10 things to remember when you become a second-time mum

Content creator Corinne Hately-Richards shares her thoughts on welcoming baby number two

When Corinne and River Hately-Richards met in London back in 2015, they loved seeing the world together. In February 2021 they welcomed baby Mila into their lives and continued to travel, documenting their trips – with the aim of helping other parents have the confidence to adventure with kids in tow.

Now they’re expecting baby number two and here, Corinne shares her top tips for getting ready for your second child.

I feel like there is a lot going on in my head as I prepare to become a mum for the second time. I wanted to jot down a few things to remember as I enter into motherhood again.

Corinne Hately-Richards

Shop the look

Read on, and be sure to visit her Instagram @northsouthtravels or northsouthtravels.com  to see some of the incredible journeys the family has made. 

Second-time mums, remember…

  1. Ultimately, the extra work of raising multiple children will be worth it

I’m not under any illusion that transitioning from one to two won’t come with its challenges. Some I’m prepared for, some I can’t possibly foresee, but I know that, no matter what – it’ll be worth every single second. 

Shop the look

2. You’ll be better prepared for labour this time around

 When I was pregnant with Mila, I was induced at 40 weeks + 3 days. In hindsight I feel it was too early to have been induced: she wasn’t ready yet, but I was living overseas where the maternity care varies from the UK.

Plus I feel when you’re pregnant with your first, you’re at the mercy of the midwives more. This time around, as long as baby is OK, I will be happy to wait a little longer until she is ready to come. I want to listen to my body and trust my natural instincts. 

Shop the look

3. Choose devices with two in mind, eg, a baby carrier for indoor use, or a hands-free breast pump

I didn’t babywear lots with Mila. I had a carrier, but it was more for outside use when we went for walks etc. However, I feel I may come to rely on one more with the next so I can have my hands free in general to play / cook / look after Mila, too. 

4. Involve your older child 

The age gap between Mila and our newest addition will be just over three years. A huge perk of having a three-year-old is that she’s always happy and eager to help. She helps me with cooking, cleaning and laundry, so I’m definitely going to utilise her interest and get her to help lots with her little sister.

5. Get out the first-born baby clothes 

When we left Dubai we sold a lot of the big baby items, but I kept lots of Mila’s first clothes, a) because I couldn’t bear to part with them and b) in case we ever had a second baby.

Shop the look

6. Remember the hard times will pass

When you’re a first time mum, you naturally worry about most things to do with your baby and stress over the various stages, unsure what’s wrong or how long it will last. This time around I know everything is just a phase and the time will pass.

I want to give Mila time to adjust, and on days when things perhaps aren’t going as smoothly as hoped, to pick my battles. Parenting is SO much easier when you’re not having to say NO all the time. 

Corinne Hately-Richards

7. Prioritise one-on-one time with each child

This is something I’m very conscious of. My bond with Mila is so special to me and I want to keep some one-on-one time for us to go on a baby chino date, shopping or to play at the park. Double plus: I will get one-on-one time with Mila and River will get the same with baby.

8. Enjoy the help 

When I had Mila we lived in Dubai and it was Covid times. I didn’t have the physical support of family or a huge network of friends to rely on. This time around we are back in the UK, close to my mum and family and River’s are only a short plane ride away. Mila is also enrolled in a forest nursery for a couple of days a week which will allow me dedicated time to bond with my newborn little love.

Shop the look

9. Love will be multiplied, not divided 

This is something I’ve been told over and over. I really can’t imagine life with two little ones although I realise it’s about to happen. When it does I know the love I have for Mila will only multiply for her and her little sister. 

10. Be open to your new baby’s needs

Just because your first born did things one way doesn’t make it wrong / right for your new baby to do it differently. Likewise, just because you may have struggled with certain things (breastfeeding, naps, colic etc) with your first, doesn’t mean that will happen again with your second. Every baby is different.

Read more

Mother’s Day “This or That?” reveals one standout result

Mother’s Day is soon in the UK (Sunday 10 March), so we were keen to catch up with our lovely social community of mums to find out what they’re looking forward to on this special day with a quick-fire “This or That?” quiz. Which would you have gone for?

Our recent Instagram “This or That?” quiz – where two similar options are pitched against each other and you have to choose your favourite – led to fairly even results all round about what our mums would like to receive, except for one question that tipped the balance more than the rest…

Classic gifts

The split was close, with 52% saying they’d love a piece of jewellery, compared with 48% who said they’d appreciate a handmade gift over new bling.

The ultimate treat perhaps for new parents everywhere – a lie-in (yes please!) took 47% of the vote when it was pitched against breakfast in bed (53%). Though the second option here is kind of a like a lie-in with but snacks included, so we’re not too surprised by this one!

