Post baby weight gain!

[Foxmuffin]

My baby is three weeks old and I have weighed myself for the first time since before I fell pregnant today.

I have gained 1st 5lb. I feel so deflated and low with my body image right now.

Please can you share your positive stories? I am EBF and have started to use myfitnesspal in an effort to start reining it in.

I’m so happy being a Mum but the weight gain coupled with my reorganised lady bits (I had a third degree tear and a episiotomy) is really getting me down. My husband is incredibly supportive and does nothing but try and reassure me but I just feel like a total let down and a mess!

Three weeks is nothing you need to give it time.
Do not rush into it, enjoy the awesome baby your body create and your body feeds. The weight will go away, trust me.
Your body changed to adapt for the baby, your uterus like a muscle increased in size (think about your biceps going from the size of a lemon to a watermelon), it didn't just stretch and get thin. Then the blood supply and more liquid. That 1st 5 is not fat, it is the magic of motherhood.
Your breast alone probably weight more than they ever did.

Forget the scale and forget MFP. Don't focus on the calories, but on giving your body and baby at the same time the best food ever, lots of fresh salads, warm soup, cold chicken, nicely cut fruit and berries, brown rice, and so on. Go for quality and forget the quantity.

Hold your baby in your arms, enjoy walks to the park, drink plenty of water for your milk supply and be amazed by what your body has done. Your life has changed and your body will come back.

You are not a let down, you have been hurt and injured by what sounds like a very hard birth and you should talk about how you are struggling with everything.
Talk here and talk to your GP.

The body will come back, the lady bits will heal with time and your baby will melt your heart now. You are entering a new chapter in your life.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I am seeing the health visitor today so I might mention it to her. I’ve always struggled with self image and having a baby has only made that worse.

Oh OP. Be kind to yourself. It's a massive change you have been through and it takes time to get back to yourself.

I'm typing this holding my five month old so I know how you feel. Don't go anywhere near the scales for a bit. There is no need. I'm breastfeeding my LO and I've lost all my baby weight plus some.

Maybe get outside and go for a walk? Fresh air and daylight makes everything feel better.

Thank you Bumble. I’ve still got a couple of weeks until I can start walking properly. I have been out and about but was told to lay off walking too much until my 6 week check and certainly not allowed to walk the dog. I’ve been out to a breast feeding group and am getting out daily, which is definitely good for me.
I can’t wait until I can start moving about properly. I’ve always been very active so am a bit fed up especially as I can’t walk the dog so either sit on a bench and thrown his ball or else rely on other people to walk him!
I’m so pleased to hear your babyweight has gone. Hopefully I’ll be as lucky!