Cariad Mam - Breastfeeding & Bras!

HOTmilk spring promotion

2011-05-19T11:21:00.007+01:00

Only 12 days left! Order now :-)

For every full priced HOTmilk bra you purchase, you will receive your 2nd HOTmilk bra half price! (NOT including SALE bras)

Please add your bras to your shopping basket as normal and checkout - the the discount won't show but will be refunded manually when we process and dispatch your order. (The cheapest bra will be discounted).

You can choose from styles:

Blissful Disorder,

Luminous,

She was Seemingly Unaware,

Tamed by her Sensuality,

and Wild Composure

Orders can also be placed by phone on 0771 3180416 where we can calculate the discount as you order.

Valid on orders placed between 18th April and 31st May 2011

Show Mum some Love!

2011-03-16T10:46:00.002Z

Here at Cariad Mam we like to look after mums, so to celebrate Mother's Day on the 3rd April we are offering a special discount for the next two weeks (until 30th March - although if you are leaving it to the last minute I would recommend ordering by phone to double check we have the sizes requested).

Simply enter the code TreatMum at checkout or if ordering by phone, to get 10% off everything in our shop (including SALE items).

Whether you use this to treat yourself, or manage to drop a hint to your partner ;-) we hope you will enjoy!

We've moved!

2011-03-16T10:24:00.004Z

After much planning and several false starts we have finally moved to West Wales!

Having grown up on small family farms in Cornwall, John and I have been keen to move our young family out of the city to somewhere more rural, so that our children can grow up with the same space that we had.

So all the stock has been packed up, loaded onto a van with all our possessions and transported down the motorway (and more than a few country lanes) to our new home.

I am pleased to say our new office is now up and running (with a fabulous view - I have spotted Red Kites, geese and numerous small birds so far) and we are back to business as normal with more new stock arriving every week.

I will still be traveling back to Cardiff several times a month so if you would like a bra fitting there please let me know and I will do my best to fit you in. We will also now be offering maternity & nursing bra fittings in the Newcastle Emlyn & Llandysul areas - and if you are part of a breastfeeding group within 50miles of there and would like us to come along and do a group session please let us know! We are also expanding our listings of breastfeeding groups around the country so if your group would like to be listed please email us the details.

We also have a new facebook page and would love you to join us there

Best wishes to all of you and your growing families!

Emma

Cariad Mam - our new website!

2010-10-26T12:50:00.006+01:00

The long wait is over! It seems months since we started designing our new website, but finally the design is complete, testing is over and we are ready to go :-)

We hope you like the new features - buying should be even easier with a new streamlined checkout page, and the navigation has been completely revamped.

You can now search for that perfect bra by colour, brand, size and style! There is also lots of useful information on starting breastfeeding and tips to keep you going.

Why the new name?

Cariad Mam is the new name for our new service from Butterfly Babies Ltd.

As the business has grown and developed we have realised that we have outgrown our Butterfly Babies name. Increasingly, due to our expanding range of maternity & nursing bras, we are focusing on providing services and products to support both pregnant and breastfeeding mums rather than the babies themselves.

We needed a new name to reflect what we do!

"Cariad Mam" is a welsh phrase that can be translated roughly as "Mother Love". It encompasses both the love a mother gives to her child as well as a love and support for mothers themselves. Here at Cariad Mam we aim to support the mother, through our quality maternity and nursing products and our pregnancy and breastfeeding information, so that she can love and support her baby.

We are based in Cardiff, Wales where we offer a home fitting service, but we cover the whole of the UK. If you are outside our home fitting area and require more information on any of our bras, or help in choosing the right style or size for yourself then please contact us by email or phone 0771 3180416 to speak to Emma, our experienced bra fitter.

We'd love to know what you think of the new site so are offering a £5 voucher to everyone who lets us know either what their favourite bit is, or something that we could improve even further! You can contact us through the comments on our blog, by email or through the contact form on the website. Just make sure we have a valid email address to send your voucher to!

