Belly band

[Auspicious]

I haven't really used my bella band during either pregnancy, but I did feel I still got my money's worth out of it during nursing, especially with a winter baby. So if you're planning to nurse, might be a factor to consider.

Congrats!

I had a band that I bought from Pea in A Pod and didn't care for it....I had to adjust it every time I bent over, sat down, stood up... Maybe the Bella Band brand is better? I preferred to use good ol' rubberbands.

[SuzySunshine]

I used rubberbands a lot with A too, this one is carrying much lower and my shirts don't seem to be long enough for some reason but if you can find long enough shirts go for it!

Finding maternity clothes sucks, I feel your pain there.

[JaneDoe]

I never used a belly band, but I wanted to say congratulations!!!

congrats!! I bought most of my maternity clothes online as I hated shopping when pregnant and it made me even more tired and cranky!

It was a million years ago so I don't have any leads but I would buy several sizes of stuff and when it came try it all on and then send back what didn't fit.

[alison]

I haven't really used my bella band during either pregnancy, but I did feel I still got my money's worth out of it during nursing, especially with a winter baby. So if you're planning to nurse, might be a factor to consider.

Congratulations! I missed your announcement in your blog--I seem to miss a lot when I check in on my iPhone...

I have a Bella Band and it just doesn't fit me right. I have a short torso, and was constantly tugging at the thing. My pants would fall down and I'd end up with the thing scrunched up under my boobs. I asked you all what I was doing wrong, and it was that I was wearing the band too high up. So, I started wearing it lower on my waist, halfway over my butt, and it was just really uncomfortable. Instead, I went straight to maternity pants. But I'm hoping to dust off the Band for breast feeding like Auspicious mentions.

There are full panel and partial panel maternity pants--fwiw I can only wear full panel pants; the partial ones slide down.

I'm so excited for you! I'm honestly ready to burn my maternity clothes (I'm so sick of them!!!), so my advice to you would be to have fun and buy a few pieces that you like and feel stylish in!

[MrsK]

Congratulations. Now I get it!

I used the belly band until I was about 4.5 months. It worked great for a long time but after a while I found it very cumbersome and hot. Also, I'd have to put myself back together every time I got out of the car. I just switched to maternity jeans last week. Prior to now, I didn't have enough belly to hold up the maternity jeans/pants. So, you may have to do both. However, the belly band only costs about $20 so it's not a huge investment.

[HouseofWool]

Congrats Julie! I had a knock off band and it was useful at certain times during my pregnancy. I also used it to cover up the baby belly when nursing.

Overall - maternity clothes are really a PIA to shop for and to wear. I have a really long torso so anything full panel pants were really uncomfortable after about 5 months. I really like the pants that someone else mentioned. The stretchy part is the entire waistband of the pants instead of just near your belly.

Good luck and best wishes for an easy pregnancy!

[GrayMatterWife]

Did I miss an announcement? I had no idea. Are you just preplanning, or are you pregnant?

I was thinking the same thing! THAT'S AWESOME NEWS!!

(And, please, just ingore my recent post to Wildfin re: how to diffuse "baby fever.")

On the bellybands--sorry. No advice. I didn't use one. But I've had lots of girlfriends who swear by them.

[moonlight]

First of all, CONGRATS!!

Second of all, I have no idea what to suggest. I'm over 6 months pregnant and still can't find maternity clothes in my local area. I just keep buying larger clothes, looking a mess, and hoping I don't get invited anywhere too fancy for the next 2.5 months. I read on one of my websites that ebay can be a good affordable source of you don’t mind used clothing. Good luck and seriously let us know what you find.

[BonBon]

Julie, Target has some decent maternity clothing (i hated motherhood!) as does (or did) Gap online. I bought a lot of designer stuff on eBay for super cheap.

[Vishenka69]

Auspicious, can you clarify about using the belly band for nursing in the winter. I can't figure out what you mean. I haven't thought about nursing yet, my plan is to see how it goes and not get too attached to any plan.

I'm not usually crazy about buying clothes online because I never know how anything will fit. The two pairs of maternity pants I bought from Gap are sz 4 and 8. I was a regular 6 and would have never guessed to go up or down. I don't want to waste money sending stuff back all the time. I don't mind ebay but would really need to know the fit and size first. I'll try Target again and if that fails trek to King of Prussia. I'm sure Bloomies and Nordstrom won't let me down.

Fwiw, I also have a very short torso, and drive everywhere, so I'm not sure if the band will work for me. I'm a bit too big for rubberbands at this point and since most of you said the switch to maternity clothes happened around 5th month, I might as well jump in now. I'm trying as much as possible to buy non-maternity clothes that I'll be able to wear afterwards as well (empire waist dresses, etc.)

[Auspicious]

Auspicious, can you clarify about using the belly band for nursing in the winter. I can't figure out what you mean.

So that when I would lift my shirt to nurse, my side/belly was still covered by the bella band, and not exposed to the drafty air or anyone's view.

[Pollyanna]

The nearest Motherhood, etc. store is about an hour away and I'm not crazy about paying for shipping there and back. Considering everyone here has multiple children I have no idea why there's no store in the area and where everyone gets their maternity wear. I've been to the local Gap & Old Navy and the selection is pitiful.

Skip Motherhood, most of their stuff is crap (sorry, it just is). Mimi maternity and a Pea in the Pod has some nice items. A nice pair of jeans is totally worth the price and can be worn with non-maternity tops that have stretch to them. For some really nice stuff check out http://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes. I know a lot of people don't like to spend big bucks on maternity clothes but I think it is important to do whatever you can to feel good while you are pregnant and nice maternity clothes can really look great. Have fun!!

I agree with Tara. I spent more than I thought I would on a pair of maternity jeans (Mimi, I think) and I wore the heck out of them for two pregnancies. On a $/days worn basis, they were a bargain. The Gap website might have better selection and I think you can do any returns at the store.