There seems to have been a baby boom among my friends this year.  I love watching the pregnant belly take shape as the pregnancy progresses, though I know when it's YOUR belly growing it can be a little frightening.  Will this extra weight be delivered along with the baby?  We wish! 

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I could write a whole blog on maternity clothes and some day I probably will, but what I've been asked to write about today is what to wear AFTER the baby is born. 

So labor is over, you've got a beautiful bundle of joy and numerous months (sometimes years) of sleep deprivation ahead.  Maybe the "pregnancy glow" is still lingering?  Or maybe, its just the sweat from your constant hot flashes.  You're hot, frustrated with nursing and feel like your body has been through a garbage disposal (ok, maybe that was just me).  Anyway you have way more important things to do then worry about how you look, but everyone wants to see your new baby and take pictures that you won't be able to escape. 

Let's keep in mind, there are going to be many days where you are not going to care, or make an effort and I will give you that.  So when you decide to venture out into the real world, or maybe invite people over to see the baby, this would be a good time to step it up a notch.  Hopefully you can nurse, or bottle feed that baby down and escape to your spa (bathroom) to do a little primping.

I learned quickly that you need to do what is most important to you first (you never know when the baby will wake and need your immediate attention).  For me, I need a little make-up before I face society.  So I would take 5 minutes to apply foundation, bronzer, blush, eye-liner, mascara and lip gloss.  Remember you are probably sleep deprived and your eyes might show it so do them a favor and help them out.   Take another 5-10 minutes to fix your hair, it doesn't HAVE to be anything fancy.  You can throw it into a cute ponytail, make a messy bun, straighten it, a cute hat, etc. It doesn't take long,  just do something!   Ok so now your "head" is done, let's move onto the rest of your body.  :)



Motherhood Maternity $59.98

Most of us won't have the option of throwing on our favorite pre-pregnancy jeans.  If you can ....you're lucky.  I remember hating maternity jeans but I have to say after having a baby, you might need to wear them a little bit longer.  :) This is why it's important to get good maternity clothes....but that's another issue that we will touch on another blog.  If you have a great pair of maternity jeans that fit, awesome, if not perhaps a stretchy skirt or jeggings. 

 $49 Nursing Shirt (A Pea in the Pod)

When it comes to shirts, you have many options, but the one that I seemed to use the most, is best described as "wearing a stretchy tanktop underneath EVERYTHING."  Let me tell you, my tanks were my best friends.  Whether you nurse your child or not, your "lady friends" (aka boobs) tend to be bigger then normal and its no surprise to any of us that your stomach might be a little "poochy".   This is where the tanks really helped me.  It gave me extra coverage in the mid section and also allowed me to nurse without flashing my tummy to the entire world.  No matter what I wore over the tank, I would just pull up the top shirt, leaving the tank to cover my stomach and would then whip my lady lumps right out to do their "duty".  (And yes, I covered myself with the nursing blanket thingy) Sorry for how graphic I just got, but sometimes there really isn't a polite way to explain it. :)  Since you will be pulling and maneuvering the shirts throughout the day, its important for them to be stretchy and durable. There are numerous styles of over-sized shirts available these days that are super cute. Spending a little extra on a couple great shirts that work for you is worth it.  Since you probably aren't going to "dress up" everyday, you don't need a wardrobe full of stylish nursing shirts, just a few to get you through the transition phase. 

My last tip would be to layer.  Wear tanks, with shirts or sweaters.  Remember that longer shirts tend to work better because you are constantly bending over to pick up the baby or change diapers.  This will hopefully eliminate showing those parts of the body that like to jump out and make themselves known when we least expect it.  (muffin tops, butt cracks)  Give yourself the comfort of knowing that even if you have to bend over, you won't be flashing everyone in the room.  :)

Last but not least, enjoy your new baby!  I'm super jealous of my friends that just gave birth, newborns are so precious and they grow up way too fast.  No matter what trauma your body goes through in pregnancy and birth, these babies are worth every bit of it!  So try to remember on the days that you are feeling sweaty, bloated and puffy that you have a sweet child who appreciates you EXACTLY the way you are with those extra pounds and all.  :)