Maternity leave is a one-of-a-kind experience. Between round-the-clock feedings, sleep training, swaddling, diaper changing, and snuggle time, you get a lot of one-on-one time to bond with your new baby in their first precious moments of life. It is also an important time for you to heal, rest, and relax since you literally just birthed a tiny human out of your body like a crowd-stopping superwoman.
With all this time for you and babe to spend together, you’ll want an epic postpartum maternity leave wardrobe. You deserve to feel pampered, comfortable, and ready to take on any new errand that comes your way (helloooo, emergency store run for diapers).
The most functional nursing bra, so comfy you can literally sleep in it? Check. A nursing dress for easy feeding, yet so fashionable you don’t even have to change clothes to leave the house afterward? Check and double-check!
We’ve got all the outfit pieces you need for any occasion as a new mama on leave. Peep some of our favorite maternity leave wardrobe must-haves below.
Nursing Bras
The Everyday Nursing Bra: This wireless bra feels luxurious to wear all day, every day. With its plush cotton material, its spandex for stretchiness, and its one-handed clasp for unhooking ease, it’s a practical yet comfortable fit for your tender boobs throughout the fourth trimester.
The Essential Nursing and Pumping Bra: This smartly designed bra with a pull-down for easy nursing also grows and shrinks with you without losing its shape to keep a flattering body-hugging style that still feels like you’re wearing clouds.
This bra is especially great for all the pumping mamas out there, thanks to its discreet front fabric slits. It’s easy to use, has just the right amount of compression to feel functional, and is so cozy you can even sleep in it if you want.
The Dream Feed Nursing and Sleeping Bra: Speaking of so cozy you can even sleep in it if you want, this bra was born ready for that. It’s ultra soft and plush, breathable, and a well-balanced blend of support and stretch.
Tops & Sweaters
The Early Days Nursing Sweatshirt: this fleece-lined sweatshirt is so comforting you’ll want to live in it allllll the time. Its deep V-neck makes for easy feeds, and its side pockets make for nifty but not-so-visible pouches so that everything you need is always right by your side.
Whether you toss it on at two in the morning for a quick night feed or at two in the afternoon to leave the house to run errands, it looks darling and feels incredibly soft and luxurious.
The Luxe Nursing Tee: Thanks to its 100% organic Pima cotton material, this t-shirt feels like a warm hug or your favorite blanket. Comfy, soft, and stylish, plus quality fabric and an overlayer covering a center slit design made for nursing — what’s not to love?
24/7 Nursing Tank: Whether you’re out and about strolling the town or lounging on the couch watching a rerun of your favorite show while your baby cuddles next to you, this tank feels soft but also has a built-in bra for that much-needed extra support. It’s adjustable, comes in several color choices, and has a one-handed clasp to undo fast for those last-minute or unexpected feeding times.
Bottoms
The Before During & After Leggings: One of our all-time best sellers, this legging is breathable, comfortable, and a very versatile fashion piece. You can wear it on errands, around the house, or during your postpartum yoga routine.
It has a confidence-inspiring sculpting fit and moisture-wicking fabric so that you truly can wear it everywhere. Pair it with a cute tank and a cardigan, a long-sleeve tee, or your favorite postpartum workout clothes.
The Indoor Outdoor Jogger: Who doesn’t love an iconic jogger? Another all-around resourceful fashion piece, this pant is made from lightweight French terry material for a feel-good and breathable fit that goes with just about any outfit.
The Over/Under Lounge Pant: Stylish and chic yet very functional and resourceful, these lounge pants go anywhere, anytime. The rayon blend material makes this pant feel soft and sleek, and the stretchy elastic band provides a perfect amount of reassurance and support to rest gently on your waist or tummy. Awesome for everyday wear or for an afternoon out to brunch with the besties.
Dresses & Onesies
24/7 Feeding Jumpsuit: You’ll look extra retro and trendy in this glamorous jumpsuit — so fashionable no one will ever know it’s made from super soft cotton material that makes it feel like clouds are hugging your skin.
Pair it with your favorite nursing bra, and you’re set to take on the world, or wear it around the house and use its large front patch pockets to carry a ton of snacks. Feel like a glamor queen, and embrace the flattering fit and feel of this unique nursing fit.
The Softest Rib Nursing Dress: Need we say more? This ribbed fabric high-fashion dress features snap-front plackets down its length to make feeding times a breeze. Plus, with its vogueish empire waist, people will be asking you what vintage thrift store you picked this gem up from. All moms should be able to feel good about themselves while nursing.
Nurse to Errands Onesie: The ultimate onesie to wear all day so that you can nurse and go to the grocery store, then to your friend’s house for a hang sesh while you pump, all without ever changing your clothes.
The Visitor Dress: This one’s for all your sudden-urge-to-wear-a-dress cravings. A beautiful, form-flattering fit to make you feel even more lovely than you already are, this fit is perfect for really any occasion.
Whether you’re reading a book at home or going on a lunch date with your friend for the first time since your mini-me was born, this dress is here for you. With its chic-looking style and its luxe fabric, you’ll feel like a confident, well-dressed mama. You’re prepared for any last-minute nursing need and those early-day visitors bringing your favorite meals.
Pajamas
The Ultra Soft Jersey PJ Set: Some maternity leave days, it feels nice to dress up and put on a trendy fit even if no one’s going to see it but your newest family member all day. But let’s face it, other days, it feels incredible to have a pajama day all day. Why not? New motherhood should feel luxury sometimes, and you deserve to pamper yourself while you heal and recover.
This relaxed-fit pajama set has softer-than-soft (do we dare to say buttery soft?) material that feels so good you’ll want to hop in bed right away after you put it on. It’s perfect for an all-day lounge day or for those nighttime feed and bond seshes with little one.
Cozy Up With a Comfortable Maternity Leave Wardrobe
Maternity leave is the time a new mama takes off work after birth to heal and spend time with her new baby. Some moms even start maternity leave several weeks before birth so that they have extra time to rest and prepare for their babies’ eagerly awaited arrival.
Regardless of when you take maternity leave and how much time you take off work, your maternity leave should be a restful, healing, and peaceful time for you to learn and grow into your new motherhood experience.
Remember, as long as you feel comfortable and cozy in your clothes, it doesn’t matter what your style is. You can be as fashionable in a pajama set as you can in a nursing dress as long as you feel good about who you are in your postpartum body.
So sit back and relax — well, as much as anyone can relax when taking care of a newborn. These are special (and hectic) moments, and a dream-worthy outfit is simply the cherry on top.
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