Bump bands advice needed

[Nov12Womble]

Hello,

I'm at that awkward stage (20 weeks +5) where my old trousers don't fit and maternity ones are too big and need to get some bump bands and would like a bit of advice about whether it's a) worth paying a bit more (some on ebay are only about £2! but I'm a bit suspicious they'll just fall apart) b) any brands to avoid (I've heard that the seams on Mothercare ones are very itchy) c) pre-pregnancy I was size 12-14 and a lot of bands are small (size 8/10-12) or medium (14-16/18). Is it better to go larger (as I'll only get bigger but they might not be much use now) or smaller (are they often a bit generous anyway?). Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

I've got one from Pumpkin Patch that has lasted me through 2 pregnancies just fine.

I've been using boob tubes from Peacocks in a size 8 (I'm a 12) upside down and back to front. £4 each. I'm in maternity stuff now (just) at 20+6 :)

I would go to a shop first and try one first to see if you get on with them. I bought a couple online (belly band? bump band? I can't remember which website) and I just didn't like the look and feel it gave me- I felt like I was wearing a lot of layers and kept thinking it was either going to ride up or fall down, i felt like I was pulling at my clothes the whole day. But I know others get on with them well so its all personal taste just maybe try before you buy, unlike me!

During my 'normal clothes too small maternity clothes too big' stage I wore mainly my normal dresses which were getting too short at the front to be decent over leggings in a size bigger than my usual size- primark ones at £3 a pair were/are fine. Also Primark long Stretchy T shirts (again £3 each)are really fab as they grow with you, I've been wearing mine from 16 weeks to now (28 weeks tomorrow).

I got a 2 pack from George at Asda (1 white, 1 black) in medium (I was a size 14 pre-preg) and they've been just fine. About £5 for the pair I think. I am 29 weeks and they're starting to get a bit small but my the time they're really too small, I won't fit into a single non-maternity item anyway so they will have served their purpose.

I got a plain black one from Esprit, which I think was one size fits all and which went from under boobs to over hips - a bit longer than some. It was brill and two friends borrowed after and it was still going strong. Was about 12 quid.

Look at this one www.cravematernity.co.uk/products/belly-band.html I know it might not be as cheap as the ones on ebay but I had it and it was great. Also, going to the shops would be a good idea and after trying them on see how you feel. Hope I helped

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I'll have a look into the ones that have been mentioned and maybe even try and get to some shops to try some on (easier said than done at the moment with weekends full of weddings!)

I got one for £7 from Topshop and they did S M and L.. I got a large I was a 14 before pregnancy. Thought it could also do me once all my normal tops become too short.