Bellamama introduces Maternalove Goddess Convertible Breastfeeding Dress

Wear it, wrap it, tie it! Bellamama UK are  proud to be the first to introduce Maternalove's Convertible Nursing Dress, their signature multiway, adjustable dress that can be worn for maternity, nursing and beyond. 

This versatile dress has two long, wide straps sewn to the waistband allow you to style the dress in a multitude of ways. Hidden nursing openings allow you to breastfeed discreetly and in style. This is your must-have dress that will see you wearing it season after season. Wrap and tie it for a completely different look each time. No one will ever know it is the same dress. 

Here’s why you’ll love Maternalove's Convertible Nursing Dress: 

** It is versatile. It’s one dress, with many looks! Wrap and wear the dress in a multitude of ways. Fashion it into a halter, style it into a one-shoulder, convert it into a cap sleeve, wear it as a kimono or change it into a butterfly sleeve. 

** It’s sexy, it’s stylish, it’s chic. Inject a bit of celebrity into your wardrobe. Inspired by the glamour of Hollywood, this dress is not short on fashion and appeals to the fashion-conscious, trend-setting mother. 

** It is flattering. Made from luxurious fabric, the dress drapes fluidly and cascades gently over your body. One size fits all, the dress is comfortable and flatters suitable for a variety of figures. 

** It is perfect for any and every occasion. Take it to lunch or dinner, hit the party circuit, go shopping, wear it for a special event or the festive season. 

** It can be worn for maternity and nursing. The dress is a duo-function. Show off your belly in style during pregnancy. Post-partum, wear it and breastfeed in style. Nursing openings that are carefully concealed will allow you nurse your baby on the go. 

** It’s the one piece of nursing clothing you cannot live without. The Convertible Nursing Dress is an investment piece that will see you wearing it season after season and from pregnancy to nursing and beyond. 

The Convertible Nursing Dress - for fashionista moms, just like you. For instructions on ways to wear, Click here Fabric: Made from 95% rayon, 5% spandex 


Kirsten
xxx

Enjoying Autumn and being busy!

Family life is moving at breakneck pace at the moment... half-term was super busy... no sooner are we back from our trip to Kent, D whizzed off on a training visit to Barcelona, the kiddos and I kept busy with Wacky Woods, Pumpkin Carving, shopping trips, lots of cupcake baking and then this weekend we were celebrating Aunty Ze's (shhhhhhhhhh!) 60th birthday with a family get-together!

We then spent a lovely few hours on Sunday out and about catching up with friends for an autumnal picnic (complete with my super seasonal ginger cupcakes with ginger fudge icing, yum!). Our local National Trust property, Tatton Park, had a pumpkin poetry trail and a brilliant display of pumpkins and squashes. Helping the kiddos hunting for pumpkins, Halloween inspired poems and strolling through the gardens was lovely. We enjoyed kicking through the piles of crispy fallen leaves, whilst my 8 y-o Finn delighted in covering me in leaf compost!

My friends' baby (my little god-son is now a proud big brother) arrived this weekend too. A beautiful baby girl, I am so happy for them and can't wait to meet her! Big squidges to them all.

Weekend was rounded off by making gingerbread cookies, trick or treating and a Sunday roast with my mum and dad.

So, all in all, a good weekend to round off a busy, busy week. I am hoping for a slightly calmer week this week! 

Kiddos back to school/pre-school/nursery yesterday, and I am catching up with the arrival of more stock from Annee Matthew and Momzelle, and all the pre-ordered items of breastfeeding clothing which you've all been super-patiently waiting for.

Whew!

Bella Mama website moved servers this weekend, and we are now on bigger, better, faster servers which should make shopping for breastfeeding and maternity clothing with us better than ever. Yippee!

Kirsten
x

Happy Birthday Bella Mama!

Bella Mama, my gorgeous breastfeeding and maternitywear e-boutique, has been trading for THREE YEARS this week - hooray!! 