Maud's Baby Show

2010-08-18T15:14:00.006+01:00

Maud's Baby Show is being held in Cardiff on the 4th and 5th September - full details from their website.

This time they have a new bigger venue, with free car parking and it should be bigger and better than before!

We at Butterfly Babies will be attending both days and will have a full range of maternity & nursing bras with us - we are near the entrance, right next to the fitting room.

If you would like to pre book a bra fitting please give Emma a call on 0771 3180416 or email us. Alternatively come and see us when you arrive and will try to fit you in (pre booking is recommended). There will be a 10% discount on all purchases made on the day and free gifts when you book a fitting!

We will also be launching our new interactive website - www.cariadmam.co.uk

National Breastfeeding Week - SALE!

2010-06-18T12:44:00.007+01:00

National Breastfeeding Week this year is from the 21st to 27th June.

To celebrate we are offering at least a 15% discount (and up to 50% on some styles) on all maternity and nursing bras, till the end of 27th June.

We will also be at the Senedd (Welsh Assembly Building in Cardiff Bay) on Monday 21st June for their Breastfeeding Bonanza & teddy bears picnic. If you live in or near Cardiff please do come along and say hello.

We will be there from 10am till 1pm showing off some of our favourite styles and there will also be free gifts, a free raffle, informations stands from LLL, NCT etc and play sessions and fun for all the family - bring your teddy and a picnic!

Don't forget our give away at the Lactivist!

Lisa at the Lactivist is running a giveaway from now till the end of June 2010 to celebrate Breastfeeding Week and we are giving away a £40 voucher for you to spend on anything you choose from our range, including maternity & nursing bras and nightwear.

To enter the draw go to our page at £40 voucher for Butterfly Babies in the Lactivist Giveaway! and leave a comment. Extra entries can be won by sharing the page on facebook, twitter, your blog, forums etc - just be sure to leave a message letting her know where you have posted it.

Good luck!

£40 voucher for Butterfly Babies in the Lactivist Giveaway!

2010-05-19T16:37:00.004+01:00

Only a few more days left to enter this competition!

Lisa at the Lactivist is running a giveaway from now till the end of June 2010 to celebrate Breastfeeding Week and we are giving away a £40 voucher for you to spend on anything you choose from our range, including maternity & nursing bras and nightwear.

To enter the draw go to our page at £40 voucher for Butterfly Babies in the Lactivist Giveaway! and leave a comment. Extra entries can be won by sharing the page on facebook, twitter, your blog, forums etc - just be sure to leave a message letting her know where you have posted it.

Good luck!

And so to bed!

2010-02-24T14:10:00.008Z

We have got several new styles of nightwear in for you to choose from - we know that the HOTmilk range is extremely popular but have been asked for some more casual every day nighties and pyjamas and think this lovely range from Anita fill the bill perfectly! There are both long sleeved and short sleeved versions of both the nightdress and the pyjama set all in a lovely cotton fabric, with a little bit of elastane for stretch.

Also thinking predominantly of night time (and also of comfort in general - who doesn't!) we are introducing the Luna Tunes bustier, also from Anita, which is a seamless wrap-over bra top which is designed to grow with you through pregnancy and beyond. It features a cross over design at the front which is designed to be pulled down for easy feeding, with no clips. This is available in black and in white and at £22 won't break the bank.

Something slightly different!
As those of you who have used our home fitting service in Cardiff may know, as well as running this business I am currently training as a breastfeeding counsellor with the NCT. As part of this I often come across interesting articles about breastfeeding and parenting in general. One that I have recently found interesting is from the Australian Breastfeeding Association and talks about how important they feel children's literature is in reinforcing and to some extent creating our social norms.

Click here to read their article on What kids (don't) see in their picture books. And why it matters. and let me know what you think! Its also got some great ideas of books to read with your child - especially great if you are expecting a new baby any time soon.

A busy week at Butterfly Babies!

2010-02-04T09:51:00.007Z

We have lots going on this week, three new styles from HOTmilk lingerie have just arrived as well as further discounts on the remainder of the old HOTmilk styles and Amoralia (we need the space!) and the HOTmilk Valentines competition.

