What are /r/JulyBumpers2017's favorite Products & Services?

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After I read this I made DH come to the store with me to see the strollers and check out if the one I picked out on-line was one I really did like. It was totally eye opening! The one I thought was perfect (only saw it on Amazon) looked cheap and didn't move well at all so we talked to the nice lady there and found one that we both like and is exactly what we want. It's less expensive on Amazon than in the store and there's a set with the car seat/base included with the stroller! When I saw the price originally I was a bit skeptical, but in the store the stroller itself was $330 and the seat itself is over $100, so it's actually a good deal.

Edit - Of course I looked over this thread again and found out things I didn't know, so I updated my registry with just the stroller in this set and a different multi stage car seat and an infant car seat.

Awesome, thanks!

I looked up the Amazon link for any other interested US bumpers: https://www.amazon.com/KT-Synthetic-Kinesiology-Therapeutic-Tape/dp/B00CRF31RA/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1494346442&sr=1-4&keywords=kt%2Btape&th=1

(and yes, I did check all the different color options to find the cheapest combo!)

Yes, all three of those fish are considered very low mercury fish; I wouldn't be concerned about drinking that juice. Not sure how to link nicely but here's a useful summary from Consumer Reports, which has historically been even more conservative than the CDC and other American health agencies about pregnant women and eating fish:

http://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/safe-fish-for-pregnant-women/

I used the Headspace phone app to get into mindfulness and meditation before I started my yoga practice, and although it's not geared specifically towards childbirth, I find the techniques and means of focusing very helpful just in general. (I have several piercings and tattoos and the things I learned from Headspace made the process of getting all of them much less painful and anxiety-making than I think they would have been otherwise!)

The app itself is free for its starter practice, which will just help you develop the techniques to focus and relax. If you upgrade to paid, there is also a progression focused specifically on Pregnancy, which could be applicable to childbirthing, but nothing so specific as Lamaze or other rhythmic breathing practices.

I also find certain yoga breathing exercises to help, but I wouldn't want to recommend them to people if they aren't doing them with the guidance of a teacher. If done improperly they can sometimes lead to dizziness, but they do also help develop deep-belly breathing which I've heard is useful in labor.

I picked up a white noise elephant toy from my "Amazon Baby Registry" so I could get the registry box, but I'm starting to worry I messed something up because I never got confirmation that the box is coming!

I also picked up a playmat and mini-guitar on Black Friday for super cheap: hubs and I play a lot of Rockband, so baby can now rock out with us!

Edit: Also, a couple of super cute, non-gendered onesies that were on super sale :)

It looks like the one I got isn't a zip cover, but it is fitted. Amazon for the win

There's also this one which has a zipper

There are two that I'd strongly recommend for anyone:

Thirty Million Words by Dana Suskind https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Million-Words-Building-Childs/dp/0525954872/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490447434&sr=8-1&keywords=30+million+words

Mindset by Carol Dweck https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490447589&sr=8-1&keywords=mindset

I've found that cribs tend to be at least twice the price in store as they are online. If you can find items that you like in a store and find something similar on a site like Amazon then it makes more sense to get it there. I don't know if the app Honey is available for stores in the UK but it's something I enjoy taking advantage of when shopping online.

Mine doesn't fit your criteria, but I got the GoodBaby Asana 35 DLX. My reasoning for that specific one was because we went to Babies R Us and at the front of the store they had clearance items. They had a stroller for $80! It has a pram but also folds up to sit like a regular stroller. It was this one, but just the stroller on the right is what was $80 We were shocked that it was so cheap so we bought it. They explained to us they couldn't sell the car seat with it because of policy, but the stroller was so cheap that buying the right car seat on the side was totally worth it! They were getting rid of it because BRU stopped selling that brand. We had also saw a car seat on clearance for $90, originally $250, but we didn't get it because it wouldn't have fit the stroller. They had a floor model car seat Chicco, and then another car seat still in the box. Both $90.

My comment is super jumbled, sorry! Basically my point is check out your local Babies R Us and Toys R Us and see if they have any car seats on clearance!

thanks for sharing and reminding me to practice!! i use the john kabat zinn stuff there's some tracks on amazon (not for free but they have been a good investment for me. Here's what i use: https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Mindfulness-Meditation-Complete-Kabat-Zinn/dp/1591793599/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1498264238&sr=8-5&keywords=jon+kabat+zinn). I took a local 'mindfullness stress reduction class' at the beginning of pregnancy and its been great. Not pregnancy specific but solid mindfulness technique. of course it ain't a practice if i don't practice, i will try to get back to it tonight : D

I bought these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Essentials-Stretch-Assorted-X-Large/dp/B01MPYJK69/

I wore a medium or large pre-pregnancy. I got an xl to cover my giant pregnancy booty.

