The Top of Mind Newsletter by New Modern Mom is your guide to a fulfilling life, packed with wisdom on motherhood, travel, career, style and self care. Get the latest resources, news and musings right to your inbox.

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Whether you are actively trying to conceive or using a natural form of birth control to actively not get pregnant, knowing the signs of ovulation and recognizing when ovulation is over is key to success. So I tapped into an expert, Dr. Nicole Tod of North Texas Women’s Healthcare, to walk us through the subtle […]

Motherhood

Woman looking at a digital thermometer
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Deciding which is the best breast pump for work is one part of the complicated journey of returning from maternity leave. Pumping at work, and finding the right equipment, setup and routine are tasks that can seem daunting, but we’re here to help you through it. This guide is designed to help you navigate the […]

Woman using silver laptop
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’re in the postpartum period, and it seems like your body has taken on a life of its own. From healing from childbirth to adjusting to the demands of breastfeeding, it can feel like you’re on an emotional and physical roller coaster. Essential oils are a wonderful way to ease some of the discomforts that […]

An amber essential oil dropper sits in front of a twig of cotton

Let’s face the truth: motherhood isn’t all sunshine and lollipops. Sometimes, it feels like an endless cycle of sleepless nights, tantrums, and never-ending laundry. And in those moments, you might catch yourself thinking, “I hate being a mom.” I hate to admit it, but I often… like multiple times a week don’t feel like “moming.” […]

Mom screaming while children are playing
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it comes to my diaper bag, I have two rules: 1) always restock it after the kids go to bed and 2) pack minimally. This allows for a less chaotic exit out the door in the morning, and ensures I don’t have permanent back damage from schlepping a little one, and all the stuff […]

diaper bag essentials
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you’ve been following me for a while, it’s no secret that my family really values a good, home-cooked meal. So as you’re preparing for those chaotic days and weeks with a newborn, I highly, highly recommend building up your freezer stash so dinner doesn’t become a stressful topic. Freezer meals prepped before the baby […]

best freezer meals for new moms

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You’re expecting a baby girl and considering giving her a name that stands the test of time. As someone with a vintage name myself with a bit of Southern vibes, Barbara Gail, I definitely support your decision. Vintage girls’ names, those that were popular a century or so ago, are making quite a comeback. From […]

Motherhood

vintage girl names
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’re expecting a baby boy and want to call him something that’s a bit out of the ordinary, something with a connection to the past – a vintage boy name. It’s time to take a nostalgic journey back in time to explore some charming and lesser-known names for boys. From the strong and stoic, embodying […]

vintage boy names
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Breastfeeding is a beautiful bonding experience, but let’s be honest, it’s not without its challenges. One of those challenges? Pumping on the go. You need to carry a lot, and I mean a lot, of stuff. Let’s dive into best breast pump bag options to help you find the perfect fit for your unique pumping […]

Young mother bottle feeding her baby

While there are countless options when it comes to gifts for new moms, I recommend prioritizing items that will make their journey into motherhood a little less daunting and a lot more comfortable. Plus some splurgy treats they may not have otherwise bought for themselves are sure to be a hit. In this list, I’ve […]

Pregnant woman standing by a crib in a nursery
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An honest mom’s review of kids multivitamin showdown: Hiya vs. Olly I try my best to be that parent who serves my child healthy food. But let’s be honest here… as a full time working mom I can’t always do it all (although weekly meal prep certainly helps), and sometimes macaroni and cheese, fish sticks, […]

Hiya Kids Multivitamins vs. Olly Kids Multivitamins
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to admit, there are a lot of premium products I purchase for my baby, but expensive wipes had never been one of them. In the search for baby wipes safe for sensitive skin, I landed on Water Wipes, Pampers Aqua Pure and Coterie. I ended up using Pampers Aqua Pure with Caden after […]

Expensive Baby Wipes Showdown

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The Yogurt Melts Showdown Introducing solids is a lot of work (here are some tips from a pediatrician). Between preparing food, feeding and cleaning up, your time spent for mealtime increases exponentially. Of course I was so excited when Willow started to master the pincer grasp, because it meant I could start introducing foods where […]

Motherhood

Yogurt Melt Showdown: Amara Smoothie Melts vs. Happy Baby Yogis
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve spent HOURS researching skincare for myself. Little did I know I’d end up doing the same for my baby. When my daughter developed a red splotchy rash all over her face and neck, I knew I had to find a solution. I needed a face cream made for baby’s sensitive skin in mind that […]

ellaola review
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve been a loyal fan of Coterie diapers for a while now (read my full review here). But with so much buzz around Coterie vs. Millie Moon (a Strategist article caught the attention of many parents claiming this Target diaper brand is a Coterie dupe at a lower price point), I wanted to see if […]

coterie vs millie moon

Alright, the final countdown is on to order those last minute holiday gifts for that special toddler in your life. Here’s what Caden asked for this year. Best part, I checked and they all are available on Amazon Prime to arrive before Christmas (for now). Happy holidays! 15 Last Minute Holiday Toddler Gifts from Amazon […]

