Our Second Skin Strapless maternity bra is back in stock!
So we haven’t blogged in quite a while – sorry about that guys!
There have been lots of exciting things happening over at Amoralia HQ recently, including our SS14 shoot and visits to various trade shows around Europe (which we will tell you all about soon).
However, now that we are back, we wanted to let you know that our Second Skin Strapless maternity bra (£35) is back in stock and, to celebrate, we have put together a little Polyvore board together to show you what we think it would work with. Let us know what you think in the comments section and don’t forget to go and take a look at the bra on our website (click here)
Benefits of organic fabrics and the Second Skin Organic
Although most of us are aware, few of us really stop to think about how consumer goods are treated before they reach us. At Amoralia, we like to keep you informed, so here is a little bit of information about why organic cotton is one of our favourites:
Kind to skin
One of the biggest ticks, as far as we are concerned, is the effect organic cotton has on our skin. Chemicals in dyes (as well as treatments that include formaldehyde) are often used during the creation process of certain fabrics which can cause contact dermatitis. This presents itself as, more often than not, an itchy, scaly rash. During pregnancy and nursing, your skin is extra sensitive due to all the extra hormones, which often means that you can feel itchy and uncomfortable in your normal clothing. Dry, chapped nipples are something we hear quite a lot about – wearing organic cotton lingerie can help with these symptoms. If you are really suffering, studies suggest that wearing white cotton is the least irritating, so perhaps try this option.
Health
There is still little known about the long term implications that chemical pesticides, dyes and resins used in the creation of fabrics have on our health. In order to gain organic status, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) requires growers to produce the cotton without the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. On top of this, the seeds used cannot have been genetically engineered. This way, you know that your cotton is 100% natural.
Fair Trade Standards
Perhaps this isn’t the most obvious point. After all, the cotton has to be natural but it doesn’t necessarily have to be fair. Luckily, at Amoralia, we agree with the GOTS. In their report from 2011, cotton workers must be provided with working conditions that are safe and hygenic, as well as the freedom to choose to be employed, working hours that are not excessive, freedom from discrimination (including equal renumeration despite age, gender or race), they are prohibited from using harsh or inhumane treatment and child workers, as well as given the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining (GOTS, 2011).
For more information, head to the GOTS website here.
To check out our Second Skin Organic range (which is back in stock!) head to our website here.
Tommy’s charity are having a run around!
As many of you should know by now, we are affiliated with Tommy’s, a charity which aims to end the heartache caused by premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth.
It has come to our attention that Tommy’s are having a couple of events soon and we thought we would let you know, so you can sign up and get those beach bodies in gear!
Baby Races:
Tommy’s has launched registration for its Baby Races – a series of 8K events you can power walk with, or run without, your baby in their buggy. Taking place in beautiful, child-friendly venues across the UK in June, July & September, these are fun events for all the family, for a very worthwhile cause. Sign up today to guarantee your place, and help give every baby the best start in life: https://www.tommys.org/babyrace
Royal Parks Half Marathon (you can find the flyer below this post):
Want to do something amazing today? Why not sign up to run the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon for Tommy’s. The only way to get a place now is through a charity, and by running for Tommy’s you will help fund its vital research to help prevent miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth – saving more tiny lives.
Click here to view the full flyer – Tommy’s Half Marathon Flyer
As always, we would love to hear your stories – let us know if you’re planning on running in either event. We will be cheering everyone on!
With love, the girls at Amoralia x
disposable VS resuable: nappies and wipes
What is one of the most important decisions you will make for your children, we hear you ask? Which school you should send them to? No! Whether to use disposable or re-usable nappies or wipes? YES!
Well, maybe not the most important questions, but for many, this question is a difficult one. With rising costs involved in keeping your baby’s hygiene in check (The Women’s Environmental Network commissioned a study in 2006 which concluded that using disposable nappies could cost around £500 more than using reusable ones, which would initially cost anywhere from £80 to £200), as well as increasing concern regarding the chemicals used in disposable nappies, many parents are paying more attention to their options.
