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There are many things people will say are newborn “essentials,” but what is really essential? Having a baby is expensive and you don’t want to waste your money on something that you don’t absolutely need – especially if you are on a tight budget. Don’t worry, we put together a list of essential and non-essential (but helpful) items for your newborn. Newborn Wardrobe Essentials There are so many different styles and types of clothes for newborns that it can be a little overwhelming. When dressing a newborn it is important to buy clothes that will be a little loose-fitting around their belly area because they still have a sensitive umbilical cord that you have to be careful with. These are a few items that are essential for your newborn wardrobe. Onesies – short sleeve or long sleeved shirts/pants – for when you are going out Socks – to keep their feet warm Pajamas – many people choose to use a one-piece footed sleeper with zippers. This makes it easy to put them in and keep them warm all night. Try to use nightgowns until the umbilical cord falls off. Newborn Hats – sun hats help to keep your baby’s delicate skin out of the sun until you can start to use sunscreen; and beanies are essential to keep their heads warm in the winter. Warm Clothes such as jackets, leggings, beanies, socks, and a bunting suit are necessary if your due date is in one of the cooler months. Laundry Detergent – because over their sensitive skin, babies need a gentle laundry detergent specifically for their clothes. Helpful in your Newborn Wardrobe No-scratch mittens – one thing you may not know about babies is just how sharp their little nails are. And because they still have not gotten control over their limbs they can easily scratch themselves or you. You can either maintain their nails and make sure they don’t grow too long, or you can buy them some no-scratch mittens to keep their nails from digging into their skin. Nursery Newborn Essentials These nursery newborn essentials are a must have if your baby is sleeping in a crib. Crib/Cradle Firm/flat mattress Fitted sheets – you will want only fitted sheets in the crib with them because blankets can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). You can keep them warm by putting them in a footed sleeper, or swaddling them. If you are planning on co-sleeping you will need: Bassinet Waterproof Pads – so that any accidents don’t make a mess in your bed Mother putting baby to sleep No matter what type of sleeping situation you are planning on doing, you will need: A Changing Area – this can be as simple as a blanket that you lay on the floor or a pad on a dresser; or it can be getting a changing table. Whatever fits your lifestyle and budget. Place to Feed – this can be a rocking chair or a glider, or you can decide to just use your couch. 2-3 Blankets – these can also function as burping cloths or swaddlers Non-Essential/Helpful Nursery Needs Baby Monitor – this can be incredibly helpful if you have a large house and are planning on having your baby in a separate room. Humidifier – babies go from being in the womb to being in a completely different environment. Their lungs are not used to air, so it can make them more comfortable if you use a humidifier to add moisture in the air. White Noise Machine – similar to the humidifier, when a baby is in the uterus they hear everything through a barrier, so adding a white noise machine can mimic this sensation and ease their sleep. Swaddle – Many mothers swear by swaddling. So if you are interested in swaddling your baby, think about investing in a few swaddlers. Newborn Diapering Essentials If you plan on using cloth/re-usable diapers you will need: 6-8 Cloth/reusable Diapers Snaps/Velcro/Safety Pins – to secure the diaper If you plan on using disposable diapers you will need: 2-3 big boxes of newborn size diapers No matter what type of diaper you plan to use you will need: Baby Wipes Diaper Cream or some other sort of diaper product to prevent a rash Helpful Diaper Products Diaper Bag – to hold all of your diapers and diaper products when you go out of the house. Diaper Pail – this is essentially a trashcan used specifically for diapers, it holds all of the dirty diapers and prevents any smells from getting out. Many women use these to prevent their house from smelling and to prevent them from making too many trips to the trash can. Bath Newborn Essentials A few newborn essentials for the bath include: Baby Bathtub – they cannot go into a normal bathtub on their own. Baby Shampoo and Body Wash Hooded Towels Washcloths Bath Non-Essentials Hairbrush – to keep their hair from getting tangled after being washed. Lotion – to keep their skin from drying out. Feeding NewbornEssentials Some mothers choose to breastfeed and other mothers choose to feed their baby formula. If you plan to give you baby formula you will need: Baby Bottles and Nipples Bottle Brush – to clean all the small crevices and hard-to-reach areas of the bottle A couple months supply of formula If you are planning on breastfeeding you will need: Breast Pump – so you can keep a supply of your milk available for others to feed to you baby. Milk Storage Bags – This is a popular alternative to putting your breast milk in bottles. It makes it easier to keep your breastmilk for a longer period of time, and allows you to put it in the freezer. Nursing Pads – Nursing mothers constantly have to deal with milk leakage so nursing pads prevent this from leaking onto your shirt. Nipple Cream – To help with chafed or sore nipples that come from breastfeeding. Non-Essential Feeding Products Bibs/Burp Cloths – these cloths prevent your baby from puking on you or your clothes. Nursing Pillow – A nursing pillow makes it much easier to feed your baby because it props their head up so you don’t have to. Nursing Bra – A nursing bra, like the one available on Bellefit, allows you to easily unclip your bra and breastfeed – particularly at night when you are half asleep. Bottle Warmer – to make the formula a good temperature. Babies like their milk to be body temperature because it keeps them calm and comfortable. You can always warm it up in the microwave, but you run the risk of making it too warm and heating up a plastic bottle can sometimes be dangerous. Bottle Sterilizer – In between feeds the bottles will need to be washed and sterilized to make sure no germs are on the bottles. You can always try to hand wash them or you can even put them in the top rack of the dishwasher if you want. Health Newborn Essentials Babies are a lot of work, and their health is very delicate in the early stages of their life. These are the newborn essentials you will need to make sure they remain happy and healthy. Nail Clippers – keep you baby from scratching themselves with nail clippers or a nail file. Thermometer – to monitor their temperature. Petroleum Jelly/Gauze – for circumcision care First Aid Kit – with baby medication in case of a fever or a cold. Helpful Health Products Cradle Cap Brush – some babies develop a case of cradle cap in their infancy. This brush can help to brush off some of the flakes that develop from the condition. Pacifiers – a pacifier is used to simulate the nursing feeling which is very soothing to a baby. This can help to calm them down and soothe their crying. Bulb Syringe – to suck out mucus that may get stuck in their nose. Newborn Essentials Baby Gear Stroller Car Seat Carrier or Sling – some strollers will come with carriers that can detach from the stroller. Helpful Newborn Gear Play Mat Mobile – to put over their cradle or bassinet Night Light Sun Shade – for in the car Postpartum Self-Care After you have given birth to your baby the last thing you will be thinking about is your own well-being, but your health is just as important. You want to get back to feeling your best and that is where Bellefit can help. We know that all you want is to be comfortable and we have all the best postpartum garments around. From leggings to undies you will be covered and comfortable. Check out Bellefit today! We hope this list of newborn essentials has made you to-buy list a little bit easier. Feel free to comment on any other products that made your life easier!