First of the new styles is the new Her Enchanted Dreams maternity and nursing nightie. This has been designed to sit comfortably over your pregnant bump, due to the front pleats, and will fall back nicely once your baby arrives and you need the handy nursing clips. The sizing is easy too, in Small, Medium, Large and XLarge so it may be worth a nudge to your partner for Valentines Day!

We also have two new nursing bra styles available up to a G cup. Awakened by her Desire has a pale pink lace over a crimson red lining that is sure to gets hearts racing - or just cheer you up on a gloomy february day. And Tamed by her Sensuality has sophisticated jet black lace and microfibre overlying a purple lining. Both the styles are designed to give full support to the larger cup sizes and are lined in soft cotton for comfort. Suitable for pregnancy and nursing.

* Nothing says be my Valentine better than Diamonds! *

2010-02-02T12:26:00.004Z

When you purchase ravishing HOTmilk lingerie or nightware from us during February, you can enter the draw to win 1 of 3 luxurious sparkling diamond pieces from GEMS TV.

Prizes

1st prize: A black and white diamond pendant set in 9K gold - Valued at £420

2nd prize: Diamond earrings set in 18k white gold - Valued at £262

3rd prize: A stunning diamond and silver necklace - Valued at £104

(Terms and conditions: Competition is valid for the month of February 2010. Codes will only be given to purchases of HOTmilk lingerie or sleepware. The winner will be selected at random and notified immediately. Proof o purchase will need to be presented by the winner. Prices are quoted in GPB. Prizes are at HOTmilk's discretion and are subject to change.)

We want to know what YOU think!

2010-01-19T10:40:00.004Z

Its the time of year when we start to look again at all the new maternity & nursing bra collections from both our current suppliers and new suppliers.

To make sure we are offering what you want we have created a short questionnaire to find out what you think!

Click here to take our survey

Please make sure you include your email address at the end to receive a 10% discount voucher as a thank you from us!

New HOTmilk Nursing Camisole PJ sets Now In!

2009-12-15T20:37:00.000Z

This camisole top from HOTmilk is part of a delightful PJ set that is perfect for night time feeding and can be mixed and matched for all seasons.

The camisole features one handed nursing clips and shelf support. Choose to coordinate it with either Pyjama trousers or shorts.

This would make an ideal Christmas present for all pregnant or nursing mums!

HOTmilk sale!

2009-12-10T12:38:00.006Z

The first of the new styles from HOTmilk has now arrived - with the new pyjama set coming next week - so we are celebrating by giving a discount on selected HOTmilk nursing bra and nightwear styles from the current range.

We only have limited sizes available, as we are making space for the new styles - so to avoid disappointment order now!

All lingerie and nightwear is carefully wrapped in lilac tissue paper - making the ideal gift.

And if you are looking for ideas for your little one then how about an organic cotton friend for them. Soft to cuddle and safe to chew! We have a selection of rattles, balls, comforters and dolls for both little girls and little boys.

Only a month till Christmas!

2009-11-25T10:13:00.004Z

Christmas is only now a month away so we've been thinking of some Christmas suggestions for you (or to use to prompt your partner)!

Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra

A great one here if you're not sure of the size of the pregnant or nursing Mum you are buying for, as there are only four sizes. If you know what size t-shirt she would wear then just go for the same - if you need more help give us a call and we can work it out for you.

HOTmilk nightwear

Again sizing is in Small, Medium and Large & Extra Large - so not too difficult to work out. If her cup size is an E/F or larger then we would recommend going up a size. These can all be worn through pregnancy and have easy access for night time feeds. There is also no need to wear a bra underneath as support is built in.

Super sexy - but practical too! Choose from pyjamas, nighties and camisole sets.

Last ordering dates for Christmas are 12 noon Monday 21st December for our standard free delivery, and 12 noon Wednesday 23rd December for next day delivery.

Whilst we endeavor to hold as much stock as possible, we do recommend ordering as soon as possible to avoid disappointment at this busy time.

