How to Dress After Childbirth

You may have given birth, but your baby bump won't disappear overnight. A lot of time was spent cultivating that belly. According to the pregnancy and parenting website BabyCenter, it can take up to six weeks for the uterus to go back to it's pre-pregnancy shape. Paying attention to your diet (Baby's here now, so you can give up those cravings for junk food and sugary treat) and taking gentle exercise as soon as your body feels ready for it will help you shed those extra pounds in a safe, gradual way. As for how to dress after childbirth, this is a period of transition between your maternity clothes and your pre-pregnancy wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

  • Maternity jeans
  • Loose, comfortable clothes
  • Shaping undergarments
  • V-neck and crisscross tops
  • Nursing tops -- optional
  • Accessories

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold onto a few maternity clothing items from the early stages of pregnancy. You no doubt want to bag it all up and banish it to the deepest recess of your loft, but don't do it just yet. Those maternity jeans you wore every day for months will be the most comfortable thing to wear right after childbirth. Forget about squeezing into your favorite pair of skinnies right now - it's just not going to happen.

    • 2

      Go for dark colors, which will make you appear slimmer, and comfortable materials with a little stretch, such as cotton and jersey. Think high-waisted leggings, loose tunics and oversized shirts to disguise your bulge. Comfort will be far more important to you than style in the first few weeks (and possibly months) postpartum, particularly if you gave birth by cesarean section. Tight, rough materials or fastening around your wound area are a big no-no.

    • 3

      Stay away from fussy details on your clothes, like cargo pockets, ruffles and decorative patches and buttons. Keep your look streamlined to make yourself appear slimmer. Invest in some shaping undergarments to hide any lumps and bumps and help your clothes hang better.

    • 4

      Emphasize your best assets. Even if you're not breastfeeding, your breasts are likely to be fuller postpartum. Opt for V-neck and crisscross tops to highlight your decolletage and keep attention away from any excess weight on your bottom half.

    • 5

      Consider nursing tops if you're breastfeeding, although they're not a necessity. It depends how self-conscious you are about breastfeeding, and how often you intend to do it in public. Nursing tops make breastfeeding less of an inconvenience, but it may be just as easy to lift your top. Invest in plenty of disposable or reusable breast pads: pop them inside your maternity bra to reduce spillages and stains from letdown. On that note, stick to easy-care fabrics until you stop nursing. Your best silk shirt won't appreciate a spray of milk.

    • 6

      Use accessories to add color and personality to your wardrobe postpartum if you're a style-conscious mom who likes to show off the latest trends. Scarves, statement necklaces and bags can instantly liven up your look.

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