Stephanie James on Baby Reflux

• The structures around the stomach and their innervation that might be play a role in the GER symptoms i.e. diaphragm
• The thoracic spine where the innervation of the guts and stomach comes from.
• The quality of the membranes around the brain that might have been affected by the birth process. Gentle techniques can be used to address some possible site of compression around the cranial base but also  encourage a healthier innervation of the gut.

Breast Milk Wanted! Can you help?

“When my daughter arrived early she was so premature that her immature digestive system couldn’t tolerate formula and I was simply too ill after her birth to express milk for her. I’ll be forever grateful to the women whose donated breast milk kept my baby alive for the first two weeks of her life.”

Share your milk and save a life!

Crave Maternity asked Louise Williams, the Charity Co-ordinator at St George’s Hospital neo natal unit First Touch to tell us how we can help:

"The neo natal unit here cares for over 600 premature and sick new-born babies each year. Quite simply, the donated breast milk in the hospital milk bank helps save the lives of these babies when their mothers cannot provide them with sufficient breast milk of their own.

 The realities of having a tiny and possibly very sick baby can obviously impact on a mother’s ability to express enough milk, particularly in the vitally important early days. There are also mothers whose babies are born early because of their own ill-health or who have to spend time in intensive care   after their baby’s birth.

Breast milk is the ideal food for all babies but is especially important for these very premature and sick babies. Breast milk contains a complete spectrum of nutrients and immune-system compounds which are not present in formula milk. Giving premature babies breast milk helps development and protects them against infections including the common, but life-threatening, gut infection called necrotising enterocolitis. This is why the milk bank is so important.

Donating breast milk is incredibly rewarding, and very easy. If you’re considering becoming a donor the following information tells you all you need to know.

You can begin donating as soon as breastfeeding is established. Your baby must be no older than 5 months old when you begin and you can continue as long as your own baby is feeding 3-4 times a day.

You cannot donate if you smoke, use drugs or have had a blood transfusion since 1980. There are also some other health reasons which may exclude you but the milk bank team will discuss these with you.

You will need a freezer to store your expressed milk in.

How much milk do you need?

The amount of milk varies from donor to donor but every drop is precious and very small babies can benefit from even the smallest quantities of breast milk.

Your body will supply more milk to cope with the demand of expressing so you can be sure you will still have enough milk for your own baby.

Great, so what do I do now?

To start the process, or find out more, call 020 8725 4723 and speak to the milk bank staff who will assess your suitability and answer any questions you might have.

You will then be invited to come to St George’s for a blood test, to complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire and to sign a consent form. You will also be issued with bottles to store you milk in.

You will receive your results within 10 days over the phone.

Then it’s simply a case of pumping and freezing your milk, which can be dropped off by you or collected by a member of the community team."

Thank you Louise.
We also wanted to mention Kylie Hodges, who recently wrote about her own experience, and the wonderful work of the Cheshire and North Wales Human Milk Bank.

Kylie says: "One of the big issues Cheshire milk bank has, is uptake of milk from units. Donation is important but educating parents who could use donated milk is essential too."
read more on her blog here.

You can find out more about St George’s milk bank by visiting: www.first-touch.org.uk/you-and-your-baby/milk bank.html

For general information on milk donation visit www.ukamb.org

You can call the St George’s Milk Bank on 020 8725 4723. At busy times on the nnu you may need to leave us a message when you call but the Milk Bank Team will call you back as soon as possible.

First Touch is the charity which supports the work of the neo natal unit at St George’s Hospital and has funded a new breast milk pasteuriser, which is vital to making donated breast milk safe for the babies on the unit. Find out more at www.first-touch.org.uk Registered charity 1072500

All images copyright St George’s NNU, taken by ShutterBaby Photography.

Share your milk and save a life!

Sophie Brigstocke on Baby Massage

For more information about baby massage contact Sophie Brigstocke

Read our Crave Maternity blog post about massage in pregnancy to avoid stretchmarks

Read more about Sophie's work as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, Birth and Postnatal Doula and Baby Massage Instructor here:  www.sophiebrigstocke.com

Yes, You Can Avoid Stretch Marks!

