The hotMaMa Diaries Blog - Breastfeeding blog and parenting blog

Breastfeeding and parenting blog

Everyone has a different experience of parenting and motherhood and there is no right or wrong path. The hotMaMa diaries is a place to read stories from other mothers and even share your own!

To be featured on the hotMaMa Diaries contact us an email to [email protected]

lactation award

 RSS Feed

  1.  
    Breastfeeding vest
     
    Vests are such a staple in any wardrobe, regardless of whether you're breastfeeding. We've taken a classic black breastfeeding vest and shown you four different ways you can wear it - day or night!
     
    #1 Casual 
    Perfect for baby and toddler groups out black vest and jeans combo makes for a failsafe casual style that's breastfeeding friendly. Thrown on some trainers and a silicone fiddle necklace for a splash of colour and you're good to go. Add a chunky knit for winter and it makes an all year round breastfeeding wardrobe staple.
     
    Breastfeeding vest - styling idea 1
     
    #2 Dressed Up
    Special occasion? KIT day at work? Date night? 
    A staple classic like a black vest is easy to dress up with smart trousers, heels and a statement bag but still makes last minute breastfeeds or pumping on the go possible. If you're baby free you can even ditch the nappy bag in favour of a swanky handbag and statement earrings. 
     
    Breastfeeding vest - style idea 2
     
    #3 Workout
    Perfect for workouts like yoga pair your vest with jogging bottoms. Perfect even when you've finished feeding!
    Breastfeeding vest - styling idea 3
     
    #4 Pyjamas
    Who says your breastfeeding vest is just for daytime? Your vests make great pyjamas and give you a little extra warmth on the chest during night feeds (eyemask optional!)
     
    Breastfeeding vest - styling idea 4, breastfeeding pyjamas
  2. Copy of Copy of Copy of BOOBS Theyre pretty important.....
     
    Would you like to join our family?
    We're a small family business but looking to add to our team! We would love brand reps who can work with us from now until the the end of June 2022 
     
    What you'll get
    🌟A substantial personal discount code
    🌟A discount code for friends and family
    What we need from you
    🌟 A genuine love for our products
    🌟A willingness to support us and engage with us on social media (by liking and/or commenting on our posts)
    🌟To take clear photographs of yourself wearing our products and share these on your social media regularly
    🌟To allow us to use your photos for our website, social media and marketing
     
    Interested?
    Send us an email to [email protected]
    Or Comment drop us a comment on our Brand Ambassador search social media posts from 31st January 2022
    Let us know your social media handles and why you'd like to work with us. The number of followers you have is not important, we want to work with people who are genuinely interested in supporting a small family business.
    Applications will close on Friday the 4th February and successful applicants will be contacted and announced shortly after.
     
    T&C’s
    Public accounts only
    Brand Reps and discount codes will run to the end of June 2022.
    Please only apply if you are not already an ambassador or rep for a similar companies
    Entries must be 18 years of age or older.
    Not affiliated by Facebook or Instagram in any way.
    May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'Brand Ambassador Search'
     
     
     
     
  3. Breastfeeding hoodie

    Welcome to our brand new breastfeeding hoodie, our first new priduct of 2022 in our breastfeeding clothes range! 

    I really hope your like this little number, just like our other jumpers it is of course machine washable and made of a gorgeous warm fabric with a fleecy inside which is always commented on with our MAMA jumpers and cowl neck jumpers..  It's perfect for discreet feeding with two vertical zips on each side to allow for easy access. If you want to be extra discreet once baby is latched on the zip can be zipped down as much as you like to make sure you feel comfortable, confident and let's not forget warm during the feed!  (In the early days of breastfeeding I spent a lot of time feeding my little ones wherever and whenever they needed feeding and that often meant stopping on a park bench whatever the weather so I know that in this January weather warmth is sooooo important!

    Breastfeeding hoodie 1

    The cuffed sleeves and waist will keep you extra warm too with no draughts drifting inside and they help give this gorgeous casual number a beautiful relaxed fit, perfect for a postpartum body.  Finally, no breastfeeding hoodie is complete without the front hand pouch and a snuggly hood At the moment our hoodie is available in a classic black to begin with but hopefully it will be availble in other colours too. and as always any order will be posted out to you in plastic free and fully recyclable packaging.  I hope there's nothing I've missed but just to say, I hope you love it as much as I do!

    Breastfeeding Hoodie Size Tip!  Like your winter jumpers extra roomy? Our mums recommend you select the next size up if you're unsure.

    Approximately 72cm length depending on size (see size guide below)

     

    Size Guide:

     

    Small:

    Bust:80 - 90cm (31-35 1/2"), shoulder to sleeve length: 70cm, garment length: 68cm

    Approximately UK Size 8 - 10

     

    Medium:

    Bust:88- 96cm (34.6-37.7") , shoulder to sleeve: 72cm, garment length: 70cm

    Approximately UK Size 12 - 14


    Large:

    Bust:94- 102cm (37"-,40") shoulder to sleeve: 74cm, garment length: 72cm

    Approximately UK Size 14 - 16


    XLarge:

    Bust:100- 108cm (39.3"-42.5"), Shoulder to Sleeve: 76cm, length: 74cm

    Approximately UK Size 16-18

     

    XXLarge:

    Bust:106- 116cm (41.7"- 44.8"),Shoulder to Sleeve: 78cm, length: 76cm

    Approximately UK Size 18-20

     

    Breastfeeding sweater and hoodie

  4. Plastic free packaging..'

    There’s a lot of plastic pollution in the environment – and that’s not okay. So I'm completely rethinking the role of plastic in this little breastfeeding clothing business.

