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A chai alternative
By Dawn S., mom of two
I hated giving up my cup of tea after dinner. Then I found that a cup of hot water with a squeeze of fresh lemon was (almost) as enjoyable. It became my nighttime ritual.
A good excuse
By Polly S., mom of two
One of the bonuses of my pregnancy? it was a handy excuse whenever I needed one. "Gee, I can't make it. I'm pregnant."
A solution for snug pants
By Shana Z., mom of one
Here's a way to extend the life of your pants. When they get snug, loop a rubber band through the button hole and around the button. This will buy you a few weeks or more. Just be sure your shirt is long enough to hide your secret.
A surprise you'll never forget
By Julie F., mom of three
When I found out I was pregnant, I wanted to grab the phone and shout my good news to the grandparents-to-be. But I calmed myself long enough to plan something a little more memorable. I bought a tiny pacifier, booties, and a tiny tee that says "I love Grandma." I wrapped it as a gift and told my parents "I saw this and it made me think of you." It was a surprise we'll never forget.
A well-stocked desk
By Bev B. mom of one
While pregnant I kept a stash of crackers, pretzels and other snacks in my top desk drawer to help me through my nine months of morning sickness. My co-workers joked that my desk was as well-stocked as the vending machine. But it got me through some rough moments.
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An incredible boost for mom
By Anne B., mom of three
When a group of friends wanted to buy my baby a nice gift, I suggested a house cleaning service for my last month of pregnancy and first few months with baby. It was an incredible boost to have my house smelling fresh and clean without having to do any of the work.
Baby shower alternative
By Kathleen H., mom of three
Ask your friends to wait until after your baby is born to have a shower for you. You'll know a little more about what you need, and it will be a great excuse to get out and have fun!
Banana for mama-leg pains
By Radhika K., mom of twins
My legs used to ache all day, and especially at night, during my pregnancy. It got particularly bad in the third trimester. I was carrying twins, and no amount of rest, naps, or sitting with my legs elevated really helped. A simple solution I discovered was eating a banana every day! Just one banana and the pain was almost gone, or at least it became very bearable!
Be prepared
By Shana Z., mom of one
While I had the time before my baby was born, I took an infant CPR course from my local American Red Cross. I haven't had to use it, but feel good knowing I'm prepared.
Be productive at 3 a.m.
By Katie F., mom of two
I often found myself wide awake at 3 a.m. Instead of wasting time staring at the ceiling, I finally decided to get up and be productive until I was tired again. Quietly going about my work while the rest of the world slept, was very serene and therapeutic.
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Better to keep quiet
By Courtney B., mom of three
It's not always wise to share your baby names with others. People will say things like "I know a dog with that name," or "that's the name of the annoying kid down the street." It may leave you wishing you had kept quiet!
Buy satin for sore hips
By Julie H., mom of one
If you have sore hips during pregnancy and find it hard to roll over in bed, get a fitted satin sheet. It's easier to slide around and roll over.
Choose a color you like
By Jessica L., mom of two
I always heard that primary colors stimulated babies. So I painted the nursery red, yellow and blue, and now I'm not wild about it. When choosing a nursery color, make sure it's one YOU like. Save the stimulating colors for toys, blankets, and accessories.
Diaper changing made easy(er)
By Barb S., mom of four
When setting up my baby's nursery, I made sure everything I needed for changing a diaper was in reach of the changing area. I didn't want to walk away from my baby to get a clean diaper. I went through the motions before my baby was born, just to be sure.
Don't forget the four-legged family members
By Kerry B., mom of two
If you have pets, ask dad to bring a receiving blanket home from the hospital before you bring baby home. Let your pets get used to baby's smell.
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