Post-partum Body Confidence
The first couple of months after your baby arrives are something that no one can really prepare you for. Like pregnancy, everyone has a different experience during this time. It’s very common to get into a bit of a slump when it comes to self-image and confidence.
In a time when all your energy is going into keeping your tiny new human alive, it can be difficult to even find the time to shower or brush your hair. Never mind shaving your legs or anything that fancy!
The main thing to remember at this time is that it’s temporary. It’s also important to let go of the idea that you should look a certain way. Some mamas lose their baby weight faster than others, some will always have a little bit of loose belly skin.
There’s no such thing as ‘normal’ when it comes to postpartum bodies. It really doesn’t matter if your hair has been thrown into a messy bun for days on end and you haven’t plucked your eyebrows. Embrace this crazy time and try to put a positive spin on it- for example:
• Isn’t it great to be able to just flop into bed without taking your makeup off? Even if you may not actually get to sleep…
• A soft tummy makes a great pillow for your baby!
• There aren’t many times in your life when you can eat in bed in the middle of the night. Or when getting peanut butter on your PJs in the process is perfectly excusable…
• If you’d managed to sneak a shower in today, it would’ve been really annoying to have been covered in milk, baby vomit, pee, etc straight after it…
It may feel silly to try to see all this as positive when you feel like a messy, hormonal, sleep-deprived wreck.
The truth of it is that the body you’re scrutinizing just made a human! Pregnancy and birth are some of the most amazing things a human body can do.
Wear your Mama badge (or saggy tum, unbrushed hair, fuzzy legs…) with pride! There will be plenty of time for core exercises and eyebrow plucking later on.
