The Best Postpartum Underwear, Tested by 11 New Moms

After giving birth, my biggest priority in every aspect of my wardrobe—but especially in underwear—was comfort. That’s why the Bodily All-In Panty quickly became my go-to underwear during my early postpartum recovery days. Bodily calls this style the “most comfortable maternity-to-postpartum and C-section panty,” and I’d have to agree. The All-In Panty is this year’s Best of The Bump award-winner for overall best postpartum underwear for the third year running, thanks to its comfy fit, just-right support and high-quality material that performs for a range of shapes, sizes and deliveries. (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

When testing, the All-In Panty stood out among the rest because of how incredibly soft and stretchy it was. Due to this and the wider leg openings, I was able to pull the pair over my postpartum belly with complete ease, but it never sagged or felt too loose; it had just the right amount of elasticity. I loved how high-waisted the style is, and the wide elastic band at the top added just a tad more support, making it a great choice for C-section recovery. Also, the wider-than-normal gusset made it easier to wear maxi-pads and ice packs, which fit well and stayed in place.

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Despite the high-waisted style and the extra material to accommodate changing bodies, this underwear was surprisingly unnoticeable throughout the day. It felt seamless and smooth under the leggings I wore with it. I could lie down, sit and move around the house without any discomfort. This underwear doesn’t offer much compression besides the snugness of the elastic band, which may be a drawback for some moms. That said, I didn’t mind, and I found it to be exactly the right material for my postpartum recovery.

All in all, for a pair of postpartum underwear that’s high-waisted, exceptionally soft and still flattering, I’d say they’re priced well. Normally, I wouldn’t spend that amount on a single pair of underwear, but during postpartum, I think it’s important to invest in special undergarments, so I’d definitely buy these for myself. They also come in several fun colors, along with basic black and nude.

Size range: S to XL | Material: 93% micromodal/7% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low

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At around $7 per pair, these postpartum panties come in a convenient pack of five and are considerably less expensive than many other reusable options out there. But even though they’re a cost-effective choice, they don’t skimp on performance, comfort or style—and the material is highly durable. In fact, our product tester, Julie, says the performance was so good that she would “pay more for these if I saw them at the store.” Needless to say, the Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties were a clear Best of The Bump winner for the best budget-friendly reusable postpartum underwear for a second year in a row.

From the outset, Julie was a big fan of how comfortable these undies were. The silky rayon-spandex blend feels soft to the touch and offers a solid amount of stretch. It’s thin rather than bulky (no wedgies or visible panty lines!) but still substantial enough to keep pads and ice packs from moving around. “I had to get a stitch after giving birth, so I have to wear a pad and an ice pack, and this did so well at keeping everything in place,” Julie told us. She also praised the underwear’s cotton lace trim and on-trend color options—a little touch of style that postpartum underwear don’t always prioritize.

If that’s not all, the Kindred Bravely High-Waisted Postpartum Recovery Panties are easy to care for and can be tossed in the washer and dryer with the rest of your clothes. According to Julie, these remained buttery soft after washing, and they didn’t pill. Even better, the handy pack of five means you won’t need to constantly do laundry—which is amazing news, since you probably have other things on your mind besides running multiple loads right now.

Size range: S to 1X | Material: 95% rayon/5% spandex (body); 100% cotton (lace) | Care instructions: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle, tumble dry low

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Sometimes during those hazy postpartum days, a good hug makes all the difference, and HATCH Collection's seamless, high-waisted brief offers just that. The underwear feels like a supportive embrace around your healing belly in the best possible way, which earned them a Best of The Bump award for best postpartum underwear with light compression. These briefs are supportive and just firm enough without being overbearing, which can be great for postpartum recovery. “Light compression offers gentle support to the abdominal and pelvic regions without feeling restrictive,” explains de la Torre. “It may aid in improving posture, providing subtle support to weakened core muscles and enhancing comfort during daily activities, especially in the early weeks post-birth when tissues are still healing.” Our product tester Aliez found these undies to be highly effective and comfortable. “The compression is just right. It holds everything together, but to the point where it’s not too tight either,” the new mom tells us.

The HATCH Collection The Seamless Belly Brief is made from a stretchy modal blend that’s ultra-soft, and the generous cut offers plenty of coverage that won't ride up. Aliez tells us 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!” she says. Given the quality and longevity of these postpartum panties, the higher price tag makes sense. With these, you really get what you pay for, and Aliez says they’re priced fairly.

Additionally, Aliez praises the look and design of these seamless briefs. “The style is simple and elegant, which I love! The cream color helps it to be unnoticeable,” she shares. The panties come in basic colors and on-trend hues—and when undies work as well as our product tester says these do, a little style is a welcome bonus. Aliez highly recommends the lightly compressive underwear to new moms: “It will speed their recovery [and] they’ll be comfortable doing so!”

