HATCH has done it again. They’ve thought of all the head-to-toe essentials to get you through these hectic days, whether it’s solving for “WTF am I bringing to the hospital?” to “WTF am I supposed to get my preggo AF bestie this year?” Enter the bundles, the solution kits, the one-and-done best-gift-evers that provide for just about every moment on the journey and beyond, with skincare and wardobing must-haves all packaged in chic little sets.
Told you we got you.
So you’re looking for a baby monitor. You could scour the Internet searching at endless pages of “which does what,” or you can cut through the noise and opt for the Babe-approved genius monitor that goes by the name of Miku. Read on for nine things to consider when shopping for your monitor (plus, why we think Miku’s the smartest of them all.)
Last year’s “smart technology” is “so yesterday” when you compare it to what Miku has going on. Miku goes way beyond simple video and audio. They actually give parents access to insightful analytics related to their little one’s sleep, as well as track breathing and motion. The Miku analyzes every inhale and exhale, which is then compared to years of research to give you powerful insights into your babe’s overall health and development.
Miku is contactless, versus some alternatives, which require babies to don wearables. “Contact-free monitoring fits a new parent lifestyle,” the experts at Miku explain. “There is no washing, charging, calibrating for every use, or other added hassle!” Something we love? It also reduces the stimulation for babes while they sleep, which is always a good thing. The contact-free of it all also allows Miku to remain with your baby as they grow, unlike other wearable devices which have to be changed as they get bigger.
Miku has 1080p HD video, night vision, low-to-no lag time (thanks to a Qualcomm Processor), crystal clear sound quality, and easy two-way talk. Dream home theater or what?
Miku understands that you want to be sure you are able to see and hear what’s going on while your little one sleeps, wherever you may be. Wifi allows for a portable monitoring display, meaning you can use the Miku app on any smartphone or tablet. More places for more information equals better connectivity.
We all know the anxieties and stresses that come along with those first few days (read: months; read: years) of parenting. We also know (and honor) those nights where you need to shut off for the night and another adult be in charge. That’s why we especially love the ability to adjust all alerts and notifications on the Mikus. You basically have every alert possible at the touch of a button, but can be toggled on or off depending on the night.
Miku can easily be moved from room to room on its floor stand. So whether you’re in your den watching/falling asleep to Father of The Bride for the 23525th time or in bed listening to that True Crime podcast that oddly calms you down, you can bring your Miku along.
Not only a monitor, Miku can also be used as a sound machine with custom sounds and lullabies created by the expert team at Miku. No need to have five different digital devices in the nursery, with Miku, you get it all in one.
Miku didn’t stop at monitoring your baby’s sleep. The monitor is also equipped to tell you all about your nursery. Temperature, humidity, sound, and light sensors help you set the perfect conditions for your little one’s sleep.
The Miku Pro has what’s known as “Crypto Chip Security,” a 256-bit encryption, and a Crypto Chip that’s part of the actual hardware. This ensures your feed remains safe, and tamper-proof.
This article was written in partnership with Miku.
As we start to surround ourselves with all things “holiday,” we wanted to take a time-out to honor a few mamas in our community who are doing incredible things for others, while also holding it down at home. From relieving the humanitarian crisis on our own soil to encouraging people to get out and vote, to offering diapers and doula services for those in at-risk communities, these women are changing the vision of what it means to give back and rallying others to do the same. We honor them today, and always.
“I made a ‘giving book’ with my son. We sat and thought of five things he would want to do for someone in need.
– Aliza M., mama of 3
Jaycina Almond is seeking to help historically excluded mothers in Atlanta. A mother herself, and one who’s intimately aware of the vast inequalities in her city, she founded the nonprofit organization The Tender Foundation to uplift new moms in need by providing bill pay, food assistance and other essentials. We sat down with Jaycina to chat all things Tender and how she hopes to shift the paradigm for these women through action.
Can you discuss the path to founding The Tender Foundation? What was the inspiration behind it? Was there a moment when you realized it needed to exists?
