Yay! You’re having a baby. Working on that hospital bag checklist and not sure what to wear after giving birth? I’ve got you covered.
Postpartum is such a beautiful, messy, sensitive, loving, and terrifying time. Every feeling you’ve ever had is somehow happening at once, and your body is completely changed and healing. So you want to make sure that you’re as comfy as you can be when deciding what to wear after giving birth.
Choosing clothes that make you feel good while you get used to your new body and baby are essential, that’s why I created this guide for what to wear after giving birth.
What to wear in the hospital after giving birth
Comfort. That is the number one priority for clothes after you give birth. Don’t worry, there are plenty of cute options, and luckily we live in a time when mom jeans and athleisure are cool.
But do not sacrifice your comfort for any look right now.
What is comfortable for each person will be different, and it will also depend on the type of birth you had. If you had a c-section you might want something a bit different than someone who had a vaginal birth.
Also, keep in mind that your body might have just pushed out a baby, but that doesn’t mean all the baby weight is gone. Your belly will still actually look pregnant and be larger for some time. So while you might be a little smaller after birth, it won’t be by much. So all those maternity clothes will probably still fit well for a while.
So let’s talk about the options for what to wear after giving birth… starting with undergarments.
What about nursing bras and postpartum underwear?
To skip nursing bras, or not?
I did a little research for this article to see how other moms felt about their postpartum wardrobe, and to compare my experience with theirs.
Personally, nursing bras were kind of a waste to me. I never actually felt like fiddling with the clasps on them and just ended up reaching down and pull my breast right out of the top. Since my breasts are a bit on the larger side, this worked well for me.
However, some moms swear by nursing bras and wouldn’t do without them when deciding what to wear after giving birth.
So my suggestion is to just purchase 3-5 affordable nursing bras to see if you like that. If you end up loving them you can always invest in more.
The nursing bras I did like were similar to these:
Stelle Body Silk Seamless Maternity Nursing Bra with Pads
This pack of nursing bras is only about $20. So if you end up hating them it’s not a big loss, and even if you don’t use the nursing clasps they’re simple bralettes. Plus, moms are raving about them in the reviews and they’re a great pick for what to wear after giving birth.
Postpartum underwear, do you need them?
Things can be a little… messy… postpartum. Your normal underwear, even maternity underwear might not cut it. So while they might not look the hottest, postpartum underwear is a great investment for those early days and even weeks after having a baby. So they’re a bit of a must-have for what to wear after giving birth.
While you’re in the hospital, they should have plenty for you there, and definitely swipe as many as you can to take home with you. This really applies to any supplies they have at the hospital that you like, even things like baby diapers or blankets. A lot of items are specifically meant for you to take, just ask your nurses.
But if you’re having a home birth, or giving birth at some birth centers you’ll probably have to supply your own. These FridayBaby postpartum underwear look amazing! They are designed to hold in postpartum pads and any other layers like cooling pads in place. Plus they come in boyshorts or high-waisted in case you’re recovering from a C-section (or just prefer higher waists).
FridaBaby Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear
Frida Mom Hospital Packing Kit for Labor, Delivery, & Postpartum
I’m also a little obsessed with this all-in-one Friday Mom kit to take to the hospital or birth center. It has all the postpartum essentials including disposable underwear and even a nursing gown!
FallSweet No Show High Waist Briefs Underwear for Women Seamless Panties Multi Pack
Most moms will want some high-waisted underwear postpartum. If you have a c-section they will go above the incision so it won’t rub there, and if you had a vaginal birth then these will easily fit over your baby belly (they don’t go away for a while… if ever). This pack looks super comfy, affordable, and they don’t look like “granny panties” either. A top pick on the list of what to wear after giving birth.
Should you just wear a hospital gown after giving birth?
You’re probably reading this because you want to look cute after giving birth, but hear me out!
I know this isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing option, and I totally scoffed at the idea of wearing a hospital gown… but then I had my twins and everything changed.
The hospital gown they gave me to change into after that first postpartum shower was so much easier to slip into than yoga pants, or even a dress.
And the best part? It had boob holes! Seriously. A slit on each side for easy access to the breasts, which is essential when you have a newborn trying to bring in your milk.
After the first day or so I was ready to get back to my more normal clothes, but that first day after giving birth I was so exhausted I didn’t care what I looked like. I just needed comfort and convenience.
But if you just can’t do the hospital gown, consider a nightgown instead! (especially if you’ve had a c-section)
I polled moms who had c-sections (some multiple ones) to see what felt best to them postpartum. Many liked high-waisted yoga pants or maternity leggings, but a lot said nightgowns or loose dresses were most comfortable.
One swore by these nightgowns both in the hospital and at home for what to wear after giving birth.