In that time we have introduced lots and lots of new brands to breastfeeding mummies in the UK, and sold thousands of breastfeeding tops and nursing dresses which have all made a huge difference to the confidence of nursing mamas!! The business has grown dramatically since I started, and we have lots of very lovely loyal customers who have returned to Bella Mama for maternity and nursingwear clothing their second, and even third babies! 

I want to say a huge THANK YOU for all the support we have been given - from our fabulous customers who have recommended us to their friends; the group of road-testing mummies who give feedback on our designs and collections; the fabulous suppliers who keep designing beautiful clothes for new mamas, and to the amazing network of talented people who have helped with Bella Mama's long, long list of requirements -  Website, PR, Accounting, Design, Marketing, Book-keeping, Photography, Customer Service, Modelling, Order Packing and Printing. I've learned lots running this business, and learned a lot about myself - the bits of the job I adore and the bits which make me grind my teeth, put off and procrastinate about the task until I realise I MUST JUST DO IT!

Thank you for the wonderful support which my family (Lancasters, Macivers and Baxters!) have shown over the last few years, you are all amazing sounding-boards and the first place I turn for advice. Cheers for everything...without you guys, running Bella Mama would just not be possible! Special thanks to Nicola who has covered the office whenever I have been away, and been an extra pair of hands when things are busy. No-one can stock check quite like you... 

Lots of love to my husband Dan, whose encouragement, patient advice and innovative ideas have motivated and inspired me when things have been tough, and whose belief in me and my business often surpasses my own!! and finally, to Finn and Orla, my beautiful kiddos, for providing me with the inspiration to come up with the idea in the first place!!

As a special THANK YOU, we are running a 15% discount offer for 1 week only, ending Sept 10th - enter the code BELLA at checkout!

Kirsten

xxx

Pretty New Breastfeeding Tops Just Arrived at Bella Mama

It's been a busy week at Bella Mama, and I can't believe that school is breaking up today and we have the whole of the summer holidays stretching ahead of us!

Since we had our holiday in France in May this year, I have no fabulous, sun-drenched summer holiday to look forward to, instead we will be in the UK enjoying a "Staycation"...

hahaha!

I have lots of activities with the kiddos planned - a whole variety of days out, picnics, camping, meeting friends, staying with family, birthday parties, science day camps, swimming, fencing lessons and lots of playing... let's just hope the weather perks up. At the moment the rain is doing its best to fill our very empty reservoirs (and hopefully end the North West's current hosepipe ban!) so I am very envious of lots of lovely BM mamas who are off on their hols shortly, and have been stocking up on flirty, floaty sundresses and sunny weather tops!

New stocks of our stylishly casual Melissa tops have just arrived, and are again proving popular with new nursing mamas. The delicate silver print on the reverse of the top makes this a lovely everyday nursing top. This is a great style to wear year round, and looks equally good with jeans, joggers or combats.

Kirsten
x

Brighton Baby Expo - June 27th Brighton Racecourse - Stand 55

bellamama will be at the Brighton Baby Expo this sunday, at Brighton Racecourse and Conference Centre, 10-4.30. Free admission, and promises to be a great day out with a fantastic variety of goods and services, information on conception, pregnancy, birth, babies and the early years! We will be on stand 55 - please come and visit us!

I will be bringing a selection of bellamama's best breastfeeding clothing, and running a competition to win one of our gorgeous Lin and Leo leather baby changing bags...

The England game is being shown on a big screen, in one of the venues rooms, so you (or your other half) can keep up with all the action in the big game!! I will also be listening (v. quietly) on my stand!!

New Breastfeeding Tops and Dresses - Ta Ta for Now

At Bella Mama, we are always on the lookout for the most stylish, beautiful breastfeeding clothing available for our customers in the UK. 

We are just delighted to be the first in the UK to offer the luxury new nursingwear designers Ta Ta for Now, the brand new San Francisco based nursingwear label for trendy breastfeeding mamas.

