What to Wear After Giving Birth: Postpartum Clothes for the First 72 Hours

From hospital bed to your first days at home, here’s what comfort looks like

The first 72 hours after birth are physically draining and emotionally intense. As you recover, feed your baby, manage swelling or stitches and figure out sleep in short bursts, your clothing needs shift quickly. Sometimes within a single day.

 

Postpartum clothes should make life easier. That means soft, breathable fabrics, simple closures and room for skin-to-skin contact or nursing without complicated layers. Some moms spend most of this time in a hospital bed, others are already home by day two. Either way, the goal is comfort, coverage and ease during a period when very little feels predictable.

 

The text below walks through the clothes that tend to work best not based on trends, but on what actually supports movement, recovery and connection with your baby. A few thoughtful pieces can carry you through those early hours and give you one less thing to think about

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MA‑MA NYC: Comfort That Supports You From Delivery Through Day Three

MA‑MA NYC’s bamboo maternity robes are designed to ease your recovery from the very beginning. With soft stretch, no tags and an open front, they make dressing simple during feeds, position changes and short walks around the hospital or home.

 

The robe offers enough coverage to keep you comfortable during skin-to-skin moments and nursing sessions, while still feeling presentable when visitors drop in. Its calm colorways and breathable bamboo fabric help reduce irritation during an already sensitive time.

 

Explore bamboo maternity robes built for first unpredictable hours, made to move with you as you rest, recover and meet your baby.

EXPLORE MATERNITY ROBES

Postpartum Clothing Needs

The transition from pregnancy to postpartum comes with different clothing needs. Clothes that worked during your third trimester may not feel right once your body starts to shift, your skin becomes more sensitive, and your priorities change overnight.

What changes in the first few days:

Body shape: Your midsection doesn’t return to pre-pregnancy shape right away. Swelling, bloating and healing can make your usual clothes uncomfortable or impractical.

Skin sensitivity: Stretched skin, stitches and sore spots around your chest or abdomen call for soft, breathable materials with no tight seams or waistbands.

Feeding: Nursing, pumping or even just holding your baby skin-to-skin becomes a constant. Your clothes should allow for quick access without requiring full undressing.

Shifting temperature and movement: From hospital chills to postpartum sweats to need to sit or lie in new ways, you'll want layers that respond quickly without adding bulk.

What doesn’t change is your need for ease and function. The best postpartum clothes don’t require adjusting or overthinking. They help you focus on recovery and your baby, not on how you’re dressed.

Clothing for Hospital vs. Home: What to Pack and What to Keep Out

If you're still preparing your bag, this hospital bag checklist offers a full breakdown of what to bring for labor and recovery. But not everything in your suitcase will end up getting worn and some items you skip may become your go-tos at home.

 

The hospital stay usually involves a lot of resting, adjusting, and medical checks. Most moms stick with one or two base layers: a soft robe, a nursing bra or tank, and mesh underwear provided by the hospital. Gowns or pajamas may come out for visitors or comfort, but you'll want to keep things minimal to avoid extra laundry or discomfort.

 

At home, the needs shift. You’ll move more. You’ll get up for feedings. You may have more control over room temperature or who sees you dressed. Loose gowns, easy layers and pajama sets that support movement without pressure often become more useful after discharge.

 

The key difference is predictability. In the hospital, things happen on a schedule. At home, you adapt as you go. That’s why layering, stretch and low-effort pieces become essential once you’re in your own space.

What New Moms Wear During the First 72 Hours

The first few days after delivery aren’t the time for outfits that need adjusting or coordinating. Most moms rotate between a few soft, breathable essentials that make feeding, resting and healing easier.

 

Here’s what tends to work best during that window:

A soft robe

Not too heavy, not too short. It’s easy to throw on for nursing, walking the hallway or holding the baby skin-to-skin. Bamboo robes are especially helpful for temperature shifts and sensory comfort.

Nursing bra or shelf bra tank

Offers light support without compression. Choose one that’s easy to unclip or pull aside.

Postpartum underwear

The hospital usually provides mesh pairs, but some moms bring their own high-waisted cotton briefs or period underwear for extra comfort and coverage.

Loose gown or two-piece sleepwear

A nightgown with button access or a pajama set with a stretchy waistband gives you options beyond the robe. They’re useful for sleeping and lounging. 

Non-slip socks or soft slippers

Warmth plus grip matters, especially in a hospital room with cold floors or a home with hardwood.

Optional: leggings or joggers

Some moms want more structure by day two or three. Look for high-waisted, soft-stretch options if you’re ready to transition from gowns.

 

None of these pieces need to be fancy. The goal is comfort, access and clothing that lets you move without thinking about it.

Recommended Product: Bamboo Maternity Robes by MA MA NYC

Postpartum clothes should respond to the changes happening hour by hour and help you stay comfortable through rest, feeding and short walks when you’re ready to move around.

 

MA‑MA NYC’s bamboo maternity robes are made with that experience in mind. The fit is adjustable, the silhouette gives room to breathe, and the fabric stays cool against the skin. 

