Emma-Jane Maternity & Nursing Lingerie

Awards Keep Coming...

2012-02-20T05:28:00.000-08:00

We are delighted that the lovely ladies have been reviewing our products and have awarded our Tankini a bronze award.

As all pregnant ladies know, getting a quality swimming costume that makes you feel good, that suits you and will last is not always the easiest so we're delighted to have been recognised for helping women feel good in their Emma-Jane Tankinis!

The testers had this to say:

"Smart looking tankini, nice colour, feels good quality. Lovely style, the top is nice and long...Very comfortable to wear and doesn't ride up...I will defiantly continue to wear this; even now after I've had my baby I think it's still suitable..." Jenny Yaxley – Sophie & Ray 2 years and 4 Weeks

While Angelina Newman – Mum to be awarded The Emma Jane Tankini 4.5/5 and said; "Looked lovely and loved the colour. Emma Jane is a well-known brand so not surprised was high quality. I really liked the style of the top and the bottoms were a really good fit. It grew with me during my pregnancy and loved wearing it. Very comfortable to wear and enjoyed swimming in my Tankini. Made me feel very smart. Gave me good support on my bust and very comfortable. This also washed really well and has been in the washing machine a few times now. I have really enjoyed wearing this and I would imagine I will still use this after my pregnancy (well until I get my old figure back)"

And Alison Grieves – Mum To Be gave us a 4.2/5 and said; "Arrived well packaged. Looked very appealing and good quality. I really did like the style with a long top and matching bottoms as looked more like a swimming costume during the earlier stage of my pregnancy. The top was really comfortable to wear and did not ride up when in the pool...The whole look was lovely and made me feel attractive and comfortable when at the pool and also on holiday. This is very easy to wash and dries really quickly. I will definitely continue to use this as I do like the style. The quality is excellent and I have already recommended...."

Thank you ladies! Very much appreciated!

AND THE WINNER IS.....

2012-02-16T00:31:00.000-08:00

We hope you had a fantastic Valentine's Day with your loved one. But more importantly, we hope that our Love Yourself blog posts have made all the mums and mums-to-be out there realise just how amazing they are.

We put every person who commented on our posts and all the people who liked us on Facebook into a random number generator. And the lucky number was 15 - Caroline Emptage! Caroline we've got in touch via Facebook and we'll get a bix of yummy chocolates sent to you. Congratulations.

To everyone else, thanks for your support. If you haven't joined us on Facebook yet, please do. We'd love to hear from you. If you know of any mums in need of a pick me up, who perhaps is being hard on herself or feeling less than gorgeous, please send her this way as we're always here to give a little bit of comfort and support. And if it's your breasts or bump that need comfort and support, check out our range here. Keep on loving yourself ladies!

LOVE YOURSELF - VALENTINE'S DAY - A WHOLE NEW YOU

2012-02-14T00:55:00.000-08:00

Today is all about loving the new you - even if you're not quite sure of who you are anymore. This is the culmination of our Valentine's Day Love Yourself campaign. If you haven't been following it, read back over the last weeks worth of posts for plenty of reasons why mums-to-be and new mums should love themselves.

So today we wish everyone a very happy Valentine's Day. And while you are sending out cards, kisses, cuddles and love to the special people in your life, don't forget to Love Yourself too.

A whole new you
It is impossible to understand how your life changes once you've had a baby until you've had one. Many people say it won't change them. And perhaps it won't. But they'll be the exception rather than the rule. For most women, becoming a mother changes everything.

It's not just the changes in your body or how often you can go out. It's not just that your friends change, as do your holidays. It's not just your career, which often gets put on hold or stopped altogether. It's not just how your relationship with your partner gets altered. What really changes most is you.

You realise that you see the world through different eyes. Those things discussed on the news about schooling and health care now mean something. You understand the importance of having a network of friends and family so much more. You feel fear like you've never known before and joy beyond anything you could have previously imagined. You sacrifice so much because you want to be the best mum you can, to the extent that you completely lose sight of who you originally were. That pre-mummy person becomes a distant memory.

The thing is, having a baby gives you the opportunity to become a whole new you. It's virtually impossible to stay the person you were. But it is important to hold onto some of the things that made you what you are. Don't lose all of your former self. Don't feel guilty about doing something for you. Do use this life changing time to redefine who you want to be. Don't be afraid to try something new. Be confident, even if you don't feel it. Realise that you are changed and embrace the change. Love the person you have become.

It's your last chance to leave us a comment (we'd love to hear how motherhood has changed you) or Like Us on Facebook to be entered into our draw to win these fab choccies. We'll announce the winner later today.

LOVE YOURSELF - DAY 7 - RELATIONSHIPS

2012-02-13T02:29:00.000-08:00

We're almost there - tomorrow us the day you're swamped in flowers and jewels and chocolate from your beloved, with a lavish night out at an expensive restaurant. Or possibly not. Perhaps just a quiet night in front of the telly with a mug of cocoa and the gift of a him doing the night feed. In today's Emma-Jane Valentine's Day Love Yourself post, we're looking at relationships.

Before you had a baby, you were Alice and Bob (or insert your own names here). Two individuals in love. Then along comes a baby. And all of a sudden things change.

All those kisses and cuddles you used to give to him, now get doled out on the baby. You stop talking about whether to go to Fiji or Barbados for your next holiday, and instead discuss the contents of this morning's nappy. Sleep is infinitely more appealing than sex. You start to resent that it's always you who has to pack the change bag and that it's you who never gets to leave the house while he heads out the door to work in the morning. And can't believe that he can merrily snore through the baby crying - again.

Before you know it, you start to wonder if you even love each other anymore. You realise that you've become a resentful nag who looks like a frump and you wouldn't be surprised if he was off chasing secretaries at the office, because what the hell would he see in you right now? And quite frankly, you're not even sure you care. But you do and you feel rubbish about it.

You blame yourself (well you also blame him but deep down you blame yourself). You start to think if only I looked better. If only we could go back to what we used to be like. I wish we could communicate more. And you once again beat yourself up about where you're going wrong. Worst of all, you think it's just you two that are having these problems while all those other smug, married parents are blissfully happy.

They're not. Almost every couple goes through a massive period of readjustment after a baby is born. Each of them is a new person. They have new roles. And they're trying to figure out how to overlay these two new roles onto their existing selves. It takes a while. A long while. The key is to communicate. That can be much harder than it sounds. After months of sniping about whose turn it is to get up in the morning, you've probably forgotten how to just talk like you used.

So practice, whenever you can. Try to get out as a couple regularly - or simply spend an evening playing a board game and chatting over a glass of wine at home. You need to learn to love him in his new role. And you need to learn to love yourself in your new role. Give it time. Most importantly though, you need to realise that this is normal. Believe in yourself and you as a couple and it will be alright in the end.

Just in case you need something to nibble on while spending a romantic evening talking to your partner on Valentine's Day, leave us a comment below on how having a baby has affected your relationship or Like Us on Facebook, to be entered into our draw.

LOVE YOURSELF - DAY 6 - GIVING BIRTH

2012-02-12T01:13:00.000-08:00

Our aim at Emma-Jane is to give mums and mums-to-be the comfort and support they need through their pregnancy and beyond - and not just through our comfortable and supportive product range. Which is why we're running our Love Yourself Valentine's campaign, to remind mums that they need to love themselves too. And today's topic is a biggie.

Day 6 - Giving birth
Until you have given birth, then is no way of understanding what is involved. Regardless of whether you give birth naturally or have a c-section, the process of going from being pregnant to holding a baby in your arms is nothing short of miraculous.

Giving birth naturally will take every ounce of a woman's strength and determination to get through it. You may breathe the baby calmly out or you could yell and scream and curse your whole way through. You will never work harder than while you're in labour. You have to find reserves of courage and stamina and peace of mind you didn't know you had. For c-section mums, it's no picnic either, particularly the fear of the unknown, the worry that all is not well and the painful tummy afterwards.

It's not how you give birth, but that you've done it. And for that you need to pat yourself heartily on the back.

So for every woman who has given birth and to all those women who will give birth in the future, be proud of this achievement. Love the strength and bravery and calm you have lying within you. And if you ever feel less than in love with yourself, just go back to that day when you gave birth - no matter how it happened - and say 'Well done me'.

To be entered into our draw to win these Valentine's chocolatates, just tell us about how giving birth made you feel or Like Us on Facebook. We'll be announcing the winner on 14 February.

LOVE YOURSELF - DAY 5 - BREASTFEEDING

2012-02-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

With just 3 days till Valentine's Day, have you started to Love Yourself yet mums? At Emma-Jane we really want mums to just take five minutes out of giving everyone else kisses and cuddles and love and attention and focus on themselves. Which is why we're giving you one reason every day to love yourself.

Day 5 - Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a subject that causes so much angst amongst mums. It's a battleground women seem determined to beat each other up about. Our view is this: Breastfeeding is what your body is designed to do and is best for your baby. And if you can do it, do it. But if for whatever reason you can't, then don't beat yourself up about it. It's just another reason mums sometimes feel like they've failed. And we're trying to get you to Love Yourself remember, not make you feel worse. So to formula feeding mums, be comfortable with your choice and let it go.

That said, we are a company that makes nursing bras - not baby bottles - so we're obviously more in the breastfeeding camp. To the mums who do choose to breastfeed, we applaud you. We know that it isn't always easy and that there'll be days when you want your breasts back to yourself. It can be sore. It can be frustrating. It can be exhausting. And you might feel like giving up. But you don't. You keep persevering. And you do it. And when you look at that plump, healthy, thriving baby, you know that its entirely down to you and the goodness your body produces. Just another reason to remember why you're awesome.

Our range of nursing bras and tops are designed to give you the comfort and support you need, while feeding your baby - so do check it out.

Tell us about your breastfeeding stories or simply Like Us on Facebook to be entered into our draw to win these Valentines chocolates.

LOVE YOURSELF - DAY 4 - STRETCHMARKS

2012-02-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

Hey mums - When last did you stop and say: 'Wow, I'm amazing!' We bet not often. We bet you're more likely to be finding fault with yourself or feeling guilty about something and saving all that love for your family. Our Love Yourself Valentine's Day campaign is here to remind you to love yourself too.

Day 4 - Stretchmarks
What the heck is there to love about stretchmarks, we hear you cry. Those silvery or red streaks that suddenly appear on your belly or breasts in the late stages of pregnancy. They don't look especially good then and once your belly has shrunk back to its normal size and your breasts aren't straining your bra cups, they add a fetching puckered look to skin.

They take some getting used to don't they?

But you know what? They're normal and they say something really important about you. That prune-like skin and those little tiger-like stripes are the badges mothers get to wear. A badge that says: I've done it. I've created a baby. I've given birth. I've survived the sleep deprivation. I've learnt a million new skills. I know what real love is.

Change the way you look at those lines. They might not be what a vain society equates to perfection, but they represent something so much more beautiful. Love them and love yourself.

How do you feel about your stretchmarks? Tell us below or on Facebook by Liking Us and you'll be entered into a draw to win some scrumptious Valentine's chocolates.

LOVE YOURSELF - DAY 3 - THE GLOW

2012-02-09T02:33:00.000-08:00

Only 5 days till Valentine's Day. Before you rush out to buy a card for your loved one, take five minutes to love yourself.

Day 3 - The glow
There is something special about a pregnant woman. Particularly that second trimester when your bump starts to show, your hair gets thicker and your skin gets that glow. That 'glow' isn't just the contentment radiating out of you (although that's probably part of it). It's caused by the increased volume of blood in your body which creates an attractive blush on your cheeks, plus the increased secretions of oil glands giving skin a waxy sheen. Perhaps all you can see is pigmentation or spots or increased facial hair. But ignore those. Look deeper and you'll see the glow - even if it's just in your eyes.

For new mums, you might feel as though your glow has gone only to be replaced with dark circles under your eyes and hair that's falling out in handfuls. You might wonder if you'll ever feel beautiful again.

