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Getting Out The Door with Baby is an Accomplishment

*We know it can be hard to get out the door when you’re a new mom. So we’ve partnered with Munchkin to share real stories & strategies from real moms that will help motivate you to get out the door and get into your mom flow. Below, Instagram mama and MTHR Collective founder Liz Franco shares her postpartum story. As a first-time mom, I didn't really know what to expect with my baby. But I'd see a lot of my favorite moms on Instagram looking perfectly coiffed, out and about with their newborn in a picturesque ring sling, and I thought that was "the norm." The reality was a little bit different than that. The anxiety that came with getting out the door with my baby tended to be overwhelming and, to be quite honest, sometimes still is. I had no idea how long it actually took to pack a diaper bag and get us dressed. Sometimes (actually a lot of times!), Walker would decide to take a nap at the exact time we needed to be somewhere, so that definitely was a forced adjustment to our schedule. I felt like we'd spend so much time getting ready to leave that by the time we got there, I was too stressed to enjoy whatever was going on. Not being able to control the conditions I'd be walking into was difficult. If we got invited to a party, sometimes it would be too loud or there would be too many people or it would just be too SOMETHING, and then I'd just want to go home to my quiet, baby-friendly environment.

I remember we made a trip to the store 6 days postpartum, and I was wearing Walker in a wrap with his little head poking out. A woman in line next to me was amazed that I was out with him already and I felt pretty accomplished! But there were many days we didn’t even leave the house. The feeling of isolation you have with a new baby was something I was not prepared for. The thing is, after talking to other moms about it, it's such a common obstacle and I wish it was talked about more. Even during pregnancy, people stop inviting you out; certain friendships change. People assume you don't want to or can't be social anymore. Once baby is here, you feel alone even though you are literally never actually, physically alone. Because of that, I did find that I began isolating myself. Coupled with some moderate postpartum anxiety, it just felt easier to stay home at first.

I can't emphasize enough how crucial it is to find a tribe of other mamas, especially when you’re dealing with postpartum anxiety/depression. It truly is a special sort of club where these other women just get it. I have a pretty diverse group of mom groups on Facebook and Instagram, but there’s nothing more important than finding other women that are new to motherhood who I can get together with for coffee, and a walk in the park, or a dinner and wine night after the babes are sound asleep. It was also part of the reason why my business partner and I came up with the idea for MTHR Collective. We both were up working our "night owl office hours," chatting about the day's trials and tribulations of motherhood, and how we wished we could go on a retreat somewhere together with other moms and reset our creative spirit kid-free, if only for a few days. It suddenly dawned on us that this concept was virtually non-existent and felt compelled and passionate about pioneering this restful sisterhood. Our first retreat is taking place this fall and we are beyond excited to bring together moms just like us who need this well-deserved break, where we can share our stories and experiences as creative mothers.

But even if a kid-free weekend isn’t possible, it’s so important to join an online mom group, and schedule play dates/meetups. I even try to get together with one of my mama friends at least once every couple of weeks without the kids for some coffee and full sentence conversations. And...it gets easier as time goes on! Now, that my son is almost a year old and we have our routine down, we’re pretty good about getting out of the house. But we definitely still have some harder days. My best advice for the mama going THROUGH it right now is to utilize your village, whatever that looks like. Don't be afraid to ASK YOUR PEOPLE FOR HELP. Above all else, please know that you are doing a great job!

Liz’s Must-Haves for Getting Out the Door 1. Brica GoPad Diaper Changer 2. BOB Jogging Stroller 3. Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup Trainer 4. Solly Baby Wrap 5. Happy Baby Puffs Photography by D. Lillian for Well Rounded.

SHOP MUNCHKIN'S ESSENTIALS FOR GETTING OUT THE DOOR

Munchkin Latch Bottle

Munchkin Miracle 360 Cup Trainer

Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder

Brica Fold n Go Travel Bassinet

Brica GoPad Diaper Changer

Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bags & Dispenser

Jessica Pallay

Jessica Pallay is the director of event programming & operations at Motherly and the co-founder of the pregnancy community Well Rounded, which was acquired by Motherly in 2019. She's an experienced writer, editor and content marketer, and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Vogue.com, Cheddar and more. She lives in Brooklyn with her two daughters, Libby & Elsie, and her husband Andrew. You can follow her here.

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Save big on these 9 car seats right now online on Walmart.com, mama

Pop quiz, mama! How many different types of car seats are there? If you guessed three, you're partially correct. The three main types are rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, and booster seats. But then there are a variety of styles as well: infant car seats, convertible seats, all-in-one seats, high-back booster seats, and backless boosters. If you're not totally overwhelmed yet, keep reading, we promise there's good stuff ahead.

