Nothing compares to those precious fourth trimester days with your new baby – getting to know each other, learning to pick up on their cues and falling head over heels in love!
Here are our top must-haves for that special post-pregnancy phase…
1. Skin to Skin Top
The benefits of bonding skin to skin with your new baby simply can’t be overstated. From the moment they arrive, a simple skin to skin snuggle has the power to soothe, regulate their temperature & even boost your milk supply!
Our signature tops allow you to enjoy all the benefits of skin to skin while keeping your hands free!
Getting out & about with your new little one during the fourth trimester is so important, and babywearing is the perfect way to do it. A stroll around the park with your baby strapped on will help to boost your mood & ease you back into your active lifestyle.
Featuring an innovative zip-off pouch at the front, our 3 in
1 coats & hoodies are designed to provide a flexible fit through pregnancy,
and then zip up over a baby carrier after baby is born.
If you plan to breastfeed, then a good collection of nursing clothes & nursing bras is a must.
Many of our maternity dresses & tops are made with discreet built-in nursing features, so you may find that you can keep wearing many of the pieces you bought for pregnancy!
5. Nursing Shawl
And last but not least, there’s nothing quite like being snuggled up with your little one in a knitted nursing shawl while you feed.
Our soft shawls are designed to keep you covered up in
public & cosy at home.
Most importantly, enjoy this special time mama – the fourth trimester flies by & they grow so fast!
Layering our bodycon maternity dress with her own fringed cover-up & completing the look with a pop of colour, @mayawilliamz rocked this outfit at London Fashion Week.
Another masterfully layered look from @mayawilliamz – she teamed our navy shift dress with her own sleeveless jacket & a statement pair of leopard print boots.
Pretty in plaid – @karmengwilson is perfectly styled for autumn! We love the open toe shoes & adorable felt hat – they’re the perfect finishing touches.
The style doesn’t stop after baby arrives! @mamastillgotit_ teamed our innovative post maternity shaping jeans with our classic Breton nursing top, adding a pop of colour with a statement orange jacket.
Stunning mama @sophiepatersoninteriors is another fan of our faux leather leggings – these leggings are a celebrity favourite with stars like Anne Hathaway, Gwen Stefani, Marion Cotillard & more rocking the look.
We love your style mamas – for
your chance to be featured in future posts, don’t forget to tag us when you
share your pics!
Anne has long been a fan of Seraphine maternity clothes – she was spotted in Seraphine on numerous occasions while expecting her 3 year old son Jonathan. She especially loved our leggings – sporting a few different pairs throughout her pregnancy.
The ‘Hustle’ star usually opts for a relaxed dressed down vibe when she’s off duty, so our denim & leggings provide the perfect everyday options when she’s pregnant.
Anne first announced her pregnancy back in July with an honest Instagram post, where she also revealed that she had struggled with conception & fertility.
We love Anne’s laid back approach & wish her all the best as she prepares to welcome baby number two.
Getting ready to welcome a new baby is an exciting time for
the whole family, and reading up on what to expect throughout pregnancy & after
is a great way to help you, your partner & your little ones feel more
prepared.
These are our top pregnancy books for mums, dads & big siblings-to-be.
When people think of pregnancy books, this is the one that most likely springs to mind.
Now in its 5th edition and having inspired a global franchise & blockbuster Hollywood movie, ‘What to Expect’ has been a trusted companion of mothers-to-be since it was first published in the 80s.
The simple question & answer style proceeds
chronologically from conception, throughout your nine months (with a chapter
dedicated to each) and into the postpartum period.
If you’re interested in the idea of natural childbirth, then this one is a must-read.
With 30 plus years of experience as one of the world’s leading midwives, Ina May offers inspiring birth stories mixed with practical advice. All geared towards taking the fear out of childbirth & helping you learn to trust your body to do the job it’s made to do.
This book is perfect for the mum who likes to be fully informed but not patronised or preached to.
It covers topics from pre-conception all the way through to the postpartum period in a no-nonsense and unbiased way – aiming to help you to make informed personal choices that are right for you and your baby.
A Sunday Times Bestseller & the inspiration behind Giovanna’s popular Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, this is not so much a parenting advice book as a window into Giovanna’s own personal experience of motherhood.
It’s an upbeat and encouraging look at all aspects of life with young children, which aims to leave you feeling that you’re not alone.
A comprehensive month by month guide that breaks down how the baby is developing, what the mother is likely to be experiencing & what the father should probably be thinking, feeling and doing at every stage.