The summer weather is finally upon us and as we write the sun is beating through the window.  You might be starting to think about your summer wardrobe and what you can wear. We’ll bet that last year’s bikini is out of the equation - but there is no reason why you can’t wear it next year.  Pregnancy can cause us to let go a little and to not care so much about the way we look.  But don’t surrender to your changing shape totally.  If you do, you could join the 75% of women who develop stretch marks whilst pregnant!

If you aren't too bothered about stretch marks and see them more as a badge of honour, that’s great!  But remember, stretch marks can appear in more places than your stomach.  They can appear on your thighs, buttocks and breasts and they may never fade.  With just a small change to your daily routine you can do all you can to help prevent these marks appearing.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe

Stretch marks usually appear in the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy.  This seems unfair as so many women think they have got away with it when suddenly they wake up to stretch marks all over.  Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched for a period of time.  They may appear as thin silvery marks or they may appear angry and red and stay this way for some time.

Those Pesky Hormones Again!

So why doesn't every woman get stretch marks during pregnancy?  Well, some doctors believe hormones are the blame.  If you have been reading our recent blogs you will see how much those pesky hormones are responsible for!  Studies have shown that some people get stretch marks because they are producing more corticosteroid than normal.  The result is a reduction in the amount of collagen in the skin - this is the stuff that keeps our skin nice and stretchy.

What You Can Do To Help Avoid Stretch Marks

Massaging your skin daily and eating a healthy diet can help.  By improving the circulation with massage you can help new tissue to grow.  Look for foods rich in vitamin E, vitamin C and zinc to keep skin healthy.

Moisturisers and creams can also help.  It’s not necessary to spend a fortune.  Simply look for a good cream containing alpha hydroxy acids.  Whilst there isn’t any proof that creams can help, you will be doing all you can to keep your skin supple.

And lastly, try not to eat for two!  Putting on weight will make the stomach stretch further and this could cause stretch marks to develop.  Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet and keep track of your weight.  Your midwife will be able to advise you on the healthy weight for your stage in pregnancy and give you advice on a balanced diet.

And If All Else Fails...

We can’t promise that these tips will stop stretch marks from appearing but we can offer you some fabulous cover-ups in our maternity collection.  Choose from the Amoralia tankini range for the beach or beside the pool or our wonderful tunics that double up as holiday cover ups.

The Third Trimester - The Countdown Begins!

Just when you thought your belly couldn’t get any bigger, it gets bigger!  That little person in there has done the majority of their growing but will now be putting on a few kilos in preparation for the outside world.  Whilst some women get away with a tiny bump, others may really be feeling the strain of carrying what can only be described as a country fete winning watermelon!

Getting Ready to Rumble

It is about this time that your baby may also start to shift south in preparation for birth.  The perfect position is of course head-down, but some babies have other ideas.  Don’t worry, at the start of the third trimester, your baby still has plenty of time to move into the right position.  Your midwife will also keep a close eye on things in the coming weeks.  If the baby is still in the breech position a couple of weeks before your due date she may try to manipulate the baby to turn.  This doesn’t always work and can be quite uncomfortable, but it’s worth a try!

 Make Some Quality Time For YOU

 Now is also the time to take some rest.  If you are experiencing water retention in your ankles or any other part of your body, you might want to keep your feet elevated for regular intervals during the day - the perfect excuse to relax!  Make sure you relax in style by ensuring you have some soft and luxurious Crave loungewear to slip into.  Made from comfy stretchy fabrics, you won’t feel restricted or uncomfortable when you sneak under the covers for an afternoon nap.  We have a large range of maternity clothing that is designed just for relaxing in before your baby arrives.

 Get Your Hospital Bag Ready

 Now is the time to start thinking about your hospital bag and what you should be taking with you.  It’s a good idea to have your bag packed and ready at the door or even in the boot of the car in case you need to leave in a hurry for the hospital.

