Breast Awareness Month

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

 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…

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.

What to wear while breastfeeding this Autumn

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

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!

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