Last scheduled bra fitting date is Friday 19th December (although do give us a call and we may be able to squeeze you in after this date if your baby comes early....). Fittings will recommence on 4th January 2010 and can be booked now.

HOTmilk nightwear promotion

2009-11-15T16:22:00.008Z

New HOTmilk special offer - buy two sets (bra and knickers) of HOTmilk maternity and nursing lingerie (or one lingerie set and one nightwear set) and get a free nightie or camisole set.

Choose either a free Slip into Seduction nightie or Ruffle my Feathers camisole and briefs set.

Both the Slip into Seduction nightie and the Ruffle my Feathers camisole set are designed with plenty of stretch to fit throughout pregnancy. They also have a built in bra with drop cups for easy breastfeeding.

Please request your choice of nightwear and size in the comments box on checkout.

Offer is valid until 30th November

New style now in - Bravado Sublime Nursing Bra

2009-11-03T11:20:00.000Z

Here at Butterfly Babies we are always on the look out for new bras that meet our high standards of style and comfort. We also think its important to be able to offer a large size range - after all, Emma was a 32H when nursing so its something that we have personal experience of. All our bras are also first tested by our experienced bra fitters through our local fitting service here in Cardiff, before being approved for our online store. This way we know how they fit and can advise accordingly and be confident in our recommendations.

The new Sublime nursing bra from Bravado has a strong heritage - Bravado only makes bras for nursing mums, and their Original bras, Bodysilk Seamless bras and Nursing Tanks are already firm favourites.

In creating the Sublime bra they have delivered a wonderfully feminine nursing bra that goes all the way up to a K cup (without forgetting the B and C cups amongst us). The dual sizing of the cups mean that it is flexible enough to accommodate your changing size, as well as the natural variations in size between our breasts (most women have one breast larger than the other).

Enjoy!

Underwired nursing bras now available.

2009-10-19T10:03:00.001+01:00

We have had many requests for an underwired nursing bra - particularly from mums who have nursed past the first few months and into the second year - and am please to announce that we are now stocking the Anita 5068 underwired nursing bra. Available in white, black and skin and up to a H cup.

Whilst the underwires are extra flexible, we do recommend that they are not worn until breastfeeding is well established, so around 4-6 months onwards.

Our first competition! Win a maternity or nursing bra of your choice.

2009-09-10T10:55:00.003+01:00

To enter visit our website http://www.butterfly-babies.co.uk and choose the bra you like the best. Then become a fan on our facebook page and as soon as we reach 500 fans, one lucky fan will win the bra of their choice! We'll even throw in the matching knickers. (HOTmilk nightwear is included too.)

Please note: Competition is for the UK only

Good luck!

And please spread the word as we need to reach 500 fans before the winner is drawn at random.

When breastfeeding is a struggle.....

2009-09-02T08:23:00.005+01:00

When I am visiting mums for their bra fitting - particularly first time mums who haven't yet had their baby, we often end up chatting about their expectations for breastfeeding. Some are super confident, yet others are a little unsure how they will do and may be worried if they will be able to do it.

This got me wondering why there is this difference? Why do some new mums approach breastfeeding with such confidence, and others are keen to be able to do it but somehow not able to trust their bodies to keep going with the task of nurturing their baby that they have been doing for the past nine months.

Partly some people are always optimists - assuming everything will go well, and others are more pessimistic but this doesn't explain it all. From talking a little more to these mums I have found that often those who are confident have friends and family around them who have breastfed and who are supporting them. They may not have had the easiest time themselves - a lot of these new mums know to expect difficult times and especially the sleepless nights, but the difference is these friends and family GOT THROUGH all the problems in the early days and found the joy of breastfeeding the other side.

In contrast those who are nervous often don't have this support, there is sometimes no one there to encourage them to keep going when it gets tough, or to help them find skilled help if problems occur. These are the mums who need to find their local breastfeeding support groups early on - ideally whilst still pregnant, or in the first week, before they get close to giving up and BEFORE they hit a problem. Whilst these groups often have skilled help available from a breastfeeding counsellor or La Leche League Leader the best support comes from talking to other mums around the same stage as yourself, and a little further on.

