Something comfy to wear, in the hope that I may be able to get some sleep after the baby gets here....

December 1, 2006 2:04 PM

Sleepwear during pregnancy and after delivery: I'm looking for recommendations on comfortable sleepwear/pajamas during pregnancy, and after delivery.

Before I became pregnant, I liked to sleep in little camisole tops (the ones with the built in shelf bra) and undies or shorts/boxers. Since being pregnant, I prefer to sleep in a sports bra with any old t-shirt on top and some undies or short/boxers.

Something tells me that undies may not be appropriate for wandering around the hospital, and I'd like to get some nicer sleepwear for myself anyway in the meantime - it's hard enough to get all big and round and heavy without feeling extra ratty in old mismatched sleepwear.

I'm planning on breastfeedling, so I'm not sure that sports bras are going to be a good option once the baby's here, as they don't seem like they would provide easy access to the milk supply.

I've never been a flowery nightgown kind of girl, and I've never been very comfortable with dressing gowns either - although perhaps I just haven't found the right robe? I'm in Austin, TX, so there's no need for heavy, warm pj's.

What are some options you might recommend?

[This is my first pregnancy, in case that wasn't obvious enough from the question]

posted by netsirk to clothing, beauty, & fashion (8 comments total)

I live for my cotton pj pants. I sweat like a pig when I sleep, no matter how hot or cold, but as long as the pants are soft and thin cotton, things are A-OK. Plus, you don't feel so awkward if you have to step outside to the car or mailbox as you would in shorts or undies. Target always has cute matching pants and tops in the sleepwear section.
posted by chiababe at 2:13 PM on December 1, 2006

I got some jersey knit top & bottom sets at Marshalls and these have lasted me the best, both through pregnancy and beyond (now with a 16mo).

The bottoms are capri-length pants with an elasticised waist (in the back) and drawstring around the front. This allows for the expansion of pregnany (and helps keep them up when you have no, you know, waist), and has made them adjustable enough that they are comfortable on me now.

The tops are v-necks, which highlights your growing tatas while pregnant and gives easy access for breast-feeding if you're planning on doing that.

I didn't plan that these sorts of outfits were going to be the keepers, but they have been.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:28 PM on December 1, 2006

Bravada nursing bras are a great alternative for the sports bra. I had 3 or four and wore them 24/7 for 10 months. You'll need some support at night while breastfeeding. Wearing them before delivery might be nice too if you're feeling full up there. And they're a necessity while breastfeeding because the non-nursing breast will leak, and you'll want it contained in a bra with a nursing pad.

Top it with a cami top and some pants or shorts. But be warned that you may bleed a lot the first few days post-partum, so wearing ratty boxers might be a better idea.

This is pretty cute actually, and much better than the flowery nightgown and robe I had.
posted by saffry at 2:46 PM on December 1, 2006

For the hospital I would buy a nursing nightgown or two-piece pajamas and a robe. You can find nursing pajamas at places like Target or online. A girlfriend bought me a very pretty nursing pajama set from Mimi Maternity, and I had a couple nightgowns from Target as well as a shorts and top set. They were all nice and comfortable. During the first few weeks or so I pretty much just wore my nursing bras. Since you like camisoles, you are in luck, there are lots of maternity/nursing camisoles on the market.

This isn't your question, buy may I recommend Bravado! nursing bras. They have the comfort of a sports bra with easy snap flaps. I had several when I was nursing my kids. They are incredibly comfortable and supportive.

Congratulations. Best wishes to you and your baby.
posted by LoriFLA at 2:48 PM on December 1, 2006

Whatever you buy don't stock up. Welcome to pregnancy & parenthood -- everything is now a phase. Clothes that are the right size now will not be in 3 months. This will continue to be true all thru your pregnancy, and beyond, as the pregnancy weight comes off and the landscape rearranges. Your kid's size will change at an astonishing rate -- when someone gives you a cute baby outfit, have him/her wear it ASAP, because next week it might not fit.

I loved the sort of garb cocoagirl describes but YMMV. Some people swear by nursing bras/tops but I never liked them.
posted by selfmedicating at 6:06 PM on December 1, 2006

Here are a few other things on top of the previous great answers:

Amoralia has really lovely maternity and nursing bras that you might want to check out.

Bella Diosa does a lot of maternity sleepwear that's a little nicer to look at but still designed to keep you comfortable.

There's also Bella Materna, which has a big range of sleepwear that's all very simple and lovely.
posted by ukdanae at 3:47 AM on December 2, 2006

You may want to consider satin PJs and slippery sheets. During those last few months, it practically takes a crane to get turned over in bed. Get them a little big, and make sure they have the drawstring waist. I got huge, and mine settled nicely below The Bulge. A button-down top would provide the access you need.

That said, after delivery, I switched to nursing camisoles and undies, but only because it was too hot to be wearing anything else.
posted by moira at 5:40 AM on December 2, 2006

I bought a couple of sleep bras that I practically lived in after my first and second birth. As for jammies at the hospital, My hospital wouldn't let me wear my own jammies I had to wear ugly johnnies and even ugly mesh undies...YUCK! But I did bring a comfy robe.
When I got home I just slept in my same old t shirts or camies and my sleep bra. My mom bought me one nursing night gown that I kinda liked but regular baggy ts and tanks worked just as well.
posted by leahsmom at 4:43 PM on December 2, 2006