What you need to do though, is get your partner or friend to be on standby with a camera. And next time you're feeding your baby and gazing into their eyes and holding their tiny fingers in your hands, get the friend to take a picture of you unawares. Then look at the picture and what you'll see is the most beautiful thing ever - even if you've got uncombed hair and are in your PJs. Because nothing makes a woman more beautiful than being in love. And as a new mum, that's exactly what you'll be.

Tell us about your glow below and don't forget to like us on Facebook to be entered into our Valentine's Draw to win these scrummy chocolates

LOVE YOURSELF - DAY 2 - LOVE YOUR TUMMY

2012-02-08T03:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we kicked off our 7 days till Valentine's Day Love Yourself campaign. We know that feeling good about yourself can be hard when your body is a completely different shape, your emotions are in a muddle and sleep is something you dream of. Which is why every day we're going to give you a reason to love your pregnant and new mum self.

Day 2: No need to hold in your tummy
Most women spend a good amount of their lives holding their tummy in. They wear uncomfortable body shaping pants and jeans that need to have the button undone when they sit down. But when you're pregnant you can breathe a sigh of relief. No matter how much you suck it in, that tummy is there. And it's beautiful. Perhaps for the first time in years, you can confidently wear a tight fighting top over your tummy and be proud of how it looks. So stop hiding under the baggy shirts, get yourself a fitted top instead, wear it with pride and most importantly, enjoy not having to hold your tummy in!

For new mums, that post baby belly can take some getting used to. It takes a while to get back to normal - despite what celebrities miraculously manage to do - and it might never return to its previous washboard state (assuming you were lucky enough to have one of those in the first place!) But cut yourself some slack. That belly has taken nine months to grow, don't expect it to shrink in weeks. Love it for what it has achieved and what it has carried. And if you're still not feeling comfortable about it, try one of these nursing tops which are cut long, keeping everything covered while you feed your baby and they're exceptionally comfortable.

So whether you're still carrying your baby or already have your little bundle, love your tummy. And enjoy the occasional treat - like these scrummy Valentine's chocolates which you could win if you just Like Us on Facebook or leave a comment below telling us how you feel about your tummy or any other part of your post baby body.

Have a LOVEly day!

Love Yourself Valentine's Day Competition

2012-02-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is just a week away. And perhaps right now you feel too exhausted, too fat, too frumpy or just too busy to even contemplate a romantic Valentine’s Day.

We've decided to remove the pressure of trying to look sexy while wearing baby spit up or waddling to get your Gaviscon. Instead, we're going to give all you mums-to-be and new mums 7 reasons why you should love yourself. Some of them are physical. Others run deeper than that.

Come back every day between now and 14 Feb to get a daily reason why you should Love Yourself. And because we know that you'd probably prefer the box of chocolates pictured below instead of a bunch of overpriced roses, we're offering it to one lovely mum or mum-to-be. Simply Like Us on Facebook and you'll be entered into the draw. For those of you who are already Facebook fans, leave us a comment on one or more of the Love Yourself blog posts and you'll be eligible too!

Day 1: Love your bosoms

We're a bra company so bosoms are a very good place to start. Many women are amazed at how big their breasts get during pregnancy. We know that for some of you, big can mean uncomfortable. But for many women, being pregnant or breastfeeding is the first time you actually have a cleavage. Those scoop necklines have never looked so good. Your husband or partner is secretly in awe and probably sneaks a peek whenever he can. Even if they feel enormous, celebrate them. Because they look gorgeous. And more importantly, they are creating breast milk, a substance that feeds and nourishes your baby. No need for a recipe book - your body just does it all on its own. Pretty clever things breasts.

If you want to show your bosoms some love, get them a supportive and comfortable nursing or maternity bra. You can also try anti-stretchmark oils or creams to keep the skin soft - just ensure they're suitable for breastfeeding.

Once you stop breastfeeding, you may find that your breasts seem to disappear. Having got used to your larger bust, you might feel a bit deflated. Don't. Firstly, remember what an awesome job they just did for you. Plus, they're probably less painful now. They belong to you again. You might even consider letting your husband or partner near them at last! And if all else fails, head to the shops and get yourself a new padded bra.

So go on mums, love your bosoms - no matter their size or shape. They're part of you!

Tell us below why you love your bosoms and don't forget to Like us on Facebook to be entered into our Valentine's draw.

LOSE THE BABY BELLY

2012-01-09T02:53:00.000-08:00

The day will come when you decide the time is right to get back into shape after the birth of your baby. Be it three months, a year or two…for many of us the baby belly is what we want to shift.

1. Start Slow! You might be eager to get back into your pre-pregnancy skinny jeans, but be patient. It can take up to a year to lose the weight and tone the belly, which is completely normal and even preferable. The amount of time it takes to see results also depends on your pregnancy, whether or not you had a caesarean section and your own body. Be sure to get the green light from your doctor or health visitor to start working out again.

2. Eat Right! A healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy will help you lose weight and give you enough energy to work out and keep up with your baby. Casseroles, stir-frys and hearty soups are a great in the winter months to keep you energised and feeling full.

3. Breastfeed! Breastfeeding is a great way to tighten the belly because it causes the uterus to contract and quickly shrink back to its pre-baby size. Women who breastfeed lose weight faster than those who don’t— up to 300 calories a day. And if you breastfeed for more than six months, you can burn up to 400 calories a day.

4. Exercise! Fitting in 30 to 60 minutes of cardio most days is a great way to burn calories and lose belly fat, and it doesn’t have to involve making time to go to the gym. Put the baby in the pushchair and go for a walk to the park. Get on the Wii fit or invest in a workout DVD – personally we love a bit of Davina McCall!

Don’t expect miracle results overnight, celebrate all achievements (like getting through a particularly hard-section of a work-out) take it a week at a time and do what you can.

Support the Breastfeeding Pledge

2012-01-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it will come as no great shock to readers of our blog that we love breastfeeding here at Emma-Jane. Whilst pootling about on the old interweb, we came across the breastfeeding pledge. Based in America, it’s written by Earth Mama and like them we too believe breastfeeding a baby is a gift of a mother’s love.

The goal of the Support with Integrity Pledge is to strengthen and to unite the efforts of breastfeeding supporters who focus on getting the baby fed, and not taking sides about how it’s done, or being right. Each of us has preferences when it comes to technique, method, schedule or position, but quite honestly - whatever works for you and your baby.

So now we ask you to sign the Support with Integrity the Breastfeeding Pledge.

Still in its infancy as we write our blog we hope that British mummies can get behind the pledge and sign their support too.

To be clear, this pledge isn’t about breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. It’s simply about uniting breastfeeding supporters who have a common goal: to help normalise breastfeeding, to help remove the barriers to breastfeeding, and to provide a peaceful village of supporters united in their desire to help women successfully breastfeed.

Christmas Mocktails

2011-12-13T01:56:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time for eating, drinking and being merry, and whilst most pregnant women enjoy the merriment of the season, you do have to watch what you eat and drink. Out go too many glasses of fizz, the pate starter and most of the Christmas day cheese board, in comes the alcohol free drinks, the well-cooked end of the roast beef and a token piece of cheddar!

Don't worry though, gone are the days of standing around at a party with a boring glass of orange juice. There are now loads of fantastic non alcoholic cocktails around. Here are three we particularly like that don’t need lots of obscure ingredients:

Non alcoholic fizz

In equal measure:

· Orange juice

· Cranberry juice

· Soda water

Simply mix together

Nojito – all the taste of a Mojito but without the rum

· 1oz lime juice

· 4oz soda water or sprite

· 6 mint leaves

· 2 tsps of brown sugar

1. Bruise a few mint leaves using a spoon so that their juice can get out

2. Add the lime juice, brown sugar and mint leaves in a highball glass

3. Fill the glass with ice and stir

4. Top with soda

5. Add a twig of mint for decoration

Gentle Sea Breeze

Equal measures of cranberry juice and pineapple juice, and simply mix together and add crushed ice. Garnish with a few sprigs of mint.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Emma-Jane.

Emma-Jane Scoops Second Industry Gold Award

2011-11-30T00:46:00.000-08:00

We are delighted, double-gold award winners, having scooped Gold in this month’s Mother & Baby awards - just a month after Pregnancy and Birth magazine also awarded us the top spot.

Emma-Jane's Next Generation Nursing Bra is the best product for breastfeeding according to mums who awarded it gold in this year’s Mother & Baby magazine awards. The gongs are completely independently tested and rated by mums who provide feedback to decide which brand deserves gold, silver or bronze awards.

John White, our sales director, said: “We are utterly delighted to have taken the top spot in the breastfeeding category. All of the feedback we’ve received from mums about our Next Generation nursing bras confirms they are exceptionally comfortable during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. And in tough economic times, a bra that delivers great comfort along with good value is going to be a winner.”

The Next Generation seamfree bras deliver value in three ways: the low price; the fact that it can be used as a maternity and a nursing bra; and with the single cup size that fits from B to F as breasts change mums don’t need to spend a fortune on different size bras.

The Next Generation bras are available in a choice of white, black or skin colours and come in four sizes to fit sizes 32–38 B-F. Style 361 has a recommended retail price of just £10, while style 365 which offers removable foam pads for comfort with excellent fit retails at £16. Both styles are available from Emma-Jane retailers. Go to www.emma-jane.com for more details.

Tight-tastic Fun Blogger Giveaway.

2011-11-15T04:48:00.000-08:00

We’re enjoying a relatively mild spell of weather for mid-November, but let’s be honest ladies – it’s hardly tropical – and certainly no weather for bare legs (the corned beef look doesn’t do anyone any favours).

Don’t worry – we’re here to ensure you can take your summer maternity wardrobe right through autumn and winter with a range of fab maternity tights, designed to keep you supported, comfortable and warm! They won’t break the bank, will update your look and means you don’t have to fork out lots of money on clothes that you’re only going to wear for a limited time.

Just for a bit of fun, we’d love to hear maternity clothing stories. Favourites, big mistakes, clothing mishaps, anything you lived in, anything you couldn’t wait to see the back of, ceremonial throw-outs, keep-me’s, shopping trips, best buys, worst buys...whatever, we’d love to hear them all.

If you're a blogger, please write a blog post about maternity clothes or underwear and send it to us by 30 November (send all entries to michelle@peekaboocoms.co.uk). We will host a blog carnival on this blog featuring all the posts. Whatever you like - as long as it is about maternity clothes.

And if you would like to run a fun competition on your blog to protect the nation from the sight of corned beef legs and need a prize or are pregnant yourself and would like a sample to review, we have a limited number of maternity tights we can give away as prizes. Please contact us on the email address given above to make arrangements.

Maternity Tights Perfect for Cold Weather

2011-11-11T02:13:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t seen our funky maternity tights already – do go and check them out!

We’ve introduced a fashionable range of coloured and patterned maternity tights, designed to brighten up maternity wardrobes now the colder months are here.

The 60 Denier 558 range is made from supersoft microfibre and is available in black (goes with everything), purple (for the more funky among us), chocolate (the perfect autumn colour – looks great with tan boots), grey (for something a bit different without feeling like you’re too wacky) and mid-blue (bold and brave).

The 60 Denier 551 diamond patterned tights are black and look great teamed with this season’s block colours.

Our designer Freda Scholey, said: “Our maternity tights are designed to grow with you throughout your pregnancy, offering comfort with expanding waistbands and shaped feet and gussets. So mums to be look smart and feel great. They’re also a great way to save money by taking summer maternity dresses through to autumn/winter whilst staying comfortable throughout your pregnancy.”

NEW WEBSITE GOES LIVE

2011-10-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

We are officially delighted to launch our newly designed website - www.emma-jane.com. Our redesign aims to give our online presence a much younger, fresher and more contemporary feel – what do you think?

As many of you know (and for those that don’t), we provide simple, classic styles and practical solutions for pregnancy and motherhood and we wanted the website to reflect that offering.

