Best Maternity Swimwear

Let me start this post by saying you don't have to buy a bathing suit that is specifically maternity. If you aren't that far along or you aren't carrying that large, there's no reason why you can't wear a regular suit. However, don't make the same mistake I made and assume that because a bathing suit stretches it will fit your pregnant body. You might have to be cut out of it with the jaws of life – imagine sea lion wearing a sausage casing – so know your limits.

I tried to find suits that were reasonably priced. There are some gorgeous suits that are well over a hundred bucks, but unless you're going somewhere really special or having 12 children that will all be born in August, that may be getting a little pricey for ya, but sometimes we all love the splurge.

Here's what I found:

Women's Two Piece Swimsuit from Target: I liked this one because it isn't too tight around your belly. The two pieces give you a little more room so if you're long waisted like me, you aren't going to get that crotch grab. Around $35

 

Halter Tankini Two Piece Swimsuit from Walmart: I like the pattern on this because it breaks up the area without looking like Walt Disney vomited all over you. The halter cut is nice to show off any pregnancy boobs you're rocking and you can't beat the price at $25.

 

Halter Tankini from Destination Maternity: These guys have a great selection of maternity swimwear. I like the bright colors and the flattering cut of this one. It's gotten really high ratings and it's on sale right now for $40.

 

Ruched Maternity Tankini: This one is starting to creep up there at $89.50, but I thought it was such a beautiful suit that I added it in. If you're going on holiday or spend a lot of time at the pool, it may be worth shelling out a little extra cabbage for a sharp suit like this.

 

Old Navy Maternity Halter: Ah, good ole Old Navy. You can almost always count on them for simple, clean inexpensive maternity clothes. I chose the black version, but this suit comes in a few colors and patterns. I've also included the bottoms as well but I suppose you skip them if you like your bum hanging out – hey, I don't judge. Around $45 for the set.

 

Plus Size Baby Doll Maternity Swim Top: If you think finding a half decent maternity swimsuit is tricky, try finding a nice plus size maternity swim suit. They are out there though! I like this one because it gives you good coverage without becoming a tent. The colors are fun but not seizure inducing. About $50 once you factor in the bottoms.

 

ASOS Maternity Suit: When I first saw this I was all "wow, 25 bucks!!!" Then I realized that it was in pounds which roughly translates to 8 billion dollars (okay, about $40) but it's still such a pretty suit and I think it's just "brilliant".

 

Maternal America Jenni Tankini: Okay, this one breaks my $100 rule, but isn't it pretty? Wouldn't you feel like a bohemian princess with an aura of awesome in this thing? If price isn't an issue or your have to go to a destination wedding where you're dealing with a everyone-but-me-will-be-drinking-so-I'm-getting-a-nice-bathing-suit-dammit situation, then this site has some gorgeous suits.

 

There's no reason you can't look hot when you're pregnant, so I love this suit from Maternity on Mooki that is both a maternity AND nursing swimsuit. Smart.

 

Here's another pretty , little number that can be used for both maternity and nursing from Evymama. For the record, I would kill to look like this now, let alone when I was pregnant or nursing.

 

Maternity Rash Guard: I think rash guards are this best thing ever invented because they dry fast, aren't too hot, and cover the spots you inevitably miss with sunscreen so you end up with a crazy ass burn between your shoulder blades. They look sporty too. Around $85 once you factor in the swim shorts.

 

Preggo Dot Ruched Maternity Bikini: I love how this suit can be worn three ways so there's some flexibility with how you wear it. About $70. 

 

If you're looking for something a little more sporty there's this one from Speedo, and this one from Beach Maternity which is also chlorine resistant so the ass of your suit doesn't slowly evaporate while you're doing the breast stoke.

 

What's that, you say you have a big chest and need some support? Pfft, that never happens when you're pregnant. At least that's what you'd think if you're tying to find one online. There are two sites I found: Bravissimo and Linda's that carry suits for us girls with the guns, and bikinis and tankinis look to be your best best.

