What to Wear After Giving Birth: Everything You Need to Know

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There are plenty of places to find maternity clothes for before you give birth, but nobody tells you what to wear after giving birth. Typically, bodies don’t automatically bounce back to their original form right after having a baby. It actually takes time. 

Wearing the right clothes after giving birth is something that can make a big difference to new moms.

After giving birth, it is always best to have comfortable loose clothes. Wearing anything that is tight or snug can cause irritations to any stitches near a c-section scar, and the rubbing caused by clothing is uncomfortable on sensitive skin. 

Read on for everything you need to know about what to wear after giving birth. There are plenty of tips and tricks that will help keep you comfy while you’re enjoying your days with your new baby. 

What to Wear After Giving Birth

Depending on your own birthing situation, you might be packing a hospital bag or choosing clothes for after a home birth. Either way, you’re picking out what to wear during a time when your body and brain are tired, and let’s be honest, everything hurts. 

Having the comfort you need when you need it the most is important. Immediately after you give birth, a hospital gown might be your only option. But you can eventually transition into something a little more like regular clothes. 

The first days are all about comfort and practicality but it also feels so good to get back into your own clothes after wearing a hospital gown.

Clothes that are great for after birth are and a good idea to have around are:

• Nursing Bras
• Postpartum Underwear
• Lounging clothes
• Loose T-shirts and Nursing Tops
• LightWeight Postpartum Pajamas
• Long (not tight) maxi dresses

Planning What to Wear After Your Give Birth

Clothes are an important part of the postpartum healing process. Here are some things you might find helpful to keep in mind when planning what to wear after giving birth. 

• Consider your own comfort, not anyone else’s. If you are more comfortable in nothing, well, opt for that. Just throw a robe on if someone visits. Personally, I feel as though my robe is my best friend. If sweatpants are your jam, then sweatpants it is. The best thing you can do is dress in what makes you comfy.
  
• Nursing bras are a lifesaver. However, they do get expensive. If you are in need of a comfortable bra that can be easy for those feedings or even that is supportive while not sacrificing comfort, sports bras are a good option.
  Having multiple nighttime maternity bras can help with the breast pain during pregnancy and after the baby is born, and they can also help with easy feedings. 
  
• After giving birth, you can expect to wear that mesh underwear that the hospital gives you. While these may seem comfortable, mix these with those super large postpartum pads, and it’s not exactly a fun time. There is good news: you can buy postpartum underwear or disposable adult diapers.
  I know, I know…diapers. Trust me. Treat them like they’re underwear and wear maternity pads with them. It is a game-changer for postpartum comfort and a great option for keeping leaks at bay.
  You can also invest in the cheap, full brief, comfortable underwear that comes in dark colors. That way you won’t ruin your favorite pretty ones.
  
• You’ll want slippers or cozy socks so your feet don’t have to touch the hospital floor. I know they clean the floors but there’s just something icky about stepping on them barefoot. Pack your slippers or some thick socks to wear while you’re there.
  
• Pack pants with a stretchy waistband. If this is your first time having a baby then you may be under-prepared for the fact that your belly is not going to disappear as soon as your baby comes out. Also, if you’re a c-section mama, you’re not going to want anything rubbing near your incision.
  Tight clothes are not the best option and will not be very comfortable.

Ask the Hospital for Extra Things

There are some things that you’ll want to add to your postpartum “wardrobe” that you’ll need right away as soon as you get home. In most cases, stopping to pick them up isn’t an option.

The hospital always has extras, and they’ll more than likely send you on your way with a healthy stock of these items. But just in case they don’t offer them up, be sure to ask for anything you’ve been using while you’re there that you’ll need at home:

• Breastfeeding items: Using a pump while you’re in the hospital means you’ll get a fresh set of pumping supplies to take home. Having multiples at home makes life a little bit easier. 
  
• Mesh Pants: These are what you will more than likely be wearing anyway after you have the baby. They are convenient and can just be thrown away. The hospital should have a lot on hand and will be more than happy to provide you with a lot of these to take with you. 
  