Size range: S to XL | Material: 84% modal/13% nylon/3% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, line dry

Made of a soft but substantial cotton blend, these high-waisted undies are made with plus-size postpartum moms in mind. They’re available in a wide range of sizes, and go up to 3X, suitable for those with hips between 52 and 53 inches. Karina, our product tester, wore them after giving birth via C-section and rated them highly across testing categories, including effectiveness, quality and comfort. “I loved the high-waist style; it was comfortable and seemed natural on my body,” she said. “The material was nice and comfy. I wore them for long periods of time before changing.” For these reasons and more, the Motherhood Maternity Women’s Seamless Postpartum Shaper Panty won a Best of The Bump award for best plus-size postpartum underwear for the second year in a row.

The fabric of these postpartum panties is stretchy enough to fit the contours of your body 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,” Karina said. The new mom also shares that she didn’t experience any leakage when wearing these undies. “The absorption was good. I only had light bleeding but [it] did what it needed to do,” she said.

Despite the light compression level, Karina told us that this underwear was simple to put on and take off in those early days after giving birth. “The postpartum undies went on just like your normal pair of panties: easy to get on and off,” she said. Even better, the comfort that these postpartum panties offer doesn’t come with an uncomfortable price tag. At around $25 for a two pack, this underwear is less pricey than some of the offerings from the other big maternity brands, so you can stock up on a few extra pairs.

Size range: XS to 3X | Material: 63% cotton/23% nylon/14% spandex | Care instructions: Hand wash

Nyssa FourthWear Postpartum Recovery Underwear, our Best of The Bump winner for best C-section underwear, is also celebrating a repeat win. If you’ve had a C-section, you’re going to need postpartum underwear with a high waist that sits well above your incision. However, this innovative pair of postpartum undies goes a step further. It has a genius 360-degree pocket designed to hold ice or heat therapy at the site of your incision, around your back or, for vaginal births, between your legs. Small wonder, then, that our product tester Rachel, who underwent a C-section, gushes: “I’m obsessed with this underwear.”

To make your life simpler, you can order the C-section underwear in a bundle with Nyssa’s reusable ice and heat pack. The multipurpose product is a perfect fit for the pocket and will contour to fit your curves—although if you've already got your own ice and heat packs, you can use those too. Rachel says the cooling and heat pads were “incredibly helpful for recovery” after she had her baby. “Not only did I have a C-section that needed icing for pain, but I also developed postpartum hives and an allergic reaction to the surgical adhesive, which was soothed so well by the cooling pad,” she tells us. “I loved that using the slit on the underwear held the hot/cool pad in place without [it] being directly applied to my skin.”

The buttery smooth, thick-yet-lightweight fabric also helped Rachel feel supported while still offering plenty of movement. “This underwear is so supportive without being restrictive. It has just the right amount of hug and stretch,” the new mom tells us. And because it's completely seamless, you won't feel any uncomfortable poking, digging or irritation (including around your C-section scar) when wearing these undies. With such a glowing review, it’s no surprise that Rachel gave the underwear top marks for comfort, fit and quality. “[Whether I was] sitting, standing or walking around, it felt extremely weightless and I did not feel the need to adjust, nor did I feel uncomfortable wearing it,” she says. “I was highly impressed with the quality of this underwear.” The bottom line: Rachel wholeheartedly recommends these undies to new moms—especially those recovering from C-sections.

Size range: XXS/XS to 3X/4X | Material: 85% recycled polyester/15% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Adult diapers may get a bad rap, but don’t knock them until you try them. The Depend Silhouette Underwear performed well across the board in comfort, functionality and convenience, securing their spot as the Best of the Bump winner for best disposable postpartum underwear. In the early weeks of motherhood, these saved me so much hassle since I didn’t have to worry about extra laundry or changing out bulky pads in the bathroom.

Saving time is a win in any mom’s book, but this postpartum underwear delivered in terms of comfort as well. The material was soft and surprisingly breathable against my skin, so I didn’t experience any itchiness or irritation even after a few hours of wear. The waistband, leg openings and back were all very stretchy, which kept me comfortable even as I walked, lay or sat in them. I never felt like I was wearing disposable diapers since they fit so seamlessly, even under clothes. Per the brand’s guide I was between two sizing options, so I decided to size up because I wanted some extra material and stretch to fit over my squishy tummy immediately after giving birth. It ended up being a good fit for me, but the smaller size would’ve also worked for a snugger fit; it’s largely down to personal preference.

Despite its ‘silhouette’ name, I was able to depend on this underwear for its incredible absorbency. I loved not having to wear pads with this underwear, feeling 100 percent protected by the super wide and long liner. I found it highly absorbent and it worked perfectly for my postpartum needs, which included heavy bleeding in the first few weeks post-birth. The moisture-wicking fabric kept me feeling dry and clean. I sometimes experience moisture buildup when wearing pads for a few hours, but I didn’t experience that at all with this underwear.

It goes without saying that these postpartum undies aren’t getting any awards for their style, but their stellar performance more than makes up for their appearance. I also appreciated the thin material, which helped the underwear remain discreet under my outfits. Plus, they feature a shapewear fabric that provided a subtle body-hugging effect, so they glided over my hips and stomach nicely, which was an added bonus. Whether you’re packing these in your hospital bag or wearing them at home, they’re a solid choice for postpartum recovery for their comfort, absorbency and convenience.

Size range: S to XL | Material: Polypropylene, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene, wood pulp, adhesive, polyester, polyurethane elastics and Colorants | Care instructions: N/A

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