Mother Essentials: OZMA Founder & Mama-To-Be Heidi Baker
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Along with the new year, comes a huge life shift for L.A.-based Heidi Baker. The designer behind OZMA is expecting her first child this month and is embracing the big changes ahead. Thankfully, the label (which she founded in 2015) is all about super-comfortable, high-quality, sustainably-minded pieces that are great for pregnancy and well beyond. Check out her inspiring Mother Essentials below—including clothing picks, apothecary must-haves, and grounding practices that are perfect for the new year.
Something Stretchy Under Oversized Layers. “I’m such a uniform dresser and have found that a slim silhouette underneath an oversized layer to be my formula of choice these days with a growing belly. The OZMA Sloan Duster, OZMA Sloan Cardi, and Belle Handknit Cardi from the OZMA Fair Trade Knits Collection are my go-to layers on chilly days, and the OZMA Vija Shirt in warmer weather. They all work well over a plain bralette—like the black OZMA Reva Tank (which is a versatile tencel rib long bralette-meets-tank great for ever-changing boobs)—or a cropped tee like the raw silk jersey OZMA Lia Top with a pair of slim stretchy pants, like the Storq Signature Leggings underneath. If I want to feel a bit more dressed up, the OZMA Claudia Dress in raw silk jersey gets compliments every time I wear it). The low scoop neck shows a perfect amount of skin and the slim but not too tight silhouette is really flattering.” OZMA Fair Trade Knits Collection & Other Items, $78 and up, OZMA. Storq Signature Leggings, $68, Storq.
Baby Friendly Deep Moisture. “I slather Bāeo Bare Butter all over my belly, hips, and chest every time I get out of the shower. It’s got a light chamomile scent and is multi-purpose too. It’s good for both moms and kids and doesn’t sit too heavy on my skin. When I got pregnant, I had to swap a few skincare items and am elated to have found True Botanicals Chebula Extreme Cream, which is super hydrating for my 40+ skin and made with babe-safe ingredients.” Bāeo Bare Butter, $20, Bāeo. Chebula Extreme Cream, $110, True Botanicals.
Physical Sun Protection. “For everyday protection, I use Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days SPF 25. I’m not big on makeup in general, but I dig this tinted moisturizer out of all of them I’ve tried. It feels light and natural. When I’m hiking or outdoors, I get a bit more serious and use Elta MD UV Elements Broad Spectrum SPF 44, which has a bit more SPF, but a tint that blends in nicely without a white cast. Nothing beats a wide brimmed hat, however, and my Lorna Murray Capri Hat from Here Store is foldable so I don’t have to worry about it getting sat on or crushed by my dog in the car.” Best Skin Days SPF 25, $42, Iris & Romeo. EltaMD UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44, $38.50, Dermstore. Lorna Murray Capri Hat, $148, Maisonette and Here.
Muscle and Mind Melting Baths. “I love the anti-inflammatory properties and earthy smell of Sprouts brand Epsom Salts with Rose and Geranium. For extra TLC when I’m in the bath, I use the purifying LESSE Bioactive Mask on my face and the Mount Lai Black Obsidian Gua Sha all over my thighs and hips to relieve any tension or muscle pain and promote circulation.” Sprouts Pink Himalayan And Epsom Salt, $6.79, Instacart. LESSE Bioactive Mask, $65, Revolve. Mount Lai Black Obsidian Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool, $30, Sephora.
Quality Time In Water. “I’m a total water person, but around halfway through my pregnancy I chose to pause on surfing because of the big crowds in LA. Finding my local outdoor pool has been a sanity saver, especially when it’s too hot to hike or be active outdoors otherwise. The weightless feeling of gliding through water and moving my body without feeling overheated or heavy is a dream. I love my YouSwim Aplomb Two-Piece Swimsuit that always fits no matter what. In my swim bag are the Baggu Mushroom Go Pouches, which are so fun and so cute. Right now I’m using these to keep an outfit change and shower kit. I’ll probably get more for kid stuff that I need to keep organized like in our diaper bag.” Aplomb High Waist Two-Piece, $139, YouSwim. Baggu Go-Pouch Set, $36, Baggu.
