LilSugar

Postpartum C-Section Surprises

LilSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:00:18 -0700

Having a c-section isn't something most women wish for, but it doesn't have to be a scary experience. Going into the procedure with some knowledge of what to expect helps mamas-to-be prepare for their post-surgery experience. We've rounded up some of the biggest surprises women face after leaving the operating room.

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Tummy Tucking Belly Band Roundup

babysugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:00:00 -0700

If there were a magic pill new mommies could swallow to snap their postpartum tummies back into pre-pregnancy shape, the pharmacy lines would stretch a mile long. Without said miracle capsule, moms turn to belly shaping gadgets to help them trim down a tad faster than usual. Hey, if it worked for Rebecca Romijn, it might for me!

The Belly Bandit

Spanx

Tauts

Tauts Tightens Postpartum and Muffin Top Tummies

babysugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:51 -0700

The saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way" may work most instances in life. But when it comes to losing that baby weight, sometimes it takes more than desire. For some, it takes the magical belly wrap called Tauts. Created by celebmama Brooke Burke, the $56 neoprene band is available in black and white and has a lace option ($62) for women craving a sexier style.

How does it work? Similar to the Belly Bandit, Tauts is a tummy band with a Velcro closure that binds the stomach and reduces the size of the swollen uterus and helps limit water retention. In the meantime, it holds the bloated tummy in tight while helping to shed inches in a timely manner. For best results, the creators recommend wearing it for 40 days immediately after delivering the baby - cesareans included. And for mommies who had their babes years ago, there's still hope. It is said to work for anyone looking to cinch her waistline.

To see Brooke Burke perform a video demonstration, read more.

Belly Bandit Steals the Tummy Away

babysugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Many pregnant women are under the false pretense that once the baby exits the womb and enters the world, their tummy will snap back into place just as it was before the seed was planted. Unfortunately, the body doesn't exactly work that way. Many women leave the hospital smiling with a newborn, but frowning inside at the state of their postpartum flabby figure.

Unlike the outlaw type "bandit," the Belly Bandit comes to mama's rescue and holds her up with a belt instead of a gun. Three days after giving birth to my son, I slapped my black-and-leopard print reversible couture band ($56) around my thickened midsection and prayed the gizmo would work its magic. Upon seeing me, my mom exclaimed, "Will that work on me even if I didn't just have a baby?" Excited by my new and improved figure, I wore it religiously for the suggested six week minimum every night and day only taking it off for showers. There were times I wanted to rip it off to allow my body to breathe, but I held fast and stuck with the program and am glad I did.

I don't know if I can give all the credit to the Belly Bandit for losing my baby weight faster than the last time around, but I know I'd never brave postpartum life again without one!

Bringing Sexy Back: Belly Bandit

babysugar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:00:23 -0700

Leaving the maternity ward with a plump tummy and swollen ankles can make even the happiest of new mothers feeling a tad depressed. Most moms expect to exit the hospital feeling a tad more svelte as they shed an entire new body's worth of weight.

For those desperate to bounce back into a lean, mean mama machine, the Belly Bandit may be your best weapon. Eager mothers can use the compression wrap a day after delivery. The binding reduces swelling of the uterus and keeps the bloating from water retention to a minimum. Available in three different styles, Original ($40), Couture ($50), and Bamboo ($60), moms can adopt the stretchy Velcro bound wrap routine for six to eight weeks for tummy firming results.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Postpartum Supplies

LilSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:00:06 -0700

Stocking up for baby is similar to gathering supplies for an emergency kit, you never really know what's missing until disaster strikes.

Sure, people suggested I prepare while pregnant and I felt secure with my stack of onesies and tower of receiving blankets, but I completely forgot about myself. For all you moms-to-be, these were my three biggest mistakes. To see what they were, read more.

