Mama Tips: How to Build Your Postpartum Wardrobe on a Budget.

Aaaah, the lovely postpartum body!

With all of the excitement surrounding pregnancy and delivery, it's easy to lose sight of how you'll handle the postpartum period. For some women, that's when they realise that their bodies will not be the same again, and things begin to become serious especially when it's time to return to work after their maternity leave.

Some women struggle when they don't quickly snap back as they had expected.  Others never really think of it only to find themselves in a transition phase between childbirth and returning to normalcy. 

Hey, it's a journey. So no pressure.

Understanding what to wear is a practical and necessary path. During pregnancy, many women just buy a few pieces of clothing because they don't want to spend money on stuff they'll only wear for a short time.

However, once the child is born, the problem comes in. Your pre-baby clothes could still be too small for you, and signs of snapping back soon maybe aren’t visible. You don't want to spend lots of money as well on postpartum clothing since you expect to lose the baby weight in a few months. 

It’s a slippery slope.

Choosing postpartum clothes that are comfortable, functional, and will make you feel good about yourself without breaking the bank is the deal. Today we're talking about how to build a postpartum wardrobe on a budget. Follow along.

Read Also: How to Plan a Stress-free Parental Leave in 9 Months

Generally, What Should You Wear After Giving Birth?

Although what you put on is totally up to you, good postpartum outfit decisions can make your life easier.

• Choose clothes in basic colours that are easy to mix and match.
• Look for dresses and tops that make breastfeeding easier.
• Check if the outfit is easy to wash and dry because you probably won't have many options.

Now, let’s talk about this in detail.

Read Also: What to Financially Expect When You’re Expecting a Baby

First and Foremost, Be Patient with Yourself

You don’t have to feel like you have to update your wardrobe all at once. 

Your body and life change dramatically after having a child, and you may not fully comprehend those changes for months or even years, for some. 

It is OK to introduce new items gradually. This can help you to determine your postpartum wardrobe requirements and desires, as well as your budget. If you start with a few essentials that you like, you could wear them again and again while you progressively add more.

Second, Define Your Style 

If you're thinking about creating a new postpartum wardrobe, now is a great time to take a step back and ensure you have a clear knowledge of your individual style (or at least what you feel most comfortable in and what you don't). 

First, know your body type, and then select outfits that complement your shape and size.

Second, evaluate the prints and patterns that are most comfortable for you and your lifestyle. 

Finally, incorporate all of the unique features that make your style uniquely yours. Do you like bright colours and eye-catching patterns? Go for them! 

Do you like certain fabrics or textures? Go for them! Which style do you prefer: simple or trendy? Go for it! Remember, the aim is not to spend more, rather, it is to determine what works for you.

Finding one's personal style might be challenging for some people but easy for others. Do you! 

Having a child (or going through other important life changes) can make you feel like you've lost a piece of yourself, and that’s okay. But expressing or learning about your personal style is one way to retain some of your individuality. 

Read Also: Money and Me: Is Marrying and Having Kids Early a Good Idea?

Third and Final, Plan and Budget

Having a set plan and budget is essential if you're trying to pull together a postpartum wardrobe on a tight budget. Here's how you can hack it.

Start with key pieces

You can do this by identifying the essential pieces of clothing you need during this time and starting with them rather than doing a whole revamp - this will prevent you from overshopping and eventually overspending. 

Start with the trousers if your shirts still fit but your trousers don't and vice versa. If you don't already have any nursing-appropriate clothing, make that a top priority and get some nursing bras and nursing deras. 

Be careful about getting a lot of essentials as it will almost certainly result in a financial loss when things ultimately fall into place.

Read Also: Pink Tax: The Additional Cost of Being a Woman

Be open to versatility

Don't only restrict yourself to buying the basics that we mentioned prior. Resist the urge to buy 20 nursing bras or 15 nursing deras that you won't wear again once you finish breastfeeding your child.  

You shouldn't also buy 30 new pairs of trousers that you can wear now but might not be able to wear in a few months when you are smaller or even bigger. 

If you're breastfeeding, look for a few tops and dresses you love that provide nursing access. Wrap tops, kimonos, loose tops and clothes with elastic necklines are all great alternatives for the post-breastfeeding time.

Additionally, there are several dresses with easy-access necklines that easily adapt to changing postpartum bodies. 

Read Also: The Financial Cost of Being a Father in Kenya

Make the most of what you have.

There are occasions when you just have to make do with what you have and do it yourself (DIY)!

Start by pulling out any clothing with an elastic or stretchy waist. Stretchy trousers, flowing skirts, and blouses are ideal for the months following a baby's delivery and if you examine your current wardrobe well, you probably will find them.

Remember, you might be able to wear your pre-pregnancy clothing again someday. Even if it's tempting to get rid of everything, save your favourites (or all of them). You may be back in that bodycon dress before you know it!

Read Also: Tough Money Questions Kids Ask, and How to Reply

WRAPPING UP

Finally, you can't expect your postpartum clothing to be complete right away. Spend some time thinking about what you really need and how much you're going to part with. Don't be hesitant to re-wear your favourites and well-fitting essentials while you refine your postpartum look. 

One thing to remember while selecting your postpartum wardrobe: dress for yourself, not for others. 

Try not to concentrate on "getting your body back fast" or "putting yourself together in a day" during the first several months. And don't worry about the people or celebrities that do it. That’s them.

Focus on a postpartum wardrobe that will make you feel physically and emotionally at ease and beautiful while at the same time, saving you money.

To a happy mama!