https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:18:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-817202 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:17:46 +0000 Scarlet 817202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I guess I thought since I didn't have a lot of weight to lose--I am up eight pounds at this point with a good amount of that being in my chest I think, but my hips and ribcage are still much wider than before. That makes sense that giving your body a good amount of time to recover would help. Should have started this project sooner :)</p> <p>Raisin, yes, my boy is not big on being put down. I enjoy his cuddliness, but obviously it's hard to get much done. I only have time today to type because Daddy is here to hold him. Good to hear they grow out of it on their own. I remember Jonesy mentioning something similar with her daughter. Probably the best way is just to enjoy life now for what it is. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-817076 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:33:28 +0000 Raisin 817076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, I lost a lot of weight by 2 months with both children, but the body altering stuff didn't happen until 5 months or later. I'm not sure if my hips are "exactly" back to the same spot, but they are pretty darn close. Try not to worry about it too much now, it's very hard to do a lot of exercise or diet before the 5-6 month mark, I find. My babies just cling to me up until that point, so I just let myself relax and enjoy the bonding time. Also, I have a 5 year gap, and like some mentioned, I think that does help to regain and keep your figure between and after babies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-817058 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 12:09:09 +0000 Anonymous 817058@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two kids, 3.5 and 18 months. The first time I had gained 60lbs, and it felt like forever until I lost the weight but it was probably by a year out when I went back to work. My second pregnancy I only gained about 35lbs and this one was much harder on my body with knee and pelvic issues. But I was able to breast feed exclusively for William and that really helped the weight come off. Plus I knew it would eventually so I just tried not to worry about it.</p> <p>I weigh about the same as pre pregnancies, but my ribcage is at least an inch wider and I am a rectangle instead of an hourglass. </p> <p>Enjoy your baby and remember that is your job, keeping him fed and happy, along with yourself. If you think you should be "doing more" --- remember in the past multiple generations tended to live together in a household and all share in child rearing. The nuclear family is a hard model for raising a child as it all falls on the parents! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-817051 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:09:56 +0000 Scarlet 817051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have a lot of time to respond, but reading through your responses has been so helpful and touching.<br /> I think your responses answer another question in my mind, which is that with the hormonal changes I think fat is not distributed on me the way it used to be.<br /> I guess I should just get a couple of outfits that actually make me feel good the way I am now. Classic advice, I know, but I was holding back because I figured this stage wouldn't last long. Besides that it is hard and time-consuming to figure out a new body again, and obviously with limited time showering every day feels like a pretty good achievement. I did manage to get a haircut too when my mom visited, which made me feel much better. I know everybody says this time is hard even though it is also magical , but it's hard to quiet the nagging voice that says I should somehow be accomplishing more. It's reassuring to hear the honest responses from the community here.</p> <p>Tricia--I had exactly that experience in the hospital with laughing. A physical therapist came to talk to me and demonstrated to me how far apart my abdominal muscles had separated (to encourage me to do the rebuilding exercises). I was so shocked to feel the gaping hole there that I laughed and saw that jiggle, which shocked me all over again, and made me laugh more. I am so so sorry that you lost one of your babies. Words fail. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816995 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 05:26:08 +0000 AJ 816995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sending hugs!</p> <p>Nothing new to add. Agreeing with everyone to give your body time and just soak up all the cuteness in the first 12 months of Baby Scarlet's life. Take tons of pics and videos of your little one and try to remember to write down the milestones! (I never did fill out those baby books...and I have 3!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816913 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 03:55:30 +0000 Tricia 816913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on being a new mom!</p> <p>Be easy on yourself. I've had three full-term pregnancies (two living kids) and I will never forget the day a few weeks after my first was born - I was lying on the bed watching television, something on TV made me laugh, and I looked in horror as my stomach rippled. But that was almost 8 years ago now, and it does get better.