cotton on

I was one of those new moms who feels overwhelmed with all the stuff I need to buy once baby arrives. There are so much products in the market that you get confused what to buy for baby as well as you as a new mom. I am guilty for accumulating items in the house that I though I would need or baby would need but it end up neglected and never been used.

So now, being a mom of three, I can share with you 10 Recommended Items for New Moms That Are Worth Buying. I have been using these items with my 3 kids and I highly recommend them. And I have to mention that these products are not sponsored. I just happen to love them and save new moms the trouble of buying too much useless items.

ADEN + ANAIS SWADDLE

When I was still pregnancy withy first-born, my good friend living in the US and Naj’s godmother sent me a package filled of wonderful baby stuff which I have to say I been using the products up to my 3rd son. One of the items there is the Aden + Anais Swaddle. They are amazing! My first two sons doesn’t like to swaddle but I got to use these cloths in many ways. Though, I would usually used these cloth for them to be wrapped in going home from the hospital.

Naj in Aden + Anais Swaddle Muslin

I used it to placed as a cover for my babies to lie down. The texture is so soft and comfortable. I can also use it as their bath towel to dry them up. I used it as burping cloths too. When we are out, I used it too as a nursing cover. It is breathable so it reduces the risk of overheating. They also come in cute patterns. Now, Zeke loves being swaddled. So I get to used it more often and I even got more patterns.

2. Baby K’Tan Carrier

Mommy carrying Zeke in the Baby K’Tan while holding Fynn

I love this carrier a lot! It is truly magical. I been using it with my 3 boys and they all love it. I prefer carriers than strollers so I gotten so much used out of this. I could never bear to throw this away. Being an advocate of attachment parenting and babywearing, I couldn’t emphasise how great this carrier is. I would attribute my sons ~~clinginess~~ closeness to me because of this one. Inside the Baby K’Tan, they sleep easily while we are on-the-go. They feel like they are still inside my womb, warm, safe and cozy. It looks great in clothes that it almost look like part of your wardrobe ensemble. It can also strategically cover my flabby arms and hide a bit of my postpartum belly. It is also perfect for breastfeeding. It can act as breastfeeding cover as well.

with baby Naj during a Breastfeeding Group Gathering

3. MEDELA FREESTYLE BREASTPUMP

I am an advocate of breastfeeding. I love the benefits of breastfeeding to my little ones. Once I was back at work, I need to pump milk for them. I had several breastpumps. I currently have two breastpumps but if I get to choose one, it would be the Medela Freestyle Breastpump. I like that it is very handy. I used it anywhere on-the-go, even in bus stops, grocery, buses, trains, etc. I can pump while eating my lunch, watching videos on my phone and reading a book. It is not loud and not heavy. It can effectively empty my breast from milk. I do used the Spectra M1 Breastpump which is not expensive and very strong to effectively empty the breasts. However, if I get to choose only one, it would still be the Medela Freestyle. I think it is a good investment.

4. Peep & Drink Nursing Cover

While we are still in the subject of breastfeeding, I found the perfect nursing cover. I have used several nursing covers before and I find that this is the best one. I like that it has a wire in the neck area so you can see your baby and your baby won’t feel suffocated. It has an adjustable neckline too. I find the tie-back feature to be a bit troublesome so I cut both ends so I can tie back on my own instead of the loop feature. It comes in different fun patterns.

6. PUMPEASE HANDSFREE PUMPING BRA

Since I am a working breastfeeding momma, I need a handsfree pumping bra to use during my lunch time pumping session. I need to pump milk while eating my lunch at the same time. I previously got a pumping bra that is a dual zipper in front but I found it too troublesome that I stopped using it. I am glad I found the PumpEase Handsfree Pumping Bra which makes pumping milk so easy and somehow, coincidentally, I can produce more milk using this pumping bra.

7. TULA CARRIER

Once baby gets to be too heavy for me to use the Baby K’Tan, we would often use a stroller or a more sturdy carrier. We have tried the Baby Bjorn before. We still have it. But I found the Tula Carrier to be one for us. I used Baby Bjorn only up to when Naj was 6 months old. The adjusting and putting on can be a hassle. However with the Tula Carrier, I have used it with Fynn way past 12 months of age. It was so easy to put on without needing anyones’ help. It is not painful for my back or shoulders. If you love to travel as a family, this is the best to bring along. My hubby and I managed to handle two young kids in our winter travel to Korea with me carrying Fynn in this Tula carrier instead of using a stroller.

8. BAMBOO BELLY BANDIT

Credit: www.epharmacy.com.au

After pregnancy, you are often put on a binder for your belly especially for caesarean mommies. They would often apply a cloth binder using bobby pins to help provide support and shrink back your belly size. But I have learned about the Bamboo Belly Bandit and I have been using it even with my first born. I love that it is comfortable. It is not itchy and provide great support for me. These are its claims and I can attest to it:

Helps shrink your belly, waist and hips
Helps you lose centimeters faster
Provides support while breast feeding
Recommended by Doctors
Accelerates healing
Supports back, legs and core muscles
Helps expedite fluids through your system
Provides comfort for C-section moms
Our exclusive Power Compress Core is your secret weapon
Latex free

9. SAFETY 1st BATH SLING

Credit: www.amazon.com

This is the bomb! My kids love bathing in this. It is so safe and it made me enjoy bathing my kids especially when I was a first-time mom. They can just sit there safely while I bathe my baby. I usually put the baby sling inside a baby tub. When they get a little older and bigger around 4-5 months, the sturdy baby sling would do. It is designed for quick drying to prevent mold and very durable. I been using the same one with my 3 kids. It has cushioned legs and side and very light weight that I can bring along during travel. It is also easy to store when not in use however it is not bendable.

