Gave birth last week, what on earth to wear now?!

[teacher1984]

I really didn't plan ahead well at all - the realisation that I have absolutely nothing to wear has hit today along with a hefty dose of baby blues... We have visitors coming every day for the next week and I really do have nothing to wear except for pyjamas. I have leggings but no long tops to cover them. I have a pair of maternity jeans that will probably be ok for a couple weeks but again nothing for my top half.

None of my old clothes fit, obviously but maternity clothes look ridiculous too. I'm confident I'll get back in my old clothes by summer but what now? And how do I get through the next few days without collapsing in a pool of tears?

Online shopping is out the question as I have such a low success rate even at the best of times. I think I'm roughly a size 10 now, tummy obviously not going to be flat for some time. I have a large M&S close by, plus a topshop, h&m and gap outlet.

I just don't know where to start!

I lived in maternity shirts (not tshirts) with leggings for the first week or two - they looked oversized rather than just maternity. Or buy a couple of longish shirts in a larger than normal size, maybe like this. H&M usually good for vests which is useful if you are BFing.

Or just stay in your PJs. You did have a baby about five minutes ago, it's allowed .

Firstly, if you're breastfeeding get about 4 of these vests nursing vests - you should find them in H&M also.

Then over them you can wear either a shirt, like:

shirt

Or any normal slouchy top, such as this stripy one

Then add a cardi - a cotton mix one best instead of wool as you'll end up with hairy bits in the baby's mouth etc -something like this:

Cardigan

For trousers these look like they could serve you well at the minute?

pull-on jeggings? They have bum pockets so slightly more decent with all tops

Just get a couple of bits. Don't spend too much as they'll all end up being thrown out soon enough due to endless washing!

Huge congratulations by the way. Hope it's going well!

I wore thick black leggings and long tops with a nice scarf to give my face some colour!

Don't spend too much if you plan to only wear stuff for a short time I. E. If you plan to be smaller this summer.

Oh and as to how to stay sane and get through the days without bursting into tears?

Well - there probably will be tears at some point. TBH it would be unusual if there weren't. That's OK, nobody except the baby expects anything of you (and if they do they can fuck off).

Sit down and stay sitting. Have a bath if there are lots of people around. If you have a fine scarf or shawl or something like that, keep it to hand if your boobs are going to be out because the rest of you might get chilly.

Good luck :)

I'm still mostly in maternity tops / leggings / jogging bottoms and DS is 4 weeks ( and the DS before him is 2.5 ), the early days is all about comfort not style in my opinion. Maybe have a wistful daydream /plan for a shopping trip in the near future as you get back to yourself.

Congratulations!

Your body is going to change quite a bit over the coming weeks as everything settles back. But about the six week point you'll have a better idea of shape/size for a spring wardrobe, so try to hang on in there a bit. It will seem much more optimistic then.

But until that point, stick with the maternity jeans and leggings. You need your undercarriage to be comfy, and be in something you're so sick of you won't mind throwing away if you get any flooding with the lochia.

For new stuff, don't go to M&S - read the threads on it; it's hard enough for anyone to find wearable stuff in there and it seems foolhardy to make an attempt when you're all a bit uncertain anyhow.

It might be worth thinking about supermarket clothes if you want to get yourself something new for a temporary body shape. I happened to be in Asda this morning and there were lots of drapey T shirts and thicker fabric tunics. Flannel shirts (for easy feeding access if you need that) could be a good choice too, and GAP should have denim ones and plenty of T/shirts and tunics too.

H&m. My sister took me there about a week or so after baby arrived and I got leggings, stretchy strapped vests, loose t shirts and stretchy skirts. I lived in them for ages, plus sainsburys jeggings.I felt nicer having new clothes that fitted at the time and much more presentable for visitors.

Oh wow, such helpful replies - thank you!

Have had such an emotional day dealing with the first round of visitors and an overtired cranky baby from all the passing round and overstimulation. This is just what I needed to come back to.

I never knew gap did nursing clothes - those vests are exactly what I need! Ordering now. I have the regular H&M ones a lot of people use but perhaps I need a bigger size as find them a struggle to stretch down completely out the way. The gap ones although pricier do look easier.

DH has been my rock this week and will take us all out on Sunday to get me sorted - I'm going to try the M&S jeggings rather than more leggings so I'm not limited top-wise - I'm not confident wearing leggings with shorter tops. And I think the slouchy tops and shirts over nursing vests is my best bet.

Thank you for all the kind words

As a stop gap could you wear some of DH's shirts over leggings? Would be long enough to be decent.

big black knickers
black joggers
hoodie

or PJ.

nothing white......erm..that's it really

A black dressing gown.

I wore pj bottoms and hoodies for the first few weeks. Stuff the guests if they were offended by me wearing pj's they're obviously not close enough to visit so soon after child birth. Sorry no help if you don't want to wear pj's.
Congratulations! !!

You seem to have accepted a lot of visitors. Make sure they make the tea I learnt that one after DC2. And actually they won't be worried about what you are wearing, all eyes will be on the new arrival. Congratulations

I wore the loose fitting baggy tshirt type tops that is bought around 12wks, when I didn't have enough bump for the bump jugglers- haven't you got anything like that?

Huggers not jugglers!