Foodie treats

Cake came in slightly less popular than a bunch of flowers (47% versus 53%). Admittedly we didn’t specify flavour. Would mentioning chocolate, lemon or a creamy red velvet have tipped the balance?

A homemade meal (55%) was a little more tempting than heading out for a fancy dinner (45%), which makes us think our mums live with some seriously decent chefs. Plus: what’s not to love about cosy indoor vibes and not having to travel for your supper?

The winner is…

There was just one “This or That?” which had a clear winner. When we we asked our mums if they’d rather have a family walk or some time to themselves, almost 3/4s opted for the walk with loved ones (68%) over the “me” time (32%): revealing that (for those we polled at least) there really is nothing like spending this special day with the ones who make us “mum”❤️ Ahhhhh!

Read more

Our CARIPOD™ – As easy as 1, 2, 3

The unique two-part Harness-POD design makes our CARIPOD™ a breeze to use. But just in case you get stuck when out and about, the sewn-in QR code means you can access instructions whenever and wherever you need them

We have three step-by-step videos on getting your CARIPOD™ ready:

We’ve made sure they’re simple to follow, and will show you clearly and slowly just how to fit your Harness correctly, set your POD up for your baby and join the two together.

We’ve sewn a QR code into each CARIPOD™ to make the videos super-easy to access – just point your phone’s camera towards it to go to a page on our website featuring all three. Essentially, you’re taking the guidance wherever you go.

What makes the CARIPOD™ functionality so simple?

Key to designing the CARIPOD™ was ensuring it gets used by parents, not abandoned because it’s too tricky to put together. This – along with the back-to-basics, readily accessible videos – makes the CARIPOD™ a hassle-free baby carrier option.

  • The way the CARIPOD™ is made means securing and adjusting it all happens at the front and within your eye-line
  • The numbered straps make it effortless to swap between users and remember what position they were in if you’re sharing the wearing with others
  • The two-part design means you can take your baby out easily for feeds, changes, nap transfers or anything else without having to take the whole carrier off

Shop the CARIPOD

Read more

8 simple ways to celebrate International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (8 March) marks the achievements of women and calls for gender equality everywhere. This year’s theme, Inspire Inclusion, has the powerful message that when people understand and value female inclusion, the world is a better place

There are lots of  International Women’s Day events happening around the world over the next couple of weeks, and we encourage you to get involved in something local if you can. If that’s not possible though, here are some other simple things you can do just where you are…

  1. Sing it loud

Start the day off with an uplifting song by a soulful diva and – if you’re feeling energetic – dance along to it! We’re big fans of “Survivor” (Destiny’s Child), “Born This Way” (Lady Gaga) and, for a bit of disco, “I’m Every Woman” (Chaka Khan), but the list is endless here, so go for what you love and sing your heart out!

  1. Send a card

Old-fashioned maybe, but always appreciated. Write a note to a good female friend or family member telling them what they mean to you and why they’re so awesome.

  1. …or a few surprise texts or phone calls

An out-of-blue text or phone call to those women you really look up to will make their day. No need for an essay if texting: keep it short and simple, along the lines of “Just wanted to let you know, you’re an inspiration to me because…”

  1. Wear purple

Yep, it’s the official colour of IWD, representing power and status, alongside creativity, spirituality and imagination. It was one of three colours adopted by the suffragettes, as the colour of dignity, alongside white (purity) and green (hope). Not quite your shade? Paint your nails purple or wear a purple accessory or piece of jewellery (think amethyst, purple tanzanite or purple topaz).

5. Donate to charity with one of our dresses

We’ll be giving 25% of the proceeds of our dress sales on IWD to The Prince’s Trust’s #ChangeAGirlsLife campaign, aimed at helping disadvantaged women build a better future for themselves through employment and access to education. So if you buy one of our gorgeous dresses on 8th March, you’ll be supporting a brilliant initiative, too!

Read more about the campaign and our involvement

6. Arrange a meet-up

If you can manage it, IWD is a great day to catch up with the girls in real life. Coffee, cake and a stroll in the park: what could be better? If you’ve not got around to arranging an in-person chat, why not carve out 20 minutes for an online convo? Or promise that, by the end of the day, you’ll have a date in the diary for some face-to-face time with that top woman in your life.

7. Treat yourself to an empowering read or watch

IWD is a great excuse to treat yourself to a new book or find some time (if you can!) to chill and watch a good movie featuring some strong female roles. For books, try Becoming by Michelle Obama for pure inspiration, How To Build A Girl for a laugh-out-loud read or The Women by Kristin Hannah (Firefly Lane, The Nightingale, The Four Winds) if you’re looking for a brand-new read for 2024.

