Women with very large, pendulous breasts may experience a variety of medical problems caused by the excessive weight-from back and neck pain and skin irritation to skeletal deformities and breathing problems. Bra straps may leave indentations in their shoulders. And unusually large breasts can make a woman-or a teenage girl-feel extremely self-conscious.
Breast reduction, technically known as reduction mammaplasty, is designed for such women. The procedure removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller, lighter, and firmer. It can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. The goal is to give the woman smaller, better-shaped breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.
If you’re considering breast reduction, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure- when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand.
Breast reduction is usually performed for physical relief rather than simply cosmetic improvement. Most women who have the surgery are troubled by very large, sagging breasts that restrict their activities and cause them physical discomfort.
In most cases, breast reduction isn’t performed until a woman’s breasts are fully developed; however, it can be done earlier if large breasts are causing serious physical discomfort. The best candidates are those who are mature enough to fully understand the procedure and have realistic expectations about the results. Breast reduction is not recommended for women who intend to breast-feed.
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk. Breast reduction is not a simple operation, but it’s normally safe when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there is always a possibility of complications, including bleeding, infection, or reaction to the anesthesia. Some patients develop small sores around their nipples after surgery; these can be treated with antibiotic creams. You can reduce your risks by closely following your physician’s advice both before and after surgery.
The procedure does leave noticeable, permanent scars, although they’ll be covered by your bra or bathing suit. (Poor healing and wider scars are more common in smokers.) The procedure can also leave you with slightly mismatched breasts or unevenly positioned nipples. Future breast-feeding may not be possible, since the surgery removes many of the milk ducts leading to the nipples.
Some patients may experience a permanent loss of feeling in their nipples or breasts. Rarely, the nipple and areola may lose their blood supply and the tissue will die. (The nipple and areola can usually be rebuilt, however, using skin grafts from elsewhere on the body.)
In your initial consultation, it’s important to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon, and to listen to his or her opinion. Every patient-and every physician, as well-has a different view of
what is a desirable size and shape for breasts.
The surgeon will examine and measure your breasts, and will probably photograph them for reference during surgery and afterwards. (The photographs may also be used in the processing of your insurance coverage.) He or she will discuss the variables that may affect the procedure-such as your age, the size and shape of your breasts, and the condition of your skin.
You should also discuss where the nipple and areola will be positioned; they’ll be moved higher during the procedure, and should be approximately even with the crease beneath your breasts.
Your surgeon should describe the procedure in detail, explaining its risks and limitations and making sure you understand the scarring that will result. The surgeon should also explain the anesthesia he or she will use, the facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs.
(Some insurance companies will pay for breast reduction if it’s medically necessary; however, they may require that a certain amount of breast tissue be removed. Check your policy, and have your surgeon write a “predetermination letter” if required.)
The Best Candidates For Breast Reduction Surgery
January 24th, 2010Maternity Swimwear – Suggestions for Finding the Best Suit for your Body
January 24th, 2010The one clothing item that no longer works for you once you are pregnant is your pre-pregnancy swimsuit. No matter how stretchy or forgiving your suit may be (or your thought it was), if it is not made for maternity chances are it will not fit you for more than a few weeks into your pregnancy. The belly minimizing styles that most regular one piece suits now cleverly use to suck in your belly is the last style that your doctor would recommend for an expecting mom to wear! Fortunately for you, there are a lot of great maternity swimsuits out there that can comfortably fit your changing body through all stages of your pregnancy and actually flatter your figure!Prego Maternity Swimwear specializes in swimsuits for expecting moms and offers a wide variety of styles and patterns from serious one piece swimsuits, like the Empire Tank to the modest but cute BabyDoll styles to the sassy tankinis and hipkinis and the bare the belly maternity bikini. Many other upscale maternity designers are also branching into maternity swimwear styles that are hip and fashionable, so there is no reason to shy from the pool or the beach!
The first step to finding your perfect maternity bathing suit is too look for the style that best flatters your shape. Figure out what your priorities are in choosing a suit in terms to fit and support: bust support, more room in the hips or bottom, covering the belly or letting a little peek out, a serious swim or water aerobics suit or a frolic at the beach or lounge poolside suit? Determining your fit goals and your most likely use of your suit, be it serious swimming or wading along the beach, helps narrow down what selections to consider.
