At More 4 mums we have spent the last few days photographing new stock for our spring and summer ranges. As we sell lots of different styles from many designers this can take a long time. I am not the best photographer in the world but do feel I am getting better! What I really hate is all the ironing you have to do first!!!

We have updated our home page with some of the new images below and are slow loading the stock. Many of the pieces could be bought and worn now with the addition of a little cardi or jacket or worn with your winter boots. You can buy the new season stock now and it should last until baby arrives with any luck.

New Affordable Maternity Wear now online for Spring 2009

http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/lifestyle/womens

New Maternity and Nursing Products on More 4 Mums

We have been busy finding some new items for the site including a great Maternity seamless support top and a Nursing scarf. We are also busy trying to take some photos of new summer stock but it has been so grey the last few days they just look a little sad. Will have to wait for the sun to come out.

My daughter came home from school yesterday after walking with our neighbour with a lovely little bunch of snowdrops for her Mum - spring must be around the corner now the snow has gone.

The Carriwell Seamless Maternity Light Support Top combines the much loved features of Carriwell's maternity support band and maternity bra in a single garment. It offers superb comfort and light support for sensitive breasts and your growing tummy as well as giving relief to backache. Designed to support in the right places, it can be worn as underwear or as a tank-top The unique design reduces backache as the garment helps correct posture due to the clever design and special supportive area over the spinal and lower back sections. The Cami lifts and supports abdominal wall tissue, instantly offering considerable relief to stretched ligaments. Less downward pressure is consequently brough to bear on the groin area in the second half of pregnancy, while firm but gentle support allows mum-to-be to enjoy her growing bump much more!

The Mamascarf Nursing Scarf can be worn as a scarf, or neatly folded away. It even comes complete with a hidden pocket to store your breastpad. It is easy to use and won't draw attention to you and offers less distraction for your baby. It hides your post pregnancy tummy and covers you before and after feeding. It is 100% cotton and machine washable at 30 degrees.
The perfect gift idea for someone special who is pregnant and was invented by a breastfeeding mum for other breastfeeding mums! It is currently available in two colours, black and blue chambray.

I think these are two great new items and only wish they had been available when I was pregnant and nursing.

Please feel free to get in touch and let us know what you think of the new products or any others you would like to see.

Families and the Credit Crunch in the news!

27 per cent of parents have said they might not be able to pay their bills in six months time, according to the Family and Parenting Institute’s latest report.
According to ‘Families and the credit crunch 2008’ (based on a YouGov survey of over 5,000 parents), more and more families are finding it harder to balance their budgets.
Sally Gimson from the Family and Parenting Institute said: “While previous generations battled budgets during tough times like the war and the collapse of industries, for some younger families this is a whole new ball game.”

But, parents not only told the Family and Parenting Institute how they were faring in these hard economic times – but also revealed some of the ways that they are saving money. Driving slower, swapping clothes and toys with friends and growing their own vegetables are just some ways the nation’s families are cutting down on costs.

Happy New Year to all Mums and Mums to be!

As the new year starts I am trying not to make any resolutions as it is always depressing when they fail before the end of January. This is a time to take stock and review successes and failures from the past year and to try and plan for the year ahead.

I have had a good year with the business and More4mums has grown with the website and we have expanded into new markets such as Amazon. It is now a real business rather than the little hobby it started as on ebay a few years ago. We have added new suppliers such as Carriwell and Bexi and are constantly trying to improve and change.

Our latest little item to be added is a cute Betty Boo T-shirt - perfect for brightening up a dull January Morning.

What will 2009 hold for us - well for all you pregnant Mums you have one great little gift to look forward to - it does help lift spirits when you have young children around - you can't be down for long!

If you are feeling the pinch with the credit crunch have a look at our latest affordable £5.00 Bargain buys and £10.00 discount deals for even better value for money.

If your new baby has arrived congratulations but don't miss out on the Nursing range of clothes including Sleepwear, Bras and tops.

Breastfeeding Hints and Tips

As a mum who breastfed two hungry babies I know how difficult it can sometimes be, I know its natural but it still has to be learnt - hopefully some of the advice below may help.