It really serves two functions. Mums and mums-to-be can see the range more clearly and where to buy, while our retail outlets are able to access a secure part of the site and download videos, bra-fitting information and images of the collection.

The site upgrade supports our growing social media activity as frequent bloggers and regularly activity on Twitter and Facebook – we’d love for you to come and have a chat with us on either of these forums.

Earlier this year we celebrated 25 years of manufacturing maternity underwear, during which time the market landscape has changed significantly. The last decade has seen online consumer shopping grow exponentially!

Although how and where people buy their lingerie has changed we have kept our promise of comfort, support and affordability and ensure our award-winning collection is regularly wear-tested by mothers, so we can be sure we get it right time after time and continue to be a must-have of the mother-to-be’s wardrobe.

Preparing for First-time Breastfeeding

2011-10-18T03:45:00.000-07:00

Breast feeding, it’s not just about giving your baby the vital nutrients and anti bodies he or she needs to grow healthily, it’s about the bond, the closeness you develop as you nurse them in the early hours of the morning, last thing at night or simply sat on the sofa watching daytime TV.

Most mums make it look easy, but the reality is that most will have found it difficult or uncomfortable at some point in those early weeks. So is there anything you can do to prepare yourself and your body?

Learn as much about breastfeeding as you can – talk to other mums, your midwife, read books or take a class. Type breastfeeding into You Tube and you’ll find a plethora of videos giving tips and advice.

Whether you think about it or not, your pregnant body is preparing itself for breastfeeding. That's one reason your breasts get so much bigger during pregnancy — your milk ducts and milk-producing cells are developing, and more blood goes to your breasts than before. But breast size has nothing to do with your ability to nurse successfully: For example, it's not true that smaller-breasted women make less breast milk.

You don’t need any specific products to breastfeed, but a good nursing bra will comfortable and provide the support you need for your enlarged breasts. It will also be easy to undo for quick access for feeding. Take a peek at our Next Generation Seamfree Nursing Bra which claimed Gold in the recent Practical Parenting and Pregnancy Awards. At Emma-Jane we also have a range of lovely nursing tops that includes an ultra-soft bamboo top, that don’t expose your whole breast while feeding. Great for about the house and easy for layering now the colder moths are kicking in.

Disposable breast pads are a must. Every woman leaks milk from time to time and a pad prevents any embarrassing leakages.

If you’d like your partner, a family member, friend or childminder to be able to help you feed your baby, but don’t want to give formula, then a breast pump allows you to express and freeze (for up to one month) your milk, which can then be given to the baby in a bottle.

Finally, many women also find a feeding cushion useful. This horseshoe shaped cushion wraps around your stomach, allowing you to position your baby closer to your breast when sat upright. However, a pillow also does the trick.

Talk to your midwife about the best cream to relive sore nipples and consider buying a cold pack to fit inside your bra to relieve swollen breasts. A traditional remedy is to use cabbage leaves – try them – you might just be surprised.

Most importantly, enjoy the experience... it will give you memories you’ll treasure forever!

Breast Awareness Month

2011-10-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

Boobs, bosoms, breasts, however you prefer to refer to them, they define our shape, play a role in our sexuality and nurture our children.

October's Breast Awareness Month is run by Breast Cancer Care and aims to raise vital funds for its services and spread the breast awareness message.

There is evidence that breastfeeding for more than five months in total (one or more babies) can reduce a women’s risk of breast cancer, compared to women who do not breastfeed. It also shows that the longer a women breastfeeds, the greater the protection.

There are other ways of decreasing your risk of developing breast cancer, such as maintaining a healthy weight and staying within the recommended guidelines for drinking alcohol. Whilst most cases of breast cancer (81%) appear in women over the age of 50, there are no guarantees and it can hit any woman at any stage of her life, so it’s important to stay breast aware and to know what’s normal for your breasts.

There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts. Try to get used to looking at and feeling your breasts regularly. You can do this in the bath or shower, when you use body lotion, or when you get dressed. There’s really no need to change your everyday routine. Just decide what you are comfortable with and what suits you best.

Remember to check all parts of your breast, your armpits and up to your collarbone.

The breast awareness 5-point code

1. You should know what is normal for you.

2. Know what changes to look for – changes in size or shape, an inverted nipple, pain in your breast or armpit, a pain in your armpit, a lump that feels different to the breast tissue, a rash on the skin or / on the nipple and discharge from one or both nipples.

3. Look and feel.

4. Tell your GP about any changes straight away.

5. Go for breast screening when invited.

For further information visit http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/

Gold Standard

2011-09-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

We’re celebrating here at Emma-Jane as Practical Parenting and Pregnancy Magazine has awarded Gold to our Next Generation Seamfree bra, style 361. The bra achieved the Gold standard after real mums tested the nursing bra to ensure quality, comfort and affordability.

This award was won against stiff competition, including garments from international companies such as Bravado! Designs and HOTmilk.

We knew the Next Generation Seamfree bra style 361, had already proved to be a hit with mums, but we’re delighted to have the Practical Parenting mums’ seal of approval.

“The comments we’ve been receiving about this bra confirm that pregnant and nursing mothers put comfort first. And in tough economic times, a bra that delivers comfort along with good value is going to be a winner,” says Emma-Jane designer Freda Scholey.

The Next Generation Seamfree bras deliver value in three ways: excellent value, versatility - the fact that it can be used as a maternity and nursing bra, and stretch cups which adjust during the day as the breasts change shape.

The Next Generation bras are available in a choice of colours - white, black or skin - and in four sizes to fit sizes 32 – 38 B-F. Available from Emma-Jane retailers. Go to www.emma-jane.com for more details.

Celeb Summer Babies – Here’s what they said…

2011-09-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

At Emma-Jane we've had a lovely year welcoming lots of new celebrity babies into the world. Like all mums to be, some of our favourite celebs have positively bloomed and we've enjoyed being able to watch them on their journey into motherhood. And...there's been lots of discussions over coffee about the various names our clebs have chosen for the offspring - what were your thoughts?

In May this year, Emma Bunton gave birth to her second son Tate. The former Spice Girl, 35, announced on her Twitter page.: 'Our beautiful son Tate has arrived safe and sound! We are all so happy and excited. Thanks and love to you all. Xx.'

Mel B finally feels like she’s done it right. She delivered a healthy baby girl, Madison after laughing so much she didn’t really push – “five big chuckles and she was out.” Madison is a third daughter for the 36-year-old singer and TV presenter, joining her older girls Phoenix, from her marriage to Jimmy Gulzar, and four-year-old Angel, from her relationship with Eddie Murphy. Completing the family is seven-year-old Giselle, Stephen’s daughter from a former relationship.

Harper Seven makes it a hat trick for the Spice Girls (no surprise there then with Becks as her dad). Possibly the most photographed bump in history, the daughter of Posh and Becks (and heiress to a magnificent wardrobe) was born weighing 7lb 10oz on 10^th July. The couple already have three boys, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz. The footballer wrote: 'I am so proud and excited to announce the birth of our daughter Harper Seven Beckham. Victoria is doing really well and her brothers are delighted to have a baby sister xx'

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh gave birth in March after going into premature labour. Her fiance Jamie Lomas, 30, thanked fans on Twitter for their kind messages following the birth, posted: 'Thank you all so much for your lovely messages, she is an absolute belter and is doing really well. Kym, really proud of you. Go on Polly Lomas.

Danielle Lloyd’s son Harry was born 10 weeks early, weighing just 4lb 4oz, after she collapsed with stomach pains. Danielle, who is also mother to one-year-old Archie with footballer fiance Jamie O'Hara, said Harry will develop normally "but it'll take him longer".

Holly Willoughby tweeted her joy after welcoming daughter Belle Baldwin into the world one month early in April. Holly tweeted: 'Thank you for all your support these last few days. Belle Baldwin finally arrived at 5:10pm today weighing 5lbs 2oz. She's amazing. X'

TV presenter Myleene Klass gave birth to her second child in March, a baby girl called Hero Harper Quinn. The former Hear'Say star, 32, and fiance Graham Quinn, 36, welcomed the 6lbs, 2oz arrival who joins the couple's three-year-old daughter Ava Bailey.

And if all those lovely babies wasn’t enough…current pregnant celebs include Beyonce, Emma Willis, Jenni Faulkener, Lilly Allen, Amanda Holden, Una Healey, Jodi Albert and Carla Bruni

Maternity Bras - when to buy, what to get & how to fit

2011-08-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

You're pregnant! Congratulations. In no time at all you'll have a lovely bump, but long before that appears, you might start to notice changes to your breasts. First they'll feel tender, similar to how they feel when you're pre-menstrual. This tenderness will last for the first trimester of pregnancy.

At around six to eight weeks, your nipples appear larger and the veins in your breasts appear more prominent. This is because the volume of blood circulating in the body increases throughout the pregnancy. Over time your breasts will get larger, heavier and in need of better support. That's where maternity bras come in.

It is important that you take care of your breasts during pregnancy. As your breasts have only ligaments and no muscles, they could be stretched if they are not properly supported. A well designed maternity bra is the best way to support your breasts comfortably and preserve your shape.

When to buy?
Most expectant mothers experience growing breasts well before a growing tummy and as soon as your pre-pregnancy bra begins to feel uncomfortable that is the time to buy your first maternity bra – roughly month 4 but possibly a lot earlier than that.

Your breasts will continue to change and grow and you may need to adjust your bra or change bra size throughout your pregnancy. Expect your breasts to weigh an extra 750 grams more and be 5cm bigger!

Avoid regular underwire bras as the wires can cause the milk ducts to become blocked, as your milk comes in, and are more uncomfortable during pregnancy.

What to look for?

Remember these four key things when choosing your maternity bras:

Support : You will need wider straps, sides and underbust band, with firm elastic straps to eliminate 'bounce' and give you the extra support you need.

Coverage: More fabric over breast area. This will provide increased comfort as your breasts become more sensitive.

Adjustability: A minimum of 4 rows of back eyes will allow your bra to grow with you.

Comfort : They should have a high cotton content or other microfibre breathable fabric as your breasts will tend to perspire more.

Get the correct fit

Use our size chart to work out your size or visit one of our retailers for a bra fitting. Important things to remember:

- When fitting a maternity bra, ensure you have room to grow by fastening the bra on the tightest hook and eye setting. As your rib cage expands, you can adjust it to give yourself extra room.

- Make sure the straps are wide enough to support you without digging in. They shouldn’t be too stretchy.

- Ensure the centre seam lies flat against your breast bone and isn’t riding up too high at the back

- Make sure that the cups fit snugly and smoothly covering most of the breast with no overflow at the top

Our maternity bra style 311 (pictured) is loved by mums as it ticks all the boxes above. See it here or go to our of our retailers to get one. They retail for around £13.95 - so great value for money too.

What to wear while breastfeeding this Autumn

2011-08-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is sadly drawing to a close. We're now entering that strange in-betweeny season where it's not quite hot or cold. Wearing just a breastfeeding vest on top isn't going to be enough to keep you warm, not unless you layer it with a cardi.

Which is why we have two great breastfeeding tops with three quarter length sleeves, giving your arms more coverage on chillier days.

Styles 841 and 842 are feminine, tummy skimming nursing tops that look great on, while making nursing easy. Made from superior extra soft cotton/elastane, the tops have ruched sides to flatter that post baby belly, and a front that easily lifts open with one hand to give discreet access for breastfeeding. The tops look great with jeans, trousers or skirts.

Style 841 is available in black and white.

Style 842 has a contrasting insert - available in chocolate/turquoise and black/white.

They're available from a number of our stockists (you can find a full list here). If you're one of our retailers and stock these tops, let our readers know where to find you in the comments section below!

How Dads Can Help

2011-08-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

When two become three – life for new dads will never be the same again! As a dad you might feel that there isn’t much you can do to help your partner with breastfeeding. But a dad or partner’s role can be vital and make all the difference.

Women are much more likely to breastfeed for longer when they have their partner’s support. This leads to a greater sense of achievement for mum, and health benefits for both mum and baby. It can be a bonding experience for the whole family.