There's no arguing that, in the scheme of your baby and child gear buying lifetime, purchasing a car seat is a big deal! Luckily, Walmart.com has everything you need to travel safely with your most precious cargo in the backseat. And right now, you can save big on top-rated car seats and boosters during Best of Baby Month, happening now through September 30 at Walmart.com.

As if that wasn't enough, Walmart will even take the carseat your kiddos have outgrown off your hands for you (and hook you up with a sweet perk, too). Between September 16 and 21, Walmart is partnering with TerraCycle to recycle used car seats. When you bring in an expired car seat or one your child no longer fits into to a participating Walmart store during the trade-in event, you'll receive a $30 gift card to spend on your little one in person or online. Put the money towards a brand new car seat or booster or other baby essentials on your list. To find a participating store check here: www.walmart.com/aboutbestofbabymonth

Ready to shop, mama? Here are the 9 best car seat deals happening this month.

Safety 1st Grow and Go Spring 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

From rear-facing car seat to belt-positioning booster, Grow and Go Sprint's got you covered through childhood. Whether you choose the grey Silver Lake, Seafarer or pink Camelia color palette, you'll love how this model grows with your little one — not to mention how easy it is to clean. The machine-washable seat pad can be removed without fussing with the harness, and the dual cup holders for snacks and drinks can go straight into the dishwasher.

Price: $134 (regularly $149)

SHOP

Baby Trend Hybrid Plus 3-in-1 Booster Car Seat in Bermuda

When your toddler is ready to face forward, this versatile car seat can be used as a five-point harness booster, a high-back booster, and a backless booster. Padded armrests, harness straps, and seat cushions provide a comfy ride, and the neutral gray seat pads reverse to turquoise for a stylish new look.

Price: $72.00 (regularly $81)

SHOP

Baby Trend Hybrid Plus 3-in-1 Booster Car Seat in Olivia

Looking for something snazzy, mama? This black and hot pink car seat features a playful heart print on its reversible seat pad and soft harness straps. Best of all, with its 100-pound weight limit and three booster configurations, your big kid will get years of use out of this fashionable design.

Price: $72.00 (regularly $81)

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Evenflo Triumph LX Convertible Car Seat

This rear- and forward-facing car seat keeps kids safer, longer with an adjustable five-point harness that can accommodate children up to 65 lbs. To tighten the harness, simply twist the conveniently placed side knobs; the Infinite Slide Harness ensures an accurate fit every time. As for style, we're big fans of the cozy quilted design, which comes in two colorways: grey and magenta or grey and turquoise.

Price: $116 (regularly $149.99)

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Disney Baby Light 'n Comfy 22 Luxe Infant Car Seat

Outfitted with an adorable pink-and-white polka dot Minnie Mouse infant insert, even the tiniest of travelers — as small as four pounds! — can journey comfortably and safely. This rear-facing design is lightweight, too; weighing less than 15 lbs, you can easily carry it in the crook of your arm when your hands are full (because chances are they will be).

Price: $67.49 (regularly $89.99)

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Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

We know it's hard to imagine your tiny newborn will ever hit 100 lbs, but one day it'll happen. And when it does, you'll appreciate not having to buy a new car seat if you start with this 4-in-1 design! Designed to fit kids up to 120 lbs, it transforms four ways, from a rear-facing car seat to a backless belt-positioning booster. With a 6-position recline and a one-hand adjust system for the harness and headrest, you can easily find the perfect fit for your growing child.

Price: $199.99 (regularly $269.99)

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Graco SlimFit All-in-One Convertible Car Seat

With its unique space-saving design, this 3-in-1 car seat provides 10% more back seat space simply by rotating the dual cup holders. The InRight LATCH system makes installation quick and easy, and whether you're using it as a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat, or a belt-positioning booster, you can feel confident that your child's safe and comfortable thanks to Graco's Simply Safe Adjust Harness System.

Price: $149.99 (regularly $229.99)

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Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Platinum XT Infant Car Seat

Making sure your infant car seat is secure can be tricky, but Graco makes it easy with its one-second LATCH attachment and hassle-free three-step installation using SnugLock technology. In addition to its safety features, what we really love about this rear-facing seat are all of the conveniences, including the ability to create a complete travel system with Click Connect Strollers and a Silent Shade Canopy that expands without waking up your sleeping passenger.

Price: $169.99 (regularly $249.99)

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Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Elite Infant Car Seat

With just one click, you can know whether this rear-facing car seat has been installed properly. Then adjust the base four different ways and use the bubble level indicator to find the proper position. When you're out and about, the rotating canopy with window panel will keep baby protected from the sun while allowing you to keep your eye on him.

