The Best Postpartum Swimsuits: Our Top Picks

Between getting used to your postpartum body and breastfeeding schedules, the idea of swimsuit shopping is less than thrilling. 

Your body did some miraculous yet alien things to produce that little bundle of joy. You’re left with a pooch that won't quit, the C-section shelf, and the boob sizes that keep fluctuating.

There's no rush to reshape your body after pregnancy. Enjoy the beach while we help you find a postpartum swimsuit that fits and flatters.

Key Criteria for Postpartum Swimsuits

Here’s what you should be looking at when picking your swimsuit:

• Compression
• Supportive bras
• Coverage
• Nursing access
• Fabric selection
• Strategic design details

Compression

Swimsuits with built-in compression fabric and ruching give you a slimmed effect—without any uncomfortable squeezing. 

Compression in postpartum swimsuits offers crucial support and comfort for a woman's recovering body, boosts confidence with a flattering fit, aids in physical recovery and healing, provides versatility for various activities, and encourages physical activity,    

Supportive Bras 

Look for swim tops with adjustable straps, underwire, and removable pads. This adaptability keeps you comfortable even when your breasts are fluctuating in size. Underwire can be uncomfortable, but offers extra support. 

Coverage

If you’re feeling vulnerable about parts of your post-baby body, seek out suits that provide more coverage through skirts, attached shorts, or high-rise bottoms.

Tunic-length styles and swim tees offer another layer. For C-sections particularly, this prevents irritation along the incision line and quickly becomes one of your favorite swimsuits.

Nursing Access

To easily and discreetly breastfeed, look for suits designed with side snaps, pull-aside cup access, or adjustable straps/necklines. 

These allow quick nursing access without complete exposure. Some tops also have discreet inner linings or removable padding to absorb potential leaks.

Fabric Selection

The best postpartum swimsuits are made from high-quality, comfortable fabrics such as stretchy performance nylon/spandex/Lycra blends. 

Pick fabrics that move with your figure during activity. Soft compressive fabrics feel gentle rather than restrictive against postpartum curves. Remember that your bust size may now be bigger, so look for cute swimsuits that factor in larger busts.

Flatter With Strategic Design Details

You can disguise anything you perceive as a “flaw” by adding dimension to your outfit with bold colors/busy patterns, chic cutouts, feminine ruffles, or lace accents. 

You can also enhance your best features with princess seam detailing, wrap silhouettes, and shirring or ruching. The most flattering postpartum suits balance coverage with style.

Best One-Piece Swimsuits for Your Postpartum Body

One-piece swimsuits are a postpartum staple because they offer comfort and coverage during a transitional time for the body. The right suit can help you feel confident and relaxed.

Palm Leaf Print Long Sleeve Swimwear

This chic palm leaf print surf suit offers head-to-toe UPF 50+ sun protection without losing the allure of a swimsuit. It has long sleeves, a back zipper, thumb holes, and four-way stretch fabric. It also blocks 98% of harmful sun rays. Fully lined with removable cups, it’ll help you feel confident and comfortable in the water.

Key features:

• UPF 50+ sun protection
• Long sleeve full coverage
• Back zipper for easy entry
• Thumb holes to keep sleeves in place
• Removable cups for shaping and modesty

Peach Stripe Long-Sleeve Surf Suit

The highlight of this swimsuit is the slimming peach stripes, which can make your body look more elongated. This surf suit comes with UPF 50 protective coverage. 

The long sleeves, thumb holes, and back zipper closure give you coverage while the quick-drying, four-way stretch fabric allows unrestricted movement in or out of the water. With a fully lined interior and removable cups, you'll look and feel your best.

Key features:

• Long sleeve design blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays
• Flatlock seams reduce skin irritation
• Back zipper with pull cord for easy entry
• Stretch fabric moves freely with your body
• Removable cups provide shaping and coverage

Best Swimsuits for C-section Pooch

Understandably, you may feel self-conscious about the post-c-section tummy. The good news—designs that focus on adding dimension make all the difference in concealing the pooch.

Navy Half-Zip Swim Dress Cover-Up

The perfect swim cover-up, this UPF 50+ navy swim dress offers sun protection in style. The half zipper allows easy on/off while thumbholes and adjustable side ties let you customize the fit. 

Wear it as a dress over your suit or convert it to a tunic length when lounging poolside. Pair it with high waist bottoms to conceal your C-section pooch.

