It's September, so it's baby boom month!

Posted on 1:00am Thursday 1st Sep 2022

Breastfeeding ad parenting blog - baby boom

Tis’ the season of babies!

In the UK September is the most popular month to give birth in. According to the UK Office of National Statistics September the 26th is the most popular birthday date in the UK. Eight of the other top 10 dates of birth occurred in late September - with the other two occurring in early October. This suggests more babies are likely to be conceived around the Christmas holidays. So even if you're not due this month then you may well know someone coming up to their due date. Take a look at our round up of gorgeous mum and baby gifts!

For baby

The Bib

Stylish AND practical! This beautiful neckerchew from Cheeky Chompers is packed with thoughtful features, you can just tell this is a mum run brand and Julie and Amy really have though of everything. Plus this new muslin neckerchew is comprised of a sustainable bamboo and organic cotton muslin mix for a luxurious, silky, extra absorbent finish.

Bandana style neckerchew features:

3 super absorbent layers to help keep your baby dry.

Reversible design - meaning you get two looks in one bib!

The Muslin

The perfect baby shower gift and of course an absolute changing bag essential!

Our 100% organic cotton muslins are the ultimate multi-use product and a must have for any mum or mum to be. They can be used as baby blankets, nursing covers, burp cloths, swaddling sheets, changing mat covers, a handy wipe and everything in between. Newborns' color perception is limited to white, black and shades of grey, because their eyes and capacity for sight are not fully developed at birth. As a result, babies love to look at high-contrast black-and-white patterns like this simple but striking pattern which stand out in their blurry worlds, attracting their attention and helping them focus.

At 110cm x 110cm these muslins are extra-large & made of super soft organic cotton. They can handle any task without irritating delicate skin and are available in a range of other eye-catching and colourful designs. Plus they make a great new baby gift as each muslin will arrive to you in its very own gift box.

100% GOTS OEKO-TEX STANDARD Cotton

110 cm x 110 cm

Each muslin will arrive in its own gift box for a ready to go gift!

The Comforter

Another beautiful and multi functional item from Cheeky Chompers is this multi functional comforter for your little one to snuggle up with!

-Beautiful star pattern

-Soft cuddle fleece reverse to snuggle into

-Sensory ribbon tags for little one to feel and play with

-Attached teether designed to massage and soothe those tender little gums and is 100% safe to chew.

-Elasticated strap for attaching to your baby's wrist, carseat or pushchair so no more dropping or losing those precious comfort blankets!

-Machine washable and is safety tested to the highest standards

-30cm x 44cm

-Suitable from birth

For mum

Mums often put others first, so here's your chance to make her feel special. A little self-care is so important during this busy, sleep-deprived time.

The Gift Voucher

Perfect if you want to treat someone to one of our breastfeeding wardrobe staples but you're unsure of her size. Plus our vouchers give mum the flexibility to treat herself to something special when she's ready.

Necklace

A stylish accessory for mama to wear when her expensive metal jewellery just doesn't cut it around a baby. The BPA free beads are made from the same material that bottles and dummies are made from, so they are safe and fun for your little one to grab, hold and even chomp away on whilst serving as a stylish fashion accessory for Mama!

What's in your breast milk?

Posted on 1:00am Wednesday 24th Aug 2022

What's in your breastmilk?

Have you ever wondered what your breast milk is made up of?

Breast milk is the gold standard of nutrition for infants. Years of research have helped us better understand the complexities of breast milk and we're starting to understand WHY it is so beneficial for infants; but there’s still a lot we don’t know as it's complex stuff and research is always ongoing.

Typically the approximate composition of breast milk is 87% water, 7% lactose, 4% fat, and 1% protein. The fat and lactose (a type of carb/sugar) provide most of the energy in breast milk which is exactly what your baby needs! However, breast milk is also a dynamic, adaptable food so its composition can change throughout a feed, through the day and also over time.

When you first start to breastfeed your body will produce colostrum this is the name given to the early milk your breasts produce after your baby’s birth. You might have even leaked a little from your breasts during the latter stages of pregnanvy. This thick, sticky breast milk is often called ‘liquid gold’, not just because of its yellow or orangey colour, but because it’s so important for nourishing and protecting your vulnerable newborn. At first you’ll produce very small amounts – just 40 to 50 ml (1.4 to 1.8 fl oz) over 24 hours– but as your baby’s stomach is only the size of a marble, that’s all they need. Colostrum is also very easy to digest. And what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality as it's higher in antibodies and white blood cells to help protect your newborn from infections.