When your friend is pregnant, it can be hard to figure out what to do to help them. What do they need during this time? Do you get a gift for your pregnant friend or help them out? Well, it really depends on your friend, what do they appreciate? We have a few ideas that can help you get started on helping your pregnant friend. Offer Practical Support One of the best gifts you can give to your pregnant friend is the gift of support. Offering practical support in the form of doing laundry, picking up groceries, and doing dishes can really make their day easier. It’s hard being pregnant, their body is going through a lot of changes and that can make it hard to get everyday tasks done. So take a look at their to-do list, and offer any form of support that you can. They will be incredibly grateful, and you can do something nice for your friend. Couple Buying Fresh Fruit And Vegetables In Sustainable Plastic Free Grocery Store Have a last get-together Even though your friend is pregnant, they are still the same person they were before. Yes, they are about to bring a child into the world, and that will come with some changes, but it won’t change everything. It can be hard to be pregnant and still feel like an individual. Pregnant women are constantly having their space invaded, being told what to do, how to do it, and how to raise the child later. It can be incredibly frustrating – it feels as though you are seen as just a vehicle for your baby and not as your own person. Make sure you treat them like your friend. Take them out to parties, go to brunch, go shopping, keep doing the same things as you always have. This will make them feel like an individual again, and let them escape from the constant stress of getting ready to give birth. A great way to really enjoy your time together is having a last get-together with all your friends before she gives birth. Don’t focus on her pregnancy, just focus on having fun. She will appreciate it, and be able to have fun before she is cooped up with the baby in the house. Go Shopping with Her Preparing to have a baby is stressful and difficult. There is so much you have to buy and read and learn before your baby comes. It can be helpful to have a friend to help you with all of the craziness. You guys can go shopping together for baby things. Talk and distract her from the overwhelming amount of stuff she has to do. And just be there for her. You could even help by carrying her bags for her. Especially once she gets further along in her pregnancy. Spend Time with Her A great gift for your pregnant friend, is the gift of your time. The chaos and craziness of preparing for a baby is not fun. Having something to look forward to throughout your week is a lifesaver when you are pregnant. So make sure to plan outings, and fun things with her. It will be a great opportunity for you to see and hang out with your friend. And for her, it is a great chance to feel normal again. Amid all the planning and preparing, it is good for her to have one source of stability to cling to. Try not to change how you interact with her, just because she is pregnant doesn’t mean she is a completely different person. She is the same person, and she wants to be viewed that way, so give her your time and ear. Listen to her problems Between the crazy hormones, the changing body, and the changing lifestyle your friend is going through some stuff. She may want to talk about the baby and complain about stuff, or she may just want a distraction for a bit. Be open and willing to listen and talk with her about it. You don’t have to know how to help, and many times she won’t want advice or help, she just wants someone to listen. She already has her doctor, books, her partner, and random people telling her how to live her life, she doesn’t need you doing it too. If she just needs to complain, just listen and be understanding. Imagine being in her shoes, and talk about how much it must suck. She will be grateful that someone was there to listen. Gifts for Pregnant Friend Little gifts for your pregnant friend are a great way to show your love and support for her. Everyone loves to get little surprise gifts. It doesn’t have to be anything big or crazy, but even just bringing her breakfast in the morning can make her day better. If you notice her feeling down one day, take the time to ask her what is wrong, and bring her something to cheer her up a little. Maybe she is just really feeling nauseous one day, bring her some ginger ale and crackers. It may not seem like a lot, but it shows that you are listening and care about them. Offer her Support After Her Pregnancy After your friend has given birth, what do you do now? You can still offer your love and support for her, even once she has given birth. You can still continue to help her with practical things like laundry, and dishes. She may even appreciate it more, because now she doesn’t have time to do those things, since she is focused on caring for her newborn. Another great gift for your pregnant friend – or postpartum friend – is a postpartum gift basket. Her body is going through a lot right now, especially after giving birth. She is going to need pads, and underwear, and she may even want a postpartum girdle. That is where Bellefit comes to the rescue. We have everything you will need to create a postpartum gift basket for your friend. With nursing bras, comfortable underwear, and postpartum girdles. And if you don’t want to take away her choice, you can always buy a gift card too. She will be incredibly appreciative of all your help and support. We hope this has been a helpful guide for you to help your pregnant friend. And we hope you have found some ideas for gifts for your pregnant friend.

What sort of postpartum diet do you need now that you’ve given birth? You have finally given birth, now you can eat whatever you want – right? Well, not exactly. If you decide to breastfeed your baby, you are going to need to have a balanced diet. In order to ensure your baby gets the right nutrition, you need to consume certain nutrients and avoid others. Don’t worry, we have you covered with everything you will need to know to get the right amount of nutrition. Nutrients you Need While Breastfeeding Just like when your child was in your womb, the food that you eat will affect their diet also. While it will not be as direct as when they were in your uterus, your postpartum diet affects your breast milk. In the first six months of your baby’s life, your breast milk contains all of the necessary nutrients your baby needs. However, according to Healthline, “if your overall diet does not provide sufficient amounts of nutrients, it can affect both the quality of your breast milk and your own health.” In general, as long as you have a balanced and healthy diet you and your baby will be fine. However, you should try to increase your Vitamin D and Calcium intake. Those nutrients are used a lot in the production of breast milk, and are key nutrients your baby will need. Your Vitamin D is obtained through sun exposure. In order to increase Vitamin D, all you need to do is go outside. If you live in an area that is cloudy you may need to look into Vitamin D supplements, but always talk to your doctor before making that decision. In regards to Calcium, you can increase your intake with dairy or non-dairy products. According to Medela “Aim for four servings a day from dairy foods, such as milk, yoghurt and cheese, or non-dairy sources, including nuts, tofu, sesame seeds and leafy green vegetables.” Surprisingly, around 2-6% of infants have an intolerance to cow’s milk. According to an article published in Can Fam Physician, some children may develop rashes, eczema, diarrhea, bloody stools, vomiting or baby colic due to this intolerance. Because of this, some women choose to get their calcium from non-dairy sources. Food to Avoid While Breastfeeding The good news is that pretty much everything is up for grabs in your postpartum diet. Yes you can now eat fish, and drink alcohol, and caffeine, but there are some rules. Just like everything in life, eat them in moderation. The nutrients from fish are actually quite beneficial for you when you are breastfeeding, but just be sure to avoid eating a lot of oily fish. Too much of a good thing can be bad. Similarly, you can have some alcohol and some caffeine. Many women choose to wait until the baby is at least 3 months old before drinking any form of alcohol. In regards to alcohol, just limit the amount you drink and make sure you give your body at least 2 hours to process (per serving). Your baby is unable to metabolize these things as fast as you can, and alcohol can make it’s way into your breast milk. According to Healthline, “you’ll want to wait a few hours for each drink you’ve consumed before breastfeeding your baby.” For caffeine, the rules are not as strict. As long as you limit your caffeine to 2-3 12oz cups a day, your baby should be ok. It could potentially disrupt their sleep schedule, so just be mindful of this. Postpartum Diet and Exercise While Breastfeeding While we know it can be tempting to shed the baby weight as fast as possible, it is probably best to wait. The weight that you gained during pregnancy is actually used to create breast milk. The body actually uses the fat storages to create breast milk. So by breastfeeding you are actually going to lose weight naturally. If you are still wanting to do more to get rid of the baby weight, just try to eat as healthy as you possibly can. You need around 500 more calories a day in order to create breast milk, so keep this in mind if you are counting calories. If you are adamant about losing weight, make sure you do it in a healthy manner. As a general rule, you can lose about 2 lbs a week by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy amount of weight loss a week. Be sure that you are consulting your doctor about the proper postpartum diet for your individual needs. The same goes for exercising. Listen to your body and stop when you need to. Everything in moderation. You can do some exercise, but just make sure that you are doing it in a safe and healthy manner. Don’t start exercising immediately after giving birth, give your body time to adjust and heal from all the trauma it just endured. Your Postpartum Body We know how difficult it can be to accept and learn to love your new body. Your body just went through so many changes over the course of nine months, and then over the course of hours it all went back. That is incredible. The amount of things your body just did is absolutely amazing, be proud of it. Taking care of yourself after giving birth is essential for a well-balanced lifestyle. Breastfeeding will help make sure that you are mindful of the nutrients you need to consume and where you get them. You can always exercise and maintain a healthy diet to shed the baby weight, but just make sure you are doing it safely. And don’t worry about the baby weight coming back after losing it. Because our Bellefit postpartum girdles can help keep the weight away. Postpartum girdles are designed to ease your pain and discomfort after giving birth. This can help you feel ready to exercise sooner than you would have, and it helps you feel more confident in your body. This can help keep that baby weight off for good. So, invest in a postpartum girdle today, and get back to feeling your confident self.