Practical ways you can help

Get the kettle on. When mum’s feeding she needs to drink, so make sure she has a glass of water and a cup of tea for when she’s finished. (Passing her the remote control is always a good idea too whether she’s feeding or not as it happens.)

Arrange paternity leave. Mum’s had nine months to get used to the new arrival but for many dads it can be like an alien invader has landed in the house. Take time out from work to start to get to know your little one.

Take Baby for a Walk It’s bloomin hard work delivering and caring for a baby and mum will need extra rest in the early days. Why don’t you take baby out for a walk – it’s great bonding for you and baby and gives mum time to rest.

Do the little things. Run the hoover round, do a bit of dusting, make the tea, put a load of washing on, change the bed – all of these little jobs mount up so if you can do one or two it makes a huge difference and means you’ll feel like you’re working together without one of you feeling like you’re doing more than your fair share.

Provide some stress-relief. If you already have young children, take the stress away from mum by keeping them entertained while she feeds the baby.

Get to know your baby. Bathe him, burp him, change nappies, get him dressed ready for the day. All of these things mean you get to share and really be part of those precious early months.

We’d love to hear how dads got involved with their new arrivals. What was their most thoughtful act/how did they help/what advice can you give to new dads?

Emma-Jane Makes Award Shortlist!

2011-08-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to be shortlisted in Practical Parenting’s Awards 2011 for the Best Feeding Bra. The Emma-Jane Seamfree nursing bra made the finals thanks to hitting the mark for comfort and cost! It retails at only £10 and stretches to fit cup sizes b – f which means mums to be can buy a bra, confident in the knowledge it will grow with them. Practical Parenting Awards

MadeForMums Give Emma-JaneThumbs Up

2011-07-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

MadeForMums is the UK’s biggest professional review site for baby products, with hundreds of professionally written, independent reviews. We are delighted that three of our products have featured and each received a whopping 4.5 stars out of 5!

We know it’s important to mums to read product reviews before buying so to know we’re getting it right for mums-to-be and new mums is great.

Here’s what they said:

Next Generation Seamfree nursing bra (Style 361) – 4.5 stars

Every pregnant woman or breastfeeding mum needs a wardrobe staple when it comes to underwear and the Emma Jane Next Generation Seamfree nursing bra might just be the one.

True to form, Emma Jane has designed a price-conscious garment that rolls comfort, support and value into one, making it a real contender to more expensive seamfree bras on the market.

http://www.madeformums.com/reviews/productreview.aspx?productId=1186&mode=review

Maternity support belt – 4.5 stars

As soon as I started wearing the Emma Jane Maternity Support Belt I had instant relief. Both my back and pelvis felt like they had less strain on them and the horrible wobbly feeling I’d had for weeks disappeared.

One of my biggest problems was that my pelvic pain meant I couldn’t walk as far - the Emma Jane Maternity Support Belt means I can walk more than 100 yards without pain! It works for any shape, you just buy the size you were before you got pregnant and I used the same one right until the end of my pregnancy. http://www.madeformums.com/reviews/productreview.aspx?productId=645&mode=review

Nursing bra 428 – 4.5 stars

The Emma Jane Nursing Bra 428 is a brilliant basic for breastfeeding mothers. Not only is it incredibly easy to release and do up the cups, it offers fantastic support and is ultra-comfy to boot.

I found the Emma Jane Nursing Bra invaluable when breastfeeding my baby son Elliot. I bought one in black and one in white, and used them constantly. Of all the bras I tried during a department store fitting, it offered the firmest support, and was easily the best fit.

http://www.madeformums.com/reviews/productreview.aspx?productId=617&mode=review

Our new retro maternity swimsuit!

2011-07-14T04:01:00.000-07:00

Taking your bump somewhere nice this summer? Be sure to grab one of our new retro inspired limited edition maternity swimsuits (style 955).

Available in four great colours – navy, black, pink and red – all with white polka dots, the swimsuit has ruched sides to allow for changes during pregnancy. It also has removable foam pads, a bra shelf for comfort and support and a cotton gusset.

It comes in sizes UK 10/12 and 14/16. They're available now from Envie4U for £26.99 or go to www.emma-jane.com to find a list of stockists.

Breastfeeding twins - when it doesn't go according to plan

2011-07-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

It's Twins & Multiples week this week. Yesterday we heard from Harriet who successfully managed to breastfeed her twins. And she gave us some great tips.

Today we hear from Jenny Rudd - you can read her blog here -a mum who tried to breastfeed her twins - but didn't find it quite as easy. Not surprising, giving the challenges she faced. But we wanted to share her story so that any other mums of twins who may have tried to breastfeed and not managed, can take heart from her positive point of view.

Thanks for sharing your story Jenny.

~~~

I always knew it was going to be a bit of a mission breastfeeding twins but I was keen to do it. Like many, mine were born prematurely (5 weeks) and I wanted to give them the best start possible. I had struggled to breastfeed my son two years earlier and gave up after 10 days when he coughed up the blood he had ingested from my shredded nipples.

Both twins were fitted with feeding tubes and taken to the Special Care Baby Unit when they were born. There was no panic, it was just routine for premature babies. Twin2 was in an incubator for the first night but I could take them out and cuddle them and feed them as much as I liked after that.

I checked out of hospital a few hours after their birth and moved into one of the bedrooms in the Special Care Unit. My husband was at home looking after our son so I felt like I had the best chance possible to get to grips with breastfeeding. The special care unit was set up in the most supportive fashion possible. Lazy Boy chairs were everywhere and I had a nurse assigned to me 24 hours a day.

The twins went on a 4 hourly feeding schedule within a day or two. I became merely an appendage to my boobs. If the twins weren't draining them of milk, they were being sucked dry by the ker-thump of the industrial sized breast pump. The twins were only really capable of feeding for 20 minutes or so when they were first born. They would then be topped them up through the feeding tube with either my own expressed milk or formula. After this, I would then pump for a further 15 minutes for each breast to stimulate production at the advice of the nurses.

Even with the unbelievable help in hospital, complete quiet and calm atmosphere and access to a wide range of breastfeeding pillows, nipple shields and comfy chairs, I struggled again with breast feeding. My right arm is paralysed which didn't help the process. I worried about my boobs flopping around in public while my left arm scrabbled to preserve the last scraps of modesty which remain after childbirth.

The girls stayed in hospital for ten days. The first feed when I got home was a disaster. My son was keen to climb up and cuddle the babies and I found it hard to deal with the three of them while my good arm was taken up with nursing. I was struggling to bond with the babies. I decided to change to formula. As you would expect, I was confronted with lots of well meaning but damaging tut-tutting and raised eyebrows. I was concerned that the babies were too tiny and premature to be fed formula but my ability to cope with them and my son improved greatly once I started to bottle feed them. The first year or so of babies is often about just battling through.

I would have loved to breastfeed for longer but I felt that, looking at the whole picture for our family, bottle feeding was best. I love looking at women blithely carrying on about their day with a child plugged in. I love seeing the effortlessness of their feeding endeavours. I'm not particularly anti or pro anything when it comes to raising babies. There are two options for feeding - bottle or breast, but there are infinite combinations of baby and child rearing techniques, of which, feeding is just one aspect. Whatever you do, as long as you do it with love, that's the best course of action.

My twins are 2 and a half and my son is 4 and a half now. I would say it probably took my husband and I until the girls were about 20 months old to properly bond with them. It was just such a battle to get through each day for a long time, I barely had the mental or emotional space for anything other than the routine of child care. Cheesy though it may sound though, I hug myself with glee these days when I look at my three screaming and shreaking round the garden, robust and healthy and happy.

If you'd like to read more about the reality of screaming and shreaking, have a look at my blog http://jennyjanerudd.blogspot.com

~~~

At Emma-Jane we're all about comfort and support - whether that's with our nursing bras or just being able to share breastfeeding tales amongst new mums. So if you have a story you'd like to share with us, please leave us a comment below.

How to breastfeed twins

2011-07-06T01:47:00.000-07:00

This week it's Twins & Multiples week. Now getting to grips with breastfeeding one baby can be tough. But what about when you have to feed two? Harriet from Is There a Plan B blog has written a guest post for us on how she fed her twins - with some really useful tips.

Take heart, mums of multiples, it is possible!

~~~

How to breastfeed twins - by Harriet

You will need: A sofa. A twin feeding cushion. Two babies.

Pick up babies. With practice this can be both at the same time. Place one baby at one end of the sofa and the other at the other end. Strap on twins feeding cushion (google it to find one). Lower self heavily to sofa, avoiding babies and trying to ignore the fact that you look like a hippo in a tutu (think Disney's Fantasia).

Reach left hand out to left baby and roll baby up arm onto cushion. Remove clothing from both breasts. Latch left baby on and feed. Repeat on right. Drink pint of water. Eat cereal bar. Repeat as necessary.

How to breastfeed twins in tandem and in public while retaining your dignity.

Can't be done. Sorry. One at a time when you're out and about I'm afraid. And take extra breast pads, because you'll leak. Sorry, but there it is.

How to embarrass the unembarrassable.

Double breast pump. Say no more.

How to save money, avoid washing up and eat lots (and lots) of guilt-free cake, while convincing everyone else you're a fantastically good person.

Breastfeed twins. Because it can, honestly, be done. It isn't impossible, it isn't exhausting (or no more so than having new born twins is anyway) and it is one of the things that I am most proud of having done, not least because the midwives (no really) told me I couldn't. I had two advantages - I'd breastfed my first, so I knew I was physically capable of feeding a baby, and I had (and still have) a husband who was prepared to get up in the night to help me do it.

I'm not saying either is essential, but they both made a real difference, as did the community midwife who was herself a mum of twins and who sat with me and gave me the confidence that I wasn't going to drop them, that I could latch them both on, and that once they were latched on I could let go, and have both hands free for the remote, the phone or the inevitable cereal bar (I'm sort of joking about the cake, but when you are on medical advice to eat an extra 1000 calories a day, you'll eat anything. I never thought I could get bored of eating, but actually that was one of the few downsides of the whole thing).

If asked, which I have been, how I did it, the answer is simple: I had a twin feeding cushion (stupidly expensive for what is essentially a bit of foam, but totally essential) and I really wanted to do it. Now I realise that there are lots of people who either don't want to, or can't for all sorts of valid reasons, breastfeed one baby, let alone twins, and that is obviously their choice, and I have no axe to grind with them. But if you do have twins and you do want to feed them yourself, please, please, please, don't let the fact that they are twins stop you. There are lots of other factors that might, but that honestly isn't one of them. I fed my girls exclusively for six months and then combined it with solids for a further six weeks or so, and then stopped because I wanted to go to a wedding and they weren't invited.

I have no idea what, if any, difference it has made to them, and clearly I'd still be the harassed mother I am today, with them at 2 1/2, their big sister at 4, and their new baby brother now five weeks old (it'll come as no surprise that I'm feeding him too) whether I had fed them myself or not, but I am, nonetheless, so incredibly glad and proud that I did.

~~~
Great job Harriet! Thanks for sharing that super positive experience and those useful tips. Let us know if you've managed to breastfeed twins or multiples. We'd love to hear how you did it. And if you're in the market for nursing bras, head on over to http://www.emma-jane.com/ to see our range.

Breastfeeding flash mob

2011-06-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

Blogger Anna Collette Higgs of Part Mummy Part Me held a breastfeeding flash mob in central London during National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. As she explained in her blog post, 170 nursing mums turned up and fed their babies in public for 20 minutes to demonstrate that breastfeeding your baby is normal and to help boost the low breastfeeding rates in this country.

Well done them on taking a stand. Here are some images of the day. To all the breastfeeding mums who took part, we salute you - and obviously we secretly hope that you were wearing our nursing bras :-)

Common Breastfeeding Problems & How to Solve Them

2011-06-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

To everyone who joined in our breastfeeding blog carnival last week to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Week - thank you! We hope you had a great week of breastfeeding.