Price: $129.99 (regularly $219.99)

SHOP

This article was sponsored by Walmart. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.

walmartbranded walmart bestofbabymonth carseats booster convertiblecarseat graco evenflo car safety car seat our partners our-partners

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This mascara will make you look more awake (no matter how little sleep you got)

If I ever want to look alive before dropping my son off to school, there are two things I must put on before leaving the house: eyeliner and mascara. When using eyeliner, I typically use black liner on my top lid, a slightly lighter brown for my bottom lid, and then a nude liner for my water line. It works every time.

My mascara routine is a bit different. Because my natural lashes are thin and not the longest, I always opt for the darkest black I can find, and one that's lengthening and volumizing. For this reason, I was immediately drawn to It Cosmetics Lash Blowout Mascara. The new mascara is developed in partnership with Drybar (the blow dry bar that specializes in just blowouts) and promises to deliver bold and voluminous lashes all day long. I was sold.

Could this really be the blowout my lashes have been waiting for? It turns out, it was much better than most volumizing formulas I've tried.

For starters, the wand is a great size—it's not too big or small, and it's easy to grip—just like my favorite Drybar round brush. As for the formula, it's super light and infused with biotin which helps lashes look stronger and healthier. I also love that it's buildable, and I didn't notice any clumps or flakes between coats.

IT Cosmetics on Instagram: “Hit 💛 if you know the feeling! We love the lash love, @lunaamongthestars! "When you're so obsessed with your new mascara that you get a…”

The real test is that my lashes still looked great at dinnertime. I didn't have smudges or the dreaded raccoon eyes I always get after a long day at work. Surprisingly, the mascara actually stayed in place. To be fair, I haven't compared them with lash-extensions (which are my new go-to since having baby number two), but I'm sure it will hold up nicely.

Overall, I was very impressed with the level of length and fullness this mascara delivered. Indeed, this is the eyelash blowout my lashes have been waiting for. While it won't give you a few extra hours in bed, you'll at least look a little more awake, mama.

It Cosmetics Lash Blowout Mascara

SHOP

Here's how I apply IT Cosmetics Lash Blowout Mascara:

Starting as close to lash line as possible (and looking down), align the brush against your top lashes. Gradually turn upwards, then wiggle the wand back and forth up and down your eyelashes.
Repeat, if needed. Tip: Be sure to allow the mascara to dry between each coat.
Using the same technique, apply mascara to your bottom lashes, brushing the wand down your eyelashes.

Motherly is your daily #momlife manual; we are here to help you easily find the best, most beautiful products for your life that actually work. We share what we love—and we may receive a commission if you choose to buy. You've got this.

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Life

Eva Mendes on the realities of parenting: It's so hard + so wonderful

Having children isn't always as easy as it looks on Instagram. There's so much more to motherhood than serene baby snuggles and matching outfits. But there's a reason we've fallen so deeply in love with motherhood: It's the most beautiful, chaotic ride.

Every single day, we sit back and wonder how something so hard can feel so rewarding. And Eva Mendes just managed to nail the reality of that with one quote.

Eva, who is a mama to daughters Esmerelda and Amada with Ryan Gosling, got real about the messy magic of motherhood in a recent interview.

"It's so fun and beautiful and maddening," the actress tells Access Daily. "It's so hard, of course. But it's like that feeling of…you end your day, you put them to bed and Ryan and I kind of look at each other like, 'We did it, we did it. We came out relatively unscathed.'"

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News

I thought the NICU was only for preemies, but I was wrong

My labor and delivery was short and sweet. I started feeling contractions on Monday morning and by Tuesday night at 8:56 pm my handsome baby boy was born. Only 30 minutes of pushing. Afterward, I was still out of it, to be honest. I held him and did some skin to skin and handed him off to my husband, my mother held him next.

When he was in my mother's arms, I knew he was safe. I started to drift off, the epidural had me feeling drowsy and I had used up all my strength to push this 7 lb baby out. My son's eyes were open and then I guess he went to sleep too. My mother swayed him back and forth. The nurses were in and out, cleaning me up and checking in on us.

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Life

The Wing's Audrey Gelman makes history as first visibly pregnant CEO on a business magazine cover 👏

There have been a lot of iconic entertainment magazine covers featuring pregnant women over the years. Who can forget Demi Moore's bare baby bump on Vanity Fair or Britney Spears' similar nude pose on Harper's Bazaar?

Pregnant women on a magazine covers is nothing new, but a visibly pregnant CEO on the cover of a business magazine, that's a first and it happened this week.

Inc. just put The Wing's CEO Audrey Gelman on the cover and this is a historic moment in publishing and business.

As Gelman told Today this week, "You can't be what you can't see, so I think it's so important for women to see that it's possible to run a fast-growing business and also to start a family."

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News

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