Before I knew I was expecting twins I was surprised to notice my clothes getting tight much earlier than with my previous two pregnancies. I chalked it up to it being my third pregnancy. It did not (for even a millisecond) occur to me that this fast-growing baby bump was housing twins.
My first two children were born in the summer, which has its share of discomforts but also the convenience of flip flops and maxi dresses. Having a massive bump over winter was a whole new struggle of wrestling with boots when I could no longer bend over, finding maternity shirts that actually fit over my belly and keeping warm and dry during the worst winter I’ve ever experienced (pregnant or not).
Before I talk about my most beloved Viva La Mama jacket, I have to give a shout out to my Petje long-sleeved maternity shirt. It was one of the only pieces in my maternity wardrobe that wasn’t a dress or a men’s XL shirt that covered my entire bump right until the bitter end.
And, like all Viva La Mama pieces, it became a flattering and functional nursing and pumping top.
And now on to the star of the show, the Jacky All-Weather Softshell Babywearing Jacket! Jacky’s first role was to cover my belly using the included zip-in pregnancy insert as I begrudgingly trudged through the longest winter of my life. Depending on the thermometer (either the one outside or the seemingly arbitrary one inside my pregnant body), I would adjust my layering for maximum warmth on the coldest days. This is not the coat I would wear on a hike in minus 30° C, but it was more than suitable for waddling to and from the car in the dead of winter. The softshell exterior kept me dry, and the soft inner fleece kept me cozy.
Once the babies came, I continued to wear Jacky with the insert because it took quite a while for my belly to shrink back and quite a while for the snow to melt, even as spring approached. My ever-so-tactful son was happy to point out that I was still wearing the pregnancy insert and yet his brothers had long since vacated my body. I have very clear memories of hanging this coat up in my locker in the NICU every morning when I arrived to care for the twins during their hospitalization.
Once we got home from the NICU, it was time for Jacky’s phase two: operation babywearing. With the included zip-in babywearing insert (that accommodates front carries only), I was able to keep the twin of my choice warmly snuggled while walking my aforementioned son to the school bus on chilly mornings. I’m looking forward to using it again this coming fall!
Phase three for Jacky is as a regular jacket. And unlike other maternity jackets I’ve tried, I actually LOVE it as a regular jacket. It doesn’t look like a maternity coat masquerading as a regular coat. It is a trendy, tailored casual jacket that I’m happy to sport without any kids in sight.
I love the navy and white striped detailing in the hood. I love the long, ribbed cuffs with thumbholes and the roomy, zippered pockets. The generous hood and zipper that goes up to my chin is very much appreciated considering how randomly a wind and rain storm can pick up here in Calgary!
Whether it’s a multipurpose hoodie or jacket you need, Viva La Mama has you and baby (or bump) covered with a variety of styles, including jackets and hoodies that accommodate back carries too.
Sadly, there are a lot of irreputable companies stealing Viva La Mama’s photos and claiming to sell comparable products in Facebook ads, on Amazon and on apps like Wish. Know that Viva La Mama’s original babywearing jackets are hand-stitched in the EU and feature their unique heart logo on the right arm. I’ve had the pleasure of corresponding with the wonderful women behind this company, and I can vouch for their integrity and creative vision as well as the impeccable quality of their garments.
Shop directly from Germany’s own Viva La Mama Berlin on their website.


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