One thing the blog carnival highlighted was how many new mums battle to breastfeed for a number of reasons. So we asked Laura Nelson from The Breastest News to write an article for us on common breastfeeding problems and how to solve them. Our thanks to her for this great article. If you have any tips for mums on any of these issues, please share them in our comments section below.

Sore or Cracked Nipples
Lets not beat about the bush here ladies. Breastfeeding can be hard to start with even for women who have breastfed before and usually for the first few weeks your nipples can be a little sore as they attempt to adjust to their new role. The most common reason for sore or cracked nipples is usually that your baby hasn't quite latched on correctly thus your nipples become sore and, if the latch is not corrected, can become cracked.

The best thing to do is take your baby off the breast gently by putting your finger into the corner of their mouth until they release their tongue from your breast. Then start again by making sure you are comfy, your baby is in a good position and then attempt to help your baby latch back onto the breast. Make sure they have a good mouthful of breast!

Don't ignore the pain as this could only make things worse! If your nipples start to crack and bleed it may be best to see a breastfeeding support worker who will help you improve your technique and help make sure your baby is latching on properly and effectively. There is no need to stop breastfeeding if this happens, I didn't and my son was completely fine. So don't let it deter you!

To help ease sore or cracked nipples I was told to squeeze out a little drop of milk after a feed and gently rub it into the skin. This did seem to soothe the soreness so I would really recommend trying it. I would also recommend you invest in a tube of lanolin cream. This stuff is safe to use whilst breastfeeding and does not affect your baby but oh what wonders it does for your nipples, brilliant product.

Some other suggestions would be to let your nipples dry before putting your clothes back on or wear a cotton nursing bra to help the air circulate. Also make sure and change your breast pads often so they don't irritate your nipples.

Unsettled Baby
You'll know yourself if your baby is unsettled whilst feeding and this is often because they are not attached correctly so they are not getting enough milk to satisfy them. I made the mistake of attaching my son to the skin on my breast beside my nipple and I never even noticed until he screamed the place down with hunger as obviously he wasn't getting any milk at all! My poor breast was a bit bruised after that but it recovered really quickly so don't let that put you off.

So the best thing to do for your unsettled baby is remove them from the breast and start again.

If you are struggling and need some support check out the NHS breastfeeding site for the best support near you.

Engorgement
Every woman who breast feeds will suffer from sore breasts at some point. This may be due to engorgement which is caused by swelling of the breast tissue as blood, lymphatic fluid, and milk collect in the ducts as the process of milk production begins, usually day 3-5 after birth. This is quite a common thing to happen and I suffered from it myself a few times when my son missed a feed if he was sleeping. The best thing to do is get your baby to feed from the engorged breast as soon as possible. It may be a little difficult for your baby to latch on as the nipple becomes flat as your breasts get fullier with milk so try a little hand expressing first before breastfeeding your baby.

Other suggestions to help relieve engorgement is to feed frequantly and for 15-20 minutes at a time, put chilled savoy cabbage leaves on your breasts (sounds crazy but it works!), try different positions to help empty the breasts and place a cold compress on your breasts between feeds to help reduce swelling.

Engorgement usually lasts for 24-48 hours so although it is sore it will pass and you'll soon forget all about it. As with anything if it lasts for longer than this or becomes worse/ extremely painful then please see your doctor.

Blocked Ducts
Blocked ducts are often caused by a build up of milk and skin cells which prevent the duct from being cleared properly during breastfeeding. Signs of a blocked duct are a tender or redish lump on the breast. It often only occurs on one breast and is not very painful, it's really just a little tender. Again I had this myself, it was more of a red rash type look on my breast than a lump and it did feel tender to the touch but really wasn't that bad.

I noticed that I would get a blocked duct if I accidently squished my breasts by sleeping on my front at night, I think this may have contributed to the ducts becoming blocked because they were being compressed.

The best way to treat a blocked duct is to have your baby empty your breast of milk so that it gives it a chance to start producing again, have a hot bath or shower to help milk flow and a gentle massage of the breast can often help remove the block. The key it to keep feeding as this really helps, I can definitely vouch for it.

If the block does not clear within a few days it may be best to see your midwife or doctor just to be on the safe side.

Mastitis
I have never had Mastitis myself but I am told it is the inflammation of the breast which is thought to be caused by infection. Symptoms include a hard, red, tender, swollen area of one breast and a fever. Other symptoms include muscle aches, chills, and feeling ill - kind of like having the flu!

To treat Mastitis it is best to continue breastfeeding often (do not stop) and take some pain killers to help ease the discomfort. I would also recommend you see your doctor ASAP as normally a course of antibiotics are prescribed to treat the infection. Also as with blocked ducts breast massaging may help ease the discomfort as well as a nice hot bath.

Thrush
Signs of thrush for yourself include sore pink nipples after feeding for a while without problems. Also itchy nipples or shiny nipples with a white substance between the folds. Signs of thrush in your baby are often a white furry like substance in their mouth which if removed will leave a sore red patch. This will cause discomfort to your baby and may bleed. Be careful not to mistake this for simple milk residue after feeding but if you are concered see your doctor.

To treat thrush you will need to see your doctor who will prescribe you with cream or an oral tablet. Both yourself and your baby will need to be treated at the same time even if only one of you is showing symptoms.

Tongue-tie
Some babies are born with a small piece of skin which holds the tongue to the bottom of their mouth and often prevents them from feeding properly. However my son has quite a tongue-tie and it has never stopped him from breastfeeding properly so some babies are completely fine with it. If you do think your baby has a problem feeding because of a tongue-tie then speak to your midwife who will refer your baby to have the little piece of skin cut. It's a very small simple procedure and your baby won't need an anesthetic or anything.

So there you have it, some common breastfeeding problems and how to solve them. If all else fails go straight to your doctor or consult your midwife. They will be more than happy to help.

Breastfeeding Awareness Week: Blog Carnival

2011-06-19T22:54:00.000-07:00

It's Breastfeeding Awareness Week this week. Sadly, the government has cut funding for this, but we're trying to help in our own small way by hosting a blog carnival here today. Below you will find links to a collection of blog posts all about breastfeeding. What you might notice is how many of the posts talk about how the authors battled with breastfeeding to start with - for a number of reasons - but how they persevered and how glad they are that they did.

For some people, breastfeeding is easy, simple and natural. But for others it can be more of a challenge and when they don't find it easy, they give up thinking that they've in some way failed. What many of these blog posts show us is that with support, patience and a bit of perseverence it does get easier. All the more reason for National Breastfeeding Awareness Week.

As makers of comfortable, supportive nursing bras and nursing tops for the last 25 years, we are fully commited to helping as many mums as possible experience the joy that breastfeeding brings. So take a read, tell other people about the list and let's help spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding. If you have written about breastfeeding on your blog but you're not on this list, please feel free to post the link in our comments section below.

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Overcoming the odds
Susan at Maternity Matters writes about how breastfeeding helped her to bond with her son after a traumatic birth.

Nicola from Bare Foot Blog an amazing post on how, despite everyone telling her she wouldn't be able to breastfeed, she persevered.

Lauren of Real Housewife of Suffolk County writes about breastfeeding when your baby has tongue tie.

Breastfeeding in public
Uju from Babes About Town offers this great guide to breastfeeding in London with a fab list of places that are breastfeeding friendly.

Danielle from The Aspiring Yummy Mummy has written about getting your breasts out in public. She intends to feed somewhere public everyday during breastfeeding awareness week.

Rose over at Nuture with Soul, is organising a breastfeeding flash mob for breastfeeding awareness week. You can get all the details here.

Meanwhile, Nicola from Bare Foot Blog has given us a list of unusual places she's breastfed her baby - go on, share yours with us below.

Incywincymummy explains how she felt like the odd one out at her baby group for breastfeeding.

Extended feeding
Mamamule gives us ten reasons why you should keep breastfeeding after the age of one.

Sarah of Catching the Magic writes about how extended breastfeeding was something she was unaware of before having babies, but is now a massive fan.

Battling to breastfeed
Rose of Nurture with Soul has also written about her own struggle with breastfeeding.

Helen from Cheeky Wipes gives us an honest account of how painful she found breastfeeding, but she stuck with it regardless.

Becky at Mummy Notes is another mum who battled with breastfeeding to start with but persevered with her own unique feeding style.

Rebecca of Mum of three Boys also battled with feeding following a really bad illness post birth.

Donna of Mummy Central writes about how she feels about not managing to breastfeed and wishing she'd had more help, support or advice

Debates & useful information on breastfeeding
Uju from Babes About Town looks at cultural differences and breastfeeding.

Nicola from Bare Foot Blog has written about why we need Sure Start centres - to help get through those rough breastfeeding periods.

Ruth from Dorkymum writes a controversial post on why breast is best, but there's no need to shout about it. We'd like to say: great points, well made.

Steffi of Mummydothat writes a great post about how breastfeeding research isn't a guilt trip.

Anna of Dummymummy has written a number of blogs for Real Parenting on the subject of breastfeeding including this one of the government cuts of Breastfeeding Awareness Week and this really useful list of places breastfeeding mums can turn to for advice and information. She's also written on her own blog about the funding cuts and has a link to the Lactivist petition to bring Breastfeeding Awareness Week back.

Isil from Smiling Like Sunshine has shared several relevant posts with us:
On why breast is best
Immune boosters for nursing mums
On whether breastfeeding advocay is anti-feminist

Jane of Acorn Pack Antenatal has written about the relationship between breastfeeding research and guilt.

Jane Blackmore of Northern Mummy with Southern children kindly asks people to leave her alone when feeding her 12 month old. She also asks whether breast is best.

Lushka of Diary of a First Child gives us her views on why we need National Breastfeeding Awareness Week

Denise of Snafflesmummy has created a fantastic list of breastfeeding tips - really useful for anyone about to embark on breastfeeding.

Mummy Mishaps shares her breastfeeding journey and getting used to feeding on demand.
Thanks to everyone who has joined in this carnival. Please help promote this great compilation of breastfeeding posts - you never know, they may just help a breastfeeding mum out there.

To find out more about Emma-Jane, go to http://www.emma-jane.com/, follow us on Twitter (@emmajanebras) or like us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest news.

Happy breastfeeding everyone!

Breastfeeding in public - share your tips

2011-06-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like the first time you decide (or need) to feed your baby in public. Whether it's in a shopping mall or restaurant or park, there suddenly seem to be eyes everywhere. Your breasts take on a life of their own, you don't have enough hands and before you know it, everything you have kept private until now is on display for the world to see.

Don't worry. It gets easier with practice. There are plenty of tips on the www.lactivist.net but here are just a few to get you going:

Practice in front of a mirror. You’ll be surprised at how little actually shows.
If you feel self conscious, sit at a corner table and wear a poncho or pashmina so you don’t feel too exposed.
To boost your confidence, make sure you’ve got the hang of it before venturing out in public.
Go along to a breastfeeding group to get practice feeding in public while in a welcoming environment with plenty of other people doing the same thing.
Take a friend – ideally someone else who is breastfeeding - for moral support.
Put your bag on the table in front of you to shield you if you want more privacy.

Invest in a good nursing top and wear it when you know you’re going to have to feed out and about.

The next question is where to feed? You still hear stories about nursing mums being asked to leave various shops or restaurants or being steered towards the toilets to feed their babies, so it's not surprising new mums are a bit anxious about where to feed.

The good news is that it is increasingly common now for retailers and shopping centres to support mums by being 'breastfeeding friendly'. The best Breastfeeding Friendly places are designed to make breastfeeding as easy as possible; with comfortable seating, magazines, water, and a positive attitude to breastfeeding.

Mamas & Papas, ASDA, Mothercare and IKEA are just some of the many places supporting the campaign. And indoor shopping centres are great as most will have dedicated Baby Care rooms with baby changing and seating so you can feed in private.

On those days when the weather is fine, you can often find somewhere secluded to feed your baby in most parks and gardens. And, if you have older children with you, it means they can play and you can still watch them while you feed.

