Post partum clothing ideas

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

34 weeks now and starting to dread the loss of my firm bump and the weeks of feeling doughy and frumpy while everyone wants to come by and see the new baby.

Had a pinterest page of maty clothing and want to get some ideas for outfits that work in the post partum period rather than spending it all in pyjamas again.

Anyone have any suggestions?

(I do realise that a healthy baby is the important thing but have time to plan and this is one thing that might maintain my self-esteem a wee bit)

[Mrsgrumble]

I totally get you captain

I bought new jeans (elasticsted waist under bump type ones so that I didn't have to wear the old worn ones) from new look and a linen type pair.

Then I had a black wrap nursing dress - wore to photo session for newborn, put for Sunday dinner etc.

I also bought a belly bandit and black opaque pull in tights - great job. Liked the corset and think it helped. Tummy went flattish fairly soon after.

With the jeans I live in the H&m nursing wrap style tops. I had about four and boyfriend cardigans. Wore a bit of make up and jewellery most days. They were great quality and I would size down and buy again for non maternity wear as good thick maternal - wash and wash.

I loved tesco for tops
www.clothingattesco.com/tops+t-shirts/f+f-y-neck-zip-pocket-blouse/invt/bb421181&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-tops-and-t-shirts

I bought a few. Pregnant again (25 weeks) and have stocked up on post partum clothes. It's the one time you don have much confidence and so many visitors.

[ErmagerdANerknerm]

I just carried on wearing my maternity clothes for a few weeks, the band on my maternity jeans did a fantastic job of holding in my wobbly bits you want comfort, stick to loose and stretchy materials. Take comfort in the fact that no one is looking at you, and the worse you look the more tea and cake people bring

[squizita]

I have some non-maternity stuff which fits/fitted till 6 months+ and have washed, ironed and squirrelled it away.
Some nice loose maxi dresses and shawl type scarves (feel like a nighty, looks quite glam), jersey tunic tops (again look smart but are basically a big old tshirt), harem pants with elastic waists, '90s' style t-shirts (i.e. baggy but on trend right now so no one will know the bagginess is needed not just the style).
Also my Primark maternity jeans are skinnies, so will be using them and leggings.

LOL I am 'adapting' this 'how to look nice with a hangover' guide... nice loose maxi dress, big shades for the eye bags! www.retrochick.co.uk/2010/06/24/how-to-look-like-a-million/

:)

[ohthegoats]

I'm going down the dresses with leggings route. But then that's not unusual for me, and I've been pretty much wearing that the whole time. I have quite a few decent options that look quite nice. I'll look 'normal' if nothing else.

[eurochick]

I'm 5 weeks pp and finding myself pretty limited with no energy for shopping. My options are not helped by having a c section so I can just about do up my pre preg jeans now, but can't wear them as they press on the scar and everything else low slung is still out.

I'm wearing mat jeans, loose non-maternity tops and the few things I bought one size up in the second tri before I moved into mat wear.

[ohthegoats]

I should say that I've got a few dresses that are maternity/nursing dresses, so not an issue for breast feeding (if that works for me). Other than that it'll be the dresses with looser neck lines or buttons, that can be pulled down. I haven't found a pair of trousers I've liked the whole time I've been pregnant, so don't really have any maternity tops at all. I can't help thinking that over the bump/jelly belly leggings will just feel nice to wear too. Holding me in a bit.

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

I think leggings are probably the best, with big shirts/tunics/dresses. I guess my problem is I'm a solid 12/14 with big bum and boobs and thick legs (which don't look good in leggings). Quite tall though with (normally) a small waist. With the loss of my waist I'm just a big old lump in the post partum period.

So I'm thinking carry on with my straight leg mat jeans and some tunics/ shirts with buttons, some of my maty maxi dresses...

Getting a cinch/belly bandit and some of these: www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+high-waisted-post-pregnancy-support-pants+A9564?tyah=y

[JennyBlueWren]

I'm in leggings and tunic dresses at the moment and think that would work quite well post-partum. The only thing is breastfeeding. Might find wrap around dresses better for opening up (I can't wear buttons).

[ithoughtofitfirst]

Oh god i hadn't really thought about this but wish i had.. suppose theres still time.

Last time i just wore tidyish nursing tops with jammie bottoms. Cause i was either napping or nursing. And if we went out somewhere i wore long nursing tops and leggings. Fuck visitors they can take me as they find me.

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

I suppose I had the fuck'em attitude first time around. But I think I need to have a few outfits planned just to lift my self-esteem a bit when everything else is upside down -sleep, hormones, trying to establish bf etc.

[ithoughtofitfirst]

I think i might join you in doing it for self esteem! It does help to feel like youre semi in control and put tigether i agree there

[RoganJosh]

I found that my maternity tops that were straight up and down (no empire line seam under the bust) were good for straight away.

Then I lived in a couple of new tops which were also quite straight. Crinkle shirts were good, but aren't as fashionable any more. Well they barely were at the time but the fitted well.

Cardigans are good as they'll do longer, so a couple of tops to go under might work.

[Artandco]

Dress and leggings.

I brought nursing/ maternity dresses that worked well as wore through pregnancy, then after as breastfeeding. They worked well as designed to work with and without bump

Bump went very quick anyway but any regular clothes pain for feeding at first when not so used to it

[crazykat]

I found leggings and t-shirt/jumper dresses or yoga pants and long tops most comfortable. Soft fabrics and either tops designed to be loose or a couple of sizes too big.

Pineapple branded leggings/yoga pants are really comfortable and are thick so can be worn with standard length tops.

[ohthegoats]

With the loss of my waist I'm just a big old lump in the post partum period.

I am an hourglass - lower legs great, thighs awful, big boobs and big arse - being pregnant makes me look like a massive weeble. Anything that is empire lines works because it tightens in at my smallest girth bit. The losing of my waist was quite depressing.. and I expect will get more depressing as it takes awhile to come back. My mum said give it a year. I cried.

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

ohthegoats I think we're in the same boat, except this is your first. I just had no idea what to wear post birth the first time as I'd always dressed for my waist and it had disappeared! Determined to have a few post partum outfits, even if it's just some tops/tunics/shirts to go with ongoing wear of maternity jeans.

We're renovating our house at the moment, bedroom due to be finished in the next fortnight and I'm getting 3m of fitted wardrobe to myself. Planning a little post partum section with outfits that might not make me feel hideous when visitors come or when I get the nerve up to drag myself out to mums'n'babies.