Looking good during pregnancy is important also because a woman’s rapidly changing body shape at this time can be unnerving.

Here are some pregnancy fashion tips to help you look your ravishing best all through the nine months and for the time thereafter –

1. Aim for pregnant not fat. This is the mistake that a lot of pregnant women tend to make – simply buying larger sized clothes rather than buying clothes specifically made for pregnant women, with a large belly and regular sized limbs in mind. The idea is not to appear large or fat but to look pregnant. Lose the tent dresses and the huge prints and aim for empire waists or a bodice with fitted upper half and flowing lower half, or tops with ruching or a side tie to gently caress the belly.

2. Indulge yourself a bit. Look for lovely textures and fabric, sexy drapes, elegant cuts that skim and suggest rather than cling, pick colors that you like, which flatter your coloring and that you find uplifting (you may find that your mood could do with some help during pregnancy). Aim for stylish and flattering; Ditch the frumpy and dull.

3. Don’t go overboard with the maternity wear shopping. Remember you will really need maternity wear in the latter half of your pregnancy and for a few months after the baby’s arrival. Until the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy you may well be able to manage with most of your other regular clothes. What you need – a few smart tops that can be teamed with smart basic trousers or a formal skirt to give you lots of mix and match variety. What you don’t need – a whole new wardrobe or lots of dresses.

4. Underwear is important. Breast are one of the areas of the body that put on a significant amount of weight during pregnancy and many women go up a cup size or two during pregnancy and breast feeding. So invest in good quality bras with broad straps and extra support. If you like you can buy nursing bras that can last even after the arrival of the baby for convenient breast feeding. Don’t try and squeeze into smaller size bras with little or no support and get at least three good quality bras that fit properly and offer better support.

5. Pay attention to your feet. They have to cope with a lot more weight than before and also have a hard time balancing properly with the altered center of balance that pregnant women have to get used to. Also feet can swell during pregnancy; up to one shoe size. Get comfortable low heeled shoes that fit properly. Don’t try and squeeze into small size shoes and ditch the stilettos for a while.

Author Bio:
This is a guest post by ThePregnancyZone.com. The blog offers complete week by week Pregnancy information and topics relating to Preparing for the Pregnancy, Pregnancy Stages, Labor & Delivery, Pregnancy Issues, Health Issues, Parental care etc.

“I put everything else in a Ruby and Ginger handbag insert…it’s a little piece of portable genius”.  Dannii Minogue – My Style

She also featured in this week’s Mail on Sunday discussing her wardrobe -

I like a decent-sized bag so that I can throw everything in it. I joke that my handbag is a mini wardrobe. I choose bags with at least one zip pocket inside them where I can keep the things that I can’t afford to lose – my keys, phone and lip balm. I put everything else in a Ruby and Ginger handbag insert and just lift it out to transfer my gear to another tote. It’s a little piece of portable genius.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2050472/Dannii-Minogue-opens-wardrobe.html#ixzz1bifJOGXM

 Now I know you will be thinking – “another overpriced Celeb fad” but I have good news for you, this is a great little item.  Even better it is so reasonably priced I don’t think you will believe me when I tell you it is only £12.00 – yes £12.00 !! 

 You can buy your Ruby and Ginger Handbag Insert at More 4 Mums now – but hurry before they sell out !

Santa takes great care with his letters to ensure each one is personal. Your child’s eyes will light up when they receive it.  There are three age categories so the content always matches their reading ability. 

They suggest a £5 donation and you may even be lucky and win a trip to Lapland !

 
The Bump and Baby Fair is back, and just like the previous award-winning events, the 2011 Bump and Baby Fair brings together a wide range of local exhibitors and free taster sessions.

Find out all you need to know about raising your family in Scotland – pregnancy, baby, toddler and beyond.

It’s a great opportunity to try before you buy and grab some great bargains at exhibitors’ stands.

When?

Sunday, 6th November

Where?

• Look at the exhibition stands
• Talk to experts, including NCT trained Breastfeeding Counselors and Antenatal Teachers
• Watch free demonstrations
• Take part in free workshops
• See the latest styles in maternity and children’s wear
• Find out about local activities
• Network with other parents
• Source suppliers and compare prices

We will be there as well so if there is anything you would like to see or try please let us know as we can only take limited stock with us.

