There isn’t a specific way to do it – no rules, no constraints. Some parents-to-be ask their technician to keep the secret, opting to carry a sealed envelope containing the information from the ultrasound to their favorite bakery. The baker opens the envelope and secretly creates a special cupcake filled with either pink or blue cream – a surprise to even the parents.

Other couples prefer to know ahead of time and the color found inside the cake is only a surprise to the guests at the party.

If you want to make the cupcakes yourself, it isn’t hard. Just bake your favorite chocolate or vanilla cupcakes (either from a mix or from scratch). Let them cool completely and then cut out some of the cake in the middle – just enough to leave a space for a filling.

Tint non-dairy topping either pink or blue, depending on the sex of your baby. You can also use vanilla pudding but it will not give you the clear color that the non-dairy topping will.

Cover the filled cupcake with your favorite chocolate or vanilla frosting so that the colored filling is completely hidden. Decorate the treats with pastel sprinkles in both pink and blue so that no one knows what color lies within until that very first bite.

photo credit: Theresa Iovcheva

In recent years, more and more celebrities are coming out and discussing their battles with this sometimes debilitating disease. Courtney Cox, Amanda Peet and Brooke Shields – all of which have experienced varying levels of PPD following the birth of their children have all opened up about postpartum depression and it’s paralyzing affects.

Gwyneth Paltrow sat down recently with Amanda de Cadanet for a new Lifetime series The Conversations with Amanda de Cadanet to discuss her battle with postpartum depression – a fact not unknown to the general public since releasing the news as a part of her GOOP newsletter back in 2010.

During the conversation, Gwyneth shared that she felt very disconnected from everyone following the birth of her son Moses in in 2006. ”I just didn’t know what was wrong with me. I couldn’t figure it out. It never occurred to me,” remarked Paltrow, when discussing her realization that she might be dealing with postpartum depression. It was her husband, Chris Martin, who brought it to her attention that it might, in fact, be PPD.

When when she looked up the symptoms of the condition (see below), she realized that it was in fact the condition she was dealing with. “I couldn’t connect with my son the way that I had with my daughter and I couldn’t understand why. I couldn’t connect to anyone. I felt like a zombie. I felt very detached.”

What I found most encouraging about this interview was what she had to say regarding the stigma and the judgement attached to things like postpartum depression and motherhood in general:

“We think that it makes us bad mothers or we didn’t do it right, but it’s like, we’re all in this together,” Paltrow said. “I never understand why mothers judge other mothers, like, ‘What do you mean you didn’t breastfeed? What do you mean you didn’t do this?’ It’s like, ‘Can’t we all just be on each other’s side?’ It’s so hard anyway. Can’t we all help each other get through it?”

I am so encouraged that celebrities are using their voices to open the discussion on important topics such as these. This, my friends, is what we should focus on when we hear and see friends going through the months following the birth’s of their children because it is not an easy time. We know when they are struggling – we see the signs – and when we do, we should offer them an olive branch, not a bunch of judgement.

Do not make it harder on them by making them feel bad about not choosing to breastfeed or for struggling to make it through the day with their newborn. Offer to babysit while they take a shower and have some time to themselves.

Offer them a listening ear and let them know that the parenting path they take is ok because it’s the right one for them. Make them feel normal for feeling overwhelmed at times. Perfection in parenting is not reality and we need to allow mothers the comfort of knowing, living and finding peace with that. Sometimes, it’s ok to be good enough.

Additionally, if you or a friend is experiencing what you think is PPD, work together to get help. Below are the signs and symptoms of this sometimes debilitating condition – it should not be ignored. PPD often requires therapy and medical intervention to remedy, along with emotional support from family and friends.

The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression according to the Mayo Clinic website:

Postpartum depression symptoms
Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Intense irritability and anger
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• Lack of joy in life
• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Severe mood swing
• Difficulty bonding with the baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for a year or more.