 

The bamboo material offers comfort without rubbing or pressure. It works well for temperature shifts, nursing and tender skin and it’s easy to care for during a week when laundry isn’t the top priority. These are pieces you can live in without having to think about them.

 

See the full collection of bamboo maternity robes designed for hospital stays, feedings and your first days at home.

How Many Outfits Do You Need for Those First Few Days?

For most moms, 2 to 3 changes of clothes are enough during the first 72 hours. Here’s a practical breakdown:

1–2 soft robes for daytime and nighttime wear

2 nursing bras or tanks to rotate between

2–3 pairs of comfortable underwear (plus whatever the hospital provides)

1–2 gowns or pajama sets for sleep and movement

1 going-home outfit that’s soft, loose, and nursing-friendly if needed

Laundry access also matters. If you’re home and can wash, you may get by with less. If you’re in the hospital and want to avoid re-wearing anything, aim for the higher end of each range.

 

Most importantly, don’t overpack or stress over aesthetics.

Dressing for Visitors and the First Photos

You won’t need a full wardrobe to feel ready for visitors, just one or two pieces that help you feel comfortable and presentable. Maternity robe or a loose gown that opens easily for feeding usually does the job.

 

Most guests understand the moment. They’re there to meet the baby, not evaluate your outfit. Still, many moms want something that helps them feel a little more like themselves when someone stops by or snaps a quick photo.

 

If you're in the hospital, a robe with a fresh pair of socks and a pulled-back bun can go a long way. If you're at home, lightweight loungewear or a pajama set may feel more appropriate once you’ve had a shower and a few hours of rest.

 

A matching set like a robe and swaddle can also add a coordinated look for first photos without requiring any styling. But coordinated doesn’t mean complicated. You’re allowed to keep it simple and still feel good in the moment.

What to Wear When Going Home

Leaving the hospital or settling into your first outing with your newborn doesn’t require a big wardrobe shift, just something that’s clean, soft and easy to get on.

 

Your body is still in recovery mode, so plan for loose fabrics, an elastic waistban, and shoes you can slip on without bending too much. If you're nursing, a wrap top, zip hoodie or button-down layer makes feeding easier in the car or once you’re home.

 

If you had a C-section, high-waisted pants or a long gown can help avoid rubbing near your incision.

Many moms wear what they brought in, especially if it still fits comfortably. Others reach for a fresh set of pajamas or leggings paired with a tee and cardigan. The goal is to feel like yourself enough to walk out the door without distraction. 

 

You won’t regret keeping it simple.

Clothes That Carry You Past the First 72 Hours

Once the first few days pass, your needs start to shift, but not by much. You’ll still want comfort, stretch and easy access for feeding or holding your baby, but you may feel ready for more structure or variety.

 

This is where a few well-chosen basics start to do more:

Pajama sets that look enough like loungewear to wear around visitors or while walking outside

Light robes for layering during early feeds or while winding down before bed

Soft tanks or nursing-friendly tees paired with high-waisted leggings

Zip-up sweaters or cardigans that give warmth without locking you into one outfit

Knotted gowns if you're still spending long stretches at home and want something soft without restriction

At this stage, your clothes should meet your life where it is - slow mornings, short naps, visitors in and out, quick errands and plenty of holding. 

FAQ

Do I need to bring my own robe to the hospital, or will they provide one?

Hospitals don’t usually provide robes. If they do, it’s often thin and heavily used. Bringing your own soft robe helps with feeding, comfort and modesty during walks or visits.

Can I just wear my pregnancy clothes after birth?

Some may still fit, but not all will feel good. Postpartum recovery often comes with swelling, bleeding and tenderness. Clothes designed for postpartum use tend to feel better, especially around the belly and chest.

What should I wear under a hospital gown?

Most moms wear a nursing bra or nothing at all, especially during early feeding or skin-to-skin. If you want more coverage, bring a shelf-bra tank or soft bralette you don’t mind getting stretched or stained.

How many pairs of underwear do I really need?

Hospitals usually provide mesh underwear, but many moms prefer their own. Three or four pairs of high-waisted cotton briefs or postpartum recovery underwear are usually enough if you're staying for a couple of days.

Is it normal to feel uncomfortable in everything I packed?

Yes, especially if your delivery came with surprises. Prioritize items that don’t cling or require adjusting. Most parents end up rewearing the same 1–2 pieces that feel easiest to manage.

What’s the best going-home outfit if I had a C-section?

Look for soft, high-waisted pants that won’t press against your incision, or a long, stretchy dress. Anything that avoids waistband contact near the belly usually feels best.

Related Readings:

What to Pack in Hospital Bag for Labor

Bamboo Maternity Robe Guide

Baby Footies Explained: Function, Fit & When to Switch

How to Dress a Newborn in Summer

Useful Baby Shower Gifts New Parents Will Actually Use

When to Transition from Footies to Pajamas

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