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Happy New Year! Post-partum fashion tips?

Niki Lea

Veteran

It's been months and months since I posted anything, as we're expecting baby #2 any day now. Basically, if it isn't made out of t-shirt material and doesn't stretch I can't wear it.

I expect I'll be wearing a lot of sweat pants in January/February and I know it will take some time before I can fit into anything "normal" again. It took me three years to get back to my pre-pregnancy size last time. But if anyone has any tips for dressing post-partum, please share!

I still have some of the items I wore after my first pregnancy...and I'm already not excited about putting them on. Especially the jeans I wore last time around...yuck.

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Jem

Veteran

I don't have any tips, but congratulations on baby#2!!

Louise

Veteran

Congrats on baby #2 hopefully jennyk will chime in she has 8 month old twins x

cheryl

Veteran

Congrats! I would look for affordable comfy clothes, such as yoga or track pants. You can get seperates or suits and look cute and casual and be comfy. Also dresses can be comfy and hide the extra weight if thats what you want to do. Throw on a cardi or topper of some sort and you would look totally pulled together.

Jjsloane

Veteran

After each of my pregnancies I went back to work at 12 weeks and it took me more than 1 year the first time and 2 the second to get back to pre-pregnancy size (not same shape altogether) I just accepted the new body as it was changing and tried to buy basic items to get me through but that were not my old maternity so I had new clothes which always makes me happy, I just had to size up one. Bras are key of course. I thrifted and shopped major discounts but I felt much better in real clothes than in sweats (during maternity leave though I mostly wore nursing tanks, coverup and yoga pants around the house and a few maternity pants that weren't really maternity looking (Japanese Weekend). Good luck and congratulations.

Di

(website)

Veteran

My vote (with the caveat that it's not the voice of experience) would be to make sure that you have accessories that make you feel really good. Your body may still be sorting itself out, but fun shoes/necklaces/scarves can make you feel more stylish.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'd get right into some jeggings or ponte knit pants with woven tunics right away or dresses with leggings. They will still be comfy, easily cared for, and make you feel a lot better than wearing sweats.

JennyK (NC)

Yep, that's me.

#1 - Get a nursing bra that truly fits, not one from Target! I see so many postpartum women with milk-ful breasts just weighing down their chests and I can understand how that could make you feel bad about your post-baby self. A perky bosom helps make for a perky attitude! It also feels a whole lot better. Trust me on this!

#2 - wear your maternity jeans and don't feel badly about it. I bought a couple of pairs of nice maternity jeans while I was pregnant and continued to wear them for a couple of months afterward. No one knew they weren't regular ol' jeans! They were very comfy. I wore them instead of sweats and it made me feel a lot more put together. I know all about the days when it's hard to manage to get out of pj's but you'll feel so much better if you do.

#3 - Try not to wear the maternity tops, as this will just make you feel like you still look pregnant (at least it worked that way for me).

#4 - Wear layers to help nursing and to glide over your temporary curves. It was spring/summer when I had my boys, so I would wear tanks with an open button-down layered over. Now that it's winter, you could do something similar but maybe use a warmer layered combo. Sometimes I would belt the button-down after I felt like I was getting my waist back.

#5 - Wear cute accessories while you can. In a few months the babe will be trying to yank off anything you put on, so enjoy this time! Spruce up your look with a scarf, a great necklace, cool bracelets, etc.

I'll add more if I can think of them. My boys were in the NICU for their first 3 weeks and as odd as it may seem, it helped me a whole lot to go to the hospital every day with combed hair, a little lipstick, and real clothes on. I don't know how to explain why. It just helped me feel more prepared to face each day and not fall into depression. Does that make sense?

JennyK

JennyK (NC)

When I re-read my posts I sometimes feel like I sound like I'm giving commands. :-/ I don't mean to. These are just things that helped me and I hope something there will be helpful to you too.

JennyK

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes! I do have some tips! But first, a big CONGRATULATIONS on baby number two, and here's hoping for a swift and easy delivery.

OK. Back to what to wear. I'm not sure what your usual style is, but for me some good bets would be wrap-style, flowy jersey dresses with comfy tights, or tunics and stretchy leggings. If you breastfeed, a stretchy wrap dress can allow access, and a tunic that can be partially unbuttoned will do the trick too. Both flow over your belly and don't squoosh it uncomfortably. Tunics that are woven, not knit, also have the added bonus of camouflaging any postpartum lumps, if that's what you're after. A jersey dress with a flowy A-line skirt can do that too, if the fit is good. And the wrap style often looks great on bountiful postpartum breasts, while giving the illusion of a smaller waist.

Pregnancy jeans with the stretchy waistband work great, too, if your top covers the band. A lot of my friends wore theirs for a full year after giving birth, even though, after the first couple of months, they no longer looked pregnant. It might be worth investing in a new pair. Or, you could buy a new pair of regular jeans in a size or so bigger than what you normally wear (that's what I did). If you think there's a good chance that you're going to be a bigger size for quite some time, it might be worth it.

