I entered this photo in BumbleWee Nursing Wear’s Breastfeeding and Newborn Photo Contest and I really want to win.
It is really easy to vote – You don’t have to sign up for anything – and I’d really appreciate it! I entered the photo above, a fave that my husband snapped on the beach this summer. We were trying to get some photos of Sebastian playing in the sand but he had other plans and only wanted his milkies!
Having great style as a mom can be tricky enough once you’ve returned to your pre-baby size and adjusted to a new routine. It’s even tougher when you are still carrying baby weight. I am still 20 pounds from my goal weight and my baby is almost one – barely even a baby anymore! Dressing and going out in the beginning is definitely the hardest. Add to that a new breastfeeding relationship and possible c-section recovery and you may be temped to just throw on yoga pants everyday. But for the love of you, DON’T! This is my quick post-baby style guide, made up from a few basic items that can be rotated and thrown on quickly.
Post-partum Style Must-Haves:
- Oversize v-neck tops (Various sizes for different looks + as you shrink)
- Several nursing tank tops or tops
- Boyfriend cardigan or poncho
- Leggings
- Maxi dress
- Pretty sandals (Not rubber flip-flops)
- Baby-friendly statement jewelry (One durable necklace, bangle bracelets)
Outfit #1: Cute v-neck t-shirt, leggings, embellished sandals or ballet flats, nursing necklace. A v-neck top draws the line to your bust, likely a great asset right now! Bonus: It allows easy access for breastfeeding. Choose a top that is 2x too big so that it covers your whole butt. Slide into some comfortable leggings and slip your feet into some sexy sandals (I know it’s hard but get yourself a pedicure, even if you do it yourself while your baby is napping). If it isn’t warm where you are, opt for bejeweled flats instead. If you are breastfeeding (which I hope you are), add on a stylish nursing necklace (or any other necklace that is safe enough for Baby to tug on with supervision).
Outfit #2: Cute v-neck, belt, stretch denim jeans, embellished sandals or ballet flats, bracelets. I recommend buying a cute but cheap pair of jeans a couple of weeks after giving birth. Either shop secondhand or hit up Target or F21. (You may also be able to get away with your maternity jeans for awhile.) Pair with a low-cut top (Again, show off your best feature) or a basic tank top if the weather is warm. A stretchy rope belt adds a pop of color while keeping jeans in place on your changing body. Chunky bracelets and rings are fun for your baby to look at and give your look instant polish.
Outfit #3: Maxi dress, embellished sandals or ballet flats, nursing necklace, cardigan, belt. A maxi dress will work for most seasons and is so comfortable! Wear it alone or belted in summer, or wrap the belt around a cardigan in the cooler months. Perfect for lounging around with your newly-expanded family, running errands or even going out to dinner. There are many cotton maxi dresses stretchy enough for nursing, or you can invest in a nursing dress especially made to discreetly breastfeed in.
Hopefully these ideas give you some inspiration to look great even post-partum. I was a hot mess after delivering my baby and wish I had put more effort into my looks those first few months. It is hard to find the time to ‘dress up’, but a handful of staples you can mix and match makes it a whole lot easier. There is no reason you can’t look great even with a new baby.
There is an episode of Sex and the City where the four women attend a baby shower. If I am obsessed with SATC now, I don’t even know what to call my relationship with the series when I was 19. Point being, I have probably seen that episode dozens of times, and I can remember the first time I watched it. Although the baby shower scene is great for the most part, there is a bit of dialogue between Carrie and Miranda that I cringe to remember. Not only because it is something I am so passionately against now, but because of my initial reaction. Here is the scene:
Carrie: There’s a woman in there breastfeeding a child who can chew steak.
Miranda: You know how I feel about that; If you’re old enough to ask for it, you’re probably too old to have it.
And the worst part: Me, nodding along. Not just nodding along, but turning to my roommate with a slight smirk and saying something like, “For real.”
I know, right.
But it is because of that clear memory that I have to honestly say that I get it when people are put off by nursing toddlers. I used to be ignorant too. I wrongly believed that being too attached to your child would turn them into a clingy adult. I assumed that my ex was a total mama’s boy as the result of too much coddling. Truth be told, I thought that breastfeeding an older child had to be doing something sexual for the mother, and I nodded along with Miranda as she blamed her men troubles on overly dedicated mothering.
Zulily is a shopping site much like Gilt or Beyond the Rack. The main difference is that Zulily caters to moms & babies, although they frequently have shoes, shapewear and other non-mommy items on sale.
On sale right now are Bamboobies nursing pads, Danzo diaper bags (perfect diaper bag for dads), Cloud B plush sleep animals, Keep and OshKosh boys shoes, and more. Use my referral link to sign up with Zulily here, and receive $15 shopping credit for every friend you refer who makes a purchase. I haven’t ordered anything yet but some of my mama friends recommend Zulily, which is why I signed up.
What are your favorite sites for online deals?
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Alternative Housewife is a Portland-based family, fashion and
lifestyle blog.
I am Janine (or J), a 20-something mom who loves
booze breastfeeding and
alternative music. I am an atheist and an avid thrift shopper. I believe in eco-friendly products, buying
secondhand, and that great style is possible on any budget.
I have been with my husband Donny for 5 years, married for 2, and our son Sebastian was born in late September 2010. We share a cozy apartment with our pup, Rufio. Read more...
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