Monday, 26 November 2012

Emma-Jane Maternity launches pretty new nursing bra




At Emma-Jane Maternity, we understand that while support and comfort are essential when breastfeeding, women still want to feel feminine.  So we've added to our existing range with the launch of the pretty 429 style. 

The 429 bra is black with delicate white lace flowers over the cups, which are lined with 100% cotton fabric.  It is available in sizes UK 32-38 B-G and retails at £25.00.

Two layers of fabric and straps with restricted stretch provide additional support for larger sizes.

As with all Emma-Jane nursing bras, each cup has a clip that allows for quick and easy access to breastfeeding, and opens up individually, so when one is open, the other continues to give support.  Four rows of back eyes allow the bra to grow as a woman’s shape changes during pregnancy, and it can also be used with bra extenders.

Emma-Jane designer Freda Scholey said, “As we go into the Christmas party season breastfeeding women still want to feel good about what’s under their clothes as well as on top. The 429 style provides practical, sexy femininity.

Monday, 19 November 2012

Winter warming superfoods, mmm...



If you’re pregnant maybe you’re craving the foods you can’t have; pate, brie, sushi?  It feels as though there’s a new headline each week about what you can and can’t eat, what will cause your baby harm, what’s good for baby’s development, what’s going to improve their IQ...

Whilst there’s lots of confusing information out there, experts widely agree that the top pregnancy foods include eggs (not raw), which are a great source of protein, salmon with its omega 3 fats, beans such as lentils and chickpeas, which are packed full of fibre (great for constipation), sweet potatoes, whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, lean meats, walnuts, popcorn, all those lovely bright and colourful fruits and vegetables and Greek yoghurt – a great source of protein and calcium.

We’re not medical experts, but we’re up for anything that supports the health and development of you and your baby, so here are a few of our favourite ‘superfood’ winter warming recipes:

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
  • 2 red peppers seeded and cubed
  • 500g / 1 ¼ lb of sweet potato, cubed
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves of chopped garlic
  • 2 pints of vegetable stock
  • Tabasco sauce to taste
  • Salt and pepper

Put all the ingredients into a pan (except the Tabasco), bring to the boil then simmer for 30 mins or until the vegetables are soft.  Then simply blitz in a food processor and serve.
From soup by Debra Mayhew

Indian Style Salmon Curry with Tomato & Lime
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 10-15 curry leaves
  • 250ml vegetable or fish stock
  • 1 teaspoon caster sugar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 900g of skinless salmon fillet
  • Freshly ground pepper

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over a low heat and cook the onion, until translucent. Add the coriander, cumin and turmeric and cook for another 2 minutes or until fragrant.

Add the cayenne, tomatoes, curry leaves, 1 teaspoon of salt, then pour in the stock.  Cook, stirring frequently for 10 minutes.  Add the sugar and lime juice and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Cut the salmon into cubes, add to the pan and simmer for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat and leave to stand for 5 minutes to allow the salmon to finish cooking.
Season and serve the steamed rice.
Feed Me Now! Bill Grainger

Winter Vegetable Chicken
  • ¼ cup plain flour
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground roast cumin seeds
  • 2 chicken legs
  • 2 chicken thighs
  • 1 carrot peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 1 turnip peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 1 parsnip peeled and chopped into small chunks
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 celery stalks washed and chopped
  • 1 leek, washed and sliced
  • 1 cup of chicken stock
  • Roughly chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4).  Put the flour and seasonings into a bowl and toss the chicken pieces so that they are well covered.

Put half the vegetables into the base of a casserole and ten top with the chicken (shake off any excess flour).  Add the remaining vegetables and stock, cover the dish with a lid of foil and put in the oven for 1 hour 20 minutes.  Remove and serve sweet with potato mash and your choice of green veg.
Fresh, Marie Claire







Monday, 5 November 2012

Tips for a good night's rest when pregnant



If you’re an expectant mother, you’re probably hoping to stockpile as much sleep as possible before your baby arrives, but this isn’t always what nature seems to have intended.

Our bodies don’t seem to be designed to sleep well in the weeks running up to the arrival of a new baby.  Finding a comfortable position with swollen boobs and big bump is almost impossible and there isn’t a mother out there who doesn’t worry about the health and safe delivery of her child.  These are all very normal emotions; caring and worrying about our children is what us good mothers. 

Many women also experience indigestion, heartburn, leg cramps and the need to constantly visit to the loo.  Luckily, they all disappear as soon as the baby’s born and there are a few practical things you can do to aid a good night’s rest in the run up to your delivery:

·         Drink as little as possible in the hour before bedtime
·         If you’re feeling sick at night, eat a high carbohydrate snack such as a rice cracker.  Nausea always feels worse on an empty stomach.
·         If you suffer from indigestion or heartburn, eat meals at least four hours before bedtime and avoid citrus foods, fried food, spices and chocolate because these can irritate the oesophagus. The one pill you can take when pregnant is an antacid!
·         If you suffer from leg cramps, gently flex your foot or massage your leg.  Another trick is to place a hot water bottle on the cramped area or to walk around.
·         Purchase some good underwear to support your breasts when asleep.  The same goes for nightwear, look for soft, button and clip free bras, nightdresses and pyjamas.
·         A warm bath, some fresh air or gentle exercise during the day can also aid a good night’s rest, especially if you’ve been lying awake for hours in the night.
·         Antenatal classes are a good way to meet other parents to be.  Talking to other mothers you’ll find you’re not the only one with worries and anxieties.