They are cheap which is great. They are reasonably comfortable and don't show massive panty lines. They roll under my bump a tiny bit, but it doesn't bother me. Now that I wear 2 or 3 pairs of underwear a day (crotch sweat, discharge) I bought a bunch so that I don't have to do laundry constantly.

At 28 weeks, my dad and I took a last minute father-daughter trip to Texas, and our flights were slightly under 3 hours each way. Just make sure to bring a re-fillable water bottle (US, so no liquids over 6oz past security; just fill up your water bottle at one of the many foot joints post-security or at a water fountain) and grab a pair of compression socks off of Amazon (these are the ones I bought) to try and ward off the swelling. Also, be up and moving at least 1x/hour if not more if you can - we had turbulence so we weren't technically supposed to get out of our seats, but I just stood at my seat if the air attendants were up and about and walked in place.

Also - with some airlines you can get priority boarding if you are pregnant (aka sit towards the front of the plane if you're a nervous flyer/near the bathroom!) Check your carrier's website to see if they have guidance for pregnant flyers - Southwest was awesome for me!

I bought some Motherhood Maternity roll panel underwear and they are soooooo comfortable. They have a soft panel that sits just on the bottom half of my bump, which is perfect. I bought them in my regular size and through some sort of magic they fit perfectly. I can see them continuing to fit comfortably for a while post partum.

The only caveat is that they seem to be out of stock, on Amazon and even on the MM site, for weeks now. I sure hope they're coming back at some point because I need several more pairs!

edit: sorry, they're called "fold-over panties". If you find some, I highly recommend them! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ETBTDOE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3IRQ0AH92IOW9&coliid=I1IUFSCTU9O679&psc=1

We registered for this one: https://www.amazon.com/Petit-Baby-Book-Claire-Laude/dp/1452152004

I've also seen the moms one line a day book for random notes/milestones. https://www.amazon.com/Moms-One-Line-Day-Five-Year/dp/0811874907

We have the Levana Ayden for my first child and have been very happy with it. A lot of the features I thought we'd use, we don't, but the thing I love the most about this monitor is the quality of the picture even at night. We use a Dohms sound machine and it recognizes the sound it makes as background noise.

We purchased an Angelcare sound-only monitor recently, but I haven't decided if we will use it or the video monitor with the new babies.

I am currently hiding my pregnancy at work and am not showing too much. I am not wearing typical maternity wear. I went to target and bought about 6 long hippie looking shirts, in the Knox Rose brand and two long vests. I have been wearing these layered over either high waisted Lulu Lemons with a leather or jean jacket, or cardigan buttoned at the neck. I also purchased these on Amazon so I can continue wearing my jeans. They fit my butt and thighs fine, but I feel uncomfortable with them buttoned. I have also purchased one black and one white belly band at target for like $15. I wear them over my jeans in case my top blows up. I also wear them under dresses because I notice my belly gets heavy and starts to ache if I don't have anything supporting it.

I have thick thighs, wide hips and big boobs. I have always relied on emphasizing my waist and was worried that I was going to look over weight without this option. I have to say, I actually feel surprisingly great about my new look. I feel like myself. I look like myself. I don't look like I'm trying to hide a pregnancy or frumpy or tenty.

Similar, we got a security camera too. We ended up spending (well it was a gift) about the same as a baby monitor but the picture is incredible. https://www.amazon.com/Nest-Cam-Indoor-security-camera/dp/B00WBJGUA2

I'm reading The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy instead of What to Expect. I couldn't stand the tone of the author of What to Expect. The Mayo Clinic has a first year guide, too, so I'll be sticking with their series!

I am really enjoying The Informed Parent. It covers a wide variety of topics and talks about the studies that support both sides of said topic. It helped me make our circumcision decision.

https://www.amazon.com/Informed-Parent-Science-Based-Resource-Childs/dp/0399171061

I went with the Serta Eco Firm because I knew I wanted something long-lasting with innerspring coils because our crib turns into a toddler bed. Not exactly organic, but certified low chemical emissions and it's comfortable as heck (yes I tried it out lol). It wasn't ridiculously expensive either, which was a major bonus!