This range has been getting fabulous reviews since their launch, and we've had a great level of interest in their tops and dresses since adding them to our site.

Their gorgeous fashion forward range has been incredibly well received by nursing mamas in the USA, gaining glowing reviews from breastfeeding mothers from coast to coast! Ta Ta for Now range has been labelled "The Three Must haves for Breastfeeding Moms"!

Ta Ta For Now, design feminine, flattering, and practical clothes for breastfeeding moms. They design all of their pieces with fashion and function in mind. All of their fabric is cut to flatter the postpartum figure and is soft enough to cuddle up against newborn skin. Their stylish nursing wear features "secret access" openings so mamas can nurse discretely and comfortably. Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience and we want mums to look and feel their best as they nurse anywhere, anytime!

About Grace and Robyn, the designers behind Ta Ta For Now

Both Grace Chung and Robyn Delane have two children under the age of three and reside in the bay area of California. Currently, ta-ta for now's clothing line is manufactured in san francisco by other moms who have also experienced the joys and challenges of motherhood. in the future, the company hopes to expand its network to moms across the world, by sending manufacturing orders to groups of women in developing countries, where millions of moms struggle to feed and nurture their children due to lack of economic resources.

At Bella Mama, we just love Ta Ta for Now, for their gorgeous nursing clothing, their fabulous ethos and their commitment to supporting mums worldwide.

Ta Ta for Now, available now at Bella Mama in the UK www.BellaMama.co.uk

Bella Mama's Bestselling Breastfeeding Clothing!

Whew! This week has been a busy one for the team at Bella Mama!

We have secured a fabulous new breastfeeding clothing designer, her beautiful tops and dresses are due to be picked up today from their warehouse and swiftly flown over the globe into Bella Mama's warehouse in the UK! This line is getting rave reviews already, and we think you'll be enchanted by this gorgeous new clothing - I hope to add the new tops to the site on Monday.

Our new labels are currently being printed, which means that our lovely packaging will be even nicer as soon as they arrive. We are also revamping the labels and swing tags on our clothing this season.

Bella Mama's SS10 line of breastfeeding clothing is in production, and the first tops will be with us at the end of March - I am so excited, this season's range is bigger, better and prettier than ever. Our road-testing mamas have delivered a big thumbs up, for comfort, style and practicality... I promise to post pictures as soon as possible! Our photoshoot will be taking place this month (as soon as samples arrive!) and promises to be very lovely indeed.

A quick rundown of this week's best-selling tops and dresses (in no particular order!):

Bella Mama Crossover Top Raspberry

Milk Nursingwear Black Halterneck Dress

Peekaboo nursing tops

1intheOven tanks

Raising money for Breastfeeding Support Groups

Training for the three peaks challenge in Yorkshire has been going very well this week! Raising money for breastfeeding support groups is really important to me, and I really need to ensure that I train well and complete the whole walk to raise as much money as possible! My friend (Orla's godmother) is getting married the day after the walk, so I really have to be in great shape so I can enjoy the day at her wedding, rather than creaking there in pain!)

On Sunday I walked up to White Nancy in Bollington. White Nancy is a 15-foot high stone landmark that stands proudly at the top of Kerridge Hill, overlooking the village of Bollington. It was built in around 1815 as a summerhouse for the Gaskell family, who lived at the nearby Ingersley Hall, possibly to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. The walk up is lovely, made all the better by the great walkway and steps that are there. Still very testing on the legs!

My parents came with us, Finn ran up most of the way and hubby took Orla up in a backpack, which she was thrilled with! After the walk, feeling we'd clearly earned a lovely lunch, we went to check out a fabulous fish restaurant "The Place" in Bollington - for fish, chips and mushy peas all round. Lovely!

On Tuesday hubby dropped me in town to pick up some books, and I walked back the 2 miles to Sutton.Was a gorgeous day, and was lovely to spend time outdoors in the sunshine!

