Postpartum Jeans Don't Fit and Family Notices

“I’m 3 months postpartum with my second and all of my maternity clothes are too big and all of my prebaby clothes are too small. I am really over the sweatpants and leggings look (plus I’m slowly going back to work…) and I can’t bring myself to buy new clothes because MAYBE I’ll fit into my old clothes again?? Well this morning I playfully tried on my husbands jeans and guess what? THEY ARE A PERFECT FIT. Hello a whole new closet of jeans and slacks and all the pants I could ever want without the”

“I’m 7 months postpartum and lost the pregnancy weight pretty quick. Problem is I can’t figure out how to get anywhere close to my pre-pregnancy shape back in my stomach. I just look insanely bloated. When I flex there isn’t much fat, I look normal, but when I’m resting my stomach puffs out like I’m 4-5 months pregnant. Just permanently. I didn’t wear a belly band pp per my OB’s recommendation and I don’t know if that was a severe mistake or not… I don’t think my abs are separated because when I”

“Hi everyone!! I’m 14 days post partum and definitely still have a squishy prominent belly. Prior to pregnancy I was a powerlifter (and will be going back!!) and had flat muscular stomach (not a brag I think it’s just useful info). I also gained 25-30lbs during pregnancy so that is the recommended amount. I don’t look bigger on the rest of my body ANYWAY I’m not asking out of vain. Im so proud of what my body did and I’m loving it either way. I’m asking because at 5 weeks post partum I’m a brides”

“6 months pp and struggling to find anything that fits Ive always been very petite, under 5'2, 100-110lbs, size 0 pants and xs/s tops. Now, everything is different. I'm bf so my bra size is up significantly making most of my shirts not-wearable and I'm still holding a lot of weight in my stomach, making my pants no where near fitting. I've been putting it off wearing the same 3 things for the past 6 months telling myself I'll soon fit into my clothes again because I dont want”

“I’m struggling a lot with how my stomach looks postpartum. I’m almost 3 months pp and I feel like my stomach is bigger than it was a few weeks pp. I only gained 12lbs during pregnancy, I was consider FGR so had to deliver early. I take my baby and dogs on walks daily and I don’t think I eat that much. I’m also pumping. Any insight would be very much appreciated. I would also like to add I am a bridesmaid in a wedding next month submitted by /u/Ill-Travel8586 [link] [comments]”

“I’m 2 years postpartum and absolutely hate the way I look. I have stretch marks all over my belly with somewhat loose skin. I’ve finally gotten my anxiety under control, which has of course helped my mood, so I’ve been actually wanting to eat. I felt so pretty when I was pregnant, and now it’s like I’m a slug crawling around. My husband is so amazing and tries his best to make me feel as good as he says I look, and I love him so much for it. I have to stop comparing myself to other moms who seem”

“I went from a size 4 pre birth 34C cup to a size 14 38 DD. I feel so huge and flabby and uncomfortable in my own skin. I’m 6 months postpartum. Exclusively breastfeeding/ occasional pumping. I’ve completely cut out sweets. I only drink water and an 8 oz cup of coffee every day. I eat lots of vegetables and fruits, healthy snacks, and protein. I try to walk at least once a day if not try to lift as well. I’m thinking of getting a gym membership as well I just don’t want to go anywhere looking lik”

“I’m 6 weeks postpartum, the highest I was pregnant was 197lbs. And then right after birth, I was 193lbs because I had a rampant kidney infection. Got readmitted into the hospital and after antibiotics I was 173lbs. I’m still healing from the infection at home on oral antibiotics and I’m like 180-183lbs. Does this kind of gain just happen or is it my infection still healing? submitted by /u/OneAngle1026 [link] [comments]”

“Hey guys. I'm 5 months postpartum with my 2nd kid (had 2 under 2) and I am REALLY struggling with my body image, particularly surrounding my weight and how big my stomach still is. This is very different from my 1st postpartum. It feels like I can't feel good about myself unless I weigh a bit less (so I can actually recognize myself in the mirror. I have 20lbs I'd like to lose, but that doesn't even seem possible without starving myself for months and that just sounds so miserabl”

“I have more weight around my stomach than I used to have so my body has changed a lot in proportions even though I lost all the weight after (although gained some back). I've been having a hard time fitting into any of my clothes. I thrift or sew most of my clothes, and most of what I've made is loose elastic waist linen pants. I was getting a pretty sick of them recently and thought how I wanted to get a pair of real jeans again, but don't have enough skill to make them so have to k”

