Swimsuit shopping isn’t exactly a beloved activity—no matter how close you are to your ideal body. Add pregnancy and giving birth to the mix, and the best postpartum swimsuits will likely have you frustratedly closing online swimwear tabs or dashing out of the dressing room as fast as you can.
“A woman’s body goes through many changes with pregnancy and then postpartum,” says Amy Wetter, a board-certified ob-gyn at Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta. “Some of these changes are physical and some are emotional.” Bathing suit shopping during the postpartum period touches both of those elements. You may not recognize the body staring back at you, and that may stir up some unpleasant feelings made even more poignant thanks to raging hormones.
To help jump-start your search for the best postpartum swimsuits, we polled new moms on their most comfortable bathing suits, then used Dr. Wetter’s advice to ensure each option on this list was built with features suited for the postpartum body. We also assessed overall style and value to ensure we’re only recommending the best of the best.
The best postpartum swimsuits, at a glance
How to shop for bathing suits during postpartum
“[After pregnancy] the uterus slowly returns to its normal size just as it slowly grew to accommodate a growing baby,” says Dr. Wetter. “Many women also have an issue with the large abdominal muscles in the middle of the abdomen, which can be separated during pregnancy due to the expanding uterus.” (The medical term for this is diastasis recti.)
The pelvis also has to expand to accommodate the pregnancy, and this can be permanent. Plus, skin changes during pregnancy—hyperpigmentation issues and stretch marks, for example—are very common. Not to mention the breasts probably already increased in size during pregnancy and will continue to do so postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding or pumping. (Check out our edit of maternity bras if you’re in the market.)
Knowing where to shop for maternity clothes—and spending time to find pieces that still make you feel confident throughout all these changes—is key. So be sure to hit up the best swimsuit brands for maternity styles and postpartum swimwear.
“Postpartum abdomens, hips, and breasts come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one-size-fits-all bathing suit for the postpartum body,” says Dr. Wetter. But, in general, most women in their fourth trimester feel more secure and supported in a swimsuit with built-in tummy control, a one-piece, or high-waist bikini bottoms. “Higher-waist suits are also more comfortable if you have a C-section scar, as you do not want a suit to put too much pressure or dig into your scar,” she adds. Underwire or padded cups can also help provide breast support. And nursing moms may appreciate the convenience of clip-down straps for easy access come feeding time.
Don’t be afraid to size up, either. You may need to go up a size—or even two—in order to nail the correct fit. The best advice we can give you? Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