10. COTTON ON BANDANA BIBS

Fynn with Mamu

Babies are drool-machines. We need bibs for them. I love Cotton On Baby cute take on bibs. I adore their stylish bandana bibs. They are not cumbersome and too large. They are very soft too. I like that it can function as a bibs but also makes my kids looks so fashionable and cool as well.

I hope my top 10 recommendations has been useful. Let me know if there are other items you would recommend for new mommies or parents as they embark in the exciting world of parenthood.

Having been pregnant 3x, I have learned some lessons along the way. One of it is not to buy maternity clothes or at least I would minimise spending too much on maternity wear. Maternity clothes can be expensive and it is sad to just stash it in the cabinet until you get pregnant again. Maybe one or two maternity leggings, pants & shorts would do and 1 nice maternity work or going out dress would be enough. It is best to save up the money for stuff that are more useful when baby comes.

So in my 2nd and 3rd pregnancy, I learned a few pregnancy hacks to avoid or minimise buying maternity wear. My goal is to buy clothes that I can still wear until I give birth. Here are my 5 Pregnancy Hacks on Avoiding Buying Maternity Clothes:

1. Buy Stretchy Clothes

Credit: www.extrapetite.com

Get regular stretchy clothes like spandex or knitted clothes to accommodate the growing bump. It would hug your hips to accentuate your lady shape but still showcase your beautiful bump. It wouldn’t make you look frumpy instead it would make you look sexy in spite of the additional weight in front. If you have problems with some flabs in the back portion, a nice long thin cardigan sweater can help that. I have gotten a few nice stretchy dresses at MDS and Tobi.

2. Get Empire-Cut Dresses

Credit: www. ebay.com

Empire-cut dresses are dresses that are cut below the bust. It looks cute but it gives a lot of room for my pregnant belly. Even after I give birth, I can still wear it like a nice baby-doll dress paired with a nice ballet flats or nude heels. I got a few empire-cut dresses from Korean Shop kiosks in mall basements or the kiosks stationed near MRT stations or bus interchange.

3. Get a One Size Larger Outfit

Credit: http://pinkpeonies.com/

I also adjust the size of the clothes I buy when I am pregnant. I buy one size bigger but I make sure that the shoulder and bust fits well so I would look like I borrowed my clothes from someone. So in some shops, I used to be an XS, I would get a S or in some shops, I am an M, I would get the L size. I would often shop at Cotton On, Temt or occasionally at Forever New.

4. Buy Maternity Tights and Pair with a Long Blouse or Tshirt

Credit: Kristin Cavallari

If there is one maternity item a pregnant mummy should buy, it would be a black maternity bamboo capri tights. I got mine from Bove by Spring Maternity. I love it! I even wear it even if I am not pregnant. It is even perfect when you are still trying the postpartum weight. Just make sure to buy a size smaller because it can stretched out.

During pregnancy, I wear it with my usual t-shirts from H&M or my long sleeves button-down shirts I got from Cotton On.

Credit: www.cardiganempire.com

5. Hike Up your Garterized Mid-Length Skirt on top of your belly and Tuck in your shirt or tie your blouse

Credit: www.pinkpeonies.com

This is a nice way to maximise your skirts with adjustable waist bands. I love how pregnant fashion bloggers does this style. Up to now at 36 weeks, I am still wearing my black stretchy bandage skirt from Cotton. I got a few flowing skirts with garter waist bands from Sixties.

Credit: http://www.sexymamamaternity.com

The great thing about these pregnancy hacks is that you can still wear the clothes after you give birth, which is also the same principle when I really have to buy maternity clothes. I would always ask myself: Can I still wear this postpartum? If it is a Yes, then it is my go-signal to purchase it. For maternity wear, I would recommend the online shop, Mayarya. I love their clothes! It is perfect for pregnancy, nursing wear and daily wear too. I love how fast and efficient their service is. Along with the package, they will send you a personalised message which is so sweet. For basic ones, you can find it at Bove by Spring Maternity. They have a store in Suntec City Mall. They also have their own online store or purchase through Zalora. I also love Milky Way wrap dresses. They would be great for pregnancy, nursing wear and as an office wear even if you are not pregnant. Win-win! If you want a slightly cheaper option, you can try shopping online at Jump Eat Cry. Their length however may be a bit long but petite size like me. Here is me, wearing one of their bestsellers:

Hope this has been helpful. Let me know if you have anything to add in the list.

Happy Pregnancy, Mummies!

10 RECOMMENDED ITEMS FOR NEW MOMS THAT ARE WORTH BUYING

5 PREGNANCY HACKS WITHOUT BUYING MATERNITY CLOTHES