After our recent competition with Cheeky Wipes we thought it would be interesting to analyse your options for you and we were pretty surprised by what we found. For example, did you know that by the time your child is potty trained (between 2 and a half and 3 years on average) they will have used between 4,000 and 6,000 disposable nappies. All of which go to landfill.
Disposable nappies have their benefits, don’t get us wrong. They are so convenient, lightweight and easy to get hold of that many mums appreciate their easy, no fuss approach to keeping your baby ‘contained’. The polyacrylates inside the nappy that absorb everything turn into a gel when wet, containing the wetness, and can hold many times their own weight in liquid. They also don’t contribute to your already huge laundry load, which itself minimises the effect on the environment caused by repeated washing and drying.
The option to explore the world of reusable nappies and wipes is not one that all parents are open to, however, it can ultimately be more rewarding, ‘saving the world’ together style. Not only are you dramatically reducing the contents of landfill sites (only damaged nappies need to be thrown away), reusable nappies can be used by subsequent children which can only help keep your bank account a bit fuller. The environmental benefits cannot be ignored, as reusable nappies can be better by up to 40%, with the effect ultimately decided by the parents and how they choose to wash and dry the nappies or wipes. Ultimately, though, most parents choose these nappies or wipes because of their economically friendly impact – many councils offer schemes such as cashback, vouchers and free samples to encourage parents to change to reusable nappies for free or at a discount. You can even make your own inserts and/or wipes from fleece which is a hugely absorbent but fast drying man-made material and reduces the cost further. It is also interesting to note that one size of reusable nappy often lasts from birth to potty training as they feature adjustable poppers or Velcro.
Reusable nappies and wipes have their downsides too. They aren’t a very convenient option as they need to be washed regularly (although not after every use as many have a removable highly absorbent slip inside) and this washing naturally incurs quite a bit of energy and water use. They can also be less absorbent and may not fit quite as tightly as disposable nappies, which means leaks. Many parents say that they feel chained to either the washing machine or the dryer in a bid to stay on top of the washing needed to keep up with your baby’s body, which is the last thing you need with a small child and potentially older siblings.
Many parents choose to make a compromise in the form of eco-friendly disposable nappies. These are often cheaper than regular disposable nappies and are not made using chemicals, so for those reluctant to expose their baby to chemicals that aren’t 100% necessary, these nappies are a nice compromise. However, these nappies often don’t break down any quicker than ordinary disposable nappies, they just contain fewer polyacrylates, so can be kinder to your baby’s bottom (many parents claim they reduce nappy rash considerably).
With so many options, parents are bound to find an option to suit them and all it takes is a bit of experimenting! You don’t just have to stick to one option either – why not try mixing and matching disposable with reusable options?
this season: aqua
So, as the magazines keep telling us, emerald is the ‘colour of the season’. At Amoralia, we like to keep things a bit fresher, so our colour of the season is aqua. What do you think?
Check out the rest of Amoralia’s aqua range here and take a look at our Polyvore page here, for more maternity fashion ideas.
Optimise your labour preparation with Osteopathy!
Osteopath Stephanie James (pictured below) returns with another fascinating article about osteopathy in pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a unique and powerful experience. Vast musculoskeletal, hormonal and emotional changes will take place in your body over a relatively short space of time.
Up to 66% of pregnant women experience some back pain. Many causes are well established facts:
* considerable postural changes are necessary to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the baby;
* the rising level of the hormones elastin which increases the ligaments laxity to accommodate the changes often leads to unstable joints and new pain;
* poor support from the abdominal muscles develop as they stretch and weaken;
* increase of the size of the breast also create some aches and pains. (Jules says: click here to check out our maternity bras and Amoralia size chart)
Osteopathy can help you with all these discomforts directly associated with the new demands of your body during pregnancy. But it can also offer you more!