If you or someone you love is showing active signs of PPD, please be proactive in pursuing help so all involved can work towards getting back to a sense of happiness and normalcy sooner rather than later. This isn’t a journey that should be taken alone.

Photo: PR Photos

Quote Source: OTRC

If you guessed pregnant feet that swell like giant balloons, you’d be right.

With my first pregnancy, I was due in May and couldn’t even get my feet in Birkenstocks (Crocs didn’t exist back then)! It was terrible. With my second pregnancy, I was due in February and was far better about doing the things I needed to do to keep the swelling down. Thank heavens my doctor was so fabulous about pounding it into my brain.

Here’s what she told me.

Keep Your Feet Up: This is the perfect excuse for chillaxing as far as I’m concerned. Lay back and put your feet up. Even if you can just elevate your feet for 20 minutes, twice per day, it will make a huge difference. If you work in an office where you’re sitting most of the day, get up and walk around for those twenty minutes, twice per day … it will help get the blood flowing again.

Ditch the Heels: I know you love your heels … and the summer wedges that are out are so darn cute … but flats are the way to go. Not only will flats keep your feet comfortable and give you feet plenty of room to move, they will also help you keep sure-footing. Nothing is worse than slipping while you’re big and pregnant.

Drink Like a Fish: Water, that is. Hydration is crucial and you should be drinking eight to ten glasses each day. It seems like a lot and you’ll probably have to go pee about a hundred times, but it will help flush the toxins from your body and minimize the swelling.

photo credit: bark

Let’s talk about what’s left to get done.

Choose the Name: Maybe you’ve always known what you’d name the baby; maybe you’re still trying to figure out the perfect moniker. Or, maybe you’re like us and you’re going to let someone else choose your baby’s name. At any rate, you might want to have at least several names you like picked out … you don’t have to make your “for sure” decision until after the baby is born.

Install the Car Seat: Don’t be fooled into thinking that these are ultra-easy to install because they’re anything but! Car seats now come with more straps and buckles than I ever thought possible, so you need time to get them installed. When in doubt, visit a local police station or AAA site and let the experts install it for you.

Start Your Exit at Work: Some women work right up until the day they give birth; others want a week or so off before the big day. Start handing off your work to whomever will be covering your post while you’re out; you want to make sure they have plenty of time to ask questions of you before you are no longer available!

Date Your Partner: Here’s the deal … you’re not going to have a lot of time for dates when the baby first arrives. And even though you’ll have lots of offers for babysitting, it doesn’t mean you’ll want to leave that new baby with anyone else (including grandma)! When you do finally get out on a date, don’t be surprised if you spend the majority of the time talking about the baby … it’s just something you fall into. So, go on a date now while you still can!

photo credit: koadmunkee

So, what do you need to get done during this trimester?

Begin a Registry: When I registered for our first daughter, I went from feeling totally greedy every time I zapped a bar code to feeling very Charlie’s Angles, whipping that scanning gun around and beeping things from down the aisle. It was tons of fun.

And yes, I went back and deleted a bunch of stuff after I went home and had a chance to really think about what I had registered for, but that part didn’t take much time at all. Start your registry now; you’ll change your mind plenty in the next six months.

Tell the Boss: If you haven’t already shared the news, now is the time to bring it up. Your boss will likely want to know if you plan to return to work after the baby is born (even if they don’t come right out and ask the question) so have a plan in place before you have the conversation. If you think you might want to explore a flexible work schedule or a work-at-home option, now is the time to start talking about it.

Buy Some Maternity Swag: Or clothes, however you look at it. Maternity clothes are a right of passage … and only once your bump gets big enough can you really fill them out. There’s lots of stores to shop at, but a few of my favorites that carry both cute and inexpensive clothes are Old Navy and H&M. Remember, you’ll only wear this stuff for a short amount of time so there’s no reason to spend a fortune.