Perhaps your baby has suddenly started feeding constantly for the last 24hours - by yourself you might worry that you are loosing your milk supply, but the other mums can reassure you that this is normal - their babies did it (and around the same age too), and again a few weeks later! Its not that you don't have enough milk, but just that your baby is going through one of the regular growth spurts, and by feeding all day this gives your milk supply a boost so that it can keep up with your growing baby.

Perhaps you have noticed a tender lump on your breast. Its not hurting enough that you feel you need to see your doctor or midwife, but you're still a little unsure if this is normal... Well you can ask the other mums. In this case you may have the beginnings of a blocked duct and with information from the counsellor and the other mums you'll be able to safely treat it yourself before it potentially progresses to mastitis. (Blocked ducts may be caused by a badly fitting bra - check our bra fitting guide or get yourself professionally fitted or checked to avoid problems.)

So, if you are expecting a baby, or have already started breastfeeding, then find yourself a group of breastfeeding mums NOW! You won't regret it, and perhaps, like me, you'll find a new group of friends who will not only support you through the early weeks and months but who will be with you as your child progresses though toddler groups and playgroups, and eventually off to school. My daughter is starting her third year at school tomorrow (and my son his first!) but her best friend she has known since I met her mum at a breastfeeding support group almost seven years ago.

PS If you can't find a support group near you (ask your midwife - they should have a list) then try an online forum such as I Want My Mum - but beware as not all forums are equal. This one has trained and registered midwives and breastfeeding counsellors available to give information and to keep an eye on the advice offered.

Five of the best seamless maternity and nursing bras

2009-08-08T14:44:00.013+01:00

With the sun finally out for the summer we review four of the best seamless t-shirt bras from Butterfly Babies.

First up is the Body Silk seamless nursing bra from Bravado.

This comes as standard in Ivory (great as a nude for under white tops) and Black, with occasional special edition colours.

The bra benefits from a flexible sizing system, with only four sizes fitting from 32B to 46F and all sizes in between. This m

akes it an ideal economical bra for wearing throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. It also has a wide under bust band making it comfortable enough to wear day and night.

Another clever feature are the removable molded foam inserts, handy for hiding breast pads or nipples under tight tops.

Next are the Anita 5168 Maternity Bra and the Anita 5075 Nursing Bra.

These are essentially the same bra - but with the addition of the drop down nursing clips on the 5075. A smooth molded microfibre cup supports the breast without needing seams. A double layer gives extra support under the bust.

The nursing bra is available in a range of colours including skin, white and black.

From HOTmilk we have Her Playfulness was Captivating Nursing Bra and Knicker set - a dusky pink molded cup bra with a sophisticated toning placement print and coordinating bikini briefs.

This seamless bra has a beautiful hand-feel fabric that creates a totally smooth profile. It is lined in soft cotton and has a side sling support and no fuss one handed breastfeeding clips.

Last but by no means least is the Second Skin Nursing Bra from Amoralia.

The cross-over design means that the bra is plunging at the front but still very supportive.

silky-soft stretchy microfibre molds to your changing shape

lower centre front makes it great to wear with any lower cut summer top or wrap dresses

supportive sling in cotton jersey to support your bust whilst breastfeeding

standard plastic clips that open one-handed for easy breastfeeding

4 row hook & eye closure to ensure long-lasting wear

fully machine washable at 40 degrees

Dual cup size gives it longevity. It also includes removable foam cups to give a smooth shape so that the bra can be worn underneath tight-fitting clothes, or to reduce nipple show-through.

The coordinating hipster brief - is almost seam free so totally invisible under tight clothing.

Paisley and Pretties: Love

2009-06-01T20:20:00.001+01:00

Just read this post from Paisley and Pretties, and it seems to sum up the early days with a new baby so well I wanted to share!

