Clothing to Fit Your Budget and Your Bump

Having a baby is expensive and having to buy a new wardrobe to accommodate your changing body doesn’t help! But here are 10 tips for saving money, using what’s already in your closet, and extending the use of clothing you do need to purchase. 

1. Pant and Waistband Extenders

There are a few ways to continue wearing pants you already own. This can be a great way to save money or to be able to continue wearing certain types of pants that don’t always have maternity sizes (like waterproof hiking pants and snow pants). 

• MAMA Waistband Extender | H & M
• Bellaband | Ingrid + Isabel
• Pregnancy Belly Band | Maeband

Or you can DIY it using a hair band looped through the button hole of your pants and attached to the button!

2. Maxi Skirt

Maxi skirts with elastic waistbands can be pulled up over your baby bump to create an empire waist-look with plenty of coverage. Just keep your shirt tucked in underneath! Use one you already own, or, if you need to purchase one, it can also be used postpartum and beyond.

3. Regular Dresses with Leggings

Use any dress from your closet and wear over leggings. As your baby bump grows larger, shorter dresses may look more like a tunic-style shirt, but that’s what the leggings are for!

4. Oversized or Tunic Shirts

Oversized or tunic shirts can be worn over leggings or to cover up pant and waistband extenders. These can also be used postpartum and beyond. The extra coverage is great for nursing and playing on the floor with your little one.

5. Bra Extenders and Nursing Bras

Get some more use out of the bras you are currently wearing with bra extenders. Hotmilk has a pack of bra extender in three different colors.

If you need to go up in cup size and plan to breastfeed or chest feed, consider investing in some nursing bras that you can continue using postpartum.

6. Tops for Both Pregnancy and Nursing

Look for clothing that can be worn during pregnancy AND have features that make them great options for nursing. If you need to buy new clothing, you can get more for your money if you find options that can get you through it all.

• Bump-Friendly Nursing Clothing | PinkBlush Maternity
• Tops and Tees | Kindred Bravely

7. Transitional Clothing

Emme is a brand that makes clothing designed to fit before, during, and after pregnancy. Our bodies go through so many changes in the childbearing years, so this company might be worth checking out! Their clothing is a bit pricier but may be a great option if you need some dressier options and want to extend the life of any clothing you purchase.

8. Jacket Extender

If you live in a colder climate and are expecting during the winter months, a jacket extender could be a great option if you’d prefer to wear a coat you already own (versus purchasing a maternity coat). MakeMyBellyFit has an options that can also be used for babywearing!

9. Birthing Gown as Pajamas During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Birthing people sometimes choose to wear their own clothing instead of a hospital gown. If you decide on purchasing a birthing gown, use it for pajamas during pregnancy to get more use out of it! You can also continue using it postpartum, as they are designed with breastfeeding and chest feeding access.

• Delivery and Nursing Gown | Frida Mom
• Latched Mama Labor Dress 2.0
• Universal Labor and Delivery Gown | Kindred Bravely

10. Previously Worn Maternity Clothing

Maternity clothing is used for such a short time! Consider looking for previously worn items to save money. Here are a few ideas of where to look:

• Goodwill
• Local Buy/ Sell/ Trade groups
• Local Buy Nothing Groups
• Ask friends and family who may have maternity clothes you could borrow
• thredUP