No one can deny that a woman's body changes after birth. However, what you might not be ready to hear yet is that your wardrobe needs to keep up. Now, we know you might love what you already own and that much of it will still fit, but are these items of clothing you're holding on to for dear life comfortable enough to wear while you’re adjusting to being a mom?
If not, and you’re questioning what to wear postpartum, you’ve come to the right place. Today, This Is J shares postpartum clothing in Canada you’ll actually want to wear if you’re looking for comfortable clothes after birth. After all, comfort should be a priority. This is especially true while your body heals, adjusts, and settles into its new role as a mother.
The Postpartum Body: What to Expect
Birthing a child is one of the most beautiful moments in a woman's life. But there is no denying that it can do a number on you physically and mentally.
Many women experience swelling, tenderness, fluctuating body temperatures, and healing regardless of how they gave birth. This means that often, clothing that may have felt fine pre-pregnancy or even while pregnant can now feel restrictive. It can also feel irritating on the skin, supremely tight and uncomfortable, or downright too high-maintenance.
So, long story short, clothing choices postpartum matter more than you would expect. You need to carefully consider everything from fit and convenience, especially if you’re breastfeeding, to fabric if you have sensitive skin. If you bear these in mind, you’re far more likely to find clothing you enjoy wearing as you get acquainted with your little one.
What to Look for in Postpartum Clothing
If you’re looking into what to wear postpartum, you might find the tips we share below to be helpful. We discuss what you should look for with clothing pieces that genuinely support your recovery and everyday comfort:
Fabrics
You need to carefully choose the right fabrics, but what are the best fabric choices? Well… this largely depends on you. But since most women in the postpartum period have sensitive skin and experience temperature fluctuations, it's best to choose light, gentle fabrics. Usually, this means fabrics like cotton, bamboo viscose, spandex, and micromodal.
Style
It's natural for your style to change after you have a baby, even if only for a little while. However, it's more than just your fashion choices, like preferring tailored suits or clothing that drapes, that change. After a baby, you need to look for clothing that's convenient to use.
For you, this could mean button-front tops. It could also mean wrap-style dresses, shirts with relaxed necklines, or pants with gentle waistbands that don’t press into your midsection.
Care
Let's face it, with a new baby and the postpartum changes you’re experiencing with your body, you likely don’t have time to wear clothing that requires a lot of care. That’s why it's important to avoid anything delicate or fussy. Instead, you’ll want to choose clothing that washes and wears well.
Must-Have Postpartum Pieces
With an understanding of what to look for when shopping for postpartum clothing, what pieces should you actually have your eye on? Well…there are quite a few dependable pieces to add to your clothing collection, including:
Soft Pajama Sets
It might sound somewhat dramatic, but a good pajama set could carry you through the hospital. It could also help during the first few weeks at home, and the many quiet hours in between.
You’re going to be spending a fair amount of time in your pajamas after birth. So, it's best to choose soft, gentle, and breathable fabrics. It also wouldn’t hurt if they were moisture-wicking to help with your fluctuating temperatures. For many new mums, bamboo pajamas are especially lovely during the postpartum period because they check all these boxes and more.
Loose Tops
You can’t go wrong with a few loose tops during the postpartum period. These are easy to layer, practical, and comfortable to wear all day long. They also offer flexibility, whether you’re breastfeeding or resting, or simply not interested in wearing anything clingy.
Robes
A robe is one of the most versatile clothing pieces you should have during the postpartum period. If you haven't bought one for the hospital or home yet, you might want to move it up your priority list. It adds coverage and makes nursing easier. It also works beautifully when you want to look a little more put-together without much effort.
What to Pack for the Hospital
When it comes to what to wear after having a baby…and we mean immediately, it can be a little tricky. This is because, usually, after you slip off the hospital gown, it's best to make sure you've packed a few essentials.
These include items like a gentle pajama set, a soft robe, comfortable underwear, and easy slip-on shoes. We recommend that these items be breathable, layer easily, and require little thought to wear.
And if you want to learn more about what to pack, you can check out our guide here. It explores everything you need to have ready to go in your hospital bag before baby arrives.
When You're Ready to Think About Style Again
We know that fashion is likely far from your mind. However, when you’re ready, the easiest way to get back into the swing of things is to start with pieces that are forgiving, feel soft, and look a little more put-together. For example, matching lounge sets are a safe go-to option, as are draped tops, stretchy pants, and easy layers. But just keep comfort at the forefront while you find your feet again.
The Wrap-Up on What to Wear Postpartum
When it's time to set your sights on postpartum clothing in Canada, we hope this guide is front and center in your mind's eye. If you take the advice we’ve shared, you’ll likely find a few interchangeable pieces that tick the boxes for comfort, softness, and style.
However, if you want a little more help with your clothing transition from pregnancy to the postpartum stage, you might find This Is J’s collection of maternity and postpartum clothing a good place to start. We have plenty of Canadian-made bamboo viscose-spandex-blend clothing choices that are perfect for every stage of your birthing journey.
