Basics: Stock up on a range of basic tees, trousers and maternity bras, in a range of sizes, in comfortable, breathable, stretchy materials to see you through the course of your pregnancy.
Sizing: When it comes to picking the right size for your maternity clothes, follow this basic rule. Pick your normal size. It may sound odd but maternity clothes are designed with average body shapes in mind, but they give you extra room to grow as your bump expands. If you are expecting more than one baby, you may need to opt for a size up.

Fabrics: When it comes to maternity clothing the last thing you want is clingy materials that make you sweat. Pick breathable, stretchy fabrics that are comfortable. A good option is natural cotton, mixed with lycra for extra stretch.
Maternity bras: Throughout your pregnancy your breasts are going to grow, and grow, and grow, as your body prepares to look after your child. Chances are your bust size is going to grow several sizes, so you want to make sure that you get the perfect fit. You can buy maternity bras as your body grows, but leave buying your nursing bras until the final couple of months, otherwise you may underestimate and end up with too small a size.
The ‘Feel Good’ outfit: There will be days where you feel fat and frumpy and not at all ‘glowing’ so we recommend having one outfit that you feel great in. This can be worn on those down days, or to a special occasion where you feel pretty and not just pregnant. This can be an elegant dress or a pretty top and jeans – whatever works for you.

It’s a common sight at the pool and the beach…to see mothers applying sunscreen to wriggling children who are eager to play. But there is something very wrong with this picture. Sunscreen takes half an hour to get absorbed and start protecting your child’s tender skin. So make sure you apply the cream at home and especially for babies it is best to work in the sunscreen before you put on the clothes. This protects the areas where the clothes ride up from getting burnt too. Many parents apply the sunscreen once and think their child is covered unless they have been in the water. Experts, however, recommend that the sunscreen be applied every two hours and especially after each dip in the pool.

Mandy Parkson invested in SPF swimwear for her one­ year-old. “Anything I can do to guarantee he is safe is fine though this is more expensive….I’m even thinking of buying UV protected sunglasses. My family thinks I am either being too fashion conscious or too paranoid but… “She adds. A lip balm that offers a SPF protection of 15 or higher should be applied for children over six months.

For babies younger than six months the safest protection seems to be loose full clothes, a wide brim hat and protection under an umbrella or a parasol. After babies have crossed the six-month mark they can be safely protected with a sunscreen created for children. Doctors also suggest that if a child is on some medication, parents check with the doctor if that medicine could increase sensitivity to sunrays.

Another factor to study while buying a sunscreen lotion is the SPF written on the side of the bottle. The SPF or Sun Protection Factor is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on a protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause sunburn on unprotected skin. For e.g. a person who turns red after 10 minutes in the sun takes 20 minutes to turn red after using a sunscreen with SPF 2 and 150 minutes after applying a cream with SPF 15. Another thing to keep in mind while purchasing a sunscreen is what percentage of protection is ensured with a particular SPF. Some Doctor / Skin Expert recommend a SPF 30 screen for children as it blocks 97 per cent of UV rays but do keep in mind that a minimal SPF of 15 screens 93 per cent of UV rays.

You have chosen a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 and it is probably a mix of physical and chemical types. Now check if the label also carries the words broad spectrum and waterproof. Next, make sure your child is not allergic to the sunscreen you have selected by applying it to a small area and waiting for 24 hours for any reactions.