5 Simple Tips for New Moms Who Want to Build Body Confidence After Having a Baby

At the time of writing this, it’s been six weeks since my third cesarean birth,  and this has been my best mental and physical recovery yet. I give full credit to my investment in cesarean recovery therapy and all my work in the last few years to love and appreciate my body. We all know that babies come with a lot of responsibility - diapers, feedings, and more. But after the baby arrives, we forget about the most important priority: our recovery and transition into motherhood.  I say most important because you are the caregiver and role model. The postpartum routine is daunting, and if you don’t make time to take care of yourself, you will forget. (Plus, you can access my free download, Core Restore!)

There are a few small tasks that you can do to take out the overwhelm and pressure. Here are some simple things you can do after your baby is born:

Appreciate Your Body 

If you think about it, your body has carried you every day of your life.  And now, your body has gone through the ultra-marathon of pregnancy and birth. It needs some care. Appreciate your body for what it's done and what it's going through right now. It is a lot of work! Not only is it working hard for you, but your baby’s health is only possible because you’ve been able to carry and create life. 

How can appreciating your body help you feel confident? By acknowledging your body's amazing work, you are pushing out negative thoughts and self-doubt. Try this:

When you see yourself in a mirror or picture, catch yourself criticizing your body and shift into positive words. Try these affirmations (read, write or say them out loud!)

• I'm so grateful for my body. It gave me my baby.

• This little human came from my body, and now I nourish myself and appreciate what it did for me!

• It’s amazing what my body was created to do.

Avoid the Scale

If your weight is not triggering or discouraging, then feel free to ignore this part. But for most women, we have been judged or judged ourselves based on the number on the scale. Medically and from a fitness perspective, weight is only a measurement. It does not tell us anything about a person’s health, body composition of fat and muscle, or health habits. In fact, the BMI scale was created by the diet industry based on white males and tells us nothing about a person’s health or medical conditions. 

How does the scale affect your confidence? Your weight, shape, and size of your body have nothing to do with your ability to be a mother. Taking care of yourself and giving yourself a healthy lifestyle will do far more than any number on a scale. Instead, increase your body confidence by focussing on how your body feels with the next few tips.

It’s not uncommon to see your body after a baby and not recognize it. Often women crave their old body because it was what they knew. Give yourself permission to grieve the change. Your body might return to a familiar shape. It might not. You’re allowed to have feelings about this.

Update Your Wardrobe

We have spent many years in a “bounce back” culture where women are expected to lose all the extra weight and shift back into their previous shape as if they were never pregnant at all. In reality, only a small percentage of the population can do it, and it’s largely genetics. I don’t say this to discourage you but to empower you. Your body went through a miraculous period where you grew a human, and it physically takes 18 months for your organs to go back into place. On top of that, there is some permanent evidence, and it will NEVER be the same again. It is not possible to undo the effects of pregnancy on the body. Even your blood antibodies change after pregnancy, no matter how many weeks a person is pregnant. Isn’t that wild?

How will updating your wardrobe help you feel confident?  Taking the time to pick some new clothes that fit you now instead of your pre-pregnancy size will give you a boost to see you look better in your new post-pregnancy body. Focus more on your shape rather than your size. Chances are, your size and shape will change again over the next year or 2 (depending on how you care for yourself and the length of breastfeeding). Consider getting second-hand items if you are on a budget or value sustainable clothing. And get rid of old clothing in your closet that doesn’t make you feel good!

Do What Feels Good!

Nothing feels as satisfying as being able to give this gift of life. Similar to updating your wardrobe, wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself even if they don't fit everyone else’s approval. Wear the dress with horizontal stripes because it’s comfortable. Wear maternity shorts because they feel so soft. Go ahead and put on the oversized shirt. No one else’s opinion matters but yours. 

When it comes to activities, only participate in what you want to do. Spend time with your baby without feeling guilty about not doing other tasks around the house. Or, leave the baby with someone for a few hours (or overnight if you’re bottle feeding) and take a break.  And while we’re talking about taking breaks, rest whenever possible. Rest doesn’t always mean sleep. It could be just vegging in your pj’s or spending the day with people you are most comfortable with. Bottom line: Doing what feels good should fill your tank and help you manage your stress. 

How will any of these ideas help you feel confident? Your mental health should come first. That means doing what feels good, taking breaks, and letting go of expectations. When you take care of yourself and your body, you will feel better in your body. 

Move Your Body

It's natural to want to shed these extra pounds that came on during pregnancy. However, as previously said, weight and health are not mutually exclusive. 

How can exercise make you feel confident? Moving your body through intentional exercise will improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. In fact, it is one of the key elements in maintaining mental health. Walking is the simplest and cheapest form of movement if you are able. I also recommend weight training, dancing, or getting in the water if possible. 

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. As you navigate life with this tiny human, give yourself grace and appreciate your body as it carries you through this season. I hope these tips will give you some courage to make time to invest in your body and give it some much-needed love. It is important to take care of yourself during this time. 

You are not alone, and you are doing a wonderful job. 

Free Download: Core Restore

Pregnant or 0-2 years postpartum? Check out this free, basic home program to re-train your core and pelvic floor. This is the exact plan I used to rebuild my core after my C-sections. Perfect for postpartum women of any size, including those who have had a C-section. This empowering resource provides gentle, effective movements to help you regain stability and confidence in your body. Check out this free, basic home program to re-train your core and pelvic floor.