Over the following few days your body will increase milk production and your milk will evolve from colostrum to transitional milk. It becomes creamier in colour and texture, and also higher in fat, calories and lactose (a natural sugar), making it the ideal food for your growing newborn.

By the time your baby is one month old you'll be producing what's known as mature milk buy the exact composition can still adapt and evolve to your baby's needs. For example it's fattier in the afternoon and evening than in the morning. It also varies during a feed so when the baby latches onto the breast, the first gush of milk, or foremilk, is thin and high in lactose, making it thirst-quenching and easy to drink. The so-called hindmilk that follows is creamier and fattier, making it more filling. This dynamic aspect is one reason why breast milk is hard to replicate, despite considerable advances in the quality of infant formula. If you or your baby are ill, your body will make antibodies to fight that particular illness, which become part of your milk. And, remarkably, as your baby begins exploring the world and putting toys in her mouth, the level of protective bacteria-fighting enzymes in your milk rises.

Sources Medela, NHS, NCT, Family and Co Nutrition,

World Breastfeeding Week 2022

Posted on 12:00pm Monday 1st Aug 2022

Each year world breastfeeding week is celebrated front he 1st-7th August and aims to raise awareness about the amazing benefits of breastfeeding for both mother's and their babies. It's now in its 30th year and run by run by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, a global network of people and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide. Each year a different theme is set. Previous themes have included "A shared responsibility", "A healthier planet" "Breastfeeding as a key to sustainable development". This year's theme is "Educate and Support". The aim is to strengthen the capacity of actors that have to protect, promote and support breastfeeding across different levels of society. These actors make up the "warm chain" of support for breastfeeding. Target audiences including governments, health systems, workplaces and communities will be informed, educated and empowered to strengthen their capacity to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for families in the post pandemic world.

WHY WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK IS IMPORTANT

It promotes breastfeeding

The week promotes breastfeeding and encourages women across the globe to breastfeed their children for a certain period.
It recognizes the importance of breastfeeding

The week aims to recognize why breastfeeding is essential for newborns as well as their mothers. It also reveals the advantages of the process.
It provides knowledge regarding breastfeeding

During World Breastfeeding Week, several facts regarding breastfeeding come to the forefront, including what a nursing mother should eat, when she should feed the child, etc.

Breastfeeding and hot weather

Posted on 12:00pm Friday 1st Jul 2022

Breastfeeding and hot weather

It's so lovely to enjoy a bit of sunshine and just like adults and older children babies need to stay hydrated! Here are some top tips for you and your breastfed baby:

During hot weather your baby may want to breastfeed more than usual, this is totally normal and part of your baby naturally upping their fluid intake for the hot weather. Your mammary glands will actually start to produce milk with a higher water content in hot weather to keep your baby more hydrated.
Sometimes the feeds may be more frequent and shorter as they need lots of little drinks in the heat.
Keep yourself comfortable when feeding. When everyone is feeling the heat the last thing you want to do is snuggle up together so make sure you stay cool by seeking the shade and staying well hydrated yourself. Make sure you have water on hand when you sit down to feed and have a bottle with you if you head out.
A towel, pillowcase, or cloth nappy placed between your baby and your arm and body can be helpful to feel less clammy and sweaty when feeding and experimenting with different positions like the rugby ball hold can help too.
Exclusively breastfed babies don't need any additional water until they start eating solid foods at around six months. From six months onwards you can start to offer them a little water but their main fluid intake will still come from breastmilk.
Increased breastfeeds and hot weather can be intense and draining on you, make sure to be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest in the hot weather.
If you're ever worried about your baby remember you can always seek professional advice from your health visitor or GP.

Sources (NHS online, Medela, Australian Breastfeeding Association

Support a small business

Posted on 11:00am Wednesday 8th Jun 2022

Supporting a small business - hotMaMa breastfeeding clothes

When was the last time you shopped small?

