What do I wear now?! Bellies and breastfeeding.

[Bettinapink]

Title says it all really. I am in a style rut. My stomach is rather big and I feel huge. I’m 9 weeks postpartum. I am probably a size 16-18. 5’7 with broad shoulders. I had IVF and noticed my stomach change after that. I think I’m going to struggle to lose the weight on it.

So I have 2 pretty casual Christmas meals coming up, i feel exhausted as it is and I don’t want to feel frumpy as well. I am also breast feeding. Any outfit ideas? I’d be grateful!

Have a look at everything on Beyond Nine - all the clothes are specifically made for pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

Dress

Jacket

In winter I tend to use the "one up, one down" method: a stretchy tank/vest top that I can easily pull down to flop a boob out of, then a standard top (and/or jumper) that I can lift up. Cardigans and button through dresses also work really well (especially as you can leave high necked styles done up at the top for modesty if you like). I'm also a huge fan of a stretchy wrap dress for ease of access.

If you want breastfeeding specific clothing, you could check out Seraphine, Juno Jack's, Tilbea and Lyla & Leche.

Wear loose, breathable tops and nursing- friendly clothing with easy access for breasfeeding.

Second the one-up-one down. I gave up on dresses but an A-line dungaree style might make you feel better about your tummy.

While it may be the case that your body shape has changed permanently, and that's fine, by 8-9months pp I had lost so much weight through breastfeeding and baby wearing that I needed another set of new clothes. So don't buy too much too soon.

Also don't do what I did and give away lots of clothes and shoes because you feel like you will never be that person again! It's sort of true but feels magnified in the first few months and actually you may want that dress a year from now.