clothes for post partum body :-(

[shelley72]

I need some help please. I had a baby 11 days ago and I'm struggling with clothes to wear out. At home I'm still in pyjamas but went to register the birth today and had nothing nice or summery to wear. ended up wearing an old black maxi which was a bit big and made me feel like a whale

Had an emcs and so my maternity jeans dig in where the scar is, my tummy is still swollen and I don't think my pre pregnancy clothes will fit. My linen trousers are ok in this weather but my maternity tops are a little baggy and not easy to feed in. I put on just over 2 stone (and not lost it yet) and so I am probably about a 12 at the moment but with very wobbly bits!

So I'm looking for some inexpensive tops that I can feed in, or dresses with a wrap style or maybe button opening I think. Does anyone have any suggestions? I notice that there are lots of sales at the minute and buying online will probably be easier. would like to look at least ok and not the total wreck I feel like

Any ideas / links please?

[rubylovesshopping]

Buy lots if cheap stuff as what fits you now won't fit next summer. Try gap sale for tops or dp or even peacocks.

[shelley72]

Thank you, I was thinking cheap if possible as who knows how big I'll be next year. Would like to look reasonably together this summer though. Will try gap..

[MolotovCocktail]

I had an ELCS in April last year. I was usually an 8-10 and was a 12-14 immediately after the birth as for about 3 months after.

Your uterus is still large; you'll be carrying extra fluid and maternal fat. It takes a while to shift and at 11 days post-partum, be kind to yourself. This isn't the body that is yours right now. It's specifically a post-partum body.

Primark is the place to go for cheap, fashionable, stylish (and disposable) clothes. Spend £40-£50 in there and you'll get a decent amount of summer essentials.
Get everything elasticated for now - make sure that leggings pull up over your tummy and sit nowhere near your scar. I found tucking vests into high-waisted jeans was a comfortable and fashionable way to wear jeans.

Butterfly-style tops that skim past your boobs and are loose on your tummy and great for post-partum bodies.

Maternity jeans with elasticated waistbands (not the over-te-bump ones) are awesome. I was still in mine when dd was 5mo!

Don't forget the power of accessories: a lovely new scarf; earrings; pretty new sandals - all great ways to jazz up your outfit and make you feel more attractive :)

Good luck, and congratulations!

[amessageforyouYoni]

Definitely go cheap. Your body will change shape and size several times over the next few months.

I got a couple of floaty tunic style tops from White Stuff but via Ebay, and some stretchy 3/4 length trousers from Gap post c-section. I also got a couple of maxi dresses from very.co.uk. Empire line tops to skim over the still-preggo looking belly.

Lets face it, you arent going to need summer clothes for long in this country and winter dressing is easier, i think, as you can layer, wear drapy cardis and wrap dresses etc.

[MolotovCocktail]

And recovery-wise, it does get better. You've had major (emergency) abdominal surgery, have given birth and looking after a newborn all in one go. But, it does all settle down.

My scar is just a thin faint white line almost 15 months later and it all feels almost as it did. Just a little bit more sensitive than the rest of my skin around the scar. Just give yourself time :)

[Wishfulmakeupping]

While its hot I'm basically living in vest top with t shirt tops over the top so I can pull one up and 1 down Iyswim with 3/4 trousers.
Like everyone else has said go cheap and cheerful- the best long length vests I brought were from matalan (only found after I'd brought very expensive nursing tops) and t shirts from new look.
I wouldn't beat yourself up too much, my dd is 5 months and I'm not worried about this summer I've still got 2 stone to lose so I'm hoping I'll look good by next summer :)
Congrats

[RainbowBob]

What about H&M? Something like this would be cool for the summer, easy to feed in and it's cheap blouse

[DontmindifIdo]

Don't panic! 11 days is early, another 2 weeks and your bump will have gone down a lot and your scar will be a lot less painful. Do you have any over bump jeans? Also cheap supermarket leggings in 2 sizes bigger than your normal size.

[inneedofrain]

There are some quite nice things here in the sale.

Don´t know if they qualify as cheap cheap but you will most likely get a lot of wear out of them

Congrats

[WeAreSix]

I found several mock wrap tops and dresses at La Redoute which are cheap-ish and very easy to feed in.

H&M do longer vest tops - layer the thin strap under a thicker one and pull the bottom one down & top one up to feed.

You & your body are doing something amazing! Growing and nurturing a new life - go easy on yourself and try to enjoy these early days with your baby. Allow yourself plenty of time to rest and drink plenty of water. My 4th baby will be 1 in a few weeks, I can assure you it does get easier

[WeAreSix]

these breastfeeding vests look odd in the pictures because they use a contrasting bra to highlight the feeding access. I've breastfed 4 babies and these vests are one of my best ever purchases.

[WeAreSix]

looks like a normal t-shirt but are very easy to feed in and go with anything. They are a looser fit so cover wobbly tums :)

[Beaver80]

Jeggings are great post-CS - nice stretchy waistband and not as hot as jeans, but more substantial than leggings (so better for hiding the big pants VPL!!). I got a size up in primark, they have loads of colours and are £7/pair. Their £1.50 camisole vests are also ace for wearing under any regular top that fits - pull the outer top up and stretch the cami down for bf.

[shelley72]

Thank you for the links. I always forget about primark as have to travel 30 off miles to get to one then it is hell on earth when I get there ditto h&m, but can order online from them. I came across a wrap tea dress in the monsoon online sale so I have ordered that in a 12 (just hope it fits) and I noticed that fat face have a few button down tops that might do as well.

hoping that by getting something cheap and cheerful I may feel a bit better about myself. Weighed myself this morning and have nearly 2 stone and tummy to lose. Suppose it's still early days yet and I'm expecting too much. but buying something that fits for now will be a good start.

[SweetieTime]

Congratulations on your recent new DC. Your body has been through such a lot, 11weeks in not long to change things. These things take time please don't beat yourself up.
I would suggest Matalan for jersey tube skirts that just pull on and don't have a waist band so are really comfy on the tummy. I bought 2 at £10 each, one plain black and one black & white.
I am currently 15 weeks with twins and have been living in these recently for my expanding bump.

[iheartshoes]

Hi just to say I am now 3 months post EMCS and it is only really in the last month I would say my tummy swelling has started to go down . The first month anything vaguely tight and near my scar was agony. Primark have some pretty floaty type maxis in and I wore a lot of them or leggings that came up high with floaty . Treat yourself to a nice manicure or pedicure or blow dry if you can as well. You've done an amazing thing be kind to yourself, your body needs time to readjust x

[iheartshoes]

Asos do primark bits now too so you can order online x

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I had my second DS last May, and so I was in a similar position to you last summer. It took about 6 or so weeks for my belly to deflate, and only then I started to lose weight. My interim wardrobe came from wallis and phase eight mostly. Floaty tops from wallis, and jersey type tops which were double lined, from phase eight. These were magic, as they skim over flabby tummies! There are loads of them, and you can get them on ebay too. All washable, but not tumble dry-able. I bought a pair of linen trousers and two pairs of wide leg, tailored, high waist jeans which were also from wallis.