Thursday hubby and I went for a 5km walk around the lovely Macclesfield Forest. The weather was beautiful, and a massive change from the drizzly damp conditions my friend Hayley and I had tramped around in last Thursday. The views from the top were spectacular, and we could see all the way over Cheshire to the Welsh mountains (hello to Orla's godmother Claire!!). Naturally we had to stop for a bite to eat at the Leather Smithy pub afterwards!!! I am seriously beginning to doubt whether I can complete the 24 mile hike in May without a pub lunch en-route!!

Today I was all set to do my workout DVD after dropping the kiddos off at school/pre-school, when Hayley (my friend who is doing the walk with me in May) stopped by on the school run, and suggested a quick hike around the hills just around the village. Well, I quickly shoved my hiking boots on and we were off! We had a walk up into the hills above the village, and down into the neighbouring village when we were passed by a runner and her dog.

The next thing we knew, the lady runner had tripped over her dog and landed with a thump on the road. So we did our good Samaritan bit and went to help her. Not being medically inclined, we couldn't tell what she'd done but she had damaged her wrist, was clearly in pain and a little shocked.

Turned out she was on her first training run for the Manchester 10k this morning, and oops! it didn't quite work out as planned. Hayley and I walked her and her dog back up the hill to the farmhouse to ensure her doggy was safely home and her neighbour obligingly whisked her off to A&E! So we got a far longer training walk this morning than we intended!!!

Feel very good about training this week, and am planning more walks this weekend, and through next week. Am so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world with fabulous walks right on my doorstep!!

So this evening, I am relaxing with pizza and a bottle of wine - hey, I've earned it!

Bella Mama's weekend in the Big Smoke...

I've had such a busy weekend travelling down to London to meet with new suppliers and then a visit to the Baby Show too.

Special mention must go to Keira from Mamascarf - 7 weeks from giving birth and she was on her stand at the Baby Show doing a fantastic job of introducing the amazing Mamascarf breastfeeding scarf to nursing mamas - I am in awe!! I travelled up and down to London commissioning books in my old job when I was pregnant with both Finn and Orla, but I absolutely could not have stood on a stand for three days and looked as fresh, enthusiastic and energetic as Keira did!!!

I had a great time - chatted with lots of interesting people, discovered several amazing new designers to stock at Bella Mama, I finally got to meet some of my suppliers face-to-face and really enjoyed getting out of the office.

Of course the fact that I got a v. cheap upgrade to Virgin First class on the train, got to go shopping in London, stayed in a deluxe hotel room (with a double upgrade due to hubby's Gold VIP card - woohoo I knew all that time he spends away from home had to pay off eventually!) complete with delicious buffet breakfast (mmm cinnamon danish), luxury toiletries, room service, wine, a pile of glossy magazines and two nights lovely sleep obviously added to the great weekend!

Ooooh, time just for meeeeeeeeeeeeee! No washing, tidying, cleaning, ironing, being mummy, refereeing arguments, bedtime and bathtime routine, homework, answering emails, texting, cooking, worrying about feeding family or what was in the fridge or what was for tea..... ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, bliss. I really need to do this more often!!! The funny thing is that hubby is so supportive of my business, he is actively encouraging me to get out the door and spend more time meeting with suppliers, and travelling to USA/Canada/Singapore etc to meet with people -(he's great!) but it's me that's the wuss about travelling solo. He also doesn't shirk looking after the kiddos, like many dads I hear about!!

Ho-hum, back to reality today though. But have returned in relaxed, ready for action stylee.

Hubby is away in Spain all week and I have returned to a mountain of orders, so today has seen me in a whirlwind of packing and shipping our fabulous breastfeeding tops out to our lovely customers.

More details of the new tops, dresses and lingerie from our fabulous new suppliers that we will be stocking at Bella Mama this summer to follow...