Preparation for labour:
It is important to note that any pre-existing back problems or strains from past trauma (accidents, or falls for example) leaves some legacy in the body that might manifest itself during the pregnancy as changes take place.
If untreated, these underlying strains might lead not only to further musculoskeletal problems –especially around the pelvic region – but they might also have an influence on the quality of the labour and delivery as any restrictions identified in the pelvic area can limit the ability of the bones to separate and move out during the labour.
By addressing these areas of dysfunction, the osteopath will ensure to optimise the space where the baby grows and consequently encourage it to lie correctly and move into a better position.
That is why when you come and consult an osteopath, the latter will always ensure to evaluate the mother’s pelvis and will aim to re-establish a better balance to allow an optimised passage of the baby through the birth canal.
Is Osteopathy safe during Pregnancy?
Osteopaths are highly skilled and undergo a minimum of four years training. Gentle osteopathic techniques are perfectly safe at all stages of pregnancy. The cranial osteopathic approach is a
particularly gentle way of working with the body’s own natural mechanism for releasing and re-balancing tensions, without force.
Other conditions associated with pregnancy that Osteopathy can help with:
* Sciatica
* Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Pelvic floor muscle weakness
* Abdominal muscle weakness
* Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD)
* Nausea and vomiting
* Shortness of breath
* Anxiety and stress
* Variscose veins
If you wish to book an appointment, please contact Stephanie James on 07968 401 997. www.sj-osteopathy.com
We’re off to Playtime Paris launching AW13
Come along to see our beautiful new collection of maternity and nursing lingerie, pretty nightwear and chic swimwear this weekend on stand D22 at Playtime Paris.
“The Amoralia range has been selling incredibly well and I am rapidly running out of everything!”
The show runs from the 26-28th January at the Parc Floral exhibition centre (metro: Chateau de Vincennes). For more details, please visit: PlaytimeParis.com Book your wholesale/press appointment now:
info@amoralia.com +44 (0)20 7940 8250
Agent for France & Germany: info@bettinahenry.com +33 (0)6 79 69 55 60
Agent for Benelux: greta.veeckmans@skynet.be +32 (0)4 77 26 28 72
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Jules and the Amoralia team. (and if you can’t make it to Paris, do email us, or give us a call info@amoralia.com +44 (0)20 7940 8250)
We’re celebrating with Bigjigs toys
Jules is back from Maternity Leave! So we are celebrating with a Bigjiys Toys giveaway…
With Baby Sacha recently celebrating his first birthday, Amoralia‘s founder Jules has been looking at new toys, what SHOULD he be playing with at 12 months, and how can these toys provide the foundation for the development of his future learning and still be fun! (and giving Mummy Jules time to get dressed in peace!)
With Bigjigs Toys all over the press this month, following a really fun exchange of letters with the Department of Transport (see image left, to read more on this click here ) we asked George Poole if he could recommend some suitable toys for Baby Sacha for 12-18 months; read on for George’s recommendations!
George WRITES:
A first birthday is such a milestone! Congratulations baby Sacha!
Many babies learn to walk around 12-14 months, so I’m sure he is getting more mobile, and finding ways to communicate with adults, by mimicking his parents and even perhaps using limited sign language? Exciting times!
Research has shown how these first few years of their lives are so important so do take advantage of his eagerness to learn; watch how he plays, thinks, and problem-solves, as his little brain develops – playing with your children stimulates their curiousity and senses, and that interest in learning too.
Bigjigs toys have such a wide range of toys suitable for just this age, which will engage a one year old, and help them to learn – Your soon-to-be One Year Old will most definitely enjoy investigating shape sorters such as the Rolling Activity Centre; He’ll love the moving bead feature on the Farm Pullalong, encouraging his delicate finger movement, as he learns how one bead must be moved for the rest to follow on. Also, the classic Alphabet Brick for building, knocking down, again and again!
