The Fourth Trimester: What to Wear Post-Birth

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! We spent a few months together picking out most comfortable maternity clothes, and now it's time for the next stage of your fashion and comfort journey. The fourth trimester can be a confusing time for new parents, with so many changes happening in your body after giving birth. This is why it's essential to have comfortable and practical clothing that makes you feel good during this time.

Good news your maternity clothes will continue to fit and be essential during this time! You might just want to ensure you have the right pieces of loungewear for all day comfort. 

What to Wear Immediately After Giving Birth

If you're packing your hospital bags and trying to decide what to wear at the hospital, we can suggest this Labour & Delivery Gown from Gracefully Birthed. These gowns are  great for general hospital stay - cancer treatments, post-surgery, etc.   They provide a soft gown, with versatility and functionality. If you can wear your own clothes, you can wear a gown. 

For going home, you'll want to consider an outfit you felt most comfortable in around 6 months pregnant. Your breasts will be tender and/or swollen, your uterus will still be large and in charge, and your perineum will be sore/bruised/swollen – if you had a c-section, you'll be caring for an incision.

Many new parents opt to wear a loose, flowy dress home from the hospital, or their most comfortable pair of high-waisted pants with a simple shirt. Avoid things that put too much pressure on the vulva or the low belly (incision) and opt for clothing that can fit a belly comfortably.

The hospital will give you mesh undies that do a good job of bringing it all together, but if you're wanting to level up and ensure you have enough pairs of Mesh Undies, consider adding a Moon Mama's Mesh Postpartum Underwear to your bag. 

Postpartum Wardrobe Essentials

In the postpartum period, you'll most likely fit clothing from when you were about 6 months pregnant, or about a size bigger than pre-pregnancy. Some parents find comfort in their maternity clothes during this time, but some items may be too big or overstretched after 9 months of growing a baby. 

1. Nursing Tank Top or Cami

If you choose to nurse, a nursing tank top can provide your breasts with support, while giving you the comfort you need for your changing body. There are different types of nursing tanks including those with lots of support like the My Necessity Cami, and those with light support that can be paired with a bra. Additionally, the Naked Tank provides you with coverage of your torso, but easy access to your nursing bra. 

If you're not breastfeeding, you may still find that a supportive cami or sports bra is a good choice for you as your breasts and rib cage settle down, and you look for support for your body. 

2. Layering Pieces

Loose shirts, cardigans, sweaters, shawls, scarves, and hoodies are all great layering pieces. Chances you already have these pieces in your collection, and they just need to be rediscovered - no matter the season. 

Layering is a phenomenal way to dress postpartum for numerous reasons: you can quickly adapt to changing temperatures (hot flashes), you can remove an item of clothing that is soiled thanks to your baby, and it offers a wide array of hiding and snuggling capabilities for ultimate postpartum body comfort.

3. Oversized Tops and Button-Up Shirts

Seek out your favourite oversized items for a comfortable fit post-birth - for a while, over sized was in, but you'll find that there are many maternity and nursing clothes that offer this shape. 

Button-up shirts can be a great way to provide access to your body when needed (whether it's feeding or kangaroo care), and flowy shirts can help you feel comfortable as your body continues to heal post-birth.

4. Dresses or Rompers

Sometimes you just don't want anything touching your belly, and the answer is a dress or romper. I don't think you need a maternity romper for postpartum, really any stretchy bamboo rayon romper should provide the fit you need for postpartum.

Dresses and rompers can bring you the comfort of pajamas but the sophistication of an outfit you could wear for dinner and feel like a super adult ready to take on the day. Look for looser fitting shapes to adjust to your body as it returns to it's new shape. 

5. Comfortable Pants

Whether that's a pair of looser-fitting joggers or a compression-style legging/pant, a pair of comfortable bottoms is a must for postpartum recovery.

If you had a c-section, you'll likely want to opt for a higher-waisted legging that sits above your belly and does not rub along the incision. If you had a vaginal birth, you may find yourself gravitating towards looser-fitting joggers that don't add pressure to the swollen vulva. 

That said, it's not an easy thing to prepare for you don't know what will happen. A combo of both will be great no matter how you birth. 

Don't forget this Postpartum Recovery Kit

One of the top-selling gift sets for postpartum recovery is the Anointment Collection, which includes Push Perineum/Bottom Balm, Nipple Butter, and Postpartum Bath Herbs.

This combo of products are designed to nurture and comfort new mothers during the physical and emotional changes that occur after giving birth. Heal your body.