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If you are an expectant mother, you might be wondering the appropriate clothing to wear after giving birth in the hospital. After giving birth, the body undergoes a tremendous transformation. Therefore, your choice of clothing makes a significant difference. Appropriate attire is essential, particularly for mothers who have undergone a C-Section or opt to breastfeed. Proper selection of clothing enhances a quick recovery and healing. Postpartum clothing is crucial during the first weeks and months after delivering a child. The clothes should be comfortable, affordable, and easy to use.
When choosing a postpartum wardrobe, you need to consider the following factors.
- To Size Up or Not Size Up? Certainly, the most difficult decision when opting for postpartum clothing is whether or not to size up. This dilemma makes purchasing them tricky. You can choose to size up underwear, bras, or comfy loungewear, such as joggers. You may also opt not to size up clothes such as legging and jeggings or loose tops such as sweatshirts, cardigans, or tanks.
- Easy care. Opt for clothes easy to clean and care for. Avoid clothes that may cost you an unnecessary burden. After living in the hospital, you need ample time to recover, heal and take care of your infant. Simplicity is key. You may opt for a fancy sweater or robe. However, it should be easy to wash and easy to care for. Avoid any clothing that needs to be dry-cleaned.
- Simple, grab-and-go clothes. Postpartum clothes that you can grab and go are the most preferred. Stressing yourself with the clothing choice is the last thing you would wish for. It will help if you focus on a simple wardrobe that pairs up well. After leaving the hospital, you can categorize your postpartum clothes separately. This is because there are some clothes you are not likely to wear in the first three postpartum months. Make your dressing process as simple as you can.
The following are postpartum clothes you should consider packing into your hospital bag.
1. Hairbands
Having hair on your face can be very uncomfortable, especially if you are learning how to breastfeed. It can be very uncomfortable. Though there are several hair accessories such as hair clips and ties that can perform the task, headbands are preferred. They are efficient, prevent breaking of your hair, and also enhance a classic look. Additionally, headbands are affordable.
2. Postpartum Bras
Whether you opt to breastfeed or not, postpartum bras are essential. They make your breast more comfortable, and they also ease the process of breastfeeding. During the initial days after giving birth, the body releases hormones, which trigger milk production. This causes your breasts to swell and feel tender. Having an appropriate bra can help in relieving the discomfort.
If you opt to breastfeed, breastfeeding bras are very crucial. The bras provide the support needed. Their design offers easy access to feeding your infant. Struggling to pull your breasts to feed your hungry newborn can be uncomfortable and frustrating. It is recommendable for you to opt for organic and natural products when shopping for your postpartum care kit. Organic and washable breast pads are also recommendable. Despite the significant size changes of your breasts, postpartum bras enable their hugging.
3. Nursing Tanks
To enhance more versatility after giving birth, some mothers opt for nursing tanks. Most of them are fitted with breast support. If your breasts are bigger, it is recommendable for you to have a support bra and an appropriate breastfeeding shirt of pajamas.
4. Breastfeeding and Postpartum Shirts
Breastfeeding shirts are one of the suitable clothing to wear after giving birth and after that. They are loose-fitting and comfortable. However, it would help if you did not trade comfort for fashion. The style should not be your main objective, but looking good will encourage and make you feel better. Therefore, to avoid being in your robe or pajamas throughout your stay in the hospital, consider packing breastfeeding and postpartum shirts.
These shirts have a beautiful appearance, versatile, and very comfortable. Some contain short sleeves, and they also facilitate an easy way to side access your breasts. Breastfeeding and postpartum shirts also enhance the flattering of your postpartum body figure.
5. Comfortable Underwear
Wearing appropriate underwear after birth is essential. After delivering through the normal way, vaginal discharges are among the noticeable postpartum changes you may experience. Wearing comfortable and proper underwear can place your sanitary pad in the right position as your body heals. Additionally, if you have undergone a C-section, you need to wear appropriate underwear to make you feel comfortable, protect your stretch marks after birth, and support your postpartum tummy.