</p> <p>I agree with the person who said you won't really know for sure until you're finished with breastfeeding, the hormones have had a chance to settle down, etc. My hips and feet didn't really change with pregnancy, but I feel like the shape of my face did for a while - but it's gone back to normal now. Conversely, my stomach will never be what it was (3 C-sections will do that) but it's much better than it was two months PP!</p> <p>This is the time to be happy with your little one and adjust to this huge change in your life. You'll know soon enough what your "new normal" will be. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816870 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:41:26 +0000 Isabel 816870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love what Elizabeth said....it reminded me that physically, having a baby is really a major trauma. One wouldn't expect to be fully recovered in 2 months. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816841 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:16:30 +0000 nancylee 816841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Scarlet, I agree completely with everyone who said to give yourself nine months to recover. You gain weight with a baby but your hips also spread a bit, too, to make room....but they will go back (pretty much) to where they were before. </p> <p>Congrats on your little one, and hang in there! It gets easier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816834 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 02:11:56 +0000 Thistle 816834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have some great advice above. My first child is now 14 months. Where did the time go?!? My body still has not gone back to it ore pregnancy shape. I have scars that will never go away. None of it matters when she smiles at me. Or toddles over and climbs in my lap. Or the million other things little ones do to melt your heart.</p> <p>Only time will tell what changes are permanent and what ones aren't. Honestly, I think all body shapes are beautiful. Relax, enjoy these precious months with you little one, and let your body heal. Think of all it just did. What a marvel to create life. Be kind to yourself and the vessel that brought your baby into the world.</p> <p>Hollywood makes it look like you not only should get your old shape back but that it is easy to do in a very short time. Remember they have chefs and trainers and babysitters. Many of those women have clauses in their contracts that they only have 60 or 90 days to get their old bodies back. Be thankful you aren't under that kind of pressure at the same time you are trying to enjoy those precious and oh so short baby days! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816818 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 01:58:45 +0000 Jaime 816818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Everyone has given you great advice. The main thing is that everyone is different. I carried straight out in front and my hips weren't really affected as much as my waist and upper abs, but it takes more than 2 months to know! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816811 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 01:51:48 +0000 saramir 816811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on being a new mama! But, oh, Scarlet! I so feel your pain, and first of all - you are ONLY 2 months out. I know hormones and sleep deprivation have a way of making us lose perspective, so let me share my story: </p> <p>I have 2 kids, exactly 2 years apart, and my younger one is 17 months old now. I gained 40 pounds each time. And I already had wide hips. It took me 6 months both times to lose all the baby weight, with exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (seriously - if you need motivation to bf right now, big time weight loss helper) and minimal exercise. By "minimal" I mean I am fairly sedentary, but with the first one we did a lot of long walks daily because of colic and with the second one we had the first to take to the park. But I didn't do any extra exercise regimen. Anyway, the weight came off but it didn't leave my body the same. I still have a small belly and I never had one before and BACK FAT! But my hips are back to normal and possibly even smaller than before kids, weirdly. </p> <p>What I did the second time around to feel less "gross" during that time when I was losing weight and shifting shape every day was to invest in 2 nice pairs of black yoga pants. I also got a couple of nice long cardigans. I loved my maternity jeans and I wasn't embarrassed (too much) to keep wearing them. I celebrated milestones: every week or so I would try on progressively smaller clothes in my closet and throw out whatever maternity/big postpartum thing I'd worn to pieces. When I got to my small (months 2-6) maternity jeans, that was a party, and another party when I got to my big non-maternity jeans, etc. But just keep reminding yourself that your body is amazing, and it just went through an incredible transformation and trauma to make a miracle. In my experience, the 9 months up and 9 months down rule is right. I hit my new plateau at about 14 months post-partum and went on a massive shopping spree. Good luck. Enjoy your new little bundle and I wish you lots of sleep.</p> <p>PS - Best advice I got? Be kind to yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816782 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 00:59:27 +0000 goldenpig 816782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Scarlet, congrats again and I hope you are getting as much sleep as you can! The first few months are just a fog. </p> <p>Don't worry about your body. Like PP said, it takes 9 months to grow the baby, 9 months (at LEAST) to lose the weight. I think it took me about that long or maybe a year to get back down to pre-pregnancy weight both times. And I consider myself lucky to make it back down. (Like Jules I was an extended BFer so the weight pretty much came off on its own). But even though I made it back down to my pre-preg weight, my body had forever changed. I became an apple and my breasts were bigger. Most of my pre-pregnancy tops were too short and tight. Which is why I joined YLF and revamped my entire wardrobe! Treat yourself and consider it an excuse for a complete wardrobe refresh!