What happened to that thick, shiny, beautiful hair you got during pregnancy? Why are you now experiencing hair loss? Is this normal? In this article, we will discuss hair loss after pregnancy: what is normal, what is not, and why you are losing your hair. Why you lose hair after pregnancy While pregnancy comes with so many uncomfortable changes, one change you might have been happy to see is your hair growing more thick, and your nails becoming stronger. These things are caused by an increase in hormones during your pregnancy. So, when your body is no longer pumping out those extra hormones you may find your hair falling out a little more. This process is actually known as telogen effluvium. When you become pregnant your body begins to produce hormones to grow the baby. One of the hormones prevents your hair from falling out. So, eventually when your body stops producing that hormone, it starts to also allow your hair to fall out (including all the extra hair you grew that never fell out). This is completely natural, although it can seem a bit startling. After getting used to 10 months of thick and lustrous hair, it can be difficult to go back to your normal hair before your pregnancy. After you have given birth you will most likely begin to notice that your hair is falling out a lot more than it normally does. It may even come out in clumps over the next six months of your postpartum recovery. How much hair loss is normal? An average person loses about 100 hairs a day. This often doesn’t happen at once so you never notice how many hairs you lose. However, while you were pregnant your hair wasn’t shedding as much, so now you have abou 10 months worth of hair loss to go through in 6 months. Despite how much hair it may seem like you are losing, you are not going bald. Your hair is just returning to its natural state. So while postpartum hair loss is normal, there are a few medical conditions, such as thyroid conditions and anemia, that can cause excess hair loss. Make sure you mention your hair loss to your doctor if you are really concerned and they can help rule out any underlying medical conditions. How long does it last? The good news about postpartum hair loss is that it is temporary. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research postpartum hair loss typically starts about 3 months after giving birth; but your hair should return back to normal about six months to a year after giving birth. Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for the hair loss, and the only thing you can do is be patient. Because postpartum hair loss is completely natural, there are no supplements or medications you can take to prevent the hair loss. That doesn’t mean you should do nothing if your hair loss is bothering you though! There are plenty of ways to make sure your hair remains healthy. Dealing with postpartum hair loss For some women, hair loss can be a major source of discomfort or self-consciousness. Especially when the majority of your hair is falling out around your hairline. Don’t worry though! Many women have been there before, and they have shared what helped them get through it. So we compiled a list of the best tips for dealing with postpartum hair loss. Maintain a healthy diet and continue to take vitamins. The key to healthy and shiny hair is to have a well-balanced diet. When you are taking all the correct supplements and eating well-rounded meals your body (and your hair) will thank you for it. Try a new hairstyle or hair color. Certain hairstyles and colors can make your hair appear thinner than it actually is, so try changing it up. If you typically have straight blonde hair, try curling it or dying it brown. This can make your hair appear fuller. Avoid excess heat damage to your hair. You are already losing hair, so you don’t want to cause excess hair loss by damaging it even more. If you can skip using a hairdryer or a flat iron every day it will help in the long run. Try out some mousse. If your hair tends to fall flat after drying it, try adding some volumizing products to it! This can boost your hair at the roots and makes your hair appear thicker. Try parting your hair in a different way. Sometimes the only thing your hair needs to appear fuller is to be parted in a new way. After a long period of time with the same part, your hair may get used to it and naturally lie flat in that style. If you typically part your hair down the middle, try parting it to the side. Or if you part your hair to the side, try parting it down the middle or the other side. Flip your hair all over until you find a style you think looks the best. Try out hair accessories. If you don’t have a lot of time, or you are trying to hide a specific section of your hair try out some accessories. Bows, headbands, hair wraps, and bandanas are all fashionable and easy ways to cover certain parts of your hair. No one will even know what is going on! Be gentle with your hair. Your hair is pretty delicate when it is all said and done, and you want to try to be gentle with it as much as possible. Make sure you don’t viciously brush out tangles, but take your time and use a wide-toothed comb and some detangler. Try not to put your hair in tight styles that pull on your hair; but rather use scrunchies and loose styles to gently pull your hair back. Main Takeaways Postpartum hair loss is just one of the natural things that comes after giving birth. You can’t prevent it, but you can do things to mask it if you’re self-conscious. If you continue to have excess hair loss after a year postpartum, it may be beneficial to see a doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions. Your postpartum body is an ever-changing wonderland that brings both good and bad things with it. Bellefit wants to help you through every stop of your postpartum journey. That is why we have developed a plethora of postpartum garments that are built to make your life just a little bit easier. These garments include: postpartum girdles, panties, nursing bras, and even shaping leggings. Make your postpartum experience the best it can be by investing in your recovery. Shop Bellefit’s garments today! We hope this has been a beneficial and informative article!