If you are buying online, look carefully at the product descriptions or call the customer service number to review any questions you have on the fit of the suit. Some brands run bigger than others and some use more lycra for better stretch. Ideally you would like a maternity swimwear to have about 20% lycra so it can be used throughout your entire pregnancy. Suits that have the best bust support typically fit higher in the back, have wider adjustable straps and less cleavage. Typically maternity halter tops do not offer as much support as tanks unless they fit higher across the bust. Some halter suits have ruching across the front of the busts to offer better fit and support. Also look for suits that have padded cups to offer more structure and support in a bra like fit.
If you are looking mainly for a serious workout maternity swimwear, the one piece tank style suits provide the least resistance in the water and the best overall support for swimming. If the suit fits higher on the back it will function as a more supportive suit for the serious swimmer.
There are many styles to choose from if you are looking for a cute, flattering all purpose maternity swimsuit. If you want to totally hide your belly, go for a style with bottoms that cover the belly and longer skirt for the top. The babydolls come in both tank and halter styles and also cover the hips and bottom.
If you don’t mind showing a little belly as you grow, the maternity hipkinis and maternity tankinis styles come with under the belly bottoms and belly skimming tops. There are many fun patterns out on the market in these styles as well as classic solids that work well for the whole year.
If you need a little extra room in the hips or bottom, look for a style with adjustable side ties in bottoms. This option is available in many of the tankini and hipkini styles as well as the maternity bikinis.
If you are a bikini person pre-pregnancy, there is a good chance you will also want to wear one when you are expecting as well. There is no substitute for a high quality maternity bikini as it is specifically made to fit your changing shape with more stretch, more room in the bust and adjustable ties. There are also many cute bandeau type wraps you can wear with your bikini for pool or beach lounging if you are looking for that option.
Many expecting women find that they really need at least two maternity swimsuits if they frequent the pool or beach or even if they are going to a beach vacation destination. It is easy to burn out on one suit, especially if you are using it several days in a row. Like the maternity or nursing bra rule, you need at least one to wear and one to wash! So, have fun in the sun and find the maternity swimwear that suits you.
Year Round Maternity Swimwear
January 23rd, 2010How to Get Bigger Breasts Naturally
January 23rd, 2010Make your breast bigger and firmer without going under the knife! If yours have shrunk due to age, diet or breast-feeding, here are 10 tricks to get your bounce back:
1. Try a clever tan – Having a professional spray-tan is a great cheat’s way to get a bigger bust. Your beautician can use an airbrush to shade definition and create cleavage. And if you can’t face the hassle or cost of salon treatment, you can do it yourself at home with spray tan or a bronzer and a large make-up brush. Simply dust or spray the tan along the contours of your cleavage to create the illusion of greater depth.
2. Do the right gym moves – Three moves will firm, lift and boost your breasts. They work by targeting the muscles that surround and support your breasts, and by strengthening the postural muscles in your back and shoulders. If you repeat them daily you should notice a difference after three weeks.
- Press your palms together in front of your breast. Hold for five seconds. Repeat ten times.
-Hold your forearms at shoulder level and pull your arms apart without letting go. You should really be able to feel your breast lift. Repeat 10 times.
- Curl your fingers and lock them together at shoulder height. Pull them apart, without letting go. Repeat 10 times.
3. Eat firming foods – Some nutritionists claim that eating foods containing phytoestrogens (plant hormones that mimic oestrogen) such as lentils, soya and oats, increases bust firmness. But avoid extreme diets, because they encourage rapid fat loss from areas such as the breasts.
Eating healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts and seeds can maintain a healthy body weight and keep boobs plumped up, while foods such as lean meat, fish and fruit and veg can help improve skin tone and elasticity.
4. Get a secret support – Uplift bras have revolutionized the lives of small-busted women since their launch in 1964. You can buy a nifty gel-filled bra that only pushes boobs up and together for maximum cleavage, the gel pads also fill the areas below for a more rounded look. This avoids the ‘lots up top, but nothing underneath’ effect that other bras can create and which can give the game away that you’re not naturally well-endowed.