    Plastic is valuable to our society. For many years it has helpsled me get products to you safely, cheaply and efficiently. Yet far too much plastic ends up in our environment. Global research has shown the flow of plastic into the ocean each year could triple by 2040. This has to stop.

    So the approach to packaging is changing here. It's been a long process of  research and trial and error.  I spend a lot of time looking at things like compostable mailers and bags, only to discover that although they were branded as compostable you actually needed an industrial style composter rather than your average household compost heap. Things like this felt like they were paying lip-service to being green.  A nice idea but not really much better than plastic if at all.   A lot of the eco alternatives are also more expensive, so it's a big commitment for a small business like mine, but one which I think is worthwhile and something that I feel is morally the right choice.

    So, just over a year ago our plastic mailers were replaced with paper mailers and now we've reviewed our entire business to significantly reduce or remove plastic at every stage from manufacture, transport, storage and postage to you. A big step has been removing our individual garment polybags from out entire business process. We've worked with our mum-run manufacturer to seek alternative ways to transport our garments safely. From now on all of our orders sent out to you will be completely plastic free. 

    To ensure your products arrive to you safely I've been trialing this with UK orders to specific customers recently and we've had good feedback so it's being rolled out to every order now.  So, whether your order comes in a bag or a box our promise to you for 2022 is that there will be absolutely no plastic packaging with your order and every little bit of it can be recycled with your normal household recycling (or if your little ones are anything like mine can be used for junk modelling nd drawing!

     

  5. Breastfeeding at Christmas

     

    It’s Christmas – a time filled with family, food and fun. But just as often, and especially as a new breastfeeding parent, this time of year can be a STRESSFUL..  To help, we've compiled a  a few handy tips of how to survive the festive season....

    T H E    F O O D
    Yum, definitely one of the best parts of Christmas!
    Once your baby is born, it should be fine to eat all foods that you may have avoided during pregnancy. Most babies are not adversely affected by everyday foods, so although unlikely that your baby will react badly to anything you eat, you may consider temporarily excluding foods if you notice windy or colicky reactions in your baby up to six hours after eating a certain food. Some foods can change the taste of your breast milk, so again, assess from your baby’s reaction what they like or dislike.

    T H E   D R I N K S
    While women are often warned not to consume alcohol during pregnancy given the evidence that this could cause damage to an unborn child, the risks of consuming alcohol while breastfeeding are not as well defined.
    There are so many differing opinions about breastfeeding and alcohol depending on where in the world you live and social norms.
    With the festive season in full flow there are lots of parties and drinks on offer. But what about breastfeeding mums? The NHS guidelines state anything you eat or drink while you're breastfeeding can find its way into your breast milk, and that includes alcohol. But an occasional small drink is unlikely to harm your breastfed baby. However, never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you have drunk any alcohol. Doing this has a strong association with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
    (Source NHS)

    T R A V E L
    Breastfed babies are very portable and if you are able to travel to meet up with friends and family, then breastmilk makes the best travel food! You don’t have to worry about taking feeding equipment as your milk will always be available if your baby gets tired or hungry, or your journey is delayed. But make thinks easier on yourself and plan a journey ahead. Expect it to take longer than normal with Christmas traffic and plan shorter journeys or breaks if travelling by car so you can find somewhere to stop for a cuddle break and breastfeed. If using public transport, a baby sling can be useful for keeping your hands free as well as an easy way to feed on the go!

    F A M I L Y
    Christmas is often when your new baby will be introduced to your wider extended family and if you haven't already noticed, everyone seems to have an opinion on something when it comes to babies... which can be frustrating and stressful. Don't forget that while everyone is entitled to their opinion, you are not required to take on those opinions as your own. You know your baby best! 

    A S K   F O R   H E L P
    Christmas can certainly be A LOT even without a newborn. Don't be afraid to say yes when someone offers to help or to speak up and ask for it. You might ask visitors to bring food contributions instead of making all the meals yourself. It can be helpful to keep a list of things that need doing on your phone so if someone offers to help you can suggest something from it.

    R O U T I N E S   A N D   W H E N   T O   S A Y   N O
    If you’re a stickler for routine, you may find the festive period calls for a bit more flexibility than usual. Your baby will pick up when you are stressed, so avoid the vicious circle and try to embrace the change in routine temporarily. If this doesn't work for you then don't be afraid to say no. The festive season is busy enough and when you're a new mum running on limited sleep, night feeds and juggling the normal Christmas expectations. You just can't do everything. Sometimes you need to find your voice and say no. After all, happy mum, happy baby.

  6. Breastfeeding and parenting blog

    We've been busy behind the scenes getting ready for the Christmas shopping season! Our last post dates have been posted on the menu at the top of the page., as always Royal Mail is incredibly busy throughout November and December so please don't leave ordering until the last minute to ensure items reach you in good time!  

    Newly launched this month is our Luxury Christmas gift box containing some of our best selling items for mum and baby, making the perfect treat for a breastfeeding mama.  We have a limited number availble at the moment  and the contents may change in the future but each of the current boxes will contain:

    Breastfeeding clothes gift box

    MAMA Breastfeeding Top normally £35.50

    Set of 30 Funny Milestone cards, normally £12

    Neckerchew dribble bib, normally £9.99

    Set of 10 animal themed birthday cards and envelopes (5 designs, you will recieve two of each design and 10 kraft envelopes), normally £12

    3 Pairs of Bamboo breast pads, normally £6.00

    - £20 Gift Card to spend across our whole website, valid for one year from purchase.

    - 'You've got this mama' A5 card and kraft envelope with a blank inside for you to write your own message in, normally £3.00

    - Your gift box will also be carefully presented in a brown cardboard gift box, with gift paper and ribbon at no extra cost

    If purchased separately these would cost almost £100!

     

    SHOP HERE