• Pads: After you have the baby, chances are you will be wearing the super heavy-duty pads. They’re usually the first thing they hand you after they hand you your baby. The hospital will provide you with these while you are there and will also re-stock you for home.
  
• Water Squirt Bottle: This was a lifesaver, and the hospital will give you one to use while you are there. Ask for another one before you leave. This will be a favorite for you since using toilet paper is a no-go after giving birth. 
  
• Skin Numbing Spray: This is going to be a lifesaver as well. This spray is kind of expensive outside of what you get at the hospital, and usually, a can will do you while you are at the hospital. However, ask for another one before you go home. 

For the Baby

This same sentiment goes for baby items, too. Hospitals are stocked with plenty of baby items, so don’t hesitate to ask for extra supplies before you leave:

• Diapers and wipes: Sometimes, a hospital will give you extra diapers when you ask.  
  
• Nasal Aspirator: These are already going to be in your bag. However, it is always great to have more than one. They’re a super handy thing to have. Babies tend to have quite a lot of congestion in the first week or two.
  
• Baby comb: Regardless if your baby was born with a head full of hair or none, having a good comb can be very handy. These combs that are at the hospital are great for combing your little one’s hair or even to help with cradle cap.  
  
• Pacifiers: Even if your baby doesn’t use one at the hospital, take the free ones with you. You never know when you might want to use one. My husband really liked having them for when he was soothing the baby and trying to give me a break.

• Formula samples: Sometimes breastfeeding may not work out as you planned, or formula feeding may be a little tricky because of your little one’s digestive tract. The hospital will have tons of different formulas for your little one. So getting some samples even for on the way home can be a great idea. 
  
• Vials: When you breastfeed and have to pump, or even if you don’t pump, still ask for these vials. They will come in handy in case you decide to pump at home. If you are already pumping at the hospital, these vials will already be accessible, but still, ask for more. 

What to Wear After the First Few Weeks 

After those initial first few weeks and even when you are ready to go back out into the world, there are clothes that are comfy and can help you get back into your groove. There are clothes made that can actually help with postpartum healing, but comfort is still key.

You may feel somewhat self-conscious postpartum. Your body is going through a lot with your milk supply regulating and your belly adjusting.

Focusing on what your body just achieved is a good way to have a healthy mindset about how you feel. However, dressing in a way that gives you both comfort and confidence is also important.

Here are some important pieces for a postpartum wardrobe when you’re ready to leave the house and can’t wear a robe and sweatpants:

• Oversized sweaters and loose shirts – they give easy access to nurse.
• Mom jeans
• High-rise jeans (or maternity jeans)
• Maternity Leggings
• Long tunic tops – combine these with leggings and you have my “mom uniform”
• Maxi dresses – I loved these during the summer! I felt both pretty and comfortable.

There is a more complete list and even some examples of these on Marie Claire.

Comfortable clothes are life after giving birth. I also liked to wear a short sleeve or tank top to sleep in because I tended to get postpartum night sweats. Consider wearing breathable fabric such as cotton. Breathable materials are a good choice for both you and your new baby.

A nursing nightgown is also another great option. I would suggest having a few sleepwear options at the ready because they tend to get soiled with milk, spit-up, and other typical postpartum messes.

Honestly, I stuck with a lot of this clothing for the first year. It really does take time for your body to settle after having a baby. I avoid using the term “get back to normal” because, in my experience, it doesn’t.

You may lose weight but your body changes after having a baby. Things shift and that often means that what used to fit just right won’t anymore.

It’s a really good choice to step away from the scales and focus more on what feels good for you to wear. Once I stopped trying to fit into all the clothes I wore before having kids I started to feel a lot better about what my body is like now.

I’m comfortable in the clothes I have in my wardrobe and they look great!

Shapewear

There’s way too much pressure on new mothers to “bounce back” after having a baby. So, if you read about shapewear and wonder if you should use it, there’s something I’d love for you to keep in mind.

Who are you doing it for? If it’s for you, that’s fine! Just don’t be trying to look a certain way to appease others. If it helps give you confidence and makes you feel great, then it’s a good thing.

