What to Wear After Giving Birth
Many new mothers are not sure what to wear after giving birth. If you thought it just meant maternity clothes, then think again! There are many more options for women who have given birth and want to look their best in the postpartum period.
You may not want to wear your maternity clothes, but your regular clothes may not fit yet.
It can be hard, and actually, it can be emotionally exhausting. You just want your pre-baby body back, and learning to embrace your postpartum body can take quite some time.
For most women, you don’t bounce back to your postpartum body right away. Many never get back to that.
But in this season of the post-pregnancy body, you need a post-pregnancy wardrobe that is functional, yet attractive.
When I had my kids, I just wanted to be comfortable. Sure, when we went out, I wanted a couple of cute pieces in my wardrobe, but overall, I was looking for functionality.
I was a new mom who was figuring out nursing and trying to adjust to this new body I had acquired.
It was hard.
But one thing that made a difference was the clothes I would wear. The cute postpartum clothes made me feel slightly like my pre-mom self.
In an effort to help you through the awkward stage of postpartum clothes, I have gathered some of my favorite clothes I have either purchased myself or would want if I had another baby.
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. I only recommend products I love or would personally use.
Important Postpartum Wardrobe Clothing Staples
After having a baby, there are a few essential postpartum wardrobe pieces you’ll want to have already purchased. Here are my most recommended postpartum wardrobe essentials:
–Comfortable pants with an elastic waistband (or if your tummy does not feel comfortable yet) and skirts or dresses without zippers
–Bras or nursing bras/tanks that offer support and coverage for nursing mothers
–Comfortable underwear like briefs or boy shorts to help make sure there is no chaffing from tight clothing rubbing against sensitive skin. This is especially important if you’re recovering from a c-section birth.
–Comfortable tops with stretchy material or spandex that will fit over your new curves are the best option for a postpartum wardrobe.
Best Postpartum Gown
Baby Be Mine 3 in 1 Maternity Gown
If you’re in the market for a gown to deliver in, check this out!
I thought you had to wear the hospital gown because that’s just what you do when you’re in the hospital. And some hospitals may require that you do. But if not, this amazing labor and delivery gown is fantastic and from what I see, it does everything the hospital gown does without feeling sterile.
For starters, this gown opens up in the front from the waist all the way down.
Perfect for the delivery part.
There are snaps down the back for easy access which is important if you need to wear a fetal monitor, or if you need an epidural.
And then, when you’ve delivered the baby and you’re ready to do skin to skin, the top part of the dress unsnaps at the shoulders and you can place the baby right on your chest. The snaps and access to your chest are also perfect if you’re planning to nurse.
So, even if you don’t want to wear it while delivering the baby, it would be great to change into it once you’ve cleaned up a bit.
It’s certainly one of my favorite after-birth dresses!
With 17 different patterns to choose from, grab a couple and have options for yourself.
Many women even wear these as a nightgown which is an awesome idea!
There are only two sizes to choose from ranging from size 2 to size 20.
As if all of these awesome features weren’t enough, you can get a matching robe, and a matching baby outfit for your newborn baby too!
The reviews are positive, but kind of all over the place. Some women like one feature that others dislike. Truly it depends on which features are most important to you. Overall, this was one of the most popular and highly recommended nursing and delivery gowns I found.
Best Postpartum Pants
AMiERY Women’s Comfy Casual Drawstring Lounge Pants
At the top of my list for the best postpartum pants would be this super cute and comfy pair of drawstring lounge pants.
One of my favorite things about this pair of pants is the drawstring feature.
You really have no idea what share your belly is going to be in after having a baby. This drawstring feature is going to accommodate your postpartum needs. The waist itself is elastic which is going to offer a bit of support to help keep your pants up but shouldn’t feel too tight to where you’re uncomfortable.
There are MANY different prints available for this pair of pants which means you can buy a few different pairs and be set for a couple of days.
Some of the prints do have a more “pajama” appearance, but there are plenty of prints that appear to be more like pants you’d feel OK running to the grocery store in.
As with any pair of pants you’d buy online, it can be hard to know the right size you’ll need. The sizing information they provide is descriptive and amazing! You’re sure to find the size you need, everything from small to XXXL.
As for the reviews, they’re awesome!
The pants are true to size, there’s minimal if any shrinking, and they keep their shape well.
They can be worn during your pregnancy, but they’re also great if you’re wondering what to wear after labor.
Some of the reviews claimed that the length was a little bit too long, not nothing that can’t be hemmed easily.
Of all the items I share here, these have been the most popular and most-ordered by far! If they look like something you’d want to wear, you aren’t alone in that!
HAOMEILI Women’s Yoga Pants
Available in 10 colors and 9 sizes, these comfortable yoga pants are every new mom’s dream!
These postpartum pants are soft and comfortable, can be worn around the house or when you’re out and about to run some errands.