Key features:

• UPF 50+ protection up to size 3X
• Half zipper for easy wear
• Adjustable straps to change length
• Thumb holes keep sleeves in place
• Pairs well with high waist bottoms

Tropical High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms

Showcasing a vibrant leaf print, these high-waist bikini bottoms help flatten the post-baby pooch. Designed to hit right at your belly button level, the slimming tie front detail and ribbed fabric provide light control and coverage. Pair with a supportive top in solid colors for a confidence-boosting two-piece.

Key features:

• High rise hits near belly button
• Tummy control through waist tie
• Moderate seat coverage
• Fade-resistant, quick-dry fabric
• Pairs well with any bikini/tankini top

Best Tankini Swimsuits for Postpartum Body 

Tankinis are any nursing mom’s secret weapon. Their versatility makes them a smart choice postpartum. Mixing and matching allows you to customize for extra coverage and support.

Ocean Breeze High Neck Tankini Top

Featuring a figure-flattering navy swirl print, this UPF 50+ tankini top offers both sun protection and reliable coverage postpartum. 

The high neckline provides extra protection while the ruched bust area flatters the chest. You can customize this easily as it comes with an internal bra, removable cups, and adjustable back closure. Wear with your choice of bottoms for stylish coverage.

Key features:

• Built-in bra with removable cups
• Adjustable back closure
• Ruching flatters and shapes bust
• UPF 50+ protection
• Pairs well with various bikini bottoms

Swirl Pattern High Neck Tankini

Showcasing a vibrant red, orange, and blue abstract print, this high-neck tankini top guarantees reliable tummy coverage with its extended length. 

The internal bra offers lift and shaping while the back closure ensures a custom fit. You can swim and then lounge poolside with its quick-dry, chlorine-resistant fabric. 

Pair it with any high-waisted bottom of your choice.

Key features:

• Internal bra with removable padding
• Adjustable back closure for customization
• High neck protects chest and shoulders
• Stretchy fabric suitable for activity
• Mix and match with preferred bottoms

Best Two-Piece Swimsuits for Postpartum

Showing a little extra skin doesn't have to go away postpartum—the right two-piece swimsuit offers a cute yet tummy-conscious option. The following designs provide ample coverage and support in all the right places. 

Classic Scoop Neck Bikini Top

This bright orange zinnia bikini top features a fun pattern and a squared scoop neckline with convertible straps that can be worn straight or crisscrossed. 

Made with quick-drying nylon-spandex fabric, this swimsuit offers UPF 50 sun protection while the stretchy four-way material lets you move freely. This is also nursing-friendly, with removable cups and an elastic band under the bust.

Pair with these fuschia high-waisted bottoms to flaunt smooth post-baby style. 

Key features:

• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Removable cups
• Quick-dry fabric
• UPF 50 protection
• Nursing-friendly

Chic High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms

Showcasing a bold and beautiful scuba blue hue, these high-waist bikini bottoms rise to just above the belly button for comfortable tummy control, without you having to worry about loose abdominal muscles, if any. Move over, plain black swimsuits.

The swimsuit protects you from chafing with its flatlock seam. The moderate coverage will flatter your figure, regardless of size and body type. 

An adjustable tie at the front creates a slimming effect and lends dimension. The soft nylon-spandex-polyester blend ensures these bottoms hold their shape and resist fading in chlorine or saltwater.

A flattering match for any supportive bikini top.

Key features:

• High rise fit
• Tummy control
• Adjustable tie front
• Moderate coverage
• Fade-resistant

Best Swimsuits for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding swimsuits allow you to nurse while you enjoy the water. Convenient designs and discreet coverage let you quickly nurse without revealing too much or having to exit the beach.

Tropical Birds Scoop-Neck Bikini Top

With flattering patterns, this bikini top features a trendy squared scoop neckline with convertible straps that can be worn straight or crisscrossed. 

The super soft, quick-dry fabric offers UPF 50 protection while being stretchy for ease of movement. 

Fully lined with removable cups and an elastic underbust band, this top allows easy pull-aside nursing access for multitasking moms. 

Key features:

• Criss-cross back straps
• UPF 50 sun protection
• Pull-aside nursing access

Deep Dive Scoop-Neck Bikini Top

Showcasing an abstract print in beautiful colors, this bikini top is made with the breastfeeding mama in mind. The trendy squared scoop neckline flatters while the convertible straps customize the fit. 

The comfy stretch fabric offers nice coverage and easy pull-aside nursing access when your baby needs to eat. Pair with your choice of coordinating bottoms.

Key features:

• Pull-aside nursing access
• Adjustable/convertible straps
• Removable cups for shaping
• Elastic underbust band for support
• UPF 50+ sun protection
• Mix and match with any bottoms

Why Postpartum Bodies Need Special Swimsuits

The body goes through some significant changes during pregnancy. After your baby is born, things don't return to normal in a flash. Your body will take some time to get back to where it was pre-pregnancy.