Start on the Nursery: It may take a while for you to get the nursery together. Now is a good time to start. And if you have the inclination, now is also a good time to clean out the house in general. You won’t have time once the baby arrives, so start throwing away things you don’t want/use/need now. Trust me, your house will be overrun with baby gear and toys in no time flat.

photo credit: moon_child

But in the sense of feeling overwhelmed, there’s no need; you’ve got plenty of time. And if you just can’t fight the urge to spring in to action, here’s 5 things you should do in your first trimester.

Go See Your Doctor: In most cases, your doctor will want you to come in at the eight week mark. A variety of tests will be performed at that time and your doctor may use the ultrasound machine to look for the heartbeat and to confirm the number of fetuses that you’re carrying.

Sleep, Eat, and Sleep: Your doctor will tell you that you don’t need a ton of extra calories right now, but what you do need is plenty of sleep. Being completely exhausted is totally normal. Don’t fight it; rest up. And if you’re dealing with sickness of any sort, know that it will go away (eventually). In the meantime, try ginger candy, saltines, and mint chewing gum to help ease the symptoms.

Take a Health Check: If you smoke, now is the time to quit. Drinking is another thing that needs to be curbed. Pump up the vitamins and eat well. Nutrition is crucial to your developing baby.

Let the Control Go: For the most part, being a control freak is just part of our womanly nature. However, once you have kids, controlling much of anything is pretty much not happening. Particularly when it comes to schedules and such. Now is a good time to practice letting the small things go and easing up on your agenda.

Start Thinking About Childcare: Whether you’ll stay home or go back to work, you need to consider childcare. It’s not feasible to think that you will be able to take your baby with you wherever you go, so if you’re staying home, you’ll want a few sitters lined up. If you’re going back to work, you need to think about choosing childcare, because it’s not always easy to find.

photo credit: clear blue easy

So, I have never had the pleasure of going into labor on my own. It didn’t really matter because I don’t really know the difference.

Since giving birth those years ago, I have spoken with a lot of women and I am convinced that there are quite a few significant differences between having an induced labor and going into labor naturally.

From my own personal experience, I can tell you that the day of my inducements started with being given a steady flow of Pitocin. Both times, I arrived at the hospital already dilated 4 centimeters. Both times, I was hopeful that my labor would progress quickly. Instead, since my body was not ready and going into labor naturally, it fought the inducement.

The first couple of hours I laid there watching bad television, bored out of my mind.  Then the doctor came in to check me and broke my water. Labor slowly got harder. During the whole time, Pitocin was being steadily amped up.

About 6 hours into my first labor, my labor pains went from tolerable menstruation like cramps to very painful and overwhelming take your breath away contractions.

Unfortunately for me, this was when I begged for the anesthesiologist to give me the epidural. He was in surgery. I had to wait for him to be available. The pain was unbearable. I could not breathe and I was doubled over in excruciating pain.

What I didn’t realize then, which I know now, is that induced labor is much more painful than going into labor naturally because you are forcing something to happen that your body is not ready to have happen. It’s like walking up to someone and beating them over the head with a club while they were watching TV and had absolutely no idea who you were or why you are beating them. It’s an assault against the nature of what your body is expecting.

By the time the anesthesiologist reached my room and got the epidural into my back, I laid back, the nurse checked me and I was at 10 centimeters dilated and had effectively experienced my entire transition labor unmedicated. The nurse told me that I could push and that they didn’t need to give me the epidural medication.

My doctor wasn’t there and I needed relief. I pleaded with them to give me the relief of the epidural. They obliged and only turned the epidural up to about half dose to help subdue the mind numbing pain until my doctor could arrive and I could push.

After my first child was born, I was not sure that I would ever be able to give birth again. I was terrified of the pain. But I did do it again, and again I was induced, and now I am convinced that having your labor induced is one of the most painful experiences that a woman can ever endure.

If I were ever to have the opportunity to give birth again, I would definitely choose to go into labor naturally. I am only speculating but I am convinced that natural labor has to be less painful then being induced.

