Post-baby style and beauty - who's in?

[bangbangprettypretty]

My DD is three weeks old and I feel like I want to get a bit of 'me' back.

I had an EMCS so recovery has been slow and today I just felt tearful and desperate at still being in my dressing gown at 1pm.

Anyone in for some gentle style and beauty post-baby?

My first job tomorrow will be to get out a few items for a capsule wardrobe even if it's mostly leggings and breastfeeding friendly tops right now (i.e. Not that exciting!!)

[ValiaH]

Ooh yes! I am 4 weeks pp tomorrow, elcs. I've got bf friendly clothes from last time but I'm feeling a bit sad at being in maternity leggings still. I'm mostly living in long aleeve stretch scoop neck tops, a jersey skirt, leggings and a cardi. I can't wait for my normal clothes to fit again- I miss wearing jeans! A few things fit but need my stomach to go down some more before the majority of my wardrobe will fit again.

[Goosegettingfat]

Me! I am 4 days overdue with dc3 and cannot wait to be wearing non maternity clothes!!

[bangbangprettypretty]

One of my jobs for today is to actually iron some of my clothes to have a bit of a 'uniform' ready for the mornings!

Also going to paint my nails and have my eyebrows threaded.

That seems doable!

[ValiaH]

Well, I've managed to paint my peeling nails with a rescue treatment thing, so we'll see how that works. It seems to be stopping them getting worse which is a bonus! However, after 9 days of my middle dd being sick, frequently on me, my main focus on clothes is: can I breastfeed in it? And: is it clean enough to wear? Hopefully she'll be better soon and then the mountain of laundry will go down! How did the ironing and nail painting go, bangbang ?

[bangbangprettypretty]

Valia I did iron two things but the eyebrows and nails are still au naturel!

Are you a member of the Can I Breastfeed In It Facebook group?

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

Me please, so can't wait to not be pregnant anymore. Three weeks to go.

I have just started a separate thread re postpartum stomach wraps/belts/girdles, not exactly stylish but certainly should contribute to making me feel better. Recommendations welcome.

[ValiaH]

bangbang 2 things is a good start! I am a member, yes, have you joined? I'm glad that most of my stretchy clothes still fit from bfing my other 2 so I have a good 'staple' wardrobe at the mo, its just not very exciting.
ImYourWoman, I tried normal spanx type things last time (Sainsburys cheap version though) but found that I ended up with odd lumpy bits of fat under my boobs so preferred not wearing them as I felt more comfortable that way.

[troodiedoo]

4 weeks on Sunday here. Desperately need my style back, can't remember what I used to wear. Like others breastfeeding friendly tops is the priority. And don't get me started on nursing bras managed to dye my brows last week, badly need to sort out my hobbit feet. I live in hope.

[Goosegettingfat]

Had baby! Had great fun pulling all maternity clothes out of wardrobe ready for eBay/ charity. Dissapointingly, I don't fit in my pre-preg clothes at all. Now on look out for jeans or jegs which will hopefully hide mum-Tum, flatter arse and look stylish

[troodiedoo]

Congrats Goosegettingfat I think most of us have faced the clothes disappointment I am also on the jeans quest, let us know if you find anything.

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

Congratulations Goose!
Do you have any maternity dresses that will be ok for a few weeks to tide you over? I remember from my first pregnancy it took a few weeks for my body to settle, at the beginning I just lived in leggings and loose tops and dresses.

[Goosegettingfat]

Thanks! I could not face another minute of maternity clothes (besides which, baby was rather large and I think they would have been flapping around on me. Got some sculpting jeans from m&s for £35, and very pleased with them. I'd say they make the best out of s bad situation!!!

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

I know what you mean about being sick of maternity clothes, I already have a bag ready to go to charity shop. I'm so big at the moment, can fit into only three things at the moment which get washed on rotation- the bump catches all the stains from cooking and eating etc, so hard to look like a dignified human being.

Today I received an order from Uniqlo, I got one of their linen sleevless shirts, a simple black jersey dress (wrap style) and a few floaty tops. The only thing I'm returning is a par of legging trousers, they are lovely and soft but I think they will be too small for me.

[mowglik]

Baby is 6 weeks. Pre baby I hadn't thought about the need for breastfeeding friendly tops at all so I've been reorganising my wardrobe and pulling out things that can be worn while I am breastfeeding.

