Emma-Jane Celebrates 500,000 Sales

We're all celebrating at Emma-Jane after sales of our 428 style nursing bra hit half a million.   One of the most popular products in our range, this pretty, comfortable and supportive bra is multi award winning, having picked up several accolades as well as being widely recommended across online review sites. 

The design gives breastfeeding women support and ensures they feel feminine whilst feeding.  From a practical perspective, the cups are made from 100% cotton, which is soft yet strong, and the undercups are made from two layers of fabric, giving it extra support for ladies requiring larger sizes. 

Additional support and control comes from the restricted stretch in the elastane sides and bra straps.  Clips on the cups give quick and easy access for breastfeeding and each cup opens individually, so one cup can continue to offer support whilst the other allows for feeding. 

Available in sizes UK 32-40 B-J (EU 70-90 B-J).

Celeb Summer Babies – Here’s what they said…

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

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.

Love yourself day 5 - Back up your back

Yesterday's reason for loving yourself in our Valentines campaign was to love your amazing body. But some parts of your body takes more strain that others. Today we're going to give Backs some love.

Day 5 - Back your back up
It's hard to love your body when it aches. In pregnancy - and often post birth - backache can be a major issue. Whether its general back pain or pelvic girdle pain, there are a bunch of things you can do to prevent or reduce it. You can find some great info here. But one way to ease the back strain is by using a support belt.

The Reenie Belt from Emma-Jane supports the abdomen while at the same time relieves pelvic pain and backache. You can also wear it post birth for lingering back ache. Nearly 1/4 million are sold worldwide every year to expectant mothers and as you can read here, they are a lifesaver to some mums.

So if you're having a hard time feeling loving towards your body because you're in too much pain, get yourself a little support. Then repeat after me: I am woman. I am strong. I deserve a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit.

Or if you fancy more chocolate than that, leave us a comment or like us on Facebook to be entered into our Valentine's draw to win the chocolates below.



Love yourself - day 3 - The glow

Only 11 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.