Were you induced or did you go into labor naturally? Have you done both? If so, which was less painful?

Photo Source: DHGoodMan

We didn’t come to co-sleeping as a plan or by way of drawing a line in the parenting sand. We came to co-sleeping because our first-born would always fall asleep when I nursed her (on me). I would try to put her into her bassinet but as soon as she was removed from my warm body or from her place in bed next to me and laid on the cool sheets, she would wake up and cry.

Like any mother, I picked her up and got her back to sleep and again I’d try to place her in her bed and she would startle awake. It made more sense for us to leave her in the bed with us. I realize that it may sound like lazy parenting to just give in but I wasn’t built for letting her cry herself back to sleep and I really didn’t mind sharing our bed with her.

In case you have never co-slept, let me assure you that I have never slept soundly since my children have been in my bed. Yes, there is comfort knowing they are safely lying by my side and the random midnight cuddles are priceless but the days of sleeping like a rock are long gone.

I think the only way a parent who co-sleeps could ever sleep like a rock  (because it is your natural instinct to stay safely away from the baby) is if you were to consume alcohol or take a sleeping pill. You just can’t sleep at 100% when you are aware of every single breath that your baby is making. Your Mommy senses go onto hyper alert.

I can say that in those first few months, sleep was not the sleep that people without children experience. No, my sleep was half-awake, hearing every single noise, breath, fart of the night, being uber aware of any motion in the entire house and the yard, pseudo conscious delirium…at best. I was terrified that I’d roll on top of my sweet co-sleeper and smother her. I know you were all thinking it.

So, in those first few months I never really got any sleep of any benefit. What I did get was a crazy tight bond. You know, the bond you get from breastfeeding? When you co-sleep, for me, the bond is that times two. There is something magical and reassuring about waking up and looking over and seeing that little face so peaceful in the middle of the night.

The smell of a little next to you, the feel of little gangling arms and legs, surprise hugs and kisses, even the occasional head bunt, reassuring karate chop and rogue face punch have become endearing to me. By bed-sharing when my little one wakes in the middle of the night, they put a hand out to find me or the Big Guy and they are reassured and go back to sleep. There is something to be said for being within arms reach.

Now, most of the cases that I have read where a child has been hurt while co-sleeping have been in instances when the parent was either intoxicated, has taken drugs (prescription or otherwise) or did not know that the wee little one had been placed in the bed in the first place.

Co-sleeping can and should be done safely. This means following a few simple rules.

• No consumption of alcoholic beverages, sleeping pills or any medication that has sedating effects.
• Make sure that there are no gaps between the mattress and the bed frame in which the baby can fall and suffocate or get injured.
• Just like in a crib, be sure that there is not a bunch of blankets and comforters for the baby to get wrapped up in and smothered by.
• Co-sleeping should be done in a queen or king size bed; anything smaller is putting all the bodies in the bed too close to one another. Babies need space to sleep safely.
• ALWAYS place baby on his back to sleep.
• If you want the co-sleeping experience without the fear of rolling on top of your baby, I suggest a side-by-side co-sleeper that attaches to the side of the bed and only has 3 raised sides; the fourth side is flush with the bed.
• NEVER place a newborn in a bed to co-sleep with a parent who is already in a deep sleep and has no idea that the baby is even in the bed. This will not lead to a good outcome. We can’t be careful with a child who we don’t even know is in the bed with us.

These simple rules can help you enjoy co-sleeping safely.

Did you co-sleep with your children? Why did you choose or decide against co-sleeping?

Photo Source: Deborah Cruz

I felt like a bad mother and like I had failed my perfect little baby in some very profound way.

It was a struggle from the first time I took my baby home. My milk hadn’t come in yet and it was my first child. I had no experience with breastfeeding so I just assumed that when she stayed on my breast, almost non-stop, for 24 hours that this was normal.

