There are plenty of niggling issues to contend with when pregnant, as your body changes shape. One of pregnancy's most irritating problems is finding clothes to fit that don't expose your growing belly, unfastened trouser buttons or less than chic elasticated waistbands.
This is a particularly cumbersome problem in the early stages where regular clothes are starting to feel too tight but maternity clothes are still too large.
One of the best solutions to ensure you feel chic and covered for the duration of your pregnancy is a belly band. These soft, comfortable bands keep tight shirts from riding up, under-the-bump skirts and trousers from falling down, and maintain a smooth body-line when you're feeling your most awkward.
Bamboo is the more eco-friendly choice, with a range of green benefits, and is arguably better for you too. Naturally anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and with 98% UV protection, bamboo is grown naturally, without pesticides or fertilizers. The fabric is also breathable, which keeps you warm in winter and cool in the sweaty summer months.
The band is perfect for those in-between stages, providing you with some extra length so you can hang on to pre-pregnancy tops for that little bit longer without showing off to the world your newly acquired bump.
However, the band can also be manipulated to suit different stages of pregnancy. In the first flushes of pregnancy, where clothes are just beginning to feel tight, the band can be folded to suit, giving you comfort as your body changes shape. Furthermore, once your baby has arrived, it can be used to discreetly cover your midriff when breastfeeding.
Bamboo bands are available on a range of websites. However, Bamboo Moomoo is currently having a sale on the bands, now at £5.50 reduced from £15.00. By Florence Buswell.