There are even cafes now designed with mums in mind. If you speak to your local NCT group, breastfeeding support group or even midwife or health visitor they should be able to let you know the best places locally that welcome breastfeeding mums.

If you know of any great breastfeeding friendly places, please let us know about them and don't forget to share your tips on how to breastfeed in public with confidence. And if you're interested, blogger Nurture with Soul is organising a flash mob in London during Breastfeeding Awareness Week, encouraging as many mums as possible to breastfeed out in public. You can read all about it here.

Breastfeeding: Routine or Demand Feeding?

2011-06-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

In the lead up to National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (19 - 26 June), we're examining some of the breastfeeding issues that affect new mums. And today we're looking at the sometimes contentious issue of whether to feed your baby on demand or to a set routine.

One of the challenges with breastfeeding is that unlike a bottle, you can't be 100% sure of how much your baby has had to eat. Inexperienced mums might worry whether their baby is still hungry, if the baby is putting on enough weight and whether their baby crying means that they're hungry - or if it's something else entirely.

Take heart - we’re all unsure initially and especially if it’s your first, knowing how often and how much your baby needs to eat is difficult. It's even more difficult when there are two opposing schools of thought - routine feeding or on demand. Let's take a look at both:

Feeding on demand simply means feeding your baby whenever he signals that he's hungry — usually by squirming around and sucking on his hands and eventually crying. It works on the principle that your baby knows instinctively when she needs to feed and will take the amount she needs, no more no less.

As a result, during the early weeks you may feel like you’re feeding your baby constantly, especially if you’re feeding every couple of hours, which is not uncommon. Keep in mind that young babies have tiny stomachs — about the size of a walnut. Milk quickly fills their little stomach and is absorbed, so it's no wonder they need to eat again relatively soon.

If your baby seems hungry soon after eating, go ahead and feed him again. Keep in mind, too, that babies are just hungrier on some days than on other days, which often precedes a growth spurt.

Feeding on demand works well so long as you are able to determine when your baby is actually hungry and not tired, needs a nappy change or is bored. If this is the case, it can be easy to automatically feed your baby whenever she cries thinking she is hungry, but it won’t take you long to get to know your baby’s wants and needs. Most babies will be happy to settle into a feeding rhythm of around 3-4 hourly by 2-3 months of age.

The second school of thought is to have a routine with set times for feed, sleep, bath and play (depending on baby’s age) and regardless of whether they cry to be fed. Some mums will follow the routine rigidly and wake the baby up for a feed if they were asleep. We think: take a view and do what’s right for you.

This method can work especially well for babies that may not show obvious signs to be fed and very young babies who don't yet have the strength to wake up and demand to be fed. Sometimes a premature, jaundiced, or sick baby is too small and sleepy to cry, conserving energy for growth and recovery instead. If your baby's hunger cues are slight or non-existent, be sure to wake him at least every three to four hours and encourage him to feed.

If you’re a mother of multiples this method often works best and can be a great way to maintain some order at a time that is full of change and uncertainty. Routines are often used to improve sleep patterns too – another bonus!

So, routine or demand feeding?
There is no right answer. The right answer is what works for you and what works for your baby. Often a combination of both demand feeding and routine can work well - try to stick to a routine, but be flexible with it to accommodate your baby's needs on any given day.

It depends on you, your baby and your family dynamics. All that matters is that your baby is healthy, happy and thriving. Oh, and give yourself a pat on the back for giving your baby the best start in life by breastfeeding in the first place!

Don't forget to check out our range of nursing bras if you are breastfeeding. At least having a comfortable, supportive bra will be one less thing for you to worry about!

The Let Down Reflex

2011-06-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

The sensation of the let-down reflex takes some getting used to. It usually occurs just before you’re due to give a feed, if your baby is crying or sometimes even if someone else’s baby is crying! But what is it? Well, your breasts will feel full and create a throbbing, tingly sensation.

After a few weeks you’ll absolutely get used to it. Some mums have even reported knowing that their baby will wake up as the let-down reflex kicks in a minute or so before their baby wakes fully. Just thinking about feeding your baby can trigger the let-down reflex. Some mums find that their breasts can leak when this happens. Our tip: Invest in breast pads to prevent any embarrassing accidents! We have a great starter kit that includes bra extenders, washable nursing pads, nursing band (so you don't forget which side to feed) and a laundry bag.

It is important to listen to your body and the physical indicator that the let-down reflex provides. Ensure you’re relaxed and calm as more milk will ‘let-down’ if you’re relaxed. If you’re tense or upset, only the front or fore milk will come out and your baby will be dissatisfied. A hungry, crying baby is never good for anyone’s nerves! So, take five to get set up and get comfy. Pour a glass of water, plump the cushions and have your phone and TV remote to hand. You know you’re going to be nursing for at least 15 minutes – so use it as time to sit down, relax and catch up on Loose Women!

The Science Bit

The let-down reflex, also known as the milk ejection reflex, is set off by the hormone, oxytocin. It stimulates the muscle cells in your breasts to squeeze out milk. . It’s also the hormone that makes you feel love and calm which is handy given you produce more milk when calm.

In the first few days the oxytocin hormone also prompts the uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size so you may feel stomach cramps as you feed. The more children you have had, the more likely you will be to feel the uterus contract.

The good news is once you stop breast-feeding the sensation disappears, and you never know you might be someone that never even feels it in the first place.

Breastfeeding Celebrations!

2011-06-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

All of June we will be celebrating breastfeeding as it’s national breastfeeding awareness month later (see this post for details http://emma-jane-maternity.blogspot.com/2011/05/help-us-keep-breastfeeding-awareness.html)

In the news

2011-05-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

We do like a bit of publicity. So here's our latest:

Our maternity swimsuit (style 952) was featured in the July issue of Practical Parenting in the swimsuit round up. If you haven't grabbed one yet for summer, get one now! While Everyday Maternity, one of our retailers, is listed in this article, we do have several others too who stock the swimsuit. Check out our list of retailers on our website.

And our Nursing Top (style 826) was included in the maternity & nursing round up in Lingerie Buyer. Because the print if very small, we'll tell you what it says:

"To help new mums stay cool in warm summer weather, Emma-Jane has released a multi-purpose nursing top made from ultra soft bamboo, which is fast-drying and has natural anti-bacterial properties. Bamboo also offers natural UV protection and moisture-wicking capabilities to draw moisture away from the skin, helping to keep the wearer cool......"

So if you're heading off somewhere hot this summer, make sure you grab a stash of these.

Don't forget to come and say hi to us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@emmajanebras).

One born every minute

2011-05-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

If you missed this TV series – where have you been? If you’re an expectant mum you’ll either be devouring every minute of this great series on Channel 4 which shows real women going through labour and giving birth or you’ll be avoiding it like the plague, put off and scared by what you’re seeing.

Either way, you’re going to have to go through it…but we guarantee once you’ve had your baby you’ll want to devour each and every episode as much as we do. It’s emotional, funny, heart-warming and most of all amazing to be allowed to watch the wonder of new life being brought into this world. Pass the tissues!

So for those middle of the night feeds when there's nothing to watch…click here to get the series on demand.

Remember, you can follow us on twitter (@emmajanebras) or Like us on Facebook to get all our regular updates on pregnancy, breastfeeding and being a mum!

Help us keep Breastfeeding Awareness Week alive

2011-05-23T05:45:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding Awareness Week takes place between 19 - 26 June 2011. But there's a snag. The Government has cut all funding for this initiative. Read about it here. You add this to the cuts to SureStart centres where many mums get breastfeeding advice and support, and you have to wonder where mums will turn to for support.

The Government says that "support and information is currently available to health professionals and parents via NHS Choices, the National Breastfeeding Helpline, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative and the peer support programmes."

But is that enough? We don't think so and want to help.

So here's what you can do:

1. Sign the petition run by the Lactivist to encourage the Government to bring this initiative back.

2. Join the Bring Back Breastfeeding Awareness group on Facebook.

3. If you're a blogger, please write a blog post about breastfeeding and send it to us by 17 June (send all entries to melissa@peekaboocoms.co.uk). We will host a blog carnival on this blog featuring all the posts. They can be about your experiences with breastfeeding, some tips or advice, your own thoughts on the government cuts, or suggestions for mums wanting to breastfeed about where they can get help from. Whatever you like - as long as it is about breastfeeding.

4. Throughout June, we will be posting articles on our blog giving information, tips and advice about breastfeeding. So if you're a breastfeeding mum or plan on breastfeeding, please pop by and take a look.

5. If you're a blogger and would like to run a competition on your blog to raise awareness of Breastfeeding Awareness Week and need a prize, we have a limited number of nursing bras we can give away as prizes. Please contact us on the email address given above to make arrangements.

6. If you are holding any kind of breastfeeding awareness event, please let us know about it either by emailing us or posting a comment below. We will tweet about it, mention it on this blog and put it up on our Facebook page. So please let us know what what you're doing.

Join us in keeping Breastfeeding Awareness Week alive!

Do you have a favourite colour bra?

2011-05-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

White, black, skin? Or perhaps something a bit brighter like pink, red or blue. What colour bra do you reach for time and time again?

And do you choose it because of its colour or because that's the bra that is most comfortable/fits best?

How important is colour or does it really not matter? And what about prints or patterns?

And are your thoughts about bra colours different for normal bras vs nursing bras?

For our retailers, do you have a colour that out sells all the rest?

We'd love to hear what you think. So share your thoughts below or pop over to our Facebook page and take our poll on which colour bra you like best.

Our £10 seamfree bra is a hit!

2011-05-09T05:48:00.000-07:00

We have written about the praise our newest nursing bra - style 361 - has had in the past, but it's been getting even more, so we thought we'd share.

We always knew that the price of our seamfree Next Generation bra would be a hit, because at just a tenner, you can get three bras for the price you'd normally pay for one. But it actually delivers great value in three ways:

the low price;
the fact that it can be used as a maternity, nursing and sleep bra;
and the single cup size that fits from B to F as breasts change so mums don’t need to spend a fortune on different size bras.

But it's not just the value that is making mums love this bra. It's all about how comfortable it is. And let's face it, when you're pregnant or breastfeeding, comfort is a must (as is plenty of chocolate). The reason it's so comfortable is because of the ultra-soft knitted seamfree fit and the soft under-band.

Here are some of the comments the Next Generation bras have been receiving are:

"I'm expecting a baby in a few weeks time and regular bras were starting to get very uncomfortable. I purchased these and they have been excellent. They fit very well and are really comfortable. I will be buying some more!" From Figleaves.com

"I think these are excellent value and incredibly comfortable especially in comparison to the other non-wired maternity bras I have. It is the perfect bra to sleep in if you want some extra support overnight and it is what I put in as soon as I get through the door in the evening. I haven’t had my baby yet and so can’t comment on the ease of breastfeeding but the clip / unclip seems very easy to use. Overall fantastic comfort and value and what can be an uncomfortable and expensive time!" From Figleaves.com

"I’m 6 months pregnant & found this bra really comfortable. Plenty of room to expand, but still supportive. Good value too." From Figleaves.com

"Brilliant that it goes from sizes B to F. Genius!" From a Wear Tester report

"Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!!!! I just wish I'd known about it a year ago. Definitely the best nursing/maternity bra I have ever worn. Definitely recommend it to everyone I know. 10 out of 10." From a Wear Tester report

"Every pregnant woman or breastfeeding mum needs a wardrobe staple when it comes to underwear and the Emma Jane Next Generation Seamfree nursing bra might just be the one. True to form, Emma Jane has designed a price-conscious garment that rolls comfort, support and value into one, making it a real contender to more expensive seamfree bras on the market."

Leading parenting site Madeformums.com.

