What to Wear After Giving Birth (For New Moms)

A large and soft dressing gown

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

A soft dressing gown is also very comfortable as it doesn’t put any pressure on your postnatal body. If you’ve had a Caesarean 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 trousers or leggings either.

Loose pyjamas

Choose pyjama 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 pyjama bottoms should be high-waisted to avoid your incision.

When it comes to the pyjama 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 knickers

Great big knickers 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 knickers. 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 a dressing gown for your feet and will help you to feel comfortable and warm.

Comfortable, grippy slippers

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

Flip flops for the hospital shower

Flip flops or sliders 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 trainers 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 joggers or leggings

These trousers should be like outdoor pyjamas - 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 zips.

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 jumper

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.