What to Wear Home from Hospital After Birth (Head to Toe Checklist)

If you are a mom-to-be you might be wondering what to wear home from the hospital after Birth.

Truth is, after birth, your body will undergo tremendous changes. For that reason, the clothing that you choose to wear after labor will make all the difference. Especially, if you had a c-section or are opting to breastfeed.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I bought many items I thought I would need after delivery.

After all, as a Surgical Nurse, I should have known exactly the kind of clothes I needed to recover after labor and delivery, right?

WRONG.

It took a really bad case of postpartum hemorrhoids, a challenging breastfeeding journey, and a whole lot of respect for the postpartum body that better prepared me for the birth and postpartum journey of my second child.

Today I will be sharing must-have postpartum clothes that will make your life a lot better after birth and thereafter.

What to Wear Home from Hospital After Birth

what to wear at the hospital after birth

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In this list, we will be going over must-have postpartum clothes you should consider packing in your hospital bag. In addition, they will be incredibly beneficial during the first few weeks and months postpartum.

All of the following postpartum clothing essentials can be found on Amazon and were selected based on the following principles:

Comfort
Versatility
Ease of use
Affordability
Mom reviews
Personal experience after 2 hospital births

I have also listed these postpartum essentials in a “head to toe” order so that you can follow along, or go straight to what you need.

Also, you might want to grab one of these handy FREE “Hospital Bag Checklists” for Baby, Mom, and Dad while you’re at it so that you don’t forget a thing!

Alright! Let’s get packing…

1. Hairbands

The last thing you want to deal with, especially as you learn how to breastfeed, is to have hair on your face.

Although many hair accessories get the job done, such as hair ties and hair clips… headbands are one of the best options.

They are versatile, don’t break your hair, and make you look like a million bucks (even when you feel like a machine-washed dollar bill).

Two beautiful options are:

For a basic and cute look, the Habibee Turban Headbands are a great and inexpensive option.

But, if you want something more upbeat and classic, give the Ever Fairy Women Elastic Turban Head Wrap a try. They are not only beautiful, but they are very inexpensive.

2. Postpartum Bras

Whether you are opting to breastfeed or not, your breasts will need as much TLC as you can give them after birth. So, opting for after-delivery clothes that can ease your breast discomfort is a good idea.

In the first few days after birth, a release of hormones will trigger milk production, causing your breast to engorge and feel tender.

One of the ways to relieve that discomfort is by having a proper bra.

If you will be breastfeeding, then breastfeeding bras are a postpartum must! Not only will it provide you with much-needed support, but breastfeeding bras come with built-in easy access so that you can feed your newborn.

I mean, let’s face it. The last thing you want while holding a fussy, hungry baby, is scrambling to pull a boob out… just saying!

Here are great and convenient postpartum bra options that will serve their purpose whether you opt to breastfeed or not.

The Kindred Extra Soft Nursing & Maternity Sleep Bra is a fantastic option. It is not only wireless but is made with organic cotton.

If you know anything about me, is that I believe in the value and benefits of opting for as many natural and organic products as possible to include in your postpartum care kit. So, in addition to this organic bra, I also recommend these Organic Washable Breast pads (8-Pack)… yes, things will get leaky!

Another thing I love about this postpartum bra is it hugs your breast despite its many size changes.

If you would like something more supportive or would like to have it as an option to use out of the house, consider the Full Bust Seamless Nursing Maternity Bras (3-Pack). It is available in sizes S-XXL and it comes with extra bra extenders and clips. These bras are an Amazon #1 Best-Seller with 8000+, 4.5-star reviews.

Related Article: 3 Must-Take Online Breastfeeding Classes

3. Nursing Tanks

For even more versatility after delivery, some moms opt for nursing tanks. Most nursing tanks already come with built-in breast support which is great as they serve a dual purpose (bra and shirt). If you have bigger breasts, however, I would suggest opting for a support bra and a breastfeeding-friendly shirt or pajamas instead.

Here are some popular breastfeeding tanks.

4. Postpartum and Breastfeeding Shirts

One of the best things you can wear after labor and thereafter are comfortable and loose-fitting breastfeeding shirts.

With that said, you don’t have to trade in comfort for style. Not that style is a priority after giving birth, but looking decent will help us feel better.

So, if you rather not be in your pajamas or robe all day while in the hospital, consider packing in your hospital bag some of these great postpartum and breastfeeding shirts

The Smallshow Women’s Maternity and Breastfeeding Shirts are not only beautiful, but they are super comfortable and versatile. They have short sleeves and are made with easy side access to your breasts. They also come with subtle ruffles on two sides which flatters our postpartum figure.

Another great and popular option is these Women’s Maternity Nursing Tops. They are dressy enough to use for outings but also comfortable enough to use at home. They come with a simple front lift for nursing access and they are an Amazon #1 Best-Seller item.

5. Comfortable Underwear

One of the most important things to wear after birth is the right kind of underwear. Yes, there is a “right kind.”

As you will soon experience, one of the most noticeable postpartum body changes after vaginal birth is vaginal discharge.