Happy Valentine's Day from Bella Mama

Happy Valentine's Day - here's a round up of our red hot favourites!!

 

  

 

1. Bella Mama Shirred Breastfeeding Top Wine
2. Mayreau Mia Maternity and Nursing Top
3. Lin and Leo Changing Bag Raspberry
4. Mama Cocoon Short Sleeve Red
5. Annee Matthew Gercian Red Dress
6. Baby Bubu breastfeeding cover
7. Bella Mama Demeter Cowl Neck Breastfeeding Top Ruby

Enter the code VALENTINE at checkout to receive a 15% discount on anything ordered from Bella Mama until 18th February.

Breastfeeding Tops for Springtime

Spring is just around the corner - hooray. I know it doesn't feel like it with the current chilly cold weather, but it really is on its way... the snowdrops are already flowering, crocuses are peeping from the ground and daffodils have arrived. I've had daffodils in the house this week, and that little pop of colour on my sunny windowsill is just so cheerful.

The Peek-a-boo/Quack Maternity tops have been incredibly popular this week - we've had loads of orders online and the phone hasn't stopped ringing with enquiries about colours/sizing/availability! These pretty tops feature the easiest nursing access ever, and are so comfortable to wear and ultra-flattering to the figure that I am not surprised they have proven so popular. The tank tops are really versatile, and can be worn on their own (in warmer weather!) or layered under jumpers, cardigans or wraps right now. The gathering across the tummy allows them to be worn during pregnancy, and then works amazingly to disguise post-natal tum after your baby is born.

Bella Mama - Stylish Breastfeeding Tops

Bella Mama have been featured on parentdish -  this ultimate parenting online guide documents the trends, hits and anything of interest happening in the parenting world. They featured our beautiful Milkstars Jenny breastfeeding top, and Belabumbum's pretty Kimono nightdress.

*Yay*

Naturally, all of the tops we choose to stock at Bella Mama are frump-free, stylish and designed to make new mamas look fabulous! There is just no need for clothing to be mumsy, baggy or unflattering, just because you choose to breastfeed your baby and there are so many great options available for nursing mamas now. Breastfeeding mums can look cute in a simple tee-shirt and jeans, casual in a tunic and leggings, stylish in a wrap dress, elegant in a cowl necked top, cosy in a hoodie and yoga pants, and a million dollars in a  halter neck dress!

There's something for every body shape, sense of style and occasion. I am so happy that parentdish have chosen to mention Bella Mama on their site, and hope it helps spread the word that breastfeeding your little one is super stylish!

Bella Mama - bringing the best of breastfeeding fashion to the UK

At Bella Mama, we are always on the lookout for the most stylish, beautiful breastfeeding clothing available for our customers in the UK. We like to get out there to meet with and speak to nursingwear designers, get feedback from our nursing mamas to really find out what they would like to see and are constantly searching the globe to bring the best breastfeeding clothing to the UK.

We are innovative in our ideas, and have a clear vision for our company. We like to put together Bella Mama's collections to reflect our mission to provide outstanding quality breastfeeding clothing and to support nursing mothers in their decision to breastfeed. The feedback we get from nursing mothers suggests that they like what we are doing!

I love searching for fabulous nursingwear that will delight our customers, flatter their new figures, be super practical for breastfeeding as well as standing up to constant washing and wearing! Nursingwear designers have risen to the challenge of providing fabulous nursingwear for new breastfeeding mothers, and there really are some deliciously chic tops and dresses now available. I am thrilled to be adding several new lines to Bella Mama's line-up for Spring/Summer 2010, as well as the most amazing designs from our existing designers.

I will introduce the new designers over a series of posts in this blog - thanks for giving me the chance to share them with you!!

Bella Mama is delighted to stock Momzelle's fabulous range of breastfeeding clothing! We are just so excited to be stocking this range for the first time in the UK.

Momzelle's tops are comfortable and cosy, and makes nursing simple. Made from beautifully soft cotton, their tops stretch brilliantly and are lovely to wear!