 

Forever Sexy Victoria Secret: As I mentioned right off the top, there's no reason why you can't wear a regular bikini when you're pregnant. I found this one on Victoria Secret because it looked like it had pretty good knocker coverage (I was also trying to find a shot where it didn't look like the poor model was pulling a muscle while she posed) but if you're a skinny mini with a bump, hey, you may as well. If you're looking for something really inexpensive, there's this number from Forever 21 that's only $10 bucks too. If you can't rock it, I say go for it – I'm not jealous or anything.

 

Maternity Crossover Jersey Maxi from Old Navy: If you want a nice cover-up or something comfy to lounge in by the pool I thought this maxi dress from Old Navy was awesome and it's $32 to boot.

So there you have it. Tons of great ways to look great when you're expecting!

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Oh, and while you're out there looking all hot and sexy in you're swimsuit, don't forget your sunscreen. Pregnancy has enough comfort challenges so don't add a tidy sunburn to it (sage advice coming from a redhead). As I mentioned in my tanning post, there's nothing dangerous about tanning while pregnant, but your skin can do some kooky things while you're hormones are cranking up the production of melanin, and that can cause uneven skin pigment (or pregnancy mask) with sun exposure. Aveeno is a good bet because I don't find it greasy, it comes in high spfs and it relies more on mineral ingredients than chemical ingredients, which is always a plus whether you're pregnant or not.

And for those of you that think you're too big to be seen in a bathing suit or bikini? Just remember there's an 80-year old fat man with grey back hair sporting a speedo on a beach somewhere not giving a fiddly fart about what people think because he's enjoying the sun. Soak it up, Baby. Soak it up!

Happy Mother's Day

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Aveeno gently cleanses your baby’s hair and body with its soap-free and hypoallergenic formula, so it’s even gentle enough to use on the newest newborn skin. It’s been trusted by parents and doctors for decades and has long been a staple in Canadian homes.

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It’s any wonder that it’s the number one recommended brand by pediatricians.

Bath time is special. It’s a time to unwind, a time to wash the day away, and a time to start fresh while bonding with your baby. A time when you don’t want to worry about what you’re putting on your baby’s skin and that’s why Aveeno is a perfect addition to any baby’s routine.

How to Give a Newborn a Bath

I used to get really anxious about bathing my baby because infants are squirmy greased water balloons when they are wet. I mean here you’re trying to clean something with very little neck control while keeping their head above water. No pressure there.

Actually, It’s not as hard as it sounds, all you need a few simple tools and you’re ready to roll.

Bathtub:

This is where your anxiety and wallet play the biggest roll. If you’re nervous like I was and have the cash, then go all out and get something kick ass so it’s one less thing to worry about.

If you’re easy peasy like my friend, stick a towel in the bottom of the tub and fill the bath with about an inch of water and lay the baby on the towel and wash away. Yes, yes, I’m screaming “Ears!! What about the baby’s ears!!!” in my head too but she assured me that water didn’t get in the baby’s ears and you can’t get much cheaper than free.

For the record, it’s advised that you try to avoid getting water in your baby’s ears when they are in the bath to reduce the risk of ear infections but it isn’t cause for panic either.

PRIMO Eurobath got huge props online and I love how you can use it for both stages of scary baby bathing – wet fish stage, and flip-backwards-crazy-daredevil-no-concept-or-drowning stage. You can stick in on a counter when they are wee so you’re not bending over to wash them, and you can put it in the bathtub when they are older so you’re not filling a whole tub. For me, the biggest key on this is the “crotch stop” (I’m sure that’s not what they call it) but it’s the thing that stops the baby from sliding down so your hands are free to wash them.

Blooming Bath is a fantastic way to bath a baby in a sink without feeling like you’re washing your baby in the same spot where you wash carrots. It’s nice and soft and cozy, and hangs up to dry. They show a faucet over the baby in the picture, but I would fill the sink with water then fill a cup to rinse them off rather than use the faucet directly unless you have really reliable water temperature consistency. Sorry, my bath phobia is showing again, isn’t it?

