Yummy Tummy

Watching your bump grow is one of the joys of pregnancy. But watching the stretch marks that sometimes grow along with your belly can deflate your new mama pride. If you’re itemising goodies for an upcoming baby shower, don’t forget to put a little something for mama on your wish list.

We recommend the Tummy Honey 3-Piece Gift Set which includes not only prevention butter and stick but also a fading cream to help zap those pesky marks. All Tummy Honey products include a powerful cocktail of skin-loving ingredients like Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Emu Oil, Vegolatum (plant-based alternative to petrolatum), Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. Go on, give your tummy a little honey. Available online at Due Maternity and selected retailers.

Hot Milk does a body good

There’s something about the phrase maternity bra that calls up images of chunky straps and boulder cups of the ilk that might be sported by head matron in Carry on Nurse. Two words: Not Sexy.

But a bold New Zealand company, Hot Milk, is raising temperatures worldwide with its provocative and mama-affirming line of maternity lingerie that you would actually want your partner to see (and touch and tease…).

With names like Whisper Sweet Wickedness and Baby Doll Delicious, this exquisite range of maternity and nursing bras, panties, camisoles and nightwear screams in-your-face decadence and has courted more than its fair share of controversy (some outraged mothers who received Hot Milk catalogues cried ‘soft porn’).

If you’re the type of puritan who’s offended by the sight of bumpalicious babes celebrating their earth mama sensuality, then look away. But if you’re ready to throw out that greying, saggy upholstery for under garments that will help you reclaim your inner sex goddess (no matter what stage of new motherhood you’re at) then you definitely need a taste of Hot Milk. We could drink it by the gallon.

Citizens of maternity

If like me you’re one of those women who live, sleep and will be buried in their jeans, then even the most blooming belly is unlikely to separate you from your denims. Maternity jeans that expand with your form are easy to find these days and trendy mamas will be thrilled to know that ultra hip brand Citizens of Humanity now does some fab, dare we say sexy, maternity jeans. So pack away those hipsters and slip into these Kelly bootcut jeans featuring a standard stretchy waistband to accommodate your growing bump. Grab a pair or more at Due Maternity online store.

Mother's charm

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday. Aside from your baby’s birthday, this is the most exciting date on the calendar for Brand New Mamas as you celebrate the gift of life and congratulate yourself on your pain threshold. Why not step out in style and reward yourself (or get daddy to reward you) with a piece of wrist candy that represents your pride and joy.

Louloubee offers this gorgeous Birthstone Bracelet with a sweet daisy clasp featuring a mother and baby charm and your child’s birthstone. The bracelet can be customised to order and you can add more birthstones for other kids or god children. You might not get this in time for Mother’s Day but it’s never too late to treat yourself. Order at Louloubee online.

The Butterfly effect

We’re itching to throw a baby shower just so we can send out some announcements using these exquisite Butterfly in Flight baby favours. Designed from handmade paper by innovative stationers Botanical Paperworks, the card feature butterflies with their wings folded outwards as if they’re about to take flight. And in keeping with the metamorphosis theme, recipients get instructions to remove the butterfly, plant in a pot of soil and watch their invitation transform into a gorgeous bloom of wildflowers. Simply magical. Order at Botanical Paperworks online.

Love yourself

As Cupid tunes up his bow and gets ready to make mischief, it’s time to stop mooning around and focus on what you really want for Valentine’s. If you (or lover boy) are stuck for ideas, may we suggest a spa voucher as the gift that keeps on giving? After being literally consumed by your baby for months on end, you deserve some one-on-one pampering. Grayshott Spa is just one of many top UK spas that offer personalised treatments for new mothers and expectant mums (not suitable for the first 12 weeks or after week 36 of pregnancy). Their maternity packages range from a 70 minute session to 7 nights of pure unbridled luxury for you and a partner…with a price tag to match. Still, you’re worth it. Reservations can be made online at Grayshott Spa.

Easy queasy

Probably one of the worst aspects of early pregnancy for many women is morning sickness – that unsettling feeling ranging from mild nausea to uncontrollable vomiting. Although I was one of the lucky few who didn’t suffer badly, the mere sight of certain foods made me gag and I soon realised that ‘morning sickness’ can actually last 24 hours.

Common advice includes drinking ginger ale, sucking on ginger lollipops or sipping on ginger herbal tea (apparently ginger helps alleviate symptoms). But if you’re not down with the flavour and you still want a natural remedy, you could opt for a sniff of QueaseEASE. The handy purse-sized tube contains a unique blend of essential oils (peppermint, lavender, spearmint and yes, ginger) designed to cure all sorts of nausea including morning sickness and motion sickness. There are no side effects and you can use it as often as you like. Simply remove the cap, inhale deeply for a few breaths and let the oils work their magic. Available via the web site Soothing Scents.