If you are a first-time mother, you may have heard of the term baby dropping. Other people may remark on your belly saying, “looks like the baby has dropped.” But what does it mean when your baby drops? Do you need to be worried? When can you expect it to happen? Don’t worry, in this article we will answer all of your questions about baby dropping. What is Baby Dropping? What does it mean when your baby drops? While baby dropping seems like a scary term on the surface it is actually a completely normal process. Baby dropping, also known as “lightening,” is when your baby moves into position to ease labor. See? Not so scary. Think of dropping as a line from the opening of the vagina to the top of your baby’s head. Then add ruler marks to the line; 0 being the beginning of your pelvic bone, +5 being the top of the uterus, and -5 being the opening of your vagina. During labor, your baby has to go from point +5 to point -5. So this process of them moving from the top of the uterus to the opening of the pelvic bone is called “dropping.” In some cases this dropping occurs a few weeks before labor while in other cases it may not happen at all. Does the Baby have to drop and how do you know if the baby has dropped? There are multiple stages of labor. And baby dropping is one of the beginning stages that your labor is about to occur. For some women (often first-time mothers) the baby will drop a few days to a few weeks before the due date. This is believed to give your pelvic muscles more time to adjust to the labor process. For other women (typically if this is a subsequent child) your baby may not drop until a few hours before you go into labor. This is possibly due to the fact that your body has already experienced the labor process and the pelvic muscles no longer need as much time to prepare. If your baby doesn’t drop at all, don’t worry! Not all women experience baby dropping, and many women experience a healthy labor without their baby dropping at all. When does baby drop: What to expect Like we mentioned earlier it is almost impossible to determine when the baby will drop, because every pregnancy is different. For some women it occurs at around 35-36 weeks and for others it doesn’t occur until they are in labor. Even more interesting, some women will have their baby drop between 35-36 weeks but then move back up closer to their due date. In almost every case, this is not something you should worry about, but if you feel concerned you should contact your doctor. What does it feel like when the baby drops? So, now that you know what baby dropping is, you are probably asking yourself what it feels like. Well, according to most women it feels like they are walking around with a bowling ball between their legs. So probably a little uncomfortable; but again, this isn’t the case for all women. It’s not always apparent when the baby drops. There are some women who feel it happen in one sudden movement, and there are other women who never feel it happening at all. In most cases it depends on how you have been carrying over the course of your pregnancy. If you have had a low belly the entire time, you probably won’t notice when your baby gradually shifts towards your pelvic bone. On the other hand, if you have been carrying high you may notice gradual changes that indicate your baby is dropping. How to tell when baby drops: Signs and symptoms If you are interested in how to tell when baby drops, then consider a few indicators that many women claim to experience when their baby starts to drop. Here is what you can look for: You can breathe easier. If your baby has been resting up towards the top of your uterus this can cause pressure on your lungs. As the baby drops you may notice that the previous pressure has been released and you can breathe easier. More pressure in the pelvic region. This is what many women describe as the bowling ball between their legs. Your baby’s head is now resting in your pelvic bone area which can cause some pressure. More discharge. Because your baby’s head is now resting on your cervix, this can cause the cervix to thin and release it’s mucus plug. This mucus plug can then come out in the form of some extra discharge. More bathroom breaks. You may notice that you need to go pee more than you used to. Your baby is so close to your bladder at this point that the increased pressure can cause you to need to pee more often. Pelvic pain. Some women experience little “flashes” of pain in their pelvic area when their baby rests. This is believed to be because of the pressure on your ligaments in the pelvic area. Your hunger increases. Because your baby is no longer resting near your stomach you may find that your hunger increases. Back Pain. Similar to pelvic pain, back pain can be caused because of the increase in pressure on the lower spine area. How to Get Baby to Drop So, what does it mean when baby drops? Well, if your baby is dropping it means they are preparing for labor. Some women may even decide to encourage their baby to drop in an attempt to induce labor. While there has not been a lot of scientific research into this method of induction, many women claim to have success by: Walking Squatting Doing pelvic tilts Walking is said to help because it relaxes the pelvic region and can open up the hips. Squatting is said to do the same thing. Similarly pelvic tilts help to guide the baby into the pelvic opening and increase their likelihood of dropping. Main Takeaways for Baby Dropping Baby dropping is a natural part of the labor process. It is difficult to determine when this will happen as it is different for every woman and every pregnancy. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have pre-labor and post-labor. It’s just as important that you take care of yourself postpartum as it is during your pregnancy. Your body has gone through an intensive process, and it will take a while to get back to normal. Don’t worry though, Bellefit is here to help you with all your postpartum needs. From comfortable panties, nursing bras, compression leggings, and even postpartum girdles – we have everything you need for a smooth and fast recovery. We hope this has been a helpful and informative article.

To many women maternity clothes sound like the death of fashion, but in our current day and age, it is not the case. Your grandmother and mother had to deal with the loose tent-like clothing, mumus, and various other unflattering designs when their clothing no longer fit, but you don’t have to. Today, maternity clothing is able to achieve comfort without sacrificing fashion. Yes or No to Maternity Clothes For many first-time mothers maternity clothing sounds daunting. Do you really need them? Why should I spend money on something I will only wear for a few months? Can’t I just wear my normal clothes? The answer to all of these questions is yes…and no. For some women maternity clothes are a great option. They are fashionable, comfortable, and built for your ever-changing body, but they can be expensive and it can seem futile to buy clothing you will wear for only a few months. It is relatively easy in the first few months to adjust your current wardrobe to fit your belly. So during this time, if you know that you will be comfortable in your normal clothes then just wear those! There is no need to purchase new clothing if you don’t need to; but most of the time, your normal clothing isn’t meant for your growing belly. And what was comfortable in the beginning of your pregnancy can soon become uncomfortable as your stomach grows. In the end, it is a matter of your personal preference. What Not to Wear – Maternity Clothes Edition As your body changes, there will be a few clothing items it is best to avoid. In general you will want to avoid any tight-fitting clothing as it can be uncomfortable and restrictive. You will want to pay particular attention to any clothing that is tight in the belly area as they can harm the growth of the baby. In addition, as your hormones increase you will probably experience hot flashes and you will probably sweat a lot more than you normally do. This in addition to certain materials can become incredibly uncomfortable, and can even cause a yeast infection. Cool, lightweight, loose-fitting clothing will be your best bet to stay comfortable. Overall try to avoid: Tight-fitting clothing Certain heavy materials such as, leather, jeans, and wool Any clothing that is fitted around the waist How to Maximize Your Maternity Clothes Budget One concern that many pregnant women have is their budget. You already will have to buy a bunch of new things for the baby, and new maternity clothes for yourself is not at the top of your priority list. At a certain point, however, your normal clothing just won’t cut it anymore and you will have to make some adjustments. In an effort to maximize your budget while also making sure you are comfortable we wanted to give a few tips. Shop your own wardrobe The easiest way to pinch a few pennies, is by adjusting your current wardrobe to fit your new needs. If you have exhausted all of your loose-fitting tops, maxi skirts, and dresses you can always try to re-style them. A maxi skirt can be turned into a dress, and a dress can be turned into a tunic style shirt. Wearing clothes with airflow will allow you to enjoy your summer pregnancy. In addition you can always wear your current pants, unbutton them, and loop a hairband around the button and through the loop. This creates a faux elastic waist for your pants, and allows you to continue wearing them a little longer than you would have been able to. Borrow from friends Has one of your friends just recently had a baby? Try asking if you can borrow from their wardrobe. More than likely, they would be more than willing to help you out. We all know what it feels like to not be able to fit into your current clothes. If not a friend, maybe a family member kept some of their old maternity clothes. Some women even re-style their partners’ clothing to suit their current body. Go thrifting What do you do when you are done with your current clothes, but don’t want to toss them away? You donate them! And what better way to get rid of your old maternity clothes then to donate or consign them, so that other women can have them. If your local thrift store or consignment shops don’t have many available options, you can always try out online thrift/consignment options. Online retailers such as Motherhood Closet and ThredUp offer cheap and stylish options to suit you. Loving Your Changing Body A lot of women lament about their “pre-pregnancy body” and how they wish they could get it back. Yes, your body has changed physically, but you have also changed emotionally. Love yourself now, not what you were. We know how difficult self-love can be during this time of your life, but try to remember that you are growing a child inside of you. Be kind to yourself and love your body, even if it doesn’t seem to be loving you. Don’t be afraid to show off your baby bump and be proud of all that comes with it. We at Bellefit want you to love your body, and care for yourself. That is why we offer a range of postpartum maternity garments, to help you feel confident and sexy. Our shaper leggings can help you feel supported and comfortable in your postpartum days. Our postpartum girdles can help speed up your recovery, and our intimates keep you feeling confident and relaxed. What are you waiting for? Check out our postpartum garment options today.

