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How to Love Your Postpartum Body


Having a baby really does a number on your body. I mean, your body literally grew and entire human!

Between stretch marks, weight gain, and loose skin, I honestly don't think you ever truly feel like yourself again post baby, but there are things you can do to help make yourself feel good in the skin you're in postpartum.

I’ve always been self-conscious about my weight and size for as long as I can remember, and being pregnant only heightened some of those inner struggles. Thanks to breastfeeding, weight has fallen off, but a snap back is a work in progress. 

Looking at my body every day used to be filled with disappointment, but I’ve learned (and still learning some days) to accept that this is the mom body I have now. 

That said, here are a few tips on how to love yourself postpartum:

Remember, No One is Perfect // Seriously, no one. Even those celebrities who you think have the perfect bodies. Trust me, some of the snap back you see is nothing but angles and waist snatchers, honey! Everyone has flaws, so learn to love yourself flaws and all. Ladies, its okay that our bodies are not perfect after giving birth. And it's totally normal too! Give yourself time!

Be Kind to Yourself // While it's easy for us to look at our postpartum bodies with a critical eye, its important that we be kind to ourselves. Be grateful for all that your body has done! Your body went through this miraculous process of growing and nurturing life for 10 months. Admire your body for its strength, its power, its endurance, and its grace, not just its physical appearance. Your body is powerful, and your self-worth is not in the way your body looks. 

Stop Comparing // Social media does a great job at depicting what a woman's snap back should be after having a bay. You're flooded with images of how women, mainly celebrities, "snap back" in weeks, and sometimes days, after pregnancy. The important thing to remember is every woman is different and unique, and so are our bodies. You grew and housed a whole entire human in your womb for 9 months, so it's okay if you don't snap back weeks and even months after. Write your own narrative and stop letting the world write it for you.

Let It Go // *cue Disney's Frozen* No, seriously, let it go sis. While some women are able to get their old bodies back postpartum, most women aren't. At this point, you've already had the baby. And if you're anything like me, you've had more than one. This is your body now. The loose skin. The extra stretch marks. I've had to let go of looking like the old Danyelle, and I find a new confidence in how I look every day. 

Make an Effort // While you're adjusting to this new normal, make an effort to look and feel good in your new body. I used to wallow in how terrible I thought I looked. There was a point where I stopped caring about myself, to be totally honest. Since I've been working from home the past few months, I’m making an effort to do more with how I look so I can feel better about myself. It’s easy to walk around the house all day in a baggy t-shirt with my head scarf still on at 4 p.m. But, some cute loungewear or some cute athleisure, like this set from Katie K Active, is an instant mood booster for me and has me feeling and looking cute! And when I do go out, oh you best believe I'm making sure I look goodt  Okay?! The saying "when you look good, you feel good" really does ring true and it truly makes a world of a difference. 

Set Goals & Do the Work //  If losing the baby weight is what you want to do, don't be afraid to do the work, but do it on your own timeline and on your own terms. Don't feel pressure by the images you see floating around on social that tell you you need to be doing these things. And definitely don't feel like you need to punish yourself. Start with small goals, like working out 3-4 times a week. As much as I'd like to go ape and workout six times a week, I know it's not realistic and it's not something I'd be able to keep up with my hectic life and schedule. Start slowly, go at your own pace, listen to your body, and most importantly, be honest with yourself and remain consistent. And if you miss a day, that's totally fine too. Setting goals and crushing them will make you aware of what your body is actually capable of, making you that much more appreciative of it.  Most importantly, setting the goal and holding yourself accountable keeps you disciplined because let's be honest, you won't always feel motivated.


Learning to love your postpartum body and getting your confidence back isn't always easy. I’ve learned that feeling good and owning your body is really up to you. If you don’t feel good about something, you have the power to fix it. You can change how you feel about your postpartum body with a simple shift in perspective. 


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