5. Think them bigger – It might sound crazy, but hypnotherapists claim they can increase your breast size.
It’s supposed to work by sending positive messages to your unconscious mind, which stimulate breast growth. The therapist will also ask your brain to focus on directing fat cells to your boobs. Although there is no scientific proof some women claim to have gone up a cup-size.
6. Copy celebs – Many celebrities, including Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, swear that uses “biostimulation”(gentle electrical pulses) on the key muscle groups surrounding the breasts, causing them to contract and relax up to 900 times an hour.
7. Chew gum – The makers of a chewing gum called Bust-Up say it can help enhance the size, shape and tone of breast by up to 80 per cent when chewed three or four times a day. The Japanese maker says the gum works by releasing phytoestrogen extract from a plant called Pueraria mirifica.
8. Smooth on a lotion – While bust-firming creams won’t increase your cup size, they can firm and tighten the skin around your chest, leaving you with a smoother, plumped-up effect.
9. Get some extra padding – Breast enhancers – also known as “chicken fillets” because they look and feel like skinless breast – are made from silicone gel and fit inside your bra or bikini. They give the appearance of fuller breasts, while being comfy and invisible under clothes.
10. Dress to impress – A clever choice of clothes can subtly boost a small bustline:
- Skinny-rib polo necks make the tiniest busts look bigger
- Create fullness by wearing tops or dresses with breast pockets, ruffles, smocking and gathering.
- Horizontal stripes or patterns across the bust will give the illusion of bigger boobs. But steer clear of low necklines, which will draw attention to any lack of curves in that area.
Holiday Maternity Dresses: Look Sexy During Your Pregnancy!
January 23rd, 2010October is already underway and Holiday Season is fast approaching with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner. For many of us who are expecting, the holidays means finding a holiday dress for a number of social occasions. In addition to family and friend get-togethers, many of us also have holiday office parties to attend which may require a more formal dress. So, whether your maternity dress needs are casual, slightly upscale or formal, now is the time to start looking before it is too late! Here are few suggestions in your quest for the perfect maternity dress for the holidays:
Unless you are shopping for a full out formal affair, it is easy to find a maternity dress that is super versatile for not only Thanksgiving and Christmas parties for other outings as well. The wrap maternity dress style is the perfect bridge from a nice dinner out to holiday party. Solids are a good choice in shopping for a maternity dress you plan to wear more than once as it is not quite as memorable as a print – especially if you might run into the same people on more than one occasion. Burgundy is a popular color out this holiday season and definitely suits the occasion from Thanksgiving to Christmas to even a classic office dress or nice day-wear outfit. Wrap dresses are one of the best body styles on the market for expecting women as they are so easy to wear, flattering to many body types and adjustable to your changing shape. Both Japanese Weekend and Maternal America (check out their Front Tie Keyhole Maternity Dress) have some super wrap and sash tie dresses out this season in burgundy, ruby and black.
If patterns are more your style, look for a print that does not say “holiday” all over it but can be worn throughout the season for a variety of venues. The Maternal America Beaded Safari Dress is based upon their bestselling style from last Fall/Winter which was a hit during the holidays. This year’s style is a one of a kind earth print with a beautiful blend of safari earthy colors brought together in the front with attractive ruching with a centerpiece of chunky beading in earth colors. This dress can be worn for a formal occasion or a dinner out with friends. The colors are great for Fall, Winter, and even Spring with ¾ sleeves and light stretchy fabric. The Safari dress stretchy front ruching style plays up your curves and shows off all the best about your ever changing maternity shape.
If you have a truly dressy occasion to attend then your best option is maternity formalwear. Black is always a great choice and of course slimming and sexy for all body types and skin tones. There are a variety of styles that work very well in maternity formal dresses. Showing a little skin up top in either the sleeveless bodice or tube dress is always flattering. If you feel more comfortable with straps you can opt for a sleeveless or strappy dress to show a little shoulder or a deep V neck variety with short sleeves to show off your enhanced cleavage!
