March coming to a close brings us and our winter-weary brains one month closer to summer — and the shopping habits of What to Expect readers followed suit. Our community of moms and moms-to-be spent the past month stocking up for summer with cartfuls of baby-safe sunscreen, wildly popular postpartum swimwear and very flattering maternity dresses hiding at Target.
Of course, it wasn’t all about fun in the sun. The top-bought roster also featured several trusty, cross-seasonal items that focused on making pregnancy more comfortable and breastfeeding easier. How do we know? We analyzed internal (anonymous) shopping data to determine which items WTE readers purchased the most in March.
From an award-winning pregnancy pillow to a comfortable two-in-one bra, here are the top 10 items parents like you couldn’t stop adding to cart last month.
Moms’ favorite baby-safe sunscreen
Deemed the Best Baby Sunscreen by dermatologists and What to Expect staff members, Thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen is a summer must-have. The mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide to block 98 percent of UVB rays. And because it’s free from oxybenzone, parabens and phthalates, you don’t have to worry about any “junk” coming into contact with your baby’s sensitive skin. Regarding the texture, What to Expect parents say it’s “silky” and “easy to rub on,” which is a huge plus if you’re dealing with a wiggly baby.
What to Expect Moms stocked up on Thinkbaby sunscreen during the Amazon Big Spring Sale when it was 40% off. Fortunately, the deal is still on, so you can grab a tube (or 10) for $9 each.
An award-winning pregnancy pillow
We’re not joking when we say the Pharmedoc pregnancy pillow is an award-winner: Our community members voted it Best Pregnancy Pillow in the What to Expect Sleep Awards two years in a row. (Not to mention, our staff has also crowned it the Best Pregnancy Pillow.) The U-shape pillow receives constant praise for making side-sleeping easier during pregnancy — especially for typically back- and front-sleepers. The firm, but forgiving filling better supports your belly, back, knees, neck and hips, alleviating the pregnancy pains that keep you up at night. Though some may find it large, there’s a detachable “leg” that you can remove to save on space.
The pillow was 36% off during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Though the discount isn’t as deep, it’s currently still on sale for 23% off — meaning you’ll save $15.
The only swimsuit postpartum moms want to wear
The Kona Sol one-piece caught our attention after seeing several moms credit the suit for giving them an extra boost of body confidence. “This is my first summer postpartum and I was so nervous about finding a swimsuit that would make me feel confident but this has delivered,” one mom wrote, with several others agreeing. The side ruching gives the suit a little extra stretch, which is helpful as your body continues to change postpartum. Meanwhile, the cups have padding for extra bust support and can be moved aside for easier nursing. We also love that the scallop neckline adds some extra style.
An easy-to-clean teether
Even though we highlighted Infantino’s carrot teether as an Easter basket filler, it’s a great purchase no matter the time of year. Made of BPA-free silicone, the teether provides a soft biting experience to help soothe baby’s gum pain. (There’s even a textured section for extra relief!) Yet it’s durable enough that your child won’t chew through it. The handles make it easy for even the smallest hands to hold without assistance, freeing your hands to deal with other tasks. And because it doesn’t have a ton of nooks and crannies, you can easily wipe it clean with a cloth.
The most popular (and supportive) belly band
Some bad news: A lot of moms-to-be experience pregnancy pains thanks to that beloved bump. The good news: Many find relief with the help of the Azmed Maternity Belly Band. What to Expect moms deem this the best belly band, saying it’s easy to put on and take off thanks to a singular Velcro fastener. And, most importantly, they praise the wraparound band for providing “superior comfort” and “instant relief.” And if you act fast, you might be able to snag it for 23% off, knocking the price from $31 to $24.
The must-have maternity dress of the summer
It can be hard to rationalize spending money on maternity clothes, but moms said they were happy to put their money towards the new Ingrid & Isabel dress at Target. (Granted, it’s under $40, so you won’t be breaking the bank!) It’s the type of all-in-one dress you want when it’s hot out — especially when you’re pregnant and just want something to throw on. Made of stretchy polyester and Spandex, it’ll grow with you and your bump. Bonus: There’s a pair of built-in shorts to prevent dreaded summer chafing.
A hospital-grade wearable breast pump
More and more brands are introducing wearable breast pumps, but the Elvie Stride Wireless Breast Pump remains a favorite among What to Expect staff and community members. (So much so, we deemed it the Best Wearable Breast Pump.) Moms love that the pump provides hospital-grade power without needing power from an outlet. What to Expect moms also appreciate that the Elvie Stride is quiet, especially compared to other breast pumps, and can be easily operated via an app. Bonus: It’s currently 22% off!
A two-for-one postpartum bra
Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra
$52 $42 See More
Available from Kindred Bravely
Kindred Bravely is synonymous with comfort and convenience, which is probably why it was voted the Best Nursing Bra Brand in the What to Expect Feeding Awards. And although all of the Kindred Bravely bras are great, we’ve named the Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra the Best Nursing Bra. Made of ultra-stretchy nylon and Spandex, this bra has two layers of fabric: One that pulls down to reveal horizontal slits that hold pump flanges in place, and a second that exposes the whole breast for direct feeding, so you can wear it while pumping or nursing. In addition to the genius design, we love that Kindred Bravely has a relatively expansive size range: up to 3X and cups up to H. (Psst, right now you get this bra for 20% off with the code GETPUMPED!)
A safe way to keep baby warm while they sleep
Halo’s SleepSack has won both a What to Expect Sleep Award and What to Expect Mom Must-Have Award because, well, it’s the best sleep sack; it keeps baby cozy and gives parents peace of mind that their child won’t overheat. New parents especially appreciate how easy it is to use: Rather than being secured with crinkly Velcro or hard-to-use snaps, Halo has a two-way zipper. (this also makes diaper changes easy!) It comes in an array of fabrics, so you can find the one that works for your climate: the 100% cotton sleep sack can be used year-round, while the fleece option is great for winter use.
A non-maternity bra you can wear while pregnant (and after, too!)
We love pieces that can transition from maternity wear to postpartum wear and beyond, which makes this SKIMS bralette an absolute winner. It’s one of our favorite maternity bras for a straightforward option that’s just downright comfortable. Plus, it ranges in sizes from XXS to 4X, which is more expensive than many other brands. WTE moms say they love it for being extra comfy, thanks to its underwire-free design. But you don’t have to sacrifice shape for comfort: The elastic band under the bra provides some lift and the smooth band gives shape without restricting. You’ll wear it well past your postpartum days, too!
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