15 Last Minute Toddler Holiday Gifts from Amazon
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which high chair doesn’t sacrifice form for function? I put them to the test. One of my biggest concerns as a first-time-mom: my beautiful, curated, clean and organized home becoming a chaotic frenzy filled with unnecessary, and worse, ugly, baby products. So as with everything, I approached my research on high chairs with scrutiny. I […]

lalo vs. stokke
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my newborn started breaking out in a scary red rash, I discovered those baby products I was using weren’t actually developed with sensitive skin in mind.  Motherhood is full of surprises. The number of google searches for “is this normal” in the first few months of my baby’s life has exceeded my total years […]

Baby Lotion Review: EllaOla vs. Aveeno vs. Cetaphil

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This is a guest post from my good friend and talented writer, Amanda Gregolunas, mama of two under two. As I approach the final days of my pregnancy, I’ve found myself getting more and more nervous for the days soon to come, trying to balance being Caden’s mama along with being mama to a brand […]

Motherhood

advice for second time mom
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tested and approved by an actual 18 month old toddler Picking out gifts for a toddler is hard. They have short attention spans, are very opinionated, love something one day and have zero interest the next. That’s why I’ve put together a quick list of “approved” gifts from my 18 month old that he frequently […]

Gifts for 18 month old
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Premium Diaper Showdown I’m a busy mom. As the CEO on NMM, owner of three pilates studios, and a repeat offender of over-scheduling our social lives, I never thought I’d be a parent to have time (or care) to obsess over a diaper brand… but here I am being that parent spending her time […]

Coterie vs. Dyper vs. Pampers Pure

How to design an Instagram-worthy first birthday party on a budget. We finally got to celebrate Caden. Since the pandemic started, all the typical moments I expected to experience as a first time mom were just canceled. No big baby shower, no friends coming over to meet the baby, no mommy and me classes, no […]

Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s Caden’s first birthday – how!? – and I’m taking a moment to reflect on the last year.  I’d say I’m still in denial, but the tears kicked in this past Sunday as it finally hit me that Caden is turning one.  I want to take a moment to reflect on this past year – […]

12 Lessons Learned as a First Time Mom
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Expert advice from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist: Megan Craig, DPT  There are many things to think about in those final days of pregnancy. I had lists on top of lists of final to-dos: hospital bag, birth plan, birth playlist. I was also recommended to research pelvic floor physical therapy options. Why? Medical care and pregnancy […]

pelvic floor therapy

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Introducing solids is a big milestone, one that comes with lots of questions.  Here’s advice straight from a Pediatrician. When Caden began eating solid food, it felt oddly sentimental.  My little baby suddenly didn’t seem so little anymore.  While I just about died over how cute he was sitting up in his highchair, I was […]

Motherhood

Introducing Solids
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s in my diaper bag at all times for a quick exit out the door As a new mom, you’ll quickly learn that it now takes an extra 20 minutes to get out of the house.  Between squeezing time in to get yourself ready (here’s my 10 minute routine), getting baby dressed, packing baby’s diaper […]

Diaper Bag Essentials 0 to 6 Months
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fatherhood is not rocket science, but it’s also not the simplest thing in the world. This is a guest post by my husband, Jason. Edited by Josh Perlow. When Barbara and I started trying to have our first kid, it was a lot of fun and felt more like a dreamy haze. Was I ready […]

first time dad

These products were voted clear must haves by new moms  In my final weeks of pregnancy, I was pretty stressed about still having a ton of items left on my baby registry.  I didn’t really know what products I needed to have stocked immediately and what things could wait. Aside from the obvious infant car […]

Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s be honest about postpartum recovery after pregnancy Over the past 4 months there have been so many moments where I’ve thought “why does no one talk about this” or “why did I not know this.” As prepared as I felt throughout my pregnancy with a stocked nursery, my “postpartum recovery kit,” childcare lined up […]

5 Unexpected Postpartum Experiences
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Speed up your morning routine with these simple beauty tips made easier by our “new normal” during COVID I used to not be much of a morning person. I hit the snooze button more times than I could count, but a baby changes that.  Now I’m so motivated in the mornings to get 10 minutes […]

10 Minute Beauty Routine for Busy Moms