Talk to new mothers, or read many of the questions in the post partum forum here at families.com and you’ll find that post partum body image is a common concern. I know when I was pregnant with my first baby; I imagined getting my body back would be much easier than it turned out.
After the baby arrives, many mothers experience the same thing. The belly doesn’t shrink back to its original flatness and nothing fits. This combined with sleepless nights and an erratic schedule in the home while adjusting to the new baby can affect self image.
While body image alone won’t cause post partum depression, it can contribute to feeling down. When your self image is low, your general mood will follow. New mothers already experiencing post partum depression may have an even lower body image.
Its important to embrace your post partum body and not expect miracles over night. After all, it took nine long months to get to the place where you are, so it will take time to get back in shape. In the meantime, focus on the positive and try a few tricks to help you feel better.
Since many of your cutest clothes may not fit, for now, get some new clothes. You may be reluctant to shop, since you plan to lose weight but there are benefits to investing a little money in at least a couple outfits. When your clothes fit well, you look better and this will help your body image and increase self esteem.
The best thing you can do for your body image and your body is to eat healthy and exercise. It’s not easy to work out after the baby is born. I know in my home it often feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day, especially when we’ve had new babies in the house. Trying to find extra time to work out seems an insurmountable obstacle.
But, you can do it. If you don’t have anyone to watch the baby, consider joining a gym that offers infant care. When you tour the gym, you can check out the room and the staff to see if you feel comfortable. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving the baby, you can work out at home with a DVD or put the baby in the stroller and walk every day.
The baby will enjoy the fresh air and change of scenery and you will be getting some exercise. The fresh air and change of scenery will be beneficial for you, especially if you are feeling isolated in the house. It does take time to get back into shape, but each step you take will improve your body image.
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Natural Remedies to Aid in Postpartum Healing
Identifying and Treating Postpartum Depression