16 Best Postpartum Swimsuits for New Moms, According to a New Mom
Figuring out your swimsuit style postpartum is, in a word, difficult. There are a lot of new elements to factor in: changing sizes, leaky breasts, feeding babies, C-section stitches, bleeding. Plus the fact that if you’re less than six weeks postpartum these swimsuits will not be doing the normal swimsuit duty of, you know, submerging in water. (Doctors recommend no swimming until roughly six weeks postpartum.)
While there are a lot of swimsuits geared toward pregnancy, the reality is, needs change once you give birth, and perhaps the swimsuit that flattered your pregnant body is indeed not the one doing the most for you after birth. With that in mind, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite swimsuits, specifically with a postpartum experience in mind.
Best postpartum swimsuits, at a glance:
- Best overall: Youswim, Verve High Waist Two-Piece ($139)
- Runner-up: Summersalt, The Seascape Sweetheart One-Piece ($95)
- Best breastfeeding bikini top: Kindred Bravely, Crossover Nursing and Maternity Bikini Top ($40)
- Best swimsuit that doubles as a shirt: Cleobella, Harlow One-Piece Swimsuit, Azulejo ($228)
- Best ruching: J.Crew, Ruched Femme One-Piece Full-Coverage Swimsuit ($60-$94)
- Best tankini: Tempt Me, Two-Piece Tankini Swimsuit ($37)
- Best for swimming: Hermoza, Margaret One-Piece Swimsuit ($79-$158)
- Best bikini bottoms: Andie Swim, The High Waisted Bottom ($46)
- Best contouring: Adore Me, Andria Contour Plus ($30)
- Best tummy control: Yonique, Tankini Swimsuit ($37)
- Best sun protection: Motherhood Maternity, Long-Sleeved Maternity Swim Top ($50)
- Best compression: Left On Friday, Top Shelf Top ($85)
- Best back: Kona Sol, Women's Pucker Textured Square Neck One-Piece Swimsuit ($40)
- Best for bigger busts: Birdsong, Women's Tie-Front Tankini Top ($109)
- Best breastfeeding one-piece: Good American, Always Fit One-Piece Swimsuit ($89)
- Best support: Cuup, The Scoop Top ($98)
What to look for in a postpartum swimsuit
Comfort
A few things that were on the top of our criteria list? Number one, comfort. Comfort is key, always, but especially in those weeks and months after giving birth. You have to be comfortable. Period.
The cut
Second, the cut. You want your body to feel supported and compressed in the right places, and not too exposed in the areas that feel a little more vulnerable. We gravitated toward lower cut tops, and high-waisted bottoms.
Breastfeeding-friendly
Lastly, ease of taking care of your little one. We thought about breastfeeding, moving around in a more utilitarian and non-lounging fashion, and swimsuits staying in place (you’ll see no strapless swimsuits on the list for that reason).
The truth is, you only need one good swimsuit to wear during that postpartum period. You’ll have a lot of other things on your mind, so a swimsuit that keeps you comfortable, makes you feel good, and keeps your life easy is aces in our book.
16 best postpartum swimsuits
'
Best overall:
Youswim suits only come in two sizes, but that’s because they’re designed to grow and stretch as you grow and stretch. Somehow this feat of bathing suit engineering also manages to look good on everybody. From the Youswim line we like this particular style—the top hits in just the right spot and the bottom rises to just the right spot resulting in a perfect union.
Sizes: 1 size (comfortably fits 2-14 and A-G cups)
Colors: 13
Materials: Nylon yarn
Pros:
- Grows and stretches like a dream
- Flattering cut (truly looks gorgeous on every body type)
- Textured fabric
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not structured (not a con, just an FYI)
Runner-up:
Color blocking is your friend when it comes to postpartum swimwear, and The Seascape Sweetheart has two beautiful, if understated, color blocking options. Reviewers also comment on how supportive the suit feels, with compression (four times the compression according to the Summersalt site) in the right places and a bust-line that flatters. There are also sewn in breast cups, which can be very helpful for any moments of milk leakage.
Sizes: 2-22
Colors: 3
Material: 78% recycled polyamide, 22% elastane
Pros:
- Compression
- Built-in cups and adjustable straps
Cons:
- Butt might be a little cheeky for some
Best breastfeeding bikini top:
A bikini top that is easy to pull down to nurse without taking off the whole thing, is always welcomed. The fabric is nice and stretchy, which is also extremely useful when it comes to the ever-changing boob sizes of postpartum life. Busty sizes also come with wider straps (thank you for this design element, Kindred Bravely!) and the top looks super cute with a variety of the available mix and match bottoms.
Sizes: S-XXL/1X, with larger bust options
Colors: 2
Material: 85% recycled polyester, 15% spandex
Pros:
- Easy pull-aside nursing access
- Stretchy fabric for changing bust sizes
Cons:
- Some reviewers complain about comfort of the boning
Best swimsuit that doubles as a shirt:
Fun print, plus cut out, plus ruffles, there’s a lot going on with this maximalist one-piece but somehow it works. The best part about this ethically-made suit is it does double duty as a top, looking great with a long skirt or flow-y pants. There is underwire which is helpful for support, and the keyhole cut out is a great way to show a little skin while still figuring out life in your postpartum body.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 1
Material: 80% recycled nylon, 20% elastane
Pros:
- Hugs well in the midriff area
- Easy for breastfeeding
Cons:
- Expensive
Best ruching:
As anyone who has been pregnant will tell you, ruching is your friend. It has a way of hiding the places you want to hide and accentuating the places you want accentuated. This one-piece ruches and it ruches well, it also has an ultra flattering V-neck bustline with that all important easy breastfeed access.