It’s full of handy lists, bullet points and interesting info that dads-to-be are sure to enjoy
It’s comprehensive, down to earth dad-to-dad advice.
This one focuses purely on the big day & how dad can make himself useful during labour.
Written by a husband and wife team, each subject gets a ‘his and hers’ perspective which makes for a fun read. It’s also quite compact & quick to read – great for a busy dad-to-be.
A lovely book, perfect for helping children prepare to welcome a new sibling.
It describes pregnancy through the eyes of a child, explaining why mummy might be feeling tired or eating funny things. It’s written completely in rhyme with colourful pictures throughout.
Nadia Raafat is a pregnancy yoga instructor, mindfulness coach, qualified doula and a mother of four.
We caught up with her to talk yoga poses for pregnancy, birth stories and the power of empowerment.
1) Tell us a little about your background – How did you get into yoga & mindfulness?
As a former National rhythmic gymnast and dancer, I always used my body to express myself. Movement, balance, creative expression through the body – these were the things that made me feel alive.
I gave up aged 15 and was, physically-speaking, lost in the proverbial desert for some years, but upon discovering yoga aged 29, I felt my body coming home.
2) Why did you decide to specialise in pregnancy?
During my first pregnancy, I was too busy working late and navigating the drama of an unplanned pregnancy to take care of myself. I was young and naive and didn’t realise how much inner preparation is required for childbirth. I had a difficult birth experience and an emergency section.
When I debriefed the birth I could see where
I had let myself down and where I had been let down by my carers. When I got
pregnant again I promised myself I would honour the pregnancy and birth this
time.
I found the most inspiring pregnancy
yoga teacher, learned hypnobirthing, hired an independent midwife and decided to
have a home-birth.
I went from being a frightened and disempowered pregnant woman to an embodied birthing goddess. It was such a healing experience and a call to action for me. I trained immediately afterwards and started teaching pregnancy yoga when my son was 9 months old. That was 14 years ago.
3) Can you tell us more about your role as a Doula?
During that first childbirth experience, I had felt really unsupported. I felt frightened and overwhelmed. I knew that this was not how a young first-time mother should labour.
When I heard about birth doulas, I recognised immediately their importance in supporting women through pregnancy, birth the transition to early motherhood. I trained with some of the original doulas and the great Michelle Odent – a pioneering obstetrician who went on to become the first male doula and is credited with bringing water births to maternity units both in the UK and France.
4) Have your own pregnancies impacted the way you support other women through theirs?
Every pregnancy is different and each one
of mine has thrown up complications that have positioned me outside of the normal
care pathway. This taught me how important it is for each mother to navigate
her own unique position as she moves through the maternity system and not to
relegate herself to little more than a statistic.
A key part of my birth preparation programme is empowering women to learn about the system, the NICE guidelines, and how to access the latest research and to make decisions from an empowered and informed place.
5) What makes yoga & mindfulness so beneficial for new & expectant mums?
Yoga is widely regarded as the optimum physical practise for pregnancy; it offers all the strengthening, support and flexibility a pregnant body requires without any undue strain or pressure.
It also teaches self-awareness and is perfect
as a birth preparation programme, as it shows you how to use your body during
labour to relax through movement, make space for the baby, and use the breath
to enter and surrender to the experience.
Mindfulness is the new hot ticket in Childbirth Education and the ultimate accompaniment to pregnancy yoga. It helps to cultivate a grounded and steady mind that is less affected by negative conditioning and unhelpful thought patterns…whatever they are; from anxiety to low self-esteem; from fear of labour to simply managing overwhelm – a very common experience for new mothers.
Cat-Cow for spinal flexibility, Pelvic Tilts or Rolls to energise and mobilise the pelvis and lower back, Dog pose, to stretch and straighten the spine, Childs pose (legs wide) to open up the lower body and let your breath expand and release your lower back, Supported Squat (heels on blocks) to open up the lower pelvis and stretch the pelvic floor, Dynamic Low Lunge (supported where necessary) to open up the hips, and hip-flexors, stretch the hamstrings… it’s also a great preparation position for childbirth and Wide Angle Standing Forward Bend (supported in the third trimester); this is an inversion which can help release and lengthen the spine, calm the mind and stretch the pelvic floor and hamstrings.
The essential aspect is that breath awareness and body awareness is brought to all of the poses that you do.
7) Do you have any top mindfulness tips to share with expectant mums?
