The Perfect Hospital Outfit for Mom [Comfy and Functional Options You’ll Love]

Mumsy Pop April 19, 2023

0 0 6 minutes read

You’ve packed your hospital bag with all the sweetest clothes and necessities for your new bundle of joy, but have you ever thought about what you’re packing for yourself? Most of the information you’ll find online about packing a hospital bag will tell you to include some baby clothes, some toiletries, snacks, and baby supplies to get you through the first two days in the hospital. But I’m here to remind you to pack comfy and cute hospital clothes for mom too!

In addition to your baby “needs” bag, I encourage you to bring a separate bag with comfortable clothes that you can wear during and after your hospital stay. While that blue hospital gown is flowy and all, after getting tangled in it a few times, you might want something more functional – speaking from experience!

I am a mother of 6 and over the years I have learned what works, what doesn’t, and what is unnecessary. So, here are some tips and suggestions for hospital gear for mom and homecoming clothes for mom!

The Perfect Hospital Outfit for Mom

Let’s start with what to wear when you get to the hospital!

Depending on how fast you progress, you may or may not have time to think about what to wear. If things are really fast, the nurses will probably teach you to undress and put on a hospital gown.

On the other hand, if you have some time to sit in your room, you can put something a little more comfortable and available for work.

Some women prefer cute birthing gowns that are breathable, flowy, and often softer than standard hospital gowns. A perk of shopping for custom hospital gowns is that they come with some really amazing features like a low back for easy epidural access, easy-open fronts for easy nursing access or skin-to-skin when your baby is born, and these are usually very expensive. well so if they are too messy they can be thrown away.

Shop my favorite hospital gowns below!

Alright, next: a comfortable sports bra or bralette.

I actually ditched the standard gown during a few of my births and opted to just wear a sports bra. If you prefer to have less fabric wrapped around you like I do, consider packing a Bralette, Sports Bra, or Tankini to wear. Added bonus, any of these options can also be used once your baby arrives!

Some hospitals allow the use of showers or tubs and you’ll want a sports bra or something similar if you plan to use them.

I know a lot of women choose to wear a bralette if they are having their maternity and delivery photos taken because it adds some nice detail while keeping you covered.

Shop my favorites!

Another good option to pack in your personal hospital bag is a warm garment. Sometimes labor progresses so quickly that you don’t really care what you’re wearing.

Other times it can be a long process and you may be encouraged to walk the aisles. Hospitals are often quite cold, so it’s good to have something warm to layer over the thin gown you’re wearing. I love mine very much Kindred Bravely Emmaline Robe! It has a deep pocket to carry any necessities and it doubles as a sleeping pad.

Here are some amazing robe options!

What to wear after giving birth

Your baby is here and you’re working on all the critical bonding and getting as much skin-to-skin as possible. Eventually, you may feel ready to shower, get cleaned up, and enjoy some quiet time with your baby before venturing out. It’s when you realize it’s something you pack your own hospital bag with! You’ll need some postpartum recovery supplies, toiletries, your own towel, and some clothes to help you get comfortable in your new post-baby body.

You definitely want to bring some Nursing Tanks. They are a must! They usually have two layers of fabric on the chest area and the top layer is attached to the straps with small clips for easy attachment and detachment to care for your baby.

They are convenient and comfortable to sleep in or move around after giving birth. You can also find nursing bras like these, which will make it easier for you to start wearing a regular top when you’re ready to start wearing a regular top again.

Loose sweats or super stretchy leggings are a great option to go with your nursing tanks. Since you will be wearing large pads for a few days after your baby is born, wearing loose clothing will be more comfortable during that time.

Sometimes your nurses will prefer that you don’t wear pants like that for the first day so they can more easily check your postpartum bleeding. In this case, they will give you mesh panties to wear over large pads.

Last but not least, don’t forget to have some convenient no-slip-grip socks for the hospital. The floors are very cold and it can be slippery if you only have regular socks.

Shop the Best Hospital Wear for Mom Options!

What to wear at home

You’ve probably put a lot of thought into your baby’s cute homecoming outfit, but have you ever thought about a homecoming outfit for mom? There are some brands that even offer matching outfits for mom and baby to go home with!

You will probably live in nursing tanks for a while until you feel comfortable enough to start venturing outside of your home. Get a few different colors and styles as these will come in handy if you breastfeed your baby for a long time. I personally nursed my last baby for 22 months and those nursing tanks were a lifesaver, especially during night feeds.

And of course, don’t forget to pack a pair of comfortable postpartum underwear. You can find a full breakdown of our favorites here!

It’s important to remember that our bodies change during pregnancy and our pre-pregnancy clothes may not fit for several months. A good suggestion to follow when ordering or shopping for postpartum outfits is to start with your 3rd trimester size or one size up. Having something a little loose when you are newly postpartum is much better than feeling anxious because something is too tight or uncomfortable to wear.

Also remember, if you’re breastfeeding, you may want to size up for nursing tanks or nursing bras, to compensate for enlarged breasts.

As far as the actual outfit goes, I always lean towards a cozy set! It keeps it simple but will still look good in all the photos you take.

Shop Cute Coming Home Outfits for Mom Below!

Times have changed and women want to deliver their babies with confidence and comfort, these dresses can help us do just that! I hope you are empowered to wear what you want and make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible. You got it, mama!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should mom wear to the hospital?

You can wear whatever you feel most comfortable. Nursing bras, nursing tanks, robes, and comfortable lounge sets are all functional options.

What do mothers wear to the hospital after giving birth?

Even if the hospital provides you with all the necessities, I encourage you to bring a separate bag with comfortable clothes that you can wear during and after your hospital stay. Nursing bras, nursing tanks, and comfortable lounge sets are great choices.

Do you wear a bra under a hospital gown?

You certainly don’t need to wear anything under your hospital gown, however, if you feel more comfortable you can wear a bra under your hospital gown during labor. There are so many great nursing and maternity bras that would be great for this.