Alice, always "fit" throughout pregnancy!

I had the pleasure to care for Alice who comes from Wales!

“Having lived in Switzerland for 18 months before I became pregnant – I was starting to feel like I had settled in to the country fairly well. However, as the pregnancy developed I then found that there were many things that I had no idea about – relating to healthcare, pregnancy and getting prepared for the baby.

Florence’s thorough one-to-one approach has really helped me to navigate through the past few months, giving great tips on all sorts of things such as what buggy would best suit my needs, how to go about getting health insurance for the baby (and what different “complements” are worthwhile), what is “normal” in swiss hospitals, an overview of what shops might be best for buying all the baby kit, etc. She’s a mine of information, and really knows the subject inside-out.”

Personally my bump was on the small side so I didn’t need pregnancy tops until the sixth month but my lower abdomen did become particularly sensitive meaning that wearing tight jeans or belts became unbearable. I managed to find my old, comfortable but not at all sexy pants in my wardrobe but in the end decided (after about 12 weeks) to invest in real maternity wear. It is then that my quest for the Holy Grail began. Finding nice maternity clothes in and around Lausanne is not that easy…

Here is what I discovered…

Maternity Clothes In Lausanne City Centre

Since I live in the centre of Lausanne I went first to the shops closest to me:

C&A, 3^rd floor, Rue Centrale: cheap but the sizes are quite large…. I bought a pregnancy band which I was never able to wear because it was too large. However, I also bought two great denim skirts and a pair of very comfy exercise pants. The choice is limited.

One of my favorite outfit, C&A skirt and H&M top

Zara Lausanne (next to Globus): At the beginning of my pregnancy there was a small 1m wide section of Zara’s maternity clothing line “For Mum” (launched in 2007) but when I went back there towards the end of my pregnancy it had disappeared. I bought a T-shirt, cheap but rather plain it is a little more fitted than the C&A clothing. It’s probably best to ask one of the sales assistants where they hid the maternity section, that’s if it hasn’t been discontinued.

H&M metropole, in the shopping mall of the Metropole, rue des terreaux: Thanks Aga for this address! During my pregnancy the Metropole Centre was still under construction so this H&M didn’t exist! You can read my impression of H&M maternity clothing in the “Maternity Clothes Around Lausanne” section below.

Arthur et Lola, galerie St François (rue de bourg) : It’s quite hard to find time to go here during working hours as the opening times are a little restricted. Very attractive clothing but very limited choice. in 2009, I found my only three pairs of maternity trousers there which are still in great condition for use during my next pregnancy. The prices are, however, on the high side with one pair of trousers costing upwards of 70 chf.

I also found a good pair of maternity leggings there (which I used for ballet classes) and a really nice summer dress.

There isn’t a big quantity of clothes available. I went there again in january 2012 to check and there are even less clothes than 3 years ago… Hoppefully the collection changes every season.

A maternity dress bought at Arthur and Lola

Boutique Tartine, rue Enning: I didn’t buy any maternity clothes here. The prices are, in general, rather high.

InPregna, boulevard de Grancy, next to subway stop Grancy: a big shop with brands such as Esprit. I didn’t buy anything here. The shop closed in November 2011.

Mes neuf mois, Valentin bus stop, rue du Valentin: Brand new boutique, opened in december 2012, with lots of choice for working girls. You will find Esprit Maternity Wear and some other nice clothes. The owner is really sweat and helpful! Go check this place!

Maternity Clothes Around Lausanne

H&M Crissier, in the Migros shopping mall : There is a corner of the shop dedicated to maternity clothing, I bought most of mine from here. Great clothes, the set of two black and white belly bands is a must have: thin, not too wide, not too big, great for putting around the waistband of a pair of normal jeans with the button and zip undone. They also have a very nice selection of tops, dresses and vests in small sizes, I was really pleasantly surprised! And the best thing about them: H&M bargain prices!

A white H&M belly band, must have and so practical!

Benetton in Morges: Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go there but apparently they have maternity wear. Has anyone tested it?

Baby 2000, in Echandens: A small selection which I also have not tested.

