Recommended Gifts - Pregnancy & Birth

When your first baby is born, you realize you would do anything for a few hours of sleep. Enter the Snoo. The price tag is hefty. But the parents I know who have one swear by it.  

The Snoo responds to the baby's initial whimpers as they come out of deep sleep into lighter sleep, and initiates soothing white noise and gentle rocking motions that are supposedly reminiscent of the womb. The baby is comforted back to sleep without fully waking. Gradually, the baby learns to "put herself back to sleep" unless, of course, she is very hungry, in which case she will wake and cry loudly for you. 

The accumulated experience and wisdom of generations of women is waiting for you.  Go ahead, put your feet up and enjoy a cup of herbal tea.  Just click here:  Recommended Books for Pregnancy and Birth

I think this bolster is essential for cosleeping.  Keeps baby safely on Mom's side of the bed for nighttime nursing, without any risk of falling off.  This also lets parents stay covered under their blankets, without covering the baby.  Also lets you cosleep with a second child on the other side of you.  The pillow can also double as a body pillow during pregnancy.  Highly recommended.

This baby oil is perfect for gentle infant massage. In addition to massage, it can also be used if your baby's head is dry and scaly. 

Exercise balls help with back pain, and help shift the baby into the best birth position. They are also great for sitting when your big body can't get comfortable in a regular chair. 

Bellaband helps make pregnant and post-partum moms comfortable in their clothing! 

Don't let the discomfort of sore nipples interrupt your nursing relationship. Liquid gold for breastfeeding mothers! Soothes, heals and protects dry, cracked nipples and other skin. Start using before delivery to condition skin (and great for stretchmarks, too.)

Most women find it challenging to get comfortable as the baby gets bigger. If you're used to sleeping on your back or your tummy, you'll have the added stress of learning to feel comfortable sleeping on your side. Support for your belly can make a big difference in maximizing your sleep. So while a body pillow for use just during pregnancy may seem like an extravagance, I recommend anything that gets you more sleep. (And many moms report that their body pillows find new lives as toddler snugglers, providing much more full-body comfort than a stuffed animal can for your little one.)

Can you make do by tucking regular pillows around you? Maybe. Experiment and see what you think. But if you find yourself unable to get comfortable, a maternity body pillow might be just what you need for a restful night's sleep, and I personally think that's well worth the money if you can swing it.

There are lots of different kinds of body pillows available, and which is best for you will depend on whether you want support for your back, hips and even neck, or just a lift for your belly. The best way to find one you like is to try them out at a local store. if that's not possible, read the reviews before you buy to see what other moms liked and didn't like about the various pillows.

I'm recommending the Leachco Back N Belly because it provides support for the back and belly at the same time. There are two contoured "legs" so you can sleep on your back or either side, tuck the end of the pillow between your knees, and elevate your head to ease heartburn. This pillow also aligns the hips to help ensure a natural position and relieve stress on joints.