I am really struggling with body image issues. I am 3 months postpartum, with my first child, and really struggling with my self image. The pregnancy was unplanned, but my husband and I were overjoyed. I am 21 years old and feel as though I no longer have a “good” body. I feel sad, because I know it is affecting my sex life. Any words of advice/encouragement would be appreciated…
(The two following pictures are 3 months postpartum)
Ok, you have some stretch marks, which btw will change color over the months BUT still all i can see is a lovely shape, a beautiful body shope to be honest.
FYI- You look awesome! Especially for only being 3 months postpartum!
My body looks WAY worse than yours and I’m 2 months postpartum with my second…I don’t have any advice to give you other than look at some of the other people on here and it should make you feel better because you’ve got nothing compared to some people – especially me.
I understand it affecting your sex life tho, but no advice there either…at least you know you won’t get pregnant again anytime soon??
I feel your pain tho – I’m struggling HARD with this too
Here’s the thing. Having a baby doesn’t just change your body. It changes everything. After I had my first baby I felt like my personality had been removed. It can take some time to get used to your new identity. I can gather that having that “good body” was a significant part of your identity and you feel like that has been taken away. I understand why that has you feeling a little lost. Personally speaking it was hard to feel sexual shortly after my first baby. I was so focused on my son that I had a hard time seeing myself as a sexual being. That got in my way far more than my feelings about my body. My advice is, take it one day at a time. Your stretch marks will fade. Bio-Oil is amazing by the way! You are already slim and toned. You’re far enough post-partum that you can start working out without restrictions. Go for it! Walk with your baby. That will tighten things up even more if that’s your goal. Take a class in the evening when your husband can be with the baby. Listen to music you love, have friends over, shave your legs and wear clothes you feel good in. Vow to do one thing for yourself everyday. Trust me, you will feel better about everything. When you care for yourself, feeling sexy comes naturally.
What – you have a beautiful body! Don`t be so hard on yourself, I would have been very happy if I looked like you. Hugs!
Your body still has a lot of changing to do. Three months after you have a baby does not indicate what you’ll look like for the rest of your life. Eat sensibly and take baby out for a walk at least once a day. Give your digestive system a break by leaving at least twelve hours in between the last thing you eat and breakfast the next day… this also gives your body the ability to maximize all of your other functions, including normalizing hormones. For the record, you already look fantastic! You really just need to be patient, your body is going to amaze you! Just remember to treat your body with love and respect.
If i had that body, 3 months after my daugther i would love it mine is much worse and will be almost a year
I see absolutly nothing wrong with your body…
you look great for being 3 months pp…
stretchmarks fade after a while jst give it some time!!!
3 months postpartum is still very early. Give yourself some time and you will see, you will not find your old body back but you will definitely feel more at ease in a few months. And the scary changes will fade away!!!
Moreover, I found that you are very beautiful! ;)
Take care.
You look amazing I’m 36 weeks pregnant and pray I look as good as you after.
I think that you look great for three months postpartum! I struggled with my body image after having my first child because I was a slim 109 lbs before I got pregnant and had a very flat belly. I got pregnant for the first time at 23 and it was a very grueling struggle for me who suffered from self-esteem issues and I remember being unhappy about gaining weight and a belly. However, knowing that my husband still thought I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen is what kept me grounded. Also, after having my daughter, I realized it was totally worth all of the weight gain and feelings that I had about my weight because I would do it all over again just to have her. :)
I hear ya!! I have 2 kids now, 6year old and a 5 month old. I’m 28 and dieing to get back to “normal”. Its good to know I’m not alone in all this. You do look good for 3mons pp btw. But I get what you’re going through. After my first I had horrible body image issues that interfered with our sex life but after the second, I’ve taken a more vigorous approach to losing the extra “love” that has been left behind. And I must say, its better in bed and in the house all around. It sucks though, I know it will take me more time to lose my “mommy tummy”, I just wish I could wake up and it just be gone already!!! Like I said, its nice to know I’m not the only one stomping their feet about this.