Maternity Clothes available from Swiss website

I personally didn’t need to shop online for maternity clothes but it could be a solution if you can’t find anything suitable anywhere else:

Vertbaudet: Clothes of quite a classic style, I haven’t bought anything from there. One of my main criticisms is their long delivery times (10 days minimum).

Jubilane: a selection of basic items for pregnancy.

Bibou.ch: : a good selection. They have a shop in Peseux if you prefer to have a look first.

Jolie-Maman: beautiful clothes at a range of prices. There is also a shop in Payerne. Be careful I have heard rumours that it can sometimes be hard to get a refund on items that don’t fit.

Nine Seasons: A bit of everything, very good quality and quite original. Reasonable prices.

Other Maternity Clothes

I had the opportunity during my pregnancy to travel a little, in particular to London where I was able to go to the fashion mecca that is Top Shop on Oxford Circus. I practically bought the whole shop! They have dresses which fit perfectly and are ultra comfortable, and all for a great price! If you’re ever passing through London make sure you pay it a visit!

Beginnings of LuluShamallow:

Caroline, LuluShamallow ‘creator, is a bit like me : resourceful !

While participating at baby massage lessons, she was always wondering how to protect babies from cold during the massage and making sure they will be fully receptive. She found the solution by making a baby massage mat filled with bullet of spelt ! After two-three minutes in the oven or microwave, the mat will provide heat during the time of the massage. So your baby will be more receptive ! and with the well-placed stitchies, the spelt remains in place when the baby is on the pillow.

Baby Massage Mat and Heart Shaped Heater

She shared her creation with other moms and, because they were also interested with this baby massage pillow, Caroline decided to seriously develop this product. Since she started this experience, she still has the same spirit : having fun and sharing her creations with people, by developing quality products you won’t find anywhere else !

Now, those massage mat are saled in several shops in French speaking Switzerland.

Products: natural Pillows and Heaters

The heart-melting heart shaped heater!

Since then, LuluShamallow developed other products. She provides articles for babies of course but also for adults and children (Stop looking for original Christmas gifts…) You can find all her products on her blog but here are my personal favourites :

• The lovely heater in a heart shape, filled with raisin seeds : a cute tiny heater to hug while falling asleep
• The kid’pillow in spelt’s bullet: a small size pillow for children (from 18 months) well supporting their head
• The adult’s pillow: because benefits from a natural pillow are not exclusively for kids!
• The relaxing eyes bag/ tiny baby heater: a 2 in 1 formula! Tired or exhausted ? put it 5 minutes on your eyes, and…enjoy. It’s very relaxing if you spend much time in front of a computer. It’s also very useful for babies who suffer colic! With its small size and thin filling, you can heat it and put it on your baby’s belly safely, cries fade away!

Spelt Bullet Pillows

LuluShamallow is currently working on a new babies’pillow model for flat head babies, that you will very soon discover on her website.

And, of course, the baby massage mat!

All covers are removable and washable. Covers come in different colors and printed fabrics. Covers are free from zip, scratch and button, all heaters are microwave safe!

Lulu Shamallow Materials

Every heater or pillow from LuluShamallow is filled with local and natural materials. LuluShamallow really cares about ethic and sustainable development.  That shows trough the materials she chooses to make the cover and fillings.

Relaxing eyes bags and Baby Pillows Cover

Other printed fabrics for eyes bags and baby pillows

Fillings:

• Cherry seeds (from France) : keep fresh and warm better than classical water heater
• Raisin seeds (France) : same qualities than cherry seeds, but thinner
• Organic millet bullet (Switzerland) : delicate and thin, for small babies
• Spelt bullet (Switzerland) : a natural dust mite repellent! Spelt reject humidity and sweat: little accidents (wee) wont be a problem anymore !

The cover fabric is usually recycled old cotton linen ( from grandmas, so they were all organic at that time ;) )

Covers are made from cotton printed fabric.

Win a LuluShamallow Christmas Gift Box !

