This is a contributed post and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
For a lot of new mothers, the day of the birth is the most memorable and wonderful day of their lives. Emotionally, it’s a day that defines them as a parent. Physically, it’s also the end of the long and aching 9-month pregnancy. Biologically, the body is going through a firework of hormonal changes, so that it’s only after a few weeks that you become aware of an uncomfortable feeling. Socially, the body of pregnant women is celebrated and adored. But once you’ve given birth, you’ll find that most people are quick to body-shame new mothers for not getting their pre-pregnancy body back. It doesn’t matter how you feel about your mother’s body. You might experience the dark side of silent body-shaming, through the pictures of celebrities who could show off their toned abs only a few months after having a baby, for example. As a mother, you don’t want to feel guilty for your appearance. You have much more pressing matters to care about. But, just in case you’re failing to make peace with your mom’s bod, here are a few ideas.
You are a pretty mom no matter what!
Ultimately, weight isn’t the most important factor of beauty. And when there is already a lot of pressure on new moms to snap back to their pre-baby body in no time, it’s good to remember that feeling pretty in your skin can make a great deal of difference in how you interact with your new body. Forget the pregnancy weight for now and focus your attention on loving your body as a whole. Smile as often as you can, it genuinely conveys a positive image of motherhood, and it makes you happy too. Why not wear a little makeup as well? Take care of yourself as it’s the only way to learn to love your body.
Be realistic about weight loss
It’s understandable that you might want to lose weight. However, postpartum weight loss can take a lot of time for some women. Ultimately, the more weight you gain during pregnancy, the more you’ll have to lose afterward. You can give your body a little boost using lipo technology if you want to get rid of in-depth fat cells. But the secret to getting your body back is patience and dedication, alongside with self-loving.
Embrace your story
Don’t be ashamed of your new body. Every curve, every birth stretch mark, every pound tells a story. Your body is the body of a woman who has given birth. It doesn’t have to be perfect; there is no perfect body. It just has to be honest. It’s a story of love and motherhood, and it’s nothing you should be ashamed of. Of course, you may not have yet snapped back to your slimmer self. But unlike the photos in the magazines, your body is au naturel. Just a body telling the true story of motherhood.
It’s not uncommon for mothers to struggle to accept their new bodies. Be brave; you’ve changed, but it doesn’t mean you’re a lesser woman. Look after yourself, take all the time you need and embrace every bump and curve on the way!