I'm also doing the trick of vest under a looser top so that means I can wear most of my normal jumpers and t shirts.

I think dresses are stumping me though, most aren't loose enough to be pulled up or down so I need to invest in a few, maybe wrap dresses? Anyone have any idea?

I'm still wearing comfortable clothing (joggers and leggings!) - need to get back into my normal trousers and jeans as they do fit!

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

Ha yes the clothes need to be the middle of ven diagram of hiding the stomach, being easy for breastfeeding, washable and also cheap - I remember ruining a few of my favourite tops with lanolin cream, that stuff never washes off. So it doesn't leave you with much choice, For me narrowed additionally by my vanity as I hate leggings and sweatpants.

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

Mowglik yes vest a loose top is the way for me, also shirt dresses seem to make sense in nice thick fabric that will skim over the belly. Also wrap type dresses. My Uniqlo jersey drap dress has arrived and I see I'll be wearing it a lot this summer.

In other news my M&S order of granny pants is here so I think I'm all set now for C section wherewithals. I actually like the pants, I may keep wearing them.

[Passthebiscuit]

Hi all! My baby is one but I need this thread! Still bf and living in leggings and tops , so hoping for Inspiration !

[bangbangprettypretty]

My DD has been taking all my time!

Congratulations Goose!

This weekend I FINALLY got my eyebrows threaded and painted my nails - I was thinking I'd like to get shellac too soon as I have a wedding to go to.

I have been to Cos and bought a lovely top and some M&S cargo pants - they are not great but only £19.50 so will last while I can't fit into any of my other existing trousers!

Will link if anyone is interested

[ValiaH]

Congrats Goose! S & B has taken a bit of a step backwards for me- dairy allergies and child illness have taken over here, so I'm still in "what is clean and decent". Found a few longline vests/ short dresses in Primark which are nice and easy to pull down for feeding, and am hunting out a nice quilted/ down jacket for cooler summer days but so far have only found a Superdry one which I love but is a bit more than I want to spend!

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

The baby is here!
Just out of hospital yesterday, massive fail with the outfit I had prepared (c section scar limiting my trousers choices), am hardly dressed at the moment but will be probably reaching for dreaded leggings for when I need d to look decent).
What did make me happy though is long bath and massage with essential oils so I think that's what I'm going to today and put face mask on too.

[SquatBetty]

Congratulations, ImYour!

Watching thread with interest as my c-section is booked for half term week and I am heartily sick of wearing maternity clothes. (Only) 9 days to go....

[LaPharisienne]

Great thread! I recommend the belly bandit - I've only ever used it, so I don't know how difference it made IYSWIM but I like wearing it because it made me feel less wobbly...

I'm still breastfeeding #1 and #2 is due in not too long so keen for any tips/ good finds!

[ememem84]

Watching this with interest. I'm due ds1 in sept and although I knew that it was unlikely I'd have him then immediately get six pack Jessica Ennis abs I didn't know that I'd probably still need maternity clothes right afterwards. I had this idea that I'd be back to my "normal" clothes the next day.

#wrong #unprepared #firsttimemum

[ImYourWomanJonSnow]

Squat hope it all goes well for you.

I think I mentioned upthread anout high waisted pants, they seriously are essential, these first days are about looking after the scar. I would plan on wearing maternity dresses with leggings if you need extra warmth.

I'm not in the mood for proper belly wrapping but have got a stretchy belt that covers the torso, I really feel I need this to hold me together - the bump still loks five months pregnant and will take a while longer to shrink back to normalish size.

Also I realise now that it was wrong to assume I was going to be certain size and shape, I hsd bought a few things in eager anticipation of ditching maternity clothes straight away. How wrong I was. It's still about comfort. We will always havr accessories I suppose.

[peanutbutter310]

I'd love to join in! DD is three weeks old, and although I knew I wouldn't be back in the skinny jeans immediately, I'd hoped that at least some of my coats might do up

Have been getting out for a walk with either the pram or sling pretty much every day, but it's very easy to over exert myself even with just that.

I'm loath to swallow my pride and buy some new clothes in larger sizes, but might treat myself to some new sandals to make the most of the good weather!