Photography by Wren Meinberg Hey, mamas! Wow, I can't believe how fast this year is flying by. October was full of so much wonderful – making more memories with my family, leading breastfeeding circles, expanding my network of providers and birth-workers, and starting a new per diem school nurse position, which has been anything but boring and crazy fulfilling! I was also blessed with the opportunity to be a guest on my first podcast episode, which was more than I hoped for – soothing for the soul, even. We dove into a topic that I'm very passionate about: how to protect your milk supply when returning to work. I had the chance to discuss it on the Postpartum Plan Podcast with its wonderful host, Madison Fuger. Madison is a wealth of valuable information and compassion for women navigating the 'fourth trim
With so many expectant mamas in my life currently—and over a decade of watching the evolution of baby products—I thought I’d share some of my go-to baby shower gifts, as well as a few items I’ve found aren’t as essential. When you begin your search, you'll run into an overwhelming number of options. So, when you're holding that scanner at Target or adding items to your Amazon cart, I hope this list will support your journey into motherhood! For Mom: Comfy slippers: I love gifting an expectant mama a soft pair of booties with non-slip soles—perfect for wearing around the house while she’s healing and bonding with her new baby. Bath soak: There’s nothing quite like a soothing bath soak. My favorite to gift friends and family is lavender-scented Epsom salt that mamas can use during pregnancy or for moments of relaxation during their postpartum phase when it's safe to soak again. It’s a wonderful way to add a touch of warmth to a mama's self-care routine. Nursing bras: A