Though most health centers provide mesh underwear to help keep your maxi pad in the right position, the material is not very comfortable. It is recommendable to pack your underwear. They will also be of great help in your initial postpartum days or weeks. Therefore, regardless of the method you used to deliver, appropriate underwear is essential to enhance comfort, belly support, and perineal coverage to ensure your maxi pad remains intact.
6. Comfortable Pants
If you prefer not to wear your pajamas throughout the day, you should consider adding some comfortable pants to your hospital package. It is essential to note that you will experience the swelling of your belly in the first weeks or months after giving birth. After that, your uterus will reduce to its usual size. Therefore, your postpartum pants choice should not be too tight.
Postpartum pants enhance recovery, and their design offers a decent outlook. Additionally, they can also be worn in other casual activities besides the postpartum period. These everyday activities include home wear, vocation, yoga, and many more. Besides their comfortability, postpartum pants have a highly elastic waist, and they also possess an adjustable waistband for extra size adjustment and comfort.
7. Leggings
Stretching is an essential feature you need to consider when purchasing and packing postpartum clothes. Therefore, it is crucial to add some flexible pairs of legging to your possessions. Leggings are relaxed, comfortable, and elastic. Hence they are ideal clothing for the postpartum period. Being uncomfortable is the last thing you would wish for after giving birth.
8. Postpartum Pajamas
Immediately after delivering a child, you will spend most of your recovery time in bed. Therefore, having comfortable pajamas is very necessary. Your choice of pajamas may also be influenced by the climatic condition of the area you live in and the season. If you give birth during winter, you will need pajamas, which may provide warmth and give you extra coverage. Some hospitals are also cold. Therefore postpartum pajamas should also offer a relaxed fit to enhance your comfort and ease breastfeeding. Size adjustments are also crucial.
9. Postpartum Robes
Postpartum robes are also the essential clothing choices to wear after giving birth, particularly if you opt to breastfeed. One of the main benefits of wearing a postpartum robe is that it provides the instant privacy you may need when a person enters the room. At the hospital, you will experience various visitors comprising nurses, friends, family members, and hospital staff. You can opt for the normal robe, or you may also opt for one which suits your baby.
10. Socks
Naturally, hospitals are very cold; wearing socks is also very crucial. The best options are warm fluffy and non-slip socks. These socks are comfortable to use during your stay at the hospital. If you are in a colder area, you can opt for warmer and fluffier socks. It is also important to note that hospitals are slippery; hence you may need to wear socks to walk and stand easily.
11. Footwear
Footwear is also essential clothing you need after labor. You need at least one pair of shoes to wear during your admission to the hospital. You can again wear them after discharge. Additionally, besides your socks and shoes, you need a pair of flip-flops or slippers. They are useful when moving around the hospital.
12. Cosy Cardigan
If your postpartum period is during winter, you will need a comfortable and warm cardigan to wear over your pajamas or outfit. Cardigans provide a respectable and outstanding appearance. Hence they will help you feel better. You will feel more comfortable during your usual errands or visiting your doctor. There are also lightweight and nice cardigans available based on your climatic condition or the area you live in.
The clothing choice you choose to wear when leaving the hospital is upon you. You can opt to wear the same clothes you checked in with. This may enable you to save some space for your baby’s item and also avoid unnecessary luggage.
Conclusion
After giving birth, a mother needs special care during their stay at the hospital and after leaving the facility. The postpartum period is an essential time to allow the healing and recovery of a mother. Additionally, the mother’s body undergoes various physical body changes. The choice of the clothes/wardrobe is very crucial during the postpartum period.
The clothing you choose should enhance comfort, flexibility and also facilitate your recovery. Altering your fashion style is inevitable. However, it is important to maintain your decency regardless of the condition. It is essential to consider the above postpartum wardrobe and have them on your checklist.
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