“This bra is great value & due to its great shape & fit it's really comfortable. I have been wearing this bra for the last month of my pregnancy both day and night and I'm sure I'll still be using it for the next 6 months for feeding.” Babyworld review

“The Emma Jane 361 nursing bra is a pleasure to wear day and night! It is seamfree and stretchy so very comfortable and discrete under clothing. Overall I found it to be a quality garment at a great price.” Babyworld review

Love this bra. Being that the cup size covers from B-F it's great to wear straight after birth as milk supply settles as your size can vary hugely during this time! The ruched center works well and adds nice detail and the knitted underband is very comfortable. It's a great bra in my opinion!” Babyworld review

The Next Generation bras are available in a choice of white, black or skin colours and come in four sizes to fit sizes 32–38 B-F. Style 361 has a recommended retail price of just £10, while style 365 which offers removable foam pads for comfort with excellent fit retails at £16. Both styles are available from Emma-Jane retailers. Go to www.emma-jane.com for more details.

Breastfeeding in summer - how to stay cool

2011-04-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

Breastfeeding in summer can be hot work, but mums can stay cool with our multi-purpose nursing top (style 826) made from ultra soft bamboo.

Bamboo is fast drying and has natural anti-bacterial properties, natural UV protection and moisture-wicking capabilities to draw moisture away from the skin, which make these tops brilliant for keeping cool while clutching a warm bundle to your chest.

The tops can be worn as outerwear, layered under clothes, as underwear or sleepwear. They have adjustable shoulder straps, a built-in bra shelf to give support and hold breast pads, and have clips which can be easily opened with one hand for discreet nursing. Each side opens independently for nursing, so when one side is open, the other continues to support.

These fab tops are not just eco-friendly, they're also so comfortable and cool, we think they'll become a nursing mum’s summer essential that is worn daily.

The tops are available in UK 10/12, 14/16 18/20 in black or white. They are made of 95% bamboo and 5% elastane/lycra.

Available from a number of our retailers for approximately £20, depending on outlet. Click here to see our retailers.

This is what mums who have tried to the top have to say about it:

“I bought this in black and for the established breastfeeding lady this is beautiful. I am about to get it in white.”

"These vests are great for wearing to bed, lovely and soft and perfect for night feeding.”

"Fab top, comfy and soft on delicate/sore bits. I would definitely recommend this top."

"This is really handy for nursing mums so you can feed easily and discreetly when out and about."

“The material is so lovely that I'm wearing them to sleep and just love them! They also offer enough support for a 32F bust to wear lounging around the house. I'm sure I will live in these for the first few weeks when the baby arrives in November."

So stock up now! Summer is on its way.

Can you still breastfeed with a baby in SCBU?

2011-04-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

When your baby ends up in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) it can be hugely distressing. Not only is it difficult or impossible to breastfeed your baby if they're hooked up to monitors or in special incubators, but the stress of it could have an effect on your breastmilk supply. Yet poorly babies need the goodness breastmilk gives even more than normal. So how do you do it?

This real mum shared her experience with us.

I am a mum of 4 children and 1 angel. I have breastfed my last 3 babies each of them after a c- section. The 1st 2 were ok although I had all the normal problems of cracked and very sore nipples, odd bouts of mastitis and blocked ducts.

My youngest was rushed to SCBU not long after birth as she had breathing difficulties. She ended up being on CPAP ventillation for 5 days and due to that couldn't breast feed at all. I was given a breast pump when she was about 12 hours old (much earlier than normal but as I was an experienced breast feeder they let me start earlier as I insisted she had no formula) and I pumped from then till she was 5 days old at which point she was able to start to feed from me directly.

My milk came in at 48 hours after birth with no problems and I had lots!! I could fill 4 100ml bottles every 4 hours! Once she was able to feed from me directly she went from totally being tube fed to losing the tube within 12 hours and did really well. I am not sure if the expressing helped or the fact I had been breast feeding my youngest at the time until 5 months pregnant, but I had no sore or cracked nipples this time round and no other problems at all.

Lottie is now 18 months, big for her age and still breast feeding.

Sally xx.

It's great to hear inspirational stories like this. If you have a similar story to tell, please share it with us. We really want to let mums know what other real mums do to help them in their breastfeeding journey.

Don't forget to check out our range of nursing bras!

The benefits of breastfeeding - what real mums think

2011-04-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of experts and reams of medical papers citing the benefits of breastfeeding. But we asked some real mums what they thought the benefits were. Bonding is a big one, but there's much more too. See what these real mums have to say:

Bonding ... and just get up & go!

I have a daughter who is now 18 weeks and I would say that breastfeeding has been a fantastic bonding experience for both of us. I worried at first that it wouldn't be enough as you can't see what is happening, but she has put the right amount of weight on which makes me think "Wow I did that!" I think my biggest worry was breastfeeding in public - getting funny looks from passers by. I have to say this has not been the case and I have felt completely at ease feeding her whenever and wherever I go. I have also found it really easy to just 'get up and go' no bottles to clean, prepare and warm - so easy when you just want to get on with enjoying life with your little one!

Clare Wilkinson

A great start in life, bonding, pregnancy weightloss ...and the chance to catch up on tv!

"I'd never really thought that much about breastfeeding - throughout my pregnancy, with so many things to consider, feelings on how to feed my baby didn't really feature until the last month. However, coming from a country where the proportion of women breastfeeding their babies is so much higher than the UK (I think it's around 90% of women breastfeed for 6 months), I'd assumed it was the natural way to go. Coupled with the fact that I'd had chronic asthma and eczema as a child, by the time I approached my due date, I was determined that I would breastfeed my baby for the recommended six months.

Well.....we're nearing six months and I don't intend to stop for at least another six months. After a quick, natural birth, Joseph latched on within 20 minutes and has fed beautifully ever since. We've had no problems - no painful engorgement, no cracked nipples, no mastitis, it's just been lovely. I wouldn't say easy, Joe fed every 1.5 - 2 hours in the beginning and only now at 5.5 months does he sleep through the night without feeds. He still feeds every 3 hours during the day for at least half an hour at a time, but I see it as a good opportunity to catch up on America's Next Top Model (don't judge me!)

I feel so lucky at having has such a good ride with breastfeeding, especially when so many of my fellow mums have given up because of numerous obstacles. Breastfeeding offers so many benefits - the knowledge that you're giving your baby the best start in life, a BIG helping hand in pregnancy weight loss, and most of all, the chance to start the lifelong bond with your child."

Sarah Newman

Share your breastfeeding stories with us below! And don't forget that we have a range of nursing bras and tops to help you on your breastfeeding journey.

Breastfeeding after a c-section

2011-04-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

Having a C-section makes many things post birth a little bit more tricky as you have a very tender tummy. But is breastfeeding one of them? New mum Hazel Gulley shares her experience of breastfeeding after a c-section:

My daughter was born after an emergency section and sites and people always warn you how much harder it is to feed post-section. I didn't find this at all. She was popped inside my gown as soon as they could for skin to skin and travelled with me to recovery. We were there quite a while and she just did that amazing baby thing they do where they scuttle across, rooting and find their way to the milk. She just latched on and that was us!

We had a few feeds in recovery and she was a natural and I wasn't at all hindered by the section. I rested her on my big belly well away from the scar area and used a pillow to prop me so I didn't have to use any muscles to keep us in the right position. Absolutely no pain or discomfort.

Once I was back to the ward and the spinal had worn off it was much the same. I can't imagine many newborns would be fed in a position where they'd be near your scar and its no problem when you're well propped up. Feeding lying down is also handy when you can't quite get yourself propped up comfy!

I love breastfeeding and honestly found no problem at all in feeding after the section. I don't think it had anything to do with it being my second time either - I'm actually not sure why feeding post section would be tricky. The hardest bit is reaching over to pick them up and at least you don't have to get up to get a bottle!

Hazel Gulley

If you are breastfeeding, take a look at our range of nursing bras, designed to ensure you're comfortable and well supported.

If you have a positive story about breastfeeding after a c-section, please let us know below!

And the winners are......

2011-04-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the 25 mums who won our nursing bras in our 25th anniversary competition. You should have received an email from us letting you know that you're a winner - and you'll be getting your bra in the post soon. Please do let us have your feedback on the bras - simply post a comment on our Facebook Page.

And we also need to unveil the winner of our retailer competition, who will be getting £250 to spend with us! We asked our online retailers to send us a link to the Emma-Jane products on their websites. We were looking for a stockist that made best use of our free videos, images and content, and most accurately and enthusiastically represented our range. We'd like to thank all the retailers who sent us their links. It's great to see our products so well supported.

It was a tough decision - really tough - choosing a winner, but the retailer we went for in the end was selected because they have shown off our range really well - with an intro page, good use of our videos, a combination or our and their images, 3D images and lots of additional info plus terrific product descriptions. In general, a great looking site.

And the winner is.......

FROM HERE TO MATERNITY!!

However, as it was so hard to choose, we also really wanted to say thank you to two other retailers for the fantastic way they promote our products on their sites and the support you give us. Everyday Maternity - great use of our images and video, plus a consistent supporter of ours on Twitter, Facebook and on this blog - you even wrote a blog post for us, and More 4 Mums, another regular supporter of ours and for going the extra mile and blogging about us - you will both be getting £50 to spend with us.

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our 25th anniversary. And to all the mothers out there, happy Mother's Day for Sunday!

Breastfeeding makes life easier - inspiring stories from real mums

2011-03-29T02:55:00.000-07:00

All too often we hear stories about how difficult breastfeeding can be. And we know that it's not always straightforward. But we asked mums on BabyCentre if any of them had positive breastfeeding stories. Over the next few days, we're going to share some of their stories to inspire any other mums out there who might be feeling anxious about breastfeeding.