There is lots more information on their website – http://www.bumpandbabyfair.co.uk/

photo credit - http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbaunach/1055569383/

Colic can make life a misery for some new babies and their families.  It can be awful to see your baby cry and pull their legs up in pain and feel unable to help.  It happens in both breastfed and bottle fed babies.

Between 10 and 15 per cent of all children get colic.  Doctors don’t know precisely what triggers the condition.  There are several theories, but doctors aren’t agreed on a single cause or even on a course of treatment.  There is an interesting article here offering more information on Colic.

Infacol works by helping the small trapped gas bubbles join into bigger bubbles, which your baby can easily bring up as wind. – helping to relieve their pain and discomfort.

To help soothe your baby – why not try some of the following methods and see what comforts your baby the best, you may also find them relaxing too. It is important to remember that everyone is different and babies respond to different methods. It may be a case of trial and error… what doesn’t work well one day may be effective the next. The key is to persevere…

Try rocking your baby gently, holding her close so that she can feel your warmth or alternatively place her in a bouncing seat that will provide gentle movement.

Let her suck on your finger – this may help to comfort and also distract your baby.

Take her out for a walk in a pram or sling or alternatively, a drive in the car – the rhythm of the engine may help to soothe your baby.

Take time to wind your baby thoroughly by placing her on your shoulder and gently patting or rubbing her back.

Turn on the television, vacuum cleaner or tumble dryer – it may sound odd but the noise from such appliances can help to soothe and calm your baby.

Try baby massage – you may both find it relaxing. Baby massage has been practised for generations in many different countries. Skin contact makes babies feel safe and secure, and it is a simple way of showing affection. Massage has been found to help bonding and interaction between the parent and baby.

COMPETITION DETAILS:

It’s simple – Just ‘Like’ the new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Infacol) then answer 3 colic related questions correctly and follow the instructions to enter the contest – one lucky winner will be picked to win the prize on 2/11/11.

Competition Start Date: 3/10/11, ends on 1/11/11.  

The Prize: The goody bag contains an exciting range of premium brand unisex baby related goods, ideal for a newborn. The actual contents of the goody bag remain secret but the total value is equivalent to £500 of goods (RRP).

Ruby and GINGER Ltd was established by two West Yorkshire mums with a passion for business – and for creating beautiful things for mums and babies.  Liz Rhodes and Brenda Farnhill set up the firm in Autumn 2009, after becoming first-time mums and taking redundancy from their corporate jobs.

It all started with the Nappy Purse which can be on its own or is neat enough to be stashed in an existing handbag – keeping all your babies nappy changing requirements safe and easy to find in one, hygienic place. With enough room for three large nappies, baby wipes – an original Ruby and GINGER hard-wearing plastic case comes free to keep them in – and nappy bags. Each nappy wallet includes a discreet storage pocket for keeping your stuff safe too.

Offering an alternative option to the snowsuit, this padded cosy cover elasticates around the frame of the infant car seat, creating a warm snug environment whilst out and about. Fitting all standard group 0 car seats including Maxi Cost, Gracco, Britax to name but a few.

Tog rated at 3+, the original Cosy Car Seat Cover keeps baby warm and protected from wind and other elements whilst also providing protection for baby’s head and face. Its elasticated fitting allows the Cosy Cover to slip easily on and off the car seat without disturbing baby and can be used whilst travelling in the car or out and about on your travel system.

The products are now available to buy at More 4 Mums and are great for new mums or make a fab Baby shower, New baby or Christmas present.

• Did you buy something that you never used?
• Did you buy an expensive item and end up using a bargain buy instead ?

We were reading a recent report from Which about your least useful baby items and were surprised at some of the findings.  They think you could save up to £250 by not buying them all.  You can read more here..

What do you think ?  We give our opinion below….

1.Fabric sling.

We sell the really useful Baby Sense sling at More4mums so we are not really going to agree with this one, are we?  Well maybe; a sling does not suit everyone, and not every baby likes a sling so it may be an expensive item to buy before the birth.  You may be better waiting and trying to borrow one first.  Find out if it is for you before spending your money.

2. Nappy stacker

We do agree with this one.  It seems fiddly and time consuming to take the nappies out of the bag or box and into a nappy stacker before use.  We would suggest you give this a miss unless you decide later you can’t live without one !