The best postpartum leggings should be soft, supportive, and comfortable. Most important of all they should make you feel confident in your body. In this article we want to break down the importance of a good pair of postpartum leggings, and where you can find some! What are Postpartum Leggings? So, you’ve given birth, you have a new child to look after, and you are still exhausted and recovering from labor. Many women find the postpartum transition to be very difficult. Not only are you now taking care of an infant, but you also may be struggling with your own body image. It can be incredibly difficult to feel happy and confident in your postpartum body, when nothing fits anymore. You aren’t quite as small as you were before the baby, and your maternity clothes may be too big now. Postpartum leggings are a great solution to this problem. They are soft, comfortable, and supportive – all things you need right after giving birth. Perfect for working around the house, and taking care of your newborn, plus most of them are even nice enough to wear in public! And they come in so many styles, colors, and lengths that they can be worn for practically any event. Benefits of Wearing Postpartum Leggings While maternity clothing tends to get all the hype, postpartum clothing is just as important. Particularly when it comes to your confidence. Many women find it difficult to maintain a positive body image after they have given birth. It can be incredibly frustrating to not be able to fit into anything you own, and your changing hormones just make it worse. For most postpartum women, the stomach area is a major source of discomfort and insecurity. Postpartum leggings tend to be high-waisted so they are able to slim down the stomach area. In addition to this, they can be compression garments that support your postpartum stomach which can aid your recovery. The best postpartum leggings will offer an overall slimming effect in the butt, legs, and stomach area. This can help you feel more confident and happy in your postpartum body. They are the perfect combination of style, comfort, and functionality. What Type Should You Get? When looking for your perfect pair of postpartum leggings, it is important that you take a few things into consideration. The fabric that you want the leggings to be made of. Some women choose a more stretchy fabric, while others prefer more breathable fabrics. The best postpartum leggings will be a combination of stretchy and breathable fabric. The length of the leggings. Perhaps you gave birth in the summer and don’t want a pair of long leggings that make you sweat – there are multiple different options available. Postpartum biker shorts are becoming more and more popular, as well as postpartum capris. No matter what length you want, there will be something available for you. Style. The typical postpartum legging design is a simple black color with stitching along the sides; but there are lots of options available in terms of style. Some women choose to use jeggings (jeans/leggings combination) for a more out-on-the-town look, while still maintaining comfort. Other women may choose to go for a bright color, or a bold print. You can make pretty much any outfit you want with postpartum leggings. When purchasing a pair of postpartum leggings it may be a good idea to think of what you want from the leggings. Are these going to be your lounge pants? Are they going to be your exercise pants? Maybe they are going to be your going out pants. Make sure you choose the best style, length, and fabric for the season and for the activity you want them for. One other factor to consider when purchasing a pair of postpartum leggings is how much money you want to spend on them. Some women are not wanting to spend a lot of money on an expensive pair of “transition” clothes. The best postpartum leggings will be designed to be worn by both postpartum and the average woman. Allowing them to be worn even after you have left the “transition” period. Best Postpartum Leggings Available With all of these necessities in a postpartum legging, is there any way that a single pair could live up to everything you need? Well, we think so. That is why we designed our shaper leggings collection! We want to give you the best postpartum leggings available on the market. Bellefit’s shaper leggings can be found in a wide range of sizes and lengths. We went through every detail of these leggings to ensure that we created a breathable and supportive legging perfect for the postpartum woman. They are high-waisted and even have a double panel that adds extra belly control. There is a silicone waistband so they don’t slip down, and they even provide a butt-lifting effect. These postpartum leggings have everything you could need and pockets! We hope this guide has been helpful in determining your perfect postpartum legging. Check out our shaper leggings collection and see how you can get back to feeling confident.

If you have read up on labor and delivery, you may have come across the term “breech baby”. What is a breech baby? It is when the baby is positioned with its feet down near the cervix instead of the head. This can occur throughout the entire pregnancy, but as you move closer to your delivery date this can pose problems. In this article we want to give you all the information you need to know in order to be prepared. What is a Breech Baby? As your baby grows, they will constantly be moving around in your uterus. And most of the time this isn’t a problem, we all need to adjust ourselves and get comfortable. But as you move closer to your due date, their moving around can cause them to get into some interesting positions. This can be a cause for concern in some cases, particularly when your baby’s head is not near the birthing canal. Between the 32nd and 37th weeks of your pregnancy your baby should be moving into a position to prepare for birth. Their head should move towards the birthing canal, and their feet should be in the opposite direction towards the top of your uterus. If a baby doesn’t properly move into place, they can be born feet-first. And this can cause harm to the baby. Possible Complications with a Breech Baby Due to the nature of labor, the best position for a baby to be in for vaginal birth is with the head towards the cervix. The head is the baby’s largest part of their body, and is the most difficult to get out of the birthing canal. If the feet come out first, it becomes more difficult for the baby’s head to come out, because the birthing canal has not opened up wide enough. Another potential problem occurs when the umbilical cord prolapses. This means that the umbilical cord is being squeezed, cutting off the baby’s oxygen and blood supply. This can cause birth defects. Babies are more likely to be breech if: They are premature There is more than one baby (twins, etc.) There is an abnormal level of amniotic fluid The mother’s uterus is shaped abnormally While these complications are serious, there are many ways you can try to move them into the correct position. Can you change a Breech Baby position? As you attend your check-ups and doctors appointments, your doctor will be checking to make sure your baby isn’t breeched. In the early stages of your pregnancy, a breech baby is not a problem. The closer you come to your due date the more likely your doctor is to suggest measures to change the baby’s position. Non-Medical methods to change position Acupuncture – This form of Chinese medicine involves placing tiny needles at several pressure points on the body. When stimulated this can relax the uterus, causing the baby to shift position. Chiropractic Care – A chiropractor adjusts your posture and alignment to ensure that your hips and pelvis are aligned. This will relieve pressure off of the uterus, which can promote the baby to turn. Child’s Pose – Another technique uses gravity as a way to persuade the baby to turn. One option is to rest in the yoga pose known as child’s pose for 10-15 minutes a day. Pelvic tilt – Another option that uses