9 Best Postpartum Underwear, According to New Moms

Bodily calls the All-In Panty the "most comfortable maternity-to-postpartum and c-section panty"—and we wholeheartedly agree. The All-In Panty is this year’s Best of The Bump winner, thanks to its comfy fit, just-right support and high-quality material that delivers for all shapes, sizes and deliveries—vaginal and c-section alike. (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners)

The high-waist fit and wide elastic waist band sit well above your bump without pinching, while the smooth, lightweight micromodal fabric feels good on your skin. "I love the material and how breathable it is. It’s very soft and fits me just right," said our postpartum tester, who also noted that the fabric held up well in the wash.

Just as important, these undies deliver on functionality. A wider-than-typical gusset offers more room for those bulky postpartum maxi pads, so you don't have to stress about leaks. And the stretchy fabric works with your transitioning postpartum body; things won't feel uncomfortably tight around your belly or thighs if you're dealing with some residual swelling, but at the same time the light compression fabric doesn’t skimp on support. They even come in several fun colors, along with basic black and nude.

To top it all off? At just $16 a pair, these postpartum panties are a fraction of the cost of many competitor brands. Which is nice, since if you’ve just had a baby, you've probably got a few other new expenses in your budget right now. Our product tester gave the All-In Panty an impressive 5 out of 5 across all testing categories, making this a truly top-tier product at an affordable price.

Sizes: S to 3X | Fabric: 93% micromodal/7% spandex | Washing instructions: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low | Color options: 5

Our community says:

These throwaway undies ticked all the boxes for our tester, who loved the fact that the seamless, stretchy and breathable material performed—and felt like—regular panties. "Although they were thin and comfy, the quality felt like they were sturdy," she said, giving the postpartum disposable underwear 5 out of 5 for comfort and style. She told us the fabric was “sleek and easily hidden. Not bulky and didn’t show through any of my postpartum clothing.”

Unlike many other disposable options, these modal-spandex undies are soft instead of scratchy, while the boyshort cut serves up support where you need it and can easily hold your postpartum pad in place. "I think this would be a good fit for multiple body styles and shapes, not just my own," our tester added. This product also comes in a high-waist cut, but many users report that the waist on the boyshort is high enough to work for c-sections too.

Even though they're disposable, the postpartum panties are easy to pull up and down without feeling like they're going to rip. But when you're ready to take them off for good, you can tear them off at the sides for quick and easy tossing. And if that doesn’t justify our tester’s 5 out of 5 rating for ease of use, we don’t know what does.

Sizes: Petite (waist 23" to 34”) or regular (waist 28" to 42") | Fabric: Microfiber/spandex | Washing instructions: Dispose after wearing; do not wash | Color options: 1

Our community says:

If you're looking for a no-frills, toss-'em-when-you're-done mesh option that just feels really good, Bodily Mesh Undies are it. Described by our product tester as “one of the most comfortable postpartum underwears I’ve tried,” the soft, lightweight fabric is more substantial than the freebies you get from the hospital—you can even run the undies in the wash a few times (in a lingerie bag on delicate, please) before throwing them out. Plus, the boyshort cut gives you plenty of coverage and easily holds your postpartum maxi pad in place.

Our product tester described the disposable panties as “both affordable and comfortable.” Like hospital undies, these postpartum mesh underwear are also one-size-fits-all and made to conform to your changing postpartum body, thanks to the mega-stretchy material. "I love how it fits! Especially postpartum, it sizes to your body shape at the time.” No wonder she gave Bodily Mesh Undies a 5 out of 5 for both fit and comfort!

Sizes: One size | Fabric: 90% nylon/10% spandex | Washing instructions: Machine wash cold on delicate cycle, line dry | Color options: 1

A high waist that sits well above your incision is a must-have feature for postpartum underwear after a c-section. But Nyssa's undies go a step further, with a genius 360-degree pocket designed to hold ice or heat therapy at the site of your incision and anywhere else you might need it, like between your legs or around your back. To make your life easy, you can order the c-section underwear in a bundle with Nyssa’s reusable ice and heat pack, which are a perfect fit for the pocket and contoured to fit your curves (although if you've already got your own ice and heat packs, you can use those too).

Also fantastic? The thick, buttery-smooth fabric that makes you feel supported while still offering plenty of movement. And because it's totally seamless, you won't feel any weird poking or digging. "I would recommend the product just off the feel of the fabric alone," our product tester wrote, awarding it top marks for comfort, fit and quality. "They got the job done and did it well.”

Sizes: XXS/XS to 2X/3X | Fabric: 85% recycled polyester/15% spandex | Washing instructions: Machine wash cold | Color options: 1

Sometimes, during those hazy postpartum days, a good hug makes all the difference. And Hatch's seamless, high-waisted brief feels like a hug around your healing belly in the best possible way. These compression briefs are supportive and just firm enough without being overbearing. Our product tester, awarding the briefs a 5 out of 5 for effectiveness, summed it up this way: "The compression is just right. It holds everything together but to the point where it’s not too tight either."