The two mums sharing stories today both found that breastfeeding makes live easier - and how expressing helps.

~~~

My daughter is 9 and a half weeks and I'm loving breastfeeding. I did find the first week tough, but so glad I kept going and my daughter has gained so much weight, sleeps really well and is very happy! I can't imagine how much of a faff it would be to make up warm bottles for every feed! I do express from time to time so my husband can give a bottle and I can have a break, but that's all gone really well too, and she took to the bottles straight away. -- from Julia

I am 28 years old and have 2 adorable girls. The first is 6 years old and I breastfed her until she was almost 3 years old which is not the norm here in Glasgow. I returned to work when Keia was 6 months and I expressed twice each day for her to have the next day and I continued to feed her from the breast the rest of the time. When I found out I was expecting number 2 I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to breastfeed again and feel that closeness with my baby, Anna-Grace is now 5 weeks old and the breastfeeding is going well. Breastfeeding fits in perfectly with our life and getting out and about with the family. It's easy - all I need is a few nappies and we are good to go. I have had such a positive experience of breastfeeding and the bond it has created between us. I feel that we are so close that I often say "our hearts beat in time with each other" I wonder if it would have been like this if I had formula fed. -- Denise Forbes

If you have a positive breastfeeding story, please share it in the comments section below.

Bronze your bump - our new maternity tankini

2011-03-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, the old 'do I cover up my bump or don't I debate'. With summer approaching and April holidays just around the corner, many of you pregnant mums might be contemplating a maternity swimwear purchase.

Obviously lying on a sun lounger in a bikini with the sun gently bronzing your bump would be lovely. But then you have to get up off the lounger and make your way to the poolside loo for the 5th time in a morning and you notice everyone's eyes following your naked bump as you try to inconspicuously drape your hands over it.

But what if you could have the best of both worlds? A top that you can lift up while you're tanning, and can roll down when you're not. Now you can, with our new maternity tankini.

The new style (954) pairs under-the-bump bikini bottoms with a longer-style tankini top featuring ruched sides that adjust to body changes during pregnancy. It also has an elasticated bra shelf for comfort and support.

It comes in slimming black or bright royal blue, both with fuchsia pink trimming, in sizes 12/14, 16/18 and 18/20. It is available from a number of our retailers including www.fromheretomaternity.co.uk, www.envie4u.co.uk and www.everydaymaternity.com.

And if you'd prefer an all in one swimsuit, we also have our maternity swimsuit style 952, with sports style criss cross straps, making it perfect for mums who want to use swimming as exercise (purple and black in size 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22).

You can find a full list of our stockists here.

So dive in and kit yourself out in preparation for summer!

Do you stock our range? You've got 15 days left to enter our 25th anniversary competition!

2011-03-15T05:28:00.000-07:00

This month we're celebrating our 25th anniversary. That's 25 years of making maternity and nursing lingerie, giving mums the comfort and support they need.

To thank all of the retailers who get our products out to mums, we're running a competition in which one of our stockists can win £250 worth of Emma-Jane products. To enter, simply send us a link to the Emma-Jane product page on your website. An independent consultant will view the pages and the stockist who they think most accurately reflects the Emma-Jane ethos of comfort, support and affordability will win a £250 prize to spend with us.

We've already received some great entries, with some of our retailers writing special blog posts about us and adding extra info onto their product pages. Here are two of the blog posts written about us recently:

Everyday Maternity
More 4 Mums

If you stock our products and like the idea of getting £250 worth of our products for free, then please post your link to your Emma-Jane page or blog post in the comments section below or on our Facebook page. Deadline for entries is 31 March.

Getting a good night's sleep

2011-03-10T04:48:00.000-08:00

No-one tells you when you discover you're pregnant, that you're unlikely to get a full night of sleep long before the baby arrives. Sleeping with a bump is uncomfortable, particularly in that last trimester.

And while we can't help with the acid reflux or restless legs, we can make sure that what you wear to bed is mega comfortable. Our maternity PJs are designed to make you rest easy.

We recently sent a pair of our PJs to blogger Kelly, who writes at A Place of My Own. She is due to give birth soon and was in need of something comfortable to sleep in.

Read what she has to say about our PJs here - and here's an extract from her review:

"I love these so much. The fabric is soft, stretchy and oh so comfortable. The trousers go over the bump which is perfect for me as I find anything pressing under or on my bump very painful. The top is fitted and ruched at the side to accommodate my growing tummy. They are black with a pretty lace trim and look very nice indeed. They are so comfortable to sleep in."

Thanks Kelly - glad you liked them and best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy and of course the birth!

P.S. to all other pregnant and nursing mums, don't forget that you can still win one of 25 of our newest nursing bras. Just visit our Facebook page, Like us and you'll find all the details.

Happy birthday to us! Win one of 25 nursing bras

2011-03-01T01:42:00.000-08:00

In March 1986, Emma-Jane was born. A small, perfectly formed little business making and selling nursing bras. Since those early days, we've grown. We've changed, updated and expanded our nursing bra range. We introduced maternity bras. We added nursing tops, maternity tights, maternity nightwear, maternity swimwear and a number of maternity and nursing accessories.

Today Emma-Jane products are sold throughout the world. They're synonymous with comfort, support and affordability. They're what real mums wear day in and day out.

And so now we've reached the grand old age of a quarter century. To celebrate, we've decided to give-away 25 of our newest nursing bra styles - style 361 - as shown below.

All you need to do to enter is:
1. Visit our Facebook page by clicking here. You should be taken straight through to the competition page, but if you're not, then look on the left hand side for the button called 'Competition'.
2. Once you're on the page, 'Like us'.
3. You will then get the details on how to enter. The details on how to enter will only be visible to fans.

So go on, enter and you could soon be getting an exceptionally comfortable nursing bra sent to you.

25 nursing bras to be won!

2011-02-24T02:40:00.000-08:00

In March, we turn 25. For quarter of a century we have been making maternity and nursing bras to help mums get the comfortable support they need, without breaking the bank. We're really proud of this. To celebrate our birthday, we're giving away presents, rather than getting them.

Come back on 1 March to find out how you can win one of 25 of our fab new Next Generation nursing bras - so comfy you'll never want to take it off.

Calling all retailers! Help us celebrate our 25th anniversary and win

2011-02-23T01:45:00.000-08:00

In March we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. That's 25 years of making comfortable, supportive and affordable lingerie for new and expectant mums. Can we get a Woohoo! or at least a big cake with candles?

To celebrate, we’re inviting all of our online stockists to send us a link to the Emma-Jane product page on their website. An independent consultant will view the pages and the stockist who they think most accurately reflects the Emma-Jane ethos of comfort, support and affordability will win a £250 prize to spend with us. That's £250 worth of free Emma-Jane stock for you to sell, with the profits all going to you!

Stockists can simply leave a link to their page in the comments section below or post it onto the wall of our Facebook page by 31 March to be included. Winners will receive exposure on this very blog - and on Facebook and Twitter.

For mums, watch this space because during the month of March we will be giving away 25 - yes 25! - of our new Next Generation nursing bras. Come back on 1 March to find out how to enter.

Conflicting advice on when to wean - a mum shares her story

2011-02-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

In January, a report came out which went against the WHOs recommendation that all babies should be exclusively breastfed for six months. We wrote about it here. It's easy to look at all the different arguments from a distance and see the different points of view. But when you are a new mum and you have hormones raging through your body and you're not 100% sure what you should be doing but you know you want to do what's right, conflicting advice can be very upsetting and confusing.

Helen, a mum with a now 10 month old son, writes a blog at http://petitmew.blogspot.com/. She was kind enough to share her experience of receiving conflicting advice about weaning onto solids.

What we take from her story - and what we hope other mums will take from it - is to listen to all the opinions out there and then make your own mind up. You know your baby best so read his cues. Every baby is different. There isn't a one size fits all answer. So don't beat yourself up if you think you've got something wrong. It's a learning curve.

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Helen's story

When my son was born I felt so overwhelmed with joy and happiness. I was unsure before as to whether I would breastfeed but when I saw him for the first time I knew that I wanted to breastfeed him for as long as possible.

I was kept overnight because I had stitches and my son had a little help with the ventouse which left his head rather sore, but also they wanted to make sure I could breastfeed him without any trouble. I thought all I had to do was show him where the nipple was and he’d be enjoying breast milk. It was not that simple one bit! It was a learning curve for both him and I, neither of us really had a clue what we were doing. I was very lucky to have had a midwife who specialises in breastfeeding and would help any mum with advice, showing them how to position yourself and baby and so on. Once I had shown the midwife I could do it on my own I was discharged and able to go home.

Everything had been going well and he had been perfectly healthy. I suffered with sore nipples and felt like giving up a month later, but we bought some cream and nipple guards which helped give my nipples a bit of rest. At the age of 5 months old for a week I was having trouble keeping him on the breast and found him pushing me away and crying loudly. I was confused and when I asked for help seemed I wasn’t doing anything incorrect and was suggested to see my Health Visitor. I did just that and he had lost nearly 2lbs in weight. She suggested I see my GP right now and almost instantly I had swapped rooms and was getting my boy checked by the doctor. She saw nothing wrong with him, but noticed signs of teething and desire to be weaned. I felt so stupid for not noticing these signs before and rushed off to get some baby food, juices, everything you need for weaning. I expressed milk using a manual pump but over time I found myself making less and less milk until finally I was barely making enough to make a bottle for him.

One week later I returned to make sure he was gaining weight again. He had not only gained it but had also put another 2lbs on top of what he lost! I was so relieved and happy to know the problem had been resolved. Sadly my Health Visitor was not happy. The moment I told her I was feeding him food and no longer able to breastfeed him she went off on one. She was not only angry at the doctor, who she said should not have told me to wean so early, but made me out to be a bad parent. When I asked what I should do now her words were “well the damage is done now, continue what you are doing”.

I was hit hard by those words. As I walked back home I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. It took me weeks to get over what she said to me, but now I feel confident that I did the right thing for my boy, who is very healthy and happy now at the age of 10 months.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience that I suggest all mums-to-be to try. I won’t pretend it wasn’t a struggle and you probably will have sore nipples for the first few weeks, but with the right help and a supportive family you can get through all that and follow on until your baby is ready for food.

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Have you had a similar experience? We'd love to hear your breastfeeding stories - whether you exclusively breastfed for 6 months or whether you weaned early. It really helps new mums know what other new mums have gone through so they realise how different everyone is.

And it goes without saying that if you are breastfeeding, you'll be needing some nursing bras, so do check out our range!

Scared of breastfeeding? One mum shares her fears

2011-02-17T03:11:00.000-08:00

Breastfeeding. It's a subject that seems to cause so much controversy. But one mum - Kelly - who writes her blog 'A place of my own' - was brave enough to express the fears she has about breastfeeding her second baby. After reading it, we asked her if we could repost it here because we believe it's important for new mums to be honest about how they're feeling so that they can get the support and comfort they need. Kelly has already received lots of great feedback and support on her blog, but we hope that our readers might have some encouraging words of advice for her too.

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Tears and confusion

I cried in Boots today. How utterly embarrassing. I stood there, all wrapped up in my parka, with Piran in the Xplory and big tears started sliding down my face. I had gone in to buy Piran shampoo but that wasn't what set me off. As I weaved my way between the baby aisles I noticed the Tommee Tippee bottles and stopped to have a look.

It is not the bottles and it is not the fact there will be a small baby. It is that I am scared. I am not scared of having a second child. I am not scared of the hard work, the sleep deprivation or the intense changes that we have coming up in the next few months. I am scared of breastfeeding.

I am also scared of writing this post, although it is in my head, crowding out all thoughts a lot of the time. This is my place, where I can write and vent and let go but breastfeeding is such an emotive subject that I am afraid of what people will think of me if I say all this. It has to be done though, so please just remember that this is how I feel about my situation. I have to get it out, that is for sure, I cannot just wander round sobbing in public.

I wrote this post The F-Word 12 weeks after Piran was born. It explains our journey with feeding and how he ended up being bottlefed. I can't actually read it back the whole way through at the moment.

There is a lot behind it, all tied in with him being ill and such a strong willed hungry little man but in its simplest form for many reasons when I tried to breastfeed Piran it did not go so well and in the end I found myself angry at him, resenting him, full of horrible bad feelings towards my own baby son. So I stopped breastfeeding. I stopped trying to breastfeed. I did express as much milk as I could and gave him every last drop until after two weeks my milk dried up.

Over the past 18 months I have come to terms with all of that. He is a beautiful, healthy wonderful child and as far as I can tell formula has done him no harm. I am happy and completely convinced gave him the best start that I was able to give.

But now I am here again. Thumper is growing, kicking, moving, making her presence known. In a few short months all being well I will hold her in my arms. I am dealing with my fears about birth, but ever present and unable to ignore is my fear of breastfeeding.

I know it is not meant to be easy. It is not simple and both of us will have to learn how to do it. But what if it is too hard. I am afraid to try. I am afraid that all those feelings will come back. I don't want to start feeling the way I did about Piran again. Those were dark, evil, terrible feelings that I never ever want again.

So what do I do? Do I simply admit that the fear is too much and just bottlefeed from day one, supplementing with expressed breastmilk for as long as I can. Do I give her the same start I gave Piran? That is what made me cry today. I was looking at bottles, mentally calculating how many we will need and I realised that part of me assumes I will be bottle feeding again.

Or do I try? Do I fully commit myself to breastfeeding this time. It may go okay. If it does how will I feel then? That I am somehow giving her more than I could give Piran. Also, I only know what it is like to have a bottle fed baby, so Mr C could feed Piran and give me a break. I got whole nights of sleep on occasion, will I be able to deal with the fact that if I breastfeed I don't get a break. How will Piran react, will he understand? How will I breastfeed and manage a toddler home alone during the day. How do people do it?

I am scared of what to say to the midwife when she speaks to me about it. I am not sure I can admit face to face any of this. How do you say I am afraid to breastfeed as I am scared it will make me hate my baby. It doesn't make sense, and how would you react if someone said that to you? I know that it is a bit blunt but it is the basic truth. God, if I say that they will probably just take the baby straight off me when it arrives.

Oh it is all so jumbled in my head. It is not even making sense on the page. I am not sure whether writing this has helped or whether I am more confused than I was. It could well be the latter.

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Visit Kelly's blog to read the comments she's received but feel free to leave her some here too. If there are any other mums out there who are feeling the same way or who have a positive second time around story to share with us, please let us know.