What to Wear After Giving Birth (For New Moms)

As D-day approaches, you might be more preoccupied with the birth itself and you won’t give a hoot about what you’re wearing during that time. However, the postpartum period is a bit longer than birth and you will at some point start thinking about what to wear after you’ve had your baby.

The main aim, when you put together your postnatal wardrobe, is comfort and easy access. Comfort for you as you’ve just done something amazing, easy access for doctors, nurses and your baby if you’re breastfeeding. Thankfully, it’s an easy combo to achieve so we’ve gathered a list of the obvious - and not-so-obvious - additions to your hospital bag for the first few days after birth and at home.

A large and soft robe

Easy to put on, easy to loosen and easy to take off again, a capacious robe is ideal for covering up, keeping you warm and making your postpartum body feel cuddled and comforted.

A soft bathrobe is also very comfortable as it doesn’t put any pressure on your postnatal body. If you’ve had a Cesarean section you don’t want anything tight anywhere near the incision and if you’ve had a vaginal delivery then you might not want to wear pants, tights or leggings either.

Loose pajamas

Choose pajama bottoms in the next size up from the size you were wearing in the last trimester as you might find anything smaller uncomfortable for a few days. Even if you’re not planning a C-section, you may end up having one so your pajama bottoms should be high waisted to avoid your incision.

When it comes to the pajama top, the easier to undo, the better, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Fiddly buttons will soon become a real nuisance, particularly so if you’re doing them one handed…

Big, high-waisted panties

Great big panties will be your best friends in the first days after giving birth. In the same way you sized up your jammie bottoms, size up your postnatal panties. They’ll be big enough to accommodate your maternity pads and won’t put any uncomfortable pressure on what, let’s face it, might be a sore area for a while.

Several nursing bras

If you’re planning to breastfeed then you’ll need a few supportive breastfeeding bras. Most nursing bras have no underwires, so they’re also comfortable enough to sleep in. Your breasts will feel very heavy after giving birth, especially once your milk comes in and so you need the extra support.

Your nursing bras should also have enough space for breast pads. Even if you’re not breastfeeding, your milk will come in after three or four days and you’ll probably leak so reusable breast pads will protect your clothes.

Warm, thick socks

Even if you’re giving birth in July, you might find that your feet and lower legs are very cold immediately after delivery and for a few days after. Thick fluffy socks are essentially a bathrobe for your feet and will help you to feel comfortable and warm.

Comfortable, grippy house shoes

If you’re in hospital, you’ll be walking around the ward a little, so comfortable house shoes are a must. They should be easy to put on and take off and have grippy soles for extra safety.

Sliders for the hospital shower

Sliders or flip flops are ideal for going to the bathroom and for taking a shower if you’re in hospital for a few days. Bathroom floors can be slippy, so make sure your flip flops have good grips.

Comfortable sneakers or sandals

When you leave hospital or go for your first outside walks you’ll need good, supportive footwear. Don’t aim for anything too structured or tight, as your feet can swell a little after birth, so your usual shoes might feel uncomfortable.

Loose sweatpants or leggings

These trousers should be like outdoor pajamas - loose, stretchy, made of breathable materials and comfortable. High waisted is the way to go, as you probably imagine, and an elasticated waistband is very much preferable to buttons or zippers.

Big t-shirts or nursing tops

Long, loose-fitting tops in stretchy materials will be among your go-to garments for a few weeks after giving birth. It’ll keep you warm and you can easily slip it on and off to feed your baby.

A zip-up hoodie or sweater

You can feel sudden chills after you have a baby, so a fleecy or woolly jumper or cardigan is a must in the postpartum period. The zip is important if you’re breastfeeding and you can also do it up or down depending on how warm or cold you feel.

Hair ties and headbands

If you have long hair or if it often falls in your face you’ll really want to keep it out of the way. Even very young babies can grasp at hair and it can be surprisingly painful, so a selection of headbands and hair ties is another way to feel comfortable and prepared for the first few days of parenthood.