I would feed her and then she would cry for more. By the next morning, we were both crying and I took her back to the hospital maternity ward, where they had instructed me to bring her.

She was 4 days old and I was not making any milk yet. My baby was starving and to make matters worse, she had developed jaundice due to me not producing milk. Apparently, had I produced enough milk, she would have been able to drink and flush her system adequately. They gave me the news. I had a minor breakdown in the hallway of the maternity ward at Takoma Adventist Hospital.

The range of emotions that went through my already hormonal and exhausted mind was all over the place. In the end, I was sent home with a Bili light and a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS).

The supplemental nursing system was absolutely as cumbersome as you might expect. Mostly, I remember going home and feeling like a complete failure and, worse, like I had hurt my perfect newborn baby.

I continued breastfeeding from then on with the aid of my SNS. In case you are not familiar with exactly what using an SNS entails, let me share with you. My SNS was a small plastic rectangular shaped bottle that held formula; one end had a small rope attached to hang around my neck. I remember it feeling like a tiny noose, reminding me constantly what an utter failure I was at breastfeeding.

Attached to the other end, was a cap and regulator with a very tiny silicone tube. The tube ran from the dispensing end of the SNS system to my nipple. This tube was my baby’s lifeline. The little plastic container provided what I could not, sustenance to my baby. The tube had to be taped down on the topside of my breast to keep it out of the baby’s face and taped right above my nipple, to keep it in place. Think gerbil water dispenser but with formula and attached to my breast.

I felt like Frankenboob. In between each feeding, which was every hour and a half, meaning I had about 15 minutes between when she finished feeding and when she would be ready to eat again to rush to sterilize the SNS system. I cried a lot in those days.

The point of the SNS was to aid me. The theory was that I would give her a little formula, enough to get her interested and suckling on my breast. This was in turn supposed to stimulate production within my own breast. It did not work.

I gladly did this for three months. I tried everything the nurse told me to help produce more milk; I had a beer, I tried to relax, I was popping Fenugreek like it was tic tacs, pumping and drinking mother’s milk tea. Nothing worked for me. Still, I felt more and more like a loser.

I would never trade those few months of snuggling my baby close into my breast and feeding her, however little it was. The bond was incredible and I like to believe that even with my mere three months, I truly did try.

I realize in hindsight, that there was a lot I didn’t know about breastfeeding and maybe more I could have done, though I still don’t know what that might have been. I know now, too, that being induced and having an epidural can both be counterproductive and make breastfeeding more difficult.

I wish someone had told me this before I was induced. Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural thing; I only wish that society didn’t condition those of us who had difficulties breastfeeding to feel like such failures.

Did you breastfeed? What advice would you give a mom-to-be to help prepare her for breastfeeding?

Photo Source: The Natural Way

Get a haircut

Head to the salon and get those locks trimmed up because when baby arrives, a free hour will be hard to come by. So splurge a little by going to a salon that offers a scalp and neck massage for a bit of additional indulgence.

You’ll be thankful that you took the time now to get a cut so when you do have a free hour to pop out with your honey for a quick bite to eat without baby, you’ll still look put together. Just don’t forget to change the shirt with the spit up on it.

Mani Pedi

A manicure and pedicure is a nice indulgence to take with your favorite good book. Head for some quiet time in your own head while getting beautiful – it will be a rarity in those first few months of newborn life, so enjoy the clarity of thought now.

Lunch with Your Girlfriends

You may still have lunch with the girlfriends when your little one comes along, but it’s a different dynamic when you have a diaper bag and infant carrier to tote around with you. Your focus and attention isn’t quite what it used to be and you don’t get to savor that fantastic meal from your favorite local lunch spot like you once did.

Make some time for an extra long date with your favorite girlfriends for an uninterrupted chat fest that doesn’t include baby talk. You’ll thank me later.

Go to the Movies

This may seem silly – but it becomes a rarity when the kids come along. You never realize how easy it was to just pick up and head to the movies prior to having that first child. So, do it a few times before you have to pay for a sitter to make it happen.