We have some fabulous items that are both practical and stylish that you can pop into your hospital bag.  Our nursing tops are an essential that will preserve your dignity whilst ensuring you feel comfortable and can give your baby what he or she needs quickly.  Our second skin nursing bras are so comfortable that you won’t feel like you are wearing one.  We also have a great range of maternity nightwear just perfect for wearing around your hospital ward or birthing centre.

Time To Stock Up On Maternity Clothing Essentials

At Crave we want to be your first port of call when you need elegant, delicate and functional maternity wear that looks and feels fabulous.  Your journey to motherhood is almost at an end and you will soon be meeting your beautiful baby.  We wish you happiness, joy and lots of lovely cuddles.

The Second Trimester - The Best Trimester?

Pammy Anderson, Eat Your Heart Out!

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Second Trimester Skin Skin Changes

Eek! Stretch Marks!

Leg Cramps To Wake the Neighbours

The First Trimester - Hormones, Hiccups and Heartburn

Baby! What Are You Doing To Me?

Your Body Has Never Been So Busy

rarely lasts past the first trimester.

Trust Crave to Take Care Of Your Maternity Wardrobe

The Crave Guide To Choosing The Right Maternity Bra

At Crave, our maternity bras bust (no pun intended!) the myth that maternity bras are all ugly, thick-strapped, seriously unsexy over the shoulder boulder holders!  A Crave maternity bra is soft, comfortable, functional and very feminine.  What’s more, we offer matching shorts and other underwear that complements our maternity bras perfectly.

But I Already Have Bras That Fit...

Maternity bras are different to your ordinary bra as they expand with your breasts without causing you discomfort.  Our Amoralia Second Skin Nursing Bra for example is exactly that and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you aren’t wearing a bra at all.  You’ll also feel ample and comfortable support at the straps without them digging into your skin.

Our Maternity Bras Are Designed With Mum and Baby In Mind

We have a range of maternity and nursing bras to show you and each has been designed to give you all the support you need both before and after your baby is born.  Our nursing bras allow you quick access for discreet feeding.  We have a range of styles available together with nursing vests and tops that are practical and stylish.

The Perfect Time to Buy a Maternity Bra

Around week 35, your breasts will have stopped growing so this is a good time to get measured for your nursing bras.  A nursing bra should be secured on the loosest hook to compensate for the loss of diaphragm size when the baby comes.  Also go up a cup size so that you can comfortably accommodate a little expansion when the milk comes in.

Stock Up On Our Beautiful Bras

We have every base covered when it comes to choosing the perfect maternity bra.  From our wonderfully soft sleep maternity bras to our fab and functional nursing bras, you can ensure you have a bra to suit every eventuality.  You’ll need at least 3 maternity bras for general use and then another 3 for nursing.  Our bras wash up amazingly well and will give you all the support you need during and after your pregnancy.

The search for the perfect maternity bra is over thanks to our extensive range of the best bras on the market.  Trust Crave to cater for your maternity clothing needs.  Order today and we’ll have your items with you as quickly as possible.

Get Packing! The Essential Maternity Clothes for Your Hospital Bag

Packing your bag for the hospital is a little like packing for a mystery holiday - you’re going to have to cover every eventuality and that means packing a lot of stuff!  The very least we can do is help you to choose the maternity clothes that are going to come in handy during your hospital stay.

Make Like a Boy Scout and Be Prepared!

The first thing to remember is that you are staying in the hospital and not the Hilton!  Whilst the hospital can provide a few of the things you might need such as your baby’s first nappy and perhaps a little formula milk, you’re going to have to provide everything else yourself.  That means preparing your hospital wardrobe well in advance to ensure you’ll have everything you need to hand.  Comfort, practicality and preserving one’s dignity are the order of the day here!

Thankfully, we have done a lot of the thinking for you. The Crave Maternity range is packed full of soft fabrics, respectable styles and compact items that are easy to pack and unpack.  We choose our maternity clothes with style, comfort and everyday life in mind and this is easy to see when you browse our fabulous range.