“I am 5 weeks postpartum & 202 lbs, i feel so depressed in this huge body & want to get back to my old body asap but breastfeeding hunger is not allowing me to hold back on the extra calories submitted by /u/AnnualBarracuda867 [link] [comments]”

“Help a mom out plz!! Have a bit of a pooch now that I’d like to hide in jeans, but everything seems to show my apron belly. It’s not a horrible one, but I would like some good jeans for it. Any recs? Size 12/14 submitted by /u/Jolly-Asparagus-5815 [link] [comments]”

“I am struggling. I have been dealing with postpartum depression for a couple months now, and I was feeling depressed before my daughter was even born. Within the week of her birth, my MIL became extremely overbearing (unrelated to this issue but still a huge problem. Additionally, my father & his whole family disowned me. It stemmed from a lot of different issues he had with me but the most notable is that I refused to send him “pictures of my body” (yes those were the words he chose) during”

“TW: Body image 6 months pp with my first and I'm struggling extremely hard with how I look. I gained 60 pounds during my pregnancy and 30 of them won't budge. And to make matters worse, it completely changes my body shape for the worse - the fat is all in my belly, upper arms, and face, and I have no boobs to even help balance out the proportions. I dread leaving the house and I can't even look at myself in the mirror without feeling disgusted and horrified. Most people tell me &quot”

“I have never been this heavy, even my face looks different. I used to be so fit and confident and now I just feel hideous. None of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit, I'm wearing maternity clothes still and I'm 7 weeks postpartum. I'm exclusively breastfeeding and I've actually gained weight. I just want to cry, every time I have a moment to put some light makeup on and do my hair I end up just feeling worse about myself. submitted by /u/Minute-Tradition-737 [link] [c”

“I gained 30lbs in my pregnancy. Immediately after birth (within 1 week) I lost about 10lbs, and have since did not lose any and I started to notice Im gaining again. I’m 2 weeks postpartum just now and read lots of stories of people who lost 10-20lbs in the first few months, and I just feel like I’m fat and only getting fatter? Im not eating too much but not restricting either. submitted by /u/Pinkcaramellatte [link] [comments]”

“I’ve heard so many stories of people who are feeling upset about their body after giving birth, the belly flab, the stretch marks etc. A few of my friends are also in this same mind set after giving birth. I have always struggled with my body image but right now it’s completely different. I am 8 days post partum for an emergency c section. I have a painful wound, I’m bleeding into adult diapers daily, my belly looks like a deflated tire and my breasts are so lopsided I feel like I’m off balance.”

“I am 6 months post partum, and I still look 5-6 months pregnant. (not an exaggeration, I compared photos.) I am 5’0, 117 pounds, (I was 100lbs pre-pregnancy) and every bit of that extra weight is in my stomach. It looks so round, and sticks out further than my boobs. I legitimately look pregnant still. And anyone I mention my weight to, my feelings are invalidated because “oh your so tiny though,” “ugh i wish I was only 117,” like okay, maybe. But 117 pounds on someone with my frame/height, (bet”

“I’m one month postpartum but still wearing Frida mom disposable underwear. I have some loose skin and like the light compression they provide. Any suggestions for underwear with a similar light support feel? submitted by /u/franzia5eva [link] [comments]”

“Hoping for some words of wisdom and experience from others who’ve done this before - I was a regular runner pre pregnancy, ditched it at 34 weeks (heatwaves made even slow jogs impossible) and am religiously waiting til 6 weeks post partum to resume more than just long walks, because I live in fear of doing too much too soon and screwing with my otherwise good seeming recovery. However I feel like a caged animal at this point just walking around, and am terrifically grumpy as a result!! Only a f”

“I’m 5 weeks pp and I went out yesterday to get some jeans since, obviously, my pre-pregnancy and maternity jeans don’t fit. I’m four sizes bigger than my pre-pregnancy size. It just sucks. I’ve always been confident of how I looked and loved my body pre-pregnancy. It’s so fucking hard to see old pictures of myself. My husband will take pictures of me with the baby and I hate them. I don’t recognize my face in them. I don’t feel cute, even when I try. I’m scared of running into people I know beca”

“I’m a FTM, almost 10 months postpartum. When I got pregnant, I was in the best shape of my life. I lifted weights at the gym 4 days a week and did some cardio activity on the weekends (rollerblading 15+ miles before pregnancy). Even throughout my pregnancy, I was at the gym 4 days a week until 38 weeks. After having my baby, I have not been able to return to my gym routine at all. She is a wonderful, active, beautiful little stage 5 clinger Velcro baby who really loves her mama. I am lucky if I”