I never set out to lead a nonprofit organization – originally I was working on a subscription box service tailored to each trimester of pregnancy – A self-care toolbox delivered to mama’s doorsteps to make the journey through pregnancy easier. The premise was for every box delivered we would provide a box of diapers and wipes to families in our community. After spending a bunch of time and money on this idea, I realized it would never work because I only cared about those diapers and wipes, so I had to be real with myself and pivot.
That’s how Tender was born. I don’t think there was ever one definitive moment that I realized Tender needed to exist. My entire life has informed the “why” of Tender. My mom was a single mom for a large chunk of my childhood, working two or three jobs at a time just to make ends meet. I got pregnant when I was 20, we walked to my first prenatal appointment because it wasn’t worth the $12 dollars on an Uber. The only reason I’m able to mother the way I want and I was able to have the labor and delivery I wanted is because my daughter’s dad signed a music deal shortly after that first prenatal appointment. It’s infuriating to think about actually – the only reason I was able to have a safe labor and delivery, with a midwife was because I suddenly went from living on the margins myself to having access to resources that often young, Black women like me are excluded from.
Can you explore the philosophy behind The Tender Foundation? The mission?
At Tender, we are bridging the financial gap and providing a safety net for single mamas living on the margins here in Atlanta. We believe that every child deserves a home, food in their belly, and the everyday essentials like diapers and wipes. All mothers deserve to mother without the stress of survival. And we believe that asking and receiving help should be stigma and shame free. Our work is heavily informed by Black feminist theory, housing justice, food justice, etc.
Can you give us some examples of work you’re doing on the ground through The Tender Foundation?
Tender provides financial assistance with rent and utilities, we provide grocery store gift cards, and we operate a diaper bank that serves between 30-40 unique families a month. In the first half of 2021 we distributed a little over $36,000 in rent assistance, just shy of $5,000 in utility assistance, and $4,000 in grocery store gift cards.
What are the challenges underserved mothers face in Atlanta specifically? What makes the Tender Foundation’s work most meaningful in Atlantia specifically?
Atlanta is historically a Black city with the worst income inequality in the US – so that means the Black folks who have been here and built Atlanta into what it is – are severely underpaid and excluded. Thanks to Dr. Kelly Zvobgo, we’ve been shifting our language from “underserved,” “under resourced,” and “under-represented” to “historically excluded” because all of those things are happening by design.
There’s an abundance of barriers for single mothers here in Atlanta. 38 percent of single mamas live below the poverty line here (not to mention the mamas who are hovering just above the poverty line who still have to battle to make ends meet). The Atlanta area has the highest eviction rate in the country, and the areas with the highest rates of eviction are almost exclusively in Black neighborhoods. Over 77 percent of kids in the Atlanta Public School system qualify for free or reduced lunch. There’s limited affordable housing so housing routinely costs families more than half their income. The list goes on and on in Atlanta due to things like rapid gentrification, racial segregation, and lack of access and opportunity for Black folks here. If we are going to tout Atlanta as the “Black Mecca,” then we have to do the work to make that a reality for all the black folks in the city. There are so many people here doing just that alongside Tender.
If we are going to tout Atlanta as the “Black Mecca” then we have to do the work to make that a reality for all the black folks in the city.
What are the challenges associated with what your work?
I think for any new nonprofit just having the revenue to do the work is a big challenge! Personally, I’ve had to learn everything as we go – I had my daughter at 20. I didn’t go to college, I’ve never worked in this sector before. I’m learning as we grow and it’s tough to fight the imposter syndrome everyday to ask folks for large amounts of money as a young, Black woman. To meet with folks who inspire me in the industry and feel confident in our work. Even just learning how to run a fundraising campaign and best practices for board management are things I’ve had to learn!
As far as Tender specifically, we always have been cognizant of how we frame and present our mama’s stories. It’s not exactly a challenge for our team because ethical storytelling is a main priority. The challenge lies where the donors are expecting some sort of “trauma porn” to stir them to action. It’s almost like we have to reprogram some of our audience!
What are some of your proudest accomplishments to date?
We just recently surpassed over $200,000 raised since we launched in 2020! That’s something I’m really proud of. I never imagined when we started two years ago that what we were doing would translate to that large of an amount of money being able to go to families in our community.
What initiatives or work do you have yet to do that you’d like to do moving into the future?