Its called "Love"

Love is not caving when you're at your absolute worst. Love is breastfeeding your baby even though your boobs are engorged and nipples sore, and you know its gonna be three kinds of painful hell to get a proper latch.
Love is having a splitting, squeezing, every light is a knife through my eye/ I can barely brreathe for the pain migraine and not caving in and saying "honey, can you give him a bottle of that formula the hospital sent home because I'm dying over here."
Love is not taking fancy meds that might take the pain away because you're not sure about their safety and your little one matters more than your own ability to cope with the pain.
Love is going on 2 1/2 weeks of sleep deprivation and saying "we are going to stick with this thing because its best for you."
That's love.
Unconditional.
Even when he pees on you

Visit her blog - there are loads of other great posts there!
Paisley and Pretties: Love

New Nursing Bras from HOTmilk

2009-05-19T14:25:00.002+01:00

We would like to introduce two new styles from HOTmilk lingerie.
She Embraced the Moment features an elegant molded drop cup for a stunning shape embellished with soft pale lemon lace, whilst Her Playfulness was Captivating is the ideal t-shirt nursing bra for the summer as the dusky pink colour and the seamless cup will disappear under clothing.

Why do I support breastfeeding?

2009-05-12T09:51:00.001+01:00

Its Breastfeeding Awareness week this week so I thought I'd share why I feel breastfeeding is important to me.

Some background

I grew up as a child on a small family farm in Cornwall as the eldest of four sisters. Although my Mum breastfed each of us for around a year (unusual at that time) it was from my Dad that I gained most of my ideas about breastfeeding.

Two things stick in my mind from this time:

Firstly the effort he put into making sure the calves got the colostrum. Normally by allowing the cow and calf alone to get on with it, whilst watching and waiting to check all was well. But occasionally he would have to hand milk the cow, not an easy job with a cow who is upset about being separated from her calf and unused to milking.

I thought why not just give some milk from the fridge? But even though its from the same species, the antibody rich colostrum looks, smells and is so different and so important that Dad would go to any length to get the colostrum into the calf, risking personal injury in the process.

Secondly, I remember an orphaned calf. This was the only one we ever had to hand rear and again, despite being fed cows milk, it was never as big as the other calves in the field. The difference then wasn't the nutrients in the milk, but rather the mode of delivery - by necessity this calf had to be fed on a schedule rather than the others who could suckle on demand. (It did try to suckle from the other cows in the field, but they would never tolerate it for more than a minute or so.)

Why is this relevant?

Humans, like cattle, are mammals. They have evolved over time to produce species specific milk for their young. Other mammals, such as kangaroos or dolphins similarly have specially adapted milk. The milk of an individual mother is carefully adapted to the needs of her baby. Mothers of premature babies produce milk with more of the nutrients they need and as all babies grow, the milk changes and adapts.

Trying to feed a human baby milk from another species has its problems - as well as the different levels of nutritional components, such as fats and proteins, live milk contains enzymes to aid digestion, and immune factors and antibodies that play an important part in protecting the infant against disease.

Breastfeeding is natural - formula feeding (the majority of which is based on modified cows milk) has risks.

What about Mum?

Breastfeeding is also protective for the mother by giving birth but not breastfeeding you increase your risk of illness. The hormones released during feeding can also help you relax - particularly important during those night feeds as they help you get back to sleep quicker. Breastfeeding is also cheaper and, once you've mastered it, easier and more convenient. A breastfed baby is more portable, there is no need to plan taking enough formula or bottles out with you, or wondering where you can warm the milk as you have a constant supply of fresh warm milk at all times.

So why don't more mothers breastfeed?

Most mothers in the UK start off breastfeeding, however by over 70% give up before they would like. Why is this? The key is support. Without knowing where to access support many mothers who run into difficulties don't know where to turn. And late at night, when you are tired and stressed, the lure of the 24 hour supermarkets is strong.

Don't leave it till after your baby is born...