This season the full length formal dresses are very much in style on the red carpet and always a flattering and easy to fit style for expecting women. Particularly if you are further along in your pregnancy, a full length maternity gown gives some balance to a large blooming belly so the eye sees you in your entire dress from head to toe and your belly is not the sole target focus of everyone’s attention. Olian Maternity has a number of beautiful and classic full length formal styles in formal dresses including the Kora Maternity Evening Dress, which is a pretty black sleeveless style, and an elegant Black Sash Evening Dress in Black with a contrasting cream Sash and neckline accent.
If you opt to show off a little leg, then a black cocktail maternity dress style is always a great bet for the Holidays and any formal or dressy occasion. Olian Maternity has a number of great styles for choose from in sexy black cocktail dresses including the Beaded Neck Cocktail Dress with a high circle neck style in beautiful beading and elegant draping pleats which hits above the knee. Olian also has a tighter fitting Silk Bodice Dress that is fitted across the bust in a silk satin finish and bra friendly. Both of these cocktail maternity dresses are sexy, classic and stunning, particularly if you can still safely pull off a black heel to complete the look!
Some great choices for other sleeveless varieties in the burgundy-maroon color family for above the knee dresses include Maternal America’s Tulle Dress. This was another style which was a bestseller last holiday season in an espresso color and has returned this year in a stunning maroon color as well as a black variety. This dress has a pleated Grecian feel with a V neck leather empire waist accent that hits above the belly. The design and cut work well for all stages of your pregnancy and there is plenty of room in the belly and bust with no tenting or excess fabric. For a super buy, check out Theality’s Party Dress which is a simple tube style with bra friendly straps and fitted across the bust. This easy to wear and versatile cocktail party dress is available in both burgundy and black solid.
So whether you are looking for full out formal or versatile knee length maternity dresses for the Holidays, your best bet is to shop as early as possible. To get the most wear out of your holiday maternity dress, look for styles with enough belly room and stretch to last you a number of months and colors or prints that can also be worn for other occasions. If it’s chilly, just add a wrap and you are good to go!
Finding your Maternity Swimwear
January 23rd, 2010The one clothing item that no longer works for you once you are pregnant is your pre-pregnancy swimsuit. You will definitely need new maternity swimwear. No matter how stretchy or forgiving your suit may be (or your thought it was), if it is not made for maternity chances are it will not fit you for more than a few weeks into your pregnancy. The belly minimizing styles that most regular one piece suits now cleverly use to suck in your belly is the last style that your doctor would recommend for an expecting mom to wear! Fortunately for you, there are a lot of great maternity swimsuits out there that can comfortably fit your changing body through all stages of your pregnancy and actually flatter your figure!Prego Maternity Swimwwear specializes in maternity swimsuits for expecting moms and offers a wide variety of styles and patterns from serious one piece swimsuits, like the Empire Tank to the modest but cute BabyDoll styles to the sassy tankinis and hipkinis and the bare the belly maternity bikini. Many other upscale maternity designers are also branching into swimwear styles that are hip and fashionable, so there is no reason to shy from the pool or the beach!
The first step to finding your perfect maternity bathing suit is too look for the style that best flatters your shape. Figure out what your priorities are in choosing a suit in terms to fit and support: bust support, more room in the hips or bottom, covering the belly or letting a little peek out, a serious swim or water aerobics suit or a frolic at the beach or lounge poolside suit? Determining your fit goals and your most likely use of your suit, be it serious swimming or wading along the beach, helps narrow down what selections to consider.
If you are buying online, look carefully at the product descriptions or call the customer service number to review any questions you have on the fit of the suit. Some brands run bigger than others and some use more lycra for better stretch. Ideally you would like a maternity swimwear to have about 20% lycra so it can be used throughout your entire pregnancy. Suits that have the best bust support typically fit higher in the back, have wider adjustable straps and less cleavage. Typically maternity halter tops do not offer as much support as tanks unless they fit higher across the bust. Some halter suits have ruching across the front of the busts to offer better fit and support. Also look for suits that have padded cups to offer more structure and support in a bra like fit.