Serta Tranquility Eco Firm Crib and Toddler Mattress https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q7FTMWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.9A3ybQ6D80KQ

with my first pregnancy, I bought a donut pillow like this that helped. I had a lot of tailbone pain and sitting was really uncomfortable. The pillow helped a ton, and wasn't a super expensive buy. Also, if you're at a bigger company, you can ask for an ergonomics assessment to see if you can get a sit/stand desk or try getting a big yoga ball to sit on.

Good luck!

I bought some bra extenders because even after I got measured and everything was technically correct, it felt like my bra was digging into my rib cage all day. It makes a big difference to have a little extra breathing/ growing room! I'll echo what everyone else said about underwires, too: no more!

I just started reading (Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds)[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558327185/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1], and I love it! I've only read one chapter, but I'm thinking about my birth more and planning for things that will make it easier and more comfortable for me. The author focuses on the importance of setting intentional goals, but accepting medical interventions if you need them without beating yourself up. She also helps you work through things that will make your birth more like your "dream birth." It's hippy dippy without being over the top. Since reading the first chapter, I've decided that I definitely want a picture of my sister in the room because she would be present in my dream birth (she passed away in September), nature sounds/ music in the background (none of my favorite songs because I'll forever associate them with labor afterwards), cold compresses, and a fan in the delivery room. I've also realized that one of my pain management techniques is to count backwards from 10, so I'll get my DH to do that out loud during contractions.

I've been nervous about reading certain other books because the reviews say that they're very anti-hospital, and I'm definitely going to the hospital. When I found Natural Hospital Birth, I thought it'd be a perfect fit!

I'm also taking prenatal yoga, I'll sign up for my ob office's childbirth classes when they're available for me, and I'm taking a "don't kill your baby" class at my hospital. I do kegels at red lights when I remember to, and I'm trying to do more squats. Once the weather gets nicer, I'll go to aqua aerobics, too.

I know that you mentioned that the underwire was hurting you, so maybe you're not interested in underwire. Still, this bra, Natori Women's Hidden Glamour Bra, Cafe, 34D https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007DKRHPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LmD0yb1FEBH5R has done wonders for me. Maybe it will do the same for you. It also comes in a nursing bra variation and I'm pretty sure there is a version without underwire. This bra has changed my life now that my breasts have grown so much! I love this bra!

We got closet systems from amazon when we moved in and they were awesome. We priced it out and amazon was by far the cheapest place to buy them. We got these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009WG328/ for about $85 each. Right now they are listed as $111, but if you watch them the price will probably drop. You can use camelcamelcamel to set a price alert for them. I think DIYing a system would cost more than that in my experience. (We added some shelves to our hallway closet)

This stuff is GREAT for wallpaper removal: https://www.amazon.com/Zinsser-2466-Wallpaper-Stripper-32-Ounce/dp/B0015ODY08/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490130099&sr=8-2&keywords=dif

Score holes in wallpaper, spray on Dif. Let it soak for a little bit. Scrape/pull wallpaper off wall. Really helped us with some very stubborn wallpaper.

This one is $3.94 on Amazon if you click on the "up to 7 pounds" option.

https://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Place-Sleep-Simply-Months/dp/B01GE5OB68/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1487984100&sr=8-12&keywords=sleep%2Band%2Bplay&th=1&psc=1

Amazon prices fluctuate quite a bit. If you find one that you like, add it to your cart, and it'll tell you when the price goes down.

They have plastic or metal thingys that you can put on rings to make them smaller Example

Weird! We have this one https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Speed-Bottle-Warmer-White/dp/B00DUTKBSE

Edit: hit submit too early. It warms fridge-cold milk in a minute and a half, and I like that adding different amounts of water to the warmer will make it different levels of warm. Maybe yours was defective? If mine worked like yours I would hate it too!

I splurged and got the biggest one- https://www.amazon.com/Shaped-Premium-Contoured-Pregnancy-Maternity-Zippered/dp/B00K6K4SOS/ref=lp_382727011_1_5_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1482080883&sr=1-5

But like I said, I've heard regular body pillows from Target or Walmart can also do the trick! :D

Damn, that sucks :-(

For the nose, get a netipot and do a saline rinse. I actually use these squeeze type bottles and it really shoots it in there better than a traditional netipot. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009M3PKQ0/

Also, get a flu shot if you haven't. Your immune system is suppressed while preggo so that your body doesn't kill the baby off.