3. Baby washing (top and tail) bowls

They’re not particularly expensive – costing around £3-£10 – but parents told us that two cheap plastic bowls will do the job just as well. I liked my top and tail bowl as it is just easier to buy one bowl than two and they were a nice size so you don’t use too much water.

4. Nappy disposal bin

We definitely agree with this one, they take up lots of space, start to smell and then you have to empty them. Not a great buy unless you live in a flat or your bin is far from the house.

5. Bumbo seat

This is another love or hate purchase. The Bumbo seat, a plastic seat which helps your baby to sit upright, was popular with some parents. 26% of those who bought or were given one said it was one of their most useful products – but 18% said they didn’t need it at all. One parent said: ‘I regret buying a Bumbo – expensive, and both kids hated it’, and the key factor for most of the parents who didn’t get on with the Bumbo seat was that their child didn’t like it or take to it.

6. Door baby bouncer

Another product which several parents told us their child just didn’t get on with was the door baby bouncer.

7. Baby carrier

Baby carriers can cost anything from £20 to £100 and it’s important that you choose one which is comfortable for you and your child. In the survey 23% of parents who bought or were given a baby carrier said they were one of the most useful products they bought, but 16% didn’t end up using theirs. The main reasons for this were that they felt the baby carrier was more hassle than it was worth (36%) and the child didn’t like or take to it (29%).

8. Ride-on toddler board for buggy/pushchair

I was surprised at this as many mums I know swear by their buggy board. If you have a toddler and a new baby they can be a godsend.

9. Night light

Night lights can cost anything from £3 to £20, and it might be worth seeing how your child reacts to a cheap one before splashing out on something more expensive. And, bear in mind that some baby monitors come with an in-built night light. I never used a night light as both our babies never needed a light at night so I would wait and see on this one.

10. Baby reins

Baby reins typically cost around £5-£15 and can help you keep your child close once they’ve started walking, but not all parents find them useful. Personally I never liked the idea of tying my children up and taught them to hold my hand or the buggy from a young age but they can be useful for very strong willed toddlers!

let us know your worst buys below !!

The event will celebrate the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces with promotions and tastings in shops, all-British menus in pubs and restaurants, food and cookery lessons in schools and glorious food festivals. Whether you are shopping in supermarkets or local shops, eating in pubs or restaurants or looking for fun activities to do at the weekend, you will be able to enjoy the best of British food during the Fortnight.

You can find out what is happening in your area over at theLove British Food Website which has lots of information.

We decided to contribute with our take on a healthy dish based on Great British Food.  As we are Scottish we thought that Scottish venison and Blackberries would be perfect for a dish based on the best of British Foods.  This would make a lovely dinner for you and your partner and has the added benefit of being quick and easy to cook as well as healthy!  If you have never tried Venison before you should try it out – it is not too strong and tastes delicious.

The following recipe is from the Good Food Website

Pan Fried Venison with Blackberry Sauce

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan, cook the venison for 5 mins, then turn over and cook for 3-5 mins more, depending on how rare you like it and the thickness of the meat (cook for 5-6 mins on each side for well done). Lift the meat from the pan and set aside to rest.
2. Add the balsamic vinegar to the pan, then pour in the stock, redcurrant jelly and garlic. Stir over quite a high heat to blend everything together, then add the blackberries and carry on cooking until they soften. Serve with the venison, celeriac mash (see below) and broccoli.

I know how you all feel, when I was pregnant a few years ago I worked in the hotel industry and they were very strict about wearing tights or stockings for work.  I did try to escape on “health” grounds but it did not work !

It was suggested to me that I should buy a bigger size of tights and wear them back to front so that the bum was over my bump !!  Well, to be honest this did work, sort of, but getting the right tights can be tricky !  Some were too long in the leg and others kept falling down so you definitely need a bit of trial and error.

If you want to try out Maternity Tights they are not really too expensive.  It may be a good idea to try out a thicker denier if you can as they tend to last longer.  I know it is boring but if you handwash your tights they really will last longer, failing that try and put them in a special bag for washing on a delicate cycle.

The Emma Jane 60 Denier Maternity tights come in black, chocolate and a nice diamond design.  You can add a bit of style to your Maternity Work wardrobe or for casual wear.

If your legs are tired or you stand all day you may want to try out our 40 denier light support tights.  These are perfect for giving your legs a lift however they are not too restrictive and there is no support over the bump to protect baby.