If you are looking mainly for a serious workout maternity swimsuit, the one piece tank style suits provide the least resistance in the water and the best overall support for swimming. If the suit fits higher on the back it will function as a more supportive suit for the serious swimmer.
There are many styles to choose from if you are looking for a cute, flattering all purpose maternity swimsuit. If you want to totally hide your belly, go for a style with bottoms that cover the belly and longer skirt for the top. The babydolls come in both tank and halter styles and also cover the hips and bottom.
If you don’t mind showing a little belly as you grow, the maternity hipkinis and maternity tankinis styles come with under the belly bottoms and belly skimming tops. There are many fun patterns out on the market in these styles as well as classic solids that work well for the whole year.
If you need a little extra room in the hips or bottom, look for a style with adjustable side ties in bottoms. This option is available in many of the tankini and hipkini styles as well as the maternity bikinis.
If you are a bikini person pre-pregnancy, there is a good chance you will also want to wear one when you are expecting as well. There is no substitute for a high quality maternity bikini as it is specifically made to fit your changing shape with more stretch, more room in the bust and adjustable ties. There are also many cute bandeau type wraps you can wear with your bikini for pool or beach lounging if you are looking for that option.
Many expecting women find that they really need at least two maternity swimsuits if they frequent the pool or beach or even if they are going to a beach vacation destination. It is easy to burn out on one suit, especially if you are using it several days in a row. Like the maternity or nursing bra rule, you need at least one to wear and one to wash! So, have fun in the sun and find the maternity swimwear that suits you.
Finding the Right Nursing Bras
January 23rd, 2010Shopping for bras is challenging enough, but when it comes to nursing bra shopping it can seem nearly impossible. There are so many variables to bra fitting when shopping for a nursing bra including whether or not you are still pregnant and then trying to guess what your size you will be after you deliver your baby and begin nursing. Whether or not you plan to nurse your baby full time also factors into your prospective nursing bra size. Also, every woman’s body reacts differently to nursing, some women may go up one cup size third trimester pregnancy when they begin nursing, others may increase as much as 2 cups sizes and still others maybe only a half cup size difference if any. Here are a few suggestions and recommendations in shopping for your nursing bras to try to make this task a little less daunting:
If you are expecting your first baby, it is hard to know what to expect with your future bra size when shopping for your nursing bra as you have no history to draw on. The best rule of thumb is to wait until as close to your due date as possible before buying a nursing bra so that you can best gage what your size will be. If you do plan to nurse, you can expect your milk to come in within 2-3 days after you deliver. When you milk does first come in, some women experience a huge temporary uptick in their cup size. However, once your hormones settle down and your milk supply adjusts to a more predictable demand, your size should settle down. You should expect some natural size fluctuation during the day and before and after nursing, so it is best to pick a comfortable stretchy bra which will accommodate these changes while providing the support that you need for heavier lactating breasts.
The second rule is to not buy too many bras until your size has settled down after the first few weeks. You will probably only need about 3-4 bras at most that you can wash and wear so you always have one on hand to accommodate those early weeks. My best advice is to find several styles you like, that are very stretchy and can accommodate several cup sizes to safely fit your fluctuating and uncertain size. The Bravado Original Nursing Bra is an excellent choice. This bra comes in 3 size categories and 4 band sizes to accommodate a range of cup and band sizes and stretches easily while offering good support. Since there are no hooks on the back and a stretchy wide T-back fit, you can even comfortably sleep in this bra if you choose. If you are larger busted, I do recommend buying sleep bras for evening and nighttime wear which will also fit a range of cup sizes. The Majamas Easy Bra is an good choice which comes Small to XXL and fits from a 32A to a 48G. This bra has no hooks in the back and is a simple pull down style for nursing. The Easy Bra now also comes in an Organic Cotton which is very comfortable fabric for sleeping and loungewear.
