Maternity clothes

Katzalia

@kadeephd seriously. I almost posted some question in a local mom’s group on fb before I realized. 

Also at the doctor’s office yesterday the medical assistant started to ask my 4 yo something about “being a big sister” and I had to cut her off. We’re not telling our daughter until we’re a) pretty confident it’s sticking (at least 12 weeks) and b) ready to tell everyone. Because 4 year olds and secrets don’t go together.

kadeephd

@Katzalia I hadn't even thought of that with older siblings!  When you are ready to tell you can just let your daughter know and sit back while she tells everyone.

Katzalia

@kadeephd that’s the plan. She’s been asking for “a baby in our family” since her cousin became a big sis last year. So I’m pretty sure she’s going to be thrilled and impatient for baby to come out.  

Katzalia

I got distracted and meant to post that I am regretting wearing my (formerly favorite) zella leggings today. Might be time to get some maternity leggings out of storage. 

runrinserepeat

OMG @kadeephd you're brilliant. I haven't been able to figure out how to tell my parents, but I'll just tell my kids and they'll take care of it for me! Perfect!!

Whitmore1027

Well. 10 minutes ago I finally decided to get my tub of maternity clothes out to get my shorts out. I'm only 9w4d but geez, I can't sit in my normal shorts without needing to unbutton them and then the zipper cuts into me. I'm sooo bloated. It's my second pregnancy and I just don't remember being this bloated my first pregnancy. But these shorts with the panel is just SOOOO much more comfortable than my regular clothes. I know I won't need my maternity tops for a couple more months so that's nice. But I am going all maternity shorts and pants right now! The funny thing is that I have a lot cuter maternity clothes and I do regular clothes so I actually can't wait to wear my maternity tops!

coco2787

@Katzalia I haven’t told my 4 year old yet either.  He is the worst secret keeper and he talks to anyone and everyone. 

Activebaby

My 4 year old knew pretty early on and hasn’t told anyone. He knows it’s our family secret right now. I figured he’d tell, but he hasn’t. 

Katzalia

Activebaby said:

My 4 year old knew pretty early on and hasn’t told anyone. He knows it’s our family secret right now. I figured he’d tell, but he hasn’t. 

@Activebaby I’m impressed! 

countrygirl624

So yesterday when I got home I had a package from my Mom. She surprised me with a pair of maternity dress pants and shorts, both full panel. I thought the shorts looked enormous. They both fit great! Still lots of room for my belly to grow but they fit well everywhere else too. I still want to get a few more pairs of pants to wear to work but I’m happy to have some go to pants! She got them at Wal-Mart of all places -$20 each. 

tunnel

I put on 3 pairs of pants this morning before saying f-it and putting on some maternity pants.  It totally forgot about the Bella band I have, but the maternity pants are comfy so I might just stick with them.  I also had to nix 2 shirts because they looked a little too short with my bloat but most maternity shirts are either wayyy too big or have side ruching that will out me at work.  It's happening guys!

Selina1313

I dug my old maternity clothes out and put on a pair of full panel jeans last night. #1 they don't fit right because apparently back then I was a medium and have since gained weight and #2 they made me look 20 weeks pregnant   
Looks like I'll be buying some new ones this go around.

@Katzalia I have an almost 4 year old too. We told him about 2 weeks before he could tell people and he kept it a secret somehow. We let him tell our close famliy and friends but we are waiting to make it public knowledge until we know the gender... He spilled the beans last week to his daycare lady 

runrinserepeat

We’re telling the kids tonight! DS turns 4 in two weeks, and he’s just got to keep it a secret until Saturday!

kadeephd

I went to the farmers market today and there was a "high end" garage sale on the way that had a lot of maternity and baby stuff.  I was looking around for a bit and picked out a shirt and dress I liked.  I asked how much and they said $10 for shirts, $30 for dresses and $10 for baby clothes.  Are you kidding me?  People don't seem to realize how much stuff loses value once it is used.  Sure, there was some nice stuff, but I'm seriously doubting they were finding people looking to buy $30 used dresses at garage sales.  They've got four kids so obviously the baby clothing got some use too.  Lots of people GIVE away their maternity and especially baby stuff.  If you think your stuff is worth that much just bring it to a consignment shop or something.  It was frustrating because they had some things I would have liked to get like a rocker/bouncer thing and a thing for the tub, but I didn't even want to ask how much.  I did end up buying one maternity shirt since it was a simple black one I know I will get a lot of use out of.  I had high hopes for garage sales to get baby/maternity stuff, but so far I'm striking out.