Pads - Having used tampons pretty much since I got my period, I never paid attention to the terms "dry weave," "with wings" and "overnights." But, bulk packs of those products are what saved my postpartum pants. And, "ultra thins" are the way new moms can go out without feeling like they are the one wearing diapers.
Electric Breast Pump - In an instant, I was Dolly Parton and the $50 manual pump I bought on the advice of a male employee at Target didn't do the trick. After sopping the milk up with washcloths, then hand towels - neither of which helped a bit, my husband went out and threw down $300 for the best electric pump he could find. And, I waited at home on the couch wrapped in a soaked over-sized bath-towel bewildered by my body.
Food - When we brought home our daughter, all I had in the cabinet was two dozen baby bottles and a big ole bag of hard coffee candies. When a hunger pang hit, I ate a couple handfuls and then practically hallucinated for the rest of the day. An empty stomach, caffeine and sleep deprivation are a frightening mix. Later, my aunt brought over enchiladas which balanced things out. Definitely do a big shop close to your delivery date or allow friends and relatives to bring you homemade food or take-out.

Luckily, I learned from my errors. When we arrived home from the hospital with our son, things ran rather smoothly!

Do you have any items to add to this list?

Kourtney Kardashian Already Prepping Her Belly Bandit

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:05 -0800

Kourtney Kardashian isn't due until December, but she's already planning how she will get her body back and lose the 30 pounds she's gained during pregnancy. Life & Style reports the tiny reality star is already a fan of the Belly Bandit, a beloved "abdominal compression binder" designed to shrink the stomach after delivery. In fact, Kourtney, who has kept up her exercise regime throughout her pregnancy, is even lending her name to a forthcoming limited edition Belly Bandit.

She told the magazine:

All my friends with kids swear by it and say it’s the product that will get me back to pre-baby shape...It may be hard to do abdominal exercises right after I have the baby, so I’m depending on Belly Bandit to help give me the abdominal and back support I need so I’m ready to exercise as soon as my doctor gives me the okay.

Many pregnant women think that once they give birth, their tummy will snap back into place, so I appreciate Kourtney understands she might need a secret shaper for a while. BabySugar wore her Belly Bandit religiously for the suggested six-week minimum after she gave birth (and looked fabulous!) and can't stop raving about it. Did the Belly Bandit make your postpartum supplies list?

Ecotot: Earth Mama Labor Ease

LilSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Lots of mamas seek out natural remedies to aid with childbirth. From herbal teas to essential oils, every woman has her own stash of products that induce comfort and calm during the craziness that surrounds labor. For those without the time to run from store to store stocking up on supplies, Earth Mama Angel Baby puts a handful of organic items at your fingertips with their Labor Ease ($40) kit. The box includes basics like lip balm, socks that can be warmed and used as heating pads and stretch oil for perineal massage to help prevent episiotomies. It also contains a CD of lullabies and tea bags featuring a blend of leaves that are said to aid the body in recovering from delivery.

For those mommas who want an all natural, organic kit for other than the postpartum times that their bodies feel out of sorts, recovery sets (including a balm to help with hemorrhoids) and a breastfeeding set complete with "Bobby Tubes" that can be frozen or heated to soothe various discomforts are available.

Lil Tip: Foods for Breastfeeding New Moms

LilSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:00:07 -0700

Bringing food over to a new family is a time honored tradition for some people. Unfortunately, the classic comfort foods that transport well - macaroni and cheese, casseroles and lasagnas - aren't always the most healthy. So if you plan to gift a dish when you go visit a new delivery, why not make a homemade version that is just as hearty, but more healthful? To see some suggestions, read more.

Simply swapping out regular pasta noodles for whole wheat ones or adding a few handfuls of fresh veggies will help a postpartum mom keep her strength up and supply her baby with vital nutrients while breastfeeding. Other ingredients to consider are fresh fruit, whole grains, and lean proteins. And, ideally you should cook with unprocessed fresh foods. Since new mamas eat when babe allows, a pot of soup or stew that can be heated quickly in individual portions is a great option, as is a crudités platter for midday munching.

What is your favorite postpartum recipe?
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