What To Wear After Giving Birth | Emma's Diary Blog (2024)

I remember before I had my first baby girl, I wondered what would happen to my body after she was born.

What would my tummy be like?

What should I wear coming home from the hospital and afterwards?

And don’t even start with breastfeeding outfits, if I was successful.

It’s always the same when you haven’t experienced something. It’s a minefield and unknown territory.

I laboured at home for all my babies and went into hospital when I was almost ready to push. With my girls, it was late summer when they were born and the stretchy dresses I’d lived in through the pregnancy, were perfect for that bumpy, painful car ride! I went in to hospital, or should I say crawled in at 8cm dilated (!) and came home wearing those too.

For my winter baby boy, maternity dungarees were the outfit of choice and again very baggy and comfy.

No matter how you have given birth, you do NOT want tight clothes pressing on your stomach or pelvic area. After a C section, you will of course, have a scar that you will be taking care of and will not want any rubbing or pressure on it.

I gave birth vagin*lly for all three of my children and was very sore and bruised for a few days. I honestly felt like my nether regions had been kicked by a mule so the thought of my skinny jeans made me shudder!!

What To Wear After Giving Birth | Emma's Diary Blog (1)

If you have torn during the birth or needed stitches, anything tight is really niggly and uncomfortable. You will need maternity pads to cope with the post-partum bleeding and choosing soft cotton pants is a good idea. These pads make super sanitary towels look small (!), so you may want to pick pants a little bigger! Also pick ones that you don’t mind throwing away if they get stained. Go for a cheap multipack.

Clothes wise, immediately post-partum or for coming home, I would recommend stretchy dresses or leggings and a large t-shirt or vest in the summer months. In the colder months, joggers, leggings, or trusty maternity dungarees are perfect. A hoody or cardigan to keep warm too.

If you don’t fancy clothes a good pair of pyjamas or a nightie is just as good and very comforting. I treated myself to a fun pair for each of my children and still have them now!

Again, don’t spend a lot, as they may get a little stained. These clothes are perfect for the few days or even longer after birth, depending on your recovery time. Comfort is just essential. You spend a lot of time resting, sleeping and cuddling your baby afterwards at home, so best to be snuggly too.

The Weeks That Follow – What To Wear?

I had no idea what my body was going to be like after giving birth. You don’t expect to look pregnant still - but you do!!

You are left with this squishy bump and it’s a bit of a shock with your first baby. It can take 8 weeks for your uterus to contract and shrink, which breastfeeding helps with, so everything looks swollen. Even after this has gone down, your tummy isn’t what it was. I had a gap between my abs for a while, stretchy skin and a squishiness.

This is when your maternity clothes come in very useful!

You may feel after a bit, less sore; your C-section scar may be healing and you are venturing out more. I found my maternity jeans, dungarees and leggings perfect here! I could dress them up with nice shoes and treated myself to some new tops, but I still had the comfort of my jeans and no pressure to buy a new pair at that point. Some ladies feel they want to lose a little weight before treating themselves. I did! Saves money and is a goal.

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Breastfeeding

I was very lucky to breastfeed all three of my children and considering your wardrobe is an essential here. You do need something that is easy access for your baby and if you are public breastfeeding, comfortable for you too. I bought a dress when I was pregnant with my son and haven’t even worn it yet! I totally forgot I can’t get my boobs out in it at all.

There are specialist maternity tops you can buy that give your baby access for a feed and keep you covered and stylish. Personally, I have only used these now and then at the start and have gone for tees and vests and just lifted them up slightly to feed. There are so many stylish slogan tees available now; teamed up with your maternity jeans, you are totally rocking it!

What To Wear After Giving Birth | Emma's Diary Blog (2024)

FAQs

What To Wear After Giving Birth | Emma's Diary Blog? ›

being clean, comfortable and content after having the baby is only a good thing for both Mama and newborn! PJ's - Preferably with a super stretchy waistband. Slippers - something super easy to put on as you don't fancy bending too much after labour! 2 pairs of socks.

What's the best thing to wear after giving birth? ›

Clothes wise, immediately post-partum or for coming home, I would recommend stretchy dresses or leggings and a large t-shirt or vest in the summer months.

How do I look after myself after giving birth? ›

Here are some ways you can practice self-care:
  1. Follow your doctor's orders. Don't skip your follow-up appointments and do take it easy. ...
  2. Get as much rest as you can. ...
  3. Accept help from friends and family. ...
  4. Eat healthy meals. ...
  5. Get some exercise. ...
  6. Spend some quality time with your partner. ...
  7. Join a mommy support group.