</p> <p>Anyways, enjoy your little one and don't worry about your new body--it's done an amazing job! (That said, I know where you're coming from and totally sympathize...I too am a little afraid of postpartum dressing where my belly bump is no longer "cute" but a problem area to hide, LOL!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816484 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 19:06:35 +0000 Vix 816484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Scarlet --</p> <p>Did I miss grand announcement that you delivered or is this it, you sly thing?! Congratulations; hope you and Mr Scarlet have a wonderful time getting to know your baby.</p> <p>No personal experience re your question but a lot of experience with hormonal fluxes. Amazing what they can do to one's shape and psyche. </p> <p>Such great, great advice upthread from those that have been there. You can only control so much, especially at this point. Wishing you peace with that...know it's easier said than done. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816451 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:31:28 +0000 Tina.b 816451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats on your new baby! Two months is barely any time at all. I always found it took me about a year to truly feel entirely myself again.</p> <p>That said, I don't have the same body I had before my three kids. My hips are definitely a little wider and my stomach not quite as flat. Some of it may be a function of being almost forty, but I would say the pregnancies took a bit of a toll. But I'm still happy with my shape overall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816449 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:29:18 +0000 RoseandJoan 816449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely to hear from you Scarlet.</p> <p>During my first pregnancy I gained quite a lot of weight and found accepting my post pregnancy body quite difficult; after nine months, when I conceived my second child, I was nowhere near my pre pregnancy weight or shape. </p> <p>With my second pregnancy I did not gain much weight at all and after having Emmy I lost my baby weight very quickly and yet I found my body shape and particularly my hips did not return to their pre-pregnancy shape, however, they were not far off (my waist and hips are about an inch bigger than pre pregnancy). I do believe my hips took around 9 months to rebound. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816395 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:00:20 +0000 ironkurtin 816395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also let me add that my kiddo is now 8 and I remember all her ages fondly, but especially the 3 months and up. However I don't remember my body back then at all! So hang tight, ok? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816394 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:00:07 +0000 milehighstyle (Linda) 816394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know how you feel Scarlet. I thought I would be like those stars they show in the tabloids 2 months after giving birth because I work out hard and often. I was in tears when someone asked me when my baby was due six weeks AFTER I gave birth. It took 10 months for me to get back to normal. I don't think my waistline ever got back to where it used to be, but my body shape is mostly the same as it always was. Please don't worry - enjoy your little one and be patient with yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816388 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:57:09 +0000 Jules 816388@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me, it was very much hormonal, so my body was also different during breast feeding until I had my period back and was ovulating regularly (which came after the period part). For me that was 2+ years, with continued gradual change after that. I was a crazy extended BFer though. But specifically to what you describe, my butt was flat like never before and I carried more weight around the middle when I didn't have my period back.. Now my youngest is 3, my shape is more or less back to what I'm used to, but age (I'm 39) also gradually affects how you carry weight, along with exercise etc. So I don't have my pre-baby shape, I'm still thicker around the middle, but my butt is no longer flat, and that at least makes me happy </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816385 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:56:28 +0000 ironkurtin 816385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At 2 months post it is too early to tell. I definitely went through the "holy crud is this my body forever?!" stage and sleep deprivation did not help!</p> <p>Your body just did something brand new and, forgive me, effin' hard. Give it a little time to get over the shock!</p> <p>I personally found breast feeding to help a lot with mood and body shape, but I know it's not evryone's thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816374 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:52:22 +0000 Greta Black 816374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi, congrats on becoming a mommy!