It’s Christmas early! LuluShamallow offers 2 Christmas gift boxes for my blog’s readers only! The give away is limited to Switzerland.

Here is what you will find inside :

First price : a baby massage mat and a lovely raisin seeds heater,

And, for the second price, your choice between:

• a kid pillow and a cherry seed heater
• a round baby pillow (flat head pillow) and a tiny raisin seed heater

How to play :

1. Comment this post saying that you participate, and tell us if you share this post on social media (one more chance to win by sharing it on facebook, twitter, or writing an article on your own blog)

1. Check the right answer below (you’ll find the answer on LuluShamallow Website) 

[contact-form-7]

You have until the 30th of november to take your chance !

Good luck everybody !

Like LuluShamallow on Facebook!

• Newborn size: the first 2 weeks if your baby was less than 50 cm at birth, otherwise never.
• One Month: from birth to 1 month, slightly more if your baby is a small size and / or if you purchased one month in Switzerland (56cm)
• Three Month: up to 3 months
• and so on.

Of course each child is built differently, has its own growth rate, some go directly from size 3 months to 12 months …

These are things that you will be able to tell according to your own baby.

How to choose the clothes, when to buy?

You’ll have to buy some clothes before birth, even if you do not know how big baby will be (light weight 2.8 kg and 48 cm or big baby 52 cm and 3.6 kg) …

I had bought a mix of size one month and three months with a total of 6 sleepers and 8 onesies. It was fine for the first month, especially because you usually get lots of gifts in size three months. I also had two small baggy pants and some cardigans knitted by my mother in law.

After that, I recommend to buy as you go. You’ll see when the onesies start to be too short, and you can then buy new ones according to the season. If you buy too early, you might be stuck with some winter onesies that will fit during the summer and therefore useless … That’s too bad especially when the clothes are worn for such a little time… (…)

Styles that are useful

• Crossover onesies for the first 3 months because it’s easier to put on.
• Pants that are large around the buttocks area to allow a greater freedom of movement
• Socks with cuffs around the ankle because they hold better
• Cardigans rather than sweaters
• Cotton turtleneck shirts for the winter, perfect under a dress or tunic or even under a jacket, plus it keeps little necks well protected

Wrong ideas

• Sweaters with a zipper: the zipper is too stiff, folds and hurts baby’s neck
• Pants with inside leg snap buttons. It is easier to just remove the pants especially if the fabric is on the thicker side. Otherwise good on pants with thin fabrics, light cotton overalls for example during the summer.
• T-shirts: not worn much during the early months especially during the summertime when baby will mostly wear onesies.

And if you get some gifts, that’s great! But make sure to look at the sizing, and try them quickly! For example, if someone gives you clothes in size six months (67 cm or 68 cm), try to put it on your child when he turns 3 month because it will most likely start to be almost too small when he turns 5 months. Baby clothes unfortunately only fit perfectly for a maximum of one month during the first year…

Sizes and brands

As with adult clothes, brands fit differently for a same size. This is a small summary of my tests looking at the size in cm, and not the age listed, which changes…The brands are listed according to their price range starting with the cheaper ones.

• H & M: fits quite big, refer to the height. The onesies are of great quality, as are the sleepers and socks (they hold!). The prices are also reasonable, I recommend.

(…)

• DPAM: The fit can be different depending on the style (it usually has to do with the factory that manufactured the product). I only buy turtleneck cotton shirts. The tights are huge, and the onesies of poor quality. I have not tested other styles.
• Okaidi: correct size, the arms are short fast. Good quality and modern designs. They have nice basics: leggings, under-shirts
• Cadet Rousselle: tights fit small. Look at the size in age rather than in cm… Good quality, very nice sleepers.
• Petit Bateau: Size fits rather narrow especially with the cloth diapers. Take a size up for more comfort. The arms are not very long, otherwise very good. Very nice sleepers.
• Catimini: Good fit.
• IKKS: Good fit but the arms are short.

(…)

And you, what have you tested? Did you have any surprises?

Thanks to Emilie Sarkissian for her translation (written first on her Facebook Page). Find her Facebook page Apricot Culotte

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