I'm no fashion expert but having had four children I suppose I have some experience when it comes to labour and post-pregnancy clothing. I've been there, done that and I've worn the t-shirt. On my first baby, I wore my pyjama's home from the hospital as I had notions of fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothing.
I'm no fashion expert but having had four children I suppose I have some experience when it comes to labour and post-pregnancy clothing.
I've been there, done that and I've worn the t-shirt. On my first baby, I wore my pyjama's home from the hospital as I had notions of fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothing. I brought standard bra's into the hospital when I was breastfeeding and by complete surprise, I bounced back within days after one of my pregnancies so my clothes were swimming off me when I left the hospital.
If you are expecting a baby soon here are some things you should consider when it comes to post-pregnancy clothing:
- Not everyone bounces back, chances are you will still look pregnant leaving the hospital. Maternity clothes may be too big and pre-pregnancy clothes will most likely be too small. Meet in the middle. Think about how you looked when you were 20 weeks pregnant because for a majority of women that's most likely how your bump will look post pregnancy for a couple of weeks at least.
- While you don't really need much for breastfeeding, the right clothing will help it run smoother. Invest in some decent fitted nursing bras. A nursing bra is a specialized brassiere that will provide your breasts with additional support when you are lactating. Nursing bras have a specially designed bra cup with flaps that can be opened single-handedly allowing you to expose a breast in comfort to feed your infant.
- Large shirts with button fronts or deep V t-shirts are a must when breastfeeding whether they are pyjama's or dress up. Large cardigans are built-in nursing covers and an oversized scarf may become your breast friend in the early days. I'm not one for hiding away the fact I am breastfeeding but in the early days while you are still trying to establish a good latch and routine, having a cover may help you if you are at all nervous but trust me as the week and months go on, scarfs and covers will be a thing of the past - so don't spend a fortune. Penneys do some fab oversized scarf for as little as a tenner.
- If you are having a c-section make sure you consider your scar when picking out what clothes to wear. Pyjama's are the preferred option in the early days for all new mums but your maternity jean from the twenty-week mark may come in handy so don't pass them on just yet. River Island do fab legging in all shapes, colours and sizes with a high waistband and are worth every penny in my opinion. They tuck your tummy in neatly and keep your wound covered without rubbing.
- If you are packing your hospital bag for discharge remember to pack something comfortable. A tracksuit, converse and a loose fitted top or a baggy jumper and leggings will be perfect for the ride home. You will be sore, tired and most probably emotional so keep it simple.
- And finally, invest in all the granny pants - honestly, you can never have enough. Post-partum bleeding differs for all new mums but in my case, I had a heavy bleed for four to six weeks on all my kids. I wore one pair of pants, a maternity pad then wore another pair of pants in a smaller size over them to keep them in place and secure.
The most important thing to remember is to pack and wear what you will be comfortable in. It's not a fashion contest and to be honest nobody really cares what you will look like, they will just want a whiff of your baby.
Written by Kellie Kearney staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.mylittlebabog.com.