“5+ weeks postpartum now. I used to be a fashion girl before pregnancy… I’ve also been lean and tiny (in terms of size) my whole life and I realize now that was a solid part of my self image/identity. Weeks after delivery, I see lots of bony changes - the bony joints of my fingers seem to have gotten larger in size. They don’t have swelling in the fleshy parts necessarily. My wedding and engagement rings don’t fit past the thicker joints now. I’m ordering larger sized pants and I notice that my h”

“I have a question for all the moms out there: did you do specific postpartum recovery exercises, and did you manage to fit back into your pre-pregnancy clothes? If so, when? I’m currently 11 weeks postpartum (yes, I know that’s still very early), and I’ve been wondering if I’ll ever fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes again. I’m mainly concerned about my bust, ribcage, and waist, since many of my clothes are cut to fit snugly around the upper body. It might seem superficial, but a lot of my garmen”

“I always thought I wouldn't care about my postpartum body. I've been overweight most of my adult life, I have never been fit and on top of that I've never really been happy with my body, so I thought it would be the same later on, nothing new here. Well, I was so wrong. Honestly I have been the weight that I am now before, so it's not about the number on the scale. But my body is just so so different and still I can't even pinpoint how! It's just everything I used to wear”

“Self explanatory. I'm 10 weeks post partum. I was already chubby when I got pregnant but I was at my best weight for years. I've never looked better. The first few months of the pregnancy I wasn't gaining that much weight but rapidly gained weight during the 7th month and ended up gaining 39lbs. I gave birth at 34 weeks prematurely. Baby girl stayed in the NICU for 23 days because she was pretty heavily underweight. ( She's fine now). The first few days after birth I was deflatin”

“I’m three months postpartum Hormones are going crazy Started working full time again 6 weeks postpartum Still 15 lbs up pre baby weight - feel horrible Can’t stop eating, still pumping and breastfeeding I’ve never successfully had a workout routine since having kids (my oldest is three) How do you guys do it and stick to it? What are some realistic schedules you were able to maintain? I have a y membership lol submitted by /u/747pie [link] [comments]”

“I (28 F) gave birth six months ago. I’m having SUCH a hard time with my body image. I’ve never been someone who struggles with self esteem issues, but my body has obviously changed so much since having my son. I try my best to give myself grace but I now have an apron belly and am sitting a couple pounds over my pregnancy weight. Pre pregnancy i was 178 at my heaviest and now I’m 200. It’s not just the number but how my body carries the weight. I want to diet and gym but also struggle with stayi”

“Hi, Anyone else got a lot wider after giving birth and stayed that way? I'm 16 months postpartum and my body just looks incredibly wide. It's not even fat, it's the bones themselves. I don't know what to do about it, if anything can even help. I used to be thin and now I look like a fridge. submitted by /u/dar1990 [link] [comments]”

“I’m 3 months postpartum and honestly struggling a bit with how different my body looks. I’ve gained weight during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but the part that’s really getting to me is the hanging belly. I’ve gained weight before, but I’ve never had this shape, and seeing this version of myself has been harder mentally than I expected. I’m not judging anyone else’s body at all — this is just something I’m personally struggling with right now. I’d really appreciate some support and no judgment.”

“Before pregnancy I was 176 lbs. At the end of my pregnancy I was 209 lbs. After baby was born I dropped down to 187 lbs. Now 8 months pp I'm back up to 198 lbs. I never cared too much about 'bouncing back' and everyone in my life has the decency not to make comments about my weight either. I've only just noticed that my weight has crept back up. I want to try to lose some weight. The internet and search results prey on women's body inage and invent a thousand things to sell n”

“I am struggling with this new body. I have always been curvy but since having a baby, those curves are long gone and tha body I am in can only be described as akin to Danny Devito as The Penguin. But, im sick of wearing my maternity leggings and a v neck t shirt for comfort. For context I have been living in high waisted leggings and the Cheek Boss buttery soft/ second skin sports bras (because why does everything feel like sand paper now!) What is everyone's go to PP outfit? And do we ever”

“My baby is almost 4 months old and I’m starting to struggle with my pp body. I had a planned c-section (breech baby) and although I definitely feel better day by day, I’m starting to feel down about my body. I would say I was active a normal about pre-pregnancy - I enjoyed biking, yoga, hiking, running, etc. but nothing crazy. I then gained about 40 pounds during pregnancy and most of that has stayed and I’m also BF. I’m doing simple deep core exercises multiple times a week to help with the dia”