tumbleweed-1

@kadeephd ah, bummer about the garage sale. I’ve been eager to check out summer yard sales for things. I’ve noticed a lot of resale shops are over priced for used clothing too. Even big chain ones like goodwill- you want to sell a used pair of boots (that someone else put their feet in?) for $30? Pass. They can’t be “that nice” still. 

I’m looking forward to really showing and having people offer me maternity and baby clothes for free. That happened to my friend and my sister, hopefully I’ll also be so lucky. 

rosebud332

Full panel maternity pants today. I thought they’d be falling down but I couldn’t take the pressure on my stomach from my regular pants. They fit perfectly. I forgot I didn’t have left over baby belly last time to keep them up. I knew there was a reason I didn’t work out for the past year! 

coco2787

I’m wearing maternity pants with a demi waistband and I’m not a fan at this stage.  They’re higher waisted than side panel pants and all they’re doing is giving me a spare tire and awkward love handles.  

Katzalia

11.5 weeks and I think I’m going to need to get some maternity sidepanel pants before next weekend. My work clothes still are fine but not the weekendwear. I only have full panel pants from last time. Is there anywhere that actually has maternity stuff in store?  

coco2787

@Katzalia Target has maternity stuff in store, Motherhood Maternity is another option (a little more pricey though).  Motherhood has fake bumps you can Velcro on to see how stuff will fit when you’re farther along.  I think H&M also has maternity stuff in store. 

Selina1313

@Katzalia Target, motherhood maternity, and most big stores like Macy's have them. I also found a small selection today at Walmart.

echo-charlietango

@katzalia I’ve been buying my maternity clothes from 1) Thift stores, 2) Old Navy online, and 3) H&M - some stores don’t sell maternity, but they take in returns - ask the staff if H&M is an option for you. But thrift stores are my #1 go-to!

Katzalia

Thanks @coco2787 @Selina1313 @echo-charlietango that would be awesome if an H&M near me carried maternity. I hadn’t bothered to check because where I was living last pregnancy, the only matermity thing H&M had in-store was basic nursing tank tops and returns.  I’ll have to check.

The one good thrift store that carries matsrnity moved a few miles further away. For other options I’ll have to go downtown or to the suburbs. 

Eta: I dug up a pair of maternity tights and am wearing today. So comfy but a little worried they’ll be falling down all day. I guess we’ll see...

AGK2015

So excited! I took a leap of faith and made a purchase on Amazon for a couple cheap dresses for work, and they're adorable. Not super high quality, but given that I spent $12 and $18, I'm okay if they only last one pregnancy. 

Either they're super bumpalicious though, or I am. I think I'm officially doomed to show early and carry large. 

coco2787

I bought a couple of these non-maternity dresses on Amazon and they're super comfy (plus they have pockets!) and there's plenty of room to grow in the tummy area and they're good for hiding bellies if you're still trying to keep it a secret.  I think once the belly is bigger and it gets too short they'll pair nicely with leggings.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0746CZ9N2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Katzalia

I know I’m getting ahead of myself with the weather, but after reorganizing my wardrobe yesterday, I’m thinking about cooler weather wear, and am looking for a couple suggestions. 

1) Any suggestions for maternity slips or half slips? Most of my maternity dresses are soft cozy knits, not lined, and not exactly compatible with tights. I don’t want to be dealing with cling. Suggestions?

2) Last time, with a May baby, I just got a great deal on a coat one size up, which got me through the winter. This time, I’m thinking about 3 months of mat leave during which I’ll hopefully be doing plenty of baby-wearing. Has anybody found a coat that works well for baby-wearing? 

Katzalia

Bumping because I randomly remembered earlier today (in my overly air-conditioned office) that I still need to figure out a baby-wearing coat option. Any STM+ or FTM who’ve done some research have any recommendations?