For movies, we suggest The Color Purple (Steven Spielberg’s 1985 version or the 2023 musical remake), Erin Brockovich or Hidden Figures, about the team of female African-American mathematicians who were vital to NASA’s early space program.

8. Journal about it

If you’re a fan of journaling, why not make today’s entry all about IWD? Put pen to paper and share your thoughts on all those ladies you love and admire, what it means to you to be a strong woman and anything else this day means to you. 

Read more 

Random Acts of Kindness: Little Things to Brighten Someone’s Day

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

We could all use a little more kindness in our lives these days. So this week on the blog, we’re thinking about the little things we can do to brighten someone’s day.

1. Send a Surprise

Get the Look: Cotton Stripe Maternity & Nursing Dress

Receiving something exciting in the mail is such a simple thing, and yet it has the power to make someone’s day… Just think how happy you were to see the delivery person with your latest online order!

Why not send a little something to let someone know you’re thinking of them… whether it’s a hand-written letter, a bunch of flowers or a thoughtful gift for a fellow mama-to-be.

2. Call Someone You Love

Get the Look: Maternity & Nursing Hoodie

A friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, an elderly relative, your parents… get in touch today & show them you care.

Whether it’s on Zoom, FaceTime or a good old fashioned phone call, a check in & catch up can do the world of good.

3. Smile to Brighten Someone’s Day

Get the Look: Nautical Cotton Maternity & Nursing Jumper

The people you live with, neighbours you pass on the street, the person who serves your take-out coffee… you never know who could use a friendly smile.

4. Kindness for Kids

Get the Look: Cotton Maternity & Nursing Top

If you have older children, now could be a great time to get them thinking about their new role as big brother or sister.

Ask them to think about all the ways they could be kind to the new baby, and the things they could do to help you when baby arrives.

You could even turn it into a fun craft activity by creating & decorating a kindness jar, where they can keep all their kind ideas.

5. Don’t Forget… Be Kind to Yourself!

Get the Look: Grey Bamboo Maternity Leggings & Bamboo Nursing Bras, Twin Pack

You know what they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup…

Growing & raising tiny humans is hard work, so make sure you’re taking the time to be kind to yourself – you deserve it mama!

Baby, Unplugged: One Mother’s Search for Balance in the Digital Age

From watches that ping you the news to fridges that send you grocery lists… modern life is getting ‘smarter’ by the day. And, as writer and journalist Sophie Brickman discovered, parenthood is no exception.

In her new book Baby, Unplugged, the New York mother and self-confessed tech-skeptic embarks on a personal journey to find balance, reason and sanity in the digital age.

So, do we really need a smart baby monitor or a breast pump that connects to the cloud? We caught up with Sophie to find out more…

Watch Sophie on Good Morning America

First, we LOVE the book! What made you want to write it?

My husband is a tech guy. He works in tech and loves gadgets—loves to bring them home, strap them on his body, all that stuff. It didn’t really faze me until my older daughter was born five years ago. Her third day of life, she comes home from the hospital and bam, on goes a little tracker that’s supposed to monitor her heart rate.

In the wee hours of the morning, an alarm goes off—I of course thought something awful had happened, but it turns out the device had just lost connection to our wifi. In that moment I thought wow, all of this tech has been infiltrating my life for ages but I haven’t ever been really thoughtful about it, and now we have a baby in the mix—what is it doing to her?

So I went off on a journey to determine what tech was beneficial, which was awful, which should be shoved in the freezer and forgotten about until the new millennium. I spoke to a ton of experts who were all fascinating, and it helped me figure out a strategy for how to navigate all the tech that is thrown at us parents. The result is Baby, Unplugged.

When it comes to selling the latest tech, what do you think makes new parents such an easy target?

Get the Look: Maternity Loungewear Set

Sleep deprivation! Well, not just that, but it’s part of it. We’re a particularly vulnerable population: we haven’t done this before (the first time around, at least), we aren’t sleeping much, and the most important little human just arrived in our house, and we’re supposed to not just make sure he or she stays alive, but also make sure he or she thrives and conquers the world.  It’s a tall order, and marketers know they have us by the jugular.

Of all the experts you spoke to, were there any that made a lasting impact on your own parenting choices?

I spoke to many, many experts who impacted my choices, from Alison Gopnik, lauded developmental psychologist, who told me that all these little choices we’re making won’t really have a huge impact on our child after all (a very comforting notion, actually), to Jenny Radesky, who taught me a simple test to figure out if the tech I was giving to my kids was beneficial or not: give it to them, and then take it away, and see what they do in that moment. Do they have a tantrum? If so, maybe it’s not the best way for them to be spending their time.