Once you have survived the early weeks of nursing and motherhood, you will probably want to find a bra that is flattering to wear under T-shirts and gives you a bit more support and shape. Melinda G has a number of bras to choose from that come in a range of sizes. Melinda’s G’s Tee Shirt Soft Cup Nursing Bra is a smooth cup wireless bra that gives a clean look you can wear under a tee shirt or tight fitting shirt. This bra also has support comparable to an underwire bra without the associated risk of mastitis from an underwire bra. The Tee Shirt Soft Cup bra also stretches to fit several cup and band sizes which makes it an excellent nursing bra.
If you are bigger busted and really need the support of an underwire bra, Melinda G’s T-shirt Underwire Nursing bra is a very good choice. Like the Tee shirt soft cup bra, this bra also provides a clean seamless and smooth look that can be worn under a tight fitting shirt while also giving your breast shape and definition without restrictions. This bra comes in sizes 34C to 38F and is cup and band size specific, so it is best to buy this bra after your milk supply has settled down and you are a more exact size. The hooks on the cups do allow you to adjust the size of the cups to smaller or larger for before and after nursing to help with that size variation and superior fit.
If you are looking to get back your pre-pregnancy figure and hit the gym, you will probably feel more comfortable in a nursing sports bra when exercising. Bella Materna offers a highly supportive and comfortable Nursing Sports Bra that stretches to accommodate up to 2 cup sizes for your normal size fluctuation. The quick drying Italian Lyca/Nylon fabric will not pill or fade or show sweat marks. This bra has a 4 hook closure on the back for maximum support and adjustable wide straps with clip nursing access. You will probably want to wear this bra even after your baby is weaned for its support, comfort and flattering uplifting design.
Once you find comfortable supportive nursing bras to accommodate your size variations and daily life routines, you will find your quality of life improves tremendously as you reclaim your body, your life and embark upon the joys of motherhood.
Breast Reduction by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
January 23rd, 2010There is a substantial population of women who have a constellation of symptoms related to overly large breasts. These women experience pain in their upper back, neck and shoulders. This can lead to grooving or indentations in the shoulders from years of pressure by bra straps.
Often, overly enlarged breasts, called Macromastia, prevent women from enjoying sports, exercise and other physical activities. Rashes frequently occur under the breasts, especially during warm summer months. Clothes can be ill fitting and there can even be psychological issues from taunting during teenage years. Breast Reduction surgery is a procedure that is designed to relieve women who suffer from these problems.
Breast Reduction is a procedure that consistently ranks amongst the highest in patient satisfaction. Candidates for Breast Reduction include those women who have: Excessively large breasts. Breasts which sag due to heaviness. Shoulder grooving from bra straps. Breasts which are disproportionately large for their body frame. Chronic rashes in the folds under the breasts.
Asymmetry of breast size. Limitations on physical activity because of breast enlargement.
Breast Reduction can be performed at any age once a woman has stopped growing. This usually occurs between the ages of 18 and 20. On rare occasions a teenager may be considered a candidate for surgery prior to completion of her growth phase.
The procedure is performed by removing the excess tissue from the inner, outer and central portions of the breast. Perhaps the most important aspect to accurately perform this operation occurs before surgery even begins, with careful, meticulous markings by your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Once the excess is removed the breast shape is restored by wrapping the skin and tissue from the upper portion of the breast around the lower portion. This give a woman the added benefit of having the breasts lifted to a more youthful location.
The breasts are also tighter and firmer which also makes them appear more youthful. The final incision pattern is one woman must be aware of and accepting of prior to surgery. There are several different patterns that can be used but the upside down T-shape is the most common.
The future sensation of the nipples and the possibility of being able to breast-feed are concerns to many women considering Breast Reduction. Breast Reduction can be performed using specialized techniques designed to preserve nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed. This is done by carefully preserving the connection between the nipple and its underlying nerves and blood vessels. Many patients have gone on to breast feed their children after a Breast Reduction.
The operation is performed under full general anesthesia. Drains may be placed under the breasts at the conclusion of the procedure, to aid in the removal of any fluid build-up and are usually removed between one and three days after a Breast Reduction. Patients are instructed not to perform any exercise or heavy lifting for at least two weeks after surgery.
