Six Tips to Take Away the Fear of Maternity Bathing Suits

We set out to write some pointers on buying a maternity swimsuit and came across an existing article that was nearly perfect by Amy Jarman, owner of an online maternity shop. Here are her tips. For those of you in North Carolina, at Cravings, we offer a wide selection of styles from both designers mentioned below, PregO Swimwear and Maternal America.

"If you are going to be swimming or to the beach when you are pregnant, the one piece of clothing you will want is the maternity swimsuit. You may be able to wear your pre-pregnancy swimsuit for a while but after some months. It’s just not going to fit right and you may look like some Hollywood movie start wearing a regular bikini because they are in denial that they are pregnant.

Here are five suggestions when buying a maternity swimwear.

1) Look for something that is extra stretchy especially in the stomach, chest and hips. Your chest size will increase so you will need the extra room. Make sure that you have enough support in the bust though. PregOMaternity Swimwear has suits with a high Lycra content which is what you need. Make sure you hand wash and never through in the dryer high Lycra clothes. It will destroy the Lycra and make the items look like they belong to your husband.

2) Look for suits with adequate bust support if you are larger up top. Suits with wide shoulders straps and are adjustable are particularly helpful. The higher the swimsuit back or even with an added bra-like clip support in the back will help to support you more in the bust. Even if you are already big up top, your bust size is also likely to increase up a full cup size when you are pregnant. Maternity swimwear with a bit of padding in the cup will smooth out your shape and hide unwanted sights when it gets wet.

3) If you are a bit hippier, look for a bikini that ties on the side. This works well if you are different sizes on the top and the bottom.

4) One-piece maternity swimwear is great if you are doing regular swimmer. By far, the most supportive and a great option for the pool, whether it is lap swimming or water exercise, is the Empire Tank by PregO Maternity. Remember that regular halter or tank style swimwear won’t provide the necessary support for active motion.

5) Remember to get some swimsuit accessories. Cover-ups are a great fashion item and something you will like to throw on when you get out of the pool or return from the beach. After you have your baby, you can even use the cover-up for a great piece of loungewear. Look for cover-ups by Maternal America or the up and coming ones by PregO Maternity. They often double as great maternity tunics. Also, think about board shorts that can be worn over bikini bottoms.

6) Buy your maternity bathing suit early in your pregnancy. Make sure you order a little bigger than you need. It doesn’t need to be so big that it falls off or sags in the water. You also need to make sure it has enough bust support so it should be a tight fit up top. You are most likely going to start filling in the extra space as your pregnancy progresses.

Try not to let the idea of wearing a maternity swimsuit prevent you from going to the beach or the pool. Be confident in your new body and find a suit that will flatter your figure and style. In the end, you will definitely enjoy it!"

Top Ten Sexiest Moms of 2010

We thought the day after Mother's Day might be just right for posting this list from Cafe Mom of the Sexiest Moms of 2010 (never mind it's only May...which, hey, maybe there's still time to add YOU to that list??)...and we think they made some great picks!

But don't just drool over how these moms look so great while doing "the mom thing". Feeling gorgeous and sexy isn't just for the celebs -- it's for you, too! Finding clothes that flatter your figure and keep you feeling comfortable are the first key steps to projecting a confident and sexy pregnant -- or post-baby/new mommy -- image. A good sales associate can help you find styles that maximize your new curves and minimize any new figure flaws. Likewise, a quality maternity boutique will carry lines that are designed to take you throughout your pregnancy and through the "fourth trimester" with ease and flattery.

For a sample of great lines to take you from blah to wow, visit the Cravings website at www.cravingsmaternity.com.

Mother's Day Ideas

Hopefully, this week, someone you love is putting his/her mind to work on how to best indulge YOU -- his/her favorite mommy or mommy-to-be -- for Mother's Day. Or, as it works in our world here, more than likely, the someones in your life are going to find Mother's Day "snuck up" on them when the weekend rolls around.

To help nudge the process forward, we've put together a list of helpful hints for treating a favorite pregger or new mommy -- some not so obvious gift ideas! Now, all you need to do is forward it to your family and friends. We'll be happy take it from there.

• BEBE AU LAIT & HOOTER HIDERS Nursing Covers & Gift Sets: in beautiful & fun prints, these make the perfect small gift for anyone nursing or planning to do so. Also, for the eco-friendly approach, check out BAMBOO FOR TWO nursing covers, too!

• STORKSAK Diaper Bags: Who says your diaper bag has to look like a diaper bag? It should be just as stylish as you are. Storksak makes it easy.

