I still sit around and day dream about the time I spent in the hospital after I had my first baby.
As much as I’m not a fan of hospital births anymore (homebirths are way better!), there’s nothing quite like lounging in bed all day with nothing on the agenda except excessive amounts of TV and alllll the newborn snuggles.
Oh, and people bring you delicious hot meals three times a day? Yes, please.
But as a first time mom, I didn’t have a clue about what would be appropriate to wear in the hospital after giving birth.
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I was vaguely aware that there was a trend going around to wear your own cute delivery gown instead of the one the hospital provides, so I bought myself a polka-dotted nightgown from Walmart that I perceived to be attractive.
And it was! I still wear it. But as a first time mom, I failed to take into consideration the first of the cardinal rules of postpartum clothing:
1. BREASTS MUST BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR BREASTFEEDING
Which meant the cute, T-shirt style nightgown that I bought was absolutely a no-go.
During labor, you’ll definitely want to wear something that can be easily removed after the baby is born so that they can put the baby directly on your chest for skin-to-skin time. (Whether you plan to breastfeed or not!)
After giving birth, if you plan to breastfeed, the criteria still applies: easy access to the girls.
That means PJs with buttons down the front, robes, and nursing tank tops are in. Long nightgowns, tight shirts, and normal bras with no openings are out.
2. WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES AFTER GIVING BIRTH
The other thing to consider when choosing what to wear after giving birth, is comfort. Your body will have quite a bit of adjusting to do even once the baby is out, so don’t expect to be able to fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans right away.
In fact, don’t even bother with the maternity jeans during the first few weeks postpartum!
That time should be all about rest and recovery, and looking cute in jeans is the last thing you should be worrying about.
COMFORTABLE CLOTHES TO WEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH
Here’s what you should consider wearing after giving birth:
EKOUAER NIGHT DRESS
Investing in items that you can wear for both pregnancy and postpartum/breastfeeding is the smart way to go. This nightgown is sooo comfy to wear even while pregnant. After you’ve given birth, the straps unsnap for easy breastfeeding.
STELLE NURSING BRA
These are pretty standard nursing bras, but very comfortable all the same! These are great for when you need something that’s as close to a regular bra as possible, but still have access for nursing. The ones I got wore out somewhat quickly, but you won’t be breastfeeding for years, so quantity trumps quality for me in this case.
KINDRED BRAVELY NURSING BRA
Kindred Bravely products are awesome quality and extremely comfortable. I love their Sublime bra because it has no uncomfortable snaps or straps and it makes me feel pretty!
And their customer service is amazing. One of my bras arrived slightly damaged, and they sent me another one posthaste, even though I didn’t have a receipt!
EKOUAER KIMONO BATHROBE
If you don’t feel like wearing clothes at all, a cute robe like this one is an excellent choice. Its super easy to slip on right after giving birth when its time to get up to go to the bathroom (yes, it is unfortunately necessary to actually get up and walk shortly after giving birth)
NURSING CAMISOLES
I pretty much gave up using a nursing cover by the time I had my third baby. But I loved wearing these nursing camis after giving birth underneath another shirt because they kept me from exposing my belly while breastfeeding.
POSTPARTUM LEGGINGS
Your tummy might feel a little weird and jiggly after you have a baby. If you want something to hold yourself together, these postpartum leggings might be just the thing!
DON’T WEAR JEANS AFTER GIVING BIRTH
I know it’s tempting – the baby is finally out, and you can’t wait to fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes.
But trust me on this: don’t even try it for at least 6 months. Maybe longer!
Your body has been through a lot, and even though the baby is out now, your body is still a lot different than it was 9 months ago. There’s zero chance that you’ll be able to fit into regular jeans immediately after birth, and still not very likely within a couple of months.
But that’s OK!
There’s no reason at all to put pressure on yourself to “get your body back.” That notion is kind of ridiculous anyway.
Give your body a lot of grace during this season.
Appreciate it for what’s it’s gone through and accomplished in creating a brand new human being!
Spend time soaking up those newborn snuggles. Watch lots of TV. Rest. Recover. Take care of yourself. Wear comfortable clothes.
You have the rest of your life to wear jeans.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
17 Postpartum Essentials Guaranteed to Make Life Easier
A Helpful Guide to the Best Postnatal Vitamins For You
11 Things You Didn’t Know About Postpartum Depression
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Melinda worked with children for years in a professional setting before becoming a full-time stay at home mom. She currently has three young children, and enjoys sharing tips and ideas about parenting and how to manage a home with excellence. She’s been featured on Heathline and Her View From Home.
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