What to Expect After Baby Arrives (and How to Handle the Changes!)
Photo: Thinkstock / The Bump
Moms — I’m not talking about the cute, squishy, sweet little baby in your arms.
I’m talking about the deflated mama kangaroo pouch, the flabby arms, the back fat, the residual swelling, the thinning hair, the super frizzy hair, the tired eyes, the leaky breasts, or the mama-sized diaper you’ve been wearing around for the past few weeks.
Yep, we’re pretty hot, right?
No matter how much you love your child, celebrate your pregnancy, and celebrate your new and amazing body after you have your child (because, wow! You created a miracle! Your body should be celebrated!) — there is going to be a breaking point. Unless you’re a supermodel or have hired a world class chef and trainer, there’s a high likelihood of frustration or disappointment with your body.
One of the most frustrating times can be a few weeks postpartum. You’ve lost some weight, but not all of the weight you’ve gained. Or, you’ve lost all the weight but your body looks nothing like it did before. None of your old clothes fit, but your maternity clothes don’t really fit either. If you’re nursing, you may be starving all the time, but afraid to eat too much and stop losing the baby weight. You’re still learning to have a newborn, and being up all night is giving you bags below your eyes that could be shipped out on a jet plane. You may feel exhausted and can’t work out. You may feel great, but don’t want to work out until released by your doctor at your six week checkup.
Thankfully, this time will pass.
Soon, you’ll hopefully be feeling a little bit more like yourself. Your body will never be the same, but in time you either adjust to that and learn to accept it, or you make the goal to change it and get down to working hard to do so.
If you’re in this transitional period, keep your chin up, and accept my big, squishy, kangaroo pouched hug.
How did you deal with your postpartum self?
Plus, more from The Bump:
I Still Look Pregnant — How Long Will This Last?
Why You Hate Your Husband (After Baby Arrives)
Sex After Pregnancy: What the First Time Will Really Be Like
The Knot Blog
The Nest Blog
This is the one time in your life you shouldn’t even have to think about what you look like, so enjoy it! Everyone knows you’re going to be exhausted, bloated (my ankles were so swollen for two weeks postpardem I could barely bend them), sore and heavier than you were pre-pregnancy. But I was also the happiest I’ve ever been (and still am with my 20-month old), and compared to being 9 months pregnant I did feel like a supermodel–I could see my feet again! DON’T WORRY what you look like! It’ll work itself out later!
I am almost 7 months postpartum and I still have 10 pounds of baby weight to lose (130 to 180, now 140). My weight loss was dependable (2 weeks pp I started exercising again) up until a month ago; now I’m stuck. The weight never came off easily for me either. I’ve been exercising diligently 3 times a week since the baby was 2 weeks old. At this point I can be pretty justified in my body disappointment, I just wish I didn’t have reason to be. Oh yeah “breastfeeding helps you lose the weight”. I know I sound so bitter, but it just drives me nuts how hard this has been, and I even have youth on my side (I’m in my early twenties)