Postpartum Essentials: How to Find the Best Postpartum Underwear for New Moms

The postpartum period often involves navigating intense learning curves.

Not only are you caring for your precious newborn and adjusting to the demands of parenthood, but you're balancing this alongside caring for your own changing and recovering body.

The fourth trimester is a special time when you get to bask in the bliss of new parenthood, but it's an equally important phase in which you may want to prioritize self care, including daily activities that feel restorative and essentials that imbue your everyday with a sense of ease.

If you're navigating postpartum recovery and experiencing postpartum bleeding, vaginal discharge (like lochia, as your uterus heals), or urinary incontinence, the adult diapers they sent you home from the hospital with are likely totally antithetical to this sense of comfort and ease.

During the postpartum phase, it's normal to struggle to feel at home in your body—it's undergone some major changes, being a human vessel is no joke. With that, postpartum underwear can go a long way in providing much-needed comfort.

Postpartum underwear, like Leakproof Underwear, are specially designed with new moms in mind, offering gentle support, high absorbency, and ease of use during your recovery. If you're still in the pregnancy phase, take our word for it and pack a pair (or five) of postpartum underwear in your birthing bag.

Ahead, we dive into the materials, styles, and options that make for the most comfortable and easy-to-wear postpartum underwear, including our top picks for blending functionality with feeling like your best self during this delicate time.

Important Considerations

• Selecting the right postpartum underwear involves considering material for skin comfort, style for sufficient coverage, and absorbency for leak protection.

• There are a variety of options in postpartum underwear to cater to every new parent’s needs, including reusable, high-waisted, and c-section recovery underwear.

• Care and maintenance of postpartum underwear is also crucial (and surprisingly easy). Leakproof Underwear can be machine washed on a cold-to-warm delicate cycle (pre-rinse optional), and tumble dried on low or laid flat to dry.

Choosing the Best Postpartum Underwear

Your post-baby body is doing some serious healing, and the right postpartum underwear can create a world of difference. So, what should you consider when shopping for postpartum undies? It’s all about material, style, and absorbency.

These crucial factors can ensure that you feel comfortable, supported, and protected every step of your postpartum recovery.

Material & Comfort

When it comes to postpartum underwear, material-type can be a game-changer. What you're looking for are soft, seamless, and breathable fabrics that feel barely-there, while packing lots of leak protection. It should feel like a hug for your sensitive skin.

Leakproof Underwear are designed to feel snug at first, but relax and mold to your natural shape for a perfect fit. Cotton Leakproof options, on the other hand, are made with a cotton-spandex blend for cloud-soft wear.

But it’s not just about the fabric. Design plays a big role too. Quality postpartum underwear should:

• Offer support by being snug.

• Allow movement and adjustment through stretchiness.

• Find the right balance between comfort and support, making sure you feel held in all the right places.

Style & Coverage

Underwear, in general, should feel as good as they look—and that comes down to style and function. Style can refer to different cuts, from high rise to boyshorts. This will depend on your personal preference, though high rise underwear tend to provide the most core and mid-section support.

The right style of postpartum underwear can be an ultimate comfort during the recovery process, and should offer adequate coverage and support. It’s about finding that perfect pair that not only fits right but feels right, too.

Created with life after giving birth in mind, CoreLove High Rise underwear features gentle compression in the form of velvet smoothing bands that provide your core with extra support. Super Leakproof No-Show High Rise underwear are designed to conform to your unique shape, while providing heavy protection against leaks.

Absorbency & Leak Protection

Postpartum bleeding and discharge is natural in the weeks and months following birth, which means the ideal pair of postpartum underwear should provide plenty of absorption and leak protection.

While this may vary depending on your unique needs, you'll generally want to opt for medium-to-high absorbency postpartum underwear with a wide gusset. Ultra Leakproof Zones+ High Rise underwear, for instance, is our most absorbent style to date and absorbs about the same as 9 super tampons worth of liquid. The long, absorbent gusset also extends front-to-back for extended coverage.

Super Leakproof styles, on the other hand, absorb around 4 super tampons worth of postpartum bleeding and feature a slightly shorter gusset.

If you're on the lookout for postpartum underwear, consider your own absorbency needs (which may be subject to change throughout your fourth trimester). Mixing and matching different absorbency levels and styles, from regular Leakproof to Ultra Leakproof, can also ensure you have a versatile rotation—whatever your postpartum needs look like.

Top Picks: Our Favorite Postpartum Undies

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at the variety of postpartum underwear options available. Here are some options for every new parents:

CoreLove High Rise Underwear

High-waisted postpartum underwear are generally favored by new moms because they combine comfort with extra support for recovering abdominal muscles. While disposable options can do the trick, with reusable panties you have the option to rinse and repeat (literally).

What we love about the CoreLove underwear is that they provide targeted front-to-back support, providing your core with extra structure and stability. Specifically designed with birthing bodies in mind, they can be worn during the maternity and postpartum phase.

