Bargain maternity fashion item of the day: Batwing maternity t-shirt from Zara

With the UK supposedly entering summer - someone may want to give the weather that memo- we're continuing to pick up staple pieces for our wardrobes.

And mums-to-be looking for those key pieces definitely need this bargain maternity t-shirt in their lives.

Coming in at a cool £9.99, this batwing maternity t-shirt from Zara's maternity range, is a perfect capsule piece going with just about anything in your wardrobe.

And the best thing is it comes in lots of colours from simple black and white to on-trend orange or bright pink.

Stick it on with a pair of maternity skinny jeans and wedges or layer over a vest top for a simple breastfeeding option after the birth.

How to breastfeed in public without the stress and our pick of the best nursing tops on the highstreet

Most breastfeeding mums have a story to tell when it comes to nursing a baby in public.

Some opt to hide away in baby rooms when feeding their child, while others have reported accidentally flashing that little bit too much when nursing their child in a cafe.

However, with celebrity advocates including Pink, Miranda Kerr and Gwen Stefani championing breastfeeding in public, the stigma surrounding this is thankfully fading.

According to Emma Downie, owner and director of gorge breastfeeding and maternity fashion brand Milk & Mummy, following a few simple tips will ensure breastfeeding your baby anywhere you are isn't stressful.

"Get yourself fitted for some good quality nursing bras, if possible a few weeks before your due date, as you will get bigger closer to the birth," Emma advises.

"They will give you good shape and be comfortable too. Bear in mind you will probably have to wash them frequently so buy them in materials that wash and dry quickly."

Emma also recommends that nursing mums think about how they are going to feed in their clothes before leaving the house, regardless or not of whether they are nursing garments.

"This might sound obvious but I know a few mums who got caught short out and about and had to find a changing room to feed in as they had to remove their entire dress to get to their baby to feed," she said.

With this point in mind, Emma recommends that nursing mums consider investing in a few breastfeeding clothes to make life simpler.

"It doesn't have to be many items; just one fabulous everyday dress and a couple of flattering tops can make a huge difference," she said.

"They might seem expensive at first, but when you consider how intensively you will wear them when you are breastfeeding, the cost per wear is actually quite reasonable."

To help you we've put together a gallery of breast feeding tops from the budget to the more pricey that will suit any breastfeeding mum.

Valerie navy/cream stripe top, £45, Milk & Mummy

 

Blooming Marvellous Stripe Nursing Top, £24, Mothercare

Tie Front Breastfeeding Top, £29, Jojo Maman Bebe

MAMA 2-pack nursing tops £19.99, H&M

Waterfall top, £99, Peaks of London

Peaks of London launches luxury breast pads

Let's be honest, breast pads aren't the most exciting or sexy part of a maternity wardrobe and not something many of us would choose to talk about.

However, for almost all of us they are essential for preventing those all embarrassing leaks, during and post pregnancy, which typically always happen at the most inconvenient moments.

While there's a huge range of disposable pads on the market, Peaks of London has decided to glam up these otherwise boring essentials.

It's created a range of beautiful and delicate silk/cotton mix pads, which are available in four different colours. 

And not only do they bring a little bit of luxury but they are practical too, being totally machine washable with two sets in each bag.

Now that's something to talk about. 

Bibee launches dress with changeable breastfeeding tops

Breastfeeding is an amazing and natural way to bond with your newborn baby, but for many it does nothing for their relationship with fashion.

While we may all dream about having that fantastic stylish wardrobe, the reality is that outfits are often splattered with milk.

Although there are a great range of breastfeeding pieces available, Bibee is going that extra step to help new mums maintain their sense of style.

It's launched the Bibee Dress, which has changeable "bibs" or tops, meaning that stain or new mark can be changed immediately.

The removable Bibee Bib is designed to open at one side, allowing breast-feeding mums the
opportunity to subtly feed when out and about. Attached by buttons on the shoulders and under the arms, it is also claimed to cover the areas most susceptible to stains, such as the shoulders and chest, and can be easily removed and replaced.

Creating a capsule wardrobe, this design is great for avoiding last minute ‘what to wear’ dilemmas and gives hassle-free access for breast-feeding.

Bibee Bibs come in a range of designs and colours, and can be worn with any Bibee
Dress.

Bibee Dresses including a matching Bibee Bib start at  £175.00 with individual Bibee Bibs from £40.00.

The Bibee Bib range includes designs incorporating flowers, birds, jewellery and more. Bibee T-shirts are also available to sit underneath the Bibee Dress  for £40.

The dresses went on sale for the first time at The Baby Show last weekend and on-line sales will launch shortly.

Peaks of London Autumn/Winter 2012 breastfeeding fashion collection

Breast feeding in public has in the past been a contentious issue.

But with a range of government initiatives and new laws enabling this natural process to take place in almost any public area, the days of having to hide away in toilets or rushing off home to feed your baby, are long gone.

However, that now leaves another problem and that's of course breastfeeding fashion.

Thankfully this trend has moved on from the traditional hoisted T-shirt or an artfully draped pashmina, with a range of companies introducing stylish must-have pieces.

Peaks of London is just one of the many, and has recently launched its highly anticipated AW12 collection, which lets you breastfeed without compromising on style.

The collection is injected with jades, warm tomato reds and crisp blacks, whilst vibrant feather prints give a Japanese edge to feminine silks. Cotton sateens and soft knit stretch fabrics are also key to creating a soft silhouette.

And there's a choice for any occasion, from a top paired with jeans for a relaxed day at the park, or a divine dress for a special occasion.

The Drape dress, a favourite with Sienna Miller, can now be found in a luxe silk, and in our opinion can be worn long after breastfeeding stops.

See the below for a few of our faves from the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection.