Maternity and Nursing Bras

We know that whilst you are pregnant it can be a little confusing as to which types of underwear you are meant to wear when. So it really is key to understand the options available to you, and know what makes a good maternity or nursing bra. After all, now is more important that ever to ensure you are in the best possible bra.

Maternity Bras

It will be towards the end of your first trimester, that you may feel your breasts are full and that you are becoming uncomfortable in your pre-pregnancy bra. This is the time to have a fitting for your first maternity bra.

Maternity bras are specifically designed with your changing shape in mind, with soft seams, deep sides and fuller cups to ensure comfort and support. You will often find that maternity bras also have more hooks on the back, so that they are more adjustable than a standard bra. This means that as your ribs expand whilst pregnant you can work your way from the tightest to the loosest hook, before being fitted for another bra. Also, most maternity bras are non wired. 80% of women are in the wrong size bra, and if you wear an incorrectly fitting underwired bra whilst your breasts are changing or whilst nursing, this could lead to a blocked milk duct. However most maternity bras offer such good support, that you will not necessarily need the underwire.

Nursing Bras

When your little one has arrived, it is time to change from the maternity bra to a nursing bra, to make sure you are in the right size nursing bra, it is important to get fitted at 38 weeks. This is the best time for the fitter to guesstimate your size for when you are nursing.

Nursing bras offer the same comfort and support as the maternity bras, however as this is a breastfeeding bra, it also needs some practical features to make feeding easier. You will notice that bras have easy clip fastenings on the straps and cups. These clips can easily be undone with one hand so you have the other free to cradle your baby. They also offer an A-frame support, contained within the cup. Two bands stretch from the strap to the centre of the bra and to the side, this keeps your bra in place whilst nursing, but also offers a nicer shape and better support in the bra. As with maternity bras, the wire free styles are favoured, however if you choose an underwired bra, make sure that it has a soft flexible wire, like the Cake Velvet Delight.

Remember if in doubt, Eloise Mama offer a specialist fitting service at our South Wimbledon and Huntingdon showrooms, just contact us for a free fitting appointment.

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag

It's important that you get your bag packed ready for the hospital approximately 4 weeks before your due date so that you are prepared to make that quick dash to hospital. We've listed out everything you should need with some handy product suggestions:

For during labour

• Birth plan
• A T-shirt or Birthing Wrap
• Dressing gown and socks or slippers to keep your feet warm
• Drinks and snacks for both you and your partner to keep your energy levels high
• A sponge or flannel and water spray to keep you cool
• Body oil or lotion for back rubs
• An ice pack for tired muscles
• Hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste and any other toiletries you may need for your stay, we recommend some lip balm as gas and air can dry out your lips
• Maternity pads
• Personal stereo to help relax you
• A camera to capture your first moments together

After labour

• A couple of front opening nightdresses
• Comfortable clothes and shoes for wearing at the hospital
• Knickers and maternity pads
• Nursing bras, at least three so that you can change regularly
• 2 towels
• Breast pads
• Magazines and books for you to read whilst the baby sleeps
• Snacks and drinks
• Change / phonecard and useful telephone numbers
• Ear plugs and eye masks to block out the noise from the busy ward
• Baby clothes
• Nappies and nappy bag
• Nappy cream
• Cotton wool and baby wipes
• Clothes for both you and your baby for the journey home

Summer Nursing Nightwear

As the temperature warms up for the summer months, it's time to put away those pyjamas, and pull out some cooler nightwear. And whilst you are nursing, you need to be as comfortable as possible. That's why at Eloise Mama, we've selected a range of beautiful nightwear that will keep you cool.

The HOTmilk Successful in Her Ruse Nightdress is incredibly pretty and lightweight. It has 100% organic lined cups and an A-frame bodice which gives you a gorgeous shape and support. The body on this nursing nightdress is in a pretty floral print in marshmallow hues, and also features pretty lace and bow details. Plus, it is lined with 100% cotton which is soft against your skin and ensures comfort while you slumber.

The HOTmilk Delighted With Her Victory Nursing set, features a pair of 100% cotton shorts with a delicate lilac and silver print and a soft blue bow detail at the drawstring waist. These cute shorts co-ordinate with the Delighted With Her Victory Camisole, which is a comfy nursing camisole made from soft modal cotton with a subtle gathering under the bust. It offers the same A-frame support as the nursing nightdress and it has a discreet drop cup for ease of night time nursing. A pretty placement print ties in beautifully with the shorts.

Cake Lingerie offer the Blueberry Torte nursing nightwear range. You can choose from either 3/4 Pyjama Bottoms, or Shorts which feature a gorgeous vintage inspired blue print. Made from a silky stretch satin these feel divine against the skin. Both items co-ordinate with the Blueberry Torte Camisole, a gorgeous royal blue nursing top that has frilly straps and ruching at the bust and at the sides for a flattering shape. It's as practical as it is pretty with drop cup clips or easy breastfeeding, and it also has a secret support shelf for comfort.

