by Nicole, owner of Brittique.com

I was warned but I didn’t believe anyone. I thought that a month after giving birth my figure would miraculously spring back to where it was preconception. But be warned, unless you’re a celebrity who doesn’t breastfeed and has a fulltime military-style personal trainer it’s not going to happen!

In the days after giving birth my stomach resembled a wobbly jelly and my breasts were enormous and engorged. The tummy gradually went down and so did the breasts as I settled into feeding and the milk production regulated itself. At around 6 weeks I was able to start running again. The running combined with breastfeeding every 1-3 hours meant that I was so hungry all the time. I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

My approach probably meant that I didn’t lose weight as quickly as I’d thought, but my milk supply was steady – the most important thing for me.

What was most frustrating though was what to wear. Since I was nursing my son, I had to be able to get to my breasts. So anything that would be too immodest or difficult to feed in public didn’t work. Because my stomach wasn’t flat and I was still healing I need things that were loose around the waist. For these reasons I mostly remained in my pregnancy jeans and just bought a few button up tops and tunics such as this one by Single For Blossom.

Dresses were quite difficult and I could only wear strapless ones with elastic around the top or button up dresses like this on from Peter Jensen

I particularly loved this Emma Cook jumpsuit because I could easily unbutton the top to feed and it was loose around my tum

The good news is that as long as you’re not eating copious amounts of junk (not good for you or your breastfeeding baby) you can lose the weight and get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. After four months I was about the same weight but had a little belly bulge around the c-section scar. After 6 months I was back into my old clothes with a flat tum. A month later I was under my pre-baby weight and feeling good in my clothes. Now I’m just hoping that I experience the same after baby two. 

 By Nicole Bremner owner of fashionable boutique https://brittique.com

Every morning at 6:30 I pack my little man into his buggy and we power walk around Victoria Park. Its part of my routine rain or shine - that’s what raincoats and buggy covers are for! I start off at a brisk pace pounding down the canal and these days end up with a slow and sometimes uncomfortable waddle.

There are so many reasons to exercise during pregnancy that it’s hard to list all of them. But the one that drives me out the door is the research that shows that mums who exercise boost their baby’s IQ. While it is only 8 points, breastfeeding for up to nine months adds another six points so exercise is even more important than breastfeeding when it comes to adding intellect!

Unless you’ve been advised by your midwife or obstetrician not to move, just doing something for 30 minutes a day will work towards a smarter baby. During my first pregnancy I ran up to about 4 months pregnant and then switched to walking. I also did weights at the gym 3-5 times a week. (Ensure that you work with a trainer or read up on weights as there are certain exercises that you shouldn’t do while pregnant.). This time around I can’t drag Ralf, my 16 month old, to the gym so I’m walking. It helps that I live right by a huge park and the multitude of squirrels, birds, ducks, geese and dogs entertain Ralf during the walk.

If you don’t live near a park or safe walking path swimming, yoga or even an appropriate exercise DVD are all great options. One thing you shouldn’t do is start a rigorous new exercise programme if you weren’t doing anything before falling pregnant. While going for a gentle walk and building up the pace won’t hurt, and will really benefit the baby, watch that you don’t overdo it or over heat – especially in the weather we’re having in London lately.

Not only is exercise better for the baby but also for you. Moderate exercise helps during labour, recovery after delivery (both natural birth and c-section) and keeps the weight down during pregnancy. Enough reasons for me!

Remember that warning? Always check with your doctor before starting a programme. Now my Ralfi is napping I’m going to set up the double running buggy ready to start running after baby 2 arrives!

I’m now 30 weeks pregnant and looking at the final stretch – in time and my poor tummy! Dressing now is all about comfort and trying not to look hideous, but primarily about comfort. In my first post I reviewed some jeans I bought at Blossom  and declared the James Jean my favourite.

These on trend skinny jeans were perfect for the first 30 weeks of pregnancy and will be essential after the birth of baby #2 when I’ll relish the comfort of an elastic waist band. (Actually the James Jean jeans are so stylish I can see myself wearing them for years to come with sky high strappy sandals and those lovely ankle zips partly unzipped.) Now that I’m huge it’s all about the 7 for all mankind over bump jeans a couple of sizes larger. The key feature is the over the bump waist band.

The positioning of the waist band is a really personal thing. Some woman say they can’t have anything on their tummy while others, myself included, find it irritating and even painful to have a band sitting under the belly. For me it’s probably because I had a c-section with baby one and I find that the band sits right on the scar.

 I’m actually finding the same issue with my knickers. Anything that sits under the waist is irritating so I’m hunting for some over the bump panties to see me out the next 8-10 weeks. I’m thinking these spanx short style briefs might be a good option. Not only do they go over the belly but they’ll give me the much needed support for the growing belly.

My jeans are well and truly too tight. Now that I’m in week 22, it’s not just in the tummy area either. My legs and bum have started the expansion phase. A belly band covering the opened zip just won’t work and I’m finding it difficult to move. Time to go jeans shopping.
 

During pregnancy one I waited until week 30 to venture into a maternity shop and purchase proper jeans. The jeans were the 7 for all mankind classic bootcut. These are great jeans. The over belly band is not for everyone though. Some mums-to-be can’t stand having anything over their belly. I don’t mind so much. But the elastic can roll down sometimes and I do find myself pulling on it. It is probably because mine are too big. I stupidly thought I was the largest size in the shop and didn’t bother trying on other sizes. The baggy fit is great for around the house.

This pregnancy I decided to act sooner and took myself to Blossom’s beautiful Walton Street store.
Given that it is summer I wanted a pair of white straight leg jeans. I really wanted the Blossom straight leg jeans but unfortunately they didn’t have them in my size. So I tried on the 7 for all mankind.

If you’re naturally slim these will work for you but given that I’m a curvier size 10 I found the material was too fine and highlights all the bumps and dimples that come with a second pregnancy. It wasn’t pretty.
After trying on the J Brand, which are made from a better, thicker denim, I wondered why I was torturing myself. Why not just leave the white jeans until I get my body back (positive thinking!)?

Turning to the darker washes I tried both the James Jean and True Religion skinny styles. True Religion run REALLY small so I’d recommend going up a good 2 sizes. I found the waist a bit low for my liking and after a few minutes was tugging at the waistband to stop it showing my panties! Great though if you want a low cut jean.

James Jeans were fantastic. They’ve got great zips at the ankle and are in a beautiful dark blue almost black wash.
The waistband is really hidden away so I think I can get away with wearing these when I’m not pregnant!
I’m just picturing the ankle zips slightly undone over big heels.

While there I picked up a pair of the Blossom classic bootcut jeans.
They were actually really flattering with a nice firm fit and enough stretch to remain comfortable. The elastic band is very discreetly fitted into the waistband so you can’t see it.
The only downside is that with the hidden band they have no side pockets.
A couple of times I went to put my hands in my pockets and then realised I didn’t have any. It just means I won’t be keeping tissues in the pockets to go through the wash.

Now that I’m not wearing heels Blossom are kindly altering these jeans so they’re the right length to wear with my pregnancy stipulated ballet flats.

Nicole Bremner
Founder of Brittique.com