Summer Infant Comfy Bath Sponge or the Summer Infant Fold N' Store Tub Time Bath Sling (as seen in my Baby on a Budget Post) To me this is like the towel in the tub but less scary. It’s a nice, inexpensive solution that’s quick drying and easy to store. So much so that I can ignore the nutty photoshop job on the sponge baby suspended in the bath with moms superimposed arms (insert designer shudder).

As for baby washes, there are tons out there. My advice is to check out Cosmetic Database to make sure the one you like isn’t full of crap. I was quite partial to the Aveeno line and Dr Bronners because they're a nice reasonably priced wash that was readily available and not full of junk.

Satsuma Designs Organic Wash Cloths and Wipes 5 Pack: Unlike towels, I do prefer wash cloths that are solely for the baby because they are thinner allowing you to get into those little crevices, and you can let your baby gnaw on them knowing that your husband hasn’t used them to wash his ass at any point. I like the organic ones, but if that isn’t a big worry you can get the regular ones that tend to be less expensive.

Clevamama Splash and Wrap Hooded Towel: I didn’t really bother with special towels when bathing my kids, but I do really like the idea of this hooded towel that you wear like an apron them scoop them up in it. It’s also reasonably price at around $20.

Got all your gear? Good! Let’s wash this kid!

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Step One:

Get everything you need locked and loaded before you put this weeble in water. Get the clothes or jammies, towel, soap, etc. out so you’re not running around with a cold, wet baby looking for things.

 

Step Two:

If you’re not dealing with a messy back poop, feel free to layout a towel and do this sponge bath style and just grab a bowl of warm water.

I should also note that some site advise that you wait until circumcisions and umbilical cords heal (a couple of weeks after birth) before doing anything but sponge baths, but I found just as many sites that gave the go ahead so don’t panic if you get them wet before that time. It looks like they aren’t Gremlins after all. Dang.

Fill the sink, tub, pickle barrel, or whatever you’re bathing them in with warm water. If you’re bringing them in a bath with you, fill the tub beforehand so you’re not acclimatizing yourself to the heat then adding more and more hot so you’re swimming in lava by the time you add in the baby.  You’re shooting in the area of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.

As for temperature ducks and thermometers, feel free to get them if it helps put you at ease but they aren’t essential. Some sites say that you have to use your elbow to test the bath but I must have freakish elbows because I really couldn’t tell if it was hot or not there. I found my hand worked fine.

Bath toys are great too but you don’t have to have them and they are just as happy to play with the cup and the washcloth.

 

Step Three:

Get ‘em wet. Some sites go into great detail about gently putting a baby in feet first and easing them in like a great yacht on their maiden voyage but it really isn’t that tricky. Put the baby in the water any way but head first and you should be fine.

Tips and Threats: Don’t leave your baby in the bath unattended…ever. I don’t care if Channing Tatum is ringing the doorbell in his underpants, you either ignore it or scoop that kid up to answer the door and say “Perfect timing, Channing, I was just finishing up so please make yourself comfortable and fold that basket of laundry while you wait” Babies can drown in less than an inch of water in less than 60 seconds so don’t mess around with that.

 

Step Four:

I liked to add a little wash to a wet facecloth then work my way down from top to bottom. Some friends used to add the wash to the bathwater go from there. Either is fine. I used to use a small, plastic cup to rinse them off and either used a wet washcloth to rinse any soap off their face or held it on their forehead to shield their eyes while rinsing their hair.

 

Step Five:

Lay the towel out on the floor or counter then lay your baby on it and wrap ‘em up, or toss the towel over your shoulder then lift the baby out, hold them on your chest and fold them into the towel. I used to take them back to their room and lay them on their change table for the lotion rub down, diaper, and jammies

That’s it! Congratulations, you have a clean kid!

Above all, don’t sweat it too much. If your newborn has nothing but sponge baths for the first 6-months of her life, no biggie – she isn’t working in a coal mine. If your baby loves baths, go for it. Water is a ton of good clean fun and baths are a nice way to break up the day.

Either way, have fun, stay safe and say “hi” to Channing for me.