gravity is known as a pelvic tilt. The mother rests on her back with her knees up and her feet on the ground. Then she lifts her hips up off the ground into a bridge position. The mother is supposed to maintain this pose for 15-20 minutes. Some women find this pose difficult to maintain and use an ironing board and a couch for some extra stability. They lean the ironing board against the couch and lie on it with their feet on the couch. Music – Some babies are very fond of music. If you have noticed your baby move in the past when you play music, this might be a good option for you. Play music in the area when you want their head, and some babies will move their head to hear the music better. Temperature – Similarly, some babies are very sensitive to temperature. By placing a warm cloth at the bottom of your stomach and a cold cloth at the top, your baby may be enticed to move toward the warmth. Medical methods to change position If these non-medical methods are not working for you, your doctor may suggest the use of a procedure known as External Cephalic Version (ECV). An ECV is typically had at around 37 weeks of pregnancy. It is a non-invasive procedure where the physician will apply pressure to your stomach in various areas to push the baby into the proper position. Some doctors choose to use an ultrasound also to make sure they can see the baby move into the correct position, while also monitoring their heart rate. This procedure is non-invasive, but it can be painful. Some doctors choose to administer some medication before the procedure to relax your muscles and reduce discomfort. C-Section for Breech Baby Sometimes, no matter what you or your doctor do, your baby will not move out of the breech position. In these cases most physicians will recommend a c-section delivery. While some breech babies are ok to be delivered through a vaginal birth, a c-section is the safer option. A clinical study conducted and published in Lancet found that a “Planned caesarean section is better than planned vaginal birth for the term fetus in the breech presentation.” C-Section Recovery If this happens to be the case, the baby will be safely delivered, but your recovery time may be much longer. A c-section involves a large incision across your abdomen that takes a while to heal. Movement becomes difficult and the stress of caring for your newborn is only added on top of that. Thankfully, Bellefit has developed a line of postpartum girdles that help you heal faster and help you feel more confident. These postpartum girdles were designed with all women in mind. They come in many different sizes, shades, and types. Buy one online today and find out how so many women have healed faster and with less pain.

Yoga for pregnant women, also called prenatal yoga, is a great way to exercise while staying safe and healthy. Exercise in general is incredibly beneficial for most pregnant women. It can help you gain a healthy amount of weight, improve your overall fitness, strengthen your heart, and even help you lose the baby weight after your baby is born. However, not all exercise is created equal. With so many changes to your body occurring it can be difficult to find a healthy fitness routine that won’t cause undue stress. Yoga designed for pregnant women is one of the best ways to stay fit, and be safe. Why Yoga for Pregnant Women? So why is yoga better for pregnant women than other types of exercise? Well, your body is going through a lot of changes, and that means you will not be able to do all the different things you used to. For example, the hormones created during pregnancy can cause your ligaments to become more relaxed. This means it is much easier for you to roll an ankle, or strain any of your other joints. Most high-impact cardio workouts require strong ligaments, so those exercises can increase your risk of injuring yourself. Similarly, your body now has an increased amount of weight in the belly region. This means that your center of gravity will shift causing your balance to be less stable. This means that you are at a greater risk of falling when you are pregnant. In addition, this excess strain on your lower back and pelvis can cause stress and pain to those parts of your body. You don’t want to perform any exercises that many use those muscles a lot. Finally, breathing is an important part of exercise. When you exercise oxygen goes to your muscles and away from other parts of your body. And when you are pregnant your body needs more oxygen, therefore this may limit your ability to do high-intensity exercise. It is for these reasons that yoga is one of the most popular exercises for pregnant women, because it takes all of this into account. Benefits of Prenatal Yoga While yoga is a great option for pregnant women, not all yoga is created equal. There are some strenuous forms of yoga that are not suitable for pregnant women – including hot yoga. When done correctly, and in the proper environment, yoga can be extremely beneficial. Some benefits of prenatal yoga include: Improved sleep Reduced stress and anxiety Increased strength, flexibility and endurance Decreased lower back pain, and nausea And preparation of muscles for labor Prenatal yoga is so beneficial to the mother’s health that a study published in Prev Med even found a correlation between prenatal yoga and the reduction of hypertension-related complications. It can also improve the fetal outcome. Modifying Poses In order to prevent any strain on yourself or the baby, you will want to modify some of the yoga poses. Most prenatal yoga instructors are trained to know how/when to have you modify your poses. And many prenatal yoga classes only use poses that are suitable for women who are pregnant. If you are doing it home, you can always try to find some instructional videos on YouTube. But we still wanted to break down some of the things you want to avoid. It is best to avoid deep twisting exercises while pregnant. Twisting can cause undue stress on your spine which can cause pain. Try to avoid any stressful ab movements, as these can cause tension and pain in the lower back area. As your belly grows, you may want to avoid postures that have you putting weight on your belly. Oftentimes as your baby grows, there is pressure on your lower back, you don’t want to make it worse, so try to modify the poses to relieve the tension. Pregnant women in a gym. Girls diong yoga. Women working with a coach. Each trimester of your pregnancy brings new challenges. That is why many women choose to attend yoga classes for pregnant women. That way the instructor can help you modify your poses for your individual needs. Postpartum Yoga After you have given birth it can be tempting to jump right back into the old exercises or yoga you used to do. However, sometimes this can make things even worse. Most doctors will clear you for exercise at around 6 weeks postpartum, but this is often not enough time for your body to heal. Many women suffer from a postpartum condition called diastasis recti. This condition separates your abdomen muscles causing any sort of abdominal movements to be painful. The key to fixing diastasis recti is not to exercise them more. The key is to allow them to heal. Your abdomen muscles separated over the course of your entire pregnancy, it takes them more than 6 weeks to go back to normal. In order to avoid making the situation worse you will want to avoid certain yoga poses, and sometimes even every day movements. This can be incredibly difficult to do, but that is why Bellefit is here to help. Bellefit’s postpartum girdles are designed for women with diastasis recti. The girdles allow you to use your muscles in everyday situations without causing any stress. Simply bending down in the wrong way can cause problems, but postpartum girdles help your core to remain stabilized. This allows you to get back to doing the things you love while still recovering. We hope that this has been a helpful guide of why yoga for pregnant women is beneficial and how you can have a smoother, faster recovery.