• JEANS! What pregnant woman doesn't crave a pair of fabulous and comfortable jeans? The options these days are so numerous. Try skinny or "jeggings" (jean leggings) under all of summer's flowy tops & tunics. Or, a great pair of bootcut or straight leg under a favorite tee or tank. Look for white ones, too -- a summer staple in our books! Great fitting lines: PAIGE PREMIUM, MATERNAL AMERICA, JAMES JEANS, LILAC, and OLIAN/ELLY B.

• SASSY TOPS: In a season bursting with color, selecting a fabulous top is easy. Let your sales associate help you find a versatile piece to brighten up any closet. Great lines: MATERNAL AMERICA, OLIAN, JULES + JIM, LILAC, and MICHAEL STARS.

• SUMMER DRESSES: Such an easy and cool "go to": the simple summer dress. The options are plentiful these days and there's something perfect for any figure. Ask your sales associate to point you in the direction you need most; from pool cover-up to boardroom to showers and weddings...there's a dress for it! Great lines: MATERNAL AMERICA, TBAGS, NOTICE, OLIAN, LILAC, and JULES + JIM.

• GIFT CERTIFICATES: Always the right size, always the right color! We've never known a girl to send one back unused! Cravings Gift Certificates are available by phone or email and, of course, in store. The week of Mother's Day: take 20% off all gift certificates*!

Perhaps one of our favorite gift guidelines is time. The thought and time someone takes to treat his/her favorite preggo and time spent together are priceless in their value. Whatever you do, show Mama some love this Mother's Day! She'll be so touched.

*Gift certificates sold at discount are good for use after Sunday, May 9, 2010.

Pimp Your Stroller

"Curious Cravings" is back! After taking the fall/winter off, we're excited to reach out to our new friends and keep the good tips coming for our old ones. Be sure to follow us by choosing the option to do so on our front page. And of course, browse through our older blog entries for good info. Please suggest us to your friends.

One of our favorite television sources, The Today Show, does a lot of good segments on "mom stuff". This morning, they did a fun feature on "Pimping Your Stroller", highlighting useful accessories and add-ons for your stroller:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36595284#36595284

Included in the list of useful stroller accessories were a variety of clips and hooks, like the Stroller Clips by Storksak that we carry at Cravings. Good for attaching your Storksak diaper bag or any other bag or items, these clips are super easy to use. Come by and take a peek!
http://storksak.com/product.php?shopprodid=301

Baby's Here but Your Body is Not...

The long awaited day finally is here...baby has arrived and everyone's excited. "But wait!" you cry. "Where's my body? My pre-baby body?!"

Many new mothers are caught by surprise by their post-baby figure. While it's a common hope that you will leave the hospital in your favorite pair of non-pregger blue jeans, a more realistic expectation is for your "belly" to be about the same as around five months pregnant.

Now, before you completely freak out, let's re-focus. The recovery of your pre-pregnancy figure is a NORMAL part of the process. We often tell expectant mothers to think of having a child, the maternity phase, as a twelve month process (at least!) The post-baby hurdle is often largely a psychological one. And we know it's not easy.

Here are a few helpful hints:

1. Set realistic expectations for after-baby self. It took a solid nine months for your figure to accommodate baby. It's going to take, at the least, a few weeks or months to rebound.

2. Don't compare your post-baby body to or envy your neighbors, co-workers or friends. That skinny girl down the street that wore her regular jeans only two weeks after giving birth is NOT the norm. She's lucky. Just like she was before she ever became pregnant. Easier said than done, we know.

2. Don't unpack the pre-baby clothes too quickly. Just like keeping them in your closet when you knew you needed to be wearing maternity clothes, putting them back in your closet too early will only frustrate you, not inspire you.

3. Try on your all your maternity clothes again after baby has arrived. Box up or give away the ones that are far too big or make you feel frumpy. Keep the pieces that fit nicely and feel good. Better to wear what flatters and fits. No one will know they are maternity unless you tell them.

4. Go ahead and buy a few NEW pieces of maternity clothes that fit you NOW and are comfortable and flattering. A good sales associate can help you find styles that work with your changing figure (hey, at least it's getting smaller this time). Consider these the foundation of your "transitional" wardrobe, but don't be afraid to keep wearing them long after baby. Many of our customers continue to shop with us for months after baby has arrived because the clothes fit better and that makes our girls feel better. Most good maternity clothes these days are easy to wear even if you've never been pregnant! (Trust us. We take them home all the time.)