For a chance to WIN a Bigjigs Toys Rolling Activity Centre and a Sort-Shaper, visit our competition page by clicking here.
Baby Shower gift ideas for baby
With our lovely Director Jules due back at Amoralia after having Baby Sacha last year, and a good friend of Amoralia’s about to go on maternity leave, we asked Jules to tell us her favourite and most useful baby gifts – for that ever popular Baby Shower!
So here’s a selection of affordable gifts, which any mama (and daddy) would love to receive and cherish.
1) A retro soft toy, great as they learn to read (much later on!) Alphabet sausage dog by the wonderful JaneFoster.co.uk
2) Selection of indestructible cardboard books, our favourites are HUG by Jez Alborough, and that’s not my Puppy! by Fiona Watt, Rachel Wells
3) Sophie the Giraffe, BPA-free and a ‘must-have’ for teething and distracting – BabyRug.co.uk
4) Rolling shape sorter, environmentally friendly, educational and suitably noisy! shop.bigjigstoys.co.uk
5) A comfort blanket, made in the UK – we know you love them, a classic from Raggy-Tag.com
6) A money box – retro 1970’s elephant, from Norsu in Finland perfect for those first savings, not a toy at this stage though! from molly-meg.co.uk
7) High contrast black and white faces mobile, as seen in Peaches Geldof’s bedroom! socialbaby.com
8) We love a bit of crochet…. Adorable Octopus – and it’s Fairtrade from littlehathi.co.uk
9) No baby’s wardrobe is complete without a pair of English-made little leather shoes from daisy-roots.com
10) Eco-friendly beakers and plates – they won’t break when pushed off the table! (don’t panic, weaning is fun) becothings.com
11) Classic babygrow with neutral grey trim from amoralia.com
12) Soft organic receiving blanket from aravore.com
Let us know what we’ve missed… post your ideas here or on facebook or twitter, and we’ll add them to our Pinterest Board here.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum – alleviating the symptoms
What is hyperemesis gravidarum?
Morning sickness is quite common amongst pregnant women. Fortunately, for the majority it’s a temporary and minor problem. For others, though, sickness can occur at any time of the day or night and may continue throughout the entire course of the pregnancy.
For women, as with Kate Middleton, with hyperemesis gravidarum, the problem is even worse – and potentially can be quite dangerous. The vomiting is so severe that no food or liquid can be kept down, leading to shocking weight loss and possible hospitalisation.
Unlike morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum does usually persist past the first trimester (third) of pregnancy. It typically subsides by week 21 of pregnancy, but can last much longer.
We asked Stephanie James (pictured right), a Registered Osteopath, and friend of Amoralia, if Osteopathy can help Kate Middleton during her pregnancy?Osteopathy can help with the symptoms of the Hyperemesis Gravidarum. As experts we believe that hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy can be positively influenced with osteopathic treatment. Since each treatment is tailored to each individual needs, there is not one “magic” recipe, but a few common approaches that could help alleviating some of the symptoms. The whole body would be examined and looked at. Some example of areas that we would address in such case are:
– Stomach: the organ itself but also its innervation (around the thoracic spine 6 to 9 but also from one of the brain part)
– The “vomiting centre” is located at the base of the 4th ventricle in the brain and can be influenced by gentle cranial osteopathic techniques
– Dehydration: vomiting depletes the body tissues from water. Connective tissues, membranes are irrigated through cranial osteopathic techniques
– Breathing : mums-to-be can be stressed and their breathing impaired with the growing foetus. A gentle work around the diaphragm as well as around the cervical spine would also be included in the treatment. Such release technique would also be beneficial for equalising the problem of difference of pressure between the thoracic and abdominal cavities that can accentuate the symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
– – Shock of the tissues due to regular violent bursts of vomiting episodes: gentle techniques around the sympathetic and parasympathics systems situated along the spine would also be considered to calm down the irritated tissues and offer the body a new equilibrium.
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