I’ve been looking into some that are maternity coats with an extra “kangaroo” piece that zips in for babywearing later. But I have no idea what other people do when babywearing, and what makes for a good coat for that purpose. Last time babywearing it was all about trying not to get too hot & sweaty, so this is all new to me. 

texas_t

@Katzalia I was just looking at baby wearing hoodies yesterday! Lenny Lamb has some and there are random ones on Amazon. I'm not sure yet! Like you, my DS1 was an August baby, so we were just sweaty!

AdorkablePixie

@Katzalia Zulily just had baby wearing coats on there for around $130 but I didn't want to spend that much on a coat when I can't even try it on. My friend got me a baby wearing hoodie the winter by son was 5 months and it did not fit at all and the pouch was WAY too big for him.

Jens_Hoes

@katzalia in what scenarios will you be baby wearing? I'm trying to imagine when in December/January what I'd be baby wearing for

katy0990

Re: Coat for baby wearing. It may be different with 2 kids, but with DS I really only wore him inside. Outside, especially in the cold weather, I’ll keep the LO in his or her car seat, since we have a warm cover for that and it connects to the stroller.

Katzalia

@AdorkablePixie that’s part of what I’m afraid of — I’m picky about coats and usually willing to pay for good quality stuff that fits well. I have no idea about quality and brands and I don’t want to have something I don’t want to wear. 

rosebud332

This may not work for everyone especially those in colder weather areas. I never bought a coat my last pregnancy and I had dd on 2/21 and had to be outside a bit during my commute. It worked for me and I didn’t want to spend the money on something I’d get so little use out of. I just used my normal coat and buttoned as far as I could and wore sweaters and scarves. It gets cold here but not like Michigan cold. 

kristah2

FYI Old Navy and Gap have some great deals on right now!
I just stocked up on some fall clothes (1 new pair of pants, 2 long sleeve shirts, one nursing tank, 2 onesies for LO, 1 pair of jeans for LO and polo for DS for about $100 tax in)

katy0990

Re: maternity coats. DS was born in March and I just wore one of DH’s coats all winter. It wasn’t the prettiest option, but it worked!

Katzalia

@Jens_Hoes Good question. I might be delusional or baby might hate it, but I’d love to default to babywear during Jan through March when I’m home. I live in a pretty urban area so I am hoping to be able to get around the neighborhood, maybe even to appointments and mama-baby classes, some of which are walkable and others easier to take the train.

Driving locally or into downtown is a nuisance. It often takes longer to drive than walk, and there’s no parking or you pay $10/hr. Ex: my last ultrasound appt I drove from home because I had to head to work after. It’s an 8-10 minute walk. It took 15-20 minutes to drive and then I paid $15 parking. 

I would definitely drive and use the carseat/stroller for going further afield like suburbs for shopping or errands.  

katy0990

Just FYI for anyone else who put off buying maternity shorts and needs them now, Motherhood has some for $15!

Jens_Hoes

@Katzalia could you borrow your DH jacket?
Also, if things are close enough, could you use the stroller to bring LO places? that way you can put down the baby in something and not have to worry about holding it?

Katzalia

@Jens_Hoes thanks for the suggestions. I probably will use the stroller pretty often too. And I have a coat a size up from last pregnancy that should fit my pregnant self at least until close to the end. I am just hoping to do more babywearing this time, and I don’t think DH’s coat or my sized up coat are necessarily going to work to keep baby warm while babywearing if I’m outside. I’m still not sure how well babywearing will go for us, but I am definitely hoping to avoid keeping myself too homebound. 

Katzalia

In case anyone else is still looking for options for cold-weather baby-wearing: i came across this today, and I think it makes more sense to me to wear my own nice coat and zip in a panel. I haven’t bought it yet (and it's not cheap) but likely going to go for it. 

https://www.amazon.com/Zip-Us-Jacket-Expander-Panel/dp/B06XFZSM4C/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1535249306&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=jacket%2Bextender&psc=1&th=1

echo-charlietango

@Katzalia *gasp* I would be able to wear jackets with one of those I should go through my bag-o-jackets and pick some that have the same type & length zipper to really get some mileage out of an extender. Good eye!