5. Stay focused on the big picture. You have just received one of the greatest blessings in life, a baby. Make this time about baby and about feeling good, not about size and labels. Eat healthy, exercise as your doctor advises, and enjoy this amazing phase of life. It will all pass so quickly and you'll be glad you didn't waste any of it.

Shop Local USA

Happy Birthday, America!

Despite our gripes and moans and the current economic struggles, we are indeed blessed to enjoy the many privileges of being Americans. We pursue life, liberty and happiness with unfettered gusto. In particular, we appreciate the joy of family and friends and an active role in our community, both as citizens and as a business.

This week, independent businesses across the United States are celebrating these roles with an "Independents' Week" campaign, aiming to raise awareness of the role of small business as a backbone of the American economy and way of life.

"As we honor national heritage and liberty, we also celebrate our nation's local independent businesses who have given so many citizens opportunity and underpinned and underwritten community life and prosperity. It's also a time to consider the independent decision-making ability each of us possesses to choose the future of the place we make our home." (American Independent Business Alliance)

Please help support the local businesses in your own community. When you patronize local businesses, approximately $68 of every $100 spent stays in the local economy, compared to only $43 spent at a national chain. (Civic Economics Study, Sept. 2008) so, think local. Shop local.

_{CRAVINGS CUE: We are proud to be a member of Shop Local Raleigh. For more information on local businesses in our area, please visit: http://www.shoplocalraleigh.org/}

Mothers of Multiples: The More, The Merrier?

Once you've gotten your mind around life with multiples, for many expectant parents, a series of questions and concerns are quick to follow. An article by journalist Terri Sapienza of The Washington Post offers some great ideas for how to cope, resources and some interesting statistics. We've pulled a few of these below, but be sure to check out the article for much more information (http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/993497.html).

Over the past seven-plus years at Cravings, we have found a notable increase in the number of customers expecting multiples. Hence, we recognize that comes with a whole unique set of pregnancy and parenting questions. We want to help connect you as best possible to some answers. (Be sure to check out the Cravings Cue at the bottom of this article for tips on fashion for moms with multiples!)

We encourage you, our customers and readers, to make Curious Cravings a place where you can exchange ideas and meet other mothers like yourself. Feel free to use our comment button below to post ideas, local resources, and tips you've found helpful in sorting out life with multiples...or expecting multiples. (And if you're not expecting multiples, chances are you know someone who is so please forward this blog to them!)

MULTIPLE BABIES BY THE NUMBERS (From The Washington Post)
Numbers of Wipes Used Annually:
Twins: 6,670
Triplets: 10,000
Quadruplets: 13,333

Number of Diapers Changed Annually:
Twins: 4,533
Triplets: 6,800
Quadruplets: 9.067

Number of Bottles Used Annually:
Twins: 4,420
Triplets: 6,630
Quadruplets: 8.840

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS OF MULTIPLES (From The Washington Post)
National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs: www.nomotc.org
Twinslist: www.twinslist.org
Twinsight: www.twinsight.org
Mothers of Supertwins: www.mostonline.org
Triplet Connection: www.tripletconnection.org
Center for the Study of Multiple Birth: www.multiplebirth.com
Twin Services Counseling: www.twinservices.org
Twins Magazine: www.twinsmagazine.com
1-800-DIAPERS: www.diapers.com
Online Freebies: www.storknet.com/cubbies/freebies/twins.htm

CRAVINGS CUE: While figuring out how to "fit" your pregnant figure can be challenging with one baby, it takes on a new level of uncertainty when expecting multiples. This is when a good maternity boutique can really be your friend! Some do's and don'ts that may help you get started.

• DON'T buy regular clothes in bigger sizes -- it will only frustrate you and waste your good money. You'll still outgrow these clothes quickly and feel frumpy in the process.
• DO try going up a size or two in maternity clothes, especially tops and dresses. These clothes are more proportioned for the changes your body will undergo. With good quality maternity lines, you should not find a huge difference in the shoulders, but you will gain needed inches in the body and length.
• DON'T be afraid to ask your sales assocaite for help with which styles and designers will get you more mileage than others.
  
• DO stick to knits and "stretchy" fabrics and steer clear of wovens (like blouses and structured cuts). More fluid fabrics will be more flattering as your belly blossoms. Tunic length tops are always a great idea for ensuring your belly will stay covered as your belly extends forward.
  
• DO "buy as you go" by picking up a few pieces every two or three weeks. This will make you feel more confident in your purchases and help your sales associate adjust fit as you grow.
  
• DO invest in good quality fabrics and styles. Remember, you will likely wear your maternity clothes for quite a bit after your babies arrive and quality pieces will rebound better with you as your body recovers.