And did you come across any gadgets or apps that you would recommend?

Shop Seraphine’s Nursing Bras & Lingerie Collection online

There are of course ways to use tech in your life to enrich it (the ability to use eCommerce on my phone to purchase diapers and the like at the click of a button proved invaluable). Part of the reason I wrote the book was because I felt I was in the middle of two extreme camps: those who said you had to live off the grid and never show your kid a screen, and those who said ok, let’s plug the kid into the wall and come back in 18 years and they’ll have been spat out a perfect citizen of the modern world. I wanted to find a middle ground, to incorporate tech into my life in a smart way.

What about your maternity wardrobe? Were there any pieces you wouldn’t be without?

I basically lived in stretchy black leggings and an oversized button down white shirt for most of my pregnancies. My third coincided with the pandemic, so I’d already been wearing stretchy pants and comfy tops—I didn’t have to change much!

You talk about balancing tech & data with instinct & common sense. Do you have any tips for finding that balance?

Get the Look: 3 in 1 Knitted Maternity Cape

Check your gut. Is the data gathering actually making you calmer, helping your child gain weight, or sleep through the night, or whatever it is supposed to do, or is it cluttering up your mind with extra info? Is your child truly enjoying whatever program they’re watching, or app they’re playing, or are they zoning out?

What about as a working mother? Does tech play a role in how you balance work and family life?

I have a little closet in our apartment where I write and work, and the only piece of technology in it, besides my computer, is a ring light I had to buy to do Zoom interviews for book promotion! And our family would probably combust if I didn’t keep a very up-to-date google calendar of everyone’s whereabouts (three kids = NASA-level coordination of schedules). Otherwise, I try to keep it simple.

You completed your first draft right before the pandemic hit. How do you think the last year and a half has affected our relationship with tech?

Shop the 3 in 1 Babywearing Collection

It was an interesting time to finish the manuscript because of course I thought, ok, I’m going to have to take this and throw it in the fire and start again. I was pleasantly surprised that many of the conclusions I came to in the book, pre-pandemic, remained true after it arrived: boredom is ok for your kids, don’t constantly feel the need to enrich every moment, and nothing can trump cuddling up with your kiddo and reading a book.

Of course the pandemic was a huge stress test on our reliance on tech. I am forever grateful that FaceTime exists, so that my parents were able to communicate with our children while they were quarantined in their apartment eight blocks away, and happy I was able to share photos of our (monotonously similar) days with them, too. I’m also grateful that we dodged the remote learning bullet—our oldest, Ella, is just starting kindergarten now. I looked in awe at my friends with older kids, who had to become teachers overnight, while working remotely themselves.

Lastly, any advice to share with new & expecting mums?

You know your kid better than Silicon Valley. You just do. You got this.

Get your copy of Baby, Unplugged now!

Meet Chelsey Oliver, The Mama Behind Seraphine Maternity

Chelsey Oliver is the Creative & Brand Director at Seraphine. A mama of 2, stepmother of 1 and now expecting her third baby later this year, Chelsey has over 15 years’ experience designing maternity clothes.

When it comes to bumps, babies & the journey into motherhood, it’s safe to say that Chelsey knows a thing or two…. We sat down with her to talk pregnancy, motherhood & designing clothes to make life easier for mamas.

Chelsey Oliver wearing a pink dress

Get the look: Pink Floral Maternity Maxi Dress

First – congratulations on your pregnancy! How are you feeling?

Thank you! I’m currently 32 weeks along and my little ones are 18 months & 3 years old, so as you can probably imagine, it’s a little more tiring this time around! However, I absolutely love being pregnant, especially as I get to come to work feeling so inspired every day!

As the mastermind behind many of our most innovative products, can you tell us where your inspiration comes from?

I’m a firm believer that the right wardrobe can play a big part in a woman’s smooth journey into motherhood. And what better source of inspiration could I ask for than being on this path myself? I can honestly say I’ve never felt so inspired as I am in my own motherhood journey.

Chelsey Oliver and her newborn. Chelsey is wearing the skin to skin top by Seraphine

Chelsey is wearing the Grey Skin to Skin Top & Bamboo Maternity Leggings

I came up with the idea for our skin to skin tops thanks to my first pregnancy. After welcoming my daughter I started making notes about what I wanted, and by the time my son arrived a year and a half later, the top I’d dreamed up was ready to use.

The same thing happened with my son – as I breastfed him, I was thinking about all the ways I could improve the nursing bras that I had. All those ideas went into making our new Baby Sensory Bra, which features a full-coverage modesty panel with a high-contrast print to keep baby focussed, as well as wide supportive straps to encourage good posture & prevent back ache. I can’t wait to try it out once my new little one arrives!