“Hi! I’m a second time mom with 2 under 2…21 month old and a 2 month old. This has been pretty challenging, but honestly, the worst part is feeling like I have completely lost myself. I used to be a somewhat attractive individual. I was never a fashionista, but I used to dress pretty well. I used to work out 4X a week. That all halted once I had my son in fall ‘24. Then I got pregnant with my daughter and had her in May of ‘26. I lost the baby weight quickly with my son. Not so much this time. I”

“What the title says! I’m 4’11”, busty (38F ish), and curvy. What are the best types of shirts, pants, etc that are flattering on my body type? I’m 6 months postpartum and trying to revamp my wardrobe to feel like myself again! Types meaning: v neck vs scoop vs higher necks; straight leg vs barrel vs wide leg, high rise vs mid vs low; and anything else I can’t think of! submitted by /u/miranda_edgecombe23 [link] [comments]”

“I get that all bodies deserve to be loved and accepted. Yes. All of that. But I’m struggling with my postpartum body at the moment and would like clothing that flatters it. I’m generally petite and I’m finding that all I want in this world right now is plus-size silhouettes sold in a medium. Everything I click on Amazon that I think will be cute and flattering turns out to only be sold in plus sizes, and now plus sizes are all that I’m getting advertised. I don’t actually know what I’m asking fo”

“I am looking for suggestions where to buy business clothes and words of wisdom to be less critical of my changed body. Fourteen months post partum and was recently promoted into a role where business attire is required (leans more formal than casual) and struggling with finding clothes to fit my new body. I am only up 7 pounds compared to pre-pregnancy but nothing seems to fit or lay right. submitted by /u/Pretend_Passion4086 [link] [comments]”

“Half complaint half question. I’m almost 6 months postpartum and nearly back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (high end of normal - not overweight) but I still have a lot of fat around my midsection. Yesterday another mom at daycare pick up asked when I was due. I am pretty confident it is not diastatis recti as I already corrected that in PT. I think it’s just fat and maybe excess skin. I’m pretty active (running and weights) and eat healthy but not dieting or calorie counting. I am still nursin”

“Went up a size for my work pants postpartum, will it still be possible to go down to my original size hip-wise or is this who I am now? I want to make space in my closet for my new work pants, but don't want to make the mistake of holding on to my old pants for nothing. I still haven't tried out any of my shorts, I guess I'm still in denial. 😑 submitted by /u/SleepIsCrucial [link] [comments]”

“So to start before I breastfeed i was a small B cup. Im now easily a DD large chest lady. Im now 10 month pp and back at the gym. I would say having big boobs in a gym setting is new to me. I used to only wear crop tops and oftern no bra at all. Yes this one's on me but I haven't gone out to buy an expensive sports bra because im thinking that when I wean may go back down a few cups sizes. Anyway Today at the gym I heard to women talking about me (you can say maybe it wasn't about me”

“Can anyone recommend? I’m only five weeks out and need a one piece with a control top and ideally string sides. It’s so hard to know from website photos what actually pulls the tummy in and so many one pieces cut tightly at the worst part of the thigh. submitted by /u/staceymcgill0 [link] [comments]”

“I’m 6 1/2 weeks postpartum with my second c section in under two years and I’m finally cleared to work out so I can get my body back but until then I’ve got quite a soft squishy apron tummy. What denim shorts have yall found flattering that holds you in and helps hide the apron look? I also have some larger thighs as well (5’ 3.5” and 189lbs currently) sorry it’s just so dang hot and I can’t live in only my athletic shorts submitted by /u/blueisntalwayblue [link] [comments]”

“I recently received photos done of my family for a summer shoot and all I can do is cry. I look so horrible. I’m full of cellulite, double chin, and just look so swollen. I was 7m pp during the shoot. My son is ebf. I gained 70 pounds and have only managed to lose about 30/35lbs. I’m 5’11” and currently bouncing between 215-220. I was 180 prior. This is so hard for me. I feel like a huge, burley monster. Idk how my husband can even find me attractive. I’ve been trying so hard to nourish my body”

“... I'm just fat lol. Fully weaned my toddler 6 weeks ago. Zero movement on the scale. I am not complaining, just laughing at every woman in my family who assured me I would "lose it all" while breastfeeding, then, when I didn't, backtracked and said "sometimes hormones do that! You will definitely lose it all after you're done BFing!" Luckily, I'm a little more plush in this season of my life so my toddler (who is in a snuggly phase) has had lots of warm, sof”

“Im 3.5 months PP, had preeclampsia and SAHM. I can’t even look at myself in pictures anymore. We had some professional pics taken with my partners side of the family and I dressed in a way I thought would hide my body, but the pictures say other wise. My face, my arms my chin, all very chubby. In the mirror I don’t really see it, I can obviously see the weight gain but I guess my brain is protecting me from seeing it badly. BUT in pictures, Jesus Christ it’s bad. Was 140, ended being 197 at the”