Breast Reduction is generally a safe procedure, but like all medical treatment, there are risks. The risks include bleeding, infection, skin or nipple injury and the risk of anesthesia. Under the care of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, like every effort will be made to prevent and minimize risk to make your outcome a successful one. It is very important that smokers quit smoking and using nicotine products for at least one month before and for at least one month after surgery.
Breast Reduction is an excellent way for women to relieve the pain and discomfort placed on the upper body by Macromastia. Woman who have undergone the procedure are usually thrilled by the freedom they now have to participate in sports and all other physical activities.
Great Top Picks For Nursing Clothes And Maternity Clothes
January 22nd, 2010Many first time moms often think that once they have their baby they can just slip back into their pre-pregnancy wardrobe after a week or two. Not so! In fact, post-pregnancy clothes shopping can be a little trickier than maternity clothes shopping because this time you do NOT want to look pregnant! Also, if you plan to nurse your baby, functionality in tops and dresses becomes a key element in choosing your post-pregnancy wardrobe! Here are a few suggestions for some top picks in nursing dresses and nursing tops to make shopping for nursing clothes a little easier.
Majamas Sleepy Nursing Dress
This dress has been a bestseller for years to nursing moms across the country. What’s so great about the Sleepy Dress is that you can wear it as a nightgown, as lounge wear, out to lunch or dinner or even to a special occasion with the right accessories! The cotton/lycra blend is thick enough that it does not look like lingerie when you wear this dress out of the house and it is very comfortable and stretchy. The cross over tank style design of the dress allows easy pull down nursing access for your baby as well as bust support. This dress can also be worn with a nursing bra for extra bust support outside the house. In cooler weather, just layer with a demi-cardigan, wrap or sweater for new look. The Sleepy Dress comes in many colors including new merlot and twilight for this spring and summer season. Many women get one in every color and continue to wear this dress long after their babies are weaned!
Japanese Weekend’s Convertible 3 Piece Maternity and Nursing Dress
Even if you are still pregnant, this dress is one to get for “during and after” wear. Japanese Weekend is known for their super versatile convertibles styles which can be reversed and mixed and matched for up to 8 different looks and functions for both maternity and nursing. This season’s white on black Sleeveless Floral 3 Piece Convertible Dress can be reversed and attached to the demi cardigan for a stunning solid black empire waist maternity dress or nursing dress. It can also be unbuttoned at the waist to be worn as separates – demi cardigan and reversible skirt. The combinations are endless and all can be worn for both maternity and nursing. You will find yourself grabbing this dress/skirt/cardigan for the office, out for dinner or even to a wedding – and maybe in the same day! Perfect for all occasions and well worth the reasonable investment!
Japanese Weekend Cross Over Maternity and Nursing Top
The cross over style top is a perfect choice for both pregnancy and nursing. Japanese Weekend makes the best cross over top on the market today with a wide variety of color options to choose from. This top provides the perfect stretch and de-emphasis for a postpartum belly while doubling as a great maternity top as well. The ¾ sleeves is perfect for all seasons and can be dressed up or down. The crisscross design in the front allows for very discreet nursing access without revealing anything to anyone else in view. Japanese Weekend makes this style top in both a stretchy lightweight jersey material and soft organic bamboo fabric.
Majamas Jake Top
If you are looking for something more casual and cool for the summer that can be worn for both maternity and nursing, the Majamas Jake top is a great choice for a versatile stylish nursing top. The Jake Top is a new style out by Majamas this season that comes in both funky tulip print and chic solid latte. The tank straps are bra friendly while the top does offer built in bra support. This top is designed for nursing with pull down straps that cover the bust while allowing easy nursing access for your baby. The extra long length and side ruching stylishly cover your postpartum belly while allowing enough room and stretch for pregnancy wear. This nursing top can be dressed up or down or even layered with a shrug or wrap for the office.
Once you find a brand that you like for nursing wear, you will doubtless find other styles that you like and wear within that brand. Both Japanese Weekend and Majamas are high quality and exceptionally made lines for stylish nursing tops, nursing dresses and nursing pajamas to make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood seamless, comfortable and all the more enjoyable!