Perhaps it’s just nature’s way of easing us gently into sleepless nights.  Rest assured (excuse the pun), all babies eventually sleep through the night and before you know it, they’re teenagers you have to drag out of bed.  Sometimes it seems difficult to savour the moments, but time goes by so quickly and before you know it, you’ll be wishing for it to happen all over again.







Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Introducing our new & elegant maternity support tights



We're really excited to announce the launch of our new maternity support tight, which gives the support of 70 denier tights, with the appearance of a sheer 40 denier.

We know that many expectant mums find it difficult to source good basics that offer quality, support and style but don’t cost a fortune.  Our new, black 552 maternity tights are perfect for wearing with work clothes, for dressing up for special occasions or a night out with friends.

Our chief designer, Freda Scholey, says of the new tights: “New technology means expectant mothers no longer need to wear old fashioned support tights.  The 552 combines both the classic style you’d expect from a sheer tight with the support you need during your pregnancy.”

The black, 40 denier, 552 range is available in sizes medium and large and is priced at £9.00.

Monday, 22 October 2012

Introducing our new sleep bra


We've just launched our new 342 sleep bra for expectant and nursing mums.

Many new mums and mums- to-be find their fuller breasts need additional support at night and can become uncomfortable, preventing much needed sleep!  The pretty, new 342 sleep bra is designed especially for night time wear with room for breast pads and no metal or plastic fasteners that can dig in.  The ultra-comfy 342 is made from extra soft, seamfree fabric which helps mums snuggle down and get that all important rest.

Our chief designer, Freda Scholey, says of the new bra, "The uncomfortable latter stages of pregnancy and young babies mean most mums feel sleep deprived.  When designing this bra, it was vital to ensure it felt like a second  skin adding support, but not the discomfort of rolling onto a metal hook in the middle of the night.”

The 342 sleep bra is available in black, nude or white in sizes UK 32-38 with just one cup size that fits B-E.  Priced at only £10.00.

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Babymoons, the last ‘a dieu’ to life as you know it...




Babymoons. Love or hate the title, we’re basically talking about that one last holiday when it’s just the two of you.  That one last holiday when you might have a bit of money to spend on yourselves, because as any parent will tell you, once the children arrive, there never seems to be any spare cash to spoil yourself with.

Cornwall is a great place to spend a few days, there are some lovely hotels overlooking the sea that offer packages especially for ‘babymooners’.  The Award winning Scarlet Hotel is an eco luxury hotel in Mawgan Porth, which offers bespoke treatments for pregnant women, as well as sumptuous rooms and a restaurant offering delicious food including a vegetarian menu as well as seasonal dishes.

If you’re going for all out style, the luxury prenatal travel website, baby-moon.eu has a wide range of options, with most hotels offering ‘babymoon packages’ throughout Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia.  The Reef Babymoon package in Sri Lanka, for example, has designed specific treatments for both the father and mother to be, in addition to a private yoga session for two.

If you don’t fancy the flight, closer to home, the Hotel Caruso in Ravello, Italy also offers a pre maman massage, a special present for the baby and a bottle of Italian Spumante, fruit and flowers on your arrival.

Those are some big budget holidays, but what about cheaper alternatives?  Bath is great for a long weekend, there are some lovely shops and restaurants and if you’re into spa treatments, or just want to float about, the Thermae Baths are a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

Bruge and Paris are always popular and can be reached by train, particularly important if you suffer with DVT. A decent hotel in Paris is expensive, so why not consider an apartment for the weekend? The website www.all-paris-apartments.com has a great selection.

Setting aside budget, there are some things to consider when deciding where to go.  Check the jabs situation with your GP, there are anti malaria pills which aren’t suitable for pregnant women, for example.

Bear in mind that you can’t fly after 34-36 weeks (32 weeks with twins), and even then, some airlines require a note from your doctor if you’re over 28 weeks.  Always check with your airline.  Travel insurance is another must; check the policy wording to make sure it covers travel in pregnancy.

Most women suffer with some constipation during pregnancy, which can be made worse by flying.  Try to keep drinking water during the flight, eat plenty of greens and swop tea for peppermint tea if possible.  

Also remember that your blood gets more ‘sticky’ when you’re pregnant, so your chance of having (DVT) or a blood clot increases. Compression stockings can be a good idea but they’re probably not enough to fully prevent DVT.  To reduce the risk further, stay hydrated, keep moving your legs, and take regular walks around the plane. This is easier if you can book an aisle seat. 

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy, life will never be the same again, but who wants it to stay the same?

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Emma-Jane Maternity on-trend with the launch of our new 362 maternity/nursing bra



With bright bold colours coming off the catwalks, the introduction of our Blue or Fuschia 362 nursing bra is bang on trend.

The 362 is an extension of our Next Generation Range, which are seamfree to give an extra comfortable fit, and designed to grow with mothers during pregnancy.  This pretty bra has a ruched centre, and a soft knitted underband for extra comfort.

For improved support, the shoulder straps have restricted stretch, and each cup has a clip that allows quick and easy access for breastfeeding.  Each cup also opens individually for feeding so the other continues to provide support.  The four back eyes allow for full adjustment as a woman’s body shape changes during pregnancy.

It is available in sizes UK 34-38 and has one cup size (fits B-F cups).  Priced at £14.