be using a high chair until they start trying real foods outside of milk, when you’re ready for them to take a deep dive into what their palate can handle, prop them up in this option from Nuna. The ZAAZ has a three or five-point harness with a magnetic buckle and an extra large tray. The product also grows with your kiddo thanks to an extended footrest and lift mechanism to adjust for height.
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An investment, but a great one. The Bugaboo Fox 3 grows with your baby, starting as a stroller with a spacious, cozy bassinet and eventually morphing into a traditional seat with a five-point buckle, secure straps and soft shoulder pads. Its the ultimate comfort stroller for any and all terrain.
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