How do I feel confident/sexy in my postpartum body?

[Anonymous]

I recently gave birth to my 2nd child (not even a month ago) & I’m really struggling with my insecurities. The whole “you created life” bit doesn’t make me feel any better either. I did what my body was made to do, great. Now I look like a shriveled up potato. None of my clothes fit & I have that c-section pouch/belly just hanging there. It really makes me insecure in my relationship & I need to fix it. Thanks in advance…

[CubsterShura]

You've only had your baby a month ago. Give it some time, let your body recover fully.

If you feel bad about not having the body you had before pregnancy, don't. No one's body stays the same after giving birth. Even very health-conscious and fit women can be left with extra skin, stretch marks, changes in hair, skin, breast shape etc.

After recovery you can work towards having a fitter body to get closer to your aesthetic goals, but you have to be reasonable with your approach to it. If you're finding it too difficult, perhaps you should look to get some kind of acceptance therapy.

Also watch out for diastasis recti. If it's severe you can get it fixed with surgery.

[CubsterShura]

Also I thought it is important that I mention this:

This is personally why I'm not a huge fan of body positivity or hyping up others by calling them beautiful/attractive. You may genuinely love how you look but then something happens and your body doesn't look the same anymore, boom. You're back to being insecure.

I'm generally considered attractive by most people but I don't consider it an important part of who I am. As much as compliments are nice I had no control over my eye color or skin tone or natural breast size etc. I could get into an accident and lose my eyes, I could develop breast cancer and get a mastectomy. Any confidence built on natural appearance has the potential to get out of hand really fast.

Body neutrality is a far better approach in my opinion. Sometimes I don't like certain parts of my body or my whole body in general. But it is important for me to care for its well-being and nourish it no matter how I feel about it because this is the only vehicle carrying my soul.

[electromagnetic]

I’m sure it’ll take time to built up the confidence again.
Just remember that your little ones are the blessings in your life.
I guess it’s more so finding an outlet in being able to eat better and working out snow lot at home. It’ll benefit you physically and support your littlest one’s immune if you’re breast feeding. Don’t feel defeated. I’m sure you’re looking beautiful even with a pooch. I have a pooch too and I don’t have kids. 😊

[Apple1996]

It'll take some time but eventually you will learn to love your new body. You can always work out and lose the pooch later on. It's only been a month so still super early to be working out. Take the time to cuddle and love on your baby and don't worry about how you look

[Anonymous]

Go easy on yourself. It's your second kid. You will take a but longer to bounce back amd you will have to work harder. Stretch marks are inescapable. It's a bit late for a belly band now so you will just have to work on your abs and do diastasis rectii workouts. Be patient and enjoy your baby!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lj5-71ziM5c

[fonduegirl]

You can't. Not for another year at least. I remember these dark spots on my mom's face due to being pregnant with my brother. They disappeared only last year.

[Agape93]

@Apple1996 you would know this best

[Apple1996]

I probably don't know best I just keep getting hotter looking after every baby that I have 😂

[Anonymous]

exercise...