How to love your postpartum body after having a baby
After having a baby, it can be tough to embrace your new body. In this blog, I share tips and encouragement to help you be kinder to yourself and learn to love your amazing body again.
Body changes are hard, even after a baby
Our bodies grew a human—how amazing is that? But loving your body afterward isn’t always easy. Even though you’re thankful for your baby, it can be hard to feel good about your body. It takes time to look in the mirror with confidence and gratitude. Stick with me—you deserve to be kind to your postpartum body!
Don’t compare yourself to social media
We’ve all seen those women who bounce back right away—no stretch marks, fitting into their pre-pregnancy clothes, and back in the gym six weeks postpartum. If you’re reading this, you’re probably not one of them, and neither was I.
During my pregnancy, I gained more weight than recommended. I got stretch marks everywhere—belly, back, hips, boobs, butt, and legs. My husband called me his “little tiger.” Even though people said the weight was from baby, water, blood, and placenta, I knew a lot of it was fat that wouldn’t just disappear after birth.
I knew my husband thought I was beautiful, and I knew my body did something amazing. But still, I really struggled to love it. I compared myself to everyone—social media, friends, family, and worst of all, my pre-pregnancy self. If that’s you, ask yourself two things:
- Do you really want to trade lives with these people?
- Are the standards you’re comparing yourself to even realistic?
If you answered “no,” then the comparison isn’t worth it. Avoid triggering pictures or videos, and talk to your spouse, friends, or family for some encouragement. You’ve got this.wers are ‘no’ the comparison is not worth the while. Try to avoid looking on pictures or videos that are triggering to you. Be open about your struggles with your spouse or close friends or family in order to receive their encouragement.
What about stretch marks
Stretch marks aren’t a medical issue—they’re just a cosmetic one. They might not look pretty, but they’re not harmful. Researchers still aren’t sure why some people get them and others don’t. They’re thought to be linked to genetics, meaning there’s not much you can do to prevent them. Some women try oils on their bellies hoping for results, but there’s little evidence it actually helps.
For me, knowing I couldn’t control whether or not I got stretch marks helped a lot. If you have them and didn’t moisturize regularly, it’s not your fault. And if you had them as a teen, you’re probably more likely to get them during pregnancy too.
Now, 8 months postpartum, my stretch marks have faded to white. Not seeing them as clearly has really helped me love my body after having a baby. It’s not the same as before, but remember: the way you look right after birth isn’t how you’ll look forever.
Weight gain
When it comes to weight gain during pregnancy, advice is all over the place. There are official tables based on your BMI that suggest how much weight you should gain, but there’s not much you can do if you gain more or less than recommended. Everyone says to eat healthy and exercise, but weight gain varies widely among pregnant women. If you gained too much or too little, you’re not alone. A report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that half of women gained more weight than recommended, and 1 in 5 gained less. So, don’t feel bad if you didn’t hit the numbers—you’re not alone.
If you gain a lot of weight during pregnancy, you’ll have more to lose afterward. That can affect how you see your new body, but don’t get discouraged. Even if it makes loving your body harder, it doesn’t change how beautiful you are to your spouse and your baby.
Want to know how I lost my baby weight healthily while breastfeeding? Check out this blog!
The functionality of your body after having a baby
One thing I struggled with even more than weight and stretch marks was not being able to do the things I loved anymore. During pregnancy, movement gets harder, and you might feel restricted by pain or other symptoms. I thought that after birth, I’d need just a few weeks to get back to normal and build strength again. But what I thought would take 6 weeks actually took at least 6 months.
If you’re feeling the same, hang in there! I’m sharing my top tips on how to love your body and appreciate its functionality after having a baby.
8 Practical tips on how to love your body after having a baby
Becoming a new mom is a transformative experience. It comes with enormous changes, both physically and mentally. You might feel disconnected from your pre-pregnancy body, but know that this is all part of the postpartum period. After growing a tiny human, your body goes through incredible changes. It’s a big adjustment, and it takes time to accept your new skin, extra pounds, and stretch marks. You’re learning to love your new postpartum body.
- Avoid Triggering Comparisons: Today’s society often shows unrealistic expectations of what postpartum bodies should look like. Many women, including celebrities like Kim Kardashian, quickly snap back to their pre-baby bodies. But that’s not the reality for most new mamas. Comparing yourself to others on social media can bring negative thoughts and damage your body image. Everyone’s experience is different, and you are doing an amazing job.
- Buy New Clothes for Your New Life: One thing that helped me was buying a few new outfits that fit my post-baby body. I wasn’t trying to get back into my pre-pregnancy shape—I was celebrating my new identity as a mom. Having clothes that fit and make you feel confident can lift your spirits during the early days. A new wardrobe isn’t about perfection; it’s about self-love and acknowledging how strong and beautiful you are.
- Talk About Your Insecurities: As a new mother, it’s easy to feel isolated. The mental health struggles, like postpartum depression or the pressure women face to bounce back quickly, can be overwhelming. Talking to family members or close friends about your insecurities will help you feel supported. Getting enough support from your loved ones and health care provider is crucial. Share your feelings so they can encourage you and remind you how amazing you are.
- Practice Positive Affirmations: Your new postpartum body may be different from your pre-baby body, but that doesn’t mean it’s less beautiful. Take a moment each day to look in the mirror and thank your body for what it has done. It grew a human being, which is no small feat. Positive affirmations can help you shift your mental state and embrace the changes you’re going through. Start small—today, thank your body for being strong.
- Don’t Weigh Yourself Too Often: Many new parents struggle with weight loss and extra weight after pregnancy. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, but try not to weigh yourself more than once a week. Postpartum weight loss is gradual and can be affected by factors like hair loss, leaky breasts, and hormonal changes. The weight isn’t the most important thing right now—taking care of your mental health and postpartum care is. Focus on feeling good, not the scale.
- Take Walks and Stay Active: Physical activity, like going for walks, can be a great way to support your mental health and postpartum recovery. But don’t put pressure on yourself to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight quickly. Your pelvic floor muscles, diastasis recti, and overall body need time to heal after childbirth. It might take a long time to feel strong again, but taking those small steps will help. Listen to your body, and keep it moving gently.
- Limit Mirrors and Focus on What Matters: Too many mirrors can lead to too many thoughts about your body. A lot of moms struggle with body image after having a baby, especially when dealing with loose skin or extra weight. If you’re finding yourself focusing on what you don’t love about your body, try reducing how often you look in the mirror. Remember, your worth is not tied to how you look. It’s about your health and how you care for yourself and your new baby.
- Put a Picture of Your Baby by the Mirror: My favorite tip is to keep a picture of your precious little one near the mirror. When you start thinking negative thoughts about your post-baby body, look at that image. That adorable human grew inside of you, and that’s an amazing thing. Reminding yourself of this incredible achievement can help you shift your perspective and love your body more.
Loving your new postpartum body takes time. You’ve gone through a major life change, and it’s okay if it takes a while to adjust. Give yourself grace, even on the tough days. With time, you will learn to appreciate your body for what it is: strong, beautiful, and capable. Be patient with yourself, and surround yourself with the support you need. You’ve got this, mama.
What helped you to love your body more after having a baby? Leave a reply I would love to read all about it!
