What to wear post-baby

Photography: Nicky Alexandria,
Cash's wardrobe: Gap, Abby's wardrobe: Anthropologie

Happy six months, Cash!

This really ought to be a blog reminiscing about his birth and how much joy he has brought into our lives, but those sentiments can be reflected on once my little man goes to sleep before midnight and I have a moment to myself.  (And, believe me, I could absolutely write a novel of how much joy he brings us.  Cash is our greatest earthly treasure!)  Instead I will take a few minutes to write about my post-baby wardrobe solution.

Some women workout their entire pregnancy, gain 20 pounds, and within a week of delivering their joyous bundles have lost even more weight than they gained inciting in mommies everywhere a silent but fierce envy.  I am not that woman.  I never thought I'd get my appetite back and feared my baby would starve in utero.  When that changed, I ate whatever I wanted with reckless abandon.  To my credit or at least a logical justification, we moved our business out of our crowded home, into an office, and were pulling 14 hour days/nights.  Convenience for dinner was key!  The key to non-baby weight gain that is!  Fast-forward to two weeks post-partum.  Of the 40 lbs. I gained practically overnight when Cash was cozy in my womb, my heart was glad to have dropped 20 lbs. so quickly.  Six months later, I still stand on the scale waiting on the numbers to decline, but they've gone on strike!  Is there a union for fat cells?  I think they are staging an Occupy Abby movement. 

I was not prepared for what life would be like with a sweet baby, and I was even more unprepared for what my body would be like after baby.  I have since discovered two pieces of maternity clothing that have been my daily staple.  New moms or mommies-to-be, listen up!  Getting the right clothing can give you a confidence boost that will empower you to tackle your new role of parenthood.

What every pregnant and new mom should have:

1. A black maxi dress.

This is my go to dress.  I wore it throughout my pregnancy, when we came home from the hospital, and I confess to wearing it multiple times throughout the week.  It's classy, easy, comfy, and because the neck is made of stretchy cotton, it's easy to nurse in.  Yay!  If you plan on breastfeeding, wear as much black as possible in the early days.  You will end up with milk on your clothes, but you don't want anyone else to notice.  (P.S. No one told me milk was so oily.  Don't spend a lot of money on your clothes because you'll end up with "salad dressing-style" milk stains.)

Liz Lange Maternity by Target - my favorite!

2. Maternity jeans - High-waited jeans like this are super comfy, supportive, and will grow (or shrink) with you.  I didn't account for my baby weight to spread itself all over me, so I grew out of my maternity jeans prior to delivery and gladly picked up a new pair of maternity jeans and maternity leggings 2 months post-partum.  I'm sorry I waited so long!  Not only are these pants great for smoothing out our soft baby houses aka tummies, but they come in super handy when nursing!

There are very few affordable and stylish nursing-friendly clothes out there.  It's frustrating really.  Most moms have to find creative ways to make their existing wardrobes functional.  Have you ever been in a restaurant or church when your baby starts crying crocodile tears that scream, "I haven't eaten in 45 minutes.  I'm. going. to. DIIIIEEEE.  FEEEED ME?!"  It can be hard to handle the crying baby tension while you are fussing with a hoodie that unzips, a tank that has to be hoisted high, a bra to unclip and all while trying to be discreet and modest.  Nearly impossible, I tell you!  This is where maternity pants are BRILLIANT.  When you have to pull your regular shirt up to feed baby, you no longer have to worry about displaying your now-well-used and well-loved tum tum.  It's covered!  Maternity pants transform every day tops into modest nursing tops.  Yay for stretchy, high-waisted pants!!  Yay for full and satisfied babies!  Yay for feeling like a beautiful woman and getting out of the house!

It's important to find clothes that can transition from one season of life to the next.  Proud mommies, let us stand united and vow to embrace the maternity jeans in every season of our lives.  I, hereby, proclaim stretchy high-waisted jeans "po-ternity jean," po for post-partum (or Thanksgiving pants). 


*Stay tuned for Cash's birth story, Part 2!