<br /> I was asking the same questions around 2-3 months after giving birth.<br /> For me it took 6 months to feel comfortable in my pre-pregnancy clothes - I'm not talking about weight, but rather body shape changes. After about half a year my body returned to its original form.<br /> So patience, and my answer is: your hips most probably will go back to where they were </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816359 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:36:36 +0000 Aziraphale 816359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Scarlet, I implore you not to worry about this. You are only two months out, which for me was only the beginning of the toughest part of the recovery. While my damaged lady parts had pretty much recovered, and I'd had some time to adjust to new motherhood, my hormones were still going bananas and the flush of excitement from having given birth to a beautiful, healthy child had worn off. The "in earnest" recovery -- the psychological and hormonal adjustment -- had only begun, and continued for at least twelve months.</p> <p>Your body can and will go back to very close to its former shape. Mine did. It is true that the hips can shift a little -- after all, the ligaments holding your pelvis together soften up during pregnancy and can slightly alter the shape of your hips -- and the weight you gained can affect body proportions, since as you lose it the excess fat, it may not come off straight away in the areas you gained it. But given enough time, the body normally readjusts. </p> <p>I have observed, from my female friends and acquaintances who are also mothers (and most of them are, now), that the ones who left a fairly large gap between births were the ones who regained their former shape. One child normally doesn't permanently alter your figure all that much, but two or more children can -- but usually only if the babies were spaced close together. It seems that if I woman allows her body to completely recover between pregnancies -- about two years, I'd say, before giving birth and conceiving for a second time -- she has an easier time ultimately reclaiming her former shape.</p> <p>Also keep in mind that a change in your body isn't necessarily a bad thing. Women's bodies are beautiful works of art, and one that bears the marks of having borne a child is a body to be proud of. </p> <p>FWIW, my hips and waist did tighten back up -- a full twelve months after the birth of my first child. It was harder to gauge with the second one, since I also grew a massive fibroid during my second pregnancy which needed to be surgically removed four years later, by which time it had reached the size of a small cantaloupe. But now, a year after surgery, my belly is flatter than it has ever been and I am able to comfortably fit into pre-pregnancy pants. The body has a remarkable ability to heal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816297 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:14:19 +0000 Isabel 816297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is so different from person to person. I went back to "normal" relatively quickly after my first child ( and he weighed almost 10 pounds and I had him vaginally, I was a size 2 prior to him and gained 48 lbs during the pregnancy ) . By "relatively " quickly, I mean about 6 months or so - but I did nothing "extra" like amping up my workouts. With my daughter, I had a C section , gained 28lbs and she was a preemie....and it seems that my hips shifted in such a way as to never recover, LOL. </p> <p>Keep in mind too that there is a whole lot of hormonal stuff going on and the breastfeeding.....hang in there. It is just so hard to go "back" to anything once you have a baby. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816290 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 16:06:41 +0000 deb 816290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was told 'it takes nine months for your body to push that baby out, and it will take at least that long for it to get back to where it was'. I know this is probably not what you want to hear right now, but give yourself some time. I got back into a regular three day a week excercise program and I was surprised at how fast my body went back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816284 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:58:18 +0000 MNsara 816284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm, everyone is different, and some ladies sure look to me like they bounce back to exactly their former selves, OR even better!</p> <p>But I remember after my first was born and I went to a followup Ob/Gyn visit maybe a few months after giving birth, I complained about my body not going back to *normal* and my (female) doctor looked at me with wide eyes and said something like "What did you expect? You've had a baby!"</p> <p>So, in spite of my being a VERY fit 28-y.o. runner, parts of me were forever changed. Part of my package deal, I guess :-)</p> <p>But you're SO right about our bodies being an ever-changing adventure!! If you're still nursing, there are probably more changes ahead when that stops as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-i-just-ask-postpartum-body#post-816258 Sat, 12 Jan 2013 15:35:26 +0000 Scarlet 816258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't want to sound negative, but I have just got to ask, do your hips EVER go back to where they were? I am two months out. Pants that fit my hips are saggy in the butt. A new thing for me as I always thought my caboose was relatively large. A woman's body is an ever-changing adventure is all I can say. </p>