To expect my post-baby body back?

[happygonicky]

Baby is five and a half months and an absolute joy, but I'm starting to panic that my body will never look the same again. Bottom half, I've probably gone up half a size. Not worried about that, I'm sure that will go in time. But my stomach! I had an emergency c-section and an infected wound, so it has taken me a while to be active again. But I am active; do a class most days (often pilates), run most days too (not quite as much as I once did, but am building up fitness). Am also paying more attention to diet (could definitely do with a bit more focus in this area). But still. Walk everywhere, a lot, and am still EBF.

I don't want to get hung up on it, and I know it takes time. But it has been a while and I'm starting to worry. This is unchartered territory!

Your baby isn't even half a year old yet. It took you nine months to grow them, and then you had major abdominal surgery, with complications.

I'd also say chill out with all the exercise... Seriously, enjoy your baby, and try and love your body for the way it is now; it looks the way it does because you grew a beautiful baby in it!

So yes, YABU :)

You're only 5.5 months in so give yourself a break.
Also having a baby stretches all the stomach muscles so I'm not sure they will ever be quite the same again, mine certainly not.
Well done for being active but don't put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy your baby.

I also had a EMCS and a nasty infection. I really didn't put any effort into getting back in shape for quite a while, DD was 2 by the time I decided to do anything about it.

I followed Eat More To Weigh Less with the threads on here, and myfitnesspal. I also did the 30 day shred, and did lots of walking. I actually got down to a size smaller than I was before having DD! My stomach is still not the same shape though, and tbh, I'm not sure it ever will be. I have a slight overhang just above my scar. It certainly got smaller when I was working out, but I'm now expecting DD2, so that's somewhat set me back.

I'm actually looking forward to getting back in shape after DD2 arrives, and getting my strength and energy back.

Most people say it can take two years (obviously some do it quicker).

Like a PP said, it took you 9 months to grow, you can't expect it to spring back instantly.

Keep on as yuo are and you'll get there. Stop being so hard on yourself and enjoy your fabulous new baby. It may never be exactly as it was before, but that really doesn't matter.

At 5.5 months, I was still 1-2 sizes up. I'm now (20 months) back in most ( but not all) my pre-baby clothes.

Some people find BFing held them lose weight but for me (and friends) it was the opposite. Even at 1 feed a day my body was still hanging on to excess weight, when I stopped (DS was 17 months) I dropped a dress size in a couple of weeks with zero effort.

That said, your joints don't always snap all the way back, I'm more or less resigned to being a little wider in the hops than I used to be.

I thought this article was great. After reading it i stopped being so hard on myself about trying to get get my pre baby body back (that and getting ill whilst doing ww). There are mixed views especially in the comments section but i thought it was a good read.

jezebel.com/how-to-lose-the-baby-weight-in-just-three-lightning-fas-5993518

That's a great article, Thechick - really thought provoking. Although some of the comments are nutty and really suggest they haven't understood the article at all.

Great article, thank you. Food for thought. I don't mind it taking time, I don't mind working at it, and I don't want to look exactly the same - my lovely baby is worth it - but I don't want to go through the rest of my life looking five months pregnant. I'm hoping the BF is making my body cling onto the excess weight.

Everyone else in my NCT group is back to more or less their normal shape with minimal effort. Sigh. I'll give it more time and pay more attention to what I eat, thanks for the tips Mrs Mango.

Glad you liked it!!

First of all, don't be so sure about your NCT group friends - clothes hide a multitude of sins! My spanx are my favourite wardrobe item!

Secondly, I'm afraid there's a good chance your body will never be the same again. Your stomach has been very stretched and then operated on, so your skin will have lost a lot of natural elasticity. Many/most women end up having a bit of a 'loose' tummy after having children, no matter how slim they are or how much they exercise. I work out quite seriously and have very defined abs - but you can see them behind the wobbly, saggy wrinkly belly skin that I also have! And then there's your boobs, once you've stopped breastfeeding.... Pregnancy changes the tissue in your boobs, so they physically can't ever be the same again. And so on.

You just have to find a new way of looking at and appreciating your body - and perhaps buy a tankini for the beach...

Mine went back to nearly pre preg after dc1 but had to exercise as diet alone didnt sort my shape out. After dc2 I have to really watch my weight, if I put any weight in.ita straight in the tum and I look pregnant.

You are not alone. Have managed to tone up arms, legs through lots of walking with the pram but tummy is just awful!