Most maternity advice says to size up. With our pyjamas, you don't need to.
Buying sleepwear before your bump has properly arrived is a bit of a guessing game. Too close to your usual fit and you could be squeezing into it by the third trimester. Too big and the first few months feel like sleeping in a tent. It's one of the most common questions we get about the pyjamas, so here's the straight answer and the reasoning behind it.
If you're after the bigger picture on fabrics and features, our guide to choosing maternity pyjamas covers that.
The usual advice: go up a size (or two)
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby points out that as your bump grows you may stop fitting your normal clothes, and suggests looser fits, partly because you're likely to feel warmer and sweat more during pregnancy. Shoppers often take that a step further. Mamamia's fashion editor wrote about buying stretchy pants two sizes up so they'd see her through the pregnancy and the newborn weeks after.
For a lot of maternity clothing, that's sensible. Our pyjamas are built differently, so the rule doesn't apply.
Why you can order your usual size
Our Maternity Pyjamas page says it plainly: no need to size up. We cut the set slightly larger on purpose, for two reasons. The fabric shrinks a little on its first wash, and your body is going to keep changing.
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The room is already built in. Your usual size has the extra ease, so going up a size usually just means a baggier fit.
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First-wash shrinkage is planned for. The fit after that first wash is the fit we designed, not a surprise.
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The ComfortBand™ waist adjusts. It has an elastic panel at the back and a drawstring at the front, so you can let it out as your bump grows.
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Wear the bottoms above or below the bump. The same shorts and pants can move with you from early pregnancy to the final weeks.
Sizes and what's in the set
Every colour comes in XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL. Each set has a button-up top, ComfortBand™ shorts and ComfortBand™ pants. If you're unsure, start with your usual pre-pregnancy size.
What the fabric adds to the fit
The set is made from 66% bamboo, 26% cotton and 8% elastane in a 2x2 rib. The elastane and the rib give it stretch, so it moves with you rather than holding a fixed shape. Put that together with the adjustable waist and one size covers a lot more of your pregnancy than a rigid cut would.
It's not only your bump that changes
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby notes that your breasts change quite early in pregnancy, with most of those changes finished by about 16 weeks. So room through the top matters from the start, not just around the waist in the later months.
It's also worth remembering that you'll keep wearing some maternity clothes for a while after the birth. The button-up top opens for feeds, and the waist ties can be adjusted again for postpartum comfort, so the same set keeps working once your baby's here.
Try them on before you wash them
If you're torn between two sizes, try the set on before its first wash. Exchanges need the pyjamas unwashed, with tags on and in their original packaging, so it's much easier to swap at this stage. Just email support@sleepybelly.com.au. And if they're not right for you at all, the 30-night trial means you can send the full set back for a refund.
Buying them as a gift
Sizing is usually the thing that holds people back when they're buying for someone else. The same rule applies: go with her usual pre-pregnancy size rather than guessing bigger, because the set is designed to grow with her. If you really don't know her size, ask her (or someone close to her) instead of guessing. A set that's too big loses the fitted comfort the adjustable waist is there to give. Keep the tags on and the packaging intact, so a swap is easy if she needs one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy my pre-pregnancy size or size up?
Order your usual pre-pregnancy size. The set is cut slightly larger and has an adjustable waist, so sizing up generally isn't needed.
Will the pyjamas still fit in the third trimester?
That's what they're designed for. The ComfortBand™ waist lets out as you grow, and the bottoms can sit above or below your bump.
Do the pyjamas shrink after washing?
A little, on the first wash. The sizing allows for it, so your usual size should fit as intended once it's been washed.
What if I'm between two sizes?
Start with your usual size, since the stretch fabric and adjustable waist give you room. Try them on before washing, and if you're still unsure, email us at hello@sleepybelly.com.au and we'll help you work it out.
Can I keep wearing them after the baby arrives?
Yes, and plenty of mums do. The button-up top makes night feeds easier and the waist adjusts back down for postpartum comfort.
The information in this article is general in nature and intended as comfort support only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your midwife, GP, or a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