All of these cool summer styles are available from Eloise Mama, browse the whole nursing nightwear collection now.

Mothers Day Treats for the Mum to Be

This Mothers Day, make sure you treat your mum-to-be to the perfect gift. And nothing shows that you care like some gorgeous accessories that will make her pregnancy that little bit more comfortable. From support belts, to nightwear, and designer lingerie, Eloise Mama has gift ideas all wrapped up. Here are a few of our favourites.

The Womama Birthing Wrap, is a stylish wrap dress with short sleeves. Not only can this dress be worn whilst pregnant, but also during labor, and whilst nursing. It is also made from certified organic cotton, making it ultra soft next to a new born's skin. This simple dress, is available in blue or black depending on colour preference and is perfect for the Spring season.

The Anita Baby Sherpa is a fantastic gift if your loved one is experiencing back pain. It gives your bump a little bit more support reducing strain to the back and pelvis. It's fully adjustable so can be worn throughout the pregnancy, and it's simple design means it can be worn over clothes making it easy to take on and off.

This Mothers Day, why not treat your loved one to some gorgeous nursing pyjamas. The HOTmilk Delighted in Her Victory Pyjama set is perfect. Choose from a nursing camisole, or a nursing top and long or short pyjama bottoms. Or, why not treat them to all and they can mix and match for a perfectly co-ordinated night time look. The nursing tops have side slings and easy clip fastening for ease when night time feeding making these nursing pyjamas practical and beautiful.

If you are still not sure what to buy this Mothers Day, Eloise Mama also offer gift vouchers, so they can choose a gorgeous lingerie set from our maternity and nursing lingerie collection.

Fashion Show at Eloise HQ

On 24th March, Eloise will hold a fashion show in support of the Breast Cancer Haven. This fantastic show will showcase the Spring collections from Eloise and Miss and Lady Captain. Find out more here, we hope to see you there!

Basic Lingerie Essentials

Whilst you're pregnant you will want some gorgeous underwear to feel special in, but you also need practical items for everyday wear. At Eloise Mama, we believe you shouldn't compromise practicality for style, that's why we've sourced maternity and nursing bras that will see you through everyday, but with pretty details that will make your lingerie drawer that little bit more special.

The Cake Toffee Nursing Bra is an enduring nude microfibre range, that features deep purple bows at the centre and at the top of the cups. The discreet cups, which are perfect under lighter coloured clothing, hide a special surprise of floral print in a bouquet of purple, fuchsia and pink transforming this practical bra into a treat.

This lightly moulded nursing bra is also multi-way, making it ideal for the summer months and all those halterneck tops and dresses or tank tops with racer backs. Transform it from a standard bra into a halterneck, or a cross back depending on your needs. This pretty, functional nursing bra also has co-ordinating French knickers. In a low rise, seam free style, they too are perfect under sheer or close fitting clothing.

The Cake Dark Toffee range mirrors the Toffee set in style, but in a sumptuous black. With the same pop of colour in the cup, this black multi-way nursing bra is as practical as the last. Plus, it is also available with the low rise seam free knickers, perfect for the lighter clothing in the Summer months.

Another firm favourite with the Eloise Mama customers is the Royce Sadie Nursing Bra, available in either pink or ivory with a pretty silver embroidery detail running over the top of the cup, this wire free soft bra features X-Static technology, the thread that runs through the bra is antibacterial and helps to regulate temperature at all times.

These pretty, practical essentials are all available at Eloise Mama, browse these and the rest of the nursing lingerie range now.

Maternity Diary - Week 25

Over the last couple of weeks my bump has really started to grow and the baby's kicks and movements have become much stronger. I now know that I am expecting a little girl and have been doing lots of shopping for baby bits this week. I am trying to be organized and writing lists of everything I will need for the baby. It's much easier to imagine her being here when I see all the the things I've bought so far.

My body continues to change and I've started feeling tired again. The best thing to keep my energy levels up is to eat small snacks and get lots of rest. I'm now avoiding being on my feet for too long and my husband has been doing the weekly shop so that I don't have to push the trolley.

My boobs have now gone up 3 cup sizes, so I've invested in a couple more comfy bras and got a lovely maternity night dress as a gift from my husband. So far I've managed to keep the stretch marks at bay using body oil every day. I've also been taking long baths to keep me relaxed and ease my aching muscles.

This week I've been craving beetroot and milk, previously I've been craving apples but I can't eat them now because of the heartburn.

I'm really looking forward to the coming weeks as my due date draws nearer, and I have been reading up on my options for the labor. I am planning to have as much of a natural labor as possible, but will take pain relief if I need to. My next task is to pack my hospital bag with all the bits I'll need to take with me.