Coming to terms with your post-baby belly can be a challenge, especially with unrealistic expectations on social media and the institutionalized culture of shaming women for the changes happening to their bodies. But one Reddit user is choosing to embrace her “permanent stretch marks and lose [sic] bits that might never go away,” and she’s encouraging other moms to do the same. In less than 24 hours, her Reddit post has inspired a whole community of women to come together and share their own belly pics, helping to further normalize post-pregnancy bodies. Today’s Parent explored this newfound celebration of postpartum ‘mom bods’ in our May/June 2019 print issue, so needless to say we’re totally here for this!
1. “My belly is my best asset.”
“Zero shame, girlfriend. I would do it 100x. I’m a cyclist and a runner. My belly is my best asset. This was post ride.” –Osteogenix
2. “Trying to lose as much as I can slowly.”
“Here is four months PP for me. Started off at 180 and gained 25 pounds. Trying to lose as much as I can slowly.” –beertokorea
3. “I’m really proud of the progress I’ve made, and I’m delighted to be a good example to my daughter.”
“I’m 4 years pp. I’ve always been on the heavier side, but got in decent shape prior to my pregnancies – which was squelched during the actual pregnancies. After the second/last baby was born I got really serious about my health. Currently about 4-6% away from “goal” body fat percentage (maybe 6-8lbs?) – I try not to worry to much about my weight since I’m a weight lifter and muscles are heavy! I’m really proud of the progress I’ve made, and I’m delighted to be a good example to my daughter. I eat healthy and exercise because I deserve it, and enjoying to the fullest the body I live in.” –PollyAmory
4. “12 months out AND currently 7 weeks pregnant.”
“12 months out AND currently 7 weeks pregnant. Stretch marks suck, mine got light pretty damn quick tho so there’s that I guess.” –MotherOfRockets
5. “My belly is pure stretchmarks and squishy loose skin.”
“I’m 7 months postpartum. I’m 107 pounds and my belly is pure stretchmarks and squishy loose skin.” –itty-bitty-kitten
6. “We grew humans in these bodies. We are all f*cking rockstars.”
“This was about 9 months postpartum with my second who was born at 33 weeks. I lost the weight quickly which I attribute to starting my medication again and constantly being on the go. I rarely exercise in the conventional sense of the word, I do not eat healthy at all, but I am very active. I am about 15 pounds less than my pre-pregnancy weight from my first pregnancy. I have about a 2 finger gap which I plan to work on someday which causes a bit of a pouch, I just don’t have a side view at the moment. Not pictured are my flat, wrinkly pancake boobies and my deep tiger stripes on my inner thighs! We grew humans in these bodies. We are all f*cking rockstars.” –thesleepofreason08
7. “I think my stretch marks are as faded as they are going to get but I’ve accepted them.”
“2 years out. I think my stretch marks are as faded as they are going to get but I’ve accepted them. Seriously screwed up my tattoo so I’ve got to get a cover-up or get something larger. I’ve got a fair bit of loose skin that I can stretch out.” –theglorioushers
8. “I’ve finally lost 10lb this past month.”
“I’ve finally lost 10lb this past month. I couldn’t lose anything until my period started.” –atomicassface
9. “There is no normal timeline for these things.”
“If anyone feels discouraged a few months out, just remember there is no normal timeline for these things.” –Comfyjamjams
10. “Almost 12m pp and it’s still got a little fluffiness to it.”
“Almost 12m pp and it’s still got a little fluffiness to it. Nothing too crazy different from my pre-pregnancy weight, just gives for a little extra on top of my jeans.” –ladyindodgerblue87
11. “My body is def different and my stomach is not as flat or smooth but I feel good.”
“I’m three months pp and more or less back to pre-pregnancy weight. My body is def different and my stomach is not as flat or smooth but I feel good.” –LadybugSunfl0wer
12. “Love my squishy empty baby sack!”
“7 months PP, still 20lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. But can I just say? This is waaaay comfier than a big hard heavy pregnant belly lmao. Love my squishy empty baby sack!” –Hai_kitteh_mow
13. “Just trying to find the time and energy now to start jogging again.”
“After dieting nearly a year and a half (and plateauing until I stopped breastfeeding) I finally hit my goal weight, and have been walking with the LOs everywhere I can. Just trying to find the time and energy now to start jogging again to try and tone up a little.” –existentialcatharsis
14. “Lots of little squigglies and very soft tummy.”
“Lots of little squigglies and very soft tummy. C-section incision has hypertrophic scarring. Still have my linea nigra. 10 lbs from pre-pregnancy but my body type is very different.” –Leloenci
15. “I’m so down for normalization of post-pregnancy bellies.”
“Here’s mine 9ish months after my second baby. Quite a squishy situation and I only noticed after taking this I still have that line! Thanks for sharing; I’m so down for normalization of post-pregnancy bellies and yours looks great. Is that a C-section scar on you? Or just a clothing crease?? Asking as I don’t think mine got that faint between pregnancies lol. Interesting how everyone’s bodies are affected a little differently.” –rubbertolle
Read more:
10 photos that celebrate and honour ‘imperfect’ post-baby bodies
6 things every mom should know about postpartum recovery