There is a lot of great postpartum shapewear out there too. This is NOT a necessary item, but there are women out there who appreciate it. I was one of them after having my third baby. After my first baby, I didn’t feel the need to use it, but after having two more, it had its place.

However, it may be the last thing you feel like wearing. That is completely fine.
Some of the shapewear can help with making you look slimmer after baby and help with getting that after postpartum belly somewhat back to normal. I liked it for the support it gave to my tired muscles.
Types of this shapewear can be found in the list below. 

• Belly wrap or bands
• Postpartum corsets 
• Postpartum girdles
• Recovery belts

There are great examples and details on sizing that can be found at Care.com

I do know moms who have had c-sections and found postpartum shapewear and girdles to be immensely helpful for providing support.

I found that wearing a postpartum support band was really good for the lingering back pain that I had from labor. There are definitely more uses for them than just for appearance’s sake!

The postpartum period is such a unique experience for each woman. What you will want to wear and what you will feel like wearing might be totally different from other moms. That’s fine! Just be comfortable in your own skin.

An Important Thing to Note

You do not need to spend a fortune on a bunch of postpartum clothing. Many clothing items can function for the postpartum period and then continue to be used as regular clothes.

Stretchy pants and tunic tops were staple items in my wardrobe for years! That combo is still something I enjoy wearing because it’s so comfy and can be easily dressed up if necessary.

When it comes to deciding what to wear after giving birth, think about what makes you feel good and comfortable. Find a few items that fit your price point and stick to those.

It’s good to have a few basic items available, but don’t feel as though you need to go out and buy all of the recommendations everyone has. We’re all different after all.

Social media is full of mom recommendations but what is often presented as a “need” is actually just something that might be nice to have or just a total waste of money.

At the end of the day, simple is often best. Take things as they come and buy things as you need them.

Avoid stocking up on a bunch of things you’re not sure you’ll use. If you think you might use something, just buy one to start with.

Take Care of Yourself

There’s a lot of joking about not having showered for days when you’re a new mom. That and not eating properly. While I understand where the sentiment comes from, I don’t love it. It isn’t sustainable and ultimately hurts the whole family when mama isn’t having her basic needs met.

After having a baby you have to be more intentional about making time to take care of yourself. Fatigue and utter exhaustion can win over when you have to weigh up taking a shower or grabbing a 10-minute nap.

While I definitely advocate for getting as much rest as you can, there’s also something to be said for a hot shower, a fresh change of clothes, and running a brush through your hair.

While every mom is going to feel differently, I found that I actually was more intentional about doing my hair and putting on a little makeup when I was in that fourth-trimester stage.

It helped my mindset on days when I was just completely exhausted.

I encourage you to make a list of things that make you feel better when you’re just worn out. Drinking a glass of fresh water, taking a shower, or even just sitting outside for 5 minutes can make a world of difference.

Your baby needs a happy healthy mama. Self-care is basic. It requires intentional effort but once it becomes a habit it benefits the entire family.

A great way to take care of your baby well is to also make sure that you’re taking care of yourself.

Ending Thoughts

Everything that you decide to pack for your hospital stay will be worth it, even if it’s just to show you what you actually needed as opposed to what you thought you did.

However, make sure that you pack loose, comfortable clothing to wear after you give birth. These will help with keeping you comfortable during your postpartum healing process. 

It is also important to note that there are a lot of things that you can ask for at the hospital to take along with you before you leave.

It can take some time to get used to your postpartum body. Bear in mind that it will go through an awful lot of changes. Dress in a way that makes you feel most comfortable both physically and mentally.

I always set aside a little in the budget so that I could go and buy a couple of new postpartum clothes not long after I had my baby. It was a great pick-me-up when nothing regular fit but my maternity stuff was too big. Consider planning to buy a couple of postpartum outfits if you think that would be an encouragement to you.

The fourth trimester is a time for both you and your baby to adjust to the new world that you’re in. Things are different now that you’re a mom. It’s okay to need a little time to get used to all the changes.

Despite the fact that you might feel as though you’ll never wear normal clothes again, you’ll find that before you know it, you will be.