Home > Culture > Life > TMC Talks > Can’t Mum Without- Steph Claire Smith Post author By The Mum Club Post date 25 May 2023 Can’t Mum Without- Steph Claire Smith The Mum Club25 May 2023 The juggle is real! As we’re all very aware. So what items make your mum-life that bit easier? We spoke to founder of Kic app, Steph Claire Smith to find out her life, style, and mum must-haves. 1. The most stylish nappy caddy “I swore by my nappy caddy. I even kept one in my car, so I always had access to the necessities when out and about. I got the Bunnie Caddie nappy caddy and still use it to this day. When Harvey was a newborn, needing a nappy change every hour, it was handy to have in the boot of the car, so I had a change station with all the necessities everywhere we went. I love it. It’s my favourite baby shower present to get someone expecting!” Buy Now 2. The best beauty item to make you feel amazing “I rely on good skincare. Find moisturisers or serums that make you feel amazing and take your time to do your morning and nightly routine. I feel so much more put together if I’ve made the effort – nothing fancy, just something. No time? I love a good face mask. If I have a breakout, I like to use a clay mask like James Cosmetics Reset Pore Purifying Clay Mask, when I am running around the house getting things done. I also like to apply their Hydrate and Firm Silk Face Mask when I’m having a bath.” Buy Now 3. Best workout item for use in pregnancy “Honestly, it’s a foam roller!!! They’re so handy for pre & postnatal workouts. But your body is also going through so much, and taking a heavier load, stretching is particularly important, and foam rolling is incredible for this. There is a Pregnancy Friendly Pilates flow in the Kic app I loved following called Stretch and Strengthen. Christina, one of our Pilates trainers in the app, takes you through a fantastic flow using a foam roller!” Buy Now 4. The best baby monitor “I highly recommend the Cubo ai baby monitor. I love being able to see him at any point from anywhere because I can view it from my phone. I sleep at ease, knowing I can see/hear him whenever I need.” Buy now 5. Best toy to keep kids entertained when travelling “You don’t have to go and buy anything new – but I find bringing a few different ‘touch and feel’, or flap books keeps him pretty entertained. Also, LOTS of snacks!!!” Buy Now 6. The best bikini brands “Seafolly, INC (It’s Now Cool) and Billabong are some of my go-to’s.” Buy now 7. The best style item to flatter all shapes “Activewear… Just wear it all day every day. That way, you’re ready to run around and fit a workout in if you can.” Buy now 8. An app that helped you in the early days “I think it would be rude not to give Kic a shameless plug here! If you’re easing back into exercise or need pregnancy-safe workouts, I highly recommend our KICBUMP program.” Download now Steph Clare Smith’s Best Post-Partum Exercising Tips How did you find the motivation to work out in the tired no-sleep stages? “If you’re sleep-deprived, rest is important. But I know for me, time on the mat means a lot more than just a workout. On the more tiring days, even taking 5 mins to do some stretching made me feel good inside and out. Take the pressure off and know that there will be points where you have the energy and times where you won’t, and that’s okay. Make the most of the time when the baby is either asleep or being minded by someone else. When someone reaches out and asks you if they can do anything, take them up on that offer and take yourself out for a walk or to the mat at home and move your body.” Easiest way to edge yourself back into exercising? “Everyone is different, but I was very much used to being able to push and challenge myself at least 5x per week before pregnancy and having a baby. When I was cleared to exercise PP, it was all about taking it very slowly and rebuilding my deep core muscles and pelvic floor before getting back into anything intense. This should be everyone’s goal PP, but I also had a slight bladder prolapse, so if I didn’t take it seriously, I could’ve done a lot of damage in the long run! I followed our KICBUMP postnatal program, and once I was through that and felt up to other workouts, I listened to my body and took it easy. It was hard mentally to begin with, but when I accepted that my new routine would look a little different as I was juggling a lot more, I cut myself some slack and celebrated the little wins. I lowered my expectations and ended up finding a new, more sustainable, and flexible routine that suits the new me! My advice would be to find support, whether within a community like Kic & through our programs or via your health professionals – it’s a daunting and delicate time, and you need to go easy on yourself in the transition back to exercise.” The Mum Club25 May 2023 ← TMC Recipe of the Week: Frozen Palomas → TMC Recipe of the Week: Skin Boosting Smoothie