Breastfeeding is a learnt art and should not hurt, although some mothers describe the initial sucks in the early days as tender, as the baby stretches the breast tissue. If you experience nipple soreness beyond a slight tenderness when your baby latches on you may need to make some adjustments so you can be comfortable and enjoy breastfeeding your baby.

At http://www.more4mums.co.uk/ We are currently offering a free sample of Lansinoh Breast Pads with every purchase of a nursing item including bras and nightwear. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads have an ultra-thin but super-absorbent contour for a natural fit that won't show under clothing. The soft, stay-dry lining draws milk away from the skin and into the core of the pad where it is absorbed by a special polymer to prevent leakage. Featuring a non-slip adhesive tape so that the pad stays in place, this is the only polymer style pad that keeps its shape when wet. The pads are hygienically wrapped for cleanliness and convenience - perfect to slip into your bag when out and about.

Uncomfortable positioning and attachment is the most frequent cause of sore nipples. Most mothers find that by holding their baby on his side, wrapping him around their body and waiting for him to open his mouth wide to take a large mouthful of breast, the nipple is safely protected at the back of the baby's mouth.

Some nursing mothers find these tips useful:
● Support your baby on her side on your lap, coming to the breast slightly from underneath. To feed on the left breast, for example, with your baby facing you, hold her bottom to you with your right elbow, your right hand on her shoulder blades, your finger and thumb either side of her neck.
● Allow your breast to rest naturally, i.e. not held up to your baby. If you wish to support your breast, keep your fingers well back from the nipple.
● The baby's chin is held to the breast about 3 cm from the nipple (nose to nipple).
● Your baby will tilt his head back a bit, open his mouth wide with his tongue down and take a big mouthful of breast tissue along the tongue, while you bring your baby onto the breast.
● When the baby is sucking strongly, the mother will often bring her left arm around the baby so the baby's head is along this arm, and then the right arm can relax.
● Your baby should come off the breast when she has had enough. You can then offer the other breast, mirroring the above.

Other mothers prefer the rugby or clutch position, with their baby's feet out behind them, or the cradle hold (across the lap), or lying down. In each position it is important to enable your baby to take a large mouthful of breast so that your nipple is protected. This should immediately be more comfortable for you. If the pain persists beyond the first few 'stretching' sucks after a day or two whilst healing is happening, help from a breastfeeding specialist is advisable, as there could be other causes.

Useful Organisations
National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Breastfeeding Line: 0870 444 8708
La Leche League: 0845 120 2918
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 08444 122 949

Maternity £5 Bargain Buys

Just a quick post to let you know about the new section on the website - we now have a £5.00 Bargain buys section - perfect for the credit crunch. Pick up a brand new maternity top, bra or pants for only £5.00 to include postage and packaging within the UK. Why wear ill fitting too big or too tight tops when you can afford a new one like this for only a fiver? Lots of bargains to be had but hurry as they won't last for ever!!

New Organic Bamboo Baby Maternity Wear

I have spent the few days stuck at the computer. We sell on Amazon.co.uk as well as our own website www.more4mums.co.uk/ and Amazon are opening a new apparel category. We currently sell in the baby section with our Maternity Clothes so I am hoping more people may find us! Have been updating all the listings and doing a huge spreadsheet so have gone a bit mad. Poor husband and kids have had to keep out of the way but its all done now. Going for a relaxing glass of wine and some chocolate.

We have also had a delivery of some lovely Bamboo Organic Maternity Wear including tops, bump bands and vest tops. It is really lovely and soft and would be a great gift. Have a look at the Bamboo Maternity Wear Here and it is really environmently friendly too.

Bamboo has many amazing properties - first and foremost it is beautifully soft. It is extremely versatile, and can be used to make knitwear that feels like cashmere and silky-soft jersey pieces. It is a high-end luxury product. Finished bamboo fabric is hypoallergenic and thermo-regulating. It can be machine washed at 40 degrees just like cotton. Bamboo fabric is UV-resistant and completely biodegradable. Bamboo is naturally organic, sustainable (the world's fastest growing plant) and takes in 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of other plants. It is a grass, so regenerates without the need for replanting. Bamboo is rain-fed only and helps to reduce soil erosion.