Maternity Clothes & Intimates

You’ve probably already heard the term “capsule wardrobe” in your pre-pregnancy life. A limited collection of clothing and accessories designed to mix and match to create different outfits for all types of occasions, a capsule wardrobe is a style hack that can save you time, money and a lot of closet space. Turns out you can do the same with your maternity wardrobe. Intentionally choosing classic, interchangeable pieces to accommodate your growing bump can help you feel less overwhelmed at the thought of starting a whole new wardrobe from scratch. Our guide to building a maternity capsule wardrobe will make getting dresses easier.

You’ll want to find maternity underwear that will not only offer coverage but also keep you comfortable and feeling your best. Maternity underwear can double as postpartum underwear too, as they leave more room for you to comfortably heal, and give you extra abdominal support—all without adding too much pressure. Read our shopping guide for maternity underwear for tips and top picks.

Carrying around an extra human (or more!) can put added strain on certain parts of the body, most often the back, hips, pelvic area and abs. Symptoms like round ligament and lower back pain are pretty common during pregnancy and can be pretty unpleasant, especially during the third trimester when your belly may start to feel like it’s taking on a life of its own. The best maternity support belts can help. These structured, contoured belts wrap around the lower portion of your midsection and offer support and compression to alleviate many of the common discomforts of pregnancy. Most can be worn under or over clothing (also nice if you don’t want to wear maternity leggings every day) and are completely safe for you and your little one when fitted properly—just be sure you check with your healthcare provider first before trying one out.

Needing new clothes to accommodate your growing baby bump can be both exciting and overwhelming. Figuring out where to begin your search, deciding on the pieces worth investing in and how to translate your pre-pregnancy style into a maternity-friendly wardrobe can be a lot to take on. The good news is, there are plenty of places to shop for maternity clothes that’ll fit your body, style and budget, our shopping guide to maternity brands that moms love will help you get started.

If you are currently breastfeeding or have plans to, a nursing bra will make it easier to feed your baby. Whether it has a clasp that unclips for quick access or stretchy fabric that is pulled up, down, or to the side, nursing bras are specifically designed to make getting your baby to their food source easier. And as your breast size fluctuates throughout your journey, nursing bras are made to be comfortable at every stage. Plus, if you plan on pumping at any point, many nursing bras double as pumping bras so you can go hands-free while you build your stash. So the short answer is—yes, a nursing bra is very useful and they are highly recommended. But if you’re not into wearing bras, once your milk supply regulates and your leaks have leveled out to the occasional dribble, you can totally forego the bra if that is more comfortable for you. Pro mom-tip, consider our top nursing pajamas and favorite nursing robes for comfy and cute options that give you and baby easy access.

Similar to figuring out when to buy nursing bras, the quantity depends on a few factors. Since nailing down your size before your milk comes in or regulates is nearly impossible, start off with just a couple of bras to begin with. Once you can accurately determine your size, you’ll want to have at least two bras in rotation. Regular bras don’t need to be washed every day, but with nursing bras, it’s different. You might leak milk (which can smell and even cause thrush if not washed), and the lycra that makes your bra stretchy will loosen over time and provide less support—washing and drying the fabric will keep your breasts and nipples healthy while also reshaping the fabric to provide the most support. If you want to spread out your wash days, we recommend having three to five bras on hand. Our favorite nursing pads also help keep you and your nursing bras fresh throughout the day (and night).

Like regular bras, nursing bras come in a few different styles, and which one you pick is a matter of personal preference. You can choose from underwire or wireless, lined or unlined, and shaped cups or seamless. It features convenient openings or clasps that allow easy access to the breast for breastfeeding or pumping. Your lifestyle is also something to keep in mind before choosing one bra over another. Instead of choosing a separate bra for different areas of your life—like one for lounging at home, one to wear under professional clothing and one to wear when you’re sleeping— choose one or two that can work across the spectrum of your nursing journey. Our nursing bra guide will help you find the best fit for your body and routine.