The best postpartum pajamas open at the front for night feeds, have a waistband you're comfortable with after the birth and survive a lot of washing. After a caesarean, loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear are the usual advice; a button-front TENCEL™ Modal set or a sleepshirt with no waistband can be a loose, comfortable option, although Eberjey pieces don't have built-in nursing panels.
This guide covers what to pack, how to think about waistbands after a C-section and a full fourth-trimester kit you can buy for yourself or give as a gift.
What Pajamas Should You Pack in Your Hospital Bag?
- A button-front top. It opens fully for feeding and skin-to-skin without pulling anything over your head.
- A waistband you're comfortable with, or no waistband. If you're having a C-section, see the section below and ask your midwife or surgeon.
- A robe for walking the halls and for visitors.
- Slippers with a cushioned insole.
- An eye mask for daytime naps in a bright room.
- A second set, because night feeds mean more laundry.
Which Waistband Works After a C-Section?
After a caesarean, the usual advice is to wear loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear. Beyond that, follow what your midwife or surgeon tells you about your own incision. Practically, it helps to know where each waistband sits:
- No waistband: the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Sleepshirt ($128, XS–XL) is a button-front, long-sleeve sleepshirt with a curved hem. This is the simplest option in the first days.
- High-rise: the pant in the Inez Washable Silk Long PJ Set ($298, XS–XL) is a high-rise straight leg with an elastic waistband.
- Mid-rise with a drawstring: the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Cami & Pant PJ Set ($148, XS–XL) has a mid-rise straight-leg pant with an elastic waistband and drawstring, so you can loosen it. The cami top does not button open.
- Low-rise: the pant in our Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set is low-rise with a thin elastic waistband. After a C-section it may sit close to a low incision, so ask your midwife or surgeon whether a sleepshirt would suit you better for the first weeks.
What Goes in a Fourth-Trimester Kit?
| Piece | Price | Fabric | Sizes | Why it's in the kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set | $158 | 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal, 5% elastane | XXS–XXL | Button-front top for feeds; machine washable. |
| Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Sleepshirt | $128 | 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal, 5% elastane | XS–XL | Button front and no waistband. |
| Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long Robe | $168 | 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal, 5% elastane | XS–XL | Ankle-length with a shawl collar, for visitors and hallway walks. |
| Sherpa Slipper | $78 | Faux sherpa with a soft plush upper | S, M, L | Cushioned insole and a slip-on design. |
| Inez Washable Silk Eye Mask | $48 | 100% washable silk | One size | Pillow-soft filling; blocks light for daytime sleep. |
The full five-piece kit comes to $580 at regular prices.
How Do Eberjey Pajamas Work for Nursing?
| Set | Price | Fabric | Sizes | Nursing access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eberjey Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set | $158 | 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal, 5% elastane | XXS–XXL | Button-front top |
The honest summary: dedicated nursing sets add features like a pull-down top. Our sets are for the parent who wants the same pajamas to keep working long after the feeding stage, in a fabric verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 on the Gisele Long set.
What Is a Good Postpartum Gift?
If you are shopping for someone else, the Gisele Long PJ Set is the safest single piece: it runs XXS to XXL and has a button front. Add the sleepshirt if she is planning a C-section or is unsure, and the eye mask is one size. Our size guide lists bust, waist and hip in inches.
How Do You Wash Postpartum Pajamas?
- Gisele TENCEL™ Modal: turn inside out, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors, use only non-chlorine bleach when needed and tumble dry low.
- Inez Washable Silk: hand wash or machine wash cold on a delicate cycle, separately; remove promptly and lay flat to dry. A mesh wash bag is recommended.
Still expecting? Our maternity pajama guide covers fit by trimester, and what new moms reach for rounds up our favorite pieces for the months after. For more on keeping soft sets soft, see how to care for luxury sleepwear.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear after a C-section?
Loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear are the usual advice after a caesarean. A sleepshirt, like the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Sleepshirt, avoids a waistband sitting on the incision area. Follow your care team's advice for your own recovery.
Are Eberjey pajamas good for breastfeeding?
Our Gisele Long PJ Set and Gisele Sleepshirt have button-front tops that open for feeds. They don't have nursing clips or pull-down panels; dedicated nursing sets offer those features.
What pajamas should I pack in my hospital bag?
Pack a button-front set or sleepshirt, a robe, slippers with a cushioned insole, an eye mask and a second set for changes.
Is a low-rise pajama pant OK after a C-section?
A low-rise waistband may sit close to a low incision, while a sleepshirt has no waistband at all. Ask your midwife or surgeon what suits your own incision.
What is a good postpartum gift for a new mom?
The Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($158, XXS–XXL) is a safe single gift because it has a button-front top and a wide size range. The full five-piece kit (Long PJ Set, Sleepshirt, Long Robe, Sherpa Slipper and Inez Washable Silk Eye Mask) comes to $580 at regular prices.