We are currently building out a new offering named The Bridge – this program will explore the concept of an Universal Basic Income. We will be piloting hopefully soon and providing a handful of Black mamas with a monthly $1000 cash grant for at least five months. We hear from our moms the impact that our current programming has but we also hear that to put it simple: our moms need more cash to survive. The Bridge would give families a solid footing, make families more resilient when emergencies happen, and improve mental and physical wellbeing of the whole family. We believe everybody should have equal access to the material and social means to live a flourishing life and The Bridge is a small step we can take to try to make that happen.
Beli is designed to create a positive foundation of health through one small, yet significant act of a daily vitamin. All products are vegan friendly, gluten free, GMO free, made in a FDA registered facility, and follow the Good Manufacturing Process Guidelines (CGMP), And today, you can use CODE: HATCH15 for an exclusive discount at checkout.
If you’re newly pregnant or trying to conceive, we know you’re dutifully taking your prenatal vitamin. After all, it’s made with all of the critical nutrients your growing baby needs. Right? You might be shocked to hear it, but many of the popular prenatal vitamins so aggressively marketed to pregnant women today don’t meet current nutrient levels for choline, folate, vitamin D, magnesium, and iodine, according to both the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
All of these nutrients play key roles in your baby’s development, and choline in particular is surprisingly overlooked — not only in prenatal vitamins, but in endless round-ups of “best prenatal vitamins” on popular pregnancy and health websites.
Since you (rightfully) likely assumed that your prenatal vitamin was filling necessary nutrition gaps (uhhh, isn’t that its entire purpose?), this probably comes as a shock. But knowledge is power, and understanding exactly what that nutrition label should include is an important first step toward ensuring both you and your baby are getting all the nutrients you need.
Quick overview — choline is a B-vitamin that was recognized by the National Academy of Medicine as an essential nutrient in 1998. It’s made in minor levels in the human body, but not nearly enough to meet their needs, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. For that, we need to turn to food or supplements. And because the daily recommended intake is 450 mg per day during pregnancy and 550 mg per day if you’re nursing, well, that’s where good prenatal vitamins come in.
So what does choline do? Quite a bit, actually. Choline helps your baby’s spinal cord and brain develop properly, with data suggesting that it plays a role in better brain and cognitive outcomes. Case in point? When large amounts of choline are consumed during the third trimester, the baby’s information processing speed may be faster than babies born to a parent who did not take in enough choline during pregnancy.
Other research suggests that higher choline intake during pregnancy is associated with modestly boosted child visual memory and attention span at age seven.
Choline also offers protection against neural tube defects, much like folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
In one study, low maternal dietary choline intake (≤290 mg/day) increased the risk for having a baby with a neural tube defect by approximately two times.
Extra choline is also necessary during early pregnancy for growth of the placenta and maternal organs like the kidneys and the uterus.
Here’s the takeaway — the importance of ensuring you get enough choline during pregnancy really cannot be overstated.
If you’re speed-reading the label on your prenatal vitamin bottle right this second and getting more panicked by the second, stop. Breathe. Yes, you might consider switching to a prenatal vitamin that contains appropriate levels of choline. But in the meantime, you can also make a point of eating foods that serve as good sources of choline, which include egg yolks, beef, chicken, cruciferous veggies like cauliflower, and peanuts.
So make yourself some scrambled eggs and order some Beli prenatals. We took a clean, science-backed approach to developing the most complete prenatal vitamins for pregnancy and beyond. Formulated with high-quality iron and TRAACS minerals that are easier to absorb, plus appropriate levels of all the nutrients you and your growing baby need, this is truly complete nutrition. Pregnancy is a wild ride, and knowing your prenatal has you covered in every way means one less thing to worry about.
This article was originally published on belibaby.com and written in partnership with Beli Baby.
Oh the holidays. Fun for everyone else. Tough on you, mama. Between the endless cocktails, late night dance parties, and playing designated driver, it’s a wonder you even want to go out at all. But, for the days when you’re feeling good, when you want to flaunt that bump and toast the season, we’ve got your style needs covered. Peep everything you need to keep it comfy, chic and always flattering for the two hours you decide to go out.
Our favorite gifts are the ones that keep giving, year-round. Spoil the receiving mama on your list with something relevant to her life that will arrive 12 (or more!