Being in the motherhood space and listening to other mums around me is also a massive bonus. I absorb everything I can regarding the hurdles we face as mothers and I am always on the lookout for a solution we can offer at Seraphine!

Do you think your own pregnancies & experience of motherhood have affected your approach to design?

Chelsey Oliver and her family

Get the look: High Low Hem Cotton Maternity Shirt & Ripped Boyfriend Maternity Jeans

I’ve been designing maternity clothing since the start of my career, so naturally my approach has evolved. My interest in the fashion industry has always been focused on empowering women to feel confident in their bodies. Part of that drive comes from being curvy myself since my teen years and always feeling frustrated with ill-fitting clothing on the high street.

It’s fair to say that at the start of my career, my focus was on designs that fit the body well and adapt with curves. As the years passed, I became very aware of the environmental impact of short-use clothing – and so it became a focus of mine to ensure all pieces we design provide longevity through adaptability & functionality. Our 3 in 1 babywearing jackets are the perfect example – the work with your bump through pregnancy, adapt for babywearing & can be worn long afterwards too as a regular coat!

Later, my experience of being a busy mum in an age where we put a great deal of pressure on ourselves to be great both at home and at work, has given me the edge for innovation. I take great satisfaction in continually revolutionising the modern maternity wardrobe to be really hardworking.

As an expectant mama yourself, what are your personal must-have pieces – the ones you get the most wear out of?

Chelsey Oliver and her son

There are some pieces that I swear I wear whenever they are clean! My favourites through the work week are the two-piece dresses – most of which will see me well into the spring and for nursing.

Great lingerie is a must, and on the weekends I live in our dungarees. I must admit, I never wore dungarees pre-motherhood, but I find they are the perfect piece for being active with my kids – with or without a bump!

What are your top recommendations for:

Chelsey Oliver, Brand & Creative Director at Seraphine Maternity

1st Trimester

Invest in comfy lingerie – it’s important to have a good selection that you can wear as your body changes – a growing bustline is one of the first areas we see change.

2nd Trimester

I don’t have a specific product here, almost everything we design will give great use from this point onwards! A pair of maternity jeans, a great dress and some leggings are all a must!

3rd Trimester

For comfort I’d go for the maternity dungarees + some great nursing tops to layer under them.

Hospital Bag

For this one, my ideal list would be a bit endless – but don’t forget, everything you buy for the hospital bag will equip you well into your nursing journey! Don’t miss your skin to skin top and a two pack of button-down nighties for the hospital.

4th Trimester

The 3 in 1 babywearing hoodie is a must-have for evening strolls. Also, I’ve had 2 caesareans so the post maternity shaping jeans are a personal favourite of mine – they give me great support once I’ve fully healed, which is great for babywearing!

And finally, as a working mother, do you have any tips for balancing work & family life?

Chelsey Oliver with her children

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! It seems an obvious one, but so many of us take on too much. I’m guilty of assuming that those around me just ‘know’ what I need from them, and so often a little more communication goes a long way!

Similarly with your doctor or midwife, if anything ever just doesn’t feel right, or if you have a gut instinct something is wrong, listen to it and insist on getting the help you need – taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of your family!

Nobody Tells You: The Must-Have New Book for Pregnancy & Parenthood

Pregnancy & postnatal expert & mother of two, Becca Maberly is the Founder of A Mother Place, a site which offers antenatal courses designed to prepare parents for pregnancy, birth & life with a new baby. This week her brand new book – Nobody Tells You – hit the shelves, so we caught up with her to find out more…

We had an early sneak peak & we can tell you, it’s an absolute gold mine of info, anecdotes & reassurance – a must-have for new or expecting parents!

Becca Maberly - Author of Nobody Tells You

First, tell us a bit about A Mother Place – What’s the Mission?

When I was pregnant with my first son, I was so lucky to have my dad, an Obstetrician at the end of the phone. It was amazing to have expert advice on tap throughout every trimester and to prepare me for my birth. I was like an A Grade student going in to ace my exam!  However, there was a bit of a gap in my knowledge as I failed to prepare myself for what came after the birth!

I created A Mother Place because I wanted to make sure that no mother felt as alone as I did in those first few weeks, months and years. When I first had my son, I was so confused and angry that there seemed to be so much stuff surrounding birth and the postnatal period that nobody had told me about. Everything seemed to be shrouded in secrecy until you were actually a proper part of this mystical mum gang…and then suddenly people are dying to talk to you about their piles and postnatal depression! That’s great, but I wanted to know about this kind of thing before hand, so I could be prepared!