Designed specially to flatter a post-partum figure, with extra room at the bust and longer length through the body, giving a sleek appearance for new mamas.  Universal breast openings ensure discreet and comfortable breastfeeding experience

We have read so many wonderful reviews of Momzelle's clothing, it seems that new mamas the other side of the pond just can't get enough of Momzelle's fabulous clothing, with many mums reporting that they own at least five pieces from the range! With that kind of recommendation, we just had to stock the line at Bella Mama!

Must Have Maternity Clothes Everyone Will Want

When women look for maternity clothes, they often sacrifice style for comfort. Many expectant mums are also surprised by the cost of creating a completely new wardrobe to accommodate their changing bodies. While it’s true that it can be expensive, there is one item every pregnant woman should invest in: the maternity dress.

One of the most sought after items of maternity clothing are dresses. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to slip on and off, and can easily hide the multitude of things you may want hidden at this point. There’s no doubt about it, a beautiful maternity dress is a must have for any woman about to give birth.

Try doubling up on value by buying maternity dresses that double as breastfeeding clothes. Bella Mama stocks an array of dresses that will see you through your pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond.

Buying maternity clothes online is also a possibility. Online shopping must have been made for heavily pregnant women; after all, who wants to venture into all the stores in town looking for something you can buy without leaving the comfort of your home? Online shopping can save a mum-to-be a great deal of hassle and effort.

At Bella Mama, we stock a gorgeous selection of maternity wear and nursing clothes to suit every woman. Our lovely maternity dresses double up as nursing dresses with discreet designs that both flatter you and allow easy access for baby. With Bella Mama online boutique, you can be sure to find reasonably priced maternity wear that is simply stunning!

Breast Foot Forward, raising money for Breastfeeding groups!!

I have decided I am in need of a New Year challenge in order to improve my fitness, generally tone up and get more active!

When I heard that MedEquip4Kids were launching a new Charity, Committed2Breastfeeding, I wanted to help raise funds for this fantastic cause. Bella Mama are totally committed to supporting Breastfeeding mothers, and their decision to breastfeed. MedEquip4Kids has signed up to a global campaign initiated by UNICEF. The Baby Friendly Initiative is working to improve breastfeeding rates worldwide, and this campaign is supported by the World Health Organisation and the UK government, along with many of the Primary Care Trusts in the North West region. Its objective is to ensure that women are able to make an informed choice as to whether or not to breastfeed.

MedEquip4Kids has launched its first Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, Breast Foot Forward, and it will be taking place on Saturday, May 1st. The Yorkshire Three Peaks is one of the most famous fitness challenges in the country - walk 24 miles conquering Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. So, along with my friend Hayley,  I will digging out my walking boots, strapping on my rucksack and tackling Breast Foot Forward in aid of the Committed2Breastfeeding project!!

This is easily the most challenging thing I have ever done, (I'm going to have to work hard to improve my fitness for the event!!)  and it would be fantastic if you could help me to raise funds for this great cause.
http://www.justgiving.com/Kirsten-BellaMama 
So please dig deep and donate now.
Thank you so much,
Kirsten
xxx

Avoid a Maternity Style Crisis with Bella Mama Boutique

Bella Mama's Breastfeeding and Maternitywear Boutique has been featured on the feature in Maternity Style Crisis on SoFeminine.co.uk 

Maternity style crisis

Kirsten Baxter, a mum of two, found the choice of clothes for new mums unappealing.

‘The openings were all poppers and totally unflattering. After pregnancy, more than ever, women want to feel pretty and glamorous, and the clothes available did nothing to help.’

To solve that problem, Kirsten set up Bella Mama, an online maternity and nursing wear boutique. Check it out at www.bellamama.co.uk

Knowing what to wear for your new body shape is daunting so style coach Jenny Borges (www.jennyborges.com) offers some tips for averting a style crisis:

‘Accessories are a fun way to draw attention away from the parts you’re not so happy with. Use an interesting scarf, necklace or a gorgeous pair of earrings to draw attention upwards.’ 

