Polarn O. Pryet (POP), one of Sweden’s largest children’s wear companies, is currently having a sale of up to 50% off  on many of its summer styles, including clothes for newborns, babies, toddlers, kids 2-6, kids 6-11, and even moms. This includes clothing from its ECO line, such as this Applique Eco T. Made of 100% organic cotton, the tee features an applique of a house on the front and comes in Black, Pea, or Rowan. Regularly priced at $28, it’s currently on sale for $14. You can view all of the sale items at PolarnOPyretUSA.com.

Pregnancy can be the time in a woman’s life when she looks and feels the most beautiful and healthy. Unfortunately, the changes that occur in the body during this time often leave unsightly stretch marks, however. Obstetrician Michele Brown, M.D. has developed a line of skin care products for pregnant women called Beaute de Maman. Her Stretch Mark Cream is designed to be used during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks. It contains all-natural ingredients including hyaluronic acid, bio-saccharide gum, gardenia tahitensis, coconut oil, pea extract, and other all natural botanical and herbal ingredients. The cream doesn’t have the smell or feel of cocoa butter (another stretch mark remedy), is rich and thick, and absorbs into the skin easily. Everything in Beaute de Maman’s inventory is allergy tested and obstetrician tested, and guaranteed to be safe formother and fetus. To view the entire line of Beaute de Maman products visit BeautedeMaman.com, where you can purchase the Stretch Mark Cream on sale for $22.99 for a 3.5 oz. tube.

I’d always heard that bravado!’s nursing bra was the gold standard for breastfeeding moms, but I never owned one before baby number three. Friends swear by them, but I have to say that I am less than enamored with mine. Although I bought the right size according to the packaging, I don’t feel like I get enough support from this bra. I also find the design a bit strange (see the picture for the unusual strap that extends well into the bra itself), and the adjusters on the straps slip easily, leading to even less support. I know others love this bra, so I’m disappointed that it isn’t for me. Luckily, I’m reaching the point at which it is easy and comfortable to nurse in regular bras. If you want to check out what all the hype is about, you can purchase one of these bras for $35 at BravadoDesigns.com.

It has been said that babies can hear while in the womb, and that this is the best time to start talking to, reading to, and playing music for your baby. That’s the concept behind Baby Chimes, a 34″ necklace with a heart-or round-shaped charm that chimes when it’s moved around. It’s designed to rest on the pregnant belly, playing a gentle, calming sound for baby. Once baby is born, users say he can recognize the sound of the chime and it still has the same calming effect. This would be terrific if it really works. Made of sterling silver, Baby Chimes sells for $42.88 at doulashop.com.

When you’re pregnant, finding comfortable pants can be almost impossible. The Everywear Pant by Ingrid & Isabel is supposed to solve that problem. Versatile and stretchy, the Everywear pant features a long waistband that can be worn up for full belly coverage, folded at the waist for belly support, or down around your hips. Made of 86% Nylon and 14% Spandex, the Everywear pant is designed for use during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They come in sizes based on your pre-pregnancy weight, and are available for $88 at doulashop.com. (For that price, they better last through at least one pregnancy and beyond!)

TinyPlayground.com is a new website that provides practical resources and ideas for new moms. It offers Mom Guides to things such as Preparing for Baby, Roundups listing Mommy and Me classes, online classifieds, baby photos, and much more. Some of its most helpful offerings include the Solid Food Chart for Babies age 6-12 months, and the Newborn Breastfeeding Chart with spaces to log wet and dirty diapers during the first week of baby’s life. To view all of the practical, useful offerings, visit TinyPlayground.com.

Any woman who’s given birth to at least one baby knows how hard it can be to get those pregnancy pounds off. But who has time for long, involved exercise programs? Fitness and nutrition expert Lindsay Brin has the perfect solution: a DVD fitness program divided into stages of pregnancy and postpartum. Her Moms Into Fitness Complete Pregnancy Fitness Program keeps Mom fit from the first trimester all the way through post-delivery. The first three trimester programs including cardio, toning, and yoga, and the postpartum program features shorter, 10 and 5 minute workout sessions, so busy moms can fit some exercise time into their day. The entire program of 4 DVDs is available for $69.99, or you can buy each individual DVD for $19.99 each, at MomsIntoFitness.com.

I’m never so fortunate as to find a two-piece bathing suit that fits my wildly disproportionate body. When I saw this gorgeous nursing suit from Belabumbum, I so wished I was built a bit differently. I love the brilliant red color, and the bow under the breasts is very flattering to a nursing body. The long, A-line top is very forgiving of a little leftover baby belly, too. You can purchase one of these suits for $108 at picklesandicecream.com. The shop warns that it runs small, so be prepared to swallow your pride and order a size up!

