LilSugar

Do You Still Believe in the Healing Power of Cocoa Butter?

LilSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:12 -0700

Lots of mothers swear by the benefits of slathering their growing bellies and boobs with cocoa butter. The ingredient is mixed into affordable balms and creams that women often purchase as a preventative measure upon finding out they are pregnant. But, new research suggests that cocoa butter lotions and potions have little to no benefit. One report said:

The largest study on the subject was published in 2008 by a team of dermatologists and obstetricians. It followed 175 women in their first pregnancies, some randomly assigned to apply a cocoa butter lotion each day and others assigned to use a placebo. Neither the subjects nor the researchers knew who was using which treatment. After many months, the researchers found no difference in the development or severity of marks, known medically as striae, over the abdomen, breasts or thighs.

The piece suggests Vitamin E as an effective alternative. What's your opinion?

Would You Buy Pregnancy Products by These Names?

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:53 -0800

You can't judge a book by its cover, but can you pick on a product line because of its name? LeastLikely2Breed sells a line of remedies ($6 - $18) for expectant and new mamas. From stretch mark potion to nipple salve and hemorrhoid ointment to vaginal jelly, there's even some diaper rash balm for baby. But the names of the products are another story. In your ninth month of pregnancy, would you find humor or insult in rubbing Whale Oil ($12) on your big belly?

Baby Bump: Kimberly Parry Belly Butter

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:00:15 -0800

A new mama's got much ado about stretch marks. Some let fate run its course, while others slather on potions and creams in hopes of avoiding (and fading) the inevitable. For the new mommy who is looking to keep her pregnancy chemical and stretch mark free, Kimberly Parry Organics Belly Butter will work to do just that. Made from organic oils (jojoba, coconut, and olive), as well as unfiltered beeswax, the emollient has a rich, nutty smell that will leave your belly moisturized all day long. At $34, keeping your bump organic is not cheap, but no one ever said it was easy being green.

Lil Mark: What's Your Favorite Belly Butter, Lotion or Potion?

LilSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:00:41 -0700

There are hundreds, if not thousands of different belly butters, cremes, salves and potions aimed at pregnant women's bellies on the market and every mother (or mother-to-be) seems to have her own favorite. I've shared my most trusted stretch mark cures in the past, but I'd love to know what type of other ointments or products you rubbed on your expectant belly.

You can share your picks by bookmarking them on TeamSugar. I'll do a recap next week of your suggestions.

Don't forget to tag your finds as "belly products."

geeksugar has written an explanation of how to bookmark items on TeamSugar if you need a helping hand. Still don't know where to start? To see some of my favorite online stores, read more.

Amazon
babystyle
Babies R Us
Etsy
The Flying Pram
Gap
Giggle
Gymboree
Layla Grayce
Modern Nursery
Modern Tots
NoMi
Right Start
Target
Vivre

Ecotot: Otopia

babysugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:00:45 -0800

If your ankles are swollen and your partner won't rub them, pamper yourself with the heavenly scented On the Go prenatal foot and leg reviver tonic. It's part of Otopia's line of organic bath and beauty products

Dedicated to expectant and new moms as well as babies, the natural products are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. Choose between prenatal and post natal lotions, stretch mark creams, and massage oils. For lil ones, there are creams, washes, oils and powder.

And to get baby clean as a whistle, try Baby Soft top to toe hair and body wash. The tear free formula is also nut free due to allergic reactions some lil ones have.

Otopia supports local suppliers by purchasing their organic raw ingredients so you're going beyond buying bath gel and helping out small businesses.

Baby Bump: Stretched Out by Stretch Marks

LilSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:00:08 -0800

I was two weeks overdue with my daughter, when I spotted a few shimmery streaks at the base of my swollen belly. Dead set on going into labor, I didn't pay much attention to them until after my little girl was born and my stomach began to deflate. Then, those couple of blemishes became a bit more noticeable.

While stretch lines are a mark of motherhood, there's nothing wrong with willing them away.

After having my son, I invested in a couple of creams. And, I was somewhat surprised when they made a difference.

While the flaws haven't been erased, they are camouflaged - a result of the products helping them fade with time.

Tummy Honey 3-Piece Gift Set ($60)

Mustela Stretch Marks Intensive Action ($39)

Palmer's Cocoa ButterMassage Cream ($6)

Source

Mamas-to-Be Have Your Back at The Pregnancy Posse

LilSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:32 -0800

Bump bellies with the best of 'em! Feel like talking fundal height, stretch mark prevention and the best bras to harness your ballooning boobs? Join The Pregnancy Posse over at the LilSugar Community where no topic is too personal! Offering tips for fathers-to-be like The Guy's Guide to the delivery room to big belly issues like botched circumcision, everyone is welcome to weigh in with their opinions! It's also a great place to meet up and gab with other women who are in the same stage of pregnancy!

Source: Flickr User jaaronfarr

The Gifted Mama: Presents For a Mother-to-Be

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00:07 -0800

It's hard to find anyone more deserving of pampering this holiday season than the expectant mother. Before she welcomes a babe into her arms, the bumpalicious lady will appreciate being gifted with these generous gifts.

A gift certificate to a prenatal massage will help mommy relax while giving the baby some motion in the amniotic ocean. Help the mommy keep her picture perfect tummy with the Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter. She'll be able to tell you all about her pregnancy but her stomach will have no signs of the nine months. Give her a head start on her postpartum meals with a gift certificate to a meal delivery service. She won't be able to thank you enough for the ability to sit back and eat instead of stewing over the stove. And if you're feeling really lavish, treat the pregnant lady to a digital Nikon camera. The photo quality is delicious and she can snap away at her new beauty all day long.

Which Body Part Changed Most Postpartum?

babysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:00:49 -0700

The human body is an amazing work of art, especially the female form that can stretch and shrink with the birth of a child. While many moms can get back to the prebaby weight or even work their way back to abs of steel, their postpartum bodies will never be the same. A herniated belly button, stretch-marked tummies, or wide hips may be the indicators of motherhood that mommy will never be able to change. Which body part changed most dramatically for you postpartum?

We want to hear your shocking, funny, embarrassing, and insightful pregnancy and motherhood stories. Join our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? group over in our LilSugar Community and share your tales and tips.

Flickr User chrisbastian44

They're Pregnant How Long?

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:30:05 -0700

Forty weeks of pregnancy can seem like a breeze, or a lifetime, depending on how you look at it. Enhanced cleavage, luxurious locks and having a seat on the bus can make an expectant mama wish for a few more weeks of gestation. Swollen ankles, stretch marks and the inability to eat her favorite foods may make a mom-to-be beg for an early arrival. Take our quiz and see just how long other mammals keep their buns in the oven to help appreciate the length of a human pregnancy.

Take the quiz