The stretchy modal fabric is plenty soft, and the generous cut (rated 5 out of 5 for fit) offers plenty of coverage that won't ride up. Our tester reported that the material "is actually so stretchy that I could've gotten a size down.” This flexibility made it “super easy to put on,” and she “loved the quality and material … it seems like it’s going to last me a while!”

You can opt for basic black or cream, but there's also a soothing sky blue and a moody burgundy, because why can't underwear for new moms also be kinda fun? And when underwear works as well as our product tester says this one does, you can go ahead and treat yourself to a little style as well.

Sizes: 0 (XS) to 4 (XL) | Fabric: 84% modal/13% nylon/3% spandex | Washing instructions: Machine wash cold, line dry | Color options: 4

In addition to heavy bleeding, you might have to deal with some pee leaks in the weeks after childbirth. It happens! So even with those heavy-duty postpartum maxi pads, sometimes it can be nice to know you have a little extra insurance. Belly Bandit's postpartum underwear boast a multilayer absorbent lining that pulls moisture away from the body to keep you dry and comfortable.

The lower-rise bikini cut is definitely a no-go if you're still recovering from a c-section incision. But if you were cool with under-the-bump bottoms during your pregnancy, you'll feel good in these, which earned 5 out of 5 ratings for comfort and fit from our product tester. “It was very comfortable,” she said. “The material felt nice on the skin … fit me just right and true to size.” And the back coverage is pretty substantial, our tester says, so you shouldn't have to worry about them riding up.

Of course, with incontinence underwear, it’s important to know how well it holds in leaks. Plus, our tester gave them a 5 out of 5 for effectiveness, reporting, "They offered light compression and great absorption.” The undies are designed to hold up to four regular tampons’ worth of liquid, so you can experiment with wearing them with or without a pad, depending on your needs.

Sizes: XS to XL | Fabric: 84% modal/13% nylon/3% spandex | Washing instructions: Machine wash on cold and delicate, hang or lay flat to dry | Color options: 2

Made of a soft but substantial cotton/nylon/spandex blend, these waisted undies are made with plus-sized moms in mind. "I loved the high-waist style; it was comfortable and seemed natural on my body. The material was nice and comfy," our product tester wrote.

The fabric is plenty stretchy to fit your unique contours, while still offering just the right amount of compression and support for some mild smoothing action. The ultra-high waist is just right for c-sections too. "The light compression didn't bother my incision or my postpartum hematoma and made my shape look a little nicer," our tester said, giving the underwear a 5 out of 5 for fit and comfort. And that comfort doesn’t come with an uncomfortable price tag: At $30 for a two-pack, these undies are less pricey than some of the offerings from the other big maternity brands, so you can stock up on a few extra pairs.

Sizes: 1X to 3X | Fabric: 63% cotton/23% nylon/14% spandex | Washing instructions: Hand-wash | Color options: 2

The majority of postpartum underwear come with some form of high waist, because when it comes to the postpartum healing process, comfort and support are the name of the game. But Kindred Bravely's affordable five-packs were an especially big hit with our tester, who noted, "the high-waisted band does a great job of staying in place. It sucks in the lower belly while remaining comfortable and not showing any panty lines."

The soft, silky rayon-spandex blend feels soft to the touch and offers a solid amount of stretch. It's thin rather than bulky, but still substantial enough to keep pads and ice packs from moving around. "They were good at keeping everything in place," our tester commented, giving Kindred Bravely a 5 out of 5 for effectiveness, fit and ease of use.

Another plus? They're fine to toss in the washer and dryer. Plus, with five undies in every pack, you won’t need to constantly do laundry—which is amazing news, since as a new mama you probably have other things on your mind besides running loads right now!

Sizes: S to XXL | Fabric: 95% rayon/5% spandex (body); 100% cotton (lace) | Washing instructions: Machine-wash cold on gentle cycle and tumble dry low | Color options: 7

At a little over a dollar per wear, these postpartum disposable underwear deliver maximum absorbency and plenty of comfort for an affordable price. "They're very absorbent and thick," our tester noted, and can handle both bleeding and urine leaks. Plus, the ultra-thin core absorbs liquids quickly to leave you feeling dry and fresh.

As for the sizing? It earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for fit from our product tester. “The sizing is generous," she said, “but the soft waistband adjusts to fit just right.” Just keep in mind that the undies come in regular (not maternity) sizes, so you'll need to factor that in to find your perfect fit. If your pre-pregnancy size was a medium, for instance, consider getting a large.

While these disposable undies excel in performance, they don’t sacrifice comfort. The stretchy waistband, form-fitting cut and silk-like fabric feels like real underwear, and can adjust to your rapidly changing body. “The waistband is very soft and not too tight on your postpartum belly,” our product tester shared. “With sensitive skin on my stomach after delivering, these felt very nice.”

Sizes: S/M to XL | Fabric: Unspecified | Washing instructions: Disposable | Color options: 2