Emma-Jane Maternity Wear Review Part 1.

So, for a week now I've been wearing and testing two products from Emma-Jane Maternity.  

http://www.emma-jane.com

The first is nursing/maternity bra (style 365 black - £12.00 RRP) 

and the second Nursing vest top (style 821 black RRP £12.99) 

In this initial review I will be looking at the very basic positives of these items, looking at comfort, style and practicality. In reviews to come throughout the week I will delve deeper into their durability, sizing and any other points I may come across!! 

Bra - Size One Cup Only (I usually wear 34 E) 

What the website says - 

http://www.emma-jane.com/nursing-bra-365.htm

So the big claim with this bra, is that, with one cup size, it is great for maternity and nursing, as it grows with you.... I have to say I have not seen this before, so I was looking forward to seeing if it delivers. The website says it is low in price and super comfortable.... lets find out shall we!!
So the first thing I notice about the bra, is just how comfortable and soft it is - there is absolutely no denying its claim there. It is soft, stretchy and seemingly durable (although I will cover this again once washed). It has the standard nursing clasps attached to the straps, which are easily undone with one hand - a must have for nursing mothers!! 
                  

It is was I would call a 'T-shirt' Bra - it is seamless and is great for going under t-shirts, no extra lumps or bumps.... because no nursing mother I know wants any more lumps and bumps!! And again, this does make it incredibly soft! 

The bra has removable pads (for style and comfort, not horrible leaks), but I have not used these, as, well, I just do not need them to be any bigger thank you very much, but.... I can see how maybe using them on a cold day may be beneficial, so I will try them out when the weather is a little chillier (not long to wait!!) 

The bra also has 4 clasp settings which, in any other bra you buy on the high street, means that you SHOULD start on the loosest clasp and as the bra gets older you start using the clasps to make it smaller (as the elastic loosens). However with this one being one size, I have found that I have started on the tightest clasp. I will review this as part of the durability later on. 

During the initial week of wearing this bra when I can, I have come up with two points for consideration, both from personal choice and opinion, and most like come from the size of my chest. 

1 - unlike some of my more pricey nursing bras, this bra does not have a piece of fabric going over the top of the breast when you unclip to nurse. So, for me, it means most of my breast is on show, and I have to cover it up using one of my many methods!! This is only a little thing, but something that personally, makes me feel much more comfortable. 

2 - having such a big bust but relatively 'little' else where, means that I find (and have always found) I need much more support in the bras I wear than others might. So although this absolutely would grow with me, and I can see the benefit of that, for me personally, I feel that I need a little more support. This was more so when I was rolling around on the floor with Dotty at play group.... nothing was revealed.... but felt I needed to check....! 

Having said this, I do think the general comfort could out weigh these points for the majority of people. I would certainly say it is comfy enough to sleep in, wear during the day, and under pretty much anything you want!!

I am very impressed overall. Lets see when next week brings us. 

Vest Top - Size 10-12. 

What the website says - http://www.emma-jane.com/nursing-top-821.htm#

So the very bold claim that I 'won't be able to live without one' has got me hooked..... lets see shall we! 

   

Sorry for the dodgy photo's by the way! I got too excited!! So my first impressions of this were that, once again, the material was incredibly soft!! So so soft! I loved it. It is made using lycra, so I knew it would be nice and stretchy, plus it has 'Cool Plus Technology'...now I have no idea what that is but it sounds ace!! Those of you who have read older posts will know that I have never owned a nursing top - I went to a well known cheap high street clothing store when Dot was born, and bought a white, black and grey adjustable strappy top, and they have been my staple every since. They go under EVERYTHING! Even when it was scorching hot, I was wearing layers!! So this top for me, might have just been a revelation! It has a bra built into the top, so no need to wear a bra with it.... and unlike the actual bra, I feel incredibly supported! I think this is due to the sizing of the top more than anything else. The straps are adjustable, so this helps with getting the right amount of support, and unlike the bra again, the top has fabric running across the top of the breast when nursing, so it is a little more discreet.

I wear my vest tops under garments, so I instantly placed another top over it, and it worked much the same as my other tops did, as a layer, for the week. And with it being lycra, it kept it shape well, as I tried it with different outfits. 

Ok... so far.... so good.... It comes in loads of colours, so I could have one for every different outfit if I needed one!! It is easy to wear, goes with my style, is very practical indeed, and is discreet. 

From my first week of wearing it, these are my points to look out for, and again, this may be to do with my size and shape, and personal preference, and should not be taken as 'negatives' on the product!! 

1 - I am a size 12-14 generally (which I do not like by hey!) and the sizing on the vests are either 10-12 or 14-16..... hmmmmm...... tricky! I was sent a 10-12, and personally, I think, had I tried them on, I would have gone for the next size up for a few reasons. Firstly, my bust size.... again! Although I am support, you will see in my next point when I mean. Secondly, I am always pulling tops down if I don't feel comfortable, or I don't think they are long enough. The top was plenty long enough, but I personally felt a little self conscious and constantly pull it down. Now the DO SELL a long version (style 822) of the vest top... so if you are like me, then I would go for that one!! 

2 - Because of my bust size (again....) and the fact that the built in bra is not sized, I keep finding this happens...... 

And although not annoying at first..... it really is now!! The bra support inside constantly needs adjusting, and not just after feeding. I am almost certain, that had I got the bigger size, I wouldn't be having this problem, but you can see how it might become tiresome.... especially when wearing with a cardigan or shirt!! 

Again, I genuinely think these snags, are a sizing issue, so make sure you read the sizing instructions carefully before purchasing!! 

