1)      Buy a little big. Unlike regular clothes that look better fitted to your shape, you are better off getting pajamas that may be a little loose around the waist and loose around the belly as these are the areas that will continue to expand for nine months.   2)      Look for soft fabrics that are machine washable. Cottons are always very comfortable. If you are buying online, check out the washing instructions part of the description or find out from the store if it is not shown on the site. You will be much more inclined to wear something you can wash and dry in your machine rather than something that needs hand washing due to a lot of fancy ribbons or embroidery.   3)      Buy maternity pajamas with a lycra or spandex blend. Even 5% lycra can make a huge difference in the stretch of the fabric and you will need this stretch for maximum comfort and longer use as your pregnancy progresses.   4)      Look for pajama bottoms that have an elastic band and fit under the belly. There is nothing more uncomfortable than anything constricting your belly when you try and sleep at night. Belly skin can become very sensitive in the later months of pregnancy as you approach your due date. Most women find they are most comfortable with an elastic belly waistband because it easily stretches to fit you and does not cause any friction to your skin. If an online photo does not show how the bottoms fit and the description does not say, email or call up the store and ask them.   5)      If you plan to nurse, buy nursing pajamas with nursing access so you can also wear it after you have your baby. It is very hard to nurse in the dark of night when you are dead tired in a nightgown without nursing access and have a very hungry baby!   6)      Once you find a pajama that fits and feels great, buy more in other colors if you like the style. Japanese Weekend has a great basic Cross Over Sleepwear Set that comes in ¾ sleeves or cap sleeves. This style comes in 5 different colors. Japanese Weekend also has a short sleeve nightgown in the style and color choices.   After you have your baby, your maternity sleepwear can quickly become your daywear for the first month. Buy a few pairs in advance that you really like and would not mind greeting visitors in after you have your baby.

If you are expecting your first baby, it is hard to know what to expect with your future bra size when shopping for your nursing bra as you have no history to draw on. The best rule of thumb is to wait until as close to your due date as possible before buying a nursing bra so that you can best gage what your size will be. If you do plan to nurse, you can expect your milk to come in within 2-3 days after you deliver. When you milk does first come in, some women experience a huge temporary uptick in their cup size. However, once your hormones settle down and your milk supply adjusts to a more predictable demand, your size should settle down. You should expect some natural size fluctuation during the day and before and after nursing, so it is best to pick a comfortable stretchy bra which will accommodate these changes while providing the support that you need for heavier lactating breasts.

The second rule is to not buy too many bras until your size has settled down after the first few weeks. You will probably only need about 3-4 bras at most that you can wash and wear so you always have one on hand to accommodate those early weeks. My best advice is to find several styles you like, that are very stretchy and can accommodate several cup sizes to safely fit your fluctuating and uncertain size. The Bravado Original Nursing Bra is an excellent choice. This bra comes in 3 size categories and 4 band sizes to accommodate a range of cup and band sizes and stretches easily while offering good support. Since there are no hooks on the back and a stretchy wide T-back fit, you can even comfortably sleep in this bra if you choose. If you are larger busted, I do recommend buying sleep bras for evening and nighttime wear which will also fit a range of cup sizes. The Majamas Easy Bra is an good choice which comes Small to XXL and fits from a 32A to a 48G. This bra has no hooks in the back and is a simple pull down style for nursing. The Easy Bra now also comes in an Organic Cotton which is very comfortable fabric for sleeping and loungewear.

Once you have survived the early weeks of nursing and motherhood, you will probably want to find a bra that is flattering to wear under T-shirts and gives you a bit more support and shape. Melinda G has a number of bras to choose from that come in a range of sizes. Melinda’s G’s Tee Shirt Soft Cup Nursing Bra is a smooth cup wireless bra that gives a clean look you can wear under a tee shirt or tight fitting shirt. This bra also has support comparable to an underwire bra without the associated risk of mastitis from an underwire bra. The Tee Shirt Soft Cup bra also stretches to fit several cup and band sizes which makes it an excellent nursing bra.

If you are bigger busted and really need the support of an underwire bra, Melinda G’s T-shirt Underwire Nursing bra is a very good choice. Like the Tee shirt soft cup bra, this bra also provides a clean seamless and smooth look that can be worn under a tight fitting shirt while also giving your breast shape and definition without restrictions. This bra comes in sizes 34C to 38F and is cup and band size specific, so it is best to buy this bra after your milk supply has settled down and you are a more exact size. The hooks on the cups do allow you to adjust the size of the cups to smaller or larger for before and after nursing to help with that size variation and superior fit.

If you are looking to get back your pre-pregnancy figure and hit the gym, you will probably feel more comfortable in a nursing sports bra when exercising. Bella Materna offers a highly supportive and comfortable Nursing Sports Bra that stretches to accommodate up to 2 cup sizes for your normal size fluctuation. The quick drying Italian Lyca/Nylon fabric will not pill or fade or show sweat marks. This bra has a 4 hook closure on the back for maximum support and adjustable wide straps with clip nursing access. You will probably want to wear this bra even after your baby is weaned for its support, comfort and flattering uplifting design.

Once you find comfortable supportive nursing bras to accommodate your size variations and daily life routines, you will find your quality of life improves tremendously as you reclaim your body, your life and embark upon the joys of motherhood.