Sizes: 0-24
Colors: 14
Material: 82% recycled nylon/polyamide/18% elastane, 92% polyester/8% elastane Repreve® lining
Pros:
- Removable pads
- Several color options
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the color fades
Best tankini:
Ruching, full coverage, and a tummy control top, this tankini does a lot of work. It also comes in tons of different colors and patterns, so there are lots of options to find your favorite one. If you’re looking for something in between the coverage of a one-piece and the exposure of a two-piece, this tankini might be right on the money.
Sizes: XXS-22 Plus
Colors: 41
Material: 85% polyester, 15% spandex
Pros:
- Lots of patterns to choose from
- Reviewers rave about the support and the strap stability
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
Best for swimming:
More coverage and a zipper in front for easy breastfeeding access. The princess seams on the sides do a little appreciated contouring work and we’re especially big fans of the beautiful (and on sale) sunrise ikat pattern. Reviewers also love this as a lap swimming suit, which perhaps you don’t feel like doing at this juncture in life but it’s just as good for a quick dip.
Sizes: 2-14
Colors: 6
Material: 72% polyester, 28% elastane, 84% polyamide, 16% elastane lining
Pros:
- Flattering silhouette
- Easy breastfeeding access
- Good coverage
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Hand wash only
Best bikini bottoms:
When you’re postpartum and searching for a bikini bottom, high waisted is 1000 percent the way to go. The people who feel excited to show the stomach area below the belly button directly after being pregnant (and still healing) are few and far between. This high waisted bottom is a solid staple that hits just below the belly button, and can be paired with any top of your choosing.
Sizes: XS-XXXL
Colors: 11
Material: 82% nylon, 18% spandex
Pros:
- Flattering cut
- Stays in place very well for activities
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
Best contouring:
This suit is stylish and comfortable with fun patterns and an incredibly flattering V-neck. Note the ruching (excellent), and the easy boob access (key). And the price is right. A++.
Sizes: 0X-4X
Colors: 10
Material: Nylon/spandex/polyester
Pros:
- Easy breastfeeding access
- Supportive straps
- Good coverage but fun patterns
Cons:
- Some reviewers find the breast fit too small
Best tummy control:
What sets this swimsuit apart is the detailed twist front. Other standout elements include the ruching and the tummy control and the adjustable straps. The removable bra pads are also an excellent feature for that postpartum ever-changing bust shape.
Sizes: XXS-26 Plus
Colors: 39
Material: 82% nylon, 18% spandex
Pros:
- Great tummy control
- Lots of support
Cons:
- Sizing takes some trial and error
Best sun protection:
Over a swimsuit or in lieu of a swimsuit, this swim top is a grows-with-you (and shrinks-with-you) option defined by comfort and coverage. Ruching on the sides (with drawstrings to ruche even more!) is a flattering touch and with UPF 50+ this is a sun protection dream.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: 2
Material: 82% nylon, 18% spandex
Pros:
- The side ruching is *chef’s kiss*
- UPF 50+
- Chic patterns
Cons:
- No padding or structure
Best compression top:
A truly excellent top for breastfeeding thanks to the room and support. This top has no cups but the compression does the job better than most cups can. It’s extremely secure and also buttery soft. As for bottoms, Left On Friday has a whole lot of options, but the Hi Tide Bottoms are a great postpartum pick.
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colors: 14
Material: 46% nylon, 38% polyester, 16% lycra
Pros:
- Snug in all the right places
- Dries quickly and is super comfortable
- Very supportive
Cons:
- Pricey
Best back design:
What sold us on this one was the strappy, scoop back which adds just the right amount of style. The puckered texture is also an incredibly appreciated option in those early postpartum days when you’re not sure what your body is doing and any bit of surface distraction is welcomed. Adjustable straps make this an excellent choice for shifting sizes and easy feeding access.
Sizes: XS-24
Colors: 3
Material: 92% polyester, 8% spandex
Pros:
- Adjustable straps
- Removable cups
Cons:
- Some reviewers complain about thin fabric
Best for bigger busts:
Designed for bigger bust sizes, this underwire top knows what it’s doing and it does it with flare. The convertible straps can be straight up and down or crisscrossed, and the key hole in front is a subtle amount of sexy. We also appreciate this more billowy option, because sometimes we just don’t want anything tight on whatsoever.
Sizes: 32DD-38I
Colors: 1
Material: 87% nylon, 13% spandex
Pros:
- Bigger sizing
- Convertible straps
- Looser fit
Cons:
- Expensive
- Hand wash only
Best breastfeeding one-piece:
The minimalist design and textured fabric make this a simple suit with a lot to give. We like the scoop neck and adjustable straps as well as the fact that whether you’re carrying a baby or breastfeeding one, this suit stays right where you want it.
Sizes: XXS-XXXXXL
Colors: 3
Materials: 95% polyester, 5% spandex
Pros:
- Adjustable straps
- Textured fabric
- Flattering bustline
Cons:
- Not a lot of butt coverage
- High leg cut
Best support:
Built to support, the Cuup Scoop Top has underwire, thick straps, and 53 different sizing options. Underwire will either be a pro or a con—depending on your preference—but this particular underwire is lightweight and flexible. There are lots of mix and match options with Cuup but we recommend the highwaist bottom for the most comfortable postpartum fit.
Sizes: 30A-44H
Colors: 8
Materials: 78% recycled ECONYL® polyamide, 22% elastane
Pros:
- Excellent quality
- UPF 50 protection
- Made to support
Cons:
- Expensive
- Hand wash only
Loading More Posts...
