Looking out for your baby bump during the first trimester of your pregnancy can be exciting. That great sense of thrill and joy that envelops your whole being, mentally and emotionally preparing you for what motherhood has to offer.
Nine months later, you give birth to the cutest little baby you’ve ever known. While you think you’re done with pregnancy, you notice your body doesn’t look quite the same as it did pre-pregnancy.
Learning How to Dress Your Postpartum Body
Pregnancy and motherhood is all beautiful. There’s nothing wrong with having all those excess bulges around the stomach, legs, and back if it means giving birth to your child.
As you adjust to your new body, you might notice it is in a unique stage. Your pre-pregnancy clothes are too tight around certain areas, but your maternity clothes seem to swallow up your body. Here are 7 tips for learning how to dress your postpartum body.
Start with the Essentials
In your postpartum phase, picking out the right undergarments is going to make or break how you feel in your clothing. Your body is sensitive, and picking bras and underwear that provide comfort is crucial.
Nursing bras are going to be a lifesaver when it comes to going about your daily routine. When picking one out, make sure the bra is the right fit for your body and does not compress your chest too much – this will add unnecessary pressure to it.
For underwear, look for postpartum underwear rather than wearing your standard pair of panties. Your normal underwear can rub certain areas the wrong way and potentially lead to infections if not taken care of.
Find Loose Tops
Going all loose and flowy with tops and dresses may be the simplest way to style your new body. Again, comfort is key in keeping yourself comfortable (and sane!) as you adjust to life with a newborn.
For tops, look for t-shirts that flow outwards starting around your chest. This way, there will be no added strain on your stomach from a form-fitting top. If you get cold, cardigans will be your new best friend to layer over your shirt. Because they’re designed to remain open and not zip up, they are super cozy and add no additional pressure onto your body.
For the colder weather, oversized sweaters are the perfect combination of style and comfort. Because these are mean to have a looser, baggier fit, if you wore them prior to becoming pregnant, you may be able to include these pieces into your postpartum wardrobe without needing to buy new ones.
Keep it Flowy
Cute, flowy dresses may end up being one of your favorite things to wear during this stage. For starters, dresses eliminate any pressure on your stomach that you get from pants. This feeling of freedom on your lower body can be amazing, especially depending on how your body is recovering.
Additionally, dresses instantly make you look like you actually tried to get ready for the day. This can do wonders for your self-confidence as you are out running errands or grabbing lunch with friends. Even if your hair is up in a messy bun and your makeup is non-existent, rocking a flowy dress elevates your look.
Opt for Something Stretchy
If keeping it loose with a dress is not in the cards, you can always wear a good pair of maternity leggings that will make you look slim and sleek. These pants are usually high-waisted, effectively gently tucking you in for the rest of the day.
Leggings are all the rage, so finding a stylish pair is pretty easy to come by. You can rock a solid black pair for a slimming look, or you can add a pop of color to your look with a navy or burgundy pair! Like normal leggings, you can wear maternity leggings to the gym for a solid sweat session.
Wear Dark Colors
While the rule of this style is very simple, it’s effect should never be underestimated. Creating a dark silhouette decreases the appearance of excess fat around the torso and stomach area. It also creates the illusion of an overall slimmer physique so it’s definitely an easy choice for your post baby body.
As another tip, find dark clothing with a subtle print on it. Along with adding a touch of style, this is also a great way to hide any spit up that’s bound to end up on your clothes!
Add Style with Scarf Nursing Covers
Gone are the days where women only breastfeed in the privacy of their own home. If you’re out and about and your baby needs to eat, that shouldn’t mean you need to cancel your afternoon plans to go home to feed. Instead, incorporate a scarf-style nursing cover into your outfit.
There are numerous types of nursing covers available, though some of the standard ones can feel clunky. Plus, they look like modified kitchen aprons. Rather than this, opt for a more stylish, lightweight option in the form of a scarf! Scarf nursing covers come in numerous colors and patterns, and the best thing about them is they are incredibly breathable. This is great for you and your baby, especially on hot days!
Embrace the Mom Jeans Trend
Postpartum should never mean going out of style. If you need to wear denim pants for whatever reason, ditch the skinny and wear mom jeans instead. They are high-waisted and designed to suck you in. Additionally, the pant legs are wide and long so you don’t have to worry about it hugging you at the wrong places.
As a tip, if you need to wear jeans but don’t want to fully shift back to actual jeans, look for jeggings! These surprisingly look very similar to real jeans, yet they are exponentially more comfortable and stretchy.
Conclusion
Regardless of which styles or looks you go for, comfort is key at this stage. Giving life through motherhood is a both a gift and a miracle, so be happy and embrace your curves!