She also considers supportive underwear a worthwhile investment, creating a sleeker silhouette and giving new mums style confidence.

For great maternity wear try these:

www.bellamama.co.uk

The best range of gorgeous dual-purpose maternity and breastfeeding tops online!

2010 - Bella Mama Breastfeeding Boutique

Happy New Year to you all!

2009 has been the most fabulous year for Bella Mama, the business has continued to go from strength to strength; we have increased our incredible range of designers bringing more new breastfeeding clothing brands to the UK for the first time, we are delighted to have had many of our products featured in parenting magazines and websites during 2009, we have broadened our selection of nursing clothing from our fabulous existing designers and expanded our range of chic accessories and changing bags to bring breastfeeding mothers the freshest and most stylish nursingwear and essential new mama products available from one online store.

Bella Mama’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers during the past year has seen us pro-actively help to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, writing articles for magazines and online sites, and donating breastfeeding tops and nursing dresses to lots of breastfeeding charities throughout the UK.  In addition to our ongoing support for the UK Association for Milk Banking (sales of our “I make Milk” T-shirt support this wonderful charity) we are delighted to have been able to support many other causes helping to support breastfeeding mothers. From providing clothing for many breastfeeding fashion shows up and down the country, supplying breastfeeding clothing to charities supporting young breastfeeding mothers, donating nursing tops to breastfeeding support groups, providing raffle prizes to raise money for breastfeeding charities and raising awareness of breastfeeding at baby fairs and other events. We look forward to providing even more help, support and donations in 2010, and warmly invite anyone involved with a breastfeeding support group, charity or who is working on an event which supports breastfeeding to get in touch with Bella Mama (email me at kirsten@bellamama.co.uk) and we will be able to help you out!

I have big plans in 2010 for Bella Mama, and have several very exciting projects which are coming to fruition in the New Year. Our Spring Summer range of nursing clothing is going to be amazing, and the choice of styles and designers we stock will be bigger than ever. Our very own Bella Mama breastfeeding clothing has been fabulously well-received, and I have already had so much brilliant feedback from our road-testing mothers on the SS10 range. I have been so blessed through 2009 with the help and support of family, friends, amazing customers and the support of other working mothers who run their own wonderful business from home. Many of my suppliers are mums who have set up their own businesses and who juggle their children and businesses so well.  Everyone I have met through running my business has been so kind and supportive, a million miles from “corporate politics” in the workplace!

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to grow Bella Mama in the last year, from giving advice, feedback, support, to providing inspiration and above all our wonderful nursing mamas who love what we are doing! Through 2010 we will continue to provide new breastfeeding mamas with the best nursing clothing available. Knowing I am helping new breastfeeding mothers feel great is amazing. I really do get ridiculously excited about the feedback from my customers who are delighted with the stylish clothing they have had from Bella Mama. Stylish nursing wear really helps us challenge the perception of breastfeeding as frumpy, and I am delighted that Bella Mama will continue to make breastfeeding fashionable in 2010!

Wishing you all a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous 2010.

Kirsten
x

Christmas Breastfeeding Tops and Nursing Dresses

Our Christmas nursing dresses and gorgeous breastfeeding tops are flying out of the store this month and we are working very hard to ensure your orders reach you as quickly as possible. The beautiful leather Lin and Leo bags are also going to be making some lucky mamas very happy this Christmas! We also have some fabulous new Natalia gifts in store, the "Mum's Gorgeous Pampering" box would be very welcome under the tree this year. Their "Time for Mum" Bath Soak is a deeply relaxing and pampering gentle aromatic bubble bath - especially formulated with calendula, aloe vera and an indulgent essential oil blend of ylang ylang and bergamot to help all mums unwind. Perfect at this time of year, and I am soooo looking forward to my bath this evening after another super busy day! 