When you become pregnant, immediately you start worrying about the baby’s health. Things you never thought about before pregnancy become of the utmost importance. One of those things is the safety of health and beauty products. A new company, NINE Naturals, has begun to sell a line of natural shampoo and conditioner especially for use during pregnancy. Made with natural plant oils, these products contain no parabens, no phthalates, no sulfates, and no DEA. These all natural products are designed to cleanse and condition your hair gently without harsh chemicals. The company plans to launch a body wash and body lotion soon as well. You can view the shampoo and conditioner at NINEnaturals, where they retail for $18 each.

As soon as (or perhaps even before) baby is born, parents are planning his or her first professional photos. To preserve these special moments, many parents opt to choose a professional photographer who specializes in portraits of newborns. Kylene Cleaver owns and operates Leave It To Me Photography, a custom portraiture business, from her home in Maryland. Although she photographs all ages, newborns and pregnant women are one of her specialties.

Cleaver is able to capture details that other photographers miss in her portraits of children. She takes the time to elicit a natural, unscripted reaction from her subjects as she shoots them candidly, without a “pose and shoot” mentality. All of her photo sessions are done “on location,” in the client’s home or a place of the client’s choosing, using natural light. She has taken photos of my son many times, always with spectacular results. In fact, she is the only person I would trust to take portraits of my family. You can check out some of her stunning photos at LeaveItToMePhotography.com. While she is based in Maryland, she has clients throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and surrounding areas.

High-end maternity retailer Isabella Oliver is currently running its mid-season sale through May 10th. You can save up to 70% on celebrity-worthy styles. There are a lot of tops, dresses, pants, and skirts to choose from, in both professional and casual styles. Non-pregnant mommies may want to check out the Isabella Oliver 365 sale. You can shop both at isabellaoliver.com.

Walmart.com has a clearance sale going on now, and you can find some great prices on their maternity clothing. If you’re pregnant now (or plan to be pregnant in the colder weather) you can buy items such as a Maternity Cardigan for just $3. Other Maternity deals include the short sleeve jersey trapeze shirt (shown above) for $4 and a Maternity Color-Block Zip Jacket for $5. They might not be the most fashionable maternity clothes on the market, but these are great for wearing around the house or on casual occasions. To view all of the deals, including price slashes on baby products and clothing, visit Walmart.com.

When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I went a little ultrasound crazy. I desperately wanted to know if she was a boy or girl, so we took a weekend trip to go to a private ultrasound studio three weeks before I’d have the big diagnostic ultrasound with my midwife. I found out I was having another girl (much to my delight), and got some great photos and video footage to share with friends and family. We went back at 32 weeks for a 3D/4D session. Those pictures were great. We could see her big chubby cheeks, and I think it helped my older daughter prepare for the reality of a new baby.

We might have done the same thing this time, but the drive was a bit much with a toddler in tow, and a closer studio didn’t take appointments before the diagnostic one at the doctor’s office. While many people are against these “recreational” ultrasounds for a variety of reasons, I was pleased with my decision. I really felt it was a bonding experience for the whole family, and I think my daughter will enjoy seeing those pictures one day.

I wish I had them for all three of my girls. Of course these studios cannot diagnose medical conditions. They were completely unaware that I had placenta previa, for example, which was diagnosed by my midwife a few weeks later. There are also concerns about the overuse of ultrasound and possible risks to the baby, although I was satisfied from what I read that there is no reason for concern within limits. Ultimately, everyone has to make their own decision. If you are interested in getting a private ultrasound, you can find one in your area at 1800sonogram.com.

The Anne Geddes Pregnancy Calendar is a great way for expectant parents to record their thoughts and experiences during the pregnancy. You can also use it to keep track of doctor visits, weight gain, etc. Each page features the sweet photographs that have made Geddes famous, along with tips for what you might be experiencing (such as morning sickness), and a place to record information about your doctor appointments. This cute little book would make a great keepsake. It is currently on 70% off clearance for $4.20 at annegeddes.com.

I was in Target recently and discovered that they have started carrying belly bands in the maternity department. Made by Be Band, these are designed to help you transition into maternity wear by concealing unsnapped pants with a smooth stretchy band. They cost roughly half of what you would pay for the name brand (Bella Band) and come in a number of practical colors to blend into your wardrobe. I discovered them too late to put them to the test, but they look like they would work beautifully. You can purchase one for $16.99 in Target stores or at Target.com.