Welcoming your baby into the world via C-section poses unique challenges. Your body went through a lot just growing your baby and then to add to that, you have to navigate caring for your little one while recovering from major surgery. As a mom, it’s natural to focus on your baby but it’s important that you also take care of yourself, both for yourself and your baby. Over the nine months that you were pregnant, you had time to adjust to your changing body but once your baby arrived, your body changed drastically and it can take a while for you to accept and embrace these changes.

How Clothing Affects C-Section Recovery

Recovery after a C-section is not just about your physical health but also your mental and emotional health. You had to deal with the effects of pregnancy hormones throughout your pregnancy but once your baby arrived, your body experienced sudden hormonal and chemical changes which also impacted your emotional and mental state. Furthermore, it’s easy to get so caught up in your role as a mother that you feel like you’re starting to lose your identity. When you’re in an emotionally vulnerable place, your clothing makes a world of difference. Wearing clothes that suit your personal style helps to reinforce your individuality. They also help to boost your confidence, self-image and overall mood. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style – you can have both! Postpartum leggings are the perfect example of this because they are very comfortable but still give you a sleek and toned silhouette. Seamless leggings are easy on your sensitive skin and will not irritate your C-section scar. There are plenty of leggings in the market so compare the top postpartum leggings in the market and check their features so that you can choose the ones that suit your needs and style.

What to Wear and What to Avoid after a C-Section

What to Wear   

1. High Waisted Leggings

Even if you wore under-the-bump leggings during your pregnancy, you should go for high-waisted postpartum leggings. The waistband sits above your C-section incision so you don’t have to worry about constant chaffing. You can choose a pair of leggings that have a thick and firm waistband as these provide support to your stomach and back. They will work in the same way as an abdominal binder which provides gentle compression and helps increase blood flow which can aid tissue repair.

2. Double-layer T-shirts

Double-layer T-shirts are a postpartum must-have! The double layer is discrete and allows you to just lift the upper layer whenever you need to breastfeed your baby or pump. The design eliminates the usual buttons or zips so you don’t have to fumble around each time. Look for double-layer T-shirts that are made from soft and stretchy material as this will keep you comfortable but still look well put together.

3. Wrap Dresses

There was a time when maternity and postpartum wear only focused on function and as a result, the dresses lacked shape and were far from flattering. The fascinating history of fashionable maternity wear started in 1939 when 3 sisters patented an adjustable skirt for pregnant women. Postpartum fashion has come a long way since then and one of the best examples of this is the simple yet elegant wrap dress. If you’re self-conscious about your belly pooch, you can opt for a wrap dress that has a waistband to accentuate your figure.

What to Avoid

1. Your Pre-pregnancy Jeans

You might be eager to “reclaim” your body and fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans but it’s best that you wait a while and instead focus on clothes that are comfortable and suit your needs.

2. Dry Cleaning Only Clothes

Avoid clothes that require dry cleaning because no matter how cute or chic it is, you don’t need to add to your workload right now. You are going to have to deal with stained clothes for a while, whether it’s due to milk leakage or your baby’s spit-up so it’s best to go with easy-care fabrics that can be machine-washed.

3. Postpartum Jumpsuits

Postpartum jumpsuits and rompers look great but they are just not practical at this point. Pregnancy wreaks havoc on your pelvic floor muscles which makes it tougher for you to control your bladder. Wearing a jumpsuit is very inconvenient when you need to make frequent bathroom trips so it’s best to skip these at least for the first few months. Studies show that pelvic floor muscle exercises can help to reduce incontinence.

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