Well, if you're reading this then perhaps it wasn't so long ago. Whether it was an online purchase or a vising a local bricks and mortar store supporting any small business makes a big difference to the person behind the brand. Since becoming a mum I'verealised just how many small businesses are run by mums just like me, building mini business empires from their kitchen table, juggling parenting and business in between nap times and school runs. But supporting a small business doesn't just mean parting with your hard earned pennies and pounds, there are loads of different ways to support small business that matter just as much:

1. Tell your friends and family about the business

Original old school way to spread the word about a business before the days of social media is just to tell those around you about it. If you love it then chances are they will too!

2. Like their posts on social media

How long do you spend each day scrolling through content on social media? You probably read lots of great content from brands you love. Don't forget to like their posts so that future posts from the brand will stay visible to you...if you don't regularly interact with a small business (through likes, comments or saving posts) you'll find algorithms of social media will stop showing you posts from them and small businesses often end up finding that their posts just aren't getting seen by their audience, a quick like will make sure you stay in the loop with their brand.

3. Comment on their posts

A simple comment can really make someone's day. A lot of small business owners feel nervous about putting themselves out there on social media, putting their face and their work on show for the world to see and possibly judge is incredibly daunting. A simple comment can offer amazing words of encouragement the person behind the brand sometimes needs to keep at it!

4. Get tagging

Have a photo of a product you've bought? If you're uploading it to social media anyway why not tag the brand in to them know you love it? This isn't just great for the brand but for their other customers too. I know with clothing people love to see a top or a dress on people with different colouring and body shapes. It's also a lovely way for you to help generate brand trust for new customers, they see you like and trust this brand so it can encourage them to take the plunge and buy too!

5. Say thanks

You know that feeling you get when someone gives you a compliment on something you've worked really hard on? It makes your day, you smile from inside to out. A quick comment on social media or a private email can feel amazing for a little business – It makes my day when people take the time to drop a quick note of thanks!

6. Subscribe to their newsletter

Small businesses rarely bombard you with emails (unlike so many massive chains!) If they’re anything like me I just don’t have the time to send out endless emails, but when I do it’s something important I really want you to know about and genuinely think you’ll want to know about like a new product, sale or special offer.

Summer collection - Breastfeeding clothes for your summer wardrobe!

Posted on 6:50am Monday 30th May 2022

breastfeeding clothes - summer collection

I'm usually really organised when it comes to planning, designing and getting the ball rolling on production when it comes to new products. This year I've ended up leaving things a bit later, I'm not really sure why really perhaps it's that with covid restrictions lifting this year we've been able to take some more much needed quality family time? Or perhaps I'm just becoming a bit more laid back! Coupled with that along with a more complex process with initial samples going back and forth between myself and my manufacturer several times it's taken longer than usual to get new summer collection on the website. But a long last it's here! Some items are available in the full size range, some are very limited edition and in limited sizes but there are some gorgeous additions for your breastfeeding wardrobe!

Breastfeeding occasion wear

Dress up for a special occasion be it a wedding, christening or day at the races or dress down for every day wear! Our zip access ruffle breastfeeding dresses make stylish breastfeeding easy.

Zip access for breastfeeding carefully concealed under the front ruffle, you'll wear this dress long after you finish feeding!
Lightweight fabric, perfect for summer
Adjustable straps
Machine washable polyester
Midi length (approximately 112cm from shoulder seam to hem)

SHOP BLACK BREASTFEEDING MAXI HERE

SHOP BLUE BREASTFEEDING MAXI HERE

Breastfeeding tops

Add a splash of colour to your breastfeeding wardrobe with our two sunshine inspired newbies. You can't fail to feel happy and summmery when wearing these!

Orange Leopard T-Shirt

Short sleeved breastfeeding and nursing top
Bright leopard print
Easy empire line access for breastfeeding without leaving you feeling exposed.
V-Style underlayer for breastfeeding access
Soft fabric with a lots of stretch.
Machine washable
95% polyester 5% Elastane

SHOP HERE

Sunshine Yellow Breastfeeding Vest

Yellow Breastfeeding Vest

Our basic nursing vest is back in a bright colour perfect for summer. Our vests are much loved by mums and are a must have for your breastfeeding wardrobe: Perfect for a simple classic look or wearing with your pre pregnancy wardrobe to make breastfeeding easy and discrete!