Date Night

Indulge in a few quality evenings with your significant other. When baby comes, you’ll enter a new phase in your relationship and it will be new, exciting and terrifying all at the same time. You’ll be looking to the future, yet reminiscing about the days gone by – so indulge in a few fun date nights.

Find some great restaurants that don’t include a kids menu, go to a play or concert together, stay up much too late walking on the beach – do things you may not get to do easily once you have a child to consider.

Having a child is a momentous occasion – but if this is your first child, trust this mother of three when I tell you that you’ll miss those carefree days. Even though you are so unbelievably excited for the days ahead with the addition of your family on the way and there is nothing you’ll trade for it, there is merit in savoring those last few days before that first bundle of joy arrives.

And, If this is your second, third or fourth child…etc… the above suggestions still have merit, and you know I have a point. So get a sitter. Or Grandma.

Time’s a tickin’.

Image: ChepeNicoli

One of those decisions was to decide if we would feed our little ones breast milk donated from another mother if for some reason my milk did not come in. Being that I was going to deliver so early, and the fact that there was a lot of stress involved in my strict bedrest, highly medicated scenario, it was possible that we would experience complications.

We also knew that we were looking at the possibility of very sick children and breast milk, when they were able to tolerate feeds, was the best option for their very fragile bodies. So, if my milk didn’t come in, donation was a real consideration for us. Thankfully, it all worked out and I was able to provide milk for those little 2lb feisty gals who are now thriving two year olds driving their mama batty.

But, what if I hadn’t been able to? At the time, I was surprised to find out that there were mothers out there donating their hard earned breast milk to mothers like me who were faced with the possibility of not being able to feed their children who, for obvious reasons, could benefit from that donation.

Who knew? Not me.

And in the fog of those months in the NICU, I didn’t do my due diligence to find out how I could donate my “Ol’ Bessy” supply of milk, because it turns out that the hospital pump made this mama produce some serious milk – and I so regret that I didn’t look into donation, because I did have extra.

Fast forward a few years, and a great friend of mine recently decided to pump an extra month after weaning her son so she could donate breast milk to a baby in need. I was so touched and honored to call her my friend because she took the time to do the research, to contact the company and figure out how to pay it forward.

She said she did it with our girls in mind because she remembered them and the babies like them who would need that “liquid gold” to fight the good fight in the NICU.

So, I figured I could make up for my lack of donation back then by breaking it down for those of you who might be curious (and still producing), in a quick and dirty fashion.

Here are the details from Helping Hands Milk Bank:

1. If you are generally healthy, do not take medication regularly, your baby is healthy, you do not smoke and you have a freezer that meets the freezing specifications (most freezers do) – then you will likely qualify for donation.
2. It’s an easy health screen process to qualify. Donor screening is done at no charge to you. You get a blood test and a cheek swab for a DNA profile. They use the DNA profile to cross match your donations as you send them in to ensure there is no mix up.
3. You can donate previously pumped milk (milk you stored prior to being screened) as long as it’s no older than 10 months and falls in line with their pumping guidelines.
4. Nearly all breast milk donated goes to sick babies in the hospital, many in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

For those of you who have an overabundance of milk, or just the extra will to pump a little longer, like my friend, this is a fantastic cause to donate to. You will be supplying babies who need those extra immunities to fight for their lives, and that is no small thing. I applaude you for considering it if you are in a place where you can do it, or if you might be in the future.

Have additional questions? Ready to take the next step? Head to the Helping Hands Milk Bank to find out more.

Images: Helping Hands Milk Bank 

Well, they do.

But you can choose whether or not you pay attention to those opinions because ultimately, you have to decide what is best for you and your child. I am of the mindset that there isn’t one right way to do anything and I don’t think that anyone should tell you how to go about feeding your child as long as you’re not shoving Twinkies down their throat as their primary source of nutrition. Additionally, I’m sure this goes without saying, but if you choose to neglect your child altogether, I’m going to have something to say about that.