Yes. Each morning before you get out of bed,
sit comfortably, close your eyes and take 10 breaths, counting each one on both
the inhale and exhale. Do the same just before you go to bed at night. In time,
progress to 20 breaths.
Learning to anchor the mind on the breath
and on being with what is (without resistance) is the most important skill for labour
and childbirth and, looking forward, motherhood and Life!
Mindfulness is for Life not just for childbirth! 🙂
Her Yoga and Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth DVD is available through Amazon.
Nadia Raafat Teaches a 12 week Yoga & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth Course with weekly classes running in both Battersea and Kingston. You can find out more online at Nadiaraafat.com
Congratulations, you’re pregnant! Stretch marks may be a baby-making badge of honour but sometimes they can affect the way we feel about our bodies. As a result, many mamas look for ways to prevent stretch marks or reduce their appearance.
We asked the pregnancy skincare experts at Mama Mio to give us their top tips for preventing stretchmarks & caring for your skin throughout your nine months…
3 things to look for in pregnancy skincare
1. A delicate scent for sensitive noses
We don’t need to tell you that morning sickness is no joke. Suddenly your partner’s cologne or the smell of fresh coffee in the morning is a recipe for disaster. That’s why it’s important to look for a scent that isn’t going to aggravate any morning sickness. Choose fragrance-free or a naturally formulated scent featuring fresh citrusy notes.
2. No nasties
There are a few common skincare ingredients which are best to avoid during pregnancy. Keep an eye out for skincare with a high content of natural ingredients and plant-based actives, particularly Avocado and Coconut Oils which are naturally, intensely nourishing.
3. Omegas for skin strength & elasticity
Stretch marks are easier to prevent then they are to minimise. When it comes to skincare, it’s really important to choose products packed full of Omegas 3, 6 and 9. These are essential fatty acids which help to maintain the elasticity of your skin. This allows it to move and grow with your developing bump whilst maintaining strength and minimising your chances of developing stretch marks.
A pregnancy skincare routine to prevent stretch marks
Your skin needs a little extra loving during pregnancy, so we’ve put together a super-easy, fuss-free routine to help prevent stretch marks. Remember when it comes to stretch marks during pregnancy, early defence is super important.
1. Smooth & polish
Make sure that exfoliation is the first step in your stretch mark preventing skincare routine. Gently smoothing the skin on your bump and removing the dead skin cells helps your nourishing product to be absorbed deeper and work a bit harder.
A gentle exfoliator such as Mama Mio’s Tummy Rub Scrub helps to perfectly prep and polish your skin using natural papaya extract and volcanic lava particles.
2. Nourish & protect
Take preventative measures with our award-winning Tummy Rub Butter and our incredible Tummy Rub Oil. Both are bursting with Omegas 3, 6 and 9 which help build the skin’s elasticity and strength, with mega moisturising organic oils that offer the very best protection available to help you prevent stretch marks.
3. Don’t forget your boobs, hips & thighs!
It’s easy to just focus on your bump, but make sure that you take your Tummy Rub from your boobs over your bump and all the way across your bum. These areas can all stretch during pregnancy! We recommend our Pregnancy Boob Tube & Lucky Legs cooling gel.
Pregnancy is a time of many changes, so it’s important to remember to do what’s best for you. A five-minute skincare routine at the beginning or end of the day can be the perfect way to take some well-deserved ‘me-time’.
Interested to know more about pregnancy skincare and caring for your bump? Visit Mama Mio for everything you need to know about itchy bumps to relieving sore, swollen ankles and soothing dry nipples.
Last year she made the Forbes 30 under 30 list & this year she’s getting ready to welcome her first baby!
A passionate entrepreneur & advocate for artists, Marine Tanguy founded MTArt Agency in 2015 at just 25 years old – breaking from the gallery model to promote the artists she believes in across the globe.
We caught up with Marine to talk pregnancy as a CEO, art for newborns & maternity fashion.
Really lovely. I had so much anxiety beforehand – I worried that my investors, all men, would perhaps see it as affecting the company or that our talents would worry for their career.
Aside from a couple of negative people, I have received so much love and support. I feel very grateful for my friends, family and the people who I work with.
It’s so nice to think that we are slowly getting to a place where a woman can do the job of her dreams while becoming the mother she wants to be.
Marine giving a talk at Annabel’s for @BeBold_lc in Seraphine
Any pregnancy cravings?
Many! Blueberries and tomatoes during my first trimester while my second trimester was all about bubble tea (which can be challenging to obtain at all times of day!).