A Grounding Start To The Day. “The Yoga Library by Jamie Hepburn is a day-changing morning ritual with beautiful playlists. I love the 30-minute slow classes by Jamie. When I wasn’t sleeping well or waking up early and feeling low energy in my first trimester, these were really grounding and meditative for me. Now that I’m further along, I need to do some pose modifications, but her classes are still my favorite. Glo has more specific prenatal classes geared towards pain reduction and prevention.”
Fun Nutrition. “It was so hard to take prenatals daily that smelled and tasted awful. I was so glad to find the Ritual Prenatal Vitamin lemon-scented capsules that make it enjoyable. All through this pregnancy I’ve consistently craved berries and thick, full-fat greek yogurt, Straus Organic Whole Greek Yogurt being the best I’ve found. My favorite healthy dessert is to mix it with honey, Maldon salt, and a few blueberries or pomegranate seeds, spread it into a thin layer and freeze it. It makes a really delicious bark that I find totally addictive. I couldn’t live without my little Zwilling Blender, which is unoffensive on my countertop and is super easy to clean every day after my morning smoothie.” Ritual Essential Prenatal Multivitamin, $27.30, Ritual. Organic Whole Plain Greek Yogurt, $8, Straus Family Creamery. Zwilling Enfinigy Personal Blender, $129, Zwilling.
Words of Wisdom. “Nothing beats a good conversation with my mom friends, but a good book is close second. My partner bought me Nurture by Erica Chidi as soon as we found out I was pregnant. It’s a beautifully conversational and warm book that feels like chatting with an old friend. The First 40 Days also has so much wisdom on the value of self-care, accepting help, and slowing down as a new mom.” Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood, And Trusting Yourself and Your Body, $21.34, Bookshop and Amazon. The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, $30.23, Bookshop and Amazon.
Anything That Encourages Good Sleep. “I can’t think of many better investments than quality sleep. We just recently upgraded to an Avocado Mattress for my partner and I, and the nursery. My big problem now is that I never want to get out of bed. Our big (but worthy!) splurge for the nursery is a Kalon Crib, which is stunningly made of sustainably sourced wood and adapts to a growing kid since it converts to a toddler bed. I love my Coop Body Pillow for getting into the right sleeping position. It never flattens out, but some of the memory foam can also be removed if it’s too full for my needs later on.” Eco Organic Crib Mattress, $349, Avocado. Caravan Crib, $1495, Kalon. Coop Original Body Pillow, $80, Amazon.
For more Mother Essentials, peep our recent features on Phoebe Sung of Cold Picnic, Sach Paneer founder Jasleen Kaur, Essential Labor author Angela Garbes, The Mamas author Helena Andrews-Dyer, Olivia J founder Shae Jones, author Brynne Barnes, Tisha Thompson of LYS Beauty, Blueland’s Sarah Paiji Yoo, Heirloom’s Sri Bodanapu, Lady Falcon Coffee Club founder Buffy Maguire, the mama-duo behind Spring & Mulberry chocolate, Dear Bella Creamery co-founder Alice Cherng, designer Becky Hui Chan, author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, ByHeart co-founder Mia Funt, Backdrop founder Natalie Ebel, Oui The People founder & CEO Karen Young, author-illustrator Grace Lin, the co-founders of ODDOBODY, Happy Family Organics’ CEO Anne Laraway, YA author J.Elle, kid-lit authors Karen Chan and Suzanne Greenlaw, the founders of EADEM, and Minimalista author Shira Gill.
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Loved this story and it very much reminded me of my own life’s journey. We built a geodesic dome, had a child at 39, Capricorn baby and my name is Heide. I am excited for Ms Baker and wish her much success and joy. I think she’ll enjoy the healthy pursuits of the kitchen in a few years with her little one. When she’s ready I’d be happy to send her my 4 Ways to Yummy Children’s Vegetable Cookbook. Perhaps she can make kitchen work aprons even more beautiful!