But, if you’re feeding your little bundle of joy formula, I’m not going to place judgement on you. If you decided to breastfeed until your child is a toddler, then more power to you.

The sheer amount of judgement and mom guilt we all place on one another is out of hand.

I have several friends who are new moms. Since I have three girls, they come to me a good bit and ask questions, and I always provide them with what I know to have worked in my experience, but I caveat it with, in time you will figure out what works best for you.

So, when it comes to breast vs. bottle, here’s my take – because I have done both. I’ve done only breast. I’ve done only bottle. I’ve pumped for preemies and fed them bottles because they couldn’t latch. It’s run the gamut in my house folks.

So here’s what I think…you know, if you care.

If you can do the first couple of weeks – they get the “liquid gold” at a minimum. It’s the good stuff. And, if you bear through that, chances are, you’ll get through the annoying, difficult part of learning how to breastfeed. What’s that you say? It doesn’t come instinctively?

No. Sorry folks. It’s awkward for you both.

BUT

Once you get it, it really can be such a nice experience because you are forced to just “be” in the moment with your child. The dishes have to wait, the laundry has to wait and you have a reason to escape a room full of people because, you know, the baby has to eat and stuff and breaking out the “ladies” discreetly can be tough (pretend you don’t know about those really chic hooter hiders they have out now).

But, if that’s not your thing, you can still get that same experience with the bottle. Seriously. It’s all about perspective and I still felt close to my babies when I bottle fed them in the NICU. And for those of you who talk about brain power and breast milk…I get that. I see the studies, but I also know plenty of brilliant people who went through the 70′s and 80′s when they told everyone to bottle feed formula and not breastfeed.

So, my point? There’s no “right” answer. There’s only your answer. The one that works for you.

What worked for me was doing a combination of everything. I did breastfeed. I also bottle fed formula. I pumped breast milk and bottle fed the breast milk. So, if you’re not into the baby latched to breast but you want to give them your milk, that’s an option, too. If you’re not sure, do your research and educate yourself on both options because there isn’t a singular way to do this thing and it is O.K. for you to do it your way…

Just as long as you feed them something healthy. M’kay? Don’t make me come and hurt you for making them go hungry.

Thoughts on the Breast vs. Bottle debate? 

Image: SanShoot

But what if you’re pregnant and looking for a job? Then what?

You may be inclined to put off applying for a job or cracking into the job market because your little bundle of joy is on the way. But if the perfect opportunity presents itself, you shouldn’t let it pass you by just because you’re expecting. And while it may seem scary and nearly impossible, it’s not.

Here’s what you need to know before heading in to that interview for your dream job.

Study the company you want to work for. Make a great first impression by checking up on the company that you want to work for. Look into what they’ve done in the community, what products they are successful with and which ones fell flat, and what the management team and company culture looks like.

Don’t get personal. When you’re pregnant and interviewing, especially if you’re interviewed by other women, it’s easy for the conversation to turn to your pregnancy … even when no one means for it to go that way. But do your best to steer the conversation back to business and away from personal matters; you don’t want to appear unprofessional.

Openly discuss the future. Most potential employers aren’t worried about a pregnant woman’s ability to do the job; they’re actually worried about whether or not you’ll return after the baby is born. Be frank about your plans, assure your potential employer that you’ll be returning, and be sure to have a plan in place for managing your workflow while you’re away. A strong work ethic goes a long way.

Dress like you want the job. With all the adorable maternity clothes out there, you have no reason to show up for your interview in a frumpy frock. And if you’re used to being home in yoga pants and t-shirts, know there are plenty of website where you can rent uber-stylish maternity clothes for just a few days at a time; check out Rent Maternity Wear and Mine for Nine.

Have you interviewed for a job while pregnant? What was the result?

photo credit: m.inmagine