Negative body image after baby!?

Question

I've lost all the pregnancy weight, but don't feel as positive as I used to about my body! Has anyone had the same feelings and how did you get yourself to feel better?

Answer 1

Me too hun, I think every woman is the same unless y names posh!

Anyway back to reality, eventually you will learn to like your body again although I think it has nothing to do with how it looks etc I think it's more to do with your mind. You have just given your body up for 9 months for your baby and you totally saw your body in a different light - me personally I did not like what i looked like naked whilst pregnant and couldn't wait to get my body 'back'.

I can honestly say I only feel great about myself in the last 12 months - my lil girl is 6! Sorry if this scares you - but bare in mind everyone is different!

Good luck babe you'll get there in the end!

Answer 2

Yes, I felt the same as you. The days following the birth it seems you leak from every orifice in your body then when all that stops, you look at your shape and it's just not the same!!!

I started off by doing lots of walking pulling my stomach in then when I was well enough (had caesarian), began gentle sit ups, you can do these while holding your baby if you want. Each day I increased the number I did...don't get obsessive though. Put on music you enjoy while doing it...that can motivate you.

While I was doing this I began to feel better knowing I was doing something about the way felt and the endorphins that exercise release help too.

If you can go swimming that's great...swimming tones the whole body and is a good cardiovascular exercise too.

Hope this helps
Be active around the house which will also help.

Answer 3

I think most of us feel the same about our bods post baby, but don't worry, if you've lost your baby weight and are doing some toning then you'll be fine. Feelings like this can also come up because of what your body has just been through and can have little to with weight etc, just that you feel your body is not your own when your boobs are leaking and you want to pee when you sneeze, you feel a bit betrayed!
Remember that you get what you pay for and what you have in your baby and the brilliant child they'll grow up to be is worth every penny (or extra pound or wobbly tum)
Obsessing about your body is a really bad place to be for you and your child as they need to see mum is comfortable with who she is and doesn't conform to the pressures of society/media etc.

Answer 4

sure, I felt an identical as you. the days following the delivery it type of feels you leak from each orifice on your body then even as all that stops, you seem at your structure and it truly is basically no longer an identical!!! i began off by way of doing a good number of strolling pulling my abdomen in then even as i become nicely adequate (had caesarian), began mushy sit down ups, you may do those even as keeping your toddler in case you pick. on a on a daily basis foundation I higher the shape I did...do not get obsessive although. positioned on song you delight in even as doing it...that may inspire you. even as i become doing this i began to experience more effective useful understanding i become doing some thing about the way felt and the endorphins that workout launch help too. in case you are able to go swimming it really is large...swimming tones the completed body and is a good cardiovascular workout too. desire this helps Be energetic around the homestead which will also help.

Answer 5

I know what you mean. After I had my baby, I lost more weight than what I weighted before I was pregnant. Just buy some clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable.

Answer 6

Despite getting back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, it's pretty disappointing to discover that nothing is in the same place as it was before I got pregnant! I think everyone pre-supposes that losing the weight equals looking the same as before having a baby when I'm not entirely sure that is ever possible. I expect we set ourselves a goal of fitting in our pre-pg jeans and then feel deeply disappointed that they just don't look as good as they did before. I think the first answerer hit the nail on the head - this is about understanding that you have a new body shape and finding what styles flatter that new shape. I think us mums are too quick to compare ourselves to "celebrity" mums who seem to ping back into their size 0 clothes within two weeks of giving birth. But they have access to plastic surgeons and nannies and can afford to be straight in the gym for 8 hours a day the day after giving birth. That just isn't possible for the vast majority of us and I don't think it's handed on a plate to them either - I remember reading an article about Liz Hurley where she admitted that she went to bed hungry every night for months after giving birth in order to lose her baby weight. Quite frankly I need my energy to look after my little girl!

Answer 7

I definitely felt the same way, especially around the stomach area. I wore a corset the first two months after I gave birth which actually pushed my stomach in, and I did sit ups to tone that area. Breast feeding also helps to loose some of the extra weight. People say that you won't get your figure back after having a baby, but that's not true. You just have to get up and work harder to get it back.

Answer 8

Your body always changes after having a baby just be grateful that you lost the weight and enjoy your new baby, You will get your confadense back about how you look.

Answer 9

This might sound a little crazy but i had more confidence after i had my child than before. I lost all my pregnancy weight plus a little more so i was looking fierce!! Plus with a beautiful baby boy in my arms i felt like i could rule the world! It's all about being positive, keeping your head high and knowing your beautiful. It's about attitude!!

Answer 10

It's not the answer you want to hear but it's a matter of time. We all feel awful after having a baby. My libido hit rock bottom after my second child. But I'm ok now - it took a couple of years though I suppose. Look around you, we're all strange shapes and sizes, if you've lost your baby weight you're already one up on most of us!