The drawstring waist is nice as your postpartum body begins to shrink back to somewhat of normal size. (Give yourself grace on this and enjoy the drawstring!)
Not quite sweatpants, you should stay nice and cool in these joggers as your hormones begin to regulate themselves again.
There are also two pockets in the front and one in the back which is super helpful for your phone, a pacifier, or your keys if you’re out with your baby.
Women’s Beautifully Soft Fleece Lounge Pants @ Target
Another awesome pair of comfy pants to add to your postpartum wardrobe are the Beautifully Soft Fleece Lounge Pants.
These lounge pants are designed with comfort in mind.
They feature a drawstring waist which is helpful as your figure adjusts to not being pregnant anymore.
Comfortable enough to sleep in, yet versatile enough to leave the house, you may want more than one pair. Lucky for you, there are 5 colors to choose from and 10 different size options.
The fabric is a Rayon-blend that offers breathable comfort, which can be helpful as your hormones are adjusting.
Overall, the reviews were really positive. They are comfortable, and they fit well. One of the greatest concerns of several people is that the pants started to pill after just a couple of times being worn. Some had no issues with this being the case on their pants. Still, it’s something to keep in mind.
**I dedicated an entire post to POSTPARTUM LEGGINGS because they’re just that AWESOME!**
Best Postpartum Dresses
Smallshow Women’s Maternity/Nursing Dress
As a new mom, you can feel frumpy at times. Even in the hospital, I felt “clunky”. It was awkward, I had a c-section, there was a lot going on with my body, and I was trying to figure out how to nurse.
And yet, when I had visitors, I wanted to feel pretty.
This nursing-friendly dress is great while pregnant, but it’s also great for after giving birth. And, even if you aren’t nursing, it’s a great piee to have when trying to figure out what to wear after giving birth.
The hospital gowns you get the pleasure of wearing in the hospital are unattractive and look sterile.
Having a nursing dress that is comfortable and functional can make any mom feel pretty. Even if you choose to not wear it right after giving birth, it’s a great piece to add to your postpartum wardrobe.
There are 12 colors to choose from and 5 sizes, and you may want all of them!
Best Postpartum Tops
SUIEK Women’s Nursing Tank Top
If there is one must-have piece that I think every new mom needs in her postpartum wardrobe, it’s a set of really great nursing tank tops.
It doesn’t matter the time of year, so just because you’re having your baby in the winter months, don’t discount this. I had my first in September, and I wore a nursing tank top every day. I bought my first set of nursing tanks from Motherhood Maternity because I wanted to try them on. Unfortunately, they’re no longer available.
BUT, This nursing tank is similar to what I had, except I think they’re even better. There are 4 sizes to choose from a large variety of patterns are colors placed in sets.
I like that the front is gathered in the front, making it more attractive than a straight-fitted top.
You could easily dress this up with a necklace and a jacket-style sweater over top.
Or, you can do what I did and just wear the tank while lounging at home.
Either way, they are a cornerstone piece I think every postpartum mom should have, especially if you plan to breastfeed.
An awesome feature of the tank top is the loose waistline which is going to help hide the tummy area. They’re made of cotton and spandex which means they’ll be super comfy. Some of the reviews did say that the fit isn’t great for everyone because the fabric isn’t as flowy as they would prefer. Others had no issue with it.
As far as fit goes, they seem to fit true to size.
Many like that the back isn’t plain and it has a design that some women claim makes them feel sexier, even after having just given birth.
Smallshow Women’s Nursing Poncho
As I have mentioned for several of these items, they may be labeled as a “nursing _____”, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be awesome for you even if you aren’t nursing.
This adorable nursing poncho is a great postpartum wardrobe item for every new mom. Not only is it cute, but it’s functional, and that’s the name of the game after having a baby.
This poncho is one size and comes in 8 different colors/patterns. The fabric is a soft stretch fabric that is breathable and great for nursing moms.
If you haven’t nursed a baby before, a lot of women feel more comfortable nursing in public if they’re covered, which often involves a nursing cover or a blanket. This poncho alleviates the need for that because it doubles as a nursing cover.
The back of the poncho flairs open, so you’d want to make sure you wear a nursing tank or a shirt underneath.
As if all of those features weren’t enough, they can be worn during pregnancy as well!
The reviews for this poncho were really great. A few women had issues with the length based upon their height, while others thought it was too big for short stature women. It’s truly up to you and how you feel about it.
**I dedicated an entire post to NURSING TOPS FOR MOMS because functional nursing tops are a must!**
Best Postpartum Pajamas
Bearsland Maternity Women’s 3 Pieces Soft Nursing Pajamas Set
Buyer’s remorse.
Seriously, I had buyer’s remorse after having my first because I passed up one of these sleeping sets before giving birth.
I had no idea what to wear after giving birth in a hospital. In fact, I thought that because I was in the hospital, I had to wear the hospital gown until I was allowed to go home.