How to style your body after having a baby? ›

5 Postpartum Fashion Must-Haves
  1. Nursing-friendly tops.
  2. Elastic-waist bottoms.
  3. Easy layering pieces.
  4. Basic tank tops.
  5. Comfortable shoes.
May 19, 2023

What pants do you wear after giving birth? ›

Loose styles of pants are a good idea as you may be feeling sore after the birth, particularly if you had a caesarean . Big, high-waisted briefs are the way to go after caesareans as bikini styles could rub on your scar. Women who've had a caesarean are particularly encouraged to wear cotton underwear .

Do you wear a bra during labor? ›

Studies suggest giving birth is the equivalent to running a marathon in terms of energy output, (and can actually result in similar injuries, but let's not go there right now!) so it makes sense to wear a bra and/or clothing fit for exertion and perspiration.

What should a baby wear immediately after birth? ›

What do babies wear immediately after birth? Typically, hospitals provide basic clothing and swaddles for newborns. Many hospitals recommend just bringing with you a going-home outfit for baby, although you're welcome to bring baby her own clothes to wear throughout your stay.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for postpartum? ›

The 5-5-5 rule in postpartum can help new mothers manage their wellbeing. It suggests taking five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed, to be sure you're getting adequate rest. The first five days are intended for a mother to rest in bed, and have skin to skin bonding time with the baby.

How much weight do you lose after giving birth? ›

How much weight do you lose after pregnancy? Most women lose around 13 pounds (6 kg) right after childbirth, which includes the baby's weight, as well as the weight of the amniotic fluid and placenta. When it comes to fat loss, with a healthy diet and regular exercise, you may lose about 1 pound (0.5 kg) a week.

What should a woman not do after giving birth? ›

Don't drink alcohol, use street drugs or use harmful drugs. All of these can affect your mood and make you feel worse. And they can make it hard for you to take care of your baby. Ask for help from your partner, family and friends.

How to look attractive after having a baby? ›

  1. Wash away excess oil to prevent acne on your face. ...
  2. Get plenty of sleep, and make sure you do hit the bed whenever you're little one is sleeping. ...
  3. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. ...
  4. Making a few changes in your diet is a good step. ...
  5. The best way to remain fit and get a glowing skin is to start doing yoga.
Nov 22, 2015

How to not look frumpy postpartum? ›

The right fitting lingerie goes a long way in enhancing your new shape and ensuring your clothes look the best on you. Get properly fitted for bras as your breasts will constantly change, especially if breastfeeding. Big pants don't have to be frumpy with the high street's current selection of matching sets.

How to dress as a new mom? ›

“Moms can be so self-conscious during those first few months.” And as comfy as they may be, sweatpants only make you look worse. Instead, Koch recommends wearing tops and dresses that drape over and away from your tummy, rather than fitting tightly. “Ruching and gathers are great details to look for,” she says.

How to dress a postpartum belly? ›

How To Dress The Postpartum Body
  1. Go for darker colors. Darker colors absorb light and make bodies appear slimmer than they actually are. ...
  2. Prints FTW! Patterns and prints can also help to hide the tummy by creating camouflage. ...
  3. Loose-fitting Garments. ...
  4. Tunic Style Tops. ...
  5. Kaftans. ...
  6. Embrace pants.
Mar 19, 2024

How soon after birth can you wear shapewear? ›

Postpartum Support Garments For After A Natural Birth

We recommend starting with 1-3 hours at most immediately after birth, increasing the time after the first 1.5-2 weeks. From 6 weeks after birth, you can start wearing the macom® shaping girdle.

What's best to wear when giving birth? ›

We'll need some other things for you when you're in labor. You will need something cool and loose to wear, whether you choose to wear your own clothes, whether you choose a loose cotton nighty, a large t-shirt. It's entirely up to you and the hospital can provide loose cotton gowns if that would suit you better.

How long should I wear a girdle after birth? ›

Postpartum compression garments that provide pelvic floor support (again, not shapewear garments, waist trainers, abdominal binders, or postpartum corsets) can be worn at two weeks after your baby is born until up to four months postpartum, whether you're a first time mom or have gone through childbirth multiple times.

Should you wrap your belly after giving birth? ›

Belly wrapping has proven to be effective in supporting your core muscles as they heal after childbirth. Wearing one benefits your pregnant belly immensely as it returns to its pre-baby size, and belly wrapping helps your core feel more secure and supported as you get to know your new baby.

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