What to Wear Home From the Hospital After Giving Birth: The Ultimate Guide
Yay! You just gave birth and are ready to go home with your new bundle of joy! But, what do you wear home? After all, you just spent the last few days in a not-so-flattering hospital gown (and/or naked). You definitely cannot go home in that!
No doubt, you’re prepared a lot for your hospital bag checklist and birth plan before your due date. But I bet you, your going-home outfit was probably last on your mind. So what DO you wear home from the hospital after giving birth? And you don’t want to end up borrowing that hospital gown to bring baby home! You will want comfortable clothes and maybe a cute outfit as you bring home your new baby.
Read on for recommendations for what to wear head-to-toe to be fashionable AND comfy!
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Loose Dress or Lightweight Kaftan
Dresses and kaftans are a great choice for the postpartum period. They are loose and lightweight, which is comfortable to wear, especially in the hot summer months. They also allow you to move around easily, no matter if you had a cesarean delivery or a vaginal delivery. When you’re caring for a newborn baby, it’s important to be able to move quickly and easily. Dresses and kaftans give you the freedom to do that.
Another reason why dresses and kaftans are perfect for going home from the hospital is that they are flattering. Yes, we won’t have a horde of paparazzi waiting for us after our hospital discharge. But you will still have a proud new dad, partner, or family and friends that you want to look nice for after your hospital stay. Dresses and kaftans are perfect for accentuating your best features and hiding any problem areas.
Not to mention, packing a dress in your hospital bag takes no thinking. It takes the stress out of choosing what to wear in the early days. And lucky for us mamas! A lot of maternity dresses double up as postpartum dresses, so be sure to stock up on some basic colors!
As a bonus, look for a dedicated nursing dress that includes lift-up panels or side access for breastfeeding. This allows for easy, but discrete feedings during those early cluster feeding days. Pair a nursing dress with a nursing bra (as described below) and you will be golden!
Leggings with a T-shirt or Tunic
Giving birth is the perfect excuse for wearing leggings in public! Leggings are the best thing since sliced bread, full stop. After you’ve been through labor and delivery, the last thing you want is to be uncomfortable. Leggings have that stretchy waistband that will give you the freedom to move around without feeling restricted. And they’ll be able to accommodate your changing body.
Unlike the dress option, leggings provide a bit more coverage and are versatile. Dress them up or down, depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing. Throw on a cute tunic or an oversized sweater, depending on the weather. Or you can keep it casual with a tee or tank top.
If you had a C-section, choose a high-waisted pair of leggings. This will prevent chafing or irritation at your C-section incision site. A high waist will also hold in the postpartum belly and provide extra support.
Lightweight Jacket or Cardigan
A lightweight jacket or cardigan is easy to throw on over your going-home outfit after you give birth. It will keep you warm without being too heavy, and it can easily be taken off if you get too hot. After all, you will probably be going through a lot of hormone changes.
A jacket or cardigan is also a good way to cover up and still be flattering for your new postpartum body. You can wear it open over your clothes, or button it up for more coverage. Either way, it will give you a little extra boost of confidence when you need it.
If you’re breastfeeding, a jacket or cardigan is a must-have. It can be difficult to find clothes that are both nursing-friendly and stylish. But a jacket or cardigan can do double duty. Choose a style with a nursing panel built-in or one that’s easy to pull down or unbutton for nursing access.
Nursing Bra
Your bra and underwear are an important part of your going-home outfit. Even if they will not be seen (we hope!)
One of the first things you’ll notice after giving birth is that your breasts are engorged with milk. This can be painful, and uncomfortable, and make it difficult to breastfeed. Nursing bras are designed to provide support and comfort for breastfeeding mothers.
Nursing bras usually have flaps or panels that can be opened and closed for easy access to your breasts for feeding. Nursing bras also have extra support around the back and sides and have wide straps. This helps to distribute the weight of your breasts more evenly to reduce the risk of back pain.
Since nursing bras are made to accommodate your changing body, they are a good option to wear during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Don’t forget to pack the breast pads to prevent embarrassing leaks!
Postpartum Underwear
After you give birth, you will likely experience heavy bleeding. This is known as lochia, which can last for up to six weeks post-delivery. This is why postpartum underwear is an essential item for any new mom’s wardrobe during recovery time.
Postpartum underwear is designed to control bleeding and keep that area clean and dry. They usually have a built-in pad that absorbs blood and other fluids. Or they can accommodate large postpartum sanitary pads. Postpartum underwear is usually made of soft and breathable material. This can help you feel more comfortable after delivery. Many postpartum panties have a high waistband to support your stomach during the healing process.
There are many choices when it comes to postpartum underwear. This can range from disposable to reusable, to prints and solids. You’ll have no problem finding the option that best suits your needs.
Slip-On Shoes or Flip Flops
And finally, we are at the toe part! What you wear home from the hospital for your top and bottom is important. But don’t forget about your shoes! I recommend packing slip-on shoes or flip-flops in your hospital bag.
After you’ve just given birth, the last thing you want to do is deal with shoes that are difficult to put on. And don’t even try to bend over to tie laces. Slip-on shoes and flip-flops are easy to take on and off with only a little bit of effort. They’re also more comfortable than traditional shoes. They can accommodate swollen feet because they don’t have laces or straps.
And you were most likely wearing slip-on shoes or flip-flops while you were pregnant. Those same shoes will work okay for going home after you do give birth.
When choosing shoes to wear home from the hospital, make sure they are supportive and have a good grip. You don’t want to risk falling, especially if you’re carrying your new arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Wear Home from the Hospital
Plan Your Own Going Home Outfit
Packing for your going-home outfit from the hospital is another thing to think about before baby arrives. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this list of what to wear home from the hospital after giving birth, complete with great options from maternity leggings to disposable underwear.
Whether you’re looking for something loose and flowy or something more fitted, we’ve got the best going-home outfits for you. And because we know comfort is the most important thing after labor, all our suggestions are comfortable and easy to slip on (because who has time for laces when you’ve got a newborn?)
So take a look at our list of comfy clothes and start planning your post-birth ensemble. We can’t wait to see what you choose!