Other than that, I cannot recommend the vest highly enough. It is wonderfully comfortable to wear, easy to us, and very discreet...... now to get a few more colours I think (in the bigger size of course!!) 

Now... whilst everything is in the wash..... I need wine!! 

Join me during the week for the second part of the review :) 

x

Been a while!! My summer of funs!!

A little while ago, myself and my husband developed the term 'to have funs'. This system is a simple but effective way of determining how much fun you have had at any one event, in any one day, or at any one time. The concept is simple - you are allowed 17 funs in one day - any more, and you have a fun come down the next day - you know what I mean, that feeling when you have had an excellent day, but the one ahead just seems rubbish in comparison! 1 fun, can be made up of whatever you wish, each individual perceives a fun in their own way.... Why am I telling yo this?? Because my summer has been full of days worth of funs! My darling daughter has be nothing but a delight, and shared every minute with me - apart from the day I left her to go and have some grown up funs, but I am assured she had a lovely day with Grandma and Granddad! My summer started with National Breastfeeding week and a mass onslaught of nursing mothers to the local ikea - an odd, but empowering and wonderful occasion. A local photographer, a wonder man called Paul Carter, captured the event for his very personal mission to get breastfeeding accepted in all walks. His campaign 'We do it in Public' was started when his wife passed, who was an avid campaigner for breastfeeding. His pictures are wonderful, and it was a privilege to be snapped by him!!

http://www.breastfeedinginpublic.co.uk

During our summer of fun, we also took our lovely little lady on tour of the North West - visiting family and friends and rejoicing in not one, but two weddings in one weekend. Little D herself did tremendously well with all the attention she was getting, and my stressing about finding and appropriate occasion dress which would let me feed her was put to rest when I stumbled upon a chance find in Oasis - a black maxi number with a low cut front that had a little popper button to secure the boobs... it was like it was meant for feeding!! The only problem being, is that I was guaranteed to be sicked on but the sicky one, and with it being a black dress, and the only one I had for both weddings, I had to be careful.... feed and straight to daddy seemed to work the best. That and a stern talking to before I put her in her frock seemed to work.... might have to do that everyday!

It would seem, as I approach the 4 month marker for breastfeeding, there is no end to the joy and pleasure it brings. I am constantly told by family, friends and health professionals alike, that 'I have done so well to get this far' or 'wow your still feeding, thats amazing'. Well, as much as that makes me feel warm and fuzzy (and it does because I am a little vain like!) I kinda just want to turn around and say 'well it aint stopping any time soon, so don't praise me just yet!' or 'don't praise me for doing what I should be doing'.... although I think the latter may have the gusto to upset, even though it is not meant for that!

Roll on month 4, lets see the funs that you have in store....

The Journey Continues.....

Breastfeeding 'essentials'.

I am usually one for a good gimmick or fad - generally this costs me a fortune!!

But for some reason, I have not been hooked in by the 'must haves' of breastfeeding. There are lots of wonderful items out there that claim to make breastfeeding easier and more comfortable for the mummy and baby, but are they actually worth it?

During the later weeks of my pregnancy I looked into buying breastfeeding clothing, and MY WORD they cost the earth! For something that essentially is a low cut top, or a top with a hole in it, they really are preying on women who feel vulnerable!

So, I decided from then that I was going to 'boycott' breastfeeding clothing and try and adapt the clothes that I had, and maybe purchase some cheaper items from a certain very cheap high street store....

When D was born, I went and got three vest tops which were long and stretchy and adjustable straps. I could wear them under others nicer tops I already owed and it allowed me to not have to show my tummy when feeding. And it works a treat! I have not felt the need to purchase any tops that are designed specifically with feeding in mind, and have saved myself a bit of money in the process!!

So what are the breastfeeding essentials? There must be some right??

Well, like everything else in this world, we have evolved to need things to assist us in our daily lives. Much like not being able to live without a phone nowadays, breastfeeding women might struggle to live without the following bits and bobs:

1: Breast pump - even if you don't plan to express and bottle feed on occasions (worth doing in my opinion to get baby used to bottle) you are going to need a pump to relieve the pressure! I cannot begin to describe the feeling you get when you think your boobs might just explode....

2: Nursing Bra - and a good one at that. In fact, this is the only area where I would spend more money. It pays to go and get measured for a bra when baby is still small, even though you are still
changing shape, you need to be comfortable.

3: Breast pads - you will leak! And those little patches on your t-shirt and not a good look.... believe me....

4: Feeding Pillow - not something I had thought of until D was about 6 weeks old and my arms were aching. I went and bought a fab pillow called a Widgy. It is very firm so you don't have to hold it up, and it means it leaves you hand free!! Amazing!! Here she is modelling ours - the other good thing with it, is that you can sit them up in it!!

5: Good nipple cream - not something anyone wants to think of, but cracked bleeding nipples are quite unavoidable. Most women suffer so get some good quality cream. I have not had to use my very often, but when I have, it has saved me from tears.

6: Breast milk freezer bags (if you plan on expressing and storing) - I was incredibly keen on getting my husband involved with feeding from the start, so I expressed and stored from day one. She is not fed breast milk from  bottle everyday, but I have a good little stash in the freezer if ever I feel the need for a night out (??!!) or some other such event. I have got Lansinoh storage bags from Mothercare. When I bought them, they were the cheapest for that size pack (50).

I honestly think everything else you can buy is not worth the money - unless of course you have a small fortune stashed away and you can afford the luxuries.... No .... me neither!!

The journey continues......