When to Splurge on Maternity Clothes

If you’re preoccupied with baby budgeting, you may not be in the mood for a mammoth shopping expedition. Whether you’re saving for that top of the range pram, or trying to minimise your spending, you may be trying to pick up maternity clothes at bargain prices.

There are some items, though, that you should splurge on, if you can afford to. These include:

  • Maternity bras – if there is one time in your life when your breasts need good support, it’s now. Your breasts will grow during the pregnancy, and again after the birth if you decide to breastfeed. They may feel sore, itchy and tender, so they deserve a bit of TLC. Head down to your local department store, or invite a maternity bra specialist to your house, for a fitting. You will probably need to be fitted twice during pregnancy, once when you first outgrow your pre-pregnancy bras, and again around week 36 if you are planning to breastfeed. If you value comfort, it’s worth splurging on this necessary purchase. You can save a bit of money by choosing nursing/maternity bras which will be useful after the birth too.
  • Occasion wear – whether it’s a wedding, charity ball or birthday party, if you’ve been invited to a special occasion, you deserve a splurge. You’re already going to be the sober one, and will probably spend most of the evening answering the same five questions about your pregnancy. So, if you’re feeling a little self-conscious about your body, invest in an outfit that makes you feel your best. There are lots of flattering dresses, expertly tailored suits, and cute skirts available in the maternity section, so shop around until you find something you love.
  • Shoes – some women find that their feet grow during pregnancy. You may find yourself needing a bigger size of shoe. Comfort is paramount during pregnancy, so if your shoes are feeling tight, buy some new ones. Some pregnant women suffer from swollen feet and ankles by the end of the day, and properly-fitting shoes could be all you need to reduce this pregnancy symptom.
  • Coat – if you’re pregnant over the winter months, you will want to invest in a warm maternity coat. By the end of the pregnancy, your pre-pregnancy coat probably won’t stretch over your bump, meaning you’ll be left vulnerable to the cold. Invest in a good quality, warm winter coat, and make sure there’s room to grow into it.
  • Pyjamas – ok, you could just make do with an oversized t-shirt, but there are some really cute maternity pyjamas out there and you deserve a treat. After all the sickness, and the fatigue, and the stretch marks, and the barely getting any sleep because you always need a wee, you deserve some comfy pyjamas.

Remember, any clothes you buy can be saved for later pregnancies or sold after the birth, so you can (sort of) argue they’re an investment for the future.

What is your favorite maternity clothing splurge?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Affording Maternity Clothes

Once your baby bump begins to show, and you start outgrowing your pre-pregnancy clothes, the idea of cutesy outfits that showcase your pregnancy can be the highlight of your shopping trips. Even so, affording maternity clothes is another issue as so many tend to be over-priced and even a single pair of maternity jeans can cost twice as much as regular jeans. Apparently, stores know they have you ‘over a barrel,’ so to speak, and that you will pay high prices anyways.

The following tips can help you save money on maternity clothes, which will leave you with more money to buy baby clothes and nursery decorations.

  • Shop thrift stores. Most pregnancy clothes are gently worn, and you can buy them for a fraction of the cost at thrift and second hand stores, or even yard sales than you can buying them retail. Pregnancy is a short span of time and you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a wardrobe. Look for basics like jeans, black pants, and khakis that you can pair with tops.
  • For your ‘at home clothes’ look into men’s clothing. (Don’t worry, you’ll look sexy in anything when you are pregnant) If you are just lounging around at home you want to be comfortable, and oftentimes men’s sweat pants and t-shirts are roomier and more comfortable than women’s clothes.
  • Look in the regular plus size department for pants and skirts that have elastic waistbands. In fact, cute skirts and bottoms with elastic waistbands from the regular clothing department can be much cheaper, and can stretch to meet your growing body’s needs.
  • Dresses are a great option and if they are not fitted, can grow with you during pregnancy. Plus, they can make you feel cute and put together while pregnant.
  • Hit up some of your friends and family who have had kids already. Chances are their maternity clothes are sitting in a box in the attic just waiting for someone like you who may need them. Plus, you can either return them when you are done, or pass them on to another woman you know who is pregnant and pay it forward.

One thing is for sure! You should at least splurge on one or two outfits that make you FEEL GOOD while you are pregnant. A flowing short dress that shows off your legs and your baby bump, or a fitted and whimsical shirt you can pair with pants that make you glow with pride while you are pregnant are must-haves. While you may not want to break the bank purchasing maternity clothes, you should remember to cherish this moment in your life and continue to allow yourself to feel beautiful.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Maternity Clothes on a Budget

You might love the idea of getting a whole new wardrobe, and kitting yourself out for the next few months in completely new clothes. But as you start pricing up nursery furniture and travel systems, your maternity fashion budget might disappear faster than your toes (say goodbye to those by the way, you won’t be seeing them for a while).

Fear not, because it is possible to treat yourself to a whole new maternity wardrobe without breaking the bank. Stick to the essentials, and you’ll be fine. You’ll need to invest in the follow basic items:

Tops – you’ll need a selection of tops. Try to have a mixture of types – t-shirts, vest tops, blouses and long-sleeved tops. There are loads of great options available so choose styles and colours you really like.

Jeans – maternity jeans are so comfortable, you won’t want to go back to normal jeans when the pregnancy is over – believe me. Get a style of jeans that you like, and don’t be afraid to spend a bit of money on this item, you’ll get lots of wear out of them.

Jumper – you’ll need a maternity jumper to keep you warm, especially if you’ll be pregnant over winter. For cardigans, you may be able to get away with you pre-pregnancy ones if you leave them unbuttoned, but it’s worth investing in a jumper.

Coat – you’ll need a maternity coat or jacket (depending on the season) to keep you safe from the elements. Get a nice big one that you can grow into – there’s nothing worse than not being able to pull a coat closed because your bump is in the way.

Work attire – the necessity of this will depend upon the type of job you have. If you work in uniform, you may be offered a maternity uniform at the cost of the company. Some offices relax their dress policy for pregnant women, meaning you might be able to wear jeans and a blouse rather than forking out for maternity suits. Speak to your boss about company policy.

Exercise wear – if you’re taking prenatal yoga classes, you’ll need some gym clothes. Lots of shops sell maternity yoga pants, but be warned – they are so comfortable you might end up wearing them all the time (this happened to me, I am ashamed to say). If you are a regular swimmer, you’ll need to invest in some maternity swimwear.

The little number – at some point during your pregnancy, you’ll be invited to a wedding, christening or birthday party, so you’ll need a nice little number to trot out. Choose something simple and plain that can be dressed up by accessories, that way you can transform the outfit each time you wear it just by wearing some different trimmings. Some maternity dresses double up as nursing dresses too, if you go for one of these you could use it in the months after the baby is born too.

Even just buying these basic items could set you back a pretty penny at most high street stores, but there are ways you can save money. Try to shop in the sales, when maternity fashion might be discounted or on offer. Check your local charity or thrift store to see if they have any maternity items in. Check online auction sites and local freecycling communities to see if anyone has any maternity wear they no longer need.

Remember, any maternity clothes you buy will probably still be in pretty good condition by the end of the pregnancy, so you’ll be able to sell them on if you wish. Alternatively, you could keep onto them in case you need them for a later pregnancy.

Do you have any advice to share with women about to embark on their first maternity shopping trip?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.