Postpartum clothes: the right clothing for your postnatal period & tips for postnatal outfits
Finally your little treasure is here! This will be a particularly exciting time full of joy and new beginnings. Even though you would probably like to cuddle and caress your baby non-stop, it’s important to not lose sight of your needs and to take some time for yourself every now and then. Your body goes through a lot of changes after giving birth and needs time to recover. Therefore, self-care is very important for new mums during this unique phase. Choosing the right clothes can play a significant role in self-care, as they offer comfort and can boost your self-confidence as well.
We'll show you which postpartum clothes are practical and also look great. With our tips and tricks, you can easily put together an outfit that will suit your style and make you feel comfortable and stylish.
What to wear after giving birth: what to look out for
The first few weeks after pregnancy is a time reserved solely for you and your baby. During your postpartum period, you can take time to get to know your baby without any distractions from the outside world. The postpartum period is also an important phase for new mums. During this time, your body will heal any birth injuries and rebalance your hormones. This is why it is important to take enough time to recuperate and enjoy spending time with your baby.
The first few days with your baby are a very special time that you should enjoy as a family. You can find out how to prepare for the postpartum period and what to expect during the first few weeks in our article "How to care for a newborn".
Postpartum period: the ideal clothing right after giving birth
At the end of the 3rd trimester, it's best to have some clothes ready that you can wear during the postnatal period. As a rule of thumb, the clothes that you wore during the 6th month of your pregnancy will still fit you after your baby has been born. Your baby bump will not disappear immediately after giving birth.
Keep the following criteria in mind when choosing clothes for your postnatal period:
Tops: choose cosy, loose-fitting T-shirts, blouses and jumpers as a top layer during your postnatal period. A built-in nursing function or a low, loose neckline will make nursing easier.
Have a kimono or a casual cardigan ready. You can easily throw one of these on to create a cute outfit. They will also keep you and your baby warm whilst nursing.
Trousers: loose joggers, leggings or comfortable maternity trousers will keep you cosy during your postpartum period. However, if you have had a C-section, make sure that your waistband does not press on your wound. During summer, comfortable dresses are ideal for this.
Underwear: when it comes to underwear, you can opt for nursing bras. They provide optimal support for your breasts and make nursing easier. If you decide not to nurse, then bustiers or soft-cup bras are a good choice because they are soft and do not constrict you.
The best types of underwear after giving birth are hipster panties, classic briefs or boyshorts. Cotton is a good choice because it is soft and breathable.
It may be a good idea to buy slightly larger briefs for your postnatal period so that you can wear thick postnatal pads more comfortably.
If you have had a C-section, make sure that your underwear is high cut and doesn’t have any irritating seams. A wide waistband is also recommended to ensure a good fit.
Pyjamas: comfortable nightwear with a nursing function is particularly practical at night. A nightgown is a good choice for warm days or if you have had a C-section.
Nursing fashion is a great choice for your postpartum period and the weeks after giving birth. Nursing wear is designed to look good and to make day-to-day nursing easier.
There are two styles of nursing clothes. The first style is for nursing over the neckline and the second is for nursing from below. This gives you and your baby a bit more privacy, as you can cover your baby with your top.
Postpartum clothes: tips & inspiration for your postpartum outfits
After giving birth, your body begins the healing process. However, this doesn't happen overnight. It usually takes a few months to get back into shape. Don't get frustrated and be patient with yourself and your body. It has worked very hard during the last few months and has created a small miracle. Whilst your body is healing, you can use a few styling tips to cleverly conceal problem areas and to help you feel comfortable and stylish.
Postpartum clothes: practical yet stylish tops
Your post-pregnancy clothes should not only be functional, but they should also make you look good. You have endured a lot and deserve that extra dose of self-confidence.
We’ll show you which postpartum tops are practical, make you look good and can be worn with various outfits:
Tops with a built-in nursing function make it easy to nurse discreetly.
Go for loose-fitting blouses, oversized shirts, tunics or casual hoodies. Their loose fit will conceal your stomach.
Soft, flowing fabrics are another good choice that flatter your upper body and will make you look great.
V-neck tops divert attention to your décolleté and optically make you look taller.
Empire style tops with an elastic or a band underneath your bust will show off your upper body and flatter your stomach.
Airy tops made of natural, breathable fabrics such as linen or cotton are a good choice on warm days or if you tend to sweat a lot due to hormonal changes.
A cute (nursing) poncho or a smart (nursing) cardigan are must-haves for cooler days.
The "half-tuck" is a clever way to create a casual look and conceal your stomach. To do this, tuck only one side of your blouse or shirt into your trousers and let the other side hang down loosely.
Post-pregnancy wear: tips for comfortable and stylish trousers
You should focus on comfort when looking for the perfect pair of trousers to add to your postpartum wardrobe, especially during the first few weeks after giving birth. These tips will help you find trousers that are comfortable and look great:
A lot of women rely on their maternity trousers as a basis for their postnatal outfit. They cover your stomach without feeling too tight.
In addition to maternity trousers, you should also opt for comfortable trousers with a high, wide and elasticated waistband (e.g. joggers, loungewear trousers or (maternity) leggings), especially during the first few weeks after giving birth.
(Maternity) tights and leggings are true all-rounders when it comes to clothing after pregnancy. They are not only comfortable but can also be perfectly paired with dresses and skirts.
Palazzo trousers are wide, airy trousers that draw attention to your legs. They can be styled both elegantly and casually.
If you prefer a more casual look, loose-fitting jeans such as boyfriend or mom jeans can also be suitable styles later on. Ideally, they should be high waisted so that they don't press on your stomach.
Clothes after pregnancy: dresses are a mum’s best friend
You can't go wrong by adding a chic dress or a beautiful skirt to your postpartum wardrobe. We'll show you how to put together a stylish outfit:
As with tops, you can opt for empire dresses. They show off your bust and fall loosely and elegantly.
Wrap dresses are not only practical for nursing, but you can also adjust them to the shape of your figure.
A-line dresses have a loose-fit and flatter your stomach.
You can give loose-fitting dresses a fitted waist with a waistband or belt, optically creating a beautiful hourglass figure.
Postpartum clothes: choosing the right colours and patterns
Wearing the right colours and patterns after pregnancy has a dual function. One is to flatter you and the other is to hide the little stains of postpartum life, as when you're looking after your little one stains can quickly happen.
Vertical stripes are always a good choice, because they make you look taller.
Marine blue or black clothing is flattering on your figure and is also slimming.
Printed dresses or tops are always a safe choice for your postpartum wardrobe. On the one hand, a print can express your individual style (e.g. with a classy, floral print or a jazzy animal print). On the other hand, little stains are usually not noticeable on a vibrant pattern.
With the right accessories, you can enhance your postpartum outfit and divert attention to, for example, your sparkling jewellery. Large earrings, statement necklaces or beautiful bangles are true eye-catchers and give you a feminine air. Elegant scarves or eye-catching hair bands can help complete your look.
Conclusion: the right postnatal clothing will help you create comfortable and stylish outfits
Your postnatal period is a special time in which your choice of clothing affects your comfort and your self-confidence. With carefully selected tops, trousers, dresses and skirts, you can create comfortable and stylish outfits with hardly any effort. These wardrobe choices will give you the support you need during this new phase in your life and also make you look fantastic.
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The image sources in this text are in chronological order:
Cover photo: iStock.com/SDI Productions
Image in text: iStock.com/eclipse_images
Image in text: iStock.com/miodrag ignjatovic
– 6. Image in text: C&A