When it comes to hiding her baby bump for her legions of fans, Erin Lim Rhodes is something of a pro. Now, the host of the E! Snapchat show, E! The Rundown is stepping out from the camera and chatting with us about her first pregnancy. Now at 35 weeks, she’s dishing on everything from snack attacks to wellness techniques (both on point), to how she’s staying calm and blissed out. Read on!
I’m feeling heavily pregnant at this point. I’m like nearly there. I can’t believe in two weeks I’ll be fully cooked and in five weeks I’ll hit my due date. It’s been such a crazy journey and it really flew by. Everyone says the third trimester lasts forever but for me, it’s all slipping away so quickly.
For the most part, I’m having an amazing pregnancy. I really had no problems in the first trimester. I had zero morning sickness, maybe a little nausea but for first part, but it was all good. I was very tired, but I’m a napper anyway, so it’s not too far off from how I normally am. I just needed a three hour nap everyday!
In thes second trimester, I was an unstoppable superwoman. My belly was showing, I was embracing it, getting my runs in. I was like, wow, being pregnant isn’t so bad. Then the third trimester hit and it was, whoah, I get it now. I feel more movement, my back aches, the baby started kicking all the time, I get heartburn here and there and indigestion. The third trimester is the real deal.
We do not know what we’re having. We made the decision from the beginning to wait it out and be surprised on the day of. I don’t know why we made this decision. For us, we realized there are so few real surprises in life. It was hard going to some ultrasounds, we’d close our eyes etc. But I think it’s making it that much more exciting for us. I keep envisioning the moment they tell us what the baby is. We have the name for the baby either way. It’s just a matter of knowing when the baby arrives.
When I found out I was pregnant, it was so early on. I was having really bad abdominal pain. I couldn’t even tell, am I fully pregnant? Is this an ectopic pregnancy? Am I miscarrying? That being said, once I found out I was pregnant, I immediately felt girl vibes. I think it’s a girl. I barely had any pregnancy hormones in me, but I had a girl feeling. I had a few dreams with a baby girl, and when my grandmother was passing away, I told her we were pregnant. She asked me to name the baby Yolanda (her name). That made me think, she knows we’re having a girl. For whatever reason, she thinks that.
Although, everyone is telling me it’s a boy because I had a smooth pregnancy. My skin’s glowing, I’ve been carrying low and I’m not that moody. All the old wives tale point to boy, allegedly. My husband thinks it’s a boy. At the end of day, we have no idea, but I haven’t had a boy feeling yet, if that matters.
My plan is to do an unmedicated birth with no epidural. I’m taking hypo-birthing classes and learning breathing techniques to help during the process and I’m enjoying that. I’m learning how to mentally take control of my breathing and situation, and I’m learning how to be at peace and be calm, so that’s been great. It’s also made my husband feel useful. This whole time, he’d say he feels useless. But him learning these techniques and this method, he feels like, OK, I can support you when game day comes.
It’s all been really empowering. I’ll have a doula with me. She’s amazing – Nina Phelan of The Soulful Birth. She’s made pregnancy and the whole journey so magical and beautiful. She’s given me so many tips on how to be comfortable and at peace. My plan is to hopefully be so hydrated that I wont be hooked to an IV. It’s small details here and there to work out. I’ll be at a hospital and I’ll have an OB, who I also love.
I’m that boring anomaly. I have no whacky cravings, no food aversions. I still love and enjoy the same things I’ve always loved. No scent puts me off or grosses me out. I’ve always been a junk food junkee and carb lover. I love to indulge but not-pregnant Erin has restraint and control. Now I just give in. I’m like, cool let’s have a cheeseburger, pizza and pasta in one day. I’m constantly hungry. I have gummy bears in my purse for emergencies. I have hard boiled eggs nearby everyday. My snack game is on point. Once the urge comes, I hit it.
My snack game is on point. Once the urge comes, I hit it.
We were not planning this. We had just gotten married in January. We figured, let’s enjoy a year of being married. We can potentially try soon. Then there was a period of a few days where I was off my birth control, but my doctor was late to write my prescription and send it to the pharmacy. We were a little careless but honestly didn’t think we’d conceive as quickly as we did.
