Maternity coat - worth it?

[le42]

Hi, I’m due end of Jan and debating whether to buy a maternity coat.... none of my old coats fit anymore as they were all quite a fitted style.

Is it worth buying a maternity coat or should I just get a normal one in a big size?

If you are planning to use a sling I'd really recommend getting one that can be used for baby wearing too. I've got a Mamalila one which was expensive (£170) but I used it through the last few months of pregnancy with DS2 and expect to get at least two and a bit winters of baby wearing out of it. I wish I'd bought one when I was pregnant with DS1. It has a pregnancy panel and a baby wearing panel that you can zip into the front or back.

I'm due at the end of December and I'm considering these. Not sure if Seraphine one looks smart or bit blingy?

www.next.co.uk/style/ST265468

www.seraphine.com/en-gb/diamond-down-maternity-coat.html

I dithered about this - due October but it's getting cold here and I liked using the sling with my first but she was a summer baby.

I've ended up with a hooded wool cape, non maternity so it will still work afterwards. Not my usual thing but I like it!

Thank you for this thread OP, I'd been uhming and ahhing about it and you've jogged me into action. I'm due in January too.

I was thinking of getting a specific baby-wearing coat, but they're all a bit pricey. Anyway, I've just ordered this one from ASOS: www.asos.com/new-look-maternity/new-look-maternity-parka-coat/prd/10661088?clr=black&SearchQuery=new+look+maternity+coat&SearchRedirect=true

I've ordered two sizes so I can assess which one might be suitable for baby-wearing afterwards. Although baby-wearing DC1 made me SO hot, I'm not sure I'd want a big coat on anyway, even in January.

Bon Prix also do a range of baby wearing coats/jackets/hoodies that aren't too expensive.

Depends how cold it is going to be, but I got one for a Jan baby, was very useful! Got it off ebay (new from the ASOS outlet). I then used it after when carrying baby in the sling.

I didn't bother when I was pregnant with DD who was born in November, far too expensive just to wear for a few months. Plus I wasn't keen on the style of them, very limited choice I found. I just bought a normal winter coat, wore it open with a thick jumper underneath and I was warm enough, sometimes wore a long scarf for extra warmth. But if you've got the spare cash and you've seen one you like then why not?

It was one of the few things I really regretted not buying with DC1 (who was born end of January). Like lots of others I borrowed my Dad’s coat! But, given how overdue I went, how much I ended up wearing baby in a sling and how cold I got (it snowed- a lot), I have bought one for DC2 with a zip in sling panel.

Thanks for the suggestions - my issue is less the length of the actual coat, and more where the waist is... I have a long body which is why waists on most standard coats are somewhere under my boobs (not flattering), then maternity waistlines are higher anyway. Might just go to sports direct and buy a massive man coat!

I just bought a wool waterfall coat and wore a scarf.

As @LeeMiller said, Bon Prix have a good selection. I bought a waterproof one from there with a zip in baby panel for when baby is born and an extra zip in panel to make it bigger during pregnancy. Without the panels it looks like a normal coat and I reckon I may get away wearing it normally after pregnancy. It's also generous in length and I'm 5"9. Think it was £50 or so.

I didn’t need to with my first pregnancy as the baby was a summer baby and I still fitted in my normal coat during the colder months. This time round I’ll need to. I’m gigantic and whale like and still only 16 weeks. I also hate the cold. I hate the thought of spending too much on something that won’t get worn much though.

I didn't bother but then I didn't spend long outside - drove to work etc. I bought a thick coat/cardigan thing in a bigger size and just layered up. I wasn't a particularly cold winter that year either.