Tips for looking half-decent during so-called '4th trimester'?

[JoyceBarnaby]

I'm 6 months pg with DC2 and getting by with maternity wear so I have now turned my thoughts to what I'll look like during the 6 months following the birth.

I was completely lost last time - I genuinely thought I would be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes within weeks. I never did get back in them as I kept onto an extra stone of weight! Also, I recently looked at a picture of me when DS was about 6 weeks old and realised I still looked about 5 months pregnant. My clothes, hair, male-up - well, in short, I looked a state.

Last time, I BF for a year and I plan to do the same this time. I don't plan on buying any specific 'breastfeeding' clothes as such (apart from bras - I must be able to find some less hideous than the ones I had last time) but of course I do need reasonably easy access.

If current weight gain is anything to go by, I will be at my all-time biggest when this baby arrives. This necessarily bother me, but I won't have a clue what to wear on a substantially chubbier me. DS will be 3 when this one arrives, and I am a SAHM, so practicality is quite important.

Of course, there are all kinds of other things to be thinking about in preparation for B-day, but let's deal with these important issues first!!

So, any tips anyone?!

Mmm, freudian slip there - with regards to weight gain, I meant to say this won't necessarily bother me!

Joyce - I felt exactly the same when pregnant with DC2. After DS1 I looked diabolical and felt diabolical. So with DS2 I got myself properly sorted :)

I made sure I had regular haircuts throughout my pregnancy and had a final pre-labour appointment to sort colour.

Make up wise - keep it simple: tinted moisturiser is a lot more forgiving than foundation when applied in a hurry. All you need in addition to that is mascara, blusher and gloss. I used a very natural looking pink gloss which therefore didn't require a mirror to reapply!

Keep a basket by your bedside containing nail file, handcream, clear varnish and a pack of nail polish remover pads. I found that this took the "I don't have time for a manicure" away because it was just there and a quick tidy up with a file and hand cream takes minutes and keeps your nails neat.

Use a gradual tanner after bathing/shower. A tan instantly makes people look more groomed and together : ditto eyebrow maintenance :)

Thanks, Tulpe. Those are all good tips. I will get the manicure basket together now!!

As for clothes, I'm think of that catalogue you've just posted about... stylish suggestions for a young mum, no?

oh yes - would definitely hide the baby vom/breast milk stains :)

Just a quick bump for the lunchtime crowd - any clothes ideas anyone?!

Hello!

My DS is 6 weeks, so I'm going through what you're about to!

Getting a good pair of jeans was essential for me. I went to H&M as they are pretty cheap (£29.99 for skinnies, going down to a steal at £9.99 for bootcuts). They also do waist measurements rather than sizes so you can get odd numbers, which is great. I've just been re-buying the same pair of jeans in smaller sizes as needed.

There are some nice 'peasant style' tops around - they button half-way down at the front and have sleaves that roll up with a button. They're not tight, so hide a bit of mummy tummy, and have easy access for breastfeeding. I've seen them in Primark (bought in bulk with the expectation that they will get ruined with vom) and most high street stores.

Buying a good, statement coat that can cover all manner of sins when popping to the shop is just useful. I've hidden milk stains, food stains, god knows what, under my cape!

my DS is 10 weeks annd I've only recently started sorting myself out. For me, a big part was accepting I won't fit in my size 10/12 jeans any more, sucking it up and buying 2 pairs of size 16s . Wearing well fitting stuff is essential I think.

My long coat doesn't go round me any more but wearing that with a big scarf (I went to TK maxx and bought lots) and big sunglasses means I look ok ish. Plus foundation on with fingers and lip gloss!

I have mad curly hair that I currently don't have time to keep on top of, so I straighten my hair twice a week now, looks much neater with no time spent on it if straight. I have it in a bun most days.

Plus once a fortnight I leave DS with DH for a few hours and have nails done / massage or something. I don't see this as me having beauty treatments but as DH having important daddy alone time

good luck!

oh forgot to say, for feeding I wear, every day, a long stretchy vest from topshop with a long cardy or baggy jumper I can pull down - my old ones still fit thankfully.

Thanks ladies!!

Am not due until the summer, so will have a few months before a coat is a necessity! However, peasant style tops and scarfs are def worth thinking about.

I spent loads of time abd money last time on trying to find a decent pair of jeans - I'm not looking forward to doing that again!!

Hi - I wish I had given some thought to clothes in the "4th trimester"! DS is now 4.5 months and I'm only now starting to get back to normal now. I should have realised that getting back into pre-pg clothes might be impossible take longer than I thought

I have found Next Bootcut jeans a life saver - high enough to tuck in the flab and stretchy enough not to gape or start to slide down.

Long tunicy style shirts hide fat bits and you can wear your old cardies over them (and vest under for quick pull up to feed opps. I got a good one from George at Asda - white so hides milk/drool well, and washes well (ie doesn't need to be ironed)

ASOS giant orders were also useful - when you can't face the shops - although mostly I have sent everything back as still can't get round the fact I'm 2 dress sizes bigger and bf-ing hasn't shifted any of it!

I just bought my jeans at new look as I am convinced I won't be wearing them for long