Having a baby is a joyous time in a lot of people’s lives. It’s also one of the most stressful times, what with you having a newborn to look after, a new life as a parent to adjust to, and many sleepless nights ahead of you. 

Then there’s another issue: if you gave birth, your body is going to have a long postpartum period ahead. And despite what many people are told, this doesn’t only last around 6 to 8 weeks. It most often lasts for around 18 months to 2 full years. 

And many people lose touch with their bodies during this period. Being postpartum often makes it feel like you don’t quite recognize yourself in the mirror. You know who you’re looking at, but it doesn’t quite feel like you. 

You have new aches and pains. You have new wrinkles, dimples, and stretch marks. You might have put on weight or lost some. All in all, it often feels like you’re looking at someone else’s body, and not your own. 

And if this problem becomes something that really does make you feel like an outsider within yourself, speak to a doctor. You may need to have a few sessions of therapy, or can be signposted towards a support group for people going through the same kind of thing. 

But there are plenty of smaller things you can do, in the meantime, to help you feel more in touch with your body during the postpartum period as well. Here’s a few we recommend.  
Build Some Muscle

This is one of the best things for a body to do after pregnancy. You don’t have to hit the gym with a baby in a carrier either. Exercise slowly and steadily, at home where you feel comfortable, and try to develop a bit more muscle. 

It’ll make you feel much stronger in the long run, and can help to put more sculpting on your arms, legs, and even around the tummy. 

If you’re worried about exercising right now, talk to your doctor and/or visiting midwife for the lowdown on what you should and shouldn’t be trying. 

Take a Few More Relaxing Baths

You need some time to yourself – and we know it’s hard to get that when you’ve got a newborn to care for! But really, make sure you’ve got a few more relaxing baths written down on your planner. 

Baths can feel quite healing, they’re very comfortable and relaxing, and spending time in the water can help your skin to feel more supple, smooth, and flexible.

Similarly, make sure this hydration is in full flow from the inside too. Get a few more sips of water in your body for the best results.

If You Want to, Make Some Changes

You’ve got the power to change your body in a lot of different ways, even when you’re postpartum. 

From exercising to using new skin products to care for your skin, and even going as far as to get a tattoo over your stretch marks or a belly button piercing in the same area, you’ve still got control over your body. 

And you don’t even need to focus on the visible signs of being postpartum either. You can make changes elsewhere! Book in for a lip piercing if you want – just be sure to follow the proper advice on how to care for your lip piercing, especially at a time like this. 

Give Yourself a Break

The more pressure you put on yourself to accept and love your body right now, the harder it’s going to be to actually do so. You need to give yourself a break – you’ve just had a baby! 

You’re going to be healing from this for a long time to come. Take that time to truly get in touch with both the physical and the emotional side of being postpartum. 

You’re more than allowed to explore the different feelings that come out during this period, and no one can tell you to ignore the negative and focus only on the positive. 

Your Body is Still Yours

After having a baby, it’s important to remember to prioritize yourself, as well as your newborn. You deserve to feel good in your body, as different as it may be at this point in time. 

Don’t let postpartum blues let you feel like a stranger within your own skin. Talk to a doctor, make some changes that feel positive for you, and give yourself a break.