Historically, women who become pregnant over the age of 35 were considered to have a “geriatric pregnancy.” This term has become outdated in recent years, due to the increase in education, technology, and pregnancy knowledge. Still, women are often concerned when it comes to pregnancy as you age. In this article, we want to break down some misconceptions and ease your worries a little about “geriatric pregnancies.” What is a Geriatric Pregnancy? According to Healthline, “In the medical world, a geriatric pregnancy is one that occurs anytime a woman is over the age of 35.” This phrase has fallen out of popularity among medical professionals, and a new one has taken its place. Today, the term “geriatric pregnancy” has become “advanced maternal age.” Studies have demonstrated that more women than ever before are having their first child between the ages of 35 and 39. And according to a study by the NCHS, first-time pregnancies in women over 40 have actually doubled in the last 40 years. This shift towards later pregnancies is likely due to the shift in social beliefs within the last 40 years. In recent years it has become more socially acceptable to wait to have children until you feel you are financially stable. In addition, many women choose to focus on their careers and wait to have children. The recent increase in technological abilities and knowledge of baby development has also helped women have safe and healthy pregnancies in their later years. Why is it considered a geriatric pregnancy? Fun fact about fertility, you are born with your entire lifetime supply of eggs. According to the Rogel Cancer Center, “Females are not capable of making new eggs, and in fact, there is a continuous decline in the total number of eggs each month.” It is because of this reason that women over the age of 35 have increased difficulty conceiving. According to a study published in Hum Reprod, women between the ages of 19-26 are at their highest fertility levels. Between the ages of 27 and 34 the likelihood of conceiving drops to 40%. Between the ages of 35-39 it drops to 30%. And by the time you reach 40-45 your fertility decreases by up to 95%. Don’t worry though, many healthcare professionals still believe that a healthy and safe pregnancy is possible. According to an article in Parents, “A woman who maintains a healthy weight, takes a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, manages medical conditions, doesn’t smoke, and keeps vaccinations up to date, has a better chance of conceiving a healthy baby, and having a healthy pregnancy.” Risks with a Geriatric Pregnancy As with any pregnancy, there are risks involved with having a child after age 35. This includes an increased risk of: Pre-eclampsia Gestational diabetes Cesearean Section Labor Complications Loss of Pregnancy Premature birth Low birth weight chromosomal defects in the baby (particularly Down Syndrome) Having multiples (twins) How to Combat the Risks In order to ensure you have a safe and healthy pregnancy it is essential that you speak with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to evaluate your individual condition and help you form a plan for a safe pregnancy. In general there are a few lifestyle changes that can help ensure you have a healthy pregnancy – no matter your age. Preconception/Fertility Appointment: This appointment helps you and your doctor evaluate and understand the risks involved in your pregnancy. In addition, you can formulate a plan to increase your risks of pregnancy, and other options in case those don’t work. Prenatal Care: Be sure to go to any and all doctor’s appointments that are scheduled. These frequent check-ups can help to catch any problems that might occur throughout your pregnancy. In addition, try to regularly take a prenatal vitamin to make sure your baby is getting the proper nutrition it needs. Eat Healthy: A well-rounded diet is essential during pregnancy. This ensures that you and your baby are getting all the necessary nutrients you need. Stay Active: Regular physical activity helps your body stay healthy and improves your overall health. No Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drugs: Avoid all risky substances during your pregnancy. And talk to your doctor about any medications you are currently taking. Recovering from an Advanced Maternal Age Pregnancy Postpartum recovery can be a long and hard journey for any woman. Due to many of the increased risk factors associated with a geriatric pregnancy, recovery can be even more difficult. Fully recovering from pregnancy and childbirth can take months, and this is on top of caring for a newborn. It can be frustrating to feel as though you are not recovering as fast as you want, but give your body a chance to rest. It just spent 40 weeks creating a new life, it will take more than a few days to recover. Even if all you can do is sleep, eat, and take care of your baby that is enough. Later when you begin to feel better it can be tempting to try and workout and shed the baby weight. Be patient. You may feel prepared, but sometimes it is not the best decision to jump right back in. Focus on eating healthy and drinking lots of water. Diet is just as important as exercise, and diet won’t accidentally hurt you in the process. For a faster recovery after a geriatric pregnancy, consider using a postpartum girdle. They are designed to support your abdomen after giving birth so that you can get back to feeling and looking your best. Bellefit postpartum girdles are perfect for any mom who wants to speed up her recovery time. For whatever pregnancy, labor, or postpartum journey you are on, Bellefit’s postpartum girdles are here to support you.

Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beautiful parts of motherhood. Sometimes, it can feel anything but. It can be incredibly difficult and hard on the mom if the baby is having a difficult time latching on. Don’t worry, we put together a little guide to help your baby latch on and get the nourishment they need. Preparing for Breastfeeding The best way to ease your pain and make sure your baby is being fed is to practice. Practicing is difficult when your baby hasn’t come yet, and you have no way of knowing if you are doing it “right.” In order to properly prepare to breastfeed, many women choose to take breastfeeding classes. These classes are facilitated by mothers and physicians who can help you learn the proper techniques and tricks to pain-free breastfeeding. In addition, once the baby has come, you can also hire a lactation consultant. There are often lactation consultants right in hospitals, so they are easily accessible for new moms. If you feel your baby is not latching properly after the first day or two, try contacting a lactation consultant. They will guide you and your baby through the process in a hands-on manner. What is Latching? Latching is the key for you and your baby. Your breasts produce milk on an “as-needed” basis. Essentially this means that the more your baby drinks, the more milk you will produce. If your baby does not get a good enough latch your body will not provide enough milk and then the baby won’t get enough food. With a proper latch your baby will get enough food, and you will produce enough milk. This ensures that the baby gets enough nourishment and that mom is not in pain. In order to get a good latch, it is essential that you know what latch means. When a baby latches it means that they are stimulating the milk glands enough that the milk is coming out. How do they do this? Through the suckling motion on the nipple and aereola. That’s right, they need to suckle on the areola and the nipple, not just the nipple. While the milk actually comes out of the nipple, the glands that produce milk are right under the areola. So if the baby is just sucking on the nipple nothing is going to come out. Think about it, why do the areolas get so dark when you move closer to your due date? It’s because baby’s are not born knowing how to breastfeed. Biology designed your areolas are a visual cue (like a bullseye) so your baby will know to close their mouth around the entire area and not just the nipple. Signs Baby Isn’t Latching Correctly So how exactly do you know that the baby has latched on to the nipple and the areola? A proper latch has the baby’s chin and nose touching your breast. Your baby will also have their lips around your entire areola instead of just the nipple. Once the baby has found a good latch they will begin the suck, swallow, breathe rhythm naturally. If you feel nipple pain it is likely because your baby is chewing on your nipple. In addition, if you hear soft “clicking noises” your baby is likely sucking in air from your nipple. Essentially, according to What to Expect “If your baby is fussing, chewing, rooting and gaping, turning red, or making clicking sounds, chances baby’s getting a mouthful of boob and air instead of milk.” How to Get Baby to Latch If you are having trouble getting the baby to latch onto the entire areola, make sure to re-latch the baby. Don’t just allow them to suckle on the nipple alone. Not only will this frustrate them, but this can cause you pain in the end. To get the baby to relatch stick your finger in the corner of their mouth to release the air pressure. This will cause your baby to let go, so you can try guiding them again. In order to get your baby to latch you will need to: Position your baby in a good nursing position Hold your breast with your thumb above your areola and your pointer-finger at the bottom of your areola Squish the breast a little to make sure it is puckered for them to grasp Bring your baby’s face towards your breast, and rub your nipple against their mouth Once they widely open their mouth gently guide your breast into their mouth If they do not get it the first time, detach them and relatch them until they can get a good latch. Tips to Help with Latching Latching is essential, but it can be difficult for some baby’s to get the hang of it. The proper position is a great way to aid your baby’s latching. Sometimes it is hard for them to understand what they are supposed to do, so making sure they understand the task at hand by creating the proper position is a great tip. You want to make sure you and your baby are comfortable at all times during the breastfeeding process. One of the most comfortable ways to do this is with a breastfeeding pillow. These pillows are donut shaped and are designed to go around your stomach. You lay the baby on the pillow and it props their head up towards your breast. This makes it super comfortable and easy for both mom and baby. Another great way to ensure a smooth breastfeeding process is with a nursing bra. Nursing bras are an easy way to stay supported and make sure your baby has easy access when hungry. The fabric that holds your breast in place can be clipped up to support your breasts. Or it can be clipped down so your nipple and areola are visible. Your Postpartum Body You went through a lot of changes while pregnant, and unfortunately those changes aren’t done just yet. Along with breastfeeding can come breast tenderness, as well as muscle aches in your back, wrists, and shoulders. These can all be helped with a little attention to your posture and positioning while feeding. You can also ease back pain and abdominal pain with a Bellefit postpartum girdle. These compression garments help ease pain by creating a light compression that lessens any pain. When you use a postpartum girdle you not only help pain, but you can get back to feeling your confident self once again. We hope this has been helpful for you to learn how to get a baby to latch.