Just a quick mention that the last posting date for orders to reach you before Christmas is 23rd December, but as always it's better to order as early as you can! The Mayreau order is currently winging it's way across the Atlantic, and should be here by Monday. There are plenty of pre-orders for their lovely tops and dresses, so if you see something you like please pre-order it now and it will be sent out as soon as it arrives at our warehouse. 

Our week is packed (as I'm sure yours is too!) with Christmas parties, Carol Services, Nativity plays, Junior Discos, Meals with friends and Christmas lunches. Miss O is a sheep in her nursery Nativity this afternoon, after having been a mouse at her pre-school Nativity yesterday. F's Christmas Performance is this evening, hopefully we'll all be able to squeeze into the church to see it. It's always standing room only unless you arrive an hour before the performance starts, oh well... Hubby has started his new job this week, 2 hours travelling each way to the office has come as a shock after a month on Garden Leave, and he has a quick trip to Barcelona tomorrow leaving Liverpool on the 7.30am flight....ugh. Fortunately he's back late Friday night, and I'm planning a quiet family weekend at home to relax!

How to dress when Breastfeeding

Bella Mama is featured in Bounty's How to Dress when Breastfeeding article - I am so thrilled! We are described as "an on-line breastfeeding boutique, which offers aspirational designs for chic and trendy mums." **blush!**

Bella Mama is the UK’s leading boutique for new mums specialising in Transitional Maternity and Nursing Wear. Our clothing is suitable for during and after pregnancy, all of the styles offer easy (but unnoticeable) nursing access and of course are ultra stylish, comfortable and flattering.

I love selecting transitional nursingwear which will ensure the transition from pregnant mama-to-be to breastfeeding new mama is as simple as possible. Choosing clothing which will seamlessly adapt to your changing figure through the full 9 months and beyond not only ensures your wardrobe choices are easy throughout pregnancy and your time as a new mummy, but also give you excellent value for money. 

Two of our best-selling transitional maternity/nursingwear tops are the fabulous Mia top from Mayreau (available in Black, Red, Grey, Midnight and a choice of long or 3/4 sleeve) and our very own Bella Mama Shirred Top available in classic Black and festive wine. Both tops are brilliantly flattering throughout pregnancy, and oh-so-simple to breastfeed in! 

Win Mother and Baby Tin from Bella Mama Breastfeeding Boutique

Win a fabulous Mother and Baby tin from Dough Dough! During November each purchase from the Bella Mama website, new Fan joining on Facebook and new comment added on our Facebook page, Facebook Discussion or Bella Mama's Blog will give you one entry to the draw. The winner will be drawn at random on 1st Dec. You can enter as many times as you like!

The Dough Dough tin is just delicious - I often send them to my new mummy friends and they are hugely appreciated!! The contain 2 x double chocolate muffins, 2 x brownies, 2 x chocolate chip shortbread, no nonsense jelly babies, and champagne truffles, and for baby a JELLYCAT cuddly toy. All contents come delicately swaddled in a stylish silver tin.
 
Bella Mama offers a fabulous range of breastfeeding clothing and accessories for new mums. Our online boutique ensures can shop conveniently and easily from home 24/7 at www.BellaMama.co.uk

We offer stylish nursing dresses, chic breastfeeding tops, pretty nursing bras, gorgeous baby bags and other accessories.

We stock a huge range of the best nursingwear designers, and offer many ranges not offered elsewhere in the UK. In our boutique you will find breastfeeding clothing from 1 in the Oven, Mayreau, Belabumbum, Dote, Annee Matthew, Milk, Blissful Babes, Milkdaze, Maternalove, Expressiva, Aimee Nursing Gowns, Mama Cocoon, Glamourmom, Melba Maternity, Moody Mamas, Peek-a-boo and of course our very own Bella Mama label.

We are constantly expanding our range to bring you the freshest and most stylish nursingwear available!