I created online courses to help prepare women and their partners. My wish is that new mums coming behind us embark on their parenting journey with their eyes wide open and armed with all the information and advice they need to for the nerve-wracking times ahead!

Now tell us about the book!

Nobody Tells You (book cover)

It’s called ‘Nobody Tells You’ and it’s a collection of over 100 honest stories about pregnancy, birth and parenthood. It covers everything that Nobody Tells you from infertility and miscarriage right through to giving birth and eventually going back to work AND everything in between! We have some amazing, brave, funny, sad and wonderful stories from the likes of Megan Rose Lane, Clemmie Telford, Anna Mathur and Cat Simms and amazing expert advice from Obstetrician Roger Marwood, who happens to be my dad!

It is inspired by my own frustration at the lack of honest information out there and I really hope it will become an invaluable guide to those who are thinking about becoming parents, already pregnant or have become parents recently.

There is no scaremongering, no sugar coating, just reassuring and practical advice alongside personal stories that prove there is no “right way” to do it!

Enter on Instagram to Win Your Copy + a Fabulous Prize Bundle, Including a Seraphine Skin to Skin Top!

We love the bite-size format – perfect for dipping in & out of when you have a spare 5 minutes…

There are more than 100 different stories from men and women covering just about EVERYTHING  you can think of from trying to conceive right through to going back to work after having a baby, and everything else in between! 

Each story is accompanied by expert advice that explains any issues that are raised in the story and information about where to get help if you need it.  Despite the difficult and sometimes heart-breaking subjects we cover, the book is very positive, uplifting and funny too!

Get the look: Maternity & Nursing Tops Twin Pack & Easy Fit Black Maternity Pants

How did you go about compiling the stories?

We have an absolutely amazing community on Instagram, @amotherplace, and everyone is so generous with sharing their stories, whatever the subject.  When I decided to write the book I asked people to submit their stories and they just flooded in! 

Did any of them hit particularly close to home for you? (Aside from your own, of course!)

Yes, the breastfeeding stories really hit home for me. I had a particularly difficult time feeding my babies and it was very emotional for me to read about the struggles that others went through too. I also suffered from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy a few years ago which went undiagnosed and almost killed me, so the story that we share about that is very personal to me.

Get the Look: Shop Seraphine’s Skin to Skin Tops

Having delivered over 5000 babies in his time, Roger Marwood provides invaluable medical insights to accompany the stories in the book. What was it like navigating your own pregnancies with him on the end of the phone?

I felt so lucky and so privileged to have access to such expert advice 24-7. All my friends were always on the phone too – they still are when they have any pregnancy related questions!  When I set up our Online Antenatal Classes on A Mother Place, it was because I wanted to be able to share this resource with everyone else. I wanted everyone else to feel as confident and prepared as I did when I went into labour. And the online Postnatal Courses I launched more recently to help new mums in that nerve-wracking first year!

Becca Maberly & Roger Marwood - the authors

Lastly, any advice to share with new & expecting mamas?

It’s wonderful but it is also VERY hard work, but I think if you know about the tough stuff and you expect this, then often it will be better or easier than you thought. So be prepared, do your research. Understand how the human body is meant to work and how we are designed to give birth, but also understand that Mother Nature doesn’t always get it right, and if this happens to you then you do not need to be afraid. We have amazing doctors and nurses who can help deliver your baby safely.

You need to appreciate that your body and mind will change, not for the worse, but things will be different. If things don’t feel good for you after you have had a baby, then again, you do not need to worry as there is help and support out there for you whatever issues you are having. And above all, remember that however you are feeling, whatever you are going through, you are not alone.

…..

You can find out more about Becca’s book & order your copy of ‘Nobody Tells You’ here.

At Serphine, we pride ourselves on offering innovative solutions to support new & expecting parents at every stage of pregnancy & early parenthood. You can shop our full collection online here

How to Achieve Self-Love with Silatha Founder Veroniek Vermeulen

Founder of meditation app Silatha, Veroniek Vermeulen is on a quest to break women’s mental health taboos and help busy mamas to harness the power of self-love through meditation: www.silatha.com

Today on the blog, she takes us through a set of exercises to help you on your journey to achieve true self-love… think of it as a little Valentine’s gift to yourself!

…..

Valentine’s is a time to think about love. Often, we automatically think about others. Your partner, kids, parents, close friends and family. But what about loving yourself?

Self-love is accepting yourself as you truly are, flaws and all. Becoming your own best friend. This means, that you first need to take an honest look at who you are: all your positive qualities, your strengths, your super-powers (yes everyone has them!), but also your darker sides. This isn’t easy and doesn’t happen overnight, but don’t worry – it’s a journey.