One of the great things about Maternal America tops is that they are truly stylishly engineered to take you all the way through your pregnancy without looking frumpy. Their maternity tops are cut extra long to give full belly coverage and often cut with a body hugging design or bottom bands to avoid a tenting effect. Maternal America tops are known for their pretty necklines rushing detail across the chest, bust or shoulders which draw the eye away from the belly and flatter your curves. Maternal America is also know for their high quality fabrics and manufacturing.

Some great fashion piece for Maternal America’s Winter 2007 collection are the following:

Maternal America Flutter Top – Like the Flutter Dress, this ¾ sleeve scoop neck maternity top is a repeat hit in new colors for this season. This Maternal America signature design will fit you in style throughout your pregnancy. The heather brown and rust colors go with everything and can be dressed up or down with a skirt, dress slacks or jeans.

Maternal America Cowl Neck Top – This maternity top has casual elegance and style with an exaggerated cowl neck and figure hugging cotton fabric. The taupe color goes great with all winter colors. This maternity top is great for the office, dressed up with a skirt or casual with jeans.

Maternal America ¾ Sleeve Nursing Top – This top is excellent for transition wear, maternity and nursing. It comes in a beautiful teal color as well as classic black. The rushing cross over design is both flattering and functional with discreet nursing access. The soft flowing fabric drapes over the belly with pleats that can easily stretch for maternity wear and gives you non-clingy postpartum coverage. Maternal America Love Peace Babies Scoop Tee – This is a long sleeve tee made with Maternal America’s extra soft and stretchy ribbed cotton fabric which provides for extra room as you grow. It has the trendy peace sign on silk screened on top. It’s a great shirt for layering or wearing just by itself. The taupe color makes a really good choice for wearing with a pair of casual jeans.

Maternal America Kangaroo Pocket Sweater — This sweater is great for your urban life. It has that casual yet chic look in a cement color that matches jeans or any color pants. There is a stylish accent stitching around elbows, neckline and Kangaroo Pouch. Throw your hands into the pouch to keep warm in colder.

These styles listed above are just a few of Maternal America’s many exciting designs for this Winter Season. Stay tuned for more exciting Maternal America fashions to come this Spring 2008!

Belly Coverage

The Tankini and Halterkini styles are all fun, flirty bikini skimming styles that usually allow a little bit of belly to peek without showing your whole basketball tummy to the world. These styles are easy to wear as they are 2 piece and allow modesty without being prudish. As the name implies the Tankini are typically tank style tops which are usually more supportive for more endowed women while the Halterkinis are behind the neck halter tie styles which can create a little more cleavage depending on the how low cut the style of the suit and the bust size of the woman wearing it.

Different Size on Top and Bottom

Since many stores and manufacturers do not sell separate sizes for top and bottoms, the adjustable tie bottoms can be made bigger or smaller to help with this dilemma. The Hipkini is another variation of the Tankini and Halterkini 2 piece styles and depending on the manufacturer can either implie a lower rise bikini bottom or an adjustable tie bikini bottom. If you need to make more or less room in the hip/thigh area the adjustable tie is very useful in getting the perfect fit and looks cute at the same time!

Hip and Bottom Coverage

The Babydoll style suit can come in both Tank and Halter styles is an excellent choice for a full coverage maternity swimsuit that looks flattering but not frumpy. This style suit usually comes with over the belly bottoms, so even if the top rides over the belly in the water, you are still fully covered. Prego Maternity currently makes a number of fun patterned Babydoll suits including an Aloho black and white pattern as well as solids. Another bonus of the Babydoll is that it offers superior bust support.

Strapless

The Prego Strapless Mini is a superb 2 piece mini with under the belly bikini bottoms. The mini top fully covers the tummy and hips and gives you a sleek elongated look, along with your baby bump of course. Prego’s lightly padded mini top provides surprising support for a strapless suit and fits securely across the bust like a tube. This suit also has a detachable halter string that gives a little extra assurance for swimmers, if desired. Prego makes the mini in a number of pretty patterns as well as solids.

Fashionable 1 Pieces

Yes, it is possible to wear a one piece maternity suit and look sexy! Maternal America’s 1 Piece Keyhole Swimsuit is an excellent style for all body types. This one piece has incredible lines that really flatter your figure with adjustable halter ties and peek-a-boo keyhole center. So while you are fully covered, you are far from prudish in this tastefully sexy suit. This season Maternal America is also offering the “Jasmine” 1 Piece Keyhole Suit in a zesty turquoise pattern which is perfect for any island or beach get away!

Maternity Bikinis

If less is more for you and you have the body to go with it, then by all means flaunt it! But, don’t even think about squeezing into your pre-pregnancy suit, because the fit is not the same when you are pregnant! Bellabumbum makes a glove-like colorful striped maternity bikini that is truly designed to fit your maternity shape for all trimesters. The Bellabumbum Bikini is a halter style top and comes in both mandarin and aqua stripes. The bottoms have a secure wide comfortable band with adjustable ties. Prego Maternity also makes a perfectly fitting Maternity Bikini with a keyhole halter style top and very elastic hip riding bikini bottoms. Prego’s Maternity Bikini comes in both solid black and brown.

So, whether your goal is to show more or show less, there is a maternity swimsuit style suit out there that is perfect for you!