Having underwear that can keep your sanitary pad in place as your body heals is non-negotiable. More so, if you have a C-section, you will want to opt for underwear that will not only feel comfortable on your skin and protect your C-section incision but will also support your postpartum belly.

Although most hospitals will provide you with mesh underwear that will aid in keeping your maxi pad in place, the material isn’t the most comfortable. That is why I opted to pack my own underwear the second time around. Plus, you will make good use of them at home for the first few days/weeks postpartum.

So, whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section, the following underwear will serve the same purpose: belly support, comfort, and perineal coverage to keep the maxi-pad in place.

One option is these Women’s High-Waisted Underwear (Multi-Pack). These soft panties are made up of 95% combed cotton and 5% spandex which makes them ideal for both comfort and fit. They are suitable for postpartum recovery and c-section, and once you fully recover you can use them as “period panties” once that lovely companion returns. That’s what I do.

6. Comfortable pants and Leggings

If you rather not wear your pjs all day after labor, then consider packing a pair or two of comfortable pants in your hospital bag.

It is important to note that after labor and for the first weeks/months thereafter, your belly will be swollen and bloated as your uterus shrinks back to its normal size. Therefore, whatever postpartum pants you opt for, make sure they aren’t too tight.

Here are some great and inexpensive options:

An Amazon’s Choice product and the recipient of over 7,000+ reviews on Amazon is the Aifer Comfy Casual Floral Pants.

Not only are they perfect for postpartum recovery, but they come with super cute designs. In addition, not only can you wear it during your postpartum period but for nearly any other casual activity (sleep, yoga, home wear, beach, vacation, and more).

Besides being super comfortable, what makes it a great postpartum article of clothing is that it has an elastic high waist with an adjustable drawstring waistband for added comfort and size adjustment.

If you would like something more fitted, then these HUE Women’s Cotton Ultra Legging with Wide Waistband might be what you are looking for.

7. Postpartum Pajamas

Immediately after birth, you will be doing a lot of recovery in bed. So wearing comfortable pajamas to bed is a no-brainer.

A popular choice is the PajamaGram Pajama Set for Women. It is made of cotton, short-sleeved, and lightweight, making it one of the best pjs for hospital delivery. Living in South Florida these we perfect for me because they are light and airy.

If you will be giving birth during the winter or would like your pajamas to give you a bit more cover (yes, hospitals are pretty chilly), then you can opt for something like the Ekouae Long Sleeve Pajama Set. What makes these such great postpartum pajamas is that they are button-down which makes them ideal for breastfeeding. They also have a relaxed fit which is great for comfort and have a chiffon drawstring elastic waist for size adjustment.

8. Postpartum Robes

Robes are another great choice of garment to wear after birth, especially if you will be breastfeeding.

A big advantage of wearing a robe postpartum is that it grants you instant privacy when someone walks into the room. Trust me, between nurses, hospital staff, and friends and family, you’ll have plenty of that going on. You can opt for a regular robe, or you can grab one of these cuties so that you can match your sweet baby.

The Labor and Delivery Matching Robe and Swaddle Blanket (with Hat or Headband Set).

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If matching isn’t your thing, then another great option is this Maternity Nursing Robe by Ekouaer. It is not only a perfect delivery gown for a hospital birth (especially if you will be breastfeeding), but it is also very elegant. If you are expecting a few visitors after birth, you might want to consider this after-birth robe. This postpartum robe has a lot of great reviews on Amazon.

9. Socks

Hospitals are really cold in nature (as a Nurse I can attest to that), and Labor and Delivery are no exception. So what better thing to wear after birth in the hospital than socks?

Good options are non-slip socks and warm fluffy socks.

These are comfortable and basic non-slip socks. You can even use a pair while you are in labor and another pair for the rest of your hospital stay.

Or you can opt for fluffier and warmer socks if it is colder where you live such as these Non-Slip Socks Hospital Socks.

10. Footwear

Last but not least on the list of things to wear after labor in the hospital, is footwear.

Ideally, you would only take one pair of comfortable shoes. The shoes you to wear to your hospital admission you can also wear after discharge.

These shoes for instance have great reviews…

However, besides your socks, you should consider taking a pair of slippers or flip-flops so that you can get around. A typical hospital stay for birth is 2-3 days (please note that the length of stay depends on many factors).

Going Home Outfit for Mom

A going-home outfit after a hospital birth is totally up to you. I opted to go home both times in clothing like the ones I already mentioned here (a breastfeeding-friendly T-shirt and leggings).

Another good idea is to wear the same outfit you wore when you checked into the hospital. That will help you save a lot of room in your baby’s hospital bag.

P.S.: If you need help with getting ready for the baby’s arrival, check out the Third Trimester Checklist Bundle.

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In Summary

Well, there you go, mama! The entire list of what to wear after birth in a hospital.

Remember to look around the house for things you already have. Either way, if you don’t have a particular item, and need to purchase it, just remember that you can use any of these postpartum clothing items long after you recover.

Happy and Healthy delivery my friend!

What would you like to wear after giving birth in the hospital?

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