Surprise- you can wear whatever you want after having a baby, and I wish I had these super adorable, comfortable pajamas!
I love that these pajamas are attractive and functional, which is exactly what you need as a new mom.
These pajamas come with 3 pieces depending on your needs. If you’re just home from the hospital and you have guests, you’d likely want to wear the cardigan. But if you’re just lounging around, the cardigan wouldn’t be necessary, yet you’re fully clothed.
The tank top underneath the cardigan is designed with breastfeeding moms in mind. There is easy access to breastfeeding your baby.
The pants have an adjustable waistband as well. If you’ve already had a baby, or if you already have a decent amount of baby clothes, you may have already seen a waistband like this one. There are two tabs on either side with buttons and a swatch of elastic inside the pants. You pull the elastic to your desired fit and then button the elastic on. This is an awesome feature because your belly and your waist will change after giving birth.
A high majority of the reviews are very positive. Those who have purchased these have been pleased with their fit both during pregnancy and postpartum.
There were a couple of concerns that to me seem to be issues based upon the wrong size being purchased. There weren’t many that had any issues with the quality of the item itself.
What’s a reasonable amount of money to spend on postpartum clothes?
This is a very personal question. It depends on your budget and what clothes you currently have. If you already wear more loose-fitting clothes, you may not need to add too many postpartum clothes to your wardrobe.
There are several brands of postpartum clothes that are budget-friendly, but you can also purchase higher-priced things as well.
For a lot of women, you can create a complete postpartum wardrobe for less than $500.
Thankfully, this “what to wear after giving birth” stage doesn’t last forever.
It’s totally OK to not love your body right after having a baby. It took 40 weeks to grow your precious baby, and your body is likely going to show that.
Find some comfy pants and shirts, and give yourself some time to recover.
Buy a few new pieces for your postpartum wardrobe and love wearing them!
MORE Helpful Postpartum Posts
What to Expect After Giving Birth
Postpartum Questions Every New Mom Needs to Ask
What to Expect After Giving Birth
Postpartum Leggings for New Moms
What Does the Hospital Supply When You Have a Baby?
The Best Nursing Tops for Breastfeeding Moms
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I love all of these suggestions!!! You’re making me want to go on a huge shopping spree. LOL!
When I sat down to write this post, I realized that I have more maternity clothes in my closet still than I thought. Oops! They’re just so comfortable!
This is a great roundup of postpartum clothing! After my son was born, I loved wearing stretchy, loose-fitting dresses. For that matter, I still love wearing those!
This is totally me too! When I am just around the house, I find myself still wanting to be comfortable so that I can move around easily with my kids. If that makes me “frumpy”, I’ll take it!
I loved wearing my nursing tank tops with cozy cardigan sweaters because they were comfortable and made it easy to nurse my daughter. The lounge pants you shared look so comfy! There are so many cute clothes out there that it is hard not to spend a fortune! Great selection of postpartum clothing options!
There are indeed a LOT of options out there. The key is to find quality clothes that can be worn often and will still last a while. I have a couple of key wardrobe items that I still love! No shame!
I’ll take one of each please! Seriously though, we often forget to take care of ourselves. We spend 9 months prepping for baby and neglect to remember that we will have certain needs too.
I didn’t realize this either! As a new mom, so much of our focus is on our baby, and we forget that we have needs too!
This is the perfect list of postpartum wear! After I had my baby I had no idea what to wear. I didn’t want to go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe AGAIN, and I wasn’t comfortable in my maternity clothes. I ended up buying a few breastfeeding tank tops and shirts and wearing them with my “pregnant enough to not fit in my normal clothes, but not pregnant enough for maternity clothes” pants. It worked out well and I didn’t have to spend a lot of money 🙂
Sounds about like what I did! Thankfully, I was able to fit back into my pre-baby clothes which helped my self-esteem a lot. But comfy clothes all the way!
I have the same draw string pajama pants and they are AMAZING! I love this list. I wish I knew my body wasn’t going right back to normal after having a baby. I still had to wear my maternity clothes for several months!
Each of my pregnancies was different, the deliveries were different, and the recovery was different. We have to give ourselves grace and remember it took our bodies 10 months to change and grow the baby, and it will likely take a few months to get it back.
Currently pregnant with number 2 and thinking about what I’m going to wear this summer while pregnant and postpartum. This is a awesome list. So far I’ve invested in a few sun dresses that will hopefully get me through until the weather gets colder again and I can go back to leggings. My first pregnancy I had a c-section so postpartum was hard and I didn’t know what to wear that didn’t irritate my incision. Dresses and night gowns were my favorite think and if I had to wear pants, maturity were my go to because the waist bands were super high.
I am so glad you found some new things to try after giving birth this time around. Having a c-section is tough! I found pajama shorts that were super soft and had a drawstring waistband. This allowed me to adjust them as my belly shrunk back. Best of luck to you with your delivery and recovery!