Planning the Perfect Hospital Wardrobe

Our Slate Spot PJ Pants with Pockets are one of our favourite items in our Loungewear range and are perfect for wandering around the hospital during the very first stages of labour or for relaxing on your bed whilst feeding your beautiful bundle of joy.

And speaking of feeding, don’t forget to pack some of our Amoralia Ivory Button Nursing Vests.  These versatile vests are perfect for wearing at home or in the hospital and they are very practical for when you need to give a quick feed.  Made from soft stretchy fabric, they feature a hidden support bra for comfort and enable you to feed your baby without revealing too much!

We advise you to keep your Crave Maternity clothes for after the birth - these are definitely clothes you won’t want to spoil!  An old nightdress or nightshirt will do fine for the messy stuff whilst your Crave items can be whipped out and popped on ready for when the family comes to visit.

Easy Wearing and Washing

Our maternity clothes are designed to be stylish, easy to wear and easy to look after.  We have chosen fabrics that will wash perfectly time after time taking you effortlessly through the first stages of motherhood - a time when you might not have a lot of time to spend on your appearance or the laundry!

We have many items in our range perfect for your hospital bag and beyond.  And we are constantly adding to our range.  Take a look at our Outlet range too where you can find some great items at a reduced price.

It’s never too early to start thinking about maternity clothes or packing your hospital bag and with Crave Maternity you can choose some of the most comfortable and practical maternity clothes online today.

Ankles, Cankles and Other Pregnancy Ailments That Rankle!

They tell you that you’ll feel radiant, at one with your body, on top of the world and bursting with joy.  What they don’t tell you is that you’ll also feel moody, fed up with your body and that you’ll retain more water than a small marina!  Pregnancy comes with a lot of annoying ailments and water retention is just one that you’ll have to contend with.

Where Did My Ankles Go?!

If your ankles have suddenly gone from slim to grim you are not alone.  It makes no difference what your shape.  Water retention can affect anybody.  Swelling is one of the side effects of water retention and is a very common ailment amongst pregnant women.  And it isn’t just your ankles that can be affected.  Your fingers, face and lower back can also become swollen.

You might find that the swelling in your ankles and legs gets worse as the day goes on.  If you do a job or activities that require you to be on your feet a lot you could suffer more than somebody who leads a more sedentary way of life or who has a desk job.  Gravity has a lot to answer for and in addition to causing certain parts of the body to go south as we age, it can also be responsible for fluid build-up.  Anti-gravity suit anyone?!

Keep Your Cool and Your Feet Up

Hot weather and tiredness can also cause pesky swelling so try to keep cool and get a good night’s sleep whenever you can.  It won’t always be possible to prevent swelling but there are a few things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and any discomfort you may be feeling.

A balanced diet is one of the best ways of easing water retention.  That’s bad news if your cravings have got you raiding the biscuit tin every ten minutes, but by including some good stuff such as lean protein, eggs and beans and pulses with your meals and getting your 5-a-day, you will be doing more to avoid puffy ankles.

You should also aim to reduce sugar, salt and fat as these can also cause water retention.  Many women make the mistake of reducing water because they think too much can cause water build-up.  The opposite is in fact true and you should aim to drink plenty of water to help flush the kidneys and help them to dispose of excess liquid.

If you can, try and elevate your legs as much as possible.  That doesn’t mean spontaneous headstands in the office (although we’d love to see you try!), but just aim to put your feet up for at least 10 minutes every couple of hours.

The Perfect Cover Ups

Above all else, relax and try not to worry about your changing shape and the symptoms that come with it.  The swelling won’t last forever and many women notice a dramatic improvement once their baby arrives.  

If you are really worried about swollen ankles and calves, why not cover up with our stylish and comfortable maternity trousers, loungewear and maxi dresses.  We have a fabulous selection of maternity clothes that can hide a multitude of sins whilst still ensuring you stay in style.