Preparing for the birth of your new child takes time, and that is what maternity leave is for. So while maternity leave is essential to your well-being, and your baby’s, it can be hard to know what to do. You have a limited amount of time and it can be overwhelming the amount of stuff you have to do. We put together a list of 9 maternity leave activities that will help you prepare, and enjoy your time with your new baby. What is Maternity leave? Maternity Leave is essentially a vacation period that you can take to prepare and enjoy time with your newborn. According to American Pregnancy Association, “Maternity leave is usually created from a variety of benefits that include sick leave, vacation, holiday time, personal days, short-term disability and unpaid family leave time.” Maternity leave ensures that the mother is adequately prepared and financially stable for when the baby comes. It also gives time for the mother and child to bond and allows the mom time to recover after giving birth. There are a variety of things that influence the amount of time you have for maternity leave, but the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected maternity leave. There are a few requirements for you to be considered “eligible” for this leave, but many people qualify. Therefore, the typical amount of time for maternity leave (in the United States) is about 12 weeks. When to Take Maternity Leave? It is your personal preference when you decide to take maternity leave. Some women decide to take 4 weeks off before their due date so they have time to prepare for their new baby. Other moms choose to wait until the last possible minute so they can have all their time off with their new baby. So, when you decide to take maternity leave is really up to you. It is a good idea to involve your partner in the decision as well. That way you can both determine a good amount of time to be off and enjoying your new baby together. Financial constraints may also play a role in your decision, but in the end, it is all about your personal preference. What to Do During Maternity Leave So whether you decide to take your maternity leave early, or later, we put together a little list of nine things you can do during your maternity leave. Before Baby Comes There are a few things you can do during your maternity leave that will make life after giving birth a little easier. Organize your Leave from Work Maternity leave is long, and this lengthy departure from work can leave your co-workers and boss scrambling to pick up the slack. It is important that you form a plan with your boss and co-workers so everyone can be on top of your job duties. If you have a good plan in place, when you eventually come back, you can pick up right where you left off. Contact Health Insurance Maternity leave is semi-complicated when it comes to time off and what you qualify for and what you can take. You are going to want to sit down with your Human Resource manager to figure out what you can take. In addition you may want to contact your health insurance provider to make sure you know exactly what is covered in your plan. Food Prep Before Baby There are a bunch of things you will have to worry about after you give birth. Make sure that preparing food isn’t one of them. There are plenty of recipes and great food prep tips that will make food prep quick and easy. Check out this article for more information on why food prepping before the baby arrives is a great idea. Test Out the Gear For some reason, it always seems like baby carriers, seats, and strollers are way more complicated than they need to be. There are dozens of straps, clips, and velcro that it can be difficult to understand what goes where. Before the baby comes, it is a great idea to test out the new gear. That way when the baby does come you won’t be hopelessly confused on how to get the baby carrier out of the car. Arrange Some Help Those first few weeks back from the hospital can be overwhelming. All the time spent feeding, doing laundry, and finding time for yourself can be overwhelming. And while you may not want to be away from your new baby for even a minute, you will need to step away at some point. That’s where you will need some help, maybe it is only a couple hours, or even a couple minutes, but having someone you can rely on to help is essential. Whether that be your partner, a parent, a friend, or even a babysitter. Once Baby Comes Once the baby comes, you will want to take full advantage of the time you have with them. Here are a few ideas to keep you sane, and enjoy time with your new baby. Set Aside “Me Time” Once the baby comes, your time will be consumed with feeding, playing, sleeping, and occupying your baby’s attention. A great way to prevent becoming overwhelmed is to set aside some me-time. This doesn’t mean you have to leave the house, or spend money. You can simply take a long bath while the baby is asleep. Or read a book you have been meaning to get to. Whatever makes you happy and allows you to relax for a short amount of time. Join Mommy Groups Another great way to occupy your time, and make the most of your maternity leave, is with a mommy group. These groups are found in your area and are designed to bring together new-moms and their children. These groups can be instructional – such as learning to breastfeed. Some can be fun – such as “mommy and me music time”. These groups provide a great opportunity for you to connect with your new baby, and also find some new friends. Take Pictures As anyone with a child will tell you, “time flies”. Make sure you can capture the small moments and growth by taking lots and lots of pictures. A great way to announce the birth of your child is through professional newborn photos. Not only are they a great keepsake, but you can show off your beautiful baby to your friends and family. Get Out Everyone knows if you are inside for an extended period of time that you can go a little stir-crazy. Couple that with the fact that your only companion is a baby, it’s no wonder that mothers enjoy time outside. A great way to exercise and escape your house is by walking the neighborhood with your baby. Not only will this help you get back into shape, but it is a great way for your baby to get some stimulation. Postpartum Recovery Maternity leave is not only about spending time with your baby, but making sure you have a good postpartum recovery. After spending hours in labor with little rest, and the sudden transitions your body has to endure, you can be left feeling sore, fatigued, and weak. Postpartum recovery is a journey, and you don’t want to have a long and painful one. That is where Bellefit comes in. Bellefit makes the best postpartum recovery garments to experience your postpartum life with less pain. We have everything you would need for your postpartum journey – girdles, compression leggings, nursing bras, etc. We want to make sure your postpartum journey is the easiest part of your pregnancy experience. Shop all of our garments today, and get back to feeling your most confident and strongest self. We hope this has given you a few ideas of what to do during your maternity leave. If you have any more suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.