Hope that helps! There are lots more options, of course, but if I were going in for another baby right now, that's where I'd start.

Anonymous

It's been a long time but I remember being so excited to get out of elastic waist pants. I went to the thrift store and bought real pants with a button and zipper about 2 months after giving birth and even though they were a really big size I felt human again!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Congrats!

For that first bit postpartum, I lived in things that looked like clothing but felt like PJs - especially things I could easily yank up and pull down. I don't know about anyone else, but I breastfed and held my kiddo a lot, so a lot of snaps and buckles were not doing it for if I had to nurse in public (Yes I did! Even on the NYC subway once, just call me Janet Jackson) or *somehow* manage to use the bathroom with a baby in one arm without putting her down on the floor.

So I wound up with some high-end loungewear. James Perse and DKNY make pants that pull up and down, with elastic waists, that aren't frumpy. I had a few sweater jackets (Perse, DKNY, etc. again) that zipped up the front, in velour, cashmere, or a sportier knit, with a bra-in tank underneath that allowed for easy baby access. And they *were* clothes, so I didn't wind up running outside in my lamby-flannel PJs.

When I could put my peanut down, I lived in Seven for All Mankind high-waist bootcuts; they also make a straight-leg version. I swear by them! No muffintop-making jeans for me, thank you very much!

Also, frankly, having the baby bosom is not a terrible thing! I find most other people barely look beyond it anyway.

I can only imagine having a baby and a first little one to juggle, so power to you, you'll rock it!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

It's good to see you here again.

I really like Jenny's suggestions! My advice is, if you are going to wear a lot of sweatpants, treat yourself to a few cute matching or coordinated sweat pants outfits. Don't do the old sweatpants with your husband's t-shirts, it won't make you feel good about yourself.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Congrats on baby #2!

I don't have any tips - but I must say new moms always look radiant, even with decreased levels of sleep

marija

Congratulations from me too!

Do I know how you feel! You've received lots of fashion advice, so I won't give you much except for:

1) You'll feel great if you shower whenever possible.
2) Have a number of bras so when they get wet (if you are nursing) you can change!
3) New underwear.
4) A great haircut
5) Makeup! A little when you are at home for hubby and yourself and more for when you go out.

Enjoy! Oh the smells!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are in great hands, but just wanted to say congrats!

Niki Lea

Veteran

Thanks for the tips and congrats! You've given me a lot of great ideas.

Picked up three new tops and a new pair of yoga pants to get me through the first little while after baby arrives. I'm planning on nursing for about a year (did the same with my first child), so that limits my fashion choices first the first few months anyway.

Thankfully I have a year of maternity leave from my job, so I don't need to worry about a work wardrobe for a long time. That would give me fits!

Now, can someone please send this baby some "get out of mommy's belly" vibes? I've outgrown all of my maternity clothes thanks to this big boy.

Aziraphale

Veteran

You could always try going for a hike. Up and down some hills. Thump your feet really hard as you walk down.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Congratulations on the pregnancy. I just wanted to point you in the direction of Patience's post on nursing style, such wise words
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-to-nurse

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Congrats!!! Don't sweat about post-partum style - as long as you feel comfy and pretty, all is well. Definitely stay away from too tight jeans and tops - they won't make you feel your best, and now is the time for positivity. A-line tops, waist surrenduring prettiness, stretchy waistbands (pants with lycra) in one size larger than usual, jersey wrap dresses, fitted stretch jackets, drawstring loose pants for lounging...these are all options for you during this stage.

shipskitty

Veteran

I second most of the tips above. I've just survived my first year of baby so these are what made me feel more myself:

1) Get a great haircut - preferably now while you can so you don't have to worry later when it is harder to get the time to yourself.

2) If you are nursing - nursing tanks are your friend. Buy a bunch because inevitably they get spit up on, you leak through etc and there is enough laundry as it is LOL.

3) It is a drag wearing any maternity clothes but some crossover to post-partum is inevitable. After I'd got over the first month I tried to spruce myself up with a few new accessories, a fab pair of (low heel) MOTG shoes (although be aware that if you are still carrying a lot of fluid, your shoe size may shrink back a bit as time goes on - it happened for me so don't go shoe crazy), a new fun necklace or scarf, and so forth.

4) If you do buy tops or dresses early post-partum and you are nursing - remember to get something that is stretchy enough or opens (wrap tops, dresses, stretchy v-neck, something you can lift up etc.

5) A cute baby bag you really love can help - since you use this a LOT!

6) If it is winter, leggings and other stretchy layering pieces are your friends.

7) Don't go crazy buying clothes because your shape may change a lot in the first couple of months. Everyone is different but it might be better to let your shape settle down a touch before you get too many items.

8) Be kind to yourself. It is a massive ask and very tiring and sometimes it will be hard enough to get time for a shower. If you look unwashed and frumpy some days it is temporary - and it does get easier.

9) All the very best!!!

rachylou

Veteran

Congrats! I have to tell you, I occasionally buy things from the Target Maternity section. They're cute!