Maternity Clothes to Get You Through the Pregnancy Summer Blues
January 22nd, 2010Is the summer heating up and wearing you down? Do you wake up each morning looking at the same tired set of clothes and dreading getting dressed? Maybe it’s time to spice up your summertime maternity wardrobe and beat the summer blahs before they truly drag you down. It does not take a huge investment to add a little excitement to your wardrobe, just a few well picked summer tops, a casual summer dress or two and maybe even a new pair of Bermuda shorts or a cool summer skirt will do the trick. There’s still several months of hot weather ahead, so you should get more than enough wear out of your investment in the weeks ahead. Here are a few suggestions for some great summer pieces:
Everybody needs a few fun casual tops that are lightweight for the hot days and can easily mixed and matched with your existing wardrobe. Love my Belly is a super hip maternity brand that has some of the best convertible tube tops on the market for expecting moms. Some of my favorite patterns in their convertible tubes are the Cannes in brown in aqua shades, the Havana in wine earth tones and the Canary in Aqua. All of the Love my Belly Tubes have a secure shelf bra, an adjustable halter tie that can be bowed in front or tied around the neck for a different look. All of the Love my Belly Tubes come in 1 size fits all and they truly do stretch to fit with no show through. This style tube goes great with denim, crops, shorts or a skirt!
Another great style for a fun summer top is the Bellabumbum maternity/nursing cami. This sexy cami tank top has a cute babydoll tie in the front along with a supportive shelf bra which can be pulled to the side for nursing access. Bellabumbum’s maternity/nursing cami is stretchy enough that it can be worn for either maternity or nursing postpartum. This style comes in both solid black and a shiny Metallica with silver Lorex threads which go with everything. You can dress this top up or down and it is always great with denim. You will want to wear this one long after you have the baby!
If you are like most women, you may find your top drawer is stuffed full before you know it while your skirt and bottoms wardrobe is barely populated. When you are pregnant and expanding quickly, there is nothing worse than a pair of shorts or crops suddenly becoming too tight and uncomfortable and nothing more boring than pulling out the same pair of denim shorts or black stretch pants to start the day. Many expecting moms find a casual skirt can be more comfortable and easier to wear as well as cooler for the hot summer months than a tight pair of jeans. A truly fabulous denim skirt will go with nearly every maternity top you own and can really help beat the summer blahs. Noppies makes a super hip Puerto Rico Skirt that resembles a navy denim skirt with a little extra flair with a ruffle hem that overlaps in the front and shows just a little leg. This skirt is super flattering and has the most comfortable elastic waistband that fits just above the hips and under the belly. If you opt for a more traditional denim skirt, check out the Mama Black Big Dipper denim skirt in light blue wash which hits just above the knee. This five pocket design with zip fly and back pocket design looks like your favorite pre-pregnancy denim skirt and can even be worn after the baby. Maternal America also makes a super year round belted denim skirt which hits just below the knee with a stretch elastic waist and adjustable elastic denim belt.
If shorts are more your style, take a look at Maternal America’s Bermuda Pant. This casual but chic Bermuda short hits just above the knee with casual side pockets and a wide stretchy elastic waist that hits low on the belly above the hips. This style comes in both solid black and oatmeal and in both cotton/spandex blends as well as cotton/linen/spandex for a slightly dressier look. Wear it casual or dressy!
If you like casual dresses for maternity or nursing wear, then you have to take a look at Majamas Cozy Dress. This tank style dress is simple, chic and super comfortable. True to Majamas style, you will love to lounge or even sleep in this dress as well as wear it out to lunch or even dress it up for a special occasion. The double layer super supportive shelf bra built into the tank has a pull down layer for discreet nursing access. The material overall is so stretchy that you can truly wear it during and after pregnancy. This dress comes in a number of pretty solids including this season’s twilight and cocoa as well as classic black and a beige stripette pattern. Many women like this dress so well; they end up buying it in a number of colors.
Finally don’t forget your feet! Once you find the top, skirt or shorts and dress that suits your style and taste, invest in a pair of stylish sandals or wedges that are truly easy to walk in and feel comfortable to your feet as your center of gravity shifts. There is nothing like a new pair of shoes to complete your look and to show off your new clothes or add a little more spice to your wardrobe!