They also feature an extended gusset line that absorbs the same as about 3 super tampons worth of blood, sweat, or pee. If one pair won't do, multi packs are your friend. Our Postpartum Kit is the perfect package for any new parent, and includes four pairs of CoreLove undies, as well as the customer favorite BlissFit Leakproof Nursing Bra.

Fit tip: For a snug and close fit, buy your regular size. Size up for a gentler feel.

Ultra Zones+ Leakproof Underwear

Our most absorbent underwear (so far) is a match for those early days of postpartum recovery, when postpartum bleeding may be at its heaviest.

Ultra Leakproof Zones+ High Rise underwear can be ideal for the first days (or weeks) after giving birth due to their high absorbency (the same as about 9 super tampons), high waist silhouette, and extended coverage zones.

Fit tip: If you're experiencing postpartum incontinence, opt for the extended gusset and high absorbency of this style.

Leakproof Cotton Modal High Rise

If you're recovering from a c-section birth and are looking to avoid irritation around a c-section incision, Leakproof Cotton Modal underwear can help manage discomfort. Wearing a high waist fit can help with swelling, while super soft fabric can make for easy wear post c-section.

Made from soft and gentle modal fabric, these cotton blend panties combine comfort with built-in absorbency (about the same as 2 super tampons worth).

Fit tip: This style can be washed just like regular underwear, just use mild detergent and tumble dry on low.

Super Leakproof Underwear

For heavy protection against leaks during postpartum recovery and beyond, Super Leakproof Underwear can absorb the same as about 4 super tampons worth of postpartum bleeding and discharge—and can remain a regular fixture of your period product rotation once your menstrual cycle returns.

Comfy, machine washable, and available in high waist styles, this versatile option is ideal for wearing during postpartum recovery when you want heavy protection with a barely-there feel.

Fit tip: This style is made using soft, stretchy PerformaStretch fabric that conforms to your unique body with wear.

Super Leakproof Dream Short

During postpartum recovery, leaks are unlikely to be the culprit of your sleepless nights. Still, the last thing you should be losing sleep over are leaks from postpartum bleeding and discharge.

Since sleep is so essential to postpartum recovery, having a pair of stress-free sleep shorts with an extended gusset and heavy absorbency (up to 5.5 super tampons worth) is a must. Designed for better sleep without leaks, the Super Leakproof Dream Short can also offer comfort and support post-childbirth.

Fit tip: While this style is designed for overnight wear, they can also be worn anytime for those who prefer a boxer brief type fit.

C-Section Recovery Underwear

For those who are recovering from a cesarean birth, postpartum underwear are just as important to have on-hand. Since your uterus is healing from surgery, you're likely to experience postpartum bleeding and discharge.

In this case, you'll especially want to opt for styles that provide plenty of abdominal support without rubbing up against the c-section incision area, which can cause irritation and hinder the healing process.

With that, c-section mamas will also want to pay special attention to underwear fabrics during postpartum recovery, opting for soft fabrics and seamless waistbands. Gel packs, as well as heat or ice packs can also help reduce swelling and inflammation around the c-section site.

Care & Maintenance

Once you’ve found your perfect postpartum underwear, understanding how to care for them will ensure you get the most use out of them. Proper care and maintenance not only prolong their lifespan but also maintain their quality and functionality.

Machine Wash Warm

When it comes to washing, most reusable postpartum underwear can be machine-washed in cool to warm water on a delicate cycle. Washing at 40ºC (104°F) is not only energy-efficient but also suitable for modern detergents to effectively clean the garments.

You'll also want to be sure to use mild detergent, and to avoid bleach or fabric softener.

To maintain the softness and stretchiness of Leakproof Underwear, a delicate washing cycle is required. Using a wash bag for reusable postpartum underwear can also help protect the underwear during machine washing, preventing damage.

From there, depending on specific styles, your underwear can be tumble dried on low or laid flat to dry.

Pre-Soaking

While pre-soaking or pre-rinsing your Leakproof Underwear isn't necessary, it can help loosen or remove fluid before machine washing. This can be done briefly in a bathtub or sink.

To prevent odor buildup and maintain freshness, toss your underwear in the washing machine shortly after use. Odors can be caused by bacteria growth, which can happen when used underwear are left in laundry hampers or in a washing machine after the cycle.

It’s advisable to promptly remove underwear from the washing machine once the cycle is finished, providing effective odor protection.

FAQs

Can I use regular underwear postpartum?

It's best to opt for postpartum underwear for the necessary support and absorbency during your recovery. Regular underwear may not provide the comfort and support you need.

Should I opt for reusable or disposable postpartum underwear?

You can consider both options based on your needs. Reusable underwear is more sustainable and economical, while disposable underwear offers convenience, especially during the early postpartum days. Choose the option that fits your lifestyle best.

Can I wear high-waisted underwear after a C-section?

Yes, high-waisted underwear is a great choice for C-section recovery as they provide support to the abdominal area and avoid irritating the incision.