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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?!
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.
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.
Is your nesting instinct going into overdrive? It’s not unusual! You only have to watch the birds at this time of year to know that the need to prepare a safe and comfortable space for your baby is completely natural.
Bringing your new baby home to his or her own room is one of those moments you will cherish forever and preparation of the nursery can be a really happy experience too. Designing your baby’s nursery is exciting and if you bear our tips below in mind you can ensure that you have a practical, stimulating and cosy room for your baby.
Of course, one of the most important items in the nursery will be the cot. Whilst you might choose to have a Moses basket by your bedside for the first few weeks, your baby will eventually move into his or her cot on a more permanent basis. There are many different styles of cot available from cots that convert to toddler beds and mini cots that are easy to move from room to room. The Internet is great for reviewing the best cots and finding the one that suits your needs and satisfies that current safety regulations.
And if you have room for one, a comfortable chair or rocking chair will be a lifesaver when it comes to those feeds in the early hours. Being able to simply lift your baby from cot to chair will ensure a relaxing experience for both of you. You’ll be spending a lot of time in the nursery so it really is worth investing in the best chair you can afford.
A safe and sturdy changing table is another essential. There is no getting away from it. You’re going to be changing a lot of nappies! In fact, a newborn can get through as many as 12 nappies a day so make sure you choose a good table with lots of storage, a comfortable changing area and wheels if you need to move the table to different rooms during the day.
When it comes to choosing paint or wallpaper for your nursery it’s good to bear in mind that your little newborn can only see grey, black and white in the first few weeks. That doesn’t mean you have to go all monochrome on the walls, but you can if you want to! However, there are some lovely black and white books, mobiles and cuddly toys on the market that will ensure your baby is happy and stimulated the moment you bring him or her home.
Wallpapers with lots of detail will give your baby lots to look at when they are lying in their cot whilst colourful borders added to painted walls are a lovely feature and create interest. Whilst the nursery may be your baby’s domain, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise with your own style. Adding classic features such as antique mirrors, monogrammed initials or black and white photos is a lovely way to extend your personal style from the rest of your home into the nursery.
The cot below is just one from a range of beautiful designs from UK company Cot World. You can find it here.
The sun is shining at the time of writing and it’s made us think about summer weddings, formal gatherings and parties in the sun. If you’ve been invited to a wedding or another formal occasion you might be wondering what on earth you are going to wear. Many of our customers tell us they have been so disappointed shopping on the high street as the choice is so dismal. We make shopping for maternity clothes for a wedding easy and what’s more, you can shop our range from the comfort of your own home.
Just because you might be the size of a small country doesn’t mean you have to make do with shapeless maternity clothes. Maternity clothes for a wedding can be stylish, elegant and even sexy. If you are feeling up to a boogie on the dancefloor then you can do so knowing that you look great! We have a number of maternity dresses that are suitable for day and evening and which are perfect for any formal event. Team with one of our scarves, a lightweight cardigan or a smart jacket and you have an outfit that will take you through many a summer occasion.
The great thing about many of our maternity clothes for a wedding is they can be worn throughout the summer and will become a staple item of your maternity wardrobe. Many pregnant women find themselves in maternity jeans, leggings and loungewear most of the time so it makes a lovely change to show off your blossoming bump in something a little bit special from time to time.
In addition to our maternity dresses range, we also have some wonderfully chic and stylish trousers and skirts. When it comes to choosing maternity clothes for a wedding, separates are great as they give you many different options when putting together an outfit.
Okay so you are having a baby. That doesn’t mean you have buy your dresses from Millets! Our maternity clothes are stylish and on trend whilst also offer supreme levels of comfort. They are designed to give you shape, sexy curves and a gorgeous silhouette and to celebrate your changing shape. We are really proud of our range and we are sure you will find the perfect maternity clothes for a wedding or any other occasion you have been invited to this year.
We make shopping for maternity clothes easier than ever before. Forget traipsing around the shops looking for dresses that just are not there. We also help you to avoid the stuffy claustrophobic changing rooms and the queues! From beautiful flowing summer dresses through to classic separates that will take you through your pregnancy in style, we have all of your maternity clothes requirements covered and we are constantly looking for new pieces from our range.
