New Mums Should Realistically Give Their Post-baby Bodies Nine Months to 'bounce back', Expert Says

We're often bombarded by images of celebrity mums who have got back their washboard abs just months (or weeks) after giving birth.

Tiwa Savage showing off post-baby body less than two months after giving birth

For most of us, the reality is actually a bit of a squashy tummy that refuses to go away no matter how many times you do that Davina DVD in your lounge.

But do we accept our post-baby bodies for what they are? Or do these images of women who 'bounce back' into shape immediately affect our perception of what is normal and healthy?

A survey released by Kiddicare of over 2,000 new mums has revealed that 67% feel negative about their post-birth body.

Meanwhile, 64% of women say they experience pressure to ‘bounce back’ to their former shape shortly after giving birth.

But it's not all down to people in the public eye. 35% of mothers who did feel pressure admitted that it comes from themselves, with 29% blaming the media for featuring images of celebrity mothers quickly regaining their svelte figures.

Stomach and breasts are problem areas

New mums who felt self-conscious about their altered shape said the most noticeable changes were their stretched stomachs and breasts.  

The most common exercises during pregnancy were walking (74%) and swimming (36%). The majority of respondents said that it took their bodies roughly 3-6 months after giving birth to feel ready to exercise again.

Almost half of respondents, at 49%, said that their biggest barrier to postnatal exercise was tiredness and lack of energy, with 36% saying they didn't have enough time to exercise.

An expert says:   "Pregnant women are often not prepared for the dramatic changes to their bodies; no one really tells you what happens afterwards. 

 

"You have a baby and think you will ‘spring back’ but it doesn't quite happen like that.

"You need to work towards it, it’s taken nine months for your body to change and it’s going to take about nine months, depending on what kind of birth you've had, to return back to a similar position."

Courtesy: Mirror.co.uk