... before finding out you local sources of support. Some examples are below.

your local maternity ward - just because you've left hospital (or your baby was born at home) doesn't mean you can't contact them for support. Most maternity units have a number you can ring day or night for breastfeeding support (normally within the first month after birth). You can also go in and see them, even staying in for a few days if you need to. If you had a bad experience at the hospital you gave birth in you may be able to go to an alternative unit nearby.
The NCT - this is a national charity who, amongst other things, run a Breastfeeding Helpline with trained breastfeeding counsellor available 8am -10pm seven days a week. They can also put you in contact with a local counsellor and support groups.
La Leche League also run a helpline as well as a highly informative website with answers to many questions. Their local meetings welcome all women interested in breastfeeding, including pregnant mums.
Other groups include the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
And the Breastfeeding Network - who also run a drugs line for enquiries about prescription and over the counter drugs and breastfeeding and a Bengali/Sylheti supporter line.

More informal support can also come from friends and family with breastfeeding experience and from forums such as I Want My Mum.

Just keep going!

It may be hard in the beginning, you may feel that you'll never 'get it right' but stick with it. I had a hard time with my first baby, but support from my family and from a local group kept me going. Then one day I suddenly realised I was able to breastfeed without thinking about it and it was such a great feeling knowing that after nine months of growing and nurturing my baby through pregnancy I was able to continue this process by breastfeeding her.

New HOTmilk nursing bra style now in stock.

2009-04-21T16:04:00.004+01:00

We have just taken delivery of the new HOTmilk style - She Blushes in Delight!

This style has a similar fit and level of support as the Age of Allure nursing bra - and is sure to become one of our favourites.

It is available up to a G cup and from a 32 to a 42 back so will fit the majority of new mums.

It also features a one handed drop cup with an "A" frame internal bust support.

What else will I need?

2009-03-29T20:51:00.004+01:00

Nightwear

Something that is commonly overlooked by pregnant mums is how accessible their night wear is for breastfeeding.

HOTmilk do a range of nursing nightwear (that is also suitable for pregnancy), including the Indulge in a Moment pyjamas and the Slip into Seduction nightie.

The whole range includes built in breast support (ideal for keeping breastpads in place overnight) and easy access for quick night time breastfeeding.

How many nursing bras should I get?

2009-03-24T09:33:00.009Z

Whilst it is tempting to just buy one or two nursing bras you will soon find that once your baby is born you need more.

Sleep bras

Something many new mums forget is that even if you don't currently wear a bra at night, you will probably need to once you are breastfeeding, in order to keep nursing pads in place and keep you dry! Milk production is at its highest at night time, due to the hormone prolactin peaking at this time. This is also why babies need to feed at night, at least for the first few months and maybe longer as restricting night time feeds can reduce your milk supply.

If you prefer not to wear a bra at night, the its worth considering strappy tops with built in bra support such as the Essential Nursing Bra tank from Bravado. HOTmilk also do a range of nightwear with built in support.

Everyday nursing bras

Anita do a good range of seamless nursing bras that also give good support up to a H cup, as well as more structured nursing bras with discrete embroidery. If you are looking for a nursing bra that is extremely supportive then the Anita 5051 is based on a sports bra style and has excellent breathability and comfort up to an I cup.

Special Occasions

The Nougatine nursing bra from Amoralia is a great nursing bra for the summer and for special occasions such as weddings as it is lower cut at the front and also its colour won't show through light coloured tops as it is close to skin tone.

Hot milk also do a range of beautiful nursing bras that will make you feel feminine. The Age of Allure is one of our bestsellers as not only does it look good, it offers a high level of support. Her Desire was Dangerous is another new HOTmilk style that is proving very popular with the mums using our home fitting service in Cardiff.

How do we choose our bras?

2009-03-10T09:33:00.004Z

There are many different brands of maternity and nursing bras available so how do we choose which ones to stock?

Size Range

Well, first for me is a wide size range - having experienced the struggle of trying to find bras in my size (32H) when breastfeeding I know how important it is to be able to offer the widest size range possible. I also know that in Cardiff I see a lot of mum though our home fitting service that are an F cup or above.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is not normally something you consider with most bras - however with nursing bras you need to be able to open the cups quickly, and ideally with one hand, so that you can hold your hungry baby in the other arm. When babies want to feed they want it now!

