7 Best Postpartum Underwear for Every Body Type

Getting everything ready for the arrival of a newborn can be an exciting and fun time as you decorate the nursery, buy cute onesies and double-check that newborn checklist for missed items like mattress protectors and socks. Something less cute you'll have to deal with? Preparing for postpartum bleeding, leakage and messes.

One key item to keep on your postpartum checklist is postpartum underwear. Here’s everything you need to know about the one that will become your best friend in the days and weeks following birth.

What to look for in the best postpartum underwear

According to Siobhán Alvarez-Borland, a postpartum doula outside Atlanta, disposable undies for the first week following birth. “No matter how you welcome your newborn, recovery from childbirth is messy, and many women are surprised how much they bleed in the days and weeks that follow,” she says.

She likes disposable diapers, but there are also throw-away options such as mesh underwear and pads for heavy flow and she recommends going for your pre-pregnancy size as most have quite a bit of stretch.

“Once your postpartum bleeding has slowed down, washable postpartum underwear is a great sustainable option for most birthing people,” she says. Look for washable period panties in breathable fabrics. You’ll also want to check out sizing charts for washable underwear you’re investing in says Alvarez-Borland.

“I always recommend looking at the sizing chart and reviews from others,” she says. This way, you get what you need the first time. She says to get at least three pairs in darker colors for washable period-style underwear.

Best postpartum underwear 2024

• Best overall: Kindred Bravely Postpartum Underwear & C-Section Recovery Panties
• Best budget: Motherhood Maternity 3-Pack Maternity Panties
• Best for c-section: cauniss Womens High Waist Cotton Panties 
• Most absorbent: INNERSY High Waisted Postpartum Panties
• Best disposable: Frida Mom Disposable Boyshort Postpartum Underwear
• Best organic: PACT Maternity Foldover Hipster 4-Pack
• Best rated: Amazon Basics Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear

Best overall

Kindred Bravely High Waist Postpartum Underwear & C-Section Recovery Panties

For the ultimate in comfort and style, try Kindred Bravely's high-waist postpartum underwear. They sit nice and high on your stomach, avoiding C-section incisions if you have them. The panties are designed to hold in post-surgery dressings or disposable pads, and there's a touch of comfortable lace to make them feel stylish.

They're made from a blend of fabrics which provides a soft touch and they're machine washable and dryer-safe, too.

Pros

• High-waisted for comfort
• Comes with stylish lace that makes it more fun to wear postpartum underwear
• Designed to hold in post-surgery dressing and pads
• Soft touch
• Machine washable and dryer-safe

Cons

• Some might find the sizing off

Best budget

Motherhood Maternity 3-Pack Maternity Panties

Motherhood Maternity's fold-over style underwear can take you from pregnancy through postpartum. The band at the top can be rolled down or kept high for comfort.

The crossover design doesn't put any pressure on your body either, which is perfect for those with C-section incisions. Made from a cotton-spandex blend, they're soft, stretchy and breathable and come in sizes small through 3X.

Pros

• Comes in an affordable pack of three
• Fold-over style can last from pregnancy through the postpartum period
• Available in sizes small through 3X
• Made from a cotton-spandex blend
• Machine washable

Cons

• Some find sizing to be inconsistent

Best for c-section

cauniss Womens High Waist Cotton Panties

Available in sizes small through XXL, these postpartum panties are super soft to the touch thanks to combed cotton. A double-layer crotch keeps leaks in check.  Their high-rise style sits above a c-section incision making them comfortable and non-irritating while light compression keeps everything together.

A double-layered waistband keeps loose skin in check, and each pack comes with five colors of machine-washable underwear.

Pros

• Available in sizes small through XXL
• Each pack has five pairs, one of each color
• High-rise style
• Made from combed cotton
• Machine washable

Cons

• Some might find the leg holes too narrow

Most absorbent

INNERSY High Waisted Postpartum Menstrual Panties

This set of three pairs of postpartum underwear includes three layers of linings to help capture any leakage. The crotch linings are extended to help contain everything and provide excellent back-up protection against leaks. Choose from sizes extra small through 5XL.

The stretchy waistband accommodates your changing body and any c-section dressings.

Pros

• Provide extra leak protection through three layers in the gusset
• Extended crotch lining to prevent leaks
• Available in sizes extra small through 5XL
• Stretchy waistband for comfort

Cons

• Some find these are cut more like boyshorts than traditional briefs

Best disposable

Frida Mom Disposable Boyshort Cut Postpartum Underwear

In the days immediately after birth, disposable underwear will become your best friend. This pack of eight from Frida Mom are made from super soft cotton and is mesh-free for maximum comfort. Breathable and latex-free, they blow the ones given to you at the hospital out of the water.

They're seamless and tagless to help reduce irritation. A high-waisted boyshort design keeps everything nicely tucked in. Choose from two, versatile and stretchy sizes.

Pros

• Disposable, which is great for the first week after birth
• Made from 100% cotton microfiber
• Stretchy
• Full-coverage
• Fourth-trimester alternative to hospital mesh underwear
• Roomy enough to fit ice packs if necessary

Cons

• On the pricier side for disposable undies, but many find it worth it

Best organic

PACT Maternity Foldover Hipster 4-Pack

If you are longing for organic cotton undies, these from Pact will make you happy. Available in a pack of four, they're made from soft, breathable organic cotton. The fold-over style can be pulled over the belly or down depending on where you are in your pregnancy or postpartum journey.

They're machine washable and dryer friendly and are a good sustainable option: this pack saves 28 gallons of water and they're made in a fair-trade factory employing almost 1,000 people.

Pros

• Made from organic cotton
• Machine washable and dryer-friendly
• Fold-over style for pregnancy and postpartum period
• Sustainable
• Ideal for postpartum recovery and everyday maternity wear
• Fits postpartum pads if necessary

Cons

• Some might not like the cheeky leg holes

Best rated

Amazon Basics Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear

Over 42,000 people have rated this postpartum and incontinence disposable underwear on Amazon, with dozens and dozens of five-star reviews raving about its absorbency, fit and comfort. They're available in sizes small through 2X and come in packs of 18 or 42. Dri-fit technology helps wick moisture, keeping your skin dry and free from irritation.

Odor control keeps you feeling fresh. These are ideal for trapping the clot-style discharged women pass in the days following birth, called lochia, and then tossing in the garbage.

Pros

• Highly-rated on Amazon
• Good for postpartum and incontinence
• Available in sizes small through 2X
• Dri-fit technology wicks moisture while dual odor control keeps you fresh
• Ob-gyn approved
• Won't irritate, compress or strain the pelvic floor

Cons

• Some find these less breathable than postpartum mesh underwear from hospitals