My third trimester has been more varied – it perhaps doesn’t help that my friend Manon Lagrève (of Great British Bake Off fame) bakes the most delicious cakes around me constantly.
Marine & her friend Manon at her baby shower
Tell us a little about MTArt – what’s your vision?
MTArt is the first talent agency promoting the top visual artists and specialising in talent management: building, growing and accelerating careers.
I have plans for expansion in 2019 and want MTArt Agency to eventually rival the major Hollywood talent agencies that look after actors and celebrities.
I strongly believe that visual artists deserve to have a much stronger influence in our lives. In short: I love my talents and want the world to see how inspiring they are!
How are you planning to introduce your son to art? Have you already chosen pieces for his nursery?
From the moment a baby is born, their first grasp of the world around them is through their eyes.
Surrounding new-borns with artworks that play with light, texture, colours, and different materials can have a positive impact on the development of their visual senses.
I am lucky to spend my life surrounded by artists who have specially commissioned works for the baby’s bedroom. My personal favourite is a mobile of butterflies, created by Jasmine Pradissitto, made from recycled materials which look like “holograms you can touch” from different perspectives as light hits them.
How are you planning on juggling motherhood with your business?
I am planning to ride it the fast and furious way. I am very happy and filled with meaning with my job, I would hope for the baby to see this. It’s a great example that one can do what they love.
And I hope that my son enjoys the ride, the travels, the inspiring artists and the art!
Seraphine of course! I love soft textures – be it silk or cotton, almost like a second skin. Perhaps I am still a little girl at heart so a dress must twirl, because it makes me smile.
Finally, I am French about it – the style must be poetic at all times. I am so proud of my bump, I want a dress that shows it off.
Which is your favourite Seraphine maternity piece & why?
Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited as a speaker to a panel at Annabel’s organised by the Be Bold ladies.
Myleene Klass looked stunning in our gown at Save the Children’s Centenary Gala in London this week.
The British singer, pianist, model, DJ, TV presenter, fashion designer and all-around creative powerhouse is expecting her third baby in the next few weeks.
Carrie Underwood loved our faux leather leggings so much, she wore them live on stage AND for her guest appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
These leggings are a celebrity favourite, also loved by Marion Cotillard, Anne Hathaway, Gwen Stefani & Kimberly Wyatt.
“I wrote Mind, Body, Bump because it was the book I wanted to read during my pregnancy.
So many sources told me what was happening to my body and my baby, but none told me what it meant with regards to my training, nutrition or mental wellbeing.
I want women to feel as empowered as they do enlightened.” – Brit Williams @FitBritCollective
Divided by trimester, the book offers a month by month breakdown of what is happening with your body & the kind of workouts that are right for each stage.
Don’t forget to enter the prize draw by liking & commenting on the post above – best of luck mamas!
A strong boy’s name of English origin, this one brings to mind grassy fields & wide open spaces.
We think it’s a stylish choice for a little explorer.
Eden
A biblical name meaning paradise, Eden conjures images of lush gardens in full bloom.
It’s been steadily gaining in popularity in recent years, and while you’re still more likely to hear it for a girl, we think it’s also beautiful for a boy.
Another gorgeous unisex name, Rain or it’s slightly more sophisticated cousin Raine has a cool, bohemian vibe about it.
We love the fresh feel and think it would make a perfect middle name for a boy or a girl.
Pascal
A classic French name, traditionally given to boys born around Easter or Passover.
We also love the feminine version of this name Pascale.
Magnolia
Another classic floral name, Magnolia blossoms are amongst the first to appear each spring.
Offering feminine charm and a whole host of adorable nicknames – Maggie, Nola, Noa, for a start – we believe this one is set to enjoy a revival.
Bud
A common shortening of Buddy but not often seen as a name in its own right, we think Bud is an adorable option for a little boy.
Bringing to mind the first buds of spring, it’s perfect for a spring baby, putting a unique nature spin on the name.
Sage
Another nature name that works perfectly for both boys & girls, Sage manages to feel totally fresh & modern while conveying some truly ancient meanings.
Wisdom with an earthy, herbal twist – we think it’s beautiful.
Clover
A nature name with a little more spark than your classic Rose or Daisy, Clover is a lovely choice for a little girl.
Associated with good luck, it conjures up images of lush green grass & sunshine.
Whether you opt for one of these lovely Spring baby names or you have something else in mind, we wish you all the best for welcoming your new little one!