Similarly, you also need to be able to close the cups easily as you hopefully have a now sleeping baby in our arms (or to swop to the other side).

Support

However good a bra looks, its not much use unless it fits well and gives good support to the breasts. Breasts don't have any muscles to help them keep their shape, so with the increase in size during pregnancy and nursing it is extra important that they are well supported to stop the ligaments stretching.

Style

Last but not least is style, the bra is the right size, its easy to use, it offers good support to the developing bust and now you want it to look good! Is this an impossible task?

There are many styles that now meet all the above criteria, from brands such as HOTmilk, Amoralia, Bravado, Anita and Royce. We are also constantly looking out for any new brands that meet our high standards.

Maternity or Nursing Bra?

2009-03-04T10:41:00.007Z

We are sometimes asked the difference between maternity bras and nursing bras so I will attempt to explain!

Maternity Bras

In general maternity bras are those designed to be worn throughout pregnancy. They tend to feature non-wired cups (as underwires can damage the rapidly developing breast tissue), extra hooks on the back to allow for expansion of the ribcage and fabrics designed for firm support, but with a bit of stretch to allow room to grow.

You can start to wear maternity bras at any stage of pregnancy but they are recommended as soon as your current bras start to feel at all restrictive, which in general tends to be before the 4th month of pregnancy. I found that my bust was the first visible sign of my pregnancy, well before my baby bump started to show, and this is often the case. You may also notice breast tenderness in early pregnancy and again this is a sign of the pregnancy hormones starting the growth of the milk producing tissue, in readiness for breastfeeding.

Nursing Bras

Nursing bras share many features with maternity bras, with the main difference being the drop cups on the nursing bras for easy breastfeeding access. Whilst it is perfectly OK to wear nursing bras though pregnancy (and if this is a second child then you may still be breastfeeding), the size that fits though pregnancy may well be too small once your milk "comes in", around 3-4 days after the birth. However, you will gradually get smaller again, and I found that once my son was over a year and eating a fair amount of solid foods as well as breastfeeding, then my cup size dropped.

For breastfeeding you need easy access to the breast, often you will have baby in one arm, so features such a drop cups that can be opened and closed with one hand are ideal. Whilst there are other options, such a zips, available, these tend to be more fiddly. Standard drop cups have a retaining strap at the side that keeps the shoulder strap in place so that you can close the cups easily after feeding. They allow for full breast access, which can be helpful in the early days as you are learning this new skill!

"A" frame cups have more material inside the cup that, when opened, provides a supportive sling for the breast. These can be particularly helpful for mums with larger busts although you need to make sure the inner fabric isn't restrictive.

As the bust is developing throughout the pregnancy, the best time to be fitted for your nursing bras is towards the end, around 37 weeks (so 2-3 weeks before your baby is due). By this stage the majority of the physical breast development is complete (you may start noticing that you are leaking a few drops of colostrum - the milk that is designed perfectly for a newborn's first few days) and you may be feeling your ribcage ease as your baby moves down into your pelvis, ready for birth. These both help to predict your nursing bra size more accurately.

Whilst leaving buying your nursing bras till after your baby is born may seem like a good idea, don't forget that getting out of the house with a new baby and all the related paraphernalia can be a challenge and that nursing bras will make breastfeeding easier, especially in those first few days.

Welcome to our new blog!

2009-03-03T20:48:00.004Z

In this blog we will be reviewing the different maternity and nursing bras that are available.

There is an ever increasing choice with new colours, styles and increased range of sizes now being manufactured. Although its only six years since my daughter was born and I was limited to a choice of white...... or white in my size (then a 32H), I'm please to say that manufacturers have now realized that just because you are pregnant, or breastfeeding, it doesn't mean you are a frump.

Its not that fit and comfort aren't important, but more that today's mums want it all, a comfortable supportive bra that also makes you feel good! Companies such as HOTmilk and Amoralia are leading the way with a wide range of styles and colours of maternity and nursing lingerie, complete with matching knickers. All of the nursing bras come with handy drop cups allowing easy feeding wherever you are, and a wide range of sizes are catered for.