I was on the pill for years. Everyone says it takes a year to stabilize and get back to your self. I also figured it would take a while. It turns out I’m very fertile. When I called my husband from the doctor, he was so excited. I was so hormonal. I also went there because of sharp abdominal pain. I thought it was endometriosis or a gastro-intestinal issue. They said let’s just take a urine sample. Then, as I was leaving, the nurse called me back in, told me I was pregnant and sent me off with four boxes of prenatal vitamins.
I’m the type of person who loves work. I hate sick days, I hated missing school growing up. I love my show, it’s my baby. Leaving it gives me anxiety. But, I’m going to take formal leave. I could take up to four months, but with my work ethic, I might consider coming back early. I have to listen to my body and see what my baby needs. I don’t know how I’ll be after having a baby. I might take the entire four months if I love the mom life. It’s all kind of up in the air. If I can come up with a dream situation, I’d work three days a week, do The Rundown and possibly do it from home. We’ll see when the time comes.
Aside from the naps, I have been good about staying consistent with working out. I think that’s why I had amazing pregnancy. I stayed active. I’m working out with my trainer, Hannah Joy Fitness. She has a pre and postnatal workout plan. I work out with her once a week and do workouts from her e-book twice a week. I walk on days when I’m not doing interval training and sometimes if I don’t want to do resistance, I’ll do yoga or stretching.
I’m also practicing belly breathing and I’m working on my pelvic floor with a pelvic floor physical therapist. It’s great to learn about my pelvic floor. It’s not something I knew much about until I was pregnant. She checks my tone and strength of my pelvic floor – that it’s not too tight or too loose. Even the feeling of pushing – I had no idea what it’s supposed to feel like! I’m also doing chiropractic work. I have an amazing chiropractor who’s making sure my pelvis stay in line because I had some round ligament pain in the second trimester. My body is feeling good. I’m also doing acupuncture.
In the beginning I was trying to hide my bump with baggy clothes. I wore a lot of button-ups and tops with patterns to create illusions. I wore big chunky sweaters and vests – things that can be slouchy. Then when I announced the pregnancy, I was all about flaunting it! I’d wear tight, stretchy pants that accentuate the bump, crop tops that show the bump, bra-lettes with jackets over them. My belly is constantly out and bumping.
Normally, I love wearing baggy tees and streetwear, but when I’m pregnant, it’s not the look anymore. Now i just seem kind of chunky and bloated. I’d rather you know I’m pregnant. Right now, I’m wearing stretchy pants and a HATCH cashmere cardigan with a crop top.
Literally every pair of my normal jeans. I miss tight jeans, anything like that, I can’t wait to wear. I wish I could wear my jeans right now! I miss my jeans.
My hope would be that my baby knows that they can truly make a difference in this world. They will be born with a purpose and no dream is too big for them. Our future is in their hands and I pray they know that they’ll always be supported in whatever they want to do. They have the ability to do big things with their life and that they’re important.
Picture this: you’ve planned your first post-vaccination getaway to an island in the sun. Blue ocean, spicy guacamole, strong drinks…and your newly-sleeping-through-the-night infant that’s never been on a plane before.
FUN, right? Right?!
“Sleeping is an essential part of your child’s development,” the experts at Bugaboo tell us, and we firmly agree (from experience). That’s why they created a play yard — aptly named the Bugaboo Stardust — that makes naptime and playtime just a little bit easier on you and your little one. And get this: its easy 1-second unfold makes it the ideal travel companion whether you’re en route to grandmas or the Bahamas.
Three key features we’re obsessed with:
Like all things Bugaboo, the Stardust is compliant with all the latest safety standards so you (and bebé) can sleep easy, not to mention comfortably (the Stardust has a built-in multi-layered mattress!)
Do not fear the unfold! Just unclip it, pull on the sides, and the Stardust opens up! To fold it back, just press the buttons at the fold and push both sides back together. And yes, the mattress can be folded in with it. No caught fingers, injured limbs, or bruised knees, here.
The Stardust comes with a premium carry bag that basically begs you to take it on vacations with you. It’s made to be easily wipeable with a damp cloth so STAINS BE GONE!