1. Get to know yourself

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity)

Get the Look: Seamless Bamboo Maternity & Nursing Bra 2 Pack

Start by making a list of all your positive traits. And be honest, you have many more than you think. It can help to ask people close to you what they value in you. Take the time to list it all. It should become a long list, which will keep growing as you evolve over time.

Then start with your less beautiful parts. How do you respond when you do not like something? Are you comparing yourself to others? How do you handle fears and worries? List them down for yourself. Again, be honest – without full honesty, it doesn’t work.

When you’re done you should have two lists, hopefully of a similar length. If not, likely you have missed a few in the shorter list.

2. Embrace yourself

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Seraphine Maternity (@seraphinematernity)

Get the Look: Love Active Maternity Leggings

Congratulations! You made a big step in being honest and open with yourself. It’s time to give yourself a big hug. Speak out loud that you love yourself, use your name when you do this, even though it might seem odd. Do this for as long as it feels comfortable.

While you literally embrace yourself, start to welcome all that is you, let it all be and know that all you listed is beautiful and okay.

3. Forgive yourself and others

Get the Look: Black Maternity Lounge Pants

The key now is to forgive yourself, for all you feel you did wrong in the past, for what you perceive as your faults in the present and for all that you will do in the future. Know that you are perfect as you are and forgive yourself for all that you are holding against yourself.

This goes for others too. Let go of any negative thoughts you have on others and know that they are perfect as they are. They do the best they can. Know that if you were them with their upbringing and life, you would act the same way. So let go of judgement and love and embrace everyone in your life. Now and in the future.

4. Set boundaries

Get the Look: Ribbed Maternity & Nursing Midi Dress

Knowing what your boundaries are allows you to truly see what you’re ok with and what you’re not ok with. And once these are fixed in your mind you can start to implement them. To have the courage to say no, even though it may not feel good to you in that moment. Even though this ‘no’ may not be to the liking of others. The most important thing is to be true to yourself. Realise that you are not responsible for others’ reactions or feelings. No matter what their response is, it is theirs to deal with and not yours.

The same applies to you: Remember that you are in charge of how you react. What’s important is that you care for yourself and whatever boundaries you have.

Take some time to reflect on what your boundaries are.

5. Set positive affirmations

Get the Look: Crossover Maternity & Nursing Sweater

It may help to develop affirmations that you can repeat for yourself every day and that will support you in your journey towards deeper self-love. For example:

  • I am enough.
  • I am compassionate.  I forgive myself.
  • I am perfect as I am.
  • I know how to care for myself and love myself unconditionally.

These should be personal, so take time to create your own.

6. Meditate on Self-love

Get the Look: Grey Bamboo Maternity Leggings

Meditation is a great way to connect to yourself. We recommend the Silatha Self-love meditation series on the Silatha app. There are over 50 meditations on the Silatha app, designed to guide you in growing your self-love. To get a taster of Silatha meditations you can follow this practical self-love meditation session.

It’s a journey

Shop Seraphine Maternity Jeans

Remember that building self-love doesn’t come overnight. Be patient with yourself. Notice when you act in ways ‘not in line with the core of your self-love’. By becoming more aware, you have a good chance of acting differently next time. Just acknowledging it, is already a great step on your journey.

For more information on Silatha, check out their website and socials

To explore how self-love meditations can enhance your life, download the Silatha app here:

Meet the Top 5 Baby Naming Trends for 2021

Are you welcoming a new addition this year? Looking for a little baby naming inspiration?

From travel & adventure to superheroes myths & magic, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you the top baby name trends for 2021.

Travel Inspired Baby Names

New mother kisses her newborn baby, wrapped in a Seraphine blanket.

Shop the Blanket: Cellular Baby Blanket in Organic Cotton

With travel plans scuppered for so many last year, some parents are wishing big adventures for their little ones.

Inspired by everything from maps & compass points to geographical highlights & dream destinations, we’re expecting great things from Atlas & Everest.

Atlas

Miles

Easton

Westley

Everest

India

Powerful Baby Names

New mama holds her baby in the air. Strong baby names

Get the Look: Nautical Cotton Maternity & Nursing Jumper

This last year has understandably left many of us feeling a little powerless, so we absolutely love this emerging trend for strong, powerful names.

From superheroes & mythology to magic & everything in between… US comedian Nick Cannon named his daughter, born in December 2020, Powerful Queen!

Odin

Loki

Freya

Athena

Titan

Powerful

Cottagecore Baby Names

Baby naming trends: mother with her new baby

Get the Look: Bamboo Maternity & Nursing Nightie

Cottagecore is a cultural trend that’s been steadily gaining traction over the past decade, all about longing for an idealised rural lifestyle.