Cute and comfy clothes to wear in the hospital postpartum
So you’re wondering how to look good in the hospital after giving birth? I’ve got you covered for what to wear after giving birth while looking cute.
We can talk for hours about the unrealistic beauty standards placed on women, to the point that we feel we need to look perfect right after having a human come out of our body. No one is going to judge you for being less than polished, and if they do then let’s unfriend them, ok?
Nonetheless, it’s totally normal to want to look at least a little put together to snap a selfie or two with your new bundle of joy. So here are a few of my tips for looking your postpartum best while in the hospital.
Go for comfort with a touch of your personal style after giving birth
Like many millennial moms, my uniform is basically yoga pants or leggings, a t-shirt, and an oversized sweater or cardigan. (Maybe skinny jeans for a date night, and I don’t care who says they’re not cool anymore.)
So for my hospital post-birth look, I basically did the same thing! I packed a couple of pairs of maternity leggings with cute shirts and really cozy sweaters. These are straight from my personal Amazon list for what to wear after giving birth (and for my full hospital bag Amazon list, check this out):
Shop Pretty Girl Maternity Leggings
I chose these because they are cheap. Some of the reviews are so-so, probably because these are one-size-fits all and not best for plus size mamas, but I think the low price is awesome for postpartum and what to wear after giving birth because if they get stained or messy it won’t be such a big deal.
Amazon Essentials Women’s 2-Pack Tech Stretch Short-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt
Comfy and basic, these 2-packs of t-shirts are perfect for recovery. When not trying to be discreet while breastfeeding (the 2-shirt method is my go-to), I just whip one out of the top of a deep v shirt like these. So I had to have these for what to wear after giving birth.
Going home outfit for mom after birth
Wear whatever feels comfortable to go home from the hospital. If sweats or maternity leggings are your thing, then go for it!
But I know some people like to dress up a little and feel put together because it just makes them feel better. It can give a small feeling of normalcy in the middle of postpartum chaos. If that’s you, I think a dress like the one below is a great choice!
Bearsland Women’s Short Sleeve Maternity Nursing Breastfeeding Dresses Button Down with Pockets
I love this dress. It looks so cute and so comfy plus it’s a nursing dress. So if you’re breastfeeding you can whip it out for a quick feed in no time! If you want something really adorable for your postpartum journey home, add this tot he list of what to wear after giving birth.
3 Pack Biker Shorts for Women-High Waisted Workout Running Athletic Shorts
A comfy dress is great, but when you’re postpartum you will probably be wear pads or something that looks like a giant diaper. To keep everything tucked away neatly (not to mention prevent chaffing for us thick-thighed mamas) I love wearing bike shorts.
Let’s talk accessories to wear after giving birth
Love or hate robes?
Robes are on basically all the hospital bag packing lists, but moms are pretty divided on whether they’re necessary.
Personally, I never wore one. I don’t wear a robe at home, so why would I want one in the hospital? I prefer a big cozy hoodie or cardigan. But some moms said the robe was really nice to have because they got cold easily.
So if you’re a minimalist and want to pack light, maybe skip it. But if you don’t mind potentially overpacking, then a robe might come in handy. If you want a nice plush robe that looks incredibly comfy, try this one:
NY Threads Women Fleece Hooded Bathrobe
The coziness can’t be overstated with this robe, and the hood just adds some extra comfort. I can imagine hiding in this while in the hospital to get a few minutes of peace and quiet. You might want that metaphorical hug from your clothes postpartum, so maybe add this to our checklist for what to wear after giving birth.
Keep your feet warm with socks and slippers
I don’t think I ever actually packed slippers in my hospital bags. With my first, I was only in the hospital for less than a day before going home, and with my twins, I was so tired and sore after that I just wanted to lay down. So slippers were never something I really needed or missed not having.
Socks are another thing. I hate having cold feet, and having a nice cozy pair of socks on hand is really nice when you need some comfort. And when do you need comfort more than after just having a baby come out of your body???
I’d pack a few of your favorite socks, but the hospital also has those socks with the grippy bottoms on that aren’t bad either. So if you want to be minimal and save a few bucks, just use what they give you.
Dearfoams Women’s Fireside Water Resistent Sydney Shearling Scuff Slipper
These are my favorite slippers. I like the hard sole on the bottom so I can wear them all around the house or even outside for a few minutes without getting them too dirty. So they’ll work well after giving birth at home too.
Century Star Anti Slip Athletic Plush Slipper Grip Socks Women Yoga Pilates Soft Warm Cozy Socks
Warm, cozy, and they won’t slip. Perfect. I also love that they are meant for wearing during yoga because my feet are always freezing at the beginning of my yoga practices.