Pregnancy's legacy may have left you with any or all of the following:

• A poochy belly: after childbirth, it's super common for the belly to have a bit of a pouch. This is because the abdominal muscles have been stretched and might take some time to return to their pre-pregnancy state. It's a normal part of the process, but it can feel a bit unfamiliar.
• Loose skin: the skin, especially around the belly and hips, has been stretched out over several months, so it makes sense that it won't snap back immediately. It takes time for the skin to regain its elasticity, and for some women, it might remain a bit looser than before.
• Stretch marks: they typically appear on the belly, but can also show up on the breasts, hips, and thighs. They're caused by the rapid stretching of the skin during pregnancy and, while they usually fade over time, they might not disappear completely.
• Healing C-section incisions: if a mom has had a cesarean, there's going to be a scar and some healing to do in that area. It's important to give the body time to heal and to be gentle with activities that might strain the incision area.
• Fluctuating breast size: breastfeeding can lead to changes in breast size, sometimes even on a day-to-day basis. This can make it difficult to find comfortable, supportive clothing.

Tips for Confidence and Comfort

It’s difficult to step out when your body doesn’t feel the best. Keep the following in mind. 

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. This body of yours grew a tiny human. How neat is that?! Reframe your mindset to celebrate what your body can do rather than getting caught up with changes in shape. 
2. Mix and match for a customized fit. Find a great match between top and bottom for your post-baby shape. This can take some trial and error. Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles to customize coverage and fit.
3. Skip the stressful public dressing room. Order a few swimsuit options online first to try in the comfort of your own space before committing. 
4. Don't worry about trends or what anyone else thinks. Lean into silhouettes you already know make you feel comfortable in your skin, such as a trusted one-piece or tankini style. 

Get the Best Postpartum Swimsuits

Our stylish selection of postpartum swimwear is thoughtfully designed with your changing body in mind. From discreet nursing access to fabrics with clinically tested SPF protection, our suits check all the boxes.

Our innovative swimsuits boast features like:

• Stretchy, body-contouring fabrics that flatter your gorgeous post-baby curves
• Convenient nursing clips and panels for easy breastfeeding access
• Chic designs and a variety of colors to suit your style
• Flattering ruching and tummy control panels that help slim and smooth
• 50+ UPF protection to shield skin from harsh UV rays

As any mama knows, taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your newborn. Check out our sun safety tips to learn why sun protection should be part of your self-care routine. 

FAQs

What is the best bathing suit for a belly pooch?

To minimize a belly pooch in a swimsuit, choose options that have shaping control panels, tummy-flattening compression fabrics, or refined ruching through the midsection. When in doubt, choose a one-piece, or a two-piece bikini with high-rise bottoms for a flattering silhouette. Choose cute color options that make you feel good.

Do you need a maternity swimsuit?

Regular swimsuits often adapt well to pregnant bodies and postpartum life. You need maternity-specific swimwear if your figure has changed significantly after pregnancy and if you’d like to quickly nurse your baby by the poolside (since most maternity wear comes with easy nursing access).

What swimsuits are best for c-sections?

High-waisted bikini bottoms or one-piece swimsuits work best for C-sections, as they provide built-in tummy control and coverage over the incision area on the lower abdomen without putting pressure directly on it. Explore plus-size swimsuits and dark bottoms. Aim for comfort when you’re shopping for bathing suit bottoms. Prioritize adjustable coverage and fun colors.

How many weeks after c-section can you go swimming?

Much like postpartum bathing, most doctors recommend waiting 4-6 weeks after a C-section to go swimming, as this allows the incision site to heal sufficiently. Always check with your physician.

How do you hide a baby bump in a bathing suit?

To help disguise a baby bump while pregnant, look for functional swimsuits with high-stretch fabric, ruching, patterns, diagonal lines, and embellishments. Empire waist and under-bust styles also shift attention upwards. Ruched tankinis do a great job of cinching your waist during swimsuit season. 

When should I start wearing a maternity swimsuit?

Start wearing a maternity swimsuit as soon as your regular swimsuit starts to feel tight and uncomfortable on a growing bump during pregnancy, typically around 12-20 weeks for first-time moms. Maternity swimwear offers more bump accommodation through stretch fabrics and adjustable elements.

What is an apron belly?

An apron belly refers to the overhang of loose skin that may appear after significant weight loss or post-pregnancy. It is often called “mom pooch.” Postpartum abdomens can be concealed through higher-waist suits.