But in 2020 the idea really exploded as many of us turned to slow-living & nostalgic pastimes in lockdown – everything from baking & crochet to planting & tending vegetable gardens!

Flora

Maisie

Silas

Wilder

River

Rowan

TV & Music

Mum & baby in the Seraphine skin to skin top. Baby naming trends.

Get the Look: Black Cotton Skin to Skin Top

For many of us, music, TV & movies played a more important role than usual last year, many are turning to hit TV shows like Normal People & Bridgerton for naming inspiration.

Popular baby name site Nameberry even identified singer songwriter Billie Eilish as a trend all of her own – her full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell – plenty of material to choose from there!

Connell

Daphne

Penelope

Billie

Eilish

Pirate

Bonus Trend: Valentine’s Day

Mama & Mini Valentine's Day

Get the Look: Mama & Mini Nautical Cotton Jumpers

For anyone expecting their new little love to arrive around Valentine’s Day, our bonus trend is one for you!

Valentino

Valentina

Rose

Amora

Romeo

Juliet

Carys

Happy baby naming mamas!

The Celebrity Pregnancy Edit: Who is Due in 2021?

The start of 2021 has seen a real flurry of celebrity pregnancy announcements.

From supermodels & singers to Hollywood stars, here’s our round up of the celebrity mamas expecting new additions this year.

Louise Roe

Get Louise’s Look: Shop Seraphine Maternity Jeans

TV presenter, fashion journalist & mama to 3 year old Honor, Louise announced her second pregnancy just last week!

She wore several Seraphine styles last time around – the picture is from 2018 while she was expecting Honor. We can’t wait to see how she dresses her bump this spring.

See more of Louise’s maternity faves

Karolina Kurkova

Shop Karolina’s Look: Black Seamless Maternity Leggings

Czech supermodel & mama to two boys, 11 year old Tobin & 5 year old Noah, Karolina announced in December that she is expecting baby number 3.

Karolina loved Seraphine while expecting Noah and was a particular fan of our maternity leggings & jeans.

Karlie Kloss

Supermodel & Project Runway host Karlie Kloss is expecting her first baby this year with husband Joshua Kushner.

As well as being one of the world’s most successful models, Karlie is also the founder of Kode with Klossy, a scholarship program for young girls interested in computer programming & software engineering – we think she’s one inspirational mama!

Binky Felstead

Get Binky’s Look: Shop Dungarees & Jumpsuits

Former Made in Chelsey star & mama to 3 year old India, Binky is getting set to welcome baby number two – a little boy – later this year.

Binky was a big fan of Seraphine maternity clothes throughout her first pregnancy – our store was even featured on the show! This time around she has been loving our dungarees.

Kelly Rowland

Due any day now, singer, actress & former member of Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland is getting ready to welcome baby number 2. A little brother or sister for 6 year old Titan.

Christina Milian

Get Christina’s Look: 3 in 1 Maternity Hoodie

Actress, musician & soon to be mama of three, Christina Milian welcomed her son Isaiah this time last year & now she is expecting again!

She loved our denim collection & was a big fan of the 3 in 1 babywearing hoodie.

Ashley Tisdale

Actress, lifestyle blogger & High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale is expecting her first baby this year – a little girl!

Hilary Duff

Actress, singer & former Lizzie McGuire star Hilary is expecting baby number 3 this year.

Mama to 8 year old Luca & 2 year old Banks, she has a children’s book coming out this march aimed at mamas & daughters. It’s called My Little Brave Girl & we can’t wait to get our hands on a copy.

Katherine Mcphee

Get Katherine’s Look: Striped Maternity & Nursing Dress

American actress singer & songwriter Katherine McPhee is expecting her first baby.

She has been spotted sporting several Seraphine outfits, including this gorgeous striped dress made in super soft bamboo viscose.

Mandy Moore

Singer songwriter & actress Mandy Moore is also expecting her first baby this year – a little boy!

Kimberley Walsh

Get Kimberley’s Look: Burgundy Maternity Shift Dress

British singer, TV presenter & former Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh is expecting baby number three. A little brother or sister for sons Bobby & Cole.

Kimberley relied on Seraphine maternity dresses for photoshoots, TV appearances & events throughout her last pregnancy & we can’t wait to see how she styles her bump this time around.

Bindi Irwin

Remember the Crocodile Hunter? Well Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi is now expecting a daughter of her own!

And of course this is just a small selection of the 2021 celebrity pregnancies we know of so far… There’s also Princess Eugenie, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Rose Leslie, Meghan Trainor & Dream Home Makeover designer Shea McGee to mention just a few!

Translate »