Body After Baby: How to Deal & Embrace Your Newfound Curves

For moms, it is common knowledge that a woman’s body goes through immense changes during pregnancy. Yet thousands of women feel the anxiety to keep up with celebrity new moms in the media. Whether it’s Victoria Beckman’s petite size 6 figure weeks after giving birth to Harper, Myleene Klass in a summer bikini, or Miranda Kerr in short shorts with her baby on hip, it seems like not even a week goes by without a celebrity mum making her comeback after giving birth. However, Instead of going on a fad celebrity diet, women feel more inclined to lose weight as a motion to feeling better about themselves by increasing self-confidence and improving their overall health.

A survey conducted by Slimming World reveals that 82 percent of women felt low esteem and under pressure due to society’s obsession with ‘ideal weight.’ The good news is that you don’t need to rush back into your pre-baby bod in order to feel sexy again. In fact, now’s the time to ask yourself whether the desire to lose weight is something you need and want, or something you ‘feel’ that society is saying that you should get back to. When you discover what it is that you truly want to accomplish for your self-confidence and body image, here’s how to deal and embrace your newfound curves.

Start Setting Body Goals

What better way to boost your self-esteem that to achieve goals you’ve once set for yourself. Instead of setting impossible goals such as ‘getting back to college weight in three months,’ aim to take a new fitness class or incorporate whole foods into your diet. If you eat right and gradually begin to exercise, your body will get it where it should be again.

Consider A Mommy Makeover

Breastfeeding and pregnancy can lead dramatic changes to your body. While proper nutrition and physical activity can help you lose the baby weight, thousands of women struggle just on diet and exercise alone. If you’re tempted to get a tummy tuck or liposuction to reduce loose skin, you might also consider a “Mommy Makeover” to get your body back into shape. Many plastic surgeons across the UK are offering the Mommy Makeover, which addresses the most common post-pregnancy body issues in a single session, which includes:

• Tummy Tuck
• Fat Removal with Liposuction
• Breast Augmentation or Lift

While this is a great way for women to restore their body closer to pre-baby appearance, be sure to let your body heal for at least six months prior to giving birth. You will also need to have stopped breastfeeding to help your doctor get a better idea of your breast’s true size and position.

Get Comfy in Your Skin

Your body continues to change after giving birth, and your postbirth body may not be the same, with the increased foot size and belly bulge, among others. Hold on to your maternity clothes, especially those with elastic bands and stretchy fabrics, for comfort.

Also, it may take a while for the swelling in the feet, hands, and legs to go away. Wearing compression socks available in wide-calf sizes may help reduce postpartum swelling. This study says compression therapy, coupled with proper exercise, seems effective in preventing and treating lower-limb edema in pregnant women who wore compression garments during the 24 hours after giving birth. The 2017 study, however, states that further research is needed. 

Embrace the Change

No matter what stage your body is in, it’s current state won’t last forever. Extra weight gain, large breasts from feeding, and of course, the lack of sleep are all moments that will pass with time. As your body adapts to your new lifestyle changes, you will discover that gentle, easy movements such as long walks with the baby, yoga, and even trips to the mall will help kick-start physical fitness. Just remember, movement and companionship with your baby are excellent ways to embrace your bond while staying lightly active. All women are different. Some bodies stay the same; some don’t. But the most important thing is to have confidence no matter your shape. Don’t worry about flaunting your new mom bod on the beach with your sexiest Swimspot tankini swimsuit on. Chances are, people will be more worried about how they look than you do! You do you, momma!

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