“We are trying for our second baby, I’m 2.5 years postpartum from my 1st. With her pregnancy I got some stretch marks and the skin on my lower belly is a bit wobblier, but I don’t have an excessive amount of loose skin and my belly button looks basically normal/ like it did before pregnancy. For some reason I am extremely worried about this pregnancy changing my body even more. I know it seems super shallow. I just wanted to ask other moms what their experience has been from pregnancy #1 to pregn”

“Hello! 5months pp FTM (32F) and I am wondering if y'all have any tips on supporting my now sagging belly skin? I gained a lot of weight pretty quickly during pregnancy (60+lbs) but was underweight prior to surgery and am still about 20-30 past a *healthy* weight. I move my body daily and weight lift when possible. I use a crepey skin cream from cera ve but dermo had mentioned retinol only after I stop breastfeeding. I also have stretch marks everywhere....anything that worked particularly we”

“1) I look like a refrigerator 2) my hemorrhoids are worse than they have ever been 3) I stood up today realizing that I leaked ass on our bedspread 4) I have very obvious prolapse because I can feel something that SHOULD NOT BE THERE I do love my kids EVEN THOUGH THEY DID THIS TO ME submitted by /u/CreativeJudgment3529 [link] [comments]”

“This is my second pregnancy. With my first, my body changed sizes pretty dramatically. I'm not talking weight gain only. My hips and rib cage got bigger. My feet got bigger. And I love clothes. I'm not like a fashionista or whatever, but I express myself through my outfits. I love thrifting. For that reason, most of my clothes are pretty old/unique so they're super hard to replace. I've already been through this once. I had to pack away clothes that I know I'll never fit into”

“Basically what the title says, but I’m really struggling with how wide my body is after pregnancy. I’ve gained about 25lbs that I’m working on losing, and I’m okay with how I look in a side view, but oh my gosh my torso and hips are so much wider from a front view. I used to be so slim and slender. Is this permanent or do you think losing the weight will help? editing to add I’m breastfeeding and am 13mo pp submitted by /u/_laurelcanyon [link] [comments]”

“Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with some exteemely stubborn weight gain postpartum. Pre pregnancy i was always thin, like 50kg without trying. I know i had it very good. But flash forward 10 months post baby and im 70kg and very much trying. Is this normal? submitted by /u/frogmum420 [link] [comments]”

“Currently 10 months pp with my first baby, and STILL 40lbs heavier than pre pregnancy. I’ve always been in great shape and tone (especially my legs) super quickly if I go a decent period without working out and soften up a bit. I gained another 5lbs in the first few months while pumping, but I’ve been done almost 2 months now and the weight still hasn’t budged. I’m working out, eating a balanced diet, and still nothing. I’ll start to look slimmer but the scale and my measurements say otherwise l”

“My baby is 5 months old and we had a very traumatic birth. Long hospital stay, high risk c-section, NICU etc. My MIL has on a few occasions made small comments about my postpartum weight, things I’ve tried to ignore. I am 20lbs off my pre-baby weight and walking a lot everyday and trying to eat well while also not becoming fixated on it. I had an eating disorder as a teenager and a horrendous pregnancy due to HG and other complications, so I’m trying to give myself some grace. But unprompted tod”

“Well, that was a mistake. I have no clothes that fit me now, so I decided to try to get a pair or two of jeans. My thighs have so much cellulite I don’t want to wear shorts. I was a size 2 before pregnancy and now even size 8’s were tight, I’m more like a size 10. It was humbling. I just can’t believe I let myself get like this. I have back rolls too that were never there before. Trying on clothes today was a huge mistake and I just want to hide in the house for the rest of summer. I ended up si”

“I just finished my breastfeeding journey 4 weeks ago and I’ve gained 8 Ibs. I’m trying to do calorie restriction (very hard) and exercise. Will I ever lose weight? Will I ever stop gaining weight? I’m losing hope. submitted by /u/evidencebasedbear [link] [comments]”

“I’m currently 3 months postpartum, 186 pounds and 5 feet 5 inches tall. I feel overweight, my BMI is recording as obese. I will say I’ve always been physically quite strong, so weighed more than what BMI records regardless. Either way, I feel ravenous while breast feeding. I know I’m overeating. I’ve tried upping protein intake, I take iron, vitamin d, vitamin b12, prenatal vitamins all on advice of my doctor. Although we are doing another blood test to see what I can opt out of. I genuinely fee”